I honestly think Islanders are the team we need to look to catch. Having 3 games against them, win them and we are back to 2 points back. Not going to be easy but I just don't see us catching Boston with their schedule.
- TPC

With a win and a little help from Philly today we could be 6 back of them with a monster game vs them on Tuesday. I hate Putin.

Getting harder and harder to justify an “upgrade” from Strome. He is due for a raise soon. Only 28. One more year on what is now a bargain. And this thing he has going on with Bread, is it worth breaking up? It’s going to cost the same or more if they go elsewhere. The 3C is a bigger issue. Chytil is meh...maybe he is having lingering Covid issues. I don’t know. These by the way are glare at problems to have. They do have to move pieces bc there are too many now. What an off-season this is going to be.
- Blueshirts4ever

Ive taken a step back on all the Strome stuff. However, the question you have to ask is when he does become a free agent next year, what are you offering him? He will be 29 years old, staring down the tipping point that is 30. Personally, anything longer than 4 years is too much, and anything more than 7.5-8m is too much. Yes, he plays really well with Panarin, but honestly... who wouldnt? Strome lacks too much in other places and situations that hes not worth a penny more.

However, lets say we keep Strome what we really have to do then is upgrade on Chytil. We need a young, stud 3C who can play a 200ft game and will grow into the 2C role when Strome's contract is done.

bottom line

Panarin was great before he got here, but he wasn't the 2nd best player in the NHL

He is absolutely the 2nd best player in the NHL playing in Quinn's system

it's an absolute fact

so people still calling for a coaching change should really take that into consideration

bottom line

Panarin was great before he got here, but he wasn't the 2nd best player in the NHL

He is absolutely the 2nd best player in the NHL playing in Quinn's system

it's an absolute fact

so people still calling for a coaching change should really take that into consideration
- jimbro83

For me, the test will come down to what I said about Quinn when he first got hired. Can he coach a team in the NHL playoffs? Can he make the right in-game adjustments? Its a totally different animal.

bottom line

Panarin was great before he got here, but he wasn't the 2nd best player in the NHL

He is absolutely the 2nd best player in the NHL playing in Quinn's system

it's an absolute fact

so people still calling for a coaching change should really take that into consideration
- jimbro83

If he was still with the blackhawks yes he would of been but not with the bluejackets

With a win and a little help from Philly today we could be 6 back of them with a monster game vs them on Tuesday. I hate Putin.
- Blueshirts4ever

Im definitely concerned about the teams energy playing these 4 games, finishing off on a b2b. I think it got to them the second half of that 3rd game.

I’m not a Strome lover, or hater. All I care about is production and the team winning.

A lot of people credit all of Strome’s success to playing with Panarin, but Panarin’s numbers with Strome are also the best he has ever had. Point is, they “just work” together. I refuse to believe Panarin would have had the same numbers if he played with Chytil the last 2 years.

In any event, Buch and Strome need to understand the state of affairs these days.

There is a flat cap for the next 4 years, they are in a place that it is working for them, and the future of this team…. If they want to remain a part of this, and be a part of what we all believe is future championships, they need to accept reasonable contracts. If not, so long

bottom line

Panarin was great before he got here, but he wasn't the 2nd best player in the NHL

He is absolutely the 2nd best player in the NHL playing in Quinn's system

it's an absolute fact

so people still calling for a coaching change should really take that into consideration
- jimbro83

Or people calling to take his center away

Im definitely concerned about the teams energy playing these 4 games, finishing off on a b2b. I think it got to them the second half of that 3rd game.
- aecliptic

hopefully the 2nd half of yesterday's game was a wakeup call for today's game

they simply must finish off this 4 game sweep, this would be an absolutely devestating loss today

I’m not a Strome lover, or hater. All I care about is production and the team winning.

A lot of people credit all of Strome’s success to playing with Panarin, but Panarin’s numbers with Strome are also the best he has ever had. Point is, they “just work” together. I refuse to believe Panarin would have had the same numbers if he played with Chytil the last 2 years.

In any event, Buch and Strome need to understand the state of affairs these days.

There is a flat cap for the next 4 years, they are in a place that it is working for them, and the future of this team…. If they want to remain a part of this, and be a part of what we all believe is future championships, they need to accept reasonable contracts. If not, so long
- ELew11

I have no problem with Strome , if it works it works

Or people calling to take his center away
- nyrangers9479

If the money and term arent team friendly, you have to move on.

Im gonna go back to a trade that already happened but could potentially work in our favor. PLDubois. Wasnt happy in CBJ, understably so Torts has that effect. Traded to WPG and things dont seem to be better for him there. If the price was right, could reunite PLD with Panarin, if Strome's numbers dont work.

Ive taken a step back on all the Strome stuff. However, the question you have to ask is when he does become a free agent next year, what are you offering him? He will be 29 years old, staring down the tipping point that is 30. Personally, anything longer than 4 years is too much, and anything more than 7.5-8m is too much. Yes, he plays really well with Panarin, but honestly... who wouldnt? Strome lacks too much in other places and situations that hes not worth a penny more.

