Jan Levine: The State of the Rangers: The Forwards First in a series of three blogs

10 Points out of the playoffs at the all-star break means you have to sell again. Strome, Kreider, Georgiev should be able to bring back some NHL ready talent, especially if you package Buch/Smith/Fast in some of those deals. Panarin is 28 so you probably have a good 6 years to work with. Hank and Staal come off the books and you have emerging talent in the pipeline. Signing Kreider/strome risking Shest going back to Russia is not staying committed to JD's vision of building a Championship team.

10 Points out of the playoffs at the all-star break means you have to sell again. Strome, Kreider, Georgiev should be able to bring back some NHL ready talent, especially if you package Buch/Smith/Fast in some of those deals. Panarin is 28 so you probably have a good 6 years to work with. Hank and Staal come off the books and you have emerging talent in the pipeline. Signing Kreider/strome risking Shest going back to Russia is not staying committed to JD's vision of building a Championship team.
- disorca

These last two losses have taken the wind out of my sails about the playoffs for sure

it would take a miracle at this point, that's pretty obvious

These last two losses have taken the wind out of my sails about the playoffs for sure

it would take a miracle at this point, that's pretty obvious
- jimbro83

Get those sails raised again Jimbo, I see a Windy forecast on track for February

Get those sails raised again Jimbo, I see a Windy forecast on track for February
- TPC

13 games before trade deadline

I think they'll have to win 9 of them to realistically be in it still

they obviously have to win the back to back games vs Detroit right out of the gate

and then it's home games vs Dallas, Buffalo Toronto and LA

they've gotta win em all

Get those sails raised again Jimbo, I see a Windy forecast on track for February

Watching this team the past few months, do you really think they are a playoff team?? Come on really?? Aside from Panarin and Zib playing at their personal best and carrying the team, there isnt much else. CK20 has awaken from his slumber but the third line is not supplying enough scoring support and there is no 4th line support at all. The defense has been erratic at best but you would have to expect that from a Ruff driven system.

As the saying goes, Good teams find a way to win, the Rangers havent found that way yet, but that is ok, they have a lot of growth left.

I think that Chytil at center and Howden at wing isn't necessaily permanent

I love C hytil but he's terrible at faceoffs and just isn't getting any better

Howden's better at faceoffs, but does seem better on the wing

still think it's a work in progress on both

I think that Chytil at center and Howden at wing isn't necessaily permanent

I love C hytil but he's terrible at faceoffs and just isn't getting any better

Howden's better at faceoffs, but does seem better on the wing

still think it's a work in progress on both
- jimbro83

If they stay on the same line, for now, leave them where they are in terms of position, but have Howden take the draws.

If they stay on the same line, for now, leave them where they are in terms of position, but have Howden take the draws.
- airjan23

but if they bail on Chytil taking the draws now, I think that shows they are giving up on him being able to do it, and to me that ultimately leads to Chytil and maybe even both Howden and Chytil both being wingers only as they get older

Watching this team the past few months, do you really think they are a playoff team?? Come on really?? Aside from Panarin and Zib playing at their personal best and carrying the team, there isnt much else. CK20 has awaken from his slumber but the third line is not supplying enough scoring support and there is no 4th line support at all. The defense has been erratic at best but you would have to expect that from a Ruff driven system.

As the saying goes, Good teams find a way to win, the Rangers havent found that way yet, but that is ok, they have a lot of growth left.
- Brukie

I am still going to watch and hope they win. You can enjoy waiting for the future. As long as they play games I want to win and make the playoffs

13 games before trade deadline

I think they'll have to win 9 of them to realistically be in it still

they obviously have to win the back to back games vs Detroit right out of the gate

and then it's home games vs Dallas, Buffalo Toronto and LA

they've gotta win em all
- jimbro83

Rangers are due a hot streak. With all the games in February, a great time to build some momentum and string together some wins

I personally think that KK should have had a few weeks in Hartford at the beginning of the season.

I am still going to watch and hope they win. You can enjoy waiting for the future. As long as they play games I want to win and make the playoffs
- TPC

Yes so true and after every loss we get to read how you are so down on the team. I think you picture this team as the team from 17-18 ending their run instead of the 19-20 team that is building for the future.

but if they bail on Chytil taking the draws now, I think that shows they are giving up on him being able to do it, and to me that ultimately leads to Chytil and maybe even both Howden and Chytil both being wingers only as they get older
- jimbro83

True, would be nice if both could have draws, giving them two options on the line. They really need to have Mess and Richards work the centers, especially Zib, whose winning % has cratered.

Rangers are due a hot streak. With all the games in February, a great time to build some momentum and string together some wins
- TPC

If they are gonna have a winning streak these are the 5 teams to do it against. Probably the most vulnerable teams in the league.

Yes so true and after every loss we get to read how you are so down on the team. I think you picture this team as the team from 17-18 ending their run instead of the 19-20 team that is building for the future.
- Brukie

You don't post during games. It's heat of the moment reactions. Of course I am going to get frustrated that moment when they lose, its called caring about my team.

You don't post during games. It's heat of the moment reactions. Of course I am going to get frustrated that moment when they lose, its called caring about my team.
- TPC

brah, tell him to suck your balls

brah, tell him to suck your balls
- jimbro83

I made the blog!!!!

You don't post during games. It's heat of the moment reactions. Of course I am going to get frustrated that moment when they lose, its called caring about my team.
- TPC

Ive learned long ago not to post during games, Rick Nash cost me 2 monitors. I always thought my fist would just phase thru the screen.

Age and the cost of new monitors has matured me. Im at a better place with this team now. Cue the birds chirping and sweet back ground music

brah, tell him to suck your balls
- jimbro83

So mature

I made the blog!!!!

- mdw7413

Backing up my point!








p.s. -

Ive learned long ago not to post during games, Rick Nash cost me 2 monitors. I always thought my fist would just phase thru the screen.

Age and the cost of new monitors has matured me. Im at a better place with this team now. Cue the birds chirping and sweet back ground music
- Brukie

Nice!

True, would be nice if both could have draws, giving them two options on the line. They really need to have Mess and Richards work the centers, especially Zib, whose winning % has cratered.
- airjan23

You would think those guys could do it.
Of course, this is a real issue. But, it doesn't worry me too much yet. YET.
From what I remember of other players around the league (although I don't remember names to point to other than Crosby, who is a special case admittedly), winning draws is a skill that can be vastly improved through commitment and hard work.
I would be much more concerned if they could win draws but were having real problems in a more instinctive area of the game.

Watching this team the past few months, do you really think they are a playoff team?? Come on really?? Aside from Panarin and Zib playing at their personal best and carrying the team, there isnt much else. CK20 has awaken from his slumber but the third line is not supplying enough scoring support and there is no 4th line support at all. The defense has been erratic at best but you would have to expect that from a Ruff driven system.

As the saying goes, Good teams find a way to win, the Rangers havent found that way yet, but that is ok, they have a lot of growth left.
- Brukie

They are certainly not yet where they want to be as a team. And I don't think anyone but the most biased think they could make a deep playoff run. But, my hope is always that they can make the playoffs and learn from the experience. Even getting bounced in the 1st round would be a lot more beneficial to young players than missing the post-season year after year.