Jan Levine: Three more players on ice, which goalie vs. Carolina and a year of Panarin

IF the goal is to win, it really is a no-brainer; Shesty gives us the best chance. This concept that Hank has the Hurricane’s number is nonsense. The only thing The King can do now to ice the cake of his HOF career in Ranger blue is to help facilitate a graceful succession.

whats up boys? good to be back - jan hope you and everyone on here are well!

send hank to the sun - shesty/georgie if this thing ever gets going

That first line list is a joke. Idk what some of these experts watch to determine the rankings.
The starting goalie thing is just out of respect for Hank. We all know who’s starting.
Great job thru all this crap Mr. Levine.

That first line list is a joke. Idk what some of these experts watch to determine the rankings.
The starting goalie thing is just out of respect for Hank. We all know who’s starting.
Great job thru all this crap Mr. Levine.
- topshelf17

Ya never know w/ Hank . Having this time off might have recharged his batteries, and under these circumstances, the goalie who looks the sharpest in the two week training camp will get the nod to start. Basically a two week try out for a best of 5 series. Ya could see all three goalies in first series if one or two don't look sharp. Same goes for the skaters, as well.

Ya never know w/ Hank . Having this time off might have recharged his batteries, and under these circumstances, the goalie who looks the sharpest in the two week training camp will get the nod to start. Basically a two week try out for a best of 5 series. Ya could see all three goalies in first series if one or two don't look sharp. Same goes for the skaters, as well.
- rrentz

Agreed. With the time off Quinn has to look at all the goalies, it wouldn't be prudent to say someone is starting without some type of practice/scrimmages.

Hank has been a pretty slow starter most of his career, if I remember correctly, so that could work against him.

whats up boys? good to be back - jan hope you and everyone on here are well!

send hank to the sun - shesty/georgie if this thing ever gets going
- NYRangers1124

Welcome back?

Ya never know w/ Hank . Having this time off might have recharged his batteries, and under these circumstances, the goalie who looks the sharpest in the two week training camp will get the nod to start. Basically a two week try out for a best of 5 series. Ya could see all three goalies in first series if one or two don't look sharp. Same goes for the skaters, as well.
- rrentz

Absolutely.
The only thing we can say with certainty is that no matter who gets the nod, we have the goaltending advantage over Carolina.

That first line list is a joke. Idk what some of these experts watch to determine the rankings.
The starting goalie thing is just out of respect for Hank. We all know who’s starting.
Great job thru all this crap Mr. Levine.
- topshelf17

Thank you, much appreciated

that's a lot of net to shoot at

that's a lot of net to shoot at


- jimbro83

A lot of forehead too

A lot of forehead too
- eichiefs9

The brill cream created a protective barrier

that's a lot of net to shoot at


- jimbro83

I wish they'd go back to that goalie equipment instead of the michelin man that is currently suited up for every team.

From Sportsnet's Analytics Mailbag piece:

Earlier in the year, you wrote about Mika Zibanejad's hot start. With the way he finished the season (and his play last season), where would you place him among the league's top centres?

For whatever reason, Mika Zibanejad doesn’t seem to get the recognition that he deserves as an excellent centre. Maybe it’s because he sort of bounced around a bit between centre and wing at the start of his career, but he’s a player that really figured it out and has been excelling without nearly enough fanfare.

One metric I look at for forwards is Sportlogiq’s offence created per 20 minutes stat, which is a combination of all contributing plays that directly lead to scoring chances. In 2019-20 Zibanejad finished 35th in the NHL in that metric at 5-vs-5, sandwiched between Taylor Hall and Johnny Gaudreau.

He did that while also performing transition plays as often as the top 10 per cent of all forwards, and it’s not like he’s a defensive liability.

Zibanejad is comfortably in the top-five per cent of all forwards in successful defensive plays per 20 minutes (removing possession from opponents), blocked passes, defensive zone loose puck recoveries, defensive zone rebound recoveries, and more.

The 41 goals in 57 games is unlikely to be repeated, and that’s what’s getting most of the attention, but the truth is Zibanejad has become an all-zones player, and if he’s not at an elite level, he’s close to it.

Ya never know w/ Hank . Having this time off might have recharged his batteries, and under these circumstances, the goalie who looks the sharpest in the two week training camp will get the nod to start. Basically a two week try out for a best of 5 series. Ya could see all three goalies in first series if one or two don't look sharp. Same goes for the skaters, as well.
- rrentz

I can’t disagree with you sir. I just think it’s the kids time to shine. Hank being prepared and in shape is never in question....always professional. But he’s so competitive he won’t give up 😂

From Sportsnet's Analytics Mailbag piece:





- Tonybere

This is why our first line should be on that top 5 on that list. Let these experts keep underestimating our team.

From Sportsnet's Analytics Mailbag piece:





- Tonybere

I'm glad I was wrong the last few years. He has definitely entered the elite status.

I'm glad I was wrong the last few years. He has definitely entered the elite status.
- mdw7413

We always knew it was the frosted tips holding him back

We always knew it was the frosted tips holding him back
- TPC

I'm glad I was wrong the last few years. He has definitely entered the elite status.
- mdw7413

Glad you were wrong as well

I wish they'd go back to that goalie equipment instead of the michelin man that is currently suited up for every team.
- TheMessiah94

they'd have to go back to wooden sticks then

Glad you were wrong as well
- airjan23

If I was Tom, I would come back to just bust my balls everyday about that.

Its not that I thought Zib was a bad player, I absolutely loved the trade, I just never thought he would be a legit #1.

If I was Tom, I would come back to just bust my balls everyday about that.

Its not that I thought Zib was a bad player, I absolutely loved the trade, I just never thought he would be a legit #1.
- mdw7413

it's pretty much as good a trade at this point as the Rick Middleton trade was bad

it's pretty much as good a trade at this point as the Rick Middleton trade was bad
- jimbro83

I think it tops the Gomez trade

From Sportsnet's Analytics Mailbag piece:





- Tonybere

Zib is mega legit. Problem is, the Rangers should have a 1a or 1b center to go along with him and they screwed up with the 3 guys they had, plus a really bad pick, plus trading and passing on picks from 2013/2014 til 2017/2018. And....they didn't sign or trade for anyone other than ryan "flippin" strome. If they had brought in JD from St. Louis and moved on from Sather then, I think they'd be stacked right now.

Alright, now on to happy thoughts for the 4th. Hope everyone has a great 3 day weekend. And for you Canucks, keep mourning the loss of Neil and have a great time at the lake. Cheers!