The fear is that the Rangers are returning basically the same team as last year, so how can they be much better? But, the one thing we aren't taking into account is that the Rangers have more emerging players then they have declining players, so you can get better just by your own guys going through a natural progression -- almost like a senior laden team in college sports. I am real optimistic about this year, and I realize that that puts me in a huge minority.
- Pete V

I am optimistic about this upcoming year, but I fear for the future a bit with Richards contract on the books. I guess I have to learn to just live in the present.

I am optimistic about this upcoming year, but I fear for the future a bit with Richards contract on the books. I guess I have to learn to just live in the present.
- TPC

Rangers will be average next season if they dont address some looming issues. Not tough enough, not skilled enough, not fast enough to compete with real teams. Sure Richards will have a bounce back season, and stepan will continue to do good things if he stays, but when it comes down to it, they will still have the same old scoring problems if they don't have a couple of big guys willing to go to the net and wreak havoc. Now that Richards is staying, other teams will see this as an opportunity to throw offer sheets at mac and stepan. Theres a strong chance the rangers may lose one of them. We have to accept that. We also have to accept that this team is not that good. Clowe most likely will not return either. AV was a good choice but he is no magician. It's foolish to think that this team is a contender with such little depth. However, there is always hope that darth sather can work some black magic and find a way to make room for some changes. If not, we will see this team continue to be a 1st or 2nd round team at best and an annual hater magnet.

Rangers will be average next season if they dont address some looming issues. Not tough enough, not skilled enough, not fast enough to compete with real teams. Sure Richards will have a bounce back season, and stepan will continue to do good things if he stays, but when it comes down to it, they will still have the same old scoring problems if they don't have a couple of big guys willing to go to the net and wreak havoc. Now that Richards is staying, other teams will see this as an opportunity to throw offer sheets at mac and stepan. Theres a strong chance the rangers may lose one of them. We have to accept that. We also have to accept that this team is not that good. Clowe most likely will not return either. AV was a good choice but he is no magician. It's foolish to think that this team is a contender with such little depth. However, there is always hope that darth sather can work some black magic and find a way to make room for some changes. If not, we will see this team continue to be a 1st or 2nd round team at best and an annual hater magnet.
- Nomad91

As much as I hate to say it on June 29th, I agree with your assessment right down to the

Rangers will be average next season if they dont address some looming issues. Not tough enough, not skilled enough, not fast enough to compete with real teams. Sure Richards will have a bounce back season, and stepan will continue to do good things if he stays, but when it comes down to it, they will still have the same old scoring problems if they don't have a couple of big guys willing to go to the net and wreak havoc. Now that Richards is staying, other teams will see this as an opportunity to throw offer sheets at mac and stepan. Theres a strong chance the rangers may lose one of them. We have to accept that. We also have to accept that this team is not that good. Clowe most likely will not return either. AV was a good choice but he is no magician. It's foolish to think that this team is a contender with such little depth. However, there is always hope that darth sather can work some black magic and find a way to make room for some changes. If not, we will see this team continue to be a 1st or 2nd round team at best and an annual hater magnet.
- Nomad91

Like Pete says, that could all change if the youth like Krieder, Miller, Moore, Del Zotto etc all take major strides up this year. Rangers need to hope for that.

As much as I hate to say it on June 29th, I agree with your assessment right down to the
- OLDSCHOOL#6

i hope im wrong. but after many years of being a rangers fan, i can only assume what can go wrong will go wrong with this team. There's a reason why nobody takes the rangers seriously.

i hope im wrong. but after many years of being a rangers fan, i can only assume what can go wrong will go wrong with this team. There's a reason why nobody takes the rangers seriously.
- Nomad91

The Rangers are a year removed from being two games away from the Cup final. Last year they won a playoff round and played the Bruins a hell of alot tougher than the Pens did. They've made the playoffs every year save one since the first lockout. To say that nobody takes then seriously is just hating.

i hope im wrong. but after many years of being a rangers fan, i can only assume what can go wrong will go wrong with this team. There's a reason why nobody takes the rangers seriously.
- Nomad91

I've talked with two people with good knowledge of the team, they are mystified by the Richards move. Not so much because of who he is, but that his buying out was not only sound business sense but provided the club with the money necessary to help the team in areas that they are dire need for and to make the team more of a contender. People are just shaking their heads in disbelief.

