That's the thing, we have nothing to intimidate. No one sees this EVER
- Slimtj100

Who do the penguins have to intimidate? Or the Sharks? Or the Lightning?

Yep the Rangers really want to try and get younger this offseason...going after high price UFAs, ins't gonna help that cause
- TPC

It's a trap this summer because there are a few "good" players on the open market. But, as I have stated prior, only Stamkos is worth blowing your proverbial load for. Not a single UFA, aside from he, is worth clogging up your cap with.

Who do the penguins have to intimidate? Or the Sharks? Or the Lightning?
- rangerdanger94

- Malkin's deformed face

- Burns/Thorton's beards & Couture's teeth that can cut steel i-beams

- The thought of Brian Boyle coming near you and immediately impregnating you with approximately 43 Irish-Catholic children

Pretty sure we had multiple 2 goal leads that Hank choked us out of
- rangerdanger94

No one gets the point lol. I've seen enough of the nice guys on the NYR, it's a futile effort. They were completely out of gas too because we have to play 6-7 game series all playoffs.

We were not utterly dominated by LA

LA can't even make the playoffs or do damage if they do anymore with how fast the NHL is getting
- rangerdanger94

It's tricky though with the way the refs call the games, some playoff games they let anything go and physical teams have an advantage.

Right after the lockout they were handing out two minutes for looking at players the wrong way, now clutching grabbing and interference seem to be creeping their way back in.

No one gets the point lol. I've seen enough of the nice guys on the NYR, it's a futile effort. They were completely out of gas too because we have to play 6-7 game series all playoffs.
- Slimtj100

I think the whole intimidation and physicality part of the game is rapidly dying out and speed is taking over. You look at all the successful teams and they are successful due to defensive structure and creating speed and chaos in the offensive zone.

No one gets the point lol. I've seen enough of the nice guys on the NYR, it's a futile effort. They were completely out of gas too because we have to play 6-7 game series all playoffs.
- Slimtj100

Aside from the Game 7 against Tampa, the Rangers won plenty of Game 7s in the last four prior playoff runs.

I think the whole intimidation and physicality part of the game is rapidly dying out and speed is taking over. You look at all the successful teams and they are successful due to defensive structure and creating speed and chaos in the offensive zone.
- rangerdanger94

I agree on the knuckle dragger part, but players like Backes, Brouwer, etc. always seem to flourish in the playoffs. More about being able to grind, grab and interefere more rather than being able to punch someones teeth in.

It's a trap this summer because there are a few "good" players on the open market. But, as I have stated prior, only Stamkos is worth blowing your proverbial load for. Not a single UFA, aside from he, is worth clogging up your cap with.
- MidnightMarauder

I'd say Backes, Ladd, Eriksson, Lucic and to a lesser extent Boedkker and Okposo are "Stepan-caliber" players. If you believe Stepan is an impact player and is worth 6.5M a year, then these guys can be equally impactful and fairly priced at 6.5M. Stamkos is obviously the prize though.

Who do the penguins have to intimidate? Or the Sharks? Or the Lightning?
- rangerdanger94

Crosby intimidates with everything he does

Kane intimidates with playmaking

Pavelski isn't human half the time, he does everything.

Stamkos with his shot, a triplets line...Hedman etc.

He point is it can be any form of intimidation. We have nothing but a great goalie and it only takes you so far. We have nice guys, they're all friends with each other. They are missing a huge ingredient. We're not good enough to win with just speed and skill. I fight this losing battle every summer I get it

(frank) that. sauerkraut is terrible and ruins everything it touches.
- smellmyfinger

Agreed.

Crosby intimidates with everything he does

Kane intimidates with playmaking

Pavelski isn't human half the time, he does everything.

Stamkos with his shot, a triplets line...Hedman etc.

He point is it can be any form of intimidation. We have nothing but a great goalie and it only takes you so far. We have nice guys, they're all friends with each other. They are missing a huge ingredient. We're not good enough to win with just speed and skill. I fight this losing battle every summer I get it
- Slimtj100

I wouldn't mind trading Nash. I agree with you there. We just disagree on the return.

Crosby intimidates with everything he does

Kane intimidates with playmaking

Pavelski isn't human half the time, he does everything.

