I do believe this team can compete and make a serious run at the cup if Gaborik and Hank play like stars in the playoffs. This team has depth and talent. Who knows who will step up and play great in the playoffs. Heck a guy like Wolski can all of a sudden step up and play like Claude Lemieux in the playoffs..
I think Cally is a valuable player to this team (no doubt) but it seems he is being looked at like he is the 2nd coming of Mark Messier circa 1994 for the Rangers.
Again, I just don't see this depth and talent that's good enough to compete for the Cup.
Last few Cup winners leading scorers reg. season point totals:
Wings- 97, 92, 70, 55, then 4 more guys with 40 points
Pens- 113, 103, 49, 46, 39
Hawks- 88, 69, 68, 66, 51, 44, 40
This years Rangers: 53, 48, 47, 44, 43
We don't have anywhere near the talent level of these teams.. let's be realistic here.
It is bad to get hurt like that. The swelling, the pain, the cast, the crotches... No hockey, just nothing. It is just terrible for Calli.
For the Rangers it not as bad as it is for Callahan. He is no Ovechkin or Gaborik... Wait, we have lost Gaborik already, have we not?
Again, I just don't see this depth and talent that's good enough to compete for the Cup.
Last few Cup winners leading scorers reg. season point totals:
Wings- 97, 92, 70, 55, then 4 more guys with 40 points
Pens- 113, 103, 49, 46, 39
Hawks- 88, 69, 68, 66, 51, 44, 40
This years Rangers: 53, 48, 47, 44, 43
We don't have anywhere near the talent level of these teams.. let's be realistic here.
Gaborik if healthy is good for 70-80 points per year.
Dubinsky if healthy is good for close to 60 points ot more
Prospal if healthy is good for 55-60 points
Plus, this team has depth of (5) 20 goal scorers this year
The offense is fine.
The teams above do not have Hank in goal.
also, this defense can compare to these teams listed above.
This teams needs its stars to play like stars (Gaborik and Hank) and also needs an un expected hero during the playoffs and it could come from the most unexpected player.... Drury, Stepan, Wolski, Prust, Boyle...
I know this is reaching a bit to win a cup but why not! Hank is one of the best in the biz and he has a supporting cast that is pretty darn good.
Gaborik if healthy is good for 70-80 points per year.
Dubinsky if healthy is good for close to 60 points ot more
Prospal if healthy is good for 55-60 points
Plus, this team has depth of (5) 20 goal scorers this year
The offense is fine.
The teams above do not have Hank in goal.
also, this defense can compare to these teams listed above.
This teams needs its stars to play like stars (Gaborik and Hank) and also needs an un expected hero during the playoffs and it could come from the most unexpected player.... Drury, Stepan, Wolski, Prust, Boyle...
I know this is reaching a bit to win a cup but why not! Hank is one of the best in the biz and he has a supporting cast that is pretty darn good.
This is hilarious. Even with all your "if healthy's" the Rangers aren't even close to those teams. You really think 5 20 goal scorers are gonna carry a team the way 2 90-100+ point forwards would?
Also, Gaborik doesn't impact a game like those teams leading scorers did. Callahan impacts every game much more than Gaborik..
Our defense compares to those teams? really? Lidstrom had 70 points. Rafalski had 55 points and would be our leading scorer. keith had 69 points, and the Hawks had 3 other d-man with around 35.
Our top pair has been great defensively and I love what McD and Sauer have done as rooks, but you would like to get some offense from the blueline too..
Anyway, I like the direction the team is going, but this team has nowhere near the top end talent of the other teams that have won the Cup. If they win a round I would consider it a success to get experience for the young guys..
I don't know how anyone considers them Cup contenders though..
This is hilarious. Even with all your "if healthy's" the Rangers aren't even close to those teams. You really think 5 20 goal scorers are gonna carry a team the way 2 90-100+ point forwards would?
Also, Gaborik doesn't impact a game like those teams leading scorers did. Callahan impacts every game much more than Gaborik..
Our defense compares to those teams? really? Lidstrom had 70 points. Rafalski had 55 points and would be our leading scorer. keith had 69 points, and the Hawks had 3 other d-man with around 35.
