Pre-Game Talk: 2013-2014 Rangers pre-season discussion

[16 To Stanley*]

And my point is I don't see an NHL player.

Neither do i, which in my terms, is a goon.

If he's not an NHL player, yet is getting a cup of tea in the NHL, clearly because he fights, then he's a goon by definition.

Just because he can skate better than Colton Orr (which means nothing, since my sister skates better than him) doesn't make him a non-goon.

When Mashinter isn't fighting, he's a liability out there, in all scenarios. That's a goon.

 

[Arkham32]

Hey guys Stars fan here i'm just wondering how has del zotto been so far thinking about taking him in my fantasy pool. Is he thriving under AV's new system? Thanks

 

[gary laser eyes]

Hey guys Stars fan here i'm just wondering how has del zotto been so far thinking about taking him in my fantasy pool. Is he thriving under AV's new system? Thanks

Defensemen were pinching like crazy and getting involved in the offense during preseason. He moves the puck extremely well but has a terrible point shot. I still would easily peg him for 30-40 points. He might even approach 50 pts if the Rangers offense flourishes (not a good chance of that though).

 

[sark76]

These guys drew a ton of penalties and potted quite a few points as well. Haley just takes penalties, and apart from one amazing highlight-reel goal hasn't contributed to anything offensively in his NHL career.

I mean even Avery at the end of his career when he was a "marked man" that got "called for everything", drew a lot more penalties than he took.

I know Torts said it wasn't personal when he demoted Avery, but it was. The guy was still an effective player.

I meant more in an attitude kind of way. I won't get into it too much because people get all pissy when you talk about SA but I totally agree with you. That was the first time JT put his ego above the team. Even when the team couldn't score before "the banner" when SA did score all JT did was roll his eyes. The was no chance for him anywhere in the NHL except NYR..but there was still beneficial hockey to be played from him and the refs WERE taking notice that he was trying to clean up his game a bit. After that I believe JT putting his ego above the team happened more frequently and with less effort at hiding it. SA was one of the best players in camp that year and when he begrudgingly got a chance to play...he showed he could draw calls and was scoring more regularly than anyone else on the team. I also believe it to be the coaches job to make sure one of his players is getting fair treatment from the officials. It was such a waste of talent and fan support. JT flat our and down right lied through his teeth to every Rangers fan. I can't believe some fans bought into it. Many were still upset that SA took the money an went to the stars...to me that's all business. With the type of game SA played, he had a very good chance of having a very short shelf life so, yeah...I think he had to take the money while he had the chance to do so.

I don't think Haley will ever be like him point wise, but the grit game is there and we seriously need more players with that attitude. Maybe dorrset will be the answer but that still does answer why Pyatt is playing over a young hungry guy. Yes...overall pyatt probably has more true on ice skills..but they mean nothing without the desire and energy to showcase them. I would at the very least hope Haley is called up for rivalry games...that seem to be the scenario he operates the best in. I don't mind the calls against him if hes playing hard and not being stupid. He isn't a marked man yet, but maybe he needs a mentor in regards to playing the refs.

I hope Pyatt proves me wrong this year as I kinda like the guy as a person. Just don't think he brings anything to the table unless we can get him back on the PK again, or spice up his game a bit...I mean he has the size and hes great in the corners and on the boards.

Don't hate me for talking about SA...I'm just trying to relate him or more his style of play to Haley.

 

[sark76]

uggg...gotta stop using the back button...why can't I figure out how to delete my own posts?

 

[sark76]

Also think Haley is ultra competitive which I believe to be contagious as well. That's it, I said what I had to say about Haley..I'll drop it now.

 

[16 To Stanley*]

Also think Haley is ultra competitive which I believe to be contagious as well. That's it, I said what I had to say about Haley..I'll drop it now.

He didn't outplay Asham or Dorsett imo

 

[oNLy1cube]

So whats the starting lineup going to look like for game 1? Looks like Richards and Boyle could be 2 centers moving to the Wing so what's I'm especially curious what center ice looks like.

