you know if you remember, when Herb Brooks came in he brought a lot of European flavor to the team, Mikko Leinonen, Reijo Ruotsalainen, Kent-Erik Andersson, Peter Sundstrom to name several, along with a lot of Americans like Pavelich, Mclanahan, Silk

could be that same kind of thing going on here for awhile, a college coach again, what's old is new again
- jimbro83

I remember that early 1980's era under Herb very well, with the "Smurfs" line, and the players that Herb felt he could best employ his "motion system" with in those approximate 3 & 1/2 seasons he coached here.

I remember that early 1980's era under Herb very well, with the "Smurfs" line, and the players that Herb felt he could best employ his "motion system" with in those approximate 3 & 1/2 seasons he coached here.
- RangerSaver

pretty cool nytimes article about everybody's initial reaction to Routsalainen

https://www.nytimes.com/1...ookie-a-hot-prospect.html

Are you kidding me!? Montoya has been a steady NHL goalie/backup for many years! Any sane person would consider him a successful NHL goalie. 99% of goalies drafted don't get to where he's gotten...You do understand that a good draft pick doesn't mean he has to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

I will admit I hope the goalie does become a Hall of Famer though. That be nice
- rrentz

Well, you already have a goalie who will certainly become a hall of famer, albeit, without a Stanley cup.

pretty cool nytimes article about everybody's initial reaction to Routsalainen

https://www.nytimes.com/1...ookie-a-hot-prospect.html
- jimbro83

That was a great article on Reijo Routsalainen, or "Slap Shot Rexi" called by many, for his quickly released and accurate slap shot on the fly when off a pass. His speed, and especially his twirling moves to elude the opposition were what many players dreamed of that they could make for a move, in addition to immediately releasing the puck to the net off them many times. It's ironic that the article also mentioned Ron Greschner, who was known for his turn around slap shot he would use a lot, but with it not being near the scoring threat of Routsalainen's slap shot.

Well, you already have a goalie who will certainly become a hall of famer, albeit, without a Stanley cup.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

and you are always here to remind us

and you are always here to remind us
- jimbro83

And when he reminds us of that, it makes the older ones like you and I also feel that 1994 was somehow just a dream.

wings are weak

wings are weak


- jimbro83

There's a chance, however small, that Michael Lindqvist can end up as a middle6 winger. Born '94, but he's actually a good player.
https://www.eliteprospect...r/37048/michael-lindqvist

Rangers did also sign Lindqvist and Meskanen after the season, so at least they should help with the lack of forward depth

but man, talk about a European flavor around here

Gorton speaks about how that's just the way it went, always take the best player available on our list, it just worked out that when it came to our turn to pick it was a European

bullpoop brah
- jimbro83

The whole presser was a bit awkward imo.

There's a chance, however small, that Michael Lindqvist can end up as a middle6 winger. Born '94, but he's actually a good player.
https://www.eliteprospect...r/37048/michael-lindqvist
- 21peter

yeah, hoping for that and Meskanen too

but, like I say

you need to play 8 NHL wingers every single night

1 goalie

why do they not stockpile wingers in the draft?

they literally have more prospect depth in net than they have on wing right now

wings are weak


- jimbro83

And that weakness at wing prospect wise, will delay the rebuild's completion even longer, with them among their 10 picks, drafting just 3 wingers, (all RW), along with 6 d'men, and 1 goalie. But with outside of Kravtsov selected at #9 and off the top 10 board by at least 5 picks in rankings, their other two wingers weren't selected until the 5th and 7th Rounds, at #'s 132 and 163, respectively. That additionally questions what their true draft thinking plan was heading into the draft, under then, a rebuild/retool combo mode, due also to some selections made which could have been done so at a later stage, if having traded down whether they attempted so or not, if at all possible.

And that weakness at wing prospect wise, will delay the rebuild's completion even longer, with them among their 10 picks, drafting just 3 wingers, (all RW), along with 6 d'men, and 1 goalie. But with outside of Kravtsov selected at #9 and off the top 10 board by at least 5 picks in rankings, their other two wingers weren't selected until the 5th and 7th Rounds, at #'s 132 and 163, respectively. That additionally questions what their true draft thinking plan was heading into the draft, due also to some selections made which could have been done so at a later stage, if having traded down whether they attempted so or not, if at all possible.
- RangerSaver

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I'm amazed how you really think that NYR had opportunity to trade down and just said "nah, F it, why bother"

You ever assume that there weren't any takers or that certain players that NYR drafted were going to be taken right after we took them? possible? maybe?

yeah, hoping for that and Meskanen too

but, like I say

you need to play 8 NHL wingers every single night

1 goalie

why do they not stockpile wingers in the draft?

they literally have more prospect depth in net than they have on wing right now
- jimbro83

I think at least in the short term the Rangers are going to have to add some cheaper free agency options on the wing. You need these young kids to play with decent players in order to develop.

Not sure who those options are. I think JVR will require too much money abd too much of a term commitment. Hate to say it, but in the short term, Nash makes sense. Won’t cost a bundle, probably only a 2-3 year term and a good guy for the kids to learn from. What I’m saying is that if we aren’t going to win the next 2-3 years he’s a good fit.

What options do people see?

yeah, hoping for that and Meskanen too

but, like I say

you need to play 8 NHL wingers every single night

1 goalie

why do they not stockpile wingers in the draft?

they literally have more prospect depth in net than they have on wing right now
- jimbro83

It was a weird NYR draft. I don't have the good feeling I expected to have after 5 picks in the top48

It was a weird NYR draft. I don't have the good feeling I expected to have after 5 picks in the top48
- 21peter

I am happier than I portray myself.

