Who is the biggest disappointment?

[BlueshirtBlitz]

I expected Stepan to put up 70~ points playing with Nash, so i've been disappointed.

I was disappointed in Hank's play in December, but he's ranged from average NHL goalie to elite NHL goalie since then, and the team as a whole looked awful before December and Hank's stats aren't as atrocious as Dec, so it's hard to hate.

But it has to be Nash. 11 goals in 11 games, after going 15 games with 3 goals. Then he followed it by scoring 2 in another 15 games. He'll possibly finish the season with less than 20 assists.

He was very good for a 6th of the season so far. Bad for half of it, and average for the rest. Not gonna cut it.

edit- And the Stepan hate is still misguided. Nash isn't putting up points because Stepan isn't getting him the puck, ESPECIALLY post-Olympics. If having a guy like Stepan making defensive plays all over the ice isn't enough to get your offense going, you're not worth the money you're making.

 

[Trxjw]

Nash, and it's not even really close for me. All that talent and he's absolutely invisible more often than not. Very disappointing even before you consider the paycheck, or how much we gave up to get him.

MSL has been disappointing thus far, but it's too early to draw any conclusions. However, it's looking like we might want to avoid players who are demanding a trade when we start to consider future roster decisions.

Stepan has been disappointing as well, but not to the extent that Nash has been.

 

[Riverdale]

Nash and Stepan.

 

[marciiauzii]

does this guy even know that we have two guys named Moore?
I voted John Moore. I really expected more from him but nothing great yet. Bottom guy.

 

[stan the caddy]

Nash missed a lot of time. In an 82 game season he'd be on pace for around 34 goals. That's solid and he's also been good on the pk.

Richards scoring is still down but for whatever reason people have been acting like he's been so much better than last year. Another disappointing season for Bobby.

 

[Mikos87]

Having a tough time picking just one. Disappointment is a relative thing, so I would define it as who isn't meeting expectations.

I think the board here has it spot on with Nash and Stepan.

Step looks a step slow and out of shape compared to last year. Did not like the hold out, and did not like that he isn't fit to be a top line center this season after taking a big step last year.

Nash... you know for what he is supposed to bring he's brought it maybe 1 game out of 4 on average... and that is not acceptable. He isn't playing like a franchise player and needs to step up.

What alarms me the most is the lack of urgency this team plays with given the circumstances they find themselves in. The current roster needs a bit of an overhaul. Not a drastic one mind you, but there are too many holes in the line up... and too much inconsistency and a lack of self starters that will keep this team from contending.

I would like to see the physical immaturity, and inconsistency off of this team by start of next training camp. There are a couple of gaping holes in the lack of another top 4 defenseman (preferably RHD), and another legit top 6 center.

Some of the spots on the bottom half of the line up can be filled with kids and UFAs, but the others need to be addressed via trade, and with the lack of assets to play around with, and cap room, we are very much in for another marginalized season next year.

 

[TheTakedown]

I'm going to go with Nash. Don't care about the injuries, we all know that the concussion injury didn't come off as a serious one, and even before that, Nash looked ****ing terrible anyway. Beyond that, it's his overall game that makes me sad...
lazy with the puck
not a team player
skillset is rather lacking other than his wrist shot, especially considering his pay rate and cap hit
does not take risks with the puck
Seems to have trouble finding chemistry with anyone
has a big mouth and no actions to show for it...

This isn't even the typical "retire with the Rangers" guy... he's just ****ing pathetic. fell off a cliff, even Richards has been better than him..

Nash, and it's not even really close for me. All that talent and he's absolutely invisible more often than not. Very disappointing even before you consider the paycheck, or how much we gave up to get him.

MSL has been disappointing thus far, but it's too early to draw any conclusions. However, it's looking like we might want to avoid players who are demanding a trade when we start to consider future roster decisions.

Stepan has been disappointing as well, but not to the extent that Nash has been.

