If the PP dosen't improve to at least average and Staal still has some issues they could be on the other side of the bubble. Even so I think as usual it'll come down to the last 3-4 weeks of point chasing. Pouliot needs to supplement some goals and CK needs to hit at least the 20 mark. I do think Lindberg will help solidify the 4th line at some point. They should move Boyle now for a pick or prospect to clear a bit more space.
- Ranger71

I think Pouliot will be a nice addition, he's got more pure goal scoring touch than anyone else outside Nash. Which is a little sad but it'll make teh 2nd or 3rd lines more effective.

I'd disagree on Boyle though, in the right role he's really useful. I think he belongs on the 4th line wing play that defensive role, no need to hope for 20 goals from him there, just play solid D. Don't you think it'd be a waste to have Lindberg on the 4th line, he's projected to have way more offensive upside and would hate to see him there.

Can we all agree that Tie Domi is a douchebag and a coward?

I think Pouliot will be a nice addition, he's got more pure goal scoring touch than anyone else outside Nash. Which is a little sad but it'll make teh 2nd or 3rd lines more effective.

I'd disagree on Boyle though, in the right role he's really useful. I think he belongs on the 4th line wing play that defensive role, no need to hope for 20 goals from him there, just play solid D. Don't you think it'd be a waste to have Lindberg on the 4th line, he's projected to have way more offensive upside and would hate to see him there.
- MatzCT

Lindberg is vg on faceoffs and at least to start could give that line a little more offensive flexibility, more than Boyle's 4-5g would. I do agree Lindberg will eventually be a #3 though. If Boyle is used it's better on the wing I agree, with his lack of passing skill, though he dosen't even use his size that well. He's just out there floating around most of the time. Part of it right now is they could clear his extra 1m to help get the Stepan signing done easier. Having Moore makes him more expendable.

Lindberg is vg on faceoffs and at least to start could give that line a little more offensive flexibility, more than Boyle's 4-5g would. I do agree Lindberg will eventually be a #3 though. If Boyle is used it's better on the wing I agree, with his lack of passing skill, though he dosen't even use his size that well. He's just out there floating around most of the time. Part of it right now is they could clear his extra 1m to help get the Stepan signing done easier. Having Moore makes him more expendable.
- Ranger71

Trade Boyle to the Isles for Matt Carkner.

This is why I hate Ranger fans who don't post on this site. Kevin DeLury wants the Rangers to trade Lundqvist for an offensive player(Malkin preferably) and then he wants the Rangers to repalce Lundqvist with Jonas Hiller.

This is why I hate Ranger fans who don't post on this site. Kevin DeLury wants the Rangers to trade Lundqvist for an offensive player(Malkin preferably) and then he wants the Rangers to repalce Lundqvist with Jonas Hiller.
- tomburton99

Please make that trade

Please make that trade
- Vukota

The reasoning behind it is amazing, It's because during Lundqvist time the team hasn't won a cup. And that game plan doesn't suit Hank and that he hasn't put the team on his back. So now Lundqvist has to coach, score and save .

The reasoning behind it is amazing, It's because during Lundqvist time the team hasn't won a cup. And that game plan doesn't suit Hank and that he hasn't put the team on his back. So now Lundqvist has to coach, score and save .
- tomburton99

Ive seen that guys blog before, he seems very self-absorbed and wants to come off as a know it all. And yes, that's an asssine trade.

Ive seen that guys blog before, he seems very self-absorbed and wants to come off as a know it all. And yes, that's an asssine trade.
- Ranger71

See, arent you guys fortunate to have me (commence gratuitous back slapping)

The reasoning behind it is amazing, It's because during Lundqvist time the team hasn't won a cup. And that game plan doesn't suit Hank and that he hasn't put the team on his back. So now Lundqvist has to coach, score and save .
- tomburton99

Wow

See, arent you guys fortunate to have me (commence gratuitous back slapping)
- airjan23

Wow
- Vukota

They actually think the pens would trade Malkin who's signed and has a NMC for this season to the Rangers. Plus they also fully believe the Pens would carry 3 goalies. I don't get how some people can be so stupid.

And yes Jan, I'm very glad you have a working brain and are a respectful, knowledgeable writer.

Lindberg is vg on faceoffs and at least to start could give that line a little more offensive flexibility, more than Boyle's 4-5g would. I do agree Lindberg will eventually be a #3 though. If Boyle is used it's better on the wing I agree, with his lack of passing skill, though he dosen't even use his size that well. He's just out there floating around most of the time. Part of it right now is they could clear his extra 1m to help get the Stepan signing done easier. Having Moore makes him more expendable.
- Ranger71

For the purpose of clearing cap I'd look to move Pyatt rather then Boyle, similar cap space and Boyle does more for the team from a 4th line defensive type role. I could care less about the Pyatt scoring 20 goals one time under AV, so has Boyle and we should forget that ever happened or would happen again.

