He’s a big kid but doesn’t play physical and he doesn’t contribute much offensively either. I have no idea how he’s been playing in Hartford this year, but this is his third go-round in the A. Never a good sign.
but they were not going to get a point in every game the rest of the year. To me this game came down to 3 things. 1. Igor letting pucks squeak through him (which he allowed 2 last game too). 2. Rangers had 3 breakaway chances and didn't score on any. In fact, I don't think they've scored on a breakaway all season. 3. They missed the net on a number of opportunities.
I'm definitely not freaking out about Zibanejad, he generally starts the year slowly, but basically they lost this game because the Stars big guns finished on their chances and ours didn't. The Rangers played a pretty good game in my opinion, until the wheels fell off in the 3rd period. Jones and Schneider had another really rough night. Either way, it's hard to be mad at a team who hadn't lost a game in regulation in over a month. No shame in losing on the road to one of the best teams in the league. Go take care of the Pens and it's all good.
yes, good business decision! Some of what you missed:
Aside from 3rd pair issues, those were matched, at least, by Igor's pantomimes on 3rd and 4th goals, not sharp, he looked out of it. There was a chance to earn Zib his 2nd point of the season and extend lead to 3-1 on his pitch perfect, cross ice pass to find Kreider steaming in wide open on the left wing, but he went low and short side, keeper had an easy save. That was all she wrote and all Stars from that point on. Lavy started messing with lines, pulled Igor on a PP with 4 minutes to go...shit show.
Replacing Schneider with a steady vet damn is critical. He’s just so erratic.
I think he was settling in with Gustafsson, and generally I feel like he's been pretty good aside from a few rough games. I guess that's the erratic description you gave. I do not think the Rangers will be targeting any defensemen, maybe a depth kind of guy. I think their main focus will be, if Chytil is really going to be out long term, getting a middle 6 C. As much as I like Bonino, he is a 4C. That's really the biggest need if they're going to be without Chytil for the rest of the season, which is a definite possibility with his concussion history.
on your 3rd pair, I just think he's upgradeable. he has not developed like I thought he would after being drafted. Yet.
I would find a veteran D if I were Drury - if nothing else, keep Fox (when he comes back), Miller, Trouba and Lindgren fresh. that top 4 is maybe the best in the league.
I have been very impressed with Jones offense. Such a heady player he has become, smooth, smart, skilled, but I want him nowhere near my playoff D rotation. He needs to work on his D and his strength.
Also, if Chytil is out longer term I know fans don't want to hear it, but Kane is maybe the best option out there if they can make the cap work. I don't think it's C so much they need to fix without Chytil - after a decent start his lack of face off prowess returned and obviously C is not just face offs, but he was not special on the breakout, or defensively - good, not special. He can't take face offs. Maybe put Kane with Mika and Kreider and Wheeler at 3C - he is not a face off specialist but won't embarrass himself and has C experience - and it won't be an anchor on Mika and Kreider.
This is a very deep team. Especially bottom 6 right now.
I'd be very leery of Kane just because of what surgery he had
Backstrom tapping out on this season after eight games was eye opening. Kane is only a year younger than him, same surgery.
Sure, there is risk, but the cost is just cash. If Kane can't come back and be himself he goes on LTIR and you can spend that money again. Worth the risk IMO as Kane was a 92 pt player a season ago. Backstrom has already been slowing down before the surgery.
yes, good business decision! Some of what you missed:
Aside from 3rd pair issues, those were matched, at least, by Igor's pantomimes on 3rd and 4th goals, not sharp, he looked out of it. There was a chance to earn Zib his 2nd point of the season and extend lead to 3-1 on his pitch perfect, cross ice pass to find Kreider steaming in wide open on the left wing, but he went low and short side, keeper had an easy save. That was all she wrote and all Stars from that point on. Lavy started messing with lines, pulled Igor on a PP with 4 minutes to go...shit show.
continuing to carry the torch for Kane and picking up one for #55: Fox/Lindgren and Trouba/Miller maybe top two pair in League? Do my eyes deceive? (:
Fully with Greg on this: didn't want him last year and he was toasty in SCP. There's gotta be a better option hiding in the weeds; I don't know what it is as you know the League and its personnel to 3 SDs better than I, but still.
I do agree your point on an 'extra' d-man and give some rest to top four. As last season wore on it seemed to me Fox wore down given how much TOI he was getting. To my eyes he hasn't come close to the d-man he was in his Norris year; offensively, no argument, but in his own end, goofy, mindless decision making.
continuing to carry the torch for Kane and picking up one for #55: Fox/Lindgren and Trouba/Miller maybe top two pair in League? Do my eyes deceive? (:
Fully with Greg on this: didn't want him last year and he was toasty in SCP. There's gotta be a better option hiding in the weeds; I don't know what it is as you know the League and its personnel to 3 SDs better than I, but still.
I do agree your point on an 'extra' d-man and give some rest to top four. As last season wore on it seemed to me Fox wore down given how much TOI he was getting. To my eyes he hasn't come close to the d-man he was in his Norris year; offensively, no argument, but in his own end, goofy, mindless decision making.
