he (fox) is making it very easy to forget about the ADA situation.

fox
trouba
lundvist (however you spell his name)


that's the right side for the next 7 years hopefully.
- NYRangers1124

I'm with you. I really like Trouba there despite the money he is making. If the cap wasn't staying flat I don't think anyone would even bat an eye at his salary.

because I want to keep Blackwell for our 4th line and to fill in when necessary
- mdw7413

He's the perfect 4th liner. Not that he wasn't a good player for us, but remember when I said we could find someone that could do 90% of what Fast did and pay him a fraction of Fast's contract? Well Blackwell is that guy. I think Fast still is better defensively, but Blackwell has been a revelation offensively for what he is

Honestly I always laugh at the awards, especially Selke trophy. Supposed to go to the best defensive forward but instead always just goes to a good defensive forward with the most points
- TPC

Same as the Norris. They might as well say straight out that it goes to the Defenseman with the most points.


...well, actually they might as well say straight out that it goes to Fox!!

He's the perfect 4th liner. Not that he wasn't a good player for us, but remember when I said we could find someone that could do 90% of what Fast did and pay him a fraction of Fast's contract? Well Blackwell is that guy. I think Fast still is better defensively, but Blackwell has been a revelation offensively for what he is
- 2sticks1puck

10 goals!!!!!
No one would have even tried to joke that he would score that many.

he (fox) is making it very easy to forget about the ADA situation.

fox
trouba
lundvist (however you spell his name)


that's the right side for the next 7 years hopefully.
- NYRangers1124

uh-oh, you just sent out the nyrangers9769 Bat Signal

Same as the Norris. They might as well say straight out that it goes to the Defenseman with the most points.


...well, actually they might as well say straight out that it goes to Fox!!
- Tonybere

Except for some insane reason reputation is also a factor.

If Fox somehow manages to lead the league in points on defense and loses the Norris, the award is officially poop.

I'm with you. I really like Trouba there despite the money he is making. If the cap wasn't staying flat I don't think anyone would even bat an eye at his salary.
- JRR1285

right side needs some size. poop if trouba was gone and it was fox/ada/nils, that'd be the smurf side.

uh-oh, you just sent out the nyrangers9769 Bat Signal



- jimbo83

You can blame me for that.

Everyone with the exception of one person has been fine lately. Lots of good discussions in here.

uh-oh, you just sent out the nyrangers9769 Bat Signal



- jimbo83

batman cant even take a piss in peace!

right side needs some size. poop if trouba was gone and it was fox/ada/nils, that'd be the smurf side.
- NYRangers1124

I don't know about Smurf side but they would definitely have a hard time in the playoffs following the 82 game grind.

10 goals!!!!!
No one would have even tried to joke that he would score that many.
- Tonybere

I still think it's a bit of a fluke, but I'm not sure there is a better option you could get next season for the 4th line. Guy makes 700k a year. After next season when he wants a raise, by all means replace him if he comes in for too high. FOr right now considering all factors including the cap hit, Blackwell might be the best 4th liner in the league according to the value he brings vs the contract.

I don't know about Smurf side but they would definitely have a hard time in the playoffs following the 82 game grind.
- JRR1285

not one of them would be 6"+ and nils looks like he's 170 soaking wet.

trouba can at least throw the body when we wants to.

You can blame me for that.

Everyone with the exception of one person has been fine lately. Lots of good discussions in here.
- JRR1285

not one of them would be 6"+ and nils looks like he's 170 soaking wet.

trouba can at least throw the body when we wants to.
- NYRangers1124

I'm not disagreeing with you but they're not tiny defenseman. They're the perfect size for a mobile offensive defenseman. It's kind of funny they are all around 5'11" and weigh all the same.

Trouba is perfect and just eats minutes every night. He is the new whipping boy (mostly undeserved lately). They also have Schneider on the way at some point.

I still think it's a bit of a fluke, but I'm not sure there is a better option you could get next season for the 4th line. Guy makes 700k a year. After next season when he wants a raise, by all means replace him if he comes in for too high. FOr right now considering all factors including the cap hit, Blackwell might be the best 4th liner in the league according to the value he brings vs the contract.
- 2sticks1puck

I wouldn't sell him for nothing. If the opportunity presents itself to capitalize on a player like Blackwell, you have to do it. Third rounders are still valuable (see Fox, Jones, Buch), and there's always a player like Blackwell waiting in the wings for his shot. Shoot we may have that player already on the team in Gauthier. Would also stink if Seattle took Blackwell and we didn't get anything for his stellar season.

Buy low, sell high.

I wouldn't sell him for nothing. If the opportunity presents itself to capitalize on a player like Blackwell, you have to do it. Third rounders are still valuable (see Fox, Jones, Buch), and there's always a player like Blackwell waiting in the wings for his shot. Shoot we may have that player already on the team in Gauthier. Would also stink if Seattle took Blackwell and we didn't get anything for his stellar season.

