Jan Levine: Ping-ping balls give Rangers a shot at #1 pick, but which way do you go? Lose to CAR and be in lottery or win and vie for Cup?

Always play to win!
If we really want shot at top pick, pray season gets cancelled completely. Otherwise, when the puck gets dropped: LETS GO RANGERS!!

Always play to win!
If we really want shot at top pick, pray season gets cancelled completely. Otherwise, when the puck gets dropped: LETS GO RANGERS!!
- TommyGTrain

Couldn’t have said it better.

I think that a team that wins the playing round also has better chance to win the 1st round of the playoffs as being better prepared after the first games

I think that a team that wins the playing round also has better chance to win the 1st round of the playoffs as being better prepared after the first games
- stay@home-guy

that's why I think the Rangers have a good chance at winning this thing

Won’t happen.

Tank and go for the 1st pick.

This Cup is meaningless and will always have an asterisk next to it.

Tank and go for the 1st pick.

This Cup is meaningless and will always have an asterisk next to it.
- GalacticStone

Winning the Cup brings in revenue and free agents! Means more than 1st pick.

This Cup is meaningless and will always have an asterisk next to it.

Sorry I completely disagree with you. If the winner of the Cup had to win less games ie: shorten series then yes Id agree with you, but since the series are still best of 7 then I think it is still a legitimate Cup winner. This years winner will have to win at least 19 games to win the Cup. Considering the circumstances that the winner will have gone thru to win at least those 19 games will make it more satisfying to them.

Id rather the Rangers get a chance at the number one pick but I like their chances at beating the Canes. Ugh too bad.

I think that a team that wins the playing round also has better chance to win the 1st round of the playoffs as being better prepared after the first games
- stay@home-guy

All teams are playing the same amount of games. The 4 top seeded teams are playing for seeding. There will be not be any team having an advantage.

Tank and go for the 1st pick.

This Cup is meaningless and will always have an asterisk next to it.
- GalacticStone

If anything, this Cup is even more difficult to win then normal. New obstacles, uncertainty, an expanded playoff in the league with such high parity?? 24 team field is weird, but it’s more games to win and another team you have to survive against

It's sort of a loaded question. I look at it as, play to win and hopefully advance and get as much playoff experience as possible. If they do go out right away, then you have a 2nd chance at something good happening.

The draft is so deep, they can still get a really good player in the early teens. If Toronto loses, then the Rangers winning can really help them get a good pick and advance!

Always play to win!
If we really want shot at top pick, pray season gets cancelled completely. Otherwise, when the puck gets dropped: LETS GO RANGERS!!
- TommyGTrain

Well said.

Also, just following up from last blog, you were right on Nils getting ELC next year. I remember Tarmo got his last year but that was because he was 21, so it would be a net 2 years after this season anyway. The team acted in good faith with him, so hopefully he comes over if it's possible. I'm hopeful one of our outlier prospects really comes through. Then we have some big trade possibilities in play.

All teams are playing the same amount of games. The 4 top seeded teams are playing for seeding. There will be not be any team having an advantage.
- Brukie

There is a big difference though. Those 4 teams don't face the risk of elimination in those seeding games. And how important is seeding when there is no home ice advantage. I think teams that play in the first round play in games could have some advantage. They will already be in that win or go home intensity type of mode.

Did you guys catch the winning trade for Johnny Gaudreau as judged by Ek?

Rangers send: Georgi, Tony D and a first round pick

Calgary sends: JG

I don't think value is awful, but I wouldn't do this deal. To me, Tony D is the most valuable piece in the deal and even though he will be an unsigned RFA, his future contract $$ will still be less than $6.75 mill cap hit that Gaudreau will bring with him to NY.
Love the idea of adding a great forward like JG to Rangers, but I would still PASS...

There is a big difference though. Those 4 teams don't face the risk of elimination in those seeding games. And how important is seeding when there is no home ice advantage. I think teams that play in the first round play in games could have some advantage. They will already be in that win or go home intensity type of mode.
- TPC

Agreed to some extent. It would be no different than a team who had clinched a playoff berth with a few games to go. The biggest difference is how this shapes up. I dont think there has been a time in history where a team starts the playoffs fully healthy. I think there are just a handful of players that arent healthy enough to play. It will be a lot of fun to watch. Everyone will have some rust. Could the first goalie to get hot carry his team?? Who knows but it will be fun to watch!!