Kane was 3rd on the Rangers in playoff points. He had 6 points in 7 games.
If that's what you mean by "...and he was toasty in SCP..." I'd take it in a heartbeat.
the rangers have such a long history of chasing the shiny object and it never works out, when it makes sense, fans tend to shun it.
There are a lot of other options, but Kane to me is attractive because he is a FA who costs nothing but cash.
Are you going to trade for Hertl?
Trade for Laine?
Trade for Josh Anderson (who is not a C)?
Trade for Sean Monahan?
do the Rangers even have the parts to trade and the cap room to do it?
If Chytil goes on LTIR Kane slots in to that easily so despite the name and history, he's a good fit.
if he wants to come and sign a $800K deal, let's go get him. In the more likely event he wants something like a 2-3 year deal at $3M+ per year, you let him go elsewhere. As for other trade options, Hertl and Laine are way too expensive, they'd have to make a Vatrano/Copp kind of player their target. Forwards I can see on the move would be Henrique, Tyler Johnson, Tarasenko, Lindholm, Duclair, Roslovic, Monahan, Jost, Blais. These guys are all UFA at the end of this season, with varying AAV's.
I think the Rangers are in an interesting spot. This is clearly a win now team. If they stand pat, they're one of the best 5 teams in the league. Adding a RW or C to play in the top 6 could put them over the top, but they're not going to sacrifice any major prospects in order to do so, in my opinion. Picks yes, prospects no.
hard pass on Kane. that ship sailed and that injury is known to be
I was really high on Jones and was hoping he'd be our #6, but he's not very good. A fine #7, I guess.
Schneider hasn't developed since his promising rookie year IMO. I'd be willing to trade him to upgrade at the deadline.
The Fox injury might be a blessing in disguise for him, as he gets a break and takes some time off. I've always felt teams should manage guys more in the regular season (like the NBA), but I know that's not hockey culture.
Emily Kaplan — “I’m told that Kane wanted to run it back with #NYR. He felt really frustrated by how hampered his hip was last year. He wants the chance to do it again.
I’m told that Chris Drury was kind of like ‘Woah, pump the breaks, the cap space is going to be [difficult].’”
That Kane really wanted another shot with the Rangers.
If I knew he was truly healthy, I'd say go for it, particularly with Chytil's status being a total mystery. I don't really dispute Brett's characterization of him. However, they need more points to be produced. Right now the offense is middling and even that is heavily dependent on the PP continuing to excel.
But I suspect he isn't going to be 100% physically.
Emily Kaplan — “I’m told that Kane wanted to run it back with #NYR. He felt really frustrated by how hampered his hip was last year. He wants the chance to do it again.
I’m told that Chris Drury was kind of like ‘Woah, pump the breaks, the cap space is going to be [difficult].’”
If Chytil goes on LTIR the Rangers have that space to use.
Mikkola is on FLA and doing well individually and the team is doing well. If that continues I doubt he gets moved.
Tarasenko also doing well, mostly as a distributor, but he should be available unless OTT surges in the standings - which is possible they have talent.
Ottawa is better positioned than their points total suggests, they have two games in hand on the Hurricanes and four on the Lightning, who are four and six points ahead of OTT, respectively. I'm bullish on OTT and think they can make a real run at a spot.
Rest assured they will get this one right.
Yup, completely careless.
I think the ref thought he had it under his glove and that Marchment hit his glove to knock it in.
IMV, they took the game over in second period
Tough break. But I guess they were due to lose one.
Alright, regroup and focus on Wednesday
He’s a different player imv.
Defensive positioning was poor tonight
Stars took advantage of his size when he was on the ice.
I'm definitely not freaking out about Zibanejad, he generally starts the year slowly, but basically they lost this game because the Stars big guns finished on their chances and ours didn't. The Rangers played a pretty good game in my opinion, until the wheels fell off in the 3rd period. Jones and Schneider had another really rough night. Either way, it's hard to be mad at a team who hadn't lost a game in regulation in over a month. No shame in losing on the road to one of the best teams in the league. Go take care of the Pens and it's all good.
Aside from 3rd pair issues, those were matched, at least, by Igor's pantomimes on 3rd and 4th goals, not sharp, he looked out of it. There was a chance to earn Zib his 2nd point of the season and extend lead to 3-1 on his pitch perfect, cross ice pass to find Kreider steaming in wide open on the left wing, but he went low and short side, keeper had an easy save. That was all she wrote and all Stars from that point on. Lavy started messing with lines, pulled Igor on a PP with 4 minutes to go...shit show.
I think he was settling in with Gustafsson, and generally I feel like he's been pretty good aside from a few rough games. I guess that's the erratic description you gave. I do not think the Rangers will be targeting any defensemen, maybe a depth kind of guy. I think their main focus will be, if Chytil is really going to be out long term, getting a middle 6 C. As much as I like Bonino, he is a 4C. That's really the biggest need if they're going to be without Chytil for the rest of the season, which is a definite possibility with his concussion history.
