So the second round matchups are set. I’m looking forward to seeing as many games as I can. I always thought that the second round, with only 8 teams left, and conference finals, is when you see the best hockey. Not the SC Final.
One game tonight:
Stars vs Avalanche, 8 PM start, TV-NBC
Have fun!
UPDATE (8/23): Two games tonight, both promise to be great:
Bruins vs Lightning, 8 PM start, TV-NBC
Canucks vs Golden Knights, 10:30 PM start, TV-NBCSN
Enjoy!
UPDATE (8/24): Two games tonight:
Islanders vs Flyers, 7 PM start, TV-NBCSN
Stars (1) vs Avalanche (0), 9:45 PM start, TV-NBCSN.
UPDATE(8/26): Click here to read Carp’s new article.
Three games on the schedule today:
Islanders (1) vs Flyers (0), 3 PM start, TV-NBCSN
Lightning (1) vs Bruins (1), 8 PM start, TV-NBCSN
Avalanche (0) vs Stars (2), 10:30 PM start, TV-NBCSN
326 responses to “It’s Go Time!”
Bdl
I like eichel, so I would.
Eichel rowed the boat ashore
Wick it is all about when the big prospects are expected to be here and contributing in Carp’s opinion.
Going all-in to me means trading picks/prospects/young players for vets and guys on expiring deals, i.e. what Slats did for years. Not saying you are advocating them doing that to be clear, but if a team truly thought its window was open then that’s what they would be doing to one extent or another (Penguins being the current extreme obviously).
I think Gorton and JD are still playing the long game until they show us otherwise and that they can live with not making the playoffs next year and potentially even selling again at the deadline, even if that means another year of Panarin’s deal is “wasted”. They of course are going to look for ways to improve the roster near and longterm, but don’t for instance think you see them trading Chytil for a guy markedly older than him unless said is locked up for 4 or 5 years.
Wicky,
The thought being you are going to have to pay Zibanejad, at age 30, 10 mill a season. If that’s the going rate, then pay it to a younger player. I think I would do it as well. Obviously there would be other pieces involved.
They didn’t sell at this deadline. Fast stayed, and Kreider re-signed. The selling is over. Hockey trades are next, followed by the eventual buying.
Exactly bdl
Pete
So you mean doing what they did last off season in acquiring trouba, trading multiple picks for fox who was playing right away and everyone knew it and signing the biggest free agent out there…got it lol
Winning now and playing the long game are not mutually exclusive…FYI
AV rolled the dice on that one. Gotten to be 100%sure on that. This reminds of the Ranger series against Ottawa except Hart is playing better than Hank did.
Avoiding Victory.
The NHL needs to tweak this rule during this short offseason.
Failed challenge= penalty. Except if the challenge comes in the 3rd period or the final 10 minutes.
I hate the idea that if you lose a challenge you then put the team on the PP at the end of a Playoff game. I don’t care what team it happens to
Issue with mika for eichel is that Mika’s partial no trade clause kicked in June of 2019 didn’t it?
Mika was so good as the season went on. He really is just scratching the surface of how consistently good he can be
But he’s gonna have to be reasonable on his next deal or Gorts will be pro-active with him
It’s easy to follow suit.
It takes courage to be the 1st
The Bucks said we’re not gonna just keep chugging along like nothing happened.
Question is: this just an emotional response or can they come away with something tangiable coming from it.
Would the NBA players ever be willing to walk away from the season and all the financial implementations that would be the fallout. Bc unless they are. The owners aren’t gonna put their resources behind any real change.
It’s a flash in the pan if they are playing tomorrow.
But it’s still good to see such outrage and emotion that it causes the bucks to say buck it we’re not playing an NBA game as if this didn’t just happen
AV just fixed his wedgie and spit out his gum. Isles have home ice now. Maybe they should put the SUV in the stands to make them feel at home.
If I stay home from work tomorrow in protest I’m out of a job. And I don’t make “NBA bucks.”
NBA? Who cares, just like baseball…basketball sucks!
With all the team’s in the playoff’s you have to look at goaltending. The better your goalie, the better your chances. Some terrible goal’s allowed in the Islander’s game. If I were a betting man; put your money on a goalie who has been deep in the playoff’s before. A thought on Kevin Hayes. In the first game he looked totally disinterested. This game;some well placed lucky shots go in and he is a champion. Still not worth what the Flyer’s are paying him.
Wick all of those were longterm moves for players in their low and mid twenties so fits the longterm plan and Gorton knew full well you have to grab a player like Panarin when you can even if he doesn’t match the exact timeline of the rebuild
BDL, thing with an Eichel trade is that if the Sabres are doing that they are essentially blowing up their team and starting over. So in that case I don’t think they’d really want a 27yr old Zibanajad, who is two years away from being a UFA. Rather they’d be looking for some combination of Kakko, Miller, Nils, unprotected 1st round picks in 2021/2. Eichel is 23 and locked up for the next 6 seasons and can be traded anywhere for the next two seasons, so Sabres are in the driver’s seat on this one
Maybe they aren’t looking to blow up the team. Maybe they are looking for some cap flexibility, while having a player close to as good as Eichel, in Zibanejad.
