also, blaming Girardi for every loss is getting ridiculous, to put it mildly
- jimbro83

no ones blaming him for loss. thats on Hank mostly I think.

Doesnt change the fact that he doesnt belong on the first pair

you willing to trade one of these young forwards?
- jimbro83

getting to that point ya

Then Gortons gotta make some kinda move
- mrn22

Lets get Capt. Kirk (aka, baldy #2) in here from St/ Louis asap

The Tavares shot was world class but it looked like Hank should have had that, seemed the shot was right where his glove hand was & he missed it.
- B2B76

Yeah, Hank just seemed to lose the post last night. He is usually much better.

no ones blaming him for loss. thats on Hank mostly I think.

Doesnt change the fact that he doesnt belong on the first pair
- mrn22

well it's definitely not Girardi when he wasn't on the ice for any of the 4 Islander goals

you willing to trade one of these young forwards?
- jimbro83

Ur gonna have to + for Shattenkirk......

also, blaming Girardi for every loss is getting ridiculous, to put it mildly
- jimbro83

He's a +11 on the year. He plays about 19-20 minutes a night. He's chipped in a little offensively with 7 points (30 goals). A ton of block shots. He really hasn't been bad at all. Whether he is misplaced as a top pair defensemen really isn't his fault or problem. The fact is he is the best the Rangers have, and he shouldn't be blamed for that. Go out and get another defensemen by all means, but Girardi shouldn't be blamed for playing the roll he needs to play. And, the coach shouldn't be blamed for not having any better options, IMO.

In fairness, Girardi is the best right defensemen on the team. Who else would play in that spot? Klein? Holden? Moving Skjei out of position?

I think AV is going with what he has. And, as much as it is not ideal to have Girardi on the top pair anymore, there really doesn't seem to be a better option to me.
- Pete V

I don't know how Girardi can still be singled out as much as he is, he's had a bounce back year as far as I'm concerned, he breaks up plays, active with his stick and his puck management has been so much better, bottom line is Hank has to be better and the forwards have to step up, Zucc, Step, Kreider, Miller, Hayes and even Pirri have to lead this team while Nash, Ziba and buch are missing, Grabs isn't going to keep up his pace for goals and we shouldn't be relying on a renaissance year from him anyway, they are better than this, compared to last season we knew they were a flawed team with zero depth last season, this season's start was recognizable, AV has now has his work cut out

Ur gonna have to + for Shattenkirk......
- Ur Not Me

I don't think the Blues are dealing him

Lets get Capt. Kirk (aka, baldy #2) in here from St/ Louis asap
- B2B76

Ha, ur ESP is working....

I don't think the Blues are dealing him
- jimbro83

Unless they sign him, he's getting dealt bc they're not gonna lose him for nothing.

well it's definitely not Girardi when he wasn't on the ice for any of the 4 Islander goals
- jimbro83

Still his fault ...

Yeah, Hank just seemed to lose the post last night. He is usually much better.
- mdw7413

He just looked uncomfortable, the 2nd goal right after the 4 min penalty expired was savable TOO.

Unless they sign him, he's getting dealt bc they're not gonna lose him for nothing.
- Ur Not Me

I don't necessarily agree with that. Every year teams acquire rentals at the deadline, many times giving up 2nd or even 1st round picks for them. If the Blues see themselves as a Cup contender, they could just view Shattenkirk as an own rental (meaning that he would be worth more to them as a rental than the pick(s) they would be able to get in trade).

Ha, ur ESP is working....
- Ur Not Me

He was brought up here again last night an hour or so before game time. I posted that pic of him & Halak w they're backs turned & Shatty has a huge bald spot on the top/back of his head that isn't visible in his profile shot. I joked Stepan would have a new best friend if we acquired him.

Unless they sign him, he's getting dealt bc they're not gonna lose him for nothing.
- Ur Not Me

I don't believe that, they are trying to win the Cup

Its on Gorton to get someone in here to stabilize the D.

Saying Girardi should play 2nd or 3rd pair isnt saying hes been bad, I agree with all three of you that hes bounced back compared to last year, never said he shouldnt be on the team (though I still think you buy him out in the offseason)

Its on Gorton to get someone in here to stabilize the D.

Saying Girardi should play 2nd or 3rd pair isnt saying hes been bad, I agree with all three of you that hes bounced back compared to last year, never said he shouldnt be on the team (though I still think you buy him out in the offseason)
- mrn22

after awhile it just gets annoying that the topic always goes back to Girardi when he had absolutely nothing to do with the loss last night

I don't believe that, they are trying to win the Cup
- jimbro83

They can still win a cup without Shatty, if the return helps team. Parayko is the new Shatty. I just dont see STL losing him to FA unless they plan on signing him.

Maybe it's just me but I think Girardi is fine.

I have bigger issues with Klein right now

Maybe it's just me but I think Girardi is fine.

I have bigger issues with Klein right now
- TPC

dont disagree, in fact never said he was bad. Only said they need someone whos more than "just fine" to play top pair and get a little more outa Mcdonagh

They can still win a cup without Shatty, if the return helps team. Parayko is the new Shatty. I just dont see STL losing him to FA unless they plan on signing him.
- Ur Not Me

St Louis doesn't usually operate with that line of thought

they certainly didn't look to move Backes last year and he was a pending UFA

they have never won the Cup, they'll be buyers, not sellers

dont disagree, in fact never said he was bad. Only said they need someone whos more than "just fine" to play top pair and get a little more outa Mcdonagh
- mrn22

I think we all know that getting that type of player is going to cost a lot in trade.

I do think it will ultimately be necessary. The question is when. Now? At the trade deadline? Next summer?

Maybe it's just me but I think Girardi is fine.

I have bigger issues with Klein right now
- TPC

Hank.

Needs to get his head right, like the bad start he had 2 years ago, where Talbot played the majority of games in the beginning of the season. Hank needs to be the back up for the next 2 weeks.

U lost me after last night.....
- Ur Not Me

As an Islander fan it was not meant for you, I'll post something for your later, it will be all pictures so you can read it easier.