The Rangers play the Flyers, Sens and Canadiens this week. These are not easy teams for the Rangers. But, if they win 4 of 6 points they are in good shape. 3 of 6 is holding and but making it tighter. 2 of 6 and they are in trouble and they become a potential seller next week.

I do not think it is entirely outside the realm of possibility that the Rangers could move a Gaborek for a first round pick rather then a player coming back.
- spatso

I don't think there is enough time before the trading deadline for the Rangers to implode enough to become sellers. I think we have to remember that guys like Sather and Tortorella have pride, and they aren't going to hit the eject button on a season where many were picking them to win the Stanley Cup unless it is completely hopeless. And I don't think that it will be completely hopeless before the trading deadline.

I wonder, however, whether you might see a hybrid type trade that doesn't sell out this season, but brings something back for the future as well. Something like Gaborik and [insert second tier piece] to the Red Wings for Filpulla, White and 1st

It was just a defense heavy draft, and we know that defenders take longer to mature, so I don't think you see alot of immediate impact from last year's draft. Some good high-end talent in Yakupov and Galenchenuk though, and Forsberg and Grigorenko going in 10-15 range isn't bad either.
- Pete V

Galchenyuk was a good pick, Grigorenko has disappointment written all over him, just my opinion though.

Uneven drafts like last year are hard to predict and depending on which organization, a prospect get chosen by, a lot of times project players can get mishandled and eventually ruined.

It's a roll of the dice, but this year a draft has more sure fire talent than in recent years.

We are all looking in hindsight in regards to last season. When they lost to Jersey, to a man, we all said that they needed more scoring. They get Nash and to me that wasn't the issue that has plagued them this season. What did the team in was their failure to recognize how important players like Prust and Fedotenko were to their bottom forward set.

Replacing them with Asham and Pyatt were daggers to the overall balance of their forward lines. Asham I actually like, but he can't stay healthy. Pyatt is too unassuming for his size and that isn't a good thing.

It goes without saying that the down years from Richards, Gaborik, Boyle, McDonagh and Girardi has been the real issue this season, personnel-wise, but the loss in free agency and not sufficiently replacing them is a big issue as well.

Issues...
- MidnightMarauder

I would take Dubi back if we could fleece Columbus into keeping some of his salary

Blue Jackets will likely have two picks in the top 20. In a draft like this, that is a wry good building block for their future...in Quebec.
- MidnightMarauder

The Jackets are not moving. They'll make it work in Columbus and you'll see that the fans will support an NHL team in that market.

I would take Dubi back if we could fleece Columbus into keeping some of his salary
- steponmytoe

If I were Columbus, I would keep Dubi, draft the best offensive player available with our first pick in the draft, and then a couple of piss and vinegar guys with some skill like Darnell Nurse (defender for the Sault St. Marie Grey Hounds), and Ryan Hartman (forward Plymouth Whalers) and then all of a sudden you have a really b*tch of a team to play against.

I would take Dubi back if we could fleece Columbus into keeping some of his salary
- steponmytoe

He is out indefinitely with an injury. Kid can't stay healthy lately.

Nice work Pete. For what it's worth I appreciate the efficiency of the Zen Master's description of team and individual over Kipling's Law of the Jungle. Then again I'm not a poetry guy.
- gkmkiller

Math guys! You can't get naked in the woods with hot chicks and talk about math.

Great blog Pete.

The Jackets are not moving. They'll make it work in Columbus and you'll see that the fans will support an NHL team in that market.
- gkmkiller

in know they're big on their college hockey, JD did some great things in ST. Louis, im sure he can get them on the right track

Flyers were six minutes away from beating the Penguins, until the refs decided to assist Pittsburgh's winning streak.

Flyers draw out emotion from Pens like no other team. Plus Fleury generally sucks against Philly.
- MidnightMarauder

I'm curious... Which penalty did you feel was a weak call? The tomahawk chop breaking the stick in half or the hook on the mini breakaway. Or both?

The Jackets are not moving. They'll make it work in Columbus and you'll see that the fans will support an NHL team in that market.
- gkmkiller

I have a good friend that writes for them and he says they are flat broke and can barely make payments on a month to month basis. They are a prime candidate for relocation, if they don't turn it around, in a few years.

Math guys! You can't get naked in the woods with hot chicks and talk about math.
- Pete V

No, I don't go into the woods.

You poetry guys end up in the woods with hot chicks and spend your time looking at the stars and exploring the meaning of life.

I'm curious... Which penalty did you feel was a weak call? The tomahawk chop breaking the stick in half or the hook on the mini breakaway. Or both?
- canadianpenfan

How about the cross check to Voracek's face that went uncalled?

Pens are a good team, don't get me wrong, but they always seem to get the calls when they need it.

No, I don't go into the woods.

You poetry guys end up in the woods with hot chicks and spend your time looking at the stars and exploring the meaning of life.
- gkmkiller

The meaning of life is hot chicks. The stars told me.

I have a good friend that writes for them and he says they are flat broke and can barely make payments on a month to month basis. They are a prime candidate for relocation, if they don't turn it around, in a few years.
- MidnightMarauder

That's just it, I really think they will get things turned around. There is a different feel around that team now and JD knows what needs to be done in a market like that. St. Louis was losing money as well but he got that one going in the right direction again.

btw, is Carolina aware that we're playing a short season thanks to overpaying player contracts...wait until they see his production in year 3 of that monstrosity

How about the cross check to Voracek's face that went uncalled?
Pens are a good team, don't get me wrong, but they always seem to get the calls when they need it.
- MidnightMarauder

Did you see the boarding on Dupuis at the end of regulation that went uncalled?

in know they're big on their college hockey, JD did some great things in ST. Louis, im sure he can get them on the right track
- steponmytoe

Columbus will draft better now that Keikolainen(sp?) is running the day to day but will it be too little too late before they relocate?

The meaning of life is hot chicks. The stars told me.
- Pete V

Now if the stars had told me how to get more hot chicks when it was possible I might have become a poetry guy.

The meaning of life is hot chicks. The stars told me.
- Pete V

I don't need stars to tell me that.

Did you see the boarding on Dupuis at the end of regulation that went uncalled?
- canadianpenfan

I did, just salty that the Rangers are extremely inferior to the Penguins this season.

Now if the stars had told me how to get more hot chicks when it was possible I might have become a poetry guy.
- gkmkiller

Don't worry brother, I'll let you borrow a few of mine.

Columbus will draft better now that Keikolainen(sp?) is running the day to day but will it be too little too late before they relocate?
- MidnightMarauder

I think they can hold it together long enough. Kekalainen will have a chance to build that team up with his three picks in Columbus.

Anyone know whose getting the start tonight?

I think they can hold it together long enough. Kekalainen will have a chance to build that team up with his three picks in Columbus.
- gkmkiller

Like I have mentioned. Is a move within Ohio that crazy an idea? Cleveland is a crazy sports town...