That’s good to hear! I hope they keep it up. I was debating if I should start watching hockey because like you said, it’s been a tough year for NY teams.
I really hope Howden is OK. Later in the broadcast they said he was being held out for precautionary reasons, hopefully that’s the case and he’s ready to go Tuesday. He had another strong game tonight. Great seeing Henrik look like his 2011 self in this game. This is a fun team to watch, let’s hope they keep this going and get back to .500 Tuesday night!
has them playing hard, inspired hockey. This is a team with no top end goal scorer that's playing well. Even in the games they've lost, they haven't gotten blown out. Of course, Lundqvist finding the fountain of youth has helped too.
Quinn is doing a great job with what he has, which isn't much. You can tell his message is getting through and the players are playing hard. The team simply lacks the talent to compete, which is fine. Like the Knicks season, it's a development year.
My issue is that Chytil isn't scoring and Buchnevich has been healthy scratched a few times already.
Lundqvist is stealing wins for them and they've won three shootouts.
I have no idea why anyone wants this team to be .500. That does absolutely nothing for them in the long run.
I respectfully disagree with everything you said here. I think the team has played well, no matter who they have played (except for the Carolina game), they have been competitive in every game. Henrik has stolen them some games, but what they have gotten out of some of these younger guys has been more than I was expecting. I like the way this team plays and have enjoyed watching them this year. They aren’t the most talented group, but rooting for them to lose makes no sense to me. I would rather have these guys playing for something meaningful in March.
The teams with the most world class players win the Stanley Cup. The Rangers have one world class player and he's 37. These "wins" are losses.
Sometimes this is true, like many sports. but often times it is not true in hockey. The Kings won 2 cups recently with nowhere near the most world class players in the league.
In this century I think it's 50/50. You can argue the Penguins and Blackhawks fit your description, maybe the Red Wings, but I don't consider the Capitals, Kings (2), Devils, Ducks, lightning, Bruins, Canes to fit.
A hot goalie and team peaking/playing cohesively (like Vegas last year) can win a cup.
But with the Rangers I think you're more right than wrong.
I wouldn't root against wins or worry about it now on 11/5, but the Rangers don't have a solid core IMO at the NHL level to build off they need to add more. Harder to add elite skill being a middle of the pack team.
RE: RE: They're not actually playing well, though Â
rooting for them to lose makes no sense to me. I would rather have these guys playing for something meaningful in March.
Then you're being extremely short-sighted. The Rangers desperately need elite talent. They need to hit the jackpot in the draft or else they will be mired in mediocrity for a long time.
RE: RE: They're not actually playing well, though Â
I respectfully disagree with everything you said here. I think the team has played well, no matter who they have played (except for the Carolina game), they have been competitive in every game.
Actually, they were competitive in the Carolina game. The score was 5-4 Rangers in the third period before they self destructed.
It is also counterproductive in getting a big draft pick to help this team in the future. I will never root for losses though, so this has been fun. Personally, I think the real losing will come when they trade guys like Hayes, Zucc, etc. later in the season.
RE: RE: RE: They're not actually playing well, though Â
rooting for them to lose makes no sense to me. I would rather have these guys playing for something meaningful in March.
Then you're being extremely short-sighted. The Rangers desperately need elite talent. They need to hit the jackpot in the draft or else they will be mired in mediocrity for a long time.
I agree with that. Rangers have a solid farm system, but lack an elite game-changing guy. Hughes and Kaako would presumably be just that.
But I need winners, man. I need to have a reason to watch. I want to see us win.
Outshot 40-22 by Buffalo
Outshot 30-24 by Anaheim
Outshot 40-25 by LA
Outshot 37-19 by Chicago
Outshot 38-22 by Florida
That's 5 of their last 6 games. They're managing to win a few of these because of excellent goaltending, not because they're playing particularly well as a team.
in December/January in Vancouver will force some movement/solidification of prospects.
Kotkaniemi wasn't in the first round by many this time last year, he went #3.
I think Maxim Cajkovic will be this year's Kotkaniemi. Ranked #30 right now by some, I think he winds up top half of the 1st at least and maybe top 10.
he shined last year IMO in the world juniors as a 17 year old and he should be there again this year at 18. he plays for Solvakia, so doesn't get the acclaim that the players from the top 5 do (US, Canada, Russia, Sweden, and Finland)
This year, like last year, will have a wire to wire #1 top prospect (with Hughes) barring significant injury.
