New blog up later. In NJ seeing my mom at rehab place

So far Kaliyev has look blah to me.
- nyrangers9479

Had a nice little toe drag move to the net. He’s also not playing with the right kind of players, and gotta be some rust there too. It’s really hard to consistently produce on the 3rd line.

Had a nice little toe drag move to the net. He’s also not playing with the right kind of players, and gotta be some rust there too. It’s really hard to consistently produce on the 3rd line.
- TC88

Don’t expect much from him. Will also take him 8-10 games to settle in

Had a nice little toe drag move to the net. He’s also not playing with the right kind of players, and gotta be some rust there too. It’s really hard to consistently produce on the 3rd line.
- TC88

He had 3 shots on net which is fairly productive in limited ice time. Yea and the toe drag was a nice play, and good save by Samsonov

But we know how this goes, people won’t like Kaliyev (or Borgen) because they both essentially replaced you know who.

He had 3 shots on net which is fairly productive in limited ice time. Yea and the toe drag was a nice play, and good save by Samsonov

But we know how this goes, people won’t like Kaliyev (or Borgen) because they both essentially replaced you know who.
- Slimtj100

I already said Kaliyev was a good move by Drury. Absolutely no downside to it. Also said Borgen is the type of defenseman I like, just not for Kakko. Nice try tho buddy

He had 3 shots on net which is fairly productive in limited ice time. Yea and the toe drag was a nice play, and good save by Samsonov

But we know how this goes, people won’t like Kaliyev (or Borgen) because they both essentially replaced you know who.
- Slimtj100

Kakko wasn’t happy here and wasn’t going to be here next season. It’s frustrating to watch him do well, especially in the manner he’s doing it. The shots he’s taking were shots he passed up here. For whatever reason, it didn’t work out. I wish we knew the other offers on the table, because at the moment it looks bad but if Borgen signs a reasonable deal or Drury flips him for a 2nd or comparable player then the deal looks a lot better.

Kakko wasn’t happy here and wasn’t going to be here next season. It’s frustrating to watch him do well, especially in the manner he’s doing it. The shots he’s taking were shots he passed up here. For whatever reason, it didn’t work out. I wish we knew the other offers on the table, because at the moment it looks bad but if Borgen signs a reasonable deal or Drury flips him for a 2nd or comparable player then the deal looks a lot better.
- TC88

I think if we would’ve just kept Kakko Chytil Cuylle together, Kakko would’ve continued to grow and he would’ve become that player. Who cares it was the “3rd” line, they played like the 1st line most nights

Kakko wasn’t happy here and wasn’t going to be here next season. It’s frustrating to watch him do well, especially in the manner he’s doing it. The shots he’s taking were shots he passed up here. For whatever reason, it didn’t work out. I wish we knew the other offers on the table, because at the moment it looks bad but if Borgen signs a reasonable deal or Drury flips him for a 2nd or comparable player then the deal looks a lot better.
- TC88

I think that was it in a nutshell. The offers for Kakko were never great, so he took what he could get when he wanted to leave the org. Like he waited and waited and took one with a few assets coming back instead of a singular comparable prospect/player. He definitely likes Borgen more than us, they were after him for a while apparently. He’s been getting better every game too and they definitely needed a big defensman who’s mobile and on the meaner side

I think if we would’ve just kept Kakko Chytil Cuylle together, Kakko would’ve continued to grow and he would’ve become that player. Who cares it was the “3rd” line, they played like the 1st line most nights
- nyrangers9479

Thing is, I never saw Kakko as more than a 50pt player, but I also accepted that and understood that not every high draft pick becomes a superstar. However, having a middle 6 stalwart is crucial to an organization, and thats what they lost.

Kreider's first 7 seasons, his highest point total was 53. Every next year was "Kreider's year to breakout", but people here and in Rangers world never lost faith.

I already said Kaliyev was a good move by Drury. Absolutely no downside to it. Also said Borgen is the type of defenseman I like, just not for Kakko. Nice try tho buddy
- nyrangers9479

If you look at all moves he’d made since the summer starting with goodrow, they all tie together and make more sense then they do individually

-He tries to clear space for player unknown with Goodrow and Trouba rumors. This is when he “settles” for Smith trade

- Trouba finally agrees to deal, now that leaves a hole on the right side of the defense

- Kakko starts strong, slows down, gets scratched asks to be traded. IMMEDIATELY decreases an already decreased assets value. Now creates a hole on the wing.

-perhaps seeing Kaliyev will be waived in the near future he makes the move on Kakko. In the meantime Berard has played well enough to stick around in place of Kakko (which was also a factor why he was traded imo).

-Gets the RHD they needed in Borgen, along with some picks he’s traded away and a serviceable LHD in Urho

So you when you lump it all together he got

-a lot of cap space moving forward
-3 players they’re using in the lineup as of last night
-a couple of draft picks they really really needed

All for two players, and both had warts and one of them we don’t even know if they planned on extending into next season anyway
——
It’s not as bad as you guys make it out to be is my point and now they’re playing their best hockey of the season so maybe it worked 🤷🏻‍♂️lol

Borgen has impressed me. Reminds me of younger Lindgren pre full body cast.

If you look at all moves he’d made since the summer starting with goodrow, they all tie together and make more sense then they do individually

-He tries to clear space for player unknown with Goodrow and Trouba rumors. This is when he “settles” for Smith trade

- Trouba finally agrees to deal, now that leaves a hole on the right side of the defense

- Kakko starts strong, slows down, gets scratched asks to be traded. IMMEDIATELY decreases an already decreased assets value. Now creates a hole on the wing.