 

[gary laser eyes]

So whats the starting lineup going to look like for game 1? Looks like Richards and Boyle could be 2 centers moving to the Wing so what's I'm especially curious what center ice looks like.

Practice tomorrow should give us a really good idea. The lines during practice on Sunday would indicate this:

Richards - Stepan - Nash
Pouliot - Brassard - Zucc
Pyatt - Boyle - Fast
Miller - Moore - Dorsett/Asham

 

[I Eat Crow]

Miller and Pyatt should really be switched

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Miller needs to be at center. I'd have:

Richards-Stepan-Nash
Pouliot-Brassard-Zuccarello
Boyle-Miller-Fast
Pyatt-Moore-Dorsett

When Callahan/Hagelin are healthy:

Richards-Stepan-Nash
Hagelin-Miller-Callahan
Pouliot-Brassard-Zuccarello
Boyle-Moore-Dorsett

 

[Emptyvoid]

Miller needs to be at center. I'd have:

Richards-Stepan-Nash
Pouliot-Brassard-Zuccarello
Boyle-Miller-Fast
Pyatt-Moore-Dorsett

When Callahan/Hagelin are healthy:

Hagelin-Stepan-Nash
Richards-Miller-Zuccarello
Pouliot-Brassard-Callahan
Boyle-Moore-Dorsett

That miller line is frightening defensively.

 

[RGY]

Miller needs to be at center. I'd have:

Richards-Stepan-Nash
Pouliot-Brassard-Zuccarello
Boyle-Miller-Fast
Pyatt-Moore-Dorsett

When Callahan/Hagelin are healthy:

Hagelin-Stepan-Nash
Richards-Miller-Zuccarello
Pouliot-Brassard-Callahan
Boyle-Moore-Dorsett

I agree with this look. And if Miller and/or Pouliot struggle, you could see a chance for Kreider to slide right back in if he performs in CT.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

That miller line is frightening defensively.

I changed it. Wanted to put Hagelin with Stepan/Nash, but the Hagelin-Miller-Callahan line looks a lot better.

 

[Emptyvoid]

I changed it. Wanted to put Hagelin with Stepan/Nash, but the Hagelin-Miller-Callahan line looks a lot better.

Yea that's much more balanced. Stepan is going to have to carry the defensive load on his line, but I'm confident he can do that.

Brassard is going to have be competent to good defensively this year (not to say he wasn't last, he just needs to be more consistent) if any offensive line with him is going to succeed.

 

[Boruto]

Notice how everyone (Bob McKenzie, NHL panel, writers of sorts) is pegging the Rangers as a team headed toward imminent struggles and poor season.

 

[I Eat Crow]

Notice how everyone (Bob McKenzie, NHL panel, writers of sorts) is pegging the Rangers as a team headed toward imminent struggles and poor season.

Fine with me. There will be some adjustment period; I'd be elated if the Rangers played .500 hockey until November when they finally get some MSG games.

If I recall correctly though, no one saw us coming in 2011-12 either. The pundits said we'd be a bubble team, and we finished a point out of the President's trophy.

I see us pretty much where they finished last season. 5th or 6th in the east with a second round exit. Maybe conference finals again if we match up well. I just still don't see us getting past Boston or Pittsburgh in a seven game series unless they sustain catastrophic injuries on their squad.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Notice how everyone (Bob McKenzie, NHL panel, writers of sorts) is pegging the Rangers as a team headed toward imminent struggles and poor season.

TSN likes them:

I'd say the only team in the Metro that is clear cut ahead of the Rangers is Pittsburgh. I really like the look of Columbus' roster and I think Philly improved big time this summer, but they're, at best, only slightly better than the Rangers, IMO. That's my top-4. Pittsburgh, Rangers, and then Columbus/Philly. The Rangers just need most of their players to have their average seasons and they'll have home ice. They could possibly challenge the Penguins if Stepan takes another step forward, Hagelin steps up offensively, and Brassard continues his strong play, but I don't see it. I'll be very happy with the 2nd place finish, that's home ice.

