Of Bickel, Eminger and Gilroy it seems to me that Bickel would have the edge. He's the youngest--if he plays a safe game he has an advantage because of his physical style--kind of like a version of Ken Daneyko.
Gilroy has only played 8 AHL games--he's spent almost his entire pro career in the NHL so the AHL should not be that difficult for him. He's played stronger competition. The first goal by Elkins was his **** up--he tried to force his way past Elkins and got his pocket picked. Gilroy should be our go to guy for Connecticut right now but plays like that are a reason that I'm skeptical about him fitting onto our team--he's a soft guy to begin with and his head isn't always in the game.
Ultimately though the Rangers I think are going to wind up bringing somebody else on board because unless Bickel really takes a step forward the guys we have for the bottom pairing positions aren't really going to cut it.
lol, it is still early in the season and its only their 4th game, but that is true for all other 29 other teams too... Whale look awful so far this year. Not the "they lost 1 after an 8 game winning streak" awful, I mean really awful, especially the D and in goal
once thing i noticed about stajcer is that he goes down very early getting beat high... call benny allaire quickly!
lol, it is still early in the season and its only their 4th game, but that is true for all other 29 other teams too... Whale look awful so far this year. Not the "they lost 1 after an 8 game winning streak" awful, I mean really awful, especially the D and in goal
once thing i noticed about stajcer is that he goes down very early getting beat high... call benny allaire quickly!
Yeah they haven't look too good from what I've seen. Certain players are doing well, Jean and Miller most notably I think. Wish I could find a way to watch the end of this.
Could be worse. The B-Sens had a 5-0 lead tonight and ended up losing 6-5 in a fight-filled game, including a goalie fight between Lehner and Helenius and Nightingale vs Big Specimen.
And Sauer will not be healthy. They aren't operating with the assumption he's ever coming back.
Its noted that some here feel Gilroy is a POS. But its wrong Hes not. Hes capable enough as a 3rd pair depth defenseman that can also fill in as a depth forward.
There are 12 forwards signed. No spares.
Gilroy, Bickel, and Eminger all can and have dressed as forwards in the past.
One of them will be the #6 defenseman on any given night.
I could be wrong but I really only think Gilroy is a vet call up if someone gets hurt. He's not a POS but he's not very good either. He didnt do a thing with TB or Ottawa.
Even if Sauer is still it which sure he likely is they have 7 NHL signed Dmen. Yea you are right they could still carry 8 and they have experience subbing in as 4th line wingers if they really have too. Not ideal though.
Maybe Gilroy starts with the Rangers if they ever freaking get to play this yr but I doubt he lasts long and no way I give the guy a one way deal
The salary cap is going down. Having a group of "black aces" like Gilroy, Eminger, and Bickel who can fill in on both defense and forward at cheap prices is going to go a long way for the team.
Injuries happen.
Having versatile cheap depth players will help.
Del Zotto still needs a new contract. Next summer Stepan, McDonagh, Hagelin need new ccontracts. The summer after Kreider, Callahan, Girardi and Lundqvist need new contracts. 2015 Staal.
With the cap decreasing, moving forward having guys that are versatile, imperfect, and cheap are going to be very important.
The reality is no team can have 23 perfect players. Gilroy is on par if not better than most 6-7 defensemen in the league. He's not looking to cash in. He wants a job. He clearly wants familiarity. Torts likes him. Hes from the area. He can skate at an elite level. He has some skill. Hes a hard worker, coachable. Cheap. Can't ask for more in a depth player that may surprise.
This was the issue with signing Asham. Waste of cap space. Overpaid by a lot for a 4th line player. Haley could fill that spot. Rupp and Asham are overpaid for their roles.
The future is going to be about finding value.
Want a big body that can forecheck, cant skate, and can punch a face, Bickel can fill that role. You don't need to spend 1.5 million on the Rupps of the world.
Want to replace Prust's speed and effort? Why spend 1 millon on Asham when Haley can do it for 600k.
Value.
Value where its needed on the lower lines, and as you progress up the lineup guys get paid. As they should.
The days of over paying fringe players is hopefully at an end.
The cap dropping from 70 to 59 you cant have Rupp and Asham taking up 2.5 million when guys like Haley and Bickel can do the job for 1.35 million.
This is why a Gilroy, Bickel, and Eminger are going to be invaluable to a team.
People complain ignorantly "they sucksssss" when they don't look at the whole picture. They don't suck, first. Second, they are servicable, and cheap. So that the core players can be retained when they need new contracts.
