They won't, and clearly you understand why, but I'd seriously consider it.

For the same reason you consider moving Malkin -- the return would be significant, and sometimes, players just need a change.

Crosby didn't even look like he wants to be on the ice. He has that thousand-yard stare, like Mike Richards had in 2012. Like he's just...worn out.
- AllInForFlyers

Yup. And I love it. Love it!

They won't, and clearly you understand why, but I'd seriously consider it.

For the same reason you consider moving Malkin -- the return would be significant, and sometimes, players just need a change.

Crosby didn't even look like he wants to be on the ice. He has that thousand-yard stare, like Mike Richards had in 2012. Like he's just...worn out.
- AllInForFlyers

I take Malkin before Crosby, especially given the likely asking price for Sidney. Of course I take Stamkos over both any day, but that's just me.

thats okay. he more than received his own to the back of the head to no call whatsoever

olde tyme hawkey
- stayinthefnnet

The Rangers literally mauled the best player on both Philly and Pittsburgh, for seven games...and most of it went uncalled.

That's when you need the secondary guys to step it up and provide offense.

yep. it's a full on, 5 man attack/blocking defense.
- hammarby31

dont forget the old clutch and hold. thats integral to the recipe.

Yup. And I love it. Love it!
- rockychocbill

Fleury has been really shaky, but the team D, discipline and resiliency have all been issues. they coast to division titles, and never seem able to really turn it back on in the playoffs. If you bang them and hit them, they get frustrated and take really awful penalties and do stupid stuff.

I still think the biggest issue is the coach. Bylsma doesn't do a whole lot for me. He routinely gets out coached in the playoffs.
- Jsaquella

i don't think there was much of the distraction stuff going on for them like it is when they play the flyers. they just played right into the rangers game plan for 3 straight games. tonight looked like a game on a tuesday night in winnipeg in february. i saw very little urgency.

The Rangers literally mauled the best player on both Philly and Pittsburgh, for seven games...and most of it went uncalled.

That's when you need the secondary guys to step it up and provide offense.
- Jsaquella

i agree with you. the problem is, a lot of the secondary guys in both teams rely on the main cogs to set them up. guys like neal, kunitz, hartnell arent going to create for themselves. the only guy on either team that really can is voracek. and he did a couple times.

but also do you know what you need there?

a ref to blow a (frank)ing whistle.

dont forget the old clutch and hold. thats integral to the recipe.
- stayinthefnnet

that's what i partially mean by attack. it's amazing how much holding and moving pick interference they get away with.

I'm objective and realistic. I root for him to do well, but also recognize that he's a bad fit. I'd love it if he wasn't playing poorly and dragging every line he joined down, but that's simply not the case.

It's the same with Grossmann. i'd love it if he was a better player. I'm no going to ignore his issues because he's a Flyer. I'm going to hope he can play better.

As a Flyers fan, I want the team to get better. If that means players on the current roster need to be gone, so be it.
- Jsaquella

You're realistic in your own mind. These are NHL players and it's up to the coaching staff to find a fit. Berube hasn't tried everything. When one thing wasn't working in the playoffs, he went back to something old and used already.

Yup. And I love it. Love it!
- rockychocbill

i love your avatar. she can play rangers style defense on me any day.

i don't think there was much of the distraction stuff going on for them like it is when they play the flyers. they just played right into the rangers game plan for 3 straight games. tonight looked like a game on a tuesday night in winnipeg in february. i saw very little urgency.
- hammarby31

The Rangers don't piss them off like the Flyers, but they took Crosby out of the game and you're not going to beat that D with Brian Gibbons and Joe Vitale getting the best chances

i don't think he was unreal. a lot of pucks just find their way into him and he has tremendous support around him. once again, the pens were always on the wrong side of the loose puck, a stick away, a stride away, a bounce away. that last one that deflected and just hit him. he didn't know where it was.

he didn't face a single oddman rush in this game that i can think of. not one backdoor play, not one reaction save on a deflection. not one blast through a screen that hit the net. nothing.
- hammarby31

He did make a great reaction save in the 3rd after the shot deflected off a loose stick lying in front of the crease iirc. He didn't have his stick either. He made a lot of good saves. He just doesn't look like Hasek when he does.

Too bad so sad. Maybe Crosby needs to do mental toughness training in the off season as well. He clearly was off his game. Not sure if he was hurt but I am surprised he was as ineffective as he was.

Penguins

I love it.

As long as they're out life is good

that's what i partially mean by attack. it's amazing how much holding and moving pick interference they get away with.
- hammarby31

exactly.

they wanted it more than the pens. so hats off to them and they get the reward in the next round for it.

but i just struggle with a concept that a team can yield 40 shots, rely on the type of game plan that they do, and yet somehow still only yield one penalty.

- wolfhounds

Cindy!!

The Rangers don't piss them off like the Flyers, but they took Crosby out of the game and you're not going to beat that D with Brian Gibbons and Joe Vitale getting the best chances
- Jsaquella

you'd think, but then you have guys like brian boyle scoring...and dan carcillo against the flyers, both first goals in game 7. it's possible. they didn't. they lost.

i agree with you. the problem is, a lot of the secondary guys in both teams rely on the main cogs to set them up. guys like neal, kunitz, hartnell arent going to create for themselves. the only guy on either team that really can is voracek. and he did a couple times.

but also do you know what you need there?

a ref to blow a (frank)ing whistle.
- stayinthefnnet

We'll give you our #36 when the Flyers sign your #36 this summer to play 2nd line LW.

exactly.

they wanted it more than the pens. so hats off to them and they get the reward in the next round for it.

but i just struggle with a concept that a team can yield 40 shots, rely on the type of game plan that they do, and yet somehow still only yield one penalty.
- stayinthefnnet

it's absurd, really. the refs officiated without whistles. not blaming them. the pens pp sucked balls all series. i doubt it would have made any difference tonight, other than to keep the rangers from attacking.

i love your avatar. she can play rangers style defense on me any day.
- stayinthefnnet

She doesn't block shot attempts.

you dont let malkin walk away. i know it sounds incredible, but i guarantee you he left money on the table to stay in pittsburgh.

that deal will also look better in a few years time.
- stayinthefnnet

I'm not saying let him walk but deal him for pieces to build around Crosby.

She doesn't block shot attempts.
- rockychocbill

thats fine. ill settle for a lot of her holding my stick

The Rangers literally mauled the best player on both Philly and Pittsburgh, for seven games...and most of it went uncalled.

That's when you need the secondary guys to step it up and provide offense.
- Jsaquella

The thing about it, man, Jussi Jokinen put on his big-boy pants and came to work.

They got nothin' out of Crosby, Neal, Kunitz...nothing might be strong. They just didn't get enough to justify their salaries.

You just can't win like that. Beating them requires stellar goaltending and some tough centers who can generate scoring chances from the third and fourth lines. That is hard to find...but Boston has that.

Fortunately there's enough entertainment in this CHI/MIN game for two games.

thats fine. ill settle for a lot of her holding my stick
- stayinthefnnet