The more i Analyze it, all we really did was trade Dubi for Nash, and Dubs has been the more complete player, without a doubt. We basically traded an all-around 25 goal | 50 point guy for a 40 goal scorer | 60 point "superstar".. Horrible trade

Brassard = Anisimov, so I am not so upset about that

Erixon was never going to get a shot here

Gaborik was on a downhill trend, so I'm glad we did sell high on him, although I wish that we could re-sign some of his services next year on a reasonable contract

 

[Wolfy*]

Poor Nash...don't bash. How cruel you are...

Don't forget he's worried about his head after all these concussions.

He will never be the Nash he used to be. We have to expect lower production from him, and because of that his salary is too high. I'd say he's a 4-5M a year player.

But he signed that crazy deal over 12 years with CBJ, handed over to us. What can we do...I hate deals like that.

 

[Inferno]

Has to be Henrik Lundqvist imho. AINEC.

If Henrik is anywhere close to what he was the previous ~8 years, we're in the #2 spot in the metro EASILY.

He's lost us quite a few games this year.

But if anyone has earned a pass, its Henrik.

 

[stan the caddy]

Nash's career goal average per season is around the low to mid 30's so he's basically been Rick Nash this season.

 

[Rangers ftw]

Agreed to a point... I think the style of his pla, defensive awareness first, and that hes not a burner with speed people will never love him for what he is.
Hes a solid reliable 2 way center who will put up 50-60 points every year and might have a couple 60-70 point seasons. And at 3 million a year hes an absolute bargain. If you expect him to be a point per game guy your expecting to much... and I dont think we want him to be. hes arb eligible after next year and he will be worth 7.5 a year if he produces how you want him too and hes not a 7.5 million dollar player. I will pay him 5 for the next 6 years and be happy as can be.

Agree about the first part, that is the kind of player he is. And maybe I set my expectations too high after last season when he was a PPG player, but I do think that he also looked more confident last season, with the puck and stronger in his overall. However, he is still young and I still think that he can become that 70-75 point player, and at that point I'll gladly pay 7.5 AAV for that production along with his two-way game. If he pan out to be a 55 point player that's alright, but my expectations are set higher.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Has to be Henrik Lundqvist imho. AINEC.

If Henrik is anywhere close to what he was the previous ~8 years, we're in the #2 spot in the metro EASILY.

He's lost us quite a few games this year.

But if anyone has earned a pass, its Henrik.

With regards to Lundqvist, I think hes been very good the last couple of months. For me, not only does he get a pass for carrying this franchise for 8 years, but he also gets a pass for having to deal with a system adjustment that has led to defensive breakdowns in the most critical of areas.

Its an issue that so many people glossed over when pleading for a more offense oriented system. "Oh, if the defense suffers, we have Lundqvist back there." I dont care who you have back there when so many prime scoring opportunities are taking place on the rush and in the slot. To expect the same performance from a goaltender when a team has really abandoned a lot of team defense fundamentals is a bit unfair.

At the same time, the system is tailor made to help out a guy like Nash but, other than an 11 game stretch in January, he has simply been disengaged. This is a guy who has to want it more out there and, when that happens, its the epitome of disappointing.

 

[Samuel Culper III]

does this guy even know that we have two guys named Moore?
I voted John Moore. I really expected more from him but nothing great yet. Bottom guy.

If John Moore is your biggest let down you must be fairly content with the season. Moore is way down by the bottom of my list of expectations AND impact. Moore could have the worst year of his career and wouldn't effect us as much as if McDonagh missed a mere 5 games. Not sure how anyone can name Moore here when so many big fish completely underperformed, to the point of virtual invisibility at times, this season.

 

[I Eat Crow]

It blows my mind that Nash is getting so many votes. You people are aware that he missed 17 games with a concussion right? He'd be on pace for over 35 goals if he was healthy all season. It's ludicrous that you vote him over Richards or Stepan.