I shouldn't let wasting pick 39 affect my feelings about the 3 first rounders which were all terrific picks IMO

I dont mind trading the 2nd to get Miller, he would have been gone. That was the price.

I am happier than I portray myself.

I shouldn't let wasting pick 39 affect my feelings about the 3 first rounders which were all terrific picks IMO

I dont mind trading the 2nd to get Miller, he would have been gone. That was the price.
- jimbro83

agreed

I am happier than I portray myself.

I shouldn't let wasting pick 39 affect my feelings about the 3 first rounders which were all terrific picks IMO

I dont mind trading the 2nd to get Miller, he would have been gone. That was the price.
- jimbro83

I'm with you guys. Are there other players that could have been drafted? Of course, but I think it was a good overall draft.

Doesn't make sense to split hairs about some of the picks. Now on to signing/trading our own RFAs and looking elsewhere to fill out a competitive roster.

I am happier than I portray myself.

I shouldn't let wasting pick 39 affect my feelings about the 3 first rounders which were all terrific picks IMO

I dont mind trading the 2nd to get Miller, he would have been gone. That was the price.
- jimbro83

I agree. Funny thing is if I can just erase the second round from memory, I’m fine with the draft. I realize we aren’t experts but good upside players were there at 39. Wilde, Thomas, Marchenko, etc. I just would have preferred a position player.

I agree. Funny thing is if I can just erase the second round from memory, I’m fine with the draft. I realize we aren’t experts but good upside players were there at 39. Wilde, Thomas, Marchenko, etc. I just would have preferred a position player.
- Pete V

It kind of feels like when I want the Giants to draft a RB and then they draft a O lineman..

I think at least in the short term the Rangers are going to have to add some cheaper free agency options on the wing. You need these young kids to play with decent players in order to develop.

Not sure who those options are. I think JVR will require too much money abd too much of a term commitment. Hate to say it, but in the short term, Nash makes sense. Won’t cost a bundle, probably only a 2-3 year term and a good guy for the kids to learn from. What I’m saying is that if we aren’t going to win the next 2-3 years he’s a good fit.

What options do people see?
- Pete V

Possibly some trades we expected last week, as well as some needed free agent signings if the trades do not produce all that would be required if they want to compete for a playoff position in 2019. That could require a re-signing of Grabner for speed and his defensive game because Jesper can't do it alone PK and defensive wise in key situations.
Or you may be right, in that Nash could be brought back if his salary & term are affordable without a mini bidding war occurring, with the Blue Jackets supposedly interested in him, along with Montreal. I was hoping earlier for a JVR signing, which now appears to be a lesser chance. But without them also bringing in some new productive and leadership blood in an identity change splash, this team could find itself struggling more so than they did last season.

Possibly some trades we expected last week, as well as some needed free agent signings if the trades do not produce all that would be required if they want to compete for a playoff position in 2019. That could require a re-signing of Grabner for speed and his defensive game because Jesper can't do it alone PK and defensive wise in key situations.
Or you may be right, in that Nash could be brought back if his salary & term are affordable without a mini bidding war occurring, with the Blue Jackets supposedly interested in him, along with Montreal. I was hoping earlier for a JVR signing, which now appears to be a lesser chance. But without them also bringing in some new blood in an identity change splash, this team could find itself struggling more so than they did last season.
- RangerSaver

Nash would be good for a year or so. If the chatter is true...NYR is better place for him then MTL or OTT

Nash would be good for a year or so. If the chatter is true...NYR is better place for him then MTL or OTT
- rrentz

We know that Nash would rather return here, than play in Montreal. A few days prior to him being dealt to Boston, he said that "it would be hard to have to tell my son that he could no longer root for the Rangers".
But the other team rumored interested was Columbus in possibly having a reunion with him. That could drive up his price greater than he wanting to return to the Rangers, with Columbus needing also to improve defensively up front in all situations.

We know that Nash would rather return here, than play in Montreal. A few days prior to him being dealt to Boston, he said that "it would be hard to have to tell my son that he could no longer root for the Rangers".
But the other team rumored interested was Columbus in possibly having a reunion with him. That could drive up his price greater than he wanting to return to the Rangers, with Columbus needing also to improve defensively up front in all situations.
- RangerSaver

IDK, I just don't see him or the Rangers really considering a reunion. Both probably kind of want to move on

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I'm amazed how you really think that NYR had opportunity to trade down and just said "nah, F it, why bother"

You ever assume that there weren't any takers or that certain players that NYR drafted were going to be taken right after we took them? possible? maybe?
- rrentz

That's why I clearly wrote as to whether they attempted or not to trade down, by ending with the words, "if at all possible", meaning IF the opportunity was there WITH some other team willing to do so.
I both never heard yet, and didn't state that they turned down an opportunity to trade down. I said that some selections they made were not as if they received "their money's worth" in the earlier points they were made at. So just what was their TRUE draft thinking plan heading into the draft, under a then supposedly retool/rebuild mode? The wild week of big trades many expected prior to the draft never occurred, except for a Montreal/Arizona swap, and in effect, a three teams trade due as a result to off the ice personal issues in Ottawa. Did Gorton and company have an alternative plan in place for the draft should things necessary for Plan 1 not pan out?

IDK, I just don't see him or the Rangers really considering a reunion. Both probably kind of want to move on
- rrentz

Among the two, I would rather bring back Grabner, if the money and term is feasible.