Confirmed with Link: Head Coach Vacancy Pt III: How's your spelling? (Eakins/Vigneault/Messier/Gretzky)

[Machinehead]

Filppula could be a steal coming off a really down year. He plays both LW and C so he could be moved to the top LW spot or he could give us ridiculous depth at center. That's a good idea.

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

Bottom 6 situation isn't as bad as it seems.

Check it out, if we can sign a good left winger and get a halfway decent center, we can finally get a real 3rd line, bump our 3rd liners down to the 4th line, and get rid of the AHL cannon fodder. Another key is we need to get Kreider playing well. Potentially we could have something like....

Scoring LW-Stepan-Nash
Hagelin-Brassard-Callahan
Kreider-Decent 3rd line center-Zuccarello
Dorsett-Boyle-Asham/Haley

That's not bad. The problem is the 3rd line, or lack thereof. Right now we have a 1st line, a 2nd line, a 4th line, and an AHL line. We need a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th. If we get that 3rd, we can bump the 4th down, and problem solved.

The free agent market for LW sucks: the only options are Brunner, or signing Horton and moving Nash to LW. A trade might be in order.

Potential solutions at 3C include: Antropov, Lapierre, or Zubrus.

Actually yeah it looks better when you put it that way. As for C signing I'd go after Zubrus or Antropov. But we gotta focus on coaches If the coach we get can get whoever we got on the bottom 6 4th and AHL lines , I think we're better off a lot more thn we were because all teams need their grinders and etc. to come through sometimes.

 

[BB58]

Jagr and Hank were practically the whole team and they were both playing at 1/2 capacity.

Lundy was nursing a serious hip flexor injury. Weekes should've started that series.

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

Bottom 6 situation isn't as bad as it seems.

Check it out, if we can sign a good left winger and get a halfway decent center, we can finally get a real 3rd line, bump our 3rd liners down to the 4th line, and get rid of the AHL cannon fodder. Another key is we need to get Kreider playing well. Potentially we could have something like....

Scoring LW-Stepan-Nash
Hagelin-Brassard-Callahan
Kreider-Decent 3rd line center-Zuccarello
Dorsett-Boyle-Asham/Haley

That's not bad. The problem is the 3rd line, or lack thereof. Right now we have a 1st line, a 2nd line, a 4th line, and an AHL line. We need a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th. If we get that 3rd, we can bump the 4th down, and problem solved.

The free agent market for LW sucks: the only options are Brunner, or signing Horton and moving Nash to LW. A trade might be in order.

Potential solutions at 3C include: Antropov, Lapierre, or Zubrus.

Always like Zubrus

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

Filppula could be a steal coming off a really down year. He plays both LW and C so he could be moved to the top LW spot or he could give us ridiculous depth at center. That's a good idea.

im really interested in him, versatile and does everything pretty well

 

[Tawnos]

Lundy was nursing a serious hip flexor injury. Weekes should've started that series.

The hip wasn't the only problem in that series, and hell for the last part of that whole year, really. Lundqvist was having some crazy migraine issues related to grinding his teeth.

 

[Clown Fiesta]

Wanted Flip at the deadline, not sure what I'd give him but might be a good guy for the 3rd C spot unless they want to give Miller that spot then he could move to LW and take draws.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

That's literally my story with him. My buddies and I played the NHL games for sega /64. I see your appreciation and I raise you one.... I have an ulf jersey and wear it to the garden regularly for games.

Yes very OT. But let's be real, great men like ulf deserve their own threads.

Consider us brothers in the Journey of Ulf. Also if you're wondering what voice I gave him http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBJT1l0IKkw. best barbarian voice ever

 

[5 4 Fighting]

Any chance we may see a Richards-Stepan-Nash 1st line next year? Maybe a new coach puts Brad on the wing if he doesn't get amnestied. He's too soft defensively, and is mediocre at face-offs, I think he belongs as a winger from now on. Maybe Hagelin-Brassard-Richards as a 2nd line with Kreider-Stepan-Nash as a 1st? He needs to play top 6 minutes to be effective.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

The major reason why the Rangers were mauled by Boston was a ****** backcheck. The Rangers forwards did a piss poor job on defense. That's why Boston could string 7 passes together in the offensive zone consistently. The trailers were way too open.

