Post-Game Talk: Lightning VI + Rangers Appreciation Thread

[NCRanger]

People are not dumping on Gallant for losing in 6 to Tampa, it’s mostly about his unjustifiable decision to bench Kakko for talentless players like Hunt.



What does he mean by no cap?

Why is Pidto using teen lingo?

Per my daughter it means anything from I’m not lying to no bullshit.

 

[CLW]

Amazing that people are dumping on Gallant, the guy just overachieved big time. Tell me you thought we were a eastern cofernce finalist this year and ill call you a liar. The team was burnt out from too many games over the last month and a half, injuries with little depth to support them and one of the youngest teams in the league is what happened. It was an amazing first step, more of a leap. This was exactly what this team needed to have happen for the future of this team. Chytil, Miller, and Lafreniere all made a leap ahead this year, an excellent result from this playoffs. The road ahead is much clearer now. We had a great year.

Except I did say this year's cup is wide open at the start of the season and again in December. I said there is no ready made juggernaut this year, Carolina still has to take the final step, Tampa is diminished etc etc. And Drury should consider making a push at the deadline, which he did.

The truth is the Rangers are maybe the most talented team in the league. From elite goalie to Norris D to superstar forwards to young genuine talent depth (kids). Imo Gallant did what was expected, yes we got some lucky breaks along the way but all teams need those. We defeated the Pens and Canes fair and square. We started well against Tampa but once Cooper tightened up Gallant was completely out of his league. GG then panicked in the elimination game and shat the bed big time.

Overachieved? No. Underachieved? No. This team is at a cross roads with different options how to take te next step. The institutional way is to trade kids for immediate help which I see as ery likely to happen because it's what the Rangers do. The smart way is to lay the foundation for a dynasty, but that is harder as the instant gratification might not be there.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

I hope you enjoy your offseason. And really appreciate all the videos you posted. They are much more entertaining and informative than anything posters here have to say.

I do a disappearing act until September. And all I can say about this offseason, is that they need to improve. Status quo won't do. It won't get them to the next level. Laffy and Kakko are not scoring 100 points next year. They will be lucky to get half that. I'm not sure what this team needs to be better, but changes in personnel are generally required. We'll see how it shakes out.

Enjoy, see you in September.

Thank you. Enjoy your summer.

 

[chosen]

Well he can't help that. The playoffs are a high-stress situation.

Guess he's not quite as special as you think.

If we were Calgary fans and that debacle happened against Edmonton, most here would be calling him a pure garbage coach.

 

[Machinehead]

Guess he's not quite as special as you think.

If we were Calgary fans and that debacle happened against Edmonton, most here would be calling him a pure garbage coach.

ok

 

[Irishguy42]

Breakup day begins at noon tomorrow, per Mollie Walker

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

The Kid line moves as a unit, which is one reason they stand out like a sore thumb. But GG doesn't like them. If they make one too daring pass in the o-zone and the puck goes back the other way it's a huge issue. If Panarin coughs up the puck 8 times on a single shift it's just shrug let him play his game.

The Kid line moving as a unit is 100% correct. They stood out because they moved with speed as a unit and always had puck support among the three of them. They were the only line seemingly all season to execute this way which is why they looked so good in the playoffs, the goal should be for all lines to play that way fundamentally and then the playmakers like Panarin can freelance off of that structure. Right now they're just freelancing as their structure which just doesn't work far too often and it's why they never really seem to generate consistent pressure.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

Just saw Cooper's comments about the Rangers. He's a smart guy and good coach. Very complimentary about this team and what they accomplished while playing 20 playoff games in 40 days. Talked about how that can wear a team down and he was impressed with what they accomplished. I trust Drury to make the right moves to make this team better and deeper. Signing Kravs to a 1 year show me deal was a good first step. LGR!!.

 

[anthonyd46]

Except I did say this year's cup is wide open at the start of the season and again in December. I said there is no ready made juggernaut this year, Carolina still has to take the final step, Tampa is diminished etc etc. And Drury should consider making a push at the deadline, which he did.

