Who Will Step Up For The Rangers? Tonight's Lines, Notes
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 18, 2010 6:00 AM EDT
in New York Rangers News
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PrintThe Rangers spent the off-season making mostly minor moves: signing Alexander Frolov, offering Ruslan Fedotenko an invitation to camp that panned out, trading away the dead weight contracts of Donald Brashear and Aaron Voros, and adding guys like Todd White, "PT109" Tim Kennedy, and rookie Derek Stepan. When it was all said and done, heading into the season the Rangers felt they had gotten younger and deeper.
With key players Marian Gaborik and Chris Drury now out for extended periods of time, and Vinny Prospal already missing from the lineup, the Rangers better hope they were right, or they could be staring down the barrel of a very long season on Broadway.
You learn a lot about a
GameDay Notes:
The NHL not taking disciplinary action against Sean Avery for the slash on Mike Komisarek. I have to say, I'm surprised.
Here are your lines for tonight's game against the Avalanche (courtesy of Ranger Rants)
Brandon Dubinsky - Artem Anisimov - Ryan Callahan
Alex Frolov - Derek Stepan - Ruslan Fedotenko
Sean Avery - Brian Boyle - Brandon Prust
Derek Boogaard - Erik Christensen - Todd White
Although not the way I wanted, looks like I am getting my wish of Artem Anisimov on the first line.
Defensive pairings:
Marc Staal - Michal Rozsival
Michael Del Zotto - Dan Girardi
Matt Gilroy - Steve Eminger
Saw a lot of rumors on the "tweets" about Matt Gilroy being shopped (again). All I have to say is this: consider the source. I won't mention any names, but it rhymes with Flottawa Gun.
So far this season, the Rangers and Avalanche have one thing in common: they both lost to the minor league team in Hempstead.
Henrik Lundqvist is expected to get the start in goal.
One last thing: if any of you are at all interested in hearing about my trip to Houston last weekend to see the Giants, check out my recap of the weekend on Big Blue View. I also have video on You Tube, user name is jrs1940 on there, and if you are on my
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Gilroy
I wouldn’t shed a tear if the Rangers traded Gilroy for a winger.
The Rangers need more options up front.
I also hope that the coaches decide that playing the kids will reap huge rewards for the Rangers, now and long term.
Playing older guys like Todd White just continues to handcuff the club.
Put the kids out there and let them learn.
So many NHL teams are putting 20 year olds and younger in the lineup and winning.
Islanders, Avalanche, Canes, Thrashers, etc.
I mean the Thrashers have Burmistrov in there….the Isles have Nino.
Put the kids in!
But what kids do we play?
And if we do play the kids (which I suppose I don’t have a problem with depending on who it is) then we have to be prepared to lose this season, which I’m not willing to do at this point in the season.
Stepan, Sauer, Del Zotto, Staal, Anisimov can still be considered “kids” with Callahan, Dubinsky, Girardi, Lundqvist being “older kids.” Grachev, MZA, Kreider and Werek (who are arguably the next guys to come down the pike) aren’t ready yet either.
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Oct 18, 2010 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions
If Lundqvist is an ‘older kid,’ then the whole team is kids except White, Avery, Fedotenko and Rozsival now.
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by George E. Ays on Oct 18, 2010 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Well the "older kid"
was for guys who are “home grown talent” but not 23.
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Oct 18, 2010 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions
not really considering Staal a kid either, more a young vet for how long he has been here.
by Michael Gleich on Oct 18, 2010 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Do you think there is any chance the Rangers will give Kennedy another shot with the parent club? With Drury out for 6 weeks, this opens the door for him to center the 4th line.
He has to pass through re-entry waivers to come back, and there’s almost no chance he clears with what would be a $275k cap hit. Thus, it’s highly doubtful.
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by George E. Ays on Oct 18, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Errah, I will be picked up by someone, anything to errah get me out of this Hahtfud hell hole
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 18, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
if he had still been here a couple extra days sure, but not getting back thru at 275K
by Michael Gleich on Oct 18, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I could see Kreider, Werek and Horak being ready for next year. MZA seems to be the only one who might be able to play this year.
by Michael Gleich on Oct 18, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
rumor has it Nino might be going back to junior.
by Michael Gleich on Oct 18, 2010 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL
“it rhymes with Flottawa Gun” HAHA I love it!
Flottawa Gun? It must be too early, because I don’t get it.
"Jaromir Jagr.... it's a POWER PLAY GOAL!"
- Sam Rosen
"Let me ask you, would you want to play for the Edmonton Oilers...? (laughter)"
-Evgeni Nabokov
wait, nevermind : /
"Jaromir Jagr.... it's a POWER PLAY GOAL!"
