Good morning, boneheads!
A few observation after first preseason game:
- They should’ve traded Georgiev last season, now his value is low.
- Panarin can’t stay healthy
- Kakko will score less goals than Haley this year
- They will regret signing Trouba to his contract before this season is over
- This season IS over
- Kravtsov will not be able to buy a goal ever
Kidding, of course. I’ll let Carp talk about all new shiny toys, but I will say what I think is relevant going forward.
- There will be no yelling “Shoot the puck” at the Garden during PP this year.
- Andersson is going to make this team out of camp on merit, he looks like a different player
- I didn’t think much of McKegg signing. But I think he may be a better fit on the 4th line than many other candidates.
- Fox looked NHL ready, but it’s only one game.
- Hajek looked tentative. Needs to show more. Again, only one game.
- There were a couple of new, bottom 6 guys that surprised me with their play. I think Hartford may be a little better this year.
And now, click here to read Carp’s game review.
170 responses to “Rangers-3, Devils-4. Game review by Carp.”
Disagree about Hajek.
Unpopular take of the day: Zika and Bread Man will need to be on different PP units to take advantage of their righty shots.
Popular take of the day: Shea still makes dumb plays
Chytil was invisible last night
should trade skjei, still can’t defend, gorton needs to find a way to open cap space to resign kreider. It will be a big mistake letting kreider go.
Damn it ILB you stole my game review 😃
Who is on the eventual first PP unit, Kakko, or,Buchnevich?
Does the horse know the way to carry the Skjei?
Ilb got mad at me the other day for saying this, but Kravtsov is not going to be on the team opening night. You can see that Quinn is setting it up so that he can say Kravtsov needs time in Hartford. It’s a crock, but it’s what is going to happen. For the last 2 minutes and change last night, with the goalie pulled, McKegg was on the ice. Glued to the bench, Kravtsov. Wouldn’t that have been the perfect time for him to out there?
Tommyg,
Especially if the return for Kreider is the same as the return for Hayes. It just won’t be worth it. They need to give him the 7×7 he’s earned from them.
Al Trautwig update?
The power play SHOULD be deadly this year…with both units if they keep playing like that. But I’ve thought that before. The passing was quick and blasting it at the net. Dev’s goalie saved the game for them.
Lemiex – Andersson – Kratsov would be a fun 3rd line to watch if Butch is 1RW and Kakko 2RW
BDL- I would be upset with Quinn, not with you, if Kravtsov goes to Hartford. You can see the skill level. I would understand it if they were contenders and had a well-balanced line-up. What is he going to learn in Hartford playing with AHLers this year? Let him make defensive mistakes and learn against big guys.
On Hajek. He is better than Staal, he will be on the team. What I was saying is that he looked more assertive in his 5 games last year than yesterday. Did I mention it’s only one game?
McKegg is listed as center. Is that the position he played most of his career, does anyone know?
unless you are sending one of the young centers with him don’t see it being a great move to send down kravtsov, work in progress for sure but can see tools are there and has nhl size already.
Mckegg looked fine tho one preseason game against a soft lineup. may not be room at the inn for him unless they can move one of strome or names
Why was kaako 45? Thought Boo gave up goa number for him
His
Jeeze. I really hope Al is ok. He is a staple at MSG both Knicks and rangers. I like his vocal tone and his positivity.
I watched it on DVR and FF’d every intermission. I do not have a slightest idea about your concerns regarding Al.
McKegg could be tapped. He wasn’t drafted for nothing.
I’ll say this about Kakko- he sure looked comfortable and effective working the PP in Zucc’s (really Jagr’s) old office. For all the talk about how strong he is around the net and with his shooting, I thought his passing ability was impressive. I don’t see any reason they can’t have two very effective PP units this year.
My only actual gripe was on the Devils’ second goal. Crawley makes an idiotic back pass while defending and it’s a defensive zone give away. You just don’t do that. Not in pre season, not in practice and not in pee wees. Then Smith gets out muscled by a prospect driving to the net and either gave up on the play or didn’t know what to do and the puck is in the net. Pretty bad for a veteran NHL dman even if it is the first pre season game.
ILB, I’ve heard it elsewhere too. Al seems like either his gate is off or he’s weak in some way. Maybe he just wasn’t energetic or he’s fighting a cold or something. I thought it was just me but then a bunch of people starting remarking about it. You really don’t think he seemed off at all?
