Chiefs move into your neighborhood?
- TPC

Chiefs is more awol than me

Chiefs is more awol than me
- mdw7413

Kakko didn't get much more ice time then Laf until he started playing better and earning it. Geez Laf has played 30 games or so in the NHL.

Kakko, Fox, Miller, Shesty are all getting good minutes b/c their play has warranted it. Once Laf gets to that point his min. will increase too.

You guys have to stop obsessing over Quinn ---- HE ISN"T GOING ANYWHERE!

The Rangers have been completely transparent about what they are doing. Fans that ignore the signs aren't paying attention. To wit:

The Rangers hired Quinn and then made the decision to blow it all up and rebuild. They issued "The Letter" to the fans and then proceeded to trade their Captain and many other players for high draft picks. Since 2017, the Rangers have had the most 1st round draft picks in the NHL with 8. Those picks are slowly being groomed and assimilated into the organization and the league.

Quinn has made it clear all along that he will hold players accountable for their level of play. He has benched many players and told them exactly why. They had to yield to Quinn's wishes or not play. Tony D'Angelo was a good example of this. The result led him to be a top 4 scoring defenseman in the NHL.

If players did not follow instructions, the Rangers made it clear that you would NOT play. Lias Andersson was a good example of this. When players resist, they are gone no matter what the cost is to the organization. Lias Andersson, Tony D'Angelo and now Lemieux were all traded away because they did not fit/comply.

JD, Gorton and Quinn all appear to be of the same mind here. Our young players are going to have to EARN their ice-time. This is not Ottawa where high draft picks just play big minutes right away. Want to play here? Then FORCE your way onto the ice!
Kakko is a good example of this: Last year he was minus 26 and lost defensively. Now, he has become a plus player and plays a full 200 ft game. He has EARNED his way into the top 6. Fox and Miller have earned their ice time too. As much as I like Gauthier, he has not earned top 6 ice-time just yet. Kravtsov will have to FORCE his way into the lineup too, its not going to be handed to him.

The only outlier here is Howden. I have to believe that Gorton wants to give him EVERY opportunity to succeed to help justify the trade. Hopefully, he will go in the Expansion Draft, to be replaced with a far superior player.

But Quinn is here to stay. He will not be fired until the end of next year at the earliest. The team is staying the course in the rebuild and what they are doing is clear. Young players are not going to be handed out ice time like candy on Halloween. Get used to this and accept this is the way the Rangers are going to proceed for the near future...

Kakko didn't get much more until he started playing better and earning it. Geez Laf has played 30 games or so in the NHL.

Kakko, Fox, Miller, Shesty are all getting good minutes b/c their play has warranted it. Once Laf gets to that point his min. will increase too.
- rrentz

It's not like Laf is seeing no ice time. He's 7th on the team in TOI/G for the forwards. Guess who he's behind:

Panarin, Zib, Buch, Strome, Kreider and Kakko (in that order)

Who should he be playing more than out of those 6? I'd love to know from the "Quinn hates kids" crowd.

It's not like Laf is seeing no ice time. He's 7th on the team in TOI/G for the forwards. Guess who he's behind:

Panarin, Zib, Buch, Strome, Kreider and Kakko (in that order)

Who should he be playing more than out of those 6? I'd love to know from the "Quinn hates kids" crowd.
- Bean_Dip

AND Buch has become a force under Quinn. I guess people just hate having an Irishman from Boston as the coach of the NYR?

It's not like Laf is seeing no ice time. He's 7th on the team in TOI/G for the forwards. Guess who he's behind:

Panarin, Zib, Buch, Strome, Kreider and Kakko (in that order)

Who should he be playing more than out of those 6? I'd love to know from the "Quinn hates kids" crowd.
- Bean_Dip

Great stat. 7th actually sounds exactly right. Do you happen to have the drop off from 5th to 6th and 7th though? If it’s 18, 15, 13 then I’m fine with it and will retreat with my Laf needs more time argument.

You guys have to stop obsessing over Quinn ---- HE ISN"T GOING ANYWHERE!

The Rangers have been completely transparent about what they are doing. Fans that ignore the signs aren't paying attention. To wit:

The Rangers hired Quinn and then made the decision to blow it all up and rebuild. They issued "The Letter" to the fans and then proceeded to trade their Captain and many other players for high draft picks. Since 2017, the Rangers have had the most 1st round draft picks in the NHL with 8. Those picks are slowly being groomed and assimilated into the organization and the league.

Quinn has made it clear all along that he will hold players accountable for their level of play. He has benched many players and told them exactly why. They had to yield to Quinn's wishes or not play. Tony D'Angelo was a good example of this. The result led him to be a top 4 scoring defenseman in the NHL.

