Yep, now its time for my lobotomy.
- B2B76

Life goes on...in a week or so.

Great job Jimbo. Agree with almost everything. I'm on the fence about Nash and Schultz. Schultz can play, nobody disagrees with that. However, what kind of message would that send to Erixon and McIlrath? I'm not going to rehash the Nash drama. I would like the Rangers to stay away from him, others want him on this team. Agree to disagree.

On a side note, would love for the team tp draft Dansk or Vasileski(sp?) at the 28thgame spot.
- blacksheep1

I think when it comes to the blue line, "the lefty righty" thing is a big factor.

In my opinion, the signing of Schultz affects Mcilrath way more than it affects Erixon, with Mcilrath and Schultz being right handed shots.

What stands in the way of Erixon more than anything else right now is probably Del Zotto. McDonagh and Staal are going to be the top 2 defenseman on the left side for years.

I think one of the big factors in the eventually signing or trading of Del Zotto will definitely be what the organization actually thinks Erixon's upside will be.

I don't know, I'm actually surprised at least on here the amount of NJ & other fans who have been classy. No real troll fest, which is very surprising.

I am not in Jersey & know very few Devil fans besides this board so its a little easier on me, for you & Frankie & others in NJ it must be different, sorry Vin.
- B2B76

They've been 1st class here, every fan base has them, it's just senseless

one of subban, dansk or vasilveski if they decide to draft a goalie.

you must make an offer for Schultz. you can never have too much depth. we already had 2 miss significant due to concussions. need another righty with sauer out as well. also, allows you to use someone else as a trade chip.

unfortunately, I think dubi needs to go. 4.2 million for the production isn't enough. they'll need to free up room for Nash, parise or whomever they try to acquire. prust and biron both need to be re-signed. same for del zaster excellent blog, jimbo

Some Devils fans are really good about it. Listen you can't hate on them for being happy. I haven't seen anyone come on these boards and rub it in.

They earned the right to be proud of their team; now other fans like Pens and Isles fans making fun of the Rangers on their own threads is a little retarded. To each his own I guess.
- MidnightMarauder

It's one thing to be proud, but their insecurities won't go away with this series win, I'm finding comments on articles about what the Rangers should do this off season, they're not even articles talking about the series.

It's one thing to be proud, but their insecurities won't go away with this series win, I'm finding comments on articles about what the Rangers should do this off season, they're not even articles talking about the series.
- HankdaTank

Rise above it, we have nothing to be ashamed of, being fans of the Rangers.

Can't help the ignorance of some fans that blindly hate the Rangers and love seeing them fail.

one of subban, dansk or vasilveski if they decide to draft a goalie.

you must make an offer for Schultz. you can never have too much depth. we already had 2 miss significant due to concussions. need another righty with sauer out as well. also, allows you to use someone else as a trade chip.

unfortunately, I think dubi needs to go. 4.2 million for the production isn't enough. they'll need to free up room for Nash, parise or whomever they try to acquire. prust and biron both need to be re-signed. same for del zaster excellent blog, jimbo
- bonzo11

Dansk, get it done!

Dansk, get it done!
- MidnightMarauder

yes, I like him as well. I would be fine with any of the 3 tbh. as a late pick, I would like them to take a shot on Nikita gusev from the khl. lot of skill if they can get him to come over.

Well guys. I was rootin' for you. I missed my playoff draft the computer auto drafted my team and gave me Lundqvist....I was in the lead and the guy behind me had Quick.


Woe is me
- weirdoh

the computer drafted me halak. I was (frank)ed right when he got injured. still doing well without having a goalie

yes, I like him as well. I would be fine with any of the 3 tbh. as a late pick, I would like them to take a shot on Nikita gusev from the khl. lot of skill if they can get him to come over.
- bonzo11

Get a goalie with that first round pick. The Rangers are good at picking forwards in the later rounds.

Rangers need a blue chip goalie in their system; pipeline is empty as far as this position is concerned.

Get a goalie with that first round pick. The Rangers are good at picking forwards in the later rounds.

Rangers need a blue chip goalie in their system; pipeline is empty as far as this position is concerned.
- MidnightMarauder

Yep, i think they need to grab a goalie this year. I meant taking a shot on gusev in the later rounds.

I think when it comes to the blue line, "the lefty righty" thing is a big factor.

In my opinion, the signing of Schultz affects Mcilrath way more than it affects Erixon, with Mcilrath and Schultz being right handed shots.

What stands in the way of Erixon more than anything else right now is probably Del Zotto. McDonagh and Staal are going to be the top 2 defenseman on the left side for years.

I think one of the big factors in the eventually signing or trading of Del Zotto will definitely be what the organization actually thinks Erixon's upside will be.
- jimbro83

Question with Erixon is, would you rather have Erixon or MDZ? Personally, with his defensive deficiencies, Id rather have MDZ. If MDZ doesnt come back, who will we have offensively from the blue line?

Id rather use Erixon as a trade chip, which is sad considering that he refused to play with CGY because he specifically wanted to play here.

one of subban, dansk or vasilveski if they decide to draft a goalie.
- bonzo11

I like the Dansk kid, I bet he would LOVE to be mentored by the King.

Good job Jim!

Del Zotto needs to be retained; he is too young and talented to quit on because of a poor playoff performance.

No on Parise and Suter, HELL NO actually. The Rangers need to tweak the roster, not add a ridiculous longterm salary; players are due for raises(Del Zotto, McDonagh and Stepan) plus Hank in two seasons.

The Senators blogger wrote up a great piece on who the Rangers should draft; the Swedish goalie Dansk. I like the Rangers drafting a goalie and another Swede no less.

