unfortunately nothing has been done to address that and now they're even weaker with Clowe gone. I was hoping they would have picked up at least one nasty/tough guy.
- pcjr307

Our most fearless bodychecker and nastiess player are both under 6'0 and barely 190 lbs. To boot, one has a torn labrum and the other had a broken clavicle before he got here

The lack of what me and you crave, will eventually burn us in the playoffs like it did vs Boston this year

Our most fearless bodychecker and nastiess player are both under 6'0 and barely 190 lbs. To boot, one has a torn labrum and the other had a broken clavicle before he got here

The lack of what me and you crave, will eventually burn us in the playoffs like it did vs Boston this year
- Slimtj100

It's true, I'm not saying we need a team of goons but you need toughness and meanness. Speed is super important i get it and the Rangers have some good skaters. In the playoffs its a lot of board play and its nice to have at least one guy similar to a Bickell or a Clowe, Franzen etc. they're gonna stand up for their teammates, throw big hits, stand in front of the net and screen and score garbage goals etc. no one on the Rangers fits that description. Callahan plays his heart out and would have to be the guy to do it as usual but coming off that injury and his lack of size, he needs help. Mcllrath making the team would help, but I think there has to be at least one big, tough forward added to this group as well.

unfortunately nothing has been done to address that and now they're even weaker with Clowe gone. I was hoping they would have picked up at least one nasty/tough guy.
- pcjr307

Pray for the Undertaker to make the team this season.

No Rupp; no Prust...all I can do is

If we can score goals, I'll take that over some mean stuf anyday...especially after last season.

hopefully Pouliot and Moore bring some grit we didn't have last year

but, there is always so much focus on our bottom two lines, this team needs the big guys on this team to be better, that will dictate the season we have more than anything else

hopefully Pouliot and Moore bring some grit we didn't have last year

but, there is always so much focus on our bottom two lines, this team needs the big guys on this team to be better, that will dictate the season we have more than anything else
- jimbro83

Exactly. Like I said for the hawks having a decent bottom 6 was nice but they have won 2 cups because of Kane Toews Sharp and Hossa with hot goaltending to boot.

hopefully Pouliot and Moore bring some grit we didn't have last year

but, there is always so much focus on our bottom two lines, this team needs the big guys on this team to be better, that will dictate the season we have more than anything else
- jimbro83

Pouliot wont be bringing much grit although hes not exactly a wuss, hes going to provide a few goals from the 3rd line though.

It's true, I'm not saying we need a team of goons but you need toughness and meanness. Speed is super important i get it and the Rangers have some good skaters. In the playoffs its a lot of board play and its nice to have at least one guy similar to a Bickell or a Clowe, Franzen etc. they're gonna stand up for their teammates, throw big hits, stand in front of the net and screen and score garbage goals etc. no one on the Rangers fits that description. Callahan plays his heart out and would have to be the guy to do it as usual but coming off that injury and his lack of size, he needs help. Mcllrath making the team would help, but I think there has to be at least one big, tough forward added to this group as well.
- pcjr307

100%

I think we're riding with what we have. With a Lil MZA possible

The Problom we have is, for the most part the leauge uses its bigger guys on the 3rd and 4th lines to grind teams down. But there players actully utilize the size they have, whereas our big guys play like they are in an all star game half the time.

Like the perfect 3rd line in the leauge on paper right now is czikas, Martin and clutterbuck. That line will drive teams absolutely nuts if it is together next year

Exactly. Like I said for the hawks having a decent bottom 6 was nice but they have won 2 cups because of Kane Toews Sharp and Hossa with hot goaltending to boot.
- mrhattrick27

We don't have 2 lottery picks tho. It's hard to model them like you keep doing. Ecen keith does more offensively then our best dman does. They also have shaw, bickell, handzus who do alot out there. We lack ill tempered guys. Chicago had everything needed to win

We don't have 2 lottery picks tho. It's hard to model them like you keep doing. Ecen keith does more offensively then our best dman does. They also have shaw, bickell, handzus who do alot out there. We lack ill tempered guys. Chicago had everything needed to win
- Slimtj100

I just meant when your big guys perform things fall into place. There was no reason that Richards, Nash, Gaborik, Cally and Step couldn't provide something close enough to those kind of guys especially with a better defense and a world star goalie behind them. If the big guys perform on your team, you win games.

We need everyone performing well next season.

We don't have 2 lottery picks tho. It's hard to model them like you keep doing. Ecen keith does more offensively then our best dman does. They also have shaw, bickell, handzus who do alot out there. We lack ill tempered guys. Chicago had everything needed to win
- Slimtj100

All these cup winners have top end talent and that's why they win. If the big guys perform you have a chance of winning. Then the depth players are there to give you the edge to win against the other teams with top players. That's just how it works.