Rangers will be average next season if they dont address some looming issues. Not tough enough, not skilled enough, not fast enough to compete with real teams. Sure Richards will have a bounce back season, and stepan will continue to do good things if he stays, but when it comes down to it, they will still have the same old scoring problems if they don't have a couple of big guys willing to go to the net and wreak havoc. Now that Richards is staying, other teams will see this as an opportunity to throw offer sheets at mac and stepan. Theres a strong chance the rangers may lose one of them. We have to accept that. We also have to accept that this team is not that good. Clowe most likely will not return either. AV was a good choice but he is no magician. It's foolish to think that this team is a contender with such little depth. However, there is always hope that darth sather can work some black magic and find a way to make room for some changes. If not, we will see this team continue to be a 1st or 2nd round team at best and an annual hater magnet.
- Nomad91

If Sather takes McDonagh to arbitration, no one can offer sheet him. Stepan is the one I worry about.

I think theres potential here... we might be under rating these guys just a bit. Given enough time to tinker with the lines, I think we have enough potential to fly under the radar a bit.

My line by line analysis.

1st line - needs a legitimate LW who can take pressure off of Nash. It doesnt need to be a Bickell and it doesnt need to be a Kane (either Kane), just needs to be someone that opposing defenses need to respect. Unfortunately, although MZA does have some skills and this is the only line where I think he would contribute, opposing teams will not fear him and will not give him respect, they will play him aggressive and take away what little space he takes up on the ice.

2nd line - This line will fringe on the center position. Whether its Richards or Brassard... I think it will be Richards... to help Kreider, and for Kreider to be the main guy on this line. Kreider needs to score 25 atleast for this line to be a factor. Im not worried about Cally, he will be the space creator and goalie nuisance for this line.

3rd line - The line we love to hate. We have a face off guy... and thats it. If Clowe doesnt resign... ideally I would like to see Hagelin and Miller on the wings. Is it a physical line? Nope, but theyre young and fast as hell. How do you counter a physical line on the ice? Put a speed line out there, make those gorillas work to try to hit your guys. If you can out skate them, they cant hit you - as long as you keep your head up.

4th line - I dont mind Dorsett and I dont mind Boyle (as long as Boyle stays on the 4th line and PK). I like Asham and Id like him as a healthy scratch, throw in player, but he will attract interest from teams. Pyatt's salary needs to go, Powe... dont hate him. However, Id like to see Kyle Jean here, his a big boy, hes not afraid to hit someone and not afraid to rip a shot at the net.

In the end...

LW (vacant), Stepan, Nash
Kreider, Richards, Callahan
Hagelin, Brassard, Miller
Jean, Boyle, Dorsett

Physical? No. However, aside from Richards and Stepan not being the fastest guys on the planet... everyone else on that top 9 are really good, hard skaters.

/journalistichockeycrap

The Rangers are a year removed from being two games away from the Cup final. Last year they won a playoff round and played the Bruins a hell of alot tougher than the Pens did. They've made the playoffs every year save one since the first lockout. To say that nobody takes then seriously is just hating.
- Pete V

people take hank seriously. thats about it. They are a stepping stone team that builds other teams' confidence levels up. Im not hating. I love the rangers. But they are not deep in any department. Its the hard truth. They need a team that could still make the playoffs without hank. Yes hank is the key to winning a cup, but they really need to add some depth or they will have the same old result with slightly better but not yet adequate offense.

I've talked with two people with good knowledge of the team, they are mystified by the Richards move. Not so much because of who he is, but that his buying out was not only sound business sense but provided the club with the money necessary to help the team in areas that they are dire need for and to make the team more of a contender. People are just shaking their heads in disbelief.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

If the salary cap goes up by @ $4 million next year, that gives us plenty of room to not only resign our own guys but to make an addition or two.

people take hank seriously. thats about it. They are a stepping stone team that builds other teams' confidence levels up. Im not hating. I love the rangers. But they are not deep in any department. Its the hard truth. They need a team that could still make the playoffs without hank. Yes hank is the key to winning a cup, but they really need to add some depth or they will have the same old result with slightly better but not yet adequate offense.
- Nomad91

They have the depth, they just need to use it this year... Fast, Lindberg and Miller.

Like Pete says, that could all change if the youth like Krieder, Miller, Moore, Del Zotto etc all take major strides up this year. Rangers need to hope for that.
- TPC

this. every year we have a rookie step up and surprise us and become key parts to this team whether it be mcdonagh, hagelin, or stepan in recent years. if kreider and miller do well, we finally have a full season from staal, and maybe someone like lindberg or fast surprise us, then this roster, with lundqvist, can and will be a sleeper contender.

i honestly wouldn't be surprised if the rangers were just average or really good. i think they're capable of both.

when i look back at the previous season, it seems like nothing really went our way whether it be injuries or slumps or bounces or anything really. if we can get things rolling, like we did the previous year, we can do damage.

They have the depth, they just need to use it this year... Fast, Lindberg and Miller.
- aecliptic

those are all kids and rookies though. they're nothing compared to a veteran dubinsky, anisimov, prust, feds, etc.

they will be great depth players in the future...but that's still 3-4 years away imo.

