Jan Levine: EQF: Game 4: PIT 5 NYR 0, Rangers Embarrassed and Booed Off Ice at MSG Dismal performance

Here is my list of Keepers and guys I would be ok with not having if they could work something out. This takes into account Salary as well so overall value

Keep:
Stepan - his contract later on will be very team friendly and he is solid for us
Brassard - same as Step
Zucc - he did come off a horrible injury, he gets a pass form me
Stalberg - they took a shot and he was good value for $1MM, can they resign him and keep his salary low?
Fast - guy plays hard every single shift, wish others had his energy and heart
Hayes - I'm willing to give him one more year to find out who the real Hayes is, and give him a year to show us this year was just a slump
Miller - Absolute Stud, look him up
Lindberg - Solid player cheap cap hit
McDonaugh - Stud, great cap friendly contract
Klein - See McDonaugh above, he is a heart and soul guy too
McIlrath - Give this kid a chance already, lets see what hes got
Skjei - McDonaugh Junior, look this kid up with a long term deal ASAP
Lundqvist - He is ours until his contract is up, he is entitled to a bad game once in a while
Raanta - Cheap backup, unless we want to give a younger guy a chance I'm ok with hi here for another year



Would be ok if they walked / got traded / etc:
Nash - I loved getting him, but he just isn't producing, he is not worth 7.8MM as a defensive forward
E Staal - Just a big mistake,a panic move at the deadline
Kreider - I liek his potnetial but he isnt consistant and he is a guy I'm petrified they might over pay for. If they get him cheap he could stay, otherwise, I'm ok with another team signing him and we get picks in return
M Staal - Wish someone would take him but his contract stinks and nobody will, I fear he is losing it
Girardi - Same as above, thanks for your service
Boyle - GOOD RIDDANCE!


Indifferent
Moore - he is cheap but he has to stay cheap or he can easily be replaced
Glass - We all hated his contract but he isn't a bad guy, plus nobody is taking him off our hands at $1.5
Yandle - This all depends on his contract. Would be nice to keep him and pair him with a stay at home D-man but his contract cant handcuff the rangers like Staal and Girardis are doign now


Thats 8 F, 4D, and 2 Goalies. Add in the last set of guys and its 9 & 5 and a good start, too bad we cant realistically get rid of the guys on my list, but maybe some of them can go. There is $30MM+ in cap space there. If they can get rid of Nash for some picks, that would be great, go sign Stanmkos!

Jan,

Great Blog. I think the heart is a major issue with this team, maybe they feel due to recent success that they can just show up and win games because they are better?
They are finding out that is not the case and the hard work they put in up to the TB series last year is what is required to win in the playoffs. With last nights game and the Tampa Series last year, their last 8 or so playoff games have been garbage save for one or two at best. Their home performance in the playoff is a joke. I cant remember last time they got down and dirty in the crease and banged home some greasy goals, which is what it takes to win in the playoffs (See: Hornqvist all series)
I wouldn't mine Arniel and AV being replaced. I'd like to see if Samuelson is actually making the D-pairing calls, because whoever has been putting Yandle and Boyle out there together just isn't seeing what every other Ranger fans see... Two guys who should NEVER be on the ice together except for maybe on a 5-3 powerplay.

Jan,

Great Blog. I think the heart is a major issue with this team, maybe they feel due to recent success that they can just show up and win games because they are better?
They are finding out that is not the case and the hard work they put in up to the TB series last year is what is required to win in the playoffs. With last nights game and the Tampa Series last year, their last 8 or so playoff games have been garbage save for one or two at best. Their home performance in the playoff is a joke. I cant remember last time they got down and dirty in the crease and banged home some greasy goals, which is what it takes to win in the playoffs (See: Hornqvist all series)
I wouldn't mine Arniel and AV being replaced. I'd like to see if Samuelson is actually making the D-pairing calls, because whoever has been putting Yandle and Boyle out there together just isn't seeing what every other Ranger fans see... Two guys who should NEVER be on the ice together except for maybe on a 5-3 powerplay.
- MiloslavHorava

I wanted Yandle-Diaz or Yandle-McIlrath. Plus, it should be McDonagh-Klein or Staal-Mcdonagh with Skjei on ice with the other. That way, a puck moving d-man on each pairing with McD/Skjei/Yandle

Jan, if you need a hand with the blog just let me know! It won't be a Simpsons blurb either!

I think it fitting that Lundqvist is against Murray in Murrays first playoff series - maybe handing over the torch if you like.

