Yes folks, it's time that the Royals move on, fire everyone and start with a new coaching staff, save Kevin Seitzer.

The Royals have lost their fire, the Royals youngsters are all lost and Ned Yost is doing nothing good for this team. It's time for a change, and I think the entire staff should be replaced before the All Star break.

Ned Yost - Replace with Jim Riggelman
Bob McClure - Replace with Gil Meche (lol)

I do think the Riggelman idea works though because he made the most out of a marginal Nationals roster and was slighted in my opinion by an idiotic Nationals front office.

Any thoughts are welcome and encouraged.

There is something wrong with this team and Yost is plain terrible.

The New York Rangers will select 15th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft this summer. The Rangers have already accumulated a nice stockpile of talented youngsters, and with a solid core of young defensemen, the Rangers will likely look at forwards.

The key in this draft is finding that rare skater up front, with some offensive ability, but also a good mental approach to the game, and an absolute passion for hockey. Here are some of the key youngsters I feel that the Rangers have looked at long, and will make an impact in the NHL.

Joel Armia, Winger  Porin Assat, Fin 

Armia is already over 6' and at 17, has a natural touch with the puck. He can shoot from anywhere on the ice, and draws alot of attention from the opposing defense. The key for Armia reaching the NHL and contributing is his play away from the puck and helping his line-mates. His passing and defense need some work, but he has the nose you want at the net. His 6'3 frame projects out to a solid up front sniper, and potential two- way winger. Armia is a solid mid first round pick, and could rise because his size is a commodity in the NHL.

Future: Top 6 Forward with goal scoring acumen

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David Musil, Defense WHL

David Musil is the son of Frantisek Musil, and the nephew of Bobby Holik. Yes, that's right. His family blood line has gifted the young Musil with incredible strength and size for his age. Musil looked like a men amongst boys playing in the "rugged" Western Hockey League and this should help him develop quickly. As I stated earlier, the Rangers will likely look at forward with the first round selection, but Musil's size, grit and determination make him a huge value anywhere in the mid to late first round.

Future :Top 4 defenseman, could be a stay at home or rugged playmaking defenseman.

Niklas Jensen, Forward OHL

Jensen, arguably the best Danish prospect....ever?

Jensen has size and skating ability ahead of his years. He reminds me of a bigger, stronger Frans Nielsen, and Nielsen has emerged as a solid two way center. Jensen's stock will likely rise as the draft inches closer because he can lineup at center and right wing, take faceoffs and shoot the puck quite well. He is also very good in his own end. He had some early knocks on his passion, but Jensen quieted the doubters with a solid season in the O.

Future: Top 6 forward, special teams nightmare, giant Frans Nielsen.

Ryan Strome, Center OHL

Strome is likely a reach for the Rangers at 15, but with so many prospects already in the cupboard, it's not impossible for the Rangers to move up to take him. Strome is without question one of the most creative centers in the draft. He has incredible acumen with the puck, and his play without it has improved greatly over the last season. Strome could be a fast riser as the draft draws near. He has good (right-handed) shot, which give Strome some flexibility as a potential winger in power play situations. His biggest flaw, strength. He has had some difficulties with face offs and getting out of checks.

Future: Top 6 forward, potential top playmaker with goal scoring ability

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I am not going to provide graphs or trends or anything like that. What I will provide is my continued frustration with Royals fans on the RR. 

Most of us, most of us Royals fans have begged and wished for this moment. A time where Kila Ka'aihue would get a serious look at first base. Here we are people...we're getting our wish. 

Ka'aihue has exactly 265 Major League AT BATS. 265. In that small sample, Kila has managed pretty unremarkable stats, BUT he has driven in 31 runs and walked 37 times. Yep, not terrific.

The one thing that everyone should realize is that he hasn't seen many of the pitchers he's facing now. He hasn't traveled with the Royals, been a part of a Major League team. This is the first time in his career that he is considered an everyday major league player...at 27.

