All-Purpose Stu Bickel Thread

[Boruto]

If he continues to stink I am sure Sather can move him in a deal for another rental Dman, he's cheap and can fight and some team will like that

they might even get him to play some defense That's extra $$$$$ value right there.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

I expect someone who criticizes a player to have something to back it up. It has nothing to do with my level of intellect. You say he sucks, fine. Just don't get defensive when people ask you to explain why, or punch holes in your argument. I'm not here to dissuade people from discussing hockey, but I'm not going to pull any punches just because they are unsure of what they're talking about.

Bickel has never played a full season of NHL hockey. Hell, he only broke into the league last season. If you put him in a situation that will expose him, then that's what's going to happen. Pairing him with Del Zotto is just begging for mistakes. However, grit on our blueline has been an issue for a while now. Putting Eminger in doesn't help that, and neither does Gilroy. Eminger is more Hyde than he is Jekyll and has been for the majority of his career.

Instead of "someone" mention names. I did not simply say Bickle sucks. Had I done this I would understand your comment more. You never punched any holes in my arguement. I actually ASKED you to give me counter points while I also went about admitting my inexperience and all you gave me was a comment about retired legend Lidstrom lol. Lidstrom does not pertain to anything I said about bottom pairing cheap available alternatives to Bickle.

It's as if you somehow read me saying "Bickle needed to be upgraded by a top notch UFA signing." When I wrote "Could we possibly find a bottom pairing D man to play better than what we have always seen out of Bickle?" You mentioned Eminger as more Hyde yet Stu has only ever been Hyde's blind, deaf cousin in my opinion and in several other posters opinion (Ok exaggerating for fun Stu has had some good games but I feel Eminger has had more and is likely a better option which obviously has 0 to do with Lidstrom)

Nothing about your stance or opinion is insulting in the least I'm shocked you think that it was. You were insulting with an offhand remark you made but the offending comment had nothing to do with the topic.

I dunno what you feel towards other people on this board but I always like to think that if we keep ourselves civil then our experience and knowledge should not be held against us. Your comment seemed to imply that people should not be allowed to post if they don't meet a certain hockey knowledge criteria.

Some people like myself are coming here with a passion and desire to talk hockey despite our limited experience. Nowhere do I force my opinions down anyones throats but I do ask for legitamate reasons why you feel Bickle cannot be replaced currently and I do wonder for fun if he could have been replaced already when many were saying he should be.

I also believe Gilroy was a wasted signing and that we could have found SOMEONE cheap to replace Bickle. There is fun to be had in what if scenarios. In fact as a comic book fan one of my favorite series was the "What If?" marvel series where one crazy scenario gets put out there. So I dunno maybe this is not seen as worthy of discussion by you or by these boards in general but from what I read "What if" and speculation have a major role on these boards.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

Really? The problem with the team is Stu friggin' Bickel?

Just pointing out I definitely did not ever say Bickle was THE problem. I know you were replying to Machine but some peopel responded to me as if I had said Bickle was our only issue.

To me he is just 1 problem that I feel we could easily address and fix. Other more pressing problems like Rich, Hag, gabs, the D...those I think will require some time to get going thanks to no camp. I am willing to be patient for them and I am willing to wait a few more games for STu however I do feel strong in my opinion that he is just this bad we should remove him now. Obviouslyt I don't advocate removing him for no reason I asked about McI and understand this would be very unwise so that leaves Eminger or someone to be named...or I turn out wrong and Bickle turns it around. I hope he does he made an enormour improvement and played adequately during parts of last season but I think he shot his...ummm....well that was an abberration and I think he is back to being AHL at best

 

[Fanned On It]

I'm not saying you guys are wrong, but if Eminger is indeed better than Bickel, why didn't he play in the first two games?

Kind of OT: I didn't watch the first game (damn girlfriends!), but why is everyone so low on Hagelin all of a sudden? I heard he took some bad penalties but is there more to this? He didn't necessarily stand out for anything good or bad on Sunday night (I was at the game if that helps).

 

[Boruto]

I'm not saying you guys are wrong, but if Eminger is indeed better than Bickel, why didn't he play in the first two games?

