do you guys like the NYR page on facebook? if you do check out the comments on Paul Scaltro's post "Check out all of these poopty Rangers signings".

pretty hilarious stuff. a bunch of dudes are saying that Stu Bickel will be a mainstay on the rangers blueline this year and that he's a better skater than dorsett and that it's not even a question and that if dorsett played defense, bickel would still be better at defense so therefore bickel is a better player than dorsett

do you guys like the NYR page on facebook? if you do check out the comments on Paul Scaltro's post "Check out all of these poopty Rangers signings".

pretty hilarious stuff. a bunch of dudes are saying that Stu Bickel will be a mainstay on the rangers blueline this year and that he's a better skater than dorsett and that it's not even a question and that if dorsett played defense, bickel would still be better at defense so therefore bickel is a better player than dorsett
- rangerdanger94

Theres people that know hockey, and theres people that just run their mouths, talking out their ass.

Theres people that know hockey, and theres people that just run their mouths, talking out their ass.
- aecliptic

Like jimbo?

Like jimbo?
- Slimtj100

give your brother a little credit, he at least hates scotty hockey

We're all down on him but every one of knows he has the talent, he was on his way before the playoffs last season
- cranford93

I agree, there are not too many defenseman his age with that kind of experience. He has had some rough times but I think he is really talented and under AV I think he could bust out. I would avoid trading him if possible.

Seeing Corvo sign with the Sens is galling. He's not perfect but can shoot the puck and signed for all of $900K. Instead of Aaron Johnson or Justin Falk maybe Corvo would have been a good signing in that he is a RHS and can shoot the puck well. As a role player, 6th-7th D and PP guy I could have lived with a guy like Corvo. He had 6 goals and 17 points in 40 games last year. Over a full campaign that would be 12 goals and 34 points.

I'm gonna go right out and say it. Del Zotto is gonna come out blazing next season and never look back. He will have a few bad moments, but I'm willing to accept that, sometimes that's the price for having a dman jump into the play. Otherwise, everyone would be Leetch or Zubov. But I think DZ is due and will hit a new level of maturity. I'm calling 60-70pts. 49 assists, 16 goals +12. Book it!!

I'm gonna go right out and say it. Del Zotto is gonna come out blazing next season and never look back. He will have a few bad moments, but I'm willing to accept that, sometimes that's the price for having a dman jump into the play. Otherwise, everyone would be Leetch or Zubov. But I think DZ is due and will hit a new level of maturity. I'm calling 60-70pts. 49 assists, 16 goals +12. Book it!!
- xcheckmajor

That's an Erik Karlsson type of season.......

That's an Erik Karlsson type of season.......
- tomburton99

Karlsson is a lot better than that. Karlsson is like 80pt quality. Wouldn't be surprised to see Karlsson be the next 100pt defenseman like Leetch was. He had 14pts in 17 games last year before he got hurt and now Ottawa has got Bobby Ryan.

One cool fact, here's another reason why we got the best contract this off season so far, McD's contract is ranked 30th among active Dmen. I would say at this point his play could really rank him 8-12th best Dman in the league. What a great kid to commit to us.

Seeing Corvo sign with the Sens is galling. He's not perfect but can shoot the puck and signed for all of $900K. Instead of Aaron Johnson or Justin Falk maybe Corvo would have been a good signing in that he is a RHS and can shoot the puck well. As a role player, 6th-7th D and PP guy I could have lived with a guy like Corvo. He had 6 goals and 17 points in 40 games last year. Over a full campaign that would be 12 goals and 34 points.
- gkmkiller

I agree, Corvo would have been a nice signing. I know I made a big stink over it and he's only a depth guy but I still don't get the Aaron Johnson signing. Much better 6/7 and depth d man were available.

Daily news reported that Stepan is actually in McDonaghs wedding party, which is in 3 weeks. McD also said that we should be seeing Stepan signing pretty soon. That's just great these two are growing up together and becoming very close friends. That only means they will be harder to break up and leave the club! They've played together ever since Wisconsin, I'm hoping Stepan takes the example and signs a contract great for both sides.

Daily news reported that Stepan is actually in McDonaghs wedding party, which is in 3 weeks. McD also said that we should be seeing Stepan signing pretty soon. That's just great these two are growing up together and becoming very close friends. That only means they will be harder to break up and leave the club! They've played together ever since Wisconsin, I'm hoping Stepan takes the example and signs a contract great for both sides.
- xcheckmajor

They are the future and the foundation of the core.