Ka'aihue deserves at least a full season with Kansas City, and if you want to look around, Carlos freaking Pena and his .197 BA (2010) landed an everyday job with the Flubs, for 10 million bucks. I do realize that Pena has had a productive past, but let's face it, Ka'aihue is a late bloomer, and there is NOTHING wrong with him. He will produce for the Royals at some point and yes, maybe he will be replaceable, but there is no reason to rush him out of the lineup.

I would really love to see RR posters and Royals fans support Ka'aihue, and stop bitching about his at bats. Let's let the guy have his season.

Yes, Baseball Mogul a long running baseball simulator has released a new version and it contains the full 2011 Royals roster, including all the wonderful prospects. I decided to take the reigns of the Royals and went into it with two rules. I would not trade to stack and I would only make trades that made sense. Sense as in, dumping free agents and or under-performers with the caveat that I would wait until July 1st.

So....on to the results.

The season began with a big battle at first. Hosmer, Kila and Butler all raked. Kila had 7 homers by May 1st. Hosmer got off to a great start hitting .290 with a .800 OPS in April, but I decided to demote him to AAA and give Kila and Billy the everyday 1B/DH split.

Moustakas ripped AAA pitching, but I refrained from calling him until I was sure he would be able to hit in the bigs. Aviles went down for the season (lol) in May. I was forced to used Zawadski in a platoon with Betemit. Z did hit well but had 11 errors in 17 games haha.

The pitching staff was actually interesting. Kyle Davies, Luke Hochevar and Jeff Francis all pitched well through May, but when June hit both Hoch and Francis declined rapidly. Chen and Davies fought for the team ERA lead and Mazarro quickly played himself to AAA. I decided that when July 1st came I would trade one of the starters and since the Reds came knocking I sent UFA Kyle Davies to the Reds for Homer Bailey, who fell out of favor.

As July moved on the team really took shape. Alex Gordon, Melky Cabrera and new right fielder Mitch Maier all were near .300 and Gordon specifically was leading the team in XBH's. Chris Getz was a bright spot at 2nd base with only 3 errors a .375 OBP and 25 steals. I was forced to lead him off, and then I released Jason Kendall and his .645 OPS. Brayan Pena did not hit for a high average but his RTO was 40% in his first 30 games.

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Well, I am sure there will be more of these polls as we move closer to Opening Day.

I have to say I am generally impressed with Moore's off-season and the overall outlook for the Royals. He cleared out some payroll, added more depth, added some potential lightning in a bottle (Francis, Cabrera, Francoeur) and will probably let our adopted son, Kila Ka'aihue have his 500 plate appearances.

So, RR?

Where are our Royals?

IS GMDM finally making good decisions on both the minor and pro league levels?

Share your thoughts and please vote!

Spring Training, 2011.

Regardless of how bad the Royals are assumed to be, spring training is always a time that inspires Royals fans to appreciate the prospects. It's the fans thing, to follow these kids and check out the pitching. The Royals have a lot of it, and some of it is so good it may push other pitching to be better.

The Rotation, these guys are locks.

Kyle Davies:

Kyle set career marks in starts (32) innings (183.2) losses (12)  and a bunch of other bad things. The interesting thing about Davies though is that at times he showed some flashes of being very durable and dominant. If Davies can work through the middle innings more efficiently, he can become a solid innings eater for the Royals. The defense in 2011 has to be considered, on paper at least to look better than 2010. That should help reduce baserunners.

Luke Hochevar:

Luke, use the force man. Luke continued to fight the injury bugaboo in 2010, a season in which everyone hoped he could "get it going" and become a core member of the rotation. I really am not sure what I think of Hochevar to this point, but if he can remain healthy for 28+ starts, maybe we can get a look at what Luke really is.

