Mistakes, Injuries Plague New York Rangers Start
by Joe Fortunato on Oct 23, 2011 9:43 AM EDT
in New York Rangers Analysis
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PrintThe New York Rangers are 2-2-2 in their first six games this season, and fresh off a 2-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers Saturday night, and we're back in panic mode again.
Ah, to be a Rangers fan.
Apparently it doesn't matter that the Rangers have taken six points in their first six games on a grueling road trip in which the team has already traveled over 16,000 miles and done it without their number one defenseman for all six games, and have been without their number three defenseman for four games.
It doesn't seem to matter that the Rangers are also playing without Wojtek Wolski, who would remove Erik Christensen from the lineup and add even more of a scoring touch to whatever line he ends up playing on.
Never mind the fact that the Rangers are .500 six games through the year. I don't want to hear the "we only won because of Henrik Lundqvist" debate either. He's the Rangers goaltender, that's his job. Don't apologize for his fantastic play.
Again, we're six games into the season, the panic and overreaction at this point in the season has to stop. With that being said, there are significant issues which need to be fixed moving forward, and they're after the jump.
The most obvious fix has to be the penalties. The Rangers have taken over 35 in their first six games this year, that's an average of seven penalties a game. That problem was highlighted by Mike Rupp's stupid offensive zone hooking call that allowed the Oilers to turn a manageable 1-0 lead into a much more comfortable 2-0 lead.
The Rangers offense is already having enough problems putting the puck into the back of the net, and the penalties are keeping the top players off the ice. The penalties are also cause John Tortorella to turn to guys like Derek Stepan, Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky when his team is a man down, and it simply adds to their fatigue.
Since we're talking about the offense, the power play needs to start converting. There was no sense of danger when the Rangers worked their five-on-three, and the unit only generated one real chance. Simply put, whatever the Rangers are doing in practice isn't working, the power play has a dismal 5% success rate on the year, something needs to be done to fix that.
Finally, the even strength offense. I've seen a lot of people calling out Dubinsky, and while he's not playing well, there's no reason to be calling for his head and not Callahan's. Dubinsky has three assists so far this year, Callahan has one bad-angle goal. Both players had scoring chances Saturday night, neither found a way to put the puck into the back of the net.
We can talk all we want about primary scoring, but Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards have done their jobs thus far this season. Gaborik has four goals in the six games, and Richards has five points. It's the secondary scoring that has been the major issue, and it's something that needs to be fixed soon.
Basically what I'm telling you is this: The Rangers have gotten off to probably the worst start imaginable with execution and injury issues, and the team has still taken six points in six games. When this team puts everything together, and they will, the Rangers will be an elite team in this league.
They have too much talent not to be.
Ryan McDonagh has stepped up in Marc Staal's absence, and has been a revelation. Tim Erixon has played well in his time with the big club, and Michael Del Zotto looks much improved. People are going to blast him all they can since the offense isn't there yet, but he's focusing on his defense game. He's still young, getting burned is going to happen, but I've been impressed with his start to the year so far.
There are positives, there are also negatives. Right now, this team is treading water while playing about as bad as possible. It could be worse. And when this team gets it together, they're going to be able to do special things.
Now it's just a matter of getting it done.
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wolski better come back and put a dent somewhere otherwise we are going to throw him to the guillotine and take his head.
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Oct 23, 2011 10:52 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Joe Fortunato, Eternal Optimist
Some are in panic mode, some are overreacting. Me? I’m just flat-out frustrated with this team right now. We spent $60 mil to land the top playmaker available on the F/A market and the power play is still a wreck, goal-scoring continues to be a nightly struggle, the team’s play is wildly inconsistent (that never seems to change), the constant parade to the sin bin has become a bad joke, and while I understand your point about Hank, it seems ridiculous that more often than not he has to play completely out of his mind for them to have any chance of winning. Sure, playing sans Staal, Sauer and Wolski hurts, but I don’t see Pittsburgh floundering when Crosby, Malkin and Orpik are nursing injuries. I’m tired of all the excuses.
by AZRangerFan on Oct 23, 2011 11:17 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
$60 mil playmaking forward playing the point?
This seems like a waste of a valuable resource. Penalty killers don’t necessarily need to sweat the point men as much as they do the guys down low. Richards and Stepan playing point? Makes no sense to me – at all.