Kind of OT: I didn't watch the first game (damn girlfriends!), but why is everyone so low on Hagelin all of a sudden? I heard he took some bad penalties but is there more to this? He didn't necessarily stand out for anything good or bad on Sunday night (I was at the game if that helps).

Hagelin was sort of a.... ghost trying to effect the physical realm. He was doing things but not making much tangible impact + penalty + the locked and loaded debate over who should be on the top 6.

The simple answer to why Eminger didn't play is because Stu Bickel played. There are no tangible reasons why Eminger didn't play side from the fact that Stu Bickel Played.

 

[Krams]

I'm not saying you guys are wrong, but if Eminger is indeed better than Bickel, why didn't he play in the first two games?

Lest we forget Tortorella playing Johnny Malkin perpetually on the powerplay when there were a multitude of better options? For as good a coach as he is, he definitely tends to play favorites sometimes.

 

[Fanned On It]

Lest we forget Tortorella playing Johnny Malkin perpetually on the powerplay when there were a multitude of better options? For as good a coach as he is, he definitely tends to play favorites sometimes.

You're right but who knows, maybe Torts legitimately thinks that Bickel IS the better option than Eminger. I'd like to think that a coach operates on facts and not who's the most fun person to talk to, lol.

 

[eco's bones]

Just pointing out I definitely did not ever say Bickle was THE problem. I know you were replying to Machine but some peopel responded to me as if I had said Bickle was our only issue.

To me he is just 1 problem that I feel we could easily address and fix. Other more pressing problems like Rich, Hag, gabs, the D...those I think will require some time to get going thanks to no camp. I am willing to be patient for them and I am willing to wait a few more games for STu however I do feel strong in my opinion that he is just this bad we should remove him now. Obviouslyt I don't advocate removing him for no reason I asked about McI and understand this would be very unwise so that leaves Eminger or someone to be named...or I turn out wrong and Bickle turns it around. I hope he does he made an enormour improvement and played adequately during parts of last season but I think he shot his...ummm....well that was an abberration and I think he is back to being AHL at best

Not so sure it's as easy as it looks. Quality d-men around the league are in short supply and therefore have value. On the Rangers own roster Eminger is a possibility. He is not as tough as Bickel and that may be an element that Tortorella does not want to take out of his lineup. Gilroy--forget it. I'm sick and tired of people acting like he's a real option. His offense is way overrated and his defense is absolutely horrible. He's about as soft as it gets. Skates and handles the puck better? Sure--to what end?

In the system there's not much in Hartford. A developing McIlrath. The other d-men with some NHL experience Collins and Vernace have not looked good. Neither had Gilroy when he was there.

 

[NYR Viper]

I think both Torts and the organization are hoping to mold Bickel into a #6 d-man who can fight and play 10-12 minutes a night. They are hoping for someone to develop to be their Carkner, IMO.

 

[Machinehead]

In that case, for 1.5M, we should've just signed Carkner.

 

[NYR Viper]

In that case, for 1.5M, we should've just signed Carkner.

I think they tried. Due to the unknown cap this season I am sure they didn't want to go too high with the cap number.

 

[MadHookUp]

I don't want to be labeled as someone panicking over our start, because my feelings have been the same for a year plus. But I really cant stand Torts. I give him credit for getting these guys to be the hardest working team in the NHL. But he does so many things that make no sense, including playing Bickel. I really like Bickel, but he doesnt belong in the NHL. Eminger was playing well and got hurt, and was never able to recapture his spot. If he never got hurt, Bickel would have never made it to the NHL.

Add to the fact that he loves playing John Mitchell on the powerplay, gives Prust/Boyle big minutes when down by 2+ goals, refuses to play McDonagh on the Powerplay, and has this team so scared to make a mistake that it stifles the offense from doing anything.

Clearly campaigning for him to be fired after 2 games is silly. But a small part of me wouldnt mind seeing the Rangers have a bad start just so we could get rid of him.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I think both Torts and the organization are hoping to mold Bickel into a #6 d-man who can fight and play 10-12 minutes a night. They are hoping for someone to develop to be their Carkner, IMO.

