JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK
Twenty f*ckin years
- Oct 8, 2010
- 80,075
- 17,713
18-19 season report cards
- Thread starter JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK
- Start date
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Mika - A, What more needs to be said. Excellent season.
Kreider - B+ Clearly played through something for the last month+.
Buchnevich - B- Mixed start, fantastic finish.
Howden - C. Didn't do enough for most of the season. Looked much better when he returned from injury though.
Namestnikov - C+. One of our more underrated players. Not a long term fixture, but nice to have right now.
Lemieux - B. Want to see what he can do after a summer of training.
Strome - B+. Very good end to the season. Hopefully can be traded for a 2nd round pick next season.
Fast - C. Banged up all year. Probably should be shopped.
Vesey - C-. What a disappointment. Dude is the definition of “just there”. I’m counting down the days until he isn’t on this team anymore.
Lias - D+. Finished stronger than he started though.
Chytil - C. Had flashes, need more.
Boo - C. Hes a place holder.
Brickley - Inc. I didn't hate him though so there is that.
Smith - C+ as a D, B- as a F.
Defense
Tony D - A-. Criminal that he was basically given the shaft in the first half of the season. Easily our best D.
Skjei - C+. Bad start, his 2nd half was good. Gets more hate than he deserves.
Staal - D. Returned to his usual horrible self after the new year.
Pionk - D-. I think he can be a star in some European league.
Claesson - C. Was great before he got hurt, wasn't the same after.
Shattenkirk - C. He wasn't that bad, but the offense completely vanished.
Goalies
Hank - C. His first half was basically geo's last month. His 2nd half was basically Staal's 2nd half.
Georgiev - B+ for performance, F for f***ing up our draft position.
Kreider - B+ Clearly played through something for the last month+.
Buchnevich - B- Mixed start, fantastic finish.
Howden - C. Didn't do enough for most of the season. Looked much better when he returned from injury though.
Namestnikov - C+. One of our more underrated players. Not a long term fixture, but nice to have right now.
Lemieux - B. Want to see what he can do after a summer of training.
Strome - B+. Very good end to the season. Hopefully can be traded for a 2nd round pick next season.
Fast - C. Banged up all year. Probably should be shopped.
Vesey - C-. What a disappointment. Dude is the definition of “just there”. I’m counting down the days until he isn’t on this team anymore.
Lias - D+. Finished stronger than he started though.
Chytil - C. Had flashes, need more.
Boo - C. Hes a place holder.
Brickley - Inc. I didn't hate him though so there is that.
Smith - C+ as a D, B- as a F.
Defense
Tony D - A-. Criminal that he was basically given the shaft in the first half of the season. Easily our best D.
Skjei - C+. Bad start, his 2nd half was good. Gets more hate than he deserves.
Staal - D. Returned to his usual horrible self after the new year.
Pionk - D-. I think he can be a star in some European league.
Claesson - C. Was great before he got hurt, wasn't the same after.
Shattenkirk - C. He wasn't that bad, but the offense completely vanished.
Goalies
Hank - C. His first half was basically geo's last month. His 2nd half was basically Staal's 2nd half.
Georgiev - B+ for performance, F for f***ing up our draft position.
Machinehead
HFNYR MVP
I'm going to judge everyone on quality and not how they affected the tank.
Forwards
Mika - A+: A+ for play, C for captain.
Kreider - B+: still a great player and an elite driver. His body is a concern long-term. Every year he ends up banged up. I remember saying after a game he didn't look right and he had like 4 goals after that game.
Buchnevich - B+: seems to have established the relationship with his coach we always hoped for.
Howden - C: slightly overwhelmed at this level but that could be more schedule than play. He's got potential.
Namestnikov - B: he's a fine player. Would be a great 4th liner who can slot up on a real team.
Lemieux - A: We got Avery back except he's 22 and I'm so here for it. His mere presence fires up both teams.
Strome - B-: Really nothing to write home about outside of the shooting run of his life. Good enough to be flipped at least.
Fast - B+: he's Jesper Fast.
Vesey - D: the personification of replacement level. The most replacement level nothing player to have ever existed.
Lias - C-: bleh.
Chytil - D+: Honestly disappointed here. Did nothing outside of that 10 points in 10 games. He's lower than Andersson because I expected more.
Boo - C-: he is a hockey player.
Brickley - C: he is also a hockey player.
Smith - B: Honestly did everything asked of him and wasn't cancerous.
Defense
Tony D - A-: Needs work, but for me, he established himself as an endgame piece along with Zibanejad.
Skjei - C: Vesey personifies replacement level. Skjei personifies painfully average. We should strive for better.
Staal - F: Better than I’d hoped, which is still f***ing lupus.
Pionk - F: A dumber Girardi. Get this guy off my team last week.
Claesson - B+: Exceeded expectations. NHL defenseman.
Shattenkirk - D+: can't play offense anymore. Skating is shockingly bad since the injury. Should retire while he can still walk.
Goalies
Hank - C-: Love the man, but he's cooked. If he wants, he can stay til he's f***ing 70, we owe him that, but he has to come to terms with a backup role and a backup salary (if he sticks around that long).
Georgiev - B: easy to forget that he was horrendous in the first half but he was Prime Hank in the second half.
Forwards
Mika - A+: A+ for play, C for captain.
Kreider - B+: still a great player and an elite driver. His body is a concern long-term. Every year he ends up banged up. I remember saying after a game he didn't look right and he had like 4 goals after that game.
Buchnevich - B+: seems to have established the relationship with his coach we always hoped for.
Howden - C: slightly overwhelmed at this level but that could be more schedule than play. He's got potential.
Namestnikov - B: he's a fine player. Would be a great 4th liner who can slot up on a real team.
Lemieux - A: We got Avery back except he's 22 and I'm so here for it. His mere presence fires up both teams.
Strome - B-: Really nothing to write home about outside of the shooting run of his life. Good enough to be flipped at least.
Fast - B+: he's Jesper Fast.
Vesey - D: the personification of replacement level. The most replacement level nothing player to have ever existed.
Lias - C-: bleh.
Chytil - D+: Honestly disappointed here. Did nothing outside of that 10 points in 10 games. He's lower than Andersson because I expected more.
Boo - C-: he is a hockey player.
Brickley - C: he is also a hockey player.
Smith - B: Honestly did everything asked of him and wasn't cancerous.
Defense
Tony D - A-: Needs work, but for me, he established himself as an endgame piece along with Zibanejad.
Skjei - C: Vesey personifies replacement level. Skjei personifies painfully average. We should strive for better.
Staal - F: Better than I’d hoped, which is still f***ing lupus.
Pionk - F: A dumber Girardi. Get this guy off my team last week.
Claesson - B+: Exceeded expectations. NHL defenseman.
Shattenkirk - D+: can't play offense anymore. Skating is shockingly bad since the injury. Should retire while he can still walk.
Goalies
Hank - C-: Love the man, but he's cooked. If he wants, he can stay til he's f***ing 70, we owe him that, but he has to come to terms with a backup role and a backup salary (if he sticks around that long).
Georgiev - B: easy to forget that he was horrendous in the first half but he was Prime Hank in the second half.
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NoQuitInNewMexico
it's okay cause it's all just the way it should be
Zibanejad - A+: Better than any of the forwards were when we were legitimately contending for the Stanley Cup. It's kind of amazing how fast we went from three strong lines, depth in the attack, to one of those bad Oilers/Stars teams. Obviously not his fault though. He was great!
