I don't think it is stupid, I just don't think they are that good playoff wise. They have talent, but it is young and inexperienced, and that matters in the playoffs. They will get better in the future, but right now playoff team wise the Panthers are whatever at best. And truthfully the Isles are also. Just so happens the Atlantic is the perfect bracket to be in if you are a middle playoff team. You can win a couple of rounds without having to beat a big time team. I favor TB over either of these teams, but TB is no dominant team either without Stamkos and Stralman. The Isles/Panthers can beat TB assuming those guys are out still. Then any of those teams gets rolled in the ECF, assuming the Pens/Caps winner isn't beat up and/or TB isn't fully healthy. A fully healthy TB is close to the Pens/Caps level, and clearly above the other Atlantic teams IMO. This year the Atlantic bracket was the place to be.
Doesn't matter Rangers would have gotten smoked by Caps but are you just figuring out they Florida would have been more favorable then Pitt SC??
Instead of continuing to play the hypothetical matchup game we should be trying to figure out where the hell we can find a guy to score that big goal like John Tavares has been doing for the isles all series. What a game by him last night.
Yeah, but they wouldn't have played the Caps until the CF, they would have played a beaten up TB team in round 2. Here's the thing, this Rangers team was not winning a cup...we all know that. Maybe we would have beaten the Panthers in round 1 (I think we would have but who knows really) and maybe we would have beaten TB in round 2 (doubtful although I want to see how the Isles play against them). But winning that meaningless Wings game was asinine and that's all there is to it. Maybe they would have ended up with Pitt anyway, the Isles may have gone 0-4 instead of 1-4, but winning that game was ridiculous. I'm sorry but I just don't think it can be debated. The Atlantic was the MUCH MUCH easier road. That is why I was VERY angry the day we beat the Wings...I knew what it meant. And all the thank god my team didn't lay down comments don't mean a darn thing now. You think the Isles are embarrassed as they move on and had the MUCH easier road? Come on now. "Laying down" in a meaningless game 82 doesn't matter...sorry but it doesn't. It was the right and smart play by the Isles, and they are in round 2 and we are home...THAT'S all that matters. I also think it is real funny to read the comments from AV and the players about how good and how hot the Pens are, as if they just found out Saturday at 6 PM. That is laughable to me. Is what it is.
I am not as worried about a game or series Tavares had Prod, if we get the # 1 pick we can get a guy like him also (and last I checked that was the first playoff series the guy has ever won...and it was against an average Panther team), I am more focused on the bigger picture, and even with the Atlantic we had no shot at winning a cup. We were not beating the Pens/Caps or the West team even if we got out of the Atlantic. So I agree with your overall point Prod, we need to focus on improving a team that was not nearly good enough this season...amen brother. BUT that still doesn't change the fact that we never should have won game 82, and we would have had an excellent chance to play more hockey if we did what we were supposed to do and lose that game and end up in the Atlantic. With that said it is over now and we move on and focus on what we need to do to improve. I am with you there Prod. But we made a bad move in game 82...is what it is.
I don't mean an actual John Tavares, I mean someone who is as clutch as him. Those aren't always top overall picks. Think Justin Williams, etc. Its just so frustrating to me to see all these home shutouts where not one of our main guys could score that one big goal, yet seeing stars step up for other teams. That's why I hope we can take a run at Stamkos. We need that top talent and Nash has proven he is not that.
Islanders should win playoff round for crying out loud. Since 2016 to 2006 they drafted 16th, 5th, 15th, 4th, 5th, 5th, 1st, 9th, 62nd, 7th.
Agree with everything you said there Prod. I would make a big Stamkos play also. When you lose 5 straight home playoff games...AND have ONE total goal in the last 4 combined...yeah you have issues and need to get some clutch scoring in here. Agree for sure.
If you want to see stupid, watch that Dallas Stars in their game yesterday. They tried to lose the game in the last minute and a half about 4 times.
The Rangers have never tanked seasons to the degree to get the #1 overall and that franchise player. Washington did and ended up with OV, the Islanders ended up with Tavares and we know what the Pens ended up with. Add on top if it the fact that the Rangers screwed up in some drafts. Taking Sanguinetti and then having Giroux taken by the Flyers right after. They also had some terrible luck when a top prospect drops dead on the bench from an undetected heart ailment. So what happens? The constant quest to find that difference maker via trade or the free agent market. It's just never easy in Ranger land.
That's why you make the big play for Stamkos if he is really going to leave TB. And tell us some other picks we should have made years ago strud.... Hindsight is always 20/20.
I hear some of you about giving up on Hayes already as a young RFA which could burn you but i just wonder if he will get better in NY or not. You'd think playing with his buddy CK and close to home, as opposed to say Raleigh NC it would make him reach his potential, but this year was a regression. Do you try and recoup a 2nd and 3rd/prospect and bite the bullet now and also clear a few $$ this summer, or stick it out and hope he moves forward in his 3rd season?
This is a fact. He has the busiest "social calendar" of any Ranger. Id still like to see him back, 45 points as a rookie centerman is not something you give up on easily, but he needs to commit this offseason to becoming better on and off the ice.
And these Rangers would have lost to the Panthers. But, as a Ranger fan I would not go pointing out another hockey club........ all you have do is look at the Rangers. There is stupid and there is STUPID!
Unless we can really get something worthwhile OR can use Hayes as a chip to deal G/Staal OR he wants a crazy contract...I bring him back. 2 mill per TOPS. If he agrees I am okay with him at that number. Worth the potential reward I believe. Everything I have seen with this kid says lazy and entitled. I would take a shot that he matures for 2 mill. I would not for 3 mill or more.
