Which is a valuable position to any hockey team?

Honestly, I don't get why Ranger fans on here are so insecure about their team that they have to relentlessly bash anyone who leaves the team and get any dissenting posters kicked off their board.

Just ignore them, Tampa fans. They'll find out soon enough how important Stralman was in limiting their GA.
- TommyDeVito

now Stralman was what made our 6 one of the best in the league, the other 5 will never be the same

Nope haven't been following along, admittedly. Well if fans are backing that assertion up then I'd tend to agree with you. Stralman in no way makes Staal and NHLer and I would certainly take Staal over Stralman. That being said, I thought I saw the Tampa posters say a few times that they were not trying to say Stralman was better than Staal? Could be wrong, but regardless I would be happy to sign Stralman if my team needed defensive help and there was a continuingly rising salary cap/inflated contracts.
- RickJames77

A lot of the fans are saying that but the blogger continues to take shots at staal while a few of the fans back him up saying "its just facts look at the corsi numbers!"

One fan even said that arguing that staal is better than stralman is like arguing that 2+2=5...that its.arguing against pure facts.

Stralman was one is four top Ufa defensemen this year (nisk, brooks and erhoff) and we got him at a fair market price and didn't have to give up any assets. I'd take that any day rather then signing a short term solution and have to sign another d-man next year or trade for a top4, which a come expensive nowadays

I do t know about you guys, but I rather take Stralman on orpiks contract then orpik on stralmans contract. That should indicate that this was a good signing. (And that orpiks was aweful)

I also have Tampa winning the cup next season.

A lot of the fans are saying that but the blogger continues to take shots at staal while a few of the fans back him up saying "its just facts look at the corsi numbers!"

One fan even said that arguing that staal is better than stralman is like arguing that 2+2=5...that its.arguing against pure facts.
- rangerdanger94

According to the corsi numbers, Stralman was a better possession player than Stall. Are those numbers flawed? Most likely. But those are the numbers Michael is talking about. Thats all.

I also have Tampa winning the cup next season.
- habfanforever

I dont think they're quite there yet, but getting pretty close. The west is still much better than the East.

I also have Tampa winning the cup next season.
- habfanforever

How about the cup staying in the West?

How about the cup staying in the West?
- koniglaro

Probably will. If Justin Williams is your Conn Smythe winner, that shows how deep the west really is.

.. I'm glad the falling Wings are out of the West.

Did they get MSL or is that still not happening, per you?
- tomburton99

I said they would never get him for Callahan - I never said they couldn't get him if they were stupid enough to add two first round picks for a 38 year old.

The lightning got a good player in Stralman. Will he be worth the contract? Who knows, but at 4.5m salary with the cap going up, even if he doesn't replicate his time with the Rangers will be less and less of a burden. Every team takes risks when it comes to FA signings, what makes this any different? Obviously compared to last year 4.5m for Stralman seems like a lot, but look at the inflated contracts that have been given out this free agency and even last year (David Clarkson). I'm not saying Stralman will be worth 4.5m, but I'd be excited if I were a bolts fan to add to and bolster our defense. Bunch of Ranger fans being sour pusses is really all I see. If you think it is overpayment, then fine state it in a way that doesn't make you look like a jerk.
- RickJames77

I think any defenseman in the NHL who is capable of playing well in top 4 minutes is worth 4.5 million, personally.

The thing is, some of them act like its a grossly overpayment, while the rangers offered him a mere 500k less. For a top 4 defender, 4.5mil per is market price, and there's no reason to believe Stralman is not a top 4 dman.
- TBolts4

Sour grapes, man - that's all it is.

According to the corsi numbers, Stralman was a better possession player than Stall. Are those numbers flawed? Most likely. But those are the numbers Michael is talking about. Thats all.
- TBolts4

They're very different players, but I'd argue their value to a roster is about equal, all things considered.

Both capable second pairing defenders, one an all-around guy, one a defensive specialist.

