Stan Fischler: Bringing you Bluelines Each Friday Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk1Nzg5ODkwNjAzMDAxNDky/usatsi_19869832.jpg] WHY AND HOW THE RANGERS COULD WIN THE CUP The Rangers are now the Stanley Cup favorites. Period. The Vladimir Tarasenko acquisition unequivocally makes them so. Not to mention the fact the Blueshirts have added another experienced backliner in Niko Mikkola. What's more, the Rangers' already solid, top-to-bottom lineup isn't even affected. Losing Sammy Blais is inconsequential, and the draft choices? Not to worry. Good luck to the Blues. Meanwhile, Rangers GM Chris Drury has made his own luck. And speaking of worry, what I consider the anticipated Blueshirt Blitz should give the high commands of Boston, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Toronto, New Jersey and the rest of the gang plenty to anguish about. Translated, they'd better beef up if they plan to challenge the New Yorkers. And here's why: Figure the assets: 1. World Class goaltending; 2. A dynamic defense led by Norris winner Adam Fox and the bouncer, Jake Trouba; 3. Four well-balanced forward lines; 4. "They boast a rapidly maturing ‘Kid Line’ and 5. An experienced coach. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXCLUSIVE: KELLY MCCRIMMON TOUCHES ALL HOCKEY BASES Heading the Vegas Knights, one of the NHL's most successful franchises, GM McCrimmon addresses some compelling hockey issues. The subjects and Kelly's emailed replies follow with some light editing for clarity: COMPARING COLLEGIATE PLAYERS WITH JUNIORS AND EUROPEANS For starters, remember that NHL players can be found in any league in any country. We've seen many examples of this. Major junior hockey puts best on best in the 16 to 20-year-old age group. Junior hockey is a major supplier of players to the NHL. The schedules, style of play and rules all are very similar to the NHL. I spent the bulk of my career there and know it is a great development league. College hockey has proven successful for players with a longer development curve. Fewer games mean more opportunity for training and allow a player to fully develop physically and mentally prior to turning pro. Let's be honest, the CHL is made up largely of Canadian players, and certainly, there are some very good U.S.-born players. On the other hand, the NCAA is where most U.S. players grow up aspiring to play in the NHL. Similarly, there are very good Canadians who also choose this route. As for the Europeans, it depends a little bit on the country. Many European countries do a real good job with player development, and there are European players who come to the CHL. As well – but to a lesser degree – there are European players who play college hockey in the States. GENERAL MANAGERS WHO HELPED KELLY I've had prior relationships with three NHL general managers who had been affiliated with the Brandon Wheat Kings, which I owned. They are Brad Treliving, Ron Hextall and Kevin Cheveldayoff. Of course, I spent many years with the Wheat Kings as well. I've known Brad, Ron and Kevin for a number of years. From there, I give credit to the senior GMs – guys like Ken Holland, David Poile, Lou Lamoriello and Doug Armstrong. They have had great success in the NHL, but as well understand their responsibility to the game itself. NHL GMs, in a sense, are stewards of the game – we need to think outside our own organization about the game itself. I enjoy relationships with many others as well. For example, I admire the work Julien BriseBois has done in Tampa Bay. I admire the humility shown by Hall of Fame players like Ron Francis, Joe Sakic, Rob Blake and Steve Yzerman. I am impressed by the work of Kyle Dubas and Chris Drury, Don Sweeney, Jim Nill, I could go on and on, to be honest – there is something to be learned from every one of them. Although he's now our president of hockey operations here in Vegas, George McPhee would be at the top of my list. Although I didn't have a prior relationship with him – rare in the game – I've been able to learn a great deal from George just by working with him. Very experienced, intelligent, highest integrity – there is a reason he was a very successful GM for many years. ADJUSTMENT KELLY HAD TO MAKE FROM JUNIORS TO THE NHL To me, the WHL is 'NHL Light.' It's a draft and develop league where scouting is the lifeline of a successful organization. There are trades and a trade deadline that is similar at both levels. Altogether, the schedules and style of play all mirror the NHL. The biggest difference is the business side of the NHL, which is dictated by the salary cap, contract negotiations and understanding the CBA. That, along with the size of an NHL staff. There are a lot more people to manage. Needless to say, it's important to have the right people around you. When I was in Brandon, I owned the team as well and with that came the responsibilities any business owner would face. HEALTH REPORT ON KNIGHTS GOALIE ROBIN LEHNER Robin had two successful hip surgeries – staggered at the surgeon's recommendation – and is rehabbing in Las Vegas. ADVANTAGES OF KNIGHTS LEFTY GOALIE LOGAN THOMPSON The biggest advantage a lefty goalie has is that shooters are far less familiar or comfortable because there are far more right-handed goalies all the way through a player's career. It is one of the advantages of having one on your team – it gives your own players familiarity on a daily basis. THE IMPORTANCE OF A CONTRIBUTING THIRD/FOURTH LINE IN A PLAYOFF RUN Playoff success depends in large part on depth. A four-line team develops a certain identity that becomes winning hockey at playoff time. If your roster does not have that makeup – barring superhuman efforts from top players – it will likely, at some point, really hamper your chances of success. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'M JUST SAYIN' * Looking backward, Connor McDavid – style-wise – compares most closely to Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau. * The Habs captain was the best all-around forward of his time – as the Oilers ace is today. * A major difference is that Big Jean won 10 Stanley Cups, second all-time to teammate Henri Richard's 11. * Instant love affair. That's the best way to describe Islanders fans' reaction to the Bo Horvat deal – and Bo. * When he scored his first goal as an Islander on Tuesday, Horvat confessed he'd never received so enthusiastic a reception than the cheering at UBS Arena. * Right now, there's no point getting excited – one way or the other – about Marty Walsh as the new NHL Players' Association boss. * The time to care is over what he does and says about a week before the present CBA ends. * Walsh is combative, but with a wink. A Washington insider tells me, "Marty will go 10 rounds with Gary Bettman, but he'd rather buy the commissioner a round of drinks!" * How about Kris Letang scoring his second overtime goal in the last four games to surpass Erik Karlsson (31) for the most overtime points by a defenseman in NHL history (32)? And this intrepid guy had a stroke two months ago! * John Tortorella won't win the Adams (best coach) Trophy, but he sure rates some votes. * Getting the Flyers near .500 is a monumental achievement. And without Atkinson or Couturier. * No team lost more, injury-wise, than Vegas when captain Mark Stone went down. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINAL WORD ON ALL-STAR WEEKEND As important as anything emanating from the all-star weekend were the benefits accrued for the State of Florida. As NHL commissioner Gary Bettman points out, the festival brought "7,000-ish" visitors, which is unheard of for an all-star weekend. No less significant is the fact that the events generated $20 million to $30 million in revenue. Let's not forget – players and agents never do – that the NHL is in the business of making money. As my man in Florida, Al Greenberg, noted, "As for the game, if you consider that it's a show and not a competition, everything is fine. Finally, you can't blame the league for taking care of its sponsors." As the commish said, "Part of being a sponsor is that you get to celebrate with us and have the weekend." Considering all the fun and connections made at the parties and beach events, it successfully filled expectations.