- Sam Rosen
"Let me ask you, would you want to play for the Edmonton Oilers...? (laughter)"
-Evgeni Nabokov
Come on rmc……work with me here, lol
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 18, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Gilroy
Not to jump on the bandwagon but I thought that Gilroy looked terrible in his first game. Out of place, poor passing and just completely uncomfortable. I wouldn’t mind a trade for him either.
In your honest opinion fellas, with Gaborik out for let’s say 3 weeks, thats 13 games assuming he comes back against an awesome young Edmonton team on the 14th of November, we play Colorado tonight, Toronto twice, Devils twice, Boston, Atlanta, Hurricanes, Chicago, Philly, The Blues, CAPS and Buffalo. Maybe one easy game in the bunch, What will our record be with out two of our top players out of the lineup?
If we could go 5 and 7 I think it would be a godsend. If we end up going 3-9 or even 4-8 will this put us in a hole that may be too deep to dig out of again at the end of a long season. Just think, the last two years we came out of the gates flying and that saved our asses toward the end of the season. With out the hot start and injuries. Can we do this thing?
I think that's too much panic
Yeah, Gaborik will be missed, but the Rangers have scored 13 goals without him or Frolov potting one. That’s insane. I think that the Rangers will be fine, so long as they keep shooting from the point.
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Oct 18, 2010 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, but teams still put their best out against Gabby leaving the other lines to lesser competition. That surely has helped those lines score. Now, those favorable matchups go away. Either way, should be interesting.
by NTB on Oct 18, 2010 9:50 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Nov 14th would be almost 4 weeks, which would be a bigger problem then just what the schedule is. If it’s only 2 weeks, it’s only 7 games Gaborik misses, which really is not that big a deal (he did miss 6 games last year after all). I mean, he played a full shift after hurting it, it’s not outrageous to think he could get back quickly here.
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan has been our best line this year, and they’re still intact. Frolov has a better playmaker at center now than he had with EC or Drury, maybe that will get him going.
And while on paper the games look tough, Colorado has been outscored thus far, the Devs have the worst goal differential in the league, and Carolina has struggled to score goals. With Hank and 18 capable NHL’ers, they’ll get through this.
We’re ~1/27th through the season, still a lot of hockey to play.
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by George E. Ays on Oct 18, 2010 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Keep in mind, wasn’t Gilroy playing on the left, which he had never done before?
I think I’ve just decided that I am on the USS Gilroy until the damn thing sinks to the bottom of the Atlantic. I love his speed and hands, and I just think the minute they give up on him he scores a hat trick every night somewhere.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 18, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
For the young guys on this team, I wish Torts would put them in a position to be successful. Why put Gilroy on left defense if he is a right handed shot who never played the left side before. After sitting out the 1st two games, he looked tentative during the Maple Leafs game because he was essentially “out of position” all game long and was scared to make a glaring mistake (i.e. that could lead to being a healthy scratch again during the next game). If the Rangers refuse to get another left handed D-man in the lineup, put Emminger (not Gilroy) on the left! Give the kid a chance to build his confidence!
Well
Why put Gilroy on left defense if he is a right handed shot who never played the left side before.
It’s because we have a bajillion right defenseman
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Oct 18, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Im with you on that one Jim. Umm…im I the only one that realizes he was out of position all game because thats not his position to begin with. This guy cant get a break, I mean come on. Torts scratched him left and right last year like he had a back itch, he starts ONE game, and he is on a side he never played beforw. Okay, why not make Brandon Jacobs a full back, you know why not because hes a running back for christ sakes let the guy play.
by louielounz1 on Oct 18, 2010 11:03 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I didn’t think Gilroy played badly, he did have 2 bad passes in his own zone (ironically he was on the right side of the ice) and a giveaway that led to a scoring chance by Versteeg, but his positioning was good despite playing the offside. Eminger played well, as did Staal and MDZ. Rosi had a couple of bad giveaways, so did Girardi. Though I thought it was Girardi’s best game this year.
The first goal was essentially a pp goal, the 2nd Hank should of stopped, the 3rd with the 4 on 4 with the linesman interference was a bad break. It could have been alot worse Toronto had many good chances, Hank kept them in it.
Would like to see Sauer in the lineup.
Maybe they play better with 4 grinding lines.
why is drury a top player?
drury came back into the line up and slowed down his linemates. torts had him between gaborik and frolov, and he couldn’t keep up. then he put him with fedotenko and avery, and he made that line worse. the dude is just not a quality player anymore.
it’s sad, but the rangers are better with him out of the lineup
by SeanI on Oct 18, 2010 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
My thoughts on Chris Drury are more than well documented, but you can’t tell me that the Rangers are better without him, look at the key penalties they have failed to kill without him late in the last two games.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 18, 2010 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree, I just think drury doesn’t belong on the top line or and the 2nd line is pretty much set in stone at this point with dubi-AA-cally, they’ve been glorious so far this year, that relegates drury to either 3rd or 4th line minutes, so at this point it’s either move stepan to the 4th line, so either EC, Drury, or Boyle are on the chopping block… the way boyle has been playing both offensively, defensively, and his physical play it’s hard to move him from the lineup… for now there is no issue with Drury, but when he returns it will be btw EC Drury and Boyle.
