Rangers Analysis: Mistakes hurt Rangers
by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 7:15 AM EST
in Rangers Analysis
78 comments
Like a bad dream the Rangers poor play continued Saturday night. But unlike a bad dream I didn't wake up in a cold sweat and breath a heavy sigh of relief when I realized that it was not reality. I mean I did wake up in a cold sweat, after the Rangers play put me to sleep in the seats of Madison Square Garden, but the poor play was all to real. (I hope you enjoyed this joke because this are about to get real dismal here real fast).
Today I opened up Newsday and guess what I saw. Four full pages of jubilant Islander chat. And you know what? Good for them. Good for the Islanders who have started a real rebuilding program and are actually starting to show some signs of life. They have relied on high draft picks and some well planned free agents, the real essence of a rebuilding program. Good for their general manager Garth Snow who-dare I say it-may actually be building a pretty good team over there? And for you Ranger fans who want to jump down my throat that I am commending the Islanders, guess what? They are tied for us in points and showed more heart in the second half of their season so far then we have all year.
The New York Rangers have no secondary scoring. Thus far every one of John Tortorella's "plans" to get secondary scoring has failed. Newsday outlined that Chris Drury is coming back soon ... big deal. He isn't scoring either and although his penalty killing is solid the Rangers need something more than him, unless he can find the Chris Drury of old and start potting a few goals.
Join me after the jump.
At the beginning of the year I commended Glen Sather. I thought that the moves that he made for Marian Gaborik, Vaclav Prospal, Ales Kotalik and Matt Gilroy were great moves. I even endorsed the Donald Brashear signing when it happened. And both Jim and I swore up and down that both Wade Redden and Michael Rozsival would have bounce-back years. Wow we were wrong on Rozsival and Brashear.
Recently I have been calling for Glen Sather to send Michael Rozsival down. And many of you have said "he never will because he doesn’t want to admit that the signing (4 years 20 million dollars) was a mistake." Really? So let me get this straight: playing the poor excuse for a defenseman, and allowing his 5 million dollar cap hit to squeeze the Rangers up against the ceiling is not a much bigger mistake? At least Redden has been solid, he will never live up to his contract but he’s been okay thus far.
Glen Sather needs to man up, he needs to make some moves and he needs to fix this team. Honestly I have no idea why I am even writing this. We all know what will happen. Sather is going to sit pat, wait until the trading deadline, and then make a move for some secondary scoring (giving away vital draft picks and prospects) when it’s too little too late.
This team is his product, his concoction, his mistake; I would be embarrassed if I were the GM. Hell I am embarrassed and I’m just a fan. Yesterday was the first time in my life I have wanted to remove my Ranger jersey after a game. I didn’t want to talk about it on the train, I didn’t want to hear other people talking about it after woods and the 35 dollars I spend on beer sure didn’t help either.
Anyway I plead to you Sather to make some changes. Maybe Patrick Sharp or someone like it. But please don’t be afraid of admitting to a mistake because thus far this team is a mistake. I am so sick an tired of reading John Tortorella saying: "We just need to stick with it the wins will come." Or a player saying: "We played pretty good hockey we just didn't get the result tonight."
Some of you might blame Tortorella, and I agree he needs to shoulder some of the blame. But you know what? If a coach isn't getting the job done it's the general managers job to take him into his office and talk to him. It's the general managers problem to fix. Sather is Tortorellas boss, he better start acting that way.
I just want to see a team that goes out there and competes for 60 minutes. I want to be entertained I want to love my hockey team again. Help me out Glen Sather, fix your mistakes!
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Rozsival is not getting waived. It’s a bad business decision.
As for secondary scoring, it’s not Sather’s fault that Drury, Callahan, Avery and Higgins aren’t scoring.
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 9:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree, at this point its on the players and coaches. From all we’ve been told, Tortorella had a big hand in the remaking of this roster, it’s on the coach if they aren’t performing.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Nov 23, 2009 9:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Like I said below to DB Maven
This team needs some help on the scoring front and while it’s not his fault that Drury , Callahan, Avery and Higgins aren’t scoring it will be his fault if he lets the team play out like this until the trade deadline.
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by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You can’t panic and start trading away people. The Rangers are rebuilding, everyone forgets this.
