HAV for clinching a playoff berth in a half-assed fashion. I’ve read a lot of Lundqvist apologists defending him because of the play in front of him, but let’s not mince facts here: the Lundqvist we have come to expect and the Lundqvist that has the highest cap hit in the league is supposed to do well even in the face of such adversity. This team is worlds better than some of the dreck that was in front of him in the latter Renney/early Torts years and he was just fine then. He needs to be better or this team is not going to win as long as his cap hit is on the roster.
A positive thing for AV: He sure knows how to push Miller’s buttons. If only he could figure out how to motivate the rest of his roster as well as he has Miller.
255 responses to “Rangers 4, Sharks 5 (OT)”
weise and simmonds w gordie howe hat tricks
Carp your favorite episode is on “no gun shot. Dog bite. Woof woof not bang bang”
This vanila bean of a team sure coulda used someone like Matthew Tkachuk…or even Iginla.
Islanders are done, put a fork in them, I don’t know why Traveras would want to resign with the Islanders after next season. If I was him I would want to go to a organization who has a clue and at least give himself a chance at a Stanely Cup and get out of Dodge.
Or at least an organization that has a home.
For your entertainment.
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New York Rangers’ Likelihood of Firing Alain Vigneault in the Offseason.
Just because Alain Vigneault was given a contract extension mid-season doesn’t mean he is immune to being fired. If his team loses in the first round of the playoffs for the second year in a row, will the New York Rangers go back on their deal?
When it comes to the topic of the longevity of Alain Vigneault’s tenure with the New York Rangers, the fan base is pretty divided. One-half of the fan base is completely fine with everything he does, cites his two conference final appearances and asks, “who are you gonna find that’s better to replace him?”
The other half of the fan base is fed up with his constant line juggling, unfair treatment to rookies and young players alike, giving the minutes they deserve to older, past their prime favorites of his own.
Regardless of where you stand on this polarizing topic, what happens in the next few weeks will be huge for Vigneault, as it might determine the bench he stands on over the course of the next 82-game season.
The Extension Means Nothing
http://www.sportsmedia101.com/newyorkrangers/2017/03/30/new-york-rangers%E2%80%99-likelihood-of-firing-alain-vigneault-in-the-offseason/
Bill Torrey =Pure Misery
Mike Milbury & Garth Snow = the gifts that keep-on giving.
Except when they play us, because the Rangers can’t beat them.
I should just watch replays of the 1st round of the 1994 series. At least Hextal, Rich Pilon, Vukota, Keith Acton, etc. couldn’t beat us.
Even then, I was freaking out about having to play the Islanders. It was the perfect way to start that playoff season.
“Kovalev to Messier…SCORE!!!!”
Yup!
James – The could have scored X goals/points if he played in those games is moot as he did not play in those games even though the team continued to pay his hefty salary cap. In a hard cap era, value is relative to productions/salary cap hit and he ain’t getting it done.
I think the “letter wearing” is underrated by fans. I also think it’s important for at least one letter wearing player to be a physical lead by example player….something the rangers clearly do not have.
Stépan should be dealt in a hockey deal prior to his “clause” kicking in.
I only despise/hate 4 teams…devils, flyers, lightning, and isles…in no particular order
I’d take tkachuk on my roster any time. And doughty needs bring his purse to match his skirt next time, lost a lot of respect for him last night.
SN broke the blog.
Michael Del Zotto was credited with 11 hits tonight. Is that possible?
Does that include him hitting the ice?
Edmonton realizing how important it is to let it be known you don’t bump the goalie…well done larsson
And they did it short handed, not “worried” about taking a penalty, instead doing the right thing…kudos
Who wrote that story about Vigneault’s contract? … You think a GM gives a coach an extension like that for no reason? It’s gonna take a lot more than a first-round loss in a step-back season for him to get fired. Maybe if the crybabies stage another mutiny, but why would they mutiny a guy who is so easy on them?
Not happening.
Speaking of getting fired … Garth Snow’s got to go now, right? One playoff series win, and only because they tanked to get feeble Florida and its shootout/losers’ point bloated record.
And Tavares out there in a virtual elimination game with Cizikas, Clutterbuck, Bailey …
Habs are finishing pretty strong -unlike our boys. If a lot of guys bring their C game to Montreal it could be ugly. AV is safe even if they lose a hard fought series. If they go out like last year he could be at risk. Torts left under similar circumstances.
Wicky, you despise the lightning more than the pens? Why’s that? They probably have the single most hated guy by Ranger fans.
Good morning Boneheads! Wick the stinkin pens top my list then the isles. Then devils, filth, lighting.
I think one of the reasons Torts got fired was because of his treatment of the media. When you think of the media interviews as a form of advertising for the team, well, he didn’t exactly make the team look good. It certainly wasn’t his record. They don’t have that problem with AV. The players aren’t going to revolt against him. He consistently gets the team in the playoffs and got them to the final. AV isn’t going anywhere.
If we’re listing teams we hate – keep in mind I started to become a hockey fan around 1970 – the Flyers are on the top of that list. The Bruins are next. Then the Penguins. Since I didn’t live in the NYC area I don’t have a lot of hate for the Islanders or Devils.
*NEW POST*
@cccp: that “article” is pretty funny considering the half that are crying about how unfair he is to rooks, lineup changes, etc are the same that were crushed when they cut Torts lose – a coach far more guilty of crushing the young player and overplaying his trusted vets.
@james: I don’t think people viewed Zib as the savior when they made that trade. We new we were getting a younger Brassard type player with a lot of potential on a relatively cheap contract. I would put him in the same expectation boat as Miller and Hayes. Had he not busted the leg, would his season have gone differently? Good chance, but what is done is done. Zib’s got to pick it up a notch now as does Opie (who perhaps has).
Always fun to be a reporter at a Torts presser!