Bass will go with anybody and has some girth to him, but at a tad over six foot he is certainly isn't a heavyweight.

Sure I could see it, him getting some games.

BTW, on netflix streaming, I been watching The Last Gladiators, about Chris Nilan and other true heavyweights.

I will never forget that game the Blackhawks in an effort to stand up to some opponent after a few injuries to real NHL defenseman this is stretching it Maggie and Doug Jarrett, might have been injured) brought up the Portland Buckaroos pairing Rick Foley and Gerry Korab.

I followed the other leagues, I knew from in warm-up what we were gonna be be watching
- wiz1901

I didn't know that was on netflix. Thanks for the info.

Says the guy who was doing cartwheels over the addition of future hall of famer Kevin Hayes.

I'll take the over the hill Conn Smythe winner over the unproven prospect with a sense of entitlement any day of the week.
- Sandus

Nobody has Hayes penciled in for 60+ points on our 2nd line. In fact, almost every rangers fan expects Hayes to start off in the AHL.

I really don't see how you can criticize the Hayes signing especially when we've traded 3 first round picks in a 4 year span? We're ecstatic because we got a big guy with a scoring touch for nothing to help out thin prospect pool.

I never talked badly about the actual signing of richards. In fact I said it was a great signing for you guys. I'm just making my prediction on where Richards will be playing in the lineup based on his last few seasons with the rangers. He will still provide nice depth and leadership to the Hawks and he will (somehow) get a decent chunk of points but his speed and lack of playmaking ability will bring down kane and saad to the point that he will need to be moved off their line.

All well and good but in the scenario being discussed, Sharp was traded.
And unless Hossa has found a way to turn back the hands of time, he is aging. He will be 36 this coming season. While everyone wants to pile on Sharp for his playoff performance, Hossa really wasn't much of a factor after the Blues series. Hossa had a shooting pct of a whopping 1, something percentage. I am not an expert but that isn't good. He also lead the team in shots during the playoffs.
- Elbows15

Here's the thing:

Hossa WAS hurt in the playoffs, lesser recurrence of disk issue from last year. So ya, that supports your "aging" hypothesis.

But no, he's still a very, very good hockey player, aging or no. And hey, there's the Hockey News saying the Hawks have the best forwards in the league (which I would assume has something to do with their top 6). Sarcasm intended.

Seriously....the combination of Bickell being somehow better than Sharp on our top line AND the 3rd liner we get in the package for Sharp being a better player than Bickell would be what you're asking for in order to say "we can trade Sharp, improve our depth, and still be a better team next year". It just doesn't make sense. Its not feasible in any way.
- SimpleJack

The point you don't get, and apparently never will is that Bickell doesn't need to be better than Sharp. He doesn't even need to be as good. He just needs to play hard every night and score 15-20. The team has more than enough offense with or without Shart.

People are so hung up on "losing" Patrick Sharp's 30 goals...big (frank)ing deal. What else does he do? Doesn't PK, doesn't play physical, doesn't play C (where he would best help the team), doesn't score in the gimmick. Bickell scores 15-20 in his LW spot and better depth = better team D...then you don't miss Sharp's 30 goals.

Bass will go with anybody and has some girth to him, but at a tad over six foot he is certainly isn't a heavyweight.

Sure I could see it, him getting some games.

BTW, on netflix streaming, I been watching The Last Gladiators, about Chris Nilan and other true heavyweights.

I will never forget that game the Blackhawks in an effort to stand up to some opponent after a few injuries to real NHL defenseman this is stretching it Maggie and Doug Jarrett, might have been injured) brought up the Portland Buckaroos pairing Rick Foley and Gerry Korab.

I followed the other leagues, I knew from in warm-up what we were gonna be be watching
- wiz1901

Was that the game against Boston where Korab held Sanderson up by his hair and punched on him?

The point you don't get, and apparently never will is that Bickell doesn't need to be better than Sharp. He doesn't even need to be as good. He just needs to play hard every night and score 15-20. The team has more than enough offense with or without Shart.

