Rangers Analysis: When Is The Right Time To Panic?
by Joe Fortunato on Feb 24, 2011 6:00 AM EST
in New York Rangers Analysis
Email
Print
We are Ranger fans. It's probably in our DNA to assume the worst. And who can blame us?
But with the Rangers going 3-7-1 in their last 11 games, is it actually time to panic?
It's a tough question to ask, there's no doubt about that, but it has some merit. If the Rangers recent 10-game self-destruct act has proven anything it's that this team has massive flaws. Flaws so great that they might not even be a playoff team. That's a much different picture than the one we were painting back in January.
And yet, are you surprised?
This Rangers team was never built to win the Stanley Cup this year. This Rangers team was the foundation, the first building blocks laid down for a future Stanley Cup team to vault off of. This was the team filled with young talent who were going to take a year or two to earn their stripes and then step up to the show.
This was the year we are supposed to turn to our friends and say "THAT was the turning point, that's where it all began" as we watch Derek Stepan raise the Stanley Cup over his head beaming from ear to ear. This is the season that is supposed to change the way the Rangers have been run.
And you know what? Thus far, it has been.
The Rangers brass has had multiple opportunities to unload draft picks and prospects (or even youth) for veterans. Plenty of them were on the market, and plenty have already been moved. But the Rangers have stuck to their "letting the youth grow" guns all year.
Join me after the jump for more.
Just look at Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky and Marc Staal. Those are the three young-guns that survived the Rangers "we're kind of going with youth but not really" segment, and that's exactly what happened to them. The ideology worked.
It took Dubinsky two full years of "wow if this kid can ever put it together he'll be great" before he broke out with 20 goals and added 24 assists for 44 points in 69 games last season. This season it's more of the same with Dubinsky already notching 19 goals 24 assists for 43 points in 56 games.
It's a smilar story with Callahan. Callahan spent two seasons in limbo (in and out of Hartford) before he scored 22 goals and added 18 assists for 40 points in 81 games in 2008-2009. He went on to score 19 goals (18 assists) in 2009-2010, and already has 16 goals (and 15 assists) in 42 games so far this season.
Staal was a star from the moment he walked onto the ice, so he doesn't exactly fit in this "growing" mold. But the point is there. The Rangers allowed these three players to grow, they gave them ice time and chances even if their confidence wavered and their play suffered.
Thankfully, we're seeing the Rangers do this with their youth right now.
John Tortorella stuck with Stepan despite his 15-game slump at the beginning of the season. A slump which had him playing so invisible at times that you needed the official starting roster to confirm that he even played. But Tortorella stuck with the top-flight rookie, gave him his ice time and Stepan fought through the storm and is now an integral part of this Rangers team (and for many Rangers' teams to come).
We saw Mats Zuccarello have a tough start in Connecticut, find his game at the AHL level and then get called up to the big club. Zuccarello struggled in the early going--then after about six games--settled in, and is now another huge part of this Rangers team. He's struggled the past few games or so, but his attitude is still as good as it can be, and one would expect that he'll snap out of his slump soon enough.
Ryan McDonagh didn't make the team out of camp, worked his butt off in Connecticut, and came up to the Rangers 21 games ago. For the first two games, he looked shaky and seemed poised to be sent back down. But Tortorella stuck to the rookie defenseman, and now he might actually be considered a staple on the defensive side of things.
We're looking at the inner mechanisms of the strategy on a daily basis with Michael Del Zotto, especially when the Rangers elected to keep him up rather then send him down to the AHL, even though his game isn't where the team wants it to be yet. And while Del Zotto, who is having the definition of a "sophomore slump" is playing a bad brand of hockey right now, he's learning under fire.
Sure, his game might improve at the AHL, but he might lose even more confidence if he's sent down, and half the battle of the NHL is mental. The Rangers are currently running one of (if not the) youngest defensive corps in the NHL. Mistakes are going to happen. His play has been bad, there's no getting around that, but if Del Zotto can fight a way to fight through this, nothing will be impossible for him to accomplish. This would be the biggest hurdle on the road to a fantastic career.
And then who can forget Michael Sauer? His story is overlooked often, simply because he's blended into the defense so well that you would have thought he's been starting for the Rangers for years. Sauer was drafted in the second round way back in 2005. He saw just three NHL games in his five seasons before this year. He was talked about as a "throwaway" in every trade under the sun for the past two years, and not many (myself included) ever expected him to make the team this year. But the Rangers waited patiently for him while he found his game in the AHL and now he's leading the team with a +10 rating, and is playing 17 minutes a night.
That's how teams see who earns their stripes, and who is slowing the group down.
What does any of this have to do with panicking? Everything.
Don't panic. That's the point. Even if this season falls into the abyss and the Rangers miss the playoffs, this team is astoundingly better then the teams of the past. This is a team that, if you made no changes, would literally get better and better for the next three years if for no other reason that the youth is learning the game and is starting to make an impact.
