Jan Levine: Game 8: NYI 4 NYR 3, SO, Blueshirts rally late to tie, fall in shootout Troubling signs remain...

nice blog jan.

which D was absolutely torched at the end to force hank into those saves?

it's insane how that could happen.

next 3 games are all winnable (for a good team) and all at home. if they cant pull out of it then AV is gone imo.

Good work, as always, Jan. It's hard when the team is struggling but there's still time to make this a "remember when everyone was freaking out at the beginning of the season" memory. I appreciate the recaps, as I elected not to pay for the Center Ice package this year. Of Note: I did turn the game on in the 3rd when I saw Gamecenter had the game free last night, so maybe I need to start watching. Apologies to all if I'm the jinx.

One question: Have D'Angelo and Shattenkirk stayed with the same partner for a full game or do they keep getting switched around? It seems there's new D combos every game and they get switched in game, but as I said, I haven't seen the games so I may be wrong. I'll hang up and listen... Thanks

nice blog jan.

which D was absolutely torched at the end to force hank into those saves?

it's insane how that could happen.

next 3 games are all winnable (for a good team) and all at home. if they cant pull out of it then AV is gone imo.
- NYRangers1124

You know the answer to that one, it was Shattenkirk, beaten on same move Artemi Panarin used a few weeks ago.

Good work, as always, Jan. It's hard when the team is struggling but there's still time to make this a "remember when everyone was freaking out at the beginning of the season" memory. I appreciate the recaps, as I elected not to pay for the Center Ice package this year. Of Note: I did turn the game on in the 3rd when I saw Gamecenter had the game free last night, so maybe I need to start watching. Apologies to all if I'm the jinx.

One question: Have D'Angelo and Shattenkirk stayed with the same partner for a full game or do they keep getting switched around? It seems there's new D combos every game and they get switched in game, but as I said, I haven't seen the games so I may be wrong. I'll hang up and listen... Thanks
- WineryDog

No saying it’s over, but we need to start seeing some tangible results. Just as important is preventing the same mistakes from occurring over and over.

For the most, believe ADA and ‘Kirk have remained with their pair mates, so McD and Staal. Change ups could occur post power play and penalty kill.

Jan I must say I like your writing style.

I think the Rangers will turn it around. Might take a major shake up to do so (coach) but I think they have the personnel to make the playoffs, though down the middle doesnt look as strong with Stepan gone. It's a long road yet.

nice blog jan.

which D was absolutely torched at the end to force hank into those saves?

it's insane how that could happen.

next 3 games are all winnable (for a good team) and all at home. if they can't pull out of it then AV is gone imo.
- NYRangers1124

Really think AV will be the first coach fired this year?

I can't understand how McDonagh looks so bad. I don't think he's ever looked this bad or made this many mistakes.

Well it's better getting the real pain over & done with early on. Not quite sure when enough is enough, but really what's the biggest issue(s)?

If Nash can't start scoring he must be high on the trade list (he will probably score in a new team which will be pretty poopty, but getting a change of scenery can do wonders). Can a hockey trade be made somewhere with him or even dare I say it McDonagh?

Well it's better getting the real pain over & done with early on. Not quite sure when enough is enough, but really what's the biggest issue(s)?

If Nash can't start scoring he must be high on the trade list (he will probably score in a new team which will be pretty poopty, but getting a change of scenery can do wonders). Can a hockey trade be made somewhere with him or even dare I say it McDonagh?
- Aussiepenguin

No way they are trading McDonagh. Nash will be gone if they are out of it at the deadline.

ITS A FLAWED TEAM.... MISSSING AN INTEGRAL PART .....TOP CENTER PLAY!!!!

we trade or dump 2 of our 4 centers used last yr and replace them with
D D and Craknellor just played with 3 centers .... hate the 7 D plan...

Said it then in summer time ..OH maybe thats the problem ...
It still feels like summer Baby Bombers ... football ...
best way for Gorts to watch the implosion of play and NOW will address it

Typical negative breakdowns pointing to anything BUT the real Issur
Lack of talent up the middle will destroy the season....

