The whole team was outskated the entire series versus Florida. They were to the puck first most of the time, and if they werent they had our guys pinned against the boards until they got it.
- aecliptic

That is Florida's game. they do that to everyone. In the regular season and in the playoffs, and it's what I highlighted in my preview blog, they beat everyone 1:1 against the boards. It's what they excel at, no shock they did it again.

EDM has a whole different situation to deal with when it comes to Draisaitl.

However, Draisaitl had 28 points in 18 games leading up to the finals against Florida. He was an integral part in their reason for even being there to begin with.

As far as Zibanejad goes, after a sweep of an old and banged up Capitals team that backed into the playoffs, there wasnt much about his play that was all that impressive. Not this playoffs, and especially not last year.

What I find funny is that critiquing Rangers players seems to be a massive sacrilege among several people here. Like god forbid we talk poorly of our players. How dare we. As if we dont want them to succeed.
- aecliptic

When the opponent is weaker, they dominate, when the opponent is the same or better, they turtle.

Playoffs = Heart.

Which these guys dont have.

I didn’t realize Zadina didn’t get a QO. He stinks, but on a 2 way deal, put him in the minors and see if it clicks. If it does that could be a decent addition.

Let’s say Zegras for Chytil Kakko 2nd


Kreider Trocheck Smith
Panarin Zib Laf
Cuylle Zegras Othmann
Vesey Carrick Rempe

That 3rd line could be a momentum changer.
- nyrangers9479

My issue with Zegras as 3C is hes not that type of player thag I usually would expect to be there. Physical, gritty, defensively capable and somewhat decent on faceoffs.

Let’s say Zegras for Chytil Kakko 2nd


Kreider Trocheck Smith
Panarin Zib Laf
Cuylle Zegras Othmann
Vesey Carrick Rempe

That 3rd line could be a momentum changer.
- nyrangers9479

Thats the trade you propose?? Other teams would be able to beat that with no problem, an under achieving 2nd overall pick, a player coming off a bad concussion and a pick most likely to be ##25 or worse???

Guy had a broken back, Broken arm and a concussion.
- Brukie

Ahhh we use injury excuses for other teams, but not ours. I see!!

Thats the trade you propose?? Other teams would be able to beat that with no problem, an under achieving 2nd overall pick, a player coming off a bad concussion and a pick most likely to be ##25 or worse???
- Brukie

Idc what u want to add. Perrault? Done. I was saying Chytil and Kakko to make the money work. Make the trade however u want to.

My issue with Zegras as 3C is hes not that type of player thag I usually would expect to be there. Physical, gritty, defensively capable and somewhat decent on faceoffs.
- aecliptic

I actually think he’s pretty gritty. Maybe pest might be a better word to describe him?

Ahhh we use injury excuses for other teams, but not ours. I see!!
- Slimtj100

What injury did Zib have?

I actually think he’s pretty gritty. Maybe pest might be a better word to describe him?
- nyrangers9479

A pest he definitely is, maybe working with Trocheck and Zib he can develop more of that two-way game.

Idc what u want to add. Perrault? Done. I was saying Chytil and Kakko to make the money work. Make the trade however u want to.
- nyrangers9479

I have a feeling Verbeek would want Cuylle in any trade for Zegras, which would be a very difficult call. He thinks like you do, build with size

What injury did Zib have?
- aecliptic

Brukie doesn’t believe injuries mattered vs Florida. It was a dig at him

Brukie doesn’t believe injuries mattered vs Florida. It was a dig at him
- Slimtj100

It mattered but Im not sure the end result would have changed. Id love to be wrong but there was no let up in their game. Maybe with a healthy Fox, rather than Gus out there, we can convert on a PP or 2 to steal a game. Who knows.

Trouba Cuylle Kakko and a first

For Zegras and Gudas.

Anyone doing that?

It mattered but Im not sure the end result would have changed. Id love to be wrong but there was no let up in their game. Maybe with a healthy Fox, rather than Gus out there, we can convert on a PP or 2 to steal a game. Who knows.
- aecliptic

I know. I try to myself that’s why we lost and it helps

I know. I try to myself that’s why we lost and it helps
- Slimtj100

Not being able to convert on the PP at all, which was our bread and butter, sealed our fate vs Florida.

Not being able to convert on the PP at all, which was our bread and butter, sealed our fate vs Florida.
- aecliptic

PK is why I’ve so adamant about Zib. Because I’m pretty sure the best 3 PKs in the playoffs were Rangers, Oilers and panthers. It actually kept the Oilers alive as the series went along.

PK is just as important as 5 on 5, and this is kind of what drives me nuts here about Zib getting so much heat. Especially nowadays because have never been this potent. It’s crazy some numbers teams can put on the PP

Trouba Cuylle Kakko and a first

For Zegras and Gudas.