DeAngelo - B: Like him at even strength, want to see more on the power play. I just don't see the skill level of a Yandle or a pre-dadbod Dan Boyle. It's a natural tendency to see a guy who's kind of eccentric and think, well, if he puts it together. But we have good players on our PP1, he should have done more. It was still a good year for him though, not a liability, steady part of the future..
Staal, Smith - B: I wanted them to buy one of these guys out before the season started. But they gave it their all and they were basically fine as depth players
Buchnevich - B: Bad start, great finish. Not sure he's more than a passenger but really, passengers are fine, expectations were too high. We traded all our top draft picks away, so the organizationwas always starved for what he can bring.
Georgiev - B: I still have no idea what we have here. Does anyone? What an exciting range of outcomes. In five years he can be great or he can be in Magnitogorsk.
Kreider - B-: My nagging thing is I don't think he's as good as Evander Kane, but I think he'll get as much money because he's not a mess. I've said on here before: oh, we can just trade him, then we can sign an "average first line forward" in free agency when the team doesn't suck. But those guys are some of the worst contracts in the league: Lucic, Ladd. So I won't be like furious if they overpay him, even if I still make a couple assmad posts here.
Namestnikov, Strome, Vesey, Fast - B-: an amorphous blob of "NHL Player." Instinctively I'd want to sell one or two of them off, but 1) we won't get anything interesting and 2) the AHL team totally blows.
Chytil, Andersson, Howden - C: Obviously we only got cameos out of them playing at a high level, but they're still very young. I probably got my hopes up too high for what this kind of prospect does in their first NHL season on a bad team
Lundqvist - C: He's not "done," though the overall numbers weren't great. His year-to-year performance has been ridiculously consistent, and while the 2017-18 AV Rangers (of all teams) didn't "solve the shot quality issue," I could be convinced he faced less stuff from the perimeter as we were a less woeful advanced stats team
Skjei - C: Just a guy. Scored 45 points in his rookie season or whatever it is but no one really thinks he has a lot of offense.
Shattenkirk - C-: Didn't like watching him, but I know his contract doesn't matter.
We had other players but I don't have much to say about them. But I liked Connor Brickley! I thought it was harder to find a generic NHL grit-and-grind 4th line guy than that.
DeAngelo - B: Like him at even strength, want to see more on the power play. I just don't see the skill level of a Yandle or a pre-dadbod Dan Boyle. It's a natural tendency to see a guy who's kind of eccentric and think, well, if he puts it together. But we have good players on our PP1, he should have done more. It was still a good year for him though, not a liability, steady part of the future..
Staal, Smith - B: I wanted them to buy one of these guys out before the season started. But they gave it their all and they were basically fine as depth players
Buchnevich - B: Bad start, great finish. Not sure he's more than a passenger but really, passengers are fine, expectations were too high. We traded all our top draft picks away, so the organizationwas always starved for what he can bring.
Georgiev - B: I still have no idea what we have here. Does anyone? What an exciting range of outcomes. In five years he can be great or he can be in Magnitogorsk.
Kreider - B-: My nagging thing is I don't think he's as good as Evander Kane, but I think he'll get as much money because he's not a mess. I've said on here before: oh, we can just trade him, then we can sign an "average first line forward" in free agency when the team doesn't suck. But those guys are some of the worst contracts in the league: Lucic, Ladd. So I won't be like furious if they overpay him, even if I still make a couple assmad posts here.
Namestnikov, Strome, Vesey, Fast - B-: an amorphous blob of "NHL Player." Instinctively I'd want to sell one or two of them off, but 1) we won't get anything interesting and 2) the AHL team totally blows.
Chytil, Andersson, Howden - C: Obviously we only got cameos out of them playing at a high level, but they're still very young. I probably got my hopes up too high for what this kind of prospect does in their first NHL season on a bad team
Lundqvist - C: He's not "done," though the overall numbers weren't great. His year-to-year performance has been ridiculously consistent, and while the 2017-18 AV Rangers (of all teams) didn't "solve the shot quality issue," I could be convinced he faced less stuff from the perimeter as we were a less woeful advanced stats team
Skjei - C: Just a guy. Scored 45 points in his rookie season or whatever it is but no one really thinks he has a lot of offense.
Shattenkirk - C-: Didn't like watching him, but I know his contract doesn't matter.
We had other players but I don't have much to say about them. But I liked Connor Brickley! I thought it was harder to find a generic NHL grit-and-grind 4th line guy than that.
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- Aug 5, 2010
- 13,857
- 9,487
You guys are incredibly tough on the rookies. I have no idea what were your expectations going into the season. Their grades should be based on development from the beginning of the season to the end. IMHO they earned grades in the B- to B+ range.
The Crypto Guy
Registered User
- Jun 26, 2017
- 29,205
- 38,881
Forwards
Mika - A+.
Kreider - B. .
Buchnevich - B
Howden - C+.
Namestnikov - C.+
Lemieux - B+
Strome - B+
Fast - C.
Vesey - B-
Lias - C
Chytil - B-
Boo - D
Brickley - D.
Smith - B
Defense
Tony D - A-
Skjei - B
Staal - B-
Pionk - C
Claesson - C+
Shattenkirk - D
Goalies
Hank - B-
Georgiev - B+
Mika - A+.
Kreider - B. .
Buchnevich - B
Howden - C+.
Namestnikov - C.+
Lemieux - B+
Strome - B+
Fast - C.
Vesey - B-
Lias - C
Chytil - B-
Boo - D
Brickley - D.
Smith - B
Defense
Tony D - A-
Skjei - B
Staal - B-
Pionk - C
Claesson - C+
Shattenkirk - D
Goalies
Hank - B-
Georgiev - B+
Forwards
Mikachu! - A+
Career season, when this guy came over here was very happy (Was never a Brassard fan, sorry @Machinehead ) But he has emerged as that 1c I was hoping for, and really hope he can build on this. I may have to change my pants often if Panarin is skating on his wing next season... I know it's a long shot. Think he should get the "C". Him or Kreider (Depending if he is extended, see below)
Kreider - B+
Kreider took a slight step back, but think he was playing banged up, I like to see him extended but it has to be for a team friendly deal and no more than 5 years. Still am a big fan, and think like machinehead said, need to be concerned with his body getting banged up, but still like to see him extended, still think he brings a lot to the table.
Buchnevich B+
Buch is easily becoming one of my favorite Rangers. He shows a lot of emotion out there, has the skill just needs the support around him. He took his benching as an opportunity to better his game and did, Buch has been one of Quinn's good developments.
Howden - B
Howden started off strong, got injured fell off but finished strong, I see a lot of potential in this kid, and think next season will be a step in the right direction, another good development from Quinn/
Namestnikov - B-
Watching him in Tampa, I told you guys what to expect. A 30 point, middle six two way forward, well...
Lemieux - A
Love this dude, he is the toughness and grit we need, and a guy to stand up to the crap in the league like Tom Wilson. The best is, he can also score goals and provide offense. This was a great acquisition.
Strome - A
Also, a nice surpise. It's funny people here were upset when he scored, you know the whole tank thing. That Spooner trade looks excellent now.
Fast - C
Dude hurt his thumb, so really not fair the rating but it happened around the ASG break? I just cringe seeing Fast on the top line. He is a solid player, but not a Top line guy.