SOOO overpay and get the talent needed to WIN not just play hockey...

Sad reporters jump right on the trains leaving the station..
A V cant coach now ..goLINDY
Buchny ? not enuf chances ...his slack play & Crack hds play gave the Isle the 2nd goal on a platter ....

In league so heavily relying on top center play .... WHERE ARE WE ...
leadership vacuum..team still finding its voice or voices ...

Play that can only be definded as lacking ...... go ahead bang on your drums all day and let the buzzards start picking away and eroding any chance of coming out of the losing .....

I said it this summer ..IF NYR didnt respond and deal for the m uch needed
talent to complete the transition of the younger guys steppin up to fill the roles left ...well u left them with out the key component ... THe top 6 center

Hayes is looking like a shut down puck control 3RD LINE CENTER ......
Great! Hayes Fast Grabs can be a shut down with O potential

Zbad solid .J T solid Nash very solid just cant buy 1 now.....

D derharnais solid but whatta a 4th line cneter he will be ...
overmatched most of the nite playing in tougher centers than the 4th liners he will match up with ...

Cracknell vs Boo ... why not get Boo in the act..cant be worse

I am taking a hiatus from the already annoying negative plots and scenarios i already see getting generated instead of the simplest ...the vacuum NYR created when you drop 2 of 4 centers and replace it with .......................

OHHHH 2 18 yr olds ......told ya so
cmon Jan pick up the ball and run with ..
DONT be a typical scrbe who is sharpening his pencils for a A V hanging and a rebuild of sorts ...isnt it easier to Trade SHey & get the top 6 guy we are starving for....
WAke up before you help blow up the whole seasaon....
in another week its just football ..in 2 .5 months it will be only HOCKEY
I dont count ghetto ball..... what will we be doing then.....

L G R make the big move you must to save the season.....

No way they are trading McDonagh. Nash will be gone if they are out of it at the deadline.
- mdw7413

If a hockey trade can be made why wouldn't they?

What do you guys expect for Nash - futures or a lesser player with a longer contract?

ITS A FLAWED TEAM.... MISSSING AN INTEGRAL PART .....TOP CENTER PLAY!!!!

we trade or dump 2 of our 4 centers used last yr and replace them with
D D and Craknellor just played with 3 centers .... hate the 7 D plan...

Said it then in summer time ..OH maybe thats the problem ...
It still feels like summer Baby Bombers ... football ...
best way for Gorts to watch the implosion of play and NOW will address it

Typical negative breakdowns pointing to anything BUT the real Issur
Lack of talent up the middle will destroy the season....

SOOO overpay and get the talent needed to WIN not just play hockey...

Sad reporters jump right on the trains leaving the station..
A V cant coach now ..goLINDY
Buchny ? not enuf chances ...his slack play & Crack hds play gave the Isle the 2nd goal on a platter ....

In league so heavily relying on top center play .... WHERE ARE WE ...
leadership vacuum..team still finding its voice or voices ...

Play that can only be definded as lacking ...... go ahead bang on your drums all day and let the buzzards start picking away and eroding any chance of coming out of the losing .....

I said it this summer ..IF NYR didnt respond and deal for the m uch needed
talent to complete the transition of the younger guys steppin up to fill the roles left ...well u left them with out the key component ... THe top 6 center

Hayes is looking like a shut down puck control 3RD LINE CENTER ......
Great! Hayes Fast Grabs can be a shut down with O potential

Zbad solid .J T solid Nash very solid just cant buy 1 now.....

D derharnais solid but whatta a 4th line cneter he will be ...
overmatched most of the nite playing in tougher centers than the 4th liners he will match up with ...

Cracknell vs Boo ... why not get Boo in the act..cant be worse

I am taking a hiatus from the already annoying negative plots and scenarios i already see getting generated instead of the simplest ...the vacuum NYR created when you drop 2 of 4 centers and replace it with .......................

