It’s nice to know I’m not the only one that has seen a huge decline in Mika’s play. What really just irks me is the lack of effort and he seems to really be tightening that stick. He seems to be having issues with every pass. Idk I love Mika and think he’s a very good player but he just doesn’t seem like the player he was 2 years ago. My level of expectation for him is higher and when I see such lazy play or lack of hunger to win pucks it infuriates me… Not to say he is the only one who didn’t play well last night because that’s not the case but his play has stood out to me to start the season as someone who can 100% raise his level of play. We need Mika to be Mika if we want to raise the cup. That’s where my head is at.
Just to note Laf deal is absolutely a bargain!! What an amazing signing and I’m sure Laf was willing to come down a little bit for it to be team friendly. Maybe Igor can hop on board soon. - Awolff9
Yea Mika just struggles to match up against the top centers in the league. The scary thing is barkov didn’t even play last night
I’m still just so thrilled with this Lafreniere contract.
It’s a great deal and it also ends any of the irritating offer sheet talk that would have developed next summer if he hadn’t signed - jimbro83
Now back to the biggest problem on our roster currently and for the future. Mika making $8.5m for 6 years on a buyout and trade proof contract. I had a tiny glimmer of hope after back to back decent to good games. But he’s cooked man. Maybe capable of a good effort here and there. There was always the “his defense and intangibles somewhat make up for his lack of scoring right now” but now he’s just bad. I don’t think any combination of linemates fixes this. MAYBE, at some point, you flip him and Chytil? Idk what else could be done. For sure they should flip him and Laf on the pp units
Yes we’re 5-1-1 but the last game was the loss so what else is a miserable POS like me supposed to do right now
Now back to the biggest problem on our roster currently and for the future. Mika making $8.5m for 6 years on a buyout and trade proof contract. I had a tiny glimmer of hope after back to back decent to good games. But he’s cooked man. Maybe capable of a good effort here and there. There was always the “his defense and intangibles somewhat make up for his lack of scoring right now” but now he’s just bad. I don’t think any combination of linemates fixes this. MAYBE, at some point, you flip him and Chytil? Idk what else could be done. For sure they should flip him and Laf on the pp units
Yes we’re 5-1-1 but the last game was the loss so what else is a miserable POS like me supposed to do right now - picklerick
I like the Chytil and the PP1 Laffy swap. He's become a 3rd line center
It’s hard to think about messing with the third line right now. They’ve been awesome - picklerick
I think a big part why is they get great matchups. Not sure Chytil would be the same if he was on the top line matching up against other top centers all game
Zib being cooked at 31 would be awful. Seeing how Kreider and Panarin’s best seasons are coming in their 30s I just can’t believe Zib is done for good so young. It just makes no sense. For some reason he is just totally afraid of contact. I know he has always been a more finesse player but it seems even more so the last 2 years. Their needs to be a case study on his game
I’m still just so thrilled with this Lafreniere contract.
It’s a great deal and it also ends any of the irritating offer sheet talk that would have developed next summer if he hadn’t signed - jimbro83
It’s basically a 5 million increase next year going forward from what his cap hit is now. When you consider Trouba will either be traded with some retain or bought out after this year, 5 million or so of cap space will open up. Perfect trade off
I think a big part why is they get great matchups. Not sure Chytil would be the same if he was on the top line matching up against other top centers all game
Zib being cooked at 31 would be awful. Seeing how Kreider and Panarin’s best seasons are coming in their 30s I just can’t believe Zib is done for good so young. It just makes no sense. For some reason he is just totally afraid of contact. I know he has always been a more finesse player but it seems even more so the last 2 years. Their needs to be a case study on his game - TPC
Afraid of contact, shooting, etc. the difference is kreider and Panarin never crashed. They’ve always been ascending, stagnant at worst, at any point in their careers. Mika ascended in his mid to late 20s. Like a rocket ship. And now he’s a slug. Idk what else he can do if he’s lost a step AND not shooting it like he used to
Afraid of contact, shooting, etc. the difference is kreider and Panarin never crashed. They’ve always been ascending, stagnant at worst, at any point in their careers. Mika ascended in his mid to late 20s. Like a rocket ship. And now he’s a slug. Idk what else he can do if he’s lost a step AND not shooting it like he used to - picklerick
To be fair it’s why I was one of the few on here begging to trade him 3 years ago for assets when they were going after Eichel lol. If only instead of giving him that 8 year full no move contract
Yeah Zib already declining is 100% our fatal flaw right now. We need him to have a remarkable turnaround back to his 2019-2022 form for us to have a chance at lifting lord stanley this year.
