Jan Levine: Rangers Post Mortem & Tear Down Blog Part IV - The Rest of the Forwards Hayes/Staal/Fast/Lindberg/Stalberg/Moore/Glass/Hrivik/Buchnevich

you know, just going back to the last blog and the sentiment on twitter because Haqelin scored again last night....

this theory that Hagelin is better than Kreider is absolute B.S.

Kreider has scored in way bigger spots than the 3rd game of a 2nd round series like Hags did last night

in games 5 and 6 last year vs Washington, in a span of 4 Ranger goals, Kreider had 3 of them

Kreider actually showed up vs Tampa in the conference finals last year, I actually dont even remember Hagelin playing.

Yes the Rangers miss Hagelin, but I shudder when I think about what Kreider could do if he was in that Penguin offense

you know, just going back to the last blog and the sentiment on twitter because Haqelin scored again last night....

this theory that Hagelin is better than Kreider is absolute B.S.

Kreider has scored in way bigger spots than the 3rd game of a 2nd round series like Hags did last night

in games 5 and 6 last year vs Washington, in a span of 4 Ranger goals, Kreider had 3 of them

Kreider actually showed up vs Tampa in the conference finals last year, I actually dont even remember Hagelin playing.

Yes the Rangers miss Hagelin, but I shudder when I think about what Kreider could do if he was in that Penguin offense
- jimbro83

Good to see Jimbo is on the Kreider train to

Good to see Jimbo is on the Kreider train to
- TPC

people are nuts and have selective memories

last June there wasn't anyone, not one single person, who thought Hagelin was better than Kreider

and, the Rangers did the right thing, they traded Hagelin out west where he signed a 4 year contract. Could not have predicted he'd end up with the Penguins.

If that's the case, never trade anyone ever again just in case they end up on the Penguins

people are nuts and have selective memories

last June there wasn't anyone, not one single person, who thought Hagelin was better than Kreider

and, the Rangers did the right thing, they traded Hagelin out west where he signed a 4 year contract. Could not have predicted he'd end up with the Penguins.

If that's the case, never trade anyone ever again just in case they end up on the Penguins
- jimbro83

Yea Hagelin wasn't the reason this Rangers team struggled all year. I am excited to see what moves they make. Want this offseason to get started

Yea Hagelin wasn't the reason this Rangers team struggled all year. I am excited to see what moves they make. Want this offseason to get started
- TPC

I think a lot of us underestimated Hagelin's importance to the team. It doesn't mean we have to have a "Who's better, Kreider or Hagelin?" discussion but at the same time there's nothing wrong with admitting it. Just like there's nothing wrong with saying we fcked up letting Stralman go in favor of Dan Boyle.

I know there's zero chance we could have given Hagelin the money he got from the Ducks so I'm okay with losing him. But I still am willing to acknowledge how important he was to our team and our system and him not busting his ass every single shift for every single inch of ice and out there on the PK definitely hurt us a lot this year and if you can't admit it then you're just not looking at this team objectively.

I think a lot of us underestimated Hagelin's importance to the team. It doesn't mean we have to have a "Who's better, Kreider or Hagelin?" discussion but at the same time there's nothing wrong with admitting it. Just like there's nothing wrong with saying we fcked up letting Stralman go in favor of Dan Boyle.

I know there's zero chance we could have given Hagelin the money he got from the Ducks so I'm okay with losing him. But I still am willing to acknowledge how important he was to our team and our system and him not busting his ass every single shift for every single inch of ice and out there on the PK definitely hurt us a lot this year and if you can't admit it then you're just not looking at this team objectively.
- rangerdanger94

My point was this team was majorly flawed from the start. One 3rd line player wasn't going to change that. That doesn't take anything away from the player Hagelin is.

I think a lot of us underestimated Hagelin's importance to the team. It doesn't mean we have to have a "Who's better, Kreider or Hagelin?" discussion but at the same time there's nothing wrong with admitting it. Just like there's nothing wrong with saying we fcked up letting Stralman go in favor of Dan Boyle.

I know there's zero chance we could have given Hagelin the money he got from the Ducks so I'm okay with losing him. But I still am willing to acknowledge how important he was to our team and our system and him not busting his ass every single shift for every single inch of ice and out there on the PK definitely hurt us a lot this year and if you can't admit it then you're just not looking at this team objectively.
- rangerdanger94

every summer in the cap era we are going to lose someone that hurts

but, it seems like whenever we lose someone, people only remember the good things the player did, not the bad

We needed Hagelin to step up in the playoffs without Zuccarello last year and he failed miserably

zero goals in the Capitals and Lightning series, especially the Lightning series, he was non existent

people are nuts and have selective memories

last June there wasn't anyone, not one single person, who thought Hagelin was better than Kreider

and, the Rangers did the right thing, they traded Hagelin out west where he signed a 4 year contract. Could not have predicted he'd end up with the Penguins.

