Why would they have Stepan meet the team in NY after the last preseason game? I would have him on the first plane to Vancouver and get in 2 good games. Maybe AV doesn't want him "messing" things up for the players who are already practicing the new system. I dunno. Still think he should get in some game time right away.
- xcheckmajor

Yea I don't get it. At least have him meet them in Vegas for the Kings game so he can get one game under his belt. Plus if I'm Stepan, I don't wanna miss out on a trip to Vegas especially with my new contract, get there a little early and do some celebrating

I can't agree on the +/- stat. Sometimes the stat can be deceptive (i.e., if you play with Crosby and Malkin for instance), but when a young player is a +47 in three years of his career on a team that doesn't score much that says something.
- Pete V

Amen, it says a lot. To have that point total, on a low scoring team, also speaks volumes.

Said it before and I'll say it again; I am glad Stepan proved me dead wrong.

I didn't say Stepan is better, nor do I believe that. But, I do think that stat line is better, in that a +25 is absurd. Tavares was a Hart Finalist with that stat line, which is very comparable to Stepans.
- Pete V

Tavares is clearly a more explosive player, a little more flashy. Thats just not Stepan's style. To be honest at this point in time, I WOULD take Stepan over JT simply because you have the same point production, but Stepan gives you a 3rd defenseman on the ice as well. Now, JT may have a higher future ceiling in point production, that would change my mind. But if both players have careers that average 75 - 90pts, I would take Step for all the other things JT doesn't do.

Why would they have Stepan meet the team in NY after the last preseason game? I would have him on the first plane to Vancouver and get in 2 good games. Maybe AV doesn't want him "messing" things up for the players who are already practicing the new system. I dunno. Still think he should get in some game time right away.
- xcheckmajor

Are they coming back to NY before Phoenix, anyway? I'd have thought they'd do one of those team building things out west.

How about those outside this thread that said Sather's comments would hamper signing Stepan, well I guess jedi mind tricks work over TV as well

Nash is and will be a top 5 winger this season, the fact he is a Ranger is the one and only reason these trolls hvae to offer any argument, pay no mind as both the defenseless Flyers and Isles fight for 8th.
- cranford93

Rick Nash is an extremely talented player, and a premier power forward in the league. That said, I wouldn't call him "elite" as very few players are elite. Within the division, I'd call Crosby, Malkin, Lundqvist, Tavares, Giroux, and Ovechkin elite, and that's about it. To me, Nash is on that second level. Very good, top-line player, but not elite. That's my only argument against some of the words thrown around (I know your post didn't say it, but someone did).

That said, when I watch him, he rarely ever has that "wow" factor. Same with RNH. He puts up numbers, but he (almost) never does something dazzling. Good speed, great size, fantastic shot, but he never blows me away. But I'd take him on my team, if we weren't already up against the cap.

Tavares is clearly a more explosive player, a little more flashy. Thats just not Stepan's style. To be honest at this point in time, I WOULD take Stepan over JT simply because you have the same point production, but Stepan gives you a 3rd defenseman on the ice as well. Now, JT may have a higher future ceiling in point production, that would change my mind. But if both players have careers that average 75 - 90pts, I would take Step for all the other things JT doesn't do.
- xcheckmajor

JT is also a natural leader, and (in my opinion) reminds me a lot of Toews. Stepan's very good, but I doubt anyone outside of the Rangers fan base would take Stepan over JT.

Rick Nash is an extremely talented player, and a premier power forward in the league. That said, I wouldn't call him "elite" as very few players are elite. Within the division, I'd call Crosby, Malkin, Lundqvist, Tavares, Giroux, and Ovechkin elite, and that's about it. To me, Nash is on that second level. Very good, top-line player, but not elite. That's my only argument against some of the words thrown around (I know your post didn't say it, but someone did).

That said, when I watch him, he rarely ever has that "wow" factor. Same with RNH. He puts up numbers, but he (almost) never does something dazzling. Good speed, great size, fantastic shot, but he never blows me away. But I'd take him on my team, if we weren't already up against the cap.
- jmatchett383

I agree with your first paragraph. I think that is fair characterization.

JT is also a natural leader, and (in my opinion) reminds me a lot of Toews. Stepan's very good, but I doubt anyone outside of the Rangers fan base would take Stepan over JT.
- jmatchett383

I don't think many in the Rangers fanbase would take Stepan over JT. I was more trying to illustrate Stepan's value to the Rangers by pointing the similaraties between his stat line, and a Hart nominee last year.

I think Stepan's upside is a poor man's Pavel Datysuk, and I think Tavares' upside is Crosby.

Rick Nash is an extremely talented player, and a premier power forward in the league. That said, I wouldn't call him "elite" as very few players are elite. Within the division, I'd call Crosby, Malkin, Lundqvist, Tavares, Giroux, and Ovechkin elite, and that's about it. To me, Nash is on that second level. Very good, top-line player, but not elite. That's my only argument against some of the words thrown around (I know your post didn't say it, but someone did).

That said, when I watch him, he rarely ever has that "wow" factor. Same with RNH. He puts up numbers, but he (almost) never does something dazzling. Good speed, great size, fantastic shot, but he never blows me away. But I'd take him on my team, if we weren't already up against the cap.
- jmatchett383

I would throw Stamkos into that elite category as well.

Rick Nash is an extremely talented player, and a premier power forward in the league. That said, I wouldn't call him "elite" as very few players are elite. Within the division, I'd call Crosby, Malkin, Lundqvist, Tavares, Giroux, and Ovechkin elite, and that's about it. To me, Nash is on that second level. Very good, top-line player, but not elite. That's my only argument against some of the words thrown around (I know your post didn't say it, but someone did).

