MDZ created that whole nightmare by waiting for the puck to come to him rather than getting it. It created the forecheck chance and scramble. Way too many open gaps up top by forwarding collapsing last night and too many shots 15-20 feet below the blue line.
- airjan23

DZ did set up the Boyle goal with a good rush and pass. The thing is with him you can live with his defenseive deficiencies if he does things on offense , the pp and the rush. But he just hasn't been doing it enough. Thus our frustration is legit

DZ did set up the Boyle goal with a good rush and pass. The thing is with him you can live with his defenseive deficiencies if he does things on offense , the pp and the rush. But he just hasn't been doing it enough. Thus our frustration is legit
- Slimtj100

I understand the frustration, because he can be inconsistent, but the fact remains that he was a +6 this year playing crazy minutes, and a +20 last year (finishing 12th in the Norris voting). +26 is pretty big plus number over a basically 1 1/2 of play. He is talked about around here as if he is a -40. And his +/- number is even more impressive on a team that has had its issues scoring in the last two years.

With MDZ, I feel like his good play is never recognized, and that his bad play is blown out of proportion.

Hence, I think he is the mordern day James Patrick.

If the Caps continue to own the Nuetral zone and enter our zone with ease things won't be easier, they are playing with fire, last night could have easily gone the other way, the Caps won every battle and had carbon copy shifts for much of the game 5 on 5 plus don't expect them to take a high number of penalties again, Rangers have to keep throwing the body and pick up their heads before they pass
- cranford93

The Caps were all about puck posession. They played a similar game to what the Isles have been trying to do. Avoid chipping it in, pass back into your own zone if you have too and forecheck.

I understand the frustration, because he can be inconsistent, but the fact remains that he was a +6 this year playing crazy minutes, and a +20 last year (finishing 12th in the Norris voting). +26 is pretty big plus number over a basically 1 1/2 of play. He is talked about around here as if he is a -40. And his +/- number is even more impressive on a team that has had its issues scoring in the last two years.

With MDZ, I feel like his good play is never recognized, and that his bad play is blown out of proportion.

Hence, I think he is the mordern day James Patrick.
- Pete V

I also understand the frustration at times but I also think he gets blamed too much as well. The kid is a good player and is only 22 or so I think. Not many 22 year old blue liners have the experience he has going forward or his skill set.

I understand the frustration, because he can be inconsistent, but the fact remains that he was a +6 this year playing crazy minutes, and a +20 last year (finishing 12th in the Norris voting). +26 is pretty big plus number over a basically 1 1/2 of play. He is talked about around here as if he is a -40. And his +/- number is even more impressive on a team that has had its issues scoring in the last two years.

With MDZ, I feel like his good play is never recognized, and that his bad play is blown out of proportion.

Hence, I think he is the mordern day James Patrick.
- Pete V

Pete I am with you on this. I wouldn't move MDZ, the kid is 22 years old. Just because John Moore has played great doesn't automatically mean that MDZ is expendable. I think it's silly to just come to that conclusion because for all you know John Moore could have a down season next year and we would all be b!tching and moaning about MDZ being moved. Nobody was saying anything bad about DZ last year. The kid is a veteran at 22 years old. Enough of let's trade him bullshyt.

Pete I am with you on this. I wouldn't move MDZ, the kid is 22 years old. Just because John Moore has played great doesn't automatically mean that MDZ is expendable. I think it's silly to just come to that conclusion because for all you know John Moore could have a down season next year and we would all be b!tching and moaning about MDZ being moved. Nobody was saying anything bad about DZ last year. The kid is a veteran at 22 years old. Enough of let's trade him bullshyt.
- adwolf130

John Moore is a bit of the flavor of the month, and I admit to being really impressed with the kid. But, here is the way I see it -- when you are playing 10-15 minutes a night as 5 defensemen, that is a lot less physically and mentally taxing, as playing MDZ's minutes (which were absurd for a few weeks). If John Moore were playing 20-24 minutes a night against the oppositions' top players, the quality of his play would take a hit as well. Lately, MDZ's minutes are dropping, and Moore's are increasing, which is a good thing.

We can't forget that Moore was a healthy scratch for much of the season with the Jackets, and has pretty bad +/- numbers over the last couple of years. That is normal for young defensemen, but I just don't get why MDZ is not held to the same standard.

Of course, I would prefer that he's more consistent and he has some brutal games, but at $2.5 million he is a steal for what he brings, IMO.

John Moore's stats this year are pretty crazy:

In 17 games with the Jackets, he had 0 goals, 1 assist and was a minus 5.

In 13 games with the Rangers, he had 1 goal, 6 assists and was a plus 9.

Think that trade did John Moore some good?

No Nash or Powe, Rangers are saying maintenance day for Nash, his leg is probably sore b/c of his collision at the end of the 2nd. Clowe a full participant.

John Moore's stats this year are pretty crazy:

In 17 games with the Jackets, he had 0 goals, 1 assist and was a minus 5.

In 13 games with the Rangers, he had 1 goal, 6 assists and was a plus 9.

Think that trade did John Moore some good?
- Pete V

Imagine if Torts taught offense??

John Moore's stats this year are pretty crazy:

In 17 games with the Jackets, he had 0 goals, 1 assist and was a minus 5.

In 13 games with the Rangers, he had 1 goal, 6 assists and was a plus 9.

Think that trade did John Moore some good?
- Pete V

Brassard passes like Gretzky too

In all seriousness, the early returns on that trade are a heaping pile of fantastic

Brassard passes like Gretzky too

In all seriousness, the early returns on that trade are a heaping pile of fantastic
- Slimtj100

That pass to Asham was as good as you'll see in the league, while knowing he was about to get smacked...

