The slow foot speed which has been getting progressively worse, and having the strength of wet toilet paper aren't injury related.
- mdw7413

I see.
I've equated his lack of strength to being timid due to a propensity for concussions.









That's right....propensity.

I see.
I've equated his lack of strength to being timid due to a propensity for concussions.









That's right....propensity.
- Tonybere

Yeah, I'm not even talking hitting etc. I'm just talking getting knocked off the puck, falling down from a slight push, losing a lot of board battles.

I give him a pass on puck handling and shooting at the net because I don't think that eye ever fully healed.

I see.
I've equated his lack of strength to being timid due to a propensity for concussions.









That's right....propensity.
- Tonybere

He doesn't know that word.

He doesn't know that word.
- JRR1285

- mdw7413

I see.
I've equated his lack of strength to being timid due to a propensity for concussions.









That's right....propensity.
- Tonybere

A) that's my word
B) His strength wasn't an issue in 2014 when he repeatedly knocked Crosby down - legally and illegally
C) the foot speed is a major issue now, partially impacted by injuries, as he did have some a knee issue in the 2015 post-season that carried forward into the 2015-16 season.

- JRR1285

A) that's my word
B) His strength wasn't an issue in 2014 when he repeatedly knocked Crosby down - legally and illegally
C) the foot speed is a major issue now, partially impacted by injuries, as he did have some a knee issue in the 2015 post-season that carried forward into the 2015-16 season.
- airjan23

Yeah 3 years ago it wasn't an issue, but it is now. I have never seen someone get moved off the puck and lose as many board battles and net battles as Staal did last year.

Big year for him. Also interesting blurb from recent Day article:
Day is a 6-foot-2, 231-pound lefty who played the right side last season. He said that’s become his preferred position.
- rangerdanger94

His brothers arrest apparently had a lot to do with his stunted development. That's out of the way now. He was projected as a top 5 pick before that situation with his brother, I fully expect him to become a top 4, if not top pairing dman in the near future.

Love those cars.

I had these cars: 1986 Mercury Grand Marquee(auto) 1995 Saturn SL1 manual, 1988 Bronco II (auto) 1994 Saturn SL1 manual.

Still have all of these: 1971 Mustang Mach 1 manual, 2005 RSX (Integra) Type-S manual, 1983 Camaro Z28 manual.

Also have a 1984 Bronco II project that's a stick.
- JRR1285

this guy (frank)s

I agree with you TJ 100% on Buch and Vesey. Both will not be happy with only 4th line duty at best, and not sit out any games unless necessary injury wise. That's why I feel another trade or two will be upcoming prior to next season. They are in a "win now" mode under Hank, as proven by their signing of Shatty. There is depth in trade bait, due to some top prospects that will also be battling for roster spots during training camp & the preseason games, if a move or two has not been made by then.
I still also feel that they may be trying to upgrade the backup goalie position, due to Pavlec's recent game troubles after battling leg injuries, which left him third in ranking status with the Jets last season. His game may improve with us under Allaire, but how much so, including if he remains injury free? Their regular season ending result could very well be determined by how well or not that Pavelec plays here in his needed 20 games minimum to aid Hank, if he is still the best they can fit in cap wise to replace Raanta.
- RangerSaver

1st - i disagree. i think they are in a rebuild on the fly mode(as GM Gorton has said) which means sign decent FAs but dont break the bank and dont trade young players.
2nd - they just signed Pavelec, why sign him if they are trying to upgrade from him? they wanted a veteran that has proven he can be decent at times but is still cheap - i hate his signing but he is our backup this year. we are paying him $1.3M to do just that.

His brothers arrest apparently had a lot to do with his stunted development. That's out of the way now. He was projected as a top 5 pick before that situation with his brother, I fully expect him to become a top 4, if not top pairing dman in the near future.
- nyrangers9479

i would agree. he has every tool: size, speed, hands, positioning, awareness. If he works on his shot he could be an absolute stud. honestly i think his high end is close to Hedman. who knows how he turns out- Dmen take a little longer, but as of now sky is the limit.

When he started to slip last year, I wanted him with that third round pick. I think he is going to be a stud. He's an elite skater. Elite shot. He has Top 10 pick type talent. I've heard from a couple of people that know him, being that he's a local kid, that he is dumb as a box of rocks, which IMO, is the only thing that has the potential of holding him back.

Funny that he was granted OHL exception status to play at a younger age. The other three that were granted that status at the time he was drafted were Crosby, McDavid and Ekblad -- all number 1 picks.
- Pete V

You haven't steered us wrong on a defenceman yet Pete. Forwards you are bit more sketchy.