We're screwed with that contract we signed him to otherwise. I think we're all more or less at peace with what Panarin brings in the playoffs (even if he gets shut down mostly in rounds 2, 3 and 4, you can win a cup with him as your top scoring winger that pops in a few clutch goals). But you can't win a cup with this version of Zib as our number 1 centre, and as much as Tro and Chytil can fill the gaps, it won't win us a cup.
To be fair it’s why I was one of the few on here begging to trade him 3 years ago for assets when they were going after Eichel lol. If only instead of giving him that 8 year full no move contract - TPC
To tell you the truth, I didnt agree with you on that. At the time I thought Mika was better than Eichel and when we signed Mika to that deal, he would be under paid in the 3rd year of that contract.
Eichel won a Cup and could have won the MVP that run and here we are with Mika the ghost. He is always disappearing.
Yeah Zib already declining is 100% our fatal flaw right now. We need him to have a remarkable turnaround back to his 2019-2022 form for us to have a chance at lifting lord stanley this year.
We're screwed with that contract we signed him to otherwise. I think we're all more or less at peace with what Panarin brings in the playoffs (even if he gets shut down mostly in rounds 2, 3 and 4, you can win a cup with him as your top scoring winger that pops in a few clutch goals). But you can't win a cup with this version of Zib as our number 1 centre, and as much as Tro and Chytil can fill the gaps, it won't win us a cup. - t-dawg
If Chytil continues to play well and provide offense, his line can become the second line and Mika can play third line. Thats still not bad for whats left of the window being open.
To tell you the truth, I didnt agree with you on that. At the time I thought Mika was better than Eichel and when we signed Mika to that deal, he would be under paid in the 3rd year of that contract.
Eichel won a Cup and could have won the MVP that run and here we are with Mika the ghost. He is always disappearing.
Gotta hand it to you, so far, you were right. - Brukie
I don’t blame you guys for not wanting Eichel cause of his neck issues. But I saw it as a huge opportunity to trade for an elite player while his value is at his lowest and selling on Zib when his value was high. But I guess no point on dwelling on it now. Rangers are stuck with Zib
I don’t blame you guys for not wanting Eichel cause of his neck issues. But I saw it as a huge opportunity to trade for an elite player while his value is at his lowest and selling on Zib when his value was high. But I guess no point on dwelling on it now. Rangers are stuck with Zib - TPC
Stuck is an understatement, there is no way he doesnt play out that contract here. His agent was incredible!!!
If Chytil continues to play well and provide offense, his line can become the second line and Mika can play third line. Thats still not bad for whats left of the window being open. - Brukie
Sure, I mean that could get us far again. But won't get us past the Floridas or Edmontons of the world in round 3 and 4 of the playoffs, or whatever other team makes it there playing super well and with a stud 1C. We're used to getting far in the playoffs and being a top 4 team at the end of the season, but that's not the bar anymore.
Sure, I mean that could get us far again. But won't get us past the Floridas or Edmontons of the world in round 3 and 4 of the playoffs, or whatever other team makes it there playing super well and with a stud 1C. We're used to getting far in the playoffs and being a top 4 team at the end of the season, but that's not the bar anymore. - t-dawg
If you think about it Trochecks line would be 1 they produced and then Chytil's line at 2 produces, the Third line with Mika might get him away from the better Centers and maybe he can find open ice, CK20 will produce, It might just work out.
If you think about it Trochecks line would be 1 they produced and then Chytil's line at 2 produces, the Third line with Mika might get him away from the better Centers and maybe he can find open ice, CK20 will produce, It might just work out. - Brukie
I mean there's a chance of course, but as great a signing as trocheck has been I don't see him as a 1C on a cup winning team.