If that's the case, never trade anyone ever again just in case they end up on the Penguins
- jimbro83

One poster in the last thread actually said point blank, Hags>Kreider, Batman mask guy. Crazy, I let it go without retorting last night but that comment really bothered me too.

It is frustrating waiting for CK to really put it all together & have a monster yr but it is coming. I would hate to deal him & have a Todd Bertuzzi situation on our hands...NOT talking about the neck breaking thing either.

I think a lot of us underestimated Hagelin's importance to the team. It doesn't mean we have to have a "Who's better, Kreider or Hagelin?" discussion but at the same time there's nothing wrong with admitting it. Just like there's nothing wrong with saying we fcked up letting Stralman go in favor of Dan Boyle.

I know there's zero chance we could have given Hagelin the money he got from the Ducks so I'm okay with losing him. But I still am willing to acknowledge how important he was to our team and our system and him not busting his ass every single shift for every single inch of ice and out there on the PK definitely hurt us a lot this year and if you can't admit it then you're just not looking at this team objectively.
- rangerdanger94

I was and remain a big Hagelin fan. His speed was a huge asset on the forecheck and especially on the penalty kill. If he could have been back at let's say $2.5-2.75 million, it would have been a no-brainer to retain him. But his perceived salary expectations - which is what he received - made it just about impossible to keep him. The return wasn't what we wanted, as none of us liked or wanted Emersom Etem. Our view was proven right and we have to hope Ryan Gropp pans out.

Hagelin did nothing in Anaheim and that contract looked horrible. A change of scenery and line mates made the difference in Pittsburgh. He will haunt us there for the next three years but no way would I want him over Chris Kreider, regardless of him seamlessly he has fit into the Pitt lineup and how much he would still contribute if in New York.

Solid blog Jan, tough to predict what will happen in the off season.

Lot of bottom 6 players in the mix. Hope Buch signs the ELC and doesn't let ego get in his way, ala Zherdev.
Agree about Dom. As much as a fan I was, time for him to move on.
You guys are right about Hags, sure miss his energy. Never takes a shift off unlike the K's, but that is now in the past. Time to move on and hope one of the kids can fill his spot and Kreider and Hayes get their heads out of their rears.

One poster in the last thread actually said point blank, Hags>Kreider, Batman mask guy. Crazy, I let it go without retorting last night but that comment really bothered me too.

It is frustrating waiting for CK to really put it all together & have a monster yr but it is coming. I would hate to deal him & have a Todd Bertuzzi situation on our hands...NOT talking about the neck breaking thing either.
- B2B76

Can't wait til Kreider has a new contract so I can sleep much easier

Jan who are the top centers on the free agent market? Cause if Staal and Moore walk and they consider moving Hayes I wonder what they would do to fill that void down the middle after Stepan and Brassard.

I was and remain a big Hagelin fan. His speed was a huge asset on the forecheck and especially on the penalty kill. If he could have been back at let's say $2.5-2.75 million, it would have been a no-brainer to retain him. But his perceived salary expectations - which is what he received - made it just about impossible to keep him. The return wasn't what we wanted, as none of us liked or wanted Emersom Etem. Our view was proven right and we have to hope Ryan Gropp pans out.

Hagelin did nothing in Anaheim and that contract looked horrible. A change of scenery and line mates made the difference in Pittsburgh. He will haunt us there for the next three years but no way would I want him over Chris Kreider, regardless of him seamlessly he has fit into the Pitt lineup and how much he would still contribute if in New York.
- airjan23

the worst part about acquiring Etem in the Hagelin trade was that he required waivers to be sent down to the AHL, a year after spending a lot of time in the AHL. Obviously they saw something in him to make them think he was ready for full time NHL play but he definitely wasn't. They screwed the pooch on that one.