Vin Mazzaro:

Vin is going to get a long look, and has the most intrigue for me. The A's are known for their insane ability to produce quality pitchers, and Mazzaro has pretty good stuff. His numbers last season, while he was 24 years old, improved nicely from his debut season. Mazzaro pitched pretty well, when he pitched, and the Royals are going to see what they have. I like this kid, I hope he continues to pitch with confidence. Mazzaro has a good build and looks like a possible innings eater, hopefully a PLUS version of Davies.

Jeff Francis:

Another guy I am looking forward to seeing. Francis, if healthy, provides the Royals with a solid lefty. His body of work is somewhat vanilla, but he's been better more than he's been bad in career. He has a good reputation, and perhaps out of Coors will help give Jeff the confidence to rebound from injury. Francis could be a good, at the price.

There are several clubs in the NHL that are looking for scoring. The Rangers surely could use more consistency there, and I know trading Gaborik seems insane. Hear me out though.

The Los Angeles Kings are the perfect match for Marian Gaborik. They have plenty of room under the cap to absorb his contract and they have the young talent to send back in such a trade. The Rangers will make the playoffs with or without Gaborik in my opinion, as the Rangers will return Vinny Prospal, Ryan Callahan and Chris Drury will get better as the season moves forward. Does anyone really want to see Mats Zuccarello go back to the Whale?

The Kings have three young players in particular, Brayden Schenn, Thomas Hickey and Colten Teubert that I am really fond of. Is that a good foundation for a trade?

Take a moment to look at the Rangers lines without Gaborik, and a healthy Prospal.

Prospal / Anisimov / Callahan
Dubinsky / Stepan / Zuccarello
Fedotenko / Boyle / Prust
Avery / Drury / Weise 

This lineup doesn't even include Wolski. I wonder how healthy Prospal will be this year. I think that you can slot Dubinsky OR Wolski in the top 6 and the Rangers will still be very solid.

I think the Rangers will likely keep Gaborik, but this is something that Sather should consider. Gaborik is streaky, somewhat frail and making 7.5 million for a few years. If the Rangers can dump 3 or 4 good young players to the Whale, and still remain competitive, I say do it.

Does anyone agree that this idea makes a lot of sense? The Rangers have a good system, and this trade could push them near the top in rated prospects. I think If I ran the team, based on the health of Ryan Callahan and Vinny Prospal, I make this trade.

So we all know that Mark Messier is a New York legend. He's a great guy too.

The funny thing about Messier and his connection with the Rangers is that many seasons before his arrival in the Rangers front office, it seemed that Glen Sather was just phoning it in. It really didn't seem like Slats was all that interested in "working" to improve the Rangers. 

The new Glen Sather seems to be making good deal after good deal, and even his mis-steps seem to be paying off. The trade with Montreal, the tough negotiations with Marc Staal and Brandon Dubinsky. It seems clear that SOMETHING has shaken Slats up. Doesn't it?

Is Mark Messier having this affect? Is he in the office at 8AM looking at salary caps and rosters, and AHL scoring leaders and all that jazz? Is he directly involved with scouting? Glen Sather has handled the current Rangers squad with flawless acumen. It's quite impressive, isn't it? Yeah, this post is asking more questions than it answers, I know. I am just impressed by how far the Rangers have come, and how quickly they have improved on the ice and throughout the organization. 

How wonderful for Rangers fans if Messier is directly involved, even in some small way with this roundabout approach to acquiring players and evaluating prospects.

Lackluster baseball "insider" Jon Heyman indicated that Carl Pavano has talked or is in talks with the Royals on a contract. The pitcher is seeking a three year deal, and I know for a fact that the Royals would not go three years. Pavano could easily become the Royals opening day starter and that could be an attractive angle for the Royals to pursue him. The Royals young and rising system is also a selling point, because for some pitchers, pitching in a "soon to be" winning environment in a small market can be very comfortable. Pavano has had his struggles in bigger markets and has shown far better performance when pitching out of the major spotlight.

