Good morning, boneheads!
Las Vegas team is an interesting phenomena this year. It’s a different type of an expansion team created by mr. Bettman ( and $500M expansion fee ) and well constructed by former Ranger George McPhee. As in the past most of the players feel like they were exposed by their respective teams, were deemed expandable and fell like afterthoughts. They play with a chip on their shoulder making their coach’s life easier. Except this time the money could buy you a real team.
- And that starts with goaltending. MAF is a legitimate high tier NHL goalie who is still in his prime and has 3 Stanley Cups under his belt. He made a few spectacular saves during the first period, and especially in the third.
- The Knights have something common throughout the lineup. They all can skate. From their defense on. They also have skill, grit, and all other attributes to be successful. They are legit. At the very least they will be a very tough out during playoffs, especially in their building.
- I thought the Rangers came out ready and showed a lot of jump in their game. In fact, both teams did. Was an entertaining period with very little time spent in the neutral zone. Back and forth, both goalies had to make some good saves. MAF had to deal with more dangerous shots than Pavelec did, imo. But both were good.
- Mika Zibanejad apparently shorten the length of his stick so he can shoot better. If that what it takes I’d ask him to cut it in half. Because the goal he scored off of Grabner pass was a wrister that no goalie could stop.Wow! Shoot the puck, Mika. Shoot the puck!
- And then they paid for a turnover. All 5 Rangers were inside of their zone. McDonagh with a tough pass to Carey ( right into his feet ), who coughs it up under pressure. Both Zucc and Hayes with pock-checking in the air. Neal can shoot it too. Not sure Pavelec could’ve stopped it. I think he started to move forward to cut the angles a bit late, but that’s nitpicking. Great shot. 1-1.
- Pavelec was excellent overall. Especially in the second period where NY couldn’t generate much flow and gave up a few dangerous shots. Great to see. Not sure how much he will play going forward, but looks like they have another legitimate back up. Looks like the Rangers get lucky every time they sign a back up. Lucky? Doubt that. They all have one common denominator. Benoit Allaire.
- The third period was one of the better periods NY played in awhile. Except with a shortened bench ( not an excuse, but still ), continues pressure, and a few defensive mistakes, it was bound to happen. Both Nieves and Skjei with boneheaded play leaving Karlsson wide open ( uncontested ) on the R wing. Pavelec had no shot.
- The Rangers made a good push after that, but it wasn’t good enough. I was impressed by Las Vegas and their ability to shut down and protect the lead. Again, they are legit.
- You have to worry about Kevin Hayes. He took up on an important role this year. He is their shut down center. And he’s done very well so far. If he has to miss some time, it could be a real issue going forward. At some point you have to be concerned about missing 2 out of your top 6. Let’s hope it’s not anything long term.
- You have to like what you see in Vinny Lettieri. We knew he could shoot and skate, but he’s shown that he can play with a little snarl, and isn’t afraid to go in dirty areas. They don’t have enough players like that. I think he deserves more time in NY.
We will have the entire week without any games. We will definitely have new posts as necessary. And if time permits, I’ll post something about next year’s projected salary cap and what it means for the Rangers and for the rest of the league. Otherwise, if someone else wants to do a guest blog to discuss whatever you want you can email me at ilbster@yahoo.com , or Doodie at rangersreport2@gmail.com
323 responses to “Rangers-1, Golden Knights-2”
It’s not a trade everyone speech and it certainly isn’t a knee jerk reaction to the game in Vegas. If you look at the quality of defensemen that’s going to be available come July, it makes it reasonable to think the Rangers could be able to move Staal at the deadline if they tried. It’s a UFA class that could see guys like Ian Cole and Mike Green get signed for around 4.5 million per. Even if the Rangers retained a little salary it would be worth moving him in order to start getting younger.
St Pete
Not sure I deserve that moniker. Bdl and several others are far better at the actual trade scenarios and the joking traid everyone posts.
I am so not worthy of the honour
I’m trying to stay optimistic it’s really hard, somebody help! Where’s Norm?
Stand proud Wicky stand proud!
100% , SN. I understand the ups and downs of a season and the whole success by committee approach AV takes but what are they really doing here? The goal isn’t to be kings of the regular season. Holden is playing top pair minutes while there’s at least 2-3 guys in the AHL who are close if not ready to step in IMHFO plus we’ve seen a 25 y/o Hayes jammed into the defensive role after his best offensive season last year, Vesey has regressed and Buchnevich is back to getting scratched and tossed around the line up even after showing that he’s a top 6 forward in the right role.
