Jan Levine: Game 68: NYR-CAR, Focusing on Stepan and similarities to Rick Nash Road trip continues in Carolina

Jan Levine: Game 68: NYR-CAR, Focusing on Stepan and similarities to Rick Nash
Road trip continues in Carolina
- airjan23

Is Stepan in a prolonged slump? I hadn't heard about that enough.

Good points on Nash too Jan, look, I have never been a big fan of his, but I'll admit he has been very good this year, generating chances, being strong on the puck to the net. We would certainly miss him if he was hurt or is not here altogether. I just wish he could be better on those breakaways.

Jan Levine: Game 68: NYR-CAR, Focusing on Stepan and similarities to Rick Nash
Road trip continues in Carolina
- airjan23

Nash will always be a whipping boy because of his goal totals. Stepan will be facing the same thing.

I'm not saying that isn't a valid argument, salary to production, but at least look at what both players bring in effort, defense etc. Their whole game.

Nash will always be a whipping boy because of his goal totals. Stepan will be facing the same thing.

I'm not saying that isn't a valid argument, salary to production, but at least look at what both players bring in effort, defense etc. Their whole game.
- mdw7413

I think worth is a relative term. Stepan makes $6.5 million per year. When you assess whether he is worth it, you have to weight all of the things that we have talked about over the last 9,000 weeks -- production, defensive play, leadership, etc. But you also have to assess the Rangers depth at the center ice position. Right now, the Rangers have depth on the big club with Stepan, Ahmadinajad and Hayes down the middle on the first three lines. But, they have no one in the system at the center ice position that we can have any confidence can play a top 3 center role. You get one of those guys in free agency you are going to pay. You try to trade for one of those guys, you are going to weaken yourself elsewhere.

In sum, Stepan's $6.5 million salary has to be viewed in light of our choices. If there were a bunch of guys waiting in the wings that could play a Top 9 center role, maybe the analysis of his worth would be different.

I think worth is a relative term. Stepan makes $6.5 million per year. When you assess whether he is worth it, you have to weight all of the things that we have talked about over the last 9,000 weeks -- production, defensive play, leadership, etc. But you also have to assess the Rangers depth at the center ice position. Right now, the Rangers have depth on the big club with Stepan, Ahmadinajad and Hayes down the middle on the first three lines. But, they have no one in the system at the center ice position that we can have any confidence can play a top 3 center role. You get one of those guys in free agency you are going to pay. You try to trade for one of those guys, you are going to weaken yourself elsewhere.

In sum, Stepan's $6.5 million salary has to be viewed in light of our choices. If there were a bunch of guys waiting in the wings that could play a Top 9 center role, maybe the analysis of his worth would be different.
- Pete V

This too.

Nice way of making a case for 2 players who play the COMPLETE game ,in the
world of specialization they are renaissance type players ,they do everything .
Nash : not many create own shots like he can, truly a special player with 1 year left I & his play likened to possessed at times ,it will truly depend on how we do in PO's if he gets extended at a real # for now or just plays out last yr & gets traded
Step : I see as a trade due to protective needs & solid play but not 6 mill worth.
In a pkg deal with a D (Klein) can get a fair return of talent .....
I see Step Nash & even Zucc as trade options due to draft issues coming.
Alot depend on PO's ...period
New Dimension for lines when T glass slot is needed : If Ottawa may not play
But Mont may see a few games depending on we play a Gm 1 with out him....
Rooks Vesey & Buchny depending IF may share a slot ? IF never was so big
My projected P O line up:
Step zucc Kreids
Zba d nash Buchny /Vesey * Play Glass : Grabs goes to 3rd line
Hayes JT " " either rook sits depending ......
Oscar quickie Grabs /Glass *

D : falling into place :
Mac - Staal ...stays as long as his game does at this higher level
Smith & Holden ..... has found his game again w/Smith .....
Shey -G man ... secret weapon for us is this new match up & a healthy rested Gman to let Shey play like Mac did when 1st paired w/ Gman

I think worth is a relative term. Stepan makes $6.5 million per year. When you assess whether he is worth it, you have to weight all of the things that we have talked about over the last 9,000 weeks -- production, defensive play, leadership, etc. But you also have to assess the Rangers depth at the center ice position. Right now, the Rangers have depth on the big club with Stepan, Ahmadinajad and Hayes down the middle on the first three lines. But, they have no one in the system at the center ice position that we can have any confidence can play a top 3 center role. You get one of those guys in free agency you are going to pay. You try to trade for one of those guys, you are going to weaken yourself elsewhere.

In sum, Stepan's $6.5 million salary has to be viewed in light of our choices. If there were a bunch of guys waiting in the wings that could play a Top 9 center role, maybe the analysis of his worth would be different.
- Pete V

Don't talk in code round here, see something, say something. You've been reported.

Good blog Jan! I've gotten tired of hearing about Stepan for the past X days. but you bring up excellent points. I've never even considered this to be anything other than a slump. Players go through them, it happens. It sucks, but it happens. The other thing I take into consideration when analyzing player performance is possible replacements. Who could realistically replace a Stepan or a Nash and what they do for the team? Sure, the salary vs production isn't there. But I don't think there are any reasonable solutions that make the team that much better. I'm open to suggestions though.

