Honest question, Alex, how strong is your belief in this team right now?
- Pete V

I believe the team is good enough to win the cup. Not as they are playing now, but as I know they are capable of playing. I have seen it in the past, so it must be possible in the future.

If you asked me, how strongly do you believe they will find that level of play for a long stretch?

I put it at 75% yes (probably the lowest I have been all season).

Now, that doesn't mean 75% to win the cup, because teams get hot and cold, and there are 29 other teams. Its the nature of competition.

But 75% chance they will find a level where they are playing well enough to win it if things go right.

You are only half kidding haha....O'Reilly does sound a lot better right about now though
- TPC

Honestly, here's is what I think about Kreider, and its just a gut feeling. He still may turn out to be an excellent player, but I also think he has high bust potential. So, if I can get a good young player for him that would help me now, I would really consider it. I just have a bad gut feeling that Kreider is going to be hockey's version of Matt Leinert.

Lindy Ruff is on vacation in the Virgin islands...they are now just called "the islands"
- PixelDoode

lol

Richards for Dan Boyle straight up lol
- TPC

I think Wilson laughs Sather off the phone.

It is frustrating cause these next 3 years is their window. Gotta get it done
- TPC

With the cap coming down I'm not even sure it's that long, they should have had a dynasty with the amount of youth and Hank but asking for one appears to be too much pressure on our little boys.

Honestly, here's is what I think about Kreider, and its just a gut feeling. He still may turn out to be an excellent player, but I also think he has high bust potential. So, if I can get a good young player for him that would help me now, I would really consider it. I just have a bad gut feeling that Kreider is going to be hockey's version of Matt Leinert.
- Pete V

Well at least I got my 5 playoff goals to hold me over

Ah I get you. I even agree with you. I'm trying. What's even more frustrating is that I know this team has the character and the talent to get it done. Just make the playoffs. Until then, this is torture.
- GioRock

Agreed.

BTW you just agreed twice in the last two games with the jerk of the forum

Just saying

Honestly, here's is what I think about Kreider, and its just a gut feeling. He still may turn out to be an excellent player, but I also think he has high bust potential. So, if I can get a good young player for him that would help me now, I would really consider it. I just have a bad gut feeling that Kreider is going to be hockey's version of Matt Leinert.
- Pete V

Torts quickly turning him into that. Kid isn't allowed on the ice without being scared of getting sent to the press box/ahl.

I don't give. Fuk about any other organization, I've rooted for 1 for almost 30 years of my life, I've seen 1 Cup and had 19 years of nothing but heart break and failure, we argue about this shyt every season here but I'm tired of losing, I want a fuking Cup, we have the talent NOW GO WIN THE FUKING CUP FOR YOUR FANS YOU CHOKING banana eaterS!
- cranford93

Lol agree

Well at least I got my 5 playoff goals to hold me over
- TPC

I think it is pretty funny though how someone who is 6-7 on skates can have the weakest shot in the NHL...wtf Boyle

I believe the team is good enough to win the cup. Not as they are playing now, but as I know they are capable of playing. I have seen it in the past, so it must be possible in the future.

If you asked me, how strongly do you believe they will find that level of play for a long stretch?

I put it at 75% yes (probably the lowest I have been all season).

Now, that doesn't mean 75% to win the cup, because teams get hot and cold, and there are 29 other teams.

But 75% chance they will find a level where they are playing well enough to win it if things go right.
- Rags2Riches

I agree with most of that, but I also tend to be the type to put too much emphasis in gut feelings and useless historical parallels. Last year, this team one so many close games, almost every one. This year they lose all of them. It's almost like they lost their mojo, and the remind me of the 1992-1993 team when Messier got booed out of the garden, much like Brad Richards is about to (I warned you about the useless historical parellel).

And what is more, Tortorella is starting to remind me of Roger Neilson. Real good damn coach, but to way to conservative and defensively oriented. Perhaps having a bunch of players that aren't enjoying the game enough.

Honestly, here's is what I think about Kreider, and its just a gut feeling. He still may turn out to be an excellent player, but I also think he has high bust potential. So, if I can get a good young player for him that would help me now, I would really consider it. I just have a bad gut feeling that Kreider is going to be hockey's version of Matt Leinert.
- Pete V

I'm not ready to give up on the kid just yet. This is really only his first pro season. Even Stamkos struggled early on in his career. Takes some guys time to develop. He has all the tangibles to be a top six forward. Speed, size, wicked shot etc.

