What exactly is the Rangers plan for this year and next? Do they seriously want to contend for a cup? Or are they just treading water, just hoping to eek out a playoff spot?

As for that list of potential available centers, I’d do what Joe Namath used to do on 3rd down, pass.

I would rather have Rex Ryan.
- Pete V

What exactly is the Rangers plan for this year and next? Do they seriously want to contend for a cup? Or are they just treading water, just hoping to eek out a playoff spot?

As for that list of potential available centers, I’d do what Joe Namath used to do on 3rd down, pass.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

I don't think they have serious intentions to compete for a Cup this year. I think they are doing the "rebuild on the fly" thing, which will allow them to be reasonably good but they aren't going to sell off future picks or prospects to make a run. I think they are thinking more long term now, while at the same time trying to remain competitive.

I don't think they have serious intentions to compete for a Cup this year. I think they are doing the "rebuild on the fly" thing, which will allow them to be reasonably good but they aren't going to sell off future picks or prospects to make a run. I think they are thinking more long term now, while at the same time trying to remain competitive.
- Pete V

What exactly is the Rangers plan for this year and next? Do they seriously want to contend for a cup? Or are they just treading water, just hoping to eek out a playoff spot?

As for that list of potential available centers, I’d do what Joe Namath used to do on 3rd down, pass.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

nobody in the Eastern Conference is unbeatable in a 7 game series at all

the hottest team in the conference is Montreal right now, tell me you actually fear them in the playoffs

I don't think they have serious intentions to compete for a Cup this year. I think they are doing the "rebuild on the fly" thing, which will allow them to be reasonably good but they aren't going to sell off future picks or prospects to make a run. I think they are thinking more long term now, while at the same time trying to remain competitive.
- Pete V

The NY way, have to put a good product out there for the spectacle aspect

nobody in the Eastern Conference is unbeatable in a 7 game series at all

the hottest team in the conference is Montreal right now, tell me you actually fear them in the playoffs
- jimbro83

Habs are still very bad. They are one point ahead of the Bruins for the last playoff spot in the Atlantic. The Bruins have 4! games in hand.

Habs are still very bad. They are one point ahead of the Bruins for the last playoff spot in the Atlantic. The Bruins have 4! games in hand.
- tomburton99

I think the best team in the conference right now is the Islanders.

I wonder if they'll have the balls to pull off a big trade.

I don't think they have serious intentions to compete for a Cup this year. I think they are doing the "rebuild on the fly" thing, which will allow them to be reasonably good but they aren't going to sell off future picks or prospects to make a run. I think they are thinking more long term now, while at the same time trying to remain competitive.
- Pete V

Ok, I’d be good with that, but it’s a slippery slope. Will they let Nash walk away after this year, or move him prior to the deadline for future considerations?, Which would seem to be the right move to me.

nobody in the Eastern Conference is unbeatable in a 7 game series at all

the hottest team in the conference is Montreal right now, tell me you actually fear them in the playoffs
- jimbro83

To my early point, I am not saying the Rangers can't compete. I am just saying that I think they are done trading first round picks and prospects at the deadline to try to make a run (at least for a couple of years).

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I don't think they have serious intentions to compete for a Cup this year. I think they are doing the "rebuild on the fly" thing, which will allow them to be reasonably good but they aren't going to sell off future picks or prospects to make a run. I think they are thinking more long term now, while at the same time trying to remain competitive.
- Pete V

Yup, I think its hoping to get into the playoffs and who knows what will happen, and letting the draft picks get ready for the big club.

Would rather that than a blow up, where they suck for years, hoping they get a nice talent who wont change the team till they get pieces for said talent. Could suck for a decade and still have nothing to show for it.

I think the best team in the conference right now is the Islanders.

I wonder if they'll have the balls to pull off a big trade.
- jimbro83

Pens are still the champs, when they are eliminated from the playoffs, all bets would be off.

