I am assuming it was done to get to the cap floor?
- TPC

yeah, cap circumvention in the opposite direction

Zucc was hurt when we needed him most so that is already should be better if he stays healthy, and I would like to see Hayes and Miller progress well with playing time. I think we are still a playoff team, and once you get in the playoffs, a few bounces here and there and its a different outcome. Henrik needs to be our $8.5M goalie, IMO he wasnt last year.
- richardson30

I firmly believe if we had Zucc, we would have beaten Tampa. We were basically 1-2 offensive plays away from beating them each time. If Zucc added 2-3 goals and 3-4 assists to that series, it would have been NY-CHI in the finals.

yeah, cap circumvention in the opposite direction
- jimbro83

It also gives the Flyers offseason cap space to work with, as I don't think they can put Pronger on LTIR until the start of the season. I wonder if they buy out Gagner?

- mdw7413

And very often they make great music

btw one of my best friends is his doppelganger

I firmly believe if we had Zucc, we would have beaten Tampa. We were basically 1-2 offensive plays away from beating them each time. If Zucc added 2-3 goals and 3-4 assists to that series, it would have been NY-CHI in the finals.
- xcheckmajor

if Tampa can say if they had a healthy Tyler Johnson and a healthy Bishop things would have been different in the finals, we can certainly say that things may have been different if we had Zuccarello and McDonagh, Staal and Girardi weren't playing hurt

Not to hate on MSL, but i'm gonna hate on him. Although he made a few good plays here and there, there were FAR too many plays that he broke apart due to not handling the puck, fumbling shots, making terrible blind passes to no one, etc... There were so many cycles last year that ended with MSL being the last one touching the puck and making a poor choice or mishandle. Switch in Fast or Hayes or even Miller at this point onto whatever was on the ice and our chances of scoring and completing plays and limiting turnovers would increase. I think the roster is better by subtraction next season there. Kreider will continue to increase production, Lindberg should help in our possession and faceoff numbers. Hayes hopefully learned a lot. I think we will be okay. Yandle will be a huge part of our team next season, I'm willing to guarantee it.

Not to hate on MSL, but i'm gonna hate on him. Although he made a few good plays here and there, there were FAR too many plays that he broke apart due to not handling the puck, fumbling shots, making terrible blind passes to no one, etc... There were so many cycles last year that ended with MSL being the last one touching the puck and making a poor choice or mishandle. Switch in Fast or Hayes or even Miller at this point onto whatever was on the ice and our chances of scoring and completing plays and limiting turnovers would increase. I think the roster is better by subtraction next season there. Kreider will continue to increase production, Lindberg should help in our possession and faceoff numbers. Hayes hopefully learned a lot. I think we will be okay. Yandle will be a huge part of our team next season, I'm willing to guarantee it.
- xcheckmajor

This blew my mind

Not to hate on MSL, but i'm gonna hate on him. Although he made a few good plays here and there, there were FAR too many plays that he broke apart due to not handling the puck, fumbling shots, making terrible blind passes to no one, etc... There were so many cycles last year that ended with MSL being the last one touching the puck and making a poor choice or mishandle. Switch in Fast or Hayes or even Miller at this point onto whatever was on the ice and our chances of scoring and completing plays and limiting turnovers would increase. I think the roster is better by subtraction next season there. Kreider will continue to increase production, Lindberg should help in our possession and faceoff numbers. Hayes hopefully learned a lot. I think we will be okay. Yandle will be a huge part of our team next season, I'm willing to guarantee it.
- xcheckmajor

Made it a lot easier to walk away, seemed like most of the season he was being knocked off the puck with ease, don't know what he can do to change it

This blew my mind
- TPC

Lol...cuz I like the guy

I think Brooks along with many of us simply feel like a team that has been squeaking by in the playoffs now looks weaker than it was before while other teams are getting better.

I'm one seriously butt hurt Rangers fan. Sorry to say that I do not see any significant moves coming before season starts and I do not see this team making it past the 1st round of the playoffs next season.

I've looked up and down the lineup and I just do not see any names that I expect to ever give more than they did last season. Hayes and Miller may be a bit more consistent but I do not see Nash, Zucc, Stepan, Brassard, or anyone on the D corps being better than last year. Hank had a ton of time off during the regular season to rest and be fresh for the playoffs and the team in front of him still couldn't get it done.

Doom and gloom I know but I sincerely believe that last year was our best chance to win the Cup.
- Maskdman3

We'll have Yandle for a full season, that's a step up from most of last years team. McDonagh had seriously regressed, if he comes back at level close to the prior year it's yet another step up and I think he will. I can see McIlrath stepping in and giving us an element we didn't have. An actual crease clearer and punishing hitter, a dirty player opposing teams won't want to play against.