Let me know how that works out for you . . .
by SimpleManiac on Oct 24, 2011 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Joe, no one is panicking, let me re-phrase, I’m not panicking. But they are playing LAZY hockey. They are not SKATING, they are GLIDING. want to know why we don’t have the puck or why we have so many penalties? It’s because they are playing LAZY hockey. Dubi and Cally are not imposing their will on the opponent and it has effected the rest of the team. The #1 line has the talent so they can turn it on and off. Not the Pack Line. They have to work to make things happen and they are not working right now. It’s early, sure, but the months fly by pretty quick and they are not going to win every game they play hard. And that’s a fact. They need to play like the did last year and they will be fine. They’re not doing it right now. End of story.
Elite? I think the Rangers are on a path to the 7 or 8 seed at best. Every point counts for this squad.
that’s why your a caps fan. Elite in the regular season means everything.
We are going to go to Philadelphia... and we are going to win.- Glen Sather
by RichieToGabbySCORE on Oct 23, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
No panic..just reality.
They are either under achieving or not as good as we think.
Staal is gone. Stop using it as a crutch and move ahead. The d hasn’t been horrible and they haven’t been the ones taking penalties.
Nearly all the forwards are sucking hard right now..except Gabby. Who is so hacked he’s overpowering opponents and the refs call penalties in disbelief.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 23, 2011 11:29 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
“Jacked” not hacked.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 23, 2011 11:29 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
they’re not skating. it has nothing to do with Staal being out or whether they have the talent. I guarantee you when they play like they did last year with this group of players then all of this ledge-jumping will be forgotten. I guarantee it. You can quote me, lol.
by Richter1994 on Oct 23, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Is that a Messier type guarantee or Patrick Ewing / Rex Ryan type?
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 23, 2011 12:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Staal is gone
what?
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
by Kevin Power on Oct 23, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
For all intents and purposes fover foreseeable future.
Meaning they need move forward not expecting him to come back any time soon.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 23, 2011 12:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
And fans need to do the same.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 23, 2011 12:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Torts “we sucked from head to toe.” Well that is a great summary Torts as I couldn’t put it any better myself. This team will be fine once Staal, and Sauer are back and the Pack line gets going.
We are going to go to Philadelphia... and we are going to win.- Glen Sather
by RichieToGabbySCORE on Oct 23, 2011 11:30 AM EDT reply actions
Thats what she said.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 23, 2011 12:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Mike rupp needs to be able bound. He is useless besides being in the right spot at the right time after he already botched the dump in. No reason to keep him he really isn’t a good fighter or intimidating nor is he quick or playing reliably.
Duby needs to do more he is stronger but he isn’t winning his battles in the corners which is a huge part of his game.
Cally played great in Europe but has sucked in Canada. Hope he isn’t hurt he seems a step slow and isn’t checking everything that moves, though he might be scared to hit people because of penalties.
Hank has been the reason we have 6 points. You can’t let the other team significantly outshoot you every game, in good shooting areas to, and not say your goalie isn’t playing above expectations.
Boyle has to do more, hit more and go to the net. If I see him doing the little things I wont care so much about the production.
Arty has looked like a hot pile of shit for 5 games. He hasn’t been carrying the puck well and his passing has been poor.
Gabby looks like his first season with us Unfortunately so does the rest of the team.
Mdz stop pinching then throwing the fucking puck on net at a bad angle. All this does is get 3 guys stuck low and having an odd man rush occur. If you pinch keep moving and look for a pass then get back to your spot.
Erik did you even play last night? Absolutely useless one plus though Avery would have more penalties then him and just as many points. Enjoy riding the pine when enigma 2’s balls feel better.
Girardi solid
Mcd you are the bright spot.
Eminger getting better every game I think more in position better passing.
Bell played fine last night don’t care if he keeps that spot till Mike gets back.
I feel if we cut out these terrible penalties the pack and Boyle line will improve if they are less tired from all the pk.
We look like shit get rid of Sullivan as the pp coach it doesn’t work it hasn’t for years time to change that up.
This team is better then this they just have to give a shit for 60 minutes. Bottom lines dump chase and grind top line do what ever is gonna score for us. Sathered looked really pissed last night something might happen
by Pballer505 on Oct 23, 2011 11:36 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
great read
I don’t know why people could be freaking out and I agree about del zotto, ppl need to lay off n give the kid a chance. Sauer will be back and eventually Staal. They came out absolutely flat last night from the end o the first on I had a gut feeling that they were gonna lose and it happens ya can’t win em all.. They take Monday nights game in WPG and that’s 3-1 on a western Canada road trip which isn’t all too shabby no need to panic at all
by ImMike88 on Oct 23, 2011 11:42 AM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
Did you see MDZ play last night?
