Pre-Game Talk: 2013-2014 Training Camp/Preseason Discussion Thread Part 2

[Ola]

Clearing the crease and clogging the shooting lanes can't be done simultaneously. That's why we've seen such a decline in crease-clearing in the NHL.

Ulfie promises to bring it back, but we'll see.

Yeah, but I don't quite see how that will be done when the reffs calls interference for it nowadays.

 

[GAGLine]

i think a center is going to be dealt. We have too many and not enough $ to sign our top one

Can't have too many centers. A center going to the wing is no big deal. A wing playing center is a much bigger adjustment.

We have plenty of cap space to sign Stepan. We can easily fit him in at 3.5 mil, and he absolutely won't get more than that. More likely less.

 

[Thirty One]

Yeah, but I don't quite see how that will be done when the reffs calls interference for it nowadays.

Yeah, and if you're battling in front of the net you're still screening the goalie, and if you're otherwise occupied, you're more likely to deflect a puck towards the net.

 

[PavelBure9]

i think a center is going to be dealt. We have too many and not enough $ to sign our top one

Who?

Stepan - our number 1 center. At least a top 6 forward.

Brassard - perfect 2nd line tweeter role. Not special but a solid player.

Richards - will be bought out at end of the season anyway because of the contract. Lindberg will hopefully will take his spot next year.

I'm not counting Boyle or Moore because those are interchangeable 4th line role players. If Lindberg is who we think he is, then he should occupy a spot ideally as the 3c.

 

[PavelBure9]

Can't have too many centers. A center going to the wing is no big deal. A wing playing center is a much bigger adjustment.

We have plenty of cap space to sign Stepan. We can easily fit him in at 3.5 mil, and he absolutely won't get more than that. More likely less.

We know one or both of Powe and Asham will be in the minors. In addition, I think they send Johnson down as well. That gives the over 5 million in space if they make those moves, and that doesn't even a account the money the Rangers save with Hagelin and Callahan on LTIR

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

i think a center is going to be dealt. We have too many and not enough $ to sign our top one

Might be easier said then done. Likely it's not going to be Richards, Stepan, Brassard or Linberg. So you're talking about a bottom3/6 center. Pretty dime a dozen player that other teams can grab off waivers rather than give up a pick. It's even trickier as the Rangers wouldn't be looking to take back salary.

 

[TGWL]

It's not just about fighting people in the NHL that makes McIlrath valuable.

Of our defensemen, 0/6 regularly clear the crease for Hank. Last year they regressed even more with this and took it as far as to not stick up for Hank whenever he was barreled over. Recently, i.e the last several years, players of opposing teams are targeting hank on drives to the net to try and disrupt his game. You can't have 6 passive defensemen unwilling to clear the crease or stick up for the goalie.

I don't think McIlrath is quite ready but I don't think a full season is how far he is either. Midway through the season maybe? Problem is he also has to oust Falk now too. I don't see McIlrath being able to beat out an incumbent and oust another younger guy (Falk) who has more NHL experience and is also willing to drop the gloves unless injuries pile up. While we may need him and while he may prove to be ready before the season is up, we might actually not get to see him until next year... unfortunately.

^ Completely true. Our defense is so great with their sticks, but in front of the net, that poke/stick checking isn't getting the puck covered, or cleared out of the crease.
We're soft down low against the board and in front of the net, we pretty much need to force a turn over before they get passed the circles.

The other issue is shooting one-timers from the point. We have no cannon shot on our team. These wrist shots from everybody is not cutting it and it's even worse when they miss the net.

In my opinion, we can talk about how we need a top LW winger, but what we really need is a d-man with a rocket of a shot. Somebody who can knock people around near our net. ...and Prust, of course. Callahan will hit everything that moves, but the grit Prust gave us was never replaced. We can load up on all the skill available, and live in a fantasy world where controlling the game with puck possession means we don't have to worry about grit and toughness, but we've become a real soft team to play against. Which is a shame because when the game starts to get real physical against rivals, we usually hold our own and match the physically against us.

 

[Trxjw]

I think Boyle would be an attractive trade piece if we were to move a center. Good face-off / PK guy who could notch 30 points under the right circumstances. Obviously teams covet that kind of size down the middle as well. Issue being if you trade him, you're fully invested in Moore being reliable over the course of a full season, despite not having played pro hockey in over a year.

My guess? Powe and Asham are waived, Lindberg is deemed to need "some seasoning" due to the abundance of players, and Moore, Pyatt, Pouliot and Boyle take turns rotating in and out of the lineup until one of them is traded. Likely around the time Cally and Hags return to the lineup.

 

[Tawnos]

Not that I think it's impossible, but I think it's much more likely that Pouliot starts the season in the top-6 than he does rotating in and out of the lineup.

 

[Levitate]

Yeah, and if you're battling in front of the net you're still screening the goalie, and if you're otherwise occupied, you're more likely to deflect a puck towards the net.

