Rangers need to find a way to obtain a 1st round pick or else they're going to be in major trouble in a few years. I get why they don't have any, they went for it while Lundqvist was in his prime, but now they're going to have to face reality that once Buchnevich and Skjei are full-time NHL'ers there is going to be very little top-tier talent in the prospect pool. Almost none, really.

I'm not sure if there are any guys on the current roster that they could afford to lose that are worth a 1st, but if there were I think you'd have to seriously consider selling them to try and stop the bleeding and secure some sort of future.
- eichiefs9

There are ways for Gorton to recoup assets.

The Rangers have players like Stepan, even Klein and perhaps Nash, assuming the team will be comfortable eating salary, to obtain the needed picks they have to in order to not be in a world of sh!t in a few seasons.

Fleury, EStaal, Mstaal, and Nash sounds like a good start.
- JRR1285

Just Fleury, thanks.

Stop right there, lets not get gitty over a small sample size......
- Ur Not Me

That's why Flower is still our #1 at the moment. If Muzza can continue developing there is no doubt he will be a NHL starter very soon. Is there any types of slumps goalies get after the first season - like other players?? 'Softmore' (s) slump?

We would gladly take Fleury.

For (frank)s sake we gotta spend $20 million next year just to reach the cap floor and only like 4 open roster spots.
- BINGO!

We would gladly take Fleury.

For (frank)s sake we gotta spend $20 million next year just to reach the cap floor and only like 4 open roster spots.
- BINGO!

1 - Staal.....


3 left...

Well I'm on my way to Bermuda on a 7 day vaca starting Sun morning. I got that to look forwRd to!

Happy Passover Jan.
- B2B76

Thanks

Nice work, Jan. Your efforts, insights and info over the season are much appreciated. I am saying this now because, as we all realize, this season is over. If it's not over on Saturday, I will copy and paste this into the next blog.
While I always try to remember in the back of my mind that the guys calling the shots for the team know the game better than I do and see the players on a personal level that I don't, it sure seems like they could benefit from taking our opinions to heart.
And for any of those people who may be reading this - Heart: spirit, courage or enthusiasm. - Dictionary.com
It really is mind-boggling that the coaching/management staff can be so blind to problems (and solutions) that are so obvious.
- Tonybere

Thank you.

"I'm still in shock. Not that they lost but that NO effort seemed to be there. I mean, seriously can't believe that gm.

AV & even Mac as the Captain have to take major responsibility. And Hank, the man is not the same, maybe after the inevitable elimination here we hear he has some injury still from last month or something else. But at now 34 & a LOT of yrs left on his deal I am majorly concerned for the future, would not have said that just a few weeks ago but it is glaringly apparent."



Even as a HUGE Pens fan, I would not agree that there was no effort in last night's game. I would just say your Rangers were wore down, as the Pens have been able to do more recently to so many opponents with coach Sullivan behind the bench. We watched a fantastic weekend of hockey here in the burgh as the season was winding down... successive games against Philly and Washington... where the Pens simply put on clinics, and neither opponent had anything to fight back with. As a coach, I just don't know how you prepare to play against the Pens these days, and to take two games in MSG is no easy task, any time. Right now, we seem to have the perfect mix of playmakers, savvy veterans and hungry youth, and believe me when I say, we Pens fans saw none of this coming earlier on in the season... things were looking pretty dismal.

GO PENS !!

- eichiefs9

Matt read for Bailey

There are ways for Gorton to recoup assets.

The Rangers have players like Stepan, even Klein and perhaps Nash, assuming the team will be comfortable eating salary, to obtain the needed picks they have to in order to not be in a world of sh!t in a few seasons.
- MidnightMarauder

Can they afford to lose them though?

That's where I'm torn. Sure, selling off assets would land them the picks that they need to not have major issues in the future, but you'd essentially be forfeiting the final hanful of productive years of Lundqvist. If they're willing to do that, they may as well just trade Hank while he still has value.

That's why Flower is still our #1 at the moment. If Muzza can continue developing there is no doubt he will be a NHL starter very soon. Is there any types of slumps goalies get after the first season - like other players?? 'Softmore' (s) slump?
- Aussiepenguin

Hey, I'll admit Murray looks good but lets see how the next 2 seasons go. At least currently your G situation is fixed and that's all you can ask for.....

Matt read for Bailey
- Just5

Done.....

1 - Staal.....


3 left...
- Ur Not Me

Nyet.

Matt read for Bailey
- Just5

Pretty sure that's just an even swap of the same player. Same money, same term, same disappointing results.

You've been falling down the mountain since '75, is that what you mean?
- Slimtj100

that's one big ass mountain

Skjei is playing well. Was this to be expected? What I mean is was he a touted prospect? Admittedly, I have not watched many Rangers games this year but in a short sample he looks promising. He certainly bulled Hornqvist over in the second last night.

Hey, I'll admit Murray looks good but lets see how the next 2 seasons go. At least currently your G situation is fixed and that's all you can ask for.....
- Ur Not Me

It's great finding a good G spot to be in!

Skjei is playing well. Was this to be expected? What I mean is was he a touted prospect? Admittedly, I have not watched many Rangers games this year but in a short sample he looks promising. He certainly bulled Hornqvist over in the second last night.
- Tiogadog

Yes, touted, but unsure this level of growth was expected by anyone. Have to give Jeff Beukeboom, who coaches him at Hartford, a ton of credit for helping expedite his growth.

Pretty sure that's just an even swap of the same player. Same money, same term, same disappointing results.
- eichiefs9

At least Read tries harder.....

Can they afford to lose them though?

That's where I'm torn. Sure, selling off assets would land them the picks that they need to not have major issues in the future, but you'd essentially be forfeiting the final hanful of productive years of Lundqvist. If they're willing to do that, they may as well just trade Hank while he still has value.
- eichiefs9

You caught my drift.

I am one of the very few that thinks Hank needs to get dealt this summer. A minor dismantling of the team is in order. The core is stale and there is little in the way of solid futures in the organization.

Yes, touted, but unsure this level of growth was expected by anyone. Have to give Jeff Beukeboom, who coaches him at Hartford, a ton of credit for helping expedite his growth.
- airjan23

Sounds like Beukeboom and Samuelsson might be a nice coach duo for the Rangers.

there is no defending AV right now

losing hard fought close games would be one thing, the team completely giving up, at MSG, like they did last night is quite another

You caught my drift.

I am one of the very few that thinks Hank needs to get dealt this summer. A minor dismantling of the team is in order. The core is stale and there is little in the way of solid futures in the organization.
- MidnightMarauder

Do u have enough cap space to resign Kreider? Or space is needed? He's your biggest player to make sure get signed or not?

At least Read tries harder.....
- Ur Not Me

Read hasn't tried since his new deal.

One guy I could see Gorton dealing at the draft is a guy like Kreider. Unless he isn't asking for 4.5+ I could see him staying. I could see him being shopped though because that's another guy who all year didn't bring it until about 15 games left and he's another that disappeared last night.