The Staal for Skinner question would only come into play if the Rangers take his temperature, and aren't getting the warm and fuzzies about him coming not wanting to join his brothers as a UFA in two years.

Personally, I would want Skinner plus for Staal. But, there are many on that blog that feel it should be Staal plus for Skinner. I would rather have the shut-down D than the skiller smaller forward in a deal, but that's just me. Not bad value for the Rangers, however, if they have to move Staal.

Edit: Staal and Kreider for Skinner and Ryan Murphy?
- Pete V

I agree...Staal is worth more than just Skinner. I'd trade him to another team for a better return. If he wants to go to Carolina fine, but the Rangers owe themselves first.

Maybe it's just me, but I think Staal is severely underrated.

While Girardi? Severely overrated.
- Blackstrom2

He hasnt been as good this year but he really shuts players down. Few lapses this year for sure. I agree Staal is underrated. I think Richards before the slump was overrated too. When he was in Dallas I said I think hes the most overrated player in the NHL. We get him and then last year peopel thought he did ok and good in the spring. I still was pretty lukewarmand though his 2012 part of the season was overrated as I think all people want to and do remember of Richards last year i the goal with 6 seconds left....

His presence. It will change the overall complexion of the game. Not have other guys fill those minutes. They get tired quicker. Etc Small things...little nuances.

I just think Staal is one of the best d-men in the league, there's only a few I'd take over him....
- Blackstrom2

I agree he's extremely good but when your team scores 1 goal in 2 games in the playoffs I am looking at the offense to tilt things in my direction not defense.

Staal generally shuts down Ovi better than most even strength.

You know, GMGM was going to draft him, but you guys took him and left us with Sasha Pokuluk..oof. He was a little mad about it, if I remember correctly.
- Blackstrom2

You win some and you lose some in the draft, and the Caps have won more than they lost. Watch for Tom Wilson. He's a bit of a dummy right now, in that he takes bad penalties, but he is a whole heaping load of piss and vinegar -- Milan Lucic like.

Maybe it's just me, but I think Staal is severely underrated.

While Girardi? Severely overrated.
- Blackstrom2

If you're looking for Girardi to be Erik Karlsson, thats not happening, Girardi is a heart and soul guy. He is good at making first passes and is very intelligent. I think he is underrated and what he'd get on the open market might surprise you.

I agree...Staal is worth more than just Skinner. I'd trade him to another team for a better return. If he wants to go to Carolina fine, but the Rangers owe themselves first.
- Blueshirts4ever

No other team would give you more, however, because they would have the same worries about him jumping to Carolina. They would probably get their best deal from the Canes.

Its interesting.. Funny cause forgetting stats Skinner from 11-12 Im like hell yea! But he seems to be a bit of a little female dog now and that really turned me off. Same with that contract.

I only do that trade if Richards is imemdiately bought out making it clear cut Step-Skinner-Miller Down the middle. If you do not intend to do that it doesnt make much sense IMO.

My friend indirectly said what the blogger is saying when after the game I said I hope we get Staal back. And he's like why? How would he of helped us win this game? Which is true if we are only looking playoffs.

Ad for your coach comment I have always been on the fence.. but if they show the same pop-gun offense next 2-3 games he just has to go. Watching other teams they just play a faster, better style. And this isnt the NY Jets and Rex Ryan exactly. Its as if Rex Ryan ran his system with the Packers roster. Fire "Rex" change the system but no need to change the roster to fit a better system. It is already in place...

Plus, with the Dmen and Goalie we have we dont need this strict Defensive system. We have the defensive talent. Just let their talent shine and not lean on the system and this would help the forwards too...

Sorry for the rant, just fustrated.
- mrhattrick27

Agreed on the system needing a change. I am not a fan at all of the collapsing D with the offense doing the same. Sure, you may block a shot or two, but do we really want Nash, Calalhan, Stepan, etc. to get in the way of an 80-mph+ slapper? If you don't fully block the shot, you screen your own goalie and risk deflecting the shot, too. Plus, this type of defensive system gives too much room for opponent point-men...

...and forget about fast-man breaks. Your own players are in their zone's faceoff circles when evern they get the puck. Remember the Gretzly-days (Oilers, Kings, et all) when he'd dangle near the blue line when the point-men didn't have the puck? I wonder how many points he'd produce in Torts system, even if he was in his prime

If you're looking for Girardi to be Erik Karlsson, thats not happening, Girardi is a heart and soul guy. He is good at making first passes and is very intelligent. I think he is underrated and what he'd get on the open market might surprise you.
- Blueshirts4ever

It's just what i've always felt about the two. When Girardi was getting all those accolades two years ago, I wasn't buying it. Staal, McDonaugh, and to an extent MDZ are your key three back there, in my opinion.

