The Official NHL 2012 Off-Season Thread

[Kobalt]

For Detroit? Get some players that know about positioning. FAR too many rebound chances pass us by because we have no net presence at all. You can only do so much with one player battling at the front of the net with two defenders. Other guys need to step it up.

And we could definitely use with a lot more physical play. Kicking for the puck along the boards and finishing your checks isn't enough anymore. I'm not saying go out of your way to "Weber" anyone, but don't be afraid to push back.

Hope you guys bring back Quincey

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[OhBallsItsJebus]

Re: The Official NHL 2012 Off-Season Thread

Hope you guys bring back Quincey

As do I. He fits in so well with the Wings. I'm really glad they acquired him.
Now if they could just ditch Kindl they'd be getting somewhere.

[BlueNGold]

Re: The Official NHL 2012 Off-Season Thread

#1 thing your team needs to address in the off-season?

Get a good defensive d-man and/or a legitimate #1 center, but those don't exactly grow on trees.

[Kobalt]

Re: The Official NHL 2012 Off-Season Thread

Get a good defensive d-man and/or a legitimate #1 center, but those don't exactly grow on trees.

Stastny for Enstrom

Stastny + Barrie/Elliott for Enstrom + Burmistrov

[NYRBlue88]

Re: The Official NHL 2012 Off-Season Thread

I apologize if any fellow Rangers fans posted but we clearly need the following next season (in this order):

• Faceoff Specialist
• Faceoff Specialist
• Faceoff Specialist
• Big shot from the point (and a PP consultant/coach like an Adam Oates)
• Secondary scoring depth (we have enough grinders)

I'm thrilled the Rangers didn't take on the albatross contract of Rick Nash and I think Kreider has the potential to be a 20-30 goal scorer as soon as next season. Another season of Hagelin playing with Richie and Gabby should do wonders for him.
I highly doubt the Rangers can/will sign Parise for what he will want (plus, I think he'll stick with NJ somehow, someway) or even trade for a Bobby Ryan. The Rangers need to keep their core in tact and find a way to convince Hank not to bolt in 2014 - and it won't be cheap...

[Kobalt]

Re: The Official NHL 2012 Off-Season Thread

Blackhawks fired Mike Haviland. You guys fired the wrong guy.

[SidVish]

Re: The Official NHL 2012 Off-Season Thread

Blackhawks fired Mike Haviland. You guys fired the wrong guy.

Not surprised. Kitchen is Quenneville's buddy. It sucks for the fans.

[ASB37]

Re: The Official NHL 2012 Off-Season Thread

I apologize if any fellow Rangers fans posted but we clearly need the following next season (in this order):

• Faceoff Specialist
• Faceoff Specialist
• Faceoff Specialist
• Big shot from the point (and a PP consultant/coach like an Adam Oates)
• Secondary scoring depth (we have enough grinders)

I'm thrilled the Rangers didn't take on the albatross contract of Rick Nash and I think Kreider has the potential to be a 20-30 goal scorer as soon as next season. Another season of Hagelin playing with Richie and Gabby should do wonders for him.
I highly doubt the Rangers can/will sign Parise for what he will want (plus, I think he'll stick with NJ somehow, someway) or even trade for a Bobby Ryan. The Rangers need to keep their core in tact and find a way to convince Hank not to bolt in 2014 - and it won't be cheap...

Depends on how things work out this post-season I can see Dubinsky being moved in a package for a top winger, but if Parise is there I see us taking a legit shot at signing him. This is all secondary to signing our young core pieces who are approaching UFA. Making sure that McDonagh, MDZ, etc are signed are crucial for being able to not just make 1 cup run but multiple cup runs.

Hank leaving I'm not so worried about, but Sather being tempted to trade for Nash again this off-season does worry me.

[NYRBlue88]

Re: The Official NHL 2012 Off-Season Thread

Depends on how things work out this post-season I can see Dubinsky being moved in a package for a top winger, but if Parise is there I see us taking a legit shot at signing him. This is all secondary to signing our young core pieces who are approaching UFA. Making sure that McDonagh, MDZ, etc are signed are crucial for being able to not just make 1 cup run but multiple cup runs.

Hank leaving I'm not so worried about, but Sather being tempted to trade for Nash again this off-season does worry me.

I would have no issues with Dubi being packaged in a trade. I have never been a big fan of his especially after his ridiculous hold-out two years ago. His confidence seems shot. His production is way down while his tendency for stupid penalties is way up. And, he has never lived up to his salary. If we can get something good in return by trading him with a pick or two, then feel free Slats!

