Im not sold on Kravstov yet. He isnt here and hasnt played an NHL game since he left. Once he is back, we will see how he plays. I think you posted an interview with him from a Soviet paper. He didnt sound like he was in a rush to get back here. Most KHL contracts have an out clause so the player can come back to the NHL when the season starts. He didnt put that into his contract. That was a little worrisome. He could wind up being another Anderson.
- Brukie

he's definitely coming when his playoffs are over and his team just lost this morning, down 2 games to 1

he could very well be here in 3-4 weeks (depending on quarantine)

Im not sold on Kravstov yet. He isnt here and hasnt played an NHL game since he left. Once he is back, we will see how he plays. I think you posted an interview with him from a Soviet paper. He didnt sound like he was in a rush to get back here. Most KHL contracts have an out clause so the player can come back to the NHL when the season starts. He didnt put that into his contract. That was a little worrisome. He could wind up being another Anderson.
- Brukie

I don't know 100% facts, but I don't think that's the case here. Pretty sure he signed an NHL contract with a clause loaning him back to the KHL, so no clause should be needed in the other contract.

I don't know 100% facts, but I don't think that's the case here. Pretty sure he signed an NHL contract with a clause loaning him back to the KHL, so no clause should be needed in the other contract.
- Tonybere

he did, yep, and only because the KHL was playing and the NHL wasn't due to the pandemic

he was with the Rangers in the bubble, he's not still thinking of staying in KHL anymore, this is a done deal

a 4th line of Barron-Howden-Gauthier is definitely big when you think down the road

but then you have Lemieux-Rooney-Blackwell

there's a lot of wingers here

this is why I kept telling people not to jump off a bridge over losing Fast, I just had no idea Blackwell was gonna be this effective
- jimbro83

Not to crap on or diminish Fast, but does anyone actually miss him? He was simply a luxury this team couldn't afford.

Not to crap on or diminish Fast, but does anyone actually miss him? He was simply a luxury this team couldn't afford.
- TommyGTrain

Awesome player to have when making Stanley Cup run, but not now. His $$$ too much to justify w/ this current team. Similar to the Hagelin situation Fast would've prevented having one more youngster from getting ice time

Not to crap on or diminish Fast, but does anyone actually miss him? He was simply a luxury this team couldn't afford.
- TommyGTrain

I miss him simply because he was my personal favorite Ranger.
I freely admit that his skill set has largely been replaced, and that it was never going to be difficult to replace his offensive contribution.
I just love that someone who had to make his career based on will, desire, passion and dedication to the details managed to see success and reach a point where he didn't have to fight to stay in the line up.
I love the player that sees the play developing and uses that ability to be in the right position EVERY time, to the advantage of his teammates!!

I don't think the jury is out on K'Andre Miller

I think they have reached their verdict
- jimbro83

Thats for sure.

Everyone loved Fast, there just wasn't a spot for him anymore based on his age and who we had in the pipeline

There was a lot of discussion at the beginning of the season about the extra cap space the Rangers had to set aside for all of the contractual bonus monies for our young players.

Well, with all of the games that have been missed by Chytil, Kakko, and now Shesty --- do we gain some more cap space at the deadline simply because the bonus clauses can't be realistically reached???

Not to crap on or diminish Fast, but does anyone actually miss him? He was simply a luxury this team couldn't afford.
- TommyGTrain

I miss him because I liked him so much as a player. I don't miss his effect on the team, since both Rooney and Blackwell have made up for that. There was a reason his teammates loved him, and while he wasn't the flashiest guy, he might have been one of the hardest working and smartest players we had in a while.

If every player put in the effort that guy does day in and day out, most players would make it in the NHL

Awesome player to have when making Stanley Cup run, but not now. His $$$ too much to justify w/ this current team. Similar to the Hagelin situation Fast would've prevented having one more youngster from getting ice time
- rrentz

I just knew we had players coming up to take that spot, and #1 on my personal list was going to be Gauthier

I was also under the belief that one of Kreider, Panarin, Lafreniere would need to move to RW because I believe all three of them are top 6 players

but, Buchnevich and Kakko are top 6 players

the more you list the wingers here, the more realize we have too many

There was a lot of discussion at the beginning of the season about the extra cap space the Rangers had to set aside for all of the contractual bonus monies for our young players.

Well, with all of the games that have been missed by Chytil, Kakko, and now Shesty --- do we gain some more cap space at the deadline simply because the bonus clauses can't be realistically reached???
- TommyGTrain

hockeystatminer was saying this on twitter when it looked like Shesty was going to be out awhile

that realistically he was the only one with a chance to hit all the big bonuses

Everyone stop a minute and read this post of Jim's.

We all know this is the future line up for our wingers. Or at least a 90% chance of it.
Zib will improve to something around the 1B center level, Chytil is improving daily and then there's Strome...
Ryan Strome has played 155 games as a Ranger and has 109 points, and is +22, and 47% on face-off. And he gets poop on every single (frank)ing day here. A lot of you guys are going to female dog non-stop unless we can ice the top player in the world at every position. That is completely unrealistic and even less fair to the people running and playing for this team.

Take some (frank)ing happy pills and enjoy the Goddamn ride, for (frank) sakes!!!!!!


Rant over. Enjoy your Sunday. See you all tonight!!
- Tonybere

The question is, where are your playoff guys. This is where we lack depth. If teams won Cups on skill alone, teams like EDM and TOR would be winning cup after cup.