If players did not follow instructions, the Rangers made it clear that you would NOT play. Lias Andersson was a good example of this. When players resist, they are gone no matter what the cost is to the organization. Lias Andersson, Tony D'Angelo and now Lemieux were all traded away because they did not fit/comply.

JD, Gorton and Quinn all appear to be of the same mind here. Our young players are going to have to EARN their ice-time. This is not Ottawa where high draft picks just play big minutes right away. Want to play here? Then FORCE your way onto the ice!
Kakko is a good example of this: Last year he was minus 26 and lost defensively. Now, he has become a plus player and plays a full 200 ft game. He has EARNED his way into the top 6. Fox and Miller have earned their ice time too. As much as I like Gauthier, he has not earned top 6 ice-time just yet. Kravtsov will have to FORCE his way into the lineup too, its not going to be handed to him.

The only outlier here is Howden. I have to believe that Gorton wants to give him EVERY opportunity to succeed to help justify the trade. Hopefully, he will go in the Expansion Draft, to be replaced with a far superior player.

But Quinn is here to stay. He will not be fired until the end of next year at the earliest. The team is staying the course in the rebuild and what they are doing is clear. Young players are not going to be handed out ice time like candy on Halloween. Get used to this and accept this is the way the Rangers are going to proceed for the near future...
- TommyGTrain

Spot on. Since NYR is so thin at Center, maybe, just maybe, they want to give Howden every opportunity before the decide that he isn't gonna be on this team going forward.

Great stat. 7th actually sounds exactly right. Do you happen to have the drop off from 5th to 6th and 7th though? If it’s 18, 15, 13 then I’m fine with it and will retreat with my Laf needs more time argument.
- TC88

18, 15, 14

That's spread out over the course of the year. Obvs Laf was playing more earlier when he was in the top 6. But my point stands. Who is he playing over in that top 6 right now? And are we really going to sacrifice time from that top 6 strictly because "development"?

18, 15, 14

That's spread out over the course of the year. Obvs Laf was playing more earlier when he was in the top 6. But my point stands. Who is he playing over in that top 6 right now? And are we really going to sacrifice time from that top 6 strictly because "development"?
- Bean_Dip

They better not...otherwise the Vets will want to go

18, 15, 14

That's spread out over the course of the year. Obvs Laf was playing more earlier when he was in the top 6. But my point stands. Who is he playing over in that top 6 right now? And are we really going to sacrifice time from that top 6 strictly because "development"?
- Bean_Dip

Thanks, that’s really helpful. And agree, either Kreider and Laf need to swap (prob not happening this season) or the 3rd line needs Rooney or Blackwell with Chytil and Laf to balance out defensive responsibilities. Unfortunately that signals Krav not playing this season. Guess all things considered Laf, Chytil, Krav playing sheltered minutes together may be the best case scenario.

18, 15, 14

That's spread out over the course of the year. Obvs Laf was playing more earlier when he was in the top 6. But my point stands. Who is he playing over in that top 6 right now? And are we really going to sacrifice time from that top 6 strictly because "development"?
- Bean_Dip

Lafreniere played a lot when Panarin went AWOL

Lafreniere played a lot when Panarin went AWOL
- jimbo83

So the underlying problem in Panarin. Just trade him and Laf will play more. Simple

Thanks, that’s really helpful. And agree, either Kreider and Laf need to swap (prob not happening this season) or the 3rd line needs Rooney or Blackwell with Chytil and Laf to balance out defensive responsibilities. Unfortunately that signals Krav not playing this season. Guess all things considered Laf, Chytil, Krav playing sheltered minutes together may be the best case scenario.
- TC88

You do understand the difference in minutes between Kreider and LAF is that one plays on the PP and the other doesnt.

Are you saying LAF has earned to take PP time away from Kreider? Furthermore, PP1 is usually playing for 1:30 of the 2 mins during the PP. So theres no way for LAF to get on the ice.

Also, Quinns lack of faith in Stromes ability to be a C on the special teams creates an odd situation for the PP2 because they dont have a dedicated C.

You do understand the difference in minutes between Kreider and LAF is that one plays on the PP and the other doesnt.

Are you saying LAF has earned to take PP time away from Kreider? Furthermore, PP1 is usually playing for 1:30 of the 2 mins during the PP. So theres no way for LAF to get on the ice.

Also, Quinns lack of faith in Stromes ability to be a C on the special teams creates an odd situation for the PP2 because they dont have a dedicated C.
- aecliptic

Not to mention Kreider is getting paid like 6.5 mill for the next 5 years

Not up to date on the blog comments so sorry if this has come up before. At the risk of getting destroyed here I want to mention that I think Torts would be an excellent coach for this group. I was a fan of his last time around and realize that I am in the minority there. I just feel like the team always played an honest game when he was behind the bench and I liked the overall tenacity of this teams. I think the lockout ruined what could have been a great season following the unexpected run to the conference finals. His interview comments were worth the price of admission to me as well.

