Good morning, boneheads!
And congratulations to everyone! Unless you count 2020 qualifiers, this is the first time they made playoffs since 2016-17 season, when they squeaked into the wild card spot with 102 points. They went on to defeat Canadiens in 6, and lost in 6 to Ottawa. The Sens went on to lose to the eventual SC Champ Pittsburgh Penguins, going all the way to game 7 that was decided in double OT
The reason I am mentioning all this to you is to emphasize how far these two teams went since then. In completely opposite directions. Ottawa is out with 58 points and 11 games left, and NY is comfortably in with 100 points and still 9 games to go. I think the only thing left to be decided is whether they finish first or second in Metropolitan Division, and how many goals over 50 will Chris Kreider score. Last night’s both tallies were from the longest distance he scored all season long.
It was a complete, workmanlike domination, with our boys thoroughly outplaying them, both before and after Watson’s goal. This is what I think is becoming noticeable. Both Fox and Panarin are starting to play closer to their potential top form, this newly formed second line (welcome back, Strome!) is going to be something to watch going forward. And Rooney instantly made their fourth line so much better. Would love to see what they can do with Motte instead of Reaves ( who played well ) Anyway, there is more to discuss, but I leave it to you.
Enjoy the moment, folks. And rub it in on every single “expert” who predicted their failure this season.
UPDATE: Click here to read LB’s, and here to read Staple’s articles.
185 responses to “Rangers-5, Senators-1”
I think I was set up by ILB just now but that’s ok.
Real shame Dolan didn’t keep his hands off of this team and their rebuild. Clearly a disaster
ORF, can you copy and paste your posts here? Some good stuff about Frozen Four
Let those experts keep doubting us….. The only question I have for them is how they’d like their crow prepared….
Sorry, JamesG. Just saw it. Late morning…Or is it early morning ? 🙂
I have a few thoughts. Starting with its exciting to see them headed back after the last few years and the way last season ended.
Drury has done a great job starting with the decision to hire Gallant who has been as advertised and more.
They’ve added and given up very little to this point. The salary cap issues have to be worked out and there’s still a need for some roster improvement but let’s worry about that after the post season.
We’ll wait to see who the first round opponent is and if they can get to 100% healthy by game 1 or at least by the first round.
Still some fun games to watch
The coolest thing about this season has been the team’s improvement as the year progressed. The current version is significantly better than the October 2021 version. They are scoring 5 on 5 and they are possessing the puck like they were not earlier in the season. They are playing playoff style hockey. And just think…….they have 2 young studs on the 3rd line.
not looking good for pack to make playoffs.
they go by points percentage in case teams don’t play same amount of games. they’re at .508. 4th team is .537
Great game last the 2nd line can do some damage. Kreider needs 5 in 9 to tie Jagr. Zibanejad is going to do everything he can to make that a reality. If line 3 can make some noise and pot a few, we’ll anything is possible. Last but not least, Gallant don’t take Schneids out of the lineup! Get well Motte. The Minx has Spoken!
Unsustainable.
This is what I (not alone of course) was saying earlier in the season. They leaned a lot on Igor, but were still racking up points while figuring out how to win. Hard to say that having guys that played on winning teams (that includes THE by the way) didn’t help when things weren’t going perfectly, even if their heat maps weren’t impressive.
James, Gallant only had to start Igor, what else did he do??
I was waiting till they clinched so as not to jinx him before saying this. From about game 20 on, Mika Zibanejad has been the player I never thought he could be. He has had a tremendous season. Committed to both ends of the ice. Got his nose dirty. Went to places that got him knocked on his butt. Very happy to have been wrong about him.
Oh by the way I hate the pens!
Gravy,
It’s almost as if there are different ways to win games.
We can all be wrong, and it’s great when the team/player proves it to us. I actually thought Igor was one of the biggest question marks going into the season, between health, experience, etc. I wasn’t even sure the extension was the right move at the time.
Losing Brodzinki, Schneider and Barron really hurt the Pack. That’s the 3 best players on the team.
Bdl
Concerning Zibanejad the Gallant effect!
Eli,
Yes, and I think it that they started to win. Good players like to win, more than they like STATS.
Mea Culpa v2022
While the players are the ones out on the ice busting their behinds every game (and practice), the ALL require appropriate levels of direction and support.
