Where do the Rangers go from here?

[Caps8112]

some of the shock posts are always fun. Rangers lost in game 6 of the conference finals. Have a top 5 goalie. Yea some pieces could be changed out but they just ran into a buzz saw that has been playing the way they do in the playoffs for 2 seasons. Be shocked if the panthers don’t win the cup

 

[Stealth JD]

Hope Draisaitl wants to pursue other options and trade Mika for him.

 

[Goptor]

They have been in need of upgrading their defense every year for the past 3 years. I don't know if their management cares because they've done nothing the entire time.

Miller-Fox
Chychrun-Schneider
(Gustafsson/Ghostisbehere)-Trouba

If Schneider cannot handle the increased responsibility, pick up a 2nd pair RD at the trade deadline.


I don't think their forwards are the problem. I think they don't get enough help offensively 5on5 from the defense.

 

[BLNY]

Seems a bit knee-jerk, but posts about selling off players where the perception is they're not good enough when it counts is always a bit of a laugh. "Buy our stuff! We're tired of it! It will be great for you though!"

That said, Panarin, Trochek, Kreider and Zibanejad had 63 points in 64 playoff games. Lafreniere hat 14 in 16 games. I think those guys did their jobs even if they were stifled more again the Panthers than in the first two rounds. Panthers are just very good.

Fox only had 8 assists in 16 games. He was a ppg player in his previous two playoffs. A down year? An injury? He'll be back.

Anyone expecting $8 million of play from Trouba is always going to be disappointed. I don't think he had a bad playoffs. He's just never going to live up to that price tag.

Shesterkin was fantastic.

Zibanejad and Trochek may not be superstar centers, but they're both very good 1b's. For me, it's secondary scoring. There's really no offence after the forwards mentioned above. Vesey, Cuylie, Kakko, Brodzinski, Goodrow, etc.; even with Goodrow scoring 6 goals, there's just not enough there that you can throw out with a realistic expectation that they can help. They need to find a couple of Wheeler types with gas left in the tank.

 

[Jumptheshark]

The6 go golfing

 

[JackSlater]

Everyone knows that Trouba is a problem and that they'd be better off upgrading on Zibanejad, but fixing those two issues would be really difficult. Other than a smart depth pickup in free agency the only thing I can see that could elevate the team is hoping that Lafreniere jumps a level. Should probably invest in giving him a bigger opportunity, even if it is not as easy a fit in the early months of the season.

The Rangers are a good team. Not really a scary team though. Shesterkin on his current deal is a huge perk, as is the potential Lafreniere has on his current deal, so this is the time to go for it.

 

[ccman68]

trade shit players like panarin and zibanejad and get some players who can drive play at 5v5 and maybe they win a cup. not gonna win anything with the current team unless shesterkin has a .950 save%

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Every year everyone points out they’re a bad 5v5 team that relies on a PP that can get cold at any time - and every year they’re proven right.

 

[ColbyChaos]

Hope Draisaitl wants to pursue other options and trade Mika for him.

You would have to include Fox if you think you can dump Mid ass mika

 

[dgibb10]

A goalie can only save you from the fact that you get thoroughly dominated by every team you play for so long

 

[elmaco]

Juice is probably not worth the squeeze, but if they can get something good...

I'd shoot for an Eichel trade if I were them. Keep Zib, but give up quite a bit of futures to bring in a true #1C and bump Zibanejad down two 2C, where he's a lot scarier.

You're crazy if you think Vegas will trade Eichel.

 

[JEM28]

The seemingly "perfect team" just can't get it done when it matters most

As good as the team is, they are also caught in no man's land of being too good to tear it all down IMO while also not being remotely good enough to win the SC.

I don’t know their cap and contract/nmc situation, but feel like they’re in a spot to make some changes and get bette and contend at an even higher level . They simply ran into a juggernaut here.

The Panthers make everyone look bad and this could finally be the year they confirm my preseason selection of them as cup champs instead of fkg me over 3 years running!

 

[ColbyChaos]

Juice is probably not worth the squeeze, but if they can get something good...

I'd shoot for an Eichel trade if I were them. Keep Zib, but give up quite a bit of futures to bring in a true #1C and bump Zibanejad down two 2C, where he's a lot scarier.

The opportunity to trade for Eichel has long passed already. Hope keeping Kakko was worth it

 

[Devils Trap]

Well the good news is Trouba, Mika, Panarin all have NTC / NMC

Let’s be honest, they aren’t waiving either so they will be stuck with them. I mean Trouba only wanted to go to one team, you think he will willingly leave ?

 

[WarriorofTime]

Since they can’t afford an extension, probably trade Lafreniere while his value is highest after this postseason for defense. They are too thin back there.

 

[Roomtemperature]

Well the good news is Trouba, Mika, Panarin all have NTC / NMC

Let’s be honest, they aren’t waiving either so they will be stuck with them. I mean Trouba only wanted to go to one team, you think he will willingly leave ?

They could buy Trouba out. He's got two year left it would be according to cap friendly a 4,4,2, and 2 cap hit over 4 years. I mean its not ideal but its something if management feels the need to move on. They probably won't but who knows.

 

[MarotteMarauder]

They just won the President’s trophy and were 2 wins away from the SCF

They’re just fine the way I see it

They were outplayed significantly in the last 2 series.

 

[a mangy Meowth]

They need better looking masseuses

 

[Dirty Dog]

They aren’t a stacked team or an absolute juggernaut…but they are one of the best teams in the league. They will run it back.

I don’t see them making moves that push them into some dominant tier, but they will continue to be a top teams with a shot at the cup

 

[Cats711]

Rangers just need to go again. They have a good team. Don't get to the conference final and having the best record in NHL being crap. Just need to find a way to counter the heavy forecheck. Move the puck faster and get the puck on net.

 

[MarotteMarauder]

Acquire skilled players that are willing to get their nose dirty. It's not a good look when Panarin is on the board and just dumps the puck quickly when he sees someone coming to avoid contact. They really lacked the commitment and the willingness to pay the price that the Panthers have.

Panarin is a one dimensional player that does nothing if he doesn't have the puck in space. He absolutely makes NO player on his team better.

 

[Blackjack]

You're crazy if you think Vegas will trade Eichel.

The opportunity to trade for Eichel has long passed already. Hope keeping Kakko was worth it

Sorry, should have been more clear. I meant they need their version of an Eichel trade. i.e. give up big assets for a bona-fide #1 center.

I doubt that anyone available now is near as good as Eichel, but they should be able to significantly upgrade 1C if they're willing to give up premiere prospects and picks.

 

[JEM28]

Trouba, Mika and to an extent Panarin’s contracts are major anchors… can’t get anywhere with 3 deadweight players in the playoffs.

Good teams shut down good players in the playoffs. It’s a real thing.

Panarin is a one dimensional player that does nothing if he doesn't have the puck in space. He absolutely makes NO player on his team better.

Wasn’t aware of this. Rangers fans…is this true?

 

[MarotteMarauder]

Good teams shut down good players in the playoffs. It’s a real thing.


Wasn’t aware of this. Rangers fans…is this true?

Didn't you watch the games?

 

[sattar18]

Good teams shut down good players in the playoffs. It’s a real thing.

Absolutely - but it’s a common theme for Mika & Panarin. Completely shutdown against the Devils the year prior.