If Sather takes McDonagh to arbitration, no one can offer sheet him. Stepan is the one I worry about.

I think theres potential here... we might be under rating these guys just a bit. Given enough time to tinker with the lines, I think we have enough potential to fly under the radar a bit.

My line by line analysis.

1st line - needs a legitimate LW who can take pressure off of Nash. It doesnt need to be a Bickell and it doesnt need to be a Kane (either Kane), just needs to be someone that opposing defenses need to respect. Unfortunately, although MZA does have some skills and this is the only line where I think he would contribute, opposing teams will not fear him and will not give him respect, they will play him aggressive and take away what little space he takes up on the ice.

2nd line - This line will fringe on the center position. Whether its Richards or Brassard... I think it will be Richards... to help Kreider, and for Kreider to be the main guy on this line. Kreider needs to score 25 atleast for this line to be a factor. Im not worried about Cally, he will be the space creator and goalie nuisance for this line.

3rd line - The line we love to hate. We have a face off guy... and thats it. If Clowe doesnt resign... ideally I would like to see Hagelin and Miller on the wings. Is it a physical line? Nope, but theyre young and fast as hell. How do you counter a physical line on the ice? Put a speed line out there, make those gorillas work to try to hit your guys. If you can out skate them, they cant hit you - as long as you keep your head up.

4th line - I dont mind Dorsett and I dont mind Boyle (as long as Boyle stays on the 4th line and PK). I like Asham and Id like him as a healthy scratch, throw in player, but he will attract interest from teams. Pyatt's salary needs to go, Powe... dont hate him. However, Id like to see Kyle Jean here, his a big boy, hes not afraid to hit someone and not afraid to rip a shot at the net.

In the end...

LW (vacant), Stepan, Nash
Kreider, Richards, Callahan
Hagelin, Brassard, Miller
Jean, Boyle, Dorsett

Physical? No. However, aside from Richards and Stepan not being the fastest guys on the planet... everyone else on that top 9 are really good, hard skaters.

/journalistichockeycrap
- aecliptic

hmmm, you know it looks good on paper. Gotta hope that fourth line puts up some good hitting. Dont't want to emulate other teams like boston, but they need that intimidation factor to succeed. Having guys like mza makes the team weaker. So yes i agree.

those are all kids and rookies though. they're nothing compared to a veteran dubinsky, anisimov, prust, feds, etc.

they will be great depth players in the future...but that's still 3-4 years away imo.
- rangerdanger94

Dont tell that to the Hawks who were using Shaw, Saad and Kruger... calling them up from the AHL and playing them whenever they needed some support. Within a year these guys had full time positions.

hmmm, you know it looks good on paper. Gotta hope that fourth line puts up some good hitting. Dont't want to emulate other teams like boston, but they need that intimidation factor to succeed. Having guys like mza makes the team weaker. So yes i agree.

- Nomad91

You dont have to intimidate with size. If you can out skate an opposing teams players... trust me, theyll be intimidated and they will give your players space and respect so they dont get burned.

Think about how much space defenses give Hagelin when hes flying down the ice... they try to think 5 steps ahead of him because if they dont, hes gonna fly right by them.

Which may well have factored into the Rangers decision to give Richards one more year. By all accounts he is as motivated as he has ever been and if he returns to being a 70-point player then the Rangers conceivably could have three centers to counteract the Bruins and other clubs.
- gkmkiller

Too many reasons why this is a bad decision. Recapture, he isn't worth 6.6 mil, and he may help anther team send over an offer sheet we can't match. Sorry but in no way can I see a positive in this unless all the cards fall the perfect way

Dont tell that to the Hawks who were using Shaw, Saad and Kruger... calling them up from the AHL and playing them whenever they needed some support. Within a year these guys had full time positions.
- aecliptic

yea that's true but we can't assume that's gonna happen with our kids. i expect miller to step up and contribute but mcilrath might still be a year away and fast and lindberg might need to play in the AHL the full year to adjust to the game.

we just don't know and can't be counting on those kids. i hope they do obviously and anything can happen. all i know is that i can't wait for next season to start!

oh and:
Nick Kypreos ‏@RealKyper 4m
Other names coming off 1st yr deals being dropped in #NHL trade talk besides #Bruins Seguin, #Canes Skinner #Sabres Myers. #veryfewofflimits

rangers and canes make great trade partners and there are a lot of options or pieces that can work in favor of them making a trade. we have stockpiled defense and can trade one of staal or mdz to the canes and the canes have pieces we want that they are willing to move like skinner or the #5 pick. wouldn't be surprised to see something go down between the 2 squads.