People are so hung up on "losing" Patrick Sharp's 30 goals...big (frank)ing deal. What else does he do? Doesn't PK, doesn't play physical, doesn't play C (where he would best help the team), doesn't score in the gimmick. Bickell scores 15-20 in his LW spot and better depth = better team D...then you don't miss Sharp's 30 goals.
- Ogilthorpe2

Guess the Blackhawks wouldn't miss Kane then. What else does he do? Doesn't PK, doesn't play physical, doesn't play C...but hey, he can score in the gimmick.

How you are unable to see how losing Sharp would hurt the Blackhawks is absolutely amazing. There would be a trickle down effect throughout the lineup. Explain to me a trade out there that gives the Blackhawks better depth and makes the Blackhawks a better team right now...it isn't out there. As I said before, this new depth would have to be better than Sharp + Morin/Smith (the #12 forwards on this team)...go ahead. It isn't out there.

Guess the Blackhawks wouldn't miss Kane then. What else does he do? Doesn't PK, doesn't play physical, doesn't play C...but hey, he can score in the gimmick.

How you are unable to see how losing Sharp would hurt the Blackhawks is absolutely amazing. There would be a trickle down effect throughout the lineup. Explain to me a trade out there that gives the Blackhawks better depth and makes the Blackhawks a better team right now...it isn't out there. As I said before, this new depth would have to be better than Sharp + Morin/Smith (the #12 forwards on this team)...go ahead. It isn't out there.
- HawkFan27

If sharp were to be traded for 2 lesser players to improve depth, I could see it work out similar to the seguin trade.

If sharp were to be traded for 2 lesser players to improve depth, I could see it work out similar to the seguin trade.
- rangerdanger94

Ya except I wouldn't have traded Seguin in the first place. He could have said the most heinous things toward my mother and I wouldn't care. He'll mature and the Bruins will have to continually feel the Richard kicking they got from that trade.

Seguin > Reilly Smith

Nobody has Hayes penciled in for 60+ points on our 2nd line. In fact, almost every rangers fan expects Hayes to start off in the AHL.

I really don't see how you can criticize the Hayes signing especially when we've traded 3 first round picks in a 4 year span? We're ecstatic because we got a big guy with a scoring touch for nothing to help out thin prospect pool.

I never talked badly about the actual signing of richards. In fact I said it was a great signing for you guys. I'm just making my prediction on where Richards will be playing in the lineup based on his last few seasons with the rangers. He will still provide nice depth and leadership to the Hawks and he will (somehow) get a decent chunk of points but his speed and lack of playmaking ability will bring down kane and saad to the point that he will need to be moved off their line.
- rangerdanger94

I don't agree. If Handzus can't make Kane worse, there's no way Richards can. And if he's even half the playmaker he was in Dallas and Tampa, that's still a good player.

Sure he has no transition game, but neither did the guy he's replacing, and that's the only place that speed makes a huge difference.

The point you don't get, and apparently never will is that Bickell doesn't need to be better than Sharp. He doesn't even need to be as good. He just needs to play hard every night and score 15-20. The team has more than enough offense with or without Shart.

People are so hung up on "losing" Patrick Sharp's 30 goals...big (frank)ing deal. What else does he do? Doesn't PK, doesn't play physical, doesn't play C (where he would best help the team), doesn't score in the gimmick. Bickell scores 15-20 in his LW spot and better depth = better team D...then you don't miss Sharp's 30 goals.
- Ogilthorpe2

I have to agree with Ogi on this, the more we discuss the cap situation the more it makes sense to unload Sharp (for next season). He would bring the greatest return and free up the most cap space with one move. Sharp's offense would be replaced by the improvement in guys like Morin, Shaw, Kruger and Saad. On the prospect front guys like McNeill and Teravainen could help as well. It's also possible that Bickell and Versteeg contribute a little bit more. My point is that Sharp can be replaced by committee, it doesn't have to be a one-for-one replacement.

I don't agree. If Handzus can't make Kane worse, there's no way Richards can. And if he's even half the playmaker he was in Dallas and Tampa, that's still a good player.