However, lets say we keep Strome what we really have to do then is upgrade on Chytil. We need a young, stud 3C who can play a 200ft game and will grow into the 2C role when Strome's contract is done.
- aecliptic

This discussion is ignoring the fact that Strome scored 33 points as a Ranger in the partial season he was here before we had Panarin. And also put up 10 points in the 11 games with out him this year.
Is it not possible that he’s a decent to good 2C that simply took a while to figure it out at the NHL level, regardless of his linemates?
(...who is undeniably not good on face offs)

This discussion is ignoring the fact that Strome scored 33 points as a Ranger in the partial season he was here before we had Panarin. And also put up 10 points in the 11 games with out him this year.
Is it not possible that he’s a decent to good 2C that simply took a while to figure it out at the NHL level, regardless of his linemates?
(...who is undeniably not good on face offs)
- Tonybere

Again, Im not knocking him. Im not saying we shouldnt keep him. Im just saying hes gonna be 29 years old in his contract year. My concern is he will want to get paid. Hes gonna want term and money. For a guy that is one dimensional, if the term and money doesnt work for us, then Im comfortable enough with this team to move on from him and using our plethora of assets to bring in a replacement.

This discussion is ignoring the fact that Strome scored 33 points as a Ranger in the partial season he was here before we had Panarin. And also put up 10 points in the 11 games with out him this year.
Is it not possible that he’s a decent to good 2C that simply took a while to figure it out at the NHL level, regardless of his linemates?
(...who is undeniably not good on face offs)
- Tonybere

Agreed Tony, How easy it is for some to forget that Panarins production has INCREASED while playing with Strome. It seems they have formed a tight bond also. 2 games ago when Srome was hit with that hip check, it was Panarin that went after the Devil that hit him. Fans love to focus on the why didnt he shoot or why how did he not shoot. He sucks, blaa, blaa, blaa. He has settled in and fit nicely with Panarin. At 4.5 he is a bargain. Thing is what is he looking for next contract? 5.5 to 6 per for 3 years?? Reasonable if he produces next yer also.

Caps are sucking

Again, Im not knocking him. Im not saying we shouldnt keep him. Im just saying hes gonna be 29 years old in his contract year. My concern is he will want to get paid. Hes gonna want term and money. For a guy that is one dimensional, if the term and money doesnt work for us, then Im comfortable enough with this team to move on from him and using our plethora of assets to bring in a replacement.
- aecliptic

I like Strome don’t love him. There are moments during the game I want to pull my hair out because of a horrible play in the defensive zone or a dumb penalty he has the occasion to take. I will say, this is his best year in the NHL when it comes to his overall game. Sucks to say I wouldn’t want to resign him unless he willing to do like 4 years at like 6 mill per. Really don’t want to offer anything more. I believe we need to raise the ceiling when it comes to down the middle. No doubt Panarin and Strome work so well together but a new contract has to be very reasonable for someone entering there 30’s in today’s NHL and was a nobody before coming to the Rangers.

Agreed Tony, How easy it is for some to forget that Panarins production has INCREASED while playing with Strome. It seems they have formed a tight bond also. 2 games ago when Srome was hit with that hip check, it was Panarin that went after the Devil that hit him. Fans love to focus on the why didnt he shoot or why how did he not shoot. He sucks, blaa, blaa, blaa. He has settled in and fit nicely with Panarin. At 4.5 he is a bargain. Thing is what is he looking for next contract? 5.5 to 6 per for 3 years?? Reasonable if he produces next yer also.
- Brukie

This is no where NEAR what Im expecting him to ask for. I expect him to ask for atleast 7.5-8m for 6-7 years with a NMC/NTC.

Caps are sucking
- way out west

I don’t think the bruins end up in the 4th spot. Not sure we can catch anyone but our best bet is probably the isles

This is no where NEAR what Im expecting him to ask for. I expect him to ask for atleast 7.5-8m for 6-7 years with a NMC/NTC.
- aecliptic

Prior to COVID, that would be a reasonable demand. However because of the flat cap, that is no longer reasonable and truthfully, when the Rangers say no, who will give him that $$$ and term?
Teams are broke due to lack of revenue and I just don't see many large contracts being given out across the entire league...

I don’t think the bruins end up in the 4th spot. Not sure we can catch anyone but our best bet is probably the isles
- picklerick

Just based on the Isles schedule, its gonna be really close.

Just based on the Isles schedule, its gonna be really close.
- aecliptic

They play the flyers tonight, the caps a few times, and us 3 times. We gotta beat them all 3 times and win one more game outside of our series than they do

Prior to COVID, that would be a reasonable demand. However because of the flat cap, that is no longer reasonable and truthfully, when the Rangers say no, who will give him that $$$ and term?
Teams are broke due to lack of revenue and I just don't see many large contracts being given out across the entire league...
- TommyGTrain

...and this is why I want the Rangers to make the move for Barkov, they can afford to pay him.

In all seriousness, if he asks for anything less than 7.5m Id be shocked.

Id tell him 3y @ 6m per, take it or leave it.

However, we have to keep in mind this next year. We have no idea how next years schedule will pan out and how the salary cap will be affected going into 22-23 off-season and forward.

Our Powerplay loves the Devils

The inability to clear the zone still haunts this team.

This is no where NEAR what Im expecting him to ask for. I expect him to ask for atleast 7.5-8m for 6-7 years with a NMC/NTC.
- aecliptic

Ahh ok, but he took 4.5 per for 2 years. He knows his bread and butter, so does the rest of the league. These connections are far and few between. I think he gets it by him taking his current contract.