I get the Rangers need to win more, but I am not building a teams center depth based on faceoffs
- TPC

Yeah, top teams that win the Cup lose more faceoffs than they win.

Good plan!

Nils is staying in Sweden. Think you mean Miller, but I get why you confused them, they do look alike
- mdw7413

I did mean Miller, they're practically twins.

Yeah, top teams that win the Cup lose more faceoffs than they win.

Good plan!
- Fenrir

I can't tell if you are trying to be a dyck

Yeah, top teams that win the Cup lose more faceoffs than they win.

Good plan!
- Fenrir

- JRR1285

So you guys are telling me you will pass on a great player cause he is 47% on faceoffs? Makes no sense to me

All I know is both Staal and Smith can't be playing at the same time if this team wants to make a run at a playoff spot next season. I think all mgmt saw that to. One would have to be a healthy scratch
- TPC

While I've been vocal about not trading yet, I will change my mind if this is the case.
I think if they are rotating Staal and Smith it is a failure on Gorton's part. Because that is an average of about $5M in the pressbox per game. Essentially an extra 5 million in dead cap space, in a season where they already have $7.5! Better off to just by out Staal, economically. And I would hate to see that.
Which leaves the option of reataining some on Smith and moving him. IF they are not simply the better line-up options they have because of the play of others.

So you guys are telling me you will pass on a great player cause he is 47% on faceoffs? Makes no sense to me
- TPC

You need at least one guy who can win that important one when the (frank)ing lead is on the line.

So you guys are telling me you will pass on a great player cause he is 47% on faceoffs? Makes no sense to me
- TPC

Nobody said that, exactly.
I agree with you that face-off prowess can be learned. But, who do you think would be the better student, the guy at 47%, or the one at 38%?

You need at least one guy who can win that important one when the (frank)ing lead is on the line.
- JRR1285

It's not like the guys who are under 50% don't win any...I think this issue is way overblown

Nobody said that, exactly.
I agree with you that face-off prowess can be learned. But, who do you think would be the better student, the guy at 47%, or the one at 38%?
- Tonybere

I am just going to agree to disagree on this. Give me the more complete player and I can deal with someone who is in the low 40% on faceoffs.

It's not like the guys who are under 50% don't win any...I think this issue is way overblown
- TPC

I get what you're saying but if the whole center group is at best 50% or below that is a problem.

I am just going to agree to disagree on this. Give me the more complete player and I can deal with someone who is in the low 40% on faceoffs.
- TPC

I agree but they need someone else that can step in and take that critical draw.

I agree but they need someone else that can step in and take that critical draw.
- JRR1285

I am actually not sure, what was Zib last year? Morgan Baron is coming in to, he will be in the bottom 6 Center so maybe he helps. Also I think when they upgrade at 2C that will help improve it to

It's not like the guys who are under 50% don't win any...I think this issue is way overblown
- TPC

one of the problems though if Strome doesn't come back, he took over 1,000 faceoffs last season, which is a lot

one of the problems though if Strome doesn't come back, he took over 1,000 faceoffs last season, which is a lot
- jimbro83

Yeah, I don't want Chytil seeing too much of that spill onto his plate if he hasn't improved somehow. But maybe it helps make him better? Who the (frank) knows.

one of the problems though if Strome doesn't come back, he took over 1,000 faceoffs last season, which is a lot
- jimbro83

Yea it would be nice to have someone who can take them and win more. My whole point in this argument is if one player is clearly better than the other I am not going to pass on him cause he is not as good on faceoffs.

I agree but they need someone else that can step in and take that critical draw.
- JRR1285

Yeah. I get why some say it's overblown. But, everyone here has seen evidence that it's true. We rarely have possession after a draw and it has cost us in the first/last minute of a period how many times???
I really hope they get everyone on the team to try it out. Even defensemen!! Seriously, who gives a poop who it is? If by some crazy miracle, Staal showed some ability on draws I'd have him out there for the last minute of every damn game!!

I am actually not sure, what was Zib last year? Morgan Baron is coming in to, he will be in the bottom 6 Center so maybe he helps. Also I think when they upgrade at 2C that will help improve it to
- TPC

He was at 49.2, passable for everything else he brings.

I can't tell if you are trying to be a dyck
- TPC

Not sure myself.
Just a little sarcasm that you're ready to give up on Chytil because he's not good on faceoffs to get another player that is similar.

Yeah. I get why some say it's overblown. But, everyone here has seen evidence that it's true. We rarely have possession after a draw and it has cost us in the first/last minute of a period how many times???
I really hope they get everyone on the team to try it out. Even defensemen!! Seriously, who gives a poop who it is? If by some crazy miracle, Staal showed some ability on draws I'd have him out there for the last minute of every damn game!!
- Tonybere

This is what I am talking about. Face offs drive possession. Like it or not your chances of winning are higher if you have more opportunity to gain possession. I know the fancy stats haters are gonna roast me but winning draws is important.

- jimbro83

Not sure myself.
Just a little sarcasm that you're ready to give up on Chytil because he's not good on faceoffs to get another player that is similar.
- Fenrir

I think you misread my whole argument...I am saying don't give up on people because they aren't good on faceoffs

I am just going to agree to disagree on this. Give me the more complete player and I can deal with someone who is in the low 40% on faceoffs.
- TPC

I think Kreider took more faceoffs than Chytil last season. That kid needs to go to Messier's faceoff camp.

I think Kreider took more faceoffs than Chytil last season. That kid needs to go to Messier's faceoff camp.
- Fenrir

Is Messier still sour after the head coaching snub?