Confirmed with Link: Rangers hire Mike Sullivan to

[mas0764]

I mean, yes, he's overpaid for sure.

But then I look at a guy like Hellebuyck with multiple Vezinas, Hart trophy nominations, etc... and the guy can't stop a beach ball in the playoffs.

That makes me feel a little better.

As for "acquiring the necessary talent" - that's pretty difficult. Elite core centers typically aren't available and, when they are, are either over the hill or cost half a team to acquire.

I keep seeing McDavid and Eichel being UFA's next year blah blah blah - when was the last time a truly, truly elite center in the vein of the aforementioned two hit free agency?

Winning a Cup is difficult. The problem is the Rangers keep telling themselves how hard it is and then decide on settling for second round playoff loser, which is relatively easy (at least for them). And then praying lightning strikes.

 

[Siddi]

I think this 5 year deal is telling the world we need some significant roster changes and Sully is not going to take the blame for them. I'm not in the locker room so I can not say if there were real issues in there as have been rumored. If there are guys that were a problem in the locker room I would be very surprised if the organization is willing to keep them around for another season. It just would not make sense imo. Not saying they could not do well in other places but how can you take a chance on them causing problems again?

Because Drury and Sullivan want to win and Dolan wants that sweet playoff revenue and their best bet to achieve that however slim the chance is with this core intact and hoping for a bounce back season.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

His expose back in November was accurate.

No clue what that was. But if we are reaching 6 months back to find something from a reporter who reports every day, then it pretty says it all

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

If they want to truly play a straight forward forechecking heavy game they might as well boot Panarin this summer.

It's not that skill from an east/west guy can't fit into a system like that, but there needs to be a willingness to feed into your desired style. Panarin can't/won't.

 

[haohmaru]

Winning a Cup is difficult. The problem is the Rangers keep telling themselves how hard it is and then decide on settling for second round playoff loser, which is relatively easy (at least for them). And then praying lightning strikes.

With their current owner that’s what it’ll take to win.

 

[gabevh3]

Mike Sullivan: 3 things to know about the NY Rangers' new head coach

With the New York Rangers announcing Mike Sullivan as their next head coach, here are three things to know about the new bench boss.

www.lohud.com

Sullivan was selected by the Rangers in the fourth round (No. 69 overall) of the 1987 NHL Draft.

The left-handed shooting center never suited up for New York, though, instead completing his full four seasons at Boston University (the same college as Blueshirts team president Chris Drury) before becoming a free agent and signing with the San Jose Sharks in 1990. He went on to play 11 seasons in the NHL for the Sharks, Flames, Bruins and Coyotes.

He owes us big time. Why did he refuse to play in ny?

 

[gabevh3]

I mean, yes, he's overpaid for sure.

But then I look at a guy like Hellebuyck with multiple Vezinas, Hart trophy nominations, etc... and the guy can't stop a beach ball in the playoffs.

That makes me feel a little better.

As for "acquiring the necessary talent" - that's pretty difficult. Elite core centers typically aren't available and, when they are, are either over the hill or cost half a team to acquire.

I keep seeing McDavid and Eichel being UFA's next year blah blah blah - when was the last time a truly, truly elite center in the vein of the aforementioned two hit free agency?

I doubt they will be ufa

 

[Jaromir Jagr]

The Rangers finally got their man. They just need major changes in personnel. I was listening to Ray Ferraro on the Ray and Dregs pod. Ferraro was saying Sullivan employs a straight and direct style. He pointed out there are forwards on the Rangers who don't like to play that way and he mentioned Panarin and Zibanejad. As Larry Brooks mentioned on the pod, this player group is not firing Sullivan in two years. Should be fun.

Zibanejad can and will adapt to any system. He's a useful player. Panarin on the other hand will not. I much prefer to keep Zibs and jettison Panarin.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Zibanejad can and will adapt to any system. He's a useful player. Panarin on the other hand will not. I much prefer to keep Zibs and jettison Panarin.

Panarin is a huge reason why this group keeps running through coaches. Gets a pass because he produces (fair) and also because he only very rarely speaks to the media so doesn't have all the sound bites for people to pounce on.

If you move him, that's obviously a heck of a lot of production to make up for, but I struggle to see how they really change the culture and identity of the team with him still here. That's 20min a night, a full period, where they aren't forechecking and going North/South.

