I swear, never in my life do I ever remember being as mad as I was when we didn't draft Cam Fowler, but I was willing to be reasonable and wait for McIlrath to develop.

It's hard not to be pissed right now.
- jimbro83

If they lock up Girardi and Stralman that blocks McIlrath from ever making it here

If they lock up Girardi and Stralman that blocks McIlrath from ever making it here
- cranford93

definitely true, and definitely gives you a clear indication what they think of McIlrath now if they do that

definitely true, and definitely gives you a clear indication what they think of McIlrath now if they do that
- jimbro83

And that also harpoons any trade value McIlrath has...

The first thing that came to mind when I saw the trade was "A Fish Called Wanda"

And that also harpoons any trade value McIlrath has...
- Blueshirts4ever

right now with all the injuries McIlrath has had, it's hard to imagine his trade value could be any lower

The first thing that came to mind when I saw the trade was "A Fish Called Wanda"
- Blueshirts4ever

yes me too

right now with all the injuries McIlrath has had, it's hard to imagine his trade value could be any lower
- jimbro83

Thats the biggest factor, and it seems like the days of the crease clearing d-man is gone. Even Klein is described as a tough guy yes but in the vain of a Ken Daneyko type, just a sign of the game changing quite a bit.

Thats the biggest factor, and it seems like the days of the crease clearing d-man is gone. Even Klein is described as a tough guy yes but in the vain of a Ken Daneyko type, just a sign of the game changing quite a bit.
- Blueshirts4ever

Klein seems like a clone of Girardi, just less offensively skilled. Can play a lot of minutes, is durable, blocks shots, and can play defense without taking penalties.

Anyone else get a sense of relief after seeing Gerbe go between the legs top cheese on Philly last night?

Klein seems like a clone of Girardi, just less offensively skilled. Can play a lot of minutes, is durable, blocks shots, and can play defense without taking penalties.
- jimbro83

We all talked about it after the trade with Columbus at the deadline last season. Moore's emergence as a puck mover and his skating ability made MDZ expendable, I mentioned yesterday, MDZ's RFA status had the potential to get ugly with arbitration a possibility and Slats plays dirty when it comes to arbitration. Its best for all to move on, I was never a pro-MDZ guy anyway, seemed a little soft and was a little whiny after being scratched.

it's kinda sad


really thought he would be the next Ron Greschner back then


I understand the trade totally. The "lefty-righty" thing has been as huge an issue as we have been discussing on this blog for a long time, and that's the biggest reason this trade was made.

Kevin Klein is a steady, defense first, very unspectacular player signed long term to a reasonable deal who should be able to play the right side and let John Moore take some more offensive chances.

It definitely is a trade that makes the team a more balanced team now, but you know Del Zotto is gonna blossom in a quiet market like Nashville where they don't scrutinize every little foul up on the blueline.

I think it's the perfect place for MDZ, especially with Weber and Seth Jones there.

Looking back, no doubt it's going to look like we got hosed on this deal 5 years from now.
- jimbro83

5 years is a long time; who knows if DZ will even be on the Preds
At that point? With free agency, offer sheets, etc players move
Around too much to assume you will still have a given player 5 years
From now. Can't wait forever for a guy to get his act together.

Anyone hear if Lundqvist is starting tonight, or is he still sick?

Anyone hear if Lundqvist is starting tonight, or is he still sick?
- mdw7413

Yeah he's back in and for both outdoor games too

Yeah he's back in and for both outdoor games too
- cranford93

Nice

I swear, never in my life do I ever remember being as mad as I was when we didn't draft Cam Fowler, but I was willing to be reasonable and wait for McIlrath to develop.

It's hard not to be pissed right now.
- jimbro83

I remember with the #9 pick that Fowler wasn't taken and I jumped up and FREAKED OUT. Me and my friend saying how he can be out next Leetch. Funny enough he said "Actually, I might think about taking Tarsenko over Fowler." And jesus christ were we both disappointed.

I remember with the #9 pick that Fowler wasn't taken and I jumped up and FREAKED OUT. Me and my friend saying how he can be out next Leetch. Funny enough he said "Actually, I might think about taking Tarsenko over Fowler." And jesus christ were we both disappointed.
- mrhattrick27

1st round draft picks should be all about talent, not character guys. The Rangers have had the habit of going off the grid recently with their 1st rounders.

I remember with the #9 pick that Fowler wasn't taken and I jumped up and FREAKED OUT. Me and my friend saying how he can be out next Leetch. Funny enough he said "Actually, I might think about taking Tarsenko over Fowler." And jesus christ were we both disappointed.
- mrhattrick27

I said to my brother during the draft at around the 4th pick that it would be so awesome if we could TRADE UP right now to grab Fowler.

The first thing that came to mind when I saw the trade was "A Fish Called Wanda"
- Blueshirts4ever

That and "Dave". Awesome movie.

1st round draft picks should be all about talent, not character guys. The Rangers have had the habit of going off the grid recently with their 1st rounders.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

Since 2000 , I think its just Staal & Kreider stick out as 1st rounders that we can say are having an impact for us. Hopefully next year Miller can be added to that group. Obviously Cherapanov was a tragedy, and who knows what he would have turned into. Not great percentages of our 1st rounders turning into good NHLers

Since 2000 , I think its just Staal & Kreider stick out as 1st rounders that we can say are having an impact for us. Hopefully next year Miller can be added to that group. Obviously Cherapanov was a tragedy, and who knows what he would have turned into. Not great percentages of our 1st rounders turning into good NHLers
- mdw7413

Correct if I'm wrong, but wasn't Miller the last pick in the 1st round? Jury is still out on Miller, we'll need to see more on a consistent basis.

Klein seems like a clone of Girardi, just less offensively skilled. Can play a lot of minutes, is durable, blocks shots, and can play defense without taking penalties.
- jimbro83

...and I have absolutely nothing against that. Not a bad deal. Rangers needed a little more (s)punk on D and this gets them that.

I liked MDZ, but I just about had enough of his poor d-play after the last few games. I would have liked a 3rd or 4th rounder to come this way with Klein, but I am overall okay with this deal.

Since 2000 , I think its just Staal & Kreider stick out as 1st rounders that we can say are having an impact for us. Hopefully next year Miller can be added to that group. Obviously Cherapanov was a tragedy, and who knows what he would have turned into. Not great percentages of our 1st rounders turning into good NHLers
- mdw7413

Many teams also say this. It's not uncommon.

Correct if I'm wrong, but wasn't Miller the last pick in the 1st round? Jury is still out on Miller, we'll need to see more on a consistent basis.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

I thought Miller was in between 10-20 for some reason.

Many teams also say this. It's not uncommon.
- mames11

True, hindsight is 20/20, the Fowler one is probably the most glaring though. I think everyone was like wtf!

I thought Miller was in between 10-20 for some reason.
- mdw7413

I checked, yes he was the 15th pick.