Vesey - D
I am not a Vesey fan. Half the games don't even realize he is actually playing. (Now I know why, 1 point in his last 20 games of the season. Ouch)
Andersson - C-
Andersson waited till the 2nd to last game to have his best game of the season. I mean better late than never, but that was kinda late. I still want to give him another full NHL season to see what he does.
Chytil - B -
Started off strong, then looked fatigued, and he even admitted it. Again, young guy like to see where he lands next season. Still see a lot of potential and he had some very impressive games this season which make me excited.
Nieves - D
Not a Boo fan. He can skate, but does not bring much offense, and he loses board battles very easily.
Smith - D+
When you have to put a struggling D-man on a 4th line wing, you know you're rebuilding, nuff said.
Defense
DeAngelo - A
Dude is part of the Quinn development plan, has been one of the few bright spots to our D. Really glad he may have finally found a team to call home. Just needs to grow up a little.
Skjei - C.
Poor season, have hope he will bounce back next year, once this team gets back into a more winning mentality.
Staal - C+
People criticize Staal because of his cap hit. But if he was a bottom D, making like 3 million think people would be ok with him. Just question him on the PK, but that can be a coaching thing. Was really not as terrible like people make him out to be. But moving forward he is going to need ice time and role reduced, if this team is going to be competitive again.
Pionk - D -
Has not been good. Not much to add to this.
Shattenkirk - D
Shatty has struggled since he has been a Ranger, he has also been injured in almost all that time. He looked a little better as the season went on, but nothing great. This guy other than a PP specialist does nothing good for our D.
Smith - D -
Struggled so much on D, Quinn made him a 4th line winger, that is not good if you are being paid 4 million plus to be a D.
Goalies
Lundqvist - C-
Not a good season for Hank. Feel bad for him, but think next year, may be his last year as the Rangers starter. Big questions coming up next season with who will be taking over in a couple of years.
Georgiev - B+
Another Big question of how many games he gets next year ties into what I said above. When does a goalie transition start if one does start? Think Hank knows he may need to step aside which is why he seems very depressed as of late. 2nd half had looked really good, and that is where things become very interesting for the future.
Mikachu! - A+
Career season, when this guy came over here was very happy (Was never a Brassard fan, sorry @Machinehead ) But he has emerged as that 1c I was hoping for, and really hope he can build on this. I may have to change my pants often if Panarin is skating on his wing next season... I know it's a long shot. Think he should get the "C". Him or Kreider (Depending if he is extended, see below)
Kreider - B+
Kreider took a slight step back, but think he was playing banged up, I like to see him extended but it has to be for a team friendly deal and no more than 5 years. Still am a big fan, and think like machinehead said, need to be concerned with his body getting banged up, but still like to see him extended, still think he brings a lot to the table.
Buchnevich B+
Buch is easily becoming one of my favorite Rangers. He shows a lot of emotion out there, has the skill just needs the support around him. He took his benching as an opportunity to better his game and did, Buch has been one of Quinn's good developments.
Howden - B
Howden started off strong, got injured fell off but finished strong, I see a lot of potential in this kid, and think next season will be a step in the right direction, another good development from Quinn/
Namestnikov - B-
Watching him in Tampa, I told you guys what to expect. A 30 point, middle six two way forward, well...
Lemieux - A
Love this dude, he is the toughness and grit we need, and a guy to stand up to the crap in the league like Tom Wilson. The best is, he can also score goals and provide offense. This was a great acquisition.
Strome - A
Also, a nice surpise. It's funny people here were upset when he scored, you know the whole tank thing. That Spooner trade looks excellent now.
Fast - C
Dude hurt his thumb, so really not fair the rating but it happened around the ASG break? I just cringe seeing Fast on the top line. He is a solid player, but not a Top line guy.
Vesey - D
I am not a Vesey fan. Half the games don't even realize he is actually playing. (Now I know why, 1 point in his last 20 games of the season. Ouch)
Andersson - C-
Andersson waited till the 2nd to last game to have his best game of the season. I mean better late than never, but that was kinda late. I still want to give him another full NHL season to see what he does.
Chytil - B -
Started off strong, then looked fatigued, and he even admitted it. Again, young guy like to see where he lands next season. Still see a lot of potential and he had some very impressive games this season which make me excited.
Nieves - D
Not a Boo fan. He can skate, but does not bring much offense, and he loses board battles very easily.
Smith - D+
When you have to put a struggling D-man on a 4th line wing, you know you're rebuilding, nuff said.
Defense
DeAngelo - A
Dude is part of the Quinn development plan, has been one of the few bright spots to our D. Really glad he may have finally found a team to call home. Just needs to grow up a little.
Skjei - C.
Poor season, have hope he will bounce back next year, once this team gets back into a more winning mentality.
Staal - C+
People criticize Staal because of his cap hit. But if he was a bottom D, making like 3 million think people would be ok with him. Just question him on the PK, but that can be a coaching thing. Was really not as terrible like people make him out to be. But moving forward he is going to need ice time and role reduced, if this team is going to be competitive again.
Pionk - D -
Has not been good. Not much to add to this.
Shattenkirk - D
Shatty has struggled since he has been a Ranger, he has also been injured in almost all that time. He looked a little better as the season went on, but nothing great. This guy other than a PP specialist does nothing good for our D.
Smith - D -
Struggled so much on D, Quinn made him a 4th line winger, that is not good if you are being paid 4 million plus to be a D.
Goalies
Lundqvist - C-
Not a good season for Hank. Feel bad for him, but think next year, may be his last year as the Rangers starter. Big questions coming up next season with who will be taking over in a couple of years.
Georgiev - B+
Another Big question of how many games he gets next year ties into what I said above. When does a goalie transition start if one does start? Think Hank knows he may need to step aside which is why he seems very depressed as of late. 2nd half had looked really good, and that is where things become very interesting for the future.
aufheben
#Norris4Fox
50 Lias Andersson – C
23 Connor Brickley – B-
89 Pavel Buchnevich – B+
72 Filip Chytil – B-
33 Fredrik Claesson – B-
77 Tony DeAngelo – A
17 Jesper Fast – C+
40 Alexandar Georgiev – A+
58 John Gilmour – O
43 Libor Hajek – O
21 Brett Howden – B-
20 Chris Kreider – A-
48 Brendan Lemieux – B+
95 Vinni Lettieri – C
55 Ryan Lindgren – O
30 Henrik Lundqvist – C+
90 Vlad Namestnikov – B+
24 Boo Nieves – B
44 Neal Pionk – C
22 Kevin Shattenkirk – B-
76 Brady Skjei – C+
42 Brendan Smith – D
18 Marc Staal – C
16 Ryan Strome – A-
26 Jimmy Vesey – B
93 Mika Zibanejad – A+
HC David Quinn – A
GM Jeff Gorton – A
23 Connor Brickley – B-
89 Pavel Buchnevich – B+
72 Filip Chytil – B-
33 Fredrik Claesson – B-
77 Tony DeAngelo – A
17 Jesper Fast – C+
40 Alexandar Georgiev – A+
58 John Gilmour – O
43 Libor Hajek – O
21 Brett Howden – B-
20 Chris Kreider – A-
48 Brendan Lemieux – B+
95 Vinni Lettieri – C
55 Ryan Lindgren – O
30 Henrik Lundqvist – C+
90 Vlad Namestnikov – B+
24 Boo Nieves – B
44 Neal Pionk – C
22 Kevin Shattenkirk – B-
76 Brady Skjei – C+
42 Brendan Smith – D
18 Marc Staal – C
16 Ryan Strome – A-
26 Jimmy Vesey – B
93 Mika Zibanejad – A+
HC David Quinn – A
GM Jeff Gorton – A
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Forwards
Zibenjad - A. He stayed the offseason in NY and was in shape. It showed.
