Rangers Analysis: Player Ratings: Pre-Season Edition
by Rob Luker on Sep 29, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
in Rangers Analysis
28 comments
After every game one, two, or handful of players always stick out in our minds as they either played noticeably well or just plain bad. As the unofficial on-ice analyst here at the Banter, there might not be pressing issues for me to be discussing with you constantly (hopefully), so I figured we could put some numbers down after each game as to who stuck out in your minds. Welcome to the pre-season edition of Player Ratings, where everyone can have their turn being Joe Micheletti, Sam Rosen, or Dave Maloney if they chose.
The concept of rating players based on their game-play is awfully simple, but for some reason few American sports analysts use the concept. Player ratings are used most often in soccer, as everyone has an opinion on how their team boys played and the concept is just used as a medium for everyone to get their points across. For a quality example, take a look at Jack Bell's player ratings from last season's Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona.
I have only two requests if you are to play along throughout the season. First, is that no one uses decimals. The scale is from 1 (god-awful; Malik-like defense) to 10 (gorgeous; Anisimov-like dangles everywhere). Secondly, rate players on the quality of their play when they were on the ice. Essentially, don't penalize the fourth line because they only played five shifts or two minutes. If Brashear, Boyle, and Voros roll out for their one shift in a game and cause some havoc (as they should), reward them for it.
Now, you don't have to follow my format when it comes to reasoning. If you want to go player by player, go for it. If you only want to rate one player in a comment, that's fine. The bigger picture here to me is that I am keeping a spreadsheet that will (hopefully) spit out some interesting averages as to whether a certain player is performing well or not. So enjoy and please do make your opinion heard.
Note: These ratings are for pre-season in general, not just the last Capitals game.
Forwards
Anisimov: 9
Avery: 6
Boyle: 5
Brashear: 7
Callahan: 6
Drury: 6
Dubinsky: 6
Gaborik: 9
Grachev: 7
Higgins: 7
Kotalik: 7
Lisin: 7
Prospal: 7
Voros: 7
Anisimov and Gaborik, I think we can all agree, are just plain exciting. For the rest of the game after Anisimov scored anytime he picked up the puck I thought he was going to do it again. Drury disappointed me offensively to say the least (0 points), but he still did all the little things right. Boyle worries me because he is a defensive liability for the most part; a better asset than Betts offensively, but sometimes downright brutal in his own zone. Kotalik and Prospal flashed some of their talents from previous seasons, as I hope both can find their touch quickly.
Defensemen
Del Zotto: 7
Gilroy: 8
Girardi: 6
Redden: 7
Rozsival: 3
Semenov: 6
Staal: 7
With the way Rozival is playing it hurts me to see Bobby Sangs go down to Hartford once again. Luckily, Semenov has been a pleasant surprise and I think he might prove to be a bang-for-the-buck signing by Sather coming from San Jose. Gilroy, for all the positives about his aggressiveness and offensive touch, needs to pick his spots better sometimes. He has done a great job for the most part, but he will learn when not to pinch. The rest of the defense was solid for pre-season.
Goaltenders
Lundqvist: 8
Valiquette: 7
Hank was hank and Valiquette was his usual Spiderman self. That Johnson goalie from the University of Alaska impressed me as well. I feel bad for Zaba, sort of, as he is another quality goalie sitting behind two more quality goaltenders just waiting for his chance.
As a team I would grade the pre-season a 7. Torts has laid out the plan that the boys will fight fire with fire (Best defense is a good offense), and I think all of us will welcome that change after four years of Tom Renney.
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sounds like fun
but quick Q. are we grading them in general or based on their individual abilities and our expectations of them bc gabby at a 6 can be alot of this teams 9/10. anywho for now im doin the latter:
Anisimov: 9
Avery: 6
Boyle: 5
Brashear: 8
Callahan: 7
Drury: 5
Dubinsky: 6
Gaborik: 9
Grachev: 8
Higgins: 6
Kotalik: 7
Lisin: 8
Prospal: 7
Voros: 7
Del Zotto: 7
Gilroy: 9
Girardi: 5
Redden: 6
Rozsival: 4
Semenov: 6
Staal: 7
Lundqvist: 8
Valiquette: 7
by Conway on Sep 29, 2009 8:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes, your expectations matter. If you think a player can play better than he did in the game, give him an appropriate number for it.
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by Rob Luker on Sep 29, 2009 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Starting Lineup
Voros? Really? Experienced or not, lets give the kids we so highly tout a chance here. Brian Boyle. C’mon now. With the first three lines sewn up. Why doesn’t anyone in the ranger organization realize that we CAN combine size, speed and talent on a fourth line while giving deserving young players a chance. I think the fourth line for the Rangers opening night should have been. Brashear-Anisimov-Grachev. All can hold their own in the size department with speed and skill. Do we really need to watch Aaron Voros crash into the corner boards and not come out with the puck anymore. I say this as I bleed blue, Wake up Torts. I like your style but this fourth line thing is killing me. Grachev on the Wolfpack is as well. Please set me straight if I am off base and explain……
by lwhit7873 on Sep 29, 2009 9:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Three points
1. The fourth line in the NHL is in general reserved for the role players who can keep the opposing team in line. Without these players it is much easier to control a game (from the opposing teams point of view) and take liberties against more skilled players. Putting young guys on the fourth line happens in lower levels because role players like Boyle, Voros, and Brashear don’t matter as much. But when you get to the NHL where role players get you to a Stanley cup, it is necessary.
