Pre-Game Talk: Camp Thread

[RangersFan1994]

what I am upset about is no one went after DeAngelo after that bump with Panarin. what if Panarin got hurt from that

 

[BKGooner]

what I am upset about is no one went after DeAngelo after that bump with Panarin. what if Panarin got hurt from that

HA! If only the Rangers acquired Ryan Reaves at the deadline everyone in the NHL would be too intimidated to bump Panarin after a line drill in practice.

 

[Leetch3]

Guys, it's one line rush...

I'm as big of a supporter of ADA as anyone but let's all calm down with pumping him up based on an 8 second twitter video from practice 2 weeks prior to the next game

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I keep reading from beat reporters around the league that there is no way players are going to be in the same shape as if they were going into September camps. I don't really agree with that sentiment.

Of course we are in the middle of unprecedented times and this whole thing is a complete one-off (hopefully) so the idea of players not staying in shape throughout the quarantines is an easy thought that comes to your mind. I'm sure there were some players who mailed it in and came to this camp in shit shape. But we've seen that happen often coming off the summer break too.

These are some of the best athletes in the world and its 2020. This isn't the 60's, 70's or 80's when the science, work out regimens and diets where non-existent for most players. These guys take care of themselves. They have personal trainers, mental coaches and dietitians they are talking to regularly. Teams like the Rangers are sending them equipment to stay in shape. Many of them were overseas and still skating too. I think it's most likely a pretty similar situation going into September. Guys taking off and relaxing, enjoying time with their families but also staying in shape on daily basis - and unlike normal summers there is nothing to do, you really cant fly, go out to dinners, parties... One of the only things you can do at a time like this is try and stay in shape.

I think a lot of people will be surprised with the level of play and competitiveness we will see in this play in round. When you're a world class athlete you have an inner drive to stay in shape because its what you do and how you operate. It's what you are conditioned to do. Mental mistakes and x & o errors due to no crowds and this whole charade will definitely rear its ugly head but I don't think guys will see certain teams completely fail in regaining their conditioning.

I think the bigger issue is pushing too hard too fast. We've already seen the type of pace the Rangers have had in their scrimmages. It's been impressive. But they will need to temper that off now to guard against groin and hammy issues. Timing is everything. I have a feeling that first exhibition against the Islanders is gonna be NUTS. Maybe a little sloppy at times but its gonna be intense as ever.

I'd actually be a little worried if I was a fan of the top teams that currently have byes and waiting to play the teams from the play-in tournament. I know they have that round-robin to reseed but it isnt going to have the same desperation as an elimination series.

 

[haveandare]

Yeah, we're not quite there yet. One D goes down and things could go bad quickly. But this year was house money and I'm pumped to see them back in the action. The experience can only help the young guys.

I’d agree 100% if it were a normal playoffs but here the hottest team is going to win. If, just hypothetically, Mika, Panarin, TDA and Igor come out hot, and even a far better opponent on paper has their best guys trying to get back up to speed, we can absolutely beat them. Think about how wonky the start of the season usually is and then imagine that actually being the playoffs. That’s what we’re about to see. Could go good or bad for every team but it’s going to be crazy and I suspect the better team on paper is going to lose a lot of these matchups.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I’d agree 100% if it were a normal playoffs but here the hottest team is going to win. If, just hypothetically, Mika, Panarin, TDA and Igor come out hot, and even a far better opponent on paper has their best guys trying to get back up to speed, we can absolutely beat them. Think about how wonky the start of the season usually is and then imagine that actually being the playoffs. That’s what we’re about to see. Could go good or bad for every team but it’s going to be crazy and I suspect the better team on paper is going to lose a lot of these matchups.

I'm a half-glass full guy too. Add Kakko to that list. I'm not expecting big things, but he's capable of making this team twice as dangerous if he plays the way we know he can.

 

[Chytilmania]

Maybe I'm too much of an optimist but for those concerned about losing a D-man, or even our bottom 6 depth...we have two first lines who can put up big points, we have a lethal PP, Igor can go on a run, Fox and DeAngelo put up plenty of points. I'm not worried about our defense getting slightly worse because Hajek has to play. That's not the reason we will lose a series. We have potential to be dangerous with our PP and Igor alone. IMO that's all you need right now, not 4 deep lines.
Igor ain't letting in 3-4 a night.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

I still believe if Kakko can come alive we have as good of 3 lines as anyone outside of maybe Tampa, that's a big if but if there was a surge in Kakkos's play it would go a long way to finishing off that line. I think we have as good a chance as anyone if 4 things happen, a) Shesterkin continues where he left off b) The 3rd line is a little bit better c) Smith and Lindgren can handle the bulk of the minutes on the left side well. D) our top players all year are still our top players.

 

[EdJovanovski]

I still believe if Kakko can come alive we have as good of 3 lines as anyone outside of maybe Tampa, that's a big if but if there was a surge in Kakkos's play it would go a long way to finishing off that line. I think we have as good a chance as anyone if 4 things happen, a) Shesterkin continues where he left off b) The 3rd line is a little bit better c) Smith and Lindgren can handle the bulk of the minutes on the left side well. D) our top players all year are still our top players.

I thought Quinn & then we’re just trying to hype him up saying he’s came back with some new swagger lol but he actually seems a lot more confident in this interview. Even has a little playoff peachfuzz

 

[cwede]

I still believe if Kakko can come alive we have as good of 3 lines as anyone outside of maybe Tampa, that's a big if but if there was a surge in Kakkos's play it would go a long way to finishing off that line. I think we have as good a chance as anyone if 4 things happen, a) Shesterkin continues where he left off b) The 3rd line is a little bit better c) Smith and Lindgren can handle the bulk of the minutes on the left side well. D) our top players all year are still our top players.

i think the baby F's (Kakko, Chytil, Gauthier, Howden) all have big moments during this run.
This atypical schedule favors young guys, and i think all of them will be ready for this 'sprint'
I def expect Gauthier to get his 1st NHL goal against his old buds.

