After missing the season opener with an injured shoulder on Thursday, New York Rangers captain Ryan Callahan is poised to return Monday against the Los Angeles Kings.
I'm thinking more and more every day that if Allen or McIlrath play well in the minors early on, they will trade MDZ for a scoring wing with some size since Kreider fell on his face in camp. Maybe a MZD, Pyatt and Powe for Purcell to balance the money out. Purcell makes 4.5 for the next three years. I've always liked him as a wing. I don't think his upside is anywhere near MDZ's but the reality is Staal looks like he's back and with Staal, McDonagh, Girardi and Moore, MDZ is not going to play in the top 4. So basically, it's better to move him for a wing that can play on the top 2 lines until Kreider can grow a brain and realize how to play in the NHL.
Essentially this would give you Purcell-Stepan-Nash Hagelin-Brassard-Cally Pouliot-Richard-Miller Dorsett-Moore-Boyle Staal-Moore Girardi-McDonagh Stralman-Allen I said it months ago. Zuccarello has no place on this team.
I like the idea of getting Purcell. However Zucc is one of the few guys on this team who actually makes something happen offensively on almost every shift. They need to get rid of guy like Boyle and put Miller in his place. Put Zucc on the third line and give him some ice-time on PP. He's made every line he's been on better. Now you have three solid offensive lines that can score.
Krieder needs to grow a pair...........take hold and be the hockey player with initiative. Must get his head on straight. Captain Callahan comes back, so Sather puts JT back on the Hartford roster. I get the feeling he would rather see Hartford excel than the Rangers. Bummer.
