Team was lacking wings badly in the farm. Gorton trades for a righty defenseman in DeAngelo. Trades for 3 lefty defenseman in Lindgren, Hajek and Rykov. Then drafts a lefty and righty defenseman in the first round of this draft. Thus, to me he is admitting failure of his trades. So basically because of Gorton, we have a crap load of defenseman prospects and almost no wing prospects. That's a moronic way to rebuild a team.
Maybe if they hadn't taken another goalie(120th ranked overall) with the 2nd rounder like a bunch of idiots there would be another good W or C in the system. That alone pulled the whole draft down a notch and makes you wonder what Clark is doing to a degree. No reason to be reaching for projects in a rebuild with 2nd rounders.
Agree. Didn't even mention that. Pretty much the rest of the hockey world thinks Shesterkin is a stud, goalie prospect. Georgiev looks very impressive and there is no reason to think he won't continue that. I was stunned they took this kid in the second round. Gorton really has me shaking my head here. Only thing I can think of is that they are concerned about Shesterkin wanting to come over. If they aren't then that pick was moronic. Until I see Gorton clear out more vets on this roster, actually play some of the kids he traded for, I'm leaning towards him being fired.
Depending on how the season goes i assume Hayes and Z will be dealt which means a few spots will open later in the year. Maybe McQuaid brings back what they dealt for him The Andersson situation is fluid as he could be back within a month or two and Howden may struggle early on. Hajek and Lindgren should get cups of coffee at points too.
I think Gorton looks more and more incompetent as each months goes on. He doesn't seem to have any clue how to build the farm properly. The system is overloaded in goal and on D without depth at wing. He's littered the roster with vets again. Closing off spots for kids. He doesn't seem to have any sense of what a REBUILD actually is.
I doubt they trade Zibanejad. I see a lot of good young players in This roster. Kreider, Hayes, Zibanejad, Buchnevich, Spooner, Namestnikov, Vesey, Chytil, Lettieri, Pionk, Howden, Georgiev all young players. The other young guys need time in the AHL or just aren’t any good. They have enough young players on the roster. This team is good enough for a lower seed playoff team. They ain’t getting a top 5 pick anytime soon. Especially, with a veteran goalie
Gorton was always a clown. I’ve said it from day 1. He’s not a good GM and yes drafting all those defenseman and the high goalie prospect was absolutely stupid. Howden and Hajek better pan out because I still think they didn’t get enough in the McDonaugh-Miller trade.
I don't see Gorton's plan as the right way to rebuild. His Nash trade was brilliant. I loved the McDonagh trade. Miller was a moron. He is one of the worst playoff players in the league. He'll pile up points on top line but he still is a moron and he got a big contract. Hajek is a future stud. I hope Howden will be a top 6 guy. He's a player. They used the Tampa first rounder on a righty defenseman. So, his deals were good for the most part. It's his continuing stupidity of signing vets and not freeing up roster spots for youth that is moronic.
It's the New York rebuild. The thought that you still need names in there to bring the fans. Totally counterproductive and takes longer.
Agree. More stupid delaying of prospects by giving vets jobs. Gorton is a phony. Just because you have 5 first rounders over 2 years doesn't mean you are rebuilding if you won't commit to playing lots of young players.
Only problem I have with Gorton is Staal is still on the team. Unless Hank turns it around they're going to need a goalie sooner than later. I think Gorton did a good job clearing dead wood at the deadline last year or there would be no slots available for youth. Let's go Rangers!
Smith I know he had to let play. He had ZERO value after last year. Staal needs to be moved quick. Kravtsov is doing jack in the KHL. He was supposed to light it up this year. Not impressive to say the least. It does look like his team freakin sucks though. He has little talent around him.