DeAngelo was coming into form but all those other guys are so young. I feel like defensemen start peaking in their mid to late 20s and play some of their best hockey in their early 30s. That may be an unpopular opinion but look at Tampa’s veteran defense led by Hedman, McDonagh, Stralman and Girardi. 3 of those guys we got rid of because they were getting old years ago and yet they’re crushing it.
- rangerdanger94

The solid ones, yes. The good to elite dmen almost hit the ground running. McD improved over his few couple seasons, but he was a top dman in the league almost the moment he hit MSG ice. You brought up Hedman, he was almost the same way. We can't win with Miller, Nils, and whoever else their rookie year, but they could grow of age very quickly. It's why I really want Fox on our roster next year. Let him have his growing pains next year, and then he will be ready for 20-21 when we hope to start ascending again.

Tom on his couch when Rangers move into top 3


- disorca

I actually threw up.

It ended last night!
- Bobd62

I'm not sure we make the playoffs next season, but I don't think we are really rebuilding anymore. If we have to sell more and draft really high again, it probably means our top prospects/young players aren't developing well.

Now that we will have Kakko (or Hughes), it brings up the interesting debate, do we accelerate this now and try to go all in while guys like Kakko and Krav are on their rookie contracts? If we got Panarin, our top 9 would be scary. Who would play 3rd line Kravs or Kakko? I don't think KZB is getting broken up again.
- 2sticks1puck

I am all about doing what they can to be the best team they can be with Kravtsov and Kakko on their rookie deals

look at Toronto, this is their last playoff with Marner and Matthews on their rookie deals before they start making 11 million a year

if Kravstov and Kakko do what we hope, they will be 11 million a year players too

gotta take advantage when these guys are making peanuts

last night changed everything

I'm not sure we make the playoffs next season, but I don't think we are really rebuilding anymore. If we have to sell more and draft really high again, it probably means our top prospects/young players are developing well.
- 2sticks1puck

being sellers at next years TDL wouldn't be the end of the world though - then to make a big splash at the draft to finally get a D superstar...

Shesty quotes:

I am all about doing what they can to be the best team they can be with Kravtsov and Kakko on their rookie deals

look at Toronto, this is their last playoff with Marner and Matthews on their rookie deals before they start making 11 million a year

if Kravstov and Kakko do what we hope, they will be 11 million a year players too

gotta take advantage when these guys are making peanuts

last night changed everything
- jimbro83

including your underwear

including your underwear
- TPC

I brought an extra pair with me to work today just in case

DeAngelo was coming into form but all those other guys are so young. I feel like defensemen start peaking in their mid to late 20s and play some of their best hockey in their early 30s. That may be an unpopular opinion but look at Tampa’s veteran defense led by Hedman, McDonagh, Stralman and Girardi. 3 of those guys we got rid of because they were getting old years ago and yet they’re crushing it.
- rangerdanger94

And yet everyone here has been ready to write off Skjei and Pionk for months now.
I'm not saying don't change a thing, but there was a hell of a lot asked of those 2 this season (and last season as well for Skjei). Changes need to be made, but a pinch of patience with these guys would be a just reward for their service to date.
I also don't understand the continued hatred toward Staal. Is he overpaid for what he will be for the rest of his career? Absolutely. But, not many of us had a problem with his contract when it was signed, so suck it up! He played pretty damn well this season, IMO. Not much help in our end, or on the scoreboard.
Now, Smith and Shatty I'd love to have a do-over on.

Shesty quotes:


- jimbro83

now THAT is a good read!

I am all about doing what they can to be the best team they can be with Kravtsov and Kakko on their rookie deals

look at Toronto, this is their last playoff with Marner and Matthews on their rookie deals before they start making 11 million a year

if Kravstov and Kakko do what we hope, they will be 11 million a year players too

gotta take advantage when these guys are making peanuts

last night changed everything
- jimbro83

21-22 becomes the year we almost have to try to win the cup. We aren't winning next year, it would be a stretch to say we'd be ready the year after that. However year 3 of the ELCs, we have to take advantage. The only hope for year 4 and 5 is that our albatross contracts will be off the book by then and Miller, Nils, etc will still be on their ELCs.

Shesty quotes:


- jimbro83

Morning wood, part II

Here ya go, this hs me slightly excited if they can pull it off.

PANARIN-Zib-Buch
Kreider-HAYES-KAKKO
KRAVTSOV-Chytil-Strome
Lemieux-Howden-Fast
Smith-Lias

That Forward group *Could* be good enough to compete for a playoff spot. The Blue line is still an out of control tire fire.
- tomburton99

Hayes isn't coming back. Stop playing with my emotions.

Morning wood, part II
- Tonybere

the truth spoken

Thank you.
Great breakdown here. Even if we (devils) chose kakko I wouldnt be mad at all, there are some valid points that the devils need wingers/ finishers. But ultimately Hughes sounds like the way to go for us..

This is a win / win for both teams no matter what.. Metro division is gonna be crazy in a few years. I cant wait. The hudson river rivalry should reach new heights. And we're all very lucky to be able to watch this unfold
- rcerick

Absolutely. And with the Atlantic already being well stacked with youngsters it should put the East as the conference to beat for the next decade. Lots of good rivalries ahead!!

Morning wood, part II
- Tonybere

definitely sounds like we can breathe easier, he is coming over

I actually threw up.
- tomburton99

Congrats TB - One way or another you folks are getting a hell of a player

definitely sounds like we can breathe easier, he is coming over
- jimbro83

After last night, so is Tom

Hayes isn't coming back. Stop playing with my emotions.
- mdw7413

Yes he is...Kreider captain and Hayes back

It's all happening

Yes he is...Kreider captain and Hayes back

It's all happening
- TPC

I already let him go. Its like the gf you pretend never existed

I already let him go. Its like the gf you pretend never existed
- mdw7413

Until you get to bang again 3 months later

I already let him go. Its like the gf you pretend never existed
- mdw7413

Hayes has done ok with the Jets, not great

he had one monster game, but his last 6 games, 1 goal (an overtime winner) 0 assists and a -5

not really piling up big minutes either

Until you get to bang again 3 months later
- TPC

Hayes has done ok with the Jets, not great

he had one monster game, but his last 6 games, 1 goal (an overtime winner) 0 assists and a -5

not really piling up big minutes either
- jimbro83

Yeah. I would still take him back in a heartbeat though. He definitely was doing well under Quinn.

Yeah. I would still take him back in a heartbeat though. He definitely was doing well under Quinn.
- mdw7413

oh yeah definitely, so would I