Injury Report: Derek Stepan (11/6: Will return Saturday)

[haveandare]

I did not say this.
I would be open to a package that might include Staal (in lieu of Hagelin) to the peg for Schiefle, Trouba and maybe Wheeler.

THAT'S THE TICKET.

That a ton of value coming back for a pending UFA with injury history.

 

[Jim Morrison]

How could you possibly know they arent? Miller has been close for awhile.

Lombardi has shown that if he is healthy he is certainly capable of playing in the NHL

Lol. I don't. That's the thing.

Please, make a real case for them.

 

[Krams]

Remember the October the Rangers had last year, and they still made the Finals. I can't imagine they'll perform any worse this season, even without Stepan.

 

[Ola]

Jim M- I wouldn't worry that much. We are a team about goaltending, defense, top end ability up front and more than anything else depth in terms of players in their prime.

We can rank our C-depth against other teams all night, I don't think a center depth chart of Brass, Miller, Lombardi and Moore fundamentally change the outlook of this team 5 on 5 vs what we saw last year with Step, Brass, BR and Moore.

I think we was hurt a lot last season when Step was out in the POs, but the circumstances are diffrent now. That team was up and running at the highest level we have seen any other team in NY in 20 years, while the guys sitting on the side line had been doin nothing for a 3-4 weeks. Now we have a couple of weeks of camps to sort things out, Miller is a year older, we have Lombardi. Miller and Lombardi will be pushed by Hayes and Lindberg. And Mueller.

 

[Waivers]

I don't necessarily disagree. But, we were going into the season with those guys competing for a spot behind Stepan and Brassard. Now they are competing for #2 center.

If Stepan is out for about 20 games, that's about a quarter of the season, that is enough time to dig a hole too large to climb out of.

I realize most teams in our division have injuries to marquee players, but we should strive to be better.

Honestly, I would look to deal from a position of strength to fill a position of need. Staal for a center. Conor Allen fills in on the left side and he and Moore split the ice time.

Otherwisewe are looking at:

Brassard
Miller
Hayes/Lindberg/Lombardi
Moore

Stepan was never a burner of a skater. And this injury will keep him from being able to keep his game shape. He will miss a lot of games, and then have to build his stamina and physical strength. He may not be himself until very late in the season.

This is a tricky situation.

This right here. I'm moreso worried about his physical conditioning as other NHL players have played 15 games in the 2014-15 season before Stepan even touches the ice again.

 

[Ola]

A clean break is about the same timeline as a hairline fracture, provided it isnt displaced. Still somewhere in the 2 month range

Sometimes you can return from a hairline in 2 weeks.

 

[Killem Dafoe]

This hurts a lot. Let's hope he doesn't need surgery.

 

[slipknottin]

Lol. I don't. That's the thing.

Please, make a real case for them.

For who? The only one that is really a question is Miller.

The other three are certainly proven NHL players.

Miller is a PPG player in the AHL, and everyone who has watched him practice and play so far this offseason says he looks completely ready.

 

[nyr2k2]

How could you possibly know they arent? Miller has been close for awhile.

Lombardi has shown that if he is healthy he is certainly capable of playing in the NHL

We don't know that they aren't, and by the same token, we don't know that they ARE. Until a guy establishes himself as a quality NHL center, you can't call him that. I mean two years ago we were penciling in Kreider as a top-six wing, and he wasn't. Until a guy proves he's ready, you just can't assume he is.

So yeah, I see Brassard and Moore. Lombardi was once a quality NHL center but has yet to show that he's still capable of playing in the league. Lindberg and Miller may be ready, but you can't state definitively that they are.

 

[slipknottin]

Sometimes you can return from a hairline in 2 weeks.

to competitive sports? its a risky decision to say the least. Generally it takes a month for a bone to heal

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

To be fair, I have to imagine the old playoff system would make that a little easier.

I agree, though. Losing Stepan for 20 games isn't crippling. The Rangers'll make the playoffs easily.

The problem will be if Stepan can come back and play like 2nd half of last year/lockout Stepan. I felt that would be guaranteed with a full training camp. Now, who knows.

Yeah, I hope it doesn't hinder his game too much. We need Stepan at the top of his game if we're gonna even think about legitimately gunning for the cup.

 

[Jim Morrison]

Jim M- I wouldn't worry that much. We are a team about goaltending, defense, top end ability up front and more than anything else depth in terms of players in their prime.

We can rank our C-depth against other teams all night, I don't think a center depth chart of Brass, Miller, Lombardi and Moore fundamentally change the outlook of this team 5 on 5 vs what we saw last year with Step, Brass, BR and Moore.

I think we was hurt a lot last season when Step was out in the POs, but the circumstances are diffrent now. That team was up and running at the highest level we have seen any other team in NY in 20 years, while the guys sitting on the side line had been doin nothing for a 3-4 weeks. Now we have a couple of weeks of camps to sort things out, Miller is a year older, we have Lombardi. Miller and Lombardi will be pushed by Hayes and Lindberg. And Mueller.

