Not so sure he has a hard on for Vesey. The kid did score 16 goals and really is the 9th forward if you look at it objectively. Not sure that is a hard on. Also not sure what we have seen from Buch that says he should play over Vesey. Maybe I missed it though. This is why a coach cannot win with fans. So many of you bashed him daily for McIlrath, who is out of the NHL now I believe. Not a terrible decision. You bash him for not playing rookies, yet he plays favorites with Vesey? Skjei played every game essentially. It really doesn't add up...none of it.
Skjei scored 5G/34A in his 80 game rookie season, clearly a top 4 dman to most. Buch 8G/12A/+6 in 40 games versus Vesey 16G/11A -13 in 80 games. Tanner Glass shouldn't see more than 8 minutes of play, which should be jam packed with bone jarring hits but little offense. McIlrath is on Detroit, don't think anything other than physical play was expected of Dylanon draft day but that's not AV's preference on defense. Ironically enough the Rangers had a much more promising prospect in Ryan Graves this year. Big guy with some offensive talent and a 103+ mph shot, ridiculous that AV didn't give him some play time to see what they have when the Rangers coasted the last 6 weeks. Any other team in the NHL in the Rangers playoff situation would have looked at the guy. That's one of many reasons why until he wins the CUP AV's bash-worthy.
Both should play. Makes them more offensively rounded as team. Glass serves no purpose with his 8 minutes or whatever he is going to get. What is he gonna do? throw some hits and then what? Like Montreal will be shaking in their boots when they see this bum in the lineup.
I agree, I would play both also. I don't see this big difference between Vesey and Buch right now though, even though I do believe Buch has more upside as we move forward. McIlrath didn't play 1 game with Detroit after he was acquired. The bashing AV took over McIlrath was crazy. The guy played 5 games with Florida, which was a bad team, and couldn't even crack the lineup with Detroit, which was awful, enough said. That's not to say he won't still be an NHL dman, I can't see the future so maybe he can be (I certainly won't write off the guys career this early). But right now the guy is not an NHL dman as deemed by 3 NHL teams this season. I don't want to rehash McIlrath again though, my point was AV was destroyed for that decision, yet two other teams essentially agreed with him on Dylan. Point is every coach can be second guessed and questioned. I hate Glass on this team. I agree I would have given Graves at least a shot. But to say the guy plays favorites with Vesey puzzles me. Then at the same time say he hates rookies (not sure how those two things can go together). And Skjei, also a rookie, played 80 games. It's a bit much. To me forget the favorites we think he may play, or the players he does or doesn't play, I think the issue is the lack of structure and discipline in their own end. He says the right things about the time and focus spent on that, but I see so many mistakes that I wonder if he does, and if he holds players accountable for their continued breakdowns. I'll write what I wrote a week or so ago, if the Rangers go down to the Habs and continue to have issues in their own zone while losing, I will be on he bash AV train. Right this second I am not and I believe the guy deserves a shot to see what this team does in the playoffs before we go there. A win over Montreal, which I think would be followed with a win over Boston/Ottawa as well, and AV should not be on any hot seat. Another 1st round L, and then we'll talk. One other comment on AV. Let's remember this was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Rangers. A year in flux. Yet they still got over 100 points and made the playoffs. That surprised many. Yet AV gets no credit for that? I don't think I saw anyone praise AV for having this team overachieve based on pre-season expectations. That should be in the mix as well I think.
Good breakdown article from Brooks today. He says you'll know all you need to know after Friday night. If the Rangers are down 2-0 it is pretty much over, and I agree. The %'s of teams winning after leading 2-0 is over 90% in the NHL. If the Rangers get the split, a split they must get as mentioned, he believes they will win the series. He expects the split, and picked the Rangers in 6. Crowd will be crazy to start tonight. Stay strong through the early storm. Then get down to playing hockey. Must win 1 of the first 2 games. If we do then it is on.
Typical Chuck. Still dumb on physical play. McIlrath isn't in the NHL because the Rangers butchered his development. Mostly because the head coach doesn't value hitting, clearing the crease and physical play with any of his defenseman. Which is why the team has been pummeled consistently vs. the best offensive teams in the league.
First I am not Chuck. Second I was just stating facts. 3 teams deemed McIlrath not an NHL dman. But you can continue to rip AV and the Rangers for that one. Now he stinks because they butchered his development. Good deal. I am done with that discussion. My point was coaches get ripped for everything. That's how the profession works. I will focus on the playoffs now, not rehash a McIlrath discussion that appears to have a clear answer at least today (we'll see what the future holds for him).
So they're definately a better road team but we know what that building seems to do to them. How many of you would sign up for the Rangers definately being in a game 7 in this series?
Good question. Not sure if I would sign for that today or not. Maybe the Rangers best shot is winning in 6. Game 7 against Price in that building would be daunting I think. Very good question though. Answer might also depend on how we got to game 7. Split, split, and then home teams in 5 and 6. Did we lose game 6 at home to force a game 7 on the road? That would factor in as well.
Is it fair to compare Jeff Beuk to Dylan McIlrath? I started watching NHL in 1996 so I did not experience 94 Stanley Cup. Jeff Buek numbers are horrible. He had 16 points during cup year but he played a big role in winning the Stantley Cup, didn't he? My point is Dylan McIlrath, in my view, should have been used the same way. And Dump is totally right, Rangers did effect his development. AV will never win the cup!!! He is not a playoffs coach. If Michel Therrien was the coach of MTL today I would pick Rangers to beat MTL, however Claude Julien once again will beat AV. If MTL can't beat Ragners by playing hockey then they will turn into injuring some of our players just like Boston did with Vancouver in 2011. Vancouver was a way better team than Boston that year, but because of AV's philosophy, Vancouver lost and Rangers unfortunately will lose too.
Yeah Vancouver lost a tough 7 game Finals because of AV. The same coach that allowed them to win 15 playoff games but because they didn't get it done vs a good tough team in the playoffs its the coaches fault. I get AV is frustrating sometimes but the guy is a good NHL coach. If Julien was so great why did Boston fire him? Because coaches get stale. Same might be happening here but this nonsense that AV isn't good because he doesnt have a ring is dumb. If Vancouver had Tim Thomas instead of Roberto Luongo in net AV would have at least 1 ring. BTW Rangers in 6. I don't love this team but I am starting to like this matchup. Montreal centers are terrible. If Habs win it will because of Price which scares me a bit but I think Lundqvist will play well this series. He is a pro's pro and he always seems to play well in playoffs even if this bumbling team never seems to score enough.
Disturbed, No way Rangers win this series. MTL in 6, possibly in 5. I predicted CBJ will go to SCF against Hawks.
I know exactly zero fans, in any sport, who have this mentality about their team. I have no idea why you continue to troll a message board for a team you are not a fan of. If you don't think they will win that's fine, but to speak with such certainty is just unbelievable.
Prodigy, I am a huge Ranger fan. I watch every single second of every single period of every single game. When they are down 4 goals I do not turn off the TV, I watch until the end. Often it is recorded game because I get home later than 7. I love the Rangers, however I am just mad that this organization has 4 Cups total in 100 years and every year it seems they are further away from the Cup.
