First Impressions of St. Louis

[Levitate]

Its funny how an elite player like MSL makes you realize that Rick Nash is just a really good player.

Nash is streaky as hell. He'll go through a dominant stretch and then an invisible stretch. His line in general isn't asserting itself all that well lately and Kreider in particular needs to play more aggressively I think

 

[Crease]

Its funny how an elite player like MSL makes you realize that Rick Nash is just a really good player.

Been saying for a while that Nash is a Marian Hossa-type. If you're doing it right, he's a secondary threat. Pittsburgh '08. Detroit '09. Chicago.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I'd be interested to see what Kreider could do on a line with MSL and Richards considering how good he looked with Zucc. I'm just worried Hags-Stepan-Nash would be completely useless. Ugh, I can't believe how good Stepan and Nash were last year and it was wasted on that team. Now they're mediocre.

 

[Crease]

MSL works well with both finishers and playmakers. He can shoot. He can pass. He is a leftie who lines up on the right side but plays all over the ice. I think you leave the bottom two lines intact and try everyone else next to Richards and MSL until you find one that works. Hopefully soon. Use the leftovers to make a second line.

 

[Blue Seat Spartan]

Been saying for a while that Nash is a Marian Hossa-type. If you're doing it right, he's a secondary threat. Pittsburgh '08. Detroit '09. Chicago.

MSL works well with both finishers and playmakers. He can shoot. He can pass. He is a leftie who lines up on the right side but plays all over the ice. I think you leave the bottom two lines intact and try everyone else next to Richards and MSL until you find one that works. Hopefully soon. Use the leftovers to make a second line.

Martin St. Louis becomes our first line RW by default, so it makes sense that Nash can move into a more complementary offensive role. And there's a subtle benefit of St. Louis serving a mentor role to Zuccarello (who like St. Louis, is an undersized - but skilled - forward who had to scratch & claw his way into the NHL). As for the leadership, it's a wash; what we lost in Callahan's grit and toughness we gained in St. Louis' compete level, hustle, and game preparation.

I'm just salivating at the thought of the line combos when Zuke returns to the lineup:

MZA-Richards-MSL
Kreider-Brassard-Nash
Hagelin-Stepan-Pouliot
Moore-Boyle-Dorsett

Extras: Carcillo, Miller, Fast, Lindberg, Hrivik, Kristo

Center depth problems notwithstanding, it seems we're loaded on the flanks!!!

 

[Bolts26]

Why did he only want to ne on the Rangers, though? Was he a fan growing up or something? I don't think him living close is the only reason.

His off-season home is in Greenwich, which is also where is wife is from and where all her family is. I'm sure Richards was part of it, they're best friends. (sorry if this has already been posted.)

 

[Hire Sather]

Wouldn't have a problem rolling yesterdays lines again (Zucc in for Dorsett). Wouldn't mind swapping Hags and Kreider. Other than that, no Torts-esque line shakeups are needed.

 

[Pizza]

There is no doubt about MSL's dedication & preparation. I have also heard that his off season training regimen sets the gold standard. I'm really hoping he makes a very positive impression on Hags, MZA, Steps, Kreider and so on. Perhaps some of them will train with him in the summer.

 

[LeetchisGod]

There is no doubt about MSL's dedication & preparation. I have also heard that his off season training regimen sets the gold standard. I'm really hoping he makes a very positive impression on Hags, MZA, Steps, Kreider and so on. Perhaps some of them will train with him in the summer.

Definitely. And add Nash to the list. He doesn't strike me as having the best work ethic.

 

[Crease]

Tampa fans say you ideally want a finisher and a puckhound with MSL, though he'll elevate his game and his linemates' games anyway needed.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Tampa fans say you ideally want a finisher and a puckhound with MSL, though he'll elevate his game and his linemates' games anyway needed.

The closest thing we have to a finisher is Nash and at center I don't even know who is a puckhound. But playing with Hags he does have a puckhound and Richards still has one of the better shots on this team.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

I'm hoping MSL can somehow account for a rise in Nash's PPG.

 

[Garv23]

My impressions after one game...

Fast...skates at full speed every shift...He and his line mates tried WAY too hard to give each other the puck...So small!

 

[Crease]

My impressions after one game...

Fast...skates at full speed every shift...He and his line mates tried WAY too hard to give each other the puck...So small!

Richards had instant chemistry with MSL. That was very fun to watch. Like they didn't miss a beat since being split up in 2008. Hagelin was trying way too hard to find MSL on the ice though. Passed on some great shooting opportunities. Probably a little star struck the way Prucha was at first with Jagr.

 

[poeman]

MSL cares about every shot he takes and that doesnt go through the goalie.

The man is a true competitor.

 

[aufheben]

The closest thing we have to a finisher is Nash and at center I don't even know who is a puckhound. But playing with Hags he does have a puckhound and Richards still has one of the better shots on this team.

Yeah Richards is a decent finisher, I'd have him center MSL, maybe Kreider getting to play with MSL motivates Chris. Has a bit of everything if Kreider can find chemistry with them.

Kreider - Richards - St. Louis

 

[Clown Fiesta]

MSL is still mad he wasn't drafted. I love it.

