Big Blue Huddle

Quote from: Messiah717 on Today at 06:08:08 AMPanarin became Mr. East/West as usual in the playoffs which was opposite of his entire season.  Why? Because he doesn't want to get tough and play playoff hockey.

Mika has no toughness whatsoever and will never be a playoff guy.  It was laughable watching how dreadful he was.

Kreider for all his numbers did his usual disappearing act when things got tough.

All together those three had two goals combined in the series if you count Panarin's useless goal.  You will never win with garbage like that.

Mika is stuck on the books for a long time.

Panarin we have for two more years. With his points total last year and near-MVP discussion season, I wonder if he is tradable for some picks/prospects. The Rangers need to get younger, bigger, and more physical.

Kreider we have for another three seasons but at $5mm per from here out I wouldn't say he's outrageously overpriced.

Trouba another two years.

Team needs a major shakeup but you're not likely to get it.

Not quite my thing.


Strands #91
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Connections
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Quote from: kartanoman on Today at 01:46:16 AMWow, disappointment I get here, but the venom? Harsh, folks.

Two ECFs in three years, both losses to teams who were bad matchups to begin with. It was clear this Florida team out-hustled them, out-physicaled them, could pass the puck with great precision and were always in position. In contrast, the Rangers couldn't overcome their pressure and turned the puck over at the worst of times which led to Florida goals. Yet, despite all that, this crappy, piece of garbage group of overpaid, no trade clause losers, lost by one goal margins, less game one which was a one goal game until the end. The result two years ago was comparable, so it should be clear where the gaps are, as files58 has listed, but it will come at a cost for the future, which they seem steadfast on holding on to.

So, a very good season, otherwise, comes to an end. Is Drury going to make the moves to make a serious run for the Cup next year, or does Drury have to go and someone else with the hunger to go for it need to step in and do what needs to be done? Would that work in Laviolette's system or would that upend all he has accomplished this season?

Lots of unanswered questions and unknowns heading into the off-season. But after the frustration of this one settles, I think it was a heck of a ride and one of the most enjoyable seasons I've followed in all the years I've supported them. I'd rather look at it that way versus the one Cup in 84 years, which is a bit too perverse for me.

Peace.

It was a very good season overall but an ultimately unsatisfying one.

The biggest issue for me is we're stuck with these players who seem good in the regular season but who never step up in the playoffs. Panarin is the poster boy of that, and by the way this dates back to his days in Columbus and Chicago.

Mika and Kreider (despite Kreider's huge third period in game 6 of the 2nd round series) are not far behind.

Laffy did take a big step forward this year but Kakko is a confirmed bust relative to what people thought he'd be coming in. He's worthy of a bottom six spot but he's not a needle mover.

Our defensemen leave a lot to be desired. Miller is a total liability and Trouba is overpaid. Fox is fine but I'm getting tired of hearing he is "clearly playing hurt." This isn't the first year I've heard this with him. Maybe he just is what he is?

We have a great goalie, and those don't grow on trees. And unlike many of his teammates he actually shows up in the playoffs. So we'll continue to be competitive. But it's beyond clear now that no matter how good he is in the regular season Panarin just isn't a factor in the playoffs. And Zibanejad isn't much better.

It's getting tiresome with these vets. They've been on the team for a long time now.

Lost to a better team. Simple as that.

Quote from: brownelvis54 on June 01, 2024, 03:03:31 PMMe too. It was a secret release.
you can watch it in English or stick with Japanese with subtitles.

I know many film aficionados strongly prefer subtitles and scoff at watching foreign films with English dubbed in, but I will confess I prefer the latter.

Quote from: Stringer Bell on June 01, 2024, 07:18:33 PMSigh. He's not ready to give up that paycheck. Mentally, he's not in it. In his heart, he's not in it. He'll play half the season and will be a total non-factor.

Yup. Same thing happened with Solder.

Even though it doesn't suit us, it's hard to blame these guys for not being willing to pass up that kind of money.

Quote from: madbadger on June 01, 2024, 07:00:49 PMWhich would you prefer to have a game with zero sacks but ten pressures that completely wreck the play, or a game with two sack and four pressures? I know which one I prefer. Pressures also lead to interceptions which are awesome too.

Definitely the former, and it's not a difficult choice since you qualified it with the description "that completely wreck the play." Obviously not all pressures wreck plays, so that's an important part your hypothetical.

If you just said 10 pressures but did not specify what would happen, I'd still go with the pressures, but it would be a somewhat closer call.

As a separate but related thought, I wonder what the league-wide numbers are on INTs thrown per pressure and fumbles lost per sack. I have no idea myself, but I'm curious.

Quote from: Philosophers on June 01, 2024, 02:09:43 PMI am already wondering that.  Wrong player for blocking scheme?  Player out of position or on wrong side of OL?

I simply dont know

I don't either. But let's hope it's not even something we have to contemplate.

Quote from: Philosophers on June 01, 2024, 01:40:33 PMI see no reason to be optimistic about the OL at this point.  They've had a revolving door of OL coaches, lots of draft picks, etc and it has failed to produce an average OL much less a good one.  Until they succeed, I won't believe it.

I fully expect the O line to improve this year. We have brought in multiple established veteran O linemen who have been solid for other teams. Our new O line coach ran a solid unit at another team. If our line doesn't at least improve to being mediocre this year, I will start to wonder if their seeming ineptitude is for other reasons.

Quote from: kartanoman on June 01, 2024, 11:46:23 AMI like your optimism, but they'll only be fun if:

1. They've fixed the damned offensive line, and

2. The Sardine Can Turf Monster doesn't eat them up

Perhaps, one more.

They've closed the gap on their division rivals. If they haven't done this, the season won't be anywhere near as fun, even if they can beat the other teams.

Peace!

My contention was that they'll be a lot more fun to watch this year than last year, for the reasons listed. That is a bit different from saying this season will be fun.

Quote from: MightyGiants on June 01, 2024, 07:52:52 AMBobby may be the best FA signing of Schoen's Giants career, to date.

I would say that is an accurate statement.

Quote from: MightyGiants on June 01, 2024, 08:43:48 AMThey are forcing me to watch a 5 second commercial to play every day.  I may drop the game as the quality of the game is often not worth the 5 seconds of my time.

That doesn't happen to me. I am a NYT subscriber. Not sure if you are, but if you're not, that is probably why.

Connections is easily my favorite game of any of the ones we've talked about on the Front Porch. However, it can be super annoying on some days, including totally legitimate answers being called "wrong."

Quote from: Ed Vette on June 01, 2024, 06:44:18 AMStrands #90
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BOOM

At least, that is my opinion anyway, and I feel that way about both our offense and defense.

Offensively, adding in Nabers will give us that electrifying, explosive pass catching threat this team hasn't had since Beckham in his first few years prior to his injuries and decline. No matter what you think of our QB room, this guy is going to be thrilling to watch.

I also think some of our other receiving talent like Robinson and Hyatt will be "unlocked" to some degree due to this guy being on the field. Expect to see both of them dazzle at times and take noteworthy steps forward this season.

Meanwhile it will be interesting to watch some of other young guys, particularly Tyrone Tracy and Theo Johnson. Both have potential to flash as rookies.

And then defensively, one thing I know is that when you have a menacing pass rush, things happen on D. Adding a stud like Burns to play opposite the ascending Thibodeaux, with Dex in the middle and with Okereke right behind them will give us a scary front that should be incredibly fun to watch.

Don't get me wrong - I think this team still has significant talent and depth deficiencies at a number of positions and is a ways away from being a true contender, but I am pretty confident that they will be more fun to watch this year, and there is something to be said for that.