From Brooks:
"“None of my teams are going to tank. I’ll never tell a team to lose,” Dolan said. “I think teams that tank are giving away something really big. I think they’re giving away that emotional development for the team. You can see how important that is.
“You have responsibility to the fans; fans pay for tickets and they deserve best game you can give them. That’s probably No. 1. But when you go in and tell a team, even if you’re just telling the coach, to lose the game, you’re dispiriting your team. That hurts more than getting a better draft pick helps. It’s hard to reignite the spirit of the team.”"
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From Custance "NHL Trade Big Board: 20 players who could move before the deadline Craig Custance":
"4. Kevin Hayes, Rangers: He’s big. He’s a center. He’s a rental. He’s everything a contending team like the Bruins or the Jets would love to plug into their lineup for the stretch run. Hayes has 33 points in 39 games and will be one of the biggest targets before the trade deadline. “He’s a really good player,” said one NHL source. “I think it’s buyer beware when he’s signing his next contract … but as a rental? Awesome. He’s not going to be a first-line center. Let’s say it’s the Bruins, he’ll be their third center. Then he’s really good.”"
"7. Chris Kreider, Rangers: It would have to take a significant offer to lure Kreider away from the Rangers. He’s already hit 20 goals this season. He’s got another year left on a team-friendly deal that has a cap hit of $4.625 million.
But Kreider may be the best example of what one GM was referring to when he pointed to the Rangers as a one-stop shop for buying teams. If you want a rental forward, they have one. If you want a veteran forward with a good contract, they have one of those too. Need help on defense? They have just about any kind of player you like there. “The New York Rangers – they have every flavor you can imagine,” said the executive."
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Gorton have been shopping all his players around the league. He is laying the groundwork for a big sell-off. Dolan doesn't know another big sell-off is coming?
Good work by Gorton. Seriously though, you can't order your players to "lose". But they are not dumb, the message get their anyway. Their teammates that can play are sent elsewhere and they have nothing to play for. Every article written about the team keep tracks of their "rivals" at the wrong end of the standings the last months before the season ends.
The last skid has put us in a position to go for a high pick in the draft. Gorton must go for that pick. You want Jack Hughes, Kaakoo can become really good, there should be a good player available at 3-4.
