GDT: PS #2 - 09/20/17 | devils @ RANGERS | 7:00 PM - MSG

[Gardner McKay]

I think Chytil looked really good for sure. But remember, this was a preseason game against an NHL/AHL squad.

If he keeps it up, I definitely think he gets a chance to start the season with the Rangers though.

 

[Bring Back Avery]

Hating the refs enforcing this face off rule. But liking them enforcing the slashing rule.

If they're going to crack down on slashing, they really should crack down on cross checking too. I couldn't believe how much cross checking went on last season and the refs were all like, "Yeah, no problem. Go right ahead."

 

[egelband]

At the moment the Rangers look to have some good logjam problems. The teams they played so far were awful though. So I think it's wise to wait and see just now.

 

[chosen]

Chytil and Zucc on a line together is better than sex

Then you're doing it wrong.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Someone needs to review the definitions of "contend" and "contending". The Rangers were certainly contending last year.

The "Cup or bust" mentality is definitely in my top-3 of most hated things about hockey

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

Chytil looked legitimate. You can see the skill, give him another season or so to fill out physically and he may be a top prospect in the league.

I thought Smith had a really bad game.

Glad I'm not the only one. Smith looked slow.

 

[Irishguy42]

Smith had a fine game.

 

[nyr2k2]

DD looked fine. Looks like a system fit and someone that can really help push the fourth line offensively and plug in throughout the lineup.

Chytil was very impressive. I think he should go back home for a season, hopefully post big numbers while rounding out his game and continuing to gain confidence. Come back next year and be ready to play a big role.

Tambellini is a nothing. He just doesn't have it. Gropp I'm not worried about. In juniors he was able to find space and play in front of the net. He wasn't doing that last night. I think with a full season in the AHL he should get better at playing his game as a professional. As long as he can adjust to the speed of the game--that's often what separates a prospect that makes it from one who fails. If he can't adjust to the speed and continues to play on the perimeter, then he's another Tambellini.

Vesey looked good. If he can maintain that effort over a full season, I expect good production. He was very involved. Keep him with Hayes as they've obviously developed a lot of chemistry.

Skjei and Smith were shaky but no worries there. We know what they can do. Just hope Skjei avoids a Sophomore Slump.

Georgiev looked fine. Maybe some rebound issues and he needs to adjust to the speed of the game and smaller rinks. At times he looked like he was losing the play. Hartford will be good for him this year and I think he can be successful down there.

 

[Fireonk]

Agree with most of the consensus here.

Definitely want to see Chytil play the next game without the two best forwards on the ice to get a more accurate assessment of how NHL ready he actually is, but damn he looked good. On the flip side, I want to see Andersson get a game with some more offensive linemates to see if he can keep up on that side of things.

I liked DD and I also think Desjardins looked solid for an extra forward role.

Thought Tambellini looked pretty bad unlike most of you it seems and guys like Gropp and Puempel being invisible were disappointing.

Thought all the top 3 D had their ups and downs, including Shatty, but thats too be expected from the Vets trying to get their rythm going. Staal was bad, Gilmour was worse.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Cool you're black and white, "hurr durr if you don't make the finals, you're not a contender". kthanxbai

Tearing down this team and lighting it on fire would be a patently stupid idea. I am talking brain dead halfwit plan stupid.

That line if thinking is like totaling a car because it has a flat tire.

 

[nyr2k2]

Yes John Gilmour is as effective out there as a dead cat. Someone in another thread was dismissing his plus/minus as the potential result of being on a horrible team. If you watched Hartford you know he was a main culprit in them being horrible and was every bit as bad as his numbers suggest. I hope he's sent to AHL camp ASAP as having him around helps no one. And then when his contract is up I hope we let him walk. If we let Paliotta walk we better damn well let Gilmour walk.

 

[Kaapo Cabana]

Here are the players that really stood out to me:

Bad:

Gilmour - cut him immediately, taking up space. With the glut of defense we have trying to make this team, Gilmour is as good as gone.

Staal - sadly he is probably done. Lets hope AV meant what he said about Staal having to compete for a spot because based on last nights play, I don't think Staal is good enough to even be our 7th defenseman.

Desjardins - Brings nothing to the table at all. Doesn't seem to be a detriment a la Glass, but we have other younger players with upside who can do all the same things. Cut him, give his time to somebody with a future.

Good:

Desharnais: Would be fine as a 4th line center. Fits the team identity well, and can chip in some offense here and there.

Kreider - Him playing against fringe NHLers is not fair

Zucc - The most creative player on the team. Manufactures decent scoring chances out of thin air. Confirmed magician

Shattenkirk - smooth as silk. Times his shooting and passing lanes perfectly.

Andersson - Still very solid but as others have said, let him play on a line with real NHLers instead of plugs. He seems to be doing all the right things with what he has been given though.

