I never realized how good of a passer Kreider is, both in traffic and on long stretch passes. Really is the complete package.
- TPC

That slick feed he made to MSL, on the power play, but he didn't finish. Kreider made many great plays last night. He had a good playoff last year, following a solid regular season. This year he looks like he is ready to take the next step and become a top flight winger.

I never realized how good of a passer Kreider is, both in traffic and on long stretch passes. Really is the complete package.
- TPC

Speaking of passing...how about that MSL game winning assist? If he can get comfortable on faceoffs I wouldnt be opposed to keeping him at center all year long after stepan gets back.

That slick feed he made to MSL, on the power play, but he didn't finish. Kreider made many great plays last night. He had a good playoff last year, following a solid regular season. This year he looks like he is ready to take the next step and become a top flight winger.
- MidnightMarauder

Kreider gained a lot of confidence from the end of last year. I think he's finally realized how dominant he can be if he uses his physical gifts. Only gonna get better.

Realistically, if they redrafted the 2009 first round right now, Kreider would probably go 4th, after Tavares, Hedman, and Duchene. My biased Ranger fan side of me says he can be better than ANY OF THEM.
- jimbro83

A site did do this. They had Kreider in the top 10 I believe. I think it was nhl.com but not sure.

Realistically, if they redrafted the 2009 first round right now, Kreider would probably go 4th, after Tavares, Hedman, and Duchene. My biased Ranger fan side of me says he can be better than ANY OF THEM.
- jimbro83

As much of a Kreider fan I have become I think it's safe to say Tavares and Hedman were the rightful top two picks of that draft.

I would put Kreider up against anyone else though. Duchene, Evander Kane, etc. Kreider is on the cusp of becoming a legitimate first line winger.

Speaking of passing...how about that MSL game winning assist? If he can get comfortable on faceoffs I wouldnt be opposed to keeping him at center all year long after stepan gets back.
- rangerdanger94

Who would you play Stepan with. I don't see AV breaking up Brass and Zucc. Unless they split up Nash and Kreider, and use one with MSL and one with Stepan. That would be 3 really good duos to build off of.

Kreider gained a lot of confidence from the end of last year. I think he's finally realized how dominant he can be if he uses his physical gifts. Only gonna get better.
- rangerdanger94

He's a physical freak of nature. Guy jumps like an NBA player. Fast, big bodied, strong, great hands, quick release.

Jesus, I am gushing like a schoolgirl, haha.

He's a physical freak of nature. Guy jumps like an NBA player. Fast, big bodied, strong, great hands, quick release.

Jesus, I am gushing like a schoolgirl, haha.
- MidnightMarauder

Don't try to fight it, Kreider has been this way with me for 4 years now

Who would you play Stepan with. I don't see AV breaking up Brass and Zucc. Unless they split up Nash and Kreider, and use one with MSL and one with Stepan. That would be 3 really good duos to build off of.
- TPC

I think Brassard and Zuccarello need a power winger to play with them.

I think Stepan should stay with MSL and Nash; put Kreider with Brassard and Zuccarello.

Kreider is a catalyst, he can play with any group of players. MSL and Nash have good chemistry and I think Nash needs that type of chemistry to thrive. Kreider can mesh with any center/winger combination.

Who would you play Stepan with. I don't see AV breaking up Brass and Zucc. Unless they split up Nash and Kreider, and use one with MSL and one with Stepan. That would be 3 really good duos to build off of.
- TPC

Duclair - Stepan - Stempniak
Malone - Moore - Miller...keep that miller and malone chemistry alive.

Don't try to fight it, Kreider has been this way with me for 4 years now
- TPC

He's yours, I am not invading your territory, HB bud! I always saw the potential in this kid but now that he is starting to realize it fully the sky is the limit for him.

He's yours, I am not invading your territory, HB bud! I always saw the potential in this kid but now that he is starting to realize it fully the sky is the limit for him.
- MidnightMarauder

Boyle news sucks, but I have to think AV is going to play Kostka because he has a little more experience than McIlrath. If that doesnt work hopefully McIlrath will get his chance.

