Post-Game Talk: Rangers vs. Lightning 02/27/19 - 7:30 EST

[Larrybiv]

Come on, let's be true.
Skjei is middling. He reminds me of Tyutin. Fedor Tyutin was similar. We really did like him and so much wanted to crown him as an emerging top defenceman for the Rangers (not great, but quite good) but he never really got very far. He was just okay.
Skjei might someday find a place on a 2nd pairing, but not on a Stanley Cup team.
The Rangers just need to be realistic about him. He has been adequate this season but the guy is not a rookie. I just don't agree with those who think he is a keeper.

Identify, identify, identify. I actually LIKE (in theory) what they did in signing him to 6 years. At the time it seemed a no brainer. Not saying it was a BAD signing, mainly because he is young and talented, but he is still certainly going through his peaks and valleys. Imo, no sooner he scored that OT winner early in the season......and then his game went to shit.
He has recovered somewhat.......and there is still hope for him, its just painfully obvious he isn't the 2nd coming of McD. Think that is what the Rangers were trying to sell here. With rising salaries, his deal should be a good one for the Rangers, but he DOES need to be better......not McD better, but just better.
He needs to play "his game", play solid defense and use his gifts accordingly. Stop trying to live up to that contract. We aren't winning a cup anytime soon so, relax, play smart and have fun. You're fine kid, least of our problems here. It will come.

 

[Larrybiv]

I don’t buy the whole “playing down” to another team line. A team might come out flat but the Rangers brought it. And TB had to fight to hold on. Two teams played. And btw the Rangers have been doing this all year. They’re a well-coached, hard working team. They don’t have any scoring but they’re rarely out any game. I would never discredit obvious hard work and I bet TB would agree.

I didn't necessarily say that! Yes, of course our Rangers played a very good game. Give credit where credit is due.
But make no mistake.......superior teams "often" play down to their opponents and find themselves in hot water sometimes.
Just as an example (not actually stating a FACT here), but do you think Tampa would play balls to the wall against the Rangers (as constructed now) when they hypothetically have the BRUINS the following day? With the possibility of having "little left" and needing MORE vs a far more superior team?
Its kind of human nature, happens all the time.

If they HAD TO end up 1 win, 1 loss in those 2 games.
Wouldn't they rather BEAT the BRUINS than the Rangers? OR the other way around? Just saying.

On edit......changed my hypothetical to FACT as they will be playing Bruins today. This scenario really comes into play here. Fwiw, i picked TB over Bruins in hat trick challenge. Bruins a little banged up, Bergeron hurt but will play, Acciari (teeth) and Miller upper body out. Think Tampa looked past us and into Boston.

 

[ThirdEye]

Buchnevich should get more love. People were quick to piss on him when he struggled but are staying mostly silent when he is excelling now. I see Lemieux is given credit for elevating the intensity of the whole team but to me it was Buch. He more than held his own in the fight, he made multiple plays in the defensive zone to relieve the pressure TBL was putting on and similarly made plays in the offensive zone to keep the puck in and continue cycling. What he and Zibanejad did keeping the pressure on in Tampa’s zone during PP and after it expires is why later the tying goal was scored.

I think a lot of people are sleeping on him. If he continues to play this way and keeps developing that's one top 6 spot we don't have to worry about going forward

He's basically back to where he was pre injury + maybe even a bit better

Strength is still an issue but can be slowly worked on

 

[Kokoschka]

Does anyone know the record for most OTLs in a season? I know Jersey was pretty ridiculous last year. The Avs even have two more OTLs than us. Hard to imagine.

 

[Machinehead]

I believe that is called "hedging" your bet. Bet a NICE HEFTY SUM on Tampa LOSING the SCF's.

If the other team wins......YOU WIN a nice sum of money.
If Tampa wins.......YOUR RANGERS get that #1 pick.
Either way YOU win.
You may lose money, but hey you are a diehard.
You may win money.......and they still get a 2nd rounder.
Hmmmmm. Might do the same.
Call it Rangers sacrifice.
The things you do for love.

I'm not hedging anything. They can go f*** themselves and I would take the 2nd given the choice.

I don't want their help.