I would love to see the Royals sign Pavano and Jeff Francis, because they could control both of them for a couple of years with options, and the team would have some more experience in the rotation.

I just can't see Moore and the Royals brass giving Pavano that third year. I don't think Moore wants to revisit that Meche contract, even though Meche pitched pretty well for some of it.

Should we?

The Royals aren't going to win anything in 2011. I think just about everyone knows that, save maybe Frenchy.

I look at Milledge, a 25 year old journeyman outfiielder and former prospect stud, now suspect dud.

Milledge was able to hit .291 for the Buccos two years ago, albeit in limited time at the plate. Last season, it seemed that Milledge was going to cement himself as an everyday player for the Pirates, but he ended up being a below average defender and a below average corner outfielder.

Since the Royals have a completely muddied outfield, is Milledge worth an incentive laden contract from Kansas City?

The Royals current 40 man roster includes the following "outfielders" :

Gregor Blanco -light hitter, speed, slightly above average glove.
Alex Gordon - who the hell knows?
David Lough - 
Jeff Francoeur - low OBP, high K OF with some defensive ability
Melky Cabrera - what happened to Melky?
Lorenzo Cain - solid defender, great speed, light hitter
Jarrod Dyson -
Mitch Maier - slightly terrible, slightly fun to root for
Derrick Robinson - jury in long deliberation 

Milledge would be a right handed hitter and younger than Gordon, Maier, Frenchy, Cabrera, Dyson and Blanco. Yep, younger than all of those guys.

Would everyone here prefer to see Gordon / Cain / French or Milledge / Cain / French?

The Royals are entering an interesting season. They could easily trade Greinke for a boat load of talented prospecs, then switch Soria to a starter. They could also remain intact, re-sign Chen and maybe add Orlando Hudson to clear up the muddied infield. Hudson is always a gamer, and would sign here on a one year deal with a mutual option for a second year.  The Royals could then move Aviles back to short, and perhaps limit Betancourt or simply trade him for something interesting in AAA.

The age of many current Royals players is becoming something interesting also, because many of the "young" players, IE Hochevar, Gordon, Kila, Humber, etc, are nearing or beyond 27. Davies?

So many possible improvements, just from experience.

Do I think the Royals will improve in 2011? Yes.

Will they make the playoffs? No.

I still think positive things can happen, and why not improve a little, just for fun.

Some intellegent guy created this type of post on my other favorite basball forum - Royals Review.

Name your favorite 5 Mets, all time, favorite 5 non Mets, and 5 favorite scrubs.

1. Ron Darling - I always rooted for this guy - I wanted him to be the secret weapon, but his control always left me sad.
2. John Olerud - Quite possibly the best combo of glove and contact to ever don the Mets uni.
3. Keith Hernandez - The Mets version of Mark Messier
4. Gregg Jefferies - I really wanted Gregg to be a star
5. David Wright - George Brett Jr.
Honorable mention - 

Todd Hundley 
Tom Glavine - amazing pitcher considering he rarely threw 90 - He throws crap up there that no one can hit

Non Mets -

1. George Brett - one of the reasons I watched in my youth
2. Bert Blyleven - actually saw him pitch and he is a HOFer
3. Carlton Fisk - great at just about everything
4. Dave Winfield - loved watching this guy play
5. Joe Mauer - simply the best team player in the game

Scrubs -

The 2000-2007 Kansas CIty Royals.

I have long been a fan of Barry Trotz, the Nashville Predators and their fans. I wanted to post this thread a couple of years ago, but I figured it would go unanswered.

I decided that I Need to know!

Can anyone here please describe in some detail the type of system Trotz employs? It seems that every year the Predators play well and seem to drive many teams crazy.

I would love to implement this system in my own coaching. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

So I am bored now that the Royals season is over and I look at next season as a season the team needs to make permanent, positive improvement.

The Royals have a great closer, a great ace and several interesting position players returning in 2011. So, if you had the reigns of the Kansas City Royals, what would you do this winter?

