Good morning, boneheads!
I have a little time this morning, so I figured I’d write a new post. Just a few observations.
- A win is a win. And a much needed one at that. But let’s not fool ourselves. Arizona is absolutely awful. Just dreadful. Starting with a goaltender who is not NHL ready, continuing with their defense. Luke Schenn, who would not be considered for #8 in NY played over 20 min. Clendenning ( remember him?) is top 6. And what happened to Hjalmarsson? He played a major role in Chicago. I’m sure the infantile chart boy in Arizona has it all written out perfectly in graphs. It may take another decade to project it into the ice. But what the rush?
- Derek Stepan. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for most of the players who ever wore this jersey. Stepan is one of them. You could see how emotional he became during his tribute, and how much it meant to him to play in NY. But as far as his game last night. Woof! Lost the puck to Kreider and failed to cover him going to the net. 1-0. Finished with -3, along with his 1st line teammates.
- Speaking of that goal. Zucc’s behind his back pass was a thing of beauty. That’s why he can be so frustrating because he disappears for stretches other times. Ditto Kreider. He was a force on the ice last night. Scored, won many battles, defended his teammate, and accepted a challenge. But why can’t he do it more often?
- This team still has ways to go. They won’t win too many games against better opponents. Their transition game is still sluggish, puck support isn’t there, and they still resort to too many hope-for-the-best passes. Gap control? What’s that? All this leads to too many unnecessary giveaways, and a few breakaways, including 2 at the end of period 1. Pavelec bailed them out.
- Kevin Shattenkirk. He has to compensate for his defensive shortcomings by producing more offense, including on PP. He hasn’t done that lately. And PP regressed. I don’t expect him to improve much defensively, but if he doesn’t contribute more on the other side of the ice, this contract may become problematic. I don’t blame him for taking a penalty that lead to a PP goal against. What he did was a right thing, imo. Defend your teammate, think later. Goes a long way.
- Pavelec was very solid last night. He was composed, well positioned, and made a few timely saves. Maybe working with goalie whisperer is starting to show? Or is it too early? Let’s not get carried away and pronounce him a starter just yet.
- Fourth line won the game for them . Boo Nieves showed that he belongs. He was fast, won some battles. And how about that one handed pass that led to Grabner undressing Hill less than a minute after Duclair scored to restore a 2 goal lead? He still has ways to go. He lost a couple of important faceoffs ( to Derek Stepan no less). But finished with 3 points. What Nieves gives this line though is a totally different look. They have speed, skill, and some size. Whether this line can be effective going forward, and in the playoffs, remains to be seen. I just don’t think Buchnevich should be playing 4th line minutes. PLAYOFFS ? Did I just say playoffs? 🙂
My 3 stars: 4th line. In no particular order ( Hi, Wicky )
227 responses to “Rangers-5, Coyotes-2”
Great writeup, ILB. Thanks for sharing. Am I first? FIRST!
Reposting my post from the earlier, er, post…
Wow. Brooks with another hatchet job on Hank today – 2 in a week is interesting. I actually agree that Pavs should play Saturday, but not for the outlandish reasons outlined in that column. Claiming that Hank was shaky in “9 out of 10” starts is borderline delusional. Curioser and curioser…
Boo Who!
Nice to see a win, even if it was against a winless team.
Boo made the 4th line the first line, my guess he gets a few more games past Halloween season.
You have to feel for Step, his contract sent him to the desert to die, he was a good Ranger. But his salary was needed for Shatty’s, not sure if that’s an upgrade for this team?
Great job, ilb.
Throw this game out. Wait until they play an NHL team.
Hack Wilson.
nice work, Captain.
Thanks, ILB. Perfectly summed up.
Maybe there isn’t a goalie controversy but IMHO Pav should keep the net tomorrow night.
Agree, Doodie. This was one of those no big deal wins but would have been a giant loss. Move on and see how they look in Montreal. Struggling or not they’re an NHL caliber team. WWEBer is starting to heat up on that PP so I don’t expect the same kinda game as last
Good sum-up.
(Repost from last thread before we got NEW POSTed)
I’d say that in a sample size of 5 starts, Hank will give you 1 stellar game, 1 good game, 2 average games, and a stinker. Then again, he’s known as something of a slow starter. So, I hate to say it, we’ll see.
Couldn’t watch the game last night because of some NHL GameCenter Live technical difficulties, but I did see the highlights. How’d Boo handle himself? I saw the box score, saw the helpers – nice added gravy, but was he competent at the role he was brought up to fill? (Though I do see above that he lost some important faceoffs – being that the offense has no chance of continuing, that’s something we kinda need out of a fourth line center. He’ll work on it)
Gotta feel for Buchnevich – the team struggles, and HE gets put on the 4th line. A player like him – not the best role to find your offensive game in. But then we he scores and has a good game…”That line is really working, lets keep them together!”
