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The Rangers are on another level right now.
Dominant.
Dominant.
OFFICIAL HOCKEY THREAD: NHL, KHL, NCAA, IIHL
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by philballa09,
- Start date
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Bruh...
What the %##%... again ONE *$!%%! goal for the wild that comes in the 1st off Heatley.. Seriously the only line that can produce a *$!%%! goal is our 1st line (Heatley Koivu & Setoguchi)
No one else can bury the puck. No one.
This free fall is ridiculous .. from being #1 in the league in Mid December to being out of the playoff picture and losing to teams like Columbus and Anaheim.. Its ridiculous...
I kind of want the team to give up and hope the team just TANK to get a decent draft pick... And pray we pick up Parise in the off season...
At least the Rangers won
What the %##%... again ONE *$!%%! goal for the wild that comes in the 1st off Heatley.. Seriously the only line that can produce a *$!%%! goal is our 1st line (Heatley Koivu & Setoguchi)
No one else can bury the puck. No one.
This free fall is ridiculous .. from being #1 in the league in Mid December to being out of the playoff picture and losing to teams like Columbus and Anaheim.. Its ridiculous...
I kind of want the team to give up and hope the team just TANK to get a decent draft pick... And pray we pick up Parise in the off season...
At least the Rangers won
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*looks at Rick Nash on capgeek*
I want no part with that
Anyways, I'd do Hemsky for Jon Blum in a SECOND.
I want no part with that
Anyways, I'd do Hemsky for Jon Blum in a SECOND.
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I know Boston is not playing well as of late, and it's VERY early, but I think ECF comes down to Blueshirts and Bruins....
Would be
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Cally has been red hot as of late.. Jeremy Lin is overshadowing what the Rangers are doing.. but this doesn't happen very often for the Blueshirts.. so I'm just gonna enjoy being tops in the league. Hope they don't hit a cold streak.
@December-I know Minny is a hockey town so it must suck whats going on with the Wild.. but at least you got the Rangers.
@December-I know Minny is a hockey town so it must suck whats going on with the Wild.. but at least you got the Rangers.
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Flames :] woohoo! Also if Ducks somehow crawl up to that 8th seed. :O
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I'll go a step further: I know it's chalk, but Rangers vs. Red Wings in the SCF.Originally Posted by youngin33
I know Boston is not playing well as of late, and it's VERY early, but I think ECF comes down to Blueshirts and Bruins....
Would be
As much as it pains me to say this, I don't see anyone in the East stopping New York-- except perhaps the Pens, with a healthy Crosbot. They are designed for the playoffs: great goaltender, shotblocking, physical play, and at least three offensive threats up front (Gabby, Richards and Callahan).
The West, of course, is a toss-up, but I suspect it will come down to SJ and Detroit.
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Originally Posted by True Blues
I'll go a step further: I know it's chalk, but Rangers vs. Red Wings in the SCF.Originally Posted by youngin33
I know Boston is not playing well as of late, and it's VERY early, but I think ECF comes down to Blueshirts and Bruins....
Would be
As much as it pains me to say this, I don't see anyone in the East stopping New York-- except perhaps the Pens, with a healthy Crosbot. They are designed for the playoffs: great goaltender, shotblocking, physical play, and at least three offensive threats up front (Gabby, Richards and Callahan).
The West, of course, is a toss-up, but I suspect it will come down to SJ and Detroit.
I concur with your predictions on the SCF. I hope the rangers can make it through the playoffs without losing their edge.. this isn't the same team that's had mediocre playoff success since the lockout.. but a lot of other teams in the east have that playoff experience over the last few years, which the Rangers in my opinion lack. On the flipside they have beaten most of the best teams in the league. Red Wings vs. Rangers would be nice. But a Vancouver/Rangers rematch would also be nice. I felt real bad for them when you guys won last year
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Bruh these dudes are getting boo-ed off the iceOriginally Posted by sircharles2ol3
@December-I know Minny is a hockey town so it must suck whats going on with the Wild.. but at least you got the Rangers.