I get your point. And I've thought about it myself. But I still believe that a winning team is built through the middle. And because of that, I do worry. Mostly because a lot of expectations and a heavy burden will be put on Miller and/or Lindberg and/or Hayes. Three rookies that now will be expected to carry a cup-contender for a period of time that is yet to be determined. I would've liked to ease Miller in. But yeah, we'll see what happens. This could either be a blessing in disguise or just real bad luck.

 

[Jim Morrison]

For who? The only one that is really a question is Miller.

The other three are certainly proven NHL players.

Miller is a PPG player in the AHL, and everyone who has watched him practice and play so far this offseason says he looks completely ready.

I just said one top9(Brassard) and one really good 4th(Moore). I'm wondering how you can possibly know that Miller, Hayes, Lindberg and Lombardi (come on) is NHL-quality? I mean, I would love it, but I sure as hell don't know they are.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Miller to tear it up while Stepan is out, JM5.

 

[silverfish]

I just said one top9(Brassard) and one really good 4th(Moore). I'm wondering how you can possibly know that Miller, Hayes, Lindberg and Lombardi (come on) is NHL-quality? I mean, I would love it, but I sure as hell don't know they are.

Miller played one good (not great) preseason game.

He's ready.

Our center-depth is ****ed without Stepan. There's no way around that. There aren't many teams who after losing their 1C wouldn't be, though.

 

[Gardner McKay]

Sometimes you can return from a hairline in 2 weeks.

ESPN listed Stepan as a having a broken leg. Not that they are the most reliable when it comes to hockey but I just thought it was interesting.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Miller played one good (not great) preseason game.

He's ready.

Our center-depth is ****ed without Stepan. There's no way around that. There aren't many teams who after losing their 1C wouldn't be, though.

Literally every one of your posts is in someway talking down Miller, it was starting to get ridiculous 2-3 months ago. Now it's just annoying as ****.

 

[a tribe cq]

Stepan usually doesn't come out flying from the gates to start seasons. Usually takes a while to acclimate himself, a la his contract negotiation period. Him being out isn't the problem here in my opinion, him finding his game when back is what I'm worried about.

 

[haveandare]

Miller played one good (not great) preseason game.

He's ready.

Our center-depth is ****ed without Stepan. There's no way around that. There aren't many teams who after losing their 1C wouldn't be, though.

I think it's more, Miller went PPG in the AHL last year, and in what little we've seen of him he looks far more poised this year so far, so he's very likely ready for the NHL in some capacity.

 

[slipknottin]

I just said one top9(Brassard) and one really good 4th(Moore). I'm wondering how you can possibly know that Miller, Hayes, Lindberg and Lombardi (come on) is NHL-quality? I mean, I would love it, but I sure as hell don't know they are.

You do realize Lombardi isnt some guy who has never played before, right?

They dont need Miller + Hayes + Lindberg to be NHL ready, they only need one of them to be.

 

[Jim Morrison]

I think it's more, Miller went PPG in the AHL last year, and in what little we've seen of him he looks far more poised this year so far, so he's very likely ready for the NHL in some capacity.

But is he ready to center the first line on a supposed cup-contending team? There's no easing him in now, it's on. All the spotlights will be on the kid. And that's what worries me.

 

[silverfish]

Literally every one of your posts is in someway talking down Miller, it was starting to get ridiculous 2-3 months ago. Now it's just annoying as ****.

Skip my posts then or ignore me.

Plus, I complimented him. I said he played a good game. Just because I don't think it was a great game like everyone else isn't me putting him down. Just like saying our center-depth is ****ed because we lose Stepan isn't putting down JT. God forbid someone says JT Miller isn't ready to step in and be an every day top-6 C for this team. Blasphemous!

The Rangers lost their 1C. It's an issue.

I think it's more, Miller went PPG in the AHL last year, and in what little we've seen of him he looks far more poised this year so far, so he's very likely ready for the NHL in some capacity.

In some capacity? Sure. Throw into the fire as a top-6 Center? Well, I have my hesitations.

I'd rather see Moore up there, Miller at 3C, and Lombardi at 4C unless Lindberg beats Lombardi out.

But that's me.

 

[slipknottin]

But is he ready to center the first line on a supposed cup-contending team? There's no easing him in now, it's on. All the spotlights will be on the kid. And that's what worries me.

Why would Miller need to center the first line?

 

[Jim Morrison]

You do realize Lombardi isnt some guy who has never played before, right?

They dont need Miller + Hayes + Lindberg to be NHL ready, they only need one of them to be.

I do realize that. But I also realize this is the same guy that hasn't been effective in this league since 09/10 and just got back from the NLA. I root for the guy, but to try to bring him up after our 1C broke his leg is just wrong.

I know i'm coming off as pretty pessimistic, but I'm just trying to bring to light that losing Stepan is a problem for this organization going forward.

Why would Miller need to center the first line?

Who else would?

 

[nyr2k2]

You do realize Lombardi isnt some guy who has never played before, right?

They dont need Miller + Hayes + Lindberg to be NHL ready, they only need one of them to be.

While true, he hasn't been a particularly effective NHL player for basically five years. He's a question mark. I don't know how anyone could consider him anything but.