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"Talking New York Rangers Hockey, since 2007"
New York, NY • United States • 23 Years Old • Male
PART 4 IS OUT. ANALYZING THE RANGERS OFFENSE #3. HTTP://MY.HOCKEYBUZZ.COM/RAGS2RICHES.
CHECK IT OUT TODAY! COMING TO THE HOME PAGE SOON!

For the next two weeks I will be writing my blog from my phone because I have no access to a computer. Because of a tech problem I have with my phone, I am unable to do anything but write blogs. I cannot respond to any posts, send messages or even make friend requests (although I can accept request if anyone is interested) ;-). Therefore I would like to use this blog as a method to respond to three comments or concerns brought up in response to previous blogs.

1. Regarding Pete V.
Pete, your comment about my writing really made me very happy. Ive been reading blogs on this site for two months and I always admired you, above all of the other Ranger bloggers and i even wrote that in my profile when I joined the site. I found every one of your posts to be insightful and convincing. I am not trying to flatter you by saying this, I just feel that you should know how much your kind words meant to a teenager who hardly made the front page of MyHB and needed some encouragement. Thank You.

2. Regarding Shanahan potentially scoring 40 goals.
The reason I believe Shanny CAN (not that he will) score 40 goals is based on last season. He had an unbelievable start to the season and put up 1 goal per game for a 10-15 game stretch proving that he can still score. He finished last season with 29 goals despite missing 15 games with a concussion and never really getting back into form after his return. Therefore, playing a full season with better linemates could make him a 40 goal scorer. The reasons brought up why he wont are all valid reasons but if you notice, i made the 40 goal statement in the "strengths" section and went on to argue against Shanahan being that productive in the "weaknesses" section. The main argument was that he is older and weaker but I brought that up clearly as a weakness. However, in my mind, if he gets back to pre-concussion form and finds chemistry with his line, he will score upwards of 35 and certainly more than last year's 29.

3. Regarding replacing Hossa with Straka on the top line.
There is no doubt that Jagr will play better with Straka than he will with Hossa but my reasoning is as follows. Start the season with Hossa on the top line. If Hossa plays well with Jagr then you have a very strong first line in addition to creating more depth in the lineup. If not, move Straka up after 5-10 games and Hossa down to the 4th or minors. The upside of creating depth at the forward position is worth the downside of having a weak 1st line for a few games when the 2nd line can make up for it somewhat with increased production. I agree with the reasons that from a 1 line standpoint, Straka should be with Jagr but looking at the big picture, I think it would be best to START with Hossa.

I hope I clarified my views and made it a little more acceptable to my critics. And if not, oh well, there is nothing wrong with disagreeing.

PART 4 IS OUT! CHECK IT OUT ON HTTP://MY.HOCKEYBUZZ.COM/RAGS2RICHES AND COMING TO THE MYHB HOME PAGE SOON!
You can check out all my blogs at http://my.hockeybuzz.com/tag.php?tag=rags2riches. Enjoy!
Filed Under:   jagr   rags2riches   pete v   straka   hossa   shanahan   rangers  
August 9, 2007 10:23 AM ET | Delete
I really think the Rangers will get burned often if Hossa and Jagr are on the same line. Hossa is a 4th maybe 3rd line player
August 9, 2007 12:55 PM ET | Delete
The Rangers with their signings immediately became contenders in the East. It will be interesting to see if money = chemistry.
August 9, 2007 2:05 PM ET | Delete
now i see where you were going with the whole hossa instead of straka with jags and i think its brilliant
August 9, 2007 2:08 PM ET | Delete
The biggest questions to me with the rags is A. is gomez going to play better, the same, or worse with Jagr and B. Will they get a defensemen this offseason and if not will their defense cost them goals? I dont think the question about straka is clear cut. I think the team will struggle a little in the begining and the lines will shuffle until they fall into place= NYR in contention for the cup. Of course that is just my opinion and being a Philly fan I hope the same doesnt happen with my team. That said I see the starting 2 top lines as: jagr/gomez/straka and prucha/drury/shanahan (which could be 2 of the most gifted lines in the NHL next year).
August 9, 2007 6:06 PM ET | Delete
drew stafford > chris drury
August 9, 2007 9:59 PM ET | Delete
drew stafford isn't as good as Drury... yet. BTW You're a really good blogger man
August 10, 2007 12:27 AM ET | Delete
If Stafford were > than Drury, Regier would not have have offered Drury the money he did. Was Drury worth what the Rangers paid? No. However, we were willing to match. What does that say?I love Stafford. The question will be, is Stafford worth as much as Vanek? In two years we will have our answer. According to Quinn/Regeir logic, you don't shell the coin for two star players. If we had paid for Drury, then paid for Vanek, Stafford would have to go at some point as we could not afford Drury, Vanek, Stafford and eventually Miller.That being said, the Rangers are ready to roll. While they find themselves up against the cap, look at the players on the roster: Jagr, Drury, Gomez, Avery, Hossa, Lundqvist etc. If I were up against the cap, I'm up against it with some pretty damn good talent. As for "does $ = chemistry," we in Buffalo preached chemistry for two years and now we act as if the loss of Drury and Briere hasn't affected OUR chemistry. My guess is that it has. To the Ranger faithful; you won't appreciate Drury every night; but a time will come when you thank God you have him.
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