- smellmyfinger

Is that a real card?

Yep yep.

And the Rangers 2nd for Eric Staal.
- BINGO!

We have Bostons 2nd for Stempniak, wonder if you guys can get a similar return this year.

Is that a real card?
- mdw7413

I don't know, I googled beach hockey after your pic and that was the first result.

- smellmyfinger

I remember that Bure card! Isn't that his RC for Upper Deck?

Nothing beats Frank Thomas' Upper Deck RC, though. Flippin' da bird, yo!

We have Bostons 2nd for Stempniak, wonder if you guys can get a similar return this year.
- smellmyfinger

Not at his current rate.

Plus we need him for the expansion draft anyway. We don't have a lot of eligible players and nobody is taking Cam Ward.

Bring back Stu Bickle!

Bring back Stu Bickle!
- B2B76

Wheres, TJ, this is his kind of thread. Bryan Bickell though.

Wheres, TJ, this is his kind of thread. Bryan Bickell though.
- mdw7413

He has MS....

Wheres, TJ, this is his kind of thread. Bryan Bickell though.
- mdw7413

he's got a new girlfriend, tending to her "needs"

he's got a new girlfriend, tending to her "needs"
- jimbro83

He has MS....
- BINGO!

I know Bingo.

Kind of a joke about TJ. He always said we should be tougher and his go to guy was Bickell.

I know Bingo.

Kind of a joke about TJ. He always said we should be tougher and his go to guy was Bickell.
- mdw7413

Ah.

He also sucks.

Bring back Stu Bickle!
- B2B76

I liked Stu. Will always be remembered for taking that opening face-off against the Devs in the "payback for Dubi" game that started with a 6-man brawl. I miss those days.

I liked Stu. Will always be remembered for taking that opening face-off against the Devs in the "payback for Dubi" game that started with a 6-man brawl. I miss those days.
- mames11

Maybe next game we can get a Fiddler, Kalinin, Bennett vs. Lindberg, Puempel, Fast brawl.

Tanner Glass is nothing more than a grinder with a lot of heart. Is that what youre missing. Bringing in old ass Iginlia to be your toughness is a step backwards as well imo. Simmonds is the perfect blend of toughness and skill but those guys are few and far between.
The Pens don't have anybody like that and its not really an issue. Ive seen other teams take liberties with our star players and nobody is there to answer the bell. Sid vs McD the other game was nice to see even though I prefer someone else do that. If anything, I think you need a coach that holds the team accountable and Sullivan was what they were missing. I'm not sure AV is that guy.

Maybe next game we can get a Fiddler, Kalinin, Bennett vs. Lindberg, Puempel, Fast brawl.
- smellmyfinger

As long as it doesn't end up like Staal's fight many moons ago where he got girl slapped by someone...forget his name (Russian player).

As long as it doesn't end up like Staal's fight many moons ago where he got girl slapped by someone...forget his name (Russian player).
- mames11

Alex Semin.

Tanner Glass is nothing more than a grinder with a lot of heart. Is that what youre missing. Bringing in old ass Iginlia to be your toughness is a step backwards as well imo. Simmonds is the perfect blend of toughness and skill but those guys are few and far between.
The Pens don't have anybody like that and its not really an issue. Ive seen other teams take liberties with our star players and nobody is there to answer the bell. Sid vs McD the other game was nice to see even though I prefer someone else do that. If anything, I think you need a coach that holds the team accountable and Sullivan was what they were missing. I'm not sure AV is that guy.
- all-pgh

Torts was like that...probably rubbed off on Sully. Say what you will about Torts, but he did not let others take runs at his players.

Alex Semin.
- BINGO!

YES!!!

That sh!t was hysterical...embarrassing, too for Staal.

As long as it doesn't end up like Staal's fight many moons ago where he got girl slapped by someone...forget his name (Russian player).
- mames11

- smellmyfinger

Hockey at its most barbaric.

Hockey at its most barbaric.
- BINGO!

Staal missed 4 seconds with 3rd degree red marks on the back of his neck. Unacceptable behavior.

Staal missed 4 seconds with 3rd degree red marks on the back of his neck. Unacceptable behavior.
- eichiefs9

I guess I could look it up on HockeyFights but I have to imagine that's Semins only fight, I haven't seen anyone take that kind of fight strategy since 5th grade on the playground.

Anyone think that maybe the identity of the team has something to do with the coach? Under Tortorella, who was fiery and passionate, we were also a fiery passionate group. Sure we had players that fit that mold, but do you think Marian Gaborik would ever fight Dan Carcillo while playing for another team besides one that Torts coached?

The thing is, we do have some real tough guys on our team. Kreider, Miller, Klein, and even Nash have all shown flashes of fire and edge to their game. Why is it only flashes though? Why do those players sometimes let their fire show but not others? My guess is the coach. AV is a very calm, passive guy, and I think even if he's not actively trying to instill in his players a "turn the other cheek" mentality, the team probably is taking on his personality, as players tend to do often. Just another reason I'm a huge fan of finding another coach sooner than later.

I agree that we need to look at adding toughness. And we definitely need to add a top 4 RH D. But, i think the first thing the Rangers need to do is get healthy. When Nash, Zib, and Buch (hopefully) get back, the Rangers can re-solidify the Top 9 and then evaluate what they have for the 4th. The priority should be the RH D, but again, I think we need to wait until the forwards get healthy so wee can deal some of that depth. To start a a new discussion, Jan, is what should the "package" be for the top RH D that the Rangers need? When healthy the Rangers have forward depth, but we can't deplete it too much for a Dman. Depth is key for a long playoff run.