JamesG- I watched it late, so I just watched the game and fast forwarded everything else.
He was tremulous
I think Corey Schneider stood on his head today as well But the outcome doesn’t matter
That power play looks like it has some great potential. Just don’t let Perry Pern near it
Smith was fouled and hurt on that play (to the face). Just stating, not justifying his effort.
If Troutwig’s gate was off, he should have had no trouble accessing the other side of the fence.
LOL that was auto correct at it’s finest, Coos. G-A-I-T.
I got your G-O-A-T. 🙂
Ilb,
I was just doing the math, and watching how Quinn handled him last night. The numbers say something has to give. The RW looks like this, Buchnevich, Kakko, Fast, Strome, Kravtsov. If you move Strome to center, that opens it up. Otherwise, It’s pretty crowded. Move him to the LW you say. Ok, the LW looks like this, Panarin, Kreider, Namestnikov, Lemieux.
Gorton don’t trade Kreider we will regret it more than his coming cap hit! To sign The one of Names, Strome, or AV’s son needs to go! McKegg may make this team perfect 4th line fit.
You guys saw that one timer by Panarin? That was $11 million dollars one timer. You’re welcome.
How to resign Kreider? Gift SkjeL to someone.
You’re welcome.
I like that Carp clarified the rink size issue with Shesterkin
Clowns 🤡 on Athletic comment board were idiots last week and made it out like a random twitter feed was an actual source (even though I’m the twitter feed a user corrected the original poster these millennials don’t pay attention to details past the clickbait)
Of course when I corrected the commenter I was called a “jerk” and “cranky”
I imagine those commenters will be silent now instead of recognizing “publicly” they were wrong and apologize to Carp for trying to correct him.
In. Not I’m. I don’t own twitter
Strome and Names off books next year. Use that money for Kreider extension.
Doesn’t matter if they trade them or not. Them walking opens the cap space needed.
How about we nickname kaapo- SoSo
‘So’ is his favorite adjective whiling learning the English language and he is SO much better than SoSo.
I think that makes it a funny nickname
Is that funny or mean?
Yeah watching the game last night I thought to myself losing an engaged Chris Kreider would be creating a massive hole.
Ides of March Kreider makes you think you can be fine without him. But the ides of March Kreider isn’t a real thing, it’s not like the 4 seasons, it doesn’t have to happen.
I dunno, at this point, I’m not trading Kreider until I see if I can resign him by the trading deadline.
Everyone was waiting for a Kreider trade this summer and maybe the best thing that could of happened did happen. He’s still here
Special K
Cereal
Big Finn = Tuna
Stromeo can fit into wherever they need him; Names as well to that extent. Placeholders.
Names ($4M) and Stomeo ($3.1) off the books makes Krieder @ $7M per doable with some consideration needed for Shatry’s salary needing to be addressed as well.
What happens to Smith’s Cap Hit if he is in AHL?
I think this will be the opening night forward look.
Panarin, Zibanejad, Buchnevich
Kreider, Chytil, Kakko
Namestnikov, Howden, Strome
Lemieux, Andersson, Fast.
McKegg.
Obviously something has to give in order for Kravtsov to make the team.
If you are able to trade Namestnikov, then you could make Strome the 4th line center, and move Chytil to the LW. Something like this.
Panarin, Zibanejad, Buchnevich
Kreider, Howden, Kakko
Chytil, Andersson, Kravtsov
Lemieux, Strome, Fast.
Boy, fast sticks out like a sore thumb and not in a good way when you see all the possible lineups.
Cregg
People don’t apologize any more, it’s not the cool thing to do.
It’s much easier to pretend you weren’t a d bag and not show any humility than admit you were wrong or out of line.
It’s truly a shame and imo an embarrassing and pitiful way to exist.
Wicky,
Fast is probably the most tradable of the group. Low cap hit.
So are we doing fantasy hockey this year or what?
I wouldn’t read much of anything into any of the playing time decisions last night. DairyQueen is going to want to see different guys in different situations than you are and is probably thinking a bit further ahead as well. Same applies to first 10 or so games of the season. You guys need to take a page from Olga and kick back with a few beers and direct your anger and questions at Sather!
BDL all I’ve heard Quinn say so far is that he likes Kravtsov a lot (an awful lot) and that he’s a very coachable kid.