Top kudos to Drury for making great moves and hires from players brought in before and after season started and most importantly the coaching staff.
This staff has done a fantastic job keeping the team on an even keel and not panicking when things were going a little sideways during the first 2 months. Gorts and JD held this franchise back by hiring and keeping DQ around and spoke to the complacency evident in their personnel
Moves and media relations.
GG and his staff have molded this group into a real Team. He constantly backed his players in the media, particularly the younger ones. Rarely adopting the line shuffler during games and keeping pairs together through out the season.
Very impressive.
There are a couple of good articles around, just noticed. Post above updated.
Gravy I had those same concerns about Igor. Especially with his health. I’m very glad to have eaten crow this season. I was probably his toughest critic last year and headed into this season
I’ll be going to the game Thursday night with my wife and son to watch the Rangers battle for first place.
I’ll be wearing my Chris Drury jersey.
BDL,
Mika also a +30 on the year. Useless stat I know but for a center that was a -30-something through his career that’s a nice way to turn it around. I think he had a choice between being an 85-100 point guy who didn’t do some of the important things or being a 75-85 point center who plays like a well polished center. I’ve been on both sides of the fence with him I’m not sure where it goes from here but for this year good on him.
Wish I still had mine, AA. stolen from our old basement storage in Scarsdale. Go figure…
At the end of the day I don’t think it’s even about us being proven right or wrong on a lot of these guys I think that what is really a promising sign is that there are guys who took advantage under Quinn who didn’t seem to be thrilled with what Gallant wanted at the start. Or at least had trouble with it. For the most part they’ve all bought in /learned and excelled. Sign of a good coach for sure.
Man I miss Carp.
It would be so cool to read what he’d have to say about last night and this season so far.
When they acquired Vatrano I was thinking who? Well I’m delighted to eat humble pie on that one.
All the trades the our GM orchestrated have been terrific. Therefore I will no longer refer to our GM as Dreary. Respectfully I will refer to him by his appropriate surname. It would be even better…much better to refer to him this June as the GM of the Stanley Cup New York Rangers. I so want to pour some bubbly into my replica Cup.
‘…Moved down to Scarsdale
Where the hell am I’…
Think the significant maturity of Kreider this season has been as important as the points he’s put up. Clearly has taken on a significant leadership role for the team that he seemed to avoid in prior seasons.
Not discounting roles played by Mike, Strome and Trouba, just have sense that Kreider has pulled a lot of the guys up to the level of work/play they need to be at to win, kids especially.
I’d like to see Goodrow centering that 3rd for a bit. Even when Chytil is ready to go back in.
Drury was the college whisperer. They sent him in whenever they needed to successfully cajole a wanted kid. Were he in charge, I’m sure he would have been patient enough to get some useful talent for Anthony D.
If Chytil had just modicum of a Tkachuk in him, googamooga!
Admiral
I could be mistaken here, but it seems Carp doesn’t miss us!
Not sure how fun a read Carp would be carrying water for the former regime when the moment presents. Always enjoyed his games write ups but the inability to let go of the recent past has colored his commentary.
St. Pete,
Seems Carp hates Dolan AND Drury. Oh well.
Scottsdale
Apparently!
Guess he put his money on the wrong horse(s).
Coos….I think Gorton looks more like a Cromagnon then a horse. Just one guys opinion
AA
i’d plan on going tuesday if I were you
ilb2001
Here’s the Frozen Four stuff cut and pasted:
On the way back from the Frozen Four. Most of skill in the tournament was on Michigan, but they don’t seem to be a team. Lots of skilled guys but no team cohesion. The OT goal was symbolic of their play. There is a loose puck near their blue line and it looks like they will get a breakaway. Three of them fly the zone and no one picks up the puck. Denver gets the puck. The Michigan goalie makes a big save but no one is around for the rebound and game over. I’m sure Powers will be an excellent NHL D but he didn’t standout much. Hughes has the skating and stick skills of his brothers, but, looks a little sturdier. I noticed him more. The UFA D on Michigan (Blankenburg?)is a small guy who can get his shot on net and mixes it up. Rangers have enough undersized D. I see that Powers has already signed with Buffalo. The Rangers will see him in the Fall.
