Game 11 Wild vs Rangers

[NYR_94]

The Rangers 100% need to add grit, I agree with you fully. I just don't believe there is a correlation to injuries though. If that were the case, why do other teams that have grit get injuries also (Hischier still got hurt despite having grit on the team - as have many others)? If that were the case, why have the Rangers been very lucky with injuries the past few years despite lacking grit for a long time?

They need added toughness, grind, and grit, in a sport that requires those things to be a complete team, we totally agree. I just don't think they need added grit in order to avoid injuries. Unfortunately, in a contact sport like hockey, injuries will happen grit added or not.

 

[Ranger71]

I think they will deal either KK/Laf at the DL for someone slightly older who maybe they see as giving them more production /experience towards the playoffs. Someone u/30 with another year or two on the contract that they can fit with the cap rising next year. Maybe they even get a 3rd/4th back too in the deal, given those two guys young age and cheap salary. Just my gut feeling. Turn one of them into something tangible for the next 2-3y.

 

[Ranger71]

How about bringing Buchnevich back? The Blues are in no-man's land for the next few years.

 

[kreidertime]

We have no cap room

 

[Ranger71]

If they got him around the deadline maybe they'd have enough accrued along with his prorated salary. Next year if the cap went up to $86 it could work I think. If KK stays he won't get much of a bump, and Schneider might go up to only around $2m. Othmann will help coming in at 900k.

 

[Messiah717]

The NHL is a joke right now with this cap but Bettman gets $8 million a year to keep the owners happy.

 

[NYR_94]

I think the hard cap system the NHL has absolutely hurt the sport. There is zero flexibility, and you cannot keep a team together for more than 2 or 3 years.

A % of the NHL owners are a joke, but I also get on the players for never standing their ground in the NHL and getting steamrolled all the time as a result. As a fan I applaud them because we don't lose a season due to a strike/lockout, but maybe that is what it will take to get a better system. I am good with a cap, but it is too low, and allows for zero flexibility or ability to keep your own core players together over time.

That is why you need to have a bunch of kids/minimum players to have a decent team. It is also why Vegas and Seattle had a huge edge. To start from scratch against the cap when just about every team is maxed out, is a gigantic edge in today's NHL. If a team makes one bad mistake on a big contract, forget it they are done. No good.

 

[PorterPanzer]

If Laf, Kakko and Chytil were even average players the cap wouldn't be such a factor. Hope this is their year (feel like I've written these exact words for years now).

 

[NYR_94]

Sounds like some line shuffling for tomorrow night. Kakko to the 3rd line with Cuylle and Bonino (who moves up). Wheeler up to the top line with Kreider and Z. And Goodrow will C the 4th line with Pitlick and Vesey. Sort of gets to what we have been discussing, how disappointing Kakko has been - 2 points in 11 games playing on the top line. We'll see if this gets him and Wheeler going.

 

[Stepupstepan]

Yeah sure playing with Bonino will wake up Kakko. lol this tool left no choice for this coach. What a joke. This franchise. Wheeler to the top line. That's just wonderful.