That's an Erik Karlsson type of season.......
- tomburton99

yea if DZ hits that then more power to him but i'll be happy if he hits 40-50.

I think id look at this way, hamonic is a bit meaner...mcdonagh is better defensively...niether have reached there offensive ceiling. Mcdonagh shutdown ovechkin 2 years in a row during the playoffs. Hamonic hasnt done that yet.


Mcdonagh is better but that doesn't mean hamonic is chopped liver

- Slimtj100

I'll put it this way as a person who dislikes both teams. The Pens scored 25 goals in 6 playoff games against the Isles. If McDonagh was on the Islanders top pair I'd hazard a guess the Pens would have scored less than 25. During the regular season, McDonagh had 69 hits, Hamonic had 59. The perception being spread that Hamonic is somehow tougher and meaner than McDonagh is just that, perception.

And not trying to be nasty or whatever here. But Islander fans in recent times aren't used to real physical defensemen because they have not had very many. Hamonic stands out because he is a reasonably solid player. When compared to what else the Islanders have had in the last 20 feet of their rink, he looks great by comparison. He's not. He may turn out to be. But right now McDonagh exceeds Hamonic by a wide margin in my estimation.

yea if DZ hits that then more power to him but i'll be happy if he hits 40-50.
- rangerdanger94

Out of all the Rangers, I think Del Zotto is the one who will benefit the most from the coaching change. The Ranger forecheck was aggressive with Torts but the d-men didn't lead as many rushes as they arguably could have. IMO that's going to change with Vigneault to some extent. I can see Del Zotto doing similar things to what Edler has done for the Canucks the past few years. Edler is highly skilled offensively and MDZ has similar ability. I'd argue that MDZ might actually be more skilled. Edler has terrific straight line speed and pretty good lateral movement on the PP. But I think Del Zotto has as good or better lateral movement and better vision. 45 points is a very realistic goal.

if the Rangers don't make a trade on the blueline, and Staal is healthy, a left handed defenseman is going to have to play the right side. Everytime Del Zotto is put on the right side he struggles mightily.

Personally I still believe using MDZ as a trade chip, which does not equate to "GET RID OF DEL ZOTTO" is the route the organization will choose.

In 1993 when the Rangers acquired Steve Larmer, they used James Patrick and Darren Turcotte as trade chips to get him, they didn't "GET RID OF THEM".

Ultimately if McIlrath can get himself into this lineup sooner rather than later, the top 6 should look like this:

McDonagh-Girardi
Staal-Stralman
Moore-McIlrath

this is all lefty-righty and Alain Vigneault has already stated he likes it that way.

And then there are a host of other options as the 7th and 8th defensemen (Falk, Johnson, Allen)

If the Rangers go into the season with the defense as is, then you are looking at the 3rd pair being John Moore and Del Zotto, two lefties.

To me it just doesn't work.

I still think this team is primed to make a trade this summer involving Del Zotto and one of the extra forwards as part of a multi player package to try and acquire a top 6 forward who can score.

if the Rangers don't make a trade on the blueline, and Staal is healthy, a left handed defenseman is going to have to play the right side. Everytime Del Zotto is put on the right side he struggles mightily.

Personally I still believe using MDZ as a trade chip, which does not equate to "GET RID OF DEL ZOTTO" is the route the organization will choose.

In 1993 when the Rangers acquired Steve Larmer, they used James Patrick and Darren Turcotte as trade chips to get him, they didn't "GET RID OF THEM".

Ultimately if McIlrath can get himself into this lineup sooner rather than later, the top 6 should look like this:

McDonagh-Girardi
Staal-Stralman
Moore-McIlrath

this is all lefty-righty and Alain Vigneault has already stated he likes it that way.

And then there are a host of other options as the 7th and 8th defensemen (Falk, Johnson, Allen)

If the Rangers go into the season with the defense as is, then you are looking at the 3rd pair being John Moore and Del Zotto, two lefties.

To me it just doesn't work.

I still think this team is primed to make a trade this summer involving Del Zotto and one of the extra forwards as part of a multi player package to try and acquire a top 6 forward who can score.
- jimbro83

Have you been reading my mind now too??

if the Rangers don't make a trade on the blueline, and Staal is healthy, a left handed defenseman is going to have to play the right side. Everytime Del Zotto is put on the right side he struggles mightily.

Personally I still believe using MDZ as a trade chip, which does not equate to "GET RID OF DEL ZOTTO" is the route the organization will choose.