Totally get it if you don't agree but I think this team needs a little more spice and better meritocracy that Torts brings. He is unsigned after this season and I know JD and Drury love him. Big downside to me is Gorton as Tort's hiring would imply that the decision came from somewhere other than his desk.

OK, thanks for reading, now fight me!

You do understand the difference in minutes between Kreider and LAF is that one plays on the PP and the other doesnt.

Are you saying LAF has earned to take PP time away from Kreider? Furthermore, PP1 is usually playing for 1:30 of the 2 mins during the PP. So theres no way for LAF to get on the ice.

Also, Quinns lack of faith in Stromes ability to be a C on the special teams creates an odd situation for the PP2 because they dont have a dedicated C.
- aecliptic

Idk if it’s solely that though. Lafs last 4 games in minutes were 8,11,8,11. Giving the kid 12-13 minutes is all I’m asking for. I don’t think that’s entirely PP dependent. And even so, has PP2 scored once this season? Haven’t noticed Laf out there in awhile.

AND Buch has become a force under Quinn. I guess people just hate having an Irishman from Boston as the coach of the NYR?

- rrentz

Quinn is from Cranston RI, not Boston. And I don't think anyone cares where he's from. The organization sent the letter out before hiring Quinn. The reason they hired Quinn was to develop the young talent. A lot of our young players haven't played how we would hope, part of that could be guessing wrong in trades (Howden) part of that could be on Quinn but as mentioned there have been some players (Buch, Kakko) who have made good improvement under him.

The only issue I have is that if we ride our top 6 like sea biscuit to get into the playoffs what then? Get bounced in the 1st round because you can't rely on 6 forwards to win playoff series, and all of that was done at the potential development of the youth just so Quinn could save his own job?

We want the young players to be playing more and getting opportunity in these close meaningful games while the season is on the line. Next year the expectation is to be a playoff team, not necessarily this season. 3-5 years from now the goal is to be competing for Stanley cups and without the younger players getting opportunity to play in difficult situations how are they supposed to grow?

Quinn is from Cranston RI, not Boston. And I don't think anyone cares where he's from. The organization sent the letter out before hiring Quinn. The reason they hired Quinn was to develop the young talent. A lot of our young players haven't played how we would hope, part of that could be guessing wrong in trades (Howden) part of that could be on Quinn but as mentioned there have been some players (Buch, Kakko) who have made good improvement under him.

The only issue I have is that if we ride our top 6 like sea biscuit to get into the playoffs what then? Get bounced in the 1st round because you can't rely on 6 forwards to win playoff series, and all of that was done at the potential development of the youth just so Quinn could save his own job?

We want the young players to be playing more and getting opportunity in these close meaningful games while the season is on the line. Next year the expectation is to be a playoff team, not necessarily this season. 3-5 years from now the goal is to be competing for Stanley cups and without the younger players getting opportunity to play in difficult situations how are they supposed to grow?
- newenglandpuck

Every single young player is playing top6 minutes or top minutes on D, with the exception of Laf.

Is Lafs development being hampered because he has played a total of 36 NHL games not on the #1 line, thats seems like a real stretch.

He was given opportunity in the top 6 with Panarin out. He was ok, but not playing up to that spot.

Quinn is from Cranston RI, not Boston. And I don't think anyone cares where he's from. The organization sent the letter out before hiring Quinn. The reason they hired Quinn was to develop the young talent. A lot of our young players haven't played how we would hope, part of that could be guessing wrong in trades (Howden) part of that could be on Quinn but as mentioned there have been some players (Buch, Kakko) who have made good improvement under him.

The only issue I have is that if we ride our top 6 like sea biscuit to get into the playoffs what then? Get bounced in the 1st round because you can't rely on 6 forwards to win playoff series, and all of that was done at the potential development of the youth just so Quinn could save his own job?

We want the young players to be playing more and getting opportunity in these close meaningful games while the season is on the line. Next year the expectation is to be a playoff team, not necessarily this season. 3-5 years from now the goal is to be competing for Stanley cups and without the younger players getting opportunity to play in difficult situations how are they supposed to grow?
- newenglandpuck

Excellent point, it will be missed by most on this board.

Idk if it’s solely that though. Lafs last 4 games in minutes were 8,11,8,11. Giving the kid 12-13 minutes is all I’m asking for. I don’t think that’s entirely PP dependent. And even so, has PP2 scored once this season? Haven’t noticed Laf out there in awhile.
- TC88

PP2 is getting less than 30 seconds of PP time, if that. So lets say theres 4 PP, like last night, PP1 gets 6-7 minutes, PP2 gets around 1:30. Thats overall about 1:30 that on a normal team goes to the PP2.

