IMO ... Duclair goes back to Jr's & Mueller goes down to 4th line mix and match for 13th forward. I'd leave Hayes where he is and ease Stepan back to game shape with 3rd line/PP/PK duties.
- JackBurton37

So you are thinking Hagelin-Stepan-Stempniak line to start?

So you are thinking Hagelin-Stepan-Stempniak line to start?
- TPC

seems about right ... any tinkering can happen once Stepan is up to speed

So you are thinking Hagelin-Stepan-Stempniak line to start?
- TPC

Kreider - Hayes - Nash
Duclair - Stepan - MSL
Malone - Brassard - Zuccarello
Hagelin - Moore - Stempniak

Kreider - Hayes - Nash
Duclair - Stepan - MSL
Malone - Brassard - Zuccarello
Hagelin - Moore - Stempniak
- rangerdanger94

I like the look of that.

Kreider - Hayes - Nash
Duclair - Stepan - MSL
Malone - Brassard - Zuccarello
Hagelin - Moore - Stempniak
- rangerdanger94

if Duclair is a Healthy scratch during his 9 game window, I can't imagine him staying with the big club for the season. Then again I though they brought up Stepan too fast, just to see him score a hat-trick in Buffalo in his first game (Buf fans were angry), so what do I know

if Duclair is a Healthy scratch during his 9 game window, I can't imagine him staying with the big club for the season. Then again I though they brought up Stepan too fast, just to see him score a hat-trick in Buffalo in his first game (Buf fans were angry), so what do I know
- JackBurton37

There is no 9 game window for Duclair but I agree that he needs to play. Hopefully he gets in the lineup Saturday.

I like the look of that.
- Pete V

Depth. Zucc and Brassard would produce best as the "3rd line" like last year.

There is no 9 game window for Duclair but I agree that he needs to play. Hopefully he gets in the lineup Saturday.
- rangerdanger94

no window? doesn't he either have to stay with the club for the season, or be returned to juniors following the 9th game? I don't believe he is eligible to play in the AHL this season.

There is no 9 game window for Duclair but I agree that he needs to play. Hopefully he gets in the lineup Saturday.
- rangerdanger94

Would be nice to see him get in the game this Saturday. Montreal doesn't really have any bruisers on the team; don't see the need to play both Glass and Malone at the same time.

Kreider - Hayes - Nash
Duclair - Stepan - MSL
Malone - Brassard - Zuccarello
Hagelin - Moore - Stempniak
- rangerdanger94

I like it, but I still think AV will keep Glass in the lineup. Probably over Malone.

no window? doesn't he either have to stay with the club for the season, or be returned to juniors following the 9th game? I don't believe he is eligible to play in the AHL this season.
- JackBurton37

Nope, contract burns no matter what this year so he can stay as long as the Rangers want.

no window? doesn't he either have to stay with the club for the season, or be returned to juniors following the 9th game? I don't believe he is eligible to play in the AHL this season.
- JackBurton37

the Rangers have burned the 1st year of his contract no matter what, they don't have to worry about the 9 game rule, it doesn't matter. They can send him back to juniors after game 40 if they want to.

What they can't do is get him back after they send him down.

And, he does us no good being stuck in Quebec. I still say keep him here the whole season

no window? doesn't he either have to stay with the club for the season, or be returned to juniors following the 9th game? I don't believe he is eligible to play in the AHL this season.
- JackBurton37

The 9 game window only applies with respect to his contract -- i.e., if he stays beyond 9 games, then it would count as the first year of his entry level contract under usual circumstances. Under Duclair's contract, this year counts as his entry level year no matter what, so they don't have any immediate reason to send him down at the 9 game mark -- i.e., they can keep him as long as they please, before sending him back to Juniors (if that is what they decide).

You are right that he can't play in the AHL -- it's either the Rangers or Juniors.

The 9 game window only applies with respect to his contract -- i.e., if he stays beyond 9 games, then it would count as the first year of his entry level contract under usual circumstances. Under Duclair's contract, this year counts as his entry level year no matter what, so they don't have any immediate reason to send him down at the 9 game mark -- i.e., they can keep him as long as they please, before sending him back to Juniors (if that is what they decide).