Ok, I’d be good with that, but it’s a slippery slope. Will they let Nash walk away after this year, or move him prior to the deadline for future considerations?, Which would seem to be the right move to me.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

It's going to be very interesting to see what they do with Nash. If they aren't in playoff position, he will 100% get traded. The more interesting question is what happens if they are teetering on the line. I think it will depend on the return.

To my early point, I am not saying the Rangers can't compete. I am just saying that I think they are done trading first round picks and prospects at the deadline to try to make a run (at least for a couple of years).
- Pete V

I think there is a chance they'll do something at the deadline, they seem to be hoarding cap space for some reason

I think there is a chance they'll do something at the deadline, they seem to be hoarding cap space for some reason
- jimbro83

I think so to, but I think the deal will be a different type deal. It won't include a poop ton of high end picks and prospects unless they are getting a young player back.

nobody in the Eastern Conference is unbeatable in a 7 game series at all

the hottest team in the conference is Montreal right now, tell me you actually fear them in the playoffs
- jimbro83

If you go by the last dozen games, aren't we still the hottest team?

It's going to be very interesting to see what they do with Nash. If they aren't in playoff position, he will 100% get traded. The more interesting question is what happens if they are teetering on the line. I think it will depend on the return.
- Pete V

Agreed. If it’s business as usual, they’ll go for it. Not sure that’s the right play. Time will tell.

If you go by the last dozen games, aren't we still the hottest team?
- Tonybere

yeah but Buchnevich only played 14 minutes the other night and that kills the whole thing

I think there is a chance they'll do something at the deadline, they seem to be hoarding cap space for some reason
- jimbro83

I think the best team in the conference right now is the Islanders.

I wonder if they'll have the balls to pull off a big trade.
- jimbro83

I don't think there's a big trade to be had that would benefit them. They need defense and there really isn't anyone known to be available. The Ducks were the one team I was hoping to see them pry a defenseman away from, but that ship as sailed now that they traded Vatanen. I guess I could still hold out hope that they trade Chiarelli a bouquet of dead flowers and six pencil erasers for Klefbom.

Otherwise, I expect a depth deal for a pending UFA defenseman at the deadline and that's probably it.

yeah but Buchnevich only played 14 minutes the other night and that kills the whole thing
- jimbro83

That’s the type of fact that concerns me about the Rangers cadre. I’m not sure who’s in charge, and that said, who is doling out ice time. Or is Jim Ramsey calling the shots.

I don't think there's a big trade to be had that would benefit them. They need defense and there really isn't anyone known to be available. The Ducks were the one team I was hoping to see them pry a defenseman away from, but that ship as sailed now that they traded Vatanen. I guess I could still hold out hope that they trade Chiarelli a bouquet of dead flowers and six pencil erasers for Klefbom.

Otherwise, I expect a depth deal for a pending UFA defenseman at the deadline and that's probably it.
- eichiefs9

If they’re serious about retaining Taveras, they better be ready to do anything necessary to mak a huge run.

I don't think there's a big trade to be had that would benefit them. They need defense and there really isn't anyone known to be available. The Ducks were the one team I was hoping to see them pry a defenseman away from, but that ship as sailed now that they traded Vatanen. I guess I could still hold out hope that they trade Chiarelli a bouquet of dead flowers and six pencil erasers for Klefbom.

Otherwise, I expect a depth deal for a pending UFA defenseman at the deadline and that's probably it.
- eichiefs9

You can have Nick Holden.

That’s the type of fact that concerns me about the Rangers cadre. I’m not sure who’s in charge, and that said, who is doling out ice time. Or is Jim Ramsey calling the shots.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

it's an overrated occurrence, his ice time has been trending higher

the other night, Vesey had 22 shifts, Buchnevich had 21, but everyone freaked out about their icetime difference

you never know why guy's end up with more icetime, sometimes guys get stuck out there after an icing, there are so many variables that factor in

the number of shifts is what need to be looked at