Post-Game Talk: I don't have anything clever to put in the thread title

[Paulie Walnutz]

Send Mika back to Ottawa for him. Yeah I know it's a center for a winger but who cares you are not winning in June with Mika.

They call him Mika March because that’s the last time he scores every year

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Goodbye 2023/24

 

[PuckLuck3043]

Anyone questioning Lafreniere at this point should seek medical attention immediately

The same goes for those questioning Igor.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I probably need a few days to decompress before I can really think constructively about this team’s future.

Unlike last year, there is a lot to look forward to. We’re in a much better place. Laf was the highlight of the season for me. That’s good.

But I truly believe the Rangers lost this series more than Florida won it. There are some seriously rotten players on this core. No team is winning with Zibanejad and Panarin playing meaningful minutes. It’s like Matthew’s and Marner. These guys are losers - it’s their DNA.

I know it was the first round but somehow last year felt like we gave it away and this year it felt like we weren't good enough. So I'm not exactly on the same page as you.

 

[Matt Rentfree]

I might sit out '24-25 or at least not be so deeply invested like this. It's too much investment. After a president's trophy tease of a season. Just waiting for Chytil to get hurt again or be a shell of himself or more Kakko stuck in mud and Panarin get another 100 regular season points. No thanks

So you're going to just ghost Emily? Messed up, dude. Really messed up.

 

[gravey9]

I am so impressed by Florida's roster. Truly. Bennett, Barkov, Tkachuk, Lundell -- they just do so much to punish the other team and create space so that secondary players like Reinhart, Verheage and Tarasenko get their chances. Their D with Montour, Ekblad and Forsling are just super solid. And then you still have Kulikov, Mikkola etc who can play their punishing style because they;re not overly relied upon. Just a great team for the playoffs. Truly.

 

[mas0764]

We won the President’s trophy so I think we can win with him. There’s a lot to be annoyed about but there’s lots of hyperbole going on in terms of offseason moves. Trouba is a far bigger problem.

You may think that but you are wrong like you have been for 3 years about this core. They can’t win. Mika has to go. He’s the #1 problem with respect to our 5v5 problems on offense.

No upgrade Mika, no Cup. Enjoy more conference finals appearances and losses.

 

[McRanger92]

Players know when they’re outmatched. The doubt crept in after they lost game 4 and they’ve been coming to terms with it for days. This series ended then.

Rangers most certainly lack a leader on the ice who can rally the troops. The only thing in Trouba’s bag is an open ice hit but he can barely make contact anymore.

 

[hackeyman]

He is not tradeable. Rangers are stuck with him

Everybody is tradeable. Make him want to ask for a trade. The problem with bread is you can't create a playoff winning team identity with him on the roster. He's too soft and too little effort for so much talent.

 

[irishlaxburger2]

Does Detroit have the cap space to take on Trouba? Seems like it would be a good fit for a number of reasons

 

[PuckLuck3043]

I'm really hoping for a Dallas/Florida finals. It would serve the NHL right for being such a horrible league.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Goodbye 2023/24

What is Dave smoking about fighting to the bitter end? Because they scored with less than 2 minutes to go? Fighting to the bitter end was what happened say game 6 against NJ in 2012 or game 5 against the Penguins in 2008. Two games I remember being hard fought losing in OT. This game they just didn't show up until the last few minutes.

 

[gravey9]

Best thing about the season ending tonight -- I don't have to listen to McDonough anymore. what a terrible terrible terrible announcer he is. Just garbage.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

I know it was the first round but somehow last year felt like we gave it away and this year it felt like we weren't good enough. So I'm not exactly on the same page as you.

Last year was pitiful, no question. I didn’t even mention last year though as it relates to the playoffs - both were disgraceful IMO.

 

[mike14]

Anyone questioning Lafreniere at this point should seek medical attention immediately

I don't think there's anything wrong with still having questions about Laf.
But those questions are now, can he back up this season (and playoffs) to an even higher standard, and can he 'be the man' and carry a line on his own?

If you can split him and Panarin to have 2 equally threatening lines it makes a huge difference.

 

[Tob]

Can't believe Gorton decided.trouba is the guy they'd target.

 

[Jack Hanson]

I hope Edmonton wins just bc Fla are douches.

 

[Kords]

If you’re the Rangers, do you hire Valiquette to replace Benoit?

Seriously.

Hank. Get his name on the cup! (in 20 years)

That Benny news is a kick in the nads after getting stabbed in the heart so that’s cool.

 

[Machinehead]

IMO, this has more to do with Gorton's regime than it does with Drury's

I don't think all that much of a shift has occurred. Drury is in the organization since 2015.

 

[Jack Hanson]

Laf is the f***ing straw that stirs the drink

 

[PuckLuck3043]

I still think you can trade Trouba. You probably won’t get a replacement in return but you can get something useful. A couple seconds at worst.

I’m not convinced you can’t swindle someone in like a Gomez for McDonagh scenario. Hockey GMs are morons. Someone out there I bet would give up a decent prospect for him. Because they want size and leadership, two completely irrelevant qualities when you’re on ice playing trash, but that’s all they’ll see (the size and captaincy) and they’ll want it.

He is definitely tradeable. Some team will be interested. The only question is will we actually do it.

 

[mas0764]

Most things.

The defense sucks and the offense is easy to defend. You've been beating those drums for years.

The top guys haven't given enough. I still think Kreider is fine but like, should Chris Kreider be your undisputed go-to goal-scorer in a tough spot? Probably the f*** not.

Kreider is like the fifth best forward on the team if he’s on Florida. Here he’s third. We are short two elite forwards.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

What is Dave smoking about fighting to the bitter end? Because they scored with less than 2 minutes to go? Fighting to the bitter end was what happened say game 6 against NJ in 2012 or game 5 against the Penguins in 2008. Two games I remember being hard fought losing in OT. This game they just didn't show up until the last few minutes.

I knew scoring that goal would lead to nonsensical comments like that.

 

[McRanger92]

You may think that but you are wrong like you have been for 3 years about this core. They can’t win. Mika has to go. He’s the #1 problem with respect to our 5v5 problems on offense.

No upgrade Mika, no Cup. Enjoy more conference finals appearances and losses.

I’m sorry I just don’t agree with you that we “can’t win” with this core. We’ve won a shitload with them, and some huge games/series. If you can’t enjoy that, sorry. I’m disappointed but I’m ok with the logic of losing to a dialed in Florida team that was in the Final last year. The defense needs an overhaul and the bottom 6 needs more size and strength. Just because you’re in your feels about Zibanejad doesn’t mean he’s the #1 problem.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I don't think all that much of a shift has occurred. Drury is in the organization since 2015.

Most of the biggest sins on this roster have Gorton's prints on them.