My brother who's been an annoying negative Nancy all yr long with our team, just asked me out of the blue if he thinks we can improve our scoring by signing Parise in the offseason. I told him to STFU about next yr when we're on the verge of being the #1 seed in the East THIS SEASON.

#wewantthecup2012
- B2B76

yeah it's ridiculous.

I cant even read when people debate trying to sign Parise after this season

I am not sure, I would think so.

I believe he'll play this year sometime though so it's a moot point
- jimbro83

I don't see how he wouldn't be eligible to play. Sort of the same situation Hags was in this past tourny

yeah it's ridiculous.

I cant even read when people debate trying to sign Parise after this season
- jimbro83

Those people that talk free agency now are worse than the Avery Army. We're at the top of the league heading into the playoffs and people wanna talk Parise? Really? Although I do think the main reason we didn't go balls to the wall for Nash (aside from the insane asking price) was because the brass is going to go after ZP and they'd be silly not to. Parise in our system would be unbelievable.

As far as the playoffs go, I think any exit in the first two rounds would be completely unacceptable. If we don't win the cup, I expect this team to at least make the ECF. I just don't know who I wanna face in the first round. Miller scares the shieeet outta me and you never know with Washington, they're still very dangerous offensively. Knocking off either team would be bittersweet though since they've both knocked us out at some point after the lockout.

Well its been a few years since we have been in this position. I guess some fans just expect the worst haha.

#GiveMeKreiderAndTheCup2012
- TPC

He's B3B, can't hold a candle to B2.

yeah it's ridiculous.

I cant even read when people debate trying to sign Parise after this season
- jimbro83

I don't even want to entertain thoughts of next yr when this yr is so promising.

I don't even want to entertain thoughts of next yr when this yr is so promising.
- B2B76

The only thing that worries me about this year is the offense. Good to see Dubi and Boyle stepping up at the right time and Feds getting that GWG. These guys are going to be vital come playoff time.

He's B3B, can't hold a candle to B2.
- B2B76

haha

nice work jan,

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THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND LETS GO RANGERS!!!!!

Those people that talk free agency now are worse than the Avery Army. We're at the top of the league heading into the playoffs and people wanna talk Parise? Really? Although I do think the main reason we didn't go balls to the wall for Nash (aside from the insane asking price) was because the brass is going to go after ZP and they'd be silly not to. Parise in our system would be unbelievable.

As far as the playoffs go, I think any exit in the first two rounds would be completely unacceptable. If we don't win the cup, I expect this team to at least make the ECF. I just don't know who I wanna face in the first round. Miller scares the shieeet outta me and you never know with Washington, they're still very dangerous offensively. Knocking off either team would be bittersweet though since they've both knocked us out at some point after the lockout.
- RAG$4LIFE

Let's be honest though. While we all want this team to make a run to the ECF, the current playoff roster is chalked full of dangerous teams, one through 8. Its been a long time since I have seen such little disparity between the highest and lowest seeds in the conference.

From an expectation perspective, I can see this team making a deep run, perhaps even a Cup run. I can also see a first round exit, especially if they run into a hot goaltender like Miller. I look at this team's situation like this -- if you build a strong team that is going to compete at the top of the conference every year, eventually you'll make a long run. At the same time, there will be years that you run into a hot team, or a hot goaltender, or whatever. The more darts you throw at the dart board, the better chance that you have of eventually hitting the bulleye, and while I am truly hoping for the best this year, any playoff result wouldn't really shock me.

Let's be honest though. While we all want this team to make a run to the ECF, the current playoff roster is chalked full of dangerous teams, one through 8. Its been a long time since I have seen such little disparity between the highest and lowest seeds in the conference.

From an expectation perspective, I can see this team making a deep run, perhaps even a Cup run. I can also see a first round exit, especially if they run into a hot goaltender like Miller. I look at this team's situation like this -- if you build a strong team that is going to compete at the top of the conference every year, eventually you'll make a long run. At the same time, there will be years that you run into a hot team, or a hot goaltender, or whatever. The more darts you throw at the dart board, the better chance that you have of eventually hitting the bulleye, and while I am truly hoping for the best this year, any playoff result wouldn't really shock me.
- Pete V

Your right about the disparity between the 1 and 8 seeds. I just feel that at this point, this team needs to start going deep into the playoffs here, no excuses.

Every team that makes the playoffs imo is a solid team. I can definitely see this team challenging for the cup come June but at the same time, would a first round exit via a Ryan Miller stop-show surprise me? No, but I do believe it would be a step back. This team needs it's young players, and that certainly includes Callahan, Girardi, Staal, and Dubinsky, to get the feel of what playoff hockey is like past the first two rounds. That's why I think that even if we make it to the ECF or even the SCF and end up losing (God forbid) it will end up paying dividends for this young team. If we get knocked in the first or second round its nothing these players haven't experienced already.

Your right about the disparity between the 1 and 8 seeds. I just feel that at this point, this team needs to start going deep into the playoffs here, no excuses.