Buy low, sell high.
- Bean_Dip

I'm just not convinced Gauthier will ever be anything. He's obviously younger than Blackwell and power forwards do take longer, but he really is approaching the age where you can't consider him a prospect anymore. We have had great examples of third rounders in our org, and I use this as evidence whenever someone says our drafting sucks, but there are way more Sean Days in the 3rd round than any of those guys.

I don't want you to think I think Blackwell is this indispensable player, but what he makes, we really shouldn't be looking to deal him. If Seattle wants him, sure it would stink if we lost him for nothing, but then you see if you have a cheap replacement, and then of course it prevents you from losing someone like Gauthier or Hajek if you think either one still has some potential of development.

I'm just not convinced Gauthier will ever be anything. He's obviously younger than Blackwell and power forwards do take longer, but he really is approaching the age where you can't consider him a prospect anymore. We have had great examples of third rounders in our org, and I use this as evidence whenever someone says our drafting sucks, but there are way more Sean Days in the 3rd round than any of those guys.

I don't want you to think I think Blackwell is this indispensable player, but what he makes, we really shouldn't be looking to deal him. If Seattle wants him, sure it would stink if we lost him for nothing, but then you see if you have a cheap replacement, and then of course it prevents you from losing someone like Gauthier or Hajek if you think either one still has some potential of development.
- 2sticks1puck

Totally valid, and I actually agree with some of your points. To me, the margin of difference between Gauthier and Blackwell on the fourth line is so slim. I'm talking about fourth line duties specifically. That's why I would deal him if someone offered us a third. Plus, it would help alleviate some of the log jam we have with wingers and on the PP.

I would then use that third, or one of our multiple other thirds, and try to move up in the first round, just like they did for Schneider.

There definitely are benefits to Blackwell being on the team though!

Totally valid, and I actually agree with some of your points. To me, the margin of difference between Gauthier and Blackwell on the fourth line is so slim. I talking about fourth line duties specifically. That's why I would deal him if someone offered us a third.

I would then use that third, or one of our multiple other thirds, and try to move up in the first round, just like they did for Schneider.

There definitely are benefits to Blackwell being on the team though!
- Bean_Dip

IMO, Blackwell is much more versatile player up and down the line up than a Gauthier. Blackwell's compete level and forechecking skills are useful when paired with may different type of players. A Gauthier is a 2-3 line style player. Yes he plays hard, but he is not as versatile, nor does he fit in the Rangers team.
If the Rangers are close to competing in the playoffs for next year, than I say keep Rooney and Blackwell. These types are not as easy to find as people think. The are team guys, compete every night and will chip in where needed. Drafting those types takes time. So to compete in the next year or so, they are my pick for a 4th line.

You can blame me for that.

Everyone with the exception of one person has been fine lately. Lots of good discussions in here.
- JRR1285

Awe I hope you mean me!!

Awe I hope you mean me!!
- Brukie

"Trolls don't even come around here anymore because our own fanbase does a good enough job of it".

IMO, Blackwell is much more versatile player up and down the line up than a Gauthier. Blackwell's compete level and forechecking skills are useful when paired with may different type of players. A Gauthier is a 2-3 line style player. Yes he plays hard, but he is not as versatile, nor does he fit in the Rangers team.
If the Rangers are close to competing in the playoffs for next year, than I say keep Rooney and Blackwell. These types are not as easy to find as people think. The are team guys, compete every night and will chip in where needed. Drafting those types takes time. So to compete in the next year or so, they are my pick for a 4th line.
- NYRCeph

Pretty much all this. If you trade either one of these guys, you are probably going to have to pay north of 1 million in UFA to get a replacement. It was part incredible scouting by the front office, but also incredible luck you could get both guys on the cheap like that and them be so effective.

I'm just not convinced Gauthier will ever be anything. He's obviously younger than Blackwell and power forwards do take longer, but he really is approaching the age where you can't consider him a prospect anymore. We have had great examples of third rounders in our org, and I use this as evidence whenever someone says our drafting sucks, but there are way more Sean Days in the 3rd round than any of those guys.

I don't want you to think I think Blackwell is this indispensable player, but what he makes, we really shouldn't be looking to deal him. If Seattle wants him, sure it would stink if we lost him for nothing, but then you see if you have a cheap replacement, and then of course it prevents you from losing someone like Gauthier or Hajek if you think either one still has some potential of development.
- 2sticks1puck

Buch was a 3rd rounder and he took 5+ years to develop, don't rush to judgement on Gauthier yet.

Buch was a 3rd rounder and he took 5+ years to develop, don't rush to judgement on Gauthier yet.
- TommyGTrain

Buch was way further along than Gautier was. He had lit up a professional league in the KHL and in his rookie season despite the benchings, put up way better numbers.

Awe I hope you mean me!!
- Brukie

Therein lies the problem.

Buch was a 3rd rounder and he took 5+ years to develop, don't rush to judgement on Gauthier yet.
- TommyGTrain

If he's able to transform his game, Gauthier has all the tools to be a top notch fourth liner, which is why I used him as an example to replace Blackwell. Only way he'll get that opportunity is if Blackwell isn't on the team. Cost is a push as they both make nothing.