You can see this game was real tight. Cant win that game fancy. Thats why the top dogs were held pointless.
- nyrangers2

when Panarin scored that great one timer the other day when he stopped short really high in the zone and blasted it, as great as it was, it worried me because it just further illustrated to me that they fall in love with those kind of plays and that kind of thing will never work vs a team like the Islanders

and the problem with the kids is that they see those goals and just try to emulate them too, and the whole damn team has become obsessed with fancy goals

just let Panarin do that poop, everybody else shoot the damn puck already

when you watch that behind the scenes Rangers draft video when JD jizzes all over the place, he is essentially saying this about why he wants Schneider so badly
- jimbro83

How to win big games. The right personnel, the right system and the right attitude.
-Kids just learning this experience
-Vets, I think the rangers have excellent play makers, need "space" makers for them
-GUTS: Get the guys that will just make life a living hell in the Offensive zone on the 3rd/4th lines. Pests/grit/agitators...whatever you call it.
-Coaching - teach toughness mentally and how to just gut out games.

That's my take. The Rangers are still putting these pieces together for the team. Hence why I still think we are rebuilding regardless of the exciting offense that results in 9 goals in a game.

when Panarin scored that great one timer the other day when he stopped short really high in the zone and blasted it, as great as it was, it worried me because it just further illustrated to me that they fall in love with those kind of plays and that kind of thing will never work vs a team like the Islanders

and the problem with the kids is that they see those goals and just try to emulate them too, and the whole damn team has become obsessed with fancy goals

just let Panarin do that poop, everybody else shoot the damn puck already
- jimbro83

Spot on. That’s why I think mgmt will add some different pieces this summer to change that style slightly

when Panarin scored that great one timer the other day when he stopped short really high in the zone and blasted it, as great as it was, it worried me because it just further illustrated to me that they fall in love with those kind of plays and that kind of thing will never work vs a team like the Islanders

and the problem with the kids is that they see those goals and just try to emulate them too, and the whole damn team has become obsessed with fancy goals

just let Panarin do that poop, everybody else shoot the damn puck already
- jimbro83

lol A high hockey IQ play that not many people can make has you worried that he did that to get into open ice instead of drive to the net where he most likely doesnt score?

Or maybe the kids see how to look at a play and do what you have to to get open for a chance to score

Spot on. That’s why I think mgmt will add some different pieces this summer to change that style slightly
- nyrangers2

I don't think it will be lost on management at all that the Rangers play a soft finesse fancy game and need to be a tougher team overall to play against

not fighting, but a team where when they play us they feel some aches and pains the next day

lol A high hockey IQ play that not many people can make has you worried that he did that to get into open ice instead of drive to the net where he most likely doesnt score?

Or maybe the kids see how to look at a play and do what you have to to get open for a chance to score
- Rangers99

What he saying is that play only a handful of players can pull off and it won’t work against great teams with a good defense. If the players can adjust against certain teams they will produce more wins

What he saying is that play only a handful of players can pull off and it won’t work against great teams with a good defense. If the players can adjust against certain teams they will produce more wins
- nyrangers2

That play he made would work against any team, why would it be different against the Islanders? Your telling me a deference would know he would do it and break it up?

lol A high hockey IQ play that not many people can make has you worried that he did that to get into open ice instead of drive to the net where he most likely doesnt score?

Or maybe the kids see how to look at a play and do what you have to to get open for a chance to score
- Rangers99

I looked at it as another East to West amazing goal that can be pulled off vs a team like the Devils but it worried me that games against a great defensive team like the Islanders they'd still think they can pull off

East to West fancy goals aren't always going to happen, but beyond that one example, the Rangers always act like they get extra style points on their goals, they don't score dirty goals.

Ever

I looked at it as another East to West amazing goal that can be pulled off vs a team like the Devils but it worried me that games against a great defensive team like the Islanders they'd still think they can pull off

East to West fancy goals aren't always going to happen, but beyond that one example, the Rangers always act like they get extra style points on their goals, they don't score dirty goals.