🤮
I would find a veteran D if I were Drury - if nothing else, keep Fox (when he comes back), Miller, Trouba and Lindgren fresh. that top 4 is maybe the best in the league.
I have been very impressed with Jones offense. Such a heady player he has become, smooth, smart, skilled, but I want him nowhere near my playoff D rotation. He needs to work on his D and his strength.
Also, if Chytil is out longer term I know fans don't want to hear it, but Kane is maybe the best option out there if they can make the cap work. I don't think it's C so much they need to fix without Chytil - after a decent start his lack of face off prowess returned and obviously C is not just face offs, but he was not special on the breakout, or defensively - good, not special. He can't take face offs. Maybe put Kane with Mika and Kreider and Wheeler at 3C - he is not a face off specialist but won't embarrass himself and has C experience - and it won't be an anchor on Mika and Kreider.
This is a very deep team. Especially bottom 6 right now.
Sure, there is risk, but the cost is just cash. If Kane can't come back and be himself he goes on LTIR and you can spend that money again. Worth the risk IMO as Kane was a 92 pt player a season ago. Backstrom has already been slowing down before the surgery.
Aside from 3rd pair issues, those were matched, at least, by Igor's pantomimes on 3rd and 4th goals, not sharp, he looked out of it. There was a chance to earn Zib his 2nd point of the season and extend lead to 3-1 on his pitch perfect, cross ice pass to find Kreider steaming in wide open on the left wing, but he went low and short side, keeper had an easy save. That was all she wrote and all Stars from that point on. Lavy started messing with lines, pulled Igor on a PP with 4 minutes to go...shit show.
UGH. oh well. can't win every night.
Fully with Greg on this: didn't want him last year and he was toasty in SCP. There's gotta be a better option hiding in the weeds; I don't know what it is as you know the League and its personnel to 3 SDs better than I, but still.
I do agree your point on an 'extra' d-man and give some rest to top four. As last season wore on it seemed to me Fox wore down given how much TOI he was getting. To my eyes he hasn't come close to the d-man he was in his Norris year; offensively, no argument, but in his own end, goofy, mindless decision making.
Fully with Greg on this: didn't want him last year and he was toasty in SCP. There's gotta be a better option hiding in the weeds; I don't know what it is as you know the League and its personnel to 3 SDs better than I, but still.
I do agree your point on an 'extra' d-man and give some rest to top four. As last season wore on it seemed to me Fox wore down given how much TOI he was getting. To my eyes he hasn't come close to the d-man he was in his Norris year; offensively, no argument, but in his own end, goofy, mindless decision making.
Kane was 3rd on the Rangers in playoff points. He had 6 points in 7 games.
If that's what you mean by "...and he was toasty in SCP..." I'd take it in a heartbeat.
the rangers have such a long history of chasing the shiny object and it never works out, when it makes sense, fans tend to shun it.
There are a lot of other options, but Kane to me is attractive because he is a FA who costs nothing but cash.
Are you going to trade for Hertl?
Trade for Laine?
Trade for Josh Anderson (who is not a C)?
Trade for Sean Monahan?
do the Rangers even have the parts to trade and the cap room to do it?
If Chytil goes on LTIR Kane slots in to that easily so despite the name and history, he's a good fit.
I think the Rangers are in an interesting spot. This is clearly a win now team. If they stand pat, they're one of the best 5 teams in the league. Adding a RW or C to play in the top 6 could put them over the top, but they're not going to sacrifice any major prospects in order to do so, in my opinion. Picks yes, prospects no.
CHP is right, Igor sucked last night.
I was really high on Jones and was hoping he'd be our #6, but he's not very good. A fine #7, I guess.
Schneider hasn't developed since his promising rookie year IMO. I'd be willing to trade him to upgrade at the deadline.
The Fox injury might be a blessing in disguise for him, as he gets a break and takes some time off. I've always felt teams should manage guys more in the regular season (like the NBA), but I know that's not hockey culture.
I’m told that Chris Drury was kind of like ‘Woah, pump the breaks, the cap space is going to be [difficult].’”
If I knew he was truly healthy, I'd say go for it, particularly with Chytil's status being a total mystery. I don't really dispute Brett's characterization of him. However, they need more points to be produced. Right now the offense is middling and even that is heavily dependent on the PP continuing to excel.
But I suspect he isn't going to be 100% physically.
I’m told that Chris Drury was kind of like ‘Woah, pump the breaks, the cap space is going to be [difficult].’”
If Chytil goes on LTIR the Rangers have that space to use.
Should have kept them? or should re-acquire them?
Mikkola is on FLA and doing well individually and the team is doing well. If that continues I doubt he gets moved.
Tarasenko also doing well, mostly as a distributor, but he should be available unless OTT surges in the standings - which is possible they have talent.
(Andy still sucks, tho)
I'd like to watch VGK - DAL tonight but gonna be busy in the kitchen and sitting with the daughter, who is supposed to make an appearance.
Happy T'giving to all you Ice Capades lovers here.