OHHHH 2 18 yr olds ......told ya so
cmon Jan pick up the ball and run with ..
DONT be a typical scrbe who is sharpening his pencils for a A V hanging and a rebuild of sorts ...isnt it easier to Trade SHey & get the top 6 guy we are starving for....
WAke up before you help blow up the whole seasaon....
in another week its just football ..in 2 .5 months it will be only HOCKEY
I dont count ghetto ball..... what will we be doing then.....

L G R make the big move you must to save the season.....



- Dundee13

ITS A FLAWED TEAM.... MISSSING AN INTEGRAL PART .....TOP CENTER PLAY!!!!

we trade or dump 2 of our 4 centers used last yr and replace them with
D D and Craknellor just played with 3 centers .... hate the 7 D plan...

Said it then in summer time ..OH maybe thats the problem ...
It still feels like summer Baby Bombers ... football ...
best way for Gorts to watch the implosion of play and NOW will address it

Typical negative breakdowns pointing to anything BUT the real Issur
Lack of talent up the middle will destroy the season....

SOOO overpay and get the talent needed to WIN not just play hockey...

Sad reporters jump right on the trains leaving the station..
A V cant coach now ..goLINDY
Buchny ? not enuf chances ...his slack play & Crack hds play gave the Isle the 2nd goal on a platter ....

In league so heavily relying on top center play .... WHERE ARE WE ...
leadership vacuum..team still finding its voice or voices ...

Play that can only be definded as lacking ...... go ahead bang on your drums all day and let the buzzards start picking away and eroding any chance of coming out of the losing .....

I said it this summer ..IF NYR didnt respond and deal for the m uch needed
talent to complete the transition of the younger guys steppin up to fill the roles left ...well u left them with out the key component ... THe top 6 center

Hayes is looking like a shut down puck control 3RD LINE CENTER ......
Great! Hayes Fast Grabs can be a shut down with O potential

Zbad solid .J T solid Nash very solid just cant buy 1 now.....

D derharnais solid but whatta a 4th line cneter he will be ...
overmatched most of the nite playing in tougher centers than the 4th liners he will match up with ...

Cracknell vs Boo ... why not get Boo in the act..cant be worse

I am taking a hiatus from the already annoying negative plots and scenarios i already see getting generated instead of the simplest ...the vacuum NYR created when you drop 2 of 4 centers and replace it with .......................

OHHHH 2 18 yr olds ......told ya so
cmon Jan pick up the ball and run with ..
DONT be a typical scrbe who is sharpening his pencils for a A V hanging and a rebuild of sorts ...isnt it easier to Trade SHey & get the top 6 guy we are starving for....
WAke up before you help blow up the whole seasaon....
in another week its just football ..in 2 .5 months it will be only HOCKEY
I dont count ghetto ball..... what will we be doing then.....

L G R make the big move you must to save the season.....



- Dundee13

not going back to fix speling or grammar :
read it DONT READ IT ..MOST SEE MORE THAN 2-3 LINES & GLAZE OVER LIKE A FAT F'IN DOUGHNUT .... TIRED OF THIS ACT ,,BEEN THERE DONE THAT ...
HOW BOUT PROGRESSIVE MOVES LIKE PITT DOES ... SORRY SICK OF YOUR PTS

- eichiefs9

tANKS FOR THE GRAPHIC ..THE GLAZED OVER LOOK !!!


CANT READ MORE THAN 3 LINES WITH UT GETTIGN DIZZY OR CONFUSED

SORRY .....................

- eichiefs9

The truth is out there............

If a hockey trade can be made why wouldn't they?

What do you guys expect for Nash - futures or a lesser player with a longer contract?
- Aussiepenguin

I would want a pick.

No way they are trading McDonagh. Nash will be gone if they are out of it at the deadline.
- mdw7413

I think they'd have to at least entertain the idea. They would get a massive haul for him with a year remaining on his very team-friendly deal. 1st, high-end prospect and a roster player, easily.

