How about the team actually plays hard in front of Hank today

[dumpstralmannow]

That would be nice instead of just letting guys stand in front without any attempt to cover them.

 

[dumpstralmannow]

That is why I don't think there is a lot of leadership on this team even when Callahan is here. This nonsense has been going on for a while. They played better in front of Biron as well.

 

[vroppelt]

You think they wont go with Talbot again? I wouldn't be surprised to see him get back to backs, he has sat for three weeks, its not like he isn't rested....

 

[dumpstralmannow]

Nope. Hank has 3 days off after this. The team needs to play as hard for Hank as they do for the backup goalies. This crap has been going on for years.

 

[vroppelt]

Talbot getting the start tonight (as per Zipay). Only Hank on the ice for practice this AM.....

 

[dumpstralmannow]

Guess they will play hard tonight. Then when Hank returns, sit on their worthless asses as usual.

 

[NYR31]

Ride the hot hand while it lasts. Hard to believe as crappy as they've played they are only 1pt out of 3rd place and a PO spot. That's how much this division BLOWS. Sooner or later this team will play better (back to back wins would be a nice start) and hopefully there are some heavy currents at sea that wake Sather up and does something to improve the team.

 

[dumpstralmannow]

This team has no chance of winning a cup. I stand by my strategy. Trade off Boyle, Girardi, Callahan, Brassard, MDZ and if possible Richards for as many high picks and prospects as they can get. Then make multiple offers to RFA's. If they have to go 8 years, 72 million for Johansen then do it. I know, it's another Blue Jacket but that kid is freakin good.

 

[NYR31]

As currently constituted, no, but if Sather does his job there is no one in the entire East that scares you. If we go into the playoffs playing good hockey and get hot, no one's going to remember how bad we played in Dec. But changes are needed.

 

[strudwickisthebest]

Yea let's make Johansen one of the highest paid players in the league for 30g 30a

 

[dumpstralmannow]

Shocking, another dumb comment from Struds. Johansen is 6'3, about 220 now. He's 21 and is a legit first center down the line. You would know that if you actually looked at anything in a player other than fighting.

 

[NYR1962]

I believe Johansen is 23. He's just coming into his own. CBJ have been waiting for this. He's their best offensive weapon and they're not letting him go.

 

[dumpstralmannow]

He's 21. While I agree they would probably match, even if they do, you still hurt a team in the division but giving them a lot less cap room. Make RFA's offers is a no lose, strategy unless you go into the off-season with a lof of RFA's yourself.

 

[Ranger71]

Unless the Rangers finish with a top 5 pick Id go after a young RFA like that. They need it more right now than a few draft picks.

 

[NYR1962]

You are right about him being 21. Just thought I read 23 somewhere. Makes him even more impressive. He's playing huge right now. Would love to have him, but tryi8ng to hurt CBJ's cap might only end up hurting ours. That's not to say we shouldn't go after him, but how high do you go?

 

[chuckd3534]

Following the Rangers win over Toronto, Derick Brassard said on MSG that when Henrik Lundqvist was in net for the Rangers, the team in front of him played looser and gave up more scoring chances.

Brassard said that the Rangers need to play the same way in front of Lundqvist that they do in front of Cam Talbot. He added, “Henrik is our best player and he will be huge for the rest of the season.”

With Lundqvist in net, the Rangers allow about 27 shots per game and with Talbot in net, the Rangers allow 24 shots against per game.