You've seen the Rangers employ this strategy with their acquisitions of Brandon Prust and Wojtek Wolski. I would add Matt Gilroy to this list, but it doesn't seem like he's in the Rangers plans.
Any way you slice it this season has gone in the right direction. Hopefully we'll get another boost of confidence in that department after the trade deadline.
Thoughts guys? The floor is yours.
78 comments
|
2 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Thanks for writing this Joe
I’ve been standing on my virtual soap box preaching patience all season. It seems like fans have gotten spoiled with how this team has over achieved thus far and they don’t want to go through another playoffless year (understandable). Even though every loss hurts, you need to take into the fact how well the team has played in spite of the results. Yes they’ve kind of fallen off the track a bit, but that doesn’t mean we should go to DEFCON 8 and trade away players that will be vital in the growth of this team. This isn’t your father’s or even your older brother’s Ranger team, give it time and it could be the best ever
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
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
by Kevin Power on Feb 24, 2011 7:21 AM EST via mobile reply actions 2 recs
Have to agree with you 8k. Need to be patient, I have been all season, and have been calling for other people to do the same. The more patient we are with this young team (that has been more banged up than any Rangers team in recent memory) the better it will serve us three or four years from now when these young kids are playing their best hockey.
This is no time to sell draft picks and prospects just to ensure we get into the playoffs. It would be wasteful and a horrible step in the wrong direction during this commitment to youth and the kids. Stay the course, go with the kids, if we fail to make the playoffs it will sting but we will be a better team for it come next year.
@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
good post here
I think most people in the 2010 offseason would have been thrilled to hear that the Rangers are now in playoff position 62 games into the 2010-11 season. Despite problems of late this team has shown the type of heart that will eventually lead to playoff success. They don’t give up, they play hard, and have demonstrated a late-game scoring ability that hasn’t been seen since the first post-lockout season.
Consider the age of these guys—as long as the team doesn’t do anything stupid, guys like Dubi, Cally, Stepan, MZA, Staal, Girardi, Anisimov, McDonagh, and Sauer will be around for years to come. And that, as we all should know, was the true point behind this season—letting the kids play big-time roles and trying to accelerate their NHL development. Despite a huge amount of injuries and poor seasons from Gabby, Del Zotto, Drury, and Avery this team hasn’t made any excuses. They just go out and make their opponents beat them, which is quite a difference from this team in the past three seasons. The future is bright here—how they finish this year may disappoint some fans, but people shouldn’t lose sight of the big picture. That is why retread pieces of garbage like Nik Zherdev should be left where they lay…..lazy underachievers are no longer welcome at MSG, and it’s about time!
Prole art threat.
not sure
… i would peg Avery as having a poor season. Looks more like he’s simply transformed himself into a functional part of Tort’s system rather than trying to be the hero every night (in ways that are sometimes destructive). Sure, he’s not the Avery of old – but we don’t need him to be, and I think he deserves credit for adjusting his role accordingly by and large, and keeping his mouth shut about it.
great point i was thinking the same thing
it seems hes finally grown up at the age of 30. hes done a good job cycling and making passes in tight spaces all year.
by NJblueshirt on Feb 24, 2011 12:06 PM EST up reply actions
+1000
If anybody ever has doubts about AVery watch his puck handling along the boards (esp behind opponents net) last year the result would be a blind centering pass to nobody.
So far this year he’s taken more time to find the outlet pass, but even better is if he can create some separation and drive the puck to the net himself.
Calmer than you are.
Avery has only two goals this year
Avery is a guy who should be counted on for 10-14 goals a year, not two. That’s why I said he’s having a bad year. You may differ, of course, but I stand by what I said…..and I love Avery as a Ranger, just telling it like I see it.
Prole art threat.
by greifi griffie on Feb 24, 2011 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
I’m not sure why, he’s shooting from weird angles and far away all season (not to mention the fraparounds). I don’t remember him doing this crap last year, but I don’t have the data to prove it yet.
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 Feb 24, 2011 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve noticed that too….and on his rare in-close chances it looks like he’s trying to be too perfect with his shot and he’s not really ripping it as a result.
Prole art threat.
by greifi griffie on Feb 24, 2011 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
I still laugh every time I see Fraparound
Let me know how that works out for you . . .
by SimpleManiac on Feb 24, 2011 5:58 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed, Avery has played well despite the decrease in minutes.
I agree that we are spoiled, we are in the middle of a rebuild yet the team is good enough to make a playoff run. Lets not get out of our minds about the 3-7-1 period. In all liklihood we are playing much better than anyone would have thought and that makes a rebuild less painful. Also, lets not get crazy and say we are contending right now. I think we should remain quiet at the deadline….maybe add a stay at home defenseman….maybe a decent center….don’t take on salary. I’m not sure of Mc Cabe’s cap hit or length of contract but if we are looking for him as part of the future, the numbers better compute.
Absolute Worst Ranger Fan!!!!!!....yet incredibly realistic and usually correct.
I've been panicking since 1971!
