NHL lockout over...

[Boys122]

and Future eats crow :laugh2:

I'm really surprised that he signed for something that far off from what he wanted.

Me too. I guess he wanted to stay a Canadien.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

The rules didn't give him much leverage. He only makes 2 million this year but next year it goes up to 3.75. He loses less money this year so that sweetened for him I guess.

 

[FiveRings]

Anisimov might get you 25 goals, but through his entire career here he has never been consistent enough to do so...he's never even hit 20. And there's no reason that Kreider, can't replace that.

Fedotenko was awful last year, 0 burst, 0 hands...solid on the PK was about it. Nash is actually a terrific defensive forward and one of the best penalty killers in the game. He doesn't always get heavily involved in the forecheck, but that's maybe the only flaw to his defensive game.

Defensively, you're leaving out Michael Del Zotto who has some flaws in his own zone, but is tremendous offensively, and Stralman who is solid overall. If Sauer, who is a top 4 defenseman on every team in the league comes back, its the best corps in the league. As it is, the Rangers might have the best top 4 in the game. Injuries might cause significant problems, because there isn't a ton of depth, but as a whole, the d corps is pretty much as good as it gets.

There is no way you can say Nash is a terrific defensive forward. His MO is a highly talented forward with lapses in focus and effort.Basically a big b*tch. If he took his game from solely sniping to more of a power forward like Geno did last year he could score 55+ in a regular season. But if you think he's going to be a shot blocker like Callahan, like Tortorella loves in his forwards, I just don't see it.

Defensively I'll give you Del Zotto, good offensive D man, but as for Stralman I disagree. I think people are only so fond of him just because he's sort of the other guy in an otherwise well known D Corp.

But going back to Nash, my gripe as a Rangers fan would be sacrificing depth for a star studded first line. Especially when last year, in the playoffs, a thin D Corp is what killed them. In the ECF McDonugh and Girari had absurd ice time and it showed late in games.

 

[Future]

There is no way you can say Nash is a terrific defensive forward. His MO is a highly talented forward with lapses in focus and effort.Basically a big b*tch. If he took his game from solely sniping to more of a power forward like Geno did last year he could score 55+ in a regular season. But if you think he's going to be a shot blocker like Callahan, like Tortorella loves in his forwards, I just don't see it.

Defensively I'll give you Del Zotto, good offensive D man, but as for Stralman I disagree. I think people are only so fond of him just because he's sort of the other guy in an otherwise well known D Corp.

But going back to Nash, my gripe as a Rangers fan would be sacrificing depth for a star studded first line. Especially when last year, in the playoffs, a thin D Corp is what killed them. In the ECF McDonugh and Girari had absurd ice time and it showed late in games.

What? Nash is a power forward, and always has been. The biggest flaw in his offensive game is that at times he makes too many moves trying to get to the front of the net. If anything, at least this season, he needs to shoot more. He might not be a big shot blocker, but he is very responsible in his own zone and is a phenomenal PK guy.

Look at the players lost last year, vs. the players the gained

Ani - Nash
Dubi - Kreider
Feds - Pyatt
Prust - Ferreiro/Asham
Mitchell - Halpern

Plus we have gotten rid of guys like Zuccarello, Christensen, and Wolski who brought nothing to the table.

How have the sacrificed any depth? They got an elite forward and easily replaced the production of any guys that they lost. I don't disagree that they need more defensive help, but every great playoff team leans on one pair of defenders in the stretch run. And don't look now, but DZ is starting to play very well in his own zone again. Stralman is a real good athlete who is willing to give up the body and can move the puck fairly well. That's about as much as you can ask for in a #5.

 

[FiveRings]

What? Nash is a power forward, and always has been. The biggest flaw in his offensive game is that at times he makes too many moves trying to get to the front of the net. If anything, at least this season, he needs to shoot more. He might not be a big shot blocker, but he is very responsible in his own zone and is a phenomenal PK guy.

Look at the players lost last year, vs. the players the gained

Ani - Nash
Dubi - Kreider
Feds - Pyatt
Prust - Ferreiro/Asham
Mitchell - Halpern

Plus we have gotten rid of guys like Zuccarello, Christensen, and Wolski who brought nothing to the table.

How have the sacrificed any depth? They got an elite forward and easily replaced the production of any guys that they lost. I don't disagree that they need more defensive help, but every great playoff team leans on one pair of defenders in the stretch run. And don't look now, but DZ is starting to play very well in his own zone again. Stralman is a real good athlete who is willing to give up the body and can move the puck fairly well. That's about as much as you can ask for in a #5.

I think it's clear we aren't going to reach an agreement on this, your views on the Rangers are far too bright while mine are admittedly too harsh. You still can't deny the fact that from last years team, the scoring has concentrated from lines 1-4 to line 1. In a shortened season they might be able to lean on one line, but then again there's no reason they can't split up the number one line.

Krieder-Richards-Hagelin
Nash-?-Gaborik
Pyatt-Boyle-Callahan

Are three lines, that with some tampering could look really good for the Rags and would avoid being a one line team so to speak

 

[TheCowboy]

Another tough loss for the Stars, that's four straight losses... now it's ugly. Great start and now we suck.

 

[Future]

I think it's clear we aren't going to reach an agreement on this, your views on the Rangers are far too bright while mine are admittedly too harsh. You still can't deny the fact that from last years team, the scoring has concentrated from lines 1-4 to line 1. In a shortened season they might be able to lean on one line, but then again there's no reason they can't split up the number one line.

