Rangers Review: Michal Rozsival
by Rob L on May 17, 2010 7:01 AM EDT
in 2009-10 In Review
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Since 2005 Michal Rozsival has been a mainstay on the Ranger blue-line. A true puck-moving defenseman, Rozi likes to play a simple, quiet, and responsible game especially in his own zone. He was a consistent 20-minute d-man for the Blueshirts this past season and unfortunately only registered 23 points, which ends up being his second-worst point total in a full NHL season in his career thus far.
Join me after the jump for more.
What we liked: Like I mentioned, Rozival is usually good in his own zone and makes sound decisions with the puck when he has it. His shot at the point is one of the best amongst Ranger d-men and his veteran presence has helped with the development of Marc Staal and Dan Girardi. He had the third-highest Goals For while he was on the ice amongst Ranger d-men in with 53 and his Corsi ratings across the board indicated that he did more right than wrong. Personally, I know when Rozi is playing well because when you are watching the game you don't really notice him; which is one of the best things a defensemen can do. Sure, I love a solid breakout pass as much as the next guy, but if you aren't making mistakes as a d-man, then you are doing your job right.
What we didn't like: The problem with Rozival, as much as I just praised him for it, is that it always seems like he can do more when he's doing nothing. I'm sure much of the conversation in the comments might center around the description of Rozival being "soft," and I don't disagree. He's 6-2 at least 205 and he rarely uses his frame to its full potential. I do not and will not expect Rozival to become a player he isn't in the future, but it's just a shame I guess. Rozi might be losing a step as well, as he averaged 1.1 penalties per sixty minutes of play for the season as well (Hall Gill led the league with 1.5 per 60 for comparision).
Highlight Play/Game: Rozsival only had 3 goals all season, but he had a two point game in a 5-4 OT loss against the Penguins on March 4th. That goal he scored in said game was also his highlight play of the year in my eyes:
Final Thoughts: Many cannot wait for Rozival's days as a Rangers to be over and I for the most part agree with these people; the problem is I don't think Sather will be moving him. To me, Rozsival needs to be playing second or third line Defensive minutes and nothing more. Maybe some work on the Penalty Kill, but not the power play that's for sure. He was very inconsistent this past season with a couple of Marek Malik-esque plays that just made you shake your head. With more focus on limiting mistakes in his own zone, I still think Rozi can create offense from defense and be more of a factor next season.
So, still want Redden and Rozsival banished to a deserted island? Think buying-out Rozsival is a viable option (I don't - for the record) ? Would the Rangers miss his veteran presence if they got rid of him and made the playoffs? Let's hear it...
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not the guy to move
Unless there is an excellent trade option (and there wont be) then dont move Rozsival.
He improved as the year wore on and believe it or not there are worse contacts out there in the league. 5m isnt too bad (even if it is too much) and in a year’s time he may even be a commodity at the deadline with 1 year left on his deal.
The focus should be on getting a solid top 4 Dman with the rugged qualities we need which would also allow Rozsival to play more appropriate minutes. Redden does, however, need to be moved. Ridding his deal makes Rozsival look even less of a strain on the cap and allows more flexibility.
blueseatblogs.com
There are packages you can move Roszival in..
ridding ourselves of him will take taking back a bad contract, or, inserting players whose potential is far from being maxed out. A team looking for a lower top-4 for 2 years while they’re waiting for one to develop could use a Roszival…if the cap allows.
I Am HockeyMan!!
"When I tap my stick like this (thump, thump, thump), put the puck on the tape, and I'll take care of things." Jaromir Jagr, for Bud Light.
but....
Yes, there may be packages he could be moved in but Roszival is a servicable top 4 Dman just at an inflated cost…. IF the club can rid themselves of Redden (which is surely every fans’ preference) there is then a lot of cap space to play with yet the free agent market is thin. Why not allow Roszival to play one more year then move him?
I just wouldnt see the point in moving him this year and perhaps taking on a different bad contract for the sake of it. I certainly wouldnt consider a buy out or demotion of any kind.
What kind of packages had you in mind?
