Rangers back Mika Zibanejad | Up in the Blue Seats - Ep. 171

[@Really10801]

Of course they back Mika, they back all their Divas, they have ever since they collapsed in the playoffs against the Devils and blamed Gallant instead of the Divas.

[@johnkomarinetz1101]

Brian Boyle is developing into a really good analyst.

[@humanbeing2420]

His input on this podcast has always been great. I like his levelheadedness and his humility. He knows that at the end of the day, he can only make educated guesses about what is happening, because he's not in the room or on the ice with the players. Take someone like Sean Avery, on the other hand - he is so certain of his opinions that you'd think he's inhabiting the brain of every player, coach and GM.

[@Georgianson]

Yes, I also noticed that... I'm surprised- who would tell..?

[@jayberman9221]

@@johnkomarinetz1101 💯agreed John

[@SamWesting]

I feel for Zac. But if he wants to play, it might have to be elsewhere. If he gets traded, I’ll be rooting for him to do well.

[@ChickenParmesan45]

Jones saw Kap get out of New York that way . I don’t blame him 1 bit .

[@thedarkhorse100]

If I could afford to go to a game I’d love to make a sign saying, Your living your dream.. and Ours. Now play Hockey !

[@thomasstrecker-h3i]

Happy new Year Ranger Fans 👏👏 LGR!! Jonathan top

[@humanbeing2420]

The frustration, turmoil and negativity in the locker room is a reflection of the organization's mismanagement. We don't see this stuff in a well-run organization's locker room. We thought moving Trouba would fix that problem, but it has gotten worse, which is sign of larger, deeper issues.

[@mattlarusso5501]

So they back Mika more than winning a championship? They will never win with him as 1C.

[@10.11.9]

That's a fact.

[@domenicdurante966]

Yep. He's not a leader.

[@Justme77400]

@@domenicdurante966 Not a winner. Too soft.

[@humanbeing2420]

@@domenicdurante966He's not a player, let alone a leader.

[@Inkwelder]

They’re a family, at least the core is. They were rocked by Trouba. Do you support your family members when they make bad decisions?

[@christopherokeefe756]

Fox has not had his usual impact offensively so why not give Jones some kind of shot at more power play quarterbacking.

[@josephcreaden6281]

Another excellent episode...

[@richardgusmano614]

Jones is talented however: How many undersized defensemen can a team have?

[@KillJoy323]

The mika situation is very depressing. Play better or get out. We love him but we can't have a #1C go ghost mode

[@Dovash]

“Everyone’s leash is short” says the guy who 2 seconds later talks about 93 like his leash should orbit our solar system. For Boyler everyone needs to pull up their boots by the bootstrap unless they’re one of the pathetic effort veterans on this team. Mika should be sitting in the press box until he waives, the guy deserves nothing.

[@johnrwalker53]

It's such a JOKE that Zac doesn't play every game. Lavi has to go not knowing who his better players are!!

[@BKing-d3l]

Igor needs some Benny Alaire therapy

[@anticensorshipsociety1063]

They did to Igor what the Isles did to Ilya. No defense.

[@michaelmarro1011]

Signing Igor was a huge mistake for this team. Asking igor these questions Larry. Of course he would say yes. Because it’s 11.5 million. This team will never go anywhere with this core group of players

[@tass9329]

Igor has PTSD from all the rubber shot at him

[@teedubb2010]

Wow these three are ALL personality and energy.

[@johnkomarinetz1101]

Mollie Walker is a fox, and a good analyst. She knows her stuff.

[@timetowakeup6302]

A fox? 😂😂😂😂

[@humanbeing2420]

Mollie is smart and very good at her job. Her appearance is irrelevant. But while we're on the subject, and since you raised it, I think she's very cute, in an unconventional way.

[@johnrwalker53]

Really like you Boyle,but K-Poke putting a string together of 10 or 12 games??I'd be happy with 2,he makes more mistakes than all of the defensemen combined.

[@KillJoy323]

As a Rangers fan I am beyond displeased with Jonesy's ice time. Jones should be dressed over any dman that's not named Fox.

[@10.11.9]

Fox is soft and doesn't adequately defend, nor has he efficiently run the PP this season. Schneider is the best defenseman on this team by a country mile.

[@Royale_withcheeze]

Great pod as usual!

[@thethomasj1795]

The best NY Rangers podcast going today.

[@10.11.9]

The Locked-on guy is better, IMO. These folks mostly like to hear themselves talk.

[@thethomasj1795]

@10.11.9 the locked on guy is okay. He doesn't have sources, it's all his opinion and regurgitating what reporters like Brooks, and Walker write. Locked on is like HF Boards come to life.