Don’t see any handwriting on the wall. Namestnikov and Strome can play just about any of the three forward positions if necessary. Chalk it up to depth. Good problem to have.
Every year we ask the same questions about how it will shake out. I think it can be summed up like this- injuries, poor play, trades, slumps, suspensions, flu bugs. They play a part in every season and even if you recall last season early on they had guys like Gettinger up here trying to play at the NHL level because they were banged up.
Like I said, depth is a good thing. Especially when it’s young and skilled.
Let’s see how Chytil performs and how Lias, Howden and the rest of them do through this camp/preseason and maybe it’ll be clearer.
only one game but McKegg was a nice surprise..Kreider looked real good
CCCP
didn’t see Panarin’s one timer live as some ahole came late and assisted by an usher had to move people who were sitting in the wrong seats.
one second Trouba had the puck. Next everybody cheered. I never knew Panarin shot it until I saw the replay.
It’s not the worst thing in the world if Kravstov cuts his teeth in AHL for a little bit. Can play big minutes and be the number one PP option down there. He is gonna need some adjustment I think.
Kaapo is a different animal. His skill already seems to translate regardless of rink size. Looks more full grown already
Names or strome or fast are placeholders and either can be a healthy scratch without detriment to development if Kravstov ready for his chance on broadway.
If strome wants to sign cheap I keep him over Names and Fast
Brutal timing Alex
That should not happen!
And Dolan tweeted his regrets.
2 years ago, McKegg had a great training camp for the Penguins and made the opening night lineup. 28 games later, he was dumped. I think he’s 27. Root for him to evolve, but his history has been less than illustrious.
I think mckegg was with the canes in the playoffs last season and was a pretty important bottom 6 forward for their run…iirc
Cregg
Agree 100% re strome vs the other two.
Where’s doodie and some heat maps to spice this up?
BDL big woof on that being the third line. at most only one of strome or names should be playing in each game and on the 4th line wing. Lemeuix should get a chance on the third line and still think Kravtsov will start there with either Lias or howden centering them.
Chytil should also be given a shot at center before relegating him to a wing again.
you can make the cap hit work for kreider the next couple years, they just have to consider if it works when the time comes to pay some of the guys currently on ELCs.
James,
I’ll make the writing on the wall bigger.
THERE ARE CURRENTLY FIVE RIGHT WINGS ON THE ROSTER. IF SOMEONE DOES NOT GET TRADED, KRAVTSOV IS GOING TO HARTFORD!
All I see on the wall is “WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA”…It’s not even one game into the actual season and we’re inventing things to worry about.
And stop yelling at me. 🙂
Alex
Devils’ goalie also never knew the puck was in on that one timer 😉
Strome is a pending RFA who is arbitration eligible. Fast and Names are pending UFA’s. Might not matter in Gorton’s decision making, but something to keep in mind.
Did Dolan regret his tweets?
Larry Bird tweeted his egrets.
Pick your (shorthanded) team.
Ovechkin-Gretzky
Orr-Lidstrom
Hasek
Datsyuk – Gretz – LaFleuer
Karlsson – Orr
Hasek
.
Getting ready for next April on the early side
Messier selanne
Lidstrom karlsson
Dryden
SN
Too many skaters
I’m assuming you have to take one guy from each of the 5 decades right?
Yes. ONE per decade.
SN is cheating like always.
Jessica?
Yes, she was caught on camera playing patty cake with another guy…that Jessica
She’s a 28 year old from New Jersey if I recall
Cccp
I believe the Jessica convo is a cross blog one.
Iirc, the only Jessica on this family of blogs was a bartender in jersey that gravy was very excited about.
No idea who the fugg she is…
Oh I see… Latona, err, I mean Jessica. Yeah, I remember now [eyes roll].
Orr
Gretzky
Hasek
Lidstrom
Ovechkin.
That’s what I’m saying, bdl! Great lineup!
Orr
Gretzky
Hasek
Lidstrom
Sasha
Yup. Bdl nailed it.
If you go by “best player” of each decade, you possibly get:
Orr Gretzky Jagr Brodeur and Crosby. So you have a good penalty kill and Brodeur instead of Roy.
Weird task.
Admiral
I nailed it before him 😉
I knew that was coming from cccp 😉
lol
Just my 2 cents and I’m not a Hank hater. If the Rangers had Hasek in his prime they win cups in 2012, 2014, 2015. Hold the tomatoes boys!