 

[Machinehead]

You have to hand it to Quinn, he has our guys playing hard. This roster has been decimated over the past 2 seasons, but they refuse to tank.

Frankly, I'm fine with it. I'd rather draft 9th and have a team that plays hard and holds each other accountable for their effort level, than be a cesspool of talent development for a slightly higher chance to draft first overall. Obviously, if we could find a way to do both, that would be awesome, but completely unrealistic.

I look at the teams below us in the standings, and I honestly don't think a single one is a better environment for young, developing players.

If we continue to accrue assets, we're going to hit on one of our picks and get that elite talent. Gorton is doing the right things to put us in a position to get that elite talent.

Either that, or they simply don't have talent to develop, like LA and NJ.

What we're doing is a lot better than tanking with no farm system.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Lol Tampa fans are playing the "Hey, our team doesn't care and is just waiting for the playoffs card."

No, your team cared plenty last night... Until they got punched in the face, then they wilted and got worked by a team that has like 4 and a half players on it.

 

[Seanharold]

who is this? I dont know the faces of the draft eligible players

 

[Seanharold]

who is this? I dont know the faces of the draft eligible players

nevermind. Pavel Dorofeyev

 

[Seanharold]

Just a thought... but Quinn has a work hard / grind it out style. I feel like we aren't going to be drafting a lot of Russians unless they have that gritty style. Just my opinion

 

[Larrybiv]

I think a lot of people are sleeping on him. If he continues to play this way and keeps developing that's one top 6 spot we don't have to worry about going forward

He's basically back to where he was pre injury + maybe even a bit better

Strength is still an issue but can be slowly worked on

The only one that may be sleeping is Buch. The time is NOW for him to really get it together. No better opportunity to.
IF you compared Vesey with Buchnevich, most would say Buch has more talent.......right?
With that understood, we have all heard and we all KNOW that this is still a "game", and its basically understood that if you are having FUN, that would help translate in your success and vice versa......right?
Over the years Vesey has had issues with that, we have see it written all over his face. (If you were perceptive enough) When he wasn't getting sufficient playing time or not scoring over a significant amount of time, nary a smile you'd see. Somewhat understandable. Right?
Buch......same thing. Just don't see him having fun. Maybe he is and hides it well, maybe he's pissed because he isn't getting what he wants. Maybe he misses Mother Russia. Who knows?

Point is......placing them side by side.......they both may be nothing more than big spoiled babies......growing up with that celebrated silver spoon......but, that isn't going to cut it. I see Vesey as being the more cerebral, and he is smart enough to realize that this is "his opportunity" to be who he has always believed himself to be......a goal scorer.
Buch? Still too many questions, I mean.......what is he? A goal scorer? A really good passer? Sees the ice in superior fashion? A tough player to play against? A clutch player? Intelligent? Like I said, too many "un-answered" questions. Maybe he is taking baby steps (apropos wouldn't you say?).......... IMHO, isn't even quite close. Not even being close to Vesey, and that says alot in itself. Not yet, anyway.
How about start with having fun, a smile can go a long, long way.

 

[TheTakedown]

After He hit Kucherov

March 1st and I'm already nominating this for post of the montg

 

[Larrybiv]

I'm not hedging anything. They can go **** themselves and I would take the 2nd given the choice.

I don't want their help.

Lol. Okay, so we DO feel the same. I actually cannot STAND that team as comprised. Went to ECF game #2 in Tampa. Had to make that long drive home with a horrific OT loss in my back pocket. I will NEVER forgive them for that ride all the way to Pompano beach/Ft. Lauderdale area. #hatekillorn

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Identify, identify, identify. I actually LIKE (in theory) what they did in signing him to 6 years. At the time it seemed a no brainer. Not saying it was a BAD signing, mainly because he is young and talented, but he is still certainly going through his peaks and valleys. Imo, no sooner he scored that OT winner early in the season......and then his game went to ****.
He has recovered somewhat.......and there is still hope for him, its just painfully obvious he isn't the 2nd coming of McD. Think that is what the Rangers were trying to sell here. With rising salaries, his deal should be a good one for the Rangers, but he DOES need to be better......not McD better, but just better.
He needs to play "his game", play solid defense and use his gifts accordingly. Stop trying to live up to that contract. We aren't winning a cup anytime soon so, relax, play smart and have fun. You're fine kid, least of our problems here. It will come.

