I think the reason why Dan Boyle plays so much on the PP is for the reasons that Jim has stated several times on this blog. They lack a right handed shot at forward, so they are playing Boyle along the half boards to effectively attempt to given them a presence in the spot -- one times and otherwise. In away, he's not even competing for the same playing time as Yandle, IMO.

But, I do agree with a couple of points. Yandle should play more on the PP. And McIlrath should spell Boyle during the season.
- Pete V

Why can't they run a power play of

Nash-Brass-Zuccarello
Stepan(Righthanded)-Yandle?

I like AV a lot but this is annoying. Dan Boyle is pretty much washed up at this point. Mc should be in there game in game out. Even if he rotated the 2 of them I could live with but to scratch DM for multiple games in a row like he has is really frustrating.
- B2B76

On this issues, I do agree with you guys that DM should play more. He hasn't looked out of place in the games he's played, and he's had some really nice moments.

But, I will also refer to the old adage that the backup quarterback is the most popular guy in town. And that is usually true until the backup becomes the starter.

On this issues, I do agree with you guys that DM should play more. He hasn't looked out of place in the games he's played, and he's had some really nice moments.

But, I will also refer to the old adage that the backup quarterback is the most popular guy in town. And that is usually true until the backup becomes the starter.
- Pete V

I still think Browning Nagle is a better QB than Ken O'Brien.

Horcoff suspended 20 games for PEDs

Why can't they run a power play of

Nash-Brass-Zuccarello
Stepan(Righthanded)-Yandle?
- Anthony5967

They can, but ideally, they want that right handed shot on the left halfboards, which that lineup doesn't provide. So, that figuration takes away the Ovechkin-type one timer that the Capitals run (obviously I am not comparing any potential shooter to Ovechkin, just talking about the type of system).

McDonagh is the reason Yandle doesn't get more PP time.

It has nothing to do with Boyle.

You want more Yandle, it means you want less McDonagh

I still think Browning Nagle is a better QB than Ken O'Brien.
- B2B76

And for the record, McIlrath might indeed be a better option, and I am thrilled that he has actually looked like a good defensemen in his time. But, I just need a larger sample size to be able to say that he is better than the starter. The Catch 22, however, is that DM isn't really being given the opportunity to establish that sample size in the eyes of the fans. But the coach sees him everyday in practice.

Horcoff suspended 20 games for PEDs
- RAGSareDANGERus

NotDeadRyanDunn ‏@NotDeadRyanDunn 9s9 seconds ago
A banned substance on the Ducks? What was it? A mumps vaccination?

But how is that Kesler LT deal working out for Anaheim? At time of deal, everyone questioned dealing Schneider not Luongo but pick they got, which was Bo Horvat, will pay big dividends in the near term. Luongo, everyone seemingly wanted him to be gone, but memo to all to be careful what you wish for (maybe Boyle turns out same way in playoffs or maybe that's wishful thinking by me).
- airjan23

Kesler help them almost reach the finals last season. This year Anaheim is a mess but the collective return, for Vancouver, in losing three huge pieces to a once competitive team, has not beared fruit thus far.

And like Anthony mentioned earlier, on top of these questionable moves, that team's core got old really fast.

NotDeadRyanDunn ‏@NotDeadRyanDunn 9s9 seconds ago
A banned substance on the Ducks? What was it? A mumps vaccination?


- eichiefs9

Was that last season when everyone had the mumps

Was that last season when everyone had the mumps
- TPC

I don't even remember. It was hilarious though.

I don't even remember. It was hilarious though.
- eichiefs9

I remember Tanner Glass had them and all the Rangers fans cheered cause it forced AV to take him out of the lineup

And for the record, McIlrath might indeed be a better option, and I am thrilled that he has actually looked like a good defensemen in his time. But, I just need a larger sample size to be able to say that he is better than the starter. The Catch 22, however, is that DM isn't really being given the opportunity to establish that sample size in the eyes of the fans. But the coach sees him everyday in practice.
- Pete V

You make a good point Pete about what AV sees. I trust his judgment in evaluating who's best to play. I just don't see how what we see when the kids on the ice he can be worse in practice or somehow the room which I def feel isn't the issue.