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 10:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Rebuilding
Means unloading the dead weight and starting from scratch. The problem with that is that most of the dead weight has a huge cap number and partial no movement clauses.
So they can’t rebuild, and they’re not good enough to contend as they currently exist.
So basically, they’re f’d, unless the whole team gets a kick in the ass and starts performing. Wait…isn’t that why Tortorella was hired?
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by RangerSmurf on Nov 23, 2009 11:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not true at all. Rebuilding means drafting well and building from within.
The Rangers are in a unique case where they have to rebuild and remain competitive. They have done that, and are simply a few years away (2-3) from being an elite team. The farm is solid with a ton of high potential players.
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 11:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Its much harder to draft well when you finish just below the playoff line
or make te playoffs and lose in the first round and get a 20 pick or so.
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by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 11:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They are doing a damn good job of it.
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 11:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
+1...
seems that the farther down the draft position, the better Sather gets at drafting.
"It ain't over till its over"---
by FreeBradshaw on Nov 23, 2009 12:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I never said Sather did a bad job
I actually think Drafting is his strong suite. Im just saying in general its harder when your sitting at the 20th pick or so. We could get into the Hall sweepstakes!
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by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Tyler Seguin took over the #1spot on the recently released list from NHL Central Scouting.
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by RangerSmurf on Nov 23, 2009 12:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like Hall better
Or maybe even Kirill Kabanov, that his is 17 and has unreal hands.
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by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 12:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well
They’re really deep in defenseman (8 of their top 12 prospects on hockeysfuture are defenseman), but Rozsival and Redden are locked up 2 and 4 more years beyond this one respectively, which means with Staal, MDZ and Gilroy, there’s no room for them unless R&R get moved/waived/bought out/shot/melted down for parts/eviscerated.
The forwards are more promising but they are as you said a few years away, and other than Grachev none of them are elite prospects, yet (emphasis on yet, I’m aware of the progress being made by guys like Werek)
So I think it’s a bold assumption to think that we’ll be elite in 2-3 years.
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by RangerSmurf on Nov 23, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Girardi will not be back next year. That opens up the spot for Sangs. And McDonagh will need a year in the AHL, so when he’s ready, Rozsival will be gone.
Then you have Redden as the $6.5 million #6 defenseman.
Stepan is slowly becoming an elite prospect, Werek is tearing up the OHL at the moment:
Ethan Werek; Kingston Frontenacs, OHL: 21 GP, 15G, 11A, 24 PIM, +7
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 11:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah Werek has been unreal
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Nov 23, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
SATHER CANT ALWAYS BE THE PERSON TO BLAME
Everybody whos a ranger fan obviously knows sather is a knucklhead. But people go on a rant and use him as an excuse for everything that has gone wrong. His dumbest mistake was not signing Heately. But you know what we dont know whats goin on behind the scenes. Did he know chris drury would be this horrible?Did he know 95% this team wouldnt be able to score?Second of all,Redden has been just as bad as rozival if not worse so i dont how redden has been solid. Who knows what it is, but in my opinion they gotta step it up. Play harder and try to work out mistakes. Another 50 goal scorer would be great but guess what i doubt thats happening.The defense sucks. they cant score blah blah blah we could go on forever why they suck , but it cant always be glen sather.Hes not as bad as every1 sais.
by MASTERWOK11 on Nov 23, 2009 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Gotta disagree here,
Signing/Trading for Heater would mean no Gabby and we would have lost atleast Dubi or Cally. We would be in even worse trouble. I love most of Sather’s decisions this offseason. I think Tort’s needs some help though. Maybe bring Schonny back behind the bench?
by WalkerNYRanger on Nov 23, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Help me understand – you criticize the expected result of Sather waiting till the deadline and trading for secondary scoring by dealing picks/prospects. Yet you want him to do something now? Presumably without giving up picks/prospects? What would you do?
Mind you – I don’t disagree with your ‘anti-deadline’ stance – I just don’t understand the rest.
by dbmaven on Nov 23, 2009 9:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Well I suppose my point is not getting rid of prospects and picks so much as
if he was going to do it I would want him to do it earlier than the deadline. This team needs some help on the scoring front and while it’s not his fault that Drury , Callahan, Avery and Higgins aren’t scoring it will be his fault if he lets the team play out like this until the trade deadline.
