Yeah, never thought of it that way, but definitely makes sense. Your not going to get the kind of geniuses we see at the big market teams as the smaller market.

As for the Capitals, whichever political party is in power is probably the majority of the fans for those 4-8 years. So that makes sense.
- mdw7413

The thing with the Caps was that it felt so fake/forced. You're talking about a team that had more visiting fans that home fans whenever they played any team in the Northeast US for more than a decade, then when they got OV stopped allowing people outside of DC Metro to buy tix. It's like they all know the line and just recite it, sort of like a Catholic Mass. No real, true passion.

I would be concerned about how it would look for the Rangers to sign a young kid as a free agent, and then immediately trade him. I think that would have an adverse effect on their ability to make those type of signings in the future.

And, to he honest, I haven't seen much of Hayes, and I've seen a ton of Trochek live, so I think my opinion on that one would be a little slanted. They are different players. Trochek is a smallish forward, and Hayes is obviously a hoss. Trochek reminds me a great deal of Derek Stepan -- real, real smart and solid in every aspect of the game, but doesn't necessarily have elite measurables in any one particular area. That would be a tough call for me, putting aside the concern raised above.
- Pete V

Okay, consider it in a vacuum. Hayes on his deal and Trochek on his. Who would you take if you had your choice?

It actually is. I'd enjoy the Calgary/Edmonton boards a lot if it wasn't a constant homophobic flame war in there. The Habs blog steam rolls out of control about halfway down Page 2. The Penguins blog is alright, although there's a lot of smug in there. Bill Meltzer is probably the best writer on the site (no offense, Jan) and the Flyers posters, in general, are level-headed on here. I've found this blog to be pretty good in general, as well. Except for one poster, can't remember his name, dude's always flaming the Islanders threads.
- jmatchett383

Meltzer and Levine are the two best writers on this site.

I don't really travel around these boards too much; I circle around the division threads outside of being a mainstay on this one.

Pens boards are so so; some easy going fans but too many arrogant fans for my taste.

Isles boards are alright but they often end up in a pissing contest; within their own base and with Rangers fans that come there.

Devils boards are usual tense whenever Rangers fans look to have conversations on there. To be fair, some fans do come there to start so I do get their quick trigger retaliatory comments.

Leafs, Habs and Sabres boards tend to get out of control and in a hurry.

He still had that end to end speed factor to him, every once in a while he decides to bust out his best Bobby Orr and creates some offensive chances bc of it.

3/4 of the times he gets tied up in the netural zone or stripped of the puck but when it does work, you love the guy
- DDM-Coga

Hunwick being a regular healthy scratch and sometimes sub is actually a good look for this core.

You want your seventh to be a somewhat young veteran that can come in and fill in in case of injury or a downgrade in play with one of the regulars.

Okay, consider it in a vacuum. Hayes on his deal and Trochek on his. Who would you take if you had your choice?
- jmatchett383

Trochek, because I think he is more ready to help the Rangers immediately, but conceding that I've seen way less of Hayes.

The counter-argument, however, would be that Trochek is similar type player to Stepan and Brassard, while Hayes brings a different element.

The thing with the Caps was that it felt so fake/forced. You're talking about a team that had more visiting fans that home fans whenever they played any team in the Northeast US for more than a decade, then when they got OV stopped allowing people outside of DC Metro to buy tix. It's like they all know the line and just recite it, sort of like a Catholic Mass. No real, true passion.
- jmatchett383

I See you're a recovering catholic also

I See you're a recovering catholic also
- MeltingPlastic

haha, no, and I didn't mean any disrespect to Catholics. Just that, at the masses I've been to (funerals/weddings), the recited chants just seem so...I guess "forced" is the word. There's no energy, it's just saying the words and going through the motions.

Now, a Southern Baptist church...that seems like a party.

haha, no, and I didn't mean any disrespect to Catholics. Just that, at the masses I've been to (funerals/weddings), the recited chants just seem so...I guess "forced" is the word. There's no energy, it's just saying the words and going through the motions.

