I still can't believe the Rangers are struggling as badly as they are. A lot of the talking heads are saying they lost too much grit in the offseason and that Nash isn't what they needed to improve over last year. They may be right but it's still shocking. I thought they'd be right up there with Pitt and Boston.
- Hextall271

Tortorella has a short shelf life, just like Laviolette. Eventually the players tune him out.

now the flyers are doing pushups on the ice in practice. lavi making those adjustments...

now the flyers are doing pushups on the ice in practice. lavi making those adjustments...
- isaiah520

Kiss the ice!

I still can't believe the Rangers are struggling as badly as they are. A lot of the talking heads are saying they lost too much grit in the offseason and that Nash isn't what they needed to improve over last year. They may be right but it's still shocking. I thought they'd be right up there with Pitt and Boston.
- Hextall271

Rangers are a soft team. From last year, Rangers are down by the same number of points as Columbus is up.

Rangers have not yet come to the realization that the Nash deal was really dumb, they gutted the bottom of their line up and they made their top goal scorer (Gaborek) impotent by shifting him to a wing he has never played.

This is not a minor problem for the Rangers. I believe they have clearly morphed into Columbus East and with their cap problems we are going to be looking at Ranger Rebuild 7.3 starting in another few weeks.

Rangers are a soft team. From last year, Rangers are down by the same number of points as Columbus is up.

Rangers have not yet come to the realization that the Nash deal was really dumb, they gutted the bottom of their line up and they made their top goal scorer (Gaborek) impotent by shifting him to a wing he has never played.

This is not a minor problem for the Rangers. I believe they have clearly morphed into Columbus East and with their cap problems we are going to be looking at Ranger Rebuild 7.3 starting in another few weeks.
- spatso

When the trade first went down, I was shocked they didn't give up more for nash. Losing Dubinsky, Rupp, Prust really has seemed to hurt them. They just seemed to have all the parts from Henrik out and just couldn't score enough.

how bout.... simmonds and couturier + 2nd rounder?
- JoeRussomanno

That is simply NVTS nuts! Simmonds isn't going anywhere...

I still can't believe the Rangers are struggling as badly as they are. A lot of the talking heads are saying they lost too much grit in the offseason and that Nash isn't what they needed to improve over last year. They may be right but it's still shocking. I thought they'd be right up there with Pitt and Boston.
- Hextall271

Sometimes adding the piece you think you may need can completely disrupt the chemistry of the team...could be the case with the Rags losing guys like Doobie and Prust.

That is simply NVTS nuts! Simmonds isn't going anywhere...
- aantny88

even for a number one defenseman? really?

That is simply NVTS nuts! Simmonds isn't going anywhere...
- aantny88

I dunno, for a solid 1st pairing defenseman I think Simmonds could move. I don't want to see him go but I know Holmgren will be doing everything he can for one. And I'd say everyone is probably on the table for discussion.
I seriously doubt we make play-offs this year. Which normally would make me sad but this was a crazy season to begin with. So let's go into a conservative seller mode with eyes towards next season. I think they just need to pull their heads out of their collective butts and they'll be dangerous next season. Whether or not this will require a coach change is the question.

even for a number one defenseman? really?
- JoeRussomanno

IF it was only him, Couturier, and some picks, I would do it... but if it also involves Schenn, Read, and others... no. They've spent a few years setting this team up, and trying to grow them together. Selling out half the young guys on the team for a number one Dman is going to mean jack. A single Dman isn't going to win games for you... I realize it's a give and take game... you need to give up something good to get something good. But I just don't see it helping them team if you'd give up too much. You'd either have to fill the voids with washed up vets, or bring up younger guys and go back to square one again.

IF it was only him, Couturier, and some picks, I would do it... but if it also involves Schenn, Read, and others... no. They've spent a few years setting this team up, and trying to grow them together. Selling out half the young guys on the team for a number one Dman is going to mean jack. A single Dman isn't going to win games for you... I realize it's a give and take game... you need to give up something good to get something good. But I just don't see it helping them team if you'd give up too much. You'd either have to fill the voids with washed up vets, or bring up younger guys and go back to square one again.
- WarriorHockey21

Aye - there's the rub... And the biggest reason we didn't get Weber...

IF it was only him, Couturier, and some picks, I would do it... but if it also involves Schenn, Read, and others... no. They've spent a few years setting this team up, and trying to grow them together. Selling out half the young guys on the team for a number one Dman is going to mean jack. A single Dman isn't going to win games for you... I realize it's a give and take game... you need to give up something good to get something good. But I just don't see it helping them team if you'd give up too much. You'd either have to fill the voids with washed up vets, or bring up younger guys and go back to square one again.
- WarriorHockey21

I never suggested trading all the players you went on a rant about... just saying.