You guys certainly watch them more than I do though, and Girardi's mistakes will be amplified because of his style, as opposed to the others.

What do you guys think about the scenario posed by the Canes blogger?
- Pete V

Two guys who are unknowns because of injuries, If there is a chance Staal never regains full vision then I'd say yes

No other team would give you more, however, because they would have the same worries about him jumping to Carolina. They would probably get their best deal from the Canes.
- Pete V

Perhaps, but we have seen crazier things happen although you can do a lot worse than Skinner thats for sure

Maybe it's just me, but I think Staal is severely underrated.

While Girardi? Severely overrated.
- Blackstrom2

Girardi is my favorite player on the team, because he's just a warrior. Plays 25-30 minutes a night, blocks shots, never complains, et. I always thought he was underrated, because you rarely hear anything about him, but maybe I'm wrong. I guess whether you are underrated or overrated is relative.

Agreed on the system needing a change. I am not a fan at all of the collapsing D with the offense doing the same. Sure, you may block a shot or two, but do we really want Nash, Calalhan, Stepan, etc. to get in the way of an 80-mph+ slapper? If you don't fully block the shot, you screen your own goalie and risk deflecting the shot, too. Plus, this type of defensive system gives too much room for opponent point-men...

...and forget about fast-man breaks. Your own players are in their zone's faceoff circles when evern they get the puck. Remember the Gretzly-days (Oilers, Kings, et all) when he'd dangle near the blue line when the point-men didn't have the puck? I wonder how many points he'd produce in Torts system, even if he was in his prime
- mames11

I'm ok with shot blocking but not collapsing. I don't think these two ideas need to go hand in hand. You can have an aggressive, attacking team, that will have their D and forwards block shots if they are in a position to. If I was a coach I'd preach abotu blocking shots too.

I'm ok with shot blocking but not collapsing. I don't think these two ideas need to go hand in hand. You can have an aggressive, attacking team, that will have their D and forwards block shots if they are in a position to. If I was a coach I'd preach abotu blocking shots too.
- mrhattrick27

Above all else, how much time this team spends without the puck in their defensive zone drives me nuts. I can't stand not having puck possession, and letting the other team dictate. The one thing I liked about the Jagr - Nylander days was they had the puck more. And, at least last year, when the played dump and chase hockey, they were winning pucks in the offensive zone and establishing possession. It's just not there this year.

I'm ok with shot blocking but not collapsing. I don't think these two ideas need to go hand in hand. You can have an aggressive, attacking team, that will have their D and forwards block shots if they are in a position to. If I was a coach I'd preach abotu blocking shots too.
- mrhattrick27

I'll go back to an earlier point, given how Richards performed, do the Rangers really have the personnel to play more uptempo?

What do you guys think about the scenario posed by the Canes blogger?
- Pete V

Considering the unknown with staals eye, I don't see how we don't wanna do that.
He's a FA in 2 seasons and that scares me. We need offense. I'd explore it.

Above all else, how much time this team spends without the puck in their defensive zone drives me nuts. I can't stand not having puck possession, and letting the other team dictate. The one thing I liked about the Jagr - Nylander days was they had the puck more. And, at least last year, when the played dump and chase hockey, they were winning pucks in the offensive zone and establishing possession. It's just not there this year.
- Pete V

The club did a poor job of replacing the "middle of the lineup" grinders that they had to let go or chose to let go depending on how you view it. Its been disjointed to say the least...

Considering the unknown with staals eye, I don't see how we don't wanna do that.
He's a FA in 2 seasons and that scares me. We need offense. I'd explore it.
- jambodelta99

If Staal makes it clear he doesn't want to sign long term, he will know enough to tell the team so they get something back for him.

I'll go back to an earlier point, given how Richards performed, do the Rangers really have the personnel to play more uptempo?
- Blueshirts4ever

Absolutely. Hags, Step, Cally, Brassard, Dorestt, Nash, Krieder, JT Miller, MZA, D-Men MDZ, McD, Miller.

I'll go back to an earlier point, given how Richards performed, do the Rangers really have the personnel to play more uptempo?
- Blueshirts4ever

The Rangers had a better dump and chase team last year, so if we don't have the personnel now, why did the Rangers do anything at all?

And, I do think possessing the puck is different than playing up tempo. Take your good stick handlers and have them carry the puck more, rather than trying to win board battles all the time.

