Preface: I've learned to hate the preseason. Granted you get a look at some of your team's young up-and-comers, but waiver movement will kill you, guys get injured, guys get surgery, and you just can't win...

BT's 2008/09 NHL Season Preview: The New York Rangers

by Bryan Thiel (Senior Writer)

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Preview/Prediction

September 30, 2008

Preface: I've learned to hate the preseason.

Granted you get a look at some of your team's young up-and-comers, but waiver movement will kill you, guys get injured, guys get surgery, and you just can't win.

It's only slightly frustrating.

The New York Rangers were the envy of the league last season, as two of the most sought after free agent forwards—Chris Drury and Scott Gomez—ended up wearing Ranger Blue last season.

This offseason, the Rangers were a little more quieter about their business, but they still looked to make changes through free agency and trades, in hopes that those moves will put them over the top in the tough Atlantic.

Roster Additions: Markus Naslund-F (F.A.), Dmitri Kalinin-D (F.A.), Patrick Rissmiller-F (F.A.), Wade Redden-D (F.A.), Fredrik Sjostrom-F (F.A.), Nikolai Zherdev-F (Trade), Dan Fritsche-F (Trade)

Roster Subtractions: Jaromir Jagr-F (Europe), Brendan Shanahan (Status Unknown), Marek Malik-D (F.A.), Darius Kaspiritus-D (F.A.), Ryan Hollweg-F (Trade), Christian Backman-D (Trade), Fedor Tyutin-D (Trade), Thomas Pock-D (Waivers)

2007/08 Outcome: 42-27-13, 97 points, fifth in conference, third in division, lost in second round of playoffs

2008/09 Goal: First in Division, Make it to conference finals

Let's break'er down...

With an All-Star goalie, and revamped group of defenders, and a group of forwards that have something to prove to the division, the Rangers look to have the attitude of a team pining to compete for a division title.

In any other year, the Pittsburgh Penguins would stand firmly in the way. However the two injuries on the back end have left them vulnerable to the New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, and your New York Rangers.

It's all in who can capitalize.

That's a Valiquette answer, so stop Lundqvist(ing) at the wrong ones...

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Alan Bass 9 months ago

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And like that, the previews end...unfortunately. Take a breath now, BT, you're finally done. Okay, break is done, start writing AHL previews.

And like that, the previews end...unfortunately. Take a breath now, BT, you're finally done. Okay, break is done, start writing AHL previews. Edit Comment Cancel

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NYI Fan Central 9 months ago

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That was just not an accurate preview.

The Rangers were one of the lowest scoring teams in the league last year that spent 90m on two centers who could not play with Jagr and they added no one who is a prime scorer or a franchise talent and lost a lot of goals they intend to replace with a lot of ten-fifteen goal ceiling players combined with a forwward in Columbus who was nothing short of an enigma?

And for now they lost a lot of goals they did not replace and veteran talents who know how to win.

Is this the same Henrik Lundqvist who faced the least shots per game in the Eastern Conference last season and still from Dec-Feb was 10-10-4 with a save percentage under 900 that on paper got players not good at playing Tom Renney's trap to protect the goaltender in Redden and Kalinin?

You want to write their young players could carry them and step up, that's possible but these are a lot of fifth, sixth and seventh rounders and that can go either way.

Chris Drury played like he was totally lost and that's his career MO, he either takes to a club and looks great or is not the right fit, year one produced major signs he is not the right fit here and Gomez is not going to produce thirty goals if year one was any indication.

Tom Renney was called out this summer by Sather that this year's team will produce more offense, that is not what Tom Renney's coaching is about as he plays a trap to limit the shots against, seems
Naslund did not know that when he signed here expecting to have the reigns taken off.

This was a club last year that underachived last year that made the playoffs with only three days left in the season that on paper is significantly weaker.

Your preview, could work out but not for the reasons written about here.