It was close, but I voted Richards. I was hoping he'd come out and skate harder this season to show the front office why he shouldn't be bought out. He constantly blows his defensive assignment and only has as many points as he does due to the power play. Buy him out and take your lumps with Brassard and Miller next season.

 

[Samuel Culper III]

Everyone saying Nash is on par for his average and thus not disappointing are missing the point. This is Rick Nash; you're right. That's what disappointing. That his 30 goals are virtually meaningless and he is a soft, lifeless, floating, invisible opportunist who pads his stats in blowouts and is otherwise found in the locker room playing angry birds while a chubby lookalike skates clueless circles around the offensive zone is what is so disappointing. There isn't a bigger waste of size and skill in the league today. He's the least impact-full "star" in the NHL. In a normal Rick Nash season.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

It blows my mind that Nash is getting so many votes. You people are aware that he missed 17 games with a concussion right? He'd be on pace for over 35 goals if he was healthy all season. It's ludicrous that you vote him over Richards or Stepan.

It was close, but I voted Richards. I was hoping he'd come out and skate harder this season to show the front office why he shouldn't be bought out. He constantly blows his defensive assignment and only has as many points as he does due to the power play. Buy him out and take your lumps with Brassard and Miller next season.

The "if" game is fun.

What about if you erased that 11 game stretch in January?

Its disappointing to me that it seems said concussion(s) has seemingly effected his ability to be more engaged on a game to game and shift to shift basis.

 

[I Eat Crow]

The "if" game is fun.

What about if you erased that 11 game stretch in January?

Its disappointing to me that it seems said concussion(s) has seemingly effected his ability to be more engaged on a game to game and shift to shift basis.

Nash has never been a physical player. He's big but almost never throws the big hit. He uses his size and reach instead to protect the puck and pick off passes and pucks from opposing sticks.

It's not fair to expect a guy to be what he is not. What makes Nash alluring as a player is his athleticism and shooting ability. He's never been someone to run amuck in the offensive zone chasing down opposing defenders and crunching them into the boards to create turnovers.

He's overpaid by about 1-1.5 million a year, we know that deep down. That's why I'm not disappointed, he's pretty much been what I expected, which is a big, but not physical sniper that's on pace for about 35 goals a year.

I'm disappointed in Richards because I thought we'd see more urgency out of him this year. His point totals are on pace to go down from last season, and has been marginally worse in his own zone, at least to me.

 

[stan the caddy]

Everyone saying Nash is on par for his average and thus not disappointing are missing the point. This is Rick Nash; you're right. That's what disappointing. That his 30 goals are virtually meaningless and he is a soft, lifeless, floating, invisible opportunist who pads his stats in blowouts and is otherwise found in the locker room playing angry birds while a chubby lookalike skates clueless circles around the offensive zone is what is so disappointing. There isn't a bigger waste of size and skill in the league today. He's the least impact-full "star" in the NHL. In a normal Rick Nash season.

His goals aren't meaningless and he doesn't float as much as you think. He's actually played a very solid defensive game this year. On a team that can't score, fans blame the best scorer. It doesn't make any sense.

 

[SA16]

Everyone saying Nash is on par for his average and thus not disappointing are missing the point. This is Rick Nash; you're right. That's what disappointing. That his 30 goals are virtually meaningless and he is a soft, lifeless, floating, invisible opportunist who pads his stats in blowouts and is otherwise found in the locker room playing angry birds while a chubby lookalike skates clueless circles around the offensive zone is what is so disappointing. There isn't a bigger waste of size and skill in the league today. He's the least impact-full "star" in the NHL. In a normal Rick Nash season.

Show me the data then proving that he scores meaningless goals more often than other 30+ goal scorers the past several seasons. Because your statement is almost certainly to be false.

