Mid Season: this team looks promising

[Tawnos]

Like 99.99% of the hockey media think it's a joke that he's on team Canada this year over some of the guys left off, particularly MSL.

And again, I'm not saying his cold streak is who he really is. I'm taking the full picture here. On most good teams he'd be the fourth, fifth, or sixth best forward and he's paid like he's a Hart contender every year. That's a bad way to structure a team. Especially when the guy is a one dimensional player, who only scores goals. When it's going right he scores and does nothing else. When it's going wrong he doesn't score and does nothing else. And the guy is a loser. 2 goals in 16 playoff games. And looked like a ***** doing it.

No... actually he isn't.

As deals kick in under the new CBA limits, his contract will look more reasonable. He's the 11th highest paid player this year. Next year, he will be the 17th or lower. Is Nash among the top-20 of all NHL players over the age of 27 (or with more than 7 years of experience)? Generally speaking, yes he is. His salary is going to get bumped out of the top-20 within the next 3 years. He's got a higher cap hit than some guys because his contract doesn't vary significantly, although it does get higher on the backend.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I've maintained the same general thesis about this season since the off-season moves were made, through the pre-season, through the early season troubles, and through today's hot streak. And so far it's looking golden. We'll be a team that generally can beat up on bad teams, will struggle with good teams, will sneak into the playoffs and get bounced in the first round.

Sorry I'm not a maniac who will go from calling us a lotto team after a loss to a cup team after a win. I'm very familiar with the roster and the coaching as well as what the rest of the league looks like. And all this together gives me faith in my prediction through the cold streaks and the hot streaks.

Maybe someday you'll get there yourself. Until then, never bet against Hank at the very least.

You mean to your level of enlightenment?

Congrats on maintaining the same opinion and repeating it like it's fact. Changing opinion is called flexibility and humility. The team has not proven anything yet, but being of the same opinion no matter what makes you stubborn not enlightened.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

You mean to your level of enlightenment?

Congrats on maintaining the same opinion and repeating it like it's fact. Changing opinion is called flexibility and humility. The team has not proven anything yet, but being of the same opinion no matter what makes you stubborn not enlightened.

It was stupid to change Hank from elite to below average after 8 games. That wasn't being "flexible" or "humble" it was stupid. When you have a more complete understanding of something you have courage in your convictions and that doesn't mean they're inflexible, it just means they're more sturdy and it takes more to change them. And that's a good thing. It's how I was never worried about Hank this year while you were freaking out. I think it's fact that I had the better experience there.

 

[nikonsniper*]

hard imagining Sather buying out Richards at this point.

he's gone unless he goes 2 PPG the rest of the season and wins the Conn Smythe

 

[SnowblindNYR]

It was stupid to change Hank from elite to below average after 8 games. That wasn't being "flexible" or "humble" it was stupid. When you have a more complete understanding of something you have courage in your convictions and that doesn't mean they're inflexible, it just means they're more sturdy and it takes more to change them. And that's a good thing. It's how I was never worried about Hank this year while you were freaking out. I think it's fact that I had the better experience there.

He was having a below average season until the last 6 games or so. Also, you clearly have an enlightened and great understanding of hockey. You state your opinions as facts. You don't give the team more than half a season to make proclamations and state your opinions as facts.

 

[Ail]

Needless to say, I disagree. But even if we are to go with what you think, you do agree he's a role player. You're just saying he's a slightly better one. Instead of the fourth or fifth best forward on a good team, you're saying he's the third or fourth. Problem is we're paying him and asking him to be THE best.

We are paying him now. People forget exactly why he was given that contract. The Nash is "overpaid" crap is so overblown it's ridiculous. Of course he is overpaid. Columbus gave their 'franchise' player that contract to, wait for it, STAY IN COLUMBUS! Not even the guy who gave him that contract thinks he is worth it on the ice. Come on.

He's the best forward on this team talent wise even if he isn't playing like it this year. If they are asking him to be number one, and carry the team, that's asking a lot because he is not Crosby, Malkin, Stamkos, St. Louis, Ovechkin. I think that much we can all agree on.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Needless to say, I disagree. But even if we are to go with what you think, you do agree he's a role player. You're just saying he's a slightly better one. Instead of the fourth or fifth best forward on a good team, you're saying he's the third or fourth. Problem is we're paying him and asking him to be THE best.