I will add a poll too, but feel free to elaborate on any contributions you wish to make.

I think the Royals should return everyone on the team with new contracts, especially Davies, Chen and Betemit. The Royals can improve with continued patience, and the owners seem to want to curtail the spending for next year. The Royals will likely go into 2011 with one of the lowest payrolls in baseball, but a very strong farm system, if not the strongest.

I hope Gordon can improve, and one of the "young" pitchers like Humber, Hochevar or Davies can take a big step in the right direction.

So the season is pretty much over, and the only thing really left to do is to determine who on the current Royals roster stays or goes. 

The Royals will have plenty of salary room going into 2011, so the team could improve quickly. Here's a list of players who the club needs to decide on, and my take on them.

David DeJesus

David is one of the players left on the Royals from the old guard. I personally feel that if David is healthy he should be retained for at least one more year. David gets on base, drives in runs, plays good defense and provides an experienced veteran for a young Royals outfield. He can still be a relevant force for Kansas City.

Billy Butler

Billy is a player that I really like to root for. However, he does not hit for enough power for his position and is at best, marginal at first base. He is a high contact hitter, and the Royals would be better served trading Butler for pitching. The trade would clear the way for Wilson Betemit, Kila Ka'aihue, Josh Fields and possibly Eric Hosmer to take the reigns at first base. It would also provide Kansas City with more pitching, and the Royals would at least gain one markedly better pitcher than they currently have.

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I am quite sure I will get tons of hate for this post, but Jeremy Hermida is an above replacement right fielder, in the right situation. Hermida is still only 26 years old. He hasn't even reach his peak or prime year yet, 27.

Hermida for the Marlins in '07 as a 23 year old.

Plate appearances: 484 - Hits: 127 Doubles:32 WALKS 47 and OPS - .870

Not too shabby.

Yes i know this was three years ago, but a lot has happened since then. The Marlins continue to stiff their managers, their fans and just confuse the entire world of baseball. Hermida being cast off to the talent rich Red Sox was a move that I personally didn't understand for one, and as I figured, didn't work out for either Hermida or the Sox.

Hermida in Kansas City. The potential here is pretty good in my opinion. Jeremy would not only get to play everyday, but would likely get back to being an above replacement outfielder. He's still young enough to dig in and play everyday, and improve. The small market of KC is also an attractive thing for Hermida. He will be playing with other youngsters and he can provide some of his personal experiences to the Royals up and coming prospects.

So.

The five reasons:

1. The Royals play in a small market, and Hermida did his best work in Miami, with an average attendance of less than 10,000 per game. 

2. Hermida can play everyday in right field, or left.

3. Hermida has proven to be a disciplined hitter with some power, a good arm, good speed and good range.

4. Hermida is still considered a bust by many, but I honestly believe he has not been given a fair shake. In KC, Hermida would actually get AB's

5. His contract is nominal, he's in AAA and the Royals have so many (?) type prospects and players, that a deal could easily be worked out. I'd give the Red Sox Betancourt tomorrow if we can land Hermida.

via cdn.nhl.com

Several contributors here at Blueshirt Banter have begun to post an analysis of the Rangers players, their progression and what the future may hold for those players. Here is a look at Dale Weise. A player not on the collective tongue tip of many Ranger fans, but still an interesting young player worth delving into.

Dale Weise Right Wing

Born Aug 5 1988 -- Winnipeg, MAN 
Height 6.02 -- Weight 206 -- Shoots R

Dale Weise was drafted by the New York Rangers in 2008 in the 4th round, #111 overall out of Swift Current of the Western Hockey League. Weise is a big kid, standing 6'2 at present and has the perfect, projectable frame for a right handed winger of his age. Dale has two full season of pro hockey under his belt where he served as depth scoring and a solid checker for the Hartford Wolfpack. Weise has intangibles, like many of the young Ranger forwards, he brings good skating, solid work ethic and a chippyness to his game that makes him a strong prospect.