Kid Kreider - B A 25+ goal scorer with speed to burn. The issue with him is staying healthy.
Buchnevich - C+ Pavel has to learn how to play defense. If he does he can be a complete player. Healthy scratches should not be an issue for a guy making millions.
Howden - C+ He is going to be an important part of the team in future seasons. Is he a great 3rd liner or does he have 2nd line upside ?
Namestnikov - C- Didn't show up for many games. Once he drank the koolaid and starting engaging things started going his way. A 3rd line guy who can fill in on a higher line.
Lemieux - B- He should be a great fit on the grinding 3rd line with Howden. Really looking forward to some truculence and some solid physical play from him.
Strome - C Considering the cost to acquire he was a solid addition. But that shooting% is not sustainable. Still young and nice depth player but have to hope he isn't overpaid if he stays in NY.
Fast - B- I like what Fast brings to the ice. He fits very nicely on a checking line with Howden and Lemiuex but that leaves Namestnikov on the outside. Since Fast is 27 I think he is moved.
Vesey - D Not impressed with him at all. He does go to the net, but does not play a 200 foot game, does not finish checks and seems to be a bit of a floater. Can he be moved ?
Lias - D+ He does play a defensive game which would seem to pigeon hole him on the 3rd line which is already crowded. Lias needs to take a step forward improving his skating and conditioning.
Chytil - C. 1 dimensional player as a teenager in the NHL is staying alot. Just waiting him for him to fill out like Buchnevich has. Is he a center or a winger in the NHL. Rangers are saying he is a pivot.
Nieves - D a 4th line grinder who doesn't really play all that much of a physical game. I doubt he is a ranger for too much longer unless he can improve both his offense and his physical play.
Brickley - INC
Smith - He was an effective 4th liner. Plus he also played D on the PK. I think there is space for him next season. Overpaid but he wants to be a Ranger and brings the physical play NY needs.
Defense
DeAngelo - B- I like his game but I don't like his opinions. He has the skill and despite smaller in size can not only take care of himself but others as well. Will he show another gear next season ?
Skjei - C+ The franchise guy on the backend like it or not. I think he either grabs the opportunity and blossoms or has topped out as a top 4 guy. I'm hoping its the former. He needs a high end partner.
Staal - D- Turnover machine. Bottom pair PK guy, lucky NY doesn't need cap space. I'd still have preferred to keep Girardi over Marc.
Pionk - C Fine skater and driver of the play. He is sorely lacking on the physical side of things. He needs to bulk up without sacrificing the speed. A tall order but hopefully he is up for the challenge.
Claesson - D Not healthy enough to be a reliable member of any NHL team. When healthy he can take a regular turn out there, but missing in action far too often.
Shattenkirk - C- Shat wants to be a Ranger. He had a bad break. He belongs on the 2nd pairing and needs someone with size and physicality who knows to let Shat skate with the puck
Goalies
Hank - C Didn't show up to enough games to make a difference and hardly showed up at all after the all star game. Hopefully he sees at most 40~45 games next season.
Georgiev - B+ Really great run down the stretch when there was nothing to play for. Clearly a competitor. Looking forward to seeing him next season.
Zibenjad - A. He stayed the offseason in NY and was in shape. It showed.
Kid Kreider - B A 25+ goal scorer with speed to burn. The issue with him is staying healthy.
Buchnevich - C+ Pavel has to learn how to play defense. If he does he can be a complete player. Healthy scratches should not be an issue for a guy making millions.
Howden - C+ He is going to be an important part of the team in future seasons. Is he a great 3rd liner or does he have 2nd line upside ?
Namestnikov - C- Didn't show up for many games. Once he drank the koolaid and starting engaging things started going his way. A 3rd line guy who can fill in on a higher line.
Lemieux - B- He should be a great fit on the grinding 3rd line with Howden. Really looking forward to some truculence and some solid physical play from him.
Strome - C Considering the cost to acquire he was a solid addition. But that shooting% is not sustainable. Still young and nice depth player but have to hope he isn't overpaid if he stays in NY.
Fast - B- I like what Fast brings to the ice. He fits very nicely on a checking line with Howden and Lemiuex but that leaves Namestnikov on the outside. Since Fast is 27 I think he is moved.
Vesey - D Not impressed with him at all. He does go to the net, but does not play a 200 foot game, does not finish checks and seems to be a bit of a floater. Can he be moved ?
Lias - D+ He does play a defensive game which would seem to pigeon hole him on the 3rd line which is already crowded. Lias needs to take a step forward improving his skating and conditioning.
Chytil - C. 1 dimensional player as a teenager in the NHL is staying alot. Just waiting him for him to fill out like Buchnevich has. Is he a center or a winger in the NHL. Rangers are saying he is a pivot.
Nieves - D a 4th line grinder who doesn't really play all that much of a physical game. I doubt he is a ranger for too much longer unless he can improve both his offense and his physical play.
Brickley - INC
Smith - He was an effective 4th liner. Plus he also played D on the PK. I think there is space for him next season. Overpaid but he wants to be a Ranger and brings the physical play NY needs.
Defense
DeAngelo - B- I like his game but I don't like his opinions. He has the skill and despite smaller in size can not only take care of himself but others as well. Will he show another gear next season ?
Skjei - C+ The franchise guy on the backend like it or not. I think he either grabs the opportunity and blossoms or has topped out as a top 4 guy. I'm hoping its the former. He needs a high end partner.
Staal - D- Turnover machine. Bottom pair PK guy, lucky NY doesn't need cap space. I'd still have preferred to keep Girardi over Marc.
Pionk - C Fine skater and driver of the play. He is sorely lacking on the physical side of things. He needs to bulk up without sacrificing the speed. A tall order but hopefully he is up for the challenge.
Claesson - D Not healthy enough to be a reliable member of any NHL team. When healthy he can take a regular turn out there, but missing in action far too often.
Shattenkirk - C- Shat wants to be a Ranger. He had a bad break. He belongs on the 2nd pairing and needs someone with size and physicality who knows to let Shat skate with the puck
Goalies
Hank - C Didn't show up to enough games to make a difference and hardly showed up at all after the all star game. Hopefully he sees at most 40~45 games next season.
Georgiev - B+ Really great run down the stretch when there was nothing to play for. Clearly a competitor. Looking forward to seeing him next season.
EdJovanovski
#FreeRempe
Mika Zibanejad - A+
Chris Kreider - B
Pavel Buchnevich - A
Filip Chytil - D
Vladislav Namestnikov - C+
Brendan Lemieux - B+
Jimmy Vesey - C+
Jesper Fast - D
Ryan Strome - B+
Brett Howden - C+
Lias Andersson - D
Anthony DeAngelo - A+
Brady Skjei - B
Kevin Shattenkirk - C
Marc Staal - C+
Brendan Smith - C
Neal Pionk - C
Fredrik Claesson - C
Henrik Lundqvist - C+
Alex Georgiev - A
Chris Kreider - B
Pavel Buchnevich - A
Filip Chytil - D
Vladislav Namestnikov - C+
Brendan Lemieux - B+
Jimmy Vesey - C+
Jesper Fast - D
Ryan Strome - B+
Brett Howden - C+
Lias Andersson - D
Anthony DeAngelo - A+
Brady Skjei - B
Kevin Shattenkirk - C
Marc Staal - C+
Brendan Smith - C
Neal Pionk - C
Fredrik Claesson - C
Henrik Lundqvist - C+
Alex Georgiev - A
eco's bones
Registered User
Three of the bigger targets of wrath seem to be Vesey, Pionk and Nieves.