That was just not an accurate preview. The Rangers were one of the lowest scoring teams in the league last year that spent 90m on two centers who could not play with Jagr and they added no one who is a prime scorer or a franchise talent and lost a lot of goals they intend to replace with a lot of ten-fifteen goal ceiling players combined with a forwward in Columbus who was nothing short of an enigma? And for now they lost a lot of goals they did not replace and veteran talents who know how to win. Is this the same Henrik Lundqvist who faced the least shots per game in the Eastern Conference last season and still from Dec-Feb was 10-10-4 with a save percentage under 900 that on paper got players not good at playing Tom Renney's trap to protect the goaltender in Redden and Kalinin? You want to write their young players could carry them and step up, that's possible but these are a lot of fifth, sixth and seventh rounders and that can go either way. Chris Drury played like he was totally lost and that's his career MO, he either takes to a club and looks great or is not the right fit, year one produced major signs he is not the right fit here and Gomez is not going to produce thirty goals if year one was any indication. Tom Renney was called out this summer by Sather that this year's team will produce more offense, that is not what Tom Renney's coaching is about as he plays a trap to limit the shots against, seems Naslund did not know that when he signed here expecting to have the reigns taken off. This was a club last year that underachived last year that made the playoffs with only three days left in the season that on paper is significantly weaker. Your preview, could work out but not for the reasons written about here. Edit Comment Cancel

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- PJ Edelman 9 months ago
  
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  I hear NYI jealousy. I lived on LI for most of my life, and I can barely name two skaters, but I guess that isnt the point.
  
  Gomez had a terrific year last year, and check Drury's numbers; it was his 4th highest total of his 8 years.
  
  Dubinksy was a late pick, but with 40 points in a rookie season, most expect it to translate. Have you watched him? He can skate, shoot, check. He is a power forward, and he will be a real star.
  
  No matter what you say, Lundy will be one of the best 5 goalies in the league. His numbers are too good for criticism, escpecially because he played a little hurt last year and still got nominated for Vezina.
  
  As for vets, we signed Redden (who obviously knows how to win) Naslund (who will do anything to win after playing in VCR) and Kalinin.
  
  The Rangers don't exactly play a trap, but you are right, they are defense oriented, which is never bad.
  
  Although Naslund may be older, he is a perennial all-star with scoring history. Nikolai Zherdev has had maturity issues but has tremendous skill. Everything might not click, but if it does, the Rangers will be just on good as they were, if not better, than last year. They lost a disinterested Jagr (you would have to watch the games to know what I mean) and Shanny, although he scored 23, lost tremendous speed and defensive ability.
  
  The Rangers are younger, have nice leadership, and have the second best goalie in the division.
  
  I hear NYI jealousy. I lived on LI for most of my life, and I can barely name two skaters, but I guess that isnt the point. Gomez had a terrific year last year, and check Drury's numbers; it was his 4th highest total of his 8 years. Dubinksy was a late pick, but with 40 points in a rookie season, most expect it to translate. Have you watched him? He can skate, shoot, check. He is a power forward, and he will be a real star. No matter what you say, Lundy will be one of the best 5 goalies in the league. His numbers are too good for criticism, escpecially because he played a little hurt last year and still got nominated for Vezina. As for vets, we signed Redden (who obviously knows how to win) Naslund (who will do anything to win after playing in VCR) and Kalinin. The Rangers don't exactly play a trap, but you are right, they are defense oriented, which is never bad. Although Naslund may be older, he is a perennial all-star with scoring history. Nikolai Zherdev has had maturity issues but has tremendous skill. Everything might not click, but if it does, the Rangers will be just on good as they were, if not better, than last year. They lost a disinterested Jagr (you would have to watch the games to know what I mean) and Shanny, although he scored 23, lost tremendous speed and defensive ability. The Rangers are younger, have nice leadership, and have the second best goalie in the division. Edit Comment Cancel
  
