Yup. I want the team to succeed. Has nothing to do with this strawman people keep bringing up about loyalty.

Funny no one bringing up Staal. Three years younger, was healthy all year and had a worse year.
- mdw7413

Staal did not have a worse year than Girardi by any means

I think its a little different. Boyle was a UFA a the time, a lot easier to walk away from that. Girarid is 6 years younger then what Boyle was then as a UFA and Girardi is in the 2nd year of a 5 year or whatever deal. Rangers face penalties to get rid of him, Sharks could do it for free.
- TPC

very true

Staal did not have a worse year than Girardi by any means
- rangerdanger94

I actually thought Staal was solid down the stretch of the season, still not worth the cap hit but solid

Was our problem really offense last year? Everyone wants that shiny winger but let's be honest. Our issue was defense. We need to focus on improving the defense before we move assets or use cap space on forwards.
- rangerdanger94

I would argue it was a combination of both. Plenty of games the Rangers couldn't put up more then 1 or 2 goals. To absolve the offense of blame is extremely naive I think.

And FU

Staal did not have a worse year than Girardi by any means
- rangerdanger94

Blinders

Was our problem really offense last year? Everyone wants that shiny winger but let's be honest. Our issue was defense. We need to focus on improving the defense before we move assets or use cap space on forwards.
- rangerdanger94

Lack of puck possession was a serious issue. Yes, the Rangers had tons of shots on net nearly every game, but they were low quality shots from the boards. Rangers made every scrub goalie they faced look like Patrick Roy because of it.

Yeah...that would be an offensive issue.

The defense was bad because of the weird zone-to-man coverage Ulfie had them using this season. Players didn't understand it, and us fans watching the game never understood it (always leaving the slot vacant? Since when is that a good idea?).

I say, head coach stays (we know this already), but Arniel and Ulfie go. Boyle gone. Yandle gone. Defense already better at that.

McD/Girardi
Staal/Klein
Skeij/McI

I am fine with that.

I would argue it was a combination of both. Plenty of games the Rangers couldn't put up more then 1 or 2 goals. To absolve the offense of blame is extremely naive I think.

And FU
- mdw7413

I'm not absolving the offense but our defense was an absolute train wreck last year. Don't get me wrong, the offense plays a part in the defensive zone too in regards to back checking and playing man to man defense. But the defense plays an equally important part in the offense in terms of the breakout and making plays in the offensive zone. I think our biggest issue is defense and management will likely retool the bottom 6 of our offense but spend the big bucks shoring up the defense.

FIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!

Lack of puck possession was a serious issue. Yes, the Rangers had tons of shots on net nearly every game, but they were low quality shots from the boards. Rangers made every scrub goalie they faced look like Patrick Roy because of it.

Yeah...that would be an offensive issue.

The defense was bad because of the weird zone-to-man coverage Ulfie had them using this season. Players didn't understand it, and us fans watching the game never understood it (always leaving the slot vacant? Since when is that a good idea?).

I say, head coach stays (we know this already), but Arniel and Ulfie go. Boyle gone. Yandle gone. Defense already better at that.

McD/Girardi
Staal/Klein
Skeij/McI

I am fine with that.
- mames11

I think you're crazy for wanting Girardi anywhere near that top pairing.

Blinders
- mdw7413

only in one eye

I think you're crazy for wanting Girardi anywhere near that top six.
- mrn22

fixed

I think you're crazy for wanting Girardi anywhere near that top pairing.
- mrn22

We need a Cranny hot take on this.

only in one eye
- eichiefs9

fixed
- eichiefs9

Agreed

If expansion is going to happen for the 2017-18 season, the finalized rules are expected to be announced before this year's draft. Assuming the expansion rules follow the guidelines already announced (choice of protecting 7 forwards, 3 defensemen, and 1 goaltender OR 8 skaters and 1 goaltender; the NMCs have to be protected, and only players with 2 years or less of professional service time are exempt) the Rangers would want to take advantage of the 2 extra spots afforded by the 7-3-1 option. Even if the Rangers are able to take advantage of Girardi's NMC becoming a NTC, they will have to protect Staal (assuming he's not traded in the interim). That gives them only 2 protected D spots for McDonagh and Skjei, and leaves exposed McIlrath and Klein (with a year remaining on his cheap contract), although only one player per team can be lost. Anybody heard of a different take on that?

If expansion is going to happen for the 2017-18 season, the finalized rules are expected to be announced before this year's draft. Assuming the expansion rules follow the guidelines already announced (choice of protecting 7 forwards, 3 defensemen, and 1 goaltender OR 8 skaters and 1 goaltender; the NMCs have to be protected, and only players with 2 years or less of professional service time are exempt) the Rangers would want to take advantage of the 2 extra spots afforded by the 7-3-1 option. Even if the Rangers are able to take advantage of Girardi's NMC becoming a NTC, they will have to protect Staal (assuming he's not traded in the interim). That gives them only 2 protected D spots for McDonagh and Skjei, and leaves exposed McIlrath and Klein (with a year remaining on his cheap contract), although only one player per team can be lost. Anybody heard of a different take on that?
- dashripdot

This is what is floating around. If this is finalized to be like this, then I see Staal being dealt or bought out because if that clause in his contract.

Handcuffing organizations with cap restraints and then adding clauses to these deals is going to bite a bunch of teams come expansion...if that happens.

- eichiefs9

- eichiefs9

Larry Brooks ‏@NYP_Brooksie
Rangers have reached contract agreement with Pavel Buchnevich, Post has learned.

- eichiefs9

Bust

Bust
- smellmyfinger

- 21peter

What's great about this gif is that he doesn't speak english.

It's f'n official; Buch is coming

Bust
- smellmyfinger

Alas, and on the thirteen day of May, the year of our lord two thousand and sixteen...

..jesus said unto his disciples "yay, for pavel has signed. let us henceforth refer to him only as 'bustnevich' for all eternity. eat this porkroll, for it is my body"