For all those proposing Ryan McDonagh for Nail YTakupov, please stop. I have covered this several times in my blogs, and as evidenced by the tidal wave of comments here, that would be a ridiculous move for the Rangers. Most of us believe that Yakupov can be a star, with the word CAN the operative one, because he isn't one now while McDonagh took a step up last year and is clearly a Norris Trophy candidate now. Getting Yakupov liukely would help the offense but at a major hit to the blue line. No way I would the Blueshirts to even sniff let alone make a trade like that.
- airjan23

I think it comes mainly from fans of other teams being jealous we have McDonagh

The debate should be would we be willing to give up Kreider for Yakupov at this point

we actually don't have any guys that compare to McDonagh, I just don't think people realize how good he is yet
- jimbro83

It makes zero sense to trade a top ten, league-wide, defenseman for a highly skilled but still largely unknown NHL entity.

If they can get Yakupov for a defender, not named McDonagh, awesome if not, no deal.

It makes zero sense to trade a top ten, league-wide, defenseman for a highly skilled but still largely unknown NHL entity.

If they can get Yakupov for a defender, not named McDonagh, awesome if not, no deal.
- MidnightMarauder

exactly, and top 10 may be underrating him right now

I think it comes mainly from fans of other teams being jealous we have McDonagh

The debate should be would we be willing to give up Kreider for Yakupov at this point
- jimbro83

I can't name more than a handful of defensemen, around the entire NHL, that has a better overall game than McDonagh.

I can't name more than a handful of defensemen, around the entire NHL, that has a better overall game than McDonagh.
- MidnightMarauder

especially when you take into consideration the contract, which never should be forgotten in this day and age

exactly, and top 10 may be underrating him right now
- jimbro83

I was just being modest but at season's end you might be right. His offensive game is developing; he's already as solid defensively as any defensemen in the league today.

That trade might go down as one of the more lopsided in the history of the league one day.

especially when you take into consideration the contract, which never should be forgotten in this day and age
- jimbro83

Six years, a little over four million per, a terrific deal.

I was just being modest but at season's end you might be right. His offensive game is developing; he's already as solid defensively as any defensemen in the league today.

That trade might go down as one of the more lopsided in the history of the league one day.
- MidnightMarauder

It will be an interesting case study to look back on this conversation in five years.

I think it comes mainly from fans of other teams being jealous we have McDonagh

The debate should be would we be willing to give up Kreider for Yakupov at this point
- jimbro83

To which I say no. And I am gonna pull a TJ here and say the size and edge Kreider brings we lack. With Kreider and Nash we have our power forwards along with Callahan wanting to throw the body. As I said before the Rangers needed Kreider to be successful and its all coming together.

Right now though it is pretty clear MDZ is expendable. I think he is really underrated by the fan base because he came up so early but theres a reason I think he can be a main piece to acquire Yak. Got to give to get. It does open up a hoel on the blue line as we do not have that pure puck moving Dman (I think DZ will become a really good, not great, puck moving Dman). But Im willing to great that hoel for Yak.

For poops and giggles though here is my one issue. We keep saying "You cant have Yak on the 3rd lien he just isn't that player" Are you really gonna play him Top 6 in NY? Doubtful. We are even floating the idea of Nash beign 3rd line... UNLESS you role with a Yak-Brassard-Nash THIRD LINE.... Omg I think I need to change my pants.

To which I say no. And I am gonna pull a TJ here and say the size and edge Kreider brings we lack. With Kreider and Nash we have our power forwards along with Callahan wanting to throw the body. As I said before the Rangers needed Kreider to be successful and its all coming together.

Right now though it is pretty clear MDZ is expendable. I think he is really underrated by the fan base because he came up so early but theres a reason I think he can be a main piece to acquire Yak. Got to give to get. It does open up a hoel on the blue line as we do not have that pure puck moving Dman (I think DZ will become a really good, not great, puck moving Dman). But Im willing to great that hoel for Yak.

