Jerry Crasnick ‏@jcrasnick 43s44 seconds ago
Source says a medical issue might be holding up the Bruce deal between #Mets and #Reds. Stay tuned.

I think physicality can be effective, but it has to be applied correctly. I wasn't sad to see Matt Martin go because nearly all of his hits were the result of him finishing a check 20ft behind the play. It was cool to watch and all but I never thought it was a particularly valuable "skill".
- eichiefs9

There are so many things wrong with the hits stat. The statisticians get out of hand when awarding a "hit".

Josh Khalfin is working on a hit project and is working on trying to define a valuable hit. I remember seeing something like Abdelkader only generates possession on like 16% of his hits.

I think physicality can be effective, but it has to be applied correctly. I wasn't sad to see Matt Martin go because nearly all of his hits were the result of him finishing a check 20ft behind the play. It was cool to watch and all but I never thought it was a particularly valuable "skill".
- eichiefs9

That's what I'm saying. The Pens certainly hit, but it was always a hockey play (Letang's periodic temper tantrums not included) and we didn't go for the gratuitous, "wear 'em down" "hit 'em for the sake of hitting 'em" plays. I think that good hitting that separates guys from pucks and cause turnovers is a very important part of the game, but the importance of the gratuitous, wear 'em down, hard to play against hits is completely overblown. If a hit isn't causing a turnover or straight up injuring a player, it's not accomplishing much, and the latter is headhunting and is bad for the sport.

You obviously haven't used much time on this blog last couple of years...
- 21peter

You obviously missed the last few blogs where I put up everyone's faceoff %'s and everyone was very non responsive to how big of an issue I think it will be for our team this year.

You obviously missed the last few blogs where I put up everyone's faceoff %'s and everyone was very non responsive to how big of an issue I think it will be for our team this year.
- nyrangers9479

it's because almost impossible to have a real hockey conversation around here because of the silly Draisaitl thing

Form a defensive perspective I think the Rangers in a very good spot
Top 3 - McDonaugh (L), Klein (R), Skjei (L) (Yes he is THAT good)

They need to find 3 more defensemen to fill out their top 6 from this list:

Staal (L)
Holden (L)
Girardi (R)
McIlrath (R)
Clendening (R)
Graves (L)
Paliotta (R)

More quality on the Left side, then on the Right... hopefully one, two or three of the young guys step up throughout the season and claim a spot / provide the depth to assure the Ranegrs they have that 7th & 8th D-man in case someone goes down and there wont be a huge dropoff. (McIlrath, Clendening, Graves, Paliotta)
- MiloslavHorava

Who I hope:

it's because almost impossible to have a real hockey conversation around here because of the silly Draisaitl thing
- jimbro83

Sign and trade of Vermette for Draisaitl?

You obviously missed the last few blogs where I put up everyone's faceoff %'s and everyone was very non responsive to how big of an issue I think it will be for our team this year.
- nyrangers9479

Because all that has been covered here on numerous occasions - even though most commenters aren't exactly corsi guys

I tell you what, he is still decent, great faceoff guy, Rangers should look at him
- jimbro83

4th line C would be a good pickup... if we can get him around $1-$1.5M... I would consider that an upgrade over Moore.

That's what I'm saying. The Pens certainly hit, but it was always a hockey play (Letang's periodic temper tantrums not included) and we didn't go for the gratuitous, "wear 'em down" "hit 'em for the sake of hitting 'em" plays. I think that good hitting that separates guys from pucks and cause turnovers is a very important part of the game, but the importance of the gratuitous, wear 'em down, hard to play against hits is completely overblown. If a hit isn't causing a turnover or straight up injuring a player, it's not accomplishing much, and the latter is headhunting and is bad for the sport.
- Victoro311

Go away. I don't want to agree with a PIT fan.



And your avatar is dumb.

4th line C would be a good pickup... if we can get him around $1-$1.5M... I would consider that an upgrade over Moore.
- richardson30

Vermette is definitely an upgrade over Dominic Moore at this stage

4th line C would be a good pickup... if we can get him around $1-$1.5M... I would consider that an upgrade over Moore.
- richardson30

Been putting up bottom 6 numbers with top 6 minutes. Dude is no longer an NHLer

Please explain the theory as to why you think it's important.
- Feds91Stammer

checking is actually used to separate the player from the puck. this in turn allows your team to get the puck, which feeds into the analytics peoples dream of always having the puck.

checking = more turnovers.

checking is actually used to separate the player from the puck. this in turn allows your team to get the puck, which feeds into the analytics peoples dream of always having the puck.

checking = more turnovers.
- richardson30

More turnovers than the alternatives to checking though?

How often are hits made when a player still has the puck?

Vermette is definitely an upgrade over Dominic Moore at this stage
- jimbro83

Big hell no on Vermette. Let the kids get a shot and play

You obviously missed the last few blogs where I put up everyone's faceoff %'s and everyone was very non responsive to how big of an issue I think it will be for our team this year.
- nyrangers9479

I saw that... too funny. maybe come up with a different word for it? ask if anyone cares about draws? haha I agree though, we need some help with FOs...

More turnovers than the alternatives to checking though?

How often are hits made when a player still has the puck?
- Feds91Stammer

Those hits lead to apple turnovers.

More turnovers than the alternatives to checking though?

How often are hits made when a player still has the puck?
- Feds91Stammer

if the threat of a check forces a player to move the puck quicker than he wants to, thus resulting in a turnover. isn't that the same as hitting a player with the puck? the main purpose of hitting is to force turnovers... anything extra is just for fans to enjoy.

Go away. I don't want to agree with a PIT fan.



And your avatar is dumb.
- nyrispmco

Your father was a hamster and your mother smelled of elder berries. I fart in your general direction.

Big hell no on Vermette. Let the kids get a shot and play
- mrn22

which kid do you expect to get the 4th C role? (while Lindberg is out) once Lindberg is healthy I agree, let him give it a try.

Big hell no on Vermette. Let the kids get a shot and play
- mrn22

that could very well be the plan, I think Gorton has definitely shown interest in getting younger

I saw that... too funny. maybe come up with a different word for it? ask if anyone cares about draws? haha I agree though, we need some help with FOs...
- richardson30

You do realize they only lost 75 more faceoffs then they won right?

As Gabriel notes in his original article, it takes a faceoff +/- of +245 to equal a win for a team over the duration of a full season, which is pretty extreme although slightly possible, and that no teams take sufficient enough power-play faceoffs to equal a win.

http://www.arcticicehocke...ff-even-strength-vs-power

Your father was a hamster and your mother smelled of elder berries. I fart in your general direction.
- Victoro311

greatest movie ever! "I'll bite your legs off!"

You do realize they only lost 75 more faceoffs then they won right?
- Feds91Stammer

# of faceoffs won matter little if you ALWAYS lose the important draws. the faceoffs with 20 seconds left that result in a score, or a final powerplay that you need to win the draw. We always seem to lose those, because we don't have an elite FO guy.

which kid do you expect to get the 4th C role? (while Lindberg is out) once Lindberg is healthy I agree, let him give it a try.
- richardson30

Jooris