 

[Samuel Culper III]

I don't understand why people defend Nash. Do you see him out there? Do you like what you see? Are you satisfied with his nightly performance? Do you think he's worth even 75% of his 8M salary? Is he noticeable? In a positive way? The guy has been absolute garbage, outside of literally 10 games. Never been a physical player? Mostly true, I won't put up a big argument, but he also used to post. 100+ hits a year and won't break 20 this year. Doesn't mean they were big hits, but a guy his size, throwing the body in the corners to keep possession alive is important. He no longer does that, at all. He used to at least battle for loose pucks and drive the net, either from the corner, the half wall or on the rush, like a bull. Now he all he really does is curl away like a ***** cat instead. Don't get me wrong; he's always largely been a floater. He is invisible far, far, far too often for a player paid as handsomely as he is, but the difference in years past was that he at least lit up when the puck got on his stick and became a bull who would fight to either keep it on his stick or stuff in the net. Now that part of his game has disappeared and there's nothing left to make up for his overall lack of involvement and contribution, which has been an issue his whole career. The only difference was that in past years he came alive once the puck came to him. Now he just barely does anything.

 

[member 116805]

Didnt vote as i couldnt decide between Nash and Stepan

 

[Samuel Culper III]

Show me the data then proving that he scores meaningless goals more often than other 30+ goal scorers the past several seasons. Because your statement is almost certainly to be false.

What data? Some made up sabermetric crap that people only pretend to understand? I'm not building a court case here, I'm sharing my observations. When I watch the games I don't see a clutch goal scorer or an involved player. I certainly don't see the "good defensively" unless good is a completely relative term used to compare him to guys like Richards and Brassard. I see an unengaged player who is mailing it in and often scores in blow outs and games that are already out of hand. This is what I believe when I watch Rick Nash and the Rangers. I'm not here to spend my time digging for stats which every poster here can and does (myself included) twist to prove whatever they want. I already spend FAR too much time at HF as is.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Nash has never been a physical player. He's big but almost never throws the big hit. He uses his size and reach instead to protect the puck and pick off passes and pucks from opposing sticks.

It's not fair to expect a guy to be what he is not. What makes Nash alluring as a player is his athleticism and shooting ability. He's never been someone to run amuck in the offensive zone chasing down opposing defenders and crunching them into the boards to create turnovers.

He's overpaid by about 1-1.5 million a year, we know that deep down. That's why I'm not disappointed, he's pretty much been what I expected, which is a big, but not physical sniper that's on pace for about 35 goals a year.

I'm disappointed in Richards because I thought we'd see more urgency out of him this year. His point totals are on pace to go down from last season, and has been marginally worse in his own zone, at least to me.

That argument only goes one way as far as Im concerned - specifically, thats its unfair to ask a player to play above their talent level.

This is an issue of physicality and willingness to engage. Getting into the dirty areas of the ice is less about talent and more about wanting to get there.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

I voted Lundqvist. Abnormally inconsistent. Career-worst GAA and most 3+ goals in season in only 50-odd games.

In 33 games in which he's faced under 30 shots, he's 15-18.

In 2012, in 37 games in which he faced under 30 shots, he was 24-13

The Rangers go as Lundqvist goes. Not news. This is the first year where he hasn't carried them, and if not for Talbot this team would likely be 8 or 10 points out of the playoffs.

Lundqvist has to go 11-2 or 10-3 to close the season out to change my mind.

A normal Lundqvist season after 53 games would probably give the Rangers 4-5 more wins in the standing this season.

Those additional four wins would give them 41 wins and the Rangers the 3rd best record in the Conference as of today.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

The only reason why I didnt ding Nash -- who was great in the regular season a year ago, was because he suffered a concussion to begin the season.

He's been an empty uniform on so many nights, but he's playing four full mins a night less than last season, and this season hes killing penalties. Yet he's still on pace for about 28 goals in 65 games which will probably lead the team.

Stepan hasnt been much help to him either. Stepan and nash have both had disappointing seasons.