I think the 03/04 Flyers could have beaten anyone but Tampa Bay that year. Like last year, it was a W-L-W-L-W-L-W where the team with home ice was able to hold 2-1 in Game 7. That was the year they finally beat NJ. But yes, they were a frustrating team, but they always made it fun.

I'm not saying it's necessarily a bad trade. I just wouldn't consider it a success to give up those young assets for an aging superstar because you lost in the SCF one time. That was my original point. That's not my barometer for success.
- jmatchett383

I understand what you're saying. Either way, I'm happy with the trade so far because MSL at this age is still a more impact winger than Cally ever was. Cally is having a career year playing with Stamkos. He'd have 5 less goals and 7 less assists on the year if he was playing with us still. Plus, he's slowed down tremendously.

If in a year or 2 Cally starts slowing down CONSIDERABLY as many players with his play style do (Clowe for example) and starts getting more chronic injury issues, then the view of this trade changes even more.

Rangers haven't been this offensively talented in many years.

Brassard is turning into a very good second line center. Stepan, while not a top tier center, is extremely credible as a #1 and is having an excellent season. Kreider is not having a good season but he is still so talented and has the potential to be an excellent power forward in the league. Miller, Hayes and Hagelin give them solid depth and they are all under the age of 26. Zuccarello is having sub par season but he is still a solid depth scoring wing. St. Louis, what can you say about this guy? Tied for second on the team in scoring.

And then there's Rick Nash. Anyone still complaining about this guy's ability to score?
- MidnightMarauder

the way he is playing you could say 1A/1B between him and steps I think

I understand what you're saying. Either way, I'm happy with the trade so far because MSL at this age is still a more impact winger than Cally ever was. Cally is having a career year playing with Stamkos. He'd have 5 less goals and 7 less assists on the year if he was playing with us still. Plus, he's slowed down tremendously.

If in a year or 2 Cally starts slowing down CONSIDERABLY as many players with his play style do (Clowe for example) and starts getting more chronic injury issues, then the view of this trade changes even more.
- RAGSareDANGERus

I actually don't even view Callahan as a major part of that trade. He was a good soldier, never flashy but always a hard worker who gave his all. But I think the major pieces were the 2 1st rounders.

I actually don't even view Callahan as a major part of that trade. He was a good soldier, never flashy but always a hard worker who gave his all. But I think the major pieces were the 2 1st rounders.
- jmatchett383

As I said, they arguably already botched one of their 1st rounders. They have such a good scouting department that it's tough to imagine them screwing up 2 in a row, and they're also great at developing players so the two players they drafted with our 1st rounder last year could still develop well.

All in all, time will tell. I think the Rangers just need to win the Cup with MSL earning the Conn Smythe to put all the trade talk to rest

I actually don't even view Callahan as a major part of that trade. He was a good soldier, never flashy but always a hard worker who gave his all. But I think the major pieces were the 2 1st rounders.
- jmatchett383

but, Tampa didn't use the first rounder last year and the Rangers get their second rounder this year, so it's really like the Rangers just dropping 20+ spots.

It's really not big of a deal

As I said, they arguably already botched one of their 1st rounders. They have such a good scouting department that it's tough to imagine them screwing up 2 in a row, and they're also great at developing players so the two players they drafted with our 1st rounder last year could still develop well.

All in all, time will tell. I think the Rangers just need to win the Cup with MSL earning the Conn Smythe to put all the trade talk to rest
- RAGSareDANGERus

Oh, absolutely. The guy's a dynamic talent on the ice and seems to be able to elevate his game when it matters most. Again, I'm not saying the trade was bad. Just saying that one trip to the SCF where you lose after giving up 2 first round picks would not make me satisfied as a fan. That was my original point.

Oh, absolutely. The guy's a dynamic talent on the ice and seems to be able to elevate his game when it matters most. Again, I'm not saying the trade was bad. Just saying that one trip to the SCF where you lose after giving up 2 first round picks would not make me satisfied as a fan. That was my original point.
- jmatchett383

Trust me, no one is satisfied. With that said, it's hard to knock the trade even if we didn't win considering MSL was our most important forward in that trip to the SCF. Without him, we don't have the chance to play the Kings for the Cup. That's all.

but, Tampa didn't use the first rounder last year and the Rangers get their second rounder this year, so it's really like the Rangers just dropping 20+ spots.