Well in theory clearing the crease means also moving both the offensive player and yourself out from in front of the goalie. it's just not terribly easy (or even possible) these days to effectively do that without drawing a penalty

 

[Thirty One]

Not that I think it's impossible, but I think it's much more likely that Pouliot starts the season in the top-6 than he does rotating in and out of the lineup.

I agree.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Boyle is first and foremost a very valuable asset defensively. He also can provide the net front presence AV talked about. Looked better at wing last year than center. Also the rare guy who has looked better in the past 2 playoffs than he did in the season.

No idea why the Rangers would be so rash to dump him. Slide him to wing if necessary. There is no way Pyatt, Powe, or Asham are more deserving of a lineup spot than Boyle.

 

[Tawnos]

Boyle is first and foremost a very valuable asset defensively. He also can provide the net front presence AV talked about. Looked better at wing last year than center. Also the rare guy who has looked better in the past 2 playoffs than he did in the season.

No idea why the Rangers would be so rash to dump him. Slide him to wing if necessary. There is no way Pyatt, Powe, or Asham are more deserving of a lineup spot than Boyle.

He's also probably the most important locker room presence not wearing a letter.

 

[GAGLine]

I think Boyle would be an attractive trade piece if we were to move a center. Good face-off / PK guy who could notch 30 points under the right circumstances. Obviously teams covet that kind of size down the middle as well. Issue being if you trade him, you're fully invested in Moore being reliable over the course of a full season, despite not having played pro hockey in over a year.

My guess? Powe and Asham are waived, Lindberg is deemed to need "some seasoning" due to the abundance of players, and Moore, Pyatt, Pouliot and Boyle take turns rotating in and out of the lineup until one of them is traded. Likely around the time Cally and Hags return to the lineup.

If both Powe and Asham are sent down, one of kids will have to come up to be the 12th forward until Cally/Hags are ready. I think Powe will be sent down, but Asham will stay to start the season.

 

[TGWL]

Pyatt doesn't deserve the practice Ice time he gets.

Alright, that was harsh. But, he's completely useless to us. He started out looking promising with his board play and even finding luck in the back of the net (which isn't something I'm going to judge him on because I don't expect him to be a scoring threat), but it all wen't downhill the rest of the season. Reminds me of Rupp who looked great using his big body, coming up huge in the winter classic, and then becoming completely invisible (can maybe blame the coach, but I just think time caught up with him). I feel Pyatt is the same way. I'd rather have Asham in the line-up than Pyatt.

 

[Clown Fiesta]

Boyle is money in the PO's, has been one of best the last two years. Really elevates his game when it matters.

 

[Thirty One]

Boyle is money in the PO's, has been one of best the last two years. Really elevates his game when it matters.

You're evaluating him all wrong. Playoffs don't matter. 2010-11 was ages ago. All his goals were flukes.

 

[Tawnos]

Pyatt doesn't deserve the practice Ice time he gets.

Alright, that was harsh. But, he's completely useless to us. He started out looking promising with his board play and even finding luck in the back of the net (which isn't something I'm going to judge him on because I don't expect him to be a scoring threat), but it all wen't downhill the rest of the season. Reminds me of Rupp who looked great using his big body, coming up huge in the winter classic, and then becoming completely invisible (can maybe blame the coach, but I just think time caught up with him). I feel Pyatt is the same way. I'd rather have Asham in the line-up than Pyatt.

Pyatt was very good in the playoffs. And he was actually fine for the whole regular season. People just expected too much from him. He's a 4th liner who can move the puck around and create some positive momentum, even without scoring some goals.

 

[Richter Scale]

He's also probably the most important locker room presence not wearing a letter.

He is?

I'm not trying to argue the point - legitimately just asking a question. I'm a fan of Boyle's, but what makes you say that?

 

[Tawnos]

He is?

I'm not trying to argue the point - legitimately just asking a question. I'm a fan of Boyle's, but what makes you say that?

A combination of articles, 24/7 and observing what happens between players when games end.

 

[lucky13]

You're evaluating him all wrong. Playoffs don't matter. 2010-11 was ages ago. All his goals were flukes.

yep...plus hes always injury prone in the playoffs...big 7 ft baby....baby huey

 

[Thirty One]

He is?

I'm not trying to argue the point - legitimately just asking a question. I'm a fan of Boyle's, but what makes you say that?

That's my entire argument.

 

[TGWL]

Pyatt was very good in the playoffs. And he was actually fine for the whole regular season. People just expected too much from him. He's a 4th liner who can move the puck around and create some positive momentum, even without scoring some goals.

Except we're using him in a role that doesn't benefit him or the team.

 

[lucky13]

Pyatt was very good in the playoffs. And he was actually fine for the whole regular season. People just expected too much from him. He's a 4th liner who can move the puck around and create some positive momentum, even without scoring some goals.

honestly he was very meh...not talking pts at all....just his overall season was very forgettable....n i mean that in the sense that he really did almost nothing in either direction all reg season...he was kinda just there

 

[Tawnos]

Except we're using him in a role that doesn't benefit him or the team.

He did spend too much time on the 3rd line last year, I agree with that.