In 1993 when the Rangers acquired Steve Larmer, they used James Patrick and Darren Turcotte as trade chips to get him, they didn't "GET RID OF THEM".

Ultimately if McIlrath can get himself into this lineup sooner rather than later, the top 6 should look like this:

McDonagh-Girardi
Staal-Stralman
Moore-McIlrath

this is all lefty-righty and Alain Vigneault has already stated he likes it that way.

And then there are a host of other options as the 7th and 8th defensemen (Falk, Johnson, Allen)

If the Rangers go into the season with the defense as is, then you are looking at the 3rd pair being John Moore and Del Zotto, two lefties.

To me it just doesn't work.

I still think this team is primed to make a trade this summer involving Del Zotto and one of the extra forwards as part of a multi player package to try and acquire a top 6 forward who can score.
- jimbro83

What value of a top-six forward would you be refering to which a Del Zotto trade could bring in?

15 - 20 goals? Maybe a 25goal/50 point guy? Would you deal with the Flyers and try to get Simmonds for a MDZ package?

I am not sure if it was ever brought up, but does anyone see Sean Avery asking for a tryout with there being a new coach?

if the Rangers don't make a trade on the blueline, and Staal is healthy, a left handed defenseman is going to have to play the right side. Everytime Del Zotto is put on the right side he struggles mightily.

Personally I still believe using MDZ as a trade chip, which does not equate to "GET RID OF DEL ZOTTO" is the route the organization will choose.

In 1993 when the Rangers acquired Steve Larmer, they used James Patrick and Darren Turcotte as trade chips to get him, they didn't "GET RID OF THEM".

Ultimately if McIlrath can get himself into this lineup sooner rather than later, the top 6 should look like this:

McDonagh-Girardi
Staal-Stralman
Moore-McIlrath

this is all lefty-righty and Alain Vigneault has already stated he likes it that way.

And then there are a host of other options as the 7th and 8th defensemen (Falk, Johnson, Allen)

If the Rangers go into the season with the defense as is, then you are looking at the 3rd pair being John Moore and Del Zotto, two lefties.

To me it just doesn't work.

I still think this team is primed to make a trade this summer involving Del Zotto and one of the extra forwards as part of a multi player package to try and acquire a top 6 forward who can score.
- jimbro83

I personally think, maybe in as soon as next year, the notion that people once wanted to trade Del Zotto will be viewed as insane. To me Staal, Girardi, and Mac all are very similar in their style. Del Zotto has the potential to bring something the others can't in a true dynamic offensive dman. I feel trading Staal just makes too much sense (if forced to trade a defensemen). We have shown we can defend just fine without him and he has more value than DZ. Just my 2 cents.

That is unless the silly EDM rumor came true

I am not sure if it was ever brought up, but does anyone see Sean Avery asking for a tryout with there being a new coach?
- mames11

Not a chance. Avery has burned too many of his bridges. He's done with hockey, as much as I'd love to hear his comments sitting next to Milbury during intermission.

I personally think, maybe in as soon as next year, the notion that people once wanted to trade Del Zotto will be viewed as insane. To me Staal, Girardi, and Mac all are very similar in their style. Del Zotto has the potential to bring something the others can't in a true dynamic offensive dman. I feel trading Staal just makes too much sense (if forced to trade a defensemen). We have shown we can defend just fine without him and he has more value than DZ. Just my 2 cents.

That is unless the silly EDM rumor came true
- mrhattrick27

Which is?

What value of a top-six forward would you be refering to which a Del Zotto trade could bring in?

15 - 20 goals? Maybe a 25goal/50 point guy? Would you deal with the Flyers and try to get Simmonds for a MDZ package?
- mames11

If Carolina doesn't want staal in his present condition with the eye, then I say jiri tlusty for DZ is a perfect trade. I wonder if delzotto is enough tho because tlusty broke out last year. He was a stud playing 1st line minutes, so all we gotta do is slot him in with Stepan and Nash.

Which is?
- mames11

Evidently..... MDZ, Miller, McIllrath, a 1 for Hall and Gagner. Yea right.. Must of been an Ek like rumor.....

If Carolina doesn't want staal in his present condition with the eye, then I say jiri tlusty for DZ is a perfect trade. I wonder if delzotto is enough tho because tlusty broke out last year. He was a stud playing 1st line minutes, so all we gotta do is slot him in with Stepan and Nash.
- Slimtj100

1 year wonder on a bad team.