I agree. But it’s completely fair to judge an 18 year old picked 7th overall.
- nyrangers9479

I backed off of that. And I hope I look like an idiot for that situation. So far, I do. Which is ok and better for the Rangers.

That's not true, like at all. Eric Staal slotted in behind Stepan and Brassard, allowing him easier match ups. Not only did he get easier match ups, AV moved Hayes from the center position to the wing in order to allow Eric Staal to play Center. Eric Staal was a dog here, plain and simple. He didn't care and didn't work. He can go piss into the wind.
- tomburton99

F Staal in the butt

After this year, the Rangers would have had two years left on the Girardi deal. Amazingly, the guy is playing real well in Tampa, and after he left the Rangers defense turned to crap. I am not saying that there is a definite correlation, but ....

And the Rangers signed Shatty and Smith to a poop ton of money. They literally may have bought out the best defensemen of the three, and gave the other two goo gobs of cash. Aye yai yai.
- Pete V

I wanted them to instead buy out Staal's contract last season. Without knowing for sure if Shatty would end up signing here, in buying out Girardi, that left Steven Kampfer as their only Right Handed shooting, NHL experienced d'man on the roster at that time, prior to the trade of Stepan needed to possibly sign Shatty. In addition, with their cap issues back then, buying out Staal would have been a lower cap hit for the first two or three seasons overall, than buying out Girardi. That in the time while their so called window was still opened here under Hank. But in the long run, Staal's buyout would have been a greater overall cap hit to them than Girardi's.
Now they may need not to buy out Staal, as many thought they would this summer, but instead have to possibly buy out Smith. They also didn't realize the effect of the loss of Stepan and Raanta after Girard's buyout, despite Stepan's full NTC due to kick in shortly.

F Staal in the butt
- mdw7413

Check yourself. Me and you seem to be odds. Are you feeling ok?

That's not true, like at all. Eric Staal slotted in behind Stepan and Brassard, allowing him easier match ups. Not only did he get easier match ups, AV moved Hayes from the center position to the wing in order to allow Eric Staal to play Center. Eric Staal was a dog here, plain and simple. He didn't care and didn't work. He can go piss into the wind.
- tomburton99

A.V. used Staal on the wing in many games, especially when things were not going well, to shake them up. Staal didn't even take any face offs when he was used on the wing, given his career success with them.

A.V. used Staal on the wing in many games, especially when things were not going well, to shake them up. Staal didn't even take any face offs when he was used on the wing, given his career success with them.
- RangerSaver

False. Eric Staal center Hayes and Fast on the 3rd line.

Check yourself. Me and you seem to be odds. Are you feeling ok?
- tomburton99

Huh?

Huh?
- mdw7413

Me and you seem to be at odds about almost all the opinions Rangers.

Me and you seem to be at odds about almost all the opinions Rangers.
- tomburton99

No, not really. I disagree with everyone about a wide range of topics especially Vesey.

False. Eric Staal center Hayes and Fast on the 3rd line.
- tomburton99

This isn't about their starting lineups. Staal was also used many times on the wing playing with others as well, once the games began. He was also rarely used by A.V. on the power play at center at all, when he was on it.

This isn't about their starting lineups. Staal was also used many times on the wing playing with others as well, once the games began. He was also rarely used by A.V. on the power play at center at all, when he was on it.
- RangerSaver

He played center. Because Hayes moved to the wing and said that affected his game. False.

No, not really. I disagree with everyone about a wide range of topics especially Vesey.
- mdw7413

Under appreciated.

I backed off of that. And I hope I look like an idiot for that situation. So far, I do. Which is ok and better for the Rangers.
- tomburton99

You've done a brilliant job looking like an idiot for a looong time, Burton. You can rest assured...

You've done a brilliant job looking like an idiot for a looong time, Burton. You can rest assured...
- 21peter

Again!

F Staal in the butt
- mdw7413

Saver should be banned for bringing him up

Saver should be banned for bringing him up
- 21peter

Under appreciated.
- Wildschwein

- tomburton99

My favorite Burton guy

Terje Haakonsen

- tomburton99

Kobe joined a long list of individuals who have won an Oscar and also have been accused of rape

Saver should be banned for bringing him up
- 21peter

My least liked trade in years.

My least liked trade in years.
- mdw7413

I'm one of the few that hated the St.Louis trade.

- mdw7413

15-ish goals from a bottom 6 forward who costs less than a mill.

Looks good to me.

I'm one of the few that hated the St.Louis trade.
- 21peter

Who are we rooting for in this Wings/Jackets game?

Who are we rooting for in this Wings/Jackets game?
- Pete V

3 point game over anything else