The Islanders will be challenging for one of those 3/4 spots. I don't think they're going to be very good this year, though. When Strome, Nelson, Reinhart, Donovan, Lee, and Pulock start to come into their own is when the Islanders start challenging the Penguins and (hopefully) the Rangers.

Not a fan of Washington's team at all this year. Losing Ribeiro will hurt their PP, which was a huge reason why they finished third last year. Grabovski isn't replacing Ribeiro in that facet, he's never been a productive player on the PP. Their defense is terrible outside of their top-3 and Holtby has shown nothing more than flashes at best.

The Devils have become my sleeper pick. I had them written off but they have a barrage of 20+ goal players in their lineup, even if they lack a big gun like Parise or Kovalchuk. I also feel their defense isn't bad either. It isn't great, but it could take a big step forward if Larsson has a good year. Schneider/Brodeur are going to have to have a great year, but I could see them sneaking in.

Carolina is dead upon arrival. Pitkanen, Gleason, and Ruutu are all already out long term and they lack depth to begin with.

 

[Kakko]

Miller needs to be at center. I'd have:

Richards-Stepan-Nash
Pouliot-Brassard-Zuccarello
Boyle-Miller-Fast
Pyatt-Moore-Dorsett

When Callahan/Hagelin are healthy:

Richards-Stepan-Nash
Hagelin-Miller-Callahan
Pouliot-Brassard-Zuccarello
Boyle-Moore-Dorsett

For the final roster, I'd assume the 2nd and 3rd line would have pretty similar ice times

 

[Kakko]

Oh, and that bottom six is WAY better than the islanders' supposed "best in the league"

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Oh, and that bottom six is WAY better than the islanders' supposed "best in the league"

I love the fourth line when the team is fully healthy. Boyle-Moore-Dorsett. Has the potential to be one of the best fourth lines in the league, IMO.

Middle six and top line LW is a bit muddled. Stepan-Nash needs to stay together, that's a high end offensive combo. Would like to have Hagelin with those two, but it may better serve our lack of LW depth to split that line up. Keep Richards there if he's decent.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Every one seems to be worried about scoring goals. While I'll admit the Rangers offense isn't great, the team at ES is fine. Their special teams is what worries me. For the first time in years, I don't think the PK is anything more than average. And the PP? Well...we'll wait and see. If they can just get it to at least 15th, I'd be satisfied, but being at under 20 again would be unacceptable. Can't win in the playoffs with weak special teams.

 

[Boruto]

dawgs, can someone explain to me the division rules again? Top 3 from each division and then the top two of the rest of our division (10 teams)?

 

[I Eat Crow]

You're simply in denial if you don't think the Devils will be in the mix for a playoff spot.

I could see Florida really surprising people. They all of a sudden have a pretty deep defense if Whitney and Gilbert are limited to bottom pairing minutes. Thomas will give them a good year in goal. If they can find a way to score more goals, look out.

Us, Columbus, Philly, and Devils will be in a dogfight for 2-4 seeds in the division. Pittsburgh is a pretty clear cut favorite unless Crosby and Malkin both miss significant time.

Carolina has way too many injuries. Ward will be MVP of that team, and it will take a Vezina year from him to even give Carolina hope.

Detroit's really getting overrated. They'll make the playoffs, but I don't think that they'll finish better than both Montreal and Ottawa. Toronto will be in the mix too, but they'll live and die by their goaltending.

Buffalo's going to be awful. Miller will be showcased and traded to a team on the verge looking to become contenders. Think Edmonton or Minnesota.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

dawgs, can someone explain to me the division rules again? Top 3 from each division and then the top two of the rest of our division (10 teams)

The top-3 from each division clinch, and then the wildcards go to the next best two teams. So, if the standings look like this, for example:

1. Pittsburgh
2. NYR
3. Philadelphia
4. Columbus (56 points)
5. NY Islanders (54 points)

1. Boston
2. Detroit
3. Ottawa
4. Toronto (58 points)
5. Montreal (57 points)

Toronto and Montreal would make the playoffs while Columbus and NYI miss out.