Edit: I just realized Pete said basically the same thing. So, I agree with him.

I for one hope that Nash finishes his career in NY if the numbers are right. I also think that he is getting into playoff mode and that some of these chances we are seeing are going to start going in. I'd rather his points totals during the regular season be depressed if he can start finding some luck in the playoffs. He certainly is generating the chances and appears to be driving possession at times.

I for one hope that Nash finishes his career in NY if the numbers are right. I also think that he is getting into playoff mode and that some of these chances we are seeing are going to start going in. I'd rather his points totals during the regular season be depressed if he can start finding some luck in the playoffs. He certainly is generating the chances and appears to be driving possession at times.
- JRR1285

Thats the crazy thing, he is generating 2-3 good scoring chances a game by himself. IE driving hard to the net, being a beast on the puck. He really does deserve some goals.

Jan Levine: Game 68: NYR-CAR, Focusing on Stepan and similarities to Rick Nash
Road trip continues in Carolina
- airjan23

Lost in that siloed view is everything else he does. Kills penalties, defensively responsible, can put the team on his back to generate chances even if he doesn't score

Couldn't help but notice this...... that sounds like something I said on HB a few years ago concerning Nash. Even when he's not producing he's still a good a player away from the puck , something Hitchcock developed during his tenure.

I think worth is a relative term. Stepan makes $6.5 million per year. When you assess whether he is worth it, you have to weight all of the things that we have talked about over the last 9,000 weeks -- production, defensive play, leadership, etc. But you also have to assess the Rangers depth at the center ice position. Right now, the Rangers have depth on the big club with Stepan, Ahmadinajad and Hayes down the middle on the first three lines. But, they have no one in the system at the center ice position that we can have any confidence can play a top 3 center role. You get one of those guys in free agency you are going to pay. You try to trade for one of those guys, you are going to weaken yourself elsewhere.

In sum, Stepan's $6.5 million salary has to be viewed in light of our choices. If there were a bunch of guys waiting in the wings that could play a Top 9 center role, maybe the analysis of his worth would be different.
- Pete V

Pete, great points. I will be adding another paragraph to the blog, highlighting the mild depth New York has down the middle right now. Zibanejad is an RFA and will be back on a bridge or LT deal while Kevin Hayes will be around for a while. JT Miller could play center but he is better suited for wing while the concern is NY may lose Oscar Lindberg to the expansion draft. If Lindberg stays, that's helps the depth, but having Stepan really balances out the lines and creates a nice situation down the middle for New York.

Couldn't help but notice this...... that sounds like something I said on HB a few years ago concerning Nash. Even when he's not producing he's still a good a player away from the puck , something Hitchcock developed during his tenure.
- Alexzanki

He really is the complete player. Just wish he would get some puck luck as a reward.

Couldn't help but notice this...... that sounds like something I said on HB a few years ago concerning Nash. Even when he's not producing he's still a good a player away from the puck , something Hitchcock developed during his tenure.
- Alexzanki

It's hard to believe that trade will be 5 years ago this July.

Pete, great points. I will be adding another paragraph to the blog, highlighting the mild depth New York has down the middle right now. Zibanejad is an RFA and will be back on a bridge or LT deal while Kevin Hayes will be around for a while. JT Miller could play center but he is better suited for wing while the concern is NY may lose Oscar Lindberg to the expansion draft. If Lindberg stays, that's helps the depth, but having Stepan really balances out the lines and creates a nice situation down the middle for New York.
- airjan23

I think I should get .25 credit of PeteV's great points. It was my post he was responding to.

please put us out of our misery

He really is the complete player. Just wish he would get some puck luck as a reward.
- mdw7413

*can't do a proper Kreider though*

I for one hope that Nash finishes his career in NY if the numbers are right. I also think that he is getting into playoff mode and that some of these chances we are seeing are going to start going in. I'd rather his points totals during the regular season be depressed if he can start finding some luck in the playoffs. He certainly is generating the chances and appears to be driving possession at times.
- JRR1285

Even when Nash isn't scoring he is always a threat, I mean look at our PK we have like 8 shorthanded goals, a lot of that has to do with Nash being PK Team 1 and Grabs on PK team 2, and his unreal speed. I think if Nash likes it here he'll probably take less for consistency and with the young guys we have who would be better as a mentor? And as long as we have our Ranger Jesus we should be ok.

I think I should get .25 credit of PeteV's great points. It was my post he was responding to.
- mdw7413

You'll have nothing and like it

*can't do a proper Kreider though*

- 21peter

The guy is so powerful a skater, they don't make a blade sharp enough to keep him upright.

You'll have nothing and like it
- tbreinold

Pat on the ass???

You'll have nothing and like it
- tbreinold

My main problem with Stepan is his whole career he gone extended periods of not scoring . I really think he's over paid for his production

please put us out of our misery
- BINGO!

You got it Bing

He really is the complete player. Just wish he would get some puck luck as a reward.
- mdw7413

Yeah I think we can assume he's the 5 tool player equivalent of hockey.