Delzotto looked awful last night- poor decision making when trying to pinch; he was pushed off the puck; gave up the puck in his own end. I am rooting for him to do well but last night he was turrrrible.
Overall the team appears to have forgotten their “lunchpail” mentality. They are not hustling enough, not doing the gritty stuff enough. If they dont put forth maximum effort every night ( and they havent done yet this year) they do NOT have the talent to be a top tier team in this league. They have to bust their asses if they want to win. Get it going boys.
"Shoot the Puck Barry, Shoot the puck !" Bill Chadwick
by RangerFanInChicago on Oct 23, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
the entire team as a whole was awful yet you pick out a 21 year old defensman individually… there were maybe 3 players that were actually skating and working hard and that was Newbury, Fedetenko, and Gaborik…
Our defense really isn’t the problem… we gave up 1 even strength goal and it was a beaut…
@clalicata17
by Clalicata17 on Oct 23, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
seriously, some fans need to wake up already. the guy doesn’t belong here right now. he needs to go the whale and get straightened out. his ass has been saved numerous times by the King. maybe the opponents need to score more goals on those gaffes and then they will be noticeable. he’s a bust as far as I’m concerned as there is no improvement whatsoever. for the millionth time, his skating is atrocious and until he rectifies that then there will be more of this type of play. you can be happy with his play and believe he’s improving but I see the same crap from last year and his rookie year when it was masked by the 40 pts he put up. yes the team sucked and I have already called out Cally and Dubi in multiple posts but MDZ’s defensive play is down right scary. it has been masked by the King’s brilliance. all D cough up the puck and make mistakes, it happens, but MDZ is not capable of improving until he can skate in this league. watch him when he goes side to side. he looks almost spastic and the reason why Hall of Famers like Reasoner and Elder turn him inside out like he’s standing still.
by Richter1994 on Oct 23, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Chill out on the hyperboles dude. If MDZ is an atrocious skater than what would that make Sauer or Girardi? Paraplegics?
by Zuppa Di Pesce on Oct 23, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
whether we gave up even strength goals or not isnt relevant. I dont care what MDZ’s age is; he has been playing professional hockey for 3-4 years in the NHL/AHL. He is making stupid mistakes and giving away the puck. The Rangers need to play very tight defense because we cant make up for it with abundant scoring. The problem is that MDZ is giving away the puck too often and his (lack) of offensive production isnt making up for it.
"Shoot the Puck Barry, Shoot the puck !" Bill Chadwick
by RangerFanInChicago on Oct 23, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
i don’t know where your facts of 3-4 seasons come from… when he was scoring points his rookie year nobody cared he was a -20 but now he’s a +4 seeing top 4 minutes as a 21 year old and his offensive production is at issue… he’s 21 he’s working on areas of his game fans that expect the world from a 21 year old are the problem with the entire Rangers fanbase…
@clalicata17
pro hockey means being paid to play- that includes the minors
btw-young defensemen not making such horrendous mistakes- McD, Erixon
"Shoot the Puck Barry, Shoot the puck !" Bill Chadwick
by RangerFanInChicago on Oct 23, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
he played in 2009 in the nhl… 2010 was a mixed year of NHL and Hartford (hardly a half season due to injury) and we are 6 games into this NHL season… hardly 3-4 years…
@clalicata17
simply put- if he needs to work on his game that much then he isnt ready for the NHL. The NHL is not where you are supposed to do that- thats why there are minor /junior leagues
As i mentioned before- I’m pulling for the kid and would love to see him succeed. However his game is not NHL ready at this point
"Shoot the Puck Barry, Shoot the puck !" Bill Chadwick
by RangerFanInChicago on Oct 23, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
ew did u say something positive about Newbury?
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Oct 23, 2011 1:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Is that allowed?
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Oct 23, 2011 1:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
a humble request
I primarily use the mobile app (the new update looks great by the way) and the in-game threads become impossible to follow with all the comments and pictures. Is there any way the mods could start new thread for each period?
Thanks.
by NTB on Oct 23, 2011 11:44 AM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
Selfish..arent you.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 23, 2011 12:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Not the D's fault
the sauer and staal shit is BS. this team can’t hold the Puck at all in the offensive zone.
they dump the Puck, fail to reach it first and when they do it gets stripped.
The grinding, board playing is what this team is taught but maybe that’s just not them. have you seen Gaborik play for the Wild?
they need to practice shooting. just shooting. all day every day.
