EspenK
Registered User
- Sep 25, 2011
- 15,842
- 4,445
When Gaborik is on you guys will LOVE him.... but when he disappears you will have no idea he even dressed for the game.
Somehow, for some reason, this sounds familiar
When Gaborik is on you guys will LOVE him.... but when he disappears you will have no idea he even dressed for the game.
To be honest, I don't think Clowe, Brassard, and Moore have seen this much open ice all season in the West.
Definately the most important thing and still added major scoring threat plus released some salary. Lost some depth in the process but added some too. Hopefully these trades just doesn't mess up the team chemistry.The biggest win this day was because no first rounders were sacrificed.
Definately the most important thing and still added major scoring threat plus released some salary. Lost some depth in the process but added some too. Hopefully these trades just doesn't mess up the team chemistry.
I actually believe - and hope - this trade was good for both teams. Columbus lacked top end talent and the Rangers lacked depth.
I think you already know by now what kind of player you get in Gaborik. His positives are:
* He still has speed, although not as much explosiveness as seen before he hit 30. When he gets his legs going is when he's at his best. It's when he starts thinking and hesitates he becomes so invisible.
* He has a respectable snap shot, no player scores multiple 40 goal seasons if he didn't. It has lost a notch after his shoulder injury, but it's not exactly a flubber either. Give him an off-season of conditioning and he should be fine.
The problems with Gaborik is, he's not much of a game changer if he doesn't score, which makes him streaky. He can easily become invisible if he doesn't have teammates who can give him the puck in good areas. He's not good at deking and will almost never beat his guy one-on-one. When he's on, he's ON and can single handedly win games. When he's off, he needs support from his teammates more than ever. But even then, the name on his back brings defensive attention and opens up some ice. This is very important.
If he could be allowed to cherry pick a little bit, I think he would be alot more effective than he ever was in New York, he's at his best on the rush. I haven't watched much CBJ hockey, so I can only say, if you have an effective breakout, Gaborik will be effective.
Brassard coming to New York was probably a good fit for him. He's used to a defensive minded, forechecking kind of hockey. He was brought in to add scoring depth and stir things up on the PP, not to fill a top 6 role. So NYR will be absolutely fine with Brassard not playing as a top 2 center (Stepan and Richards will take care of that). Our entire bottom 6 has been an offensive black hole the entire season, so Brassard can basically not make things worse, only bring in more positives to the team. As a sneaky player such as Brassard who can fill a role, I would love coming into a situation like that.
The situation is the same for Moore. It'll be hard for him to make things worse. NYR has struggled to fill the #6 spot for a long time now, failing with Hamrlik, Gilroy, Bickel, etc. He's big, mobile and is a decent passer, he's welcomed with opened arms to fill a hole and doesn't have to feel uncomfortable in a bigger role than he can handle.
Dorsett is also a player the Rangers lacked. We lost guys like Brandon Prust. Now Dorsett can step in and is even better than Prust. I can understand you will sincerely miss a guy like that, they bring so much to a team.
It'll be weird playing you guys next season in the same conference, but you're an eastern team more than a western, so it's only logical. So many ex-Rangers and ex-Columbus players on our respective teams, it'll be special playing you guys.
It's tough (IMO) to imagine the CBJ winning this deal long term.
Gabby is signed for one year. If he leaves (and again we'll have to wait 12-13 months to see what happens) we gave up quite a bit with a d-man like Moore.
Somehow, for some reason, this sounds familiar
If Gaborik is on his game, you'll love him...his stats are weak this year, but he has been playing well the last few games. Been snakebitten. I think he could have a huge bounceback season next year, and even heat up down the stretch with the trade. He works best when his teammates create space for him, and Columbus is a hard working team that creates space, much like the 11-12 Rangers. He had great success with Prospal in 2009-2010 as well.
What are your guy's opinion on Brassard? Interested in what kind of player he is, all I know is that he's skilled, decently productive C, and the Rangers need center depth. I know all about Dorsett, happy about getting him.
Can't do it, not matter how many players they have I like. It's the Rangers.
Moore - He's a great skater and everything, but his hockey sense (positioning, decision making) weren't any good for me.
Sorry everyone but I didn't have the time to read the entire thread. A couple of points I wanted to make on this trade that in the little I did read weren't brought up....
1) This trade actually lowered the impact on the salary cap to the CBJ next year (coupled with Mason being off the books). Between Mason, Brass, Dorse and Moore the CBJ will actually lower their cap position next year and ultimately their cash out of pocket. I realize Mason was gone anyway but this trade is a net sum gain with regards to salary and cap result.
2) Brassard will need to be signed next year as well. He'll be coming off a salary of $3.7MM (not cap hit) and if he does play well may not sign "on the cheap" which can still create issues for the Rangers as they have several young players that need signed.
3) Columbus had the depth at every position they traded from and did not have a single player like Gaborik on the team OR in the system. Trading from strength to improve a weakness.
4) I liked all three players that were moved but the defensive depth is very good, we have a team full of 2/3 tweeners and Dorse was a 3/4 guy with a ton of heart and grit. I think that opens up the potential to have a guy like Boone Jenner on the squad next year. Brass's skill will be missed - I think he was very good on the PP this year - but he wasn't going to play above Anisimov or Johansen at this point. Both appear to be capable of doing the things that Brass did. Add in that we have Dubinsky, Letestu and MacKenzie to handle center duties, our faceoff percentages will go up meaning more possession.
5) Gaborik simply needs to be the 30 goal scorer he has for years. I'll take 40 next year but 30 would dramatically improve this offense. We now have a player who is truly a 1st line RW and will help with matchups for our other players.
Bonus) Oh yeah, did I mention we have 3 firsts still in the upcoming draft.