I never suggested trading all the players you went on a rant about... just saying.
- JoeRussomanno

I know... that's why I said "if"... Many people suggest they would be willing to sell the farm in order to land a guy like Weber... never said you did.

I know... that's why I said "if"... Many people suggest they would be willing to sell the farm in order to land a guy like Weber... never said you did.
- WarriorHockey21

gotcha just wanted to clear that up tho.

I'm a firm believer in "what you see is what you get". The flyers have some great young talent. If they add 2 dmen, a solid backup goalie, and maybe a scoring winger without losing too much, they could be dangerous next year. However, they are done this year. Even if they make the playoffs, they are not getting out of the first round.
- Deasr1

I don't know how you can say they'd be out in the first round. They would be red hot going in.

even for a number one defenseman? really?
- JoeRussomanno

I would trade Couts, a first rounder and maybe Read (UFA?). Simmer is developing into a very reliable power forward that brings so many intangibles to the table.

I don't know how you can say they'd be out in the first round. They would be red hot going in.
- Just5

Yeah.. that's thething isn't it.. in order to make it they will have been on the type of run the Kings got on last year. I certainly expect that the Penguins would loathe getting the top seed then having to play the Flyers 1st round.. (especially with them having home ice where we seem to drive them nuts)

I would trade Couts, a first rounder and maybe Read (UFA?). Simmer is developing into a very reliable power forward that brings so many intangibles to the table.
- aantny88

But the other players you mentioned don't?

I don't know how you can say they'd be out in the first round. They would be red hot going in.
- Just5

It would depend on the matchup...Pitt, Carolina, Winnipeg, Ottawa I think they'd be ok...New Jersey, Boston, Montreal not so much

But the other players you mentioned don't?
- JoeRussomanno

I love Read...guy was an incredible find for Homer and costs relatively little for what he produces but it will be tough to sign him. Couts doesn't do it for me...yes he did a great job shutting Malkin down in round #1 last year, but has his head up his arse this year, making routine plays look ultra difficult. He has a lot of value and if the Flyers truly want to land that coveted #1 dman I wouldn't be upset to see him go.

Weber is a candidate to be dealt. If Nashville misses the playoffs, dealing Weber becomes a very real consideration for them.

But the price of a number 1 Dman is steep and people need to get ready for some sticker shock.

Nick Leddy of the Hawks will be the #1 RFA puck moving Dman that can be offer sheeted this summer. The Hawks are squeezed badly on cap compression and something needs to give. So, would a team rather give up 2 or 3 first round picks or figure out a fair deal for Weber or Leddy.

Weber is a candidate to be dealt. If Nashville misses the playoffs, dealing Weber becomes a very real consideration for them.

But the price of a number 1 Dman is steep and people need to get ready for some sticker shock.

Nick Leddy of the Hawks will be the #1 RFA puck moving Dman that can be offer sheeted this summer. The Hawks are squeezed badly on cap compression and something needs to give. So, would a team rather give up 2 or 3 first round picks or figure out a fair deal for Weber or Leddy.
- spatso

Because of the offer sheet, I don't think the Preds are allowed to deal Weber until AFTER the season.

I love Read...guy was an incredible find for Homer and costs relatively little for what he produces but it will be tough to sign him. Couts doesn't do it for me...yes he did a great job shutting Malkin down in round #1 last year, but has his head up his arse this year, making routine plays look ultra difficult. He has a lot of value and if the Flyers truly want to land that coveted #1 dman I wouldn't be upset to see him go.
- aantny88

similar things were said about simmonds before he came here. Sometimes you have to wait 3-4 years for a player to fully mature. A power forward's worth pales in comparison to a number one defenseman.

Weber is a candidate to be dealt. If Nashville misses the playoffs, dealing Weber becomes a very real consideration for them.

But the price of a number 1 Dman is steep and people need to get ready for some sticker shock.

Nick Leddy of the Hawks will be the #1 RFA puck moving Dman that can be offer sheeted this summer. The Hawks are squeezed badly on cap compression and something needs to give. So, would a team rather give up 2 or 3 first round picks or figure out a fair deal for Weber or Leddy.
- spatso

I'd rather go for weber. More established, and still young.

Weber is a candidate to be dealt. If Nashville misses the playoffs, dealing Weber becomes a very real consideration for them.

But the price of a number 1 Dman is steep and people need to get ready for some sticker shock.

Nick Leddy of the Hawks will be the #1 RFA puck moving Dman that can be offer sheeted this summer. The Hawks are squeezed badly on cap compression and something needs to give. So, would a team rather give up 2 or 3 first round picks or figure out a fair deal for Weber or Leddy.
- spatso

I expect that Nash must have done their homework before matching and figured the worst case scenario where they lose half a season to a lockout..then miss the playoffs altogether. If not they are idiots and should have taken the 4 picks. But as you say, from the outside, I still have no idea how that match made sense. If he does get dealt, I highly doubt they trade him to us out of spite!