Now, a Southern Baptist church...that seems like a party.
- jmatchett383

I used to say the same thing to my grandmother who was a devout catholic and she agreed.

You know what really exciting? That we are so excited about duclair and buchnevich may be even better.

You know what really exciting? That we are so excited about duclair and buchnevich may be even better.
- mjh609

Two third round selections in 2013. The first year the Rangers didn't have a top round selection via the Rick Nash trade.

Turns out they could have two of the bigger steals from that draft year.

Two third round selections in 2013. The first year the Rangers didn't have a top round selection via the Rick Nash trade.

Turns out they could have two of the bigger steals from that draft year.
- MidnightMarauder

I know its always the cool thing to blame management when ever there are perceived failures, but the team management from Sather on down deserves some serious credit and accolades over the last few years.

You think that's bad, try going to a Flyers' game.

"SHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!'

"HIDDUM!!!"

"DO SUMTHIN WIDDIT!!!"
- jmatchett383

What hockey fan doesn't say all those things?

I know its always the cool thing to blame management when ever there are perceived failures, but the team management from Sather on down deserves some serious credit and accolades over the last few years.
- mdw7413

Especially if Skjei, Duclair and Buchnevich are all here at some point, during the 2015-16 season.

Plus this recent draft could bear some serious fruit as well. Halverson and Shesterkin look like good prospects and they were selected outside of the first round as well.

Steve Zipay ‏@stevezipay 2m2 minutes ago
Ryan Bourque is heading out to Hartford. Was carrying sticks to his car.

What hockey fan doesn't say all those things?
- BobbySchmautz

I hate the glass bangers most of all, especially the clowns in DC

Sean Hartnett ‏@HartnettHockey 2m2 minutes ago
Anthony Duclair and Kevin Hayes are going to survive this round of cuts. Both are getting on to the ice at Greenburgh.

Steve Zipay ‏@stevezipay 2m2 minutes ago
Ryan Bourque is heading out to Hartford. Was carrying sticks to his car.
- HankdaTank

Not hard to figure that one out. He didn't look bad but just too much depth at wing and the sudden emergence of a certain phenom from the Q; an almost impossible hill to climb for Bourque.

Steve Zipay ‏@stevezipay 2m2 minutes ago
Ryan Bourque is heading out to Hartford. Was carrying sticks to his car.
- HankdaTank

he has to clear waivers, wouldn't be surprised if somebody plucked him

Sean Hartnett ‏@HartnettHockey 2m2 minutes ago
Anthony Duclair and Kevin Hayes are going to survive this round of cuts. Both are getting on to the ice at Greenburgh.
- jimbro83

I think Hayes is making this team. Not necessarily because he has been so dominant but because he has been consistent, has the size the team lacks at center and Lindberg isn't overwhelming him in the competition.

If Hayes and Lindberg are at a draw, edge to Hayes.

he has to clear waivers, wouldn't be surprised if somebody plucked him
- jimbro83

Not at all, he actually looked pretty good in the games he played in. Nothing spectacular but certainly competent.

he has to clear waivers, wouldn't be surprised if somebody plucked him
- jimbro83

There's the contract to lose, he's a career AHLer especially in this organization

he has to clear waivers, wouldn't be surprised if somebody plucked him
- jimbro83

Oh hey look.. our savior all along could have been Ryan Bourque lol

I think Hayes is making this team. Not necessarily because he has been so dominant but because he has been consistent, has the size the team lacks at center and Lindberg isn't overwhelming him in the competition.

If Hayes and Lindberg are at a draw, edge to Hayes.
- MidnightMarauder

we definitely need the size. He's like a replacement for Brian Boyle, with a little more offensive skill already and way more potential.

Not at all, he actually looked pretty good in the games he played in. Nothing spectacular but certainly competent.
- MidnightMarauder

He will find his place in the NHL, just not with the Rangers. Seems like a good kid.

we definitely need the size. He's like a replacement for Brian Boyle, with a little more offensive skill already and way more potential.
- jimbro83

'Zactly.

Hayes is Boyle with more offensive ability and better skating technique at this stage in the game.