But word. BLUESHIRTS!
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So the Wings have won 21 home games in a row, thats ridiculous
I wish we could just win 2 in a row at home
I wish we could just win 2 in a row at home
Originally Posted by True Blues
I'll go a step further: I know it's chalk, but Rangers vs. Red Wings in the SCF.Originally Posted by youngin33
I know Boston is not playing well as of late, and it's VERY early, but I think ECF comes down to Blueshirts and Bruins....
Would be
As much as it pains me to say this, I don't see anyone in the East stopping New York-- except perhaps the Pens, with a healthy Crosbot. They are designed for the playoffs: great goaltender, shotblocking, physical play, and at least three offensive threats up front (Gabby, Richards and Callahan).
The West, of course, is a toss-up, but I suspect it will come down to SJ and Detroit.
I don't know about beating em 4/7 but the Devils will put up a fight if Marty stays healthy. That is a different team than the one of the last few years. Wouldn't write off the Pens/Bruins either. Even without Crosby.
Out West, I'd say between Van/SJ.
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I'd actually be willing to part with Jack Johnson, if that's what it takes.
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Vancouver will come out of the West again.
I was at the Flames/Leafs last night. Absolutely insane how many Leafs fans showed up. Go Leafs Go chants were hilarious.
I was at the Flames/Leafs last night. Absolutely insane how many Leafs fans showed up. Go Leafs Go chants were hilarious.
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I'd also like to go on record as picking the St. Louis Blues as a darkhorse in the West.
Like NYR, they are built for the playoffs.
Like NYR, they are built for the playoffs.
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Can Washington make a push in the East, or has that ship sailed?
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Can they? Yeah. But theyll be in that 5-8 range like bobby said..
but
With no Backstrom/top 2 centers. I dont see it happening..
but
With no Backstrom/top 2 centers. I dont see it happening..
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Hopefully not and if they do Vancouver will riot again when the East rep hands them another loss in the SC.
As good as the Rangers are doing I don't see them in the ECF, my money is on Pittsburgh & Boston. As impressive as the Wings streak is they will fade once the playoffs come.
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Still mad about that avy, hey?
It's alright. Chicago seems to be doing well.
It's alright. Chicago seems to be doing well.
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Originally Posted by empirestrikesfirst
Still mad about that avy, hey?
It's alright. Chicago seems to be doing well.
Not mad at all. Chicago wins the Stanley Cup when they're in it though.
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Too soon.
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it depends.. I know Brian Elliott well - we were together alot of the ASW as he was with the Sens alot but hes very mentally weak. As soon as he is off his rocker, there may as well be an empty net all game. He needs to somehow regain confidence after a bad goal... until then, the D will have to play perfect games and keep their rep of letting the least amount of shots given in the league.
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^ Interesting insight.
I wonder, though, if Hitch will even go with Elliott in the playoffs. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts Halak instead-- especially given his otherworldly performance two seasons ago.
I wonder, though, if Hitch will even go with Elliott in the playoffs. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts Halak instead-- especially given his otherworldly performance two seasons ago.
I think it'd be Halak to start with a short leash. I think the same method would be used in Vancouver too. Which is why they wouldn't trade Schneider.
Article on the Kings winger need.
Article on the Kings winger need.
Spoiler [+]
As a journalist, you can't assume anything. So earlier this week, when talking to Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi about his trade deadline plans, I asked if his priority was a goal-scoring winger.
He answered my question with a question: Have you ever seen the movie Midnight Run?
I hadn't.
Lombardi set a scene in the movie where one of the characters is in an airport, flying back to Los Angeles.
"He goes to get the airline ticket and it's back when you could smoke, and he's puffing away when he's asked if he'd like smoking or non-smoking," Lombardi said.
"He looks up and says 'Take a wild [expletive] guess."