Minnesota State has the UFA Hobey Baker goalie. Hard to tell how good he is. Minnesota got like 14 SOGs and didn’t do much after an early 2 on 0 when MSU coughed it up outside their blue line. Knieves scored assisted by Johnny B’s brother Blaine Brodzinski. The Gophers were pretty quiet the rest of the night. MSU scored on 2 wraparounds to take the lead and sealed the deal with they got a pp goal and closed it out with an EN goal. MSU was very sound defensively and keep the pressure on all night but no one stood out much.
MSU dominated the first 2 periods last night against Denver and scored a PP goal in the first and took a 1-0 lead into the third. They seemed to be in control, but, had 25 very quiet shots. Denver pick up their play in the third after having only around 10 shots after 2. Around the middle of the period Denver got even on a rebound and then went on the PP. They scored on a one timer from the left dot. MSU was pressing for the tie and gave up a 2 on 1 that Denver converted. That was it as MSU didn’t have the firepower for a comeback. Denver added 2 ENs after that.
The other notable UFA in the tournament was the Minnesota center Meyers. He was noticeable, but, it’s hard to standout when the team is doing so little. He is quite small. Seems like every team in the league is in on him.
The MSU UFA goalie McKay was only tested in one of the 6 periods and didn’t come up big when needed. Hard to judge him on a small sample, but, 10 great minutes by him in the third could have gotten them the championship.
The other UFA I have seen mentioned is Akito Hirose of MSU. He is a defenseman and played a solid, but, not spectacular game much like the rest of his teammates. We had a Bluejacket scout sitting next to us on Thursday. I tried my best but couldn’t read the notes he was taking. Trivigno and Scanlin are on everyone’s list so the Rangers have already done well with this class.
I have gone with my family for over 20 years and it was great to be back there live again. We almost had a third generation attend this year but my granddaughter had another hockey related commitment and didn’t attend.
If they take First place in Metro does that cement GG as coach of the year ?
Not at all promoting Tony D except that we should not have publicized his faux pas and have received considerable talent in return. Gorton’s ego was bigger than his brain.
Thanks, ORF
Kreider has a couple of hat tricks in him over the next few I can smell it
Coos-just get it over-with and buy #77 Canes jersey.
What’s happened to this Ranger team reminds me of of what Neil Smith did in 1994 by Acquiring Craig MacTavish, Glenn Anderson, Stephane Matteau and Brian Noonan. All of them were instrumental in the Rangers winning the Stanley Cup.
With all this negative Carp stuff going around you bone heads should still him give loads of credit for the years he had put in to keep us entertained. Didn’t agree with him from time to time but he worked hard and was very dedicated & a credit to his profession
Craps trying to drive a nail in the isles chances.
GG – for Adams
Kreid – for MVP
Shesty – for Vezina
Bread – for next Russia President
azzlanders 15 pts behind the craps 19 behind the bolts. Stick a fork in the fishsticks they’re done!
Icelander tragic numeral is 8
What are you implying, tom? Spit it out.
bobbyo I don’t think so. Even in the whacky NHL setup last year, none of the teams that missed playoffs had more points. It was expected to be a better season and by more than just a couple points – they were on an 88 pt 82 game pace last season so less than 96 this season would have been a disappointment.
FWIW, as much as people want to beat on Gorton and JD – the team through the trade deadline was pretty much the same – Bread, Strome, Zib, THE, Kakko, Laf, Chytil, Rooney, Trouba, KAM, Fox, Lindy, Igor, Georgie and the rotating guys – Goat, Keg, Schneider, Selma, etc. Drury’s off season additions (Goodrow, Nemeth, Hunt, Reaves) were imporant but most of the team was already in place. Blais went out too early to matter.
They are better post deadline after moving another prior regime pick, Barron, and using a few of the draft picks that were not squandered. But they were already in playoff position.
I think GG gets in the discussion if they make it to ECF but just making it to post season or even winning first round probably not.
Beezle-Jack Adams is voted on by the NHL writers at the end of the regular season so playoffs don’t figure into it.
Not implying anything Coos. I’ll be rooting for the Rangers and all of the Rangers players on Tuesday night and in the playoffs. Not beating a dead horse.