Our top pair has been great defensively and I love what McD and Sauer have done as rooks, but you would like to get some offense from the blueline too..
Anyway, I like the direction the team is going, but this team has nowhere near the top end talent of the other teams that have won the Cup. If they win a round I would consider it a success to get experience for the young guys..
I don't know how anyone considers them Cup contenders though..
Its more fun to watch when you believe your team can win. Thats why we are fans in the first place. Reality bites though haha
Look at what Montreal did last season with a hot goalie and the emrgence of Subban bringing fire.
They had no Markov, and also had some other injuries if I recall. I forget specifics.
Habs fan here.
Thanks, man
Sympathies to you guys for losing Callahan... especially from an injury caused by Chara.
I would love to see the Rangers take down one of the top 3. Especially Boston or Philly.
Look at what Montreal did last season with a hot goalie and the emrgence of Subban bringing fire.
They had no Markov, and also had some other injuries if I recall. I forget specifics.
Exactly. Injuries do happen in the NHL.
A team can win with a hot goalie and some other players stepping up during playoff time. Montreal is a perfect example and we all know Hank is better than Halak. Goaltenders aside, this Rangers team has as much or more talent than Montreal had last year.
This is hilarious. Even with all your "if healthy's" the Rangers aren't even close to those teams. You really think 5 20 goal scorers are gonna carry a team the way 2 90-100+ point forwards would?
Also, Gaborik doesn't impact a game like those teams leading scorers did. Callahan impacts every game much more than Gaborik..
Our defense compares to those teams? really? Lidstrom had 70 points. Rafalski had 55 points and would be our leading scorer. keith had 69 points, and the Hawks had 3 other d-man with around 35.
Our top pair has been great defensively and I love what McD and Sauer have done as rooks, but you would like to get some offense from the blueline too..
Anyway, I like the direction the team is going, but this team has nowhere near the top end talent of the other teams that have won the Cup. If they win a round I would consider it a success to get experience for the young guys..
I don't know how anyone considers them Cup contenders though..
It's not all about how many points a players has. What I see is a Ranger team that has:
The 4th best Goal differential in the NHL (+35)
The 4th best Goals against (GAA) let up in the NHL (193 goals against)
The 13th most GF (Goals scored) in the NHL. (228 goals scored)
This is a team that can compete and win. Hank has to play elite in the playoffs in which he is capable.
I understand the goal scoring is not the 1984 Edmonton Oilers but the goal scoring is enough to get the job done and more. This team needs someone step up in the playoffs and needs Hank to play elite in the playoffs.
It would be interesting to see where Montreal ranked in goal scoring in the NHL last year also where the past Stanley cup champs ranked in the NHL in goal scoring for that year.
Sympathies to you guys for losing Callahan... especially from an injury caused by Chara.
I would love to see the Rangers take down one of the top 3. Especially Boston or Philly.
The irony of all this is that if the NHL suspended Chara for his hit... this would have never happened to Callahan!
It's not all about how many points a players has. What I see is a Ranger team that has:
The 4th best Goal differential in the NHL (+35)
The 4th best Goals against (GAA) let up in the NHL (193 goals against)
The 13th most GF (Goals scored) in the NHL. (228 goals scored)
This is a team that can compete and win. Hank has to play elite in the playoffs in which he is capable.
I understand the goal scoring is not the 1984 Edmonton Oilers but the goal scoring is enough to get the job done and more. This team needs someone step up in the playoffs and needs Hank to play elite in the playoffs.
It would be interesting to see where Montreal ranked in goal scoring in the NHL last year also where the past Stanley cup champs ranked in the NHL in goal scoring for that year.
Canes- 3rd in goals scored the year they won
Ducks- 6th
Wings-3rd
Pens-4th
Hawks-3rd
The Rangers are 13th but that's including 10 6+ goal games which was leading the league in 6+ goal games a couple weeks ago(dont know where to check this stat now). Meaning that besides those 10 games, the Rangers struggle to score in most other games. If you're only 13th after having the most blowout wins in the NHL it's not really a good thing.. This also skews goal differential.
Last edited by Blue Line Monster: 04-07-2011 at 09:44 AM.
