RangersIn7

They need that line to go come playoff time. Trochek’s line is going to draw top defenders every shift. And their depth will be fine. But they need Mika’s line to be productive.

That’s an even bigger mistake… and one I understand even less. Anyone who has watched the Pens over the last 15+ seasons should know that they’ve had their biggest successes when they had deep teams, not being top heavy. I guess my point is that if you’ve got a team that already has star power up top, maybe that big chunk of cap space you’re about to use on 1 player is better spent on multiple players.

Toronto sealed their own fate for the better part of a decade when they signed Tavares. Nothing has changed in that span.

He didn’t play for a month. So yeah. There’s gonna be that.

He’s progressing still. There’s more there and more coming.

Tough one with this one tonight. Wings are fighting for their lives. LGR!

Seth Jarvis couldn’t hold his French Canadian wang.

It’s not that simple. He needed physical maturation. He needed reps And experience And perhaps greater opportunity. He also needed TO SEE. He didn’t see prior. He sees now.

Kakko is consistently good every night. Just not in the ways we want or think he should be. Hes gonna be fine. And looking more and more like he’s poised to put it together.

Yes. And all fair. Seems though, maybe more than anything, it was the strength side of it. Particularly as it related to his skating, but still about strength. Again, he may not have had the capacity at 19 or so that has now 3 years later to add some strength and mass. Clearly he needed some assistance and the right trainer and program and to do the work. He’s done that and it’s paying off and he’s only 22 and improving.

I was hoping the building collapses with both teams in it.

He clearly needed to get stronger in some areas and work on and improve in some areas. That takes effort which he put in and it takes time too. Your body at that age is still growing and developing in ways. Your capacity at 18-19 isn’t what it is at 21-22. He also needed to play more.

Yeah. Honestly just a bad stretch of about 10-12 minutes there with some breakdowns. I give the Devils credit in that they came in pretty hard there and really used their speed and skill. They got those chances and potted them on some very nice plays and finishes. But they tightened up and got it screwed on straight and got the win.

Fair today. 5 years ago though… that’s when they needed the leadership. When they had Tony D, we’re breaking in Fox and Lindgren, and had guys like Miller and Lundqvist on the horizon, and the vet defensemen they had were gonna be moving on before too long. He was exactly what they needed when they signed him.

Send these guys home tonight! LGR!

We are making similar points in opposing ways maybe… yet I think we agree. To further articulate… If Montreal were to offer sheet him at the 4 1sts tier… yes. You take that. He hasn’t earned that money yet. And you would likely get a premium asset and at least one more higher-level asset out of that package. Potentially more than that. But no one is or should be near that yet. Montreal shouldn’t be willing to do that. And I’d doubt they are. They can’t possibly be that stupid. And Laf, despite his very strong season, hasn’t earned that yet. Though I think you have a player on your hands right now that’s still improving and going to be fantastic moving forward. That kind of offer sheet is a fantasy that won’t come to fruition. Ask Carolina about Kotkaniemi. How has that gone? Both ways.

That kid is gonna develop similarly to Laf Hes gonna be a very very good hockey player. But he’s likely to need 4-5 years to get there.

The type of money that a 4 1sts offer sheet requires is beyond Laf at this point. That amount of money is reserved for the games absolute best players. Huge offensive producers. Elite, two-way defensemen. Etc. Laf has had a great season… for him. He’s really grown and it’s showing this season in the way he’s played. But he’s not in that realm as of yet.

Im not wildly concerned about who they play in Round 1. Obviously Tampa represents the biggest, most dangerous challenge, given that goalie, their experience, and the star power they have, but I think they’d beat them. Though I will admit, it’s hard to have a run to the Finals without having a shorter, easier series at some point. They need at least one of those this year.

Very winnable game! LGR!

Fucking Laf! 1st Career Hattie. 25 G and counting. Plus 2 Assists 5 point game. Career best night for him. 52 points and counting. Really has been so good…, night in and night out with very few bumps in the road. Still improving. Defensively is growing too. Still at just 17 and change minutes per night. Minimal PP time with a second unit. Glad patience still exists as a virtue

The last 4 years (250+ games) of his career, he was terrible. And making a shitpot full of money too.

Potential trap game tonight. And Arizona is playing decent lately… 4-2-1 in last 7. LGR!

They played them very well defensively for 2 periods and the game really opened up in the 3rd. It had opened up in the 2nd but I thought they did a better job.

Also true… Just glad I don’t live in her district