I guess my posts on Hank/Brooks are really more about Brooks. Seems to have the knives out for Hank very early on. Suggesting that Pavelec is the “better option” in goal because he had a solid performance against a breathtakingly bad team is odd. He has also misstated Hank’s stats/performances in 2 straight columns making him out to be worse than he actually has been. Being accurate would also have demonstrated that Hank has been struggling, so making up numbers to bolster that position seems like overkill and shoddy journalism. In any event I hope they can put together a few good games – I’m loving the Boo line!
This date in hockey history, October 27 1998, Domink Hasek stopped 16 shots to shutout the New York Rangers. This was the fourth consecutive game the Sabres had shutout the Rangers and Hasek extended his scoreless streak over the Rangers to 263:46. However Rangers goalie Mike Richter was the first star of the game as he earned his 19th career shutout against the Sabres with the game ending in a 0-0 tie.
Vintage hockey.
C3, I posted that yesterday 😉 lol
my thought exactly, big deal they beat the worse team in the nhl, yawn, move on.
Sittoo just read that article and I agree.
Brooks loves controversy and he goes looking for a fire before there’s even smoke.
“Just in case” it happens he can take credit for reporting it first.
I do think the early and weak goals are an issue w Hank. He will hit his stride at some point. Until then I have no problem with winner keeps the net
Hank should tell Brooks to take his picture off his Twitter
Ha ha James 🙂
Hi ilb
Well done review!!
I had beep beep buchy boo as my collective 3 stars as well.
Boo showed he can play in the AHL last night 😉
He did have a good game, here’s hoping he keeps it going. Much better than the 11/7 “formation”
Good win but like youse guyses have said, it was the yotes.
Hack lemon.
James
Your 9:29 sounds like a poster here lol.
Agree James. Brooks loves stirring the pot – just don’t see the need to misstate facts etc. Also think Pavs should play Saturday to give Hank a full week off the ice with lots of time to work with Benny. He is going to need rest this year and if Pavelec is going to stay ready he needs to get some starts. I’m not expecting him to be as good as Talbot or Raanta but if he can give them 25 to 30 games that would be great.
Captain hack sparrow
James
I posted that the day before yesterday 😉
ILB
Nice write up agree,agree,agree! I still say this team goes nowhere without a quality center for Kreider. DD is not that guy.
Wicky the Hack of all trades!
Need to get off of the ‘Butch is not a 4th liner’ schtick. In order to have a 4th line, you need 1st, 2nd and 3rd lines and this team is really a top 12 with line mates shuffling in and out based upon the coach’s whim and prevailing wind direction. There is no dominant line or top 6 on this squad or if there is, they sure ain’t playing like it!
.
Last Night:
Butch TOI – 14.27
Zucc TOI – 14:43
VC TOI – 12:51
THE TOI – 13:45
JT TOI – 15:37
and so on.
.
Zucc made a pretty pass; he is at his best with no D around him. He has 2 5v5 assists in 11 games; last night on the 2 on zero and the pass to Staal with the goalie pulled so actually a 6v5.
But he’s cute, tries hard and is the same size as half the fan base so let’s scream his name…
Quite a number of Zooks behind the back passes go nowhere or to the opposition. But really where would we be without Hobbits?
Echoing SN, take a look at EV TOI last night: Buch had 12:04. Hayes and Grabs led team with 13:46. Zib 13:06. Fewest minutes Boo at 11:56. Can’t get much more even than that. Whether you want all four lines so close is an entirely different discussion with many pros/cons.
Re HL/Brooks – I reread today’s and I have no problem with it. Classic maybe we should play the backup with the starter has had issues. And there is no denying that HL has had issues, and (I assume it is correct) that is damning 3 goals on 1st shot and 3 on 3rd. Wait.. I hear it already ‘but they weren’t his fault!’ Sorry, his job is to make big stops at key times and one of those is early in the game. HL overall play is now at best a little above average with very large tail on both sides of the distribution.
I thought Buch had a kind of meh game that showed why he’s been relegated. He capitalized on two horrible plays by the JV goalie, and more power to him that he did so, but… Ditto Kreider, who was there to capitalize on a crazy-good play by Zucc, and good on him not to miss, but he was otherwise his usual coasting self, I thought. You take the win with both hands, but there was not much else to take away from that game. Beating the Preds I thought was impressive, but then the step back next game, now this baby step forward. I don’t think they’re a sub-.500 team at all, but until they go on a run, that’s their reality.
I know everyone is getting the warm and fuzzies about the Vegas Golden Knights, but no expansion team has ever been set to succeed like VGK. As Carp mentioned in a previous post (BTW, great to have you back Carp), Vegas bought their way into a favorable Expansion Draft – and given the money they paid they should have.
