Yep the combination of size and strength is something the Rangers have never really had. You look at the cup winning Kings team and they had a bunch of forwards and D like that and in a 7 game series nothing wears you out like strong, well conditioned athletes that play hard in all 3 zones.
Prospect Info: 2020 NHL Draft 1st Overall Pick, Alexis Lafreniere, LW
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Yep the combination of size and strength is something the Rangers have never really had. You look at the cup winning Kings team and they had a bunch of forwards and D like that and in a 7 game series nothing wears you out like strong, well conditioned athletes that play hard in all 3 zones.
You know I never even realized it got that bad. I remember how in 1994 he was a solid player that played big minutes, played hard and was just a solid all around defenseman. Then for whatever reason by the next season in the playoffs he looked like he had no interest in playing against the Flyers. I always believed he was injured or something; now I realize he had probably checked out and had written his ticket out of NY.
Edge
Kris King's Ghost
Keenan rode Zubov very, very hard. You could argue it both ways. On the one hand, maybe he rose him too hard and that was a contributing factor. On the other hand, maybe that’s exactly what Zubov needed.
But even then, Zubov wasn’t quite known as a self-starter.
Cag29
94! I’m ready for more! LGR!
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Having size is great, but you need the skill to back it up. Laf has the skill, as does Kakko, but a lot of the guys listed haven’t really shown to be skilled players. Kreider is a physical specimen, but leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to skill. I’d rather smaller players who are skilled than physical specimens who aren’t. Gretzky was the GOAT in spite of his body. It was his skill and mind that made him great.
I think we’re putting too much emphasis on the size of the team and not enough emphasis on the skill. The league is now more reliant on skill than the physical aspect of the players, and I don’t think anyone can argue against that. I’m concerned that management is going against the trends and that it’ll hurt us. It reminds me of Moneyball from a decade and a half ago. No one really follows the traditional baseball scouting anymore because we’ve learned the Moneyball method is best.
Laf is not the issue. It’s guys like Schneider and picking him over a Lundqvist or ADA that may prove more problematic.
I think we’re putting too much emphasis on the size of the team and not enough emphasis on the skill. The league is now more reliant on skill than the physical aspect of the players, and I don’t think anyone can argue against that. I’m concerned that management is going against the trends and that it’ll hurt us. It reminds me of Moneyball from a decade and a half ago. No one really follows the traditional baseball scouting anymore because we’ve learned the Moneyball method is best.
Laf is not the issue. It’s guys like Schneider and picking him over a Lundqvist or ADA that may prove more problematic.
Lol what? I don't think you can really make an argument that they're too focused on size and not skill when they're a season removed from shelling out 11.6 million a year for a 5'11" 170lb forward.
They have plenty of skill. They finished top 5 in GF last year, that wasn't done by accident. People are just excited that they're adding the size to go along with it.
You need balance everywhere. Schneider isn't going to be chosen over ADA (thats going to be a money casualty) but he most likely will be chosen over Nils for the sole reason that you can't ice a defense filled with a bunch of sub 6 foot guys.
Edit: Every year the playoffs are proof that you still need some size and players who excel in the muckery. When was the last time a pure skill team accomplished anything?
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aufheben
#Norris4Fox
I mean the Scary Good Sabres didn’t really win anything but they were sure as shit the funnest team ever.
Much of what you say is true. However, a team full of small players, no matter who skilled can get hit out of a game. You need size to win the battles in the corner and in front of the net. Anyway, most of the forwards that they've drafted who are larger have plenty of skill - Laf, Kakko, Chytil and others have skill. You mention Kreider and state alot to be desired when it comes to skill? Seriously? Kreider is a consistent 25 goal/50 points a year player. Those don't grow on trees. Then you mention Braden Schneider - you do realize that he is an excellent skater. Just because he doesn't put up huge points doesn't mean he can't/won't be a very solid contributor. In the last decade Chara hit 40 points only once but was nominated for the Norris on 5 occasions. That's not a skilled player. Schneider probably isn't the next Chara but to say he doesn't deserve to play over Lundqvist or ADA without seeing him at this level is a little harsh.
Chara was/is skilled in defensive zone coverage, skilled in the corners and in skilled front of the net. Skilled in reading the forecheck and making a great first pass. He was/is skilled like Larry Robinson or Jan Erixon were skilled - not like Paul Coffey or Mark Messier were skilled. That is what I interpret the original poster trying to say. Maybe I'm reading it wrong!
aufheben
#Norris4Fox
Blue Blooded
Most people rejected his message
Fat Balloon is his #1 comp, beginning to regret this bros...
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KirkAlbuquerque
#WeNeverGetAGoodCoach
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Kris King's Ghost
And keep in mind that Leech had more question marks in his draft year. Quite a few teams had him pegged later in the first, and even the Rangers weren't sure his career might require shifting to center.
GeorgeKaplan
Registered User
What if I told you in 1986 that Leetch's closest comparison was Michael Del Zotto?
aufheben
#Norris4Fox
You should see who is #3-6 for the Rangers.
Edit: well #6 isn’t actually funny at all but the other three are Dube, Del Zotto, and Savard.
aufheben
#Norris4Fox
I can’t tell if this is a jab at HFNYR or something that actually happened lol
Edge
Kris King's Ghost
Talking to old-timers when I was younger, this probably isn't too far off.
Edge
Kris King's Ghost
You should see who is #3-6 for the Rangers.
LMAO I didnt even think of it like that, but I can see why.
No, this is 100 percent a true story. Heard it from people still connected with the Rangers at the time and Craig Patrick used to joke about it as well.
Ghost of jas
Unsatisfied
NoQuitInNewMexico
it's okay cause it's all just the way it should be
Edge
Kris King's Ghost
But it shows how strange certain journeys can be in sports.
Sometimes we become so accustomed to players being HOF caliber talents that we forget how the story began.
Leetch eyed as a possible center, Messier being so raw he shifted to LW, things of that nature.
Rempe73
RIP King of Pop
I somewhat agree. Every attribute is important to me besides shot and top-end speed (I prefer agility, acceleration, and overall mobility instead of speed, but obviously I wouldn’t be mad if the player had great speed). I think the pendulum is swinging the other way, and some fans are now UNDERrating size. But anyways, to me, skill is still the most important attribute, but you hope you can also get some mobility, size, and hockey sense along with that skill.
n8
WAAAAAAA!!!
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