Jan Levine: Rangers eke out 3-2 win over Sabres as Mika gets 300th Fox nets his first of the season

My problem with Jones is obviously his size, but he couldn’t knock an ant off a puck. He’s just not big enough/strong enough to be a regular on THIS team. If he becomes another teams Fox, it could work out for him. But having 2 undersized puck moving dmen is a recipe for disaster come playoff time.

There was a play in the 3rd period tonight where he was checking someone and the guy just kept skating as if Jones wasn’t even checking him. Not his fault, he’s 5’10/11 190 lbs, and he’s trying to move a 220/230 lbs person. It’s not his game, I get that. But he’s also not Adam Fox on the other end of it either. He’s good, but he’s far from untouchable.

I’d bet no one would say he’s worth a 1st round pick, so how good is he really? Get a bigger more physical player for his spot.
- nyrangers9479

Jones is the only defenseman, fox included, that’s been consistently able to break out of the zone. There’s no rule, statistic, whatever that says you can’t have 2 smaller defensemen. Not to mention jones actually does play a bit more physical than fox. The real problem is we have 2 other LDs that are ineffective. Lindgren is an undersized defenseman who plays a physical role and is no longer capable of keeping up. Miller is huge but plays like he’s afraid of contact. That’s where the real issues lie

Jones is the only defenseman, fox included, that’s been consistently able to break out of the zone. There’s no rule, statistic, whatever that says you can’t have 2 smaller defensemen. Not to mention jones actually does play a bit more physical than fox. The real problem is we have 2 other LDs that are ineffective. Lindgren is an undersized defenseman who plays a physical role and is no longer capable of keeping up. Miller is huge but plays like he’s afraid of contact. That’s where the real issues lie
- picklerick

Agreed on Miller. But he actually looked solid yesterday before he was hurt. I would certainly deal him, but I am not sold enough on Jonas Brodin, especially at three more years at $6 mil per, to make that swap.

Agreed on Miller. But he actually looked solid yesterday before he was hurt. I would certainly deal him, but I am not sold enough on Jonas Brodin, especially at three more years at $6 mil per, to make that swap.
- airjan23

For sure trade miller while you can. Lindgren too. I think the attitudes toward Miller and Zib from a subset of fans perfectly mirror those same fans attitudes towards the team. Every game happens in a vacuum and the slightest instance of them not looking like the most ass version of themselves cures all and everyone who doesn’t think that way is just a bunch of negative losers who will never be happy. I can’t watch another game and see a tweet like “Mika is flying out there” because he skated the puck in the zone faster than a slug and didn’t turn it over leading to a goal against. HE TOOK A PENALTY 20 SECONDS INTO THE GAME I’m happy he scored but recent history doesn’t favor that snapping him out of this malaise he’s in


All of this is A) just a way for me to vent and B) to say, ok great we won. Was against the saddest version of the saddest franchise in the league and it was only by the skin of their teeth. Beat LAK and we’ll be cooking

For sure trade miller while you can. Lindgren too. I think the attitudes toward Miller and Zib from a subset of fans perfectly mirror those same fans attitudes towards the team. Every game happens in a vacuum and the slightest instance of them not looking like the most ass version of themselves cures all and everyone who doesn’t think that way is just a bunch of negative losers who will never be happy. I can’t watch another game and see a tweet like “Mika is flying out there” because he skated the puck in the zone faster than a slug and didn’t turn it over leading to a goal against. HE TOOK A PENALTY 20 SECONDS INTO THE GAME [] I’m happy he scored but recent history doesn’t favor that snapping him out of this malaise he’s in


All of this is A) just a way for me to vent and B) to say, ok great we won. Was against the saddest version of the saddest franchise in the league and it was only by the skin of their teeth. Beat LAK and we’ll be cooking

Well Mika of old was a very streaky player so we will soon see if he can continue. I only watched the third period and I wasnt impressed with the Rangers play.

Encouraging signs last night were zib, the pp, the effort /energy, and holding on to desperate two pts they needed. Was it perfect? No. But it was a much needed two pts

@ Rangersaver: - Zib doubled up his season hit total last night

maybe not on twitter but here Kreider is beloved and gets a pass- He looked like garbage last night - he is lost right now

Encouraging signs last night were zib, the pp, the effort /energy, and holding on to desperate two pts they needed. Was it perfect? No. But it was a much needed two pts
- Slimtj100

One game is not encouraging, 4-5 games is a much better sample size. Lets face facts here, Buffalo is a team more lost than the Rangers. The next few games will be a more telling tale.