I think over the course of the year either AA claims the #1 center spot or Stepan takes it, leaving EC/Drury/Boyle to fight over 3rd and 4th line centers spots, and that all could get dicey if Prospal comes back…
by Chris LaLicata on Oct 18, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I like those lines all though I feel that boyle and christensen are gonna get switched quickly and maybe prust and white as well, although prust does have some nice offensive moves in spurts.
although maybe christensen and white can chip in a goal or more playing against the dallas 4th line.
We are missing Gabby but the depth is there to stay afloat I feel. All those guys, if not being lazy, can back check pretty well and if that is enforced and we put effort into it I can see us staying pretty solid defensively. Also if the goal production doesnt drop much we have a shot
The guy I’m feeling isn’t given a chance is Sauer. In all the preseason games, I don’t remember seeing him out of position or taking a dumbass penalty. I know he is one of our million d-men that shoots right-handed but isn’t there a way to get him in there? Can someone explain this to me?
Agreed, Sauer was as steady as anyone in the first two games. He’s not flashy, but he gets the job done.
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by George E. Ays on Oct 18, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Eminger brings jam
or so I’ve been told
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Oct 18, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
that’s good if Eminger could make pancakes, but he more often makes scrambled eggs
by Michael Gleich on Oct 18, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Rozsival brings jelly
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 18, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
between 2-4 weeks
but he played a shift after he was hurt (I think that George brought up that point) so it’s not crazy to think he can be back in 2 weeks. Don’t wanna rush him though.
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Oct 18, 2010 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Best part of tonight’s game is going to be watching two excellent young lines square off. Colorado’s is more proven together but i like what i have seen of ours.
Galiardi (22)-Stastny (24) – Stewart (22) vs
Dubinky (24)-Anisimov(22)-Cally (25)
Avs have some crazy young talent
In an Ideal world I would have all ten fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
we'll be there soon
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Oct 18, 2010 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
as soon as i finish writing about how our first line has developed over time, they announce prospal out 6-8 weeks. someone is out to get me, ;-)
by Michael Gleich on Oct 18, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll be in attendance for this one. Can’t wait, although kinda sucks don’t get to watch gabby
by Conway on Oct 18, 2010 2:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This is Torts time to shine
Since he’s come on, we haven’t seen alot of “coaching” out of John Tortarella. Some players have improved their levels of play (Dubi, AA) but outside of flipping personal non-stop, there hasn’t been any real change in style from the team.
Rather then just coming up with ways to fill in the holes, it would be nice if Torts could come up a way to change the teams game, to get the most out of who we have available. 3 of our 4 lines have been playing great, why change that. I would rather see him change some aspects of what he’s asking our guys to go on the ice, and attempt to exploit some matchups. Of our 3 remaining lines, all of them have been able to produce some offense, but I can’t say any of them have been a defensive liability. Torts can control WHO is putting out, by having the last line change. Anyone of 3 lines we have left can be used to neutralize a top line, setting either the Dubi-AA-Cally or Aves-Step-Feds line with a matchup against a lower line. When they get that matchup, turn the line loose, when they’re against the top lines, play D-first and neutralize.
I know that leaves out Frolov, but he While and EC should be able to fit in nicely. While we brought Frolov in for his offensive upside, LA was using him more as a two way winger, a role he could certainly fill to get us through this spell. Also, He’d be availiable to spot play on any of the other lines – we all know how Torts needs to mix it up, so we’d still be able to take advantage of his offense. The way Prust and Boyle have been grinding, how great would it be to see them get out there with Boogy, against the Avs 4th line, only to have Boogy duck off quick to let Frolov jump in?
With gabby and dru out, it will give alot of players the chance to show their true colors bc essentially most of them will be moving up a line. Hopefully some take it to the next level and some may fall on their faces. Hopefully someone like Boyle can show why he was a former first rounder if given more ice time. Someone like EC may drop off the face of the earth without his crutch(gabby)
Honestly I don’t think many of us expected more than a 6-8 seed and 1st rd exit from the playoffs so whatever won’t kill us
by Conway on Oct 18, 2010 3:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Why not let Gilroy play 4th line R wing
Instead of Todd White?
And pair Eminger and Sauer?
MATTEAU!!!!! MATTEAU!!!!!!! MATTEAU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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