You are soccer coach, you ever play a clear superior team, and try to keep the game 0-0 and maybe win on an opportunistic goal, because your team doesn't have the talent to play with the other team. Collapsing down low and trying to keep the puck out of your end. That is how the Rangers have played this year, and drives me nuts. Does this team really need to play that way?

I'll go back to an earlier point, given how Richards performed, do the Rangers really have the personnel to play more uptempo?
- Blueshirts4ever

With very slight changes, yes... Cally, Step, Nash, Hags, Kreider, Brassard, Zuccs, Miller would all fit fine to a different system.

Asham and Boyle fit as 4th liners on Chicago or Pitt too so who cares about that aspect... And that right there is 10 players. Leave room for 1 new player that fits the style you want to play and 1 for a rookie and there you go. Done.

The Rangers had a better dump and chase team last year, so if we don't have the personnel now, why did the Rangers do anything at all?

And, I do think possessing the puck is different than playing up tempo. Take your good stick handlers and have them carry the puck more, rather than trying to win board battles all the time.

You are soccer coach, you ever play a clear superior team, and try to keep the game 0-0 and maybe win on an opportunistic goal, because your team doesn't have the talent to play with the other team. Collapsing down low and trying to keep the puck out of your end. That is how the Rangers have played this year, and drives me nuts. Does this team really need to play that way?
- Pete V

Exactly. Whose the best coach in the league? Mike Babcock. See Babcock Ducks vs. Babcock Redwings. Totally changed his style to fit his team.

Absolutely. Hags, Step, Cally, Brassard, Dorestt, Nash, Krieder, JT Miller, MZA, D-Men MDZ, McD, Miller.


- mames11

Other than Nash, who on that list scares the daylights out of you? I will give you Stepan. Callahan is a grinder, Brassard is a good passer and valuable on the PP as is MZA. Dorsett is a grinder more than a skater. Kreider and Miller are still unknowns. Don't forget now, you still have to coach these guys to be respnsible in their own end (you can't go pond hockey, Pittsburgh is headed that way again and it could end up ugly again) and you will have to live with more odd man rushes against...so my original question, other than Nash and Stepan who keeps coaches up at night....I notice you forgot Richards, so I'm assuming he is bought out or has he been so absent that why even bother including him...

Just playing devils advocate...

Looking at Tortorella's comments today and his stubbornness to questions about offense and his response of how a "big" play can come from a blocked shot or defensive play are such an indictment on his coaching style and inability to figure it out.

Other than Nash, who on that list scares the daylights out of you? I will give you Stepan. Callahan is a grinder, Brassard is a good passer and valuable on the PP as is MZA. Dorsett is a grinder more than a skater. Kreider and Miller are still unknowns. Don't forget now, you still have to coach these guys to be respnsible in their own end (you can't go pond hockey, Pittsburgh is headed that way again and it could end up ugly again) and you will have to live with more odd man rushes against...so my original question, other than Nash and Stepan who keeps coaches up at night....I notice you forgot Richards, so I'm assuming he is bought out or has he been so absent that why even bother including him...

Just playing devils advocate...
- Blueshirts4ever

It's not about beign scary offensively. It's about goes that fit that system. And those guys do fit even if they arent First liners. They certainly fit a puck posession, up tempo style more than this one and will all do better. Richards can be bought out and you bring in a good second line center and a nice scoring depth winger with the money. If your offense game improves so Cally is a 30 goal scorer again. Step NAsh and Cally are good weapons. Brassard, Hags and MZA make for a really nice 3rd scoring line. And maybe you can actually have a balanced attack.

Other than Nash, who on that list scares the daylights out of you? I will give you Stepan. Callahan is a grinder, Brassard is a good passer and valuable on the PP as is MZA. Dorsett is a grinder more than a skater. Kreider and Miller are still unknowns. Don't forget now, you still have to coach these guys to be respnsible in their own end (you can't go pond hockey, Pittsburgh is headed that way again and it could end up ugly again) and you will have to live with more odd man rushes against...so my original question, other than Nash and Stepan who keeps coaches up at night....I notice you forgot Richards, so I'm assuming he is bought out or has he been so absent that why even bother including him...

Just playing devils advocate...
- Blueshirts4ever

You are right to an extent. And while I have come to not mind the trade as much as I obviously did at the deadline (not one of my prouder moments), the Gaborik deal has made the team less explosive.

With that said, why does it have to be a one system hockey team? Have your skilled guys carry the puck (i.e., Nash, Richards, Stepan, Brassard, et.), and have your good skating forecheckers bang (i.e., Hagelin, Callahan, et.). Have guys do what they are good at. The second line doesn't have to play like the 1st line does.