So a certain Pittsburgh player slashes the stick out of the opponent after the play is over, then crosschecks the opponent in the mouth causing a few chicklets to be spit out, and get 4:00 in penalties. Hint::: this was not #87.
still think GG has a shot for coach of the year ..in the mix with Macllellan, Evason, Brunet
Tony D would be sorely missed if not for the rapid development (a Gorton/JD pick they traded up to get). So while I panned the way they dealt with it, they wound up making up for the mistake.
*of Schneider
tomk – didn’t know that, but still don’t think the improvement this year has been so great that one points to GG as coach extraordinaire. Good job for sure but not like he had dog meat to work with!
Just proves GG>>>DQ.
I watched the race tonight, Wick. Won’t comment until I know you’ve seen it.
Who in hell cares whom you root for or against? Come to grips with your insignificance.
Coos-Sorry I snapped yesterday. I was pissed about something that had nothing to do with you or anything here and you didn’t deserve that.
The difference (IMO) between this year and last is that we don’t get man-handled by anyone, and that gives everyone confidence. There’s more leadership, we’re tough on the boards, defensemen are taking the body regularly – we still seem to lose too many face-offs, but we’re not out of place in the conversation. We havent sneaked in, we’re so close to winning the division and no reason to think we can’t win a couple of rounds in the playoffs too.
I also don’t think we’ll see too much rotation in the PO’s unless its after a defeat or due to injury.
Gravy- Even if Schneider needed another year in Hartford, a 3rd pairing defenseman who makes $4.8 AAV, was due a raise next year and is not very good on the PK was not what this team needed. He wasn’t sorely missed on the power play either.
He’s a perfect fit in Carolina. @ $1 million AAV, DeAngelo might literally be the best bargain in the league. They got him in the summer that they let Dougie Hamilton walk so DeAngelo filled a huge need there.
DeAngelo would have been a luxury on the Rangers this year, but his cap hit would have made it more difficult to fill holes in areas they filled at the deadline.
His numbers and his value have gone up this year by a lot because he’s in the perfect situation and getting a ton of playing time,(much more than if he had stayed here). I think we can all agree that Gorton made a mess of things and as a result we didn’t get anything in return for Tony D.
That’s the issue – no return for a young point a game Dman.
Its all about the asset management and Jughead screwed that up
By overstocking on D they risk losing more of them for little or no return. They already moved the Finn D for essentially no return. The return may not be great for Nils and Jones when they have to make a decision on them. Drury probably is better off moving sooner rather than later on them.
Gorton’s ego larger than his brain. JD rubber stamps. Little wonder they’re both gone.
Weak sauce
Malkin should get 5 games for that….drop the gloves already…its not like he’s tiny
Ony Gravy can say weak sauce.
Ridiculous story from yesterday. Habs fans make a trip to Toronto (first mistake) to watch their team play the leafs. Young fan gets a picture and a puck from Nick Suzuki. Unfortunately the kid makes the rookie mistake of trying to catch the puck with his mouth instead of his hands and ends up with a bloody lip. Suzuki, who is absolutely a class act, feels bad about the kid so he takes pictures with him, signs the puck and then gives the kid a stick!
Sadly it was at this point that the Toronto fun police arrived to ruin any kind of joy and kindness in their city. The family was informed they either had to get rid of the stick or leave because apparently a souvenir hockey stick is just too dangerous to have in the stands and of course security couldn’t possibly just hold the stick in the front office until the end of the game for the small, bleeding child.
https://i.ibb.co/W516Ywd/FB-IMG-1649681701608.jpg
Common sense just ain’t too common anymore.
#canadianrules
Great story for the kid
Ridiculous they couldn’t just hold the stick at the nearest usher
Shameful display by management and security there
Day rapidly approaching when simple common sense will be priority #1 for every job from CVS cashier to Secretary of State.
When was the last time the Leaves were relevant?
Rotting Leaves are redolent.
O Canada
Kevin’s northern cousin- Canadian Bacon.
Morning chucklefaces!
Hope everyone had a great rest of last week and last weekend. Travel games in full swing, did I miss anything?
EddieJ
I saw it late after we got home…domination from the prancing horse!!!
Great work by cheechoo btw…he better do it damnit!!!
#drivefor55
DJ not spinning anything until The Enigma hits the magic number!
Toronto is a mess
Wicky,
I don’t if you saw it, but Kreider backed what you were saying all along about the rebuild. Kreider called it a reload. Not a rebuild.