Maybe it is the players…maybe we are just putting some guys on a wrongful level. who knows. Kreider and them better come here next season guns blazing
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Oct 23, 2011 12:14 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
it’s 100% not the D… our D has been good, hank has been the other half of good making our overall D Fantastic…
@clalicata17
by Clalicata17 on Oct 23, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
just to clarify i agree with you
@clalicata17
by Clalicata17 on Oct 23, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Oct 23, 2011 1:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Hmmm...
I think MDZ is on the trading block.. He has more value right now in a trade than to remain on this team. If I was sather I would be putting together a nice package of players right now (as we still have plenty to work with) to add another nice d-man of a serious caliber.
I also think Torts has possibly done the best he could in NY, he helped us land richards, and now Torts can go too. For him to quite often say we sucked or treat players like they sucked is just wrong and unproductive. Avery was a badass, a badass that worked well in NY, when you take that away Avery was just another player and he got demoted. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, Torts is also a horrible judge of talent and a bad leader. The only reason we are this good is because sather and clark have assembled a much better group of players to work with.
you may be right
there all younger so they may be able to take the shit unlike if it was a drury Gomez scenerio. even if its NOT torts I don’t care. Im simply bored of this style of play. its just dirty goals and praying for guys to be in front banging in rebounds
(85% of the time no body is there to get them)
I think this team hugs the boards so much now they forget about 90% of the rest of the ice. open up get in the slot. dry humping the boards for 60 minutes is almost as bad as watching devil trap system. boring.
just venting. excuse me
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Oct 23, 2011 1:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
if it worked all the time f*** it, Im not complaining but its not and guys are dead tired doing it every night. Maybe Dubi and them feel the same way. who knows.
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Oct 23, 2011 1:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
im also
not gonna sit here complaining about del Zotto and the D. I think there not doing half bad for just being a bunch of rookies and shit veterans(eminger) . Girardi stepping up. I’m proud to have girardi and McDonagh on the team. there excellent n deserve to have there names on the cup.
I’m blaming the lack of quality on the system. and offensive issues.
If this season becomes a wash. which I doubt. it WILL pick up soon. but next season is going to be nuts. maybe 2012-2013 + 2013-2014 will both be ranger cups
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Oct 23, 2011 1:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Come on Joe…..
EVERY team deals with injuries……we are getting tired of cheap excuses……
At what point do we look at the coach?
Tort’s has been here for Two full seasons…..and during that time, we have won ONE playoff game and missed the playoffs completely the other year.
It is sad to watch who will be the next victim of Torts doghouse and be banished to the end of the bench like a Fifth grader.
This team is NOT responding anymore to Torts….
How about we send Torts to the Whale and bring Avery back to NYC?
+1 everything but Avery
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Oct 23, 2011 1:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
No one is saying that, at all.
He listed is as one of the multiple things he disagrees with Torts with.
A thoughtful response in return would have been appreciated.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
I’m not worried, this much travel takes its toll. It’s still early. Last few years we’ve started guns blazing just to fade away so lets hope we do the opposite this year. To me, Gaborik is by far the best skater on this team and I’ve been impressed with his much improved hustle and backchecking. And Rupp has been by far the worst in my eyes as I knew he’d be once he signed, hopefully he finds his game soon because he can be somewhat useful if he does
GO PACK GO -- 13 Time World Champions
Let's Go Rangers
UH Huh You Know What It Is ZUCCA-RELLO ZUCCA-RELLO
ill never understand the Rupp signing. Sather is hot for those dudes I guess
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Oct 23, 2011 1:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Torts just signed a 3 year extension, he’s not going anywhere.
by teknics on Oct 23, 2011 1:40 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
We’ll see about that. If the Rangers continue to struggle that extension means nothing.
GET RID OF EC!!!
Yea cause that Sather guy got fired quick when he fucked up…..
Torts and sather are developing this plan together.
by teknics on Oct 23, 2011 1:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The core - rotten?
One of the main things that Torts/Sather have accomplished in the past 2-3 years is to keep our core together, guys like Dubi, Cally, Boyle, AA, Prust, et al.
The obvious plus here is that the guys get to know each other on and off the ice and develop a chemistry and team concept together.
Except….
1. Our core may just not be talented enough for the “obvious plus” to matter. While all the guys I listed above have great qualities when they’re on their game, read the names – do you think ‘championship caliber’?
2. And the constant line juggling works against the chemistry concept.
"To everybody else we're underdogs, but we go in thinking we can handle any team in the NHL."
