Jan Levine: Game 43: NYR 5 PIT 2, Quick Goal By Nash Sparks Rangers to Win Rangers end season series against Pitt 3-0-1

Nice win! Keep 'em coming like this please!

I am always happy to watch Pittsburgh lose, regardless of who the winner is. Well done.

Just curious - now that some more time has gone by, what is the general consenus by Rangers fans about the MSL-Callahan deal? Are you guys happy with what MSL brings and is Callahan missed at all?

I am always happy to watch Pittsburgh lose, regardless of who the winner is. Well done.

Just curious - now that some more time has gone by, what is the general consenus by Rangers fans about the MSL-Callahan deal? Are you guys happy with what MSL brings and is Callahan missed at all?
- GalacticStone

I think it's still too early to tell. Right now I don't think anyone really minds it, but then Tampa could win the Cup this year then draft a future superstar with the Rangers' pick, and suddenly it looks like the worst trade of the decade. So as of right now, it's kind of up in the air.

I am always happy to watch Pittsburgh lose, regardless of who the winner is. Well done.

Just curious - now that some more time has gone by, what is the general consenus by Rangers fans about the MSL-Callahan deal? Are you guys happy with what MSL brings and is Callahan missed at all?
- GalacticStone

The draft pick may be the clincher in this one. I think it was the right move for two GMs in a difficult position.

Short term both teams have made out well. Cally is having a career year with a solid TB squad this season. I don't think the NYR make the finals last year without the passing of MSL's mother that became a rallying point.

Long term I think the Bolts got the type of player they needed and it is already paying off well. The draft pick is a bonus and may tip the scales in the end. If MSL plays a few more productive seasons and returns at a very team friendly cap hit the Rangers won't make out too badly in the end. Had they won the cup last season it would have been irrelevant. If all the Rangers get is a finals appearance and what is looking like an okay season this year with no Cup then it will look like a big over payment especially seeing as how Yzerman didn't have any other options.

If Tampa will take Tanner Glass right now for a bag or pucks or even an envelope full of glitter we can call it even.

I think it's still too early to tell. Right now I don't think anyone really minds it, but then Tampa could win the Cup this year then draft a future superstar with the Rangers' pick, and suddenly it looks like the worst trade of the decade. So as of right now, it's kind of up in the air.
- GOODPLAYA20

we will be picking very late in the first round, hopefully 30th and we also get Tampa's second rounder too, so ultimately the picks really aren't that big of a deal.

I think the worst part about not having a first rounder is not being able to use it in a trade before the deadline.

Last year Tampa didn't even use the pick we traded them, they traded down for a couple of second rounders.

MSL sparked the Rangers towards one of the best journeys in team history, scored probably the best goal in Ranger playoff history outside of any of the 1994 goals in game 4 of overtime against Montreal and I am sure will have more playoff heroics this spring.

Callahan went pointless in 4 playoff games for Tampa and never had really a big playoff moment as a Ranger.

we will be picking very late in the first round, hopefully 30th and we also get Tampa's second rounder too, so ultimately the picks really aren't that big of a deal.

I think the worst part about not having a first rounder is not being able to use it in a trade before the deadline.

Last year Tampa didn't even use the pick we traded them, they traded down for a couple of second rounders.

MSL sparked the Rangers towards one of the best journeys in team history, scored probably the best goal in Ranger playoff history outside of any of the 1994 goals in game 5 of overtime against Montreal and I am sure will have more playoff heroics this spring.

Callahan went pointless in 4 playoff games for Tampa and never had really a big playoff moment as a Ranger.
- jimbro83

Plus with the Rangers recent 1st round draft pedigree....is it really that big of a deal to lose the pick? Prospects are prospects for a reason. The Rangers went to the cup last year in large part due to the play of MSL. I have said many times before, the trade was worth it from last year alone. Everything that happens now and on is just gravy to me.

I am always happy to watch Pittsburgh lose, regardless of who the winner is. Well done.

Just curious - now that some more time has gone by, what is the general consenus by Rangers fans about the MSL-Callahan deal? Are you guys happy with what MSL brings and is Callahan missed at all?
- GalacticStone

For some, this will be a tough call no matter how long time passes by. I am a big Callahan fan and am glad he is doing well in TB. That added draft pick we shipped over may have me thinking the Rangers got the lesser end of the deal. Though MSL is still an impact threat on the ice every game, he is 40+ and may not be back next season for cap reasons (and you never know...he may retire). Rangers made the deal to win now and not lose Callahan for nothing; though, they gave up a bit too much with those draft picks.