And if you are like me, who thinks that Tortorella is not doing a good job as a coach, its Sathers job to call him into his office and see whats going on.
Jim and I talked about this yesterday and we both agree that we think that Tortorella is being stubborn in his ways. Maybe we werent meant to be a playoff team, maybe Torts is keeping up down. Who knows.
But last years poor play I attributed to Tom Renney not being fired untill it was too little too late.
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by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 10:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
plus players are always overpriced at the deadline
;-)
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by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 10:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In these salary cap days – players are almost always overpriced.
None of us know what goes on in the locker room or the management office(s). If you believe that Sather and Tortorella aren’t in constant contact, I’d suggest you re-evaluate that – because it’s obvious – although in very subtle ways – that they are.
I guess it’s time to live up to the Mouth’s nickname – ‘The Voice of Reason’ – maybe I should trademark that lol…
Many of the games that have been lost over the last month have been 1 or 2 goal affairs – and when they’ve ended with a 2 goal differential it’s been because of a last-minute empty-netter. And in nearly every case, there’s been one or more defensive lapses that’s led to one or more of the goals. Case in point – you don’t expect Gaborik to make a boneheaded play at the blue line that creates a turnover and 2 on 1 or 3 on 2. And to make things worse – Henrik makes a great save on the initial shot – just what you’d expect from him. What you then don’t expect is Marc Staal failing to look around on the backcheck and pick up the trailing player (who scored).
This scene has been repeated all too many times.
While we bemoan the lack of secondary scoring since the 7-1 start, in nearly every game the goals that have been scored would have been sufficient to at least earn a regulation tie were it not for multiple mistakes turning into untimely goals against.
It is my belief that 1 thing needs to be done right now:
1 – bring up Corey Locke because the center situation is a monumental issue.
The second thing that has needed to be addressed from day 1 – and will remain an issue – is the lack of a punishing, body-checking defender. Whether that’s the mythical ‘7th defenseman’ or not – until and unless that is done, the rest just doesn’t matter.
It is my suspicion, and yes, my hope, that the scoring issues will resolve themselves. These players are capable of putting up the numbers we thought they would in preseason. The defensive situation, on the other hand, cannot resolve itself.
by dbmaven on Nov 23, 2009 10:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It can’t be said any better
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Nov 23, 2009 10:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Locke is 25 years old, and has been in the AHL for six seasons. There’s a reason why he hasn’t been called up by any team prior to arriving in Hartford.
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
With all due respect, Dave, that’s a matter of public record. I believe he was, until last year, in the Montreal organization – and if memory serves, they had no particular need for centers. But that’s going from memory.
If you’re particularly privy to those ‘reasons’ – please elaborate.
If you have a better solution to the current “center crisis” – again – please
elaborate.
You’ve got a guy who’s leading the AHL in points, and although small at 5’9" and 189, at least is a natural center who might be able to win some face-offs and contribute some assists. Seems like it might be better than doing nothing and riding it out – and it’s low risk. If he does nothing but win some face-offs – that’s more than Voros has done in the 15 games he’s played….
by dbmaven on Nov 23, 2009 11:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He was Wild property
And in regards to what you said about the team.
I agree that Sather and Tortorella are in constant talks, but Tortorella is not changing anything. No one is called up Brashear saw time with Higgins and Callahan, and Rozsival is still on the ice in pressure situations.
Where is Tortorella ripping a guy a new one for a bonehead play? Where is Tortorella doing anything these days incidentally. He doesn’t even get mad in interviews anymore.
And that 7th defenseman your craving is Sathers job to get. I’m not saying everything is Sathers fault and I would agree with you (or at least pray with you) that the secondary scoring will find itself. But how long do we wait? Maybe till the new year? Maybe till Febuary? Maybe till March? I just don’t want to see Sather not address the issue untill the Rangers are a month away from the playoffs thats all. Thats the mistake I was talking about.
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by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 11:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sather had a 7th defenseman lined up, and he went blubbering to the KHL because his wife didn’t want to be in NY. They signed Dandenault, but it doesn’t sound like he is tearing things up in Hartford.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Nov 23, 2009 11:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This is true
but if the team needs one this bad (and they do) then he should be able to get something done. This isnt like its new news this has been evident even during the 7-1 streak
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by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 11:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They also passed on Cory Murphy on re-entry waivers….twice.