I just meant when your big guys perform things fall into place. There was no reason that Richards, Nash, Gaborik, Cally and Step couldn't provide something close enough to those kind of guys especially with a better defense and a world star goalie behind them. If the big guys perform on your team, you win games.

We need everyone performing well next season.
- mrhattrick27

What worries me personally is I'm usually very positive with the team. But im just very concerned with how the team is being built recently. I hope I'm dead wrong and will root like I always do

What's up with all the Dominic Moore hate? Don't think the guy has missed the playoffs in his career. Solid pker with speed, who is really good on draws and will pot 8 to 10 goals, perfect 3rd/4th line center. Talking about him like he was a bad signing is pretty dumb. I honestly think it was great signing. If we can get a full year of Dorsett, a healthy Staal and Haley I think we will be okay in the "Jam" department. Could we us a lumbering oaf like Penner to stand in front of the net and skate like he has cinder block for skates, sure I guess, but I thought his name was Pyatt.

I think you guys are putting too much emphasis on this size thing. Prust was not a big guy but he played bigger than he is. Many of the Rangers do this. Prust fought but in terms of board play, forechecking, the Rangers play well above their size. I'm actually really happy we are rid of the Rupps, Scotts, Brashears, Purintons, etc... I find them to be completely useless in today's NHL. Speed, Skill, and grittiness is what is needed. Our Skill players do not shy away from contract, they play a gritty game and have no problems sizing up against bigger players because they can outplay them. Brassard, Callahan, Hagelin, Stepan, Zuccarello, Nash, Dorsett, Kreider, Miller, ALL of these guys have no problems whatsoever playing a physical game. They do not get intimidated, they don't shy away from the play. Thats the most important thing.

I think you guys are putting too much emphasis on this size thing. Prust was not a big guy but he played bigger than he is. Many of the Rangers do this. Prust fought but in terms of board play, forechecking, the Rangers play well above their size. I'm actually really happy we are rid of the Rupps, Scotts, Brashears, Purintons, etc... I find them to be completely useless in today's NHL. Speed, Skill, and grittiness is what is needed. Our Skill players do not shy away from contract, they play a gritty game and have no problems sizing up against bigger players because they can outplay them. Brassard, Callahan, Hagelin, Stepan, Zuccarello, Nash, Dorsett, Kreider, Miller, ALL of these guys have no problems whatsoever playing a physical game. They do not get intimidated, they don't shy away from the play. Thats the most important thing.
- xcheckmajor

You mean TJ. lol

I think you guys are putting too much emphasis on this size thing. Prust was not a big guy but he played bigger than he is. Many of the Rangers do this. Prust fought but in terms of board play, forechecking, the Rangers play well above their size. I'm actually really happy we are rid of the Rupps, Scotts, Brashears, Purintons, etc... I find them to be completely useless in today's NHL. Speed, Skill, and grittiness is what is needed. Our Skill players do not shy away from contract, they play a gritty game and have no problems sizing up against bigger players because they can outplay them. Brassard, Callahan, Hagelin, Stepan, Zuccarello, Nash, Dorsett, Kreider, Miller, ALL of these guys have no problems whatsoever playing a physical game. They do not get intimidated, they don't shy away from the play. Thats the most important thing.
- xcheckmajor

a lot of that has to do with how small the Bruins made the Rangers look a couple of months ago, especially Lucic, who just annihilated everyone he saw in that series

a lot of that has to do with how small the Bruins made the Rangers look a couple of months ago, especially Lucic, who just annihilated everyone he saw in that series
- jimbro83

Exactly. How many Chara and Lucic's are there in the the NHL? Slim to none. They are unique and can't be used as a barometer for a successful model.

Exactly. How many Chara and Lucic's are there in the the NHL? Slim to none. They are unique and can't be used as a barometer for a successful model.
- mrhattrick27

the reason the Rangers traded Zubov and Nedved was how small the Flyers and the legion of doom made them look in '95 playoffs. If you base organizational decisions on a short series, it can screw you long term.

the reason the Rangers traded Zubov and Nedved was how small the Flyers and the legion of doom made them look in '95 playoffs. If you base organizational decisions on a short series, it can screw you long term.
- jimbro83

Thank you ... I like you am excited for AV. We have a very YOUNG team that could leap forward next year with a step forward in their careers. Can you imagine if all the following happens. Stepan solidifies himself as a #1C. McD adds offense, Kreider sticks and is a dependable top 6 forward, DZ takes that next step and we don't question who the QB back there is, Brassard does well in his new surroundings and plays like a #2 Center while Cally goes back to the season he had a year ago and Nash is Nash? if any of these happened would it be a total shock? If all these happened tell me we aren't a top team in the east. AV may be what was needed for this team to take a leap forward. I am excited to see what he does with this roster and how our core of under 25 year old KIDS takes a step forward.