[@carlor.s.4742]

I'm trading K'Andre tomorrow! The problem is not in the body, it's between the ears. The guy cannot maintain focus because he lacks hockey sense.

[@ronkaminski]

I totally agree - I am sick and tired of him being out of position whether it's in the defensive zone (where he hardly is) or taking stupid chances in the offensive zone. His instinct as a forward is always kicking in to just be offensive. He talked about needing to be more defensive minded when he returned from injury but what happened - he got blown by in back to back games which resulted in goals against in TB and FLA. He always seems to be on the ice for most of the goals against. He is the new Willie Huber - big and initimidting to look at but refuses to hit. His 1 good hit this year was against Chytll - knocking him out for a few weeks. GET RID OF HIM NOW!!!!!!!!

[@MVP.113]

Zac Jones: At least he admits he got a chance. I think he's an awful choice as a 7th D so I hope they trade him. I just don't know what team needs a small offensive D right now. That's the problem, NYR already have Fox and Miller to fit the power plays. Jones might be better than Miller on it, but as discussed, it's not like PP2 really gets a shot, and Miller is better at 5 on 5 when he is playing well at least. I don't dislike Jones, but there's really no fit here. I hope he gets traded for his own sake, and we use Ruhwedel or Mackey as the 7th D, which makes a lot more sense. Borgen and Vaaks have been really solid and quiet since coming over. I can't imagine Jones gets another shot unless there's an injury. Zibanejad/Smith: That was such a great moment in the game. Awesome to see and glad it was highlighted here!

[@ShibaInu154]

If Lindgren, Fox, and Miller, were playing to potential and not showing deficiencies, Jones would be in the lineup. Removing Jones is ridiculous. He is well within his right in demanding a trade. He may end up better than Fox. He certainly put up similar numbers in college.

[@mdusso2]

I’m wondering what kind of reception did Larry Brooks receive(I’m a big fan of LB, by the way. I think he’s a courageous journalist) from the Rangers players when he came back in the locker room after his column “Rotten to the core” (with “A disgrace to the sweater” on the back page of the NY Post).

[@dirkzink9204]

THIS WOMAN KNOWS HOCKEY I LIKE HER ...I LOVE THE OYLE MAN ALSO THEY SPEAK THE TRUTH

[@chefrah54]

The GM has been making mistakes since the summer And it's showing and Now Dolan breaks his contract with optimum you can't even watch the games now what a disgrace they are This organization should be embarrassed ashamed and disgraced from the owner to the waterboy disgusting display of professionalism and hockey

[@woodnbikes]

Mika needs the crowd cheering for him. I guarantee a simple "Lets go Mika" will get his head back in the game.

[@hammer0419]

Brookies are you serious? Don't trade K-Poke. The softest player in the NHL. I'd trade him for a used puck bag.

[@aryusure1943]

Larry is wrong. The puck was not completely over the line when Mika pushed it in. ;) But it was going in...maybe.

[@kmash6523]

Obviously they don’t feel comfortable talking to Laviolette, so they talk to the media.

[@tscin2010]

Anger I’dk about that maybe disappointing because upper management screwed everything up

[@KillJoy323]

LGR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hoping for a top 5 pick in the draft

[@humanbeing2420]

Does Laviolette really think Borgen and Vakanainen bring something that Jones does not (as Boyle put it), or is he under pressure to play them because scratching either or both will make Drury look bad?

[@RobbyByrne]

Borgen is a righty. I think he's performed well enough to stay in the lineup. He's playing a new system and is learning to play with a new partner. Urko plays in his own end better than Jones, who gets muscled below the goal line more often than not. Defense is the priority right now.

[@humanbeing2420]

⁠@@RobbyByrneI think that's a fair assessment. And right - Borgen for Jones isn't fair because Jones plays LHD.

[@UMTFKRPCU]

You're f'n right Kreider's image has been tarnished, not because of lack of results but because of lack of f'n effort. @#QuitKreider

[@mattlarusso5501]

@@UMTFKRPCU and also it doesnt take a genius to see he values his friendship with Mika over winning a championship.

[@1rtt1]

You mopes know that Jones is the odd man out "Not" because of his lack of proven play. But the Rangers have to play the 2 guys they got from recent trades need to play to prove the trades weren't losers. And now claiming Mika hasn't complained is such a farce. Propagandists afraid to lose access and a position in the organization.

[@timetowakeup6302]

👍🏻

[@RobbyByrne]

For Molly to state, "if it was Jones who threw that soft pass up the middle he would be sitting the next game," is just wrong. It almost feels personal with her. What about Jone's ill advised pinches that led to goals against when he was playing? Did he sit the next game? No, he did not. He's sitting now because Lavi wants a more defensive minded player back there.

