The Islanders absolutely own them this year and make them look like complete fools. It's embarrassing and they refuse to change up anything to try and reverse things. The ridiculous over passing on the power play against this team is laughable.
The need for a bigger forward or two gets exploited against teams like this. Frankly, the love affair with Hags and Zucc needs to end. Too small and the production isn't there.
I am warming up to the idea of moving either hags or zucc. We are too soft from top to bottom. Not sure if Sather is gonna move either though.
Zucc 1 goal in last 18 games. I know he is a playmaker but comon. 7g 16a isn't going to cut it. I think Sather flips him for a player like they did with Callahan at the deadine
Agree with you completely here Mess. Both too small for the top teams in the east and west for that matter. Would like to see Kreids get some time on the PK also with his reach and speed to cause some havoc out there.
Add a bigger physical top 9 forward and move on. It is what we have needed all season. Can we add that player...don't know. But that is what we need. And maybe a Winnik type player for the 4th line as well. Miller/Moore/Winnik type 4th line would be nice.
So I guess bench Miller is the answer: The lines at practice today are (NYR): Rick Nash, Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan, Marty St. Louis Carl Hagelin, Dominic Moore, Lee Stempniak Tanner Glass, Kevin Hayes, Jesper Fast JT Miller is skating as an extra. When you see that 3rd line you know crystal clear we need another forward. Stemp and Moore on the 3rd line...pass.
Honestly I thiught Miller had a pretty bad game last night. I can see why AV gets frustrated with him. He doesn't make great decisions with the puck. That's too bad because we need him. At this point if we acquire Winnik chuck, I think a Winnik-Moore-Stempniak line would be better
I know I also saw Miller make a great back-check to stop an odd man rush for the Isles. No doubt he has more to learn from a defensive responsibility POV. But his upside and his ability on O to me is worth that leanring curve.
It's not even that they lost. They aren't even in these games against the Islanders. 6-3, 3-0 and 4-1. Just completely overmatched.
it is in their head that Halvak is The Dominator reincordinated...the fact is they are over passing and allowing the islanders time to get in front of the shots and block them....
All the Isles needed was an avg goalie a few good dmen and throw in Grabo and Kulemin and their now a legit threat.
I still think the Rangers could beat them in a 7 game series. People forget though that Halak almost brought the Habs to the SCF in 2010 when they beat WASH and PITT
I'm not sure what you have seen against the Islanders that would suggest they could win a seven game series. They play like bumbling idiots turning the puck over and they are out skated up and down the ice.
As bad as they've looked against the Isles, they looked even worse against the Habs before the playoff series. And those struggles went back 2 or 3 seasons, not just 3 games. We see the Isles a few more times, lets see how they adjust before we declare defeat in a playoff series that is three months away.
Team had more of a mean streak last year when it came to playing teams they struggled against. They lack that this year. Dorsett had some attitude. Pouliot could play dirty at times.
Team had more depth last season. That is how I would say it. Pretty clear to me. That is what you need to make it past the 2nd round in the NHL playoffs. With that said we need to stop acting as if we know the Rangers couldn't beat the Isles in the playoffs. Prod mentions the Habs last season. How did Hank do in Montreal? Think back to the Devs series in 94...we DOMINATED them in the regular season, how did that work out...7 game epic series. So no one knows. Now with that said, without us adding depth I believe we will be done in the 2nd round to the Isles, but I also think it would be a tough series and we would certainly have a shot to win it. Looks clear to me that the Isles will win the Met now. Seems pretty clear to me based on how the Pens are playing, and the fact we have 3 games in hand on the Caps and Pens and own the ROW TB as well, that we will be 2 or 3 in the Met (I still say 2 is the place to be). So I do think we will play the Isles in round 2. And I do think we need to add depth/size to be a favorite to beat them, but I also think we would have a shot as is, but would pick the Isles to win. It is on Sather now. Go add a top 9 forward. Go add a little grit and toughness to the 4th line. Let's hope he does it. He hasn't been great around the trade DL, doesn't strike me as a GM that works the phones and is in on many discussions, but maybe I am wrong...hope I am wrong...because we need him to get something done.
We are also in a little bit of a tough spot. Zucc is a UFA this summer. So what team that is out of it will really value him and trade us what we need? Unlikely that happens unless we package Zucc up with picks/prospects to make it worth it for the out of it team. Hags is moveable as a RFA, but I think he is a valuable guy here. His speed is our team identity. He is a great PK guy. He always plays well in the playoffs. And really if we are being fair, he is a solid 3rd line player. Scores 17 or 18 goals a season. He is not our issue. I don't see him getting dealt unless some team really wants him and makes a great offer and/or Sather sees no way we resign him this summer. I think we need to focus on one of our 2nd round picks, Fast, McIlrath, Lindberg, mid prospects as assets to trade. Then play with the cap a little by sending Stemp down or sending Glass down. Something along those lines. I have turned on Zucc. I like him. I think he is a good glue guy, but I also think it is tough to have him and MSL and Hags all on the wings. Size takes a huge hit. I just don't know what value Zucc has as a UFA this summer. Why would a team out of it deal for Zucc? Maybe the answer is we flip Zucc out West to a team that is in it, and then take the pieces we get back from that deal and flip them for a bigger top 9 forward to replace Zucc. Then go add a top 9 forward and away we go. Deals like that usually don't happen in the NHL though. Plus I am not sure Sather has it in him to do that much work to deal Zucc, flip those players for someone else, then make another deal for a top 9 forward. Seems like too much work for Sather.