Brandon Prust, #8, New York Rangers
Yes, I do believe that core is a championship caliber 2nd and 3rd/4th line. Remember, that is all they are supposed to be. We have never had the draft picks to make a first line from our homegrown core, so Gabby and BR serve that role.
The defense is injured, but if the Pack line can return to where they definitely can and should be, we’d be singing a different tune 6 games in. It will fall into place, just a matter of time.
Miss the net much?
I haven’t run the stats or anything, but does it not seem like most of the Rangers miss the net 9 times out of 10? Point shots from the power play, wrist shots from (anywhere in) the circles, and shootouts (?!)….they all miss. Again, I havent run the stats, but i feel like we take enough shots that we could potentially have been even in shots for a few of the games had we just hit 50% of the missed shots. Nobody except Richards seems to be able to land one from the point. Anyway, I’m not on the ledge or anything….I have faith in this team. Very well said in your article, Joe. I just happen to feel like the rangers are cheating themselves out of offensive chances by missing the net an inordinate number of times.
"I've been really working on stick-handling with my head up,"
- Eric Lindros
League average right now is 28.8%
Rangers are currently at 27.6%
Blueshirt Banter - Where Rangers' Fans Matter
Tracking the Rangers - Numbers don't lie. They just don't agree with you.
Twitter: RangerSmurf
by George E. Ays on Oct 23, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Well...
…I know enough about statistics to say that just because the percentages appear close does not mean they are actually similar. Only statistical analysis can say. An easier approach might be to see where the Rangers fall with respect to the other teams…
"I've been really working on stick-handling with my head up,"
- Eric Lindros
They are 12th in the league. There are also arena bias effects at play, but it’s safe to say that they’re not missing at an epidemic rate.
Blueshirt Banter - Where Rangers' Fans Matter
Tracking the Rangers - Numbers don't lie. They just don't agree with you.
Twitter: RangerSmurf
by George E. Ays on Oct 23, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Last year league average was 27.9, NYR was 27.7 (15th)
Blueshirt Banter - Where Rangers' Fans Matter
Tracking the Rangers - Numbers don't lie. They just don't agree with you.
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by George E. Ays on Oct 23, 2011 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
so they’re 1.2% below average
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
George and Kevin
This team is managing only 23 shots a game and giving up 32. They are 29th out of 30 in both measures with 2nd worst net differential. They also spend 9 minutes a game shorthanded on average and have the 30th ranked power play…with the worst power play time minus penalty kill differential.
This team is lucky to have 6 points.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 23, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
While all of that’s true, I’m not sure how that relates to the amount of missed nets they’ve had.
Blueshirt Banter - Where Rangers' Fans Matter
Tracking the Rangers - Numbers don't lie. They just don't agree with you.
Twitter: RangerSmurf
by George E. Ays on Oct 23, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Just trying to keep it big picture...the misses are inconsequential.
This team is playing bad hockey, without Hank they would be lucky to have 2 points.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 23, 2011 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
But that counts blocked shots and thinks like that correct? How about just straight shots that didn’t hit anything but the back boards.
I only counted misses and shots on goal, no blocks.
Blueshirt Banter - Where Rangers' Fans Matter
Tracking the Rangers - Numbers don't lie. They just don't agree with you.
Twitter: RangerSmurf
by George E. Ays on Oct 23, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Our greatest concern
THE POWER PLAY… it’s awful… the philosophy is wrong the players positioning is wrong, there’s no cycle, there’s no shots, there’s no goals…
Sullivan needs to be removed from the power play…
Our PP needs a big RIGHT handed point shot… right now Girardi is our only option…
MDZ and Richards need to be split up… they are the same type of point player on the power play…
We need somebody to get in front of the net
We need to play along the side boards and not behind the net
there is no one-time shots on the pp just hesitation and blocked shots…
@clalicata17
The one powerplay they finally were in a groove wearing out the defenders by slinging the puck around the boards. Once the PK was looking a bit gassed they went to start setting up and McD Shanked the pass to cally and EDM cleared the zone.
It was the first time all season I’ve seen them smartly tire out the PK by cycling from point to behind the net to the other point. You’ll see other teams do that to us consistently.
Sullivan needs to be replaced as PP coach though, years are horrible PP regardless of the players, it’s just aggravating now. Last time our PP was hot was when Kotalik was on a streak. How bad is that?
by teknics on Oct 23, 2011 2:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
sad but true
Kotalik was the last time the PP was actually relevant
Bruce Carter+Sean Lee=BRUCE LEE!!!!
