But we needed the cap space to get tough

I hate Drury lol

I would like you to make a 22-23 team with Buchnevich on the roster.

Done

I'm not even a Rangers fan but I was confused as hell at this deal. Drury could of easily acquired a top prospect plus a grinder for Buch.

Ya, we were much better last year when we were getting manhandled lol

Apparently not, although that's close to what we got. Thanks to that crazy 5.8m cap for a scared winger.

The difference between last year and this year is actually pretty incredible. More than anything it’s a culture shift to me which probably woke guys up and said it’s not enough to just be skilled because you will never be successful in the league doing so as a team. There’s more to it. Something the team from last year wasn’t able to do. Plus if Blais never got hurt, I don’t think people would be as mad about the deal, but then they’d find something else to complain about.

19-7-4 just isn't good enough for some people.

It's likely not sustainable when you only have two consistently productive top 6 wingers (Panarin and Kreider) and a streaky third (Kakko). Buchnevich made Zibanejad what he was... that's why he has struggled mightily this season without Buch.

LOL. Buchnevich made Zbad what he was.....one of the silliest things I have read on this web page ever.

Glad I could provide a laugh. Zibanejad is a decent player on his own. But he was much better playing with Buch. And of the two of them, the one in St. Louis is scoring at a point per game pace. The other is not living up to the contract he just signed. I'll be happy to be wrong in the long term, but for now I'm concerned.

I suggest you look at Mika's stats and play over the past 5 years, and you will see he makes those on HIS LINE Better. I like Buch, and hated he was traded, but he benefitted from playing with Mika. And Mika is having a bit of a slow start to the year and still has 25 points in 30 games. So to say Buch made Mika what he was is just silly.

I've been very defensive of a lot of the Rangers this season (Kakko, Laf, Trouba) and I also understand the decision to trade Buch from a cap perspective. But they reallocated that cap space to Zibanejad, and he needs to perform to that standard. Everyone and their mother expects 20 year old Kakko and Lafreniere to "play like top 2 picks" meanwhile I just want to see our $8+ million man perform like he earned it in the first place.

First off, Mika has played at a bargain price for them the past 5 years. 3 seasons ago 74 points in 82 games with 30 goals. 2 seasons ago 75 points in 57 games with 41 goals. Last season 50 points in 56 games with 24 goals and he started the year with covid, which slowed him considerably. Compare those numbers to other centers around the league making $8 million or more the last 3 seasons and you will see Mika is equal to or better than almost all of them. Plus, he is a great penalty killer which adds a lot of value. This year 25 points in 30 games and he is coming on lately. Also keep in mind, he could have got MORE to play elsewhere as a free agent.

That's fair, and like I said I'll be happy to be wrong. I used to want to trade Kreider because of how streaky he was, now I'm over the moon with him. For now, I'm not thrilled with how Mika has seemingly been unnoticeable for stretches of time, but I do hope he gets back on a roll after the holidays.

I'm not concerned about Mika, he will be there when they need him. Kreider is finally becoming consistent in his effort and its showing, and Trouba is playing like the big, physical defender they have been looking for. If Kakko and Laffy and Gauthier and Miller can continue to improve, they are going to be a really good team in the near future. Plus they have some real good talent down in Hartford, so I think the future is looking pretty bright for the Rangers.