Definitely didn’t deserve to win that one last night. Too many defensive breakdowns and stupid penalties. Only real positives were how engaged Kreider looked and Mika getting a few points (although he got lucky on the second one IMO, should have shot). Fox continues to look amazing but would love to see him strengthen his shot to bury more of the many chances he gets. Disappointed with Laf, thought he would have came in with some confidence but hardly noticed him at all in 15 minutes.
- TC88

He DID shoot!! Got really lucky. Great play by Kreids.

I put my ranger googles on when the signed JJ, trid to give him the benefit of the doubt, but good god he is awful, everytime he gets the puck in d-zone it manages to end up on a opposing team stick. Why isnt Reunanen with the big club? He can't be any worse defensively and he can at least run a PP. For christ sake they had Smith on the Second PP last night

I put my ranger googles on when the signed JJ, trid to give him the benefit of the doubt, but good god he is awful, everytime he gets the puck in d-zone it manages to end up on a opposing team stick. Why isnt Reunanen with the big club? He can't be any worse defensively and he can at least run a PP. For christ sake they had Smith on the Second PP last night
- tbreinold

There is no place here for your rational logic.

Wow that was a bad game. Team is depleted. Everyday Panarin isnt here, its + 2 weeks for covid protocol. Its apparent that Zibby is off, he needs a change, maybe he should cut his (frank)ing hair!!I know its a non issue for most but Id like to see more of JG, he cant be any worse than Howden.
- Brukie

JG = Jeff Gorton

Definitely didn’t deserve to win that one last night. Too many defensive breakdowns and stupid penalties. Only real positives were how engaged Kreider looked and Mika getting a few points (although he got lucky on the second one IMO, should have shot). Fox continues to look amazing but would love to see him strengthen his shot to bury more of the many chances he gets. Disappointed with Laf, thought he would have came in with some confidence but hardly noticed him at all in 15 minutes.
- TC88

Yea It is a bit worry some. Unlike Kakko last year he actually is getting minutes in the top 6, even the top line this year. And last year you saw the flashes of Kakko skill from time to time. It's been almost 20 games. It's not the lack of points that bugs me. It's just I don't see any signs of the elite skill everyone talks about. He just seems to be out there. We knew he didn't have elite speed but I thought his skill would make up for it.

It's not all doom and gloom, this team isn't going anywhere this year so he can find his game. Just thought we would see more by this point.

Yea It is a bit worry some. Unlike Kakko last year he actually is getting minutes in the top 6, even the top line this year. And last year you saw the flashes of Kakko skill from time to time. It's been almost 20 games. It's not the lack of points that bugs me. It's just I don't see any signs of the elite skill everyone talks about. He just seems to be out there. We knew he didn't have elite speed but I thought his skill would make up for it.

It's not all doom and gloom, this team isn't going anywhere this year so he can find his game. Just thought we would see more by this point.
- TPC

hopefully after getting a taste of the big leagues he works his ass off this offseason like jack hughes

hopefully after getting a taste of the big leagues he works his ass off this offseason like jack hughes
- Mtlca66

Just sucks we have to hope lol

Thought he would be a sure thing right away

Yea It is a bit worry some. Unlike Kakko last year he actually is getting minutes in the top 6, even the top line this year. And last year you saw the flashes of Kakko skill from time to time. It's been almost 20 games. It's not the lack of points that bugs me. It's just I don't see any signs of the elite skill everyone talks about. He just seems to be out there. We knew he didn't have elite speed but I thought his skill would make up for it.

It's not all doom and gloom, this team isn't going anywhere this year so he can find his game. Just thought we would see more by this point.
- TPC

He seems extremely hesitant, which I think is holding him back in a big way. Hesitant to shoot, hesitant to go to the dirty areas, hesitant to hold the puck for too long. On the other hand, the kid hasn’t made a glaring turnover directly leading to a goal all season. That gives me a bit more hope, that the team just wants for him to be responsible before letting him loose. His career highlights are awesome and completely opposite to what we have seen so far this season in terms of his assertiveness and intensity. Just want to see it already!!