Outshot 40-22 by Buffalo
Outshot 30-24 by Anaheim
Outshot 40-25 by LA
Outshot 37-19 by Chicago
Outshot 38-22 by Florida
That's 5 of their last 6 games. They're managing to win a few of these because of excellent goaltending, not because they're playing particularly well as a team.
You can't go by just shot totals. Washington won it all despite being 31st in shots. The killer is you can't be consistently allowing 35 shots+ per game. That sort of Defense will tire out Lundqvist.
Washington has just a wee bit more scoring talent than the Rangers do Â
That's such a meaningless comparison. This team is not very good. They lack talent. They lack scoring ability. They lack defensemen. The only thing they don't lack is quality goaltending.
they were outshooting teams for the most part but were losing games. It happens. I'm not going to come on here bitching about the team winning games. Picking top 3 is great but it's also not an automatic path to success. Couple teams have been picking there for a decade without much to show for it. There is something to be said for establishing a positive culture under a new coach after how bad things got under AV. And this upcoming free agent class does have elite talent, if they want to go that route
Sounds like this Kaapo Kaako is gaining some steam and may challenge Hughes for the #1 pick.
I doubt it but of course it's possible, Kakko is good no doubt and is almost already consensus #2 and I like his size better, but Hughes is still in another class IMO. Plus Hughes projects as a legit #1 NHL Center, Kakko is a wing.
If it's close I go center all day, you can move centers to wing pretty seamlessly, but the reverse is not always true.
World Juniors is usually the last significant chance players have to move (barring injury).
For rooting for a successful season. The Rangers built a consistently legitimate contender from 08 to 16 without having any top 5 picks. The Oilers have drafted #1 overall 4 times in the past decade, yeah it netted them McDavid, but Hall has since been traded away, Nugent-Hopkins has been largely disappointing, and do we need to discuss Yakupov? Islanders turned a bunch of top 5 picks into Tavares, Niederreiter, Strome, and of course, everyone’s top stalwart defenseman in the league, Griffin Reinhart.
In the NHL, more so than any other league, tanking is not a solution. Very rarely does it work out, like it did for the Penguins who just happened to be the worst team in hockey the years that Crosby and Malkin entered the draft. Am I saying that top picks do not have an impact? Absolutely not. I see what Stamkos and Hedman have done for Tampa, what Kane and Toews have done for Chicago, etc. But to be rooting for a horrible team in November, instead of hoping to see some guys emerge as core players to build around, is insane to me.
The Rangers are rebuilding, they’ll have an opportunity to get Panarin next offseason, while developing Howden, Chytil, Andersson, Pionk, Buchnevich, continuing to see Zibanejad increase his role. There have been mistakes by management including signing Spooner and Namestnikov to extended contracts, so I won’t say this team is built perfectly. What I do see is some young players playing their asses off, a coach who looks like he belongs at this level, and a team headed in the right direction.
Sounds like Lias will get called up to replace Howden Â
snippet from a year ago, when he was 16 playing against 18 year olds.
This is a kid who demolished every scoring mark set by guys like Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel, Clayton Keller for the USNDT.
He had 116 points for the season, 1 shy of Auston Matthews record of 117, only thing is Matthews did it as a 17 year old, Hughes was 16 and everyone ages and develops differently, but IMO that year can make a huge difference in maturation and confidence.
Some additional perspective, age 16 year old seasons, McDavid 99 points (OHL), Stamkos 92 points (OHL), again Hughes 116 points.
Hughes averaged in the USHL 2 pts per game, Matthews averaged 1 pt per game, Svechnikov 1.2 pts per game.
And Hughes did it as a 16 year old.
Last year Hughes was the first under-ager to lead the U18 Worlds in scoring since McDavid did it when he was 15.
Hughes is undersized, but he's a no-brainer top pick for me (barring injury).
You want scoring, elite speed, leadership, this is your guy.
Things will level out as the season goes on - I still expect us to be pretty damn bad. But I'm not mad seeing them win a few right now. They're playing hard and the experience/finding ways to win is good for the younger guys. We're obviously not going anywhere this year but we don't need to lose every night.
Anderson recalled... Gorton quoted a month ago as saying next Â
time he was called up, it would be with the intention he would never be sent back down... and with Howden supposedly ok (even if he sits tomorrow for precautionary reasons), what are the Rangers going to do at center?