It's really not big of a deal
- jimbro83

That traded pick dropped them 7 spots in a very solid yet unspectacular draft and got them another second rounder. And that Tampa second rounder this year is likely closer to a 3rd round pick than a first rounder, as Tampa could get to the ECF or even SCF.

That traded pick dropped them 7 spots in a very solid yet unspectacular draft and got them another second rounder. And that Tampa second rounder this year is likely closer to a 3rd round pick than a first rounder, as Tampa could get to the ECF or even SCF.
- jmatchett383

you are getting desperate here

Trust me, no one is satisfied. With that said, it's hard to knock the trade even if we didn't win considering MSL was our most important forward in that trip to the SCF. Without him, we don't have the chance to play the Kings for the Cup. That's all.
- RAGSareDANGERus

Plus with the Rangers recent 1st round draft pedigree....is it really that big of a deal to lose the pick? Prospects are prospects for a reason. The Rangers went to the cup last year in large part due to the play of MSL. I have said many times before, the trade was worth it from last year alone. Everything that happens now and on is just gravy to me.
- TPC

I wouldn't say it was worth it just to lose in 5 games in the SCF. It's worth it if he ends up being a key part of a Cup win. But that's why I brought up Pronger. The trade wasn't " worth it from 09/10 alone." Had he continued playing and led them to a Cup, then it would be.

you are getting desperate here
- jimbro83

Well if you're gonna bring up the trade and what picks are going where, I'm gonna be objective and point out where the picks are actually going.

Again, for the 5th time, I am not saying it's a bad trade, simply that one run to the SCF where you go 1-4 should not make the trade worth it. Which was what I initially responded to.

Well if you're gonna bring up the trade and what picks are going where, I'm gonna be objective and point out where the picks are actually going.

Again, for the 5th time, I am not saying it's a bad trade, simply that one run to the SCF where you go 1-4 should not make the trade a win. Which was what I initially responded to.
- jmatchett383

and you haven't shut up about it in about 2 hours now

I wouldn't say it was worth it just to lose in 5 games in the SCF. It's worth it if he ends up being a key part of a Cup win. But that's why I brought up Pronger. The trade wasn't " worth it from 09/10 alone." Had he continued playing and led them to a Cup, then it would be.
- jmatchett383

Okay we get it. You're kinda beating a dead horse here.

and you haven't shut up about it in about 2 hours now
- jimbro83

Well, when you keep responding to it, on a discussion forum, I figured you wanted to discuss it. Silly me.

Okay we get it. You're kinda beating a dead horse here.
- RAGSareDANGERus

I am going to go to the Flyer page and talk about the Luke Schenn for JVR trade for 2 hours

I am going to go to the Flyer page and talk about the Luke Schenn for JVR trade for 2 hours
- jimbro83

Go ahead, you won't get anyone saying it was a good trade. It was a horrible one.

I am going to go to the Flyer page and talk about the Luke Schenn for JVR trade for 2 hours
- jimbro83

How about the AMac for a 2nd and 3rd trade?

Go ahead, you won't get anyone saying it was a good trade. It was a horrible one.
- jmatchett383

MJL probably will

the way he is playing you could say 1A/1B between him and steps I think
- webleedblue

I would agree. Brassard is currently our #1 as he plays with Nash, but Steps is prob #1B. they are interchangable to me. not sure if either are a true #1 though.

How about the AMac for a 2nd and 3rd trade?
- RAGSareDANGERus

how about trading a draft pick to get Bryzgalov's UFA rights ahead of time.

MJL probably will
- RAGSareDANGERus

That dude will argue anything. He's the one person who believes the AMac trade/contract were good moves.

how about trading a draft pick to get Bryzgalov's UFA rights ahead of time.
- jimbro83

Meh, a 3rd rounder and an AHL goon didn't bother me. The 9-year, $51M contract did. That, the AMac deal, and the Lecavalier deals were all terrible. That is why Holmgren is gone.

how about trading a draft pick to get Bryzgalov's UFA rights ahead of time.
- jimbro83

At least they got something for Bobrovsky so they didn't have 2 starting goalies when Bryz signed.

Meh, a 3rd rounder and an AHL goon didn't bother me. The 9-year, $51M contract did. That, the AMac deal, and the Lecavalier deals were all terrible. That is why Holmgren is gone.
- jmatchett383

Holmgren isn't gone. He actually got promoted

Holmgren isn't gone. He actually got promoted
- RAGSareDANGERus

He's gone from the GM position.