So, Gautier can't even figure out how to play the wing well enough to earn his coach's confidence, but now they're supposed to put him at center?
- Tonybere

Well perhaps Tony in your eyes, Howden knows how to play center with his eye popping 49 percent face off win percentage or the fact that he has contributed a whopping 2 assists on an amazing 16 shots. Thats 16 shots in 17 games. Less than a shot per game. Eye popping.

I never said to put JG at center. I just said I dont see how playing Howden with his incredible stats and getting 13+ TOI where JG gets 8 minutes of TOI. DQ is suppose to be able to coach these kids. Seems like some kids have a much longer leash.

If it wasnt for the Rangers lack of Centers, Howden would be on the taxi squad. I dont think he is part of this Rangers team future.

How do you see Howden?? Do you have him in your fantasy league??

Definitely didn’t deserve to win that one last night. Too many defensive breakdowns and stupid penalties. Only real positives were how engaged Kreider looked and Mika getting a few points (although he got lucky on the second one IMO, should have shot). Fox continues to look amazing but would love to see him strengthen his shot to bury more of the many chances he gets. Disappointed with Laf, thought he would have came in with some confidence but hardly noticed him at all in 15 minutes.
- TC88

You have to give Laf some slack. He didnt play any competitive hockey for months, the pressure of being the #1 pick, coming to NY and not even having a training camp has definitely hurt him. He will be fine.

Well perhaps Tony in your eyes, Howden knows how to play center with his eye popping 49 percent face off win percentage or the fact that he has contributed a whopping 2 assists on an amazing 16 shots. Thats 16 shots in 17 games. Less than a shot per game. Eye popping.

I never said to put JG at center. I just said I dont see how playing Howden with his incredible stats and getting 13+ TOI where JG gets 8 minutes of TOI. DQ is suppose to be able to coach these kids. Seems like some kids have a much longer leash.

If it wasnt for the Rangers lack of Centers, Howden would be on the taxi squad. I dont think he is part of this Rangers team future.

How do you see Howden?? Do you have him in your fantasy league??
- Brukie

I don’t think anyone disagrees that Howden is not the answer at C, but you’re suggestion of playing Gaut over him at the C position might be a worse take than not signing Panarin...

I don’t think anyone disagrees that Howden is not the answer at C, but you’re suggestion of playing Gaut over him at the C position might be a worse take than not signing Panarin...
- Bean_Dip

You cant read either huh??

The Laf issue is on him and coaching. Zegras 2 games in looks better. The coaches have to do better with how they play him which they have recently. Laf just is hesitant and doesn’t hold the puck and create like he did in juniors.

You cant read either huh??
- Brukie

Man, ridiculous that Howden (a center) had 5 more minutes playing on the 3rd line than JG (a right winger) playing on the fourth line.


Nobody wants Howden to be the 3C, but we're so thin at the position there's nothing they can do...

The Laf issue is on him and coaching. Zegras 2 games in looks better. The coaches have to do better with how they play him which they have recently. Laf just is hesitant and doesn’t hold the puck and create like he did in juniors.
- nyrangers2

I mean Quinn has been playing him in the top 6 most of the season. I can't put it on coaching. I guess a few more minutes on the top powerplay unit. But even then with how hesitant he has been it won't solve anything.

Man, ridiculous that Howden (a center) had 5 more minutes playing on the 3rd line than JG (a right winger) playing on the fourth line.


Nobody wants Howden to be the 3C, but we're so thin at the position there's nothing they can do...
- Bean_Dip

I never said to play Howden at center, just insinuating that Howden has a much longer leash at not producing or doing anything of value and that JG gets nailed to the bench. DQ is suppose to be a coach who can handle the kids. He hasnt done so in my eyes.

I never said to play Howden at center, just insinuating that Howden has a much longer leash at not producing or doing anything of value and that JG gets nailed to the bench. DQ is suppose to be a coach who can handle the kids. He hasnt done so in my eyes.
- Brukie

But that's exactly why Howden gets a longer leash. They have no other centers.