Yeah I have to say that while I don’t think Buffalo would ever do it I’d sign up for the swap.
The thing about Zika is that we really haven’t seen his numbers plateau yet. He’s topping his career highs three years in a row now. Last guy we traded that was doing that was Miller.
The good thing is that Eichel’s Not just younger but his production is on the rise as well.
I believe that Zibanejad will work out a deal that works for everyone fwiw.
hell maybe even one you guys could all live with lol
would be very short lived cap flexibility though BDL and they have too many other issues to get their act together while Mika was still cheap. And Mika likely wouldn’t want to resign in Buffalo and if he did i can’t believe it would be for less than what Eichel got.
I can’t pinpoint the reason, but I find Eddie Olczyk extra annoying during these playoffs.
And again, why do we need three talking heads to call a hockey match?
this really happened
i got a haircut yesterday and i was after 1 guy who wouldn’t shut up and talked loud.
and what kind of car did he drive
a hearse
no wonder he talked so much
Even the fake fans are booing Boston…
I respect NBA for taking the night off to allow people to enjoy night 3 of the RNC lol… it was drawing more viewers anyways.
Pete
Oh, I see…they had no intention of winning anytime soon when they signed those guys, they just wanted to add some names and are planning to win in 5 or 6 years when all those names are in their early or mid 30’s.
Makes perfect sense, you must be right.
Pete
I’ll try and help you through this as best I can.
The team decided it didn’t have long term or short term winning ability so it sent out a letter letting fans know that it was moving on from some players to include fan favourites that weren’t part of the long term future or with expiring contacts.
They also then parted with their recently extended, win right now coach.
They then parted ways with players on expiring contracts the following year while keeping some vets (not gutting the team in a wholesale full rebuild mould like an Ottawa or Detroit) choosing to go a rebuild on the fly style.
The rangers then get lottery luck and receive the 2OA in the draft and the day after the draft lottery send an email to fans stating they are going to be using young players and picks to obtain nhl players or help now young players to win now. They do just that and add fox, panarin, and trouba. Rebuild on the fly over.
The rangers now enter a phase where every other nhl Team desires to be and strives to be on an annual basis…keep the cupboard stocked while winning.
Furthermore, this method you claim they are doing now is literally a repeat of what caused the letter to begin with and I assure you Gorton and jd are not going to make the same mistakes that were made in the mid 20teens which is letting core guys get to their late primes or into their early to mid 30s and try to win a cup with them and their higher salaries and ages.
And that is exactly what you keep saying they’re going to do.
Again, winning now and long term cupboard stocking are not mutually exclusive things.
putting words in my mouth. they saw guys who are long term pieces and that could potentially expedite the process in Panarin. But their mandate isn’t in my opinion that they need to have it all figured out in a year or two just because they signed Panarin and then extended kreider.
not sure you really believe that think different either, you just seem to think they will be ready to compete for a cup sooner than i do. for sure they could make more moves to further expedite things and/or some young players could develop quicker than expected, i’m just not confident of either happening given the flat cap and historically how long it takes for most young players to develop. Time will tell
If only Pierre McGuire said something “insensitive”…
‘Go out there and have a Nun.’
LOL! CANCEL HIM!
Crazy 3rd period in this stars/avalanche game
“Know why they call em nuns, Sam?
1. Don’t get nun
2.cant have nun
3. Don’t want nun”
Sam “didn’t know that Joe I alw AND A SAVE BY LUNDQVIST NO IT GOES IN!”
So is the Carolina pick set for 24th now?
Would that be enough to get Josh Anderson from Columbus who have the 21st pick?
Would you guys do that trade?
Sam “didn’t know that Joe I alw AND A SAVE BY LUNDQVIST NO IT GOES IN!”
This sums up the Rangers 2015-2019 perfectly.
C3P:
“ I respect NBA for taking the night off to allow people to enjoy night 3 of the RNC lol… it was drawing more viewers anyways.”
Bwahahahahaaaaa!!!
Dilemna with Josh Anderson trade is do they want to use that 2nd first rounder to draft a center or package in a trade for a center. How much would it take to sign Anderson as RFA..not sure there will be $ to do it?
Bobby I would imagine If they were to trade for Anderson his new deal would probably be similar AAV to what Buch is making and Buch becomes part of that package for a center thus canceling out the cap issue.
In a hypothetical world where they traded for a high profile center like Eichel it’s going to involve roster players plus picks anyhow.