Miller in a top 9 role, Fast, Etem, I'm super excited about Lindberg. Hayes went on a tear last season, keep him at center and he'll put up 20+ goals this year. So while the mature guys like Stepan, Brass, Nash probably won't exceed last years production, they could, the younger guys surely will.

So I actually do see the addition of Etem and promotions from within giving us a more skilled and balance team over last years. The D can also get better and changing up the combos and giving McIlrath that chance early to me are only positives as well.

My biggest hope was to fix the 4th line, that's really the only concern because I don't see Glass and Sheppard as good fits with Moore. Losing Hags means we probably need another pker, and some size to help with the cycle so it's close to the Boyle-Moore-Dorsett/Carcillo line.

Made it a lot easier to walk away, seemed like most of the season he was being knocked off the puck with ease, don't know what he can do to change it
- HankdaTank

I think it really was a matter of confidence in his execution. Guy just had doubt in his mind every time he took the puck. His legs are still there and thats a good sign...I hope him well and hope with a change of scenery, he finds his touch again. I mean, you could tell he knew what he wanted to do, just couldn't execute it properly.

Made it a lot easier to walk away, seemed like most of the season he was being knocked off the puck with ease, don't know what he can do to change it
- HankdaTank

The cure is simple. He will sign in Pitt become a 100 point scorer again and win the lady bing trophy again

I can't believe the league let this Pronger trade happen. This has gotta be one of the biggest travesties done in this league in years.
- jimbro83

The Isles did the same thing with the Tim Thomas deal a couple of years ago

Not to hate on MSL, but i'm gonna hate on him. Although he made a few good plays here and there, there were FAR too many plays that he broke apart due to not handling the puck, fumbling shots, making terrible blind passes to no one, etc... There were so many cycles last year that ended with MSL being the last one touching the puck and making a poor choice or mishandle. Switch in Fast or Hayes or even Miller at this point onto whatever was on the ice and our chances of scoring and completing plays and limiting turnovers would increase. I think the roster is better by subtraction next season there. Kreider will continue to increase production, Lindberg should help in our possession and faceoff numbers. Hayes hopefully learned a lot. I think we will be okay. Yandle will be a huge part of our team next season, I'm willing to guarantee it.
- xcheckmajor

I couldn't agree more, addition by subtraction. You're spot on with how consistent MSL was at being bad, plays just dying on his stick. Hags is more of a later move, we know what we're losing with him defensively and the hope is that Etem adds a scoring touch Hags lacked. Etem is also a RW, him playing with Stepan and Kreider could become an outstanding line. Neither Fast or Miller are the shooters but they can all fight it out for that spot as well.

The Isles did the same thing with the Tim Thomas deal a couple of years ago
- Vukota

not really, Thomas was crazy, not hurt long term... there was still a possibility of him playing, Pronger is about to be voted into the HOF, there is no way he can come back and play. they should adjust the CBA to allow players hurt long term to retire and get their money, but not hit the cap as much.

We'll have Yandle for a full season, that's a step up from most of last years team. McDonagh had seriously regressed, if he comes back at level close to the prior year it's yet another step up and I think he will. I can see McIlrath stepping in and giving us an element we didn't have. An actual crease clearer and punishing hitter, a dirty player opposing teams won't want to play against.

Miller in a top 9 role, Fast, Etem, I'm super excited about Lindberg. Hayes went on a tear last season, keep him at center and he'll put up 20+ goals this year. So while the mature guys like Stepan, Brass, Nash probably won't exceed last years production, they could, the younger guys surely will.

So I actually do see the addition of Etem and promotions from within giving us a more skilled and balance team over last years. The D can also get better and changing up the combos and giving McIlrath that chance early to me are only positives as well.

My biggest hope was to fix the 4th line, that's really the only concern because I don't see Glass and Sheppard as good fits with Moore. Losing Hags means we probably need another pker, and some size to help with the cycle so it's close to the Boyle-Moore-Dorsett/Carcillo line.
- MatzCT

Hayes really figured it out towards the end of last year. He's learning what works and what doesn't at this level and he's learning quickly. Hope he carries it to next year. He scored almost a PPG in the last 20 games I think...

The loss of Hagelin's abilities will be replaced with Lindbergs. I know its still a question of how he will play at the next level, but his type of play will be similar to Hags in the 2 way and PK department. He adds faceoff strength to our guys though.

The loss of MSL like I said is a gain in the turnover and bad plays department. I think the loss of scoring will be replaced by Kreider, Miller, Fast, and Etem all contributing.

Like you said, the most underlooked factor is Yandle scoring 50 more points from the Blueline that we did not have.

Hayes really figured it out towards the end of last year. He's learning what works and what doesn't at this level and he's learning quickly. Hope he carries it to next year. He scored almost a PPG in the last 20 games I think...