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by Archie Barberio on Oct 23, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
thats what I said
the entire philosophy we have is awful
I agree, more shots, every time I think I am about to see a one timer I see some lame ass fake and hesitation
its lame dude
call me crazy, but I would put Boyle down low, use his size and strength, at least he will get a good screen for us
Girardi looks good on the power play, MDZ still sucks, he just hasnt sucked as much
Bruce Carter+Sean Lee=BRUCE LEE!!!!
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by Archie Barberio on Oct 23, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
same thing that has bothered us for years
scoring and the power play
I said this summer we needed another scorer and how our power play sucks balls
I really didn’t want Brad Richards because I just don’t see how he fixes the power play, the whole entire philosophy of our power play is the problem, heck I think our entire offensive philosophy is a problem too, we simply do not take enough shots and we don’t test goaltenders enough
even Joe knows this for christ sakes, he was saying how we didn’t test the goalies the last 2 games, we make it easy for them
I am very confident in this team overall, but can we really expect our secondary scoring to come from Boyle, Prust and Dubinsky like it did last year? Dubinsky maybe, no way Prust and Boyle score like that again
I love this team but outside of Gaborik nobody can score, and it kills us many games
Bruce Carter+Sean Lee=BRUCE LEE!!!!
Follow me at my blog
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by Archie Barberio on Oct 23, 2011 3:08 PM EDT reply actions
Christensen sucks
I hate that guy, what a bum, what a f’n bum
Id rather roll with Hagelin now, f it
Bruce Carter+Sean Lee=BRUCE LEE!!!!
Follow me at my blog
http://chiacrackscowboysblog.wordpress.com/
by Archie Barberio on Oct 23, 2011 3:12 PM EDT reply actions
Coach
Same crap year after year with this egomanic coach. We have a 5 on 3… 1 guy 10 feet on one side of the goal ine another 10 feet away from the net and on the other side of the goal and 1 in front 10 feet out….pass, pass, pass and no shots… Hey torts it don’t work, hasn’t worked in 3 years, nothing you’ve done has worked in the 3 years you/ve been here…maybe try 2 guys in front…no? 5 on 4…3 guys playing pass the puck behind the ctrease…nobody in front but we still throw it to the front…to who, nobody knows…it’s to bad we can’t bench torts , like he benches players for dumb mistakes…maybe we should bench slats too for hiring this one year wonder from TB. It’s obvious this team is going nowhere with this coach and I don’t want to hear it’s all on the players either as most of them are torts boys. And how long are they going to wait on AA? The guy is as overrated as the coach yet he keeps playing him, why? Why is EC on this team? Why is torts still coach? Another fight for the 8th playoff spot coming up with this mediocre coach. No attack, no PP, no system, no motivation, no shots on goal for 3 freaking years…same crap each year torts has been here. There’s a reason torts was voted least liked coach to play for by the NHL players, maybe our overrated GM can figure out he has an overrated coach some day soon but I doubt that will happen.
I’ll be laughing my ass off in 3 months when the Rangers are playing well from the 5th-6th spot and all of the hypocritical whiny crybabies here have flip flopped and turned into cheerleaders.
Get some balls, “fans”… every team hits bumps in the road, several times per season. Our first bump happens to be the first 10 games. Think back to what we are building off of from last season and have some confidence and some thicker skin.
by BigB22 on Oct 23, 2011 3:36 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Thank you. Thank you. Did I say thank you? Oh I did, okay. Thank you.
Im so tired of reading all the comments with people freaking out. We havent even played a game at home yet and the season’s already a disaster in some people’s eyes. Yea I agree we need to work on certain aspects of our game, but Im still not close to worried.
by Eastern Impact on Oct 23, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Fans are allowed to criticize the team, no?
People are definitely overreacting for sure, but there’s nothing wrong with pointing out obvious faults.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
Have to agree with this…
#12 Carl Hagelin
by The Blue Seats on Oct 23, 2011 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions
This is the same "bump" we've hitting for two seasons now.
Think back to what we are building off of from last season and have some confidence and some thicker skin.
Last season our offense and PP struggled for most of the season. We backed into the 8th playoff spot thanks to Tampa Bay, because we couldn’t even lock up the last seed when our destiny was in our hands. We were wiped out of the playoffs in 5 games by a team that was sent home quickly in the next round. The concern shouldn’t be what we were builiding on, it should be why nothing has been done to get us past our problems from last season.
by BuckarooClub on Oct 23, 2011 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Torts says nothing of importance to press today..(from NY Daily News)
LL TRANSCRIPT: JOHN TORTORELLA AFTER A.M. SKATE
On why he didn’t explain much after the loss: "Because I just – I don’t want to dissect it publicly. I think it needs to be fixed from within. And it’s the whole team."