Now people can refute my interpretation with their own HFO’s and explain to me that this is all out of necessity and how Buch is weak on the boards and other teams do things like this too and that’s fine. but the reality of it is that if this is the plan and this is the culture they want to develop as an organization in order to keep this coach and the impressive regular seasons he puts together then i’m not really sure what to say in response other than enjoy life as a Ranger fan where even on your best day you have to hope they can luck out in the post season and maybe win a championship before we are all dead. There’s competing and then there’s contending. Two very different things even in a league where the standings are neck and neck prior to the post season.
God even when I try not to rant everything because a rant.
And by the way, anyone that thinks that this is where Hayes belongs after getting his act together and putting up a 49 point season last year even after being hampered by injury is just making excuses for the actions of the coach and the mistakes made whole constructing this season’s team. but hey, pozy pozy, right?
I second that James it’s what I’ve been saying all along. As Emitt Smith once said a Leopard can’t change his stripes! Avoiding Victory is not going to change his MO!
Astute evaluations of Haze, Norm.
And James is right about management and coaching.
James
1:18 spot on sir.
VC and Butch are blocked by Zucc and Nash. With Kreider out, it removes their best board man so AV moves Fast and now Carey up the lineup to get possession time which is somewhat forced by using 51 in the middle who has yet to win a wall battle. Not saying Nash and/or Zucc don’t deserve the placement, just that the other two are being held back by roster decisions in the pivot and AV’s desire to balance lines.
.
Oh, and I am definitely in the ‘traid everyun’, do not like roster make up or team leadership.
Funny how their best line last season was Miller-Haze-Grabner and AV broke it up because of Nash and Zucc but no other lines save for THE-Zika-Butch has been productive in the Ozone and that was 2 months ago.
leadership? Ain’t got some. So obvious when Hank feels he has to do the coaching live, in-game.
“We skate hard, we shoot hard. There is no more creativity, nothing, it is not pleasant to watch. I do not like the way hockey has evolved.” – Alex Kovalev.
https://www.bardown.com/alexei-kovalev-ripped-the-current-state-of-hockey-and-fans-might-agree-with-his-opinion-1.963027
Hmmm someone said recently creativity is gone. Kovalev must be reading the blog
I agree btw, boring as hell hockey now, especially during the regular season.
At least the west has some entertaining teams
Tampa adds Kunitz and girardi for character and leadership, rangers give fast 2 mil per…smh
I think Kovalev reads wicky’s comments exclusively 🙂
kovy 🙌! not sure there will ever be a more purely skilled player than him.
Kovalev is smarter than the average bear.
Kovy may be the only teammate that Joey Kocur told to be more polite.
Anyone read Blueshirt Banter’s new article?
Scottsdale
No, good?
If you hate AV like me, yes wicky.
We will find out about Gortons courage come February. It is becoming clearer every day what need to be done with the roster. The even bigger decision is AV. Good coach. Wrong for where this team needs to go. Does Gorton pull the trigger and fire AV after the season? I would.
Thanks Scottsdale looks like Fortunado has been reading a number of posts on this blog. I for one am sick of AV’s clown show! I just don’t think Gorton has the brass to do what’s needed! Lord Sather hovering!
I am never a fan of a complete rebuild. It’s very dangerous, and it could take years before you get a Connor McDavid, but something drastic needs to be done here. I think the Bruins/ Yankees model is the way to go. The Yankees sacrificed the season they were playing in and dealt there best assets for younger assists, while opening space for there better prospects to play. The Rangers should do this, this season. The Bruins collected 3 number one picks in the same season. Kept there goalie,Big Z, and there young Dman. Built around Bergeron, Marchand, and Kreici. Then added all sorts of young players to the team, and signed one big ticket FA. Two seasons later, they are back on business.
Bruins are a great example!
Speaking of Mcdavid, chirelli (sp?) getting a lot of heat for not going for the fences last trade deadline with Mcdavid still on elc (which he is this season too but they are too far out imo).
I think the rangers, while hank is still here in net, will not do any sort of major rebuild and as many here have said, will be standard attempt at “rebuild on the fly”.
Bdl,
Agree, not a fan of full rebuild and in this watered down league of mediocrity, not necessary. You just have to be smart and not be afraid to make hockey trades.
The average bear is smarter than the average fish.
Trey Anastasio is smarter than the average Phish,
But without a fish a bear can’t eat!
But he spends too much time phishing for complements.
Seabrook a healthy scratch with Chitown boys. Hmmm.
I’d take a Swedish fish over a Gummy bear any day!
Where the hell is carp at to defend gorton and AV?
Wick, Carp is an MSG (unpaid) employee. Of course he’s going to defend those two…duuuhhh
Maybe I am an unpaid MSG employee too and I just don’t know it
Haze to Kreider, 6 weeks from now: so is it true what they say about getting a rib removed?
BHawks cut Franson and sit Seabrook; obviously they miss Rosival.