RE: RE: RE: They're not actually playing well, though Â
rooting for them to lose makes no sense to me. I would rather have these guys playing for something meaningful in March.
Then you're being extremely short-sighted. The Rangers desperately need elite talent. They need to hit the jackpot in the draft or else they will be mired in mediocrity for a long time.
C’mon Greg... how is he being short sighted? He gets to enjoy how they play while his enjoyment and rooting have literally zero impact upon wins and losses. Sounds like a perfect win/win to me.
doesn't have a concussion. He tried to get up multiple times and looked like he couldn't tell you his name.
Looked like knee at first because his knee was at an awkward angle, but his face slammed into the boards and when he tried to stand it seemed like a head injury.
doesn't have a concussion. He tried to get up multiple times and looked like he couldn't tell you his name.
Looked like knee at first because his knee was at an awkward angle, but his face slammed into the boards and when he tried to stand it seemed like a head injury.
Yea, it was a bad situation. I'm just going on what they said during the game - they were talking about how worried they were about Howden and then minutes later said they had just received word that the only reason he wasn't returning to the game was "for precautionary reasons". Of course, with the NHL, teams lie like crazy about injuries.
If it's a concussion, hopefully he's back by Fri/Sat's games... and assuming he isn't out long term, I don't get what the Rangers plans are for the logjam at center.
I have no idea why anyone wants this team to be .500. That does absolutely nothing for them in the long run.
My issue is that Chytil isn't scoring and Buchnevich has been healthy scratched a few times already.
I have no idea why anyone wants this team to be .500. That does absolutely nothing for them in the long run.
I respectfully disagree with everything you said here. I think the team has played well, no matter who they have played (except for the Carolina game), they have been competitive in every game. Henrik has stolen them some games, but what they have gotten out of some of these younger guys has been more than I was expecting. I like the way this team plays and have enjoyed watching them this year. They aren’t the most talented group, but rooting for them to lose makes no sense to me. I would rather have these guys playing for something meaningful in March.
I suspect we’ll see another sell off later in the year, and perhaps we can trade up to a relatively high pick with our additional assets.
Sometimes this is true, like many sports. but often times it is not true in hockey. The Kings won 2 cups recently with nowhere near the most world class players in the league.
In this century I think it's 50/50. You can argue the Penguins and Blackhawks fit your description, maybe the Red Wings, but I don't consider the Capitals, Kings (2), Devils, Ducks, lightning, Bruins, Canes to fit.
A hot goalie and team peaking/playing cohesively (like Vegas last year) can win a cup.
But with the Rangers I think you're more right than wrong.
I wouldn't root against wins or worry about it now on 11/5, but the Rangers don't have a solid core IMO at the NHL level to build off they need to add more. Harder to add elite skill being a middle of the pack team.
Then you're being extremely short-sighted. The Rangers desperately need elite talent. They need to hit the jackpot in the draft or else they will be mired in mediocrity for a long time.
I respectfully disagree with everything you said here. I think the team has played well, no matter who they have played (except for the Carolina game), they have been competitive in every game.
Actually, they were competitive in the Carolina game. The score was 5-4 Rangers in the third period before they self destructed.
Quote:
rooting for them to lose makes no sense to me. I would rather have these guys playing for something meaningful in March.
Then you're being extremely short-sighted. The Rangers desperately need elite talent. They need to hit the jackpot in the draft or else they will be mired in mediocrity for a long time.
I agree with that. Rangers have a solid farm system, but lack an elite game-changing guy. Hughes and Kaako would presumably be just that.
But I need winners, man. I need to have a reason to watch. I want to see us win.
Outshot 30-24 by Anaheim
Outshot 40-25 by LA
Outshot 37-19 by Chicago
Outshot 38-22 by Florida
That's 5 of their last 6 games. They're managing to win a few of these because of excellent goaltending, not because they're playing particularly well as a team.
Kotkaniemi wasn't in the first round by many this time last year, he went #3.
I think Maxim Cajkovic will be this year's Kotkaniemi. Ranked #30 right now by some, I think he winds up top half of the 1st at least and maybe top 10.
he shined last year IMO in the world juniors as a 17 year old and he should be there again this year at 18. he plays for Solvakia, so doesn't get the acclaim that the players from the top 5 do (US, Canada, Russia, Sweden, and Finland)
This year, like last year, will have a wire to wire #1 top prospect (with Hughes) barring significant injury.
