Just How Good Are the 2013-14 Rangers?

[Jersey Girl]

I like our chances against Philly/Washington/Columbus in the first round but we have to actually get there.

Philly has been looking strong recently - and not just against us. They would worry me if we get a chance to play them.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I'm not trying to be a negative Nancy, it's just, you fight one battle at a time. When and if the NYR make the playoffs, we can start looking at matchups and the route to the cup, but right now our playoff odds are like 40%, so I can't be thinking that far ahead.

I like our chances against Philly/Washington/Columbus in the first round but we have to actually get there.

Anything can happen.

They can let 10 teams in via each conference. You never know.

 

[offdacrossbar]

not sure how draft picks and missing playoffs is related.

our drafting hasnt been very good recently and our prospect pool rating reflects that.

if we miss the playoffs that would be worst case cause we could have done that with cally and kept the draft picks that would have been used to draft future 3rd line grinders and bottom pair dmen with a so-so chance of helping us anyway. truth.

missing the playoffs, if we do, really doesnt mean jack re. the cally/msl trade. not at all.

missing the playoffs would be more a measure of the failure of this roster to perform and much of that failure is pointed at henrik lundqvist and his rather awful season so far, and our general lack of offensive talent.

and those draft picks wont help us, if at all, for years down the road.

 

[Thirty One]

Hey, at least we keep our 2014 first rounder.

Only Sather can create the type of trap doors where a conference finals appearance could be frowned upon to some degree.

Yes, if the Rangers are among the final four teams fighting for the Stanley Cup, losing the 26-29th overall pick is going to haunt me.

 

[Thirty One]

I'm not trying to be a negative Nancy, it's just, you fight one battle at a time. When and if the NYR make the playoffs, we can start looking at matchups and the route to the cup, but right now our playoff odds are like 40%, so I can't be thinking that far ahead.

I like our chances against Philly/Washington/Columbus in the first round but we have to actually get there.

How did you come up with 40%?

 

[Fitzy]

How did you come up with 40%?

That depends on whether you are talking about this year or next.

For this year, it's a best guestimate based on the fact that there are 5 teams in close proximity (Philly, NYR, CBJ, WSH, NJD) fighting for 2 spots.

 

[Thirty One]

That depends on whether you are talking about this year or next.

For this year, it's a best guestimate based on the fact that there are 5 teams in close proximity (Philly, NYR, CBJ, WSH, NJD) fighting for 2 spots.

Columbus is currently in a wild card spot, though. They aren't just fighting for two spots.

Sportsclubstats have their playoff odds at 66.7% http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Eastern/Metropolitan/NYRangers.html

 

[Fitzy]

I read the methodology, the one area I'd disagree with is that it doesn't take current form into consideration. We've been losing of late, other teams winning. That said, I neglected the wild card spot, mostly because I don't fancy a first round matchup with Pittsburgh. If we want to get off in a good way in the playoffs it should be as a seeded team.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I read the methodology, the one area I'd disagree with is that it doesn't take current form into consideration. We've been losing of late, other teams winning. That said, I neglected the wild card spot, mostly because I don't fancy a first round matchup with Pittsburgh. If we want to get off in a good way in the playoffs it should be as a seeded team.

So, we should just give up if Pittsburgh is the 1st round opponent?

I'll just take getting in at this point.

Instead of anything can happen, I wish fans could take a see what happens approach. In the spirit of this thread, I dont think its really time to start considering just how legitimate of a contender this team is.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Columbus is currently in a wild card spot, though. They aren't just fighting for two spots.

Sportsclubstats have their playoff odds at 66.7% http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Eastern/Metropolitan/NYRangers.html

2 outta 3 ain't bad.

Meat Loaf said that.

 

[Thirty One]

So, we should just give up if Pittsburgh is the 1st round opponent?

I'll just take getting in at this point.

Instead of anything can happen, I wish fans could take a see what happens approach. In the spirit of this thread, I dont think its really time to start considering just how legitimate of a contender this team is.

What is a "see what happens" approach? Is that where we don't discuss the prospects of the future at all?

 

[AHB*]

Columbus is currently in a wild card spot, though. They aren't just fighting for two spots.

Sportsclubstats have their playoff odds at 66.7% http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Eastern/Metropolitan/NYRangers.html

Hockey-Ref has us at 40%, some other sites have us higher, others lower.

60% is a rough guestimate I would assume.

Although you are much better with these kinds of statistics then many of us. So I'll go with your call.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

What is a "see what happens" approach? Is that where we don't discuss the prospects of the future at all?

Its more about waiting to see if this team makes the playoffs before discussing their cup-caliber credentials.

 

[Thirty One]

I don't really know what "cup-caliber credentials" and "legitimate contender" means.

Sometimes I feel like there's a questionnaire that team's need to fill out.

• Are you consistent team?
• Do you have an appropriate level of grit and/or toughness?
• Do you have a 50 point defenseman?
• Do you have a legitimate #1 center?

If you answered yes to all of the above:

I view it more like this:

 

[Callagraves]

I have no confidence against Pittsburgh, Boston, Philly. They'll physically manhandle the Rangers, and in the case of Pittsburgh, they'll own the puck from us. Columbus, Tampa, Toronto are all toss ups.