The Rangers have something most if not none have. 5 defensemen that are top four defensemen, home grown. So if a clause is put in the new CBA like in the NBA where you can spend more on your own FA, we may be able to keep them together.
Plus Skjei, who is really good, if anyone has been watching him in Minnesota, and McIlrath, in the system.
The 6-7 are going to have to be cheap, imperfect players.
Same for the fourth line and the healthy scratches.
The nice thing about the Rangers too is that they won't have to spend too much next year even if the cap goes down. They miss an entire season and that affects contracts for guys like Stepan, Hags, and McD. If they're able to get out of the Redden mess, all the better.
Also, Fast and Lindberg are on the way. No guarantees either make the team but Lindberg (who is physically mature enough being 22 a few weeks into next season), Miller, and now it looks like Jean can call be good bottom 6 players, and if Fast can adjust quickly he might be that 2nd-3rd line tweener. All of these guys are a combined $3.7 million.
The nice thing about the Rangers too is that they won't have to spend too much next year even if the cap goes down. They miss an entire season and that affects contracts for guys like Stepan, Hags, and McD. If they're able to get out of the Redden mess, all the better.
Also, Fast and Lindberg are on the way. No guarantees either make the team but Lindberg (who is physically mature enough being 22 a few weeks into next season), Miller, and now it looks like Jean can call be good bottom 6 players, and if Fast can adjust quickly he might be that 2nd-3rd line tweener. All of these guys are a combined $3.7 million.
In no way shape or form is missing an entire season 'all the better' when it comes to our experience as fans of the team/game. I fail to see it as a positive regardless of the contractual implications.
The salary cap is going down. Having a group of "black aces" like Gilroy, Eminger, and Bickel who can fill in on both defense and forward at cheap prices is going to go a long way for the team.
Injuries happen.
Having versatile cheap depth players will help.
Del Zotto still needs a new contract. Next summer Stepan, McDonagh, Hagelin need new ccontracts. The summer after Kreider, Callahan, Girardi and Lundqvist need new contracts. 2015 Staal.
With the cap decreasing, moving forward having guys that are versatile, imperfect, and cheap are going to be very important.
The reality is no team can have 23 perfect players. Gilroy is on par if not better than most 6-7 defensemen in the league. He's not looking to cash in. He wants a job. He clearly wants familiarity. Torts likes him. Hes from the area. He can skate at an elite level. He has some skill. Hes a hard worker, coachable. Cheap. Can't ask for more in a depth player that may surprise.
This was the issue with signing Asham. Waste of cap space. Overpaid by a lot for a 4th line player. Haley could fill that spot. Rupp and Asham are overpaid for their roles.
The future is going to be about finding value.
Want a big body that can forecheck, cant skate, and can punch a face, Bickel can fill that role. You don't need to spend 1.5 million on the Rupps of the world.
Want to replace Prust's speed and effort? Why spend 1 millon on Asham when Haley can do it for 600k.
Value.
Value where its needed on the lower lines, and as you progress up the lineup guys get paid. As they should.
The days of over paying fringe players is hopefully at an end.
The cap dropping from 70 to 59 you cant have Rupp and Asham taking up 2.5 million when guys like Haley and Bickel can do the job for 1.35 million.
This is why a Gilroy, Bickel, and Eminger are going to be invaluable to a team.
People complain ignorantly "they sucksssss" when they don't look at the whole picture. They don't suck, first. Second, they are servicable, and cheap. So that the core players can be retained when they need new contracts.
The Rangers have something most if not none have. 5 defensemen that are top four defensemen, home grown. So if a clause is put in the new CBA like in the NBA where you can spend more on your own FA, we may be able to keep them together.
Plus Skjei, who is really good, if anyone has been watching him in Minnesota, and McIlrath, in the system.
The 6-7 are going to have to be cheap, imperfect players.
Same for the fourth line and the healthy scratches.
The problem with that analysis is that Asham and Rupp have been regular game in--game out NHL players for years because they find ways to fit into roles that teams do need. No argument that Gilroy is more talented and a better skater but he's also 28 years old and hasn't established himself after 3 years knocking around 3 teams and back to the Rangers. Part of the problem is he's about as soft as it gets for a defenseman. Part of the problem is his frequency of getting caught in the gray area between attacking and defending which means he doesn't read plays well. Part of the problem is that even as gifted as a skater, passer with good offensive instincts he hasn't produced much offense. Lee Baldwin can skate and pass very well too--think is another thing. Gilroy's hockey sense has some holes.