In one where a team is trading a center to shed salary it creates an issue. Unless they see the potential in Buch and can fit him under their cap
If they choose to draft a center I’m fine w that.
I don’t know that the names I’d want to see them draft will still be there at 24 though.
Did BDL hit snooze?
I still think Koivu is a good add for a centre.
James,
One of the names we have discussed will fall to them at 24, but if they don’t, here is a name to watch, Marat Khusnutdinov. He is a Russian center who most have outside the first round in their rankings, but feel he’s skilled enough that teams late in the first may take him.
I’m not sure the rangers want to keep going down the road with Russian players that don’t play in North America.
Probably right. I want Holloway ( won’t be there), or LaPierre. Most think the Devils or Sens grab LaPierre because they have three ones. Figuring they have one to burn.
I like Lapierre
I feel at this point, if there aren’t any stellar options at that pick, instead of taking a gamble at an unknown or really reach for a 5 year maybe, that pick/asset should be used to fill a need on the nhl roster either directly or indirectly.
Wick Miller grew up playing for the Ranger as a 19-20 yr old, now that he’s 27 he is lighting the lamp on the first line in Vancouver.
Who knew we had a second line center playing on someone else first line.??
Perhaps we should have let him grow up in Hartford so we’re weren’t sick of him as a Ranger.
would go for Anderson scenario James unless Holloway available to them either because he drops or they make a move to get into first round teens. I think Buch is going either way
This team has. Rey little flexibility in the salary cap for next season unless able to off load Shampoo Boy and the steaming pile of S
Last seasons spent $5.22M on bottom 6; KK, Flip, Pepe, Gotye, Howdy, Kegger with Barron @ .925M coming into the mix. Without any research, I would guess that is the Lowest amount spent on bottom 6 league wide so very hard to substitute vet players of quality as they are making more than the minimum most likely.
Without some creative accounting or salary saving deals; it would seem the improvement would have to come from within.
So, who is going to make the big strides??
Rey = very
The question with Andersen is his shoulder.
Reading the rangers have lappiere as being rated with a higher ceiling than Holloway, as the decision if both are on the board: is the likelihood of Holloway excelling at his floor 3rd line center, Lindgren type impact as a forward, worth passing over lappiere’s upside.
Hearing a philosophy that with Laffy in the pocket that the rangers might be envisioning getting two guys who play a combined 1600-2000 games in the NHL. But that second 1st pick being using on a glue guy who is projected to excel at a role.
I think when the Rangers traded Beat Wide to the Canes they already had tradeable asset in mind. Yes Yes, even before the rigged lotto ball flew up the shaft lol!
Can’t believe the Lanche came back to win that game last night, they were getting run out of the building by Dallas…great game to watch….also Philthy sucks …got lucky in OT and I am glad they did vs Azzdancers….Hayes is an oaf, still lazy still lucky…..7 million yikes….one more thing ..NBA/MLB/NFL..go to hell..keep shooting yourselves in the foot with walk outs etc…no one cares no one is watching anymore …those 3 sports are dead to me….they all suck
James, we could still draft 21st if all three of Isles, Dallas and Vancouver advance to the semi-finals (and 22 or 23rd if only one or two of them advance).
Doesn’t Lapierre have concussion and/or neck issues? Seems like a boom or bust guy even without those injuries so not sure he’d be my target. i do think if they keep that pick they should target a rugged Canadian or North American center (or winger if no centers left) as we have enough undersized Europeans at the moment and while I like Russian players generally, as noted above, we’d have to be prepared to assume said player won’t be here for 3 to 5 years given recent history.
But unless a clear target of theirs has fallen in their laps, think using that pick (and combo of Buch, Tony or even Strome if a center is coming back) for a young NHL ready center or lefty D is the way to go
If health Anderson would be a good add, but only if could get him locked up for say 4yrs at/under $2.5m/yr (as he would be a bottom 6 player for us) and both Buch and Fast are not coming back because otherwise we need to allocate cap space to centers and D
Sioux
What the hell are you talking about?
I didn’t mention miller and I’m not sure if someone else did, but it wasn’t me.
But I’ll weigh in on him since you brought him up for no reason
Miller was a clear personality conflict issue within the organization and that’s why he was traded and his time in Hartford would have nothing to do with that.
Good afternoon, boneheads!
Pretty good hockey discussion. I don’t know much about any of these draftees you’re talking about, so can’t comment. What I would do with this second first rounder they have is try to package it with some other picks/prospects/players and present it to a team that have traded/have been trading their assets and picks to try to win it all and see if they can get a second line center or L d-man to play with Trouba. While the center preferably has to be young, and long term ( will cost more), the D man doesn’t have to be. The team that may go for it may still be playing, by the way. In my opinion this team is much closer to making a real goose that some of us think. Drafting 1OA accelerated it even further. They’re set for years, this is already looking like one of the deepest system in the league, there is no reason to keep accumulating prospects that may or may not play in NHL in 4-5 years.