Common sense is not common practice. But it is hard to teach common sense….
Hard to measure common sense as well
THE alluding to guns. Suspend him!
A lot of talk about Thomas Paine’s book. No one reads Faulkner anymore?
I guess Carp hates Kreider now..
Kreider Btw would need 7 goals in 9 games to tie Jags for most in Ranger history. 3 more ties Graves.
James- Faulkner’s real name is Falkner. His first book-cover had his name mis-spelled. It sold well enough that his publisher convinced him to keep the new name as he now had a following.
Bdl
Yeah, it was never a rebuild, it was a bad moving out of some older players and getting younger ones in. Problem was they wasted 3 years of prime age vets because they couldn’t (wouldn’t) add the right glue guys to hold it all together.
Drury did what the previous fat cats wouldn’t do in 4 years in 9 months. The hedgehog and the big lazy were collecting their $$$ and sitting on their laurels thinking their BS letter PR stunt would let them ride along on their piles of Dolan cash doing minimal things and having an excuse…thankfully Dolan finally realized it and the rangers are only 3 years behind their window.
Well put.
James
Kreider needs 5 to tie 6 to pass he has 49.
Kravtsov’s team eliminated in five games – Kravtsov anyone?
Kravtsov can come only if he reveals putin’s whereabouts.
Kravtsov can come back because the playoffs are a grind and you can never have enough depth
Travel out of Russia complicated but possible. A few European countries have cancelled/suspended visa issuance, US still allowing entry (for now).
In any event, Kravtsov is of conscription age….
From Mercagliano- Drury on Kravtsov: “We’re in contact with him. He’s playing extremely well… There will be a time to come on what’s next.”
He didn’t want to comment on the situation beyond that, he said. #NYR
‘a time to comment?’
And then here was the kid who went into the drug store and asked for a pack of condominiums.
It would be great to have the scoring record held by a player who started and ended his career as a Ranger.
They have to qualify Kravtsov after the season. They will have to show their cards then-if he isn’t traded at the draft.
Vince said a time to come
Was he interviewing Hunt, Michael
BTW no one on the Preds did anything to Malkin after the incident. Not even a stern talking to. Fire the coach and GM.
Was Vince breathing heavily?
With Kreider closing in on 50 goals I’ve been thinking of a frequent poster of earlier times: Miami Pimp. Haven’t seen him here for some years, but I believe he was the one who came up with “THE”. There can be all kinds of reasons for him not posting anymore, from the worst to the most trivial.
I just hope he’s around watching his favorite player turning into a goalscoring stud.
“The that is all.”
inthearmsofbrianboyle
I think James may have sent him an email if I remember correctly a few years back and never got an answer.
Thanks, Eli.
Your post above was his trademark. It was simple and brilliant.
Miami was a great poster; did have some health issues in the past so hoping for the best.
At least he didn’t become a Panthers fan and come here and post about the Puddy cats.
There was a video I saw last night of alll of Kresiers playoff goals.
Was going to post it but didn’t want to trigger any discussiin about cap issues in 3 seasons.
Ahhh, wtf
https://twitter.com/based_shesty/status/1513197299190706180?s=21&t=DYOhcNANr0EWNIMx66-ECw
I was going to post a link to this great Q&A I saw with THE. What the heck!
https://nypost.com/2014/05/15/serbys-qa-with-chris-kreider/amp/
I was thinking about Miami a few weeks ago with all the THE talk. Hasn’t posted on twitter in awhile either. Hope for the best.
Then again ilb hasn’t posted on twitter since 2014 either 🙂
Miami always seemed to be cheerful here; and his avatar of the Cookie Monster was perfect! 🙂
Gravy – that was a great Q&A.
I have loads of respect for #20.
And only 8 years old 🙂
What in hell did Serby think he was going to get as an answer to those questions? “I hate that guy.” “Lazy wise-ass.” “A cancer on the team politic.” “Truly a bi-polar wack.”
In the Kreiders video of all his playoff goals, if you look at the score at that time in the game, there are maybe only one or two goals that were scored when the game was well under/out of control. THE is clutch!
Red Barron flying in Montreal tonight. G & A – setting up teammates with nifty little passes.
Gump Worsley’s coach once accused him of having a beer belly. When the media asked Worsley for a comment, he said, “He should know better than that. He knows I only drink Scotch.”