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 12:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d rather wait until late June 2010, to be honest.
The Rangers have a knack for trading away talent in the midst of a panic – real or perceived – and the reaction I’m seeing here (and in other places) is tantamount to panic. I won’t list my favs – you probably already know them – and some may be on your “hot list” as well.
Elsewhere you said that it’s tough to draft well when you’re just out of the playoffs, or lose in the first round. If you believe that, they why the panic?? Why not see how things play out – and if they don’t improve and we’re out of the playoffs – perhaps we’ll get a top 5 pick ??
As the saying goes: “What’s it gonna be?” Panic and trade? Or build over time? They seem to be mutually exclusive.
And I don’t disagree that the 7th d is Sather’s job – but the ‘job requirements" are set by Torts – if there’s nobody available at a price (cap fit)/skill set that meets the reqs – then something has to give.
by dbmaven on Nov 23, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
DB both are to blame
This post was meant to harmonize with the Tortorella post from a week ago. I obviously didn’t do a fantastic job.
As I told JIm before, I don’t care if they want to trash the season. But they raised my season ticket prices (20 bucks a game!) They claimed they brought the guy in who could finish the job (torts) and they teased me with a 7-1 start. Am I a little down on the team? Yeah.
I want to see some changes, some real changes. I want to see Dolan make an investment into this team the way he just did with the Knicks. But since we know that wont happen it starts and ends with Sather.
My post about the waiting wasn’t to say that he needs to make changes now, I just know that he wont make changes untill the trading deadline. And if he waits that long I don’t want him to make any move at all. I’m just worried about what might come out of this, the same old same old were used to.
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by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all or giving him a shot. But don’t expect much. Looks like a career tweener. You (generalized you) wouldn’t even be looking at him if Drury and Dubinsky didn’t go down indefinitely.
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 12:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You might be right – but so much is about timing. There’s a need right now, he’s doing well, it’s low risk.
And I’d like to think my expectations are reasonable – contribute 3 assists in 5 games. That’s 6 times better than Voros at 1/2 the price (cap) per game.
by dbmaven on Nov 23, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ill side with DB on this one
and outline another problem I have with Tortorella right now. Why not call him up. Dave can he be any worse than Brashear or Voros? And at least he can win some face-offs and show some offensive talent.
Parentaneau is doing it why not at least give Locke a shot. He can’t be worse than what we have
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by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 12:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You know if it was any other struggling team
and they had some of the best performing players in the minors, they be called up in no-time. But for some reason we call somebody up for a game, and if they don’t score a hat-trick, they get sent right back down. At least the youngsters are hungry to play and hungry to win. Some of our oldies look like they could care less about winning the cup. Heck, it seems we can’t even motivate them to win games. Locke is probably the best player in the AHL right now, these guys have to be fools for not giving him up good shot right now with the way things are going.
by Toad McGee on Nov 23, 2009 11:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I know that sather has ruined this team as far as being strapped with the cap but as far winning games go I don’t know if sather is the primary person to blame. I know he’s doing the signings and drafting but who knew that our secondary scoring would be this horrible. As far as brash goes yes retarded move and retarded contract, kotalik is good signing It would be better if he wasn’t a -8 or watever, prospal is his best signing probably ever, and besides the lack of size and gritt what he has done with our defense is good. There really is no reason to have sather by the balls right now bc of what he’s done in the offseason. The team is losing but who knew that cally higgins drury lisin and dubs would lack this muh scoring. NOBODY! And that includes sather. If you want to be mad at him because the coach lacks his intensity he is known for than yea it’s the gms job to take him in his office and let him know what he needs to do to get things right, but for once I think sather is off the hook on this one, Or until gabs gets hurt.
by klh2009 on Nov 23, 2009 9:46 AM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
i wonder what happened to drury...
