Yup, and as much poop as AV takes for not playing youngsters, he has been pretty generous with rookies who show that they can hang.
- mdw7413

this is the biggest bunch of mularkey ever

even Buchnevich stated that his back issues were a problem last year

I just don't get saying, "The kid is 18 he shouldn't make the roster." Shouldn't his play in pre-season and practices determine if he plays? Who gives a flying (frank) how old he is. Never understood the whole "rushing a player" thing. Does it happen, sure, but I would say thats the minority. I would say also thats its a convenient excuse for maybe a player that was highly touted who just can't cut it in the NHL.
- mdw7413

There is only one position that I subscribe to the "don't rush a player" philosophy and that is NFL QB, only because if you put a kid in there before he's really ready he could get murdered.

But, in general, I don't believe that if a kid gets an early shot in the NHL and it doesn't work out right away that it ruins them. So, you play 10 games in the NHL and sent back down that somehow ruins you? Not buying that.

There is only one position that I subscribe to the "don't rush a player" philosophy and that is NFL QB, only because if you put a kid in there before he's really ready he could get murdered.

But, in general, I don't believe that if a kid gets an early shot in the NHL and it doesn't work out right away that it ruins them. So, you play 10 games in the NHL and sent back down that somehow ruins you? Not buying that.
- Pete V

bottom line, the Rangers have a spot available at 3/4th line center

bottom line 2, the Rangers don't have a whole lot of cap room

bottom line 3, Andersson's cap hit will be 925K (plus bonuses of course)

I just don't get saying, "The kid is 18 he shouldn't make the roster." Shouldn't his play in pre-season and practices determine if he plays? Who gives a flying (frank) how old he is. Never understood the whole "rushing a player" thing. Does it happen, sure, but I would say thats the minority. I would say also thats its a convenient excuse for maybe a player that was highly touted who just can't cut it in the NHL.
- mdw7413

Absolutely, it just holds no water.. His two-way acumen is off the charts good, his level of compete is 5/5. I don't see how he doesn't make the squad out of camp, preseason...I could see sending him back to Sweden if he was a defensive liability but he backchecks like a mother(frank)er, no wonder La & Det were heavy on him. He's got it, he's got the stuff.

There is only one position that I subscribe to the "don't rush a player" philosophy and that is NFL QB, only because if you put a kid in there before he's really ready he could get murdered.

But, in general, I don't believe that if a kid gets an early shot in the NHL and it doesn't work out right away that it ruins them. So, you play 10 games in the NHL and sent back down that somehow ruins you? Not buying that.
- Pete V

Absolutely, it just holds no water.. His two-way acumen is off the charts good, his level of compete is 5/5. I don't see how he doesn't make the squad out of camp, preseason...I could see sending him back to Sweden if he was a defensive liability but he backchecks like a mother(frank)er, no wonder La & Det were heavy on him. He's got it, he's got the stuff.
- discojaws

Only thing I would say is start Andersson on the 4th line the first few games, and then move him up as necessary.

To bad his fellow Swede Fast had surgery, would have loved to see a 4th line of Grabner/Andersson/Fast

bottom line, the Rangers have a spot available at 3/4th line center

bottom line 2, the Rangers don't have a whole lot of cap room

bottom line 3, Andersson's cap hit will be 925K (plus bonuses of course)
- jimbro83

It makes too much sense..

I just don't see a true scenario where Lias is not on the opening night roster, & to start him on wing as some have said is just an awful idea. The guy plays a 200ft game, he needs to be in the center position to be most effective.

Do you see Andersson/Desharnais/Boo shuffling between the 3rd/4th c?

Only thing I would say is start Andersson on the 4th line the first few games, and then move him up as necessary.

To bad his fellow Swede Fast had surgery, would have loved to see a 4th line of Grabner/Andersson/Fast
- mdw7413

That could very well be the 4th line by November & i ain't mad at it.

It makes too much sense..

I just don't see a true scenario where Lias is not on the opening night roster, & to start him on wing as some have said is just an awful idea. The guy plays a 200ft game, he needs to be in the center position to be most effective.