After starting with two road games, Vegas seven straight home games which ends tonight against Colorado. Starting Monday, they play road games in the space of nine days. Of their first 12 games, only four were against playoff teams from last year (DAL, STL, CHI, NYR). VGK finish their road trip with a tour of all three Eastern Canadian teams.
I wonder if Arizona’s Boy Wonder GM is the running for the Yankees job? Somewhere Dave Tippett is chuckling. Felt sorry for young Adin Hill – the kid has no business having to play in the NHL. Then I realized that the Rangers would be in the same boat of Hank and Pav got hurt because all we have are three kids in the minors.
Beezle, I have no problem with Hank not playing Saturday. I do have a problem with Brooks writing columns that contain flat out incorrect stats or nonsense takes. I actually emailed the Post sports editor after the first one pointing out the errors and they corrected the column. In this latest he says Hank was shaky in “9 out of 10 starts.” That’s just untrue. You can argue he was “shaky” in his first 2 and against the Sharks. Certainly not shaky against Montreal or Nashville (wins) and not shaky against Columbus, St. Louis, NYI, or Pitt. Giving up the crap goal at the end of the Pitt game does not make it a shaky game. Regarding the early goals against, I totally agree he needs to make some of those stops. But where in heaven’s name was any semblance of defensive structure in front of him? When the 1st (or 3rd) shot of the game comes off a turnover resulting in a high danger shot directly in front of you it’s a little tough on the goalie. Can and should Hank be better. Absolutely. But I’d argue Brooks can and should be better too.
I find it interesting that fans of Fast state that him scoring is not important, and that he plays an unselfish game and does all the little things. Very fair. But those same fans are Zucc fans, and Zucc does none of things that Fast does, and is quite possibly the most selfish player I have ever seen in a Ranger uniform. But hey, Zucc made a nice pass and got a point, so he is great. Backing up to Fast, I don’t dislike the game Fast plays, I dislike how AV uses? And because of that I end up disliking Fast.
Anthony
I don’t think Dallas made the playoffs last year.
Zucc makes a nice pass and he’s selfish? How so? Not a rhetorical question–curious to know how he can be both.
zucc makes a great pass and all we hear is how over rated and selfish he is and should be traded ….not sure who has played well this year..maybe Zibanijad ..Brooks is just stirring pot but no problem with staying with Pavelic for next game..get Hank some rest.. ave made a good point that he is a slow starter. Rangers still defensive structure improving but still need to clean up turnovers
Alex – You are correct. I had 2016 and 2017 mixed up in my head. Yet another reason to pump the breaks a bit on Vegas – although they are doing it their 3rd and 4th goalies (and Sam botched the name of Oscar Dansk).
How he can be both what? Selfish and make a nice pass? Is that what you are asking? Zucc plays for Zucc. Stays on the ice ( extended shift) as long as he likes. Does his own thing in his own zone, often leaving his teammates out to dry (see 2014 finals, series winning goal). Holds the puck and skates in circles.
Is NHL TV this bad every year? I got my monthly fee refunded by my CC after missing two live periods last night, but I’m just going to pay for Center Ice as usual if these issues are common.
Fair enough. He’s out there too long more than I’d like to see (though by now I assume the staff wants that in this possession-crazed league. Same with Hayes) but I think selfish is pushing a bit when he’s constantly looking, to a fault, to set up his teammates. I do find it odd, perhaps a New York thing, that your leading scorer the last 3 of 4 years gets it in the neck as much as he does. And that his size is held against him I find stunning, especially when I think of what he had to go through to gain a roster spot at hockey’s pinnacle.
I don’t think his size should be held against him, nor do I think he should be lauded due to his size.
And I agree with bdl and others who have pointed out his “habits”.
As I said the other day he gets way more positive reviews and it’s due to his size imo, if he’s 6’2 he gets the Buchnevich treatment.
Captain Zuccarello, come get the Stanley cup!
Question to you about Zucc. Do you think AV told him a few times not to overstay his shifts? And if yes, do you think he’s ignoring his coach?
Good guy
From what I understand last night there was some sort of “broadcast issue” across several nhl carriers last night with HD feeds.
We’ve had centre ice on direct tv for several years and never had any issue and last night we had no HD feeds for any of the games.
The wife was on the phone with them giving them all kinds of hell about not having any of the games n HD when I got home from work.
She was told it was across carriers.
It was back to HD for the normal start time games here.
I think the coach often looks the other way. Like every coach that has ever coached, AV has his guys. Zucc is one of AVs guys.
Ilb
You would “hope” the coach would have addressed it, and yes he probably is.
Zucc can’t be happy after losing Hagar then BGB 😉
Hellooooo! Jeff Gorton we need a center like right now Hello! Hello! Anybody in there? Time to wake up! Wake up Jeff wake up! If you don’t wake up soon we’re calling Wicky The Hack Of All Trades!
