We are a done dead team that currently sits in 2nd place, and has a couple of very winnable games coming up. Good stuff....
No guarantee of anything in life 94 but my point is the roster didn't change that drastically that they will suddenly plummet in the standings out of playoff contention. Using an NFL point to make your point seems weak though, at least use an NHL team since we're talking hockey though using the Pats is a terrible example since they go to the playoffs every year. But then again why am I arguing with someone who has already given up on the season? I'll be the last poster to congratulate you if you're right and the Rangers miss the playoffs.
Panzer, i agree the roster is not that much different but for some reason most of our key forwards have regressed this year. All of Kreider, Stepan, Nash, Hayes and Brass are playing at a lower ppg than last year. Have other teams adjusted to our style/players? we were already lacking that star forward and this year is felt more than ever it seems. We don't have that player that says "enough of this shit" and goes and dominates a couple of games and everyone follows him out of the slump. Nash is supposed to do that but we all know we're not going to get that from him.
The guy who is supposed to handle that is the Captain and I think McDonough's play has been terrific lately but he can't seem to get the consistent effort level that last year's team gave. They need to play with last night's mentality every game - take any open shot and stop in front of the net instead of looking for the impossible skate-by tip in. I think they should resolve the Yandle situation sooner than later, keeping him would be a stupid business move. I appreciate his offensive skills but defensively he's 18th on the team in hits (28 in 46 games), 9th on the team in blocked shots per game (0.7 ) and by far and away the team leader on giveaways (44, McD 2nd with 35). Would have been nice if Gorton could have pried Prust away from Vancouver.
Panzer, it doesn't matter if we want to keep yandle or not and I do. He is being so misused by our suddenly braindead coach in both time on ice (3rd pair) and pp situations (last 20 seconds on the 2nd pp) its impossible for gorton to do anything but trade him or fire AV. And the hands down best partner where Yandle plays like the Yandle we expected is stuck sitting up in the press box every night unless a disabling injury (more than someone who has a hole in his knee) or a 40 year old that sucks defensively and even the salary cap salary friendly klein who can't seem to find a way to keep the crease clear in front of hank.
The D has played well the past 10 games or so. And Klein is a +13, best on the team, AND the Rangers are 3-7-2 when Kevin Klein is out of the lineup. So he is a very important part of this team. As for McIlrath, he will get plenty of chances to play the last 36 games. I'm not too worried about it. He will get his games in. Dmen will miss some games. G and Boyle will get games off here and there. He'll get his chances.
I would have to think the Yandle move will happen sometime over the next couple of weeks, maybe after the AS break.
I'd take Yandle over Staal any day all day Mel but the reality of the situation is that they can't resign Keith so they need to recoup something from Glen's lopsided trade. Misused or not Yandle blows defensively, he should get more PP time but his usage by AV doesn't explain the awful defensive stats. The argument could be made that he's the Rangers worst defensive dman. No need to prolong the inevitable, the longer Keith is here the more of a distraction the trade talks will be.
Correct me if im wrong but....has the Peg ever won anything with Andrew Ladd? Like this guy is the difference maker Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
I dont think anybody is saying hes a proven winner, I think people are keyed on him because (1) he's a leader, (2) he's a proven top 6 scoring winger, (3) he plays a type of game that our forward group is lacking, and (4), and most importantly, he's available. Not sure how much you can blame Peg's struggles on him, they've had some of the worst goaltending in the entire league the past 3 or 4 years. Hopefully they have found a winner in Hellebuyck. That forward group has been strong for a good few years. Blake Wheeler is a top player in the league, he would be AWESOME here as a right shot regarding of Peg's struggles. Pipe dream for him, but I'd take Ladd in a heartbeat depending on price.