Look it---Vesey closed out the season in a slump but he still put up 35 points. A month ago though he looked like a 40 point guy and that a pretty respectable number. He's a 3rd liner and inconsistent. I wish he'd use his body more but 35 points is about a 10 point increase and he became a regular on our penalty kill and he wasn't too bad at it. I think he's pretty much where he's going to be--a mid 30's scorer and a 3rd liner. Any case if he does relatively the same next year and we move him at the deadline I'm thinking we get a 2nd back for him.
On to Pionk--second year pro and small RD. For years I've been hearing from Bruins fans how Torey Krug sucks. Pionk is a lot like Krug--the only problem is that on a thinned out Rangers defense they were playing this smallish PMD on the first pair and matching him against the best players in the league for the first 50 or so games of the year. He was 23/24 minutes of ice time for a long time and he eventually kind of crashed. He's not a first pairing D but he was played like one. DeAngelo got tough love but the fact that he wasn't put into situations he wasn't ready to handle is why he grew so much as the season went along. But someone had to take those penalty kill minutes (and the Rangers led the league in penalty minutes) and that someone was Pionk--so I'd give it a break. He's not as bad as some make him out to be---he's just not a first pairing D and DeAngelo and Shattenkirk aren't either.
Nieves--it helps if you forget he was a 2nd rounder. He's never going to be a big point producer. That doesn't mean he can't be a useful and valuable NHL player. To be honest after his rather unspectacular college career I wondered whether he'd ever play an NHL game but here he is. As a 4th line guy with size and speed who kills penalties there is some value. Not everyone is going to be on a scoring line. You need guys who do the extras too. That's going to be Boo's job and once in a while he does make a big play--scores a goal or sets one up.
But anyway none of these guys are really problems. Pionk and Nieves are first contract guys and Vesey's cap hit is right around what it should be. They all could be gone by this time next year but they also might all be better players too. They're all young enough where it's no reach to think they can improve.
Look it---Vesey closed out the season in a slump but he still put up 35 points. A month ago though he looked like a 40 point guy and that a pretty respectable number. He's a 3rd liner and inconsistent. I wish he'd use his body more but 35 points is about a 10 point increase and he became a regular on our penalty kill and he wasn't too bad at it. I think he's pretty much where he's going to be--a mid 30's scorer and a 3rd liner. Any case if he does relatively the same next year and we move him at the deadline I'm thinking we get a 2nd back for him.
On to Pionk--second year pro and small RD. For years I've been hearing from Bruins fans how Torey Krug sucks. Pionk is a lot like Krug--the only problem is that on a thinned out Rangers defense they were playing this smallish PMD on the first pair and matching him against the best players in the league for the first 50 or so games of the year. He was 23/24 minutes of ice time for a long time and he eventually kind of crashed. He's not a first pairing D but he was played like one. DeAngelo got tough love but the fact that he wasn't put into situations he wasn't ready to handle is why he grew so much as the season went along. But someone had to take those penalty kill minutes (and the Rangers led the league in penalty minutes) and that someone was Pionk--so I'd give it a break. He's not as bad as some make him out to be---he's just not a first pairing D and DeAngelo and Shattenkirk aren't either.
Nieves--it helps if you forget he was a 2nd rounder. He's never going to be a big point producer. That doesn't mean he can't be a useful and valuable NHL player. To be honest after his rather unspectacular college career I wondered whether he'd ever play an NHL game but here he is. As a 4th line guy with size and speed who kills penalties there is some value. Not everyone is going to be on a scoring line. You need guys who do the extras too. That's going to be Boo's job and once in a while he does make a big play--scores a goal or sets one up.
But anyway none of these guys are really problems. Pionk and Nieves are first contract guys and Vesey's cap hit is right around what it should be. They all could be gone by this time next year but they also might all be better players too. They're all young enough where it's no reach to think they can improve.
eco's bones
Registered User
There is a lot more to be hopeful about after this season than last.
The roster players who made the biggest improvements were Georgiev, Buchnevich and DeAngelo. As the season progressed the light went on for all of them and going forward we should look at them as core players. That said Buchnevich needs to go into next season with the same mindset he finished this one. Tony D ended with a TOI over 19 minutes. To become a 20 minute player he's going to have to take on the role of at least part time penalty killer. To me that's his next step and taking it solidifies him as a solid NHL top 4 defenseman. Henrik can't afford to fade if he wants to keep his job. Quinn is going to continue to push the team to succeed and if he decides that Georgiev (or Shestyorkin) are the goalies that can do that Henrik is not going to play a lot. Georgiev stole several games this year and that's not a lie and he has shown he can beat the better offensive teams. He's legit.
Other new guys/rookies--Howden started out great and then slumped badly through the bulk of the year but ended strong. Chytil had major ups and downs as well. I expect both to be better next year. Andersson played better at the end--he could continue shuffling between New York and Hartford. Lemieux was a great pickup but I see him more as a 3rd liner than a 2nd. We absolutely need the kind of edge he brings. One of Hajek/Lindgren should get a job next year too.
Some others of note--Skjei can be inconsistent but he was our best defenseman down the final stretch. 25 points isn't bad for a guy who got almost no power play time. Led the team in hits and blocked shots. Good size, skates very well--gets lots of pk time. He's a bigger piece of our team than he gets recognized for and still relatively young. Namestnikov--Quinn was tough on him for a while too but he got Vlad to play a lot harder as the season progressed. He wants him to forecheck hard and kill penalties and Vlad was a better player at the end than he was at the beginning. Strome was just a great pickup--feisty and sneaky--very good hands--competitive.
The roster players who made the biggest improvements were Georgiev, Buchnevich and DeAngelo. As the season progressed the light went on for all of them and going forward we should look at them as core players. That said Buchnevich needs to go into next season with the same mindset he finished this one. Tony D ended with a TOI over 19 minutes. To become a 20 minute player he's going to have to take on the role of at least part time penalty killer. To me that's his next step and taking it solidifies him as a solid NHL top 4 defenseman. Henrik can't afford to fade if he wants to keep his job. Quinn is going to continue to push the team to succeed and if he decides that Georgiev (or Shestyorkin) are the goalies that can do that Henrik is not going to play a lot. Georgiev stole several games this year and that's not a lie and he has shown he can beat the better offensive teams. He's legit.
Other new guys/rookies--Howden started out great and then slumped badly through the bulk of the year but ended strong. Chytil had major ups and downs as well. I expect both to be better next year. Andersson played better at the end--he could continue shuffling between New York and Hartford. Lemieux was a great pickup but I see him more as a 3rd liner than a 2nd. We absolutely need the kind of edge he brings. One of Hajek/Lindgren should get a job next year too.
Some others of note--Skjei can be inconsistent but he was our best defenseman down the final stretch. 25 points isn't bad for a guy who got almost no power play time. Led the team in hits and blocked shots. Good size, skates very well--gets lots of pk time. He's a bigger piece of our team than he gets recognized for and still relatively young. Namestnikov--Quinn was tough on him for a while too but he got Vlad to play a lot harder as the season progressed. He wants him to forecheck hard and kill penalties and Vlad was a better player at the end than he was at the beginning. Strome was just a great pickup--feisty and sneaky--very good hands--competitive.