I have let the season wear off..... my personal views are in line with whats
in general being said about wings & D ... all in the realm of possibles this summer.BUT the real deal could be STAMKOS.......................
I want to make a case for NYR being the surprise team that gets STamkos...
1.I noted before last yr when Stastny was F A to upgrade our 1a & 1b centers.
Step & Brass have maxed out on there talent & capables.....NOt gonna win with out a dominate unstoppable center.... See NHL top teams & there go to guys....
we never got NAsh his center to open him up & max out his game.....
Is Stamkos an F A ? not sure or a RFA ... sign him up ...either way
not gonna find game changers in near future ...
How to fit him in cap............
IMO trade 1 of the centers & 1 of the vet D for cap room to get him....
Need more : if St lou is knocked out by Dallas they will trade for NAsh .....
so be it ... the NEW core is .... STAMKOS -Center not traded Miller Hayes Kreids Zucc ....top 6 factor in Bushny
back 6 core Mac Shey Mac rath K Y (will sign?) Staal ( G man& Klein ) ???
in reality signing K Y depends on Staal Gman & Klein....

I was and remain a big Hagelin fan. His speed was a huge asset on the forecheck and especially on the penalty kill. If he could have been back at let's say $2.5-2.75 million, it would have been a no-brainer to retain him. But his perceived salary expectations - which is what he received - made it just about impossible to keep him. The return wasn't what we wanted, as none of us liked or wanted Emersom Etem. Our view was proven right and we have to hope Ryan Gropp pans out.

Hagelin did nothing in Anaheim and that contract looked horrible. A change of scenery and line mates made the difference in Pittsburgh. He will haunt us there for the next three years but no way would I want him over Chris Kreider, regardless of him seamlessly he has fit into the Pitt lineup and how much he would still contribute if in New York.
- airjan23

agreed

every summer in the cap era we are going to lose someone that hurts

but, it seems like whenever we lose someone, people only remember the good things the player did, not the bad

We needed Hagelin to step up in the playoffs without Zuccarello last year and he failed miserably

zero goals in the Capitals and Lightning series, especially the Lightning series, he was non existent
- jimbro83

I don't know if Hagelin was necessarily the guy specifically that needed to step up when Zucc went down. Everyone kind of has to collectively raise their game when one of the top forwards on the team goes down, and Hagelin did have a miserable playoffs production wise outside the series clinching goal vs Pitt, but I look at Nash as the guy who failed miserably to step up when Zucc went down.

My point was this team was majorly flawed from the start. One 3rd line player wasn't going to change that. That doesn't take anything away from the player Hagelin is.
- TPC

I feel like a big part of a teams identity comes from their bottom 6. Really, a good bottom 6 is the true difference between a mediocre and an elite team, in my opinion at least.

When you have a guy like Hagelin in the bottom 6, you are doing really, really well.

I agree with everyone's thoughts about Hagelin. I do think the Rangers missed him more than expected, but he was a hard guy to keep within the salary structure, and the Rangers really messed up that trade pretty bad. The fact that he ended up in Pittsburgh during the same season the Rangers traded him, just makes it worse.

I think last off-season, with losing Hagelin and to a lesser extent MSL (who still had wheels despite other parts of his game regressing), the Rangers lost a little bit of their identity as a speed team. This year, I think the roster was caught in between a little -- i.e., what type of team were they, because with losing Hagelin and MSL, their speed game took a hit, and Kreider, the other burner, was ineffective for large parts of the season.

It's going to be interesting how they try to remake this team this summer, and what identity they lean towards, because they need an identity.

I don't know if Hagelin was necessarily the guy specifically that needed to step up when Zucc went down. Everyone kind of has to collectively raise their game when one of the top forwards on the team goes down, and Hagelin did have a miserable playoffs production wise outside the series clinching goal vs Pitt, but I look at Nash as the guy who failed miserably to step up when Zucc went down.
- rangerdanger94

Nash had a weird conference finals last year

he was absolutely dominant in the games 4 and 6 wins in Tampa and was invisible in every other game, especially the MSG games

I get a lot of poop but I haven't said told ya so when it comes to Stralman, Boyle, Yandle and Hags but told ya so, also Buchnevich still unsigned

I get a lot of poop but I haven't said told ya so when it comes to Stralman, Boyle, Yandle and Hags but told ya so, also Buchnevich still unsigned
- KreiderBomb

'
well, at least the Hagelin stuff gets us off Stralman for awhile

by the way, I'm still pissed we gave up Ridley

'
well, at least the Hagelin stuff gets us off Stralman for awhile
- jimbro83

Im more pissed we didn't get Palmieri back instead of Etem

Jan Levine: Rangers Post Mortem & Tear Down Blog Part IV - The Rest of the Forwards
Hayes/Staal/Fast/Lindberg/Stalberg/Moore/Glass/Hrivik/Buchnevich
- airjan23

"If one of Kreider/Miller/Hayes is to go, my bet is on Hayes."