For the purpose of clearing cap I'd look to move Pyatt rather then Boyle, similar cap space and Boyle does more for the team from a 4th line defensive type role. I could care less about the Pyatt scoring 20 goals one time under AV, so has Boyle and we should forget that ever happened or would happen again.
- MatzCT

Yeah I would love somebody to take Pyatt of this roster.

The thing is that every team in the Metro has holes. Pitt is just stacked up front and will put up offense. They are battled tested and have good Vet leadership, unless the goaltending is so bad during the regular season they more then liekly will compete for the top spot in the division.

Rangers - World Class goaltending, a good blueline, a questionable offense. Will Richards show up? How will Nash respond this season? Where else will the offense come from?

Islanders - Outside of Pitt, probably the most offensive gifted team in the Metro, a decent blueline, goaltending will determine whether the Isles compete for more then just a bubble playoff spot

Devils - Hard to read this team. Took a pounding losing Parise and now Kovi two years in a row. Not a scary offensive team at all, goaltending is questionable, will Marty be able to handle a full season still, how will Schneider respond?

Flyers- Goaltending stinks still proven otherwise, their blueline is hurting. Will put up offensive numbers

Columbus - Will Bob reproduce last seasons numbers? Was that run a fluke or has this team finally turned a corner? How will Horton change the dynamic of that team?

Washington - How Ovie goes they will go

Canes - Will Ward recover from last seasons injury. This is a team that had so many injuries last season it is tough to read how they will respond. Will the Stall's lead this team back into the playoffs? A weak blueline could do them in....
- latorrem1

Outside of JT, what is so great about the isles offense?
Some decent players yes but I see no serious firepower.

Outside of JT, what is so great about the isles offense?
Some decent players yes but I see no serious firepower.
- BobbySchmautz

Moulson always chips in 30 goals...while being a minus 30

Moulson always chips in 30 goals...while being a minus 30
- MatzCT

Moulson has certainly been consistent but I bet he'd be borderline
If taken off JTs wing.

Moulson has certainly been consistent but I bet he'd be borderline
If taken off JTs wing.
- BobbySchmautz

probably so, but for now he's on JT's wing so he'll still put up those garbage goals.

If you look at how the isles team has been built, Snow appears to have done really good job. All of those seemingly odd decisions are all coming together and working out. A bunch of guys picked up off waivers for free that play key roles, Grabner, Moulson, maybe others, idk. A lot of guys have come up from the Bridgeport team and now contributing. They're finally growing into a really good young core for pennies and most of them are locked up. They have a ton of cap room even this year and could easily add a top D men or a top Goalie in season via trade and become serious really fast. Hell they can add Hank next year for $10m a season and still have tons tops of cap space while moving to Brooklyn, that has to be a more attractive FA location as well.

Outside of JT, what is so great about the isles offense?
Some decent players yes but I see no serious firepower.
- BobbySchmautz

Watch out man...they finished in 8th in the league in goals for and scored a whole whopping 9 more goals than us, the team with the super stagnant non-existent offense.

probably so, but for now he's on JT's wing so he'll still put up those garbage goals.

If you look at how the isles team has been built, Snow appears to have done really good job. All of those seemingly odd decisions are all coming together and working out. A bunch of guys picked up off waivers for free that play key roles, Grabner, Moulson, maybe others, idk. A lot of guys have come up from the Bridgeport team and now contributing. They're finally growing into a really good young core for pennies and most of them are locked up. They have a ton of cap room even this year and could easily add a top D men or a top Goalie in season via trade and become serious really fast. Hell they can add Hank next year for $10m a season and still have tons tops of cap space while moving to Brooklyn, that has to be a more attractive FA location as well.
- MatzCT

I like the what they have in Poulin. They don't play as much as they should, but I think he's a good young goalie.

as a devils fan this is exactly what I want to see, a bunch of so called experts burying the devils again. you would think after the last couple of decades they would know better. You NEVER, EVER count the devils out!!

You do realize that Bryzgalov is gone and we have a goalie who went 17-1 (albeit on a great team) last year, right?
- jmatchett383

but that team had a great D in front of him, this time around Emery is gonna realize he is back to earth

as a devils fan this is exactly what I want to see, a bunch of so called experts burying the devils again. you would think after the last couple of decades they would know better. You NEVER, EVER count the devils out!!
- devfan30

agreed, but the problem is the last 2 years you have lost your 2 best weapons..so of course many people are gonna write you off..myself, I think the Devils are gonna be a lot better than most think

as a devils fan this is exactly what I want to see, a bunch of so called experts burying the devils again. you would think after the last couple of decades they would know better. You NEVER, EVER count the devils out!!
- devfan30

Seriously? Coming from you, the guy who hates all the young Swedes on the roster.

ZOMG!!! Hard to believe we won the conference finals 2 seasons ago, and now we're the defacto pick for the basement.

(Puts on MB30 footie pajamas.)