MDZ and Pouliot out. Miller with Brassard and Hags. I like that line. That would mean MZA/Richards/Cally as the 2nd line. Pyatt/Moore/Boyle as the 4th line.
To me, the Rangers are trying to figure out if Falk can play well enough to allow the team to trade one of their starting defenseman. It's pretty obvious.
I actually think Falk has played okay for what he is, a 6th or 7th dman. Plus he does add a physical element to the back line. I think you could do worse than Falk as a 6th dman, but I think you need a real solid top 5 if he is your 6th, and you need a 7th guy you can count on as well if Falk hits a tough patch. I think if we deal a dman, maybe we bring McIlrath up to pair with Falk as the 6th dman AND then later in the season before the trade DL you look to add a solid vet to slide in there on the 3rd pair, or better. That's how I would play it. I think you could get by the regular season grind with Falk and McIlrath as the 6th guy. Then add someone later to slide in for them during the playoffs.
Rangers are going to get a long break with the Olympics. So, I think they need to get McIlrath up pretty soon. They are going to need him big time if they face a team like Boston in the playoffs.
clearly AV wants Pouliot and MDZ out of the line-up. this could be the end of the line for MDZ. if they can't move him, he will probably be sent to the Whale
There is no chance MDZ will be sent to the Whale. He would refuse to go and rightly so. He would just demand to be traded and then his value would be even less around the league.
Yeah, I am with dump here. No way MDZ gets sent down IMO. That would be very dumb on many levels. The first one being his trade value would go WAY down if he was sent down. No shot that happens. Just deal him for sure if you think you want to send him down. Simply no chance he goes down to the minors. I still think MDZ is the most likely guy to be dealt IF Sather is awake long enough to work on a trade, and IF Sather can get a solid scorer back for him.
The only way we'll see McIlrath this year is if they're out of it in March. They won't force him into action in a playoff race. I think he needs the rest of a full year in Ct to really get NHL ready.
You are right 71. Sather is bent on developing kids in Hartford. Those were his very words at the start of this season. He will stick to his guns.
The problem is he's not a first round talent by nature, they overdrafted him by about 20 picks for his toughness, so he needs the extra time that a 2nd rounder would to develop and not be a liability. Physically he could hold his own obviously.
If the freakin team could ever get to 8-10 games over .500, they might be able to bring him up and let him go through some growing pains to get some experience.
Disagree. I believe he is a first round talent. In fact, Dallas was on the record stating they were taking him at 12.
