Larry Brooks: Multiple Brooks Articles on Rangers Future

[Machinehead]

Draft Kakko and think you have the best of Tomas Sandstrom and end up with a clone of Jan Erixon.

As for Raanta and Domingue...No idea how Freddie Andersen would respond to the playoffs and we know that Tristan Jarry has been a choker.

Well he's Jan Erixon now. He's still just a lad.

 

[Rongomania]

Doesn't change the fact that he was healthy against the Rangers.

No, I totally agree with that, and when he was with us he had beastly nights as well. I'm just saying we deserve more credit during these playoffs, 2nd string, 3rd string - who gives a shit it's a team sport.

 

[McRanger92]

Vince Mercogliano is on the Jeff Marek show discussing the Rangers offseason. He has heard the Rangers want to add a checking line and add speed to their lineup. Vince brought up Carolina's line. Staal's line.

I think this is pretty smart. Mika was neutralized at points because he had to take on the defensive matchup responsibilities on the road and the opponents top guys were able to run ragged. If they are willing to give Chytil a real chance at 2C, with or without Panarin on the wing, I am warming to the idea of signing Paul Stastny on a short term deal

 

[NCRanger]

Well he's Jan Erixon now. He's still just a lad.

You said he'd fit on a checking line.

Not for nothing, Erixon's first season he produced the most on offense in his entire career. Five goals, 25 assists, one on the power play. Second season 7 and 22. Never went over 20 assists after that. Closest was 19 on a very offensive minded 1987-88 team.

Granted, I was in eighth grade his rookie year, I kind of remember Gordon and Esposito talking about how they expected Erixon to produce offensively.

Plus, he was ALWAYS banged up.

I would hope that Kakko has a much higher ceiling, but maybe he is an Erixon type player with a little more offensive talent?

 

[Fitzy]

Blais-Sissons-Kakko
Motte-Goodrow-Hunt

Two matchup lines right there.

 

[pld459666]

Get me Yakov Trenin to play with Blais and Kakko

 

[Guyute]

Agreed that we need more speed up front. The problem with the kid line for most of the season was that Laf and Kakko are both slower skaters. Tough for a line to get the forecheck going with two below average skaters.

 

[McRanger92]

Blais-Sissons-Kakko
Motte-Goodrow-Hunt

Two matchup lines right there.

Get me Yakov Trenin to play with Blais and Kakko

Love both players but why would Nashville trade either guy? That 3rd line is one of the best in the league

 

[pld459666]

Mare them an offer they can't refuse

Mare them an offer they can't refuse

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Vince Mercogliano is on the Jeff Marek show discussing the Rangers offseason. He has heard the Rangers want to add a checking line and add speed to their lineup. Vince brought up Carolina's line. Staal's line.

Not sure how that’s possible, it’s not like we have that much room to maneuver unless we are making some major trades.

 

[Kocur26]

It not about “ getting tougher “ it’s about getting more big bodies around the puck - behind the net - in the slot .

Perry screened Shesterkin on two huge goals.

Maroon crushed his way to a huge goal - overpowered everyone .

Nick Paul outmuscled us continually .

Not good .

Blais is a start but from what I saw of him - he couldn’t score .

We need to overhaul the replacements;
Rooney Gauthier Brodzinski Hunt - all gaaarbage…

 

[LoveGoons]

First brooks is back stabbing drama Queen jerk and 90% of all the players that play or played for the rangers hate his guts and would spear him if given the chance.. only Believe 5% of this articles..
1st the expectations were to make the playoffs never win the cup this year.
2nd shesty is the only reason we made it to the 2nd round.. one bad bounce and our playoffs would have easily ended in the 1st or 2nd round.
.3rd the vets have maxed out their grow and had career years don’t expect too much more in production even in the playoffs because our stars don’t play in high traffic areas..
4th all our 1st round picks at forward have to double their production minimum
Defensive picks need to make the next step and become their top 3 defenseman.. the other defenseman need to become 4-6 every day defenseman. Otherwise we will be in cap hell and be first round playoff chumps..

 

[NikC]

It not about “ getting tougher “ it’s about getting more big bodies around the puck - behind the net - in the slot .

Perry screened Shesterkin on two huge goals.

Maroon crushed his way to a huge goal - overpowered everyone .

Nick Paul outmuscled us continually .

Not good .

Blais is a start but from what I saw of him - he couldn’t score .

We need to overhaul the replacements;
Rooney Gauthier Brodzinski Hunt - all gaaarbage…

Add Mckegg to that list. Don't understand how useless Reaves was besides being an MC in the lockeroom.

 

[NikC]

First brooks is back stabbing drama Queen jerk and 90% of all the players that play or played for the rangers hate his guts and would spear him if given the chance.. only Believe 5% of this articles..
1st the expectations were to make the playoffs never win the cup this year.
2nd shesty is the only reason we made it to the 2nd round.. one bad bounce and our playoffs would have easily ended in the 1st or 2nd round.
.3rd the vets have maxed out their grow and had career years don’t expect too much more in production even in the playoffs because our stars don’t play in high traffic areas..
4th all our 1st round picks at forward have to double their production minimum
Defensive picks need to make the next step and become their top 3 defenseman.. the other defenseman need to become 4-6 every day defenseman. Otherwise we will be in cap hell and be first round playoff chumps..

not denying how good he was, but he was awful in the Pitt series, and it took the whole team around him to help claw their way back in that series.

Rangers played alot better in round 2 especially game 6 and 7.

 

[LoveGoons]

not denying how good he was, but he was awful in the Pitt series, and it took the whole team around him to help claw their way back in that series.

Rangers played alot better in round 2 especially game 6 and 7.