 

[JMan74]

Panarin is the purest, most talented goal scorer we have. He just needs to be with a more rugged Center like JT and then a rugged RW possibly Lafreniere.

 

[Jaromir Jagr]

Panarin is a huge reason why this group keeps running through coaches. Gets a pass because he produces (fair) and also because he only very rarely speaks to the media so doesn't have all the sound bites for people to pounce on.

If you move him, that's obviously a heck of a lot of production to make up for, but I struggle to see how they really change the culture and identity of the team with him still here. That's 20min a night, a full period, where they aren't forechecking and going North/South.

They are not winning the cup next year so they may as well bite the bullet and maybe look to replace him the following season with an Eichel or something.

His offensive production is massive but at the same time his style of play is not one that aligns with winning. I just don't see a cup contending team with Panarin as your top player.

 

[Harbour Dog]

Wait, does Panarin have a full NMC too? I thought it had turned into a 10-team no trade list, or something similar.

 

[Boris Zubov]

Wait, does Panarin have a full NMC too? I thought it had turned into a 10-team no trade list, or something similar.

Nope he got a NMC for the full length of his deal.

 

[Harbour Dog]

Nope he got a NMC for the full length of his deal.

Pain.

I bet he won't be moved this summer either then. Maybe if we suck again, he'll waive at the deadline to be a rental.

 

[egelband]

I wouldnt call a player who almost went PPG in the 2nd half of the season and ended up 2nd on the team in scoring a "third line/special teams guy".

Yeah. Fair. He’s still serviceable as a top six winger on a team like the rangers. But similar to Kakko, as a top sixer getting a lot of pp time in the NHL, he’ll track up some points.
But these are not top six guys on a contender. If he were on a high end team he’s 3C and told to focus on playing great defense and exploiting the occasional favorable matchups for occasional offense. He can also PK well.

 

[egelband]

Panarin is the purest, most talented goal scorer we have. He just needs to be with a more rugged Center like JT and then a rugged RW possibly Lafreniere.

I wish Lafreniere were that guy but I don’t think that’s the case. Panarin-JT-Cuylle though. That could work.

 

[egelband]

I feel like there’s a world in which Sullivan and Drury and Kreider and Mika come out of a meeting and claim Kreider and Mika are going to defer more to the kids and take on a supporting role. But I hope that doesn’t happen. I can’t see it working. Old habits die hard.
Those guys need to move on. Even though they’re both still solid players. Especially Mika. But this is the cycle of life in sports. I hope Drury and Sullivan agree.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Sullivan will help our team defend as he uses zone d, something none of the last 4 coaches wanted any part of. That in itself will get this team to playoffs. Will he have the wherewithal to play younger players over vets or will he repeat history? That will be key to our success. Kreider could end up staying with Sullivan, no real opinion on that but if if he does and a rejuvinated kreider and Mika with Perrault was our 3rd line it would make for decent matchups for us. Ofcourse that would assume Lafreniere and Othmann are playing well in the top 6. If Kreider is shown the door maybe we can snag Ehlers? Id be aboard that, would add some speed and scoring. Our 4th line of Edstrom Carrick and Berard/Rempe would be decent as well. One thing, Kakko would have gotten a lot more time with Sullivan imo.

 

[Chaels Arms]

Panarin is good enough he's going to be successful with any coach. We heard this story before with Gaborik and Torts and Gaborik was awesome under Torts. Sullivan is going to be happy he has Panarin.

Zibanejad? Yeah, not so sure.

 

[Priorae]

Panarin is good enough he's going to be successful with any coach. We heard this story before with Gaborik and Torts and Gaborik was awesome under Torts. Sullivan is going to be happy he has Panarin.

Zibanejad? Yeah, not so much.

Great Post. Panarin is incredible and will be so in front of any suit. Mika just needs an attitude enigma and I suspect he’ll be better too.

This isn’t the 11th worst team in the NHL…likely more like 20th.

 

[gabevh3]

So what's the to stand for? Lol

 

[McRanger92]

Sullivan will make us a playoff team but this team will never win a Cup if Panarin is our highest paid player.

 

[gabevh3]

I wouldnt call a player who almost went PPG in the 2nd half of the season and ended up 2nd on the team in scoring a "third line/special teams guy".

With an injury to boot

 

[McRanger92]

With an injury to boot

What was Mika’s ailment beside injured feelings?

 

[gabevh3]

What was Mika’s ailment beside injured feelings?

I seem to recall an injury early on. Or was that the season before?