Hajek also got absolutely blasted on at least 3 huge hits. He has to learn to position himself better so he is not so vulnerable. I still think Lindgren would be the better choice at this point, but Hajek HAS to play if he is on roster...
- TommyGTrain

there also aren't many teams with a better forward group than Winnipeg too, some of those guys are just insane.

I think Scheifele is the most underrated guy in the league

you could make the argument that Gaborik was better than Panarin, it's real close though

but, Gaborik was also in the league 8 years by then, as opposed to Panarin's 4 and suffered a couple of major injuries, he had major hip surgery in 2009 six months before we signed him

no wear and tear on Panarin
- jimbo83

Gaborik was great, but besides his speed and shot he could not do what Panarin can. Panarin better all around player.

I think both Panarin and Zibanejad complement each other! Best center ever to play with Panarin? Not sure about that Duchene is no slouch either but I must say I love watching that first line work together, I just hope Butch starts to play a little better he looked very frustrated.

Exciting game to watch and frustrating at the same time

- eichiefs9

Maybe, but without that ugly orange in the uniforms.

there also aren't many teams with a better forward group than Winnipeg too, some of those guys are just insane.

I think Scheifele is the most underrated guy in the league
- jimbo83

That top line was a handful and a half EVERY shift!!!

there also aren't many teams with a better forward group than Winnipeg too, some of those guys are just insane.

I think Scheifele is the most underrated guy in the league
- jimbo83

Absolutely! Hard to accurately assess our defense's performance against that group of forwards for the Jets.

Vince Z. Mercogliano
@vzmercogliano
·
14m
So Quinn confirmed a couple things. Trouba-Hajek and Fox-Skjei will be the D pairs tomorrow in Ottawa and Alex Georgiev will start in net. #NYR


Larry Brooks‏ @NYP_Brooksie · 13m13 minutes ago


There are new D pairs for the Rangers. Staal-Trouba; Skjei-Fox; Hajek-DeAngelo. Georgiev in nets v Ottawa tomorrow night.

two Ranger writers with different D pairings

What a great first game, amazing to watch. A couple things I’ve noticed.

-Staal had a good game besides the goal, was making great passes off the boards and winning battles in the corners.

-The top line look as good as any other line in the league. Buch had two grade A chances, goals will come for him.

-Zibanejad is the real deal. Wow. I wouldn’t be surprised if he approaches 90+ points this year.

What a great first game, amazing to watch. A couple things I’ve noticed.

-Staal had a good game besides the goal, was making great passes off the boards and winning battles in the corners.

-The top line look as good as any other line in the league. Buch has to grade A chances, goals will come for him.

-Zibanejad is the real deal. Wow. I wouldn’t be surprised if he approaches 90+ points this year.
- Nfabz8

whether people like it or not, Rangers gonna rely heavily on Staal this year with all these young guys

whether people like it or not, Rangers gonna rely heavily on Staal this year with all these young guys
- jimbo83

I like it! (Since we have no choice )
I have always tried to stick up for him. He really does amazingly well given his eye sight and cement shoes. Contract an issue? For sure. Could we have more skill in his place? Absolutely.
But there are so many criteria for what makes a solid NHL player and he checks so many boxes. I just hope he continues to play well positionally. It's so important for his game.

Vince Z. Mercogliano
@vzmercogliano
·
14m
So Quinn confirmed a couple things. Trouba-Hajek and Fox-Skjei will be the D pairs tomorrow in Ottawa and Alex Georgiev will start in net. #NYR


Larry Brooks‏ @NYP_Brooksie · 13m13 minutes ago


There are new D pairs for the Rangers. Staal-Trouba; Skjei-Fox; Hajek-DeAngelo. Georgiev in nets v Ottawa tomorrow night.
- jimbo83

I choose to believe the one the begins with "...Quinn confirmed..."