 

[ThirdEye]

I thought Quinn & then we’re just trying to hype him up saying he’s came back with some new swagger lol but he actually seems a lot more confident in this interview. Even has a little playoff peachfuzz

Was his English always this good? It's been too long..

 

[egelband]

I'm not getting nasty but the purpose of hockey is winning not stroking a player's ego. It's not all his fault but he's been with the Rangers almost 15 years and hasn't gotten us a cup, we have to go with the better option.

Well, ignoring your tone, you’re putting words into my mouth. I never said ‘play Henrik at all costs’. But you and @Kovalev27 have taken a mild, nuanced comment and turned it into an ‘us versus them’ thing. ‘We want to win! You are a nostalgic sycophant!’
It’s a sign of the times, I know. It’s everywhere. But at least here I can call it out.
Hope you can appreciate that.

 

[LokiDog]

I’m drunk in the middle of the woods in PA, camping, but I can’t tell you all how excited I am just to see this young squad hit the ice again.

 

[Leetch3]

Was his English always this good? It's been too long..

i'm sure his english has gotten better living in NY. but it was never an issue either. I think its more confidence compared to early on when he was shy and probably worried about saying the wrong thing.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

Did the Kakko interview linked above get removed?

 

[Leetch3]

Did the Kakko interview linked above get removed?

tweet was deleted but they posted it on youtube

 

[Rempe73]

We all love Hank and appreciate everything he's done for this franchise,but it's Igor's time now.He gives us the best chance to win any game/series at this stage of their careers.

Although I think Hank, in any other situation, would be ideal to start this series (dominant against the Hurricanes, crazy amount of playoff experience, hungry as hell for a Cup, huge chip on his shoulder, and wants to prove he still has it), Igor is just a freak.

 

[Rempe73]

tweet was deleted but they posted it on youtube

Man I have a sister with type 1 diabetes and Kakko is such an inspiration. Even with the diabetes, he still wants to come and play. Already a legend in my book. Maybe type 2 is worse to have with covid around, but still.

 

[Doctyl]

Was his English always this good? It's been too long..

I feel like it’s gotten much better from the first interview after the draft. Maybe it’s him becoming more comfortable, but either way it’s great to see him fielding questions

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Maybe I'm too much of an optimist but for those concerned about losing a D-man, or even our bottom 6 depth...we have two first lines who can put up big points, we have a lethal PP, Igor can go on a run, Fox and DeAngelo put up plenty of points. I'm not worried about our defense getting slightly worse because Hajek has to play. That's not the reason we will lose a series. We have potential to be dangerous with our PP and Igor alone. IMO that's all you need right now, not 4 deep lines.
Igor ain't letting in 3-4 a night.

I wanted to say that you might be overrating our PP and that it was good but not great , but checking the stats and our PP was 7th in % and 4th in PP goals this season. Thats pretty good. Definitely something we are not used to around here lol.

We were also 4th in PP opportunities, behind 2 names you would expect (Colorado, Vancouver) and one you wouldn't (New Jersey).

 

[Ola]

I keep reading from beat reporters around the league that there is no way players are going to be in the same shape as if they were going into September camps. I don't really agree with that sentiment.

Of course we are in the middle of unprecedented times and this whole thing is a complete one-off (hopefully) so the idea of players not staying in shape throughout the quarantines is an easy thought that comes to your mind. I'm sure there were some players who mailed it in and came to this camp in shit shape. But we've seen that happen often coming off the summer break too.

These are some of the best athletes in the world and its 2020. This isn't the 60's, 70's or 80's when the science, work out regimens and diets where non-existent for most players. These guys take care of themselves. They have personal trainers, mental coaches and dietitians they are talking to regularly. Teams like the Rangers are sending them equipment to stay in shape. Many of them were overseas and still skating too. I think it's most likely a pretty similar situation going into September. Guys taking off and relaxing, enjoying time with their families but also staying in shape on daily basis - and unlike normal summers there is nothing to do, you really cant fly, go out to dinners, parties... One of the only things you can do at a time like this is try and stay in shape.

I think a lot of people will be surprised with the level of play and competitiveness we will see in this play in round. When you're a world class athlete you have an inner drive to stay in shape because its what you do and how you operate. It's what you are conditioned to do. Mental mistakes and x & o errors due to no crowds and this whole charade will definitely rear its ugly head but I don't think guys will see certain teams completely fail in regaining their conditioning.

I think the bigger issue is pushing too hard too fast. We've already seen the type of pace the Rangers have had in their scrimmages. It's been impressive. But they will need to temper that off now to guard against groin and hammy issues. Timing is everything. I have a feeling that first exhibition against the Islanders is gonna be NUTS. Maybe a little sloppy at times but its gonna be intense as ever.

I'd actually be a little worried if I was a fan of the top teams that currently have byes and waiting to play the teams from the play-in tournament. I know they have that round-robin to reseed but it isnt going to have the same desperation as an elimination series.

I imagine that the biggest issue is mentally. How many will be “comfortable”?

 

[GAGLine]

Every Rangers playoff goal from 2010 to 2019:

 

[CasusBelli]

Every Rangers playoff goal from 2010 to 2019:

The “controller disconnected” GIF is still the best.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Why did they delete this interview from YouTube & Twitter, then reupload if with all the questions about diabetes & him being fit to play removed?

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Let’s be real, Kakko was always going to play unless the doctors said he was going to drop dead on the ice due to this virus