On the flip side, when the Rangers tried to gain Boston's zone, Boston not only had their defenders back, they also had their forwards covering the blueline. Yet people criticize Torts for not being aggressive enough.

Zdeno Chara has 42 shots on goal in the playoffs because he actually gets pucks through traffic. McDonagh led the Rangers defense with 21. What Krug did in that series was incredible. What Green did, we've seen him do to a lot of teams in the playoffs. He's a really gifted offensive player.

That's another issue. We need a shot from the point. Of our D corp, Moore has the best shot, but he wasn't used enough on the power play, even though he showed some flashes of effectiveness.

There are definite holes in the lineup.

And I don't really disagree with you, either. I've been saying it, we need a dynamic offensive defenseman, we need a shot from the point, and we need a #1 center (or at least one more center on Stepan and Brassard level, for depth).

I feel those areas can be addressed. Sather/Gorton just need to be smart about it.

 

[UlfSamuelsson]

I would be very, very interested to see that.
Sweden doesn't have a lot of kids playing hockey, yet percentage wise, if you're a Swede, you have a better chance of making it to the NHL than anyone else playing the game. That says a hell of a lot for their coaching.
You can see it in international tourneys and with the Swedes here in the league. Virtually everyone has a solid set of skills and a tremendous understanding of the game and high hockey sense.
It might be a great way of both bringing in new blood with a fresh perspective of the game, while still having a strong resume and NHL experience.

Totally agree man. Complete outside shot, but analysts across the league say (outside of Canada/US) Sweden has the most NHL ready players. Can't see how doing a coaching stint there would hurt.

Understand that his son was drafted by Phoenix and I believe he has a house there. I was so mad when his son got drafted ONE PICK before us last year I swore he was gonna be the Rangers pick. If I'm not mistaken, Ulf made an appearance to the garden last year during the playoff run as well. I think he'd be a great player's coach too. Lots of old teammates and beat writers say he was awesome to have in the clubhouse.

 

[UlfSamuelsson]

Consider us brothers in the Journey of Ulf. Also if you're wondering what voice I gave him http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBJT1l0IKkw. best barbarian voice ever

Haha. May sound weird man but I totally get it.

::Stares across room at autographed Ulf Rangers photo::

 

[GregSirico]

Filppula could be a steal coming off a really down year. He plays both LW and C so he could be moved to the top LW spot or he could give us ridiculous depth at center. That's a good idea.

He could also be on the way down.

 

[Inferno]

Except the McDonagh situation was an exception not the rule. They still played Torts system and he still sat them if they made mistakes.

Torts generally sat players if they made repeated stupid turnovers in a game, if they were having a terrible game, or if they took lazy stupid penalties.

i have ZERO problem with any and all of his benchings. they were almost always justified....except his semi irrational hatred of Artem Anisimov, I felt all the benchings were fair and consistent throughout.

 

[Chief]

also because ex players usually suck at coaching for whatever reason.

LA isn't complaining about Sutter.

And BTW - Sutter is a great example of failure with one organization does not mean failure with another.

Here's a name I haven't seen mentioned, Craig Hartsburg. Currently an assistant with Columbus.

 

[Inferno]

I am really sceptical. The Islanders made the PO's, Tampa did not. How much did Boucher's roster suck?

And its not even about that for me. I've just never been impressed with how Tampa played under him.

I am not convinced either way, but I am sceptical..

Islanders have a much better D and had much better goaltending than the Bolts. They also have a fast cohesive team. They have a good thing going there, they play pretty tough.

Tampas D and Goaltending was horrendous, no other way to put it.

 

[frankthefrowner]

LA isn't complaining about Sutter.

And BTW - Sutter is a great example of failure with one organization does not mean failure with another.

Here's a name I haven't seen mentioned, Craig Hartsburg. Currently an assistant with Columbus.

Pete deboer is another guy like that .

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

LA isn't complaining about Sutter.

And BTW - Sutter is a great example of failure with one organization does not mean failure with another.

Here's a name I haven't seen mentioned, Craig Hartsburg. Currently an assistant with Columbus.