Get rid of Redden and in 12 months try and move Roszival.
blueseatblogs.com
Why not allow Roszival to play one more year then move him?
The cap hit, to be honest. And that’s really the long and short of it. His fiscal years are $4 and $3 million over the next two years respectively. But, at $5 million on the cap, it makes him tough to tuck in. If the cap were at $60 million, I could see keeping him, and dealing with the two years. But even at $57 million, this is tough.
I Am HockeyMan!!
"When I tap my stick like this (thump, thump, thump), put the puck on the tape, and I'll take care of things." Jaromir Jagr, for Bud Light.
but...
My point was, if you’re getting rid of anyone it surely has to be Redden. If Redden goes then you dont need to force Roszival off the roster (and cap). He is servicable, Redden is not. Dealing with Redden should be a priority for the Rangers this off season.
Who is easier to move? Roszival without a doubt. Who has more use to the organisation? Rosizval. Dump Redden, save cap that way.
blueseatblogs.com
+1
I agree to hold to Roszival and move Redden should be Priority one. The Rangers pending on how good he playes may potentially move him half-way into the season. A team looking for a experienced D-man on the back end might consider taking his contract with only 1.5 years left.
I get what you're saying...
but, you’ve answered your own question (just sideways). Yes, Redden must go…and go now. Putting him in the minors would help. But, the mission statement is “who can be traded?” See, a trade is getting back something in return.
A lot like “Trade Enver Lisin for a gun, and put it to the head of Chris Drury to waive his no-movement clause.” (The best—EVER!!)
Holding onto Roszival is okay to a degree. But, you have potential young defensemen who can take maybe two or three of the blue-line positions (depending on what they do with Girardi and Gilroy). So, keeping this in mind, you would consider keeping Roszival to make sure you don’t have five defensemen under 25 starting every night.
But, not much else.
I Am HockeyMan!!
"When I tap my stick like this (thump, thump, thump), put the puck on the tape, and I'll take care of things." Jaromir Jagr, for Bud Light.
The only way Rozi is traded is if we sweeten the deal with Dubi or Cally, with that said I would much rather hold on to Rozi for the remainder of his deal. also you would have to accept another terrible season if you want your D-men to be Staal, Girardi, MDZ, Gilroy, Sanguinetti, and Potter. Yes they all have potential but none have reached there ceiling yet.
by CrazyRangerFan on May 17, 2010 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Rozsival needs to go
His offensive game is nowhere good enough to put up with his soft and slow defensive play. He probably holds the league record for letting guys get by him and the least amount of his per TOI. Try to trade him.
Bye bye Rozsival
Not only will he get softer, he’ll get slower. He should be easier to move than Redden. But will the genius do it??
7th D-Man
Nothing more.
If they can’t bundle him up with a Sangunetti, Gilroy, Boyle, etc…
keep him around as a 7th defensemen. I thought he put in some good minutes down the stretch. (Especially when Callahan went out and they gave him the “A”.) Obviously not enough to warrant his contract or give him top 4 minutes but I feel his veteran leadership could be beneficial to some of the younger guys.
I’m more concerned with getting rid of the other “R’s” contract.
to be contraversial....
Dare i say it but i’d rather move Drury’s contract than Roszivals.
Roszival isn’t a bad player, he’s a decent player with a bad contract.
Drury is also a decent player but with a terrible contract.
So… purely on the basis of cap math i’d prefer moving Drury.
As i keep saying though; in an ideal world you move Redden and there is no immediate need to move the other two.
blueseatblogs.com
No-Movement Clause
That’s why Drury isn’t going anywhere until the deal is over.
I Am HockeyMan!!
"When I tap my stick like this (thump, thump, thump), put the puck on the tape, and I'll take care of things." Jaromir Jagr, for Bud Light.
Rosi played much better this year, he was awful last year. I wouldnt mind seeing him go and give one of the Hartford kids a shot. Rosi had minus games in 25 losses on MDZ was worse minus in 30. Rosi was only a minus 3 vs the Division. Staal was a minus 6, Girardi minus 11, MDZ minus 12. Oddly enough Redden was a plus 4 vs the division, but like I have said before stats dont tell the story with Redden.
