Post-Game Talk: PS #1 - 09/18/17 | islanders @ RANGERS | 7:00 PM - MSG

[Tawnos]

Actually, no, I didn't see the penalty ADA took, (I will admit being distracted at the time). But, even with a stick handle at the line, I saw Pionk more in trouble defensively than I saw ADA. Which, from what I saw, only means that, to me, ADA looks more ready than Pionk. There's no blinders. I said both players were the best two players for the Rangers on the night. I saw ADA as the slightly better player.

Pionk looked good no doubt. In fact, I think if they had no other options, Pionk could step into the lineup as a 3rd pairing guy right now. He would just be better off starting in the AHL*

*all opinions stated here are admittedly off a single game and are changeable at any moment after future games.

 

[Revel]

He definitely looks a little meatier in the pic in this article that was posted about a month ago:

https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-summer-catch-up-pavel-buchnevich/c-290637566

He looked borderline anorexic in the pics I saw of him before last year's camp

Good find. Yeah, looks like he's probably got quite a bit more strength in his upper half. Looks quite fit.

 

[eco's bones]

Graves was really really good. He defended well and he moved the puck smartly. I can't think of one egregious defensive mistake the entire game. His long bomb breakaway pass to Fontaine in the first might have been the Rangers best scoring chance of the period. He also got off at least one really big bomb of a shot on goal. His style is not that of Pionk's or DeAngelo who are both flashier players but you can't have an entire defense of smaller flashier chance taking defensemen--players like that need a steady partner to back them up. Graves looks to me like he can be that kind of player.

I don't know why people are throwing Schneider under the bus. I guess we always have to **** on somebody. He had 5 shots on goal--a sure goal that he ****ed up but even so--his linemates were Fontaine playing his first ever game against quasi NHL competition and Desjardins. 5 shots on goal playing on that line is pretty good IMO.

And I'll reiterate I liked Farnham in this game a lot. A very aggressive agitating force. 4 hits--4 shots on goal--no penalty minutes--at least two very good opportunities--one of them on a stuff in try. He had Ho-Sang ducking and weaving and Ho-Sang was pretty quiet throughout. The Rangers have this MO of always being nicey-nice. A little bit of edge now and again isn't a bad thing.

On Pionk's move on Brock Nelson. Nelson is not the greatest of skaters and his compete skills don't quite equal his talent. He's a lackadaisical defensive player. The right guy to pull that move on. But Pionk did look like Brian Leetch there.

 

[eco's bones]

Personally, I think Graves looks NHL ready.

Based off of tonight's game--I agree.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Based off of tonight's game--I agree.

Yup. Your analysis of him was spot-on. I would also mention that I saw at least one crunching hit in the corner (appropriately timed) and at least one time where he cleared a screening forward all the way to the side of the net, out of the crease entirely.

 

[Revel]

AV after the game on Pionk and Lias:

http://www.msgnetworks.com/videos/av-assesses-pionk-anderssons-games/

AV didn't pull anything like he pulled on Clendo. With Clendo, there was always a "But" after he complimented him. Tonight, AV said he liked all of our rookies. He had nothing negative to say. Really good to hear.

 

[Revel]

Graves was really really good. He defended well and he moved the puck smartly. I can't think of one egregious defensive mistake the entire game. His long bomb breakaway pass to Fontaine in the first might have been the Rangers best scoring chance of the period. He also got off at least one really big bomb of a shot on goal. His style is not that of Pionk's or DeAngelo who are both flashier players but you can't have an entire defense of smaller flashier chance taking defensemen--players like that need a steady partner to back them up. Graves looks to me like he can be that kind of player.

I don't know why people are throwing Schneider under the bus. I guess we always have to **** on somebody. He had 5 shots on goal--a sure goal that he ****ed up but even so--his linemates were Fontaine playing his first ever game against quasi NHL competition and Desjardins. 5 shots on goal playing on that line is pretty good IMO.

And I'll reiterate I liked Farnham in this game a lot. A very aggressive agitating force. 4 hits--4 shots on goal--no penalty minutes--at least two very good opportunities--one of them on a stuff in try. He had Ho-Sang ducking and weaving and Ho-Sang was pretty quiet throughout. The Rangers have this MO of always being nicey-nice. A little bit of edge now and again isn't a bad thing.

On Pionk's move on Brock Nelson. Nelson is not the greatest of skaters and his compete skills don't quite equal his talent. He's a lackadaisical defensive player. The right guy to pull that move on. But Pionk did look like Brian Leetch there.