Contenders for a playoff spot, maybe. But we're playing the wrong style, with the wrong coach, and too many unengaged or streaky players.

 

[Ail]

I don't really know what "cup-caliber credentials" and "legitimate contender" means.

Sometimes I feel like there's a questionnaire that team's need to fill out.

• Are you consistent team?
• Do you have an appropriate level of grit and/or toughness?
• Do you have a 50 point defenseman?
• Do you have a legitimate #1 center?

If you answered yes to all of the above:

I view it more like this:

Is that based on record/points?

 

[Ail]

I have no confidence against Pittsburgh, Boston, Philly. They'll physically manhandle the Rangers, and in the case of Pittsburgh, they'll own the puck from us. Columbus, Tampa, Toronto are all toss ups.

Contenders for a playoff spot, maybe. But we're playing the wrong style, with the wrong coach, and too many unengaged or streaky players.

Can you please direct me to the official book on winning the Stanley Cup? I would like to verify the bolded claims.

 

[Thirty One]

Is that based on record/points?

Nah. Bodog's Stanley Cup odds.

 

[Ail]

Nah. Bodog's Stanley Cup odds.

I am going to write them a stern e-mail for giving the Rangers such a small chance.

 

[Callagraves]

Can you please direct me to the official book on winning the Stanley Cup? I would like to verify the bolded claims.

Sure, I have it right here in my van. It's the one with "FREE CANDY" scratched onto the side.


But more specifically, I don't think a style based on puck possession, and man-on defense is the best style for today's NHL. The Pens get away with it because of the raw skill in their top six and back end, but they're not exactly miniature with their bottom six players.

I don't need to say a word about Boston. For whatever reason, as soon as someone puts on a Bruins' jersey, they learn to hit like a truck.

The Ducks forecheck is overwhelming at time. They don't lack for possession, but from what I've seen (admittedly, under a dozen games), their transition and counter-attacking is deadly,

And Chicago. They have the skill, and they have the grit. They don't have monster-trucks on skates, but they got all of their players, even guys like Sharp, Kane, and not surprisingly, Toews, to compete physically. They didn't go hit-for-hit with the Bruins, trying to beat them at their own game, but they didn't have to. They needed to push the Bruins back just enough so they could execute their game plan.

We don't have any push back from our forwards. We couldn't notch a 5 on 5 goal against Toronto because we were kept to the outside the entire game. They had open access to the slot whenever they felt like it.

I get it that the board has an aversion to "grit" or "jam", and I agree that we weren't going to win based purely on that alone, but I think we've thrown the baby out with the bathwater. With the way Kreider has played since his ******** match penalty, Pouliot is the most physical forward in our line up.

That is a massive, massive problem.

 

[Thirty One]

Can you please direct me to the official book on winning the Stanley Cup? I would like to verify the bolded claims.

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=1598965

I am going to write them a stern e-mail for giving the Rangers such a small chance.

It's not that small. I would have them higher (Kings too).

 

[jerseyjinx94]

Lol, no it's not at all. Only a homer would say he's a top line center right now. He performed at that level for 40 games, that's it.

Lets just look at stats first (without saying how his 40 points this year has been arguably the quietest 40 i've ever witnessed).

There are 60 top 6 centers in the NHL, give or take. Stepan is currently 33rd in points for NHL centers. Take into account guys below him, not playing with a stud like Nash, not getting the same amount of top line ice time/PP time AND having injuries, as Stepan has played every game.

If you put 7-10 of those centers ahead of him, which i certainly do (Sedin, Bergeron, Couture, Datsyuk, M. Richards, to name a few), he is a middling, 2nd line center, at this point, and certainly this season.

Now add into that the fact that his points this year have been largely due to circumstance because of his linemates and placement.

I'm not saying he won't have a good future, or become a high end #2/decent 1B, but to act like he's playing anything better then a decent #2 right now is absurd and frankly, incorrect.

Also, you can consider me impressed by your "faith" in him down this coming stretch, as in past seasons, Stepan has done nothing but disappear when the going gets tough, specifically, in the playoffs. I'll reserve my "faith" for his clutchness, when he, you know, actually shows it for once.

I like the guy, but god is he overrated here. A #1C, please.

Haha, I don't think Stepan is a #1C just yet. But your reasoning is based solely on points? Linemates? Nash has 29 points. Stepan has 40. Maybe Nash would have 15 or 16 if he wasn't playing with Stepan! We have to drop him down the list of wingers based on points.

Stepan has disappeared in the playoffs though, at least offensively. I think Stepan is in the top half of 2nd line center status - he is great positionally, intelligent, works hard, all which leads to solid defense. Defense is part of hockey, too, you know. Why do people hate Stepan? Because he doesn't score 80 points a season?

 

[jerseyjinx94]

Philly has been looking strong recently - and not just against us. They would worry me if we get a chance to play them.

Oh - but wait. You can't just look at their recent stretches. You're crazy to think Philly has a chance. They are a borderline playoff team, a couple of points away from being 9th

 

[aufheben]

Criticizing a player doesn't mean you "hate them"...What are we supposed to pretend they're perfect? It's an f'in discussion board.

 

[Callagraves]

Criticizing a player doesn't mean you "hate them"...What are we supposed to pretend they're perfect? It's an f'in discussion board.

Actually, I may hate Nash.