2. I know Grachev is in Hartford. I doubt that we will not see him all season up in NYR blue, and he did play in all the preseason games so I wanted to include him in the ratings.
3. Just grade based on how you thought they played. If the player played great, give him a 10. If not, give him a 1.
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by Rob Luker on Sep 29, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
brian boyle was a former 1st rounder
That the Kings screwed with mentally. He has tons of upside and I for one am excited to see him play.
As for your comment on Voros: he is not taking a spot away from a kid simply because Voros will play on the 4th line. Plus you can’t deny he earned this spot on this team.
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by Joe Fortunato on Sep 29, 2009 9:52 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Can't argue much...
I can’t argue with either rankings much thus far, except I can’t give Redden a 7. He’s shown improvement but still stinks.
On another note, what is Valiquette’s contract status? I suppose he could very well be trade bait at the deadline if he’s in his last year. I think the young guys showed their ready to take the next step on a part time basis. Guess it all depends on our position in the standings.
by NYdemo on Sep 29, 2009 9:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
this is the last year of Vallys contract
But you don’t trade a backup goalie at the deadline. He needs to be there in case Lundqvist goes down—God forbid.
Plus with the olympics coming up Vally is gonna be a very important member on this team this year.
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by Joe Fortunato on Sep 29, 2009 9:56 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Assuming we’re in contention for a playoff run… Should we tank this season God forbid and be heading for a non-playoff season you wouldn’t trade Vally? With the probability of a cap reduction, several key players needing to be resigned and young prospects in the wings you think Sather can afford to re-sign him?
by NYdemo on Sep 29, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Valy is only here on 750K
i dont think yo ufind a better backup goalie for that price. I say he stays but thats just me
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by Joe Fortunato on Sep 29, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Vally's done
after this season unless he doesn’t want a pay raise. But I don’t see what kind of value he has trade wise other than maybe a 3rd or 4th round pick.
I think they just ride it out and if IamNotOchoCinco or Zaba plays well they’ll be in line to take over the backup role.
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by RangerSmurf on Sep 29, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah but the backup guys (Zaba and Johnson)
have to prove themselvs first. Like Maloney said its way too early to judge them now.
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by Joe Fortunato on Sep 29, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he wants $750K again Sather would be a complete fool to not sign him, but there’s no way he’s NOT going to get a sizeable raise. He’s one of the best back-ups in the league and probably better than several starters.
by NYdemo on Sep 29, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anisimov: 9
Avery: 7
Boyle: 4
Brashear: 8
Callahan: 7
Drury: 4
Dubinsky: 5
Gaborik: 9
Grachev: 8
Higgins: 7
Kotalik: 4
Lisin: 7
Prospal: 8
Voros: 7
Del Zotto: 7
Gilroy: 8
Girardi: 4
Redden: 7
Rozsival: 3
Semenov: 5
Staal: 8
Sanguinetti: 7
Lundqvist: 7
Valiquette: 8
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by KingHenrik on Sep 29, 2009 10:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I only caught a couple of the preseason games b/c of schedule, and I missed the stinker in Washington thanks to football, but here’s what I have:
Anisimov: 8
Brashear: 5
Dubinsky: 7
Gaborik: 10
Higgins: 9
Kotalik: 7
Lisin: 7
Voros: 9
Del Zotto: 7
Gilroy: 8
Redden: 7
Rozsival: 2
Semenov: 4
Quick notes:
I dropped anyone from the list who I didn’t get alot of info on during the preseason, either cause I was focused on someone else during their shifts or because they weren’t in the lineup in the few I watched, don’t want to skew things by just giving Callahan a 10 because he’s my favorite player on the roster not wearing #30.
Voros played well above his skill to make a push for the team as he seems to be well aware his roster spot was in jeopardy. Then again, he started ultra-hot last year so i can see this number plummeting like the Dow in a month.
I think Semenov made the team strictly because he’s a veteran and Tortorella wanted another one. I don’t think he played well in any of the games I watched.
Gaborik was as advertised, he’s a ridiculously talented player. Even when you try not top pay attention to him he makes his way into your line of sight.
Also very impressed with Higgins, I didn’t know much about him besides being an islander killer but he plays with an edge to his game which is good, too many guys on last year’s team played like they would contract a disease if they touched someone.
I almost didn’t want to rate Brashear, not b/c of his history but because it’s hard to evaluate his value during a preseason game where guys are more interested in making the team than agitating.
The young defenseman played well but I’m not giving them huge numbers because their defense is not at the level of their offense.
Interesting task. Is it Friday yet?