I didn't say all; just usually. Usually it just doesn't translate as well.

 

[Inferno]

The Rangers last year were a middle of the pack team offensively 5 on 5.

Better than the following teams:
Los Angeles
Vancouver
Philly
Edmonton
San Jose
Nashville
Detroit
St. Louis

and a bunch of other teams in the playoff hunt.

The reason our offense ranked 15th in the NHL after all is said and done was because we had the 23rd ranked PP in the NHL.

IF our PP was a top 10 powerplay, say 10th, producing at 20%, that would have meant an additional 6 goals...that pushes our offense into the top 10.

Fix the PP, it fixes a LOT of our scoring problems.

If the Rangers had a 20% PP in the playoffs, they would be still playing.

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

The Rangers last year were a middle of the pack team offensively 5 on 5.

Better than the following teams:
Los Angeles
Vancouver
Philly
Edmonton
San Jose
Nashville
Detroit
St. Louis

and a bunch of other teams in the playoff hunt.

The reason our offense ranked 15th in the NHL after all is said and done was because we had the 23rd ranked PP in the NHL.

IF our PP was a top 10 powerplay, say 10th, producing at 20%, that would have meant an additional 6 goals...that pushes our offense into the top 10.

Fix the PP, it fixes a LOT of our scoring problems.

If the Rangers had a 20% PP in the playoffs, they would be still playing.

Absolutely. We cannot expect to win on our 5 on 5 and PK play against their 5 on 5 and PP play when our special teams can't get it done. It gets tiring and overbearing. Too taxing, no matter how hard we play

 

[Inferno]

Theres a LOT of pros to having a great power play, not the least of which are goals scored.

What does having a great PP do? it forces the other team to pull back a little from the edge, to not take any chances in taking a penalty against you.

The Rangers were scared ****less to take a penalty against the Caps because of how lethal that PP was...they had to play a damn near perfect game to beat them. Caps weren't scared at all of the Rangers PP.

They coudl take liberties. A great PP forces teams to respect you and to be a little "softer" on you.

it can greatly impact a series if you have a great PP and a great PK...you can play a little more recklessly knowing you can kill off their PPs, and know that they woudl be scared to retaliate because of how lethal your PP is.

should be priority 1, 2, and 3 this offseason. Fix the PP...I'm not saying that turns us into a cup shoe-in, I'm just saying that it solves a ton of our problems and makes life a lot easier on you in the regular season...both physically, and on the scoreboard.

 

[Player big P]

I would do dark sided, vile, unforgivable, godless things for an even remotely effective power play.

 

[*Bob Richards*]

Theres a LOT of pros to having a great power play, not the least of which are goals scored.

What does having a great PP do? it forces the other team to pull back a little from the edge, to not take any chances in taking a penalty against you.

The Rangers were scared ****less to take a penalty against the Caps because of how lethal that PP was...they had to play a damn near perfect game to beat them. Caps weren't scared at all of the Rangers PP.

They coudl take liberties. A great PP forces teams to respect you and to be a little "softer" on you.

it can greatly impact a series if you have a great PP and a great PK...you can play a little more recklessly knowing you can kill off their PPs, and know that they woudl be scared to retaliate because of how lethal your PP is.

should be priority 1, 2, and 3 this offseason. Fix the PP...I'm not saying that turns us into a cup shoe-in, I'm just saying that it solves a ton of our problems and makes life a lot easier on you in the regular season...both physically, and on the scoreboard.

Great points all around. One of the best ways to avoid being bullied is to have a lethal PP. It's amazing how less interested the opposition is at throwing cross checks.

 

[nyrpassion]

Woah, TIL that Torts was also the Rangers interim coach in 2000 for 4 games.

 

[DudMan28]

If the Rangers go 8-40 on the PP instead of 4-40 in the playoffs were probably sitting here discussing how the Pens series is going to play out. 5 on 5 for this team is not the problem offensively, its the god damn PP. The power-play is supposed to give you a boost when you cant get your game going 5 on 5. Most of the time it took the wind out of the Rangers sails. Were a good 5 on 5 team offensively, and with a good PP we would have probably been a top 10 offensive team.