his offensive game has been absolutely disgusting…maybe his broken hand from last year could be affecting him long term…but all i know is the rangers might possibly have the 3 worst contracts in the league (drury, redden, and rosival)…i could be biased cuz im a ranger fan…i actually know a crappier one…dipietro…but whatever the rangers are in trouble…I do condemn sather for the redden and rosival contracts but you cannot truly fault him for drury…drury came off a great year in buffalo…he has all the characteristics of a great captain…it just isnt working out…i will give props to sather for getting gabby, kotalik, gilroy, ad prospal…we all expected higgins and brashear to be better but its just not working out…these are decent pieces to the puzzle…but you cant fix this team in one year…what the rangers need now is consistency with coaching and player personnel…i never expected this team to win the cup and with their 7-1 start i think it got everyones hope up…i just hope i see this team move in the right direction and we as fans need to be patient
by nutz_35 on Nov 23, 2009 9:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
missing pieces
I’ve read and listened to this same debate on this site and in the papers for several years now, whether it was through the Yagr years, or now with Gabrik. dbmavern hit several of these points squarely on the head – both physical defense and secondary scoring are undoutably issues. I would take this thread one step further by looking at the teams and organizations that have been successful in years past. Without a premier grind line, physical defense and 2 bona-fide scorers, teams cannot compete at the highest levels. Gretzky had messier, Lemieux had Yagr, Lecavelier had St. Louis, Sakic had Forseberg, even cindy crybaby has malkin … The current rangers continue with their reliance on 1 scorer (incidentially San Jose realized this doesn’t work and paid for Heatley) and clonelike, plug and play forwards (Lisin, Higgins, drury, callahan … ) while chasing the ellusive offesive defenceman. The rangers are blessed with a consistent all world goaltender – something teams like philly, boston, st. louis and clagary have lacked in their playoff runs. Goalies like Hank come along once in a long while; and are the factor that push good teams over the hump into great teams. So while I agree with the posts concerning what the rangers NEED, I would suggest they move to make those moves sooner than later. This is why I look to the moves sather has made in the last few years and place the blame squarely on his sholders. The window for Hank won’t last forever and chemistry isn’t built overnight. We have a young future on defence – dump or wait out rozi and redden, deal for a second sniper and some mid level nastiness on the wings. As much as I like prucha and dawes, their presence was soft and identical to the rest of the rangers – I’m just surprised they were replaces by the lisin, higgins clones. Bottom line is this team appears to have no long term vision. It reminds me of Toronto – an organization in flux with no stability at GM – not an organization where a GM has resided for several years.
by bleed'n blue on Nov 23, 2009 11:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hank
I hate to say it but so far (to me at least) he isn’t as sharp as he’s been in the past, although I have missed a bunch of games. And what scares me most is that he appears to fall apart the more we lose when the boys are not producing goals. We might have a real recipe for disater this season. Because he doesn’t seem like the elite goaltender he usually is and our team is drowning in losses.
by Toad McGee on Nov 23, 2009 11:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
The team really hasn't played great inf ront of him
hes been pretty all world to me, but alot of the goals he gives up really cant be pinned on him
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by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey Joe
Maybe its actually time that Sather will go. From what I can tell its not him discovering the gems (draft picks) its gordie and our scouts right? And if we move into last place here there is really no one else to blame because everything points back to him. I just can’t see them (Dolans?) not doing somethign drastic if we are last in our division.
by Toad McGee on Nov 23, 2009 12:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Toad
The Dolans have done nothing for 10 years with Sather. He has the job until he doesn’t want it anymore. Don’t get your hopes up.
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by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 12:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sather also has done a decent job thus far. There are some abysmal signings, and Sather completely swung and missed in the first round of 2003 and 2004, but his trades have been good so far.
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Going back to Tortorella
Here’s some fun stuff:
Question #1
Name the player who is currently 3rd on the team (behind Gaborik and Prospal) in pts/60 of ice time at ES.
Now, name the player who gets the least amount of ice time at ES among our top 9.
Now, name the player listed as our #2 prospect behind Grachev.
Hint: They’re all the same player.
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by RangerSmurf on Nov 23, 2009 12:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Parentenau?
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by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 12:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
No
The player in question has been here all season.
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by RangerSmurf on Nov 23, 2009 12:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well
Technically Byers is 3rd, but he’s been on the ice for 1 goal in 5 games…so I’m thinking small sample size should be ignored.