I am always happy to watch Pittsburgh lose, regardless of who the winner is. Well done.

Just curious - now that some more time has gone by, what is the general consenus by Rangers fans about the MSL-Callahan deal? Are you guys happy with what MSL brings and is Callahan missed at all?
- GalacticStone

General consensus is this deal worked out well for the Rangers and it could work out very well for Tampa. Two first round draft picks and a good depth winger is a good haul for an aging superstar and a second round pick.

Thing is though, the Rangers went to the finals last year and this trade was a gig reason why. This season, St. Louis is second on the team in goals and tied for second in points. It doesn't seem like MSL is ready to retire after this season and the picks won't evolve, good or bad, for at least another few years.

So in all, Tampa did well considering St. Louis wanted out but the Rangers look like a contender this season; coming off of a finals appearance last year. St. Louis has been a big part of it all. Plus, that second round pick could turn out to be a very good player; the Rangers do well drafting outside of the first round.

For some, this will be a tough call no matter how long time passes by. I am a big Callahan fan and am glad he is doing well in TB. That added draft pick we shipped over may have me thinking the Rangers got the lesser end of the deal. Though MSL is still an impact threat on the ice every game, he is 40+ and may not be back next season for cap reasons (and you never know...he may retire). Rangers made the deal to win now and not lose Callahan for nothing; though, they gave up a bit too much with those draft picks.
- mames11

St. Louis is not 40 years old yet and he is still better than Callahan. The Rangers also got a second round draft out of this exchange. First round picks aren't always a guarantee; especially when they are slotted in the later part of the first round.

we will be picking very late in the first round, hopefully 30th and we also get Tampa's second rounder too, so ultimately the picks really aren't that big of a deal.

I think the worst part about not having a first rounder is not being able to use it in a trade before the deadline.

Last year Tampa didn't even use the pick we traded them, they traded down for a couple of second rounders.

MSL sparked the Rangers towards one of the best journeys in team history, scored probably the best goal in Ranger playoff history outside of any of the 1994 goals in game 4 of overtime against Montreal and I am sure will have more playoff heroics this spring.

Callahan went pointless in 4 playoff games for Tampa and never had really a big playoff moment as a Ranger.
- jimbro83

I was happy about the trade when it went down and even more so today. The Rangers do better drafting outside of the first round anyway. Aside from Kreider, Miller and Staal, the Rangers first round selections have been washouts.

I was happy about the trade when it went down and even more so today. The Rangers do better drafting outside of the first round anyway. Aside from Kreider, Miller and Staal, the Rangers first round selections have been washouts.
- MidnightMarauder

You were rather gentle there.

I think it's still too early to tell. Right now I don't think anyone really minds it, but then Tampa could win the Cup this year then draft a future superstar with the Rangers' pick, and suddenly it looks like the worst trade of the decade. So as of right now, it's kind of up in the air.
- GOODPLAYA20

That's an "if" , the pick will be in the mid 20's or up and if they win the cup it won't be because of Cally alone, they had a great group of prospects in the pipeline to add to Stamkos

I know Krieder has taken a few bad major penalties, but how in the blue hell does he lead the team with 71 PIMS? Perhaps he would have more than nine goals (23 points) if he stayed out of the box. Optimus only has 17 PIMS and 15 have come from fights.

My job has me missing many games. Anyone share what Krieder is doing?

I was happy about the trade when it went down and even more so today. The Rangers do better drafting outside of the first round anyway. Aside from Kreider, Miller and Staal, the Rangers first round selections have been washouts.
- MidnightMarauder

I think people don't even realize that Tampa didn't even use the pick last year, ironically enough the Islanders ultimately picked in our spot.

This year's pick only would be a problem if the Rangers missed the playoffs, then I can see people unhappy about it. But even then, I think a trip to the finals is worth it every time.

You were rather gentle there.
- mames11

Trashing the Rangers first round selection missteps is old news. Besides, the Rangers are looking good right now and have done a good job making up for their lack of first round drafting success.

I know Krieder has taken a few bad major penalties, but how in the blue hell does he lead the team with 71 PIMS? Perhaps he would have more than nine goals (23 points) if he stayed out of the box. Optimus only has 17 PIMS and 15 have come from fights.

My job has me missing many games. Anyone share what Krieder is doing?
- mames11

I think Kreider has been playing really well of late. He has had two 10 minute misconducts this year, those have inflated his PIM stats a bit.