We're not a rebuilding team that can afford to wait to wait for someone to become a player while in the meantime he's a liability on the ice.

 

[NYR Viper]

We're not a rebuilding team that can afford to wait to wait for someone to become a player while in the meantime he's a liability on the ice.

Not arguing about that fact.

 

[True Blue]

I think both Torts and the organization are hoping to mold Bickel into a #6 d-man who can fight and play 10-12 minutes a night. They are hoping for someone to develop to be their Carkner, IMO.

I agree. With Eminger, they know what they have. And at this point,he is what he is. Bickel, they feel, there is some upside to be exactly what you describe.

 

[gump116]

He is terrible. Even with the lack of depth on this team, he's the one player who stands out as a below-NHL caliber player. Gilroy and Eminger are both better options as the 6d (either one with Stralman is a decent 3rd pairing), and if we're short a forward, we'd be better off using Gilroy or calling up Newbury. I do not understand why he's not a healthy scratch every game. He's fine as a 14th forward/8th defenseman, but nothing more...

 

[LittleKev6D9]

He's fine as a 14th forward/8th defenseman, but nothing more...

Hahahahah This made me laugh. He's fine when he's 2 players away from making the lineup.

But agreed. Worst player by far. He's an average AHL player. In other words a useless NHL player.

 

[Blueshirt Special]

Compared to Dale Purinton, Stu Pickels is Wayne freakin Gretzky.

I don't mind him as a spare D man.

 

[haveandare]

Honestly, I haven't seen him make any real mistakes on 4th line checking duty. As far as I'm concerned, that means he's doing an alright job. Obviously, when Kreider and Cally come back, he won't be needed there but I don't think he's a liability on the fourth line like he could sometimes be on the third d pairing.

 

[Boruto]

If step reads the Stepan thread and was motivated, then wouldn'tstu get depressed from reading the Stu Bickel thread?

 

[Oak]

I'll tell you what he might be bad at hockey but the boy can fight. You have to keep in mind Rupp is getting old and getting his ass handed to him more often. Asham fights but he is not what he once was, and definitely no Prust. We need Bickle on the team for those reasons alone.

If they feel they can mold him into a #6 D then so be it. I would be happy to see him become a better player. I'd be satisfied with average play with no costly mistakes. If he can play and make no mistakes that hurt us, we win.

 

[Kershaw]

Bickel is 15-11-17 his fighting career. Hardly setting the world on fire.

If you want a fighter that can play some hockey, get Michael Haley on this team in a 4th line role playing 5 mins. His recorded fight record is 107-21-35, far superior than Bicks.

He literally brings nothing positive to this team. Absolutely nothing. Yet, management decides to give him a 1 way contract. Idiots.

 

[bernmeister]

McDonagh

Staal +

Kreider ++

In short, alot.

Subban has his pluses, but will cost too much in payment for the time left on his extension. Then he's gonna want megabucks.

If we are looking to upgrade our D, we can probably do Stepan and a reasonable minimum+ in prospects we can accept, for Yandle, seeing Coyotes have D and are looking for F help.

 

[bernmeister]

I think both Torts and the organization are hoping to mold Bickel into a #6 d-man who can fight and play 10-12 minutes a night. They are hoping for someone to develop to be their Carkner, IMO.

While it's ok to try and eat a few minutes here and there with him on D, unless a Babs Underhill can go beyond what improvement was made with Brian Boyle, Stu can't handle the skating end of it enough. MAYBE jf we had another Leetch in his prime skating circles around everyone making up for that, maybe, and even then do you really want to go there?

I do see he could be a 4th line W for us.

 

[bernmeister]

I'll tell you what he might be bad at hockey but the boy can fight. You have to keep in mind Rupp is getting old and getting his ass handed to him more often. Asham fights but he is not what he once was, and definitely no Prust. We need Bickle on the team for those reasons alone.

If they feel they can mold him into a #6 D then so be it. I would be happy to see him become a better player. I'd be satisfied with average play with no costly mistakes. If he can play and make no mistakes that hurt us, we win.

This is why for the time being he should be on the roster, but as 4th line W, why we need another D