I get really angry watching Hayes tear us up! So dumb not to extend him.
- Greschnergy#4

Quite literally, he might be the missing piece to this team

Cap casualty though, so nothing they could have done at the time. If Hayes was here, they wouldn't have been able to sign Panarin.

Quite literally, he might be the missing piece to this team

Cap casualty though, so nothing they could have done at the time. If Hayes was here, they wouldn't have been able to sign Panarin.
- Bean_Dip

They gave his money to Trouba

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.
- Brukie

Agreed again! We have been on the same page which is crazy

All the factors you list are 100% true. Last night he made a ridiculous pass through like 8 legs to Smith (I think), he was wide open, who then promptly lollipopped the puck into Elliot. This season has proven to me that Ranger fans, 90% of them, have no patience.

Quinn needs to put him on the first PP tho. Ahead of Blackwell. (It’s mind boggling that I just typed that)

They gave his money to Trouba
- Greschnergy#4

Hindsight is 20/20. They had three quality centers at the time they dealt him (Zib, Strome, Hayes), with Chytil and Lias on the way. They had no semblance of a top RHD.

Hindsight is 20/20. They had three quality centers at the time they dealt him (Zib, Strome, Hayes), with Chytil and Lias on the way. They had no semblance of a top RHD.
- Bean_Dip

Has to be #1 on the offseason list to acquire a true #1 or #2 center and that depends on how Zib plays the rest of the year

Hindsight is 20/20. They had three quality centers at the time they dealt him (Zib, Strome, Hayes), with Chytil and Lias on the way. They had no semblance of a top RHD.
- Bean_Dip

I guess but I said it at the time. To be fair the organization didn’t know how exceptional Fox would be

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

But thank you
- eichiefs9

Oh. Thank God!

Oh. Thank God!
- Tonybere

Don't worry, it's entirely possible I did. I just don't remember

I guess but I said it at the time. To be fair the organization didn’t know how exceptional Fox would be
- Greschnergy#4

Or how volatile Trouba would be

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.
- Brukie

Oh, my bad. I took your comments about Gautier not being able to possibly be any worse than Howden and that Howden should be on the taxi squad and extrapolated that it would make Gautier the superior player. But, I guess I shouldn't let your ideas lead me to any sort of logical conclusions.

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/
- Bean_Dip

People expected McDavid when the truth is, no one since Gretzky has been McDavid. He’s from another planet

Look at draisitls first year. A pretty good comparison for laf imo. 9 pts, 37 games and a -17. It took him a season and half to produce 70 pts, and 4-5 years to become an mvp candidate.

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/
- Bean_Dip

Laf will be fine. Use this crazy season to get acclimated to the NHL, spend the summer training hard and come out flying next year like Hughes did.

People expected McDavid when the truth is, no one since Gretzky has been McDavid. He’s from another planet

Look at draisitls first year. A pretty good comparison for laf imo. 9 pts, 37 games and a -17. It took him a season and half to produce 70 pts, and 4-5 years to become an mvp candidate.
- Slimtj100

Gretzky (frank)ed McDavid's mom.

Laf will be fine. Use this crazy season to get acclimated to the NHL, spend the summer training hard and come out flying next year like Hughes did.
- Fenrir

Very few people take into account the circumstances of this particular season. Regarding any players really, especially Laf

Stutzle has been awful defensively so that’s a wash that he has more pts.

I’ll panic midway through next season if he still sucks.

People expected McDavid when the truth is, no one since Gretzky has been McDavid. He’s from another planet

Look at draisitls first year. A pretty good comparison for laf imo. 9 pts, 37 games and a -17. It took him a season and half to produce 70 pts, and 4-5 years to become an mvp candidate.
- Slimtj100

I already said I don't expect points. I just hoped to see more flashes of the elite skill. He just seems like a 3rd line grinder out there so far.

I already said I don't expect points. I just hoped to see more flashes of the elite skill. He just seems like a 3rd line grinder out there so far.
- TPC

Yeah, I want to see some of those flashes, too. Even some of that passionate edge to him he was known for. I think both will come though.

Would love to see him play more with Panarin. He had that spark we're talking about in that game.

I already said I don't expect points. I just hoped to see more flashes of the elite skill. He just seems like a 3rd line grinder out there so far.
- TPC

I get it. He’s a little overwhelmed it looks like. He needs to get stronger like they all do at that age. I feel like down the road he may be better suited for center. On the wing he doesn’t seem to get any space for himself whatsoever. He needs space to be effective it looks like.

Also, like Kakko last year, I really think the orgs philosophy is to hone your dzone game first and the offense will come.

I get it. He’s a little overwhelmed it looks like. He needs to get stronger like they all do at that age. I feel like down the road he may be better suited for center. On the wing he doesn’t seem to get any space for himself whatsoever. He needs space to be effective it looks like.

Also, like Kakko last year, I really think the orgs philosophy is to hone your dzone game first and the offense will come.
- Slimtj100

maybe we should try him out on defense and then in goal

Chytil is rotating in reps in practice

Chytil is rotating in reps in practice
- picklerick

via GIFER

maybe we should try him out on defense and then in goal
- picklerick

That’s the other thing right now. I amazed they didn’t lose 6-1 or something last night. The key players missing are a factor. Miller especially. He’s such a calming influence back there already

Smith, Johnson, Hajek (who gets drilled into the boards every shift) and Bitetto are not ideal for success. Throw in Johnny noHockey (he’s probably the worst player in the league), Howden, DiG and the roster isn’t particularly special atm

That’s the other thing right now. I amazed they didn’t lose 6-1 or something last night. The key players missing are a factor. Miller especially. He’s such a calming influence back there already

Smith, Johnson, Hajek (who gets drilled into the boards every shift) and Bitetto are not ideal for success. Throw in Johnny noHockey (he’s probably the worst player in the league), Howden, DiG and the roster isn’t particularly special atm
- Slimtj100

i dont even know what to feel at this point. is the season a wash? if we call it a wash and pack it in how detrimental is that to the development of the kids who undoubtedly benefit from a team that competes? what does packing it in even look like at this point? who do we have left to sell off?

i dont even know what to feel at this point. is the season a wash? if we call it a wash and pack it in how detrimental is that to the development of the kids who undoubtedly benefit from a team that competes? what does packing it in even look like at this point? who do we have left to sell off?
- picklerick

I certainly don't have the answer.
But, I do get the unfortunate feeling that Covid is just getting started with us.
Could be a rough few weeks.

i dont even know what to feel at this point. is the season a wash? if we call it a wash and pack it in how detrimental is that to the development of the kids who undoubtedly benefit from a team that competes? what does packing it in even look like at this point? who do we have left to sell off?
- picklerick

If management concludes the season is a wash, then ALL the kids should get maximum minutes and create a learning experience for NEXT year. I still think we are 20 games away from that point, so we're going to have to be patient and wait...

If management concludes the season is a wash, then ALL the kids should get maximum minutes and create a learning experience for NEXT year. I still think we are 20 games away from that point, so we're going to have to be patient and wait...
- TommyGTrain

I’ve been saying that this season could be a blessing in disguise. Gets all the kinks out, see who’s the future and who’s not and worst case we get a top 10 pick again.

Guys like Buch, Howden, Hajek, Gauthier all have their days as a Ranger numbered. I don’t see any of them back next season. Buch is frustrating, very inconsistent and he’s due for more money which I couldn’t give him. I’d like to see more from Gauthier, but he seems to be an odd man out at this point. With Kravtsov, Barron, etc waiting in the wings. I hope with new team and more ice time we don’t regret that one. Quinn hasn’t handled him well at all. He never has a chance to prove himself.