Vesey looks like he can be a third line player. Honestly, would take Strome ahead of him due to versatility. Pionk is who he is. I do not think that he is here when the Rangers are going to be getting ready to truly compete. Nieves is meh. Can he be a 4th line player? Sure. But there are probably other 4th line centers who can do more.
Not sure about the long term future of any of them on the team.
SingnBluesOnBroadway
Retired
Vesey is what he is. It's amazing that everyone is surprised by that.
Pionk's biggest crime is he's not a top 2 defenseman and the general state of the blue line.
Nieves I like. There's speed and a motor. I'd like to see him play with a bit more confidence.
I am not in a rush to push out Nieves, but if an improvement can be made for cheap (say Boyle for example), I would.
Pionk's lack of size became evident. For him to carve out a career in the NHL, I really believe that he needs to compensate for that somehow when actively defending.
Vesey? Eh. I am fine with entering next year with a third line of Lemieux - Andersson - Strome. The top line is going to have Kreider (let's pretend he does not get traded) ZBad & Buch. Which leaves Chytil, Howden & X on the second? Is Vesey X?
eco's bones
Registered User
Brian Boyle is a different animal altogether from Nieves. He's 34 and if he were to sign with us again I'd be thinking of doing the same thing that the Devils did--move him at the deadline. Nieves won't get you a 2nd rounder like Boyle did but he has something that Boyle doesn't have. He's a much better skater.
JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK
Twenty f*ckin years
- Oct 8, 2010
- 80,075
- 17,713
I love Filip and Lias, but we can’t act like they performed all that well. They both had long stretches of invisibility. Which is understandable for guys that young, but it doesn’t make those stretches any better in my mind. I’m grading these guys based on their overall contributions to the team, which I don’t think were that great.
Chytil, I thought was decent overall. He had periods of dominance, much more so than Lias IMO. Chytil flashed that “I’m just gonna win this game by myself” level of talent. He’s just physically immature and an incredibly raw player overall.
Lias needs to adjust to the speed of this level. I think once he clicks, finds the right linemates, he’ll click for good. I’d love to see him on Mika’s wing at times next year.
haohmaru
boomshakalaka
Forwards
Mika - A+ - exceeded expectations throughout the year. Deserves it.
Kreider - B - really good until the zookster left and then was fighting it and fighting through something. Still, tied his career high in goals and that warrants a step up from a "C"
Buchnevich - B - tough one, but his last months should give us hope that if he can play that way consistently that he'll be a top 6 forward for years to come.
Howden - B - can't believe the amount of "C's and "C-'s" being thrown about on this guy. Clearly hit the wall, but who expected him to make the team out of camp? A pleasant surprise.
Namestnikov - B - I'll take him, and his effort, over JT all day long all week long.
Lemieux - B - not a large enough sample size but looking forward to a full season.
Strome - B - maybe he's finally with the right club
Fast - C - clearly hindered and playing hurt. He was better last year but hard to know what and how much whatever was ailing him was affecting his play.
Vesey - C- - honestly, I like Vesey, but he disappears for longer stretches than Kreider used to and that's troubling.
Lias - C+ - not really given much of a role. Talk to me in two year.
Chytil - C- expectations not met. Really, was expecting a bit more than what we got. He's 19, though, so let's talk again at the end of next year.
Boo - C - he is what he is and he'll never be a whole lot more.
Brickley - C - a place holder. Another guy that does what he does but it's not enough on a decent NHL team.
Smith - B - give him credit for doing whatever the team wants - sit, play D, play F, play both F & D, play 7th D. His head must be spinning like a washing machine. Can't question the effort, only the smarts.
Defense
Tony D - B+ turned it around. Whatever his "attitude" or "conduct" problems are, I hope he sorts them out as he matures further. He's got game.
Skjei - C- Big contract, expected more. Got less. Had moments down the stretch but developing D can sometimes take years and years. He's going to.
Staal - D - turnover machine, bad decisions, slow. He's been a lifelong Ranger and probably a decent voice in the room for the young guys to look up to, but, honestly, I wish he'd hang 'em up. He's not helping the team enough to warrant playing, much less his contract.
Pionk - C - another young guy that's mistake prone, but if he can clean up his game and his decision making then I think he's got a future as a 5/6.
Claesson - C+ Met expectations but another 6/7 guy. I'd rather see one of the 'yutes in the lineup
Shattenkirk - D - hard to say how much that knee impacted his start. Finished stronger, but another guy that needs to either dig deep or we need to move on.
Goalies
Hank - C - clearly demoralized by suffering another losing and even less competitive season that the year before. Is he done? I don't think so. I hope (and I know many of you don't) that we're more competitive next year for his sake and for the sake of all of the young players in the lineup who should experience the pressure of competing for a playoff spot even if the team falls short.
Georgiev - B - struggled early but finished strong. If only the Rangers could find Centers like they can find goalies.
Mika - A+ - exceeded expectations throughout the year. Deserves it.
Kreider - B - really good until the zookster left and then was fighting it and fighting through something. Still, tied his career high in goals and that warrants a step up from a "C"
Buchnevich - B - tough one, but his last months should give us hope that if he can play that way consistently that he'll be a top 6 forward for years to come.
Howden - B - can't believe the amount of "C's and "C-'s" being thrown about on this guy. Clearly hit the wall, but who expected him to make the team out of camp? A pleasant surprise.
Namestnikov - B - I'll take him, and his effort, over JT all day long all week long.
Lemieux - B - not a large enough sample size but looking forward to a full season.
Strome - B - maybe he's finally with the right club
Fast - C - clearly hindered and playing hurt. He was better last year but hard to know what and how much whatever was ailing him was affecting his play.
Vesey - C- - honestly, I like Vesey, but he disappears for longer stretches than Kreider used to and that's troubling.
Lias - C+ - not really given much of a role. Talk to me in two year.
Chytil - C- expectations not met. Really, was expecting a bit more than what we got. He's 19, though, so let's talk again at the end of next year.
Boo - C - he is what he is and he'll never be a whole lot more.
Brickley - C - a place holder. Another guy that does what he does but it's not enough on a decent NHL team.
Smith - B - give him credit for doing whatever the team wants - sit, play D, play F, play both F & D, play 7th D. His head must be spinning like a washing machine. Can't question the effort, only the smarts.
Defense
Tony D - B+ turned it around. Whatever his "attitude" or "conduct" problems are, I hope he sorts them out as he matures further. He's got game.
Skjei - C- Big contract, expected more. Got less. Had moments down the stretch but developing D can sometimes take years and years. He's going to.
Staal - D - turnover machine, bad decisions, slow. He's been a lifelong Ranger and probably a decent voice in the room for the young guys to look up to, but, honestly, I wish he'd hang 'em up. He's not helping the team enough to warrant playing, much less his contract.
Pionk - C - another young guy that's mistake prone, but if he can clean up his game and his decision making then I think he's got a future as a 5/6.
Claesson - C+ Met expectations but another 6/7 guy. I'd rather see one of the 'yutes in the lineup
Shattenkirk - D - hard to say how much that knee impacted his start. Finished stronger, but another guy that needs to either dig deep or we need to move on.
Goalies
Hank - C - clearly demoralized by suffering another losing and even less competitive season that the year before. Is he done? I don't think so. I hope (and I know many of you don't) that we're more competitive next year for his sake and for the sake of all of the young players in the lineup who should experience the pressure of competing for a playoff spot even if the team falls short.
