Kane is a 3x cup winner. I thought his experience (and obvious talent) was going to be a big addition during the playoffs, but clearly didn’t work out well at all.
I just don't know what you do - who is taking those contracts, and they all have NMC's. I hear you sit them or make their lives miserable, but that's not realistic and won't be done. Z I keep because he is a C, and is damn good, this series notwithstanding. I never was a fan of the Trocheck signing, and said it day of. More years and money than Strome or Copp, and to me he is in the same ballpark as those guys, and I have never seen a guy so unable to finish and miss as many glorious chances as Trocheck. And Panarin needs to go, I just don't know how you move him. It is going to be very interesting to see what Drury can do, and does. Starting with the coaching decision. I think the Rangers need a Torts light. Someone who instills a D system and discipline into the team, without being an a**. Both AV and Gallant are softer "player coaches", and we need a change from that (Quinn doesn't count as a college coach here as a caretaker for a few years when we were not good).
Defense sucked this year in the playoffs. Very overwhelmed. Mikkola is a Fuckin lunk, they were better off playing that other lunk Harpur. every line sucked. 4th line didn’t work out. Vesey should have never gotten a 2 year extension and Motte 2.0 backfired. this is definitely the most disappointing team I’ve ever seen. We did not get the Patrick Kane and Tarasenko of yesteryear
We cannot go backwards, and what is done is done, but I think this franchise was Dolaned again, and that is why we are where we are now. You fire JD and Gorton, who set this team up, to bring in unproven and untested Drury. Not smart, and certainly not deserved. Drury had a great trade DL last season, and then all those guys left, and he has been terrible since.
If I were a betting man, I think you are right actually, and I think it is big mistake after this pile of crap series.
Panarin needs to go. At least Rick Nash shot, hit and played hard during those runs. You can’t compare this guy to even Nash in the playoffs. Outside of the goal v . Pittsburg he hasn’t done much to help win a playoff series and definitely doesn’t it play to the level he plays at in the regular season
The jury is still out on Drury but I can't get on him too much for this years moves, trading for Vlad and having Kane basically force his way here. Just didn't pan out, though Tarasenko was good imo.
I can’t believe they no showed in a G7. I was also very wrong about this roster of players. Extremely disappointing doesn’t even begin to describe this playoff performance. There is no shame losing to a really good Devils team. But how they lost is inexcusable and I will also say you can’t bring Gallant back. Roster wise Panarin is the guy you have to move on from somehow. Some guys just can’t play in playoffs and he is one. Beyond that I’m too pissed off to care right now. Other than saying I couldn’t have been more wrong about the way this team was built.
They lost the series in games three and four. The confidence and momentum the Devils gained was obvious and game five proved that. It's not even like anyone in particular dominated them. It was just a team effort and system that overwhelmed the Rangers.
Hate his signings - Goodrow too much money, Trocheck for more years and money than Strome or Copp, and he is right in the same range performance wise. Drury will earn his money this summer. Team needs some major changes, that is clear. After this no show series, cannot run it back as is. He doesn't have much flexibility, but what will he be able to do with the NMC guys, what does he do with the RFA's, what does he do with Gallant. This offseason will tell us a lot about Drury's ability IMO. And I'll say it again, because I think it is a huge issue, we need a real NHL 3rd line, not a 3rd line made up of top 6 scorers/finesse guys. That means moves have to be made, and the kids moved up or gone. And so much blame to go around on all these no show guys, but jesus did Laf/Chytil/Kakko even play in this series, you barely heard them name at all. They were literally invisible.
Right, didn't like Trocheck over Copp. I was more referring to his in-season stuff but the summer wasn't great for him.
I agree with just about all of this, especially the Panarin and Gallant comments (I don't know how you can bring Gallant back off of this). What I disagree with is your first line. I am not one drop surprised they no showed game 7, not at all. Again not saying I predicted they would, but absolutely I thought they could. Hell, they no showed games 4 & 5 after a whatever at best game 3, and a sh*t first period in game 6, so why couldn't they no show game 7. Not surprised at all that happened, and that is sad and says a lot.
Agreed - needed to take 3 or 4, but to your point I am more focused on how they no showed then the fact they lost. That's the part that is damning. They no showed multiple playoff games. And yes the Devs deserve 100% credit for what they did, but when you score two goals in 4 + games, and have single digit really good chances in those games, that is two sided, not just oh what great D by the Devs. A lot of hockey is want and desire, and we had none of it. That is so damning to all of them. Cannot wait to hear what they said post game - are any of them real about their sh*t effort.
Othmann is a really nice prospect who will take a spot, and maybe Cuylle is ready to take a 4th line spot. Not sure if Vesey works better on a 3rd line or not. Motte wasn't as effective this time around but for 1-2m maybe he gets brought back. Mikkola gone who cares, Harpur and Robertson can get them through or maybe they add a 3rd pair D at the DL. Even less wiggle room next March for additions.
Just crushing. They didn’t even show up. What a waste. Henrik must have been having PTSD watching that.
They may - as I thought he was terrible in that series. And the difference to me is first the Bruins were amazing in the regular season, we were not; the Bruins had multiple injuries in their series, we did not; he has been there for one year, Gallant two years; we played with zero effort or passion in 4 of the last 5 games, the Bruins did not; we scored two goals in 4 + games we lost, the Bruins scored goals, their goalie just didn't step up like Igor does for us. So I don't think it is apples to apples quite honestly. And we know your deal Al, everyone is good, status quo, Rangers in 5, the kids suck. There is a time for positive, there is a time for negative, there are fans who are way too negative all the time about everything, but respectfully Al you are just as bad, but the other way. Just because it is all rainbows and unicorns and you sing a happy song, doesn't make you not as off the reservation as the fans who complain and whine about everything and say everyone sucks all the time. Like anything you need balance and to be objective, and again respectfully Al, you are not my friend. And that's cool, but know that please.
It basically seemed like the Devils were playing with an extra skater in games 4,5 and 7 but maybe that's partially due to the Rangers just looking that terrible too.