Sure he has no transition game, but neither did the guy he's replacing, and that's the only place that speed makes a huge difference.
- Sandus

A lot of the Blackhawk offense - especially any line Kane is on - comes from the transition game: quick pass by the defense out of the zone, quick entry into the o-zone by the forwards.

Saad can keep up; if Richards isn't any better than Handzus on trailing, they still could have a problem.

I have to agree with Ogi on this, the more we discuss the cap situation the more it makes sense to unload Sharp (for next season). He would bring the greatest return and free up the most cap space with one move. Sharp's offense would be replaced by the improvement in guys like Morin, Shaw, Kruger and Saad. On the prospect front guys like McNeill and Teravainen could help as well. It's also possible that Bickell and Versteeg contribute a little bit more. My point is that Sharp can be replaced by committee, it doesn't have to be a one-for-one replacement.
- DarthKane

I think the consensus here (which is not to say that the front office shares this view)is that Sharp is gone next year - the question is this year.

I think the consensus here (which is not to say that the front office shares this view)is that Sharp is gone next year - the question is this year.
- StLBravesFan

This year Stan should make the move that impacts the team the least. The players at the top that list are Rozsival, Versteeg and Leddy.

I don't agree. If Handzus can't make Kane worse, there's no way Richards can. And if he's even half the playmaker he was in Dallas and Tampa, that's still a good player.

Sure he has no transition game, but neither did the guy he's replacing, and that's the only place that speed makes a huge difference.
- Sandus

We shall see....leaf fans ignored devils fans warnings to curtail their expectations on the clarkson signing and were proven dead wrong.

Nobody has Hayes penciled in for 60+ points on our 2nd line. In fact, almost every rangers fan expects Hayes to start off in the AHL.

I really don't see how you can criticize the Hayes signing especially when we've traded 3 first round picks in a 4 year span? We're ecstatic because we got a big guy with a scoring touch for nothing to help out thin prospect pool.

I never talked badly about the actual signing of richards. In fact I said it was a great signing for you guys. I'm just making my prediction on where Richards will be playing in the lineup based on his last few seasons with the rangers. He will still provide nice depth and leadership to the Hawks and he will (somehow) get a decent chunk of points but his speed and lack of playmaking ability will bring down kane and saad to the point that he will need to be moved off their line.
- rangerdanger94

Ahhh dont you have anything better to do? go back to your blog stop TROLLING and get lost.

A lot of the Blackhawk offense - especially any line Kane is on - comes from the transition game: quick pass by the defense out of the zone, quick entry into the o-zone by the forwards.

Saad can keep up; if Richards isn't any better than Handzus on trailing, they still could have a problem.
- StLBravesFan

While that's true, a big reason for that was an inability to convert deep zone pressure into good scoring chances. A guy like Richards, while not particularly mobile, has the ability to open up the zone a lot better than any recent vintage second line centers. So while you might not see the same transition offense (or you might, with Richards high on the breakout), you may yet see increased scoring because they can set up and finish better.

We shall see....leaf fans ignored devils fans warnings to curtail their expectations on the clarkson signing and were proven dead wrong.
- rangerdanger94

True, but Clarkson didn't have a career of consistent production leading up to his new and terrible contract.

Clarkson had a season and a half of great numbers in a rather short career of meh. Richards has had a season and a half of (relative) meh in a long career of great numbers.

Again, there's no reason you can give me that he isn't a significant upgrade at that position from previous years, and that playing alongside top caliber talent won't allow him to produce at a higher rate (ask Chris Kunitz how that works).

Ahhh dont you have anything better to do? go back to your blog stop TROLLING and get lost.
- BGKarras

People throw the word trolling out so easily nowadays...

True, but Clarkson didn't have a career of consistent production leading up to his new and terrible contract.

Clarkson had a season and a half of great numbers in a rather short career of meh. Richards has had a season and a half of (relative) meh in a long career of great numbers.