So we go back to the original question. Are the Kings looking for a goal-scoring winger?
"Take a wild [expletive] guess," Lombardi said laughing. "You don't have to be a rocket scientist when you're last in the league in scoring."
And they are. The Kings currently average 2.10 goals per game, which is No. 30 overall in the NHL. The good news is that they're allowing only 2.07 goals per game, which is No. 3 overall but it's sure a tough way to eek out two points every game. When they score three or more goals in a game, they're 18-0-1. So it's no surprise that Lombardi is exploring every option to try and find a way to add a player who can help his team get to that magical three-goal mark a little more often.
Of all the teams believed to be in the Rick Nash sweepstakes (more on Nash later), the Kings might be the one who would benefit the most if he shows up in their home locker room.
Lombardi is the architect of this team and he built it the only way he knows how. From the goalie forward.
"I might be a little old school," he said in talking about his blueprint.
Now, he has nearly everything in place to be a serious contender, with Mike Richards the final piece to the puzzle in Lombardi's attempt to strengthen the center of the ice. All that's left is that goal-scoring winger. The guy who can change the game in one moment. The guy who can ease some of the pressure to score goals being felt in Los Angeles by guys like Richards, Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams.
Is Lombardi exploring every possible avenue to make it happen? Take a wild guess.
What they did last year near the deadline: Acquired Dustin Penner from the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Colton Teubert, a 2011 first-round pick (Oscar Klefbom) and a 2012 third-round pick.
Where they are as a franchise right now: This is a team that could be on the cusp of something great if they get over the final hump. The Kings are very comparable to the St. Louis Blues in that their young core group has matured to the point where they're expected to contend. If it doesn't happen now, then it's time to examine if some of the young cornerstone players are as good as we think they are.
Like St. Louis, the Kings changed coaches this season, another indication as to how crucial this season is for them. They're beyond the point where just making the playoffs is a success. This is a team that needs to make the playoffs and win a round or two to continue the progress shown the last couple of years.
Rival NHL executive's scouting report on GM Dean Lombardi: "Dean is very, very emotional when making trades as far as he'll -- put it this way, he's going to overvalue his players. He overvalues his own players, which is common among a lot of people. Some guys just do it a little more. But Dean is not afraid. He'll make the big deal."
What they need: The lack of goal-scoring has started to seep into the psyche of the Kings' players. Even when they score three or four in a game, the moment things dry up in the following game, the pressure to score immediately returns. The Kings desperately need somebody who can help the team break through that mentality, because there's too much talent up front for the Kings to be producing so little. It doesn't sound like Simon Gagne is particularly close to returning from his concussion, so that leaves the trade market.
[+] Enlarge
Dave Sandford/Getty Images
If the price is right, the Kings would love to see Rick Nash sitting in their locker room.Nash would be perfect and the Kings are one of the few teams that have the organizational depth right now to pull this trade off before Feb. 27, although it might take a little work to make it happen under the salary cap. In all likelihood Penner would have to go the other way to make the numbers work.
TSN's Darren Dreger reported that the Columbus Blue Jackets are asking for Michael Del Zotto in any deal with the New York Rangers, so it's possible that the Kings would have to part with Jack Johnson to make it happen. And Jonathan Bernier. And a couple of prospects. It's not going to be easy, but the payoff would be huge.
"[Nash] is a world-class player," said his former teammate in Columbus, Mike Commodore. "You're getting scoring, a guy who can kill penalties, a great player five-on-five and he can dominate games."
If Lombardi isn't ready to blow things up for Nash, another solution might be Nash's teammate Jeff Carter.
"Don't count L.A. out of that mix," said an NHL source. "They're looking for a top-six forward big time."
It would reunite Carter and Richards in Los Angeles less than a year after Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren broke the duo up in trades that were followed up by reports that there was a chemistry problem in the Flyers' room, with those two in the middle of it. It's a risk Lombardi would have to be comfortable making, but there are plenty of people in the organization who know Carter well.
