Well, your post read completely contrarian to what I was getting at.
We keep talking about Zib as if waiting for the other shoe to drop and him to fade back into sucking. But, it's been 20% of a season now on this current streak. At what point do we start giving him some credit for turning it around? Next season, probably. And I won't say that's not somewhat justified. But, I'm starting to feel like maybe it's not quite fair.
- Tonybere

Good for him, Im happy hes found some new life, but its obviously because of Miller. What happened prior to the trade? Where was that emotion and desire? As far as Im concerned, as long as he is lined up with Miller, there is an asterisk. Thats not to say Im not happy hes performing and doing what we expect of him.

Good for him, Im happy hes found some new life, but its obviously because of Miller. What happened prior to the trade? Where was that emotion and desire? As far as Im concerned, as long as he is lined up with Miller, there is an asterisk. Thats not to say Im not happy hes performing and doing what we expect of him.
- aecliptic

I don’t know. Maybe this years asterisk should get canceled out by the asterisk he has for the 2019-20 season ending prematurely where he may have ended up with one of best seasons any Ranger center has ever had when it was all said and done

Trocheck is the next one still getting a raw deal. He is getting punished for having a career year last season.
I just did a comparison of his season to Sam Bennett's and they are largely identical. Yet, general consensus is Troch isn't good enough and Bennett is a prize to covet.
- Tonybere

Sam Bennett is a third liner.

I dont hate Trocheck, Im one of the few people here that was happy we signed him when all others were crapping on the deal. I think hes been fantastic. But hes not gonna get any younger, the center we signed for big money is now a RW and we need centers here.

The final 21 games of the 2019-20 season before it ended early Mika had 23 goals. It’s totally forgotten but OMG I never saw a Ranger have a more dominant stretch. Not even Jagr

The final 21 games of the 2019-20 season before it ended early Mika had 23 goals. It’s totally forgotten but OMG I never saw a Ranger have a more dominant stretch. Not even Jagr
- jimbro83

I was at the 5 goal game.

Good for him, Im happy hes found some new life, but its obviously because of Miller. What happened prior to the trade? Where was that emotion and desire? As far as Im concerned, as long as he is lined up with Miller, there is an asterisk. Thats not to say Im not happy hes performing and doing what we expect of him.
- aecliptic

We cant bash Mika when he has been putting up the numbers and im hesitant to say he found it, but he has been better, I want to see how he plays in the playoffs.

I was at the 5 goal game.
- aecliptic

The way he was playing at the time I wouldn’t have been shocked if he had another 5 goal game in the last 10 games of the season while that team made a playoff push

We cant bash Mika when he has been putting up the numbers and im hesitant to say he found it, but he has been better, I want to see how he plays in the playoffs.
- Brukie

Im not necessarily bashing him. Again Im very happy hes playing well, but I dont believe hes doing this without Miller.

The way he was playing at the time I wouldn’t have been shocked if he had another 5 goal game in the last 10 games of the season while that team made a playoff push
- jimbro83

He was absolutely shot out of a cannon.

It doesnt feel like it was that long ago, but geez does 5 years fly by.

Sam Bennett is a third liner.

I dont hate Trocheck, Im one of the few people here that was happy we signed him when all others were crapping on the deal. I think hes been fantastic. But hes not gonna get any younger, the center we signed for big money is now a RW and we need centers here.
- aecliptic

No, Sam Bennett is playing 2C for the reigning Stanley Cup champions, who are leading their division. Your feelings of where he should play are irrelevant.
Who should be used as a better comparison, then?

No, Sam Bennett is playing 2C for the reigning Stanley Cup champions, who are leading their division. Your feelings of where he should play are irrelevant.
- Tonybere

Everything I say is irrelevant, its my opinion.

Good for him, Im happy hes found some new life, but its obviously because of Miller. What happened prior to the trade? Where was that emotion and desire? As far as Im concerned, as long as he is lined up with Miller, there is an asterisk. Thats not to say Im not happy hes performing and doing what we expect of him.
- aecliptic

I get that it matters who he plays with but on the flip side, does it really matter? Perfect world he would be the 3C, because that is the biggest area of need. If they have a line that’s rolling, then you stick with it irrespective of why.

I get that it matters who he plays with but on the flip side, does it really matter? Perfect world he would be the 3C, because that is the biggest area of need. If they have a line that’s rolling, then you stick with it irrespective of why.
- airjan23

Maybe Im just a little bitter that the solution for our lack of depth at C is currently playing RW.

Maybe Im just a little bitter that the solution for our lack of depth at C is currently playing RW.
- aecliptic

I think Dylan Roobroeck is obviously a project but for an absolutely gigantic guy he’s put together a very encouraging first pro season playing center at Hartford. Hopefully he builds on that next year

Im not necessarily bashing him. Again Im very happy hes playing well, but I dont believe hes doing this without Miller.
- aecliptic

Agree 100 percent, he showed no signs of life until Miller got here.

Agree 100 percent, he showed no signs of life until Miller got here.
- Brukie

We all agree on that. For now, I am focused on fact that he has woken up. Granted, that hurts the bottom six, which was an area I wanted Drury to focus on at the deadline. Having JB as a 3C is not ideal.

I think Dylan Roobroeck is obviously a project but for an absolutely gigantic guy he’s put together a very encouraging first pro season playing center at Hartford. Hopefully he builds on that next year
- jimbro83

What about my suggestion of Kreider playing C on the 3rd line? He was drafted as a center and played C his first few years. Othmann, Kreider, Berard could be a fun line to watch flying up and down the ice.

We all agree on that. For now, I am focused on fact that he has woken up. Granted, that hurts the bottom six, which was an area I wanted Drury to focus on at the deadline. Having JB as a 3C is not ideal.
- airjan23

I don’t know if teams were giving up centers at the deadline for the cost the Rangers were willing to pay.

Islanders made a killing on that Nelson deal. It was a sellers market for sure

What about my suggestion of Kreider playing C on the 3rd line? He was drafted as a center and played C his first few years. Othmann, Kreider, Berard could be a fun line to watch flying up and down the ice.
- aecliptic

It really feels like it’s gonna be the of the line for kreider as a Ranger after this season. It just has that feel that he’s moving on one way or the other

It really feels like it’s gonna be the of the line for kreider as a Ranger after this season. It just has that feel that he’s moving on one way or the other
- jimbro83

That may be the case, but hes here, and we gotta try to make the most of it.

I don’t know if teams were giving up centers at the deadline for the cost the Rangers were willing to pay.

Islanders made a killing on that Nelson deal. It was a sellers market for sure
- jimbro83

They did. Absolutely.

That may be the case, but hes here, and we gotta try to make the most of it.
- aecliptic

I don’t even know what his ailments really are that he’s been playing with

I have read bad back at points. Vertigo? I have no idea

But he’s still a special teams master, both PK and PP I think that’s his role right now. Not even more responsibility

I don’t even know what his ailments really are that he’s been playing with

I have read bad back at points. Vertigo? I have no idea

But he’s still a special teams master, both PK and PP I think that’s his role right now. Not even more responsibility
- jimbro83

Sounds very similar to how Callahan's career went with the injuries. There was a point where his back started to get progressively worse and worse until he just couldnt play anymore.

I don’t even know what his ailments really are that he’s been playing with

I have read bad back at points. Vertigo? I have no idea

But he’s still a special teams master, both PK and PP I think that’s his role right now. Not even more responsibility
- jimbro83

Most recent for kreider cracked bone in hand. A bit more complex than that but will come out prob end of year

Reilly Smith just got clobbered in the wings-Vegas game