JHS

Both Hank and Vally have spoken about this team needing to overcome some adversity during the regular season to really establish itself as a cup contender. I’d say they are having adversity right now with the injuries, sub or goaltending and a string of poor efforts. Let’s see how they rebound this weekend.

I just want to remind everyone here that this is still a top 5 team. The level of over-reaction here after these last 3 losses is really alarming.

He penalty kill- that indicates he’s a great defensive player. He gets a lot of defensive zone starts- indicates he’s a great defensive player. I mean you just ignore this stuff and want me to highlight a play over the overwhelming evidence that he’s trusted defensively. We clearly don’t agree- that’s fine. I’m ready to move on because I doubt he’s going anywhere. The reason I’ve even gone this far with you is because it seems you can’t see the use of anyone that is not an offensive producer. If you had 12 guys playing forward who all played the game like Panarian, I have news for you— it would not be a very good team. Guys like Barclay have a great role for contending teams.

Wait- you say he's not tough( one of the intangibles) but then say he added to the toughness of the collective team after the Wilson incident. I'm confused by your circular logic. As far as an example of his toughness- the guy is currently wearing a face shield to protect a broken face basically and has done so for weeks. Is it possible that a broken face has impacted his abilities to do things like, I don't know, sleep, eat, relax comfortably after games....????? You expect him to be an automaton and be immune to being injured but he's very much a human who probably is impacted by the injury-- and yet HE STILL PLAYS EVERY NIGHT! Playing every game is, by definition a trait of an effective player. His faceoff winning percentage-- another example of an effective player, the amount of times he has defensive zone starts indicates how much he is trusted by the coach, the amount of blocked shots, the amount of time he penalty kills...I'm not going to post in game day threads every time he has a faceoff win or is used in key spots but you should hopefully realize these are meaningful factors into why the Rangers are having success. His contract is an issue because he's paid like a top 6 player and he does not produce like one. If you compare him to bottom 6 players in the league he is certainly in the top 10% maybe even top 5%.

The reason people can't site specific examples like " oh what a great pass he made" is he's not that kind of player. His contributions to a game are less obvious but when they are combined together he makes meaningful contributions often. Like small things like having his stick in a good place, taking good angels to a puck, finishing checks, knowing how to backcheck effectively-- none of those things are elements 99% of the viewing audience is going to pick up on but 100% of hockey coaches and certainly NHL people know are incredibly valuable. It's not easy to evaluate guys like Barclay. Your assumption of why they signed him is flawed-- they needed veteran leadership who had been through playoff runs--which he had. They were not "desperate" for anything-- they already had grit players but they did not have a bunch of guys who had been through long playoff runs. They 100% overpaid him and there is no way to deny that but the fact that he got a lot of money is not his fault and it's entirely unfair to say that he has not lived up to his contract-- one that the Rangers felt he earned. He's done exactly what they wanted him to do and been a piece to this team's rise. If you can't see that or appreciate his contributions than I'm afraid there is not much anyone can do to help you there. Just try and see Barclay for what he is and stop trying to evaluate him based on what he's getting paid.

How then did the Rangers believe he was worth multiple million dollars? You talk of this guy like he's the modern day version of the beeper... I just think Barclay plays the type of game that sets a tone for the team, has the respect of his teammates and has good insight/perspective on what it take to win. Is that worth his contract- yes if it brings a cup.- no it is not if it does not. It's that simple. If he helps bring a cup he is worth it.

This is a totally unfair take- he's plenty tough and shows it often. He stands up for teammates and will often be the one to stir it up when needed. Comparing what he was "supposed to be" to "what he is" and saying that he was supposed to be more than what he is makes no sense. He's exactly the player he was supposed to be- a bottom 6 quality piece to a team about to take a leap forward. He was never gonna be a 50 point producer and he was never going to be a contributing offensive presence. This "fit" and how he has contributed to a "disruptive checking line" argument also make little sense. Would you not say that the lines Barclay play's on are effective? I mean some NHL people claim the Rangers have one of the best and most effective 4th lines in the league. Barclay's line now with Cuylle and Johnny B certainly don't look terrible( and that with an NHL rookie on it and a journeymen player alongside him.) That's not an accident. It's clear you don't like Barclay- I could see why you think he's over paid( he is) but to say he's not effective and has failed miserably is literally hyperbolic.

Barclay brings a lot of what is needed for top Stanley Cup contending team. His grit and toughness helps teams get to the finish line and I can see why he’s made a lot of teams a lot better. I think Barclay has made the Rangers better but he’s absolutely not worth the money they are paying him. He’s essentially a 4th line plugger who is starting to show his age. This is likely his last year with the team and I would not be surprised if they trade him/package him with some appealing younger player at the deadline for a Right Winger to play with Mica and Kreider.

I just want to see a spark in the first period that involves and actual sustained forecheck. Rangers have been great this year but I don’t want to see a mid season lull.

At times but the Rangers have also played really well in stretches too. Game should be tied at 1. That first penalty is 100% never a penalty and it really set the game off in an odd direction.

Igor had not played well at all tonight. He’s the difference in the game. He’s got to be a lot better-plain and simple.

Mirachnealphabetsoup on Washington has to go back to Russia to save every NHL play by play announcers job. That name is impossible to say.

That’s a nice backhand by Miller there! They really needed something to get them going!

Run the clock- what an epic collapse.

It came back. Good kill!

And my stream has now frozen- anyone else?

The problem is you have to invest your own money to make the game as watchable as what the game is on broadcast TV. It is what it is but it’s terrible in my opinion

It’s a horrible experience overall. Thank God it’s very few games we have to deal with this. It’s not a huge deal but not much fun.

Sam’s a legend. Bob Wieselshushen is not.

It’s awful. Took me 20 minutes to get the dang stream working and the pic quality looks like dial up modem days… it’s a joke

ESPN plus is way worse than MSG. I miss Sam and Joe!

Appreciate the conversation. I might be old school but I really think goaltending is central to cup runs. I mean look at the Oilers and the Devils right now-- both teams are struggling because their goaltending is far below average and honestly pretty terrible! I would hate the Rangers to fall into that same trap of having talented players but sub par goaltending.

Good to see Igor is back to playing great again as tonight’s game vs the Leafs suggests he’s still capable of paying strong minutes against good offensive teams. I don’t believe anyone should worry about the next contract now as it’s just speculative. If the Rangers win a cup this season or before the contract is up then he’s a Ranger legend and will get a contract no doubt. The reason I say it’s absurd is, by trading him you are shifting the timeline of the “win now window” even further and completely miss-aligning it with the development of the core talent in the team. There is no way they can keep all these guys together a few years from now so their window is at most the next 3 seasons. Trading Igor to “rebuild” or bring in another star player would make absolutely no sense because it would leave a massive hole in net right at the time they need their best option playing goalie. If you can’t see that and are so hell bent on constantly looking ahead, I want to tell you that you’re destined for a Ranger fandom plagued by never enjoying the now! This is a hell of a good hockey team that’s anchored by a vezenia caliber goalie that can steal wins better than almost any goalie in the league and maybe is only surpassed by Hank in Ranger history. He’s earned this contract and probably one more but there will be time to sort this out.

You asked a series of hypothetical questions about getting top value for a premier NHL goalie, offered 0 replacement options, absolutely no context to why this trade would make any sense. Let’s both be honest, this thread is never started if Igor did not give up over 5 goals in two of his most recent starts. It’s not a real option to trade Igor- at best it’s absurd.

This thread is unreal- the guy has a few bad games and people actually think he should be traded...please. This team is trying to win the cup now, not get a bunch of young guys for a vezena winning goalie.