I've been hesitant to mention it...as I know Farnham is not a direction most people want to take...but he definitely brought his "Avery" game tonight. I'd be lying if I said I didn't admire it in a way.

 

[darko]

Didn't watch the game. Great to hear that Graves, ADA and Pionk all had good games. Graves is a bit of a forgotten man with ADA/Pionk additions. Love our depth on D.

 

[Levitate]

Graves was really really good. He defended well and he moved the puck smartly. I can't think of one egregious defensive mistake the entire game.

Eh, he tried to step up in the neutral zone at one point kind of awkwardly, got beat, and it lead to a Letterri penalty.

He was good but something about him just doesn't seem quite "finished" or "ready" to me. Maybe it's ultimately that currently he's probably behind several players and I'm not sure he's going to make it as a Ranger.

Most of the non NHL forwards looked like AHLers to me. Nieves could still make it as 4C, he has very little creativity with the puck in general but I can see him being a disruptive guy and with some decent wingers he could be effective.

Have a vague feeling I like DeAngelo a bit better than Pionk in that he still has a feel like he's going to be more dynamic, but they were obviously giving Pionk the chance to showcase himself tonight.

I've been hesitant to mention it...as I know Farnham is not a direction most people want to take...but he definitely brought his "Avery" game tonight. I'd be lying if I said I didn't admire it in a way.

I wouldn't be totally adverse to carrying a guy like Farnham as the 13th but I don't think they need to have him as an every night player either.

The Rangers dominating the Isles in shot attempts and all that is nice, especially since it wasn't exactly NHL vs AHL out there, both squads were pretty bah

 

[Machinehead]

AV after the game on Pionk and Lias:

http://www.msgnetworks.com/videos/av-assesses-pionk-anderssons-games/

AV didn't pull anything like he pulled on Clendo. With Clendo, there was always a "But" after he complimented him. Tonight, AV said he liked all of our rookies. He had nothing negative to say. Really good to hear.

Give it time.

Eventually one of them will make an "inefficient touch"

 

[will1066]

Just watched the replay. Pionk, ADA, ande Graves really stood out. Lettieri stood out also. Nice spin-o-rama move there. Sam's senior moment was funny. I guess he forgot OT is now 3-on-3. Expect a lot more senior moments from him this year, but still love him.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Personally, I think Graves looks NHL ready.

Completely agree, he's very underrated around here because he's not 5'11 and classified as a PMD, even though I think he's more advanced offensively than defensively. He's also not a new player, which hurts his reputation, as well.

 

[Machinehead]

I love Andersson more and more every day.

If we played like this all the time, (like in real games) I'd be the world's happiest human being.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

I'd have to re-watch the game to rejuvenate my memory on how Vinny played...but from what I remember, he was noticeable. Has that Zuuc build to him, and seems to work just as hard. If memory serves...I think his shots were pretty heavy.

He was noticeable, has a good shot and seems to have good hockey sense. I kind of get the feeling he's going to top out as a AAAA player who is too good for the AHL but can't stick in the NHL.

I think while being undersized is survivable in today's NHL, Letteiri's skating ability is below NHL level and will hold him back.

I love Andersson more and more every day.

If we played like this all the time, (like in real games) I'd be the world's happiest human being.

I really like Lias. I think he's going to stick. The release on his shot is fantastic, he's has fantastic hockey sense and is solid in all 3 zones. He was able to keep up with the pace easily, hopefully he can keep it up.

 

[Machinehead]

Completely agree, he's very underrated around here because he's not 5'11 and classified as a PMD, even though I think he's more advanced offensively than defensively. He's also not a new player, which hurts his reputation, as well.

The contortions you'll make to take shots at Shattenkirk are actually impressive.

There should be a game - go from the topic at hand to Shattenkirk in six steps or less.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Lol DeAngelo was on ice for 11 scoring chances for vs 1 against.

This is easily the weaker of the 2 groups they have too, but the same can be said for the Islanders.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Completely agree, he's very underrated around here because he's not 5'11 and classified as a PMD, even though I think he's more advanced offensively than defensively. He's also not a new player, which hurts his reputation, as well.

Eh I don't think that's it, it's more because we currently have 4 LHD that are sure to be on the NHL roster this year (McD, Skjei, Smith and Staal) so there doesn't seem to be a spot on the Rangers for Graves.