You disagree that he's better than Kunitz? If you disagree, then you are just simply wrong.

 

[broadwayblue]

hard imagining Sather buying out Richards at this point.

There's really no other option though...he's still got 6 years left on his deal. If it were only 3 or 4 I could see us keeping him around. But there's just too much risk.

 

[SixGoalieSystem]

Im not ready to see this team as anything close to a contender yet after this latest stretch, and I still think they are better off trading Girardi and/or Callahan if they don't take cheap deals, but I am deeply impressed with this team's run

There's a few thinks i think contributed to the progress of the team:

- AV has been able to assemble a very similar type of lineup to what he has used with success in the future. The first and third lines are puck possession lines who control the flow of play and generate offense. The 2nd line is a great forechecking line with some excellent defense in Cally and Hags. And the fourth line is a well balenced checking line with some grit.
- Either the D is adjusting to the new system (still some messups there), or players like Staal and Strålman are finding back to their game. Also think DZ has looked a lot better after the trade rumors seemed to quiet down after xmas.
- Carcillo: I'm eating som serious crow here. This dude has helped a lot and while I love Dorsett, I think Carcillo has brought a better forecheck.

People are calling for getting better linemates for Zucc or for Zucc to help Nash/Stepan to get going. I understand the reasoning behind this, but the fact is his linemates are producing, while Stepan and Nash seem to have improved on their own.

Credit to AV for riding these lines until they stop producing.

 

[pld459666]

like the way we are playing.

Would like to see this type of effort against the Bruins and Penguins.

We have had some big wins against Chicago, Minnesota, the blowout of the Leafs and yesterday's complete effort in Ottawa.

following up yesterday's game with a stinker today is not going to sit well with me (like that really matters lol)

What I want to see is the team play well even if they lose. Like the most recent TB game. We controlled that game. Sucks that we lost but that's a game I liked in effort.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

like the way we are playing.

Would like to see this type of effort against the Bruins and Penguins.

We have had some big wins against Chicago, Minnesota, the blowout of the Leafs and yesterday's complete effort in Ottawa.

following up yesterday's game with a stinker today is not going to sit well with me (like that really matters lol)

What I want to see is the team play well even if they lose. Like the most recent TB game. We controlled that game. Sucks that we lost but that's a game I liked in effort.

I'd say that was the case in a lot of games. Off the top of my head:

1st Bruins game
3rd Caps game
2nd Devils game
Blues game (though the 3rd sucked)
2nd Ducks game (I didn't think they were great but most people thought they were good)
3rd Jackets game (though it wasn't great defensively)

 

[Kwayry]

this team needs to finish better to be a contender. Having those many shots and nothing to show for it, is demoralizing. Ben Bishop looked like a wall against the Rangers, but the Sharks made him look pedestrian.
I like what I see so far, but there needs to be better finishing.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Can they compete in a 7-game series with Boston, Pittsburgh, Anaheim, St. Louis or Chicago?

Winning one game in Chicago doesn't prove anything. They need to improve their personnel on defense and add size.

The power play won't be this efficient come postseason. They need to get better at ES. They've definitely improved but they aren't contenders.

 

[nrf83]

I thought Brassard was a good acquisition, smart with the puck and good offensively, but I never imagined he can shoot the puck the way he has in last few games. He has a cannon for a shot, I wish he would use it more often.

 

[cd211]

this team needs to finish better to be a contender. Having those many shots and nothing to show for it, is demoralizing. Ben Bishop looked like a wall against the Rangers, but the Sharks made him look pedestrian.
I like what I see so far, but there needs to be better finishing.

we've averaged more then 3 goals a game this entire month? what more do you want? i think we are capitalizing and we can actually say we're making strides on actually being an offensive team now (most since jagr days)..

Nash isn't overpaid, dude is a star when on his game.. he may float, be lazy or not engaged at times.. but have you see his play since coming back form his injury? dude has moves that not many other with his size brings.. he's a star and this is the player we expected him and traded for him to be for us..

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Can they compete in a 7-game series with Boston, Pittsburgh, Anaheim, St. Louis or Chicago?

Winning one game in Chicago doesn't prove anything. They need to improve their personnel on defense and add size.