In MDZ’s defense he was a team worst -20 for the year, he was minus 10 in Nov and Dec and played the rest of the year even. He will be better next year, Staal needs to be locked up, Gilroy was actually a plus 4 vs the division as well. If you could deal the rest of em I would be glad to see them go.
MDZ took a beating playing with Girardi….I’ve documented that several times. Rozsival was actually a stabilizing force for Del Zotto, and has value in that alone.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on May 17, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
off topic
Completely off topic but thought it was worth mentioning that Zuccarello Aasen and Rangers property Andreas Ambuhl have both hit the scoreboard in their game today at the WC.
blueseatblogs.com
The Rangers don’t hold Ambuhl’s rights anymore. He’s signed a contract in the Swiss league and while it does include an NHL out clause, you can bet he won’t be using it to re-sign with the Rangers and spend another year buried in Hartford.
As for Rozsival, he’s a great middle pairing defenseman. Problem is, he’s getting paid and played like a top pairing player…
by Laurie Carr on May 17, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
thanks
Thanks for the update. Its a shame he jumped ship immediately after 1 year. Though im sure he’s making alot more money in the Swiss league than he would staying in Hartford.
blueseatblogs.com
by Jurgennehls on May 17, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I have a few issues with Rosival.
First and most importantly is he’s soft when on the puck. For example: opposing team dumps the puck in and Rosival has to go and get it. Immediately he has a forchecker on his ass and instead of moving it quickly he tries to skate with the puck and the forechecker out muscles him and strips the puck away. Turnover! Numerous times this has happened over the years. Sometimes several times a game. He’s got to be stronger ON the puck.
Secondly he suppose to be an offensive D-man. We all know he isn’t. How many time have we shouted “shoot the damn puck” at him thru the TV. Also it seems like he’s nervous while on the point on the PP. He has problems keeping the puck in the zone and the puck seems to bounce over his stick.
Also he takes too many damn penalties!
Otherwise he’s not a terrible defenseman. He’s a top 4 on this team. Top 6 on teams with defensive depth. He has trade value. I can see other teams being interested in him since he has only 2 years left on his contract. I would trade him in a heartbeat if the right deal came about but otherwise i don’t mind him being around for 2 more years.
Lundqvist-Staal-MDZ-McDonagh-Krieder-Stepan-MZA-Cally-Dubi-Gabby-AA-Grachev.
The core of the 2014 Stanley Cup winners!
Rozi was not terrible
but certainly not good. There were more games this year where I didn’t notice him compared to last. However, he still should not be getting more than second pairing minutes, even with this very mediocre dman corps.
And also, the people who still think Redden is getting moved… do you guys understand the salary cap at all? He isn’t going anywhere.
Rozsival is not as bad as Redden
but if we can move him, please do. I’d much rather see a young D-man there.
he does have a rather neat last name…Rozsival kinda just rolls of the tongue. other than that…TRADE HIM!!
I’d be happy if either of the R&R boys albatross contracts are gone, but the lesser of two evils I’d rather Rozi stay than Redden.
"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"
Rozsival’s contract is a bigger problem than his play. He’s paid like he’s a first pair defender. I’d say that he’s a nice third pair defender. He can contribute a solid 16-17 minutes a game. I just don’t think his play is good enough to warrant much more than that. He makes some great passes up the ice. And he does have a very good shot. There’s some talent there but he doesn’t always utilize it.
I think the biggest problem with Rozsival is that he’s not a great skater. He’s slow and thats not likely to improve as he gets older. I think that’s part of the reason why his mistakes stand out so much. He just can’t recover after turning the puck over.
I think Redden is the problem not Rozsival. I would be fine if Rozsival was on the 3rd pair to start next year.
the worst
for anyone to find anything good about rozi are nuts this guy is a piece of crap if wecan dump him for nil i would do it he sucks on yhe power play grys bumped off the puck cant get the puck out of the zone and hes a pussy
by nytrueblue on May 18, 2010 6:08 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
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