Jan Levine: Rangers' season comes to an end with 2-1 loss to Panthers in ECF Game 6 Painful conclusion to season

Not too hard to do, IF those wing spots are taken up by Rempe, Othmann and Perreault and a D spot by Jones.
- Tonybere

Look, Im just as entertained by Rempe as anyone else, but his skating deficiencies were on full display vs. Florida. We cant run a shortened bench every game because theres a player or 2 that you may or may not be able to trust out there. I am sure the guys were exhausted because of this and it probably played a small part in how this all ended.

As far as Othmann goes, unless they start playing him as a RW in the AHL, I dont know how you transition him to RW at the top level without some major screw ups.

Perreault I think will play 1 season in the AHL before getting called up.

Also, putting the hopes that the corrections needed for this team on 20 year olds seems absolutely crazy to me.

I want obsessed, hungry vets to fill the spots on this team.

Why would you single the guy who played minimal minutes? He wasn’t responsible for this spectacle on ice. Jan I don’t see the rangers running this back without changes. I’m sad today, albeit back in the hospital. I have followed the boys for over 55 years. I am and truly bleed Ranger blue. Long summer but it will go quickly.

Thank you Jan, I appreciate everything you do. Great blog as always, looking forward to the team’s answer to this.

Changes have to be made.

-trade trouba. Has to happen.
-trade kakko
-trade Lindgren (keep if willing to take lesser role and short contract)
-listen to offers in chytl. Need more of a bigger two way center
-let Gus Wennberg roslivic walk

Focus on big puck moving defenseman. Fwds that can drive play 5v5. More speed and forecheck. Make sure to add a real top RW

Changes have to be made.

-trade trouba. Has to happen.
-trade kakko
-trade Lindgren (keep if willing to take lesser role and short contract)
-listen to offers in chytl. Need more of a bigger two way center
-let Gus Wennberg roslivic walk

Focus on big puck moving defenseman. Fwds that can drive play 5v5. More speed and forecheck. Make sure to add a real top RW
- nyrangers2

For this, I suggest they use the money they save on Trouba to sign Marchessault.

This team needs to get bigger and tougher to play against. I’d be open to trading almost anyone on this roster minus Laf and Shesty.

Our defense is small and lacks the aggressiveness needed to win a cup.

Need to increase size up front also and get guys willing to go into the dirty areas to win puck battles. Zib and Panarin will never be those players.

I read all the doom and gloom on the previous atricle that Jan wrote and I see things a little different. I am a Rangers diehard since the early 60s and season tix holder late 60s to late 70s when moved from NY. Follow team very closely and have to say this was one of the most enjoyable seasons I have seen. Folks we lost to the 1 team that I felt were better than us and every game was 1 goal games and 3 were OT( I know Igor carried us this series) . We beat a Carolina team that many picked to win the Cup. I truly believe we would have beaten Dallas or Oilers but will never know. Is the team perfect No...does it need tweaking YES....but to blow it up like some are suggesting is crazy and to try and build a team that can beat Florida doesnt make sense either because who knows if we will even face them next year . Great season disappointing ending . Let's make some tweaks . Will be interesting off season. LGR!!!

Jan, great stuff as always.

In the future I'd like to see our GMs give out slightly less years on the deals. Feel like more have one or two extra years tacked on where we then have to have the buyout conversation. Stop giving those +2 years and stop with the NMC or NTC maybe?

This team needs to get bigger and tougher to play against. I’d be open to trading almost anyone on this roster minus Laf and Shesty.

Our defense is small and lacks the aggressiveness needed to win a cup.

Need to increase size up front also and get guys willing to go into the dirty areas to win puck battles. Zib and Panarin will never be those players.
- nyrangers9479

I give you credit for saying this all year including during the trade deadline. I agree. They need more snarl. I want the rangers to be the team where we are all huddling with the other team around THEIR net. And we don’t let anyone into Shestys crease. This team is just too soft as constructed.

Zib refuses to play physical. Same with Panarin.

I give you credit for saying this all year including during the trade deadline. I agree. They need more snarl. I want the rangers to be the team where we are all huddling with the other team around THEIR net. And we don’t let anyone into Shestys crease. This team is just too soft as constructed.

Zib refuses to play physical. Same with Panarin.
- banger94

Couldnt agree more absolutely hated Panarins game in the playoffs. Trading either is going to make team weaker not better because you are going to get nothing in return that will help us now plus you will have to retain $$. I honestly dont see much that they can do to significantly change roster unless willing to trade a Miller..Schneider...Perrault. We dont have a McDavid type player that carries the load

Well they do have the most important position figured out and set… that’s paramount-

You could probably use a guy like Max Jones- big, fast, PK’er can forecheck great - but not the greatest hands or finisher, but they don’t need that - he’d fit well as 3rd line -

Max Comtois is another guy we gave up on too soon… and he is a finisher… and big -

For this, I suggest they use the money they save on Trouba to sign Marchessault.
- aecliptic

Or pesce

Couldnt agree more absolutely hated Panarins game in the playoffs. Trading either is going to make team weaker not better because you are going to get nothing in return that will help us now plus you will have to retain $$. I honestly dont see much that they can do to significantly change roster unless willing to trade a Miller..Schneider...Perrault
- hfc355

I know it was 6 on 5 last night, but I will say I was like holy crap that Panarin goal at the end was amazing. Where was that on the power play all series?