The truth is the Rangers are maybe the most talented team in the league. From elite goalie to Norris D to superstar forwards to young genuine talent depth (kids). Imo Gallant did what was expected, yes we got some lucky breaks along the way but all teams need those. We defeated the Pens and Canes fair and square. We started well against Tampa but once Cooper tightened up Gallant was completely out of his league. GG then panicked in the elimination game and shat the bed big time.

Overachieved? No. Underachieved? No. This team is at a cross roads with different options how to take te next step. The institutional way is to trade kids for immediate help which I see as ery likely to happen because it's what the Rangers do. The smart way is to lay the foundation for a dynasty, but that is harder as the instant gratification might not be there.

I mean this team went 31-16-2 64 PTS from Jan 1st till the end of the regular season.

Just to compare to some of the other teams:

CAR 31-13-7 69 PTS
TB 30-15-3 63 PTS
FLA 37-11-2 76 PTS
TOR 33-13-5 71 PTS

So I agree it's somewhere between over and underachieved. Yes Tampa deserves credit, but the Rangers really played to roughly the same record of them all year as they both wound up with 110 points and the Rangers had 1 more win than Tampa did. I do think a SCF appearance was realistic once the bigger points teams in FLA and TOR went out and going up 2-0 on Tampa. They win that third game and I don't think they blow a 3-0 lead in a best of 7 series. Even losing those two games in Tampa a big loss was losing Game 5 at home I think their chances were a lot better if they went up 3-2 there knowing at the worst they clinched one more home game.

 

[anthonyd46]

Team really began to run on fumes in game 3. That game is going to bother me for a very long time. It's really the biggest what if this team has had. They hold onto that game, you've got energy just to finish the series. You see the finish line and push through. Would have had nearly a full week off.

The team learned and grew a lot this year. Lafreniere played 99 games this season total. He had 56 the year before. Nearly double the games. Same goes for Miller. Their growth was accelerated this season. Lafreniere in December does not get 9 points in 20 playoff games, and on top of that was snake bitten.

This was the most exciting season of Rangers hockey I think I've ever watched. They've played big series and games, played for the cup in 2014, but this one just feels different. Memorable games on top of that.

To take the next step, the organization needs to continue moving in the young players. Guys like Jones, Kravtsov (if he stays), Othmann, Robertson, Cuylle, etc need to get the chance to play and carve out roles. Some off GGs toys need to be taken away too.

When it boils down to it, I think we are seeing the beginning of something special. They check a bunch of boxes for teams that win. #1C, franchise D, and a franchise goalie. Learn, grow, build the scar tissue from this run to set up the next 4-5 years.

I agree I think it's over in 5 at worst if they win Game 3, but I think Game 5 was a huge loss too, because if they had won that at worst it gives you a game 7 at home which they would have had 2 days of rest for instead of one.

Yea I def felt more excited about this team than 2014. That series vs the kings was murder watching them not score in OT over and over.

 

[uran]

I think they need to explore options of trading Panarin. Let Strome, Copp, Motte walk. Vatrano has great shot and he seems to be clutch so sign him for reasonable price. Go after Bergeron or try to trade for Reilly. Rest can be managed.

 

[GlasgowNewYorkRanger]

If anyone caught the post-game on MSG, Vally said something to the effect of Drury now knows the players that get the team *to* the playoffs and players who could get the team *through* the playoffs.

Hope he realizes that one who could have been both was traded by him for a hill of beans.

I cannot imagine what Buch would have brought to this run. Especially 5v5 driving play on Mika's line.

 

[GlasgowNewYorkRanger]

Couldn’t have scripted a more fitting end.

Hunt taking shifts on the 2nd line.
Kreider complete ghost in every single facet of the game.
Another Toronto review against.

Dryden Hunt. What an add! Most memorable moment was pushing the fattest player in the league on top of the head of the NYR Hart candidate.

When he came out on the Panarin-Copp line in the 3rd period I admit it, I started cracking up. What great comedy. No more fitting way to end this season.

And that’s putting aside the moronic decision to start Strome. Ryan Strome was a sack of shit in the playoffs with 2 legs but yea, let’s send him out there with one.

Absolute galaxy brain decision making Gerard.

Black humor, but genuinely hilarious . Thanks, I needed that!