Do you see Andersson/Desharnais/Boo shuffling between the 3rd/4th c?
- discojaws

I don't know what to expect regarding Boo

what I hope for is that Andersson and Boo play so well in camp that Deharnais ends up being the 13th forward (12th until Fast is ready)

bottom line, the Rangers have a spot available at 3/4th line center

bottom line 2, the Rangers don't have a whole lot of cap room

bottom line 3, Andersson's cap hit will be 925K (plus bonuses of course)
- jimbro83

The NHL season is a long season, and just as long as you don't totally suck right out of the gate, there is an opportunity to see what you have with young players before making a decision whether you need to upgrade a spot.

Am I thrilled with the Rangers' center depth? No, because expecting a young player to play the third line center position comes with a bit of uncertainty, and an injury at center could have bad consequences. But, I am comfortable that if Gorton thinks the team needs to add another center, he will work to get it done.

The NHL season is a long season, and just as long as you don't totally suck right out of the gate, there is an opportunity to see what you have with young players before making a decision whether you need to upgrade a spot.

Am I thrilled with the Rangers' center depth? No, because expecting a young player to play the third line center position comes with a bit of uncertainty, and an injury at center could have bad consequences. But, I am comfortable that if Gorton thinks the team needs to add another center, he will work to get it done.
- Pete V

depending on how the team performs this year, could be candidate to add a center at deadline, using deadline cap space. Until then lets see what these young guys got

depending on how the team performs this year, could be candidate to add a center at deadline, using deadline cap space. Until then lets see what these young guys got
- jimbro83

Gorton trying to convince AV that a kid's gonna play 3C...

Gorton trying to convince AV that a kid's gonna play 3C...

- 21peter

great flick

Hockey Buzz Eklund? @Eklund 20s21 seconds ago

My latest…got a text from a Sabres player…Sabres Are in On Matt Duchene...(e4) http://www.hockeybuzz.com/

Hockey Buzz Eklund? @Eklund 20s21 seconds ago

My latest…got a text from a Sabres player…Sabres Are in On Matt Duchene...(e4) http://www.hockeybuzz.com/
- jimbro83

- mdw7413

Sabres player to other Sabres player

"hey, check it out, I am going to mess with that guy Eklund"

Sabres player to other Sabres player

"hey, check it out, I am going to mess with that guy Eklund"
- jimbro83

0% chance any player has heard of eklund

Sabres player to other Sabres player

"hey, check it out, I am going to mess with that guy Eklund"
- jimbro83

The best part is that even if a player DID talk to him (obviously we all know that nobody did), why in the (frank)ing world would they have any knowledge of what the GM was doing??? Unless the trade had been completed and one of their teammates was notified, in which case I'm sure Bobby Mac or Friedman would have broken it before Ek could post about it.

Sabres player to other Sabres player

"hey, check it out, I am going to mess with that guy Eklund"
- jimbro83

FIRE AND FURY BIT-CHES

football is a team game, the ultimate team game

somebody who isn't that good who makes everything about himself is the last guy any locker room needs
- jimbro83

there are a bunch of idiots on NFL teams. the difference - those guys can play. I bet if Tom Brady came out and said that he is going to kneel during the national anthem the patriots would be like - well we dont like it but, your Fing Tom Brady so ok.


Kapernick is not good. that is why he isnt signed.

I don't know what to expect regarding Boo

what I hope for is that Andersson and Boo play so well in camp that Deharnais ends up being the 13th forward (12th until Fast is ready)
- jimbro83

I hope for this as well. I would rather Boo play than DD... why play an over the hill stop gap when we have a kid that can compete and potentially get better as the season goes?

Eddie Olcyzk diagnosed with colon cancer: http://twitter.com/NHLBla...status/895030165050462208

Eddie Olcyzk diagnosed with colon cancer: http://twitter.com/NHLBla...status/895030165050462208
- airjan23

this is a shock, wow

this is a shock, wow
- jimbro83

Way too soon, but almost half of us gonna get the big C.

Took my father 4 years ago.