Jan Levine: Oh Captain, My Captain

i like zuccarello and think he brings a lot to the table, but something is seriously awry when you end up high sticking big buff.

also: who is the priority of the three RFA's? at the beginning of the season, i said without any doubt that it was mcdonaugh. but now, the way stepan is playing, i'm not so sure.

I like Torts, but if he breaks up the Nash, Callahan, Stepan line, I want him sent to the press box or the insane asylum, until further notice.

Good read.

The Blueshirts will make it to the playoffs.

As far as the trdae deadlin is concern, we can take Boyle's salary off your hands. How about Ryan White and Weber or a 4th pick.

Great blog, Brandon. Really great re-cap.

Good read.

The Blueshirts will make it to the playoffs.

As far as the trdae deadlin is concern, we can take Boyle's salary off your hands. How about Ryan White and Weber or a 4th pick.
- soad_live

Boyle played his best with Prust. I'd consider White and a 2nd rounder for Boyle and a 5th rounder.

As far as the ice time for the kids, Torts has always, always shortened his bench in tight games if he doesn't trust certain players to perform in crucial situations. He understands the big picture but put him within a game and suddenly he is going to do everything possible to win that game. It shouldn't be a surprise that he isn't putting Kreider and Miller out late in tight games. That's been Torts' MO from the beginning and it shouldn't reflect on the kids or how Torts might view them in the big picture. They'll earn his trust eventually assuming he's around long enough.

We forget that Boyle EARNED (yes, I said earned) Torts' trust in years past playing a solid defensive game, killing penalties, etc. I don't think even Torts expects another 20-goal season but Boyle can still get you 12 - 15 in a full season. Hell, he pretty much did that and most of us thought he sucked last year.

Did anyone know that Boyle is in the top-10 in faceoff winning %? I didn't until this morning. He doesn't score enough or use his body enough to perhaps get the ice time he does some games but he has earned the coach's trust with his responsible play over the last 2+ seasons.

The bottom line is I can't blame Torts that much for it. Yes, I want to see the kids and I think that while they've made some mistakes they have been okay with a smattering of excellent other times. But with Torts facing the pressure to win I can understand why he would roll the guys who have done it for him in the past; guys like Boyle, Richie, Cally, etc. I assure you if he played Miller and Kreider and one of them was on the ice when a critical goal was scored against Torts would be lambasted by the fans so he's pretty much in a lose-lose situation. I mean seriously, if it was you in that job facing the pressure to win like he is, would you play guys that have performed on the big stage and had success (i.e. Richie, Boyle, Cally, Step now) or take a chance on unproven kids? I think that is a pretty obvious answer whether we agree with his evaluations of a guy like Boyle or not.

I like Torts, but if he breaks up the Nash, Callahan, Stepan line, I want him sent to the press box or the insane asylum, until further notice.
- TJ

Early in yesterday's game people were already upset that he broke up the Nash-Step-Hags line. And that was after being shut out twice in a row. Right now anyone playing with Step is producing for the most part. He's been the key IMO and has surprised me in how much he looks like a real #1 center. I had pegged him as a perfect #2 but not really a #1. I underestimated the power of the Step.

Boyle played his best with Prust. I'd consider White and a 2nd rounder for Boyle and a 5th rounder.
- mames11

Hummm, White and a 3rd and its a deal.

Great job.

Good luck for the playoffs.

As far as the ice time for the kids, Torts has always, always shortened his bench in tight games if he doesn't trust certain players to perform in crucial situations. He understands the big picture but put him within a game and suddenly he is going to do everything possible to win that game. It shouldn't be a surprise that he isn't putting Kreider and Miller out late in tight games. That's been Torts' MO from the beginning and it shouldn't reflect on the kids or how Torts might view them in the big picture. They'll earn his trust eventually assuming he's around long enough.

We forget that Boyle EARNED (yes, I said earned) Torts' trust in years past playing a solid defensive game, killing penalties, etc. I don't think even Torts expects another 20-goal season but Boyle can still get you 12 - 15 in a full season. Hell, he pretty much did that and most of us thought he sucked last year.

Did anyone know that Boyle is in the top-10 in faceoff winning %? I didn't until this morning. He doesn't score enough or use his body enough to perhaps get the ice time he does some games but he has earned the coach's trust with his responsible play over the last 2+ seasons.

The bottom line is I can't blame Torts that much for it. Yes, I want to see the kids and I think that while they've made some mistakes they have been okay with a smattering of excellent other times. But with Torts facing the pressure to win I can understand why he would roll the guys who have done it for him in the past; guys like Boyle, Richie, Cally, etc. I assure you if he played Miller and Kreider and one of them was on the ice when a critical goal was scored against Torts would be lambasted by the fans so he's pretty much in a lose-lose situation. I mean seriously, if it was you in that job facing the pressure to win like he is, would you play guys that have performed on the big stage and had success (i.e. Richie, Boyle, Cally, Step now) or take a chance on unproven kids? I think that is a pretty obvious answer whether we agree with his evaluations of a guy like Boyle or not.
- gkmkiller

I think this post is pretty much dead on. In many ways, it was a life or death game, and Torts was going to roll with the guys he trusted.

I will never get why Brian Boyle got first unit powerplay time (although I realize he is trying to find something that works), but I can't blame Torts for not giving Miller or Kreider much ice last night.

Hummm, White and a 3rd and its a deal.

Great job.