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- Pat Ferguson 9 months ago
  
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  gotta disagree here BYI Fan Central, I think that this article was very accurate, nice work BT
  
  The pickups of kalinen and Redden were both great peices of work, especially redden, we're talking about a guy who was picked to keep while chara was shipped out, maybe it was a mistake, but the guy has potential to be an all star every single year (assuming he kicks the coke)
  
  Zherdev is just another player that didn't work in columbus' system, big surprise, it's one of the least effective systems in the league so it's normal to expect zherdev to contribute when he's playing with quality line mates (just rick nash is good but you need 3 good players to make a good line) and he will be on the top line with gomez and naslund, hello points
  
  naslund is another guy who needs quality line mates to excel, now he has them, go marcus
  
  I am assuming you are heavily biased because of your NYI name, and so I will forgive you lack of insight on this one, but any team that has lundqvist in net (3 years in the nhl, 3 vezina nominations) has a great team as long as there is some depth up front (which there is loads) and should contend
  
  now that the blackhawks have joined the present, the islanders can be officially proclaimed the worst run sports franchise in north america
  
  Rangers are an eastern powerhouse along with pitty, montreal, and philly
  
  boston, ottawa, jersey and washington round out the 4-8 spots (in case you're interested)
  
  at least my leafs will ALWAYS be better than the islanders.... they should be moved to winnipeg... or just to give toronto a second team... then they would get some attention from people who know hockey instead of yourself.
  
  again, nice article BT
  
  gotta disagree here BYI Fan Central, I think that this article was very accurate, nice work BT The pickups of kalinen and Redden were both great peices of work, especially redden, we're talking about a guy who was picked to keep while chara was shipped out, maybe it was a mistake, but the guy has potential to be an all star every single year (assuming he kicks the coke) Zherdev is just another player that didn't work in columbus' system, big surprise, it's one of the least effective systems in the league so it's normal to expect zherdev to contribute when he's playing with quality line mates (just rick nash is good but you need 3 good players to make a good line) and he will be on the top line with gomez and naslund, hello points naslund is another guy who needs quality line mates to excel, now he has them, go marcus I am assuming you are heavily biased because of your NYI name, and so I will forgive you lack of insight on this one, but any team that has lundqvist in net (3 years in the nhl, 3 vezina nominations) has a great team as long as there is some depth up front (which there is loads) and should contend now that the blackhawks have joined the present, the islanders can be officially proclaimed the worst run sports franchise in north america Rangers are an eastern powerhouse along with pitty, montreal, and philly boston, ottawa, jersey and washington round out the 4-8 spots (in case you're interested) at least my leafs will ALWAYS be better than the islanders.... they should be moved to winnipeg... or just to give toronto a second team... then they would get some attention from people who know hockey instead of yourself. again, nice article BT Edit Comment Cancel
  
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- Greg Caggiano 9 months ago
  
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  I love how all Fan Central does is criticize the Rangers in all articles about them. Well just look at your team...
  
  I love how all Fan Central does is criticize the Rangers in all articles about them. Well just look at your team... Edit Comment Cancel
  
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NYI Fan Central 9 months ago

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PJ,

If I write the Ranger prospects can be very good what is there to be jealous about considering the Islanders basically have dominated the Rangers over the last two seasons and won twice at Msg with it's prospects in March and April?

Gomez did not have a terrific year, he was a player who was supposed to produce huge offensive numbers who was supposedly held back by the Devils. He had three more goals than he scored with NJ and was not a fit with Jagr.

I watched Dubinsky and he did well, let's see him do it without Jagr and go where Prucha did not go after his first season with Jagr? Drury looked like a ghost most of last year and hardly the impact player he was in Buffalo.

Lundqvist faces the least shots in the East all season and for three months cannot put up a 900 save percentage with a lot of those four goals on fourteen shot games and has had similar slumps all three seasons in his career. Now his defense has been altered with players on the downside who do not play that kind of defense which if any other club played would be called a trap starting with the Devils.