Ever
- jimbro83

Kreider is the only one who does, with his powerplay goals in front of the net

Drury talks about Lundkvist:

With Adam Fox emerging as a legitimate Norris Trophy contender, K'Andre Miller making the transition to the NHL look easy and Zac Jones winning an NCAA title, the New York Rangers' collection of young defensemen have provided plenty of talking points in 2021.

Consider this a friendly reminder about Nils Lundkvist, who should add to the infusion of blue-line talent before 2022 begins.

The 20-year-old Swede had another stellar season with Luleå, which came to an end in Tuesday's Game 7 loss to Skelleftea in the Swedish Hockey League quarterfinals. Lundkvist contributed two goals in Saturday's Game 5 win while averaging close to 25 minutes of ice time per game in the series.

He carried a similarly heavy load in the regular season, posting 32 points in 52 games played while ranking 12th in the league in ice time at 21:24 per game and fifth in shots on goal with 156. His 14 goals led all SHL defensemen and tied for Luleå's team lead.


It all adds up to a stellar European career for the No. 28 overall pick from the 2018 NHL Draft. His 78 career points (30 goals and 48 assists) and 14 goals this season are both the most in SHL history by an under-21 defenseman.

With little left to prove in Sweden, the time is nearing for Lundkvist to move to the final proving ground — the NHL.

Rangers associate general manager Chris Drury told the USA TODAY Network in March that the organization is planning to sign him "as soon as we can," which general manager Jeff Gorton reiterated last week.

With only 10 regular-season games left this season, the Rangers intend to have Lundkvist begin his entry-level contract in 2021-22. The goal is to have him participate in training camp with an opportunity to win a roster spot.

The competition will be stiff, with Jones, Tarmo Reunanen, Braden Schneider, Matthew Robertson and Hunter Skinner among the prospects already under contract. But Lundkvist may have the best odds to break camp with a role in the lineup.


He's considered the most advanced young defensemen (excluding established NHLers such as Fox and Miller) — with the highest upside to boot.

"We're all very excited about where he's at in his development and what he's been able to accomplish in the SHL," Drury said. "We think he's a terrific prospect for us."

Drury described Lundkvist as "a steady climber since we drafted him," with scouts widely impressed by the growth in his game the last two seasons.

t
His originally perceived strengths — "He's always had terrific offensive instincts," Drury said — have exceeded expectations. He's a puck-mover and a playmaker, with what Drury described as "good sense" and an innate ability "to figure things out all over the ice."

This season, his shot became a more noted threat to go along with his high-end feel for the offensive side of the game.

Henrik Stridh, Luleå's defensive coach, pointed to shooting as one of Lundkvist's top areas of improvement.

"It got better last season, but even better this season," he said. "He’s finding the net more and putting the puck into the net more. He’s a threat on our power play, but also at five-on-five from the blue line. It’s become a much quicker shot, but he doesn't have to take all of his power to get the puck through. He can have a quick release and find the net."

The potency of Lundkvist's slap shot and one-timer explains how he led all SHL defensemen in goals, including eight on the power play. Stridh also called Lundkvist "one of the top D in the league" at joining the rush.


Those skills should make him a point-producing defenseman in the NHL, but what's helped convince the Rangers that he's ready is his commitment to "playing the whole sheet," Drury said.

"He certainly has grown a lot playing in his own zone and being a reliable defender in all situations," he added. "His growth in that area has been great."


Listed at 5-foot-11, 187 pounds, the questions surrounding Lundkvist have always focused on his ability to defend and handle the physicality of the best league in the world.

Stridh stressed his improved strength, coupled with the confidence to engage opponents.

"He’s coming out quick and using his body much more than he used to do," he said. "He's improved his defensive game by playing his stick on the puck, but also then using his body to make a break on that play. Last year, he was a little bit softer in our own end, struggling a little bit with the physical game. But I think this season he's up on a high level on the physical game. ... He’s not a big size guy, but he’s clever."

No one expects Lundkvist to have the same impact as Fox, but there are some obvious parallels in their playing styles.