I know it was 6 on 5 last night, but I will say I was like holy crap that Panarin goal at the end was amazing. Where was that on the power play all series?
- evitageN

For some reason last night's game he was definitely engaged but all series long he was fumbling the puck...losing control...getting rid of the puck like it was a hot potato and obviously doing all he could to avoid getting hit. Terribly disappointing effort the other 5 games

Well they do have the most important position figured out and set… that’s paramount-

You could probably use a guy like Max Jones- big, fast, PK’er can forecheck great - but not the greatest hands or finisher, but they don’t need that - he’d fit well as 3rd line -

Max Comtois is another guy we gave up on too soon… and he is a finisher… and big -
- dozerD10

They have Igor figured out for one more year at least… you can only negotiate extensions in the last year of the contract. IMO, this summer, they should make him the highest paid goalie (for now) for a 6+ year contract.

For some reason last night's game he was definitely engaged but all series long he was fumbling the puck...losing control...getting rid of the puck like it was a hot potato and obviously doing all he could to avoid getting hit. Terribly disappointing effort the other 5 games
- hfc355

Yes… he was playing scared and staying on the perimeter and not getting to the front of the net.

https://nypost.com/2024/0...-zibanejad-decisions/amp/

More proof Brooks reads this blog lol

For some reason last night's game he was definitely engaged but all series long he was fumbling the puck...losing control...getting rid of the puck like it was a hot potato and obviously doing all he could to avoid getting hit. Terribly disappointing effort the other 5 games
- hfc355

Fa sho, fa sho

Changes have to be made.

-trade trouba. Has to happen.
-trade kakko
-trade Lindgren (keep if willing to take lesser role and short contract)
-listen to offers in chytl. Need more of a bigger two way center
-let Gus Wennberg roslivic walk

Focus on big puck moving defenseman. Fwds that can drive play 5v5. More speed and forecheck. Make sure to add a real top RW
- nyrangers2

What is the cost for Trouba, probably gonna have to retain some of that contract I would suspect ?

https://nypost.com/2024/06/02/sports/rangers-have-tough-jacob-trouba-chris-kreider-mika-zibanejad-decisions/amp/

More proof Brooks reads this blog lol
- TPC

You think he reads the comments too? Or just Jan's work?

You think he reads the comments too? Or just Jan's work?
- evitageN

Comments, usually a day or 2 after we talk about stuff there is an article he releases covering it lol

Kreider Mika XXXX
Panarin Trocheck Laf
Cuylle Chytil XXXX
some combination of goodrow, berard, rempe, vesey, edstrom

XXXX Fox
Miller Schneider
Jones XXXX

Trouba must be off the roster, preferably by trade, and at almost any cost. I’d trade our first to get rid of him. Pesce would be expensive for a 3rd pairing defenseman and still not cost nearly as much as Trouba on the 3rd pair

Lindgren cannot be signed long term and not for more than he made last season and if that happens he cannot be fox’s partner anymore. I think we need more size next to fox, also lindgren was very bad this season as much as it would suck to lose him from a sentimental standpoint. Jones deserves a real chance to take the 3rd pairing LD spot. So yea probably no lindgren

Kakko can be traded but I wouldn’t be mad if he came back for cheap as the third line RW

If Othmann is ready let him play and put him at whatever wing he feels comfortable on

Sign or trade for a big time RW for Mika and Kreider (or break them the (frank) up already and put Kreider on the 3rd line). Either way, marchessault, buch, etc. the narrative that Mika should be able to drive a line on his own is irrelevant at this point. We tried that and it’s not working anymore. He’s signed for long term with a NMC so put the best talent you can with him and go for it. Jack roslovic was a horrible failure by Drury.

Comments, usually a day or 2 after we talk about stuff there is an article he releases covering it lol
- TPC

Kreider Mika XXXX
Panarin Trocheck Laf
Cuylle Chytil XXXX
some combination of goodrow, berard, rempe, vesey, edstrom

XXXX Fox
Miller Schneider
Jones XXXX

Trouba must be off the roster, preferably by trade, and at almost any cost. I’d trade our first to get rid of him. Pesce would be expensive for a 3rd pairing defenseman and still not cost nearly as much as Trouba on the 3rd pair

Lindgren cannot be signed long term and not for more than he made last season and if that happens he cannot be fox’s partner anymore. I think we need more size next to fox, also lindgren was very bad this season as much as it would suck to lose him from a sentimental standpoint. Jones deserves a real chance to take the 3rd pairing LD spot. So yea probably no lindgren

Kakko can be traded but I wouldn’t be mad if he came back for cheap as the third line RW

If Othmann is ready let him play and put him at whatever wing he feels comfortable on

Sign or trade for a big time RW for Mika and Kreider (or break them the (frank) up already and put Kreider on the 3rd line). Either way, marchessault, buch, etc. the narrative that Mika should be able to drive a line on his own is irrelevant at this point. We tried that and it’s not working anymore. He’s signed for long term with a NMC so put the best talent you can with him and go for it. Jack roslovic was a horrible failure by Drury.
- picklerick

After constantly getting bigger, faster, stronger, grittier... you still have Chytil and Jones in the lineup?