Tampa is a joke

[kreidertime]

Choking it up again. This team they are really embarrassing themselves. This will go down as one of the biggest choke jobs in NHL history.

 

[theProdigy223]

It’s a joke. The good news is that if they were going to lose, lose early so that second rounder is as high as possible. Worst case for us is for them to lose in the finals or even the ECF. The pick will now be in the late teens Id think, especially with Kucherov about to get suspended.

And you know what it is, too many Ex Rangers over there who brought the AV no-intensity, country club, passive style with them. Roll through the regular season then get bullied all through the playoffs.

I’m only being half sarcastic. You noticed when we played them toward the end of the year they were extremely passive and too business-like.

 

[Ranger71]

Yeah at least if they and Dallas lose early maybe we can package those 2nds and move up to equate to another late 1st. At this point I'm kind of rooting for Columbus to knock them off, 16 slot difference be damned. Clark would probably reach for the 50th ranked guy anyhow.

 

[RangersFan]

I hear you on Tampa, but I am kind of rooting CBJ now also. I think it would be hilarious for a team that had 21 more points than any other team to get rolled in round 1. Pick 31 or 58 is a difference, but high odds are you are not getting a big difference maker at 31 anyway. I also wouldn't be upset seeing McDonagh, Girardi, and especially Miller come up short again.

With all that said I am more focused on the Jets right now. That Hayes trade could be a steal. Hayes has been invisible so far, and if they lose to the Blues that becomes the 20th to 22nd pick. That is a very solid pick, and sets us up great for the draft.

And BTW, you see why Zucc was loved here. Watching the Stars/Preds closely, he is making an impact and doing what he does. He is the one guy I'd love to have back if it is a reasonable deal for 2 or 3 years. Assuming they come up short against a very good Preds team (I think last night was their shot to win that series), getting a solid 2nd and 3rd for him was a good deal which would be great if he comes back.

 

[RangersFan]

Brooks does a good job breaking down the pick possibilities (assuming Tampa, Dallas and the Jets lose in round 1) when discussing Fox in his article today:

But they might have been tempted at No. 31. Now, the Blueshirts will have to consider whether to sacrifice one of what could be as many as three second-rounders (their own at No. 37, Tampa Bay’s at what would be 58, and Dallas’ at what would be 49) in order to acquire the 21-year-old.

APB out for Kevin Hayes, who played merely 8:32 in the Jets’ Game 2 defeat to the Blues including 1:50 in the third period of the 4-3 match. Hayes has not taken a shot attempt in 23:51 through the opening two games of the series that St. Louis leads 2-0 heading home. If Winnipeg loses the series, the pick going to the Rangers would be 22nd overall or better.

 

[RangersFan]

If the Rangers have picks 2, 21, 37 & 49 that would be awesome. Then maybe you would deal 58 for Fox.

And if CBJ does beat Tampa it delays our opportunity to hire JD for Pres. That is not ideal, but is what it is. I think JD will be the guy, unless his CBJ contract becomes an issue.

 

[kreidertime]

Rangers should not give up any decent pick for Fox when Carolina knows he's coming here for free. Rather just give up Pionk and a 6th

 

[panzerporter]

Not shooting has always been Hayes problem, especially frustrating since he has a decent shot. Zucc is a very good player but he falls into that sentimentality trap - are the Rangers paying him for what he's done or for what he's going to do. If this is a rebuild they have to move forward not back. I don't think Zucc will have a problem getting paid, could see him in a Pens uniform. I trust Gorton to find a few more diamonds in the rough this draft.

 

[Messiah717]

Tampa going out like this would've been the equivalent of Golden State losing in the first round after winning 70+ games.

 

[kreidertime]

When Tampa is knocked out and they will be, the team must be completely blown up. Kucherov, Stamkos and Point must all go. They need to completely rebuild. If you can't get past the first round with that team, they will never come close to winning a cup.

 

[RangersFan]

Tampa losing in round 1 is one of the biggest upsets in a very long time, maybe decades. They were 2-1 to win the cup, and again had 21 more points than any other team in the league. Shocking, double so considering how they have been dominated since going up 3-0 in game 1. I actually think they are shell shocked about game 1, and it has snow balled on them, that happens in the NHL. I bet you they are waking up today saying how the F did we get here.

I agree they need to reshape that team. The way this series has unfolded is alarming in many ways for them. Tampa has been around on that doorstep for 4 or so years now, in the NHL that is a pretty long window of long runs, and it is draining and sometimes when you don't get fully over the hump you have to reset a little.

As for CBJ, I like that team and think they have a good shot to beat Toronto or Boston in round 2, especially Toronto.

 

[panzerporter]

Kucherov had 128 regular season points, bumpkiss in the playoffs, same for Stamkos - the President's winner only wins the Cup a little over a third of the time. I think ex-Rangers will be sent packing before the headliners, they put the asses in the seats. I like Pitt getting bounced early too.

On a seperate note, AV coaching Philly?

 

[kreidertime]

So much for the brilliant Yzerman ripping off the Rangers in those deals. You can see who won those trades now. It's the Rangers.