Todd Cordell: G72 New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers: Avoid the season sweep

(frank) the Rags

(frank) the Rags
- Mr.Bobby

But you want them to win tonight in order to have a better shot at, Vilardi, Hirscher, Patrick or Liljegren.

If they're picking 3rd I hope they go Mittelstadt.

If they're picking 3rd I hope they go Mittelstadt.
- CaptCrankypants

I'd go Vilardi and Tippett before Middlestadt, I get the temptation to grab a high school phenom, but Tippett is righ about the same age and has a proven record in the most competitive junior league in the world. A top 3 pick we absolutely have to nail it.

I had no idea Skjei was so good

Vegas picks 3rd no matter what. They would pick 4th. Mittlestadt will still be at 4 but I still think Tippet would be the best option. We need a top 6 right winger, as well, as a top C, but Mittlestadt is committed to University of Minnesota. I would hate it if he goes the Vesey route. Also, I think Tippet fits our mold of what Shero wants. Fast and skilled.

Vegas picks 3rd no matter what. They would pick 4th. Mittlestadt will still be at 4 but I still think Tippet would be the best option. We need a top 6 right winger, as well, as a top C, but Mittlestadt is committed to University of Minnesota. I would hate it if he goes the Vesey route. Also, I think Tippet fits our mold of what Shero wants. Fast and skilled.
- NaNa04

Vegas picks 3rd no matter what. They would pick 4th. Mittlestadt will still be at 4 but I still think Tippet would be the best option. We need a top 6 right winger, as well, as a top C, but Mittlestadt is committed to University of Minnesota. I would hate it if he goes the Vesey route. Also, I think Tippet fits our mold of what Shero wants. Fast and skilled.
- NaNa04

No Vegas gets the same lotto odds as the third worst team, they can pick anywhere from 1-6 in the first round.

I had no idea Skjei was so good
- willschulme

Bust.

No Vegas gets the same lotto odds as the third worst team, they can pick anywhere from 1-6 in the first round.
- Mr.Bobby

They'll win the lottery

But you want them to win tonight in order to have a better shot at, Vilardi, Hirscher, Patrick or Liljegren.
- tomburton99

It's clearly a conflicted feeling to want to beat your rival but not get any points. Sure as hell don't want to make it OT and lose.

When you are rolling out John Moore on your top defensive pair and you have one forward line without an AHL player you probably don't have to worry about beating a team 29 points ahead of you that you haven't beaten all year.

It's clearly a conflicted feeling to want to beat your rival but not get any points. Sure as hell don't want to make it OT and lose.

When you are rolling out John Moore on your top defensive pair and you have one forward line without an AHL player you probably don't have to worry about beating a team 29 points ahead of you that you haven't beaten all year.
- Queenie_5_hole

Trap game. Rangers have been some kind of terrible in games like this. But most of those games were at MSG. So idk.

Trap game. Rangers have been some kind of terrible in games like this. But most of those games were at MSG. So idk.
- tomburton99

Devils are never a trap game for the Rags. If they were playing Arizona I'd agree, but I imagine they want to kick NJ while they are down.

Devils are never a trap game for the Rags. If they were playing Arizona I'd agree, but I imagine they want to kick NJ while they are down.
- Mr.Bobby

True

I'm just trying to figure why Prout is out. Is Hynes really hoping to win and realized this guy can't play D, or did he just not want any toughness in the lineup?

I was not a DeBoer fan but at least he put up a heavy lineup for rivalry games. At least adding Prout, Gazdic and Helgeson would give the game to be entertaining...

No Vegas gets the same lotto odds as the third worst team, they can pick anywhere from 1-6 in the first round.
- Mr.Bobby

ahh thanks for the clarification.

I'm just trying to figure why Prout is out. Is Hynes really hoping to win and realized this guy can't play D, or did he just not want any toughness in the lineup?

I was not a DeBoer fan but at least he put up a heavy lineup for rivalry games. At least adding Prout, Gazdic and Helgeson would give the game to be entertaining...
- Queenie_5_hole

Playing Prout unfortunately means sitting Santini

I'm just trying to figure why Prout is out. Is Hynes really hoping to win and realized this guy can't play D, or did he just not want any toughness in the lineup?

I was not a DeBoer fan but at least he put up a heavy lineup for rivalry games. At least adding Prout, Gazdic and Helgeson would give the game to be entertaining...
- Queenie_5_hole

Because he sucks and should never be in the lineup. Same with Helgeson and Gazdic, though at least with Helgeson he's usually a call up when someone is injured.

I'd go Vilardi and Tippett before Middlestadt, I get the temptation to grab a high school phenom, but Tippett is righ about the same age and has a proven record in the most competitive junior league in the world. A top 3 pick we absolutely have to nail it.
- Mr.Bobby

Agreed, which is why I think you have to go Mittelstadt. He's not just a high school phenom, he's been pretty dominant in the games he's played in the USHL as well, with 27 points in 19 games (including 6 points in the 3 games he's played there since his high school season ended). It's not the CHL, but it's still the top junior league in the states. I'm also worried that Tippett is somewhat one-dimensional and Vilardi hasn't put up the offense you'd like from a top prospect.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't on this one....

Agreed, which is why I think you have to go Mittelstadt. He's not just a high school phenom, he's been pretty dominant in the games he's played in the USHL as well, with 27 points in 19 games (including 6 points in the 3 games he's played there since his high school season ended). It's not the CHL, but it's still the top junior league in the states. I'm also worried that Tippett is somewhat one-dimensional and Vilardi hasn't put up the offense you'd like from a top prospect.
- CaptCrankypants

I think with Tippett you can guarantee quality play because the line stays together.

Because he sucks and should never be in the lineup. Same with Helgeson and Gazdic, though at least with Helgeson he's usually a call up when someone is injured.
- CaptCrankypants

Yes, Prout sucks and should never be in our lineup but he has been fairly often since the trade. Why's take him out for this one? Why the (frank) did we trade Quincey for this guy?

Gazdic can't play either (just saw him stinking in the AHL) but watching him punch someone is certainly more entertaining then watching Nick Lappin who isn't going to score anyway.

I certainly wouldn't want Helgeson in over Santini but I'd be glad to see Moore sit one out. Lovejoy too, but that guy has the golden key to the crapper and never gets sat.

Yes, Prout sucks and should never be in our lineup but he has been fairly often since the trade. Why's take him out for this one? Why the (frank) did we trade Quincey for this guy?

Gazdic can't play either (just saw him stinking in the AHL) but watching him punch someone is certainly more entertaining then watching Nick Lappin who isn't going to score anyway.

I certainly wouldn't want Helgeson in over Santini but I'd be glad to see Moore sit one out. Lovejoy too, but that guy has the golden key to the crapper and never gets sat.
- Queenie_5_hole

1. I'm still trying to figure that out.

2. Is it though? I the argument is fighting is entertaining, which is sometimes the case, but I'd rather have a young guy who still may turn into a quality 4th line player getting more NHL experience.

3. My main source of frustration right now is Auvitu is still in Albany. It makes no sense. The guy is probably the 3rd best defenseman on the NHL roster, yet he's stuck in the minors. If you sit Moore (I agree that unfortunately Lovejoy is the new Salvador/Gionta and probably isn't going anywhere unless he gets taken in the expansion draft) Auvitu should be the next guy up.

I think with Tippett you can guarantee quality play because the line stays together.
- willschulme

Just because they played well in juniors together doesn't mean they'll play well in the pros. Or play together even. I'm not going to complain if they take Tippett, but I think finding a good #1 center should be a higher priority. I think outside of Patrick and Hischier Mittelstadt is the most dynamic player.