The power play won't be this efficient come postseason. They need to get better at ES. They've definitely improved but they aren't contenders.

Pretty much in line with my thoughts. They look much better. They should make the POs. Whether they are ultimately moving closer or farther in the mid term is up for debate.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

The good news is the Bruins don't have their second best defenseman and Fleury has shown to self destruct in the playoffs. I think there's a slight chance that we can make it out of the east. The cup is a different story of course.

 

[TheTakedown]

Im not ready to see this team as anything close to a contender yet after this latest stretch, and I still think they are better off trading Girardi and/or Callahan if they don't take cheap deals, but I am deeply impressed with this team's run

There's a few thinks i think contributed to the progress of the team:

- AV has been able to assemble a very similar type of lineup to what he has used with success in the future. The first and third lines are puck possession lines who control the flow of play and generate offense. The 2nd line is a great forechecking line with some excellent defense in Cally and Hags. And the fourth line is a well balenced checking line with some grit.
- Either the D is adjusting to the new system (still some messups there), or players like Staal and Strålman are finding back to their game. Also think DZ has looked a lot better after the trade rumors seemed to quiet down after xmas.
- Carcillo: I'm eating som serious crow here. This dude has helped a lot and while I love Dorsett, I think Carcillo has brought a better forecheck.

People are calling for getting better linemates for Zucc or for Zucc to help Nash/Stepan to get going. I understand the reasoning behind this, but the fact is his linemates are producing, while Stepan and Nash seem to have improved on their own.

Credit to AV for riding these lines until they stop producing.

The bolded! Torts would have had about 100 different line combos at this point

 

[fredrikstad]

Close the thread..don't jinx it

Typically rookie ranger fan..win a few and we are on our way to the cup

Ha ha. The poster has been around about seven years more than you. And the rookie has around 10-12k more post than you.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

I'm happy that Hank turned it around... and consequentially, so did the New York Rangers. Girardi, Stepan, Nash all seemed to get with it when he did. So it's hard to say they've "learned the system." Hank just returned to form.

We all knew he would eventually, but I'd personally written the season off for him. Nice goingq, Hank!

 

[SlingshotVv]

Can they compete in a 7-game series with Boston, Pittsburgh, Anaheim, St. Louis or Chicago?

Winning one game in Chicago doesn't prove anything. They need to improve their personnel on defense and add size.

The power play won't be this efficient come postseason. They need to get better at ES. They've definitely improved but they aren't contenders.

Every team can compete against a team anchored by Fleury.

Boston, Anaheim, and Chicago each are one injury away from being very beatable. The fact that whoever comes out of the west will have to go through that level of competition could mean the team coming in has played 21 grueling physically demanding games.

Boston seems to be the safe bet for EC rep in the SC. But go tell Boston fans that their team is unbeatable lol

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Every team can compete against a team anchored by Fleury.

Boston, Anaheim, and Chicago each are one injury away from being very beatable. The fact that whoever comes out of the west will have to go through that level of competition could mean the team coming in has played 21 grueling physically demanding games.

Boston seems to be the safe bet for EC rep in the SC. But go tell Boston fans that their team is unbeatable lol

Do you want to build a one-year wonder like the 2012 Devils or do you want to build a sustained contender like Chicago or Boston?

The point isnt to contend just this year. It's to contend every year for 5-7 years. I dont see this current team doing that unless they add a dominant center and a puck moving defenseman via trade or free agency.

 

[Doctyl]

hard imagining Sather buying out Richards at this point.

Not really. The contract is hellish and the new cba just made it worse. It's a shame because I really like Richards.

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

Yeah, Richards is a goner. Its too bad, he has actually rebound nicely this year. But, with all that said, despite defying that he is a "bust"; he still never really came together as a #1 center. The Rangers still need a #1 center.

 

[Calad]

hard imagining Sather buying out Richards at this point.

I agree. The way he has helped turn around this powerplay and the dearth of talent at center in the UFA market makes him pretty valuable. With the amount the cap is going up in a few years, say he retires 2 years early (after 2017-18 season). We would have a 5.5 million dollar caphit for 2 years, where the cap would probably be in the neighborhood of 80-85 million a year by that time. So long as he keeps playing well this year I think its worth the risk keeping him aboard. Unless everyone here wants to overpay for Stastny and then end up in the same boat anyways.