Schultz is interesting and I think they will go after him simply because Sauer might not be coming back anytime soon.

No on Biron, yes on Prust.

Dubinsky might be the central player traded, if they are looking for an upgrade via trade, but I actually would like to see him back here to prove himself.

He loves this team, he is a popular teammate and Tortorella trusts him.

I would like to see the Nash option be revisited; still think he fits in here.
- MidnightMarauder

so you say HELL NO to Parise and Suter because you dont want to add "ridiculous longterm salary" and just tweak the roster

but you go on to say Nash and his $7.8 cap hit through 2018 is "a fit"?

I agree on Schultz and the righty shot being important. 8 also think mdz is getting treated unfairly for his play., yes he had a rough time at times in the playoffs but just like forward lines need to develop chemistry so do defensive pairings and he bounced around with Bickel and eminger sometimes with stall. They need to come up with pairings next season I would like to see him with stall next year.

Great job so far by both guys filling in for jan as a a ranger fan we are lucky to have such a great place to read about and talk ranger hockey so good job by all of you throughout the year.

so you say HELL NO to Parise and Suter because you dont want to add "ridiculous longterm salary" and just tweak the roster

but you go on to say Nash and his $7.8 cap hit through 2018 is "a fit"?



- Crimsoninja

They let you out of your cage again did they, how great for us

I agree on Schultz and the righty shot being important. 8 also think mdz is getting treated unfairly for his play., yes he had a rough time at times in the playoffs but just like forward lines need to develop chemistry so do defensive pairings and he bounced around with Bickel and eminger sometimes with stall. They need to come up with pairings next season I would like to see him with stall next year.

Great job so far by both guys filling in for jan as a a ranger fan we are lucky to have such a great place to read about and talk ranger hockey so good job by all of you throughout the year.
- fquicks

I think I can speak for Pete when I say we are just trying to capture the spirit of the thing.

so you say HELL NO to Parise and Suter because you dont want to add "ridiculous longterm salary" and just tweak the roster

but you go on to say Nash and his $7.8 cap hit through 2018 is "a fit"?



- Crimsoninja

In getting Nash, it would involve a salary(hopefully Gaborik's). I forgot to add that part in.

And yes I don't want the Rangers going crazy with free agency, it would be unnecessary for them to try and outbid for Parise or Suter

jimbro, awesome job

Just want to touch on the Power play in the playoffs which Chris Erwin brought up on the last blog.

Yeah it sucked all year and needs to be fixed.

That being said, believe it or not we had the best PP% out of the 4 remaining teams until the Devils ousted us and the Coyotes got ousted.

Interesting stat. Ours was awful imagine how those teams felt?

jimbro, awesome job

Just want to touch on the Power play in the playoffs which Chris Erwin brought up on the last blog.

Yeah it sucked all year and needs to be fixed.

That being said, believe it or not we had the best PP% out of the 4 remaining teams until the Devils ousted us and the Coyotes got ousted.

Interesting stat. Ours was awful imagine how those teams felt?
- evitageN

A lot of their power play goals were off of face-off plays, off the rush or a broken play. Rarely did the Rangers set up and move the puck around, like it was on a string. You also rarely saw a consistent amount of solid zone time or multiple quality chances.

The power play was awful all season long and it wasn't from lack of personnel either

In getting Nash, it would involve a salary(hopefully Gaborik's). I forgot to add that part in.

And yes I don't want the Rangers going crazy with free agency, it would be unnecessary for them to try and outbid for Parise or Suter
- MidnightMarauder

honestly dude, I don't think there is a realm of possibility of Gaborik being traded anywhere.

Especially to Columbus. If Gaborik were to waive his no trade clause, it would never be to Columbus, players go kicking and screaming to that place, nobody goes willingly, unless you are James Wisniewski and they sign you to an ungodly amount of money.

The Nash deal will have to include Dubinsky's salary going back as part of a bigger package to Columbus if it happens

Great blog, Jim, nice work !!!

A lot of their power play goals were off of face-off plays, off the rush or a broken play. Rarely did the Rangers set up and move the puck around, like it was on a string. You also rarely saw a consistent amount of solid zone time or multiple quality chances.

The power play was awful all season long and it wasn't from lack of personnel either
- MidnightMarauder

Thats why I mentioned the potential firing of Sullivan, or hiring of someone else to come in and rejuvenate the PP. They look lost and confused out there, a lot.

Great job Jimbo, a lot of great insight!

The Rangers definetly have some interesting decisions to make for sure. And the more I think about it now it isn't to bad. Draft day is only a month a way!! A lot better then the 2 and a half month wait we usually go through when the Rangers get bumped in the 1st round.

I wouldn't move Dubi unless you are bringing in another high priced player. Although his production sucked, he fits the Torts system pretty well. I still think you should take a run at Parise over Nash, just due to the fact that he could be added without giving up any assets.

Yes to Schultz, and Prust. Also for the right price I say yes to Biron. This year proved how important it is to have a solid backup who can give Hank 25 games off or so.

honestly dude, I don't think there is a realm of possibility of Gaborik being traded anywhere.

Especially to Columbus. If Gaborik were to waive his no trade clause, it would never be to Columbus, players go kicking and screaming to that place, nobody goes willingly, unless you are James Wisniewski and they sign you to an ungodly amount of money.

The Nash deal will have to include Dubinsky's salary going back as part of a bigger package to Columbus if it happens
- jimbro83

And then you trade Gabby to CGY for Iginla...

Nash, Richards, Iggy... good luck trying to bully that top line.

*drool*