I’m mostly with you on this one. Gauthier has impressed me the last few games, more so than Blackwell. And that’s taking nothing away from him, he’s been a real pleasant surprise this season. But we talk about wanting our own Tom Wilson and Gauthier is 6’ 4” and almost 230. He’s still playing a bit hesitant, and he’s definitely more of a skilled player than Wilson, be he could be just as imposing if he wanted to be. The upside with him is off the charts and it goes way further than points IMO.
- TC88

This.
He doesn't play the physical game that Wilson does. Could you imagine?
Would really hate for him to get his game going elsewhere, let's say Seattle?

Wang obviously had zero hockey sense or he would have lit Milbury on fire. I don't remember if Ziggy and Chara trades were before Wang when they had no cash.
Yeah, I know how Neil can build a team. Unfortunately he kinda lost it a few years later. A real GM would have gone a long way towards your rebuild. Milbury (frank)ed you guys for a few decades, which I obviously don't mind. Buffalo reminds me of your dark days.
Hey you guys are back in the playoffs, so that's a step, and how good is Barzal? Plus you have Trotz. He should have added getting a neck in his contract.
- Fenrir

No idea how true but I thought Bettman told Wang to keep Milbury. So much for Gary being a life long Islander fan.

Palffy was traded for money and Chara was traded in the Yashin deal. Milbury also thought it was a good idea drafting DP when he already had Luongo.

Buffalo is lost like the Islanders were for years.

That Barzal goal was sick today.

Barry is the key to this entire thing. He should be given a 10 year contract. I complain about some of Lou's contracts but he has brought much needed stability and a track record.

Tom Wilson currently averages .37 points per game in his career. The last few years have been better but not during a full 82 game season (covid and injuries). Not sure why this scum bag is the prototype of a PF we are comparing to.
- picklerick

Because he plays hard and is a goon that can actually play. Lemieux was supposed to fill that role here. I despise Wilson as much as anyone, but the guy has elevated his game to be a solid player. That's what I don't get, he can play pretty well but wants to hurt people. Once a douche, always a douche.

The worst thing you can do is not give a kid enough of a chance to prove himself with consistent minutes. Then he finds his way to another organization and blossoms. Gauthier is going to be good, we have to be patient but give him at least 4th duty. I get that he can’t crack the top 9 yet. He has to dress every game tho
- Slimtj100

If he could win faceoffs he would dress every night. We just have too many wingers.

This.
He doesn't play the physical game that Wilson does. Could you imagine?
Would really hate for him to get his game going elsewhere, let's say Seattle?
- Fenrir

He unfortunately has a bit of that gentle giant look at the moment. I hope he has that in him and shows it soon before losing him to Seattle becomes a reality. That’s the type of player they need and one they couldn’t let walk away.

Because he plays hard and is a goon that can actually play. Lemieux was supposed to fill that role here. I despise Wilson as much as anyone, but the guy has elevated his game to be a solid player. That's what I don't get, he can play pretty well but wants to hurt people. Once a douche, always a douche.
- Fenrir

My point is he’s a good player but nothing that you can’t find anywhere else with the exception of his predatory hits. We wouldn’t be talking about him nearly as much if he wasn’t such a liability out there

Because he plays hard and is a goon that can actually play. Lemieux was supposed to fill that role here. I despise Wilson as much as anyone, but the guy has elevated his game to be a solid player. That's what I don't get, he can play pretty well but wants to hurt people. Once a douche, always a douche.
- Fenrir

If the NHL is serious about safety they would make an example of Wilson.

No idea how true but I thought Bettman told Wang to keep Milbury. So much for Gary being a life long Islander fan.

Palffy was traded for money and Chara was traded in the Yashin deal. Milbury also thought it was a good idea drafting DP when he already had Luongo.

Buffalo is lost like the Islanders were for years.

That Barzal goal was sick today.

Barry is the key to this entire thing. He should be given a 10 year contract. I complain about some of Lou's contracts but he has brought much needed stability and a track record.
- ses111

Didn't know that. Suddenly have respect for Bettman.
Forgot that Chara/Yashin deal. Hey, no player before or after has rocked the turtleneck like Yashin. Tried to find that fireplace photo to no avail. He did bang Carol Alt though.
Worst part of the DP debacle was that contract.

Didn't know that. Suddenly have respect for Bettman.
Forgot that Chara/Yashin deal. Hey, no player before or after has rocked the turtleneck like Yashin. Tried to find that fireplace photo to no avail. He did bang Carol Alt though.
Worst part of the DP debacle was that contract.
- Fenrir

Almost forgot about Yashin and Carol Alt. My Brother is a Ranger fan and I always called her Carol Fault.

Neil smartly only wanted to give DP 5 years. Probably got Neil fired.

He unfortunately has a bit of that gentle giant look at the moment. I hope he has that in him and shows it soon before losing him to Seattle becomes a reality. That’s the type of player they need and one they couldn’t let walk away.
- TC88

He really needs to show some sandpaper, if he did that I'm sure he would stick.

