Well said.

That said, holy cow, the Rangers and Red Wings are friggin' good!
- Scoob

What is it, a seven point lead the Rangers have on the entire Eastern Conference? Ridiculous, they're playing some serious hockey right now.

What is it, a seven point lead the Rangers have on the entire Eastern Conference? Ridiculous, they're playing some serious hockey right now.
- BulliesPhan87

I think the Penguins had a similar lead in november.

I think the Penguins had a similar lead in november.
- JoeRussomanno

They had played a ton of games though, many teams had games in hand.

they got a pedestrian goaltending performance from Sergei Bobrovsky on a night where if he had played even marginally better they may have gotten at least a point from the game
- bmeltzer

déjà vu.

Horrible defensive zone coverage and average goal tending won't win many games.

The team I love is making me sad.

Zac Rinaldo faces hearing with NHL to discuss charging penalty vs Red Wings....

I thought it was a bad call

What is it, a seven point lead the Rangers have on the entire Eastern Conference? Ridiculous, they're playing some serious hockey right now.
- BulliesPhan87

I can totally see them running into a NJ or a team that is maybe underachieving now but goes into the playoffs hot and they get bounced.

It's great to have the 1 seed but February isn't the time to be on a roll, it's late March-April going in. Also, I know Staal was out, but they've had some pretty good luck with injuries this year haven't they?

I am not advocating this, but what do you think they could get back for kimmo?

I am not advocating this, but what do you think they could get back for Timmo?
- iskatefast

Probably nothing. NMC and big cap hit. But I wouldn't be averse to a trade if they got some solid assets in return.

I am not advocating this, but what do you think they could get back for kimmo?
- iskatefast

Probably an average-decent package as he still has a year left on his contract so he wouldnt necessarily be a rental. However, I dont see Timonen asking to be traded so there is about no chance he will be traded.

I can totally see them running into a NJ or a team that is maybe underachieving now but goes into the playoffs hot and they get bounced.

It's great to have the 1 seed but February isn't the time to be on a roll, it's late March-April going in. Also, I know Staal was out, but they've had some pretty good luck with injuries this year haven't they?
- Hextall271

I'm right there with ya hex. Methinks the Ranger rocket runs out of gas come second round of the playoffs.

Zac Rinaldo faces hearing with NHL to discuss charging penalty vs Red Wings....

I thought it was a bad call
- ehrlse

how was his hit any different that the big hit on Briere?

I'm right there with ya hex. Methinks the Ranger rocket runs out of gas come second round of the playoffs.
- JoeRussomanno

Now that Lundqvist has some offensive support, they are going to be a tough out.

Now that Lundqvist has some offensive support, they are going to be a tough out.
- Gunner Staal

Dude are you my designated joykill today
Besides when teams actually drive the net and make life miserable on Queen Henrita she doesn't like it and does cough up goals.

I believe this team has enough talent to go deep in the playoffs and we don't need a savior. They just have to play better as a team. Some help is welcome of course, but the team as it currently hands will have to get themselves back to playing good, consistent hockey.
- funmaster18

Wish I could agree with you there. I don't see this team going far in the playoffs at all. One and done very possibly depending on who they play.
It's not a criticism but a realistic view of the team.

I really think the flyers need a physical beat the poop (not fighting) out of the other team defenseman Pronger used to be that guy but he isn't playing and may not play again.

Schenn has been stepping it up in parts due to his earlier injuries. That may have benefited him to potentially be in the race for the calder trophy. Also having experience in the AHL can't hurt with the amount of games played and the marathon that is the NHL regular season.
Couturier's play has tailed off a bit. Last night I saw him hesitant to take charge in the offensive zone. Of course he doesn't have much help but I didn't see the confidence to make plays there.

Not sure if Lavy teaches this but the flyers pass back to the defensemen far to much in the dzone.
Even with clear outs the forwards pass back to the D. This resulted in at least one goal by detroit last night.
I hate the hard arounds the flyers d makes also. The wingers usually are to high up on the wall and the other team usually gets behind the forwards and makes a play on the puck.
If I can see this and other teams can see this I am sure the coaching staff can see this.

If we had real beat writer guys maybe they could ask hockey fundamental or system based questions.
Instead we get the obvious like it seems like your PK has been struggling or how did today's loss make you feel? Or what did you think of the compete level?
How about a, your dmen are getting put in bad situations in the dzone with the passes back to them from the forwards. Is this a designed play? Where and what are the forwards responsibility on the breakout?

Ok Novel done.

I am not advocating this, but what do you think they could get back for kimmo?
- iskatefast

Timonen is an interesting case. He's been the most visibly and vocally frustrated player on the team of late, and despite his NMC, might be open to a move.

If he does intend to retire back to Finland when his deal is up, and is serious about winning a Stanley Cup before he does, He may agree to waive his clause to go to a team like Detroit.

If, and this is all hypothetical, that does happen, I'd expect a significant return. You're not trading Timonen without getting something really decent in return. Right now he's your most consistent defenseman and important voice of leadership. Trading Timonen sends a bad message, especially if it's a deadline deal.