Anyone doing that?
- Slimtj100

No. I don’t think anyone is trading for Trouba right now

No. I don’t think anyone is trading for Trouba right now
- nyrangers9479

I’m obviously assuming the Trouba part works out.

I do think Verbeek would be all over that deal tbh

PK is why I’ve so adamant about Zib. Because I’m pretty sure the best 3 PKs in the playoffs were Rangers, Oilers and panthers. It actually kept the Oilers alive as the series went along.

PK is just as important as 5 on 5, and this is kind of what drives me nuts here about Zib getting so much heat. Especially nowadays because have never been this potent. It’s crazy some numbers teams can put on the PP
- Slimtj100

If he was a 2C/3C no one would say a thing. However, hes exactly what yall say, 40 goal scorer, better shooters in the league. Hes also one of the highest paid on the team, one of the captains, our 1C and come playoff time, when your back is against the wall, you expect a guy like him to dig deep, find another gear. However for most of the Carolina series and the Florida series he seemed more a passenger than a driver.

I’m obviously assuming the Trouba part works out.

I do think Verbeek would be all over that deal tbh
- Slimtj100

Getting rid of Cuylle and Trouba isn’t smart. The league is going back to size and physicality, the Devils just added 5 guys over 6’5 230+ lbs. Rempe can’t handle them all by himself. I think you’re going to see a much more physical NHL this year.

I know Gudas and Trouba physically wise are kind of a wash, but I’m not getting rid of a middle 6 physical 22 year old.

Getting rid of Cuylle and Trouba isn’t smart. The league is going back to size and physicality, the Devils just added 5 guys over 6’5 230+ lbs. Rempe can’t handle them all by himself. I think you’re going to see a much more physical NHL this year.

I know Gudas and Trouba physically wise are kind of a wash, but I’m not getting rid of a middle 6 physical 22 year old.
- nyrangers9479

I wonder if Cuylle can play RW. It will definitely let him get his shot off. Feels like everyone is a LW on this team.

Chat GPT rankings

Prompt: Rank top 15 centers in the NHL by consensus:

Here is the revised list of the top 15 NHL centers :

1. **Connor McDavid** (Edmonton Oilers) – Widely regarded as the best player in the league.
2. **Auston Matthews** (Toronto Maple Leafs) – Known for his goal-scoring prowess.
3. **Nathan MacKinnon** (Colorado Avalanche) – A powerful and dynamic presence on the ice.
4. **Leon Draisaitl** (Edmonton Oilers) – An elite talent with excellent offensive skills.
5. **Jack Hughes** (New Jersey Devils) – A young star who has rapidly ascended the rankings.
6. **Sidney Crosby** (Pittsburgh Penguins) – Despite his age, Crosby remains a top-tier center.
7. **Elias Pettersson** (Vancouver Canucks) – Consistently strong performance and improving stats.
8. **Brayden Point** (Tampa Bay Lightning) – Known for his clutch performances and scoring ability.
9. **Aleksander Barkov** (Florida Panthers) – A top two-way center in the league.
10. **Jack Eichel** (Vegas Golden Knights) – Played a key role in his team's success.
11. **Mika Zibanejad** (New York Rangers) – Continues to be a leading scorer and playmaker.
12. **Sebastian Aho** (Carolina Hurricanes) – A significant contributor to his team's offensive play.
13. **Steven Stamkos** (Tampa Bay Lightning) – A veteran star with a powerful shot.
14. **Anze Kopitar** (Los Angeles Kings) – Known for his consistency and two-way play.
15. **Tage Thompson** (Buffalo Sabres) – Emerging as a top center with impressive stats.

Here are the top 15 NHL centers by salary for the 2023-2024 season, ordered from highest to lowest:

1. **Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)** - $13,250,000
2. **Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche)** - $12,600,000
3. **Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)** - $12,500,000
4. **Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks)** - $11,600,000
5. **John Tavares (Toronto Maple Leafs)** - $11,000,000
6. **Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers)** - $10,000,000
7. **Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights)** - $10,000,000
8. **Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes)** - $9,750,000
9. **Tyler Seguin (Dallas Stars)** - $9,850,000
10. **Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning)** - $8,500,000
11. **Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)** - $8,700,000
12. **Patrice Bergeron (Boston Bruins)** - $6,875,000
13. **Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins)** - $6,100,000
14. **Ryan O'Reilly (Nashville Predators)** - $6,000,000
15. **Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers)** - $8,500,000 [oai_citation:

Ahhh we use injury excuses for other teams, but not ours. I see!!
- Slimtj100

What was Mikas injury again? Oh yeah, hurt vagina.

Fox may have had a bad knee but he was a turn over machine, he gave the puck away multiple times, missed his assignments in front of the net. His decisions with the puck were terrible. You dont make bad decisions because of a bad knee.