Encouraging signs last night were zib, the pp, the effort /energy, and holding on to desperate two pts they needed. Was it perfect? No. But it was a much needed two pts
- Slimtj100

Im not good at this but

Kreider, Zibanajad and Miller and a good prospect for Forsberg, OReily and Skjei

whats funny about online Rangers comments, whether here, on blogs, or twitter, or facebook, etc....


it's that everyone absolutely hates Rangers defensemen, no matter who it is, and defensemen on other teams are always awesome lol


year after year, it's been the same story since I first got the internet and found Ranger blogs in 1997, same old story

Well Mika of old was a very streaky player so we will soon see if he can continue. I only watched the third period and I wasnt impressed with the Rangers play.
- Brukie

Well, I was there for the whole thing (was actually walking out of the building when Thompson scored) and I wasn't impressed with much of anything. Glad we got the 2 points and that Mika played better, but that was a terrible hockey game between 2 sub-par teams. 15 turnovers or missed passes or mistakes for every actual play toward the net. Minutes flowed by between exciting plays. The Trocheck line and Chytil were the only ones to provide any ooh and aahs.
Hoping they can take the good from this and continue to improve, as there will soon be tougher tests.

Im not good at this but

Kreider, Zibanajad and Miller and a good prospect for Forsberg, OReily and Skjei
- Greschnergy#4

Lol

whats funny about online Rangers comments, whether here, on blogs, or twitter, or facebook, etc....


it's that everyone absolutely hates Rangers defensemen, no matter who it is, and defensemen on other teams are always awesome lol


year after year, it's been the same story since I first got the internet and found Ranger blogs in 1997, same old story
- jimbro83

Do you think having lindgren and miller as our top 4 LDs is helping us or hurting us

Encouraging signs last night were zib, the pp, the effort /energy, and holding on to desperate two pts they needed. Was it perfect? No. But it was a much needed two pts
- Slimtj100

Not trying to be too negative, but cynicism exists for this team, but "holding" on against the Sabres doesn't give me the fuzzies of hope. If it were a top NHL team, then I would feel better. Each player and this team have A LOT to prove to themselves and the NHL that they can contend.

Do you think having lindgren and miller as our top 4 LDs is helping us or hurting us
- picklerick

Schneider and Lindgren used to both throw devastating open ice hits-(like trouba) what happened to this?

Schneider and Lindgren used to both throw devastating open ice hits-(like trouba) what happened to this?
- Greschnergy#4

Lindgren can’t skate anymore

Do you think having lindgren and miller as our top 4 LDs is helping us or hurting us
- picklerick

oooh, you are trying to lure me into defending them

oooh, you are trying to lure me into defending them

- jimbro83

I’m trying to have you state clearly your own feelings instead of only commenting on others feelings

I’m trying to have you state clearly your own feelings instead of only commenting on others feelings
- picklerick

it is not my fault this is the Rangers blue line

and the guys that replace the guys that everyone hates now will also be hated, and it won't be my fault about those new guys either

it is not my fault this is the Rangers blue line

and the guys that replace the guys that everyone hates now will also be hated, and it won't be my fault about those new guys either
- jimbro83

Jones. He’s been a godsend in ways where he can be counted on more than basically anyone else back there. That play last night when he broke his stick was very cool calm and collected. He handled it like a veteran

Well, I was there for the whole thing (was actually walking out of the building when Thompson scored) and I wasn't impressed with much of anything. Glad we got the 2 points and that Mika played better, but that was a terrible hockey game between 2 sub-par teams. 15 turnovers or missed passes or mistakes for every actual play toward the net. Minutes flowed by between exciting plays. The Trocheck line and Chytil were the only ones to provide any ooh and aahs.
Hoping they can take the good from this and continue to improve, as there will soon be tougher tests.
- Tonybere

So what youre saying is it was like watching a WNBA game?

Not trying to be too negative, but cynicism exists for this team, but "holding" on against the Sabres doesn't give me the fuzzies of hope. If it were a top NHL team, then I would feel better. Each player and this team have A LOT to prove to themselves and the NHL that they can contend.
- NYRCeph

It was an important moment in the season holding on is the point. If they blow it this thing probably spirals even worse. They stopped the bleeding, which to me, is encouraging. Along with Zib who played like old Zib. He looked confident

Jones. He’s been a godsend in ways where he can be counted on more than basically anyone else back there. That play last night when he broke his stick was very cool calm and collected. He handled it like a veteran
- Slimtj100

Yeah, he had some good plays last night. Struggles a little due to lack of size and strength. But, he battles!
Schneider had a BAD night. He consistently made the wrong play, or just simply whiffed on the puck. Love the kid, but that was a tough one for him. Cuylle, too. I told my buddies to watch him and they would love his game. He was uncharacteristically off. Hopefully, a couple of practice days will help.

Jones. He’s been a godsend in ways where he can be counted on more than basically anyone else back there. That play last night when he broke his stick was very cool calm and collected. He handled it like a veteran
- Slimtj100

I like Jones, Schneider and Mancini has good upside and hopefully continues trending upward. Miller is worth not giving up on, but his contract demands might warrant dealing him and getting value in return. Lindgren is washed and it's clear that he just can't play anymore.

In the meantime, the NYR have a murderous schedule coming up and I'm wondering if these upcoming results will allow them to be more patient with the retool or accelerate it. This past summer was a real mess and they're paying the price now.