I'm kind of torn with this Staal for Skinner talk. The Rangers could certainly use the offense but I think I would rather have Staal. Now, if the Rangers go to Staal in the offseason and say hey we would like to lock you up sooner rather than later is that something you're interested in? And he says no. You seriously have to consider trading him because if he's not going to stay here I have little doubt on where he'll end up. I do think it would have to be more than Skinner though coming back.

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.
- Pete V

you're saying changing the style as the situation dictates....no reason why they can't do that. Going to your soccer question, we do that all of the time. Situational subs, formation changes, etc. I can't say I disagree with allowing certain players to "cheat" while others "stay" home. You know Dale Hunter did that with the Caps by playing OV less late in games when ahead and he is being criticized in DC now after being hailed last season. You can't win!

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.
- cranford93

Oh John.

From the Sens thread.

I'm kind of torn with this Staal for Skinner talk. The Rangers could certainly use the offense but I think I would rather have Staal. Now, if the Rangers go to Staal in the offseason and say hey we would like to lock you up sooner rather than later is that something you're interested in? And he says no. You seriously have to consider trading him because if he's not going to stay here I have little doubt on where he'll end up. I do think it would have to be more than Skinner though coming back.
- pcjr307

Skinner and Ryan Murphy, and the Rangers can thrown in a forward prospect with Staal.

Skinner and Ryan Murphy, and the Rangers can thrown in a forward prospect with Staal.
- Pete V

Done.sign.pack

Done.sign.pack
- cranford93

Who is the forward prospect?

To extend Petes point about why does the team have to employ one style, aren't the Caps doing that now? They play very uptempo, two fantastic playmakers, one all world scorer, combination of slick wingers (Johanssen and Erat)) and bangers (Brouwer, Chimera, etc) and defensively, it seems to me like they get into passing/shooting lanes and have a good goaltender. They are good in transition whether from a blocked shot or a breakout.

The PP though is their biggest weapon. It always comes back to this doesn't it, if the PP performed they way the Rangers need it to, its a different conversation

Who is the forward prospect?
- Pete V

We all know who you would throw in

To extend Petes point about why does the team have to employ one style, aren't the Caps doing that now? They play very uptempo, two fantastic playmakers, one all world scorer, combination of slick wingers (Johanssen and Erat)) and bangers (Brouwer, Chimera, etc) and defensively, it seems to me like they get into passing/shooting lanes and have a good goaltender. They are good in transition whether from a blocked shot or a breakout.

The PP though is their biggest weapon. It always comes back to this doesn't it, if the PP performed they way the Rangers need it to, its a different conversation
- Blueshirts4ever

One word. Balance.

Who is the forward prospect?
- Pete V

Steven Rice

We all know who you would throw in
- mrhattrick27

Ryan Murphy shoots righty as well, so you put him and Del Zotto on the PP points and make the thing work. I will admit, however, that Murphy is the type of guy that could be an absolute steal in that he has highend offensive ability, or he could be a bust-out (i.e., like Bobby Spaghetti).

Steven Rice
- B2B76

Peter Ferraro.

Peter Ferraro.
- Pete V

The pride of Sound Beach, all 4 ft 8 inches of him.

The pride of Sound Beach, all 4 ft 8 inches of him.
- B2B76

When you look at the Rangers first round draft picks from 1987 through 2004, its just sad. Not surprising at all how they went through the decade of futility they did. Did they even have scouts back then?

When you look at the Rangers first round draft picks from 1987 through 2004, its just sad. Not surprising at all how they went through the decade of futility they did. Did they even have scouts back then?
- Pete V

Who is the forward prospect?
- Pete V

I would include Thomas or St. Croix although I really want to see this kid as a pro

Ryan Murphy shoots righty as well, so you put him and Del Zotto on the PP points and make the thing work. I will admit, however, that Murphy is the type of guy that could be an absolute steal in that he has highend offensive ability, or he could be a bust-out (i.e., like Bobby Spaghetti).
- Pete V

He reminds me a lot of Dan Boyle

He reminds me a lot of Dan Boyle
- cranford93

And the best part is, we can stop listening to Jimbo complain about the lack of a right handed shot on the PP. Just kidding, Jimmy, your absolutely right about that.

Skinner and Ryan Murphy, and the Rangers can thrown in a forward prospect with Staal.
- Pete V

Done, would love to see that tomorrow, if it were possible.

Who is the forward prospect?
- Pete V

Name him, it doesn't matter. Skinner is barely old enough to drink, younger than Kreider, Fast and Lindberg. If this is anyway viable, they have to pull the trigger on that one.

Name him, it doesn't matter. Skinner is barely old enough to drink, younger than Kreider, Fast and Lindberg. If this is anyway viable, they have to pull the trigger on that one.
- MidnightMarauder

I actually think such a deal is very viable, because you know the Canes are just itching to make it happen.

Edit: Are the Canes in our division or the other Eastern division?

I actually think such a deal is very viable, because you know the Canes are just itching to make it happen.

Edit: Are the Canes in our division or the other Eastern division?
- Pete V

They will be in the same division as the Rangers. Man, if a Skinner plus for Staal plus deal goes down, that would be tremendous. Skinner has so much talent and plays with an edge to boot. Problem is if you-know-who is still behind the bench and refuses to open up the offense, anything less than acquiring Sidney Crosby wouldn't change this lackluster attack the Rangers claim.

Regardless, that would be a great trade for both teams, without question.

They will be in the same division as the Rangers. Man, if a Skinner plus for Staal plus deal goes down, that would be tremendous. Skinner has so much talent and plays with an edge to boot. Problem is if you-know-who is still behind the bench and refuses to open up the offense, anything less than acquiring Sidney Crosby wouldn't change this lackluster attack the Rangers claim.

Regardless, that would be a great trade for both teams, without question.
- MidnightMarauder

Let's say Skinner and Staal is an even up deal (or close to it).

Who would win Murphy for Kreider straight-up? High ceilings and low floors for both of those guys, at least in the minds of many.

The pride of Sound Beach, all 4 ft 8 inches of him.
- B2B76

Me and jimmy actully grew up in that area. Apparently when I was a baby I went to the ferraros house naked as a jay bird and took a dump on their stoop