As the Rangers off-season unfolds one can argue that the Rangers need more right wings. The Rangers currently have two right wings under contract that are expected to be on the team opening night, Marian Gaborik and Ryan Callahan. The wild cards of course being Mats Zuccarello-Aasen, Dale Weise and newcomer Jeremy Williams.

It looks pretty good that considering Zuccarello-Aasen can play both sides of the center, that Weise will get a long look in camp. He has a little bit of everything in his game, and it's nice to see that the Rangers can add size like his to the lineup on any given night. Weise would be a size advantage for the Rangers considering Callahan at 5'11 Zuccarello-Aasen 5'7" are vertically challenged. 

Weise was drafted as a grinder and a potential agitator down the road, but the Winnipeg born Weise has transformed into a much more rounded hockey player. Thanks to excellent development in Hartford and very strong work ethic (he works out 6 days a week), Dale Weise has a chance to become a Ranger, and I for one hope the 22 year old can step up his game and claim a roster spot.

     So here we are about a week or so away from the MLB trade deadline, and September call ups are really getting closer. I am wondering if Dayton Moore has the ability to pull off a few good trades before the deadline. The names are obvious. Scott Podsednik, Jason Kendall, David DeJesus, Rick Ankiel, Joakim Soria, Alberto Callaspo and Jose Guillen. The Royals could really put themselves in a great position for 2011 and beyond if GMDM can actually get something of NEED in return for any of the above players. I worry about it as the season chugs a long, the Royals are not going to make the playoffs, everyone but GMDM and Ned Yost know it.

So, if you're making the call, what do you think the Royals need to add to prepare for a better 2011, a step forward type season.

I would love to see Pods, Kendall and Callaspo dealt away for more pitching. I would hope the DDJ is traded for a couple or at least one really good batting prospect, an infielder or outfielder, but I would also be happy with a young catcher.

Starters, relievers, young OF and MI would be the order of importance for me. I also think a 20-ish catcher would be nice too.

Yeah, it's obvious the Kansas City Royals are improving. As a franchise, and the recent play of the team has many people wondering, is this something that can be sustained? It's pretty obvious the Royals have two major needs on the big league club. A more consistent power threat in the lineup, and a more dependable back end starter. 

I wonder how will the team be when Luke Hochevar or Gil Meche return....or is Rick Ankiel going to take over in center again?

Are the Royals wise to change things right now? The only move I would welcome right now is trading the lone power hitter in the lineup, Jose Guillen for anything they can get, which based on his play this year, should be something of value, maybe not considerable, but still, a useful prospect. After all the Royals have two of the three hitters in the PCL with an OPS over 1.000 and that being the enigmatic Alex Gordon and the fan favorite in waiting Kila Ka'aihue. 

Doesn't it make sense for Dayton Moore to try and get something for Guillen? I mean the Royals can win games without him...they have younger, more versatile players in the wings, waiting. 

It's almost as if the Royals have played themselves out of trading Dejesus making any sense...doesn't it?

With the Royals bevy of talented young prospects on the way, and the team playing pretty good ball of late at the Major League level, it's pretty exciting to see what transpires at the trade deadline. I mean after all, Bruce Chen is a piece now....who would have guessed that?

So yeah, we all want the Rangers to shake up the blue line, and give some youngsters a chance to play. Even signing one of the many defenseman left in free agency would be a nice thing to talk about.

Could the Oilers be talking with the Rangers about about Redden/Brashear for Souray + salary type trade? Could Penner be involved?

The Wade Redden debate and debacle could be nearing an end.

PROS for the Oilers

Redden is from Western Canada.

Redden had his best years playing in his home country

The Oilers would control a slightly above average defenseman for several seasons.

Souray is oft-injured

CONS for the Oilers

It's Wade Redden

Wade Redden, D

Redden is owed a bucket of cash, for 4 more seasons.

