if we had won 5-0 last night it would have meant squat come playoff time

they didn't show up last night for a January 3rd game.

If they don't show up for a game April 20th, then the coach needs to go
- jimbro83

I am not talking about one game. While we have shown the ability to win close games in the past, I do not know that this team has shown that ability. I get it, it is only January, but you sung this same tune last year, all year and the Pens dismantled us.

The fact that we play a season of 82 games matters, it can predict future results. The way we have won the majority of our games this years suggests it will be a short playoff series.

I'm not going to jump on the #FireAV bandwagon yet but I feel team preparation and motivation starts with the guy behind the bench. Its his job to motivate or punish those who don't respond. Can't bench the entire team but they don't seem motivated. Hate to say, I don't think McD was the best choice for captain. He doesn't seem like a motivator or someone who can light a fire in the team. Granted we don't see behind closed doors but this team seems to be missing their heart right now.

I amm not impuning your criticism as biased ...just rose colored or tinted

who is the whole that had fault with a cross ice pass on the stick to wide open Zucc/ & what s to fault on that play? he stunk inother ways like most of D
But that play along with the 1st min of 2nd goal again w/Klein is the kill shots

P S read how st louu is not happy in middle ?

NYR willl need a top pair right D to have shot at going in P O's not G man
will ahve to trade top yg wing talent to secure ?

how bout Step & klein for shatty & Borland ?
- Dundee13

And I am saying I pretty call out everyone when needed. Very few I haven't. Stepan, Kreider, Miller, McDonagh, Hank etc. have been called out and I am not just piling on Klein, especially since in the past, I noted how wise of an acquisition getting him was. If you want to blame Zucc there that's fine, take it off Klein's ledger and put on Zucc, who should have hustled straight back and not taken a parabolic route back to the d-zone. But Klein caused the third goal.

You are not dealing Stepan for an expiring Shattenkirk with no guarantees he will sign. Plus I don't think he goes anyway.

And I am saying I pretty call out everyone when needed. Very few I haven't. Stepan, Kreider, Miller, McDonagh, Hank etc. have been called out and I am not just piling on Klein, especially since in the past, I noted how wise of an acquisition getting him was. If you want to blame Zucc there that's fine, take it off Klein's ledger and put on Zucc, who should have hustled straight back and not taken a parabolic route back to the d-zone. But Klein caused the third goal.

You are not dealing Stepan for an expiring Shattenkirk with no guarantees he will sign. Plus I don't think he goes anyway.
- airjan23

I agree, we all would love Shattenkirk here but with no guarentees he re signs its a huge risk & we would then be out one of our top Centermen.

I agree with you for the most part, however, I am looking at the big picture. Can we win with this team, we have a lot of key guys out so that will not be answered until Nash and Mika comes back, not considering that Buch is a key contributor, he's a rookie.

In the beginning of the year your posted about the fact that the team has gone back to their long stretches without a shot, or offensive zone time. I understand the other team is paid to perform but we just do not have the skill to say, if we need a goal this guy is the guy to get it. So if we cannot keep the puck as a team and we do not have the "IT" guy to get a goal based on his superior skillset, then we're looking at another early playoff exit. I'm not jumping ship, I never will, but I am afraid even with the return of our injured players, we might have seen what this team is. We need 5 goals to win games, that's not playoff hockey.
- wolfpack2426

On your first point, I think the Rangers are a decent team with Nash, Zibanajed and Buchnevich injured, but they aren't a great team, nor is that a reasonable expectation that they would be effectively missing 3 top 6 forwards. Most, if not all, NHL teams wouldn't be great teams with 3 top 6 forwards missing.

On your second point, I definitely think the Rangers need to tighten up before the playoffs. They need to play better defense, and they need better goaltending. I have confidence that Hank will turn it around, but until this point, he's been a middle pack goaltender this year, at best. The problem is when the Rangers suck, he hasn't really been there to steal many games for them this year -- i.e., they win when the play well (for the most part), but haven't won many games when they don't. Goalkeeping hasn't stolen many games.

I want to see what this team looks like when they are relatively whole. We saw that at the beginning of the year, and they looked great. I also think that Nash is way more important to this team then people realize. I can't remember too many mail in games this year, where Nash was in the lineup.

I am not talking about one game. While we have shown the ability to win close games in the past, I do not know that this team has shown that ability. I get it, it is only January, but you sung this same tune last year, all year and the Pens dismantled us.

The fact that we play a season of 82 games matters, it can predict future results. The way we have won the majority of our games this years suggests it will be a short playoff series.
- wolfpack2426

this team when it starts the playoffs will have at least 4 players different than played last night

Nash, Zibinajed, hopefully Buchnevich, and the player they acquire at the deadline

it was a poop show last night, but, gotta move on

f that guy ^
- YuenglingJagr

F you too!!!!!

