How long before the fanbase turns on him?![]()
How long before the fanbase turns on him?![]()
"Sure he's right handed, but I don't know, sometimes it seems like he's less right handed than Dan Girardi out there. Is that really worth an extra 2 years at almost $4 million more?""He doesn't even fix powerplays"
"Sure he's right handed, but I don't know, sometimes it seems like he's less right handed than Dan Girardi out there. Is that really worth an extra 2 years at almost $4 million more?"
I think people will be upset if he sucks 5 on 5 and is nothing but a PP specialist. I haven't watched him much, so I can only comment based on what others have said. I've seen mixed opinions. Smith didn't get many glowing endorsements from Detroit fans, but I'm happy with the way he played for us, so I will reserve judgement until I see Shatty in action.
My biggest concern with this defense is still about keeping the puck out of our net. The last 2 years, we have been middle of the pack in terms of GAA. That isn't bad, but it isn't likely to win us a cup. We don't have the elite offensive players that can consistently win high scoring games. Pittsburgh's GAA was worse than ours this year, but it was top 3 during the playoffs, as it was the year before, and of course, they have the elite offensive players to make up for their defensive mistakes.
From 2010-11 to 2014-15, our cumulative, regular season GAA was 2.29, 2nd best in the league to LA (2.25). 5 on 5 we were 3rd in the league over that same period. The last 2 years combined we have been 13th overall. On the PK, we've been even worse, tied for 21st overall the last 2 years, though we did improve a little in that department this past year (42 goals against vs 47 the year before), putting us at 14th in the league.
We need to get back to playing top 5 defense if we hope to win a cup. Is this team capable of that? I have my doubts.
Meanwhile, Staal and Girardi eat up 67% of available 5v5 ice time, and we blame the offense, and Stepan gets traded because "we can't win with this core". Please.
IMO Stepan got traded because the defense couldn't be "upgraded" with his NTC kicking in.
IMO Stepan got traded because the defense couldn't be "upgraded" with his NTC kicking in.
I'll be happy with ~45 points from him on an annual basis and consistent top-4 defensive play. I am expecting some defensive lapses from time to time so that I can live with.
And because the Rangers felt that a decline in his game was probably incoming, and wanted to move him before the NTC kicked in. Signing Shattenkirk to the favorable contract was an added bonus.
How long before the fanbase turns on him?![]()
This team has scored the 7th most goals since 2010.
This team has scored the 5th most goals since 2013.
This team has scored the 4th most goals since 2015.
The narrative that it's the offenses fault that the Rangers can't win is so blatantly false. The real problem was so obvious, and we continue to ignore to focus on things like:
Nash, Stepan, the offense, the power play.
Meanwhile, Staal and Girardi eat up 67% of available 5v5 ice time, and we blame the offense, and Stepan gets traded because "we can't win with this core". Please.
We don't need a top 5 defense, we just need players who can play modern-NHL defense. Luckily, it looks like the FO realized that so far this off-season.
just outta curiosity what are those same rankings in terms of playoff numbers?This team has scored the 7th most goals since 2010.
This team has scored the 5th most goals since 2013.
This team has scored the 4th most goals since 2015.
The narrative that it's the offenses fault that the Rangers can't win is so blatantly false. The real problem was so obvious, and we continue to ignore to focus on things like:
Nash, Stepan, the offense, the power play.
Meanwhile, Staal and Girardi eat up 67% of available 5v5 ice time, and we blame the offense, and Stepan gets traded because "we can't win with this core". Please.
We don't need a top 5 defense, we just need players who can play modern-NHL defense. Luckily, it looks like the FO realized that so far this off-season.