What were missing is leadership. A veteran presence to keep the fabric of the team together when times get tough.

As much as Kreider has stepped up the past couple of weeks, he doesnt seem to me to be the mouth piece of the locker room because he himself can be emotionally and mentally weak.

Zibanejad certainly isnt the guy, its not Panarin or Fox.

We need that grizzled veteran (whether he be a bitter playoff vet itching for a cup or a Cup winner who's looking for a place to win a little more before he rides out into the sunset) who is going to be in the ear of guys to keep them motivated when the crap starts to really stink.

I just knew we had players coming up to take that spot, and #1 on my personal list was going to be Gauthier

I was also under the belief that one of Kreider, Panarin, Lafreniere would need to move to RW because I believe all three of them are top 6 players

but, Buchnevich and Kakko are top 6 players

the more you list the wingers here, the more realize we have too many
- jimbro83

A good problem to have. Hopefully, NYR gets a good look at all of them and then can make a decision on who should stay or get traded for a center?

Your opinion doesn't necessarily line up with the coaches, though does it?
Do you watch him away from the puck while you are watching the game instead of following the play? Most people don't.
Sometimes I do, since I'm often watching on delay and don't mind rewinding and looking for small things.
From what I see, I understand the coaches choices with Gautier. And, everything you are saying about his upside is true. I am confident the staff sees all that, too. Buch, Kakko, Lias, Chytil, Gautier... all have been treated the same in developing their all around game as young player taking the next step. And all but Lias have risen to the challenge and learned the skills necessary. You don't give shortcuts just because of potential.
- Tonybere

. Yes tones, I follow the play all over the ice. Watch the 5th goal and tell me who is 100% responsible for it. First it was well he has to earn it, then it was well players are playing better ahead of him. He is answering the questions that have risen here

Quinn appears to have more faith in him now then he did 2 weeks ago at least. I get that he isn’t cracking the top 9, but if people don’t think he should dress every game you are just not being fair

The question is, where are your playoff guys. This is where we lack depth. If teams won Cups on skill alone, teams like EDM and TOR would be winning cup after cup.

What were missing is leadership. A veteran presence to keep the fabric of the team together when times get tough.

As much as Kreider has stepped up the past couple of weeks, he doesnt seem to me to be the mouth piece of the locker room because he himself can be emotionally and mentally weak.

Zibanejad certainly isnt the guy, its not Panarin or Fox.

We need that grizzled veteran (whether he be a bitter playoff vet itching for a cup or a Cup winner who's looking for a place to win a little more before he rides out into the sunset) who is going to be in the ear of guys to keep them motivated when the crap starts to really stink.
- aecliptic

Toronto has seemed to address that. EDM IMO isn't all that good. After McD and Draistl, who do they really have ?

. Yes tones, I follow the play all over the ice. Watch the 5th goal and tell me who is 100% responsible for it. First it was well he has to earn it, then it was well players are playing better ahead of him. He is answering the questions that have risen here

Quinn appears to have more faith in him now then he did 2 weeks ago at least. I get that he isn’t cracking the top 9, but if people don’t think he should dress every game you are just not being fair
- Slimtj100

last 6 games Gauthier has played more minutes than he had his whole career, he only didnt play more yesterday because he left in 2nd period to get X RAYS

Toronto has seemed to address that. EDM IMO isn't all that good. After McD and Draistl, who do they really have ?
- rrentz

this has been the heart of my anti-Ryan Nugent-Hopkins sentiment for awhile now

. Yes tones, I follow the play all over the ice. Watch the 5th goal and tell me who is 100% responsible for it. First it was well he has to earn it, then it was well players are playing better ahead of him. He is answering the questions that have risen here

Quinn appears to have more faith in him now then he did 2 weeks ago at least. I get that he isn’t cracking the top 9, but if people don’t think he should dress every game you are just not being fair
- Slimtj100

Not one person said this! All everyone is saying is "at this moment" if someone had to sit, it wouldn't be Blackwell. He is a better all around player "right now". If anything, and I have liked his play this season, I would sit Lemieux and play Gauthier.

last 6 games Gauthier has played more minutes than he had his whole career, he only didnt play more yesterday because he left in 2nd period to get X RAYS
- jimbro83

I’m happy he’s playing more. Quinn sees what I’ve been seeing

this has been the heart of my anti-Ryan Nugent-Hopkins sentiment for awhile now
- jimbro83

He's good, don't get me wrong, but do you really think he's worth the $$ he's gonna get paid.?

I’m happy he’s playing more. Quinn sees what I’ve been seeing
- Slimtj100

turning into a pretty good trade

Carolina still can't find room for Joey Keane on their roster

and I'm still kind of dumbfounded they traded a first rounder for Brady Skjei

Not one person said this! All everyone is saying is "at this moment" if someone had to sit, it wouldn't be Blackwell. He is a better all around player "right now". If anything, and I have liked his play this season, I would sit Lemieux and play Gauthier.
- mdw7413

“Right now” you’re wrong lol. The last 3 games is right now, Blackwell has a goosegg pretty much everywhere. Gauthier is playing better dude, sorry man

They can’t sit lemieux tho. They need is nastiness

new blog up

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

Name a ream that has a player like Wilson..they are hard to find. He hits he’s fairly fast and can score plus beat the snot out of most in the nhl