Sather will be looking for a tough guy to replace Boogaard. that will most likely happen. he is 31 years old and would be a cheaper option and he can forcheck and hit very well.
Rupp or Konopka make sense...Konopka's good on draws, can play the game...would work great with Prust IMO.
I like the idea of Rupp or Konopka coming in because we can move Boyle to LW for good. Our LW depth is not good right now in terms of sure NHLers.
If Boyle earns it, he can be the 3rd line LWer, maybe even the 2nd line LW if we don't bring in another LWer. Or a 4th line of Boyle-Konpka-Prust would be IMO the best in the league. Avery-Konopka-Prust could be one of the best as well.
Eager is an idiot. No way in hell I want him on this team. Guy does nothing but take dumb penalties and he's not even a good fighter.
yeah, please no Eager. Konopka is still tops on my list and I would rather not sign anyone at this point. I don't think we necessarily need another puglist. Of course it wouldn't hurt but only if we don't have a rookie ready to take a roster spot. I realize that's like a catch 22 in the UFA market.
(not actual lines)
Wolski-Richards-Gaborik
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan
Grachev*-Stepan-Zuccarello
Avery-Boyle-Prust
*insert your favorite rookie here.
Unless we are opening up some other roster spot, let's leave one spot open. Next season, with Avery and Wolski gone, Hagelin and Kreider can make their respective bids for roster spots, but I digress.
(not actual lines)
Wolski-Richards-Gaborik
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan
Grachev*-Stepan-Zuccarello
Avery-Boyle-Prust
2 things - prospal did enough I think to be offered a deal, and a spot on 3rd line LW with the way you have it setup. Would keep him fresh, and also he was productive when healthy.
secondly, if Konopka could be signed affordably, maybe do a 4th line of boyle-konopka-prust with avery as the extra forward?
oh and i'd really love to see Feds back...running out of roster spots though lol. maybe MZA can compete with Avery for that extra forward spot? there's always injuries anyway.
Hordichuk is useless. We are probably going to resign Fedotenko. I really dont see the need to sign any more 4th line players. Rangers have enough bottom 6 forwards.
I have a great idea, let's make Prust fight everyone and then when he gets knocked out or hurt again, we can just replace him with MZA...because we are more than tough enough.
If the Rangers played either one of these teams in the finals in a 7 games series we would get manhandled...but some people might like that...
How about we don't sign a tough guy? We didn't utilize one last year,or the year before and we did fine toughness wise.
But knowing sather well sign someone for wither a stupid amount of money or time because he can't help himself.
I really think a "middleweight" tough guy who can actually skate and hit would make a lot more sense for the Rangers than a big battleship.
Tortorella clearly is not big on the big enforcer, Boogaard and Brashear were disasters (not Boogy's fault obviously). Team wise the Rangers are decent on toughness - they just need someone who has legitimate fighting skill to handle an enforcer who's out of line occasionally.
I have a great idea, let's make Prust fight everyone and then when he gets knocked out or hurt again, we can just replace him with MZA...because we are more than tough enough.
If the Rangers played either one of these teams in the finals in a 7 games series we would get manhandled...but some people might like that...
Manhandled? Only if they kept it up with their dirty hits. I think we could easily hang with them toughness wise while being clean.
Why don't we just use Kris Newbury as the 13th forward instead of overpaying for someone?
Instead of Kris Newbury, why not Eric Boulton, I like Newbury but Boulton wont cost a fortune and when we play the dirty teams we insert him and when we don't he can sit in favor of someone else...
The Islanders are finally starting to get competitive again and their coach likes to play a rough and tumble game...we can not field a team with Prust as our only legit fighter...it is not safe for our skilled guys.
Instead of Kris Newbury, why not Eric Boulton, I like Newbury but Boulton wont cost a fortune and when we play the dirty teams we insert him and when we don't he can sit in favor of someone else...
Newbury brings that, was not a detriment the few games he played, and as far as I know he's great at fighting. I thought Newbury's stint here was pretty good for a guy like that. If Slats is going to carry a guy just for brawling, i'd rather it be Kris than another contract, especially with Newbury making the minimum. Other than that, either a guy in the Konopka mold or no thanks.
In his one NHL fight where fighting actually went on, Newbury handily beats Carter up. Granted Carter isn't a fighter, but he's a big guy and clearly Newbury knows how to handle business in the AHL. If Slats want's a fighter only, don't bother signing one. Here's our guy.