Stamkos with his shot, a triplets line...Hedman etc.

He point is it can be any form of intimidation. We have nothing but a great goalie and it only takes you so far. We have nice guys, they're all friends with each other. They are missing a huge ingredient. We're not good enough to win with just speed and skill. I fight this losing battle every summer I get it
- Slimtj100

Lundqvist intimidates shooters. And we intimidated players with speed before we lost that identity.

Lundqvist intimidates shooters. And we intimidated players with speed before we lost that identity.
- rangerdanger94

The point is something is missing. How much longer do we need to watch to realize that? We're not and haven't been good enough with that identity.

I agree on the knuckle dragger part, but players like Backes, Brouwer, etc. always seem to flourish in the playoffs. More about being able to grind, grab and interefere more rather than being able to punch someones teeth in.
- smellmyfinger

Not directed at you, but all of sudden Backes has developed this reputation of being a playoff point producer that can do a bit of everything. Before these playoffs he had 13 points in 29 playoff games. This year he has 13 in 15 games. No doubt in my mind he's playing for a contract.

Not directed at you, but all of sudden Backes has developed this reputation of being a playoff point producer that can do a bit of everything. Before these playoffs he had 13 points in 29 playoff games. This year he has 13 in 15 games. No doubt in my mind he's playing for a contract.
- tomburton99

I get that, I'm just talking about the style of play. For the most part the past few seasons "letting them play" means more grabbing, interfering, holding, etc.

The point is something is missing. How much longer do we need to watch to realize that? We're not and haven't been good enough with that identity.
- Slimtj100

the difference between winning a playoff series and not is sometimes a coin flip. 29 teams don't win the Stanley cup each year.

Our identity of speed was really, really good. We lost in the SCF with 3 of our losses that series coming in like double OT or something like that and lost to Tampa in game 7 of the ECF after going into the 3rd period of that game tied 0-0. That identity is proven to be successful and give us a chance at winning that coin flip each series. This year we moved away from that and even against Pitt we decided to go macho man and hit them to poop and their speed raped us. Their speed raped the big bad heavy capitals too.

Not directed at you, but all of sudden Backes has developed this reputation of being a playoff point producer that can do a bit of everything. Before these playoffs he had 13 points in 29 playoff games. This year he has 13 in 15 games. No doubt in my mind he's playing for a contract.
- tomburton99

I think Backes has value as a middle-6 guy, regardless of point production in the playoffs. The key to signing him will be not getting killed on term. The style of play that he puts forth is conducive to his body wearing down and he's already 32. I wouldn't give him more than a 3-4 year deal. Preferably 3, but you know he'll want 4.

the difference between winning a playoff series and not is sometimes a coin flip. 29 teams don't win the Stanley cup each year.

Our identity of speed was really, really good. We lost in the SCF with 3 of our losses that series coming in like double OT or something like that and lost to Tampa in game 7 of the ECF after going into the 3rd period of that game tied 0-0. That identity is proven to be successful and give us a chance at winning that coin flip each series. This year we moved away from that and even against Pitt we decided to go macho man and hit them to poop and their speed raped us. Their speed raped the big bad heavy capitals too.
- rangerdanger94

Your window is closed. Deal with it, nerd.

Your window is closed. Deal with it, nerd.


- eichiefs9

If the Rangers a line like clutterbuck Martin and czikas they may have beat LA. That line does so much for a team and the crowd it's insane

If the Rangers a line like clutterbuck Martin and czikas they may have beat LA. That line does so much for a team and the crowd it's insane
- Slimtj100

We may have also only won 1 game in the 2nd round.

We may have also only won 1 game in the 2nd round.
- mdw7413

We may have also only won 1 game in the 2nd round.
- mdw7413

(frank)ing roasted

If the Rangers a line like clutterbuck Martin and czikas they may have beat LA. That line does so much for a team and the crowd it's insane
- Slimtj100

I love Cizikas, that guy can play on my team forever.

Speaking of LA...Trevor Lewis would be a good fit as a 4th line center for you guys. He's a bottom-6 center that I really like.

We may have also only won 1 game in the 2nd round.
- mdw7413

Or the 1st round