Chytil - WOW. big, fast, elusive, shifty. Also looks to be very creative. Call me crazy but I saw alot of Zucc in his game. I don't know if its because he has been playing with zucc and Its been rubbing of but he looked good out there. Imagine if Zucc was 6'3" 200+ hed be a PPG player.

Its gonna be very difficult to temper expectations with this kid. It was one pre-season game against pre-season competition, but he looks like he belongs. He should play in every preseason game.


IMO nobody else was really worth noting.

 

[offdacrossbar]

shatty not only looked smooth and poised at the pp point, but he played a controlled easy going 5on5 game too. good reads, smart gaps, crisp passes and the wheels to push it and get back.

its going to be a treat having mobile smart dmen on every pair. this is a very good skating top 5 right now.

27, 22, 76, 77 and even 42 all get around pretty well.

and then theres marc stale.

 

[RGY]

Glad I'm not the only one. Smith looked slow.

Smith was fine. He used his body well. Was physical. Ended plays in his own end. Got involved and shots off in the offensive end. He was chasing a little bit making up for his partner's lack of defensive awareness but that is not on him.

And if anything, if he looked slow it is because you had Shatty and Skjei out there who looked fast.

 

[offdacrossbar]

Smith was fine. He used his body well. Was physical. Ended plays in his own end. Got involved and shots off in the offensive end. He was chasing a little bit making up for his partner's lack of defensive awareness but that is not on him.

And if anything, if he looked slow it is because you had Shatty and Skjei out there who looked fast.

he's probably the least gifted skater of all of the top 5. and thats fine. he's also the most defensive as well and a guy who will put up perhaps the least points of that group.

his game is primarily played down low in the d zone with an edge. he can join the rush. he actually skates very well.

relatively speaking, as RGY said, he's just not the high end, smooth skater that the other 4 are.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Why does he always look confused?

 

[eco's bones]

There are 4 preseason games left. There's no point in giving Gilmour and probably even Pedrie another game. Neither looked anywhere near as good as any of the 6 d-men we played against the Islanders.

Bereglazov according to AV will be in the next two games. Day is a maybe. So as far as the defense it looks to me like we don't need to look any further than:

McDonagh
Shattenkirk
Skjei
Smith
Holden
Staal
Pionk
DeAngelo
Bereglazov
Graves

and maybe give Day a game and Kampfer another game.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

There are 4 preseason games left. There's no point in giving Gilmour and probably even Pedrie another game. Neither looked anywhere near as good as any of the 6 d-men we played against the Islanders.

Bereglazov according to AV will be in the next two games. Day is a maybe. So as far as the defense it looks to me like we don't need to look any further than:

McDonagh
Shattenkirk
Skjei
Smith
Holden
Staal
Pionk
DeAngelo
Bereglazov
Graves


and maybe give Day a game and Kampfer another game.

one of these things is not like the other

 

[CasusBelli]

I liked everything I saw in #72. What blew me away, though, was his poise with the puck; very impressive -- not least for an 18 year in his first NHL game.

 

[Inferno]

i cant imagine Shatty and McD together...it just...i just cant...

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

Cool you're black and white, "hurr durr if you don't make the finals, you're not a contender". kthanxbai

Tearing down this team and lighting it on fire would be a patently stupid idea. I am talking brain dead halfwit plan stupid.

I think some of this is English, can anyone translate the rest?

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Skjei looks a lot bigger this year.

 

[Trxjw]

Still trying to get used to all these penalties.

Player wise, I think everyone I was expecting to see something from really had a good night. Chytil was definitely impressive overall. A few brain farts, but you could tell he's been playing against men for a while and had a lot of confidence. I'd be surprised if he makes the team out of camp, but a strong showing might mean he's more likely to stay in NA with Hartford. I think they're going to give Miller a long look at center before they decide to skate a rookie down the middle.

Staal looks like his legs are gone. Too much reaching and grabbing.

Expected Gropp and Pedrie to be a bit quiet, but they should have a good opportunity in Hartford. Pedrie is a good prospect, but just not quite on the level of a DeAngelo or Pionk, so he was always a long shot.

Tambo had one good opportunity, but he just cannot find open ice. He'll never stick until he can learn to get into scoring positions.

Hayes looks like a guy who knows he can play a big role this year. He looked confident and decisive.

Vesey looked solid. Clear that he and Hayes should probably stick together.

Shattenkirk is as advertised. Great with the puck, makes a few boneheaded moves, but will certainly be an asset.

 

[RGY]

Skjei looks a lot bigger this year.

I think we are going to be very impressed with Skjei's progression. He needs to play with Smith. That will only help him excel that much more.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Skjei looks a lot bigger this year.

There is something about his stance that I find odd. He looks like he ducks. His head between his shoulders. It's a weird pose. But he is damn quick on his feet. He's bigger than you'd expect for a D-man with his skill-set.