"Adam’s obviously a pretty special player and is having a terrific season here and keeps growing by leaps and bounds — but there are some similarities, for sure," Drury said. "The size, the right-shot defenseman, the sense, the skill, the ability to make plays when it doesn't look like there's an option available. They do both kind of find a way to get it done."

The Rangers top-four defensemen have been solidified this season, with Fox continuing his partnership with Ryan Lindgren while Miller has formed a mostly successful pairing with Jacob Trouba. But with the contracts expiring for veterans Brendan Smith and Jack Johnson, the competition for the bottom pair should be wide open.

One concern that I have from the game last night:

After Trouba went down, the only player that elevated his game was Smith!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0lIkVUcoXis
Lemeuix absolutely destroyed him with that right

One concern that I have from the game last night:

After Trouba went down, the only player that elevated his game was Smith!
- TommyGTrain

Yeah, as great as it was to see Smitty step up, and he really did, he can't be the only one.
I certainly noticed Miller having an off night, but until reading this I didn't really think about how the absence of Trouba might have been the biggest factor there.

The reference made by someone about how Tampa didn't win until Coleman and Goodrow arrived is spot on. Same goes for NYR in '94. Management knows what NYR needs, but they are also evaluating what we really have. This current NYR roster isn't where Tampa or the '94 NYR were when they traded some finesse for grit. Once they have made up their minds on who they want to trade and keep then we will start to see some more grit start joining this team. Once NYR is really ready to make a playoff push, the changes will be made. NYR is good enough to make the playoffs right now, under normal cirumstances, but not built to win in the playoffs....for now.

I looked at it as another East to West amazing goal that can be pulled off vs a team like the Devils but it worried me that games against a great defensive team like the Islanders they'd still think they can pull off

East to West fancy goals aren't always going to happen, but beyond that one example, the Rangers always act like they get extra style points on their goals, they don't score dirty goals.

Ever
- jimbro83

And it's the east-west stuff that Quinn is always bemoaning saying how these guys have to play within the system more. It's for teams like the Islanders that he is trying to make them understand that.
But, I'm sure he will wear the lion's share of the blame again anyway...

That play he made would work against any team, why would it be different against the Islanders? Your telling me a deference would know he would do it and break it up?
- Rangers99

That pass isn’t getting through against the isles. They are a top 5 team against cross ice passes

Yeah, as great as it was to see Smitty step up, and he really did, he can't be the only one.
I certainly noticed Miller having an off night, but until reading this I didn't really think about how the absence of Trouba might have been the biggest factor there.
- Tonybere

Unfortunately for the game last night there were a long list of factors that contributed to that performance:

-Trouba out
-Islanders playing well, especially after being disappointed with the way they played against Boston
-Rangers playing 4 games against the Devils and not being able to get away with BS play like they did.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G4swgvDDzqI
Where did this version of Kreider go

That pass isn’t getting through against the isles. They are a top 5 team against cross ice passes
- nyrangers2

I disagree.
We are talking about that specific play. That was not what you would classify as a run of the mill cross ice pass. It's not what defenders practice to position themselves for. That's why it was so effective and not many could pull it off.
That being said, the run of the mill cross ice passes are certainly a problem for this team. They can work, but it's like setting up an offense in football. You can't throw downfield if you don't make the defense respect the run.
We have to drive to the net every game in some fashion, at least.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G4swgvDDzqI
Where did this version of Kreider go
- nyrangers9479

...to the bank.

That pass isn’t getting through against the isles. They are a top 5 team against cross ice passes
- nyrangers2





I am all about stats, but this stat is kind of ridiculous

The Isles clog up the middle/neutral zone very well. Lets just say that .

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G4swgvDDzqI
Where did this version of Kreider go
- nyrangers9479

Beast mode Kreider is fun to watch, he just doesn't make many appearances anymore.

[quote=rrentz]


lol do they keep stats on that now too? Rangers are first in the league in 2 on 1's where the eventual goal scorer stops up and buries it.

He is never around either

Gonna be a long summer
- TPC

Dont worry, I'll keep you company!!!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G4swgvDDzqI
Where did this version of Kreider go
- nyrangers9479

Kreider always showed up come playoff time