-perhaps seeing Kaliyev will be waived in the near future he makes the move on Kakko. In the meantime Berard has played well enough to stick around in place of Kakko (which was also a factor why he was traded imo).

-Gets the RHD they needed in Borgen, along with some picks he’s traded away and a serviceable LHD in Urho

So you when you lump it all together he got

-a lot of cap space moving forward
-3 players they’re using in the lineup as of last night
-a couple of draft picks they really really needed

All for two players, and both had warts and one of them we don’t even know if they planned on extending into next season anyway
——
It’s not as bad as you guys make it out to be is my point and now they’re playing their best hockey of the season so maybe it worked 🤷🏻‍♂️lol
- Slimtj100

This being their "best hockey of the season" isnt saying much considering what we've seen.

This being their "best hockey of the season" isnt saying much considering what we've seen.
- aecliptic

But they did just get points in three straight games against three great teams. Regardless of how they have played, they are currently playing well.

But they did just get points in three straight games against three great teams. Regardless of how they have played, they are currently playing well.
- Bean_Dip

They’ve looked so much better but they’ve got a long way to go, 5 or so teams, to jump in order to make the playoffs. Really was loving the idea of drafting hagens lol

This being their "best hockey of the season" isnt saying much considering what we've seen.
- aecliptic

Beating NJ and Vegas b2b is definitely something tho. I mean we killed them beginning of the season for not beating anyone very good.

They look more cohesive everywhere on the ice. They’ve had time on their side so maybe it’s finally going to manifest itself into a run of wins. The schedule eases up now too, after Colorado

They’ve looked so much better but they’ve got a long way to go, 5 or so teams, to jump in order to make the playoffs. Really was loving the idea of drafting hagens lol
- picklerick

Ottawa is the team that would worry me as far jumping into a playoff spot, but Boston could fade where there is one open. Blue Jackets seem to have rallied this year around Johnny Hockeys passing where they could be a pain in the ass. So two of those 3 teams, with us, will probably take the two Wild cards. We don’t have to worry about the pressure of winning the division at least lol

Beating NJ and Vegas b2b is definitely something tho. I mean we killed them beginning of the season for not beating anyone very good.

They look more cohesive everywhere on the ice. They’ve had time on their side so maybe it’s finally going to manifest itself into a run of wins. The schedule eases up now too, after Colorado
- Slimtj100

Im happy theyre playing well, and I can actually watch these games without wanting to put a hot iron in my eyes.

However, what are we playing for? Whats the end goal with this team? Do we just want to make the playoffs and get booted? This certainly isnt a Stanley cup contender as its currently constructed.

Ottawa is the team that would worry me as far jumping into a playoff spot, but Boston could fade where there is one open. Blue Jackets seem to have rallied this year around Johnny Hockeys passing where they could be a pain in the ass. So two of those 3 teams, with us, will probably take the two Wild cards. We don’t have to worry about the pressure of winning the division at least lol
- Slimtj100

Catching up and barely missing the playoffs is the worst possible outcome

Catching up and barely missing the playoffs is the worst possible outcome
- picklerick

I would be far happier missing the playoffs, figuring out what pieces are working and which arent, cashing in on what we can, and starting over next season with a new life and new identity.

Im happy theyre playing well, and I can actually watch these games without wanting to put a hot iron in my eyes.

However, what are we playing for? Whats the end goal with this team? Do we just want to make the playoffs and get booted? This certainly isnt a Stanley cup contender as its currently constructed.
- aecliptic

Yea true about the eyes. It’s a lot easier to watch now

Idk. It’s tough call. Thing is they aren’t even fully healthy right now with two regular forwards out, and are playing well. So when they come back it could get better. It’s all about the d corp with this team imo. If they play well, we will win games. Shesty hasn’t been fantastic either, but if he regains his usual form that helps too. Perhaps Perrault entering the picture makes them better 5 on 5, and cap space can be used in a few ways too

I don’t think under any circumstances Drury will trade any picks so that’s probably a good thing, and answers the question somewhat.

Catching up and barely missing the playoffs is the worst possible outcome
- picklerick

I look at it like they’d be peaking at the right time

I get what you’re saying tho. I feel different after every game and what they should do

Bills in a nail biter 😬

Yea true about the eyes. It’s a lot easier to watch now

Idk. It’s tough call. Thing is they aren’t even fully healthy right now with two regular forwards out, and are playing well. So when they come back it could get better. It’s all about the d corp with this team imo. If they play well, we will win games. Shesty hasn’t been fantastic either, but if he regains his usual form that helps too. Perhaps Perrault entering the picture makes them better 5 on 5, and cap space can be used in a few ways too

I don’t think under any circumstances Drury will trade any picks so that’s probably a good thing, and answers the question somewhat.
- Slimtj100

Ok, hypothetically speaking...

Kreider and Chytil come back, and they start losing games again. What then? Does management and coaching have the balls to say, ok, maybe its time to move on or do they continue to think this can work?

Einstein's definition of insanity, repeating the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

They’ve looked so much better but they’ve got a long way to go, 5 or so teams, to jump in order to make the playoffs. Really was loving the idea of drafting hagens lol
- picklerick

There’s still a lot of hockey. With the way the season has gone, getting the right culture back on track is priority #1. If they win the process, cool.

I would be far happier missing the playoffs, figuring out what pieces are working and which arent, cashing in on what we can, and starting over next season with a new life and new identity.
- aecliptic

Yeah, disagree with Pickle and agree with you here. Being a middling team usually not good, but with the pieces we have and the opportunity to make some significant changes for next year, having a high pick doesn’t move the needle as much as it usually would. I care more about the energy. Get these guys in the right mindset and environment to make a push next year.