Have we appropriately considered the possibility that the Rangers are just about an average team without Nash, Zibby and Buchnevich out of the lineup? An average teams lose hockey games.

I'll go with eye test everytime, but, I'm a dinosaur


Joe Fortunato Verified account
‏@BlueshirtBanter

Last night was very atypical when it comes to the stats. NYR dominated possession/scoring chances, but played like crap.
- jimbro83

No way.

F you too!!!!!
- ImThatGuy

No. F you, sir!

Have we appropriately considered the possibility that the Rangers are just about an average team without Nash, Zibby and Buchnevich out of the lineup? An average teams lose hockey games.
- Pete V

That's 3 guys who are in our top 6 forwards, yea, def depleted right now on that front.

No. F you, sir!
- mdw7413

F em ALL

That's 3 guys who are in our top 6 forwards, yea, def depleted right now on that front.
- B2B76

Did I read you right Brian. You want to bring Boyle back????

F em ALL
- B2B76

Mcdonagh's hot start has really gone to sh!t huh? hes looked bad last couple weeks imo

Did I read you right Brian. You want to bring Boyle back????
- mdw7413

Another poster mentioned it on the last thread & I agreed, IF we got him for next to nothing. Just thought maybe he could be a good deadline addition, he played his best in the playoffs always & despite our high amount of forwards, a lot of those bottom 6, healthy scratch guys who would be there are either mediocre at best or have little to no playoff experience. Think its moot anyway cause Tampa probably keeps him.

this team when it starts the playoffs will have at least 4 players different than played last night

Nash, Zibinajed, hopefully Buchnevich, and the player they acquire at the deadline

it was a poop show last night, but, gotta move on
- jimbro83

Who would you like to see added at the deadline? Will you give up Zucc + for such a player?

Another poster mentioned it on the last thread & I agreed, IF we got him for next to nothing. Just thought maybe he could be a good deadline addition, he played his best in the playoffs always & despite our high amount of forwards, a lot of those bottom 6, healthy scratch guys who would be there are either mediocre at best or have little to no playoff experience. Think its moot anyway cause Tampa probably keeps him.
- B2B76

unless Tampa Bay poops the bed and is out of it at the deadline and becomes sellers, they aren't giving Brian Boyle away

Who would you like to see added at the deadline? Will you give up Zucc + for such a player?
- wolfpack2426

I've gone back and forth and whether the team would trade Zucc, and I just can't see it

I think if this team makes some kind of blockbuster it could include JT Miller

unless Tampa Bay poops the bed and is out of it at the deadline and becomes sellers, they aren't giving Brian Boyle away
- jimbro83

Most likely...to more important matters, lets just hope Gorton is working the phones for a quality right handed shooting D man.

I've gone back and forth and whether the team would trade Zucc, and I just can't see it

I think if this team makes some kind of blockbuster it could include JT Miller
- jimbro83

I can see how they trade JT, but why would you? I think he is a better player than Zucc and his potential to get better is great than that of zucc. Zucc is small and not fast nor does he have a sick shot. JT Miller has 54 goals in my season, look at that potential....

I've gone back and forth and whether the team would trade Zucc, and I just can't see it

I think if this team makes some kind of blockbuster it could include JT Miller
- jimbro83

Behind Hank, Zuc is far & away the most popular Ranger, it would be a sour move for the fan base, unless it was some amazing deal which this side of Gomez for McDonough aint happening again.

I can see how they trade JT, but why would you? I think he is a better player than Zucc and his potential to get better is great than that of zucc. Zucc is small and not fast nor does he have a sick shot. JT Miller has 54 goals in my season, look at that potential....
- wolfpack2426

if we were trading a top 4 d-man to the Rangers, who would you ask for, Miller or Zucc?

gotta think about what the other team wants sometimes when you come up with trade proposals

I can see how they trade JT, but why would you? I think he is a better player than Zucc and his potential to get better is great than that of zucc. Zucc is small and not fast nor does he have a sick shot. JT Miller has 54 goals in my season, look at that potential....
- wolfpack2426

I think your selling Zuc a little short (PUN alert), what he may lack in size & speed (I don't think he's that slow)he makes up in 110% blood & guts effort every night. Did you see how fast he went after Chris Neil last week when he saw Neil blast Skeij into the boards? He saw the back of that # & knew who he was going at & he went in guns blazing.

I really don't want to see Zuc go anywhere.

if we were trading a top 4 d-man to the Rangers, who would you ask for, Miller or Zucc?

gotta think about what the other team wants sometimes when you come up with trade proposals
- jimbro83

I would ask for Miller, but as the Ranger GM - I would tell them the deal cannot get done with JT involved (Shatty is my point of reference since this is a hypothetical).

I do not know who is out there as trade bait, also I think history has shown that trade deadline deals do not really have that great of an impact. St Louis deal worked out probably because the team rallied around Marty for his mom passing, Carey Price was injured and Henrik played out of his mind.