No way they are trading McDonagh. Nash will be gone if they are out of it at the deadline.
- mdw7413

If this season goes down the tubes (if it hasnt already) I would think about it...

he will be 30 when his next contract starts. do you want to pay him 7-8mil for 6-7 years?

lotta tough miles on those tires

Does anyone think Mac is tired? He trained all off season and now looks like he's chasing the play.... Everywhere! He seems to be his own worst enemy. AV needs to settle the lines down too Mika, Kreider & Buchnevich were doing well. Put Miller back in the middle of Zuc & Nash. Put Hayes between Vesey & Grabner and you can put a 4th Line of Desharnia, Fast and call up some beef! Tambellni, Fogerty, Fontaine, Nieves. Some bigger bodies and start hitting something! The team is close to getting their poop together. However, AV wont survive if they don't go 3-0 against Nashville, San Jose & the Coyotes.

Their constant slow starts in every game, (13 goals yielded in the 1st periods of their 30 goals against in 8 games), depicts something(s) the coaching staff is informing (or misinforming) them in preparation. This could be as simple as the coaches over analyzing every facet involved, which in turn, leads next to their pre game locker room talk to the players prior to them hitting the ice. Subsequently, it is withholding the players from playing their own team game, in them failing to utilize their speed, (which A.V. so urgently ONLY wanted here), and making them play careless, and appear disinterested in too many stretches of games.
This appears to be A.V. employing a "SAFE = DEATH" plan, in needing to feel out the opposition, allowing them to dictate the play from the opening face off, and awaiting to capitalize on their mistakes only. The result is the Rangers worst start in the last 58 seasons, dating back to that of 1959/60.
This S.O. loss to the Isles was no different, for if the Isles would not have made those critical mistakes, the game would have been their's in regulation time only. The Rangers failed to take advantage in the 1st of an at times, shaky looking Halak in goal, despite registering 12 SOG to the Isles 13. Halak was also unsteady looking in the 3rd period on a few of the Rangers 13 SOG, including on Hayes's game tying short side goal released from about the goal line to his left.
Had the Rangers played as fast and hard in the 1st period from the get go, as they did in most of the 3rd to come back from 2 goals down to get it to OT, (less especially those last few seconds with Hank saving their day), they would have been the winners in regulation time. Maybe then some of their bad puck luck would have also resulted in the contrary, especially for Nash once again.

I think they'd have to at least entertain the idea. They would get a massive haul for him with a year remaining on his very team-friendly deal. 1st, high-end prospect and a roster player, easily.
- eichiefs9

I think it would be a good haul, I just can't imagine trading our captain "again". Also would create a very big hole on defense. Unless Gorton says (frank) it and blows the whole thing up this year, I think its very unlikely.

Jan Levine: Game 8: NYI 4 NYR 3, SO, Blueshirts rally late to tie, fall in shootout
Troubling signs remain...
- airjan23

Jan, thanks for chugging along here. Along with our nonsense, these blogs have to be tough to write.

If a hockey trade can be made why wouldn't they?

What do you guys expect for Nash - futures or a lesser player with a longer contract?
- Aussiepenguin

Both. I want the Rangers to pull a coyotes, take on a player with a terrible contract so the other team has to included a better pick. The Rangers have start thinking long term now.

I think it would be a good haul, I just can't imagine trading our captain "again". Also would create a very big hole on defense. Unless Gorton says (frank) it and blows the whole thing up this year, I think its very unlikely.
- mdw7413

Yeah but like mrn pointed out, he's 30 when the first year of his new contract starts. He's going to get at least 6-7 years and is probably going to be at-or-around $7M/yr.

That's a major investment in a guy who is going to start declining pretty quickly on the wrong side of 30.

I'm really not trying to be funny or troll here, but the Rangers aren't exactly trending in the right direction to be taking that kind of risk. You could have $15M+ tied up in Lundqvist and McDonagh who, at that point, are going to be on different holes of the back nine of their careers. Doesn't exactly leave a ton of cap space for the Rangers to make moves to better the team.