I wouldnt protect Howden regardless and Im all on the Morgan Barron train to be a future stud for us.
- aecliptic

chances are pretty strong the Rangers are leaving Howden unprotected unless he has a big season, but the organization seems very high on him

it isn't a coincidence that they seemed to be talking him up after the season and at the draft they went heavy on WHL players in the draft more than they have in years

chances are pretty strong the Rangers are leaving Howden unprotected unless he has a big season, but the organization seems very high on him

it isn't a coincidence that they seemed to be talking him up after the season and at the draft they went heavy on WHL players in the draft more than they have in years
- jimbro83

I think Howden gets a lot of crap here and elsewhere when it isn't fully warranted. He isn't a high-end skill guy, but he does a lot of the little things well and has a high compete level which is why the organization likes him. He's also only 21 which gets overlooked because he doesn't have the ceiling Chytil does, but he can turn into a very good 3C I think. Since it's the topic of the day, he's also 48% at faceoffs which while not great, is only 1% lower than Mika who is our best at them. If it comes down to it I wouldn't be devastated if we lost him to Seattle, but I think they will try their best to protect him. He's another guy that has almost 140 NHL games as a 21 year old. He ranks 15th in games played in the 2016 draft. That's not nothing.

I think Howden gets a lot of crap here and elsewhere when it isn't fully warranted. He isn't a high-end skill guy, but he does a lot of the little things well and has a high compete level which is why the organization likes him. He's also only 21 which gets overlooked because he doesn't have the ceiling Chytil does, but he can turn into a very good 3C I think. Since it's the topic of the day, he's also 48% at faceoffs which while not great, is only 1% lower than Mika who is our best at them. If it comes down to it I wouldn't be devastated if we lost him to Seattle, but I think they will try their best to protect him. He's another guy that has almost 140 NHL games as a 21 year old. He ranks 15th in games played in the 2016 draft. That's not nothing.
- SkjeiStadium

I really dont think Howden gets much crap here, but the crap he gets on Rangers twitter is absolutely ridiculous

I really dont think Howden gets much crap here, but the crap he gets on Rangers twitter is absolutely ridiculous
- jimbro83

Yes it is. I like Howden, I think they have a solid bottom 6 piece with him.

I really dont think Howden gets much crap here, but the crap he gets on Rangers twitter is absolutely ridiculous
- jimbro83

That's fair, I should just say he gets it from rangers fans in general. I don't think hes a cornerstone player by any means but people treat him like he's as expendable as a Di Guisseppe or McKegg and that just isn't the case. There's a reason he is here and Lias is gone and it's not because Quinn was "playing favorites". Lias never did anything to make himself valuable to the current roster and Howden has, yet some people blame Howden for Lias' demise which is unfair. Again not saying this is your opinion or anyone else on here's, but it's one i've seen a fair bit.

That's fair, I should just say he gets it from rangers fans in general. I don't think hes a cornerstone player by any means but people treat him like he's as expendable as a Di Guisseppe or McKegg and that just isn't the case. There's a reason he is here and Lias is gone and it's not because Quinn was "playing favorites". Lias never did anything to make himself valuable to the current roster and Howden has, yet some people blame Howden for Lias' demise which is unfair. Again not saying this is your opinion or anyone else on here's, but it's one i've seen a fair bit.
- SkjeiStadium

they hold the McDongh/Miller trade against him on twitter, like it's Howden's fault

I think Howden gets a lot of crap here and elsewhere when it isn't fully warranted. He isn't a high-end skill guy, but he does a lot of the little things well and has a high compete level which is why the organization likes him. He's also only 21 which gets overlooked because he doesn't have the ceiling Chytil does, but he can turn into a very good 3C I think. Since it's the topic of the day, he's also 48% at faceoffs which while not great, is only 1% lower than Mika who is our best at them. If it comes down to it I wouldn't be devastated if we lost him to Seattle, but I think they will try their best to protect him. He's another guy that has almost 140 NHL games as a 21 year old. He ranks 15th in games played in the 2016 draft. That's not nothing.
- SkjeiStadium

I think anything +/-50% on faceoffs is very good. Rangers will have a tough decision to make between Howden and Barron in the future. Luckily Barron will have a couple years in the AHL to see what he can do before the call up.

they hold the McDongh/Miller trade against him on twitter, like it's Howden's fault

- jimbro83

Actually what Id do usually is trade Gauthier for a nasty frustrating 4C (like Frederic), and move Howden up to 3C.