Defense is all chemistry, not names. When Brad Isbister lights up Redden your chemistry is altered and Kalinin was a disaster in Buffalo.

When Lundqvist carries his team and not the other way around he is a top goaltender, if the Isles had him while DiPietro was getting two goals or less fourteen games in a row for scoring support while he struggled for three months the Isles are not sixth in January 9-0 against the Rangers and Devils combined, instead the season is over.

MA Fleury beat Lundqvist head to head come playoff time too and carried his club to the finals.

What does Wade Redden know about winning? He made one final and it was not even close and the last two years everyone in hockey felt he was in decline and was a brutal signing along the lines of Kasparaitis with that contract.

I agree Jagr was dininterested and did not want to play a trap or have any part of a shootout or the 90m dollars worth of centers imported who he could not work with. Still he was your only player to step up come playoff time and have an impact.

Naslund is a player in decline like Guerin or Weight who just changed conferences for the first time and changed one trap for another.

The Rangers better become a lot better because teams that make the playoffs with three days left in the season that lost significant scoring and are weaker on defense with declining players have some weaknesses, especially if the goalie has to start facing more shots.

The Rangers could win and be very good too, but it's hardly a lock and that goes for any club in the East.

PJ, If I write the Ranger prospects can be very good what is there to be jealous about considering the Islanders basically have dominated the Rangers over the last two seasons and won twice at Msg with it's prospects in March and April? Gomez did not have a terrific year, he was a player who was supposed to produce huge offensive numbers who was supposedly held back by the Devils. He had three more goals than he scored with NJ and was not a fit with Jagr. I watched Dubinsky and he did well, let's see him do it without Jagr and go where Prucha did not go after his first season with Jagr? Drury looked like a ghost most of last year and hardly the impact player he was in Buffalo. Lundqvist faces the least shots in the East all season and for three months cannot put up a 900 save percentage with a lot of those four goals on fourteen shot games and has had similar slumps all three seasons in his career. Now his defense has been altered with players on the downside who do not play that kind of defense which if any other club played would be called a trap starting with the Devils. Defense is all chemistry, not names. When Brad Isbister lights up Redden your chemistry is altered and Kalinin was a disaster in Buffalo. When Lundqvist carries his team and not the other way around he is a top goaltender, if the Isles had him while DiPietro was getting two goals or less fourteen games in a row for scoring support while he struggled for three months the Isles are not sixth in January 9-0 against the Rangers and Devils combined, instead the season is over. MA Fleury beat Lundqvist head to head come playoff time too and carried his club to the finals. What does Wade Redden know about winning? He made one final and it was not even close and the last two years everyone in hockey felt he was in decline and was a brutal signing along the lines of Kasparaitis with that contract. I agree Jagr was dininterested and did not want to play a trap or have any part of a shootout or the 90m dollars worth of centers imported who he could not work with. Still he was your only player to step up come playoff time and have an impact. Naslund is a player in decline like Guerin or Weight who just changed conferences for the first time and changed one trap for another. The Rangers better become a lot better because teams that make the playoffs with three days left in the season that lost significant scoring and are weaker on defense with declining players have some weaknesses, especially if the goalie has to start facing more shots. The Rangers could win and be very good too, but it's hardly a lock and that goes for any club in the East. Edit Comment Cancel

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- Greg Caggiano 9 months ago
  
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  "When Lundqvist carries his team and not the other way around he is a top goaltender..."
  
  You mentioned in an earlier comment how the Rangers offense was so terrible. Now if the offense is bad, then it's up to the goaltender, Lundqvist, to carry the team as he did last season. No way the Rangers make the playoffs.
  