If the salary cap goes up by @ $4 million next year, that gives us plenty of room to not only resign our own guys but to make an addition or two.
- aecliptic

Ok. I guess will all sit around this winter and hope for next spring. I'm not trying to be a wiseguy, but I cannot wrap my brain around the fact that there are people in charge of this team and a few on here, who actually think this team is good enough.

oh and:
Nick Kypreos ‏@RealKyper 4m
Other names coming off 1st yr deals being dropped in #NHL trade talk besides #Bruins Seguin, #Canes Skinner #Sabres Myers. #veryfewofflimits

rangers and canes make great trade partners and there are a lot of options or pieces that can work in favor of them making a trade. we have stockpiled defense and can trade one of staal or mdz to the canes and the canes have pieces we want that they are willing to move like skinner or the #5 pick. wouldn't be surprised to see something go down between the 2 squads.
- rangerdanger94

The deal for Skinner could be the patch needed for the 1st line. However, we need to sign Stepan and McDonagh first before we make a deal like that. If we make a deal like that we leave ourselves INCREDIBLY vulnerable.

Ok. I guess will all sit around this winter and hope for next spring. I'm not trying to be a wiseguy, but I cannot wrap my brain around the fact that there are people in charge of this team and a few on here, who actually think this team is good enough.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

we're not good enough to win. i think we just have to wait for the kids to develop for a couple more years to compete.

but i think this team has the potential to compete if things go our way.

Ok. I guess will all sit around this winter and hope for next spring. I'm not trying to be a wiseguy, but I cannot wrap my brain around the fact that there are people in charge of this team and a few on here, who actually think this team is good enough.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

Nobody says its going to be good enough to win the cup, I dont think so, but if, for example, we make a trade for Skinner, it can be.

Fact of the matter is, this is our team, this is what we are going to see come October. We can hate it all we want, but it wont change anything... we can only hope for the best.

If Sather takes McDonagh to arbitration, no one can offer sheet him. Stepan is the one I worry about.

I think theres potential here... we might be under rating these guys just a bit. Given enough time to tinker with the lines, I think we have enough potential to fly under the radar a bit.

My line by line analysis.

1st line - needs a legitimate LW who can take pressure off of Nash. It doesnt need to be a Bickell and it doesnt need to be a Kane (either Kane), just needs to be someone that opposing defenses need to respect. Unfortunately, although MZA does have some skills and this is the only line where I think he would contribute, opposing teams will not fear him and will not give him respect, they will play him aggressive and take away what little space he takes up on the ice.

2nd line - This line will fringe on the center position. Whether its Richards or Brassard... I think it will be Richards... to help Kreider, and for Kreider to be the main guy on this line. Kreider needs to score 25 atleast for this line to be a factor. Im not worried about Cally, he will be the space creator and goalie nuisance for this line.

3rd line - The line we love to hate. We have a face off guy... and thats it. If Clowe doesnt resign... ideally I would like to see Hagelin and Miller on the wings. Is it a physical line? Nope, but theyre young and fast as hell. How do you counter a physical line on the ice? Put a speed line out there, make those gorillas work to try to hit your guys. If you can out skate them, they cant hit you - as long as you keep your head up.

4th line - I dont mind Dorsett and I dont mind Boyle (as long as Boyle stays on the 4th line and PK). I like Asham and Id like him as a healthy scratch, throw in player, but he will attract interest from teams. Pyatt's salary needs to go, Powe... dont hate him. However, Id like to see Kyle Jean here, his a big boy, hes not afraid to hit someone and not afraid to rip a shot at the net.

In the end...

LW (vacant), Stepan, Nash
Kreider, Richards, Callahan
Hagelin, Brassard, Miller
Jean, Boyle, Dorsett

Physical? No. However, aside from Richards and Stepan not being the fastest guys on the planet... everyone else on that top 9 are really good, hard skaters.

/journalistichockeycrap
- aecliptic

Nice job. Another left winger with some finish is the key, IMO.

yea that's true but we can't assume that's gonna happen with our kids. i expect miller to step up and contribute but mcilrath might still be a year away and fast and lindberg might need to play in the AHL the full year to adjust to the game.

we just don't know and can't be counting on those kids. i hope they do obviously and anything can happen. all i know is that i can't wait for next season to start!

- rangerdanger94

If we dont play the kids, we wont know what we have in them, were just assuming they might not be able to cut it in the NHL yet without actually seeing them skate. Also, there are no expectations on the kids, we dont expect anything, but suprises always happen.

we're not good enough to win. i think we just have to wait for the kids to develop for a couple more years to compete.

but i think this team has the potential to compete if things go our way.
- rangerdanger94

You think Lundqvist is gonna hang around while the kids develop? Speaking of Hank, what's he looking for? 8 years $8mil per?