Wicky, surely they don’t need to do hockey trades in your view? Wouldn’t a tennis trade be just as good?
Guys on Blueshirt Banter are smarter than AV and Gorton just ask them ….also all fighting to be Buchnevich’s next agent
I’m not as smart as those two guys, Bobbyo, but I’m pretty sure we have a few here who are. And a few more who are even smarter.
Always a pleasure to read these, Carp, and thanks for the link. Thoughts on “…no point in taking a shot at an unscreened goalie…”, it’s actually a difficult choice for a shooter, especially if he’s at a reasonable scoring angle. Zibanejad picked a spot and hit it, great shot, good choice because he can hit a target. What you don’t see so much these days, hardly ever from the Rangers, is the non-sniper deliberately aiming to cause a rebound, classically low off the weak-side pad for a teammate to convert. Instead, logo, no rebound.
rebounds!
Nice article Carp! Is there anyone on the Rangers other than Hank who could conceivably be named to the Metro Allstar team? I’m torn on whether that’s a good thing or not…
Is a rebounder simply a bounder who repeats poor moral etiquette?
Statue of Mark Messier to be erected at MSG/NYC.
https://www.change.org/p/james-l-dolan-statue-of-mark-messier-to-be-erected-at-msg-nyc
Sign the petition or… don’t.
I read an article earlier today about how Babcock is tripping over himself in Toronto trying to win. How he doesn’t use a **timeout**, how he overuses 3rd or 4th liners and underuses Matthews and how he sends out 3rd or 4th line with several minutes to go in the game while team trails.
Not sure where but I think I’ve seen/heard this somewhere already 🙂
Erect a statue of Arniel he doesn’t do anything anyway!
St Pete
I should start that petition and have Carp be first to sign it 🙂
Pretty sure Babcock knows what he’s doing. Pretty sure more so than some sportswriter who thinks he knows how to coach. Gotta sell them papers, though, ’twas ever thus. There are a few reporters out there–we are lucky to know one–who actually report on the team under the assumption that a coach like Babcock, or Vignault, has mastered his craft. And we often (always?) overlook that these guys are the best hockey coaches in the world.
Wow, edmunson put a beat down on mcginn
Bye week bites the big one.
Freakin bettman making me have to talk to my wife all week
ALL WEEK
https://nypost.com/2018/01/09/rangers-shouldnt-let-winning-fool-them-at-trade-deadline/
Great column again Carp!
FYI – USA Olympic hockey roster has a few familiar names:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/team-usa-announces-rosters-olympic-hockey-teams/
Hobey Gilroy
Bobby Sanguinetti
Chris Bourque
Chad Kolarik
Canada roster announced Thursday – not sure who to expect as they’ve used everyone and their grandma’s in the warm up tournaments. Not that it matters, with the NHL boycott it’s almost nailed on Russia for Gold.
Told my wife it was a bye week she just went out and spent $2k on new marble tile for our bathroom renovations. I asked her what the hell she replied “you said BUY week” 🤦🏻♂️
Nice UK! I have to admit I’m very intrigued with the return to non NHL rosters for the Olympic Games. It’ll be the first of my life time
CCCP said “erected”
James
Thanks for the warning I’ll keep my mouth shut!
UK – I can’t remember where I read it, but Canada seems to be more willing to use some of their Junior players than the U.S.
You guys should be careful talking about wives, someone got a verbal scolding here the other day for it.
I like to live dangerously, Wick 😉
I miss grabby
Btw carp…great usage of “my dome” in your last article!!!
Grabby…wow haven’t talked to him in forever
Did you guys see the Connor goal (first one I think) in the jets game? Wow! Rump it Rick should take lessons.
Happy wife happy life!
Kyle Connor? He’s still going through the process. a healthy scratch is coming his way.
The Oilers are a bit of a mess. They are running out of guys to trade away for lesser value. Maybe RNH is next. I’m sure there is a bad Dman, or a lousy winger out there for them to get in return.
BDL in retrospect I’m sure they would have preferred to trade rnh instead of Hall. They have no depth on the wing. Chiarelli has his work cut out for him with that roster
Grabner would probably score 50 skating with Connor
^ Mcdavid
James,
Chiarelli created the mess. They need to get somebody else in there to fix the mess.
Connor McDavid?
He’s still going through the process.
I love my wife even more than I love the Rangers. My daughters, too. Just sayin’.
Norm in response to something you had mentioned yesterday, I don’t think it’s about fans being ‘smarter’ per say. It’s about which route to go. Gorton and AV aren’t stupid. I’m sure they believe in their team but they know that realistically their chances at winning it all are not very high.
But it’s their decision to go forth with what they have. I think some fans including myself would just prefer they make different decisions. Not because we know more but because we know enough to know that the Stanley Cup isn’t within reach with the team as currently constructed.
