Seriously, why the words "rebuild is over" scares Ranger fans? We have: LFA-Z-Kravtsov or Buch (one has to go for 2C). -> I would keep Kravtsov Panarin - 2C - Kakko Top 6 is done! Kreider-3C(not Chytil)-Gauthier (or someone) Whatever-Whatever-Whatever Lingren - Fox Miller - Trouba Schnieder-Robertson-Lundqvist-Jones (2 out of 4) We have two positions to fill: 2c and 3c and our trading chips are: (Chytil, Buch or Kravtsov, Gauthier, Strome and 2 out of (Robertson, Lundqvist or Jones). I assume Schieder we need for size. It is hard to pass on both Jones and Lundqvist but there is simply no room and we have a few future picks. If we wait our current prospects will simply degrade playing on the 3rd and 4th lines again under Quinn. I am not sure if Drury or Sather questioned why Kakko and LFA spent most of the year on the 3rd line and the team still did not make the playoffs. To me, that is a failure and simply doesn't make sense. If the argument from Gorton was, well we played LFA and Kakko on top 2 lines to develop them, hence we went through growing pains and missed playoffs, which will pay off later, then that would be fine, but they did not do that. Not to mention the fact that the team lacks toughness, which is secondary. Eichel should not cost more than 3 1st rounders, and if the price is higher then he is not worth it. (1st pick this year, Sabres 3rd back, Chytil, (Kravtsov or Buch or Lundqvist) should get that one done. 3C shouldn't be too difficult to find. Even if we don't, Strome would suffice if we get Boyle type faceoff guy onto our 4th line.
I would think Quinn would be gone end of season if CD is making his mark on the Rangers, don't know if Messier is the right choice for coach - could be lots of hurt feelings and career destruction from the old school Captain.. The CEO told JD/Gorton the team was soft and Quinn called the team out for being soft early in the season yet nothing was done to protect the young future. With the glut of young talent the Rangers could have easily landed a guy like Lucic or similar inexpensive goon but instead we keep Rooney and DiGi. The result is the Rangers getting physically embarrassed too many times especially toward the end of the year.
Yeah, I agree panzer. Mantha was tapping Buch like he is some sort of a kid. I don't know if you guys noticed, but multiple times Mantha was taking those liberties right before Buch crosschecked him. That is a failure on Gorton/JD's part, and we don't know if Dolan requested toughness from Gorton. We judge from the side. And the Tom Wilson incident could have been just confirmation and the last straw after the superstar player gets pulled by the hair and thrown onto the ice. Again, if Dolan voiced such concerns in the past year to Gorton and instead of addressing the issue, Gorton trades Lemuix then I get it. Tom Wilson is tougher than Lemuix, he is bigger, but still, while Lemieux was around it wasn't as bad.
The fact that Mika stood there and did nothing but issue a disappointed postgame statement when Wilson went off speaks volumes to me regarding his future here. I was surprised to hear in Messier's interview that the Rangers hadn't had much contact with him the last few years - wonder if Mess would be open to assistant coach/face off specialist. Sadly crap like that beatdown has happened too often to the Rangers marquis players over the years since the Cup .
Bringing in a franchise legend to coach the team doesn't seem like a sound idea to me. Virtually every coach's tenure ends with them being fired and it doesn't make sense to risk tarnishing their reputation and esteem they hold with the organization. Plus, I'm not aware of him being a coach at any level. If they are in contend for a cup mode now, hiring an inexperienced coach isn't the best move in my eyes.
I agree, and he does not have any coaching experience. If I were to guess I'd say he'll be part of the organization in some way, but I don't think he'll be the coach. I would hope they hire a proven NHL coach given the circumstances.
I think it is the first time agree with Grey and NYR Fan. I don't think bringing in an inexperienced coach and first-time GMs is a good idea. I think Drury will do a great job, but it has to be an experienced coach. How about Mike Babcock? I know he had his share of controversy but he might be rehabilitated now.