Dustin Penner also came to mind...

The New York Rangers stand at the mid point of a hill.

On one hand you could argue they are really close to being a contender, and on the other hand, you could argue they aren't

The Rangers need to get this off-season, right.

Glen Sather would probably love to tender offer sheets to Anton Volchenkov or Joe Pavelski, but there is one glaring, long term problem: Wade Redden.

I believe that this off-season will depend solely on Sather's ability to unload, offload, melt down, eradicate, one Wade Redden.

Redden isn't awful, he's just awful for the Rangers. If Slats can somehow find a way to move Redden out, the Rangers will have the room to get all the key FA's re-signed, and add a center.....or a physical defenseman, or even both.

I'm sure the Senators would love Brandon Dubinsky and Derek Stepan, and perhaps Bobby Sanguinetti for Jason Spezza, but the Senators are cash strapped and taking on Redden, which is what Sather would need to do to complete such a trade, is impossible.

The Rangers are a bit handcuffed sure, but I feel that they have enough in place to at least improve on last year.....unloading Redden would give the Rangers the ability to up the anti, and improve even faster.

Waive Redden.

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_article/dejesus-drawing-interest/

A great article link I found on Fangraphs. The article illustrates a very clear picture of who David DeJesus is, and what his value is.

The Royals would surely improve their system if DDJ is traded, and with the possibly of trading Podsednik, Guillen and perhaps Bannister, the Royals timeline of 2012 could be right on.

I was also thinking about this possibility.

Trading Billy Butler to San Francisco for Matt Cain.

Who likes this?

Greinke, Cain, Chen - hahah!

Trading Butler opens up first base for Gordon and or Ka'aihiue, and improves the rotation immediately.

     The Stanley Cup Finals are nearing a conclusion and so will begin the scramble of off-season affairs. The draft is just a few weeks away, and the Rangers will be as always, in improvement mode. The great thing for Ranger fans is that most of the improvements of late have come in the way of the draft and young free agent signings. I would expect more of the same for the Rangers, and I hope that they continue to invest in their own young players and system.

The draft will likely net the Rangers an impact prospect at #10 and whether or not that is a winger (Connolly, Niederreiter, Watson) or a defenseman (Forbort, Merrill, McIlrath) the Blueshirts will have another top shelf youngster to build upon. I wouldn't be surprised by a player that none of us expect as the Rangers scouting system can sometimes surprise everyone. Last years Kreider could be this years Nick Bjustad - another big U.S. forward.

I hope the commitment to young is the primary focus this summer as the Rangers spending in free agency has always provided atomic results. In the past the Rangers have signed the big names and had good results, but not the long term impact one would hope for. I think this off-season is critical for the Rangers to take the next step forward. The playoffs. The Rangers have enough pieces in place to at least contend for a playoff spot. Perhaps a more physical defense would help. Some people have been talking about Garnet Exelby, and I am for that addition. He's younger than some of the other defenseman hitting the market and he has always been a solid defensive player. He is a bit of a wild card though at not a true top 4 defender....so the Rangers may look for a more talented blueliner. Paul Martin and a healthy Willie Mitchell could be solid pickups. The defense last season in my opinon was too soft, so if the Rangers are to spend in free agency, I hope this area is addressed, foremost.

When you talk about the Rangers forwards you really need to look outside the current roster.

Centers: Chris Drury, Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Brian Boyle, Erik Christensen
Wings: Sean Avery, Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan 

Clearly the Rangers need some wingers.

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I wanted to first off say, Don, great work in Phoenix. Despite all the off-ice distractions and problems, the team responded amazingly well to Dave Tippet and a much deserved honor.

Don Maloney as many of you know was a former Rangers assistant general manager for what seemed to be eons.

I am very happy for Don, and the Coyotes for being such a great story all year. Some great trades by Don, like the Wolski move. Wow.

Tippet will be next to win an award - the Coyotes were expected to finish dead last weren't they?