Vince Z. Mercogliano
@vzmercogliano
·
14m
So Quinn confirmed a couple things. Trouba-Hajek and Fox-Skjei will be the D pairs tomorrow in Ottawa and Alex Georgiev will start in net. #NYR


Larry Brooks‏ @NYP_Brooksie · 13m13 minutes ago


There are new D pairs for the Rangers. Staal-Trouba; Skjei-Fox; Hajek-DeAngelo. Georgiev in nets v Ottawa tomorrow night.
- jimbo83

So much for Trouba-Skjei getting a chance to grow into a top pair

I like it! (Since we have no choice )
I have always tried to stick up for him. He really does amazingly well given his eye sight and cement shoes. Contract an issue? For sure. Could we have more skill in his place? Absolutely.
But there are so many criteria for what makes a solid NHL player and he checks so many boxes. I just hope he continues to play well positionally. It's so important for his game.
- Tonybere

There would be little to criticize Staal about if his contract was ~2.5m. He would be a bottom pair defenseman on most teams. He’s still plenty serviceable.

Don't under stand the Lias comment- what did I miss?

Wasn't a big fan last year, but he seems to have made strides. I thought he looked pretty good in the very few minutes he played last night.

Why is 4th line minutes no good for Chytle but ok for Lias?

There would be little to criticize Staal about if his contract was ~2.5m. He would be a bottom pair defenseman on most teams. He’s still plenty serviceable.
- Nfabz8

Same with Smith. Decent player who is overpaid.

Don't under stand the Lias comment- what did I miss?

Wasn't a big fan last year, but he seems to have made strides. I thought he looked pretty good in the very few minutes he played last night.

Why is 4th line minutes no good for Chytle but ok for Lias?
- Greschnergy#4

personally I just think top line minutes in Hartford playing with Kravtsov is better plan right now

Andersson can play more of a defensive role, kill penalties, etc with the big club

we want Chytil to be a top line guy eventually

Don't under stand the Lias comment- what did I miss?

Wasn't a big fan last year, but he seems to have made strides. I thought he looked pretty good in the very few minutes he played last night.

Why is 4th line minutes no good for Chytle but ok for Lias?
- Greschnergy#4

Andersson is more of a blue collar player. His play is a bit better suited for the 3rd/4th line. imo

Don't under stand the Lias comment- what did I miss?

Wasn't a big fan last year, but he seems to have made strides. I thought he looked pretty good in the very few minutes he played last night.

Why is 4th line minutes no good for Chytle but ok for Lias?
- Greschnergy#4

I would not be happy with 4C duty being the most we ever get from Lias, but it's just that his game fits the role more than Chytil's.

I would not be happy with 4C duty being the most we ever get from Lias, but it's just that his game fits the role more than Chytil's.
- Tonybere

Yeah I can't imagine Chytil checking anyone, except maybe Rask

personally I just think top line minutes in Hartford playing with Kravtsov is better plan right now

Andersson can play more of a defensive role, kill penalties, etc with the big club

we want Chytil to be a top line guy eventually
- jimbo83

just thought he played pretty good and deserved better than 8+ mins and a benching for almost the entire 3rd!?

just thought he played pretty good and deserved better than 8+ mins and a benching for almost the entire 3rd!?
- Greschnergy#4

Really? I didn't even notice that. I agree. He was late for his assignment in the slot on the 1st goal, but apart from that I thought he was ok.

just thought he played pretty good and deserved better than 8+ mins and a benching for almost the entire 3rd!?
- Greschnergy#4

I think it's one of those things you can complain about if they lost

Howden got the game winner, so it worked

I think it's one of those things you can complain about if they lost

Howden got the game winner, so it worked
- jimbo83

I really can't wait for the next game. I also can't wait for Hughes to get a point tonight and for all the overreaction.

Gotta keep in mind that some of those awful gaps on D were the product of a good Jets team. I was at the game and that team is still in sync regardless of the subtractions they had.

One thing a lot of us noticed in my area was the Jets outhit the Rangers for better than 2:1 for the first two periods. Rangers began the physicality part of their game and played a better third period.

Goals against just seconds after scoring a goal...that sh!t has to stop.