Seems I might be in the minority but you can’t convince me this team is a real threat with Panarin, Strome, and Vatrano as your 2 line. Kakko will come back but not sure how he will be when he gets back. Not like he was lighting the lamp when he was in the lineup so it’s hard to expect much. Rangers want to be considered a Stanley cup contender they gotta give me someone on that right wing that’s going to be a difference maker. Rangers have the defense and goalie to go deep but again 5V5 offense has been a constant problem. Gotta find a way to upgrade. Just my opinion on the matter. Rangers could win tonight and nothing would change my mind on that.
- Awolff9

I agree, this team is very top heavy, 5v5 is poor, the bottom six rarely produce and defensively they have brain farts. Playoffs are a different season. Things tighten up. The season has been fun to watch but it is always the same players showing up. Playoffs will be interesting.

I agree, this team is very top heavy, 5v5 is poor, the bottom six rarely produce and defensively they have brain farts. Playoffs are a different season. Things tighten up. The season has been fun to watch but it is always the same players showing up. Playoffs will be interesting.
- Brukie

Wow you agree? You are finally joining the make a trade team? Finally!

For you Chytil fans...

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

- Albert Einstein.

____________

The comparison to Kreider is as idiotic as the comparison to Zibanejad that people make for Chytil.

The only time Kreider didnt score 20 goals was his rookie year and the year he missed 20 games due to injury. Kreider has always had phenominal speed, solid defensively and provided a phyiscal presence on the ice.

The biggest viral nonsense spewed in regards to Kreider came from the fans themselves. The guy was a solid all around hockey player. All the fans could do was not appreciate what they did get out of him. The imaginary bar for Kreider was set so damn unrealistically high by the fans they would have never been satisfied with anything short of something ridiculous. Now the bar is set to 40 goals.

Meanwhile, I posted yesterday that I felt that we need to strike while the iron is hot, and move Chytil up to the 2nd line between Panarin and Strome to see what we got in this uptick in play from him. I, of all people, am acknowledging his good play and want to reward him with proper linemates to try to get him going offensively... only to get shut down.
- aecliptic

Yes you acknowledged he played well yesterday, but come on, we all know you dislike Chytil. Its not a secret.

Wow you agree? You are finally joining the make a trade team? Finally!
- TPC

I dont think he was ever against a trade, he just didnt want us mortgaging all our youth for one year blips on the radar that wouldnt guarantee anything for us.

I dont think he was ever against a trade, he just didnt want us mortgaging all our youth for one year blips on the radar that wouldnt guarantee anything for us.
- aecliptic

Literally nothing is guaranteed

Yes you acknowledged he played well yesterday, but come on, we all know you dislike Chytil. Its not a secret.
- mdw7413

I dont. Hes inconsistent, hes not physical (15 hits in 50 games), hes not reliable defensively (62.3% of the time hes on the ice hes starting his shift in the offensive zone), terrible on faceoffs (43%).

Now, when you think of a prototypical 3C you would want on your team. What attributes would you like that player to have?

And stop with the age nonsense, the kid has almost notched 250 games which is more than what majority of players ever to suit up in an NHL game ever get to play.

I dont. Hes inconsistent, hes not physical (15 hits in 50 games), hes not reliable defensively (62.3% of the time hes on the ice hes starting his shift in the offensive zone), terrible on faceoffs (43%).

Now, when you think of a prototypical 3C you would want on your team. What attributes would you like that player to have?

And stop with the age nonsense, the kid has almost notched 250 games which is more than what majority of players ever to suit up in an NHL game ever get to play.
- aecliptic

Didn't bring up anything about his age, but since you did, hes (frank)ing 22. Who cares that he has played 250 games.

He has never had consistent line mates. You are asking a young center to be really good with a revolving door of wingers. Some of the problems are his, some are circumstances. He may work out, he may not, the simple fact is have a line that stays together for more than 3 games and lets see what happens.

For you Chytil fans...

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

- Albert Einstein.

____________

The comparison to Kreider is as idiotic as the comparison to Zibanejad that people make for Chytil.

The only time Kreider didnt score 20 goals was his rookie year and the year he missed 20 games due to injury. Kreider has always had phenominal speed, solid defensively and provided a phyiscal presence on the ice.

The biggest viral nonsense spewed in regards to Kreider came from the fans themselves. The guy was a solid all around hockey player. All the fans could do was not appreciate what they did get out of him. The imaginary bar for Kreider was set so damn unrealistically high by the fans they would have never been satisfied with anything short of something ridiculous. Now the bar is set to 40 goals.
- aecliptic

What I consider to be idiotic is to ignore what someone is saying and trying to rephrase their point into something that will fit your counter-argument.
I didn't say a thing about Chytil's style of play or statistics. You accused him of disappearing for stretches at a time between playing well. That was ALWAYS the main knock, perhaps the only one, on Kreider. If you can't admit that then keep your revisionist history to yourself and move on to another topic.
And, Einstein has never been proven to have said that about insanity.

