Jan Levine: Rangers Fall 5-4 to Devils in First Preseason Game, Some Thoughts Some good, some bad in contest

Nice recap Jan. I agree on all points besides Malone's speed. He was faster than I expected and bigger than I thought. If he can play consistently like that, he's the player the Rangers were looking for when they acquired Clowe.

I do kinda like the idea of splitting up Nash and MSL just to have those 2 gamebreakers on different lines. Nash is a better finisher than Kreider so adding him with playmakers like Zucc and Brassard could reap more balanced scoring rather than loading up the top line with our best 2 finishers.

Miller all but locked up a spot last night as far as I'm concerned as well as Malone. Kostka and Hunwick were pretty bad. Dan Boyle was alright...you could see him trying to slow the game down on the PP and take some his patented seeing-eye wrist shots from the point. He had one shift where he set up Staal for 2 or 3 bombs so hopefully there's some more of that once chemistry develops. Overall defensively, I think he was okay. He lost inside position on one of the goals I believe but his play along the boards seemed fine behind our net.

Fast, Kristo, and Bourque all had pretty good games to me. The only way Kristo makes the squad though is in a top 6 scoring role which means he has to show he can consistently finish and he couldn't finish a couple of the chances he had last night. Fast had a nice goal but I just don't see room for him...Hags - Miller - Fast would be a nice line on paper but I don't think AV will play 2 rookies on the same line so he will likely need to play on the 4th line where I think AV may opt for Glass' physicality to complement Malone and Moore.

Didnt think Malone was that slow....liked what I saw having him just plant in front of the goalie on the PP and create traffic around the net

Good blog Jan, agree with most of what you said.

But Jan, why do you say Allen would have to beat out J Moore for a spot? Why not Allen & J Moore for the 3rd pairing?

Good blog Jan, agree with most of what you said.

But Jan, why do you say Allen would have to beat out J Moore for a spot? Why not Allen & J Moore for the 3rd pairing?
- mdw7413

They're both left shooting defensemen and AV + Sather love having the perfect lefty/righty balance back on the blueline I think. Plus Klein is just better than either of them IMO.

I think we're overhyping Allen a bit because he had a couple nice games in the NHL. Overall, his ceiling is pretty low and he didn't seem like the best skater from the couple AHL games I saw and the scrimmage from the other day. He would get the puck in his own zone and have a lot of room to skate the puck up so he would but he'd be so slow that a forward that was originally 4 or 5 strides away from him is suddenly tying him up against the boards and he loses the puck.

Good blog Jan, agree with most of what you said.

But Jan, why do you say Allen would have to beat out J Moore for a spot? Why not Allen & J Moore for the 3rd pairing?
- mdw7413

Neither will out Klein

Nice recap Jan. I agree on all points besides Malone's speed. He was faster than I expected and bigger than I thought. If he can play consistently like that, he's the player the Rangers were looking for when they acquired Clowe.

I do kinda like the idea of splitting up Nash and MSL just to have those 2 gamebreakers on different lines. Nash is a better finisher than Kreider so adding him with playmakers like Zucc and Brassard could reap more balanced scoring rather than loading up the top line with our best 2 finishers.

Miller all but locked up a spot last night as far as I'm concerned as well as Malone. Kostka and Hunwick were pretty bad. Dan Boyle was alright...you could see him trying to slow the game down on the PP and take some his patented seeing-eye wrist shots from the point. He had one shift where he set up Staal for 2 or 3 bombs so hopefully there's some more of that once chemistry develops. Overall defensively, I think he was okay. He lost inside position on one of the goals I believe but his play along the boards seemed fine behind our net.

Fast, Kristo, and Bourque all had pretty good games to me. The only way Kristo makes the squad though is in a top 6 scoring role which means he has to show he can consistently finish and he couldn't finish a couple of the chances he had last night. Fast had a nice goal but I just don't see room for him...Hags - Miller - Fast would be a nice line on paper but I don't think AV will play 2 rookies on the same line so he will likely need to play on the 4th line where I think AV may opt for Glass' physicality to complement Malone and Moore.
- rangerdanger94

I could see the same. Fast may get caught in a numbers game and Glass is all but certain to make the team

To clarify on Malone, he isn't slow in general, but compared to others and how AV likes the team to play, he is clearly a notch below that.

I think we can roll three somewhat even lines

Nash-Stepan-Stempniak/Malone/Hayes/etc.
Zucc-Brassard-Kreider
Hagelin-Miller-St Louis

I think Nash thrives most with Step, and they don't need a third traditional top 6 forward because Nash doesn't pass.

Brass and Zucc stay together, and Kreider should fit well with the speed/cycle game they play.

Hagelin and St. Louis gained some chemistry together last year, and their speed and experience should allow Miller to thrive as a passer.

I think we can roll three somewhat even lines

Nash-Stepan-Stempniak/Malone/Hayes/etc.
Zucc-Brassard-Kreider
Hagelin-Miller-St Louis

I think Nash thrives most with Step, and they don't need a third traditional top 6 forward because Nash doesn't pass.

Brass and Zucc stay together, and Kreider should fit well with the speed/cycle game they play.

Hagelin and St. Louis gained some chemistry together last year, and their speed and experience should allow Miller to thrive as a passer.
- MyBoyStepan

I actually like these lines but Malone/Hayes/Stempniak on the 1st line is a scary thought.

They're both left shooting defensemen and AV + Sather love having the perfect lefty/righty balance back on the blueline I think. Plus Klein is just better than either of them IMO.