Here is my list of Keepers and guys I would be ok with not having if they could work something out. This takes into account Salary as well so overall value

Keep:
Stepan - his contract later on will be very team friendly and he is solid for us
Brassard - same as Step
Zucc - he did come off a horrible injury, he gets a pass form me
Stalberg - they took a shot and he was good value for $1MM, can they resign him and keep his salary low?
Fast - guy plays hard every single shift, wish others had his energy and heart
Hayes - I'm willing to give him one more year to find out who the real Hayes is, and give him a year to show us this year was just a slump
Miller - Absolute Stud, look him up
Lindberg - Solid player cheap cap hit
McDonaugh - Stud, great cap friendly contract
Klein - See McDonaugh above, he is a heart and soul guy too
McIlrath - Give this kid a chance already, lets see what hes got
Skjei - McDonaugh Junior, look this kid up with a long term deal ASAP
Lundqvist - He is ours until his contract is up, he is entitled to a bad game once in a while
Raanta - Cheap backup, unless we want to give a younger guy a chance I'm ok with hi here for another year



Would be ok if they walked / got traded / etc:
Nash - I loved getting him, but he just isn't producing, he is not worth 7.8MM as a defensive forward
E Staal - Just a big mistake,a panic move at the deadline
Kreider - I liek his potnetial but he isnt consistant and he is a guy I'm petrified they might over pay for. If they get him cheap he could stay, otherwise, I'm ok with another team signing him and we get picks in return
M Staal - Wish someone would take him but his contract stinks and nobody will, I fear he is losing it
Girardi - Same as above, thanks for your service
Boyle - GOOD RIDDANCE!


Indifferent
Moore - he is cheap but he has to stay cheap or he can easily be replaced
Glass - We all hated his contract but he isn't a bad guy, plus nobody is taking him off our hands at $1.5
Yandle - This all depends on his contract. Would be nice to keep him and pair him with a stay at home D-man but his contract cant handcuff the rangers like Staal and Girardis are doign now




Thats 8 F, 4D, and 2 Goalies. Add in the last set of guys and its 9 & 5 and a good start, too bad we cant realistically get rid of the guys on my list, but maybe some of them can go. There is $30MM+ in cap space there. If they can get rid of Nash for some picks, that would be great, go sign Stanmkos!
- MiloslavHorava

Agree with most but I think not having a 1st line center is hurting us. Think stepan or brass should be traded. Hank.... Definitely think tradinG him should be explored. Not saying more than that in him, but worth noting that having an unhappy goalie might cause a problem. The question is who becomes new starter

I wanted Yandle-Diaz or Yandle-McIlrath. Plus, it should be McDonagh-Klein or Staal-Mcdonagh with Skjei on ice with the other. That way, a puck moving d-man on each pairing with McD/Skjei/Yandle
- airjan23

Yandle-Boyle doesn't work because of their mind sets, they're both offensive d. They both are their worst defensive d paired together. Diaz and Yandle , same thing. Doesn't matter now. Coach is gonna re insert Hayes for Lindberg and leave the d the same.

Jan, if you need a hand with the blog just let me know! It won't be a Simpsons blurb either!

I think it fitting that Lundqvist is against Murray in Murrays first playoff series - maybe handing over the torch if you like.
- Aussiepenguin

You have that little matter of Marc-Andre Fleury's three years at $5.75 mil remaining to resolve as well. Pricey for a backup.

Watch out coming down that mountain. It's a female dog

Jan, if you need a hand with the blog just let me know! It won't be a Simpsons blurb either!

I think it fitting that Lundqvist is against Murray in Murrays first playoff series - maybe handing over the torch if you like.
- Aussiepenguin

Stop right there, lets not get gitty over a small sample size......

AV has kind of lost his marbles, huh?

Jan, if you need a hand with the blog just let me know! It won't be a Simpsons blurb either!
I think it fitting that Lundqvist is against Murray in Murrays first playoff series - maybe handing over the torch if you like.
- Aussiepenguin

lol come on.

The one thing that is alarming is that this team for years' compete level was never an issue. All of a sudden this year it was trash. Many on here believed they didn't care where they finished and that was it. They tied the series 1-1, came back home and blew a lead in game three and got pounded, then game four an absolute abomination. That game last night showed the players have quit. Maybe they'll reward us with another one of those Saturday only for the pens faithful to see. Matt Murray hasn't had to do less in that net since his 10u days probably. All year the coach jerking around certain guys, favoring some vets, you never know if the players finally had had enough. the compete level is obviously not on every players priority and that's been the issue all season now. Changes must come. Coach needs to be fired. He's stale, stubborn, and his attitude with certain players is a disgrace. And take Arniel with you AV, the pk which was once money, is now downright garbage. The pp isn't any better either.

Watch out coming down that mountain. It's a female dog
- Just5

Ur neighbors are such whiny b!tches......

AV has kind of lost his marbles, huh?
- BINGO!