Wick, don’t forget about Del Zaster.
Every team needs a Ring bearer! Zoooooooooooc
Wicky,
It does seem that Zucc carries himself differently since the Hagelin trade, and then the Brassard trade. Sort of like it hit him that it’s a business, and he could be next. He has had an I don’t give a crap what anybody thinks way about him. I noticed it last season, and it has carried over to this season. For those getting ready to jump me, I am not saying Zucc does not care about winning, just that the Ranger organization means less to him now.
Thanx for the write-up, ilb.
THE fights with his thumbs sticking up.
Shatty couldn’t resist a -1 even in a 3 goal win with no PP goals.
On a pace to be -52
But that stat means nothing so stop it!
Remembering what happened to Zookie, it’s a credit to him that he’s even around.
You really believe that’s the case, BDL? That he is AV’s guy and he lets him get away with things like overstaying his shifts? And the whole team knows it? It comes from an experienced, confident coach who’s had a great track record managing in this league.
Watching Boo on the ice and on the bench, I get the impression he will try to do whatever it takes to stay here. Doesn’t mean he will, but nice to see humble effort.
Alex Kovalev was 6’2 220lbs and he was guilty of the same habits. Probably had 3x as much talent and skill as Zucc but he frustrated fans most of his career because of those habits. And he wasn’t anyone’s “guy”
I hesitate to say it, but Topo might not be totally all there, as it were. From what he went through, I wouldn’t have the huevos to blame him for some peccadilloes.
And not for nothing but if you think that Zucc’s problem is his friends getting traded and not the fact that he’s 30 years old now and has suffered a major life/career threatening head injury not too long ago then I think you guys are mistaken. He’s said publicly it sucks, but I don’t think his level of play has anything to do with trades. At least I hope not. Although to your point he did take less money to stay here with those guys.
Coos, you’re not all there and we still keep you around so why not Topo too? 🙂
To some extent yes, I do believe that. There are a few possibilities. One AV doesn’t notice. Two he noticed, but it doesn’t bother him much, looks the other way. Three, it’s what he wants Zucc to do. We all seem to acknowledge that Zucc is overstaying his shifts. There does not seem to be much disagreement about that. It’s the why that’s the question.
If Lundqvist and Price start tomorrow night’s game I’m going to guess there’s at least one goal in the first 3:19 of play.
BDL, If that is the case (I’m oblivious with all the other stuff about this team that makes me crazy) it could have a lot to do with the fact that they’ve played a lot of games with 11 forwards.
James,
I did not say his level of play changed because his buds were traded. I think his attitude has changed.
It’s not just this year James.
If you manage a large group of people at any significant level, you don’t have favorites. Or at least you don’t show you do. In fact, in some cases favorites get harsher treatment. Otherwise you lose that group very fast.
I’m thinking about doing a ticket contest. I got Doodie’s permission.
Any objections?
To Zucc, it’s not a perfect example by any means, but the Penguins like to have Crosby out there as much as he can stand and still keep his energy. Zucc is no Crosby, but he’s the Rangers best forward by the numbers. No surprise if we learned the coaches don’t mind him getting the most ice time.
Pavelec in net tomorrow as per LB
ILB – Winner gets two tickets. Loser gets four. 🙂
Norm,
I am a big fan of playing your best players a lot. Zucc is one of those. But I don’t think taking longer shifts is the way to get there. More shifts is the way to get there.
We are two or three more Pavlec starts away from Hank turning on AV.
Norm I think a player can be selfish, hold the puck way to long and still care about winning. They are not mutually exclusive. Zuc skating circles, looking, looking, looking.. well maybe pass to somebody else and give them the chance to set up the score if you can’t see it? I have no doubt that Zuc cares about winning and like wise, none that he fails to realize holding the puck as much as he does is selfish (and perhaps detrimental to winning). I do wish he would shoot more.
Glad Pavelec is starting because Hank can use the rest and they need a good backup. Pissed that Brooks is doing a “happy dance” about it.
Brooks is getting back at Hank because Hank is rich and, if Torts is correct, someone took Brooks’ lunch money every day at a bus stop.
Humiliate #30 enough and he just might demand a trade. – from Machiavelli’s “The Prince.”
I admit that I am not all there. I’m a few skate sprints short of a full hockey practice. 🙂
Haha Cooscoos! Brooks is a piece of work though.
Everyone remember when Torts went off on Brooks with the bus stop routine?
“Pavelec gets the start as was suggested first here by yours truly”
“In other news people need air in order to breathe. A Post exclusive”
And boy AV sure is smiling big today in that press conference after beating a team that came in 0-9..