Plus with the Rangers recent 1st round draft pedigree....is it really that big of a deal to lose the pick? Prospects are prospects for a reason. The Rangers went to the cup last year in large part due to the play of MSL. I have said many times before, the trade was worth it from last year alone. Everything that happens now and on is just gravy to me.
- TPC

Maybe it's different because it's been more than 21 years since the Flyers last won the Cup. However, trading multiple first round picks to get an aging superstar (Pronger) and making it to the Finals in his first year (09/10) wasn't worth it to me. You don't play to finish second, you play to finish first. But if that's your barometer of success, then yes, it's a fantastic trade.

I think people don't even realize that Tampa didn't even use the pick last year, ironically enough the Islanders ultimately picked in our spot.

This year's pick only would be a problem if the Rangers missed the playoffs, then I can see people unhappy about it. But even then, I think a trip to the finals is worth it every time.
- jimbro83

Tampa's first round pick, via the Rangers, could be a 30th overall or at least in the high 20s. People forget that the Rangers received a second round pick from Tampa in this upcoming draft. For what St. Louis has given this team I am completely ok with how everything went down. The Rangers aren't going to the finals last season without that trade.

Maybe it's different because it's been more than 21 years since the Flyers last won the Cup. However, trading multiple first round picks to get an aging superstar (Pronger) and making it to the Finals in his first year (09/10) wasn't worth it to me. You don't play to finish second, you play to finish first. But if that's your barometer of success, then yes, it's a fantastic trade.
- jmatchett383

this is so dumb, the only reason you haven't had Pronger was because he had a devastating injury. It would have been absolutely worth it had he not gotten injured and that could have happened to anyone

Maybe it's different because it's been more than 21 years since the Flyers last won the Cup. However, trading multiple first round picks to get an aging superstar (Pronger) and making it to the Finals in his first year (09/10) wasn't worth it to me. You don't play to finish second, you play to finish first. But if that's your barometer of success, then yes, it's a fantastic trade.
- jmatchett383

Again look at the Rangers pedigree with their first round draft over the last decade and the thinking that the pick will be in the late 20s again. People get to strung up on prospects IMO

Maybe it's different because it's been more than 21 years since the Flyers last won the Cup. However, trading multiple first round picks to get an aging superstar (Pronger) and making it to the Finals in his first year (09/10) wasn't worth it to me. You don't play to finish second, you play to finish first. But if that's your barometer of success, then yes, it's a fantastic trade.
- jmatchett383

The Rangers are likely going to be a contender for the foreseeable future. There is a big difference between that Pronger trade and the St. Louis trade; well more than one difference.

The Rangers are a better run organization than the Flyers and have positioned themselves to be more than a one and done attempt at a finals appearance. Secondly, aren't the Flyers still paying Pronger despite him not officially played an NHL sanctioned game in over three years? St. Louis is not an expensive rental and the first round picks aren't going to be in can't miss draft slots. It's not like the Rangers are a lottery team and Tampa is drafting can't miss prospects with those picks.

this is so dumb, the only reason you haven't had Pronger was because he had a devastating injury. It would have been absolutely worth it had he not gotten injured and that could have happened to anyone
- jimbro83

Plus yea I would rather the Rangers go to the cup win or lose then hope a draft pick pans out in 4 years. Maybe that's just me I guess.

this is so dumb, the only reason you haven't had Pronger was because he had a devastating injury. It would have been absolutely worth it had he not gotten injured and that could have happened to anyone
- jimbro83

Let me rephrase: the fact that the Flyers gave up multiple first-round picks for an aging superstar and didn't win the Cup means that the trade was not a win. Worth it for the shot? Sure. But in hindsight, would I have done it? Probably not. Unless you win the Cup, it doesn't matter. Has nothing to do with Pronger's injury and everything to with the assets moved to finish second.

Is that less "dumb" to you?

Let me rephrase: the fact that the Flyers gave up multiple first-round picks for an aging superstar and didn't win the Cup means that the trade was not a win. Worth it for the shot? Sure. But in hindsight, would I have done it? Probably not. Unless you win the Cup, it doesn't matter. Has nothing to do with Pronger's injury and everything to with the assets moved to finish second.

Is that less "dumb" to you?
- jmatchett383

yeah, BUT, had Pronger NOT gotten injured, the Flyers would have had multiple chances to win the Cup with Pronger, just like the Rangers have ANOTHER CHANCE to win a cup with Marty this year.