Staal is coming back to u guys.....

most of you guys, whether we agree or disagree, are cool in my book. A lot of loyal, die hard, knowledgable fans of this team and I respect the majority of your opinions.

After last night I think we can unifiably agree, this team is toast and Gorton needs to be extremely busy working the phones.

It's not a matter of not having talent, it's having the right pieces, the right leadership and the right balance.

This team, while still skilled, is horribly flawed in just about every facet of the game. Last night, with their season hanging in the balance, the Rangers laid an enormous egg and went out like chumps.

Not a single Ranger, player personnel or coach, can hang their head high after watching the Penguins completely dismantle them like Beverly Hills surgeons.

Sometimes you have to take your medicine, this Ranger team just doesn't have it, it's fairly clear.

And for those that think the results would be different if they drew Florida, no it wouldn't.

I'm still in shock. Not that they lost but that NO effort seemed to be there. I mean, seriously can't believe that gm.

AV & even Mac as the Captain have to take major responsibility. And Hank, the man is not the same, maybe after the inevitable elimination here we hear he has some injury still from last month or something else. But at now 34 & a LOT of yrs left on his deal I am majorly concerned for the future, would not have said that just a few weeks ago but it is glaringly apparent.

Watch out coming down that mountain. It's a female dog
- Just5

You've been falling down the mountain since '75, is that what you mean?

Jan, if you need a hand with the blog just let me know! It won't be a Simpsons blurb either!

I think it fitting that Lundqvist is against Murray in Murrays first playoff series - maybe handing over the torch if you like.
- Aussiepenguin

Handing over the torch of never winning a cup?

Here ya go, Matt.

You have that little matter of Marc-Andre Fleury's three years at $5.75 mil remaining to resolve as well. Pricey for a backup.
- airjan23

Actually, the Pens are in pretty good shape with goalie salary for the next couple of years. Especially when you consider many teams split the goalie duties today.

Marc-Andre Fleury
2015-16 5,750,000
2016-17 5,750,000
2017-18 5,750,000
2018-19 5,750,000

Matt Murray
2015-16 620,000
2016-17 620,000
2017-18 RFA

The one thing that is alarming is that this team for years' compete level was never an issue. All of a sudden this year it was trash. Many on here believed they didn't care where they finished and that was it. They tied the series 1-1, came back home and blew a lead in game three and got pounded, then game four an absolute abomination. That game last night showed the players have quit. Maybe they'll reward us with another one of those Saturday only for the pens faithful to see. Matt Murray hasn't had to do less in that net since his 10u days probably. All year the coach jerking around certain guys, favoring some vets, you never know if the players finally had had enough. the compete level is obviously not on every players priority and that's been the issue all season now. Changes must come. Coach needs to be fired. He's stale, stubborn, and his attitude with certain players is a disgrace. And take Arniel with you AV, the pk which was once money, is now downright garbage. The pp isn't any better either.
- Anthony5967

Yesterday's compete level was trash, but the compete level the first 3 games of this series was very good.

https://twitter.com/Bucci...status/723515852646154240

I hope the Caps roll them

Rangers will be better come October, the team will only get younger and adding Skjei to the D is only a positive while losing Boyle

most of you guys, whether we agree or disagree, are cool in my book. A lot of loyal, die hard, knowledgable fans of this team and I respect the majority of your opinions.

After last night I think we can unifiably agree, this team is toast and Gorton needs to be extremely busy working the phones.

It's not a matter of not having talent, it's having the right pieces, the right leadership and the right balance.

This team, while still skilled, is horribly flawed in just about every facet of the game. Last night, with their season hanging in the balance, the Rangers laid an enormous egg and went out like chumps.

Not a single Ranger, player personnel or coach, can hang their head high after watching the Penguins completely dismantle them like Beverly Hills surgeons.

Sometimes you have to take your medicine, this Ranger team just doesn't have it, it's fairly clear.

And for those that think the results would be different if they drew Florida, no it wouldn't.
- MidnightMarauder

Brandon, good post. I have to call out the Coach after a debacle lime that. He said the team was very ready to go yesterday morning. Really? Really Alain, so what gives ten with that performance?

Like I said above Mac & Hank too have to take the brunt of criticism here. I mean 5 straight home ice playoff losses, disgrace.

I'm still in shock. Not that they lost but that NO effort seemed to be there. I mean, seriously can't believe that gm.

AV & even Mac as the Captain have to take major responsibility. And Hank, the man is not the same, maybe after the inevitable elimination here we hear he has some injury still from last month or something else. But at now 34 & a LOT of yrs left on his deal I am majorly concerned for the future, would not have said that just a few weeks ago but it is glaringly apparent.
- B2B76

I seriously think it's time to think about moving him this summer. He's still got some juice left but he can't be the focal point of the team, going forward, if they ever expect to turn things around.