- jimbro83

Honestly, just blow it up and start over. do like islanders, oilers, and penguins did... tank for several years, we can use the penguins here as the example - starting in 2002...Ryan Whitney...number 5
2003 Fleury number 1
2004 Malkin number 2
2005 Crosby number 1
2006 Jordan Staal number 2

This is what we need to do just tank...

Honestly, just blow it up and start over. do like islanders, oilers, and penguins did... tank for several years, we can use the penguins here as the example - starting in 2002...Ryan Whitney...number 5
2003 Fleury number 1
2004 Malkin number 1
2005 Crosby number 1
2006 Jordan Staal number 2

This is what we need to do just tank...
- mattstake

when has a team gone from a Cup final one year, to 113 points the next (a franchise record), to 101 points and then just blew it up and tanked?

when has a team gone from a Cup final one year, to 113 points the next (a franchise record), to 101 points and then just blew it up and tanked?
- jimbro83

when has a team gone from a Cup final one year, to 113 points the next (a franchise record), to 101 points and then just blew it up and tanked?
- jimbro83

The misleading theme, hovering over the Rangers, is that they are over the hill and have no shot at being competitive with their current core.

The average age issue was heavily skewed the last two years based on Dan Boyle's presence in the lineup. Yes Hank is turning 35 next season but he is the only core Ranger that will be 35 next year. The second oldest, if he is still here, would be Nash at 33.

The majority of this team is filled with mid-late 20-somethings. If they do intend on getting younger this offseason, and I believe they will, I see no reason why they can't be a force in the east for at least another two seasons with the current group; tweaked a bit of course.

- B2B76

do people who advocate "tanking" remember 1998-2004?

I do and it wasn't very fun

The misleading theme, hovering over the Rangers, is that they are over the hill and have no shot at being competitive with their current core.

The average age issue was heavily skewed the last two years based on Dan Boyle's presence in the lineup. Yes Hank is turning 35 next season but he is the only core Ranger that will be 35 next year. The second oldest, if he is still here, would be Nash at 33.

The majority of this team is filled with mid-late 20-somethings. If they do intend on getting younger this offseason, and I believe they will, I see no reason why they can't be a force in the east for at least another two seasons with the current group; tweaked a bit of course.
- MidnightMarauder

Brady Skjei. Calder. Book it.

when has a team gone from a Cup final one year, to 113 points the next (a franchise record), to 101 points and then just blew it up and tanked?
- jimbro83

Never too early, Jimbo. Over at the Pens thread Malkins been up for sale ever since the mighty Sharts whipped them - ppg not enough anymore

do people who advocate "tanking" remember 1998-2004?

I do and it wasn't very fun
- jimbro83

We discussed it many times, when Nedved, Dvorak & Hlavac is your top line for years its bad.

Brady Skjei. Calder. Book it.
- jimbro83

I would be happy with Skjei getting regular top four minutes for the majority of the season and go from there.

Kid is a good one though; has all the tools to be a rock on defense for a decade.

We discussed it many times, when Nedved, Dvorak & Hlavac is your top line for years its bad.
- B2B76

Agree to disagree, that line was fantastic. The problem there was that the rest of the team was a mess.

Agree to disagree, that line was fantastic. The problem there was that the rest of the team was a mess.
- MidnightMarauder

You know what I meant

You know what I meant
- B2B76

No we don't

I would be happy with Skjei getting regular top four minutes for the majority of the season and go from there.

Kid is a good one though; has all the tools to be a rock on defense for a decade.
- MidnightMarauder

I just hope the rock doesnt' turn into a cone

You know what I meant
- B2B76

So goddamn negative Brian...

Honestly, just blow it up and start over. do like islanders, oilers, and penguins did... tank for several years, we can use the penguins here as the example - starting in 2002...Ryan Whitney...number 5
2003 Fleury number 1
2004 Malkin number 2
2005 Crosby number 1
2006 Jordan Staal number 2

This is what we need to do just tank...
- mattstake

Why do you say this? Losing to a Pens team in the playoffs that are two wins away from the Cup and suddenly Rangers need to tank it?

Pens thought a similar idea last season after the Rangers spanked them in the playoffs. They didn't panic and only made a few slight changes, then....well....

I just hope the rock doesnt' turn into a cone
- TPC

Unless he loses his skating ability over night I don't see that happening.

Why do you say this? Losing to a Pens team in the playoffs that are two wins away from the Cup and suddenly Rangers need to tank it?

Pens thought a similar idea last season after the Rangers spanked them in the playoffs. They didn't panic and only made a few slight changes, then....well....
- mames11

Yup, no need for a blow up. Three smart moves and the Ranger are right back in it.



Don't ask me what 3 smart moves, I'm just sure there are 3 that have to be made.

Yup, no need for a blow up. Three smart moves and the Ranger are right back in it.



Don't ask me what 3 smart moves, I'm just sure there are 3 that have to be made.
- mdw7413

I look at the Sharks as Exhibit A on what the Rangers need to do this summer to get right back in the contender's discussion.

So many so-called experts left them for dead, after last season, and they quietly had a strong season and are now giving a really good Pens team all they could handle in the finals.

Why do you say this? Losing to a Pens team in the playoffs that are two wins away from the Cup and suddenly Rangers need to tank it?

Pens thought a similar idea last season after the Rangers spanked them in the playoffs. They didn't panic and only made a few slight changes, then....well....
- mames11

Slight changes aka a blockbuster trade for Phil Kessel and firing their coach

I look at the Sharks as Exhibit A on what the Rangers need to do this summer to get right back in the contender's discussion.

So many so-called experts left them for dead, after last season, and they quietly had a strong season and are now giving a really good Pens team all they could handle in the finals.
- MidnightMarauder

I'm rooting for the shorks so hard tonight

Slight changes aka a blockbuster trade for Phil Kessel and firing their coach
- rangerdanger94

Just include breath mints with that trade

I look at the Sharks as Exhibit A on what the Rangers need to do this summer to get right back in the contender's discussion.

So many so-called experts left them for dead, after last season, and they quietly had a strong season and are now giving a really good Pens team all they could handle in the finals.
- MidnightMarauder

I think if Miller can solidify a top 6 spot. Hopefully Buchnevich could be a starting surprise on opening night(3rd line). Staal & especially G get healthy and come back strong next year. I think it will be fine with some minor moves. Hayes needs to be way better than last year, and better than his rookie year. Kreider needs to play a full season. Also like many have said, for gods sake break up Zucc & Brass, the magic is gone.

I think if Miller can solidify a top 6 spot. Hopefully Buchnevich could be a starting surprise on opening night(3rd line). Staal & especially G get healthy and come back strong next year. I think it will be fine with some minor moves. Hayes needs to be way better than last year, and better than his rookie year. Kreider needs to play a full season. Also like many have said, for gods sake break up Zucc & Brass, the magic is gone.
- mdw7413

So a lot needs to happen just to have a chance you are saying

So a lot needs to happen just to have a chance you are saying
- TPC

Nah. Miller I think can be top 6, he has the drive. Hayes & Kreider could be better, they have shown they can. Buch? Girardi?