This player has also been on the ice for the most Rangers ES goals besides the Prospal-Dubinsky-Gaborik combo.
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by RangerSmurf on Nov 23, 2009 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Top 9 = forwards
And at even strength MDZ is behind Girardi and Staal in pts/60.
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by RangerSmurf on Nov 23, 2009 12:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The giveaway question was “#2 prospect” – so the answer is Artem Anisimov.
by dbmaven on Nov 23, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 1:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why not? Nothing else is working, and at least he is a natural center
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Nov 23, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Prospal has done fine at center – and the top line is not the issue – so why put all of the few scoring eggs you’ve got in one basket?
Avery Anisimov Parenteau looked good the other night – leave them alone and they might actually develop some chemistry.
by dbmaven on Nov 23, 2009 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ideally
Right now they would go with:
Lisin-Prospal-Gaborik
Respectively, 5th, 2nd and 1st in both GFON/60 and QUALCOMP.
Avery-Anisimov-Parenteau
AA deserves the 2nd line C minutes both with the above stats and the fact he’s had the 3rd worst quality of teammates thus far to produce them. Avery and Parenteau are both above 1p/60, though of course Parenteau has only been here 5 games.
Higgins-Boyle-Callahan
Boyle is 2nd on the team in Goals/60, yet gets 6 minutes of ice time because he’s stuck on the 4th line with the two suckballs. This is your checking line. They can hit, they can play D, and they can score. Well, presumably Higgins and Cally can score, eventually, sometime this year please.
Byers-Locke-Kotalik
There is nothing about Brashear or Voros that has indicated they deserve to play. How Brashear got to the 3rd line is a mystery, even video game GMs would fire you the second you tried a stunt like that. As good as Kotalik is on the PP, that’s how bad he is at ES, and thus there is no reason for him to get more than 4th line minutes there.
Then eventually you plug Dubinsky or Anisimov in on the 1st line centering Prospal and Gabby, move Lisin to the 2nd instead of Parenteau and have Dubi/AA center the 2nd, put Drury on the 3rd, Boyle on the 4th and Locke goes bye bye.
Then for the love of god stop rotating the wings.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by RangerSmurf on Nov 23, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Eventually, yes
But right now Prospal is needed at center because D&D are out.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by RangerSmurf on Nov 23, 2009 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Let's tank
I hate to say it but I would not mind getting a top draft pick this year and next. History shows that we have not had a #1 pick since the 1950’s. Listen, I know NY is a win now team but I have been watching us be non-playoff / squeeze in the last 5 games of the season for longer than we all want to remember. When was the last time we drafted a world class forward? As much as I hate Pittsburg, since we went to the cup finals in the 70’s, we have 1 finals appearance and 1 cup while Pittsburg has 3 cups in 4 finals appearances and have drafted players such as Mario, Jagr, Crosby and Malkin who are probably better than any forward we have drafted. Their fans suck and they have had real financial problems yet they are now a realistic cup threat every season from now on until the forseeable future. I would rather be them right now. Time for us Rangers fans to swallow our pride and get some high draft picks for once in our history and build us and f*en dynasty.
by B L S on Nov 23, 2009 1:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
taking my lines
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If he posted that at BSB he would have been banned before hitting the reply button.
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why?
Is there something inherently wrong with what he/she posted?
by dbmaven on Nov 23, 2009 3:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Tanking a season? Yes, there is something wrong with that.
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 4:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wait Dave are you serious?
whats wrong with admiting that a season is lost and letting the team do poorly by letting the youth get some experience? That renders a top pick as well. I see no problem in that.
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 3:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I do. When I was playing for my school, we always played to win, no matter how bad we were. It’s pride. I’d rather do the best we can and come up short than tank.
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m actually stunned that anyone is actually for tanking the season.
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
There is a difference between
tanking the season and admitting that this year is a non playoff year and purging vets in favor of the youth, which in turn generally results in loses. Im not saying lose on purpose, I dont agree with that.
But if this year isn’t a playoff year then whats the harm in letting the youth see time?
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How can you give up on a team that won 7 in a row to start the season? I watch the Rangers because I want them to win, not because I want to see kids play and get a high draft pick. It’s not even December.
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn't talking about the Rangers
I was just saying that there is a difference between intentionally tanking a season and admitting that a team isnt going to make the playoffs.