  "When Lundqvist carries his team and not the other way around he is a top goaltender..." You mentioned in an earlier comment how the Rangers offense was so terrible. Now if the offense is bad, then it's up to the goaltender, Lundqvist, to carry the team as he did last season. No way the Rangers make the playoffs. Edit Comment Cancel
  
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- Greg Caggiano 9 months ago
  
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  My previous comment posted before I had a chance to finish.
  
  No way the Rangers make the playoffs without Lundqvist. With players like Weekes or Valiquette leading the way, this team would have been done in November, much like your Islanders.
  
  My previous comment posted before I had a chance to finish. No way the Rangers make the playoffs without Lundqvist. With players like Weekes or Valiquette leading the way, this team would have been done in November, much like your Islanders. Edit Comment Cancel
  
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NYI Fan Central 9 months ago

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Pat,

When you speculate about players using drugs there is nothing else to discuss about the Rangers and Redden does not deserve that.

Pat, When you speculate about players using drugs there is nothing else to discuss about the Rangers and Redden does not deserve that. Edit Comment Cancel

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- PJ Edelman 9 months ago
  
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  Hey NYI,
  
  thanks for responding.
  
  Interesting points, but I cant see how you are hatin on Lundy. The man is a near immortal. He's at 2.27 GAA in three years!! He also had 10 SO last season, which means you have to be a beast of goalie, regardless of your Defense.
  
  I would definitely rather have him start slow for the first half and then play god for the second. THAT is how you tell a good goalie.
  
  I dont care if its the Isles or the freaking thrashers that beat him in MSG. The Isles can beat him all season and watch from the stands as he carries the Rangers into the playoffs. No player has been more important to the Rangers.
  
  Gomez, a gifted passer, hit 70 points last year on a team, as you say, that is primarily D first. Pretty damn good.
  
  I'll be watching Dubinsky along with you.
  
  Good luck this season!!
  
  Hey NYI, thanks for responding. Interesting points, but I cant see how you are hatin on Lundy. The man is a near immortal. He's at 2.27 GAA in three years!! He also had 10 SO last season, which means you have to be a beast of goalie, regardless of your Defense. I would definitely rather have him start slow for the first half and then play god for the second. THAT is how you tell a good goalie. I dont care if its the Isles or the freaking thrashers that beat him in MSG. The Isles can beat him all season and watch from the stands as he carries the Rangers into the playoffs. No player has been more important to the Rangers. Gomez, a gifted passer, hit 70 points last year on a team, as you say, that is primarily D first. Pretty damn good. I'll be watching Dubinsky along with you. Good luck this season!! Edit Comment Cancel
  
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Junior Nelson 9 months ago

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It's interesting to read the characterizations of Naslund. He is a peripheral to the play kind of guy. He knows what a slapshot is,but declines to use it. He is only effective if he gets a perfect pass in the slot that he can wrist at a corner of the net through traffic. If the goalie sees the shot, he stops it and Naslund disappears again. He does not carry the puck well because he avoids hits, his best move is jumping away from a check. He does not drive to the net, he will sneak in if nobody sees him, but he won't camp out there. If you check my posts you will see that I hate this guy.It's true, six million a year to play like somebody's sister does that. It's especially bad in the play-offs. You'll see. Ever wonder why this guy didn't get an offer from Vancouver? It isn't because he was part of the problem, it's because he is the ROOT of the problem. Hope you enjoy him as much as we enjoyed Messier!

It's interesting to read the characterizations of Naslund. He is a peripheral to the play kind of guy. He knows what a slapshot is,but declines to use it. He is only effective if he gets a perfect pass in the slot that he can wrist at a corner of the net through traffic. If the goalie sees the shot, he stops it and Naslund disappears again. He does not carry the puck well because he avoids hits, his best move is jumping away from a check. He does not drive to the net, he will sneak in if nobody sees him, but he won't camp out there. If you check my posts you will see that I hate this guy.It's true, six million a year to play like somebody's sister does that. It's especially bad in the play-offs. You'll see. Ever wonder why this guy didn't get an offer from Vancouver? It isn't because he was part of the problem, it's because he is the ROOT of the problem. Hope you enjoy him as much as we enjoyed Messier! Edit Comment Cancel

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NYI Fan Central 9 months ago

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PJ,

What hate?

