Jan Levine: Rangers Post Mortem and Tear Down Blog Part I Parts II and III to follow separately

Very good Jan. Why did this team who had the third ranked defense last year go from a man to man defense to a zone? Why would they mess with that? No wonder so many guys were left in front to tap pucks in untouched or even left alone on the PP to deflect pucks.

Very good Jan. Why did this team who had the third ranked defense last year go from a man to man defense to a zone? Why would they mess with that? No wonder so many guys were left in front to tap pucks in untouched or even left alone on the PP to deflect pucks.
- Anthony5967

Believe it was man-to-man under Torts, AV prefers a zone defense. Confirming that's right and I didn't flip the order. Regardless, whichever D they played, the handoffs and coverage were major fails all season.

Good article Jan after 43 years of being a Ranger fan and only winning one Stanley Cup its sad to say how much easier it is getting not to win it all since you just don't expect it, you hope and pray for it.

While Rick Nash played well coming back from his injury the Rangers can't afford a 7.8M cap hit when they can win without him which the Rangers had proven. I would really like to see the Rangers make a trade with the Oilers, Nash for Eberle, Pouliot at half salary and a first round pic. Giving us back one of our most exciting lines with Zucc and Brass. Adding Eberle to the line of Kreider and Step leaving us with Hayes Miller Fast. This would not only save us money but allow us to make some sort of attempt to keep Yandle. The forth line would be tough but I wouldn't mind seeing Martin from the islanders playing with Stalberg Hrivik or Lindberg or Megna.

On D I think Dylan has proven he can play and so can Brady to fill the void of Boyle leaving. Dan should be healthy again and I really think Book should be our new D couch. Its not that I don't like Ulfe but things just didn't get done this year and Book has been doing so well.

. I would really like to see the Rangers make a trade with the Oilers, Nash for Eberle, Pouliot at half salary and a first round pic. .
- RangerFan1110

Last, the blind loyalty to veterans at the expense of rookies and inability to maximize the talent of the players by finding the right combinations are major black marks against the coach

Dear God it sounds so much like what happened from Shero and Disco Dan in Pittsburgh just a few years ago...

No need to keep Yandle unless we trade McD just kidding but thinking of the haul we would get from a team like EDM is nice.

Rangersfan - quotes not working.

I read your trade proposal about 4 times, are you saying Nash will get you Eberle, Pouliot (salary retained) + a 1st?

So 2 players + a 1st round pick for Rick Nash?

Rangersfan - quotes not working.

I read your trade proposal about 4 times, are you saying Nash will get you Eberle, Pouliot (salary retained) + a 1st?

So 2 players + a 1st round pick for Rick Nash?
- Aussiepenguin

Nash has a 10-12 team approved list in his no trade clause

pretty sure Edmonton would not be one of those cities

Agreed plus I don't believe the return would be that rich, I admit I'm not too opposed to bringing back Pouliot with the caveat being that Edmonton eats half of his salary

After AV's remark about the coaching staff I feel very strongly that Ulfie will not be back, he has to take a hit for the defensive play this season which has been the worst since the before the '04 lockout, Buek would be the obvious choice, now to just convince AV to replace Arneil with Buek's old running partner

Regarding Hank people need to look at some specific stats rather than just give the ignorant Rangers hate comment of "he's done", he led the league in shots against and saves, not since before this run of being one of the elite teams over the past 5 years has he faced as many shots, next notice the the amount of PP goals allowed.....46, over the previous 4 seasons he averaged 25, if that isn't a clear indictment on the defense I'm not sure what is, finally for the analytical lovers he had a 12.9 GPS which is goalie point share (the estimated numbers of points contributed by his play in goal) which led all goaltenders

What are they realistically expecting to get for Nash?

- Blackstrom2

What are they realistically expecting to get for Nash?
- kingcong39

prospects, picks, kind of like Toronto got in the Kessel to Pitt trade with the Rangers picking up some of the contract

prospects, picks, kind of like Toronto got in the Kessel to Pitt trade with the Rangers picking up some of the contract
- jimbro83

If Kessel got back Kapanen I believe we can get back a similar prospect and a pick which could be a later 1st or 2nd

If Kessel got back Kapanen I believe we can get back a similar prospect and a pick which could be a later 1st or 2nd
- KreiderBomb

I want serious maneuvering done from the draft to July 1st

I want cap space

I want serious maneuvering done from the draft to July 1st

I want cap space
- jimbro83

What do you want cap space for?

If we're not going balls to the walls for Stamkos, I don't want any cap space to overpay for the other UFAs.

if Florida is on Nash's approved list, I think a trade with the Panthers where we take Bolland back in a bigger package is something to look into

his buyout is very economical and I am sure Florida would rather be paying a guy to play than paying a guy to do nothing like they are already doing with Savard

here is Bolland's buyout numbers again

https://www.capfriendly.c...t_calculator/dave-bolland

1.8 mil cap hit for 6 years

What do you want cap space for?

If we're not going balls to the walls for Stamkos, I don't want any cap space to overpay for the other UFAs.
- rangerdanger94

sign our own guys mostly and for other trade opportunities that may come up

- Blackstrom2

Stop. You are tying my dream of Travis Zajac for RNH and two firsts.

why would edmonton want another forward and a forward that havn't played a full season in ages, is 31 years old and have a cap hit of 7.8 mil AND is showing signs of slowing down...

why would edmonton want another forward and a forward that havn't played a full season in ages, is 31 years old and have a cap hit of 7.8 mil AND is showing signs of slowing down...
- martox

they wouldnt, one comment on a blog doesnt make it a feasible idea

The age narrative on Lundqvist is IMO a lazy one. Any look at his underlying stats this year show he continued to play at an elite level despite the tire fire defense in front of him. Yes GAA was higher and he got pulled from several games. But let's not forget that some of those "pulls" were in games where he had more than 40 saves and AV yanked him out of "mercy." Both Nashville and San Jose games come readily to mind. He obviously did not play well in the last 2 games. But he was sharp and solid in first 3. My money is on Hank to come back hungry and strong as ever. With some consistency in front of him the Vezina will have his name on it again.

I'd love for the Rangers to adopt an approach that as an organization it will not sign UFAs who are over a certain age (say 32/33) but would make an exception if it was only for a 2 year deal or less. This would force them sign younger players only (no more, come to NY for a big paycheck, and attractions and coast around the ice and retire) and more-so build from within. It would be a lot easier to digest a contract on a younger player who isn't already past their prime.

prospects, picks, kind of like Toronto got in the Kessel to Pitt trade with the Rangers picking up some of the contract
- jimbro83

I think Carolina would be a possibility with their cap issues, but doubt they're on the hit list! Staal might convince Rick to go back with him??

Nash has a 10-12 team approved list in his no trade clause

pretty sure Edmonton would not be one of those cities
- jimbro83

Oh thank goodness, I thought you guys were about to go rape & pillage those poor Edmonton souls!! Those poor bastards have been & are going through enough.