Good luck for the playoffs.
- soad_live

White's deal a two-way contract?

the hypocrisy amongst fans is unreal sometimes

"WIN OR FIRE TORTS"
*torts benches rookies half way through a close game so we have a better chance at winning*
"OH HE'S WINNING? THEN FIRE TORTS FOR RUINING THE KIDS LIKE HE DID WITH STEPAN, MDZ, AND HAGELIN...CUZ U KNOW, TORTS TOTALLY RUINED THEM"
*torts sends kids down to the minors to develop*
"FIRE TORTS FOR SENDING DOWN OUR BOTTOM 6 OFFENSIVE DEPTH"
*kid goes on a tear and gets called back up*
"FIRE TORTS FOR BOUNCING THE KID AROUND AND RUINING HIS DEVELOPMENT"

White's deal a two-way contract?
- mames11

No

No
- soad_live

I see White is on IR, so that makes that deal null.

Weber and a 3rd rounder for Boyle and a 6th rounder especially if Weber's deal is two-way contract.

I see White is on IR, so that makes that deal null.

Weber and a 3rd rounder for Boyle and a 6th rounder especially if Weber's deal is two-way contract.
- mames11

Lol ok. But White is coming back wednesday night.

Hummm, White and a 3rd and its a deal.

Great job.

Good luck for the playoffs.
- soad_live

Thanks and that's if they make it. They have several teams on their @ss and they have a really rough schedule in their near future. Two against the Pens, then head to Carolina against a desperate 'Canes club and then head to Toronto to face a much improved Leafs club.

I see White is on IR, so that makes that deal null.

Weber and a 3rd rounder for Boyle and a 6th rounder especially if Weber's deal is two-way contract.
- mames11

White is a tough kid, I wouldn't mind having him here and shipping out that big waste Boyle.

also: who is the priority of the three RFA's? at the beginning of the season, i said without any doubt that it was mcdonaugh. but now, the way stepan is playing, i'm not so sure.
- Why So Serious

makes getting rid of Gaborik's 7.5 million before next year even more of a priority.

Starting to believe it's quite impossible to get McDonagh, Stepan and Hagelin all re-signed for under 10 million total.

White is a tough kid, I wouldn't mind having him here and shipping out that big waste Boyle.
- MidnightMarauder

Agreed, but if he doesn't come off IR by 3pm (est) tomorrow, then he is not able to be delt...unless there was a change in the new CBA.

makes getting rid of Gaborik's 7.5 million before next year even more of a priority.

Starting to believe it's quite impossible to get McDonagh, Stepan and Hagelin all re-signed for under 10 million total.
- jimbro83

There is hope. Stepan will likely sign for four million per, McDonagh around the same and Hagelin probably on a less than two million dollar per year deal. Hagelin likely has the least amount of leverage based on his modest offensive numbers.

As far as the ice time for the kids, Torts has always, always shortened his bench in tight games if he doesn't trust certain players to perform in crucial situations. He understands the big picture but put him within a game and suddenly he is going to do everything possible to win that game. It shouldn't be a surprise that he isn't putting Kreider and Miller out late in tight games. That's been Torts' MO from the beginning and it shouldn't reflect on the kids or how Torts might view them in the big picture. They'll earn his trust eventually assuming he's around long enough.

We forget that Boyle EARNED (yes, I said earned) Torts' trust in years past playing a solid defensive game, killing penalties, etc. I don't think even Torts expects another 20-goal season but Boyle can still get you 12 - 15 in a full season. Hell, he pretty much did that and most of us thought he sucked last year.

Did anyone know that Boyle is in the top-10 in faceoff winning %? I didn't until this morning. He doesn't score enough or use his body enough to perhaps get the ice time he does some games but he has earned the coach's trust with his responsible play over the last 2+ seasons.

The bottom line is I can't blame Torts that much for it. Yes, I want to see the kids and I think that while they've made some mistakes they have been okay with a smattering of excellent other times. But with Torts facing the pressure to win I can understand why he would roll the guys who have done it for him in the past; guys like Boyle, Richie, Cally, etc. I assure you if he played Miller and Kreider and one of them was on the ice when a critical goal was scored against Torts would be lambasted by the fans so he's pretty much in a lose-lose situation. I mean seriously, if it was you in that job facing the pressure to win like he is, would you play guys that have performed on the big stage and had success (i.e. Richie, Boyle, Cally, Step now) or take a chance on unproven kids? I think that is a pretty obvious answer whether we agree with his evaluations of a guy like Boyle or not.
- gkmkiller

Well written and I agree. I had a nice debate with Cranford last night about this, as Billy Joel wrote, "Its A Matter of Trust". Plus Boyle earned his time yesterday, that was the best I have seen him play in a while.

There is hope. Stepan will likely sign for four million per, McDonagh around the same and Hagelin probably on a less than two million dollar per year deal. Hagelin likely has the least amount of leverage based on his modest offensive numbers.
- MidnightMarauder

just think, if that happens like that, and Gaborik is still here, we are essentially stuck with the same team that is barely a playoff team this year.

There is hope. Stepan will likely sign for four million per, McDonagh around the same and Hagelin probably on a less than two million dollar per year deal. Hagelin likely has the least amount of leverage based on his modest offensive numbers.
- MidnightMarauder

I agree with your numbers. I also think that they can open up some space by replacing Boyle and Pyatt with cheaper options if need be. That is certaintly not to say that Gaborik shouldn't be moved if the right deal presents itself. I actually think that the Rangers could get more for Gaborik right now, at this trade deadline, then they could get this summer. But, that would, of course, effect their chances of success this year.

just think, if that happens like that, and Gaborik is still here, we are essentially stuck with the same team that is barely a playoff team this year.
- jimbro83

With Tampa supposedly following the Rangers around, maybe will see a Gaborik for Marty St. Louis deal.