Let’s first note that David Quinn has not been relieved of his duties yet, but almost unanimously around the rumor mill he’s expected to go. Recently, Nick Kypreos said he heard whispers that Mike Babcock may be a name considered for the next Rangers head coach. It sounds like Babcock really wants to get back in the NHL and could be lobbying hard to get his name under consideration. Also during the show, Kypreos’ cohost Doug Maclean heard a name I did as well. John Tortorella’s contract will expire after the Blue Jackets next game and James Dolan absolutely loves him. Matter of fact, Dolan responded to a question about Torts just months after his firing in NY that almost sounded like a love letter. There’s likely to be a myriad of coaches interviewed if indeed they part ways with David Quinn, which could happen as early as today I’m told. Both Tortorella and Babcock would be candidates, as could Gerard Gallant and Claude Julien. Another name that may get an interview is Patrick Roy, an old teammate of Drury’s in Colorado. However, all that’s happened has been set into motion thanks to James Dolan’s desire to change the culture. A culture he claims was missing that winning attitude. While the decision’s are said to be completely in Drury’s hands there’s no doubt in my mind that it will be Tortorella’s job again. Drury also has good history with Torts and a mutual respect. During Torts’ first few years at the helm in NY it was Drury that was his captain before injury forced him to retire. They both have a desire to win it all on Broadway and the reunion that dates back almost 20 years is in the making.
Quinn will be gone today or tomorrow, and if it is Torts I wouldn't be upset. The guy gets a lot out of his players, he just has a shelf life of 5 years or so. And with this team ready to win next season, and talent to be added, we could do a lot worse IMO.
Ehh, i don't know about going down the Torts road again, with this young team, i think that could be a mismatch. Roy i don't think is a great choice but the Drury connection could help him for sure. Babcock or Julien are safe bets that might be the way to go for now. Maybe there's a few minor league guys ready for a shot.
Yeah, Torts wouldn't be my top choice either, but if he were the guy I wouldn't be angry. I would focus on a guy with NHL coaching experience for a team that wants to win next season.
Torts is horseshit - players nowadays don't respond positively to his tantrums if they ever did. I know Luongo won him that Cup decades ago but he hasn't done shit to develop anyone since, I'd rather see Messier.
It was Khabibulin! That’s how long ago. Noooo to Torts he takes years off players careers with the shot blocking nonsense
We need a proven NHL coach not Messier IMO. There are some good coaches available, hopefully we can snag one of them. Tocchet is also available most likely in addition to Babcock, Gallant, and Julien.
No to torts. Don’t want to see the 6 goalie defense again. I’m still hoping that the rumors are true about Pitt management not wanting Mike Sullivan and that would be my first choice. After that I would give messier a shot if he’s interested with assistants graves and leetch. After that I’d rather give a worthy assistant a shot. No retreads. And for gods sake no more college coaches
If we are looking for a winning coach, it should be Mike Babcock first. Torts won the cup also. I would not be too upset with Torts, but I am not sure he is a good match for this group. Claude Julien is ok, I would put him after Babcock and Torts. Why not Kris Knoblouch? The players seem to like him based on a handful of games that he coached. He is not proven of course, but IMO it should be between Babcock and Knonlouch. I finally heard Messier's interview on Michael Kay's show. I agree with him. There is a philosophy not to build a team around toughness, but Mess doesn't agree with such philisophy. On Gorton/JD situation. I still have a question why Gorton needed one more year of getting picks instead of moving pieces around with current picks and money that the team has. It seems like this offseason is the most fun for Ranger GM.
I think Messier would be the worst choice actually. The guy has never been a coach at any level. Just because he was a star player with a hard nosed mentality means his first coaching job should be the head coach of an NHL team that is ready to start winning? And let's double down by giving him two assistants that have never been coaches on any level either. That doesn't seem very logical to me at all. Get a proven coach with NHL coaching experience and go from there.
Note to I’m not chuck even though we all know you are CHUCK LOL...... read my post again first choice is Sullivan if the rumors about him being released are true, messier is my second choice. And where does it say you have to have experience to be a good nhl coach when you are a legendary player that has the respect of all the players. Coaching and deciding who plays with what lines, what specialty teams and how much ice time is not rocket science. Both graves and leetch have been around hockey and the rangers since they’ve left and have a lot of knowledge and experience to show young players what to do. I don’t know what drury’s plans are since he didn’t call me to share them. I just dont want to see Quinn back. Almost anyone else except torts and his 6 goalie system would Be an improvement.
That's fine. Messier shouldn't be on the list, and certainly not with two unproven assistants. Let's bring in a head coach who has zero coaching experience, and then hire two assistants with zero coaching experience as well. I mean they were good/star players, and on the 94 team, so that should be good enough right. Come on man, put away the nostalgia. Outside of being a star player, why would you want to hire a no experience at any level head coach. It doesn't make sense. Quinn will be gone by early this week, and then we'll look for a new coach. I am hopeful it will be a coach with good NHL experience. I personally am not a fan of Sullivan, but he would qualify as an experienced coach, and should be in the mix if he leaves the Pens, along with a few others mentioned here I'd guess.