On a good note, stempniak and duclair looked good. Duclair especially displayed some patty kane-like hands a couple times and is an excellent passer. He might be the best skater on the rangers now too and that says a lot.
- rangerdanger94

The back hand cross ice pass to Mac on the PP was nice

He's yours, I am not invading your territory, HB bud! I always saw the potential in this kid but now that he is starting to realize it fully the sky is the limit for him.
- MidnightMarauder

I was always a Torts guy, but has there ever been a coaching change in history that has benefited a player more? Thank god Torts was replaced and I was dead wrong.

Boyle news sucks, but I have to think AV is going to play Kostka because he has a little more experience than McIlrath. If that doesnt work hopefully McIlrath will get his chance.
- mdw7413

what exactly happened? I was a bit distracted during most of the game with the gf

what exactly happened? I was a bit distracted during most of the game with the gf
- MeltingPlastic

Think it was a slapshot from the point if I remember correctly.

what exactly happened? I was a bit distracted during most of the game with the gf
- MeltingPlastic

Sinner

I was always a Torts guy, but has there ever been a coaching change in history that has benefited a player more? Thank god Torts was replaced and I was dead wrong.
- jimbro83

Tortorella did some good work here and he did give some kids a shot. But he seemed to have issues with Kreider; issues that prevented him from being patient and giving Kreider the room to develop properly.

Kreider looks like a potential superstar and Vigneault is the perfect coach for him and this organization. Can't remember a coach I liked more and that includes Mike Keenan. Was barely around during the Neilson days and everyone else in between doesn't come close to the Rangers current bench boss.

I was always a Torts guy, but has there ever been a coaching change in history that has benefited a player more? Thank god Torts was replaced and I was dead wrong.
- jimbro83

I was a full fledged Torts guy till the last year he was here. Couldn't stand him his last year. Didn't think AV was going to be as good as he's been. Pleasant surprise.

Think it was a slapshot from the point if I remember correctly.
- mdw7413

Not sure if it was from the point but it was definitely a blocked shot that caused the injury.

Tortorella did some good work here and he did give some kids a shot. But he seemed to have issues with Kreider; issues that prevented him from being patient and giving Kreider the room to develop properly.

Kreider looks like a potential superstar and Vigneault is the perfect coach for him and this organization. Can't remember a coach I liked more and that includes Mike Keenan. Was barely around during the Neilson days and everyone else in between doesn't come close to the Rangers current bench boss.
- MidnightMarauder

Torts created a new culture of working hard, being good defensively, sticking up for each other, being young, and having an identity. A lot of that is still instilled in the current culture. He changed the entire culture of this organization and dumped the old rep of being the place where vets come to end their career.

Not sure if it was from the point but it was definitely a blocked shot that caused the injury.
- MidnightMarauder

Yeah, one of the few times the MSG crew didnt show a replay. That is one thing I have to give that crew credit for compared to the national broadcasts. They always show multiple replays of situations that happen during the game.

Torts created a new culture of working hard, being good defensively, sticking up for each other, being young, and having an identity. A lot of that is still instilled in the current culture. He changed the entire culture of this organization and dumped the old rep of being the place where vets come to end their career.
- rangerdanger94

I think Renney deserves some credit here as well.

The Ranger revival didn't start with the Tortorella era. Renney did a good job getting this team back to respectability, with a lot of help from Jagr and Hank, without question.

The team came close to beating the President's Trophy Sabres and advancing to the conference finals in 2007. That was Renney, he deserves a little credit too.

The team has been slowly building to becoming a legitimate contender and all of the coaches, along the way, deserve some credit.

Vigneault is definitely the right coach for this team.

Yeah, one of the few times the MSG crew didnt show a replay. That is one thing I have to give that crew credit for compared to the national broadcasts. They always show multiple replays of situations that happen during the game.
- mdw7413

Sh!t happens, Boyle will be back before Thanksgiving though so it's not the end of the world.

Just have to get through these next dozen games without Stepan and Boyle. I think they can do it.