[@RobertMcMahon-qy1mr]

I don't understand why the forwards are backing up in the neutral zone instead of forechecking. Also, don't understand why they're not making Playa in open ice instead of along the boards all the time

[@DrDetfink]

This team is missing a vet who can call them out for dogging it.

[@mattlarusso5501]

We had one and he is playing for the Sharks now.

[@SamWesting]

⁠LOL! Hard for a forward with only 12 pts. in 80 regular season games to brashly call out others in the locker room.

[@mattlarusso5501]

@@SamWesting I think his two Stanley Cup rings would disagree with you.

[@SamWesting]

@@mattlarusso5501 I think Boiler would disagree with you. On this podcast, Brian said it’s hard for someone w/limited ice time (whether it be a 4th line skater or a backup goalie) to be a strong voice in the locker room. And his abysmal scoring tallies make it very difficult to lecture Mika or Panarin about their lack of offense. I’ll go with what a veteran NHLer says on this topic.

[@dumpybear8664]

Disagree on K'Andre Miller. I think we've seen his best and it's not good enough. He needs to be traded while we can still fool some bad GM.

[@10.11.9]

Vancouver is interested.

[@dumpybear8664]

@@10.11.9 Sold

[@domenicdurante966]

A big body guy who plays very small.

[@johnkomarinetz1101]

I think they should try Miller at forward. He played a lot of that in college and has skills that translate to having some decent results. That's my opinion.

[@hipcheck17]

It’s all mental with him. It’s a shame.

[@jonathanmorciglio4944]

Miller or Lindy should be the 7 D man.

[@Hockeistguyalive]

And that’s why this organization won’t win another cup.

[@timetowakeup6302]

1 cup in 84 years

[@MikeyScott90210]

Mollie is sweet but she's cautious with her takes in fear of being shunned by the players, as is Boyle. Larry looks like he tried smoking the lit end of a cigarette, but at least he's not afraid to call it like it is.

[@joeychik]

Anger is the right word to describe a lot of fans, but it's the wrong emotion. I'm not angry at how this team is playing, I'm addled.

[@davidwood1100]

Vac has 1 pt and -1 WillB has 2 points and is -16, Schneider has less points and +4 yes Jones hasnt been a world beater, but what has Vac and WB done to have so much trust over Jones.

[@bhagmeister]

“Solid” 2-to-1 win????? What game was that? You injure your credibility with such comments. I remember the lean years where if the Rangers had a lead going into the 3rd, the crowd would implore them to at least work for the tie. As I’ve said elsewhere, Quick, at times, faced anywhere between five and 10 opponents in his zone that game. Rangers need to watch the USA World Jrs. to remind themselves of how they once played. NYP Sports: What does it tell us that everyone is so quiet on the team??? The team being supportive of one another suggests something… I hope they get the best group of Sports Psychiatrists on Park Ave to help this team - and soon.

[@Justme77400]

What happened to Larry's upper lip?

[@PsychoHF]

Got beat up at the bus stop

[@timetowakeup6302]

@@PsychoHF 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@johng7926]

Miller stinks every game yet is treated better than Jones. Why??

[@timetowakeup6302]

Skin tone

[@jasonthieme8926]

I love this show I love the information I love the banter. I do think somebody else needs to kick it off and bring some energy to the start. Secondly I'll take the win last night but it was anything but pretty The last 10 minutes we were hemmed in our own zone and it looked like the team was trying to give the game away and quit did everything in his power to maintain the win. Let's hope it's the start to better things in 2025

[@michaelradu4313]

Kreids is a top 25 Ranger of ALL TIME! The fact that he has been terrible this year doesn't change that.

[@humanbeing2420]

I agree, and he did nothing to deserve Drury's childish and pathetic Memo singling him out for ridicule. Is he the second coming of Wayne Gretzky? No, but he's a career Ranger whose contract is more than reasonable for his production, he turned down bigger paydays elsewhere to stay in NYC, and without him we don't get to the ECF last season.

[@JesusChrist2000BC]

6 goal Mika is a bum. Got literal 19 year old rookies out performing him for 1/10th of the money. He's a head case and will never return to being a top player.

[@Really10801]

I don't understand all the focus on Jones, he is too small to be a defenseman. Hit the weight room and put on 20 lbs and try again.

[@Apreche]

How come on this podcast Larry is perfectly reasonable 80% of the time, but in his columns he’s a wacky old man yelling nonsense at clouds 100% of the time?