I think we're overhyping Allen a bit because he had a couple nice games in the NHL. Overall, his ceiling is pretty low and he didn't seem like the best skater from the couple AHL games I saw and the scrimmage from the other day. He would get the puck in his own zone and have a lot of room to skate the puck up so he would but he'd be so slow that a forward that was originally 4 or 5 strides away from him is suddenly tying him up against the boards and he loses the puck.
- rangerdanger94

Forgot about Klein.

Surprising what you saw, unless he regressed. He had some wheels when they brought him up last year. Also seemed calm with the puck, and a pretty good passer.

Barf!

Barf!
- HankdaTank

remind me of a college jersey

Barf!
- HankdaTank

Ooof. But then again, if I was making that much money, you could dress me up in an Elton John wardrobe and I wouldn't care.

I actually like these lines but Malone/Hayes/Stempniak on the 1st line is a scary thought.
- tomburton99

Well, what is considered the "1st line" is arbitrary. You could make a case for that being the 3rd line.

I agree our 9th best forward isn't as good as we would like, but overall its a solid top 9.

Barf!
- HankdaTank

I actually don't think they're that bad. They could only go with the "classic" look for so long. At least these keep it clean. Would be pretty sweet if they wear red hoes and pants. All red everything.

Well, what is considered the "1st line" is arbitrary. You could make a case for that being the 3rd line.

I agree our 9th best forward isn't as good as we would like, but overall its a solid top 9.
- MyBoyStepan

I think we had the same dilemma last year with Pouliot. Didn't turn out so bad.

My thoughts on last night:

Jt miller is without a doubt ready for the nhl. I think he's more than ready to handle third line center position.

Hayes wasn't bad but could use some time if Hartford to get used to the pro game. I liked kristo fast and bourque as well

Mike kostka was absolutely terrible and may have cost himself a spot. Based purely on last night I give 7th d to hunwick.

Thought Malone played very well. Didn't think he looked slow at all but I'm worried he won't be able to keep up with the speed of this team for a full season. Good as advertised around the net

Tanner glass didn't look nearly as bad as I thought he would. Not too fast but can move and throw the body + kill penalties

Lines I'd like to see when we open:

Nash - Stepan - MSL
Kreider - Brassard - Zuccarello
Hagelin - Miller - Stempniak
Malone - Moore - Glass

Lombardi and hunwick

I think we can roll three somewhat even lines

Nash-Stepan-Stempniak/Malone/Hayes/etc.
Zucc-Brassard-Kreider
Hagelin-Miller-St Louis

I think Nash thrives most with Step, and they don't need a third traditional top 6 forward because Nash doesn't pass.

Brass and Zucc stay together, and Kreider should fit well with the speed/cycle game they play.

Hagelin and St. Louis gained some chemistry together last year, and their speed and experience should allow Miller to thrive as a passer.
- MyBoyStepan

Throwing Hayes right on the first line isn't the best move IMO. I think he was good but can learn some things in hfd. Maybe a situation similar to hagelin's

My thoughts on last night:

Jt miller is without a doubt ready for the nhl. I think he's more than ready to handle third line center position.

Hayes wasn't bad but could use some time if Hartford to get used to the pro game. I liked kristo fast and bourque as well

Mike kostka was absolutely terrible and may have cost himself a spot. Based purely on last night I give 7th d to hunwick.

Thought Malone played very well. Didn't think he looked slow at all but I'm worried he won't be able to keep up with the speed of this team for a full season. Good as advertised around the net

Tanner glass didn't look nearly as bad as I thought he would. Not too fast but can move and throw the body + kill penalties

Lines I'd like to see when we open:

Nash - Stepan - MSL
Kreider - Brassard - Zuccarello
Hagelin - Miller - Stempniak
Malone - Moore - Glass

Lombardi and hunwick
- RAG$4LIFE

Agree with Malone. Rangers play a fast paced game, don't know if he would be able to keep up on any of the top 3 lines throughout the season. So if he makes the team, I would put him on the 4th like you have and give him some PP time.

Agree with Malone. Rangers play a fast paced game, don't know if he would be able to keep up on any of the top 3 lines throughout the season. So if he makes the team, I would put him on the 4th like you have and give him some PP time.
- mdw7413

Which is fine, Malone's cap hit is small enough he can be the extra forward some nights if he needs a game off. No need for him to have to play all 82 with the depth this team has.

Which is fine, Malone's cap hit is small enough he can be the extra forward some nights if he needs a game off. No need for him to have to play all 82 with the depth this team has.
- TPC

Yup. And the way AV loves rolling 4 lines, being on the 4th line isn't necessarily a bad thing with this team.

maybe Hayes isn't totally ready to start with the big club yet, but I don't think it's going to be long at all. He could have had two huge assists last night if guys could finish and this team needs his size big time. This is no 18 year old, this is a 22 year old.

maybe Hayes isn't totally ready to start with the big club yet, but I don't think it's going to be long at all. He could have had two huge assists last night if guys could finish and this team needs his size big time. This is no 18 year old, this is a 22 year old.
- jimbro83

Maybe do a 1/2 the year stint in the AHL, and bring him up afterwards if he is dominating down there. Thing I worry about with these college players is conditioning for the whole season. Whats a college season, maybe 20 something games?

Any update on Stepan's bunion?

Any update on Stepan's bunion?
- xcheckmajor

Day to day with a foot contusion