Actually what Id do usually is trade Gauthier for a nasty frustrating 4C (like Frederic), and move Howden up to 3C.
- aecliptic

well then you gotta protect Frederic though

they hold the McDongh/Miller trade against him on twitter, like it's Howden's fault

- jimbro83

Certainly not Howden's fault, but boy did that trade work out for Tampa.

Got Mac and then essentially flipped Miller for Blake Coleman and cap space. Really helped them get their cup.

That being said I think we did pretty well too. We traded two guys we weren't going to keep, and that led to us being bad enough to have the opportunity to win 2 lotteries. We also added a bottom 6 forward in Howden, a likely bottom pair defender in Hajek, and then Nils Lundkvist and Karl Henriksson, both of whom look promising. Good trade for both sides given where their rosters were at the time.

well then you gotta protect Frederic though
- jimbro83

Hmm, true. Predicament. Probably why we wont see the true finished product for this team til after the expansion draft. However, if they have to leave Howden unprotected, I think Barron will slot in there nicely.

Hmm, true. Predicament. Probably why we wont see the true finished product for this team til after the expansion draft. However, if they have to leave Howden unprotected, I think Barron will slot in there nicely.
- aecliptic

this is why I was critical about the Joey Keane for Gauthier trade

Keane is exempt from expansion draft and Gauthier isn't

they really need to give Gauthier a chance this season to make that trade worth it

Do you guys think the Rangers have the gall to leave/ask Kreider to be unprotected?

this is why I was critical about the Joey Keane for Gauthier trade

Keane is exempt from expansion draft and Gauthier isn't

they really need to give Gauthier a chance this season to make that trade worth it
- jimbro83

By the looks of it he will be playing with Chytil and a mix of Kreider or LAF.

Do you guys think the Rangers have the gall to leave/ask Kreider to be unprotected?
- aecliptic

I don't think a chance in hell

I don't think a chance in hell
- jimbro83

well then you gotta protect Frederic though
- jimbro83

Bruins fans are very excited about Frederic. I don't think he is realistically available. I think Hajek is going to be lost in the Expansion draft anyway, young D will be a vital commodity for the Krakken.

Do you guys think the Rangers have the gall to leave/ask Kreider to be unprotected?
- aecliptic

That will be an incredibly difficult conversation if he is wearing the "C"!

That will be an incredibly difficult conversation if he is wearing the "C"!
- TommyGTrain

Ask Mac and Cally about that.

Ask Mac and Cally about that.
- Fenrir

The McDonagh one was so bizarre with the ceremony and him not being there. Then he is traded a couple days later.

Bruins fans are very excited about Frederic. I don't think he is realistically available. I think Hajek is going to be lost in the Expansion draft anyway, young D will be a vital commodity for the Krakken.
- TommyGTrain

Totally agree with you there, Hajek will probably be the one we lose, HOWEVER, (unless Im reading this wrong) as long as he plays less than 42 games this year, he will not meet the criteria of being exposed because he would not have played in 70 games starting from the 2019-20 season.

As far as forwards go, Rooney and Blackwell should be the 2 forwards that are left unprotected as long as they play 40 games this year.

Bruins fans are very excited about Frederic. I don't think he is realistically available. I think Hajek is going to be lost in the Expansion draft anyway, young D will be a vital commodity for the Krakken.
- TommyGTrain

yeah, it's an absolute give that Hajek is unprotected, like 10000% chance

if we get through the expansion draft with losing him that would be fantastic, he has no chance of being the future around here with Trouba, Fox, Tony D, K'Andre, Robertson, Lundkvist, Reunanen, Schneider on the way

Hajek is extremely expendable

Totally agree with you there, Hajek will probably be the one we lose, HOWEVER, (unless Im reading this wrong) as long as he plays less than 42 games this year, he will not meet the criteria of being exposed because he would not have played in 70 games starting from the 2019-20 season.

As far as forwards go, Rooney and Blackwell should be the 2 forwards that are left unprotected as long as they play 40 games this year.
- aecliptic

Bitetto just needs 20 games

definitely something to consider though

Bitetto just needs 20 games

definitely something to consider though
- jimbro83

Im sure a lot of these numbers games are going on in front offices around the league and probably why the Rangers arent getting too crazy this year with trades.

Im sure a lot of these numbers games are going on in front offices around the league and probably why the Rangers arent getting too crazy this year with trades.
- aecliptic

definitely a factor, especially on the blueline

they are protecting Trouba, Lindgren and Tony D

that's an absolute given

why acquire someone who would have to be protected

next summer they'll make a big acquisition, lots of cap money coming off from the buyouts, Smith will be gone, no draft to worry about