James, yup and AV intimating that the team struggles were Hank’s fault is pure gold. Sometimes I actually wish that the Hank haters get their way and he is traded. I think he could benefit from a fresh start in front of a more structured team. And then Pavelec can guide the Rangers to the promised land…
Some men see things as they are and ask why. Hank dreams of stopping pucks but can’t.
Hank “the work goes on, the cause endures, hope still lives, and the dreams of me being good again shall never die”
Hank is at his best behind the net handling the puck. Dude should have been a forward.
AV needs to let Zucc stay on the ice for 60 minutes. One uber long shift.
How long did Keenan make AK-47 skate? 7 min?
Pavelic back in strikes me as a bad idea unless Hank is tweaked. Hope it works!
*Pavelec*
3-7-2 Sunday morning. You heard it here first. The Canadiens stink but they are not a bunch of coyotes on skates!
Zucc can handle long shifts due to the rest he gets in Dzone
Salmon Joe said when Nash starts scoring, the goals come in bunches.
Very streaky!
Nugent Hopkins or Duchene?
Thoughts?
BREAKING: Henrik Lundqvist has been traded to a Playboy mansion foe a Swedish model with fake boobs.
I’d rather Duchene because I think he’s a better player. I would be not be against RNH. He reminds of Brassard in that he has not reached his potential, but a change of scenery may bring out that potential.
At the end of the 2nd period when the Rangers are killing off a 4 min. penalty Nashless breaks in on the RW and snaps a wrist shot on Hill. That shot had no zip on it whatsoever. The big pillow IMO is done as a goal scorer! Trade him asap!
https://www.msgnetworks.com/videos/fourth-line-comes-to-play-vs-coyotes/
maloney on “the fourth line”
St Pete
I think it’s better to wait until the deadline when most of his salary is paid. Otherwise will just traded bad contract for bad contract. At the deadline true contenders can afford to take on his salary and we’d get good young assets.
Our friend Wojtek “Woof” Wolski made team Canada.
That roster is beyond terrible. These Olympic games will not be joy to watch lol
http://www.bardown.com/hockey-fans-react-to-team-canada-s-pre-olympic-event-roster-1.897223
Alex
I know you’re right I would just like see him gone asap if possible.
The goals come in bunches for Nash. Like, he scored a whole bunch before 2015-2016 but now, not so much.
and/or
The goals come in bunches for Nash. Like, he scored a whole bunch in the regular season but in the playoffs, not so much.
Christian Thomas is on Canada’s roster. Suck on that, Kristo!
The only Winter Olympic event worth watching now is women’s hockey.
http://nypost.com/2017/10/27/canadiens-out-of-options-after-ugly-fall-of-young-star/
galchenyuk
also some on torts-dubinsky
I heard two Ranger rumors today. I don’t love repeating trade rumors, but I do like hearing them. But for fun I will repeat them. The first is, Vesey, Holden, and Graves to Montreal for Galchenyuk. Supposedly the Habs for this season only pick up the difference in money. After that it’s all Rangers. The second one is Gropp and a pick to Vegas for the Russian center. The money doesn’t really work on this one, but that’s what I heard. The thought on the Rangers side is, Galchenyuk would play wing, and the Russian would slide into center. This is from someone who occasionally hears stuff. To say it’s a source of any kind is a real stretch.
Wick
I would rather have Duchene but both are a better option by far than Day-R-Nay between Kreider & Zucchini.
Bdl,
Vesey, Holden & Graves is a bit high for yuk! I would do Holden, Gropp, & a pick.
Eli,
Of the two, I thought that one made more sense.
“Supposedly the Habs for this season only pick up the difference in money. After that it’s all Rangers”
BDL, does it mean they retain his salary for 1 year only? If yes, it’s not allowed by CBA. Retained salary transaction applies to the entire contract and can’t be changed in numbers from year to year.
Liked your article Carp. I’ve read a few of the pieces on the Habs by their “fan” base – yikes! Them booing Price last night reminded me of the MSG fans booing Hank last year. I really hate when that happens to guys who give so much to their teams, but it’s not surprising given the standard they both need to live up to with the big contracts etc. I am worried about the game Saturday because it feels like Montreal is due to have an offensive explosion. They can’t keep putting up 35-40 shots a game (some “good looks” too) with nothing to show for it. Quick was outstanding for the Kings last night – hope Pavs can bring it again because I’m afraid they are going to need, as AV likes to say, an A game from him.
so ugotz.
Ilb,
I honestly don’t know what that means. Just repeating what was said. What you just said crossed my mind when I was told that. Is that legal?
Thanks Sittoo. Wish I could write exactly how I feel and think about the team and its situation, but you know …
And please don’t put to much into what I said. It’s just a guy who I see occasionally at work who is a big hockey fan. He knows someone, who knows someone. I just repeated for conversation sake.
