1. They still stink. There is a total lack of leadership on this team starting with our captain. This team for 3 years has played much harder with the backup goalie than with Hank in net and I'm disgusted by it. You can't just go through the motions and expect Lundqvist to bail your sorry asses out every game. It's moronic. Our captain needs to address it. While I agree that Hank has not played on his usual level, I think part of it is the fact that there are guys wide open, 5 feet in front on a consistent basis for easy goals and he never seems to get his confidence rolling. 2. Nash is dogging it. Honestly, I think he's scared of getting another concussion because the first three games he was driving to the net and splitting defenseman. He doesn't do that any longer now. If he is going to play like this, maybe trade him in a deal for E. Kane. If he won't play like Nash, he's basically useless. 3. AV has a short leash on Kreider because he knows how valuable he is to the team. Not playing him in OT is moronic. However, I think he is making Kreider earn every second of ice time. 4. The PP is at the point where I think they will score on it which hasn't been the case in years. 5. I was never a fan of Zucc up until 20 games ago. I thought he was weak on the puck, had no shot and basically was useless against physical teams. For whatever reason, he's starting to play more like Fleury than himself. Glad I was wrong. For the first time I see him as a piece going forward. 6. AV should have never put MDZ on the right side. He had about 4 pucks jump over his stick on high quality, scoring chances last night. MDZ has earned the right to play on the left side. Moore is the new kid here. He should have put Moore there. 7. I'm actually leaning towards moving Stralman instead of MDZ for a pick or prospect. I never was a big fan of Stralman. He's a solid, 5th defenseman. He can be replaced and isn't worth what he'll ask for as a UFA. 8. Love Miller's game and while I was a fan of letting him play one full year at the AHL, he's clearly better than the garbage we have been using on the third and 4th lines. In fact, he's making Pouliot play hard which isn't easy. 9. How long did many of us call for a 4th line of Dorsett-D. Moore-Boyle? Yes hockey world. Boyle is a 4th line player. Nothing more. Keep him there. That line is very effective. 10. Talbot will be an interesting trade piece. On one hand if Hank got hurt, we are screwed because we have no legit, backup. On the other hand, a team out there might make a major offer for Cam which would be hard to pass up.
Its a crazy notion but ill tell you, if Talbot is legit long term im not so sure i wouldnt try and get a haul for Lundqvist. Its a little early butmaybe after next year see how things shake out and where Cam is. Not to mention the cap freindliness of it.
Just can't see Cam every playing close to a Hank level if he's a starter. Hopefully, other teams do. That would fetch quite a return. Hank will not be traded. That much I know.
Agree with much of what you guys say. Sather needs to trade either cam (who I think is the real deal) some of those close in saves yesterday were spectacular) or hank (now that would be some haul of assets back) before his nmc comes into play next year. Also would rather see stralman moved ahead of del z who with Mcdonagh and steal if hes ever healthy enough are the only ones that can do what needs to be done in av's system. Moore srtinks. Girardi needs to go for assets as hes lost in this system. (Send him back to his bot torts for something). Zucc is my second favorite player behind Chris Calder as the friggin hobbits confidence is growing and hes in the middle of everything( love the looks on these bigger players faces when he crashes into them on the wall and skates away with the puck). I know this is heresy here but I am tired of ballerina nash with all his bullshit spins and pirouette moves where he constantly either loses the puck or misses wide open teammates and would be another guy I would see what I can get back for in a trade. I would much prefer slater to make trades as he's good at that as opposed to waiting and signing free agents after the season which he sucks at. Miller needs to stay up here as I think something has clicked in him and he has speed and hits. 4th line is fine with these guys for now. Wish one of these ball less reporters would ask av why no Chris CALDER in ot and pk's. This kid is simply flying up and down the ice and has made some great defensive plays. As I'm not paying cally anywhere near the 6 mill he's gonna want after season I would look to see what I could get for him also. Staal, unfortunately is damaged goods and won't bring back much in a trade so keep him and hope he miraculously can stay healthy for awhile.
Hank has a NTC anyway, so not happening. Like .0000000000001% chance maybe. We don't want to deal him anyway. And I have to think we could get a ton more for MDZ than Stralman, who is a 3rd pair dman, not young, and is a UFA at seasons end. That is not to say Stralman has no value, we could get a pick I think, but he will not get near the same value as MDZ IMO. MDZ is younger, way more upside, more offensive, and an RFA still so you can control him longer.
Bruins are the team I would most likely want to deal with if they wanted Girardi. They have lots of tough, near NHL ready role player types. I would hope we could snag one of them.
Not shocked. They are right now a .500 team. Stick with the kids. Win or lose. Majority of this team is comprised of 3rd and 4th liners. That needs to change if this team moves to the next level. Nash. What to do about this elephant on the ice? Somebody....anybody...needs to tell this guy he should not put it all on himself because he looks horrible. He is supposed to be playing hockey, not ballerina lessons. Thought he was a team player. Needs to act like a team player. The positive surprise player for me is The Hobbit. I like his skills, but I love his toughness......all 5'6" of him. Players a foot taller than Zuccs do not show half of his mental/ physical toughness. Hoping for a better second half of this season.....and more wins at home.
Stepan has absolutely blown the past 10 games. Surprised. Didn't think he still had these stretches in him. He needs to get his crap together.
If nash continues playing 1 on 5 put him on boyle and dorsetts line where it won't matter if he doesn't get them the puck. They should force him to watch tape of his comical spin and give up the puck move to the playing of a nice laugh track
Hey dump, remember what I told you about zucc at the beginning of the season? Nice to see he's grown on you. Happy holidays!
Wouldn't just be you. However, he needs to do it for more than 20 games and more than one season. He has a long way to go.
I like Stasny but im not sure hes the true #1 the team needs. I would sign a good 3/4 like Hainsey and then try and deal for Yandle if the 1st rounder they have is above 7-8. Miller 1st high prospect. Then sign Vrbata.
Trading Miller is dumb on so many levels. Callahan is the guy to trade. Miller will be his replacement. Again, the Rangers are in no position to trade picks. They need to trade players and acquire picks. Phoenix and the Rangers are not good trading partners right now. The Rangers need forwards as do Phoenix. The Rangers also need defenseman and Phoenix has extra but the Rangers have no forwards to give up other than rentals which won't get a Yandle. So basically, the Rangers are only good trading partners with contending teams that want rentals or teams that really suck that want to shake things up.