Copp has been better than advertised so far. We can worry about Barron when NYR get swept in the first round 🙂
4 game suspension for Malkin.
4 games. I am shocked.
Ive always sensed similarities in personality between #20 and my all time favorite #9. Couldn’t be more happy for the success he’s enjoying this year
Gravy
Crosby would have been fined 5 grand and no suspension.
They would have suspended whoever Crosby hit.
Gravy
He hasn’t posted on Twitter since then except to spam my DM folder there 🙄
😉
Nice to see Malkin given 4 games. Pretty shocking that no of the Pteds had the guts to go after him. That`s today`s nhl. Clean hits are punished with fights and dirty hits have ne retaliation. Oh well.
A comment on the Kratsov stuff. If we had any players better then him,I would say hell no. But the cupboard is pretty bare for talent in Hartford. You never know. I would play him a game or 2 before the end of the season and see what he`s got.
That is ironic Jeff
The retaliation Trouba has faced for totally clean hits
But rats that injure are either protected by the linesman or a team doesn’t have anyone go after them cause their scared they may get punched by a lunatic who has no regard for the code
Malkin got suspended cause the pens are basically already graunteed a playoff birth so they can have optics of enforcement of player saftey without risking their precious Pens missing the cut
And the worlds Russophobia currently didn’t help him
It is crazy that the pens team has acted like they have against us then Nashville when they are a pretty soft and small team without anyone that can actually fight
Lol
Sonny Jurgensen, notorious successful fatbelly NFL QB when refusing to do windsprints as his coach demanded, said: “I don’t do windsprints. I don’t throw with my belly.”
Yeah, Wick, it’s kind of nice to hear the Italian anthem played after a race again. Kind of a shame that Max was a DNF, though. Nice to see the McLarens are starting to move up in the pack and Mick having a better season, so far.
Huge game tonight, my friends.
Big boy pants game….. A 4 point swing…. a chance to inch closer to 1st, and above all else… a way to figure out if we can hang with an upper echelon team like this.
All they need to do differently against this team is MOVE THE PUCK QUICKLY out of their own zone and break Carolina’s forecheck! Do that, and they’ll give themselves a chance. Don’t do that, and expect to be pinned in all night with Igor having to stand on his head (unless GG decides to go with Georgiev bc of his last showing against them).
CraigWeather
I think Igor will go tonight and Georgiev gets the philth. But with Gallant it could be the other way around.
I doubt they bring whinesoft over for the playoffs. There is no spot for him and he isn’t going to the Pack, wouldn’t want to hurt is feelings. They will most likely deal with him over the summer.
I would not be at all surprised if Russia prevents their KHL nationals from leaving to play in NHL playoffs (time will tell about next regular season).
And as Minx points out, really no place for him at moment other than as backup. Not sure you would even want to bring his baggage to what is a fairly tight team environment.
Hopefully our scorers have been practicing skating fast and wide 😉
I’ll be heading to the game tonight with Mrs A and little A. I hope the Rangers play well and are up for this.
Let’s hope the Rangers remember beat wide can be beat wide!
Widely known.
gonna need 6 goals tonight since Quickie, Tony D, Brady, Stephan and Smith will be scoring
Inthearms,
None of us have heard from Miami Pimp in some time. At least not that I know of. Hopeful that he’s doing alright. He is the stuff of legends around here as is Kreider’s nickname obviously..Good to see you posting btw.
Opie the Victim is now so slow, he’s bringing sand into the house.
Was watching highlights of Rangers-Pens game 7 from 2014. Lundqvist was spectacular in that game. And the Rangers were probably a deeper team than we realized at that point. Some big contributions from guys like Boyle Moore and Dorsett. I think it’d be fun if they wound up playing the Pens again. Not easy but fun. There’s a lot of history there.
Underappreciated boffo 4th Line
Giannone to Trouba: ‘That was a nice pass from Miller to set up that first period goal…’
“Yeah, I don’t know what the two of us were dong both down so low, but yeah, I guess.”
Those poor poor krakatoans
Igor in goal? Better check skyboxes for Canes fans with concealed SRS A2s!
Looks like I was right, Igor tonight Boy George tomorrow. By the way the Minx was right about the Red Barron being moved at the deadline. I am right occasionally, yes? no?