But there is a lot of talent in this draft.
Outshot 30-24 by Anaheim
Outshot 40-25 by LA
Outshot 37-19 by Chicago
Outshot 38-22 by Florida
That's 5 of their last 6 games. They're managing to win a few of these because of excellent goaltending, not because they're playing particularly well as a team.
You can't go by just shot totals. Washington won it all despite being 31st in shots. The killer is you can't be consistently allowing 35 shots+ per game. That sort of Defense will tire out Lundqvist.
I doubt it but of course it's possible, Kakko is good no doubt and is almost already consensus #2 and I like his size better, but Hughes is still in another class IMO. Plus Hughes projects as a legit #1 NHL Center, Kakko is a wing.
If it's close I go center all day, you can move centers to wing pretty seamlessly, but the reverse is not always true.
World Juniors is usually the last significant chance players have to move (barring injury).
In the NHL, more so than any other league, tanking is not a solution. Very rarely does it work out, like it did for the Penguins who just happened to be the worst team in hockey the years that Crosby and Malkin entered the draft. Am I saying that top picks do not have an impact? Absolutely not. I see what Stamkos and Hedman have done for Tampa, what Kane and Toews have done for Chicago, etc. But to be rooting for a horrible team in November, instead of hoping to see some guys emerge as core players to build around, is insane to me.
The Rangers are rebuilding, they’ll have an opportunity to get Panarin next offseason, while developing Howden, Chytil, Andersson, Pionk, Buchnevich, continuing to see Zibanejad increase his role. There have been mistakes by management including signing Spooner and Namestnikov to extended contracts, so I won’t say this team is built perfectly. What I do see is some young players playing their asses off, a coach who looks like he belongs at this level, and a team headed in the right direction.
This is a kid who demolished every scoring mark set by guys like Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel, Clayton Keller for the USNDT.
He had 116 points for the season, 1 shy of Auston Matthews record of 117, only thing is Matthews did it as a 17 year old, Hughes was 16 and everyone ages and develops differently, but IMO that year can make a huge difference in maturation and confidence.
Some additional perspective, age 16 year old seasons, McDavid 99 points (OHL), Stamkos 92 points (OHL), again Hughes 116 points.
Hughes averaged in the USHL 2 pts per game, Matthews averaged 1 pt per game, Svechnikov 1.2 pts per game.
And Hughes did it as a 16 year old.
Last year Hughes was the first under-ager to lead the U18 Worlds in scoring since McDavid did it when he was 15.
Hughes is undersized, but he's a no-brainer top pick for me (barring injury).
You want scoring, elite speed, leadership, this is your guy.
There are tons of these videos.
Link - ( New Window )
Reminds me of Adam Banks from Mighty Ducks.
And it's not like Kane looked like a man on his draft day either.
Quote:
He looks like he just came out of the womb
Reminds me of Adam Banks from Mighty Ducks.
And it's not like Kane looked like a man on his draft day either.
Well, that settles it. His nickname will be Cake Eater
Quote:
rooting for them to lose makes no sense to me. I would rather have these guys playing for something meaningful in March.
Then you're being extremely short-sighted. The Rangers desperately need elite talent. They need to hit the jackpot in the draft or else they will be mired in mediocrity for a long time.
C’mon Greg... how is he being short sighted? He gets to enjoy how they play while his enjoyment and rooting have literally zero impact upon wins and losses. Sounds like a perfect win/win to me.
Looked like knee at first because his knee was at an awkward angle, but his face slammed into the boards and when he tried to stand it seemed like a head injury.
Looked like knee at first because his knee was at an awkward angle, but his face slammed into the boards and when he tried to stand it seemed like a head injury.
Yea, it was a bad situation. I'm just going on what they said during the game - they were talking about how worried they were about Howden and then minutes later said they had just received word that the only reason he wasn't returning to the game was "for precautionary reasons". Of course, with the NHL, teams lie like crazy about injuries.
If it's a concussion, hopefully he's back by Fri/Sat's games... and assuming he isn't out long term, I don't get what the Rangers plans are for the logjam at center.
This fucking team man.
Holy shit.
Holy shit.
I came here now to see if you or Greg changed your minds.