I was saying the same thing....one of the best scorers in NHL history, wide open in the low slot. What do you expect will happen. Atrocious coverage (lack thereof) by Matthews. Disappointing.
Great game and tourney. Tough L, I wanted that one badly for a game that in theory didn't mean much. A few observations: 1. Fox has really declined. We see it up close, but when you watch him in this best-on-best tourney, you see how far he has fallen. The guy won the Norris a few years ago, now he is nowhere close to that level. I would say trade him before his NMC kicks in, but there is no way in hell Drury has the balls to make a move like that. 2. Hughes is very overrated. For a guy who is supposed to be near the top of the league, he's invisible in these big games. 3. Matthews had many chances and couldn't finish and left McD all alone. He's great but hasn't done sh*t when it matters most. 4. I would do anything to get Brady T. here. Lafreniere, Miller or Fox, a mid-prospect, and a pick, whatever it takes. But again, no way in hell Drury has the balls or skills to pull off a trade like that.
Even if Drury managed to get Brady here, we are so fucking stupid as a franchise that we would put him in the 3rd line and PP2 because washed up Kreider is apparently untouchable.
Thank God that distraction is over, definitely an upgrade over an All Star game as any actual game is more entertaining than the old format but not worth putting the season on hold for 2 weeks. This would be a great concept in the Summer but to have teams in playoff contention sending their best to play 3 high intensity games risking injury for a shiny trophy is more silliness from the NHL. I'm curious about the logic behind Bettmann pushing an NHL marketing product as more important than an NHL championship, let the Olympics sell themselves.
I am hoping for at least 3 second round picks back at the deadline and more salary cap space for next season. Probably wishful thinking with Drury who looks to be a dumbass.
Not sure what the logic was behind starting Kreider over Connor. Against the very best in the world a lot of guys look pedestrian. I thought Fox played fine but his lack of speed is an issue. Hughes was a boy amongst men the entire tournament. Pretty sure what it would take to get B. Tkachuk is more than what the Rangers would be willing to give up and probably more than what some have suggested here. Especially at this stage in his career.
Connor is one of the best players in the world. I would have to think he was hurt or the coach was a total dumbass.
Stupid. Connor is a stud. Either way, if the two teams played 10 times, probably be 5-5. I picked Canada to win simply from the fact that I didn't think either team was going to be beaten twice in a row. Now, if McAvoy played that might have not been the case. He dominated McDavid the first game. Either way, who gives a fuck. Back to the bumbling idiots on our team.
I think you'll get a late 2nd for Smith, 3rd for Lindgren and maybe a 4th for Vesey, if they move them all. I'd take that. Can always package some things at the draft.
I would think more than a 3rd for Lindgren. He's a UFA so it won't be a cap hit. Despite his struggles this season he's been a solid defenseman. Honestly, putting him with Fox is counter productive for his game. He would be better with a stay at home d-man who was a good skater and was smart defensively. Fox looks like he's turning into a 40 year old man. It might not be a bad idea for Drury to put his name out there but he doesn't have the balls to do that.
I think you'll get more for Lindgren than Smith, no doubt IMO. A 2nd pair type dman vs. a 3rd line winger, I don't see how Lindgren doesn't get a better return. I'll also add, I don't know what Drury will do before the trade DL in two weeks, I'd guess how the Rangers perform over the 7 games prior to the DL will impact things, but he absolutely 100000% for sure must trade at least Lindgren and Smith. I would expect Drury can get a 2nd rounder for Lindgren and a 3rd rounder for Smith (which will show you yet again how terrible of a trade it was in July when Drury traded two picks to get Smith). And as I have been saying for a few weeks, I would also deal Kreider, who I believe could get you a 1st rounder, but again I don't think Drury has the balls to make that trade. This will be a test for Drury. Not only don't I believe he has the balls or the skills to pull off the needed moves, I also don't believe he gets or accepts where the team really is. Most people realize the Rangers are not close to a legit SC team this season, I don't think Drury understands that. I think it's just as likely, if not more likely, he keeps Lindgren and Smith, and adds pieces at the DL, thus throwing assets down the drain, and hurting our chances for next season, when we can be a legit SC team again. He needs to be aware enough to truly understand what the team is this season, even if they manage to slip in as a WC. What I ask for from Drury at the trade DL: 1. MUST trade Lindgren and Smith. I would also move Kreider, but at least those two must go. 2. He doesn't half a** it. Like not really add anyone, but keep Lindgren and Smith, or maybe just deal Smith, but don't go all the way. Show some commitment and go all the way with your moves. I think sort of being a seller and/or a buyer is the worst thing Drury could do. Have conviction Chris. 3. Do not mortgage the future for rentals. That would be a horrific decision. No picks for rentals. Complete waste for a team that is not a SC contender, and maybe at best barely slips in as a WC. Be aware of and acknowledge the team you are this season.
As for Fox, I'll respectfully disagree. We are talking about a Norris trophy winner, a guy who was viewed as one the top dmen in the whole NHL. He has fallen far from that level. This isn't a guy who always was a 2nd tier dman his whole career, and may look pedestrian, he was at the top highest level, now he is not. He is not close to the same level he was, and a tourney like this made that very clear again. He started on the top pair and the top PP and ended up out of both roles. Not sure if he can get back to that level, but I am pretty sure we will find out with him in a Rangers uniform. As for Brady T., my guess is if the Sens ever would deal him, and I'd guess they wouldn't, it would take a massive return. Think Lafreniere, Miller or Fox, a very good prospect (it may have to be Othmann or Perreault although I'd hope we could keep those two guys out of it for any other Rangers prospect), and a 1st round pick. Personally, I would do it for him, but I doubt the Sens would deal him, and I almost certainly know Drury cannot pull off a trade like that. Imagine a forward mix with Brady, Miller, Trocheck, and Cuylle. Finally, some grit and toughness for this Rangers team. I have also seen Trent Frederic from Boston mentioned as a potential target, and he'd be a good fit with his size, and 15 goal potential IF they can re-sign him for sure as he's a UFA after the season.
It probably would cost Laffy, Othmann, Garand and a 1st for BT. Maybe they give back a 3rd or prospect with him to balance it a little. I'm not sure why Ottawa would move him as they seem to be turning a corner with their young core. Seems like a longshot but it's possible. I think they'd like Garand, and he'd be blocked here for several years.