For poops and giggles though here is my one issue. We keep saying "You cant have Yak on the 3rd lien he just isn't that player" Are you really gonna play him Top 6 in NY? Doubtful. We are even floating the idea of Nash beign 3rd line... UNLESS you role with a Yak-Brassard-Nash THIRD LINE.... Omg I think I need to change my pants.
- mrhattrick27

I didn't know that Kreider had this abrasive side to him, I am kind of like this about Kreider right now

I didn't know that Kreider had this abrasive side to him, I am kind of like this about Kreider right now

- jimbro83

It's funny we all said he played too carefree. Now he's at the other extreme and playing pissed off and agitating the other team. Pete said we have too many nice guys, who know Kreider was our piss and vinegar.. 2011 Playoffs he was that quite likable college kid. This Kreider is totally different.

we actually don't have any guys that compare to McDonagh, I just don't think people realize how good he is yet
- jimbro83

I do. He's very good but I honestly wouldn't put him as high as you guys do. Not yet at least. I can see him reaching a Doughty level but I don't think he's there yet.
OK, let me have it

I do. He's very good but I honestly wouldn't put him as high as you guys do. Not yet at least. I can see him reaching a Doughty level but I don't think he's there yet.
OK, let me have it
- Cptmjl

Totally different players. Mac is a Suter type (As much as I've seen Suter play). And Macs best plays are never seen by people. I think for a defenseman he has the best defensive stick work I've ever seen. Just constantly poking the puck away.

Totally different players. Mac is a Suter type (As much as I've seen Suter play). And Macs best plays are never seen by people. I think for a defenseman he has the best defensive stick work I've ever seen. Just constantly poking the puck away.
- mrhattrick27

Oh I know they're different players I've just seen him put into that category or level on here lately.

I didn't know that Kreider had this abrasive side to him, I am kind of like this about Kreider right now

- jimbro83

As Brooksie pointed out this morning, at some point probably soon, someone is going to challenge Kreider to go, I'm sure he's aware of it, but he'll need to be ready. Sort of reminds me of when Steve Vickers came up with the Rangers. Big, strong left wing, but no one knew much about him around the league. When he started scoring and hitting, he was challenged a couple of times and destroyed a couple of dudes, no one messed with him again. Hopefully, Kreider will hold his own as he continues to build his future.

I do. He's very good but I honestly wouldn't put him as high as you guys do. Not yet at least. I can see him reaching a Doughty level but I don't think he's there yet.
OK, let me have it
- Cptmjl

well, would you rather have Doughty at 7 million a year or McDonagh at 4.7 million a year.

You guys talk about how awesome Tavares is especially for his cap hit, this is kind of what I'm talking about

While I am out, if Marc Staal continues to play at the level he has, I might include him in the non-tradable bucket a la McDonagh.

As Brooksie pointed out this morning, at some point probably soon, someone is going to challenge Kreider to go, I'm sure he's aware of it, but he'll need to be ready. Sort of reminds me of when Steve Vickers came up with the Rangers. Big, strong left wing, but no one knew much about him around the league. When he started scoring and hitting, he was challenged a couple of times and destroyed a couple of dudes, no one messed with him again. Hopefully, Kreider will hold his own as he continues to build his future.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

Sarge #8

Sarge #8
- DONMURDOCH14

I don't remember him when he first came up, but I definitely remember Vickers well in the 79, 80, 81 seasons

I remembered he scored a playoff overtime goal vs Atlanta in the 1980 playoffs like a minute into overtime. I remember listening to it on WNEW-1130 am radio and jumping around my room.

I still have never seen that goal though

I don't remember him when he first came up, but I definitely remember Vickers well in the 79, 80, 81 seasons

I remembered he scored a playoff overtime goal vs Atlanta in the 1980 playoffs like a minute into overtime. I remember listening to it on WNEW-1130 am radio and jumping around my room.

I still have never seen that goal though
- jimbro83

10 min of googling.... no dice

10 min of googling.... no dice
- mrhattrick27

no, believe me I have tried

I don't remember him when he first came up, but I definitely remember Vickers well in the 79, 80, 81 seasons

I remembered he scored a playoff overtime goal vs Atlanta in the 1980 playoffs like a minute into overtime. I remember listening to it on WNEW-1130 am radio and jumping around my room.

I still have never seen that goal though
- jimbro83

Walt Tkaczuk, Bill Fairbairn and Steve Vickers formed the Rangers "bulldog line".

we actually don't have any guys that compare to McDonagh, I just don't think people realize how good he is yet
- jimbro83

the only Dmen i pick over mcdonagh are named suter and karlsson. i pick mcdonagh over subban, doughty, and even weber.

Walt Tkaczuk, Bill Fairbairn and Steve Vickers formed the Rangers "bulldog line".
- OLDSCHOOL#6

Loved Vickers, one of my favorites growing up

Oh I know they're different players I've just seen him put into that category or level on here lately.
- Cptmjl

once you turn on the ranger game after the islanders get blown out by the end of the 1st, try to pay attention to the little things mcdonagh does. it's not hard because he's out there for 25+ minutes a game.