I just want to post this because it's accurate information about powerplay time, from the NHL stats website, sorry if I don't have a fancy colorful chart:

the top 5 Time on ice for Rangers on the powerplay this year:

Zuccarello: 131:25
Brassard: 127:37
Yandle: 116:50
McDonagh: 110:01
Boyle: 109:26


Yandle doesn't start many powerplays, but he sure does get a hell of a lot of PP time and often against the other team's 2nd PK unit or when their 1st unit is getting tired. Which perhaps isn't a coincidence but an actual strategy.

I just want to post this because it's accurate information about powerplay time, from the NHL stats website, sorry if I don't have a fancy colorful chart:

the top 5 Time on ice for Rangers on the powerplay this year:

Zuccarello: 131:25
Brassard: 127:37
Yandle: 116:50
McDonagh: 110:01
Boyle: 109:26


Yandle doesn't start many powerplays, but he sure does get a hell of a lot of PP time and often against the other team's 2nd PK unit or when their 1st unit is getting tired. Which perhaps isn't a coincidence but an actual strategy.
- jimbro83

The mumps was something I thought went away with your child vaccinations. Guess not anymore.

You make a good point Pete about what AV sees. I trust his judgment in evaluating who's best to play. I just don't see how what we see when the kids on the ice he can be worse in practice or somehow the room which I def feel isn't the issue.
- B2B76

Here is the way I see the McIlrath situation:

1. He was a victim of his own draft slot, as people expect a guy drafted 10th overall to make a more immediate impact, especially when guys like Fowler and Tarasenko were drafted after him. A guy drafted in the 2nd round or later are expected to take a few years;

2. He appears to have taken a Sauer like development path and is developing into a real nice option. In his earlier time with the club, he looked out of place; and

3. I think he is on the verge of overtaking the incumbent, and sooner or later will be a good second or third pair defender for this team.

Here is the way I see the McIlrath situation:

1. He was a victim of his own draft slot, as people expect a guy drafted 10th overall to make a more immediate impact, especially when guys like Fowler and Tarasenko were drafted after him. A guy drafted in the 2nd round or later are expected to take a few years;

2. He appears to have taken a Sauer like development path and is developing into a real nice option. In his earlier time with the club, he looked out of place; and

3. I think he is on the verge of overtaking the incumbent, and sooner or later will be a good second or third pair defender for this team.
- Pete V

Franking told you so

8 frankin days man

8 frankin days man
- TPC

Good thing, IMO. Good time for a reset.

Good thing, IMO. Good time for a reset.
- Pete V

I hope Vin takes a nice beach vaca and drinks mojitos by the ocean

Good thing, IMO. Good time for a reset.
- Pete V

I remember during the 1990 all star break when the Rangers acquired Bernie Nicholls, and he was lil female dogy about it

https://news.google.com/n...BAJ&pg=2330,1523317&hl=en

The mumps was something I thought went away with your child vaccinations. Guess not anymore.
- RustyKuntz

Next year, a litany of NHL players will miss games due to contracting polio.

If you deal Boyle and Yandle during the same season, doesn't that severely limit your power play and puck moving options? Regardless of the problems with these players, I cannot see the Rangers trading both and not experiencing a significant drop-off in those areas.
- Pete V

The PP with both of them on the ice hasn't been anything to marvel at.

I remember during the 1990 all star break when the Rangers acquired Bernie Nicholls, and he was lil female dogy about it

https://news.google.com/n...BAJ&pg=2330,1523317&hl=en
- jimbro83

(frank) him, hated him, then hated him even more when he was one of the Devils better forwards in the 94 ECF.