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by RangerSmurf on Sep 29, 2009 10:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm going from the vantage point that 5 is average
Anisimov: 9
Avery: 4
Boyle: 4
Brashear: 5
Callahan: 5
Drury: 5
Dubinsky: 5
Gaborik: 8
Grachev: 7
Higgins: 7
Kotalik: 6
Lisin: 6
Prospal: 7
Voros: 5
Del Zotto: 7
Gilroy: 8
Girardi: 3
Redden: 5
Rozsival: 3
Semenov: 5
Staal: 6
Lundqvist: 7
Valiquette: 6
by Lunkwill Fook on Sep 29, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I would give Drury a 3 honestly
im sorry but no points is a big problem to me. Yeah he did all the little things right but he is here to score too.
He was invisibly most of the pre-season
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by Joe Fortunato on Sep 29, 2009 11:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Anisimov: 9
Avery: 6
Boyle: 4
Brashear: 6
Callahan: 7
Drury: 5
Dubinsky: 7
Gaborik: 8
Grachev: 6
Higgins: 6
Kotalik: 6
Lisin: 4
Prospal: 5
Voros: 6
Defensemen
Del Zotto: 7
Gilroy: 8
Girardi: 5
Redden: 6
Rozsival: 1
Semenov: 5
Staal: 7
by blazephr on Sep 29, 2009 11:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Pre-season is, in my opinion, not worth rating in this context. Players are being evaluated for a different set of attributes by the coaching staff – and we don’t even know what they are. We can guess (e.g. which defensive pairs “look good” together, can Prospal still play center at a high level, can Kotalik still QB/play point on a PP, etc..).
Players are moved around to different positions – play with different combinations and linemates – in one period they may suck and the next they could look great. There are just too many variables.
If all you’re really looking for is a purely subject evaluation – then this is cool. But mashing them all together when each individual is considering different attributes – I’m not sure what you get…
For me – “5” = expected level of play for an NHL professional
Anisimov: 5
Avery: 5
Boyle: 4
Brashear: 5
Callahan: 6
Drury: 4
Dubinsky: 5 (not enough games played)
Gaborik: 6 (not enough games played)
Grachev: 4
Higgins: 6
Kotalik: 5
Lisin: 4
Prospal: 6
Voros: 5
Del Zotto: 3
Gilroy: 7
Girardi: 5
Redden: 5
Rozsival: 3
Semenov: 4
Staal: 6
Lundqvist: 7
Valiquette: 6
by dbmaven on Sep 29, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If all you’re really looking for is a purely subject evaluation
I am. Think of it this way. If someone came up to you and asked, How did Gaborik play last game? And you say he played well. I would give him a __ out of 10.
Del Zotto a 3? Really?
And good point with the pre-season coaching expectations. I’m just grading in general and setting up the guidelines for the season as we will do this for every game.
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by Rob Luker on Sep 29, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK
Yes – Del Zotto a 3. Some games he was a 4 or 5 – some he was a 2 (the first couple). Admittedly, he’s shown signs of improvment and acclimating to the NHL level – but overall for preseason NHL defense – 3.
by dbmaven on Sep 29, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can’t wait to see what kind of performance is required for you to give out a 10.
Hopefully there are a bunch of them.
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by RangerSmurf on Sep 29, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
I’d be really happy if there are a bunch of “10” performances – but it’s highly unlikely.
Especially for skaters. Possible for a hat trick or a 3+ point game *where the team wins) coupled with a ‘positive’ plus/minus – and just being on the ice for a goal for doesn’t count.
Goalies get a 10 for a shutout – unless the other team sucks and the quality shots are under 5. Then they drop to an 8 or 9.
by dbmaven on Sep 29, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hard
to judge players off of preseason..
like people are giving girardi ridicculously low ratings.. fact is, once the season comes around hell consistently be our second best defensemen.. behind staal..
and grachev looked decent, but a 9? more like a 6. He looked OK, but showed he still needs more time. Ill give evaluations 10 games or so into the season.
Preseason is hard to judge because a player like drury or staal didnt have to play hard to earn a spot, where others such as voros/mdz/anisimov did.
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
by Moshe52792 on Sep 29, 2009 3:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i was doin ratings like test scores
whereas like a 6 is basically average, 7-8 good and so on and so forth. we should all get on the same page if we’re gonna do this consistently lol
by Conway on Sep 29, 2009 6:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That's about right.
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by Rob Luker on Sep 29, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
whoops
Conway does have the idea though. In my mind if you rate someone a 5 that means you don’t remember much about them during the game.
Blueshirt Banter - We party like it's 1994 every game
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by Rob Luker on Sep 29, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Jersey
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58 | 36 | 20 | 2 | 74 |
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Pittsburgh
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59 | 35 | 22 | 2 | 72 |
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Philadelphia
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57 | 29 | 25 | 3 | 61 |
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New York Rangers
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59 | 26 | 26 | 7 | 59 |
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New York Islanders
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58 | 23 | 27 | 8 | 54 |
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Tue 03/02 | 7:30 PM EST |
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Pittsburgh
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Thu 03/04 | 7:00 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
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Thu 02/04 | L 5 - 6 |
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Sun 01/31 | W 3 - 1 |
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Sat 01/30 | L 2 - 3 |
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