You'd actually consider taking Staal over Leddy? Byfuglien? No homerism here I wouldn't even have to think about it.
- Cptmjl

byfuglien for sure. he makes so much more of an an impact without the puck than leddy can. and is offensively comparable.


probably not stall, but either way, I think theres only one of us who doesn't have an ounce of homerism in this debate......

lets see him dominate or play like a top defender for a few seasons before I jump on the bandwagon. much like byfuglien already has.
and anything before this past season, leddy was nowhere near an elite defender.

edit*- I see you've already conceded give it some time. and that's totally fair. we'll see

I would take Leddy over Staal but not Buff or Myers. Again its no disrespect to Leddy but Tanner said he was top 10 D, i do not believe he is top 10. That is all
- sdoney

I hear you I didnt take offense to it. To each their own.

byfuglien for sure. he makes so much more of an an impact without the puck than leddy can. and is offensively comparable.


probably not stall, but either way, I think theres only one of us who doesn't have an ounce of homerism in this debate......
I think you vastly overrate leddy.
lets see him dominate or play like a top defender for a few seasons before I jump on the bandwagon. much like byfuglien already has.
and anything before this past season, leddy was nowhere near an elite defender.
- HB77

I think youre underrating him but i agree he needs to keep doing what he did last season. Thats what seperates good players from elite ones.

not for sure by any means


probably myers, but I think that could change quickly after a full season with the jets.

I take byfuglien over leddy.

stall is debateable. certainly nowhere near the skater and puck carrier leddy is.
but theres some situations I rather have marc stall playin in than leddy
- HB77

After this season in WPG Myers will be in the conversation IMO. I hated him being traded, and he's looked great since the move

You'd actually consider taking Staal over Leddy? Byfuglien? No homerism here I wouldn't even have to think about it.
- Cptmjl

I'd like to see Leddy have another successful year before I take him over Staal.

I've seen MDZ finish 12th in Norris votes only to regress substantially the following year. And the talk this summer of Leddy reminds me of last summer with de Haan.

I do think Leddy is the real deal though.

Ask Miss Cleo to predict Coyote finish - playoffs?
How about Strome making the cut at 18 yrs. old?

This will cost you another trip to the dumpster and some wine, cigarettes, and other "favors

tampa was gangbusters in more than one of the finals games against the hawks and Crawford was absolutely stellar. if you watched (which it doesn't sound like you did) I think it was game 4 that Crawford stole almost singlehandedly. and came back and played great in game 5 too




2 rings and played well during both runs.
halak has proven nothing remotely close to that
- HB77

Let's not forget that Crawford actually lost his starting job to Darling for a few games in the playoffs...and that Halak carried Montreal on his back in that legendary ECF run.

Ask Miss Cleo to predict Coyote finish - playoffs?
How about Strome making the cut at 18 yrs. old?

This will cost you another trip to the dumpster and some wine, cigarettes, and other "favors
- Hockey7

Hahaha good one man

Let's not forget that Crawford actually lost his starting job to Darling for a few games in the playoffs...and that Halak carried Montreal on his back in that legendary ECF run.
- rangerdanger94

And Halak usually had Hal Gill jammed in the net beside him

The whole team was in the crease most of that run

And Halak usually had Hal Gill jammed in the net beside him

The whole team was in the crease most of that run
- Garnie

Do you really think Montreal only made it that far because Hal Gill was blocking a lot of shots?

I'd like to see Leddy have another successful year before I take him over Staal.

I've seen MDZ finish 12th in Norris votes only to regress substantially the following year. And the talk this summer of Leddy reminds me of last summer with de Haan.

I do think Leddy is the real deal though.
- rangerdanger94

I agree though leddy has a little more of resume than mdz and dehaan. Hoping last season was a little bit of a sophomore slump for dehaan. I also agree I think Leddy is legit I think even you'd take him over staal right now without even thinking about it. You may not say it but youre thinking it

I agree though leddy has a little more of resume than mdz and dehaan. Hoping last season was a little bit of a sophomore slump for dehaan. I also agree I think Leddy is legit I think even you'd take him over staal right now without even thinking about it. You may not say it but youre thinking it
- Cptmjl

As far as Staal vs. Leddy goes, Staal is what he is at this point which is a defenseman capable of matching up and shutting down Ovechkin, Crosby, Giroux, etc. and can eat 25 or 30 minutes in a night if he needs to. Leddy is developing that defensive side of his game, obviously has the offense to his game, and has upside in both.

