I like Hayes. I just think having him be a center this year is tough when the team is bad on face-offs already. Keep him on the wing this year. Get a center who can win key face-offs. Klein can handle more. The issue is Staal will get 4 or 5 years and that deal will be 2-3 years too much. He'll play a long time but he's not the same since the injury.
- Russ_Cohen

The thing is that the Rangers are in win now mode. Hank is on the wrong side of 30, MSL is close to retiring, Girardi is only breaking down more each year. We have a lot of young forwards on bargain deals which allows us to have good depth. Trading Staal regardless of how ready Skjei is will be a huge step backwards because of Staal's experience and the fact that defensemen often take 4 or 5 years of being in the league before they really hit their stride.

Staal has had a couple rough seasons due to the injury but I thought he played the best hockey of his NHL career in the playoffs last season and was as good as I've ever seen him against the Sharks.

Hayes will get better at faceoffs with repetitions.

Russ,

I know you have this big time Ranger book out and all, but, gotta be honest, we have a high level of knowledge about the Rangers around here and honestly I don't think you are up to our levels.

Do some reading of the posts we make on Jan's blog, maybe you'll start coming along.

Larry Brooks gets his ideas from us, it can only help you.

That's your opinion. I've been covering the league for 10 years and the team. We all won't agree.

I find it both interesting and at the same time puzzling that "the Duke" was shown the bench after 5 matches, even though through those 5 games he has more points than both Hagelin and Zuccarello have for the season. Not to mention, he's a plus 4, while both of them are minus 4. I know he's 19, he needs to learn blah, blah. I've seen enough from him to feel he has more natural talent than half the forwards on the team right now.

Typically, AV has gone to safe route, playing Malone and even to some extent Glass over this very talented young man. Can't kill him though, coaches have been taking the safe route for ever.

BTW, Staal is going nowhere now. Maybe another deadline deal if he remains unsigned and far apart. There has to be another MSL out there somewhere.

I like Hayes. I just think having him be a center this year is tough when the team is bad on face-offs already. Keep him on the wing this year. Get a center who can win key face-offs. Klein can handle more. The issue is Staal will get 4 or 5 years and that deal will be 2-3 years too much. He'll play a long time but he's not the same since the injury.
- Russ_Cohen

I like what AV did last nite. Put Mueller out for Dfensive zone and neutral zone draws and get change them up on the fly. When Step comes back, Mueller could be a 4th line winger who plays this role. Eventually Hayes will get better at Draws. I would let him take the Offensive zone draws in order to learn.

That's the hope. Yes doing that was smart because was o-fer at the time. Ended 0-10. I was exaggerating about his lacking there but a lot of his has to do with who he's going up against. Mueller was 5-12, slightly better. Lot's to like about Hayes, just giving commentary.

I agree about Duclair. Play him. Take your lumps but the upside is worth it.

Russ,

I know you have this big time Ranger book out and all, but, gotta be honest, we have a high level of knowledge about the Rangers around here and honestly I don't think you are up to our levels.

Do some reading of the posts we make on Jan's blog, maybe you'll start coming along.

Larry Brooks gets his ideas from us, it can only help you.
- jimbro83

are you serious with this comment Jim? I usually enjoy your comments throughout the site, but you need to accept that people who having different opinions doesn't mean they aren't up to "our levels" Russ is as respected as they come throughout this industry and both he and Jan bring a ton to the table to a fanbase deserving of more coverage. there is always room for more opinions, especially ones from people who do cover the team full time.

are you serious with this comment Jim? I usually enjoy your comments throughout the site, but you need to accept that people who having different opinions doesn't mean they aren't up to "our levels" Russ is as respected as they come throughout this industry and both he and Jan bring a ton to the table to a fanbase deserving of more coverage. there is always room for more opinions, especially ones from people who do cover the team full time.
- Eklund

are you serious with this comment Jim? I usually enjoy your comments throughout the site, but you need to accept that people who having different opinions doesn't mean they aren't up to "our levels" Russ is as respected as they come throughout this industry and both he and Jan bring a ton to the table to a fanbase deserving of more coverage. there is always room for more opinions, especially ones from people who do cover the team full time.
- Eklund

wow, I can't even believe you read my comments Eklund.

I feel honored

wow, I can't even believe you read my comments Eklund.

I feel honored
- jimbro83

yup, i read my site all the time...

yup, i read my site all the time...
- Eklund

Eklund, do you watch the show the Goldberg's?

Everybody just needs to calm down!

Welcome, Russ.

I watch the Goldbergs. My Twitter is @Sportsology and Wendi McLendon-Covey just RT'd me!