How come there's no Rangers thread? Well, this is it. First period: Rangers absolutely dominant and ahead 2-0. Great play throughout by Rangers so far. Penguins look listless without Crosby.
Worries me as goalie. No reliable puck control after shots -- too many rebounds out there in front instead of to the side. And he does that with shots he ought instead to just hold on to. Rangers need to pick it up in final period. They do much better with speed and the long, quick passing game in open ice than in the corners or along the boards.
I went to the Islanders-Pens game at Barclay's last week
Tonight's game is a great reminder of how much of a crapshoot the NHL Draft can be. Sometimes it's a weak year and the #2 pick will only get you a consolation prize like Evgeni Malkin. Other times, the stars align and you can land a Kaapo Kakko.
He came highly touted, but you'd look at his college tape and see a small guy with average speed and wonder how his game would translate. His hockey IQ is exceptional, though - great positioning, great decision-making with the puck, and his vision is uncanny.
Yeah, that would be it. The way it's really spelled just doesn't have that kind of chant to it. But we're going to be hearing a lot more of just plain "Kakko, Kakko" this year. Three on goal with two going in, one the OT winner? What a night for him!
3 goals all scored by players 21 or less. Even aside from the goals, Kakko was difficult to knock off the puck last night, and he was tougher along the boards than we've seen so far. Fox and Lindgren were my 2 favorite players to watch last night. Fox is like a magician with the puck, and Lindgren played a great physical game (including punching Malkin in the face while the ref wasn't looking!). I also can't get enough of Chytil, and of course Panarin has been worth every penny. Great overall team win.
of late. Kakko, Fox, Lindegn, Chytil, and Georgiev have all played good hockey, plus TDA and Buch are really stepping up and taken their respective games to another level.
3 goals all scored by players 21 or less. Even aside from the goals, Kakko was difficult to knock off the puck last night, and he was tougher along the boards than we've seen so far. Fox and Lindgren were my 2 favorite players to watch last night. Fox is like a magician with the puck, and Lindgren played a great physical game (including punching Malkin in the face while the ref wasn't looking!). I also can't get enough of Chytil, and of course Panarin has been worth every penny. Great overall team win.
++ That quality of KK's play (difficult to separate from the puck and toughness/tenacity to keep control along the boards) is what stood out during last summer's Worlds, more than his prowess around the net. Both are becoming prodigious at this level.
Echo yours and Greg's comments on Fox, so smart, so savvy, such vision with the stick and positioning.
is the greatest mark in favor of Quinn thus far. Handled him very well last season and has gotten the best out of him, in a way that AV never could. Deangelo is a similar case.
It's why I'm willing to be somewhat patient with how he's handling the rest of the young talent (even if I wish he'd give Lias more ice time).
also have Strome quietly playing the best hockey of his career at a PPG pace.
I think playing w/ Panarin has definately juiced Strome stats since Zib went out with an injury - the Breadman is that good, a phenomenal player actually.
Panarin is unbelievable with his ability to hold onto the puck and how he'll hold it an extra second to find the open man. Such a fun player to watch
I think Panarin is the best player the Rangers have had since Jagr. We got a few good years out of Nash and Gaborik, but those 2 were also very streaky. Panarin is a threat every game, and his creativity with the puck is special. He raises the level of every player on the ice. I know a lot of people were hesitant in wanting to give him the money he received, but I am thrilled he is here for the next 7 years.
He'd always looked like a solid puck mover and I expected as much, but he looks like ea legit top pair D. I expected he'd be sheltered a little (and he has been - 3rd pair and PP QB). I'd love to see him get top 4 min and match-ups at some point.
I'm not ready to say he's in Makar's class yet though (you can, I'm not). I need to see more from Fox.
Makar looks a lot like a young Erik Karlsson (78 points in his age 21 season). I have been seeing plays like this one linked from Makar all season. I don't just expect Makar to win Calder (if healthy), but he'll be in Norris discussions throughout his career. Fox may too, not ready to say that yet. Link - ( New Window )
The D has been a total mess under him. More telling is that Skjei has seriously regressed. After looking like a future top pairing anchor he now looks lost out there at times.
With an established young stud in Trouba, a skilled but struggling player in Skjei, the skilled kids in the NHL in Fox/TDA/Hajek/Lindgren and the impressive looking pool or prospects (namely Miller, Lundkvist and Rykov) we should be set on the backend. In fact, we should have a top-flight, nearly entirely homegrown unit if most of these guys progress as expected. But having Ruff at the helm of the unit, who at this point has proven he is not up to the task, is a big mistake.
I think part of the reason Ruff is here is because DQ is new as a head coach at this level and they wanted a veteran coach in the building. But I think Quinn has shown he has the chops for the job so I don't see the benefit in keeping around a guy who is a detriment to the D unit as a whole
the D has seemed convoluted and confusing at times. And, lately we've also seen a propensity for the team to get trapped in their own end. Feels like they should make a change there, but who knows if they'd do that in season.
fan, but I'd be lying if I said I knew how much impact the defense assistant has on the on ice results vs the head coach and the overall system. For example, you can't have stretch passes and defenseman activate if it's not part of your system. You can or can't encourage D to pinch if you have a less or more aggressive forecheck. etc.