Another option would be the Edmonton Oilers' Ales Hemsky, who Lombardi showed interest in last season at the deadline before acquiring Penner. Assuming the Kings and Oilers are willing to deal with each other after this summer's debacle surrounding the Ryan Smyth trade, that's another option. But even the Hemsky pricetag remains high, with the Oilers looking to land help on defense.
What they can give up: The biggest chip remains goalie Jonathan Bernier, who may be the best young backup goalie in the league outside of Vancouver. Bernier was the 11th overall pick in the 2006 draft and would likely be starting in the NHL if he didn't have a Vezina Trophy contender playing in front of him. In 11 starts, he is 3-5-1 with a .900 save percentage and 2.57 goals-against average.
Lombardi might have to consider moving Jack Johnson in his attempt to add goal-scoring, if the return is worth it. American defenseman Derek Forbort (6-foot-5) is another prospect teams will surely ask about when dealing with the Kings.
NHL scout breaks down Los Angeles' deadline strategy: "They're pretty solid in goal, their defense is steady. They have guys back there with Johnson and [Drew Doughty] who can provide offense. I can see them wanting to add a [Jeff] Carter-type guy. I think they could use a fourth-line guy too.
"But I think they should go out and get that top two line player. If they're going to move Jack Johnson, it's no secret, he's not the most defensive-minded guy. He brings that offensive upside and he's still young. If you're giving him up because you want to get better, you'd better make sure [of a big return]. He has a bomb for a shot, and in the playoffs special teams can win or lose you a game."
He answered my question with a question: Have you ever seen the movie Midnight Run?
I hadn't.
Lombardi set a scene in the movie where one of the characters is in an airport, flying back to Los Angeles.
"He goes to get the airline ticket and it's back when you could smoke, and he's puffing away when he's asked if he'd like smoking or non-smoking," Lombardi said.
"He looks up and says 'Take a wild [expletive] guess."
So we go back to the original question. Are the Kings looking for a goal-scoring winger?
"Take a wild [expletive] guess," Lombardi said laughing. "You don't have to be a rocket scientist when you're last in the league in scoring."
And they are. The Kings currently average 2.10 goals per game, which is No. 30 overall in the NHL. The good news is that they're allowing only 2.07 goals per game, which is No. 3 overall but it's sure a tough way to eek out two points every game. When they score three or more goals in a game, they're 18-0-1. So it's no surprise that Lombardi is exploring every option to try and find a way to add a player who can help his team get to that magical three-goal mark a little more often.
Of all the teams believed to be in the Rick Nash sweepstakes (more on Nash later), the Kings might be the one who would benefit the most if he shows up in their home locker room.
Lombardi is the architect of this team and he built it the only way he knows how. From the goalie forward.
"I might be a little old school," he said in talking about his blueprint.
Now, he has nearly everything in place to be a serious contender, with Mike Richards the final piece to the puzzle in Lombardi's attempt to strengthen the center of the ice. All that's left is that goal-scoring winger. The guy who can change the game in one moment. The guy who can ease some of the pressure to score goals being felt in Los Angeles by guys like Richards, Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams.
Is Lombardi exploring every possible avenue to make it happen? Take a wild guess.
What they did last year near the deadline: Acquired Dustin Penner from the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Colton Teubert, a 2011 first-round pick (Oscar Klefbom) and a 2012 third-round pick.
Where they are as a franchise right now: This is a team that could be on the cusp of something great if they get over the final hump. The Kings are very comparable to the St. Louis Blues in that their young core group has matured to the point where they're expected to contend. If it doesn't happen now, then it's time to examine if some of the young cornerstone players are as good as we think they are.
Like St. Louis, the Kings changed coaches this season, another indication as to how crucial this season is for them. They're beyond the point where just making the playoffs is a success. This is a team that needs to make the playoffs and win a round or two to continue the progress shown the last couple of years.
