Comments on: Questions In Need of Answers

By: mikster

mikster — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:10:49 +0000

Thanks for the compliment, i highly appreciate it.

I wouldn't call that group of forwards a bunch of top notch players. They are good, but not great. Still, you can expect Gomez scoring 70, Zherdev 70, Naslund 55, Drury 50...

It's not so much their position in the East, but their performance on the ice.

By: paulieplatypus

paulieplatypus — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:25:09 +0000

I apologize, looking back it's not my intention to take such a stronge agumentative approach to your comments over such a small point. I truly have nothing but the highest respect for your hockey knowelge as well as your many contributions to this site. I very much, as always, look forward to your next postings.

By: paulieplatypus

paulieplatypus — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:28:55 +0000

I feel some Rangers fans including you Mikster, have just horrible attitude towards the Rangers. Believe it or not, in spite of their very respectable record and place in the standings, New York is rebuilding! During this rebuilding process, Sather and Renney have continuosly lead this team into the playoffs going on four straight years now.  Look at the roster, just about every play on it (including many prospects in the minors, college, and abroad) will no doubt continue to improve each and every game they play. All of these young players have very big upsides and the ones that don't develope as planned, will quickly get passed on the deep depth chart.

For example, one of the many prospects that Sather has "never" delt away at the trading deadline, Artem Anisimov, was recalled from AHL Hartford and played on a line with Voros and Korpikoski in todays practice according to several columnists including Ranger Rants at http://njmg.typepad.com/rangersblog/ . In addition, it was pointed out that Drury centered a line with Zherdev and Dubinski-on his left wing. So now it looks like Dawes is going to sit out every game from now on with Prucha, unless someone gets injured or they don't play well. Anyway it's just another example of a player getting passed in the depth chart, a nice problem so few teams are lucky enough to have.

What do you think of the problems that you just pointed out with Montreal, as well as with most other teams it seems, is having signing players? Good thing Sather has every single player on the roster locked up for as many years as he wants to keep them!  And who has better knowledge of all the players in the system then Renney... You? Peter Prucha was clearly passed in the depth charts a long time ago. Just like Dawes was now passed, as well as Rissmiller and Fritsche were earlier in the year. Not to mention Shanahan.

Anyway Mikster, to make a short story long... I respectfully disagree with you about the Rangers. I don't see how you could expect Renney or any other coach for that matter, to come up with a sytem based on the players they have on the roster, when just about every player on the roster is still having their talents evaluated? Sather and Renney are clearly rebuilding, but yet are still one of the better team in hockey.  But all I hear are complaints and not any complements for a team that I'm extreamly happy with. I really like the direction this team is going in and I'm shocked over how so many people seem so blind to this.

By: leafy

leafy — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:17:08 +0000

To spice things up, this is my long-term forecast for the Panthers, which is highly relevant for J-Bo rumors.

I notice they have a pretty tough schedule coming up after around Feb 10th. I'm predicting that they'll tail off by the beginning of March.

I don't think there's a goalie in the league who sees more rubber than Tomas Vokoun (or Craig Anderson). It's finally going to catch up with them (Vancouver anyone?).

God knows I've got nothing against Florida. Just giving my honest impartial thoughts.

By: leafy

leafy — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:31:56 +0000

There are varying opinions on Bouwmeester, but I strongly believe that Florida would be making a huge mistake if they don't trade him for assets before the deadline.

There are several reasons for this:

1. Florida is not winning the Stanley Cup this year. In fact, they will likely lose in the first round to Boston, New Jersey or Washington. Therefore, this playoff argument I keep hearing lately is pretty lame.

2. Bouwmeester is too valuable to lose for nothing in July.

3. Trading his rights in June will likely not give the Panthers nearly as much in return compared to trading him at the deadline.

So again, holding on to J-Bo and losing him for nothing would be a HUGE mistake.

Re Ottawa, agreed that ownership and management has been bad, but the coaching under Hartsburg has not been good either. This is a case where everybody's right.

By: Bure96

Bure96 — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:11:10 +0000

Really good article.

Is anybody else wondering whatever happend to Jimmy Howard in Detroit? He's playing good in the AHL, and has been considered one of those elite goalie prospect for years it seems, but they've never given him a chance. I think next year he'll be on the team, or else the Wings will just get rid of the kid. This is his 4th year in the AHL!

I think the Panthers are a nice sleeper pick this year. We say that every year, but this is the 1st time they've looked like a real playoff team in a long time. J BO has became oe of the best defenders in the league, and they must keep this guy. He's a 7 million dollar player, and I can see him staying in Florida if they do well in the playoffs.

Great article once again though. I always enjoy reading your articles mikster.

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:06:41 +0000

san jose's coach is named mclellan not mclennan

By: ranger_fan

ranger_fan — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:55:42 +0000

Just so people don't take it the wrong way – I just found out that Pat Burns has cancer again, and my suggestion earlier wasn't a joke. I wish Pat well, and hope that he does make a full recovery – and then leads the Rags to the promise land. Al and Guy were meant as a joke.

By: ranger_fan

ranger_fan — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:50:08 +0000

Honestly what are the Wings doing with Jimmy Howard? There is the solution. LONG TERM solution. And if he struggles, then address the need at the deadline or in the offseason.

Renney benching Prucha is very discouraging. Renney not playing Fritsche for 22 games in a row was discouraging. Renney not keeping a 7th defenseman for over half the season is discouraging. Renney not being able to make up his mind on what the identity of this team should be is discouraging.

Is it all Renney's fault? I don't think so, but jesus fire Pearn. 27th in the league in PP %? Honestly, I would approve of Dolan if he cleaned house. Sather buried this team in the offseason and neither him or Renney will ever get the job done. I'd approve of anyone not named Neil Smith and Brian Trottier right about now..

Murray is a joke. Right on with that one. I guess my only other question to Mikster is who replaces Renney? Dictator? Like Pat Burns? Who was a defensive minded coach who doesn't take any crap? Do you see if Schoenfeld will step in? Al Trawtwig? Guy Hebert as GM?
In all honestly, I'm not sure. You could gage Ulffy Sammuelsson's interest. Peter Lovolette, though he had a poor PP too. Ted Nolan would love to get back into the conference I'm sure. Bob Hartley?

By: LeafsNation91

LeafsNation91 — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:35:06 +0000

Great assessment, I loved reading it. Mclennan is a good coach, and should be up there. I think your dead on with Renney, and more him then Vignault. Just look at the roster of the New York Rangers. Zheredev, Drury, Gomez, Naslund, and so much more, and the best they can show is likely sixth in the East? Tom Renney has been a major dissapointment.

Alongside Mclennan, or DeBoer, there should be Julien as well, besides the fact his Bruins are tops in the East, he led the team to an unblelievable season last year as well.

Just, good artice.