Don't get me wrong, Chris Pronger is one of my all time favorite non-Rangers, and probably my second favorite defenseman after Leetch.
His age showed last year though, even when he wasn't hurt. I'd say that Timonen's did, as well. Are they both still generally awesome defensemen? Hell yeah. I'm just not sure how they'll hold up. Pronger is going to be 37 in October, and Timonen is 36 himself. Will they be as good this year as they've been in the past? I'm not so sure.
Blown out of proportion IMO. No one says anything about Nick Lidstrom and his declining play. Pronger and Timonen are smart and experience enough to continue playing at a high level IMO. They statistically didn't drop off as much as you make it sound like. In 2009-10, Pronger should've been a Norris nominee over Green, and with his reputation around the league he could have won it. He is one year removed from being the unquestionable best defenseman on the planet.
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Meszaros is a guy who's been up and down throughout his career. Which Meszaros will show up this season?
EDIT: And that's not even addressing the point Inferno made about how solid our top 4 is defensively. Comparison is the point of this thread, after all.
I guess you are right with Meszaros, but he proved to play very well in a new system, taking over the #1 role for the playoffs. Watching flyers games, he was noticeably the most entertaining to watch.
I went with TB assuming the Stamkos thing is resolved. One can't speculate on the future so gotta rank'em with the lineups they have now. Of course, Richards and Gaborik could go lights out but Stamkos and St Louis are sure-fire magic. I suppose one could argue our goaltending and defense should give us the edge but I would say for now, actions speak louder than words. Conference finals visit wins.
LOL at Philly. No Carter, No Richards, and isn't Pronger gonna be out on LTIR for a while? If Schenn and Voracek pan out for them, they'll have some good pieces to go with Giroux and JVR, but like Richards and Gaborik, I gotta go with the hard evidence.
A lot of "ifs" with these teams now, it's close and I like the Rangers chances. Lundqvist is consistently solid. If he can maintain elite level for the entire season we'll be sitting pretty. It's tim he gets over the mid season slump. I think a healthy Biron will push him and give him the rest he needs.
Bryz is a solid goalie but we all know Philly is hard on goalies.
Tampa is a solid team but they could end up with goaltending issues, Roloson played lights out but how much more of that has he got in him?
The Habs? Bleh they are pretty bi polar they could be great or they could stink it up.
I'd take Vokoun over Bryz along with other guys you mentioned. Not Fleury though.
I'd probably agree with that thought, but it's tough to say. Fleury has more ups and downs than Bryzgalov, but when he's up, he's definitely better. When he's down, though.... BLECH.
Do you guys going with the homer vote really see us going from 93 points to over 103 points this season? It's certainly possible, but it won't be easy.
Do you guys going with the homer vote really see us going from 93 points to over 103 points this season? It's certainly possible, but it won't be easy.
We might have had 103 points even without Richards. Add 15-20 goals from Gaborik, some of them on the PP, and this team wins quite a few more games this season. Now you add an elite 1st line center -- and it's reasonable to expect both to score 75-85 points next season. Provided the kids don't slump too much, this production can easily net us 100+ points.
Do you guys going with the homer vote really see us going from 93 points to over 103 points this season? It's certainly possible, but it won't be easy.
I went with the Rangers because I don't see our young defense taking a step back. With the way guys like McD and Sauer play the game (as well a the fact that Sauer already has several years of pro experience under his belt), it just seems unlikely that they would have a typical sophomore slump.
I also see a big year from Anisimov. Think about this: Anisimov was basically our best center last year. That's a big burden for a guy like that. Now he'll be able to slot in behind Richards, face weaker defense pairs, and build on the two full years of experience he already has. I see him scoring 60ish points and making his linemates more productive, too.
My pick of the Rangers is based on the fact that I'm assuming we'll get typical production out of Gabby and Richards. Every other team has question marks, too. I think the Rangers are the most likely to have those questions answered in the most positive way.
Rangers have better goaltending and a better defense then Tampa, outside that their overall forward depth is on par and I think they're coming in #4 in the conference though it will be tight.
Frankly, I don't think any other team that's left is as well-constructed all around as the Rangers.
Well put. Really if Sid and Malkin have injury problems and Washington just simply has their usual problems, Boston has a Stanley cup hangover, Rangers may be in for a surprise.
Have to go with TBL. They made it to the ECF last season and have not gotten worse in my opinion. I don't see the Rangers this high, but anything can happen.