Someday Carp, when you are old and gray and not beholden to the “suits”, promise us that you will do a “tell-all” book. Now that would be a
fun read…
I also know someone who knows someone. 🙂
Actually working on that idea, Sittoo. But obviously will steer clear while Dolan is signing my occasional checks. And I’m already old and gray. Thx.
BDL, tell him to read the CBA if he wants to sound legit when he makes up trades :-).
Carp, I’m positive it will be way more entertaining and insightful than Avery’s book (which I wasted a night reading…). And he’s hitting the Times bestseller list. So get on that!
First real review of Avery’s ‘book’ from someone in club bonehead, so I can believe it. ‘Wasted a night reading …’ Had a feeling that anything Avery ‘wrote’ would be self-serving crap.
So – Joe Girardi got canned because he was too tough on the rich and soon to be even richer ‘kids.’ Add the Yankees to my growing list of sports teams to ignore.
I yoosed to no someone who yoosed to no secret things, but I lost tract of him.
I don’t like to use the term “for example”. I prefer other examples such as “such as”, for example.
I know the guy behind the guy behind the guy.
Hack “Jacksaw” Reynolds.
Carp, I have a question I hope you can answer. Brooks is doubling down on his criticism of Henrik and the concept that AV needs to ride Pavelec’s “hot hand” against the Habs. Putting aside for a moment the dubious concept that the win against the woeful Yotes gives him a “hot hand,” my question is whether the beat reporters are writing columns that the “brass” wants written? Is there a desire at this point to ratchet up the heat on Hank to maybe get him to agree to be moved? Not sure you can give us the real scoop but I am curious about this. I don’t think Henrik has had a “good start” but I also don’t think he has been the root of the problems plaguing this team. Thoughts?
Knowing the brass as I do, and knowing Brooks, I doubt he’s writing what they want written. He did get the rare one-on-one with AV today, though, and got another one over the summer … FWIW. Nobody else has gotten those. The team and MSG barely recognize the other media outlets, especially the persona non-grata Daily News.
I don’t believe the Rangers want to put heat on Lundqvist. Additional pressure is not really what he needs, and 11 games into the season would not be the time he needs it. But I do think he’s a major root of the problems. They cannot win with him playing this way, and that goes for the captain too.
I’d be more inclined to think Lundqvist’s knee needs a couple more days after that collision Monday. he missed practice Tuesday. I hardly think Pavelec has a “hot hand” after beating that Glendale Chartboys team that you and I and four other boneheads could thrash.
Thanks Carp. Kind of what I thought but then saw some “takes” that they wanted to move him out in the same way they did to Melo. And yes, he needs to be lots better…
Carp- you need an alias on this blog so you can talk freely. I authorize you to use Rico Folkyerself if you want to.
Too much pressure on Donuts with the C. Kills me to think that Secretariat was correct re: vocality – though Dunkin 27 seems always available to answer the same tired questions, as is Hank. Impossible to remove the ‘C’ unless he asks for release, but a true Captain should be more than just as good player, he should be also fiery and clamorous. And, sadly, I see no one here who resembles that definition.
Did not know Lundqvist was indeed tweaked. ‘splains it.
Miller the Driller, cavity filler, has the inside scoop on what’s going on with this franchise, but it’s like pulling teeth trying to get any info out of him.
Norm – stop going out to dinner at fancy restaurants and watch the games and you’d see the tweaks. 🙂
Chicago – Nashville 0-0 in the first. Real Hockey.
Hack is beautiful
Hack Nicholson – “If you’re looking for people who give a chit, they’re over there.”
‘hot hand,’ LOL
If only, coos. Parent conferences last time. Fancy restaurant next time, I hope.
I’m old and gray to Carp it’s not so bad. I just hope I’ll see another cup!
Brooks’ favorites. –
Country Singers: Johnny Rivers, George Strait
Ballplayers: Jason Bay, John Wetteland
Caribbean singer: Billy Ocean
Gas station: Gulf
I know you guys probably won’t agree but the biggest problem wih this cotton candy crew is Rick (good looks) Nash!
F: Me-Wicky-Carp
D: ILB-C3
G: Doodie
^ this lineup could beat AZ as long as Clayton Keller didn’t play lol
I’ll not agree with you first, Eli. I love how Nash plays, hope he gets some goals he doesn’t deserve to match the ones the snake bit.
Galchenyuk is interesting to me. I think he’s a legit change of scenery candidate.
He’s not really help in the middle at this point, but a very talented and young player.
Zucc for Galchenyuk
They come in bunches
Kreider for Galchenyuk would be your change-of-scenery trade. Young guys who seem to have hit plateaus at their respective orgs.
looks like we miss Fleury
Vegas Golden KnightsVerified account @GoldenKnights
Gallant adds that Marc-Andre Fleury will not accompany the team on the road trip.
VGK just trashed Avalanche 7-0!