On what the team’s problem is: "It’s a number of things. Not to jam you guys up. I’m not gonna go too far with it. I want to – everything."
On what he wants to see more of: "Everything. Yes, we need to work on our overall game top to bottom."
On whether he was emphasizing puck possession and entering the offensive zone in practice: "Not really. A lot of different things today."
On whether the Rangers can fix their overall game: "Absolutely."
On whether the Rangers can fix their overall game in one practice: "No, no, no no. No. No."
On whether the process is going to be long-term: "No, I’m not saying it’s long term. We’re going to continue to work on our game to try to get it where we want it to be."
On how concerned he was when Henrik Lundqvist skated off the ice, and whether he was aware beforehand of the goalie’s issues: "I wasn’t concerned because I was told he was suffering, and it was like cramps. I knew it wasn’t an injury, just some equipment problems and cramps."
On whether there are lingering concerns about Lundqvist: "No."
On why Mike Rupp was limited Sunday in practice: "He’s just got a cranky knee. Sometimes it flares up on him. So we just try to get him off the ice. We’ve just got to maintain it.
On whether the knee is an issue: "I’m not sure. I think we – it – I don’t think he’s using it as an excuse, but we’re going to monitor that, as far as how it goes. But I don’t think it’s – he’s certainly not using it as an excuse."
On Rupp’s up and down play possibly being affected by the knee: "At times in the past couple games … he played better, he had some much better shifts in Vancouver. So there’s some inconsistencies to it. Whether it’s due to that, the crankiness of that, I don’t know. But he has shown that he can give us a good shift, but it’s inconsistent."
On Michael Sauer’s health: "I haven’t even talked to Rammer (head athletic trainer Jim Ramsay). To me he’s still day-to-day. Rammer – I don’t go to him, he comes to me and lets me know when he’s ready. So I know he’s getting stronger. I know he feels better and better, I’m just – I’m not a big guy on percentages. I just need a yes or a no, and I haven’t talked to Rammer today."
On whether he’ll decide on Monday night’s lineup after Monday morning’s skate: "Yeah, tomorrow."
On whether he’ll make some changes: "I’ll just decide on my lineup tomorrow."
On whether he has decided on those changes yet: "No."
On whether he wants to speak about the road trip taking a toll on the team: "Absolutely not, because I don’t think it has. I don’t want to talk about it, no. You can put that. I don’t think it has. Looks like you got me to talk about it (smiles as reporters laugh). I know it hasn’t. Put it that way. I know it hasn’t. Hey now … I gave you a line."
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 23, 2011 4:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
i think him not answer questions last night was more to protect himself from saying something outlandish and impulsive…
@clalicata17
This
He probably didn’t want to go down in awful coach rants history by saying something stupid that people will remember forever. Remember “Playoffs? Don’t talk about…. Playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs?” or how about “The Bears are who we thought they were. That’s why we took the damn field. knocks over mic Now if you wanna crown’em crown their ass. But they are who we thought they were and we let’em off the hook.” or my personal favorite “I’m a man, I’m 40.”
Thats why the NHL is bush league when it comes to media. NFL requires coaches to do post game press conference. In my opinion (knowing its not shared by many) is that last night Torts needed to at least speak to the effort and a few specifics (AA, Hank injury, and PP).
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 23, 2011 4:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Got this link to Feaster on Torts via SNYRangerblog:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Feaster+favourite+friend+Torts/5578926/story.html
About 2/3 of the way through you can read about a Philly game and see that torts was manipulating the press, to take the attention off of the bad game and make himself the story. Possibly, anyway….
BS excuse! :(
I would rather outlandish or impulsive than asshole-like or bratty?! 1st off, his players somehow manage to keep their cool and be professional when the media asks them questions right after a game, why not JT? 2nd, if he is over the top, he can always blame it on the immediacy of the quote to the end of them game. Simple.
Tortorella is given way to much leeway with respect to his dealings with the media, the PP’s ineffectiveness, and the team’s overall lack of motivation, etc, etc. Yes, the player’ are responsible for that too, but they also have to PLAY the damn game as part their job.