Every team that makes the playoffs imo is a solid team. I can definitely see this team challenging for the cup come June but at the same time, would a first round exit via a Ryan Miller stop-show surprise me? No, but I do believe it would be a step back. This team needs it's young players, and that certainly includes Callahan, Girardi, Staal, and Dubinsky, to get the feel of what playoff hockey is like past the first two rounds. That's why I think that even if we make it to the ECF or even the SCF and end up losing (God forbid) it will end up paying dividends for this young team. If we get knocked in the first or second round its nothing these players haven't experienced already.
- RAG$4LIFE

I agree with you.

And will also add that as great as Hank has been a Ranger, in order to be truly considered an all-time great goaltender, he needs to stand on his head during a playoff run. Is that a fair standard? Maybe not, but the fact of the matter is that almost every athlete is judged by what they do in the Post-Season. It's about time that Hank has one of those runs (not saying that he hasn't been good in past playoffs, because he has, but he needs to be great).

I don't even want to entertain thoughts of next yr when this yr is so promising.
- B2B76

I can't believe the regular season is almost over

I can't believe the regular season is almost over
- MidnightMarauder

I can't believe that despite the Rangers having a 103 points with six games left, we still have stress. I envy the Devils for being locked into the sixth seed, and cruising to a first round playoff matchup with the Panthers.

I can't believe that despite the Rangers having a 103 points with six games left, we still have stress. I envy the Devils for being locked into the sixth seed, and cruising to a first round playoff matchup with the Panthers.
- Pete V

Look how many shootout wins they have as well. Crazy how everything is falling into place for them.

Look how many shootout wins they have as well. Crazy how everything is falling into place for them.
- TPC

I'm not saying that Florida is a pushover, but if you gave me the choice of playing any team in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, it would probably be them.

I'm not saying that Florida is a pushover, but if you gave me the choice of playing any team in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, it would probably be them.
- Pete V

Agreed. But that is why they play the games. In the end the best team will come out on top.

I can't believe that despite the Rangers having a 103 points with six games left, we still have stress. I envy the Devils for being locked into the sixth seed, and cruising to a first round playoff matchup with the Panthers.
- Pete V

I don't envy Jersey at all; I would think twice before underestimating Florida.

They have been silencing critics all season and the Devils are very flawed. I wouldn't be surprised if Jersey were to beat them but I also wouldn't sell the Miami Cats so short either.

Seeing a Pens-Flyers first round would warm my heart; knowing one of those teams will be golfing shortly thereafter makes me a happy man.

I don't envy Jersey at all; I would think twice before underestimating Florida.

They have been silencing critics all season and the Devils are very flawed. I wouldn't be surprised if Jersey were to beat them but I also wouldn't sell the Miami Cats so short either.

Seeing a Pens-Flyers first round would warm my heart; knowing one of those teams will be golfing shortly thereafter makes me a happy man.
- MidnightMarauder

Yea me and Jimbo were talking about that earlier. Plus that would be fun just as a fan of the game.

I can't believe that despite the Rangers having a 103 points with six games left, we still have stress. I envy the Devils for being locked into the sixth seed, and cruising to a first round playoff matchup with the Panthers.
- Pete V

Watch Florida manhandle Jersey. That would be hilarious. Four game sweep after many of their fans said they were in a good spot because of playing a weak SE winning team like Florida.

Look how many shootout wins they have as well. Crazy how everything is falling into place for them.
- TPC

Florida also has 15 OT/SO losses. If they had won a few of those games they would be steamrolling the Caps. Yet despite that they still have a negative goal differential. Crazy.

Yea me and Jimbo were talking about that earlier. Plus that would be fun just as a fan of the game.
- TPC

And hopefully they beat the tar out of each other in a 7 game series so the winner is more vulnerable in subsequent rounds.

Yea me and Jimbo were talking about that earlier. Plus that would be fun just as a fan of the game.
- TPC

I want to see that match up more than rangers-jets, just playing one of those teams would be great, and if Fla loses the only way we'll see Pit/Phi is in the ECF, which gives them another chance of getting knocked out

I can't believe that despite the Rangers having a 103 points with six games left, we still have stress. I envy the Devils for being locked into the sixth seed, and cruising to a first round playoff matchup with the Panthers.
- Pete V

The blessing of this season is that I truly believe this is only the beginning for this team. Its not like that scrappy but flawed 05-06 team that gagged it up late in that yr & who we all didn't know if it was a mirage or not. The Rangers should only get better over the next few seasons, especially after the arrival of Mr. Boston College.

And hopefully they beat the tar out of each other in a 7 game series so the winner is more vulnerable in subsequent rounds.
- gkmkiller

My predictions of the final seedings....

1. Rag$
2. Boston
3. Florida
4. Pens
5. Philly
6. NJ
7. Buffalo
8. Sens

I think most of us would rather see the Sens in round 1 rather than a hot Buffalo team with an even hotter netminder.

My predictions of the final seedings....

1. Rag$
2. Boston
3. Florida
4. Pens
5. Philly
6. NJ
7. Buffalo
8. Sens

I think most of us would rather see the Sens in round 1 rather than a hot Buffalo team with an even hotter netminder.
- B2B76

1.rangers
2.boston
3.florida
4.philly
5.pittsburgh
6.devils
7.sabres
8.sens

1.st.louis
2.vancouver
3.dallas
4.detroit
5.nashville
6.chicago
7.san jose
8.phoenix