Blog Archives
Despite Rangers’ postseason defeat, Yandle trade was worth the price
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers made a gamble when they acquired Keith Yandle, but it paid off, as Sather was able to acquire an elite defenseman in his prime. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Glen Sather, the president and general manager of the New York Rangers, has a knack for making big deals at the trade deadline in an effort to make his team more versatile and balanced. He’s not afraid to take a calculated risk in an effort to obtain these players, trading draft picks and prospects.
On March 1st, Sather sent John Moore, top-prospect Anthony Duclair, a first round pick in either 2016 or 2017, and a second round pick in this year’s draft for Keith Yandle and career AHL defenseman Chris Summers.
Duclair was one of the Rangers best prospects, putting up massive numbers with his QMJHL team, the Quebec Remparts, and playing with the Rangers for 18 games, tallying one goal with six assists. He looked at home with the Rangers, playing pretty well when he was in the NHL.
While it’s obviously not optimal that the Rangers have traded away their first round draft picks (the last first round draft pick for New York was in 2012, Brady Skjei), Sather said that it helps when they sign players like Kevin Hayes, who was in the midst of a 17 goal, 45 point season. Read the rest of this entry
Will Martin St. Louis be a Ranger next season?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Martin St. Louis’ contract is up, and he likely wants to stay a Ranger. Will Glen Sather Give him a deal? Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
As soon as the playoffs ended for the New York Rangers, hockey writers and Rangers blogs began sharing their opinion on Martin St. Louis and his future with the Rangers and the NHL. It seems as if fans, and St. Louis himself, have no idea where this situation is going.
“For me right now, of course I want to play,” said St. Louis during the Rangers exit interviews. “But I’m not sure which direction this team is going to go either, so it’s tough to comment. But I’ve been blessed to play parts of two years here for a great organization. We’ll see where that takes me.”
The soon-to-be 40 year old is coming off the worst postseason of his professional career, scoring just one goal and adding six assists in nine games. He saw his role diminish from a top six forward, to playing 13 or 14 minutes a night in sheltered minutes on the fourth line. Read the rest of this entry
Rumor Mill: McKenzie – Rangers may think about moving Rick Nash
Bobby Bevilacqua
TSN/s Bob McKenzie reports that the Rangers could be considering trading their All Star winger Rick Nash, mainly due to cap space concerns. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
With the Rangers eliminated from the playoffs, the time has come for crazy trade rumors. Already, fans are claiming that a Talbot trade would bring in the first overall pick, or Taylor Hall (hint: never going to happen), and there is clickbait galore claiming knowledge from “insiders” about some crazy trade that could happen.
The Rangers have the luxury of being a big market team, as well as one of the more wide-spread fan bases in the league, with Rangers fans all over the country. Because of this, they’re usually more susceptible to heavy criticism, lofty expectations, and yes, crazy trade rumors.
A few days ago, the Rick Nash trade rumors seemed to be grouped in with the rest of those crazy trade scenarios. But as time passes, the talks of this being a possibility haven’t slowed down, and may actually have some truth behind it. Read the rest of this entry
Chris Kreider preparing himself to take the next step
Bobby Bevilacqua
Chris Kreider is an extremely talented, and young winger who is ready to take strides to step up his game for next season. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
It feels as if Chris Kreider has been a Ranger for a very long time. After making his debut in Game 3 against the Ottawa Senators in the 2012 playoffs, he has since been grouped in with the rest of the “core” group of the New York Rangers organization.
But it’s hard to realize that this was only Kreider’s second full year in the NHL. Despite playing in the 2012 playoffs and through the lockout-shortened 2013-14 season, he was still considered a rookie, and was getting some attention for the Calder trophy award, presented to the league’s best rookie.
A lot was expected of Kreider this year. After playing in parts of three seasons, fans and hockey analysts expected to him to continue his development into one of the premier power forwards in the league. And for the most part, he delivered, growing as a player and teammate throughout this season. Read the rest of this entry
6 Things the Rangers needed to do better in the playoffs
The Rangers fell short of their lofty expectations in the playoffs. These are a few things that they needed to do better. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Bobby Bevilacqua
A promising season led to postseason disappointment for the Rangers, falling short of their Stanley Cup goals, and losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. They came just 20 minutes shy of a second consecutive Stanley Cup Finals berth.
After acquiring Keith Yandle at the trade deadline, many believed that this put the Rangers in a “win-now” mode. The players had these same expectations, which is why they too seemed disgruntled during their exit interviews yesterday.
A lot of people thought that this was the year that the Rangers would finally recapture the Stanley Cup after 21 long seasons. But there were injuries, failed game plans, as well as a strong Tampa Bay team standing in their way.
Hindsight is 20/20, so here is what the Rangers needed to do differently or better in order to win. Read the rest of this entry
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