Subway shooting with undetonated explosives according to media in Brooklyn this morning.
When does this crap ever end??
First time Adams missed a press conference
If your answer to armed madmen is to disarm everyone, you’re a madman.
Really interested to see this game tonight with the new players. Expect a more even matchup than the first two, even if NYR won one. I’m not too hung up on first place, but would like to see them play more equally.
People only wouldn’t like him because of politics. He did nothing terrible as a NYR and was a good offensive player on the ice. NYR bought him out, so it’s not like he left as a FA. Not sure why he’d be booed otherwise.
What would the Rangers have for him? He played 166 games. Marek Malik had a longer Rangers tenure…and a legendary shoot out goal! lol
If anything he’ll get a nice round of applause. I think he was well liked aside from the tunnel vision people developed over his political views.
Would say more about the boo-er than the boo-ee. Or is it buoy?
But that’s not to say he had a future here when you look at what the right side has become.
probably acknowledge guys first game back, notably quickie
Krakatoa east of Java? THAT Krakatoa?
I usually keep my Java just west of my buttered roll. Or north east of my cinnomon roll when I want to treat myself.
Southern Comfort
I always kind of liked TDA and I don’t share his politics at all. Who gives a damn? But he always seemed like a little kid who wanted to get attention. Hopefully he has grown up a bit. He’s a better player than Dan Boyle who had a long career and won a cup.
TDA was cool. I hope he is contained tonight and the Rangers somehow win.
https://nypost.com/2022/04/12/rangers-would-betray-locker-room-if-vitali-kravtsov-returns-now/
Revisionist history but I think Tony’s role and potential future were complicated by Fox being acquired. If he had played last season and this one in NY and put up 3 consecutive 50 point pace seasons as a third pair D man (or perhaps had been successful on Trouba’s left) they would have an even more complicated situation than they already do with the cap. Can’t go back to three or four d-men making mega bucks. Especially when in need of better defense overall.
I mean I had said long before the policial stuff that I didn’t think he was as strong defensively as other options they’d eventually have (Schneider or UFA) and I’ve always said openly I’m not a fan of puck moving dmen with limited defensive capability. Had the same concerns about Fox before we saw much of him. But I was never in favor of mishandling an asset.
One more thing Gorton did not handle correctly.
Brooksie reading the blog for ideas – then writes an excellent piece.
I agree with LB, but I think if Kravtsov is apologetic AND the team is accepting, they’d take him back. Show of good faith would be a willingness to join the Pack, though not sure how that works with NHL playoff eligibility.
Regarding Kravtsov, I say never say never. If it were practicable logistically for him to return to the US, and if he were man enough to sincerely issue an acceptable mea culpa to his teammates and the organ-eye-zation, and if he were willing to accept a role sitting in the press box during the playoffs unless a spate of injuries made his services necessary, and if he were willing to come back next fall in shape and ready to fight for his position, then having a player like him available would increase NYR’s chances (however marginally but, you know, Bobby Sheehan) to compete successfully in the post-season. You’d of course need buy-in from the locker room and coaches. In my view, despite what a certain person may say, nobody is irredeemable.
Gravy – you beat me to it while I was proofreading!
James- 100% agree with you on all points regarding Tony D.
Why exactly would they bring back Kravtsov now?
Being drafted (by Putin).
I could imagine a scenario where it would be nice to have him (subject to all of my conditions above). He wouldn’t be the first (or second or maybe even third) winger I’d call up in case of injury/desperation but one never knows, do one? Why not if those conditions met?
No need to keep him on the big club. More of an insurance policy.
I’m sorry but, I’ve gotta side with Brooksie on this one.
It’s like the movie “Miracle”….. remember the “outside the bus” scene when they tell coach “We’re a family!” Well…. Our boys have a tight bond thats so noticeable. With the exception of those brought in at the trade deadline (who, mind you ALL have a connection to members on our current roster)… This “family” got to where they are by fighting for one another. Krapsoft, on the other hand, pouted and went back to Mother Russia bc he wasn’t willing to eat a sh*t sandwich for what was in all likelihood to be a month or so until he got the call up. So, in Summary…. Don’t let the дверь (Thats Russian for “door.” Thanks google!) hit you in the a** on the way out….
NEW POST
Much quicker tonight. So far do good.