It’s going to be a looooong season for us….
“They come in bunches, Sam.”
Step has the puck removed from his stick, skates fruitlessly after the perpetrator in sand, watches him bear down on his goalie and score, then says to his linemate Domi, “That was on me.” No chit on you, Sherlock.
VGK – Vangeeskook?
Pretty sure VGK is the latest menu acronym for a lame vegan dish.
So yo yo yo!! What is up my brethren from another reveren!! Big win yesterday. Huge! But I don’t love them just yet. They’re suspended till they beat a team who won a game this year. Good to see those clowns from NJ give up a deuce in 90 seconds with 30 secs in the game. Haha. But they won in the skilz compo with guys with no skilz. But they are a fast team. Excellent goaltending and above expected defense and scoring. I still hate them. But it’s more fun than getting my heart ripped out through my bladder watching our overpaid underintelligent bunch of lazy clowns muck it up each day.
We can agree to disagree Norm, Nash is done. Good looks and nice effort isn’t why he was brought here at 7.9 mil. GOALS!
Luc Mucilage doesn’t look like he’s going to stick.
Rick Nash, 6’4, 220, Pick Number One Overall, smart, speedy, two-way, gifted far beyond the great bulk of his mere mortal contemporaries, honored, feted and awarded, multiple gold medal recipient, multiple All Star appearances, NHL Foundation Player Award for community service, 1,000+ games – yet with ALL of that and more, here, nearing the end of a remarkable hockey life, he still (sadly) seems to have not remotely lived up to his potential. How can that be? You would have had to witness it to believe it.
When the Kreider trade eventually happens, i hope it’s in the east. I want Kreider to come back and shove it down AVs throat as often as possible.
Seeing is believing coos we are all witness to the marvel known as Rick Nash aka Marshmallow Man!
Good morning
https://www.nhl.com/video/t-290898840/c-53944903
Saw that goal live CCCP. I laughed.
Elmer hoping to stick.
Giants need a reliable running hack.
Hackleberry Finn
Bdl
I laughed too… then I cried.
Nash — 1 point & minus 5 in 11 games.
Salmon Joe continues stating he’s been a “dominant force”
I say he’s lost his hands
Dominant farce m
Dominant farce more like it!
They missed the boat on getting anything close to a decent return for Nash….by 2-3 years.
Wonder if we could get Linberg back for him?
Definitely not.
Perhaps the Rangers should petition the league and request to start over next year, Vegas expansion draft rules apply.
I still think we can get a late first round pick for Nash at the deadline if he’s not hurt at the time. Teams overpay at that time.
BDL
This should be AV’s last season here so doubt Kreider would go against him and Rangers. I may be in minority but I don’t want Kreider traded.
Papa Bear
just have to pony up $500 million or more to the league plus extra to the Devils and Isles for infringing on their territory.
Alex,
I don’t want Kreider traded, but I want Kreider traded.
Sioux
Have the best day you can possibly have bro!
Fire Gorton. I don’t trust him.
Nash has to be a major offensive force given his resume and his conract. Without a doubt. No question. Not even a discussion.
But, he’s still been their best forward.
Miller The Driller. Love that one.
Alex
You hit the nail on the head with Kreider I think he doesn’t like Bazooka Joe!
And if that’s the case Carp this team is in deep trouble. Good looks, great effort, no results adds up to more loses than wins. Sorry but Nash is irrelevant IMO!
This NOT an excuse for Nash, I just wonder if the requirement that he play an zone game keeps his numbers down. During the Bolts finals run, Cooper moved Stamkos to the wing. He did this to free him up from the Dzone, and allow him to put his energy into scoring. I know Nash is already a wing, but man does he back check like a center.
Have their been a lot of players on this team that have developed and progressed yearly under this coach?
wonder what the record might be if the cute little assist-maker and some of the enigmas made an occasional attempt to backcheck.
see, no alias needed 🙂
Cute little assist maker. LOL.
cute little assist-maker haha!!
Took me a sec to get it… he’s so FLUFFY!
“Dominant force”? That’s just plain Ridiculous.
Best forward? Arguable.
He has little positive affect on his line-mates.
He’s lost a step,
lost his hands somewhat,
falls down too much for a 6-4 220 wing,
doesn’t win enough puck battles
and never gets to any rebounds.
agree on all of that, Papa. yet 93, 36, 20, 10, 26, 89 … none have been better. you could argue, and i probably should have, that 13 has been better.
Blue Hackets
He’s pretty consistent getting the puck out when it comes his way in the d-zone.
He’s still good on a poke check and PK.
He hardly ever gets the benefit of doubt from the referees.
Don’t think the Rangers ever really had a complimentary center for him to play with.
seems to me that when he was at his best, even in Columbus, almost all of his damage was done off the rush.
or on breakaways. …
when he scored 42 or whatever it was a few years ago, a ton of them were on give-and-gos off the rush.