Hank is weak.
Also, if we had Gretzky in his prime and Hank in net, we’d still had zero cups 🙂
I kid I kid…
Gretzky=overrated
😉
Has nhl20 updated the rosters yet with krapsoft etc?
X Box is the worst.
Funny to remember Zibby late last season on the bench smiling and covering his ears while having to listen to Lemieux yakking and yakking in his ear. We could do worse than #93 as a Captain if it comes to that.
I’ll take it over PlayISIS any day
😉
Btw, that kid Maltsev from NJ that scored Jagr like goal last night, is he related to the great Alexander Maltsev by any chance? Anyone know?
I took Matzah and Lucille to the game last night. They had a ball.
Looking forward to seeing little Jackie tomorrow night Wonder who the Rangers will dresss.
Only one of these players is over 21
Colorado, already with legal weed, passed topless female legislation. Despite an off-day, Mets management got the team speedily out of town and checked them into a hotel in Cincinnati. LOL.
James,
Read Cyrgalis today.
Good morning, boneheads!
BDL, I read it. It’s easy to do the math without Cyrgalis pointing it out. Until Namestnikov and/or Strome are gone, there is no place on this team for Kravtsov/Nieves/McKegg etc. But the way to approach it is to determine whether Kravtsov belongs to the big league now. Yes, you do not want to have too many youngsters playing at the same time, but you aren’t contending either.
By the way, Kravtsov’s contract isn’t eligible to slide. Even though he signed his contract when he was 19, because he turns 20 after September 15 and before December 31st ( DOB 12/23/1999 ), it doesn’t matter whether he plays in NY or Hartfod, his contract starts ticking this season.
Boo/McBeer unlikely survivors.
Ages of top 9 if Kratsov stays up
27-26-24 (Bread-Zika-Butch)
27-20-18 (Kreider-Chytil-Kakko)
23-21-19 (Lemieux-Lias-Kratsov)
Kravtsov is still 19, SN. Fixed 🙂
If you remove Hank, Staal and Smith from this roster, their average age would barely qualify for drinking 🙂
‘Hey Nineteen!’
If you remove Hank, Staal, and Smith from this roster, it would be reason for us all to start drinking.
The only ELC with slide risk on this roster is Kakko’s. Something tells me he’s going to play more than 10 games in NY this season.
Who said we stopped, Coos?
Perhaps “start toasting” would be more like it. 🙂
‘Hey 19’- The Steely Dan Line
Ilb,
The math is easy for some, not for James though. 😁
David Quinn: “I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a training camp in our league that has more opportunities”
Brett Cyrgalis: “The only spot left up for grabs is DeAngelo’s. Unless he signs, that is”
D’Anger is D’Goner. If/when he signs, expect NYR already have him moved for a late round pick.
I’d still keep strome regardless
True Blue Warrior
DeAngelo signed. Same as Lemieux.
DeAngelo last to the party and the first one to go home. Nobody cares…
Girardi reminds me of two things. One is how tough he was, and two, how disrespectful the chart boys, and others, were towards him at the end of his tenure with the Rangers.
Rangers still on the hook for 3.6 mil Girardi money against the Cap.
Not bad for an undrafted Ontario kid. Best of luck in retirement and take care of yourself.
Girardi was a shot blocking machine. a very good Ranger.
“Once a Ranger, Always a Ranger”
Cap hit still on the books that’s a bummer!
Hopefully Dan is on the phone to Staal as I type!
BDL I just think your POV lacks the confidence in Kravtsov being better than the likes of Ryan Strome, Jesper Fast and Chytil.
I don’t really care about DeAngelo signing.
Crawley cut well deserved. Elmer is AHL Fodder. No surprises there.
Girardi will always have a special place in my blue blooded heart. I don’t know that there’s a player I have more respect for in this world.
James,
When exactly did I say that? My point has not been about who is better (Kravtsov clearly), but about the numbers on the right side.
Also,
Howden listed as the number one center tonight, centering Buchnevich. Chytil the two, centering Fast. I know it means nothing, but I love to read the Chytil fans overreact.
NYR should bring G in immediately to school SkjeL in proper snow angeling technique
per Rosen:
And D’Anger holds out for a couple grand. Kid just doesn’t get it.
BDL I thought you were under the impression that Kravtsov can’t/won’t earn his place on this roster because of the other guys that can play the RW position?