Canes- 3rd in goals scored the year they won
Ducks- 6th
Wings-3rd
Pens-4th
Hawks-3rd
The Rangers are 13th but that's including 10 6+ goal games which was leading the league in 6+ goal games a couple weeks ago(dont know where to check this stat now). Meaning that besides those 10 games, the Rangers struggle to score in most other games. If you're only 13th after having the most blowout wins in the NHL it's not really a good thing.. This also skews goal differential.
Thanks for the looking these stats up. Just curious, where Montreal ranked last year in goals scored in the NHL.
Why are you trying to minimize the 10 6+ goal scoring games? I am looking at that stat as something very positive where it shows this team has the talent to score in the NHL. They just need someone to step up and score in the playoffs! The talent is there. Gaborik had an off season. He is considered a STAR in the NHL.
Thanks for the looking these stats up. Just curious, where Montreal ranked last year in goals scored in the NHL.
Why are you trying to minimize the 10 6+ goal scoring games? I am looking at that stat as something very positive where it shows this team has the talent to score in the NHL. They just need someone to step up and score in the playoffs! The talent is there. Gaborik had an off season. He is considered a STAR in the NHL.
Do you think it likely that on the heels of an "off season" he is going to light it up in the playoffs? Seems pretty unlikely to me. I have to believe his performance, or lack thereof, is due to injury and he's not going to return to his previous self without at least some extended recovery time.
This is hilarious. Even with all your "if healthy's" the Rangers aren't even close to those teams. You really think 5 20 goal scorers are gonna carry a team the way 2 90-100+ point forwards would?
So let's not even hope for the best? Why even play out the season if we don't have a star like Crosby.
Quote:
Also, Gaborik doesn't impact a game like those teams leading scorers did. Callahan impacts every game much more than Gaborik..
You obviously missed all of last season.
Quote:
Our defense compares to those teams? really? Lidstrom had 70 points. Rafalski had 55 points and would be our leading scorer. keith had 69 points, and the Hawks had 3 other d-man with around 35.
He's ranking their defensive skills. You took the best D in the entire league (Detroit) and matched it against ours. Lidstrom is a top 5 defensemen in the history of the game, you can't really compare him to anyone. In the east, our D matches up to pretty much everyone.
Quote:
Our top pair has been great defensively and I love what McD and Sauer have done as rooks, but you would like to get some offense from the blueline too..
Playoff hockey is different. There's a reason people say "defense wins championships." I do think that the inexperience on this team will be our downfall. However, our top 4 for the next 10 years is looking stellar. Not to mention we have McIlrath, MDZ, V-tank and Kundratek all in the system. I don't need a PPG defensemen on our blueline to be satisfied.
Quote:
Anyway, I like the direction the team is going, but this team has nowhere near the top end talent of the other teams that have won the Cup. If they win a round I would consider it a success to get experience for the young guys..
I agree with this, but to write them off completely is not right. They are underdogs and would have to put together one hell of a run. Unlikely, yes, impossible, no.
Quote:
I don't know how anyone considers them Cup contenders though..
Agreed, but let's not sell this team short like you are doing.
Thanks for the looking these stats up. Just curious, where Montreal ranked last year in goals scored in the NHL.
Why are you trying to minimize the 10 6+ goal scoring games? I am looking at that stat as something very positive where it shows this team has the talent to score in the NHL. They just need someone to step up and score in the playoffs! The talent is there. Gaborik had an off season. He is considered a STAR in the NHL.
Habs were 23rd. Which is a big reason why they didn't win anything. They scored pretty decently in the playoffs anyway but still couldn't compete with the big boys, even with Halak playing very well. Cammalleri led the playoffs in goals with 13 goals and 19 p in 19 games. Gionta was I think 4th or 5th in goals in the playoffs. All this still wasn't enough because they didn't have enough elite offensive talent, much like the Rangers.
To the 2nd part. It means in most games the Rangers can't score. in 10 games they had a ton of goals, but in the other 70 they don't score much..
Its been a week since Cally got hurt...last week Zipay said that x-rays were expected and further treatment. I understand and agree with the idea of keeping everything quiet, but has there been any word on Callahan, I don't think so.