… and breakaways.
There, not their…wtf
Hackaasens
Pretty good on the forecheck in terms of keeping pucks deep and therefore forcing the opponent’s D to work and keeping the puck 200 feet from the Rangers’ net, all of which they don’t do nearly enough.
but, again, it rarely results in a half-court goal.
Oh the lingering heart ache
Bonjour mes crétins! Have been looking at some stats this morning and once again seem to be fixated on ga and ta. Fox actually has the stats as ratios making it easier to see where NYR compare to others as well as individual players.
On the player front, of those who played most games, Grab(2.2), Fast(1.4), Zuc(1.3) led. On the bad side, G(0.2), Klein(0.3), Skjei(0.3). McD was 0.8. The worst of the forwards with game time were Buch and Kreider at 0.5.
This year so far: Grabner(3.3), Fast(2.0), Zuc(2.0), Nash(1.4), Doritos(1.2). The bad fowards: Buch, THE at 0.4, Vesey(0.5), JT(0.6). Zib is at 0.9
As a team, in 2015 NYR were 0.7 (15th), in 2016 0.8 (tied 9 with many) and in 2017 so far a dismal 0.6 (22nd). Yes, there are teams worse than NYR in that stat! For reference, they were 0.9(tied 8th) while Kings were 0.5(last). In fact, Kings were last in 13/14, 14/15, 16/17 and next to last in 15/16. Yikes, but at least they won a cup!
In previous: first group is for 2016/17. The reference to Kings was 14/15 cup run. Left that out, my apologies.
Wonder if Vegas would eat salary on shipmyhackov?
Is OEL a righty?
Lefty Wick.
Chytil is,
2/3/5 in 5 games.
Carp’s 11:38- exactly and that’s why they’re 3-6-2
235 was the first part of my old home phone number. Way back when we used to have land lines
Shippy the Russian hippy? No thank you. Guy has played less than a hand of NHL games and is already going toe to toe with a management office that handed over 4 + mill before he ever played an NHL game.
Worrisome: even again an 0-9 team guys like Nash, Miller, Zucc and Hayes couldn’t light the lamp. Scoring 4 on the goalie courtesy of Buch and Grabner isn’t the most promising thing for the offense.
Thanks James re OEL
I think shippy has semenov syndrome
Tough guy Avery goes soft.
Still have land line, James. In case aliens land and cut off cell towers, I will be able to contact civil defense authorities. 235 also, still.
#30 his only friend.
Teach your kids about socialism;
Make them do chores and give 50% of their pocket money to the lazy kid down the road who they don’t know.
🙂
Ironically, the military is the most socialist group we have going and the military doesn’t even know it.
CCCP keeps it real!
Agree with Papa re Nash; IMHO biggest issue is not playing well with linemates and taking outlandish shots that have no chance of scoring duels to shooting angle and nobody in front. Head is down with puck on stick.
That and he is soft for any size but particularly for somebody his size.
He backchecks well? Not as much this season.
.
JT has been their most effective forward, hands down, this season.
.
“Cute little assist maker” strikes me as a bit cute.
3-1 Canadiens you heard it here 1st.
Hope I’m wrong!
# 2 Gets for this team…..more players who can win puck battles and players who will hold on to the puck to make a play when pressured.
J.T.Miller?
https://twitter.com/NHLbyMatty/status/924346666001481729
Good afternoon, boneheads!
Is this thing on?
Go Time Post scheduled at 7 pm.
Carp broke the blog
It is too OBVIOUS: Nash is criticized endlessly just for a lack of scoring – task, he is OBVIOUSLY was brought for, but, taking a risk of being unpopular here, I have to say – I still believe, he is the most talented Ranger, possessing unique set of skills (physicality is not one of it), plays with heart, never taking any shifts off, and yes, he creats much more so called “A” scores opportunities than anyone else on this team, JT included. The only problem with that is, that quantity didn’t transforms to the quality – i.e. actual scoring. Is it mental, age related reduction of reaction, aberration of sniper’s sight or simply bad luck, I don’t know, but I wouldn’t rush to sign him off yet – I still enjoy watching him playing, more than anyone else on this team and hope for the best… Besides, he has a great personality, very humble guy and his style on and of the ice, is closest to my hockey and human mind. That is my unpopular confession and, please, don’t cliché me with “mancrush” or :bromance” stuff… Just hockey – close and personal.
Bottom line on Nash……..he has never produced to his contract. He would be fine if there was a true stud scorer on the club and he was second fiddle. He cannot handle being the top fiddle. I am sure he is a lovely guy. But at the end of it all, he is a lovely guy that is a millionaire and is without a ring. When I think of the failure in the finals against the Kings……..it is Rick Nash’s mug that I see.
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