Yes it’s obviously too early to make this decision for the NYR but the Rangers brass may end up making that decision in the future. WHo know.
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 4:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Then why not play spoiler? Ruin the chances of a team that needs to beat you to make the playoffs. Play to win, not to get a high draft pick.
If you play to get a high draft pick, where does it end? Say you’re the #9 seed in March, 6 points out, you give up and sell off? Then the #8 seed loses 6 in a row, and wow, all of a sudden, you could have made the playoffs. The Oilers went to the Cup Finals as a #8 seed. Sure, it’s a hypothetical, but where is that line drawn? When do you think you should tank? It’s a fine line.
As a hockey player myself, you don’t tank the season, or a game, or anything. You give it your all no matter what.
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You'r missing my point
Yes you play every game to win 100%. But if a team deems they are out of it and they play massive amounts of youth then they generally end up losing anyway.
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The title of the post was “let’s tank”. I mean, that’s how I took his post.
by Dave (BSB) on Nov 23, 2009 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I guess I read it the same way Joe did. I wouldn’t expect any Ranger fan to suggest deliberately throwing a season away. And especially given the context of the discussion where some have been clamoring for Sather to “do something”.
I’d rather play it out. If it works out – then fine – if it doesn’t, then you get a higher draft pick. If it goes badly enough, I wouldn’t mind seeing Brashear/Boyle/Voros get more ice time.
I doubt that it’s going to come to that. Scoring will come – leaving only that gaping hole in the defense.
by dbmaven on Nov 23, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey we finally agree!
:-D
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
by Joe Fortunato on Nov 23, 2009 10:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
really? your a fool for won thing.
pittsburgh got those picks by throwing seasons away. i have to much pride to see my team do that
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
by Moshe52792 on Nov 23, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Pittsburgh got those picks because the draft was rigged of good luck
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Nov 23, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
rebuilding would be getting rid of drury redden roszival and developing the kids so we can be successful in a few years.
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
by Moshe52792 on Nov 23, 2009 3:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
2017 is shaping up nicely :)
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Nov 23, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't want to ruin our one good thing we've got going,
But what if we split of Vinny and Gabby? I love watching them play together, but I have to wonder if they both wouldn’t be doing well playing with other people. This also might help get some other people going. I don’t really like the idea, but it’s the only offensive pairing that hasn’t changed yet.
by WalkerNYRanger on Nov 23, 2009 4:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
And it isn’t likely to change, either.
I see where you’re coming from – but really, if you’ve got one “pair” working, would you risk splitting it up on the off chance that somebody else “might” fit?
Sorry – not me. I’d tinker like hell with the rest of the lineup, maybe call some guys up – but right now there’s no way Gaborik goes on the ice without Vinny (at even strength…).
by dbmaven on Nov 23, 2009 6:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
How about letting AA center Prospal and Gaborik?
AA and Vinny are currently needed as centers with Dru and Dubi out. Nobody wants to tank a season but…….the Jets should
by earthworm on Nov 23, 2009 7:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pittsburgh
|
72 | 42 | 24 | 6 | 90 |
|
New Jersey
|
71 | 42 | 25 | 4 | 88 |
|
Philadelphia
|
72 | 37 | 30 | 5 | 79 |
|
New York Rangers
|
72 | 31 | 32 | 9 | 71 |
|
New York Islanders
|
72 | 29 | 33 | 10 | 68 |
(updated 3.21.2010 at 10:53 PM EDT)
Rangers Schedule
Next 5 Games
|
New York Islanders
|
Wed 03/24 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
@
New Jersey
|
Thu 03/25 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
@
Toronto
|
Sat 03/27 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
@
New York Islanders
|
Tue 03/30 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
@
Tampa Bay
|
Fri 04/02 | 7:30 PM EDT |
Last 5 Games
|
@
Boston
|
Sun 03/21 | L 1 - 2 |
|
St. Louis
|
Thu 03/18 | L 3 - 4 |
|
Montreal
|
Tue 03/16 | L 1 - 3 |
|
Philadelphia
|
Sun 03/14 | W 3 - 1 |
|
@
Atlanta
|
Fri 03/12 | W 5 - 2 |
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