I agree with you about Sather and Nash. I have a bad feeling that it will be revisited before the upcoming draft. Then again, I'm always worried about Slats in the offseason. In particular, on July 1st. Trusting Glen Sather with money to spend is like trusting a drunk teenager with car keys.

I hope they re-sign Biron for at least one more year. Yes, he has some serious 5-hole issues but he's good for 10 or so wins a season and a good "team" guy.

[IlliniM1ke]

Re: The Official NHL 2012 Off-Season Thread

Blackhawks fired Mike Haviland. You guys fired the wrong guy.

Unreal.

I look forward to another season of completely inept PP, Q will regret this, if the team sucks on the PP and Defense again and we squeak into the playoffs and have a 3rd straight first round exit he's gonna be gone.

Should have just sent Kitchen packing and hired a guy who knows how to run a PP and go back to how we played D when we won the cup, I like Q but opting to keep his friend who is running two failed units is pathetic. Haviland was in charge of the PK and the offense and they weren't bad so lets fire him.

[kai123]

Re: The Official NHL 2012 Off-Season Thread

Unreal.

I look forward to another season of completely inept PP, Q will regret this, if the team sucks on the PP and Defense again and we squeak into the playoffs and have a 3rd straight first round exit he's gonna be gone.

Should have just sent Kitchen packing and hired a guy who knows how to run a PP and go back to how we played D when we won the cup, I like Q but opting to keep his friend who is running two failed units is pathetic. Haviland was in charge of the PK and the offense and they weren't bad so lets fire him.

To be fair to your D, you guys signed Sami Lepisto....and Montador was injured. I think it has less to do with coaching and more to do with who is on the bench. Emery and Crawford is a dumb-downed version of Elliot/Halak duo. Emery and Crawf are both backups and I dunno how any team can have confidence playing in front of them.

Secondly you guys signed vets, I mean olddddd vets. O'Donnell and Brunette? Both of these guys can't skate anymore. I like the Blackhawks a bit(mainly just Toews) but losing 1st Rd back to back is excused due to the circumstances. 2010-2011, Campoli is just a bust for that bad clearance and Crawford was your tendy. This year, Hossa and Montador out, then you have Crawford in net again.

In the end, the firing of Haviland isn't really a solution for anyone, I even heard the players loved the guy.

[SidVish]

In the end, the firing of Haviland isn't really a solution for anyone, I even heard the players loved the guy.

And the players really dislike Kitchen. I'm kind of glad Q did this because it's on him now.

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[IlliniM1ke]

Re: The Official NHL 2012 Off-Season Thread

To be fair to your D, you guys signed Sami Lepisto....and Montador was injured. I think it has less to do with coaching and more to do with who is on the bench. Emery and Crawford is a dumb-downed version of Elliot/Halak duo. Emery and Crawf are both backups and I dunno how any team can have confidence playing in front of them.

Secondly you guys signed vets, I mean olddddd vets. O'Donnell and Brunette? Both of these guys can't skate anymore. I like the Blackhawks a bit(mainly just Toews) but losing 1st Rd back to back is excused due to the circumstances. 2010-2011, Campoli is just a bust for that bad clearance and Crawford was your tendy. This year, Hossa and Montador out, then you have Crawford in net again.

In the end, the firing of Haviland isn't really a solution for anyone, I even heard the players loved the guy.

Our defensive philosophy (if we even have one) right now is awful, O'Donnell is done I agree but even our good D-men play horrible more times than not, they don't clear the crease at all and they are constantly hanging our goalies out to dry (and you can't get away with that unless you have a goalie capable of stealing a game, Crawford and Emery are not).

When your team tends to play ineffective D even with your top pairing out there your system is bad.

Honestly Lepisto wasn't terrible, I would be fine with him coming back to play the role of #7 d-man again this year if he is interested in returning. The old veterans need to go though.

[IlliniM1ke]

Re: The Official NHL 2012 Off-Season Thread

And the players really dislike Kitchen. I'm kind of glad Q did this because it's on him now.

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This, I am a huge fan of Q but opting to keep his friend and fire Havi was a huge mistake IMO and it puts next season squarely on his shoulders.

If the team struggles in the same facets of the game they did this year and get bounced in round 1 again Q and Kitchen will be gone.

This move firing Haviland strikes me as Q sticking it to Bowman, Bowman told him he wanted changes to the staff (not in those exact words but that was the message), Bowman lets Q have authority over his coaching staff so how does he stick it to Bowman (they supposedly don't see eye to eye on very much) by firing the assistant who is liked by the players and well respected around the league and keeping Kitchen.

[Kobalt]

Re: The Official NHL 2012 Off-Season Thread

Philly GM Paul Homgren said he expects the salary cap to be at about 69million. So, why did we have a lockout 7~8years ago?