My point is he’s a good player but nothing that you can’t find anywhere else with the exception of his predatory hits. We wouldn’t be talking about him nearly as much if he wasn’t such a liability out there
- picklerick

Yeah, crossing the line is what makes headlines. Don't know if you listen to podcasts, Spitting Chicklets is one I've recently added to my queue. Started with the Cally interview, dude is still charged up which is what made him one of my favorite Rangers ever. Just listened to Jody Shelly's interview. Reminds me of the Goon movie.

My point is he’s a good player but nothing that you can’t find anywhere else with the exception of his predatory hits. We wouldn’t be talking about him nearly as much if he wasn’t such a liability out there
- picklerick

Idk I think he’s pretty unique. He’s almost like the exception to the designated fighter role going extinct since he can actually play. If his skill set was that common all teams would still have one, but the speed/skill of today’s game passed most of them by. The predatory hits are disgusting by the way, not condoning that, just pointing out the impact on a game/young team he could make otherwise.

If the NHL is serious about safety they would make an example of Wilson.
- ses111

Suspend and fine the poop out of him, and the team if that's allowed. Fans love hard hits, but the intent to injure should be harshly punished. Not like the league doesn't know who they are dealing with and shame on the refs for not giving Wilson a Game Misconduct for that.

Almost forgot about Yashin and Carol Alt. My Brother is a Ranger fan and I always called her Carol Fault.

Neil smartly only wanted to give DP 5 years. Probably got Neil fired.
- ses111

I'd still bang her.
DP got like 12 years and lasted two?

Suspend and fine the poop out of him, and the team if that's allowed. Fans love hard hits, but the intent to injure should be harshly punished. Not like the league doesn't know who they are dealing with and shame on the refs for not giving Wilson a Game Misconduct for that.
- Fenrir

Wilson is not this big draw the NHL needs to worry about. It makes no sense and this is not Wilson's first incident.

I'd still bang her.
DP got like 12 years and lasted two?
- Fenrir

Islanders before women.

DP got 15 years.

Idk I think he’s pretty unique. He’s almost like the exception to the designated fighter role going extinct since he can actually play. If his skill set was that common all teams would still have one, but the speed/skill of today’s game passed most of them by. The predatory hits are disgusting by the way, not condoning that, just pointing out the impact on a game/young team he could make otherwise.
- TC88

Every player is looking over their shoulders when he is out there. Wilson would still be effective in his role if he didn't headhunt. The guy is a beast and can throw devastating hits and still be a threat not trying to maim someone.

Islanders before women.

DP got 15 years.
- ses111

You mean Bros Before Hoes.
15 years and he still shops at Don Cherry's yard sale?

You mean Bros Before Hoes.
15 years and he still shops at Don Cherry's yard sale?
- Fenrir

I already called her fault. I did not want to go too far.

I liked DP as a goalie before he got huge and then hurt but no way 15 years. Neil had it right at 5.

I already called her fault. I did not want to go too far.

I liked DP as a goalie before he got huge and then hurt but no way 15 years. Neil had it right at 5.
- ses111

Any sensible GM would have nixed that. Was that Wang?

Any sensible GM would have nixed that. Was that Wang?
- Fenrir

That was all Wang. Cannot even blame Snow on that one. If DP stayed healthy it would have turned out to be a pretty good deal but it was too much a risk.

Except the Rangers will draft 3 defensemen,3 wingers and 2 goalies before they pick a center an.

Except the Rangers will draft 3 defensemen,3 wingers and 2 goalies before they pick a center an.
- nyr4life99

I can't blame the Rangers at all for their last 6 first round picks


Nils Lundkvist, K'Andre Miller, Vitali Kravstov, Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere and Braden Schneider

there isn't one wrong pick there, IMO, and yes, it's a bunch of wingers and defensemen, but every one of them is a solid SOLID draft pick

and in 2017, Chytil was a solid pick as well

all in all, besides Lias and Lindbom, they've done an outstanding job drafting the last few years

I can't blame the Rangers at all for their last 6 first round picks


Nils Lundkvist, K'Andre Miller, Vitali Kravstov, Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere and Braden Schneider

there isn't one wrong pick there, IMO, and yes, it's a bunch of wingers and defensemen, but every one of them is a solid SOLID draft pick

and in 2017, Chytil was a solid pick as well

all in all, besides Lias and Lindbom, they've done an outstanding job drafting the last few years
- jimbro83

LAF and Kakko were gimme's.

The jury is still out on the rest. However, we run into the issue that we have way too many very good prospects and serious gaps at center to fill. Its a good problem to have however, trading for centers will usually always require an overpay.

Personally, Id prefer they go after Barkov than Eichel. However, I think the push for Eichel was written years ago when they brought in Quinn and have, for better or worse, basically neglected the center position.

I can't blame the Rangers at all for their last 6 first round picks


Nils Lundkvist, K'Andre Miller, Vitali Kravstov, Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere and Braden Schneider

there isn't one wrong pick there, IMO, and yes, it's a bunch of wingers and defensemen, but every one of them is a solid SOLID draft pick

and in 2017, Chytil was a solid pick as well

all in all, besides Lias and Lindbom, they've done an outstanding job drafting the last few years
- jimbro83

Sounded like the Rangers traded up to get Pettersson the year they drafted Lias too. Could you imagine?