For example, in Trotz system, he directly impacts the D and the goalie. Same with a Laviolette system in Nashville.
So, as much as I wouldn't have hired Ruff, I think he's probably there more for Quinn to have a veteran presence as a young, first time, NHL head coach and maybe one who doesn't have a personality that would over shadow the head coach.
and for all you know, it could be Quinn's system that has the D running around so much.
Or not. I just don't know how most fans can make that determination.
I'd probably replace Ruff at some point that made sense, just not sure fans will see much change.
Skjei was disappointing before Ruff got to the Rangers. In fact I thought Skjei was better last year - his first under Ruff, than he was the prior year without Ruff. But both still disappointing IMO after his 22 year old season when I thought he had star potential.
Quinn, and there are games where the team really does look good and coached for almost all of the 60 minutes. So I do think he's keeping his vets and 7 21 and youngers going in the same direction, and that's basically what I'd want from a Ranger coach at this point. I just think there's a simpler way for the defense to function,
Consistency is the pitfall of inexperience. As long as consistency trends upward over the course of the season, I'll be happy.
Yes, but not well enough to make this comparison -- but I'll gladly take another Rousseau!
RELEASE THE KRAKKO!
Quote:
Meant Kakko. Overly excited. Big win!)
RELEASE THE KRAKKO!
Yeah, that would be it. The way it's really spelled just doesn't have that kind of chant to it. But we're going to be hearing a lot more of just plain "Kakko, Kakko" this year. Three on goal with two going in, one the OT winner? What a night for him!
This year is likely too early to make hay, but I can see them gelling down the stretch as long as they don't hit a wall and make the playoffs.
Can TDA and Skjei swap contracts please???
Echo yours and Greg's comments on Fox, so smart, so savvy, such vision with the stick and positioning.
Chytil looks like our future 2C.
Kakko will probably flirty with 45+ goals in his prime.
Fox will challenge Makar in scoring going forward.
And all this without Mika. Progress being made.
It's why I'm willing to be somewhat patient with how he's handling the rest of the young talent (even if I wish he'd give Lias more ice time).
I think playing w/ Panarin has definately juiced Strome stats since Zib went out with an injury - the Breadman is that good, a phenomenal player actually.
I think Panarin is the best player the Rangers have had since Jagr. We got a few good years out of Nash and Gaborik, but those 2 were also very streaky. Panarin is a threat every game, and his creativity with the puck is special. He raises the level of every player on the ice. I know a lot of people were hesitant in wanting to give him the money he received, but I am thrilled he is here for the next 7 years.
He'd always looked like a solid puck mover and I expected as much, but he looks like ea legit top pair D. I expected he'd be sheltered a little (and he has been - 3rd pair and PP QB). I'd love to see him get top 4 min and match-ups at some point.
I'm not ready to say he's in Makar's class yet though (you can, I'm not). I need to see more from Fox.
Makar looks a lot like a young Erik Karlsson (78 points in his age 21 season). I have been seeing plays like this one linked from Makar all season. I don't just expect Makar to win Calder (if healthy), but he'll be in Norris discussions throughout his career. Fox may too, not ready to say that yet.
Link - ( New Window )
I still think Ruff is a huge issue.
With an established young stud in Trouba, a skilled but struggling player in Skjei, the skilled kids in the NHL in Fox/TDA/Hajek/Lindgren and the impressive looking pool or prospects (namely Miller, Lundkvist and Rykov) we should be set on the backend. In fact, we should have a top-flight, nearly entirely homegrown unit if most of these guys progress as expected. But having Ruff at the helm of the unit, who at this point has proven he is not up to the task, is a big mistake.
I think part of the reason Ruff is here is because DQ is new as a head coach at this level and they wanted a veteran coach in the building. But I think Quinn has shown he has the chops for the job so I don't see the benefit in keeping around a guy who is a detriment to the D unit as a whole
For example, in Trotz system, he directly impacts the D and the goalie. Same with a Laviolette system in Nashville.
So, as much as I wouldn't have hired Ruff, I think he's probably there more for Quinn to have a veteran presence as a young, first time, NHL head coach and maybe one who doesn't have a personality that would over shadow the head coach.
and for all you know, it could be Quinn's system that has the D running around so much.
Or not. I just don't know how most fans can make that determination.
I'd probably replace Ruff at some point that made sense, just not sure fans will see much change.
Skjei was disappointing before Ruff got to the Rangers. In fact I thought Skjei was better last year - his first under Ruff, than he was the prior year without Ruff. But both still disappointing IMO after his 22 year old season when I thought he had star potential.
It could definitely be Quinn. I'm not in love with Quinn yet, either.
He might be the Tom Renney*-type that is a good coach for a few years and then has to go when the team is ready to ascend to the next level.
*I still love Renney.