The team is in a weird situation. They seem to match up vs. every other team very well except 2. Tampa and the Islanders. The odds are that there is no way they don't face one of them in the playoffs. So, does Sather roll the dice, keep the roster the same and hope they avoid those teams which I don't see. Or, does he trade Zucc and Hagelin in deals where he changes the way the team plays vs. those 2 teams. To me, I'd have to roll the dice. Zucc will out price himself here. Hagelin is expendable with a couple of the forwards we have coming here. The odds are just too poor that the Rangers won't face one of those teams. Honestly, it didn't look like they matched up great with Washington either once they got going in the third period.
That was a very tough game to be at last night. Crowd was pretty much a split Ranger/Isle fans. Everyone was pumped, and then the Rangers lay an egg in the 1st. If it wasn't for Hank it would have been 3-0 Isles. The Rangers played much better in the 2nd, but no score, Isles score, and it is 2-0 and the game was pretty much done. Looked like Hunwick, Brass, and Boyle had rough nights watching from above. I have said ALL SEASON that if the Rangers want any shot to really be a cup contender they need to add another top 9 forward. It is so crystal clear. The depth and size the Isles have (depth to me is the most important thing in the NHL playoffs) just beats us down. You can see it as you sit and watch. Sather needs to get off his a** and act now. We need another forward. We cannot make it past the 2nd round without one added. And I fully believe we will play the Isles in round 2. To me the Isles are now winning the Met period. I think us and Pitt finish 2/3 in either order. We will beat the Pens round 1. The Isles will beat the Caps round 1. Us and the Isles will meet in round 2. And unless we add some depth we have little shot. To me it is that simple, and been clear ALL SEASON. Get off your a** Sather.
Couple of other comments: 1. Arena is a dump. Actually just REALLY outdated. Looks like it was built in the 70's and not worked on since. One big circle. One level. No extras. Like a scene out of 1978. And I sat in literally the same exact seat that someone sat in to watch the Isles win a cup in 1982. Seat had to be 30 years old. To be honest it is kind of embarrassing for the Isles. Wow. 2. I am now on the bandwagon with dealing Hags or Zucc. Watching those two and MSL play in person against a team like the Isles it is so clear we cannot match up size wise. Those guys get pounded. We have no use for all 3 of them. 2 okay...but we do not need 3. I would deal Zucc, BUT it must be for a top 6 forward in return. Someone who can add some size. Then go out and add another depth forward. 3. That 4th line with Martin makes me jealous. That is exactly the 4th line you want. That is why I want Winnik. We can all knock the Isles, but that is a very good team. Going to be tough to beat if Halak plays well. They will be 1 in the Met, and have a very good chance to get out of the Met if they continue to play their game with size and depth. Good combo. Bad night...tough being in that 1978 arena last night. All I can say is I hope I get a much better effort tomorrow night. I am due for a W.
I said it last year. I said it this year. I'll say it again now. Biggest reason we made the cup run was our depth. We rolled 4 and wore teams down. Well the Isles are that team this season. We cleary are not as we can barely get a 3rd line out there that is a real threat. We must improve the 3rd and 4th lines to have a shot. And BTW...the sloppy giveaways were bad to see. Missed coverage in the D zone. Just not sharp AT ALL last night. Credit to the Isles for taking it to us in the 1st especially.
Maybe we can pry Backlund from the Flames for Hagelin and one of our second rounders. Glencross is a UFA. Not sure about doing that swap because Glencross is 31. Rather they deal for somebody they want to sign. Usually don't like going after Devils. However, Carter and Bernier were players I thought would bring some size to the 4th line. I'd take either one instead of Glass or Stempniak.
The issue is how much value do Hags and Zucc have? Hags is a RFA. Zucc is a UFA. That is why I think Hags should be the guy to move because as a RFA I would think he'd have more value. What is Zucc's value to a team that is out of it dealing off players considering he is a UFA...that is an issue. On Hags, not sure Sather would deal him. He has value as a PK guy and plays well in the playoffs. I would start by adding Winnik and then focus on the top 9 depth forward.
Darren Dreger: The Penguins made a trade offer to Maple Leafs forward Daniel Winnik. The Leafs aren’t ready to move him just yet Looks like this is another deal that's going to stretch to the deadline to drive up the bidding and maximize value... EDIT: Dreger's tweet says the offer was made last week, so it's possible the Pens made the Lapierre move instead and have moved on. Either way, shows Winnik is going to draw some interest.
And rightfully so Prod. He is the guy I want for the 4th line. Then focus on adding the top 9 forward.
The REAL problem with the Rangers is DEPTH of capable /talented players. Ridding the team of some Xplayers lessens the depth chart ............all thanks to the limited CAP SPACE.
I said it after the Sens game. They need to deal with the Sens. They are NOT making the playoffs. After watching that game, I think the Sens have the players who would fit in here perfectly on the third and fourth lines. C'mon Sather, we know you can do it.
Funny you say that Step, I was thinking the same thing The Fourth Period: Source saying the Senators have talked about trading Chris Neil, David Legwand and Chris Phillips. Trade talks haven’t hit the serious stage yet. The Senators will meet with Marc Methot’s camp, and if a deal doesn’t progress, they could explore his trade value Chris Hofley of the Ottawa Sun: Senators GM Bryan Murray suggested before the All-Star break that Chris Phillips and Chris Neil could be traded if the right deal was offered Man do I hate Chris Neil, but man would he fill a need on this team. He doesnt kill penalties, but he would be a 1000x upgrade over Glass. Signed through next year too with a 1.9m cap hit. Might be a pipe dream because they appear married to Glass at least through this year.
At this point I want a top 9 forward with some size AND a 4th line gritty guy...Neil or Winnik fit that bill. What about the Canes. Riley Nash and Tlusty. Give them picks, Fast, McIlrath, Lindberg, whatever else they want outside of Dulcair and Miller and Buch.
Sather needs to go all in. This is it. We were right there last season. The cap will go up next season. We can let Zucc go this summer. MSL takes 2 mill or a little more less. The time is now.
Neil would definitely help but I would love sather to pry away guys like Chiasson, MacArthur or Stone from the Sens or even guy like Michalek.