You are right that he can't play in the AHL -- it's either the Rangers or Juniors.
- Pete V

That might be something the league may want to address. I know the Junior league is a business as well and those teams want the top prospects playing there as long as possible but for the players benefit, some might be suited to play against men in the AHL for better development.

There is no good reason for Duclair not being in the lineup. It's a matter of AV playing it safe by playing Malone and to a certain extent Glass. Makes him safe from criticism by Slats, especially in view of the fact the team has won 4 in a row.

There is no good reason for Duclair not being in the lineup. It's a matter of AV playing it safe by playing Malone and to a certain extent Glass. Makes him safe from criticism by Slats, especially in view of the fact the team has won 4 in a row.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

I do believe that a lot of coaches, including AV, tend to play things safe when times are tough. Despite the Rangers winning three in a row, they were pretty bad against Carolina (and the preceding 3 games), after which Duclair came out, and then they played a good game against the Sharks (and then the coach doesn't want to change anything).

I do have to give AV a little credit given the fact that several young guys have played with the big club this year (Hayes, Duclair, Miller, Fast), but I do think that there is a certain comfort level with veteran guys when things aren't going great. Problem is, do you change the lineup when you've won 3 in a row. I hope Duclair gets back against Montreal.

Cant say I'm too thrilled with Malone. He makes Stepan look like an Olympic speed skater. Yeah he had a decent pre-season, but cant keep up with the play at all now. I would have Duclair in the lineup over Malone, at least Glass can keep up with the play and is used on the PK. I'm having trouble seeing what Malone actually brings to the team since he has been in the lineup.

Cant say I'm too thrilled with Maolne. He makes Stepan look like an Olympic speed skater. Yeah he had a decent pre-season, but cant keep up with the play at all now. I would have Duclair in the lineup over Malone, at least Glass can keep up with the play and is used on the PK. I'm having trouble seeing what Malone actually brings to the team since he has been in the lineup.
- mdw7413

O you know what he brings, and he brings a lot of it

Cant say I'm too thrilled with Malone. He makes Stepan look like an Olympic speed skater. Yeah he had a decent pre-season, but cant keep up with the play at all now. I would have Duclair in the lineup over Malone, at least Glass can keep up with the play and is used on the PK. I'm having trouble seeing what Malone actually brings to the team since he has been in the lineup.
- mdw7413

Glass is not getting out of this lineup. The only way Duclair gets in there, barring an injury, is for Malone to get taken out of the lineup.

To be fair, Glass has done a decent job on the fourth line as of late. Made a great hustle play on Jagr in the last game; could have saved a goal.

O you know what he brings, and he brings a lot of it
- TPC

- mdw7413

Glass is not getting out of this lineup. The only way Duclair gets in there, barring an injury, is for Malone to get taken out of the lineup.

To be fair, Glass has done a decent job on the fourth line as of late. Made a great hustle play on Jagr in the last game; could have saved a goal.
- MidnightMarauder

Yeah, thats why I wrote that in there, for the people who want to sit Glass. I was one of his biggest detractors, but he really hasn't played all that bad for a 4th liner. Malone would be the 1st to be sat if I was the coach. Can anyone really say Malone brings more to this team than Duclair?

I do believe that a lot of coaches, including AV, tend to play things safe when times are tough. Despite the Rangers winning three in a row, they were pretty bad against Carolina (and the preceding 3 games), after which Duclair came out, and then they played a good game against the Sharks (and then the coach doesn't want to change anything).

I do have to give AV a little credit given the fact that several young guys have played with the big club this year (Hayes, Duclair, Miller, Fast), but I do think that there is a certain comfort level with veteran guys when things aren't going great. Problem is, do you change the lineup when you've won 3 in a row. I hope Duclair gets back against Montreal.
- Pete V

It's a tough call, but this kid is a special talent and has terrific pose for 19.

It's a tough call, but this kid is a special talent and has terrific pose for 19.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

The good news is no matter what, he will still be that special talent at age 20 to. So if he gets sent down, while a little disappointing, there will be a lot to look forward to next year.

The good news is no matter what, he will still be that special talent at age 20 to. So if he gets sent down, while a little disappointing, there will be a lot to look forward to next year.
- TPC

True.