Krieder-Richards-Hagelin
Nash-?-Gaborik
Pyatt-Boyle-Callahan

Are three lines, that with some tampering could look really good for the Rags and would avoid being a one line team so to speak

Last year the problem that the Rangers had was that only one line produced at all for them down the stretch (Richards - Hagelin - Gabby). While they are still a bit top heavy, a 2nd line of Stepan - Cally - Hagelin and a third of Boyle - Pyatt - Kreider (when he comes back) is as good if not better than what they had last year.

Although the goals might not be there right now, this team, when it's playing well, looks a lot better than last year's. Much stronger on the puck and more time in the offensive zone. That's where they faltered last year. I don't think the roster is perfect, and I think a move to add another skilled forward (maybe a Sam Gagne type) could really help.

 

[FiveRings]

Last year the problem that the Rangers had was that only one line produced at all for them down the stretch (Richards - Hagelin - Gabby). While they are still a bit top heavy, a 2nd line of Stepan - Cally - Hagelin and a third of Boyle - Pyatt - Kreider (when he comes back) is as good if not better than what they had last year.

Although the goals might not be there right now, this team, when it's playing well, looks a lot better than last year's. Much stronger on the puck and more time in the offensive zone. That's where they faltered last year. I don't think the roster is perfect, and I think a move to add another skilled forward (maybe a Sam Gagne type) could really help.

I was interested in Gagner for the Devils, but really Arnott? The Rags were going after the wrong ex-Devil. How do they not offer Sykora a one year deal coming off a 21 goal season. He'll even a tryout. Can't believe he ended up out of the NHL

 

[RastaRocket]

Another tough loss for the Stars, that's four straight losses... now it's ugly. Great start and now we suck.

They need some time to get chemistry. Kari is playing outstanding and we are just making too many mistakes. It's going to be like that though with a developing team.

 

[Boys122]

Impressive win last night by the Isles. I'll try not to get too excited. If we beat the Devils then I'll gain more confidence.

 

[Future]

I was interested in Gagner for the Devils, but really Arnott? The Rags were going after the wrong ex-Devil. How do they not offer Sykora a one year deal coming off a 21 goal season. He'll even a tryout. Can't believe he ended up out of the NHL

With the grinding style that the Rangers play, Arnott would be a better fit then Sykora. Arnott is also a center while Sykora is a wing...and the Rangers need help down the middle a lot more than the do on the wings.

 

[FiveRings]

With the grinding style that the Rangers play, Arnott would be a better fit then Sykora. Arnott is also a center while Sykora is a wing...and the Rangers need help down the middle a lot more than the do on the wings.

Maybe Arnott is a better fit but as far as player quality, it clearly goes to Sykora. He's coming off a 20+ goal season while Arnott couldn't even pass a physical. The Rangers shouldn't be too picky, just try to look for some scoring

 

[Boys122]

This is hockey, right? C'mon.

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/e...lin-mcdonald-suspended-two-games-for-boarding

 

[FiveRings]

Think that McDonald hit looked worse than his intentions. Lovejoy was going down to move the puck thats why his head slammed against the glass. I don't really buy 2 games though. one would have been enough especially considering McDonald has no history, which seems to be Shannahans focal point. So inconsistent

 

[Future]

Maybe Arnott is a better fit but as far as player quality, it clearly goes to Sykora. He's coming off a 20+ goal season while Arnott couldn't even pass a physical. The Rangers shouldn't be too picky, just try to look for some scoring

I think you need to double check your stats.

In 82 games last year, Sykora had 21 goals and 23 assists for 44 points.
In 72 games last year, Arnott had 17 goals and 17 assists for 24 points.

Essentially, they both averaged .5 ppg. And, Arnott was a +13 while Sykora was only a +4. I'd say that Arnott was definitely the right guy to pursue.

The problem, when looking for scoring, is that great goal scorers aren't available, and its not worth bringing in a guy who is going to cripple your system. Guys like Sykora simply aren't physically enough to fit in the Rangers' system.

 

[RastaRocket]

[youtube]-5xkMNIt-5k[/youtube]

Oh my.

 

[Boys122]

Think that McDonald hit looked worse than his intentions. Lovejoy was going down to move the puck thats why his head slammed against the glass. I don't really buy 2 games though. one would have been enough especially considering McDonald has no history, which seems to be Shannahans focal point. So inconsistent

I agree about the hit but I don't think he should've been suspended at all. What's he or any other hockey player to do when they check another player into the boards.

When I played my coach told us to hit'em hard so I guess what I'm saying is hockey players will shy away from checking just like football players will shy away from hitting. It's a contact sport. You're gonna get hit. I know his head hit the glass but it wasn't intentional like you said.

We might as well put skirts on these hockey and football players now.

 

[Boys122]

[youtube]-5xkMNIt-5k[/youtube]

Oh my.

This is why I watch the game. Well that and the fights.

 

[FiveRings]

This is why I watch the game. Well that and the fights.

I could honestly take or leave fights, sometimes they're fun but every now and then you hear reports of what fighting does to younger guys mentally

 

[RastaRocket]

I could honestly take or leave fights, sometimes they're fun but every now and then you hear reports of what fighting does to younger guys mentally

Like what?