PP2 doesnt even have a center because Quinn doesnt trust Strome to be there. Theres a rotation of LAF, Blackwell and Chytil on that PP2 C.

Not up to date on the blog comments so sorry if this has come up before. At the risk of getting destroyed here I want to mention that I think Torts would be an excellent coach for this group. I was a fan of his last time around and realize that I am in the minority there. I just feel like the team always played an honest game when he was behind the bench and I liked the overall tenacity of this teams. I think the lockout ruined what could have been a great season following the unexpected run to the conference finals. His interview comments were worth the price of admission to me as well.

Totally get it if you don't agree but I think this team needs a little more spice and better meritocracy that Torts brings. He is unsigned after this season and I know JD and Drury love him. Big downside to me is Gorton as Tort's hiring would imply that the decision came from somewhere other than his desk.

OK, thanks for reading, now fight me!
- jacheech

I loved Torts for 90% of his time here. Two things make me disagree w/ what you have said. First, Torts isn't the best coach for rookies. His style sometimes scares the poop out of them
. Second, his coaching style tires out the guys and loses its effectivness as time goes on.

Quinn is from Cranston RI, not Boston. And I don't think anyone cares where he's from. The organization sent the letter out before hiring Quinn. The reason they hired Quinn was to develop the young talent. A lot of our young players haven't played how we would hope, part of that could be guessing wrong in trades (Howden) part of that could be on Quinn but as mentioned there have been some players (Buch, Kakko) who have made good improvement under him.

The only issue I have is that if we ride our top 6 like sea biscuit to get into the playoffs what then? Get bounced in the 1st round because you can't rely on 6 forwards to win playoff series, and all of that was done at the potential development of the youth just so Quinn could save his own job?

We want the young players to be playing more and getting opportunity in these close meaningful games while the season is on the line. Next year the expectation is to be a playoff team, not necessarily this season. 3-5 years from now the goal is to be competing for Stanley cups and without the younger players getting opportunity to play in difficult situations how are they supposed to grow?
- newenglandpuck

the belief that David Quinn is on the hot seat, its such a fallacy

Quinn is from Cranston RI, not Boston. And I don't think anyone cares where he's from. The organization sent the letter out before hiring Quinn. The reason they hired Quinn was to develop the young talent. A lot of our young players haven't played how we would hope, part of that could be guessing wrong in trades (Howden) part of that could be on Quinn but as mentioned there have been some players (Buch, Kakko) who have made good improvement under him.

The only issue I have is that if we ride our top 6 like sea biscuit to get into the playoffs what then? Get bounced in the 1st round because you can't rely on 6 forwards to win playoff series, and all of that was done at the potential development of the youth just so Quinn could save his own job?

We want the young players to be playing more and getting opportunity in these close meaningful games while the season is on the line. Next year the expectation is to be a playoff team, not necessarily this season. 3-5 years from now the goal is to be competing for Stanley cups and without the younger players getting opportunity to play in difficult situations how are they supposed to grow?
- newenglandpuck

We are the youngest team in the entire league. There's several young players in the org that not only will not get minutes, but will be left in the dust in the organazation. We also have a few star players that form the foundation of the team.

It's way too early to worry about Laf, but you can't cherry pick situations where younger players aren't getting minutes, when there are several others that are getting those chances. Fox and Lindgren have been a defacto 1B pair almost since day 1. The funny thing about minutes is, there's only 3 forward spots and 2 defense spots on the top unit. All of the players need to be able to compete to earn this time. If Zib and Panarin are your best options for your top line, that's not a Quinn problem, that's a player problem.

Earlier this morning I compared the team to Tampa right before they got going. This was a team that started playing Point, a franchise level player in his own right, on the third line and let him to move up through his play. Would you have criticized them for doing this? What about Paquette, who many fans on this board have clamored for?

We should be celebrating the fact that the team has this much talent where someone like Laf and Kakko last year could be slotted to play on depth lines. It's a really good problem to have. I can't wait until next year when the complaints come in about Nils on the third pairing despite there being nothing wrong with Key-Trouba and Lindgren-Fox.

Every single young player is playing top6 minutes or top minutes on D, with the exception of Laf.

Is Lafs development being hampered because he has played a total of 36 NHL games not on the #1 line, thats seems like a real stretch.

He was given opportunity in the top 6 with Panarin out. He was ok, but not playing up to that spot.
- mdw7413

5 points in 6 games at one point averaging 15 min. You could tell he was really starting to feel it. In relation, the last 5 games averaging 10 minutes he’s put up 3 points. Just a couple more shifts is all. Not saying he should be on the first line.