Meanwhile, I posted yesterday that I felt that we need to strike while the iron is hot, and move Chytil up to the 2nd line between Panarin and Strome to see what we got in this uptick in play from him. I, of all people, am acknowledging his good play and want to reward him with proper linemates to try to get him going offensively... only to get shut down.
- aecliptic

As I replied to you late night/early morning on the prior blog, whether Strome re-signs here or not, this is not the time "to experiment" with Chytil as center on his 2nd line with Panarin, just because you're worried Strome may not return for next season, & want to see if Chytil can replace him there. Not while the team is currently in a battle with both Pittsburgh and suddenly again Washington, for both better positioning and home ice advantage in Round One & hopefully beyond during the postseason.

I added there that the plan was for Kakko to take his next step being the 2nd line RW. However, due to him still sidelined for an UNKNOWN extended time length, they went outside, (as we had wanted them to replace Hunt on that line), and acquired Vatrano to TEMPORARILY fill in that RW hole for now. Their ultimate plan however, is for Vatrano to eventually improve offensive zone control and production on their 3rd line, while also in turn, thus easing the workload of Shesty on the other end.

But that's provided they cannot acquire a top six proven RW goal scoring sniper for their 2nd line by tomorrow's deadline with their glut of cap space & assets available. So unless a lower cost suitable RW is acquired by then, or should it be revealed that Kakko will make a surprising healthy return as RW on the 2nd line, (though doubtful by each passing day), Vatrano is their best option currently here to develop great chemistry with Panarin and Strome.

What I consider to be idiotic is to ignore what someone is saying and trying to rephrase their point into something that will fit your counter-argument.
I didn't say a thing about Chytil's style of play or statistics. You accused him of disappearing for stretches at a time between playing well. That was ALWAYS the main knock, perhaps the only one, on Kreider. If you can't admit that then keep your revisionist history to yourself and move on to another topic.
And, Einstein has never been proven to have said that about insanity.
- Tonybere

Yes, Kreider had a habit of disappearing, but Kreider was still putting up 20+ goals, 45+ points a year. He was still hitting, backchecking and defending when he hit his cold stretches.

Wow you agree? You are finally joining the make a trade team? Finally!
- TPC

I was never against small trades, such as the Vatrano trade, but I am full against trading for high priced rentals for reasons I stated before. Aside from Goodrow and CK20, there isnt another player who has played past the second round. These players have no playoff experience. When the Rangers were in the bubble, granted it wasnt an ideal situation, only Panarin showed up. These playoffs will only be the beginning of a new era of Ranger playoffs. If KK and Laf start to blossom the future will be bright.

Strome just seems to be invisible lately. If we had to let him walk next year for Scheifele I wouldn't be mad. Hunt is just maddening with his lack of finish or choice to skate the puck into the corner and lose it. I wouldn't mind seeing if Greco could work out on his offside instead.

Strome just seems to be invisible lately. If we had to let him walk next year for Scheifele I wouldn't be mad. Hunt is just maddening with his lack of finish or choice to skate the puck into the corner and lose it. I wouldn't mind seeing if Greco could work out on his offside instead.
- fourtrax23

Don't want Scheifele, I think he is part of the underachieving problem in Winnipeg.

I would be perfectly happy to get the rights to McBain from Minnesota, sign him and lets see what happens.

Don't want Scheifele, I think he is part of the underachieving problem in Winnipeg.

I would be perfectly happy to get the rights to McBain from Minnesota, sign him and lets see what happens.
- TommyGTrain

Stastny as an inexpensive stop gap for 1 year could be an option.

If we make the gamble on McBain, assuming he resigns here, that cost/cap control makes a trade for Rakell very interesting. Instantly put him in a position to succeed between Panarin and Rakell.

Don't want Scheifele, I think he is part of the underachieving problem in Winnipeg.

I would be perfectly happy to get the rights to McBain from Minnesota, sign him and lets see what happens.
- TommyGTrain

I could get behind this as well.

The one thing about McBain is Im not sure how responsive GG will be to some college kid making demands about ice time, how and were he wants to play.

Mrazek is on waivers

Mrazek is on waivers
- picklerick

3.8m contract

3.8m contract
- aecliptic

Should’ve looked it up. I assumed he was in his final year of his contract

24 hours to go, what the Frank are we doing

Giordano to the Leafs

Giordano to the Leafs
- aecliptic

Can’t wait to see the return and defensemen options are running thin. Get Justin Braun

Can’t wait to see the return and defensemen options are running thin. Get Justin Braun
- airjan23

Im sure its probably a lot more than any of us would have been comfortable giving up.

Still got De Haan, Leddy, Kulak.

Can’t wait to see the return and defensemen options are running thin. Get Justin Braun
- airjan23

I think it’s becoming apparent, Drury is not going to overpay for a rental. That’s a good thing, but it leaves him with few options which are known at this point.