It's closer than I'd like to admit, but I think if we're in a playoff series against Ovechkin or Crosby or Giroux, then I go with Staal as he has a proven track record with those guys including this past playoff. Staal contained Ovechkin, something Leddy couldn't do this year

As far as Staal vs. Leddy goes, Staal is what he is at this point which is a defenseman capable of matching up and shutting down Ovechkin, Crosby, Giroux, etc. and can eat 25 or 30 minutes in a night if he needs to. Leddy is developing that defensive side of his game, obviously has the offense to his game, and has upside in both.

It's closer than I'd like to admit, but I think if we're in a playoff series against Ovechkin or Crosby or Giroux, then I go with Staal as he has a proven track record with those guys including this past playoff. Staal contained Ovechkin, something Leddy couldn't do this year
- rangerdanger94

Leddy was arguably our best defensive defenseman last season. He doesnt have the physical element to his game but im ok with it as long as boychuck and Hamonic are healthy. When he came over I was figuring he'd be a mess in our end from what I heard and what little I saw but he definitely tightened up his game. This season will say a lot about what we have with him. Pokka looks like he may be a good one but I couldn't be happier with that trade right now and the contract we got him locked up too.

Leddy was arguably our best defensive defenseman last season. He doesnt have the physical element to his game but im ok with it as long as boychuck and Hamonic are healthy. When he came over I was figuring he'd be a mess in our end from what I heard and what little I saw but he definitely tightened up his game. This season will say a lot about what we have with him.
- Cptmjl

Yea Leddy is a lot better defensively than people give him credit for, like Keith Yandle

Yea Leddy is a lot better defensively than people give him credit for, like Keith Yandle
- rangerdanger94

He tightened up his game also. Change of scenery sometimes does a lot for some players. Wonder what sather will wind up doing with him?

Yea Leddy is a lot better defensively than people give him credit for, like Keith Yandle
- rangerdanger94

Keith Yandle bashing was overdone. He wasn't the reason you couldn't get back. Regardless of that PT win this year, I thought you guys were a better team the year prior. Boyle and Straalman are two great players.

The Rangers success actually had A LOT to do with goaltending. It's a pretty well-known fact that Girardi and Staal were below average in shot suppression, yet got the bulk of ice time. The defense isn't as great as people make it out to be. Not terrible, but not especially great either.

Edit: Also Tanner Glass is still on the team, so there's that.
- GOODPLAYA20

Well I'm glad u don't think nyr d is terrible . Nyr is a complete team that has good play in all areas. The d IS one of best in NHL, and THAT is a well know fact (to use your phrase lol). Shot suppression? Uhhh...what? Are they the Navy seals!?

Every successful team has had a goalie who played great. Nyr is no exception.,but nyr success isn't soley b/c of Hank

At least the Pens fan agrees with you

Well I'm glad u don't think nyr d is terrible . Nyr is a complete team that has good play in all areas. The d IS one of best in NHL, and THAT is a well know fact (to use your phrase lol). Shot suppression? Uhhh...what?

Every successful team has had a goalie who played great. Nyr is no exception.,but nyr success isn't soley b/c of Hank

At least the Pens fan agrees with you
- rrentz

You guys have a well balanced team and a great coach. It's not all Lundqvist that's just an easy jab bcs he's one of the best in the world. Without him your team wouldnt be as good (or an excellent back up as we saw with Talbot) but what team would be the same losing their elite starting goaltender? You did it without him for a chunk of the season and won the Presidents trophy. Its kind of a stupid debate.

You guys have a well balanced team and a great coach. It's not all Lundqvist that's just an easy jab bcs he's one of the best in the world. Without him your team wouldnt be as good (or an excellent back up as we saw with Talbot) but what team would be the same losing their elite starting goaltender? You did it without him for a chunk of the season and won the Presidents trophy. Its kind of a stupid debate.
- Cptmjl[/quot

Yep.