Unless you guys think we should have a new post already, I’ll schedule a Go Time for 7 pm.
Hey Wick why don’t you stop trash talking JT Miller? 🤷🏻♂️
Flat cap, by the way, could be used to Rangers’ advantage because of their needs. It’s flat for everyone. Elite players will still get payed their market value. The Rangers aren’t in the market for them at the moment. But bottom 6 will go under their usual market value this year, an probably next. They need to decide who stays, who goes. Time to walk away from McKeggs and Lettieris. Fast is the tough one. As opposed to Wicky, I’d like to retain him, but the price has to be reasonable.
Kidding aside, Miller played 56 games between the age of 19 and 21. By the time he was 22 he was scoring 20 goals a season so I don’t really understand how much more time he should have spent in Hartford.
The real issue is that regardless of personality issues you can’t trade a guy like that at that age for maybe futures
St Pete
Agree 100% with your 11:35
Ilb
That is exactly my point re flat cap and the league. Folks here keep talking like any add that will contribute is going to cost a ton of cap, and that isn’t the case at all.
The organization will use its assets to address deficiencies.
James
To make it worse re Miller They then fired the coach shortly after the deal that was in the personality conflict.
I am extremely disappointed in NHL’s decision to skip tonight’s games.
https://twitter.com/FarhanLaljiTSN/status/1299057745467813888?s=20
I’m waiting for an official league announcement before I post a new post, but it looks like no games tonight. A bit murky as to what is going to happen tomorrow.
What is going to happen tomorrow? Racism will end. Duh.
Don’t do it NHL…Don’t Do It…….
Leave The Politics/ Statements out of this …… just play the damn games
Don’t become useful idiots like NBA/MLB players….
Wont comment on the boycott …all I know is Trump’s ratings tonight are gonna be HUUUUUGE!!!!!!!
Buchnevich makes as much as Fast, Mckegg and about 85% of an ELC.
That’s 3 players you could add/upgrade in your bottom six if you move Buchnevich in favor of Kreids on the RW.
Mckegg is useless.
Five, this is your opinion. Some people may agree, some disagree. Point is, we don’t discuss it on this forum.
Let’s say the bottom six worked out to look something like this:
Lafrenière-Chytil-Gauthier
Lemieux-Barron-Kyle Clifford
That’s two ELCs plus a veteran grinder that makes about 1.5 million.
Even if you assume Barron to Hartford since SN hates him..put Wickys boy Koivu at 4C for 1.5 million.
That’s 3.75 million. That’s a Buchnevich trade and maybe a Smith to Hartford decision.
Point being it’s not that hard to drastically improve the bottom 6
I like Clifford. There was another grinder in LA who played with Clifford, but his name is escaping me.
Trevor Lewis. Remembered him as I hit the post comment button.
James
Who’s in the top 6?
And what happened to dq and gortons boy howden?
Speaking of LA, listened to a Nhl pod that had tifolli as a ranger off season target…which I don’t buy it due to he’s a higher in the line up winger imo .
Also said Simmonds potential target as well, but I think he’s pretty washed up.
Simmons on 4th line could work..depending on price
Simmonds? LOL
Maybe from 5 years ago.
James – putting Laffy with Flip is a great way to start his NHL career. Why not just Kakko on that line as well and call it “how to not develop ‘cant’ miss’ young talent”…
.
Vets want to win as the playoff money means more when you are paid minimum at the end of your career.
Gene Simmons?
4th line Simmons
SN, I’m basing that off of what I know. Not what I think should happen.
Quinn isn’t giving Lafrenière a top six spot unless something drastic happens.
Chytil will be here and at center as of right now. He isn’t getting moved to wing unless they acquire a center.
Since none of that has happened yet, that’s how it currently projects..
Toffoli= hard pass.
Simmonds= probsbly no NHL job next season.
Know who I wouldn’t mind in the bottom six, actually?
Namestnikov. For about half of what Gorton previously signed him for.
okay you guys dont want Simmonds.(wayne or Gene)…Nate Thomson and/or Derek Grant are my preferences anyway
Nichushkin
Eakin
Clifford
Dale Weise
Nate Thompson
…that’s more the type of add I see them making wayyyy before someone like Simmonds
Bobby it’s not a shot at you. I agree with the element you’re saying to bring in. Just think Simmonds has played his way off most teams
I have this weird feeling they will call off the draft and have a re-do?
Lol, good one, St. Pete.
Dale Weise? Good lord! No thank you.
Kreider – Mika – Kakko
Bread – Strome – Chytil
Laffy – Howdy – Fast
Pepe – UFA – Gotye
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