Recovered somewhat? He is playing really well considering what is playing ahead of him. Until this team has players surrounding these guys it's hard to judge them, same for Hajek in Hartford. I'm liking what I'm seeing really. He seems to be adding more bite to his game as well, I think he is one of the bright spots since January.

 

[TheTakedown]

Ada with 26:34 of ice time.

About f***ing time

 

[Larrybiv]

Oops

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Just a thought... but Quinn has a work hard / grind it out style. I feel like we aren't going to be drafting a lot of Russians unless they have that gritty style. Just my opinion

Whoever your coach is should not affect who you draft. Neither should positional need. You draft the best player available based on your scouting reports.

I know Dorofeyev is on the Rangers radar.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Whoever your coach is should not affect who you draft. Neither should positional need. You draft the best player available based on your scouting reports.

I know Dorofeyev is on the Rangers radar.

Whats his KHL commitment?

If its long enough, he may very well be someone they're targeting with the later 1st.

 

[Larrybiv]

Lol Tampa fans are playing the "Hey, our team doesn't care and is just waiting for the playoffs card."

No, your team cared plenty last night... Until they got punched in the face, then they wilted and got worked by a team that has like 4 and a half players on it.

That is their ridiculously low, knowledge challenged fan base, approaching that of Pens fan base. Can you spell spoiled? I witnessed it 1st hand at that PO game, almost got into 2 fights, and my GF almost had 1.....but I stopped it short. Arrogance.
You had best bet, the players will be made WELL AWARE of complacency setting in. The fans, can do and sat whatever stupid things they want......won't change how the Lightning will go about their business. But, they had just better realize that it simply ain't that easy. Should probably watch last years tapes.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Whats his KHL commitment?

If its long enough, he may very well be someone they're targeting with the later 1st.

Signed until 2020 for now. He's probably 2 years away anyway so no reason to pass on Dorofeyev because of his commitment

 

[SML2]

Rangers every time Lemieux was on the ice

 

[Larrybiv]

I'm not hedging anything. They can go **** themselves and I would take the 2nd given the choice.

I don't want their help.

Lol. Okay, so we DO feel the same. I actually cannot STAND that team as comprised. Went to ECF game #2 in Tampa. Had to make that long drive home with a horrific OT loss in my back pocket. I will NEVER forgive them for that ride all the way to Pompano beach/Ft. Lauderdale area. #hatekillorn
Some team will HAVE TO win the cup, I look at it like if it so happens to be Tampa, then so be it. We will benefit from that.

I will verbally root for Dallas to win the cup, (and for Zuccha) or at least get there. If it is Dallas/TB.......so be it.
Winnipeg? Eff that 4th. Won't ever root for that team, despite Hayes. He won't stay though, just KNOW it.

 

[Larrybiv]

Recovered somewhat? He is playing really well considering what is playing ahead of him. Until this team has players surrounding these guys it's hard to judge them, same for Hajek in Hartford. I'm liking what I'm seeing really. He seems to be adding more bite to his game as well, I think he is one of the bright spots since January.

Okay fine.......guess I minimized his recent play. He really is getting back to what was so promising..... prior to his contract.

 

[will1066]

Torts would say that we played with some jam last night.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Something that Pionk still seems to not understand is that you can't give any NHL players, stars or plugs, time to pick their shot. NHL players are so good nowadays and the game is so fast that giving a player an extra second unimpeded without at least pressuring them is just asking to get scored on.

He's done it all season on odd man rushes, in zone plays and other situations. For example, the idea that "he had the pass" is closing the book on his assignment on a 2on 1 isn't true, it might be true at lower levels like NCAA, but in the NHL giving a player that extra second unimpeded to line up their shot and pick their hole to shoot has to drastically increase their chance of scoring. You need to guard from the pass while also forcing the puck carrier to feel pressure from you, you don't want them comfortably taking their time to snipe. NHL players are too skilled and too good to do that.


I feel like all season in all different situations, along with his poor gap control, Pionk has yielded so much unnecessary time and space to offensive players.