I think the difference would be that on the 3rd line in NY, the Rangers have talent to play with. In Carolina, they don't. In Carolina they want their 3rd line to be a defensive line. The Rangers had that. Last night they did not with Richards on the 3rd line.
That would be the difference. He can't be a checking line forward which is fine because the LW depth on this team is abysmal.
Don't think we'll be making any more trades for wingers my man. I think the Rangers just went through hell to get Fast over here, same with Zuccarello.
We'll maybe see a trade for a defender (similar to a Morris). Half season rental with some sort of use. Hamrlik doesn't seem to be getting the job done.
Also, Boyle has underperformed a bunch this year but I don't think we should trade him. He's turning it around. He fights for his team mates, I don't think another mercenary would do as good of a job as him at this stage of the season. We're a hot streak away from making an impact in the east. We have still yet to find the identity of this seasons team. Trading important locker room guys isn't the answer to finding it.
I strongly disagree with the notion that our forwards are more talented than Carolina's. Who on our team is a 100 point center? Then you have Jordan Staal who would be good enough to be a 1c on this team. Not only that but you have Tlusty who has more goals than anyone on our team. Not to mention Skinner who has insane ability, and Semin who is capable of 40 goals any given season, as well as blossoming into a playmaking winger.
Not to mention how phenomenal Joni Pitkanen is with the puck on his stick, I believe he has better vision/passing than MDZ in the O-zone. Their forwards obliterate ours, while we have the advantage in our defense and goaltending. So Jokinen isn't suffering down in Raleigh, quite the opposite actually on a team loaded up-front with Ruutu, Jokinen, Staal, Staal, Skinner, Semin, Tlusty (all would be top 6 forwards on this team).
Mats Zuccarello says hello!
Keep going.Sabres are not trading Ott for Boyle, Thomas + 3rd? maybe.
Keep going.
Yeah, that's why if we get him, it will be for pieces that we don't want to give up.That's what's the Sabres will be saying to the bidders. A lot of teams would love to have him.