When Q says spots are open and up for grabs, that’s bad, not good.
Re: Chytil, I’m not convinced that he makes this roster out of camp
D’Anger gets Lemieux money, as expected. Who’s his agent, Dildo S. Dumbo, or does he do his own negotiating?
Good luck to Girardi…good Ranger….looks like Tony D is new “hated one” for holding out a week …he’s a cheap RH defenseman that can move the puck ….lets cut him or give him away
D’Angelo finally realizing his last chance to turn it up a notch. If he plays great he’s a deadline dismissal!
Chytil may have a big night losing the puck!
James,
Buchnevich
Kakko
Strome
Fast
Tell me how?
Eli,
I’m looking forward to seeing if there have been any changes to Chytil’s long program, and short program.
How
Oh, sorry. James was supposed to do that
a third line with both strome and names (or dare i say fast) would be very disappointing to see-collective failure if that happens
James, it’s possible Chytil starts in hartford but it would make the general handling of him last year all the more troublesome when he wasn’t nhl ready
BDL,
Strome can play all three forward positions. Fast despite his defensive abilities may be the 13th forward even though it’s unfathomable for the Fast fans who had to jump in his corner now that Zucc is gone.
If you’re icing your best team possible Kravtsov is there. If you’re really trying to make the playoffs this year then you ice your best team. Seems logical, no?
Disagree BDL
Names Anderson Strome would be a pretty decent third line as both wingers could play top six
Kravstov is the future. No need to rush him if he still needs time to acclimate.
We can have a prospect develop in The AHL. That’s what it’s there fore.
If Kravstov earns the NHL out of camp all the better. But shouldn’t be a given just because he’s a first round pick and people hate stromes heat maps.
Pete I really try not to put too much emphasis on the line combo stuff but Chytil could cause a lot of shifting around if he goes to Hartford.
Namestnikov could become a 3 center if he’s not on the NHL roster. That opens up a spot for another winger probably in the bottom six.
I’ll never say depth is a bad thing. One guy catches his skate in a rut on the ice and all of our debating and bickering and assumptions are for not.
Sorry BdL. Meant Pete with regards to his “collective failure” comment
Not BDL
Kakko (or Kratsov) as 2RW makes Chytil as 2C unlikely
Which RW makes Chytil likely?
Corey Perry
I will forever remember accurately how good Danny Girardi was. Guy was a rock for years. Became our best Dman within a year and a half of his call-up and one of my favorites of all time.
I don’t understand the question.
cregg, neither Names or Strome should be here next year and Lemeuix should get a chance to start on the third line regardless of where Kravtsov is.
James, if chytil isn’t at center in the nhl i’d imagine Howden and Lias are middle six in some order as i would hope one of those guys is playing 4th line only if blocked by another young player. And this coach, just like AV before him, likes Fast, can’t see him not being in the lineup if healthy
SN, I think Kreider-Chytil-Kaako would be fine
https://twitter.com/DerekStepan21/status/1175066193285091328
Girardi was a great Ranger. All the best to him in retirement.
Oh, wow! All the best to Girardi. He was a great Rangers, gave all he had. Pretty good career for anyone, let alone fir someone who was undrafted. And I agree with whoever said it, it was disgusting the way he was treated at the Garden by fans when he was at the end of his tenure in NY. I think we all forgot how he’d give up his body. He would sustain what seemed to be a season ending injury and would come back to play after intermission.
He gave his all for the cause every night. That’s what people should remember about him.
The Rangers still owe him just over $7M over the next 4 years. He’ll end up making a little over $50M playing hockey. Not bad, well deserved.
Oh, and Tony decided after one week of thinking that he isn’t getting a penny more than Lemieux, and the only option is to sit one year out, not make a penny, and be back to square one next year. Let’s hope his on ice thinking is a little better 😄
Lastly, Go Time Post at 6:30. I may be busy, so can someone remind the ‘heads of a new post?
it wasn’t just the people at the garden who gave G a tough time. Plenty on the internet did as well. Derogatory nicknames and all.
Mostly the chart boys.
Remember when he gave his all to jump in and help gaborik from getting pummeled?!
Yeah, me neither
😉
In fact, the way G was treated at the end on other more trafficked forums was what led me to the Carp blog.
T-minus 2 minutes until *NEW POST*
Beezle
And we’re happy to have you
new post