Blog Archives
Raanta starts in net for the first time in a month as the Ranger battle the Kings
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Wednesday night’s game against the Penguins marked the fourth straight win for the Rangers, their longest win streak since they won nine games in a row back in October and November. Playing without Rick Nash and Ryan McDonagh has forced them to face the adversity and rise to the challenge, which they’ve done admirably.
This is the first of two matchups between these two teams and the only one that will take place at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers will travel to Los Angeles on March 16th for a game at the Staples Center. Last season, the teams split the season series, with the road team coming away with a 4-2 win both times. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Rumor Mill: Is Patrick Marleau headed to Broadway?
Bobby Bevilacqua
The crazy trade rumors are starting really early this year.
Photo courtesy of Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports.
An annual occurrence, Patrick Marleau’s name has been coming up in some trade rumors early. First reported by Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area, Marleau had supposedly stated that he would accept a trade to the Los Angeles Kings, the Anaheim Ducks or the New York Rangers.
Marleau is currently in the second year of a three year, $20 million contract. He has a full no trade clause and would need to approve any trade the Sharks would try. TSN’s Bob McKenzie later reported that it is more likely that Marleau asked the Sharks to look at trade possibilities, and it probably wasn’t the Sharks asking for a list of teams.
It is less likely SJ asked Marleau to waive NTC and more likely that Marleau asked SJ to explore trade possibilities to select teams.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) November 11, 2015
Revisiting the Rangers third line possibilities: Stack the size?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Kevin Hayes would certainly be a great top-six winger, but shoulg Vigneault opt to keep him as a center and create a very big, physical, and potentially effective line? Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers do not have many questions surrounding them for next season. There is no goalie controversy, the defensive pairings are set, all of the key players are signed through the next season, and we know where most of the players will end up.
But the one real question that the Rangers have is how they should organize their last two lines. With the additions of Viktor Stalberg, Jarret Stoll, Emerson Etem, and the one way deal given to Oscar Lindberg, there are potentially a lot of moving parts for Vigneault when it comes to his bottom six. AV likes to be able to roll four lines effectively, so his choices will be very important in determining the team’s success and effectiveness.
There is no real general consensus when it comes to other writers and other fans. Personally, I’ve heard some people saying that Stoll should get the spot because of his experience and faceoff abilities, other people want Kevin Hayes to develop as a center, and then others believe that it’s time for Oscar Lindberg to start in the NHL. Read the rest of this entry
Dominic Moore’s role for the upcoming season
Bobby Bevilacqua
Dominic Moore was a very effective forward for the Rangers last season, and his offensive skills are sometimes overlooked, mainly due to the role he plays. Could he fulfill the role of third line center? Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers have a problem. But fear not, because it’s a great problem to have. Currently, they have a plethora of centers and quality bottom six players that they can fit in the lineup, even more so following the addition of Jarret Stoll.
Yesterday, I posted an article posing the question, “Who should assume the third line center role,” with the options being Kevin Hayes, Jarret Stoll and Oscar Lindberg. The most votes were for the newcomer, Jarret Stoll.
But it seems that I have actually left out an option. Dominic Moore, a Rangers draft pick who was re-signed two years ago, has become a very important part of this team. Arguably the most important penalty killer, the best faceoff man, and a pretty decent offensive option. Read the rest of this entry
Hayes, Lindberg or Stoll: Who should be the third line center?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Following the Jarret Stoll signing, Alain Vigneault now has his choice of three quality centers to anchor the third line. Who should it be? Photo courtesy of Gary Vasquez/US PRESSWIRE and MSG Photos.
Last season, Kevin Hayes impressed everyone in his rookie season, moving to center, a position that he had rarely played before, leading the league in primary assists, and finishing with 45 points. But he’s a winger by trade, and the Rangers may be looking to utilize him on the wing long term.
With rookie forward Oscar Lindberg waiting in the wings, after developing in Hartford for the last two seasons, Alain VIgneault has a few options for the third line. But who should he choose to be the third line center? Read the rest of this entry
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