90% of a coach’s job is to inspire, instruct and energize his team and so far, laughable Jack-Adams-boy has done zippo of that! :(
Totally disagree. When did it become a must to have a press conference after every game, and practice. Football, they play 16 games, once a week. Last night, he already knew that Henrik gave a short interview, that is what everyone was concerned about. Really, what was he going to say to the press last night, that the game did not already say? I agree with what he did. Hey, we sucked, we are working on it. Short and sweet. Sorry, not much Torts can say after a game that will be news, the game usually speaks for itself. His after practice pressers are more important. Out of 82 pressers in a regular season, IMO, he is allowed to blow a few of them off.
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
"Stepan, step in, step out" Timothy Leary
Scott Gomez, the gift that keeps on giving!
by nathansfamous on Oct 23, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
We sucked, end of story. Why pick it apart when everything was bad, it sends a bad message to the players and I think torts understands that and will address specifics with each and every player, with a few exceptions.
by nhl_legendz on Oct 23, 2011 6:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Problem is Torts can be a chatty cathy when things are good but turtles when its bad. Thats not leadership. I get the point about having 82 games vs 16 but he bails when they underperform too often.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Oct 23, 2011 6:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
seriously
We are going to be fine. When secondary scoring kicks in, it will be a totally different team, granted, we need to stop taking so many penalties and our pp needs to shoot, move their feet, set up some point shots and one timers. We also need bodies infront for screens/deflections. Stop with the torts crap, stop with picking our young defense apart. It’s a matter of time, guys are trying to fill their new and real roles. The pack line is not our top line anymore, they need to adjust and get back to what made them a success last yr, forechecking.
I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing in a pp specialist, clearly we need it if were last in the league after adding Richie. We look like were in slow motion with a man advantage and its FRUSTRATING to watch.
The knock on our teams style of play is also not warranted. Generally the players outside of gabby and Richie are grinders with skill that have an edge to their game, its called playing to your strengths, which is also why torts was initially brought in and has been signed for the 3 yr extension.
Keep your heads up, were just getting started, and you’ll feel silly for gathering be the closest ledge this early into the season.
One last thing, if we do bomb this yr and somehow fizzle to the bottom of the league, at least well have a high draft pick in a deep draft that we can all complain about y we didn’t pick the best available player, loooove yoooouu.
by nhl_legendz on Oct 23, 2011 5:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Agree. The Rangers don’t even look like themselves. When they do, and they still lose a bunch, then I will be worried. I have been saying the same thing, even if we bomb, this is a very strong draft year.
Concerning the power-less play, I would take Richards out of the PP for a game(Well, off the point) . He seems like a distraction. Everyone is looking for him to make the play, and forgetting they themselves are capable. If anything, put our defensemen on the point, and role lines 1,2,3.(At least for a game.) MCD,MDZ,Erixon, Girardi, and even Emi can handle a PP. It just looks like all they try to do is give BR the puck. We need to shoot, shoot, shoot.
On one play, Stepan was skating from the corner, and w/o realizing it, he had Khabi moving. He could have shot, and I am sure it would have gone in, or give a juicy rebound. 18 shots a game is not going to cut it.
Can’t wait for Thursday. Six games in guys, only six games in.
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
"Stepan, step in, step out" Timothy Leary
Scott Gomez, the gift that keeps on giving!
by nathansfamous on Oct 23, 2011 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
yup
100% of the shots u don’t shoot don’t go in. We need movement, successful pps get goalies moving side to side and constantly think shot and not from one guy in the same spot for 2 mins.
by nhl_legendz on Oct 23, 2011 7:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
In other news: Whale 4-1 over Springfield.
Game Summary…..http://theahl.com/stats/official-game-report.php?game_id=1008730
Zucc did not play.
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
"Stepan, step in, step out" Timothy Leary
Scott Gomez, the gift that keeps on giving!
Not definite, but he took a hard hit late in the third yesterday(By Mair) . Still looking for video.
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
"Stepan, step in, step out" Timothy Leary
Scott Gomez, the gift that keeps on giving!
by nathansfamous on Oct 23, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
not good
Thanks, keep us posted.
by nhl_legendz on Oct 23, 2011 7:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It was nice to see Prust on the ice a lot. I continue to like Steve Eminger’s game. Anisimov is Nik Antropov. Stepan looked absolutely lost and awestruck by the Oiler’s young talent. How ‘bout putting a body on some of the Oiler’s young players? Lundqvist is still awesome. I liked Fedotenko’s game. It’s my new way of commenting…the sandwich…sandwich the negative comment in the middle of the positives. It looks better that way.
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