Yeah, I'm not even talking hitting etc. I'm just talking getting knocked off the puck, falling down from a slight push, losing a lot of board battles.

I give him a pass on puck handling and shooting at the net because I don't think that eye ever fully healed.
- mdw7413

I know, but that is part of what I mean. He plays (or to be fair, played last season) like he's afraid he'll get a concussion from ANY contact. Be it in front of the net, in the corner or reaching for a water bottle!

And you're right, the foot speed is a major concern. I feel like it could be mitigated (that's right, mitigated ) if he changed his style some. His positioning is usually good enough to get to the puck first. It's just that he either lets the opposing player go to the puck first, or once he picks it up, tries to skate way to much with it instead of moving it quickly.

I know, but that is part of what I mean. He plays (or to be fair, played last season) like he's afraid he'll get a concussion from ANY contact. Be it in front of the net, in the corner or reaching for a water bottle!

And you're right, the foot speed is a major concern. I feel like it could be mitigated (that's right, mitigated ) if he changed his style some. His positioning is usually good enough to get to the puck first. It's just that he either lets the opposing player go to the puck first, or once he picks it up, tries to skate way to much with it instead of moving it quickly.
- Tonybere

*waiting for Jan to say mitigated is his word*

*waiting for Jan to say mitigated is his word*


- 21peter

That should be one of your words. Oh, I forgot, you aren't a writer.

Yeah 3 years ago it wasn't an issue, but it is now. I have never seen someone get moved off the puck and lose as many board battles and net battles as Staal did last year.
- mdw7413

Staal appeared to take great joy in knocking the much smaller Gallagher to the ice and into the boards during the Montreal series. pending a future buy-out, limit his minutes and put him out against smaller opposition when possible. His reaction times either shooting the puck, passing it, or clearing it, were never any good, even when he was younger, but he does seem to have lost his strength now, and that is alarming.

I know, but that is part of what I mean. He plays (or to be fair, played last season) like he's afraid he'll get a concussion from ANY contact. Be it in front of the net, in the corner or reaching for a water bottle!

And you're right, the foot speed is a major concern. I feel like it could be mitigated (that's right, mitigated ) if he changed his style some. His positioning is usually good enough to get to the puck first. It's just that he either lets the opposing player go to the puck first, or once he picks it up, tries to skate way to much with it instead of moving it quickly.
- Tonybere

Yeah, could be. I just don't have much faith in him being better this year as much as I did think Girardi could turn his year around last year.

Staal appeared to take great joy in knocking the much smaller Gallagher to the ice and into the boards during the Montreal series. pending a future buy-out, limit his minutes and put him out against smaller opposition when possible. His reaction times either shooting the puck, passing it, or clearing it, were never any good, even when he was younger, but he does seem to have lost his strength now, and that is alarming.
- dashripdot

Yeah, guess we all have to hope for the best, because I think AV will play him no matter how bad he gets.

You haven't steered us wrong on a defenceman yet Pete. Forwards you are bit more sketchy.
- mdw7413

Just because I got Yakupov wrong? I told you that some 6th round draft pick that played for Michigan would make the Rangers several years back.

I am entitled to the occasional mistake.

Just because I got Yakupov wrong? I told you that some 6th round draft pick that played for Michigan would make the Rangers several years back.

I am entitled to the occasional mistake.

- Pete V

You know how it is here, every little mistake becomes what you are known for.

That should be one of your words. Oh, I forgot, you aren't a writer.
- Tonybere

You also forgot that I'm only not-a-writer in my native language - Burmese

Yeah, could be. I just don't have much faith in him being better this year as much as I did think Girardi could turn his year around last year.
- mdw7413

Agreed.
I am really hoping for G to have a solid season for Tampa. Not just because of his character and professionalism, but so I can shove it down the throats of all the people who can't show some respect to a true warrior!!!
Although I was shocked they signed him for so much. I thought $1.5M would get it done. I guess he's still paying for the mansion he just built on the Niagara River a few km's from my parent's place!

You know how it is here, every little mistake becomes what you are known for.
- mdw7413

MY MATH SKILLS ARE IMPECCABLE GODDAMMIT

Agreed.
I am really hoping for G to have a solid season for Tampa. Not just because of his character and professionalism, but so I can shove it down the throats of all the people who can't show some respect to a true warrior!!!
Although I was shocked they signed him for so much. I thought $1.5M would get it done. I guess he's still paying for the mansion he just built on the Niagara River a few km's from my parent's place!
- Tonybere

Yeah that contract surprised me a bit too. I wish Girardi the best, except when he plays us.