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Forums :: Blog World :: Kevin Allen: Are we back in the 1970s? Reaves vs. Wilson is creating a buzz
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Kevin Allen
Commissioner
Location: Ypsilanti, MI
Joined: 02.08.2020

Aug 5 @ 6:26 PM ET
Kevin Allen: Are we back in the 1970s? Reaves vs. Wilson is creating a buzz Rangers and Caps fans look forward to Oct. 13
wbon22
Season Ticket Holder
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ
Joined: 02.21.2008

Aug 6 @ 7:56 AM ET
As a long long longtime Flyer follower and fan, I have watched the Rangers reaction to Tom Wilson (and the league's for that matter) with amusement.

Wilson is one player on one team. Like Milan Lucic, there is a shelf life for the style and when you hit it, the drop off is extreme. Players like Rick Tocchet who scored 90 points and were legit fighters, are no longer a part of the league. Tocchet, with his long career arc would have thrived in todays' game. Or Paul Holmgren, who Lucic and in some corners Wilson have been compared too.

The Rangers have taken what was a formidable, growing skilled team and are turning it into a semi skilled good squad. None of the additions are physical skill players, think Jeremy Roenick, or even physical pest players, think Scott Hartnell. Ryan Reaves is a limited player at best. He can be exposed when not engaged. Frankly, the Rangers have opened themselves up to the crack down that they have cried for. It will be fun to watch.
Rsh
Season Ticket Holder
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 02.23.2021

Aug 9 @ 5:26 PM ET
You need physical players you can fight to players !! Or you get the rangers or sabres!! Soft teams. It has not changed! See rangers and capitals game.
Rsh
Season Ticket Holder
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 02.23.2021

Aug 9 @ 5:59 PM ET
You have a good following crickets!!!!!
Hockeyislife
New York Islanders
Joined: 05.29.2018

Aug 9 @ 9:00 PM ET
As an Islanders fan I feel that these moves were made because the Islanders completely manhandled and embarrassed the Rangers last year. I don't see the Rangers making the playoffs this season. In fact I see them finishing last in the metro. And if they continue to make these trades i see them challenging Buffalo.
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

Aug 10 @ 7:44 AM ET
There is a difference between being a tough team and being a fighting team. Adding 1 or 2 low-skilled fighters doesn't make you tough. Being tough is about the full roster playing for each other, not a few guys who skate 5 minutes a night looking to punch someone.

Two seasons ago, Tom Wilson took a run at Claude Giroux. He missed, but he was clearly targeting Giroux. Robert Hagg, who is physical but not a fighter, skated right over to Wilson and fought him. Hagg didn't win, but the message was clear; no matter who it was, each player had the others' back. THAT is what a tough team is, every player willing to stick up for every one of their teammates. The Rangers teams with Graves, Messier, and Tikanen, THAT was a tough team, because those players would pound you, get under your skin, and could handle themselves if they had to, and it rubbed off of the rest of the team. What the Rags are doing now is just going to get a lot of experience for their PK.
GalacticStone
Tampa Bay Lightning
Location: U Jealous of my Meteor
Joined: 01.29.2013

Aug 10 @ 11:31 AM ET
15Hedberg
New York Rangers
Location: Brookfield, CT
Joined: 10.16.2014

Aug 10 @ 1:21 PM ET
Well-said as usual Kevin Allen. That now infamous Wilson incident also included the perpatrator without his jersey, in the penalty box,, grinning ear to ear, gesturing as if he'd just won the heavy weight or WWF belt, when in fact he'd just jumped on top of a guy who was face down and weighed far less than Wilson and then abused one of the league's biggest stars who was trying to stick up for a teammate. Regardless of this incident, the Rangers were indeed soft and needed to make adjustments to toughen up and add some more passion,(and not just on one line or with one player). I guess the only thing I'd add is that the NHL's lack of a response led to the Rangers trading for Reaves,(as opposed to perhaps signing Nick Ritchie). The NHL was very deliberate in their lack of a response to Wilson's antics. Bettman and his staff seem to want a return to the 1970's and for that the league deserves to be called out.
Rsh
Season Ticket Holder
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 02.23.2021

Sep 1 @ 4:47 PM ET
Yes the good old days!! Old time hockey!! Not this sappy thing !! Tiger Williaws rob ray ty domi !! That is hockey!!
Rsh
Season Ticket Holder
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 02.23.2021

Sep 1 @ 6:07 PM ET
2005 Ducks beat up their way to the Stanley Cup!! So that style wins !! See 74and 75 Flyers!! You play that way and no one can stand up to you !! There’s your cup!!