Big Blue Huddle

Zibanajad's play is unacceptable.  You will go nowhere with your first line center playing like this. 

Sadly, 15 games in and Chytil leaves with the dreaded upper body injury.  Hard to have anything but a bad feeling.

Quote from: Messiah717 on November 14, 2024, 09:24:29 PMSadly, 15 games in and Chytil leaves with the dreaded upper body injury.  Hard to have anything but a bad feeling.

Sadly agree with you.

But Jimmy Vesey is coming on strong right now and that's a shot in the arm. It took a while for the Rangers to get into gear yesterday but five minutes of dominance yielded three goals which barely stood up against the Sharks. They'll have to do better on the road because Seattle is no pushover and neither are Vancouver, Calgary or runners' up Edmonton from last season.

I think getting Quickie one or two of the games on the road might get them the spark they need. That said, Igor did well enough despite the few shots in his direction last night.

Peace!

Such bad news with Fil. He's an absolute bonus 3rd liner. Far superior to Vesey.

It's early but I'm not sure we are better than last year.

Quote from: EDjohnst1981 on November 15, 2024, 05:30:53 PMSuch bad news with Fil. He's an absolute bonus 3rd liner. Far superior to Vesey.

It's early but I'm not sure we are better than last year.

The early votes in seem to forecast that you are correct. There's a long way to go and nobody last year at this time, for example, would have ever guessed Edmonton making it to a seventh game in the Finals after the slow start they had. Remember their 17-game winning streak?

The Rangers winning all five on their Northwest Canadian trip last season kicked them into gear and into first place where they stayed the rest of the season, if I remember correctly.

Lots of hockey to play, and who knows if they will be active this year before the trade deadline to boost the lineup heading into the playoffs.

They are not quite a Tier 1 team right now but definitely a Tier 2 working to become a Tier 1.

The Seattle and Vancouver games will be good tests for them before heading to the snow country in Alberta for even tougher clashes. Plenty of opportunity to make some statements in the great Northwest!

Peace!

Quote from: kartanoman on November 15, 2024, 07:21:12 PMThe early votes in seem to forecast that you are correct. There's a long way to go and nobody last year at this time, for example, would have ever guessed Edmonton making it to a seventh game in the Finals after the slow start they had. Remember their 17-game winning streak?

The Rangers winning all five on their Northwest Canadian trip last season kicked them into gear and into first place where they stayed the rest of the season, if I remember correctly.

Lots of hockey to play, and who knows if they will be active this year before the trade deadline to boost the lineup heading into the playoffs.

They are not quite a Tier 1 team right now but definitely a Tier 2 working to become a Tier 1.

The Seattle and Vancouver games will be good tests for them before heading to the snow country in Alberta for even tougher clashes. Plenty of opportunity to make some statements in the great Northwest!

Peace!

Oh I agree. And I've always been a proponent so get your dance card and see what happens.

Well, when Quickie starts the Western road trip by delivering back-to-back shutouts, and a number of outstanding saves in goal, the Rangers controlling the puck in a quiet 2-0 victory, you realize and begin to appreciate the fact they Rangers have, by far, the best goalie tandem in the league, bar none.

I thought they defended well last night. The Octopii's goalie, Brubauer, also has a great game but the Rangers kept battling until the Breadman fed a nice pass from the corner, across the face of goal to Lexy who tapped it in to open scoring in the second period.

I am ecstatic to see Jones get more ice time this season and he demonstrated what he can do in transitioning defense to offense. His taking it coast to coast and finishing it with the Rangers' second score in the third period is, in my opinion, something thr Rangers could have used against Florida in last season's semifinals.

But a good tune up game for the Rangers as they get ready to go into Vancouver for what is expected to be a more challenging, and exciting, matchup with Igor expected to return between the pipes

Peace!

So is Will Cuylle just a star now? That third line has been tremendous

Quote from: jgrangers2 on November 20, 2024, 08:30:53 AMSo is Will Cuylle just a star now? That third line has been tremendous

One of the reasons this team might end up being better than last year's when it's all said and done is guys like him developing.  I don't know if he's going to sustain this forever but he certainly looks more comfortable and just better out there than last year.  Especially early last year.

Chytl rejoining the team in Calgary. No concussion. https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/injury-update-filip-chytil-doesnt-have-concussion-travel-calgary/
The bottom six may be the difference this year. The fourth line just may be better than most if not all the fourth lines in the league. The third line has two #1s, and a #2 pick. They have speed, grind, and talent.

Good news for now on Chytil.  Unfortunately, I still feel it's not a matter of if but when.  I hope not because he's a huge piece they need.

Kakko 13 points in 17 games.  Not too shabby for a "bust".  Cullye 16 points.  Their analytics as a line are very strong, as well.

Kakko has a long way to go to justify the second overall pick. 

Quote from: Messiah717 on November 20, 2024, 11:37:11 AMKakko has a long way to go to justify the second overall pick. 

There is not a single team in the league that would not have taken Kakko if they had the 2nd pick.

Quote from: coggs on November 20, 2024, 12:33:48 PMThere is not a single team in the league that would not have taken Kakko if they had the 2nd pick.

Picking him is not the issue.  His output as a winger taken second overall is.  He needs to take the leap Lafreniere has.  The guy has three goals and overall 60 in 320 career games.