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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. |
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NYRangers1124
New York Rangers |
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Location: Hoboken, NJ Joined: 07.24.2008
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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 |
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mdw7413
New York Rangers |
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Location: I would rather see a dudes hairy balls than his hairy feet-Jimbro Joined: 12.13.2013
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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? |
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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. |
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HankdaTank
New York Rangers |
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Location: Cut City, NJ Joined: 04.10.2012
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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 |
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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. |
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MyBoyStepan
New York Rangers |
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Location: @MyBoyStepan, NY Joined: 09.22.2014
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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. |
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tomburton99
New York Rangers |
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Location: NYR distrust, NJ Joined: 07.13.2009
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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.
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mdw7413
New York Rangers |
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Location: I would rather see a dudes hairy balls than his hairy feet-Jimbro Joined: 12.13.2013
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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. |
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HankdaTank
New York Rangers |
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Location: Cut City, NJ Joined: 04.10.2012
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Barf! |
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jimbro83
New York Rangers |
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Location: Lets Go Rangers!, NY Joined: 12.25.2009
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Barf! - HankdaTank
remind me of a college jersey |
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mdw7413
New York Rangers |
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Location: I would rather see a dudes hairy balls than his hairy feet-Jimbro Joined: 12.13.2013
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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. |
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MyBoyStepan
New York Rangers |
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Location: @MyBoyStepan, NY Joined: 09.22.2014
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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. |
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NashtyLight
New York Rangers |
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Location: Yes, That's Nash and Linda Cohn on a date, NY Joined: 09.11.2014
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NashtyLight
New York Rangers |
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Location: Yes, That's Nash and Linda Cohn on a date, NY Joined: 09.11.2014
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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. |
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RAG$4LIFE
New York Rangers |
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Location: NY Joined: 10.01.2008
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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 |
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RAG$4LIFE
New York Rangers |
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Location: NY Joined: 10.01.2008
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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 |
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mdw7413
New York Rangers |
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Location: I would rather see a dudes hairy balls than his hairy feet-Jimbro Joined: 12.13.2013
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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.
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TPC
New York Rangers |
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Location: Bucks County, PA Joined: 01.18.2008
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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. |
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mdw7413
New York Rangers |
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Location: I would rather see a dudes hairy balls than his hairy feet-Jimbro Joined: 12.13.2013
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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. |
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jimbro83
New York Rangers |
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Location: Lets Go Rangers!, NY Joined: 12.25.2009
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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. |
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mdw7413
New York Rangers |
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Location: I would rather see a dudes hairy balls than his hairy feet-Jimbro Joined: 12.13.2013
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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? |
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xcheckmajor
New York Rangers |
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Location: NY Joined: 06.28.2013
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Any update on Stepan's bunion? |
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MyBoyStepan
New York Rangers |
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Location: @MyBoyStepan, NY Joined: 09.22.2014
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Any update on Stepan's bunion? - xcheckmajor
Day to day with a foot contusion |
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