People are forgetting how young this team is and how players on the team are destined to improve.

the reason the Rangers traded Zubov and Nedved was how small the Flyers and the legion of doom made them look in '95 playoffs. If you base organizational decisions on a short series, it can screw you long term.
- jimbro83

It's like developing a battle plan, based on the last war fought. If you keeping fighting the previous war, then you can make bad decisions. With that said, lessons should be learned from the previous wars -- i.e., like never fight a land war in Asia during the winter.

It's like developing a battle plan, based on the last war fought. If you keeping fighting the previous war, then you can make bad decisions. With that said, lessons should be learned from the previous wars -- i.e., like never fight a land war in Asia during the winter.
- Pete V

I like your recent militant look at everything in the hockey world

a lot of that has to do with how small the Bruins made the Rangers look a couple of months ago, especially Lucic, who just annihilated everyone he saw in that series
- jimbro83

I must have watched a different series. I don't think Boston overdominated us with physicality and size at all. I think Boston dominated us in puck movement, positioning, and their overall mastery of their system. Skilled puck movement can only be attained with completely disciplined system work. The Rangers played MUCH of the season looking like headless chickens. Their breakouts were sloppy, their support of each other carrying the puck was non existent. When we had breakouts, there were almost 0 options for the puck carrier as his fellow team mates skated into areas that made it impossible to pass to. Boston easily cut through us all the time because of positioning not size. Always carrying another player that stepped to the open areas which allowed short passes that brought the puck into open ice for them. They outplayed us consistently. Marchand and Bergeron scored THREE times with almost identical plays, each time, we lacked positioning and coverage. Nash doesn't shy away from using his size, but he was neutralized by good defensive coverage. A good system and smart positioning and skating will ALWAYS outtrump size and toughness. Just ask Gretzky, almost untouchable on the ice because of his skating and it wasn't blinding speed, it was intelligent positioning.

I'm sure the the two cup teams he was on felt the same way

Listen I'm not gonna make a big deal over it but its not like he got a monster deal here. We could certainly use him and plant his fat ass on the pp in front of a goalie at least. (Something we don't have)
- Slimtj100

he would be better than powe or pyatt but we legit have no capspace to sign him even for 2 mil.

the reason the Rangers traded Zubov and Nedved was how small the Flyers and the legion of doom made them look in '95 playoffs. If you base organizational decisions on a short series, it can screw you long term.
- jimbro83

Please don't compare with the era of hockey from the 90s. If you watch any replay of the games from back then, you literally could scream for a penalty every 20 seconds of the game. Size mattered back then because tackling, grabbing, holding, head shots, punches, so many of these things were just let go. So yes, you absolutely needed size and toughness back then. Now, its skill and grittiness. The willingness to get physical when needed. Thats what counts. A big body is less emphasized if you can compensate with superior skating and puck control.

EDIT: I read your comment too fast, sorry. I thought you were defending the Zubov trade lol...

Sitting at the beach, so figured why not catch up on all the comments on my blog you guys know my view on Zucc, which was expressed pretty clearly in the blog. I think he has the skills to fit between the second and third lines, he is solid in the offensive zone and plays bigger than his size. I expressed the cap but I wanted and hope happen in the blog. If it goes above that, then the Rangers are really screwed. Then Pyatt or Boyle would be the likely candidates to go. Stralman in my opinion has to remain. He played very well last year, was a big part of the D especially when Staal went down and missed against Boston the last few games. Adding Falk helps, but Staal's status is still questionable and the team only has so much D depths - no, I don't consider Johnson as helping that - so keeping Stralman, who can be a top-four when needed is huge. I will get to Stepan situation in another blog, but I am not panicking as many on twitter seem to be.

Sitting at the beach, so figured why not catch up on all the comments on my blog you guys know my view on Zucc, which was expressed pretty clearly in the blog. I think he has the skills to fit between the second and third lines, he is solid in the offensive zone and plays bigger than his size. I expressed the cap but I wanted and hope happen in the blog. If it goes above that, then the Rangers are really screwed. Then Pyatt or Boyle would be the likely candidates to go. Stralman in my opinion has to remain. He played very well last year, was a big part of the D especially when Staal went down and missed against Boston the last few games. Adding Falk helps, but Staal's status is still questionable and the team only has so much D depths - no, I don't consider Johnson as helping that - so keeping Stralman, who can be a top-four when needed is huge. I will get to Stepan situation in another blog, but I am not panicking as many on twitter seem to be.
- airjan23

Dump Pyatt and all our issues are solved. I don't get why it is even a discussion. Who hear would rather Pyatt in the lineup over Haley?