Graves seems like he's just about there, if he were in an organization like Arizona or another team with poor D depth he would probably be able to jump into the 3rd pair now, same with Pionk. However, both will probably be in the AHL this year due to our depth. Lol who would've thought.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

The contortions you'll make to take shots at Shattenkirk are actually impressive.

There should be a game - go from the topic at hand to Shattenkirk in six steps or less.

This is in your mind. You've mentioned it a few times, and it makes absolutely no sense.

 

[Machinehead]

This is in your mind. You've mentioned it a few times, and it makes absolutely no sense.

You literally just did it and it's right there, but it's in my mind. Sure.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Eh I don't think that's it, it's more because we currently have 4 LHD that are sure to be on the NHL roster this year (McD, Skjei, Smith and Staal) so there doesn't seem to be a spot on the Rangers for Graves.

Graves seems like he's just about there, if he were in an organization like Arizona or another team with poor D depth he would probably be able to jump into the 3rd pair now, same with Pionk. However, both will probably be in the AHL this year due to our depth. Lol who would've thought.

A lot of these guys are versatile enough to play on the right. You don't want 7 left shots, but an extra left shot or two isn't all too bad.

I would say that Bereglazov has the inside track on a spot due to his KHL clause, but I think if he's severely outplayed by DeAngelo or Graves, there's an argument to leave him off the roster, and then that spot goes to whoever played the best of the younger guys competing for a spot. I think Pionk needs some pro seasoning and we have depth anyway, so no reason to rush him to the NHL right out of college. DeAngelo, Graves probably in that order, but lets wait and see, it might be neither if Bereglazov plays well enough.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

You literally just did it and it's right there, but it's in my mind. Sure.

You sound foolish. WTF would it have to do with Shattenkirk? You think that I think they are in competition for a spot or something like that? Absurd, really absurd.

My point there is about how all the attention goes to DeAngelo and Pionk, good players, I have no problem with them, but it seems like they are credited more due to their style being "in vogue" in the NHL, even though its not like Graves is a current Marc Staal clone who has no hockey skill. He goes under the radar, as a few people have mentioned. He's paid his dues in the minors, done a pretty good job on a ****** AHL team for two years, shown big improvements after being drafted in the mid rounds, and now he's being forgotten because two new shiny toys who might not necessarily be better than him, but are the "in vogue style", are in the mix. All three played well in this game, yet the two getting most of the credit are Pionk and DeAngelo, even though Graves arguably had the best game of any of them.

Lets let the best players win out, it'll probably be none of them anyway, since its not really an open competition, but I think it at least deserved being mentioned that Graves has gone far under the radar, despite not really doing anything that should make him under the radar.

 

[Machinehead]

You sound foolish. WTF would it have to do with Shattenkirk? You think that I think they are in competition for a spot or something like that? Absurd, really absurd.

My point there is about how all the attention goes to DeAngelo and Pionk, good players, I have no problem with them, but it seems like they are credited more due to their style being "in vogue" in the NHL, even though its not like Graves is a current Marc Staal clone who has no hockey skill. He goes under the radar, as a few people have mentioned. He's paid his dues in the minors, done a pretty good job on a ****** AHL team for two years, shown big improvements after being drafted in the mid rounds, and now he's being forgotten because two new shiny toys who might not necessarily be better than him, but are the "in vogue style", are in the mix. All three played well in this game, yet the two getting most of the credit are Pionk and DeAngelo, even though Graves arguably had the best game of any of them.

Lets let the best players win out, it'll probably be none of them anyway, since its not really an open competition, but I think it at least deserved being mentioned that Graves has gone far under the radar, despite not really doing anything that should make him under the radar.

Everything with you has to do with Shatttenkirk. You've been harping on it nonstop since he signed.

Earlier you blamed Shattenkirk for Pionk, who is like our 10th D, not getting a spot.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Everything with you has to do with Shatttenkirk. You've been harping on it nonstop since he signed.

I just explained my reasoning, and you go back to this.

Give it up, already. My post had nothing to do with it, you are acting paranoid to defend Shattenkirk from a post that had zero to do with him.

 

[Machinehead]

I just explained my reasoning, and you go back to this.

Give it up, already. My post had nothing to do with it, you are acting paranoid to defend Shattenkirk from a post that had zero to do with him.

"A 5'11" newly signed PMD"

Gee I wonder who that could be!!

 

[Synergy27]

Something has to give on the blue line. All of ADA, Graves, Bere and Pionk are capable of being the #7 right now and it's likely only one of them breaks camp with the team.

The depth is still good if both Staal and Holden are moved.