And I am also under the impression that there is middle ground between blowing it up and rebuilding on the fly the way they have. There’s probably still a couple of years to potentially compete in the Lundqvist era. Poor managerial decisions and a coach who doesn’t think he can compete with the younger players has shaped this team into what it is
So, James, in short, you do know better than they do about whether the Cup in in reach, unless of course they share your view that it is not, and make trades that you approve of. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fun to conjecture, but any time I find myself drawn to coach- and GM-bashing, or instructing, I try to remind myself that for me it’s a hobby and for them it’s their livelihood, and that they know an order of magnitude more than I do. I don’t want them teaching my classes.
BDL I find it impressive that McDavid is basically putting up a mirror image of his production from last season despite all the deficiencies on that roster. Just imagine what he could do if he had a power forward or a real sniper on his wing full time.
I mean Lucic probably makes more sense than a younger goal scoring winger. Wouldn’t want to sound like I think I’m smarter than Chiarelli…
Norm i think it’s about being honest with yourself. I’m sure most of what I think would work probably wouldn’t. That sure as hell doesn’t mean that the decisions they’re making are going to.
I’m sure you take me as a hot head/loud mouth type of fan from how I post but believe it or not I’m not at all. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to lie to myself and think this is a well constructed roster. Or that the coach is making the correct personnel decisions.
Glen Sather know a lot more than I ever will about the game. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t right about some of the ridiculous decisions he’s made in his tenure.
Did you turn a blind eye to how awful they were back then? Its not my livelihood and they are who they are but let’s be real- they can’t compete for a championship with this roster and they know it.
Cognitive dissonance, the human condition. I think it’s time to bust out Madison’s Federalist Paper on the topic. Oops, sorry, hockey blog!
Norm
You are correct it is their livelyhood, and that’s the problem. They are trying to hold on to their livelyhood instead of doing the right thing!
As long as the franchise continues to provide windfall profits for the Garden corporation, there will be no accountability. Gorton and AV are more than safe so long as that happens, and they can do whatever they want to and still win big with James Dolan.
How am I contradicting myself? Bottom line this roster isn’t good enough to win a championship. You’ve been watching hockey long enough that you should know better if you truly think otherwise.
And quite honestly if behind closed doors they speak w each other and say “we really have a shot this year” then I take it back maybe I DO know better than them
James, I’m too long-suffering a Rangers fan to see this latest era (which Sather has, um, a bit to do with) as anything other than–precisely–competing for a championship, annually. It’s what they’ve been doing these last few seasons and they’re in a small group of teams doing it with consistency. I would say the odds against them winning the Cup this year are good. And that the odds against any team winning it this year are not that much worse.
So I guess Escapism is the true human condition then, eh Norm? 🙂
You’re right to an extent. Just admit that I am as well. As I said yesterday. There’s a difference between competing and contending.
…AND when the day comes that they are once again contenders I’ll be happy to revel in it with you and buy you a beer or a soda water or something. If we are still alive by then.
A feeling/belief by Gorton or AV that this team is good enough to compete for the cup is still just a feeling/belief tho Norm. Being around the players everyday and the relationships built with them could just as easily cloud their judgment in a negative way as opposed to giving them special insight. Not to mention Gorton has to consider other factors coming down from his bosses, ie the importantance of playoff revenue or player x or player y from a revenue perspective as opposed to simply what will put the team in the best position to be a contender beyond this season and both of them have to think of their own job securities.
——
Also not for nothing, this brain trust thought the group was good enough the last two seasons and traded even more future assets for rental players and all we got for it was one playoff round win. So they can and have been wrong (and will so in the future)
The contradiction is obvious, James–you say you don’t know better than those two, but then you say you do. We all do this, me included. But it’s our attempts to overcome the urge to rationalize the passions that inform our opinions that civilize us. I’m not sure that’s a good idea for the WBOTI, though, so I’ll shut up. By the end of the day, I’m certain I will have contributed some cog. dis. of my own. If I haven’t already.
Sure Gorton will make moves at the deadline when leverage is highest …center position remains a need but difficult since many teams in a similar spot. Let’s see how deadline goes before questioning his competency further
Trust me when I tell you Norm, it is with rational, well thought views that I can say this team isn’t good enough to win this year. We’ll just agree to disagree.
And for the record, I doubt my beliefs about this roster are really that much different from theirs despite what they say publicly
NEW POST
James – be careful, the brass are pro hockey professionals and their decisions are based upon decades of applied knowledge around critical work functions. Your role, as a fan, is to provide unquestioned loyalty and root, root, root for the home team no matter how the team performs. Do not question authority. Blind obedience is the only answer.