That said, when I watch him, he rarely ever has that "wow" factor. Same with RNH. He puts up numbers, but he (almost) never does something dazzling. Good speed, great size, fantastic shot, but he never blows me away. But I'd take him on my team, if we weren't already up against the cap.
- jmatchett383

I love how the Philly fan had to throw in Giroux....lol, If Nash isn't Elite, how in the world is Giroux?

I would throw Stamkos into that elite category as well.
- MidnightMarauder

Stammer's not in our division.

I would throw Stamkos into that elite category as well.
- MidnightMarauder

Not in the division. But yes, he is.

I love how the Philly fan had to throw in Giroux....lol, If Nash isn't Elite, how in the world is Giroux?
- xcheckmajor

Probably has to do with his 1.90 career playoff pts/GP.
1.74 career playoff pts/GP if you take out that Pens series.

Edit: But to each their own.

Me and Alex were the only two that didn't want Richards because we wanted to leave that spot open for Stepan. And in a bittersweet way he took over that role anyway.
- mrhattrick27

We all went nuts at his WJC performance in 2010. We hadn't seen a Ranger forward be a top tier play at the junior level in what seemed like forever.

We all went nuts at his WJC performance in 2010. We hadn't seen a Ranger forward be a top tier play at the junior level in what seemed like forever.
- blacksheep1

That 2010 team was awesome. Made me an instant John Carlson fan.

Rick Nash is an extremely talented player, and a premier power forward in the league. That said, I wouldn't call him "elite" as very few players are elite. Within the division, I'd call Crosby, Malkin, Lundqvist, Tavares, Giroux, and Ovechkin elite, and that's about it. To me, Nash is on that second level. Very good, top-line player, but not elite. That's my only argument against some of the words thrown around (I know your post didn't say it, but someone did).

That said, when I watch him, he rarely ever has that "wow" factor. Same with RNH. He puts up numbers, but he (almost) never does something dazzling. Good speed, great size, fantastic shot, but he never blows me away. But I'd take him on my team, if we weren't already up against the cap.
- jmatchett383

He almost was, then he was traded and you almost signed Weber.

JT is also a natural leader, and (in my opinion) reminds me a lot of Toews. Stepan's very good, but I doubt anyone outside of the Rangers fan base would take Stepan over JT.
- jmatchett383

I would take JT over Stepan as a Rangers fan, however I think Stepan is a bit underrated by opposing fan bases. He may not be flashy but he plays in all 3 zones, penalty kill, PP, and I think eventually will be a 30+ goal guy. Those kind of guys are not easy to find.

He almost was, then he was traded and you almost signed Weber.
- blacksheep1

Just waiting for people to point out how Nash is a better player than Weber.

That 2010 team was awesome. Made me an instant John Carlson fan.
- jmatchett383

Yes it was. The only guy that got overhyped on that team was Jack Campbell.

Just waiting for people to point out how Nash is a better player than Weber.
- jmatchett383

Not point out who;s better. Just saying the Flyers almost had both, obviously not at once.

Yes it was. The only guy that got overhyped on that team was Jack Campbell.
- blacksheep1

Well, he did play crazy good against a STACKED Team Canada. On paper, the US had no business winning that game.

Rick Nash is an extremely talented player, and a premier power forward in the league. That said, I wouldn't call him "elite" as very few players are elite. Within the division, I'd call Crosby, Malkin, Lundqvist, Tavares, Giroux, and Ovechkin elite, and that's about it. To me, Nash is on that second level. Very good, top-line player, but not elite. That's my only argument against some of the words thrown around (I know your post didn't say it, but someone did).

That said, when I watch him, he rarely ever has that "wow" factor. Same with RNH. He puts up numbers, but he (almost) never does something dazzling. Good speed, great size, fantastic shot, but he never blows me away. But I'd take him on my team, if we weren't already up against the cap.
- jmatchett383

Thats funny, highlight reels, dazzling moves, amazing shots, thats really what Rick Nash is known for.

Thats funny, highlight reels, dazzling moves, amazing shots, thats really what Rick Nash is known for.
- xcheckmajor

Okay. I just have a different mental image of him basically doing what Jeff Carter always does. Speed and size up the wing, use your quick release and hard, accurate shot. But maybe I'm just not remembering (although that Phoenix goal is ridiculous).

Well, he did play crazy good against a STACKED Team Canada. On paper, the US had no business winning that game.
- jmatchett383

Slightly different point, but I think we have gotten to the point where the U.S. Junior team is almost on equal footing with Canada. Canada obviously has way more depth, and could probably ice three competetive teams, whereas to the U.S. couldn't. But, A team to A team, not much of a difference anymore (in most years).

Excellent post...good to know the Flyers have NO elite players.

Good post. I like where this is going. So yeah, lets first define what makes an elite player? I'll personally state that there is no magic formula or set of criteria, but that it's a combination of things. I think people mis-took what I said earlier. Lets get this straight: Rick Nash is an all-star. He is a good player and has been for time. He can score with the best of them. I was just suggesting that he isn't elite, doesn't mean he's bad or should be seen as less? Truly, I think there are only maybe 10 players in the league that are elite superstars... Not every team has one.

An elite player should be able to produce offensively where approaching the 100-point mark is realistic or projected. Second, I think an elite player should somewhat defensively responsible and play a a decent two-way game (some stars don't and I realize this, but their talent in another area usually off-sets this). Also, I think that the elite player averages at LEAST 75 points a season, not high 50s.... Just because you can score 30 goals a year consistently, doesn't mean you're an elite player?
- Flyers_V88