I never said to play Howden at center, just insinuating that Howden has a much longer leash at not producing or doing anything of value and that JG gets nailed to the bench. DQ is suppose to be a coach who can handle the kids. He hasnt done so in my eyes.
- Brukie

I get what you're saying, and sorry for being a bumhole. I guess I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

I understand the infatuation with JG. He's big, fast, strong, a former 1st rounder that hasn't really gotten a fair crack at the NHL with Carolina or New York. But that can't be the sole reason he deserves more ice time.

He's just not playing the way the coaching staff needs him to play. He's not a 200-ft player and that's something the coaching staff requires. JG also took a bad penalty last night, which was a reason for his lower minutes.

On the contrary, look at Laf. Probably the only thing he's doing correctly is playing a 200-ft game. He's the furthest thing from a defensive liability, but the offense isn't there just yet. The coaching staff rewards this type of play because it's where winning teams build their foundation.

You cant read either huh??
- Brukie

How is he wrong here?
You suggested that Gautier is a superior player to Howden so he should be getting those minutes. They don't even play the same position!
Then, you went on to provide the exact point that proves where your argument fails. They are lacking at center. Does that not explain to you why Howden is getting more minutes than a winger? Not to mention one that keeps ending up in the doghouse.

The Laf issue is on him and coaching. Zegras 2 games in looks better. The coaches have to do better with how they play him which they have recently. Laf just is hesitant and doesn’t hold the puck and create like he did in juniors.
- nyrangers2

You state this, but still it's on the coaches? They can't play for him. And they can't flip the switch in his brain that tells him he's good enough to play his game at this level. As soon as he puts that together and feels comfortable out there he will be fine.
Can't believe you made me agree with Chiefs.

You state this, but still it's on the coaches? They can't play for him. And they can't flip the switch in his brain that tells him he's good enough to play his game at this level. As soon as he puts that together and feels comfortable out there he will be fine.
Can't believe you made me agree with Chiefs.
- Tonybere

I'm not sure but I don't think I said that

But thank you

I never said to play Howden at center, just insinuating that Howden has a much longer leash at not producing or doing anything of value and that JG gets nailed to the bench. DQ is suppose to be a coach who can handle the kids. He hasnt done so in my eyes.
- Brukie

If Gauthier was a center, then maybe it would be that way. Can't blame Quinn for playing a center more than a winger when there are no (frank)ing centers. If you want to argue Gauthier should get more time than another winger it would make more sense

You state this, but still it's on the coaches? They can't play for him. And they can't flip the switch in his brain that tells him he's good enough to play his game at this level. As soon as he puts that together and feels comfortable out there he will be fine.
Can't believe you made me agree with Chiefs.
- Tonybere

I feel like Laf has put the fanbase into three camps. 1) Not concerned because of his overall game; 2) Semi-concerned because his overall game is fine, but his offense is subpar so far; 3) Doomsdayers who just want to point out that his offense isn't good and he's not "living up to the hype".

Here's a good read on the topic of 1st overalls: https://thehockeywriters....re-slow-start-no-worries/

How is he wrong here?
You suggested that Gautier is a superior player to Howden so he should be getting those minutes. They don't even play the same position!
Then, you went on to provide the exact point that proves where your argument fails. They are lacking at center. Does that not explain to you why Howden is getting more minutes than a winger? Not to mention one that keeps ending up in the doghouse.
- Tonybere

Im writing this in English so it must be getting lost in the French translation. I never said that JG is a superior player. Im saying he has a much shorter leash than Howden. Hell all the players under 20 had a much shorter leash than Howden. In a season which has shown no promise whatsoever, we are treading toward a top 5 pick, you would think that this would be a good time to do more teaching and letting them learn on the fly, deal with mistakes than give players 8 minutes a night. If thats the case send him down, let him get the minutes there.

I get really angry watching Hayes tear us up! So dumb not to extend him.