I gotta an isles question for ya. Why didn't they sign another dman to shore up their blue line. Figured they would make a splash via trade or FA signing

[quote=Cptmjl]You guys have a well balanced team and a great coach. It's not all Lundqvist that's just an easy jab bcs he's one of the best in the world. Without him your team wouldnt be as good (or an excellent back up as we saw with Talbot) but what team would be the same losing their elite starting goaltender? You did it without him for a chunk of the season and won the Presidents trophy. Its kind of a stupid debate.
- rrentz[/quot

Yep.

I gotta an isles question for ya. Why didn't they sign another dman to shore up their blue line. Figured they would make a splash via trade or FA signing

The thinking is to leave some room to sign everyone we need too between Strome, Nelson, maybe Okposo, etc. Keep some cap space to possibly add at the deadline. Also to keep a possible spot or two open for Pulock and Mayfield one or both will be ready to contribute this season. Only so many spots and cap room I personally would have rather they let Hickey walk but understand the thought process.

[quote=Cptmjl]You guys have a well balanced team and a great coach. It's not all Lundqvist that's just an easy jab bcs he's one of the best in the world. Without him your team wouldnt be as good (or an excellent back up as we saw with Talbot) but what team would be the same losing their elite starting goaltender? You did it without him for a chunk of the season and won the Presidents trophy. Its kind of a stupid debate.
- rrentz[/quot

Yep.

I gotta an isles question for ya. Why didn't they sign another dman to shore up their blue line. Figured they would make a splash via trade or FA signing

If de Haan bounces back our defense is one of the better ones in the league. He started off great last year then hit a sort of sophomore slump. Pulock should be ready to go at the NHL level and QB the PP2 if not the PP1. And the Isles have an offer on the table for Zidlicky as #7/Pulock insurance

I didn't say they were bad. They just weren't as great as they seemed. Today's game is all about puck possession and driving play into the offensive zone. Guys like Girardi and Staal aren't built to play that type of game. Guys like McDonagh, Yandle, Diaz and (hopefully) Skjei, Zamorsky and Andersson are. It's what gave the Islanders so much success this year. Their defense isn't great at actually defending, but they're good at possessing the puck and driving play up the ice.

Look at Chicago. Keith, Seabrook, Hjarlmarsson and Oduya as their top 4 all are very good skaters that possess the puck. That's what you need in today's game.
- GOODPLAYA20

Hjarlmarsson does not have good possession #'s, Oduys as well suffers on possession #'s. Wanna know why?
Because they are the shutdown pairing that every successful team has. They are not pretty #'s wise. According to advanced stats, David "frickin" Runblad has better possession #'s. How you say is this possible? Take a look at zone starts(both "O" and "D") But "not that big a deal" says Mr. Tanner. Who calls me out in a blog then doesn't bother to reply to my posts. Stay classy James!!!!!!!!!!

BTW- patiently waiting for your proof that Sekera is better then Josi.

James Tanner- 8/13/15 "But Josi is the most overrated player in the NHL"

Also waiting for your reply to the fact that Dan Girardi had 546(yes 546) more "d" zone starts then Dan Boyle in 2014-15 and 61 less "o" zone starts but this couldn't have possibly affected the players possesion #'s. And i do not even like Girardi, And would rather swing this argument to Chicago's "D" Where Runblad is king! What do you say James? A blog on how David Runblad is top 10 D-man material? Must be! according to his #'s.
#runbladfornorris

i can agree that he'll need more than 1 season to be truly considered anywhere near the top ten by most. myself included.
especially since his game play before last season couldn't be considered anywhere near the same stratosphere as top ten in the game

but I don't agree that his size has much to do with that narrative. as u say; many of the guys who I consider to be elite arent monsters by any stretch.
keith, karlsson, suter, subban, stralman etc etc
- HB77

In what world are suter and staal even top 30 defenseman? I'll even take Leddy over Weber at this point.

I'd like to see Leddy have another successful year before I take him over Staal.

I've seen MDZ finish 12th in Norris votes only to regress substantially the following year. And the talk this summer of Leddy reminds me of last summer with de Haan.

I do think Leddy is the real deal though.
- rangerdanger94

To puy staal anywhere near leddy is to put Bozak near Ovechkin

To puy staal anywhere near leddy is to put Bozak near Ovechkin
- James_Tanner

Leddy had 37 points on a very good, deep team.

While being given advantageous zone starts.

Can we calm down on this Nick Leddy world beater talk. It's getting asinine.