Big Blue Huddle

Quote from: files58 on Today at 03:01:54 PMPlay a smothering, grinding defensive style BACKSTOPPED by an All-World Goalie. Nothing discourages an opponent like having to go through a meat grinder only to then face a goalie like Igor. John Cooper during the season described the Rangers as difficult to play against. Multiply that "difficult" by three. Throw in an occasional xcheck to the mouth, and a more than occasional open ice body check. Florida got away with punching Marchand which effectively eliminated him from that series, and then took out Vesey, a prime penalty killer with a headhunt check. The correct response for Vesey should have been the next day Lonborg gets to sit in a Maxillofacial surgeon's chair.

Another problem was what was discussed during the season was their five in five scoring.  This was often masked with a very successful power play.  As soon as the Power play went south in the playoffs they had trouble scoring goals.

Quote from: babywhales on Today at 01:20:36 PMMost teams have "breakdowns" as you put it.  It is the way it works more than not, of course some teams just fall short.
Oilers
19/20 Lost qual
20/21 Lost 1st Round 0-4
21/22 Lost Conference Final 0-4
22/23 Lost 2nd Round 2-4
23/24 Stanley Cup Final

Avs
19/20 lost in 2nd Round 3-4
20/21 Lost 2nd Round 2-4
21/22 Stanley Cup Champs
22/23

Panthers
19/20 lost in qualifier
20/21 lost in 1st round 2-4
21/22 lost in 2nd round 0-4
22/23 lost in Stanley Cup 1-4
23/24 Returned to Stanley Cup

Vegas
19/20 Lost Conference Finals 1-4
20/21 Lost Stanley Cup 2-4
21/22 Did not Qualify
22/23 Stanley Cup Champs


This team is solid but something needs to be addressed to shore up the defense. Simply using Igor as a backup plan for defensive deficiencies is not a long term solution.

After last season the comments around had not making the playoffs an all but certainty. 

Work to be done on the roster but this roster does not have to be imploded imo, even if it were that easy.

Nobody said blow it up but there needs to be changes. 

I agree the salaries and trade clauses make it tough.  They just can't keep running back the same core.  They failed against Tampa, shouldn't have lost to NJ and got pushed out by Florida.  Two conference finals are nice but going out quietly in both speaks volumes.

This core has proven twice bowing out meekly in the ECF is as far as they can go.  If parts aren't replaced the same breakdowns will keep occurring. They need more than just swapping out role players. 

Kakko is a bust and needs to go.  He's a second overall pick that's a third liner.  Chytil unfortunately will never be healthy and is like Lindros always one bad hit away.

Trouba is grossly overpaid and has become a defensive liability.  Miller needs someone to wake him up because he too big and talented to be such a non-factor.  Fox I'm tired of the yearly he must be playing hurt bull crap. 

The big three of Mika, Panarin and Kreider are let's face it losers.  Always the same story with them in the playoffs where they can't be counted on. 

That's the major problem they face.  Drury who has been awful quite frankly gave out no trade clauses like they're candy bars.  And these guys are grossly overpaid which limits their flexibility.

Panarin 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.

Quote from: Giant Obsession on June 01, 2024, 11:28:24 PMWhat is the website which shows salaries for every team by individual  ??

Who are the Rangers besides Mika and Kreider who have "mo trade clauses" ??

My biggest fear about this season is we will be forced to stand pat next season for the most part. 

Cap friendly.  Vampires will die before some of these contracts are up.

Drury is in over his head.  His trade deadline absolutely sucked.

Five shots on goal in the third.  Absolutely gutless lead by Mika who I never want to see again.  What a soft piece of garbage.

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on June 01, 2024, 10:54:26 PMLost to a better team. Simple as that.

I'm sorry but enough of the nonsense.  Jersey last year.  Tampa the year before.  Tampa in 2015.  Jersey in 2012. Rinse and repeat. 

Five shots in the third period facing elimination.  Says it all about this loser franchise. 

Bunch of disgusting gutless losers.  No reason to invest as much time or money in these clowns anymore.

Florida is definitely a terrible matchup.  Eight games this season and they have yet to beat them in regulation. 

Soft team that will be soundly eliminated in Florida.  Mika should be told to lift his NTC and be sent out of here.  Completely invisible and useless out there.  Panarin went from MVP like play during the season to just wanting to skate around the perimeter.  You can't win when your top line produces absolutely nothing.  Very stubborn by this coach to not move Lafreniere up to top PP line.  No adjustments and stubbornness from a HOF coach.