The loss of Hagelin's abilities will be replaced with Lindbergs. I know its still a question of how he will play at the next level, but his type of play will be similar to Hags in the 2 way and PK department. He adds faceoff strength to our guys though.

The loss of MSL like I said is a gain in the turnover and bad plays department. I think the loss of scoring will be replaced by Kreider, Miller, Fast, and Etem all contributing.

Like you said, the most underlooked factor is Yandle scoring 50 more points from the Blueline that we did not have.
- xcheckmajor

still not sure i see Lindberg making the team. its not because i dont think he can play, because i do, its just that we have 4 good centers. Hayes NEEDs to play at Center he is a natural center and should be played there, as such there is no room for Lindberg unless he plays wing which i think he is better as a C so there might be a logjam there...

We'll have Yandle for a full season, that's a step up from most of last years team. McDonagh had seriously regressed, if he comes back at level close to the prior year it's yet another step up and I think he will. I can see McIlrath stepping in and giving us an element we didn't have. An actual crease clearer and punishing hitter, a dirty player opposing teams won't want to play against.

Miller in a top 9 role, Fast, Etem, I'm super excited about Lindberg. Hayes went on a tear last season, keep him at center and he'll put up 20+ goals this year. So while the mature guys like Stepan, Brass, Nash probably won't exceed last years production, they could, the younger guys surely will.

So I actually do see the addition of Etem and promotions from within giving us a more skilled and balance team over last years. The D can also get better and changing up the combos and giving McIlrath that chance early to me are only positives as well.

My biggest hope was to fix the 4th line, that's really the only concern because I don't see Glass and Sheppard as good fits with Moore. Losing Hags means we probably need another pker, and some size to help with the cycle so it's close to the Boyle-Moore-Dorsett/Carcillo line.
- MatzCT

Only if Sather can resign Yandle at the right price... he is a UFA at the end of the season right? and we all know Sather doesn't keep people not willing to resign.

Only if Sather can resign Yandle at the right price... he is a UFA at the end of the season right? and we all know Sather doesn't keep people not willing to resign.
- MacT27

Yeah, but something tells me he will. Boyle is definitely gone, Yandle came in to do what Boyle wasn't. So figure 4.5M will be washed from the Cap. So figure whatever our cap situation is this season, Yandle's 2.6M + Boyle's deletion is 7Million. I think we would get Yandle signed long term for 5.5-6.5M. Sather has publically stated he's been after Yandle for years. Not sure if he has such a woody for the guy, he's not gonna do everything to keep him.

Yeah, but something tells me he will. Boyle is definitely gone, Yandle came in to do what Boyle wasn't. So figure 4.5M will be washed from the Cap. So figure whatever our cap situation is this season, Yandle's 2.6M + Boyle's deletion is 7Million. I think we would get Yandle signed long term for 5.5-6.5M. Sather has publically stated he's been after Yandle for years. Not sure if he has such a woody for the guy, he's not gonna do everything to keep him.
- xcheckmajor

I think Yandle could possibly agree to sign long term with our other long term contracts on the blueline.

I don't think the Rangers would make him the highest paid defenseman on the team if that's what it came down to though.

If he insists on 6 million plus a year, he will probably be traded eventually

still not sure i see Lindberg making the team. its not because i dont think he can play, because i do, its just that we have 4 good centers. Hayes NEEDs to play at Center he is a natural center and should be played there, as such there is no room for Lindberg unless he plays wing which i think he is better as a C so there might be a logjam there...
- richardson30

I'm not sure we can afford having a 3C winning 36.3% faceoffs ...

I'm not sure we can afford having a 3C winning 36.3% faceoffs ...
- 21peter

As opposed to our 1C's incredible 42%

For some reason I follow Arthur Staple

Adam Rosen
‏@ARos13_
@StapeNewsday If you were to buy a non-Tavares #Isles jersey, what current player has the best chance of being with the team long term?

still not sure i see Lindberg making the team. its not because i dont think he can play, because i do, its just that we have 4 good centers. Hayes NEEDs to play at Center he is a natural center and should be played there, as such there is no room for Lindberg unless he plays wing which i think he is better as a C so there might be a logjam there...
- richardson30

With the second half of the season and palyoffs in Hartford Lindberg had, he's making the team, I am really confident with him. I see no issues in getting him slotted as a wing next to Moore or Hayes. I agree that Hayes needs to play center. Lindberg will also get his taste of playing center, injuries do happen as well as slumps so players will get shifted around.

Its going to be a huge festering sore if you sign him for whats reported.
- mdw7413

It's not ridiculous when we still have room to wiggle but I'm no Hickey fan. I'd rather they let the guy walk.