Hags was trying to set him up I am sure MSL said something along the lines of "I'll get my first when I get it just shoot the puck." Hopefully they just play tonight and let it flow, Hagelin looked better than he has in awhile with MSL/Richards.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Yeah Richards is a decent finisher, I'd have him center MSL, maybe Kreider getting to play with MSL motivates Chris. Has a bit of everything if Kreider can find chemistry with them.

Kreider - Richards - St. Louis

I just worry about putting Hags with Stepan and Nash. That line will become even more useless. But I think that we'd have 2 really sick lines with Zucc and St. Louis.

 

[Pizza]

Definitely. And add Nash to the list. He doesn't strike me as having the best work ethic.

It could not hurt. These younger players need a great example to follow and be inspired by.

The Rangers are a good group right now. But they need to find a way to take everything to the next level. This is especially important because we don't have a team built for close checking, smash mouth, play off hockey. There will a very tough upstream swim for this team to win it all.

MSL could be a big part of that. Some how at almost 39 years old, he continues to succeed. He's won a Cup and an Art Ross. I'm hoping he breaks the mold of aging elites who come to MSG and coast to retirement. My sense of him is that he will do that and push these younger guys hard.

We will see soon enough.

 

[haveandare]

I just worry about putting Hags with Stepan and Nash. That line will become even more useless. But I think that we'd have 2 really sick lines with Zucc and St. Louis.

I worry about that line too, but they had success last year, although Step was almost a different player.

I think it'd be worth seeing what they can do. Nash and Step need something new.

 

[Levitate]

I'd be interested to see what Kreider could do on a line with MSL and Richards considering how good he looked with Zucc. I'm just worried Hags-Stepan-Nash would be completely useless. Ugh, I can't believe how good Stepan and Nash were last year and it was wasted on that team. Now they're mediocre.

I'd try it, shake things up a tad, the Stepan line seems stale now and Kreider is struggling some. Give him some top play makers and guys who can finish his nice little passes as well. Make Nash and Stepan sink or swim, Hags can still help them out plenty anyways

I'd give it a go. Kreider also gives that line some size and strength that it lacks with Hagelin. Could also see Kreider learning a lot from playing with St Louis.

I"m also always amazed that for a guy as strong as St Louis is, he looks tiny out there, even compared to Zucc. Maybe it's the pads he wears or something but jeez.

The Rangers are a good group right now. But they need to find a way to take everything to the next level. This is especially important because we don't have a team built for close checking, smash mouth, play off hockey. There will a very tough upstream swim for this team to win it all.

I agree they need to find a way to step things up, especially with their level of play since the Olympics. Too loose, taking too many chances that aren't panning out, getting too sloppy trying to be cute, but for not being built to handle "close checking, smash mouth, playoff hockey", well, the 2012 team was built for that and it was a horrible painful slog through teams that they shouldn't have struggled so hard against, and then a painful loss to a team that they should have been able to beat. Then in 2013, another horrible painful slog through the first round when it really felt like it shouldn't have been that hard and then a quick exit against a "close checking smash mouth playoff hockey" team.

I guess I'm just saying I"m willing to give this iteration of a team a chance and hope they find a way to get it done cuz the Torts iteration sure wasn't.

 

[TheTakedown]

I am excited for it... honestly, if you ask me, this was the same as landing someone like Seguin, Gabs (in his prime), or Malkin... The guy can make things happen, and he busts his ass out there. Watching him with Richards was incredible too, Richards really didn't skip and beat and looked incredibly fired up!

I am hoping that The lines for tonight are:

Hags-Step-Nash
Kreider-Richards-MSL
Pouliot-Brassard-Zucc
Carcillo-Moore-Boyle/Dorsett (not sure if I wanna see dorsett in, but I am interested in a 4th line of Carcillo-Moore-Dorsett)

Either way, it was a win of a trade, and we got elite talent for i would estimate 3-4 seasons, which quite frankly was the most we were going to get out of Callahan anyway!

 

[BlueshirtBlitz]

Its funny how an elite player like MSL makes you realize that Rick Nash is just a really good player.

As much as i've been trying to cool on the Nash hate after his ridiculous goalscoring spree, this is right.

MSL was making things happen every second he was on the ice. He's instantly our best forward and there's no question about it.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I am excited for it... honestly, if you ask me, this was the same as landing someone like Seguin, Gabs (in his prime), or Malkin... The guy can make things happen, and he busts his ass out there. Watching him with Richards was incredible too, Richards really didn't skip and beat and looked incredibly fired up!

I am hoping that The lines for tonight are:

Hags-Step-Nash
Kreider-Richards-MSL
Pouliot-Brassard-Zucc
Carcillo-Moore-Boyle/Dorsett (not sure if I wanna see dorsett in, but I am interested in a 4th line of Carcillo-Moore-Dorsett)

Either way, it was a win of a trade, and we got elite talent for i would estimate 3-4 seasons, which quite frankly was the most we were going to get out of Callahan anyway!

Those are 3 completely different players.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

As much as i've been trying to cool on the Nash hate after his ridiculous goalscoring spree, this is right.

MSL was making things happen every second he was on the ice. He's instantly our best forward and there's no question about it.

Really does look like a better version of Zucc.