[@michaelmarro1011]

Shouldn’t Mika take some IR time off for mental break? I cannot stand Mika

[@vinnynsb]

If you’re gonna go with an undersized D man, how bout jones in lindgren out. 4.5 million and i get annoyed every time i see him on the ice.

[@Rodneyschaffer3214]

How is vahkanien in over Jones either? That guy has played 5 career games since we got him and has already doubled that. So not good enough to crack the ducks lineup but a top 6 here 😂

[@vinnynsb]

@@Rodneyschaffer3214 For me, the NYR D was too small coming into this season. That’s why lindgren @ four and a half friggn million sticks in my craw. Lindgren does an awful lot of runnnig around in his end, without any offensive skill. For me, if that slot isn’t gonna be filled by a beast of a man, I’d rather have jones. Vakh is a warm body that’s not one of the little people, so I don’t mind him being out there.

[@Rodneyschaffer3214]

@@vinnynsb I hear ya he just doesn’t seem to do anything with his body. Rather have Jones in but lindgren and miller need to be out too

[@vinnynsb]

@@Rodneyschaffer3214 I’m quietly hopeful about Miller🤞He seems to be a little more engaged since he came off IR, but with this current coach you don’t see a lot of growth from the younger guys

[@johnrwalker53]

@@vinnynsb Exactly vinny Zac has great skills with the puck plus smartness,speed and less mistakes than everyone else on D except maybe Schneider!!

[@TerrySommer-p6g]

Where's Ethan Queers?

[@Garythefireman66]

LFGR!!

[@johnnyred8902]

Why do you reporters ALWAYS side with the players? Why do you always think the player has the right to get HIS WAY ALL THE TIME? Why the hell does the player get to deceide if he should be moved or not as if he is king of the world? Igor doesn't even deserve the 11.5 mil. he got. He has had only ONE YEAR where he was consistent all year, and he IS NOT BETTER THEN HELLEBUYCK

[@NYLATORLON]

Quick has been the best and most consistent Ranger the last 2 years. Ottawa will go for him, Miller and Zibanajad. Brady Tkachuk in return.

[@10.11.9]

Keep dreaming.

[@aryusure1943]

OK! If Zac Jones can't establish himself as a Ranger why they don't trade him like they did with Nils Lundqvist. It seems to me that the Rangers are fine with "lingering" on many fronts this season. The fact is that Zac Jones is not physical enough to play defense. He has the skill set of a (small) forward. You can't ask for more physical players on the team (badly needed, have you forgot already?) and plead the case for Jones at the same time.

[@1rtt1]

He may be small but so is Fox. Jones is a good inexpensive player who can fill in no problem on short notice. While they try and see if the 2 guys they had to take in their trades can pan out in hopes to prove the trades weren't bad.

[@davidwood1100]

There is more than 1 way to play defense, I mean he's the same size as Fox and he plays defense. Lindgren is only 2 inches taller, yet his perception is totally different. There are plenty of offensive defensemen that can play defense.

[@johnrwalker53]

Zac Did Establish himself as a Deserved Starter 1943!The Best D-Pair is Zac and Schneider by far! Leetch,not comparing Zac to him was not a physical defenseman. Zac' skillset is his skating,quickness,stickhandling and playing defense without having to be a Trouba.

[@aryusure1943]

@@johnrwalker53 The fact is that the Rangers don't need another skilled defenseman unable to defend his own net. I get what you mean but the Rangers need to be stronger and more physical from now on. As a GM I would do my best to give him a chance to be a starter elsewhere. He deserves that chance if he's not in the plans of the Rangers.

[@aryusure1943]

@@1rtt1 That's my point exactly. You are vulnerable if you have 2 small guys playing defense. Fox is an exception to the rule. If Jones can't find a spot on the roster in N.Y. they should try to find him one on another team. That would be fair in my opinion.

[@rangers11ization]

This season reminds me of the 93 season.A bunch of guys in blue sweaters looking around, wondering how the hell is this happening.

[@richardgusmano614]

hoping what happened in 94 is up next

[@rangers11ization]

@richardgusmano614 ditto

[@johnrwalker53]

Boyle watch closer and you'll see how the Captain at UMass has played really good. He has a lot more skill than you Boyle as a player!!

[@paddy160160]

JT will be coming back . ...just a matter of when,it has to be in 2025 at some point or its a Fail

[@anotherjoshua]

We minded

[@anticensorshipsociety1063]

Larry thinks the Rangers are goin on a run with Quick. Now qQick is equal to Igor's best. LULZ! 12 Million a year.

[@iceman1599]

John Davidson & Gorton blew that deal, they just threw him into the Tampa deal.. glad both got fired.