Brassard passes like Gretzky too
- Slimtj100

The Gaborik trade will be a real test to the theory of whether a change of scenery can do a player good.

Brassard was a career 45 point player, that was generally viewed as a disappointment given his draft position.

Moore is young, but it just wasn't clicking on Columbus.

Gaborik was having a terrible year, after finishing 3rd on the league on goals the year prior.

Can Brassard become Mark Savard like -- i.e., a late developer?

Can Moore turn into a Top 4 defender?

Will Gaborik continue his pattern of having a great year every other year?

It's going to be interesting to see how this trade is evaluated in a couple of years -- but if Gaborik doesn't re-sign with the Jackets next summer, it's hard to see them winning the deal.

No Nash or Powe, Rangers are saying maintenance day for Nash, his leg is probably sore b/c of his collision at the end of the 2nd. Clowe a full participant.
- Blueshirts4ever

Powe didn't look good wobbling around. And aren't they supposed to blow the whistle if a player is in la la land? I may be thinking of a goalie losing his mask but wondering if the same applies with a head injury

It's going to be interesting to see how this trade is evaluated in a couple of years -- but if Gaborik doesn't re-sign with the Jackets next summer, it's hard to see them winning the deal.
- Pete V

I had heard that Kekalainen the GM for Columbus was going to be looking into extending him this year so he doesn't have the chance to leave.

Powe didn't look good wobbling around. And aren't they supposed to blow the whistle if a player is in la la land? I may be thinking of a goalie losing his mask but wondering if the same applies with a head injury
- Slimtj100

I think it's a situational thing. If the ref thinks it's a serious enough injury, they can blow the whistle. With Powe, he wasn't noticeably injured. Sure he was wobbly, but he was still skating under his own power. I always remember Sami Kapanen get destroyed (by Domi?) in the playoffs for the Flyers. He had no idea where he was and fell down several times trying to get to the bench. He was clearly injured, but no whistle. Granted, that was before all the focus on concussions, but still.

MDZ created that whole nightmare by waiting for the puck to come to him rather than getting it. It created the forecheck chance and scramble. Way too many open gaps up top by forwarding collapsing last night and too many shots 15-20 feet below the blue line.
- airjan23

I see players doing this more and more often lately. They either wait for the puck as a forechecker approaches, or in a foot race, rather than beat the guy clean to the puck, they'll initiate contact with the forechecker. I know if you're gonna get hit anyway you may as well initiate, but there have been times this season where one of our guys is 5-10 feet ahead of the opposition, and rather than take advantage of the space, they'll slow down to get to the puck at the same time as the opposing player to create a board battle. I don't understand that mindset.

I think it's a situational thing. If the ref thinks it's a serious enough injury, they can blow the whistle. With Powe, he wasn't noticeably injured. Sure he was wobbly, but he was still skating under his own power. I always remember Sami Kapanen get destroyed (by Domi?) in the playoffs for the Flyers. He had no idea where he was and fell down several times trying to get to the bench. He was clearly injured, but no whistle. Granted, that was before all the focus on concussions, but still.
- gravey914

Pretty sure that was Darcy Tucker that hit him, Dee-Stroyed is the word!

That pass to Asham was as good as you'll see in the league, while knowing he was about to get smacked...
- Blueshirts4ever

Brassard has really impressed me since becoming a Ranger. Great hands. I like the comparison with Savard, hopefully so, except for the part where he gets his career ended by Matt Cooke.

Brassard has really impressed me since becoming a Ranger. Great hands. I like the comparison with Savard, hopefully so, except for the part where he gets his career ended by Matt Cooke.
- B2B76

I'll sign for that right now...the Savard part, not the Cooke part...

I'll sign for that right now...the Savard part, not the Cooke part...
- Blueshirts4ever

I was watching some of the Gretzky final game & you see Savard a lot in those shots, you almost forget the Rangers had him for a few seasons. Other teams gave up on him too. He really was a late bloomer. Such a shame he still had some good years left in him when Cooke did what he did.

I was watching some of the Gretzky final game & you see Savard a lot in those shots, you almost forget the Rangers had him for a few seasons. Other teams gave up on him too. He really was a late bloomer. Such a shane he still had sone good years left in him when Cooke did what he did.
- B2B76

People are so fast to forgive Cooke and all that crap. Thats what gets lost is a young talented player lost his ability to make a living playing a kids game while that dog is still getting paid...its disgusting.

I think it's a situational thing. If the ref thinks it's a serious enough injury, they can blow the whistle. With Powe, he wasn't noticeably injured. Sure he was wobbly, but he was still skating under his own power. I always remember Sami Kapanen get destroyed (by Domi?) in the playoffs for the Flyers. He had no idea where he was and fell down several times trying to get to the bench. He was clearly injured, but no whistle. Granted, that was before all the focus on concussions, but still.
- gravey914

I think if they are in harm's way (in the line of fire) or appear to be in a life-threatening situation (motionless or bleeding profusely), they'll stop play. Certainly discretion of the officials.

I'll sign for that right now...the Savard part, not the Cooke part...
- Blueshirts4ever

(frank) Matt Cooke.

The only highlight Matt Cooke was ever in was when Evander Kane folded him up a few years ago. I could watch that over and over.

(frank) Matt Cooke.

The only highlight Matt Cooke was ever in was when Evander Kane folded him up a few years ago. I could watch that over and over.
- TrueBlue9182

Loved that. Didn't a poster here have that as they're avatar for a while?

Loved that. Didn't a poster here have that as they're avatar for a while?
- B2B76

Yeah i think so

Makes me wanna change mine, ever since i made it Kreider, hes fallin off the depth chart.