The rangers team defense was awful from game 3-6 then he “saved” the rangers asses.. we made everyone on their look like Crosby until we knock him out of the series for two games.. but stunk the garden for 2 games for sure..his play off save percentage was incredible considering the high quality shot he saw..

 

[LoveGoons]

It not about “ getting tougher “ it’s about getting more big bodies around the puck - behind the net - in the slot .

Perry screened Shesterkin on two huge goals.

Maroon crushed his way to a huge goal - overpowered everyone .

Nick Paul outmuscled us continually .

Not good .

Blais is a start but from what I saw of him - he couldn’t score .

We need to overhaul the replacements;
Rooney Gauthier Brodzinski Hunt - all gaaarbage…

Rooney is definitely gone. Hunt and Gau will look for teams that give them the opportunity for consistent playing time.. Brod is a cheap 4th line player we keep..

 

[NikC]

The rangers team defense was awful from game 3-6 then he “saved” the rangers asses.. we made everyone on their look like Crosby until we knock him out of the series for two games.. but stunk the garden for 2 games for sure..his play off save percentage was incredible considering the high quality shot he saw..

What plagued the Rangers during the regular season became a problem in post season as well.

The inability to win critical faceoffs, lack of scoring 5v5, lack of a consistent forecheck, getting hemmed in the defense zone, inability to effectively clear the puck.

Injuries always compound these things, but just a lack of execution, unwillingness to shoot the puck, passing up opportunities to shoot, in order to pass the puck. Always looking to set up a play.

Gallant didn't address a lot of these deficiencies during the season and into the playoffs.

This "ride the goalie" mentality needs to be done away with it if the NYR want to be a real contender.

 

[GENESISPuck94]

Brooks isn't wrong about the Rangers needing to get bigger with a checking/2 way/shutdown line. TB had the Gourde line. TB acquired Paul from Ottawa at the deadline. Paul isn't t breaking the bank with his current contract at a $1.35M cap hit. TB has Cirelli who can also play that role. Cirelli's line shut down Zibanejad's line.

Brooks discussed this topic on the NY Post podcast yesterday. He also mentioned this topic during the Rangers playoff run. The Rangers need that element in their top 9.

Maroon isn't breaking the bank playing on TB's fourth line at $900K for the last 3 seasons.

Bigger is better in the playoffs. TB has those big defensemen and the right mix at forward.


TB added Maroon as a free agent in the summer of 2019 and they traded two 1st round picks for Coleman and Goodrow at the 2020 trade deadline. Those players fit the cap and they helped change the dynamic of the team. The Rangers need those type of players in their bottom six.

TB has cap issues but they find players who fit their cap structure. They don't break the bank for their role players.

Mostly agree but they broke the bank for Hagel. It was a steep price. Its great for them what they're accomplishing but when they crash they're going to crash hard. They've given away 1st round picks like candy. At least half a decade worth of 1st round picks the last few years. How sustainable is that?

 

[LoveGoons]

What plagued the Rangers during the regular season became a problem in post season as well.

The inability to win critical faceoffs, lack of scoring 5v5, lack of a consistent forecheck, getting hemmed in the defense zone, inability to effectively clear the puck.

Injuries always compound these things, but just a lack of execution, unwillingness to shoot the puck, passing up opportunities to shoot, in order to pass the puck. Always looking to set up a play.

Gallant didn't address a lot of these deficiencies during the season and into the playoffs.

This "ride the goalie" mentality needs to be done away with it if the NYR want to be a real contender.

Can I get a Amen !!

 

[RangerBlues]

Breaking news!
brooks makes farting noises

 

[NikC]

Mostly agree but they broke the bank for Hagel. It was a steep price. Its great for them what they're accomplishing but when they crash they're going to crash hard. They've given away 1st round picks like candy. At least half a decade worth of 1st round picks the last few years. How sustainable is that?

they won 2 SC b2b... and in the SCF again. You can't really argue with those results.

what's it all about anyway?

 

[GENESISPuck94]

they won 2 SC b2b... and in the SCF again. You can't really argue with those results.

what's it all about anyway?

Agree. But they still had to give up a lot of their future for it. If the Rangers could win back-to-back Cups and be in a 3rd Final in a row I'd take it, 10000000% But that wasn't my point. I don't see how this doesn't effect them long term. No team can give away their first round pick for like 5 years straight especially when they're one of the older teams. That's fine for them, though, they shot their shot and it paid off huge.

I'd like to see the Rangers do things their own way, and not copy anyone else. Continue to accumulate talent and be able to plug holes with cheap young players instead of getting chained to external players on big contracts. And I'd prefer not to trade away 1st round picks. We lost our 2022 1st. Which is fine because it was conditional and that means we exceeded the condition. I think we can deal back into the 1st round. But I'd prefer not trading away 1st round picks. Look at the contributions from Rangers 1st rounders these playoffs.

I'd like the Rangers to maintain success over a long period of time. No short windows.

 

[Kocur26]

I highly recommend ny post sports + so you can get LB exclusives.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I highly recommend ny post sports + so you can get LB exclusives.

Can't you just post your articles here?

 

[bernmeister]

nitpicking, you should call them min bodies+ because as much as we detest McKegg, he is a min body at min #s (league min $750k). How can we do better?

I think Lindgren stays but I do think we should trade him when the opportunity arises simply because he's going to undergo Dan Girardi syndrome at some point. He's still young so think his body will hold up through his contract but if we can trade him in an upgrade then by all means.

sorry no courtesy of earlier reply, bern busy in da real world

answering yr ?
ditching McKegg/similar substandard is addition by subtraction, regardless of cap
and I would rather not give cap out to unworthy substandard just to spend it.

If we had listened to you know who and ditched Strome + McKegg, we could have added Krav, give mins to Chytil + Barron, at min.
With mins, and an earlier emerging Chytil moving up, who knows if dealing for Copp would have been nec?