[@timetowakeup6302]

Drury is just as bad

[@jayberman9221]

Long term deal for KM, I vote no. Trade him now? I prefer keeping him.

[@SamWesting]

If NYR keep K’Andre, it should be a bridge deal. Puck handling in the D zone is always an adventure with this guy. Doesn’t hit. Don’t see him as being a long term pillar on this team.

[@jayberman9221]

@@SamWesting Thanks Sam, point taken.

[@stevelegs]

Houseless and lardass continue to do nothing to improve the defensive coverage in their own zone leaving the goalie to be goats or super heroes. By their actions they really deserve to be fired for inaction. And to stick with a losing lineup is the definition of insanity. Casey Jones should not be left out instead of rotating in. And the gm needs to trade him until he gets fired for his actions and inactions. He’s created a bad culture that deserves Dolan’s attention and action. Drury is who he is, a snake who can’t be trusted and he doesn’t respect his team, and does nothing about his coaching staff maintaining the status quo with no appearance of improvement. They are the definition of insanity of trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Lardass acts like he’s wants to be retired. His press conferences are a snooze fest of bullshit 💩. Dolan will be better off changing the management of the Nyr .

[@michaelradu4313]

Let me help Brian & Larry....MILLER SUCKS!

[@DJ-he1zc]

MEMO to Zac Jones ::: When the season ends whether you are still in NY or elsewhere - use some of roughly 900K salary and hire a top level physical trainer and start strength training , put on 10-15 pounds of muscle and learn how to box a little to defend yourself if up against an average player if the gloves come off . Jones shows up in training camp every year with zero muscle on his upper body and is a NHL defenseman ? How do you not invest in yourself ?? The same thing goes for Fox - offensively gifted , a great skater and passer but has nobody told this guy maybe an NHL defenseman should pack on a few pounds of muscle each off season to be up to the physicality of the next season ?

[@10.11.9]

Fox a great skater? On what planet??

[@inhumanoiddcompose7043]

larry get decked in the mouth, b?

[@MichaelSr-sp5pw]

Not to be crass. But who cares. The Oakland A’s hated each other but won championships.

[@anthonymustane2824]

Dress and bench Mika watch him ask for a trade

[@theovrionides7666]

Typical News riders sucking up to Mika ! Wasn't even his 5on5 goal all year making $8 million a year he taped in a goal that was already in ! Give us a break !!! And by the way Mika scored only 9 goals 5 on 5 last year this guy is done !! Geezzzzzz

[@thejiggyjigga1]

Jesus Christ…herpes on the upper lip there Larry. Get well soon !

[@bhagmeister]

Simplex No. 10

[@JayC-ld2rd]

Miller is good, go look at the stats when he was with Fox they were literally the top ranked d pair in the league and they blew it

[@timetowakeup6302]

Miller is atrocious

[@10.11.9]

Stop.

[@MrLookatthesizeofit]

Molly ❤

[@dirkzink9204]

igor has not had a good year ....i call it a disgrace...i wonder if he had a mental issue...???he lost his great play...quick is are #1 goalie all year ...he is great.... IGOR letS in goals that 95% of goalies make .....I WOULD HAVE TRADED HIM...I WATCH EVERY N.Y RANGER GAME ....QUICK IS THE GLUE THAT HOLDS THIS TEAM TOGETHER ...CULTURE IS WHAT WINS STANLY CUPS ...QUICK IS CULTURE...IGOR HAS HAS PLAYEDE SO HORRIDLE HE HAS BEEN PULLED THE PROOFF WHY I HATE HIM IS HE STORMED OFF TO LOCKER AND WOULD NOT SET ON BENCH WITH MATES....HE IS A MAGOR REASON THE RANGERS ARE LOSERS THIS YEAR........THE OTHERS MIKA ZABINA BAD ...AND CHRIS KRIEDER AND LINGREN AND MILLAR ......MILLAR I WOULD RATE THE WORST IN NHL...TURNING OVER PUCKS

[@J77199]

Holy hell maybe some Thorazine for you

[@thedarkhorse100]

Brian ya got moved back to the second line. Gotta pick your game up Son lol

[@bobbyganoosh929]

Yea they are all dopes on miller rangers need to trade him for a good center or just a better style left D man and lindgren still being on the team is enough to fire Drury

[@iceman1599]

Really Molly, you want to complain about vacanian probably one mistake that he made. He’s a solid defensive defenseman playing very well. The reason why Jones is not playing is because he’s not big enough, not strong enough, not physical enough, and always gets caught in the offensive zone, that’s why he’s not playing. so let’s stop defending him.