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

I don't think anyone we argue that. Without three of the top 6 they are definitely hurting, but that is no excuse for the complete lack of energy or effort. Agreed?

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.
- B2B76

i don't want to see Zucc traded but would give him up before I consider trading JT who is only 23? Isn't Zucc 27?

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 would argue they didnt show up last year in the playoffs, BUT im also not saying we need a coaching change, Gorton needs to take control a bit and find some D help cause this Defense SUCKS

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

The reason why it would be JT is for the exact reasons you mentioned. He is younger with more upside. So, if you want a defensemen like Jacob Trouba (just an example, realize the ship has probably sailed on that), it's probably going to cost you JT Miller because you are making a youth for youth trade. Zucc is great for the Rangers, but a building team is probably not going to be too interested in him because he's older, and his contract will be up by the time that building team is ready to compete. If Zucc get's traded it will likely be to a contender. And what contender is going to want to give up a Top 4 defensemen?

I don't think anyone we argue that. Without three of the top 6 they are definitely hurting, but that is no excuse for the complete lack of energy or effort. Agreed?
- MiloslavHorava

I agree, no excuse for lack of effort. But when you are 7-3 in your last 10 without those guys, they should get credit for that. In short, give the team credit where its due, and rip them when it's do as well. But, it seems like winning 3-4 games in a row with a short roster is just viewed as meeting expectations, whereas a stinker of a game is vastly overreacted to.

I see the Rangers losing the next two games going into their winter break. This place is going to be a firestorm.

i don't want to see Zucc traded but would give him up before I consider trading JT who is only 23? Isn't Zucc 27?
- wolfpack2426

- YuenglingJagr

I agree, no excuse for lack of effort. But when you are 7-3 in your last 10 without those guys, they should get credit for that. In short, give the team credit where its due, and rip them when it's do as well. But, it seems like winning 3-4 games in a row with a short roster is just viewed as meeting expectations, whereas a stinker of a game is vastly overreacted to.

I see the Rangers losing the next two games going into their winter break. This place is going to be a firestorm.
- Pete V

For me its the effort Pete. If they lost with effort I don't complain. Last night was bullsh!t though. Not 1 player cared enough to show up.

You know me, I'm usually accused of being overly positive, but I do agree with your larger point.

For me its the effort Pete. If they lost with effort I don't complain. Last night was bullsh!t though. Not 1 player cared enough to show up.

You know me, I'm usually accused of being overly positive, but I do agree with your larger point.
- mdw7413

I feel like they have been playing like crap at home for awhile now

the road they usually have been solid and always with 100% effort, with the exception of that 7-2 disaster in Pitt

I expect a great effort tonight in Philly

i don't want to see Zucc traded but would give him up before I consider trading JT who is only 23? Isn't Zucc 27?
- wolfpack2426

He's 29

For me its the effort Pete. If they lost with effort I don't complain. Last night was bullsh!t though. Not 1 player cared enough to show up.

You know me, I'm usually accused of being overly positive, but I do agree with your larger point.
- mdw7413

I wonder if this team could use a poop-stirrer that can play a little, to wake them up in games like last night.

He's 29
- B2B76

....one foot in the grave

I feel like they have been playing like crap at home for awhile now

the road they usually have been solid and always with 100% effort, with the exception of that 7-2 disaster in Pitt

I expect a great effort tonight in Philly
- jimbro83

Yup. They have been fantastic away from MSG.

Do we hope for the 7-8 seed?

I wonder if this team could use a poop-stirrer that can play a little, to wake them up in games like last night.
- Pete V

What they need is a good 5 on 5 brawl, doesn't even matter who is on the ice.
Nothing, and I repeat NOTHING bonds a team more than a 5 on 5 brawl.

I feel like they have been playing like crap at home for awhile now

the road they usually have been solid and always with 100% effort, with the exception of that 7-2 disaster in Pitt

I expect a great effort tonight in Philly
- jimbro83

That next home game against CLB could be epic if the Jackets don't lose before then. I have a feeling they'll be ready for the best team n hockey that night.

I feel like they have been playing like crap at home for awhile now

the road they usually have been solid and always with 100% effort, with the exception of that 7-2 disaster in Pitt

I expect a great effort tonight in Philly
- jimbro83

very happy they have a chance to play again tonight. I would play Hank and see if he can get through his struggles

What they need is a good 5 on 5 brawl, doesn't even matter who is on the ice.
Nothing, and I repeat NOTHING bonds a team more than a 5 on 5 brawl.
- MiloslavHorava

Lets resign Stu Bickle & have him take the opening face off.

very happy they have a chance to play again tonight. I would play Hank and see if he can get through his struggles
- mrn22

I gotta be honest, I hope its Raanta

I wonder if this team could use a poop-stirrer that can play a little, to wake them up in games like last night.
- Pete V

As long as they could play good minutes, I wouldn't be against it, but those players come at a premium price.

I don't want another Glass. As much as Glass was good for the 4th line, he couldn't be used anywhere else.

I gotta be honest, I hope its Raanta
- jimbro83

I see where you're coming from and from a "i wanna win the game" stand point I hope so to. but in the bigger picture.. NYR is going to have to figure out what they have going on in net and figure something out sooner than later. 2 goalie system just dont work in the PO's

I gotta be honest, I hope its Raanta
- jimbro83

Yeah, me to, as much as that is strange to say.

....one foot in the grave
- MiloslavHorava

In hindsight the Rangers didn't even acquire Mark Messeir till he was 30, now he was a special case & no one could have expected he play for the next 14 years after that but it can happen.

I don't think Zuc is a old 29, he is small obviously & those guys can break a little earlier but I see him not only finishing out this contract here but finishing his career here.

In hindsight the Rangers didn't even acquire Mark Messeir till he was 30, now he was a special case & no one could have expected he play for the next 14 years after that but it can happen.

I don't think Zuc is a old 29, he is small obviously & those guys can break a little earlier but I see him not only finishing out this contract here but finishing his career here.
- B2B76

if they traded Zucc, and I still don't see it, I definitely dont see it happening mid season, talk about tearing apart a locker room.

That would be a July trade like when they traded Brass

I gotta be honest, I hope its Raanta
- jimbro83

The competitor in Hank has to be itching to get back in there tonight. He has had a lot of time off recently so its not like he will be tired but I think Raanta will get the nod.

if they traded Zucc, and I still don't see it, I definitely dont see it happening mid season, talk about tearing apart a locker room.

That would be a July trade like when they traded Brass
- jimbro83

Yea, we got lucky once when we traded Captain Cally & if anything it bolstered the team but more likely than not the trade of a team leader mid season when your competing can have a negative effect.