We are guilty of it a little of it as fans. For instance, Miller and Kreider are physical kids but they are never mentioned as potential solutions to they problem. Always need to overpay for some brute from outside if the organization that inevitably ends up on the 4th line.
- Pete V

well i might have offered them some support

well i might have offered them some support
- TPC

Yes you did! Those two kids are going to hold one of the biggest keys to the Rangers success this year.

What do you think, Staal in a deal for the 5th pick? Or the Staal for Skinner deal?
- pcjr307

Skinner is a contributor today and young. The contract is a bit risky though. How about this: Staal and Pyatt for Skinner and McBain? Two health risks, a guy with some offensive upside from the blue line to fill Staal's void and Pyatt going the other way to offset some of the money.

I tend to be an optimist but counting on Fast or Lindberg to contribute in a big way this year is past optimistic. Look, the Rangers have gotten a lot of production from their drafted players. Just in the last couple of years we've seen Hagelin, Kreider and Miller brought into the lineup. All three of those players were drafted since 2007. Roman Horak was cashed in to get Erixon who subsequently was a piece that helped get Nash. Ethan Werek in 2009 turned into Lindberg. Our first rounder in 2007 sadly passed away unexpectedly. The 2006 #1 busted out (it happens). Just because the Rangers aren't counting on integrating young players this coming season doesn't mean they won't do it or that they don't have players ready to do it.
- gkmkiller

My thing is... If were going to draft them, and were going to keep them... use them. Next year, I want to see a completely revamped team with Fast, Lindberg and Miller all working together in the AHL and getting a shot to play.

Skinner is a contributor today and young. The contract is a bit risky though. How about this: Staal and Pyatt for Skinner and McBain? Two health risks, a guy with some offensive upside from the blue line to fill Staal's void and Pyatt going the other way to offset some of the money.
- gkmkiller

I think theyll want more for Skinner.

I think theyll want more for Skinner.
- aecliptic

Another undersized forward.

Skinner is a contributor today and young. The contract is a bit risky though. How about this: Staal and Pyatt for Skinner and McBain? Two health risks, a guy with some offensive upside from the blue line to fill Staal's void and Pyatt going the other way to offset some of the money.
- gkmkiller

Sounds good to me.

My thing is... If were going to draft them, and were going to keep them... use them. Next year, I want to see a completely revamped team with Fast, Lindberg and Miller all working together in the AHL and getting a shot to play.
- aecliptic

And I expect Lindberg and Fast to play in Hartford, likely with Miller. They'll be available in the event of injury. If they prove the belong in a full time role then guys like Pyatt, Boyle, etc., can be moved. I think the team has shown they are willing to do that. But at the same time they can't realistically count on those guys to contribute full time yet so they bring in vets to bridge the gap until the young guys prove they are ready. Look at us fans; in one sentence we want to promote our prospects and put them in important roles and then in the next sentence we're trying to sign free agents or trade for proven vets.

We are guilty of it a little of it as fans. For instance, Miller and Kreider are physical kids but they are never mentioned as potential solutions to that problem. Always need to overpay for some brute from outside if the organization that inevitably ends up on the 4th line.
- Pete V

If Kreider doesn't pan out next year we are completely fked.

Miller, brassard, zuccarello, Callahan, hagelin, Stepan are all Richards 6'1 or under and 205 max. Hell even asham and Dorsett are only 6'0

I hate to harp on this constantly, but we really are a soft, small, jamless, unintimidating team

I think theyll want more for Skinner.
- aecliptic

Maybe but they paid a heavy price to get the other Staal so perhaps they are willing to do the same with the last one.

Yes you did! Those two kids are going to hold one of the biggest keys to the Rangers success this year.
- Pete V

They really are...although not sure where Miller fits into the lineup. Hopefully he plays well in training camp/preseason and forces the organization to give him a spot.

Like Stepan this past year, would love to see a breakout year for Kreider

Another undersized forward.
- tomburton99

did you catch the size-mania fever too?