Did you guys catch the winning trade for Johnny Gaudreau as judged by Ek?

Rangers send: Georgi, Tony D and a first round pick

Calgary sends: JG

I don't think value is awful, but I wouldn't do this deal. To me, Tony D is the most valuable piece in the deal and even though he will be an unsigned RFA, his future contract $$ will still be less than $6.75 mill cap hit that Gaudreau will bring with him to NY.
Love the idea of adding a great forward like JG to Rangers, but I would still PASS...
- TommyGTrain

There's no reason to add the first in that deal. Even EK walked that back.

Like I said previously, I think the Rangers need next year to more closely evaluate all their younger players. Then they'll be set up for a couple of bigger deals at next year's draft, especially with over $20 million coming off the books between the HL, MS, & BS contracts plus KS's buyout lessening. This would also ensure that they make both picks this year, which I think they absolutely must do. They should come away with 2 very good forwards, which they'll need on ELC's in a few years when they have to start paying Fox, Kaako, Shesty, etc.

Agreed to some extent. It would be no different than a team who had clinched a playoff berth with a few games to go. The biggest difference is how this shapes up. I dont think there has been a time in history where a team starts the playoffs fully healthy. I think there are just a handful of players that arent healthy enough to play. It will be a lot of fun to watch. Everyone will have some rust. Could the first goalie to get hot carry his team?? Who knows but it will be fun to watch!!
- Brukie

Yea it is going to be crazy. Honestly I kind of throw everything out the window. It's been 4-5 months since most teams have played a game. Anything can happen.

If you thought that the Rangers had a shot at competing next year 20-21 season, then there’s no reason to think they can’t compete in the playoffs this year. My biggest concern is this whole thing gets going and then someone like Crosby, McDavid, Kucherov etc come down with covid. Then what? The whole thing will be seen as illegitimate for whoever wins. I’m excited for it, but so many questions still remain.

Do you guys think a top French Canadian #1 overall pick is going anywhere else but Pittsburgh? The loser of the Pittsburgh-Montreal series is winning the lottery.

Sorry I completely disagree with you. If the winner of the Cup had to win less games ie: shorten series then yes Id agree with you, but since the series are still best of 7 then I think it is still a legitimate Cup winner. This years winner will have to win at least 19 games to win the Cup. Considering the circumstances that the winner will have gone thru to win at least those 19 games will make it more satisfying to them.

Id rather the Rangers get a chance at the number one pick but I like their chances at beating the Canes. Ugh too bad.
- Brukie

Agreed. No asterisk. If it goes as planned, the Cup is the Cup. Ofc I want my team to win, but if (and likely when) another team gets it, then they went through the gauntlet and I’ll accept defeat and give them the nod.

Do you guys think a top French Canadian #1 overall pick is going anywhere else but Pittsburgh? The loser of the Pittsburgh-Montreal series is winning the lottery.
- SuperHenderson13

Dear god I hope you’re wrong. I don’t need a revitalized Penguins squad getting Lafreniere. I also would hate to see him join the core of the Rangers, or even add extra firepower to the kids in Carolina.

A young Rangers team with Lafreniere, Panarin, an improved Kakko, Fox, and Shesty would disturb me as a Philly fan.

Wouldn’t wanna see him joint the ranks of Aho, Teravainen, or Svechnikov, either. I think we can all agree with that. They would only need a goalie to be dominant considering that potential top 6 and a very capable defense.

Do you guys think a top French Canadian #1 overall pick is going anywhere else but Pittsburgh? The loser of the Pittsburgh-Montreal series is winning the lottery.
- SuperHenderson13

Toronto would bother me too.

you root for the Rangers to win, but if they don't, at least there is something to look forward to

it's the only way to think

you root for the Rangers to win, but if they don't, at least there is something to look forward to

it's the only way to think
- jimbro83

Sounds good to me.