I was talking to someone today who thought we still needed a top six guy. I said we have something most teams in the flat cap dream of: a third line that can be a second line on most teams. If Panarin is back it doesn't matter if it's vesey on his line, he'll get vesey and trochek cooking.Only a tiny sample but Panarin and Vesey are above 60% in both corsi and expected goals while together. 132 mins. There's something to it.
He just makes sound decisions with and without the puck. Gets it off his stick before it's taken away. Gets it deep in the zone often and follows the forecheck. Knows how to drive play and force the opposition into giving the puck away or making a lower percentage play. Takes the body when needed. Gets it on net when theres a lane. Doesnt get caught on a backcheck.I know it's something of a meme now but he's really been excellent this season. He does so many things right. Probably the best defensive forward on the team.
There's something seriously alarming about the way most forwards behave here and it's just here.I told @Machinehead this but I have a weird conspiracy theory that Vesey had Rangeritis with the puck until recently. He then saw he was done in the league if he didn't significantly change his game and now he's immune to any further cases of Rangeritis. He almost lost his job playing the way he was groomed to here and it's probably why we love how he plays so much
Jimmy should send Kweefe a nice tub of Ben and Jerry's once the Bruins advance.
I'm sure your knowledge is superior to my NHL knowledge, still I have been a Rangers fan for over 50 now. That said, what you just stated about "Harvard Jimmy" is something that I've envisioned right along side of you. I'm pretty sure this will happen. It's destiny for Jimmy and our Rangers, and his call somewhere down the line. With what he's making as a player, the org. owes him a lifelong job.Keefe is a terrible coach. Has 0 clue what an effective bottom 6 looks like. There is a reason why his stars get neutralized and the Bruins run ragged over them with the depth they have.
Harvard Jimmy is they type of guy who is going to score the game winning goal for us in the Stanley Cup Final, then wind up as our GM in 15 years.
I'm sure your knowledge is superior to my NHL knowledge, still I have been a Rangers fan for over 50 now. That said, what you just stated about "Harvard Jimmy" is something that I've envisioned right along side of you. I'm pretty sure this will happen. It's destiny for Jimmy and our Rangers, and his call somewhere down the line. With what he's making as a player, the org. owes him a lifelong job.
amen to that. just watched a highlight reel on YT. crazy seeing all the old line combos with stepan, hayes, miller, zucc, buch. i love that he's back in this role.Yup, he just feels like a guy who belongs with the Rangers. Didnt get the timing right as a young guy breaking into the league with a declining contender, but the Prodigal Jim returned a much better player with his head screwed on a little tighter than it was when the Rangers were a bunch of frat bros his first time around. When he talked the other day about how he watches the NHL playoff races on his nights off, you can just tell he will work in hockey when his career is over.