Torts' post game act is wearing thin on me, he refuses to answer because its evident he doesn't have an answer or a clue of how to coach these guys.

Torts quickly turning him into that. Kid isn't allowed on the ice without being scared of getting sent to the press box/ahl.
- tomburton99

A reason why i don't want Ruff as a head coach of the rangers Not saying i want torts fired. I don't agree with some of his mind games he plays though

I'm not ready to give up on the kid just yet. This is really only his first pro season. Even Stamkos struggled early on in his career. Takes some guys time to develop. He has all the tangibles to be a top six forward. Speed, size, wicked shot etc.
- bonzo11

Stamkos struggle as an 18 year old in the NHL. There is a big difference. And not to mention, Stamkos was money in the second half of his rookie year. Im not saying give up on him, I am just expressing a gut feeling, and saying that if I could get a good young player back for him I would do it.

For example, if the Panthers would trade me Kulikov for Kreider, I would pull the trigger. Or, someone like Ryan O'Reilly who isn't asking for $9 million bucks a year.

Torts' post game act is wearing thin on me, he refuses to answer because its evident he doesn't have an answer or a clue of how to coach these guys.
- cranford93

I turned it off. Too frustrated to watch it

I think it is pretty funny though how someone who is 6-7 on skates can have the weakest shot in the NHL...wtf Boyle
- TPC

1 more player for 2003 that seems to be a terrible player for us. All we need now is Sean Berganheim or Shawn Belle.

Torts' post game act is wearing thin on me, he refuses to answer because its evident he doesn't have an answer or a clue of how to coach these guys.
- cranford93

He wears on me as well. When he is winning its great, but when he isn't, he is just the Richard coach that isn't winning. Stop acting like such a Richard, and figure out why your best offensive players are all bolluxed up. Again, I think the solution is to get them drunk and laid.

He wears on me as well. When he is winning its great, but when he isn't, he is just the Richard coach that isn't winning. Stop acting like such a Richard, and figure out why your best offensive players are all bolluxed up. Again, I think the solution is to get them drunk and laid.
- Pete V

Tyrant Torts will never let that happen.

Stamkos struggle as an 18 year old in the NHL. There is a big difference. And not to mention, Stamkos was money in the second half of his rookie year. Im not saying give up on him, I am just expressing a gut feeling, and saying that if I could get a good young player back for him I would do it.

For example, if the Panthers would trade me Kulikov for Kreider, I would pull the trigger. Or, someone like Ryan O'Reilly who isn't asking for $9 million bucks a year.
- Pete V

Fair point about stamkos, however there have been plenty of other players that have developed later. He still is only 21. Not saying i wouldn't deal him in the right deal though

I agree with most of that, but I also tend to be the type to put too much emphasis in gut feelings and useless historical parallels. Last year, this team one so many close games, almost every one. This year they lose all of them. It's almost like they lost their mojo, and the remind me of the 1992-1993 team when Messier got booed out of the garden, much like Brad Richards is about to (I warned you about the useless historical parellel).

And what is more, Tortorella is starting to remind me of Roger Neilson. Real good damn coach, but to way to conservative and defensively oriented. Perhaps having a bunch of players that aren't enjoying the game enough.
- Pete V

You make a good point about the close games. One positive trend is we haven't lost three in a row, like last year. We do need to start going on win streaks though.

I think with injuries and cold streaks, 16 games is too early to judge the team. We wouldn't be doing it in an 82 game season. Its only due to the shortened season. And really, that is overrated when you think about it, unless you are worried about missing the playoffs, which I am not.

Tyrant Torts will never let that happen.
- tomburton99

That's what the Assistant Coach is for, arranging for the boos and ..., without the head man knowing. Maybe we should fire that guy.

Fair point about stamkos, however there have been plenty of other players that have developed later. He still is only 21. Not saying i wouldn't deal him in the right deal though
- bonzo11

Gotcha, Bonzo, and I am not saying I would deal him for a bag of pucks. I don't think we are really that far off, except that I think I have a lower opinion of Kreider than most.

Although I will say this, I wanted the Rangers to draft him. He was the guy that I wanted during that draft.

He wears on me as well. When he is winning its great, but when he isn't, he is just the Richard coach that isn't winning. Stop acting like such a Richard, and figure out why your best offensive players are all bolluxed up. Again, I think the solution is to get them drunk and laid.
- Pete V

Do we really know how Torts deals with the players?

I think we just assume based on how he deals with the media.

On 24/7 he had that one good yell vs the Blues, but other than that he didn't seem to treat the players poorly.