I dont think they're quite there yet, but getting pretty close. The west is still much better than the East.
- TBolts4

Maybe leader dman and another leader/grit player to complement callahan on forward. Not that far away.

I actually think Michael Stuart has said this ever single day since July 1st
- jimbro83

Pretty sure I've never said this. He's a great possession player. He's not going to score goals or put up points, but he's a great possession player. That's all I've said.

I'm not sure if youve been following michael stuarts blogs since they signed stralman but he consistently says that stralman made marc staal an nhl player and the only reason staal has any success is because of stralman. Staal is apparently a "drag" on stralmans elite defensive ability.

Not sure youd be too happy if an Edmonton blogger continued to write blogs about how ference carried seidenberg on his back and was the only reason seidenberg was successful because corsi.That's why we come in waves being angry sour pusses. Whenever you try to argue it he just says "corsi proves it as a fact you are wrong".
- rangerdanger94

Find me the quote where I said Stralman makes Staal an NHL player. I really want you to find me that quote (HINT: It doesn't exist). Staal is a good NHL player. He brings things to the ice that Stralman doesn't. That doesn't change the fact that he was a drag on Stralman's possession last year, or the fact that he was a dismal possession player away from Stralman over the last three year.

Also, in their limited minutes together, it was Ference who was a drag on Seidenberg's numbers, not the other way around. So it wouldn't be like me saying that at all.

I said they would never get him for Callahan - I never said they couldn't get him if they were stupid enough to add two first round picks for a 38 year old.


- TommyDeVito

I can pull up the blogs and comments for if you like. Amnesia must be awful to live with.

I said they would never get him for Callahan - I never said they couldn't get him if they were stupid enough to add two first round picks for a 38 year old.


- TommyDeVito

It's a wonderful world.

Tampa fans welcome to our (Islanders) world. While there are many classy Ranger fans, that vocal minority has the ability to show up and tarnish their team, and their fan base. Once any player leaves them they were not that good, any player that comes is great, and your club can't be better, ever.
Tampa had possibly the best off season of any team in the league. They improved not just through the addition of any one player but a group, and it started with the St. Louis trade. Stevie Y made chicken salad out of chicken s&!t. He was in a horrible situation and made the best out of it long term. You will reap benefits for a while, I will move aside and let the anti-Isles, moving to Brooklyn, we made the finals, etc start. Best of luck, I look forward to watching your club this year.

Here's a good Rangers blog on this Stralman subject.

http://savebyrichter.com/...lman-spoiler-really-good/

Conclusion: "The Rangers top priority this summer should be keeping Stralman. Even if it is at the expense of Marc Staal."

Tampa fans telling Rangers fans to "get over it" isn't that funny
- KreiderBomb

When was the last time I came into a rangers thread and said this kinda stuff? That's right, NEVER. So yeah, he's gone, he's in TBay now! Get. Over. It.

When was the last time I came into a rangers thread and said this kinda stuff? That's right, NEVER. So yeah, he's gone, he's in TBay now! Get. Over. It.
- Artyukhin76

Yeah...

Somehow "Top 10 Reasons to Be Excited about the 2014-15 Tampa Bay Lightning" turned into another Rangers thread. I think they love me.

Yeah...

Somehow "Top 10 Reasons to Be Excited about the 2014-15 Tampa Bay Lightning" turned into another Rangers thread. I think they love me.
- Michael_Stuart

Love isn't the word....

There are many things to be excited about as Lightning fans. Changed offense, upgraded defense and goaltending. We will put up a good fight this season. Lots to enjoy and look forward too.

Here's a good Rangers blog on this Stralman subject.

http://savebyrichter.com/...lman-spoiler-really-good/

Conclusion: "The Rangers top priority this summer should be keeping Stralman. Even if it is at the expense of Marc Staal."
- Michael_Stuart

Back on the stralman > staal train I see.

Didn't tampa only turn their attention towards stralman AFTER they lost out on dan boyle?

Back on the stralman > staal train I see.

Didn't tampa only turn their attention towards stralman AFTER they lost out on dan boyle?
- rangerdanger94

No?