Rival NHL executive's scouting report on GM Dean Lombardi: "Dean is very, very emotional when making trades as far as he'll -- put it this way, he's going to overvalue his players. He overvalues his own players, which is common among a lot of people. Some guys just do it a little more. But Dean is not afraid. He'll make the big deal."
What they need: The lack of goal-scoring has started to seep into the psyche of the Kings' players. Even when they score three or four in a game, the moment things dry up in the following game, the pressure to score immediately returns. The Kings desperately need somebody who can help the team break through that mentality, because there's too much talent up front for the Kings to be producing so little. It doesn't sound like Simon Gagne is particularly close to returning from his concussion, so that leaves the trade market.
[+] Enlarge
Dave Sandford/Getty Images
If the price is right, the Kings would love to see Rick Nash sitting in their locker room.Nash would be perfect and the Kings are one of the few teams that have the organizational depth right now to pull this trade off before Feb. 27, although it might take a little work to make it happen under the salary cap. In all likelihood Penner would have to go the other way to make the numbers work.
TSN's Darren Dreger reported that the Columbus Blue Jackets are asking for Michael Del Zotto in any deal with the New York Rangers, so it's possible that the Kings would have to part with Jack Johnson to make it happen. And Jonathan Bernier. And a couple of prospects. It's not going to be easy, but the payoff would be huge.
"[Nash] is a world-class player," said his former teammate in Columbus, Mike Commodore. "You're getting scoring, a guy who can kill penalties, a great player five-on-five and he can dominate games."
If Lombardi isn't ready to blow things up for Nash, another solution might be Nash's teammate Jeff Carter.
"Don't count L.A. out of that mix," said an NHL source. "They're looking for a top-six forward big time."
It would reunite Carter and Richards in Los Angeles less than a year after Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren broke the duo up in trades that were followed up by reports that there was a chemistry problem in the Flyers' room, with those two in the middle of it. It's a risk Lombardi would have to be comfortable making, but there are plenty of people in the organization who know Carter well.
Another option would be the Edmonton Oilers' Ales Hemsky, who Lombardi showed interest in last season at the deadline before acquiring Penner. Assuming the Kings and Oilers are willing to deal with each other after this summer's debacle surrounding the Ryan Smyth trade, that's another option. But even the Hemsky pricetag remains high, with the Oilers looking to land help on defense.
What they can give up: The biggest chip remains goalie Jonathan Bernier, who may be the best young backup goalie in the league outside of Vancouver. Bernier was the 11th overall pick in the 2006 draft and would likely be starting in the NHL if he didn't have a Vezina Trophy contender playing in front of him. In 11 starts, he is 3-5-1 with a .900 save percentage and 2.57 goals-against average.
Lombardi might have to consider moving Jack Johnson in his attempt to add goal-scoring, if the return is worth it. American defenseman Derek Forbort (6-foot-5) is another prospect teams will surely ask about when dealing with the Kings.
NHL scout breaks down Los Angeles' deadline strategy: "They're pretty solid in goal, their defense is steady. They have guys back there with Johnson and [Drew Doughty] who can provide offense. I can see them wanting to add a [Jeff] Carter-type guy. I think they could use a fourth-line guy too.
"But I think they should go out and get that top two line player. If they're going to move Jack Johnson, it's no secret, he's not the most defensive-minded guy. He brings that offensive upside and he's still young. If you're giving him up because you want to get better, you'd better make sure [of a big return]. He has a bomb for a shot, and in the playoffs special teams can win or lose you a game."
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Thanks for that article.
Lombardi's job is dangling at this point. I honestly think they are one scoring forward away from being a juggernaut in the West.
Also, is Chicago willing to give up a star piece to get a legit goaltender? Kane??
Lombardi's job is dangling at this point. I honestly think they are one scoring forward away from being a juggernaut in the West.
Also, is Chicago willing to give up a star piece to get a legit goaltender? Kane??
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