Skinner is a contributor today and young. The contract is a bit risky though. How about this: Staal and Pyatt for Skinner and McBain? Two health risks, a guy with some offensive upside from the blue line to fill Staal's void and Pyatt going the other way to offset some of the money.
- gkmkiller

It sucks cause when healthy, Staal is this teams best dman. I know you have to give to get, but I would hate letting go of him when he is about to enter his prime at age 26.

If Kreider doesn't pan out next year we are completely fked.

Miller, brassard, zuccarello, Callahan, hagelin, Stepan are all Richards 6'1 or under and 205 max. Hell even asham and Dorsett are only 6'0

I hate to harp on this constantly, but we really are a soft, small, jamless, unintimidating team
- Slimtj100

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/roster.htm
http://bruins.nhl.com/club/roster.htm

check how many people are 6'2" or under on these rosters.

Another undersized forward.
- tomburton99

You know... the Hawks arent that BIG of a team... right?

Outside of Bickell, Saad and Stalberg... they dont have anyone else you can consider a power forward.

Shaw... hes 180lbs soaking wet, but he plays like hes 220, balls to the wall.

Skinner is a contributor today and young. The contract is a bit risky though. How about this: Staal and Pyatt for Skinner and McBain? Two health risks, a guy with some offensive upside from the blue line to fill Staal's void and Pyatt going the other way to offset some of the money.
- gkmkiller

I've been saying that since the rumors first appeared, if McBain was available at the deadline then he should be now too plus you get a defensmen back and he's a right handed shot

It sucks cause when healthy, Staal is this teams best dman. I know you have to give to get, but I would hate letting go of him when he is about to enter his prime at age 26.
- TPC

yup he is extremely underrated offensively and he's easily our biggest hitter on the team. not to mention he dons the A.

with staal, mcdonagh, girardi, mdz, and moore...we probably have the best and deepest defense in the league. you trade 1 person from there, whether it be staal, mdz, or whoever...and our defense is all of a sudden a middle-of-the pack average defense.

I've been saying that since the rumors first appeared, if McBain was available at the deadline then he should be now too plus you get a defensmen back and he's a right handed shot
- cranford93

mcbain was available for a forward i believe but then pitkanen went down with injury so they couldn't afford to trade him. he should be available now.

NHL UPDATE - Source reports the Buffalo Sabres are dangling Vanek the 8th pick + another roster player to Predators for the 4th overall pick

NHL UPDATE - Source reports the Buffalo Sabres are dangling Vanek the 8th pick + another roster player to Predators for the 4th overall pick
- cranford93

and we think that mdz, a late 1st, and scraps like pyatt or fast or zuccarello will land the 5th overall

You know... the Hawks arent that BIG of a team... right?

Outside of Bickell, Saad and Stalberg... they dont have anyone else you can consider a power forward.

Shaw... hes 180lbs soaking wet, but he plays like hes 220, balls to the wall.
- aecliptic

Saad still doesn't even play a power forward game, he just can shield the puck well, still needs to work on taking it to the net and finishing

Stalberg is all speed with little power in his power forward game, he sucks at finishing

Bickell and hossa are the only true power forwards and toews just plays a great all around game


Outside of bickell and handzus, hawks are a very small to average sized team

did you catch the size-mania fever too?
- rangerdanger94

Before you know it he is going to be the meat in a Bickell-Penner sandwich.

NHL UPDATE - Source reports the Buffalo Sabres are dangling Vanek the 8th pick + another roster player to Predators for the 4th overall pick
- cranford93

Thats insane. Although the Vanek part, considering how good a player he is, is mainly to get rid of his salary.

Before you know it he is going to be the meat in a Bickell-Penner sandwich.
- Pete V

Does this have double meaning

Saad still doesn't even play a power forward game, he just can shield the puck well, still needs to work on taking it to the net and finishing

Stalberg is all speed with little power in his power forward game, he sucks at finishing

Bickell and hossa are the only true power forwards and toews just plays a great all around game


Outside of bickell and handzus, hawks are a very small to average sized team
- FourFeathers773

Hossa is not a power forward, hes a pure sniper.