Georgiev - B - struggled early but finished strong. If only the Rangers could find Centers like they can find goalies.
- Jul 20, 2005
- 4,926
- 2,339
Vesey gets grief because he is an average player who ended the season horribly. He got an opportunity to play big minutes and had 1 point in his last 19 games.
Pionk gets grief because he is a bad defenseman who is bad at everything.
I have no idea why Boo would get grief.
Pionk gets grief because he is a bad defenseman who is bad at everything.
I have no idea why Boo would get grief.
JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK
Twenty f*ckin years
- Oct 8, 2010
- 80,075
- 17,713
Machinehead
HFNYR MVP
He's just not very good. Likable guy, but he's a AAAA player.
When we're competing again, I think we can do better in terms of our 4th line.
Rempe73
RIP King of Pop
Gorton: A
Quinn: A
Zibanejad: A+
Buchnevich: A
Strome: A
Lemieux: A-
Kreider: B
Vesey: B
Nieves: B
Howden: B
Smith: C
Chytil: C
Lettieri: C
Brickley: C
Namestnikov: C-
Fast: D+
Andersson: D+
DeAngelo: A+
Hajek: B+
Lindgren: B
Skjei: B-
Claesson: C
Staal: C
Pionk: C-
Shattenkirk: D+
Gilmour: D+
Georgiev: B+
Lundqvist: C-
These grades are a mix of player performance, whether the player exceeded my expectations, and the player’s trade value.
Quinn: A
Zibanejad: A+
Buchnevich: A
Strome: A
Lemieux: A-
Kreider: B
Vesey: B
Nieves: B
Howden: B
Smith: C
Chytil: C
Lettieri: C
Brickley: C
Namestnikov: C-
Fast: D+
Andersson: D+
DeAngelo: A+
Hajek: B+
Lindgren: B
Skjei: B-
Claesson: C
Staal: C
Pionk: C-
Shattenkirk: D+
Gilmour: D+
Georgiev: B+
Lundqvist: C-
These grades are a mix of player performance, whether the player exceeded my expectations, and the player’s trade value.
Mika Zibanejad - A: He's arrived as a top center, played a very consistent game, and showed effort every night. He's living up to his draft position. I'd like to see him zing more shots instead of those fakeouts that never work. Other than that, what more can you ask for?
Chris Kreider - B-: Like him during the first 40 games, before the annual disappearing act. When the coach and GM have to field questions about injuries, it's asking them to make excuses. Injury or not, this is what Kreider is. He's going to get value in a trade, which IMO is worth more to the organization than a 7 year deal at $6M.
Pavel Buchnevich - B-: A tale of two seasons. Finally bought in. Drove the net, and played with emotion. I hope he keeps it up, to me he's a good sign of what Quinn can get out of a guy. If Pavel keeps this up, and the confidence grows, he's going to be a very good top 6 winger.
Filip Chytil - C-: Look he needed time in the minors, and the Rangers depth didn't allow it. Some games he played with pace and hunger, and others he didn't. The skill is there, but the strength and consistent effort is not. I feel that he will take a step next season and the year after. Not worried about Fil, but on the merits of this season... he could have been better.
Vladislav Namestnikov - B-: He's another guy that bought in and provided utility. Overpaid yes, but he's also serviceable. IMO he's a very good 4th liner, but a 3rd liner on a losing team that provides versatility. I think he will get moved at some point. Don't see a long term future for him with the NYR, but he was serviceable. Played hard. Got a higher ranking as a result.
Brendan Lemieux - C-: I wanna see a little more crazy out of him. The potential for him is huge as a role player. There aren't too many guys like him in the league. But he needs to be in better condition as far as his endurance goes. Would also like to see him get a little more tactical with his pestering. Utilize it when the game needs it. Going to be a fan favorite if he can earn the ice time. Look at Tyler Bertuzzi. That's the type of step Brendan can take imo.
Jimmy Vesey - C-: Not a guy you win with. I'm only keeping him around to draw Fox. But Jimmy is going to be a good depth rental at the deadline. For a "kid" he's hitting UFA next season. He'll get Matt Calvert money as a UFA somewhere. He was body on the PK... which will do him favors in free agency. Needs to get Quinn a bottle of wine for that.
Jesper Fast - D: IMO: Trade him. He's not going to have any value left after this contract. He will be a good rental for a team if he stays healthy. Good guy, solid pro, and played his heart out. Always gave full effort, but you can see the body giving out. Hopefully he has a good off-season and plays well. For a good skater... his legs looked a bit shot.
Ryan Strome - B+: He's salvaging his career. I like the acquisition a lot. He's that RH C/RW that I've been harping about the last couple of years. He adds a lot of utility and provided some more than solid offense. Maybe there's some magic and his skating improves, but I think he's going to be a very good player for the Rangers. Great fit all around.
Brett Howden - C-: Loved the first 15 games, and the last 5. Injury helped him. I worry about his development in the sense that they rushed him when he needed some down time. But the player, when he was on... I absolutely loved. The north south two way game, the defensive awareness. Net front drives. They need to put him on a strength training program and show him videos of all of the things he did well. And say: Every Game. Every Shift. I know Bret has it in him.
Lias Andersson - D: Wasn't ready. Did not deserve to play 40 games. It wasn't until the last 5 games he played where I saw the player that they wanted. I think playing with Lemiuex helped him. He lacked emotion, urgency, and awareness. That changed late in the year. He's an emotional kid, and he needs to harness that. The Rangers shouldn't keep him in the NHL if he plays like he's happy to be here. This is not a player where you want the culture of malaise to seep in, he needs to be who he is. This past year, who he was, was a lot of crap. Needs to get hungry and be selfish.
Boo Nieves- C-: I don't see a role for him. He can skate, but doesn't hustle. I think he's overmatched at center. Maybe he becomes a good 4th line wing who can kill penalties and take faceoffs. But I just don't see a role for him.
Vinni Lettieri: D+: In great shape. Doesn't do anything an NHLer ought to do. Was very excited for him in pre-season, but he's a classic 4A player. Classic 4A.
Anthony DeAngelo - B: I like ADA a lot. But let's be objective- he was a turnover machine, and stretched out his pinches a lot longer than he should have. Other than that, he deserves he top PP, and offensive 5v5 time with a stable partner. Played a lot of good hockey with the puck on his stick, but needs to keep the turnovers down. I liked the physicality, but he's got to get better defending in the neutral zone, and getting back from a pinch. I'd like to hear the off-ice issues made public. Maybe that nips it in the bud. Would also like to see him be him against the competition.
Brady Skjei - B+: Was quietly the best defenseman on the team. He needs a partner like a McQuaid. Was really bad the first 20, but picked it up a ton the rest of the way. There were missed coverages here and there but he was much better this year than last.
Kevin Shattenkirk - D-: I don't see a lot of positives. I don't see a lot of value being added. Too deliberate with the puck, no pace to his game.
Marc Staal - B: He played well, but within his limitations. Was not the liability he was in prior years. This system suits him better than the old one.
Brendan Smith - D+: I din't like seeing him up-front. Did not like seeing him on the backend. He might be a good character guy, but one must question how did he forget to play hockey after getting his retirement deal? I would like to see him accept a trade with a team like VAN for Sutter. At-least with Sutter you can LTIR that contract. Doubt it happens.