I'm not a fan of many in the Philly media, and I'm certainly not a fan of Sam Donellon. In fact 98% of the time I think he's a stoned idiot. But he made a good point today about the Flyers, especially defensively. The top teams never stop moving their feet defensively. They don't glide on their skates and reach with their stick to their check ahead of them. The keep moving their feet and they get there, on pucks and in thier checks. The Flyers do on a regular basis. I hate to admit it, but Sam is right. It's a simple point but it's the truth. This team has an aggressive offensive mindset. And they aren't committed to team defense. And it starts at the top. Yesterday veterans and leaders such as Giroux and Talbot blew coverages on the PK. It has to start there. They need to set the example. If Giroux is going to be this team's top player, and the player expected to carry them, it has to be on both sides of the puck. His defensive game in the last month and half or so has been horrendous. It's not good enough.

Dude are you my designated joykill today
Besides when teams actually drive the net and make life miserable on Queen Henrita she doesn't like it and does cough up goals.
- JoeRussomanno

Yeah but the Rangers can return that favor now and I would take my chances with Henrik holding his ground better.

That said, the Flyers (even without Pronger) and a healthy Pens team can take the Rangers on and win in a playoff series.

how was his hit any different that the big hit on Briere?
- Dkos

Shanahan will explain that after the suspension is announced.

Long enough to kill that team even more. I have to imagine Craig Patrick will be the official GM going into the offseason.

To Howson's credit he does communicate directly with the fan base through blogs on the Columbus main site in an effort to be transparent.
- Gunner Staal

I'd think they'd need to go in another direction for sure. That team is going nowhere fast.

Now that Lundqvist has some offensive support, they are going to be a tough out.
- Gunner Staal

I think that the Rangers biggest weakness is defensive depth. Can Girardi play 30+ a night in the playoffs? If I'm Sather, I'm looking really hard at another defenseman, even if I have to overpay.

If they get another top four defenseman, they're going to be next to unstoppable.

I'd think they'd need to go in another direction for sure. That team is going nowhere fast.
- funmaster18

The funny thing is that the Blue Jackets have a miserable history with drafting Russians with their top picks. If they finish in last place like I think they will, they will at worst have the #2 overall pick. Who are the first two ranked players in the draft? Russians, haha, that should play out great in Columbus.

Just over a year and a half now I believe (July 2010)
- Buts16

Must feel like an eternity for their fan.

I think that the Rangers biggest weakness is defensive depth. Can Girardi play 30+ a night in the playoffs? If I'm Sather, I'm looking really hard at another defenseman, even if I have to overpay.

If they get another top four defenseman, they're going to be next to unstoppable.
- Jsaquella

Im going to be honest though, if Crosby comes back (I know, I know) and Malkin continues to play like he is, the Penguins will be just as tough. I like their defense unit better and Fleury is not much of a downgrade from Lundqvist.

Wish I could agree with you there. I don't see this team going far in the playoffs at all. One and done very possibly depending on who they play.
It's not a criticism but a realistic view of the team.

I really think the flyers need a physical beat the poop (not fighting) out of the other team defenseman Pronger used to be that guy but he isn't playing and may not play again.

Schenn has been stepping it up in parts due to his earlier injuries. That may have benefited him to potentially be in the race for the calder trophy. Also having experience in the AHL can't hurt with the amount of games played and the marathon that is the NHL regular season.
Couturier's play has tailed off a bit. Last night I saw him hesitant to take charge in the offensive zone. Of course he doesn't have much help but I didn't see the confidence to make plays there.

Not sure if Lavy teaches this but the flyers pass back to the defensemen far to much in the dzone.
Even with clear outs the forwards pass back to the D. This resulted in at least one goal by detroit last night.
I hate the hard arounds the flyers d makes also. The wingers usually are to high up on the wall and the other team usually gets behind the forwards and makes a play on the puck.
If I can see this and other teams can see this I am sure the coaching staff can see this.

If we had real beat writer guys maybe they could ask hockey fundamental or system based questions.
Instead we get the obvious like it seems like your PK has been struggling or how did today's loss make you feel? Or what did you think of the compete level?
How about a, your dmen are getting put in bad situations in the dzone with the passes back to them from the forwards. Is this a designed play? Where and what are the forwards responsibility on the breakout?

Ok Novel done.
- bird_dog

I think if they get a guy like Hal Gill as a rental for like a third, then we can make it to round two or so of the playoffs and be a difficult out. The team as currently comprised will not beat the Bruins or Rangers in a series. That much is clear. Add a couple rental pieces on the cheap and then try to land the big fish in the offseason to fix the d.

I do see this as a difficult trade deadline as so many teams think they are still buyers, the prices will be sky high.

Yeah but the Rangers can return that favor now and I would take my chances with Henrik holding his ground better.

That said, the Flyers (even without Pronger) and a healthy Pens team can take the Rangers on and win in a playoff series.
- Gunner Staal

Lets see how they hold up in the playoffs before we start planning the parade shall we? Like Hex said piquing right now is one thing, can they keep this up through June?