25 replies to this topic

[Joonas #6]

Rangers fvcking suck.

[Pepperkorn]

Seriously -- why did I bother to reply to have it pushed out with the astute observation above

[Mitico12]

The Rags have a good team...no doubt, but every year in late Oct/Nov into Dec they play great and seem to be a top team......then the holidays come and after new years they are spent and play .500 and go on a losing streak near the end of the season..........just watch.

They have a very good coach in John Tortorella. He is an excellent team builder and if they buy into his system and his ways, this team can go far...

[adam85491]

Rangers suck! Flyers swallow!

[ATLL765]

They've definitely made themselves into a better team since ridding themselves of Gomez and Drury, without signing huge contracts to mediocre players, they put themselves in a better position no matter what else happens. They're defense, while young, is getting better, but without Staal, I think they'll falter eventually, as they really don't have anyone past Girardi who's truly proven themselves to be reliable.

As for their offense, it's far harder working and less buy a fading star player like than in past years. Adding Richards is definitely a boost for Gaborik who had a year even worse than Kovy's last year, but even with those two, the emergence of Stepan and Callahan being like a baby switched at birth that was meant for the Devils, yet somehow finding his way to the Rags, they're still lacking a bit as far in the department of top end talent.

So the bottom line for me is that they're a much better team than in the past, but they're still one or two steps away from being a "top tier" team in the Eastern Conference. We've all seen the Rags make hot starts and fall off as the year goes on and Torts wears on their minds, but I believe they can definitely make the playoffs this year, not in the top 4, but they can really challenge for the 5-8 spots.

My prediction: They make the playoffs, but it'll be a first round exit for them.

[peteyvegas]

They have some good, big, young players who are just starting to come into their own. If they can keep this group together, I think they have something there.