Henrik Lundqvist faced the least shots per game of any goaltender in the Eastern Conference last season and for three months went only went 10-10-4 with a save percentage below nine and it's been a trend all three of his seasons.

This was his typical game from December last year into February:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/11262007/sports/rangers/a_goalie_against_118934.htm

PJ, What hate? Henrik Lundqvist faced the least shots per game of any goaltender in the Eastern Conference last season and for three months went only went 10-10-4 with a save percentage below nine and it's been a trend all three of his seasons. This was his typical game from December last year into February: http://www.nypost.com/seven/11262007/sports/rangers/a_goalie_against_118934.htm Edit Comment Cancel

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- Bryan Thiel 9 months ago
  
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  Sorry NYI, I know this is a conversation between you and PJ, but Lundqvist did face the 10th-most shots of goalies in the NHL last season and played in the sixth-most games of NHL tenders last season, working out to a 25.2 average. Just doesn't seem like a walk in the park to me.
  
  BT
  
  Sorry NYI, I know this is a conversation between you and PJ, but Lundqvist did face the 10th-most shots of goalies in the NHL last season and played in the sixth-most games of NHL tenders last season, working out to a 25.2 average. Just doesn't seem like a walk in the park to me. BT Edit Comment Cancel
  
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NYI Fan Central 9 months ago

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His team also faced the least shots per game on avg in the Eastern Conference at 25.9. which was third best in the NHL behind Detroit and San Jose off a second half in 2006-07 where again he faced the least shots per game after he struggled for a very long stretch.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/statistics?stat=teamstatoff&sort=soga&league=nhl&seasontype=2&season=2008&order=false

A lot of goaltenders who faced more shots in less games played and still had a similar save percentage.

Maybe he can play even better with more shots as he enters him prime, I don't know.

Any team can win this division because it's that close but there is nothing close to a lock for even a playoff spot.

His team also faced the least shots per game on avg in the Eastern Conference at 25.9. which was third best in the NHL behind Detroit and San Jose off a second half in 2006-07 where again he faced the least shots per game after he struggled for a very long stretch. http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/statistics?stat=teamstatoff&sort=soga&league=nhl&seasontype=2&season=2008&order=false A lot of goaltenders who faced more shots in less games played and still had a similar save percentage. Maybe he can play even better with more shots as he enters him prime, I don't know. Any team can win this division because it's that close but there is nothing close to a lock for even a playoff spot. Edit Comment Cancel

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- Bryan Thiel 9 months ago
  
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  To be honest, he still faced the 10th most shots of all goalies in the NHL, and posting stats like those and being in the top ten of that category is something. At least in my opinion.
  
  BT
  
  To be honest, he still faced the 10th most shots of all goalies in the NHL, and posting stats like those and being in the top ten of that category is something. At least in my opinion. BT Edit Comment Cancel
  
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NYI Fan Central 9 months ago

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Bryan, were going to agree to disgree on this one respectfully.

Thanks.

Bryan, were going to agree to disgree on this one respectfully. Thanks. Edit Comment Cancel

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PJ Edelman 9 months ago

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Way to step up BT! We're just gonna have to see how the season rolls along until this argument can be settled. Maybe this year will be Dipietro's big year. Or next. Or In 2015.

Way to step up BT! We're just gonna have to see how the season rolls along until this argument can be settled. Maybe this year will be Dipietro's big year. Or next. Or In 2015. Edit Comment Cancel

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NYI Fan Central 9 months ago

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PJ he did play well enough to start the ASG for the Eastern Conference so he did have a very good year.

PJ he did play well enough to start the ASG for the Eastern Conference so he did have a very good year. Edit Comment Cancel

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