Again, there's no reason you can give me that he isn't a significant upgrade at that position from previous years, and that playing alongside top caliber talent won't allow him to produce at a higher rate (ask Chris Kunitz how that works).
- Sandus

Again, we shall see. Richards is definitely an upgrade to handzus so you have that going for you but if richards continues the regression he's been on the past couple years then I just dont see how he can stay on the 2nd line. I mean dominic moore was bumped up to take his spot next to MSL multiple times in the playoffs.

Again, we shall see. Richards is definitely an upgrade to handzus so you have that going for you but if richards continues the regression he's been on the past couple years then I just dont see how he can stay on the 2nd line. I mean dominic moore was bumped up to take his spot next to MSL multiple times in the playoffs.
- rangerdanger94

And yet, Vigneault still played him 17 minutes a game in the playoffs. Line usage is not always an indicator of pure performance.

And if 20 goals and 50 points on a low-offense team is indicative of regression, then I will still take him in that diminished capacity in my top 6.

And yet, Vigneault still played him 17 minutes a game in the playoffs. Line usage is not always an indicator of pure performance.

And if 20 goals and 50 points on a low-offense team is indicative of regression, then I will still take him in that diminished capacity in my top 6.
- Sandus

Yea, he will somehow get 45-50 points for you guys probably. But in between those points, you will want to strangle him. He just looked so lost out there. A lot of his points came on the PP though and IDK if you guys plan on using him there so his production might decrease based on that alone.

I would love Richards back on the Rangers for $2M a year, but as a 3rd line center.

Assuming Richards busts out and gets relegated to the bottom 6, what does your new top 6 look like? Saad can play center right? Why not move Sharp to center if he doesn't get traded?

Yea, he will somehow get 45-50 points for you guys probably. But in between those points, you will want to strangle him. He just looked so lost out there. A lot of his points came on the PP though and IDK if you guys plan on using him there so his production might decrease based on that alone.

I would love Richards back on the Rangers for $2M a year, but as a 3rd line center.

Assuming Richards busts out and gets relegated to the bottom 6, what does your new top 6 look like? Saad can play center right? Why not move Sharp to center if he doesn't get traded?
- rangerdanger94

Saad can't play center. That was a failed experiment. Most likely you'd be looking for improvement from Marcus Kruger enough that he could step into that role. If not, then there's a real problem because Andrew Shaw is not a top 6 forward, nor is Ben Smith, and Teravainen (even if he's ready) doesn't fit under the cap.

Tampa Bay in SC finals????

That is one of the loudest ROTFLMAO of the offseason. Based on what? So this offseason they got cup worthy better after a pathetic and anemic 4-0 seeya last year!

Saad can't play center. That was a failed experiment. Most likely you'd be looking for improvement from Marcus Kruger enough that he could step into that role. If not, then there's a real problem because Andrew Shaw is not a top 6 forward, nor is Ben Smith, and Teravainen (even if he's ready) doesn't fit under the cap.
- Sandus

Only if Saad could play centre! I think Kruger could make the jump to 3C this season, that wouldn't surprise me.

I believe Teravainen will be a top 6 talent once he's NHL ready.

The point you don't get, and apparently never will is that Bickell doesn't need to be better than Sharp. He doesn't even need to be as good. He just needs to play hard every night and score 15-20. The team has more than enough offense with or without Shart.

People are so hung up on "losing" Patrick Sharp's 30 goals...big (frank)ing deal. What else does he do? Doesn't PK, doesn't play physical, doesn't play C (where he would best help the team), doesn't score in the gimmick. Bickell scores 15-20 in his LW spot and better depth = better team D...then you don't miss Sharp's 30 goals.
- Ogilthorpe2

Im so perplexed at how u dont get this....its like mind boggling to me. Ok, so lets run by this one more time......who, please tell me who, can we POSSIBLY get in a Sharp trade package(knowing the cap crunch) that will be SOOOO much better than Bickell(who you just gave pretty good praise to as being a top line caliber player who could put up 15-20 goals) on our 3rd line to the point where it causes the trade to make us an overall better team now that you've even admitted Bickell doesn't have to be(and clearly wouldnt be) as good as Sharp on our top line??? Do u understand what him asking?

How do we gain more depth or an overall stronger lineup? We dont.