Neal Pionk - C: He was overplayed. Some good nights with the puck early on does not drown out the soft play on defense. I enjoyed his rage fights, but I think he's soft. For a player like him to be effective he needs to be one of the smartest guys on the ice that can anticipate plays. Neal is very reactive. And physically, he's not a guy you want against speedy, skilled, or big forwards. What does that leave you with? I see him as a guy who has an NHL career playing on bottom feeders for the next 4-5 years before Europe comes a calling.
Fredrik Claesson - D: Saw why OTT wouldn't offer him a tender. Had a few good games early in the season though.
Henrik Lundqvist - C+: Had a stretch where he carried the team early in the year before reality set in. Henrik was bad on the PK. That's where it got to him this year. The Rangers were a very poor PK team to begin with, but Georigiev mustered through that. Henrik gave up a lot of non-Henrik goals. By my eyes, that was worst on the PK. The defense in front of him were really bad, but his age showed do to him being dispirited for a stretch. I think he can still play, but mentally, it wasn't there for him this year. Which is saying something for one of the mentally toughest competitors out there.
Alex Georgiev - A: Lots of promise, and a lot to like. Had the flood gates open on him a bunch of times, but he stole a lot of periods. Not a lot of games. But periods. I think he gets better.
Chris Kreider - B-: Like him during the first 40 games, before the annual disappearing act. When the coach and GM have to field questions about injuries, it's asking them to make excuses. Injury or not, this is what Kreider is. He's going to get value in a trade, which IMO is worth more to the organization than a 7 year deal at $6M.
Pavel Buchnevich - B-: A tale of two seasons. Finally bought in. Drove the net, and played with emotion. I hope he keeps it up, to me he's a good sign of what Quinn can get out of a guy. If Pavel keeps this up, and the confidence grows, he's going to be a very good top 6 winger.
Filip Chytil - C-: Look he needed time in the minors, and the Rangers depth didn't allow it. Some games he played with pace and hunger, and others he didn't. The skill is there, but the strength and consistent effort is not. I feel that he will take a step next season and the year after. Not worried about Fil, but on the merits of this season... he could have been better.
Vladislav Namestnikov - B-: He's another guy that bought in and provided utility. Overpaid yes, but he's also serviceable. IMO he's a very good 4th liner, but a 3rd liner on a losing team that provides versatility. I think he will get moved at some point. Don't see a long term future for him with the NYR, but he was serviceable. Played hard. Got a higher ranking as a result.
Brendan Lemieux - C-: I wanna see a little more crazy out of him. The potential for him is huge as a role player. There aren't too many guys like him in the league. But he needs to be in better condition as far as his endurance goes. Would also like to see him get a little more tactical with his pestering. Utilize it when the game needs it. Going to be a fan favorite if he can earn the ice time. Look at Tyler Bertuzzi. That's the type of step Brendan can take imo.
Jimmy Vesey - C-: Not a guy you win with. I'm only keeping him around to draw Fox. But Jimmy is going to be a good depth rental at the deadline. For a "kid" he's hitting UFA next season. He'll get Matt Calvert money as a UFA somewhere. He was body on the PK... which will do him favors in free agency. Needs to get Quinn a bottle of wine for that.
Jesper Fast - D: IMO: Trade him. He's not going to have any value left after this contract. He will be a good rental for a team if he stays healthy. Good guy, solid pro, and played his heart out. Always gave full effort, but you can see the body giving out. Hopefully he has a good off-season and plays well. For a good skater... his legs looked a bit shot.
Ryan Strome - B+: He's salvaging his career. I like the acquisition a lot. He's that RH C/RW that I've been harping about the last couple of years. He adds a lot of utility and provided some more than solid offense. Maybe there's some magic and his skating improves, but I think he's going to be a very good player for the Rangers. Great fit all around.
Brett Howden - C-: Loved the first 15 games, and the last 5. Injury helped him. I worry about his development in the sense that they rushed him when he needed some down time. But the player, when he was on... I absolutely loved. The north south two way game, the defensive awareness. Net front drives. They need to put him on a strength training program and show him videos of all of the things he did well. And say: Every Game. Every Shift. I know Bret has it in him.
Lias Andersson - D: Wasn't ready. Did not deserve to play 40 games. It wasn't until the last 5 games he played where I saw the player that they wanted. I think playing with Lemiuex helped him. He lacked emotion, urgency, and awareness. That changed late in the year. He's an emotional kid, and he needs to harness that. The Rangers shouldn't keep him in the NHL if he plays like he's happy to be here. This is not a player where you want the culture of malaise to seep in, he needs to be who he is. This past year, who he was, was a lot of crap. Needs to get hungry and be selfish.
Boo Nieves- C-: I don't see a role for him. He can skate, but doesn't hustle. I think he's overmatched at center. Maybe he becomes a good 4th line wing who can kill penalties and take faceoffs. But I just don't see a role for him.
Vinni Lettieri: D+: In great shape. Doesn't do anything an NHLer ought to do. Was very excited for him in pre-season, but he's a classic 4A player. Classic 4A.
Anthony DeAngelo - B: I like ADA a lot. But let's be objective- he was a turnover machine, and stretched out his pinches a lot longer than he should have. Other than that, he deserves he top PP, and offensive 5v5 time with a stable partner. Played a lot of good hockey with the puck on his stick, but needs to keep the turnovers down. I liked the physicality, but he's got to get better defending in the neutral zone, and getting back from a pinch. I'd like to hear the off-ice issues made public. Maybe that nips it in the bud. Would also like to see him be him against the competition.
Brady Skjei - B+: Was quietly the best defenseman on the team. He needs a partner like a McQuaid. Was really bad the first 20, but picked it up a ton the rest of the way. There were missed coverages here and there but he was much better this year than last.
Kevin Shattenkirk - D-: I don't see a lot of positives. I don't see a lot of value being added. Too deliberate with the puck, no pace to his game.
Marc Staal - B: He played well, but within his limitations. Was not the liability he was in prior years. This system suits him better than the old one.
Brendan Smith - D+: I din't like seeing him up-front. Did not like seeing him on the backend. He might be a good character guy, but one must question how did he forget to play hockey after getting his retirement deal? I would like to see him accept a trade with a team like VAN for Sutter. At-least with Sutter you can LTIR that contract. Doubt it happens.
Neal Pionk - C: He was overplayed. Some good nights with the puck early on does not drown out the soft play on defense. I enjoyed his rage fights, but I think he's soft. For a player like him to be effective he needs to be one of the smartest guys on the ice that can anticipate plays. Neal is very reactive. And physically, he's not a guy you want against speedy, skilled, or big forwards. What does that leave you with? I see him as a guy who has an NHL career playing on bottom feeders for the next 4-5 years before Europe comes a calling.
Fredrik Claesson - D: Saw why OTT wouldn't offer him a tender. Had a few good games early in the season though.
Henrik Lundqvist - C+: Had a stretch where he carried the team early in the year before reality set in. Henrik was bad on the PK. That's where it got to him this year. The Rangers were a very poor PK team to begin with, but Georigiev mustered through that. Henrik gave up a lot of non-Henrik goals. By my eyes, that was worst on the PK. The defense in front of him were really bad, but his age showed do to him being dispirited for a stretch. I think he can still play, but mentally, it wasn't there for him this year. Which is saying something for one of the mentally toughest competitors out there.
Alex Georgiev - A: Lots of promise, and a lot to like. Had the flood gates open on him a bunch of times, but he stole a lot of periods. Not a lot of games. But periods. I think he gets better.
