The fourth season: David Pagnotta and Dennis Bernstein talk about the New York Rangers and how they need more offense and secondary scoring.
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Kater Pettersen: “Yes, and you are talking about New York, where do you think they are from here? What's the next move? What's your prediction, you know, how it goes with that extra space?
Pagnotta: “Yes, yes, they want to face the offense and add the second points to the list. Reilly Smith hasn't really provided that presence so far this season.
And now that I think about it, it's just over eight and a half million at the current point, and that's going to keep piling up as the season goes on. So they have the ability to deal with both ends of the ice. They can bring in more points by looking for a top man, and they have the ability now to replace Trouba in that top four position by bringing in another defenseman.
So I think Drury will continue to look to see where he can fit one of those holes. We will see again. They have a game night against Pittsburgh. They have a player in Marcus Pettersson on that end who could be an attractive piece for them, but the Rangers are in a slump. Let's see what they do. Let's see if this kind of shakes them up a bit. Now that Trouba is out of the mix.”
Bernstein: “I think it's all a crime, Kate. I think when you look at the regression of Mika Zabanejad, uh, (Alexis) Lafreniere people were thinking, may he have a 100-point season this year. That doesn't happen either. You think it must be offensive.
And back to the deal with the Ducks, I'm surprised it wasn't Frank Vatrano who came back. Like that could be a player that could help, that could help the offense a lot more than it would otherwise. Look, that's dumping salary, and you're going to, obviously, this won't be Chris Drury's last move, right? It can't be, can it? If you're going to change the paradigm in New York, it's going to have to be a case. I think it's a good enough defense.
Look, they're never going to be a puck-possession team. He's going to need (Igor) Shesterkin to play better. Jonathan Quick should stay at that level. But for me, it's a crime. It should be a score winner for this team to help spark this offense that has had the best rating, you know, all season.
Pettersen: “Well, we're talking about blocking the external noise you mentioned. You know, this should solve the Rangers room, but if you're in a room where, you know, it's not done, how much is that really?
Pagnotta: “Well, it's a very good question, because now it's like, okay, everybody's looking over their shoulder to see what's next.
Talking to other people in the club. There was a fight that kept building in that room with Trouba there. So maybe just to end that existence.
Pettersen: “A small episode.
Pagnotta: “Of course. Take a little pressure off, and at least they can focus on their games.
Kreider was asked this morning, before this trade happened, when his mind was on Touba possibly leaving, he was going, 'Look, I'll deal with that tomorrow. We will talk about it tomorrow. We have to focus on the game we are in.' Which is the kind of thing you want to hear, from one of your leaders. So focus on the game against Pittsburgh. They have three more games tonight against non-playoff teams.
So it's a chance to collect 4W in a row. You get a bit of that saying, don't quote the conflict outside the room. Maybe this kind of gets them back on track here.
Pagnotta: “Yes, I agree with that, and especially the principle. Check out the next three games, definitely winnable games. I think they have Pittsburgh, Seattle at home, they have, those are games they have to win. They don't have to win, it won't take them out of the playoffs, but they have to win.
More questions about the room, Kate, who gets 'C' now? Are they waiting for the off season? Did they appoint one of the guys, like Kreider or, or breadman to wear the C, now? What happened there?
I don't think so, I think it's an overstatement in terms of leadership. Today's point, maybe there was a conflict in the room, which would not help. I think this takes the heat off a lot of people, because now, okay, there was one movement. Now we will play a game.
So do I think there is, a comparable move 24-48 hours after this? No, I don't want to. I think it's buying time for Chris Drury to reevaluate now. But I think in the next, you know, four to six weeks, you're probably going to see another trade if they continue to play at this level.
Pettersen: “So the hope, I think, is now it's ready, try to get back into the rhythm, get the offense going, and see where it goes and let the chips go. It's part of the business.
Pagnotta: “Yes, of course.
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