"So Say Goodnight To The Bad Guy"..............Antonio Montana 1983
by Stroker Ace on Feb 24, 2011 7:40 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I've been panicking since 1971!
"So Say Goodnight To The Bad Guy"..............Antonio Montana 1983
by Stroker Ace on Feb 24, 2011 7:40 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Brooks article in the Post today is crazy.
Dallas wanted Staal, Dubinksy and Stepan for Richards. LMFAO
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Feb 24, 2011 8:07 AM EST reply actions
Cue memories of
Park and Ratelle for Esposito (I know there were other pieces involved but those were the headline names).
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Feb 24, 2011 8:19 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
they must have...
gotten brad richards confused with carmelo anthony…
Mats Zuccarello - Icing goalies' groins since 2010
In Prust we Trust - "It's just pain."
This team has balls.
by Master Ov Brutality on Feb 24, 2011 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t think it’s time to panic. I just think this team is not that good. Figure in a terrible year by Gaborik and significant man games lost to injury. You also have Prust and Boyle having career years in points just to be where we are. The team is young and just ins’t that good yet. Its hard to panic when you understand the position the team is in. It is what it is.Although many people on here would tell you different.
I agree for the most part – but the team created a sort of misunderstanding amongst the fans by overachieving through the first half. You’re right – they’re not that good yet. They’re young and developing, and we need high-end talent or kids that will develop into high-end talent if we really want to compete.
But it’s easy for fans to get over-excited and lose sight of what this team really is.
Very well written Joe, and echoes many of the sentiments that I’ve been saying all along.
The time to panic is if Darth Sather pulls something stupid out of the bag and DOESN’T stick with the ‘patience, grasshopper’ theme of the year.
This team now is really no different that it was 30 games ago. Every game is an adventure (the US Navy ought to be a headline sponsor). They’re IN every game, not getting blown out.
The difference is that instead of getting the lucky bounce or timely goal, they miss -either by a mile or a millimeter – either way it’s still a miss.
With a healthy Gaborik (or suitable replacement for the “trade him now” fans) and a legitimate veteran playmaker/complimentary scorer, they’re winning those games by one or two goals.
They aren’t that far away, and need to stay the course.
I forget who the comment was attributed to – but it went something like this:
“This year’s NY Rangers remind me very much of the Tampa Bay Lightning under John Tortorella …. the year before they won the Stanley Cup.”
And whoever said it is exactly right.
Keep Feds then
We’ll need him to score some big goals in the finals.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Feb 24, 2011 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
Good Stuff
Things are on the rise.
Pierre McGuire needs to go away.
by MartyEqualsPansy on Feb 24, 2011 9:18 AM EST reply actions
on the money
great write up here and couldn’t agree more w/ the “don’t panic” observation. regardless of where we end up, this is exactly what we need to do to build a winning team for the long term. we are literally stacked with young talent at this point and the work ethic these guys demonstrate is tremendous. sure, i’m concerned as well about the recent skid and the ramifications it may have on our playoff chances – but one way or another this team is constantly learning and growing as a group, and that’s exciting to see. after watching this team for more than 30 years (scary) i can honestly say i’ve never felt better about our future.
Good point.. and now run for the hills
Too many people are bipolar on rebuilding. Many of us expected to be anywhere from 6th to 10th. That’s exactly where the team is. If this team were laden with long-term contracts for aging veterans past their primes, 6th through 10th would be cause for alarm. But it’s not. This team is young and there are more players in the wings ready to contribute as well.
That's true
I forgot to mention the prospects
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 Feb 24, 2011 9:32 AM EST up reply actions
This is how I feel.
As much as it would suck to not make the playoffs again, crap happens and the team is still growing. We’ll be fighting for the Cup before we know it.
Armed Robbery
by Gelatin on Feb 24, 2011 9:33 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Thanks Joe...
I think many folks fail to realize, including myself, that this really was a rebuilding, retooling, experiencing gathering year for the team. I never even expected it to make the playoffs.
The first half of the year really spoiled everyone into thinking this team is better than it was. Guys like Dubinsky, Callahan, and Anisimov were poised to have breakout years. Brian Boyle was turning himself into Keith Primeau before our very eyes. Derek Stepan had a hat-trick in his first game. Del Zotto had everyone thinking we had finally found the 2nd coming of Brian Leetch. We finally had a back-up goaltender to give Henrik a rest and that could win us some games.
Hell, we even signed Derek Boogard to be the team protector! Please stop throwing things at me.
Hell, the only real downer to the start of the season was that Vinnie Prospal had a bad knee and wouldn’t be able to play for a while.
The guys just look run-down at this moment. Dubinsky turned into He-man when Gaborik went down, and since his leg fracture he just hasn’t been the same dominant force. Cally had a broken hand, though he’s looked great since returning, his conditioning took a hit when he was out. Prust is consistently banged up because he doesn’t have different gears, it’s 100% or nothing. Boyle looks the worst for wear with all of the tough minutes he’s had. He was able to add some offense to his defensive responsibilities, but at this point he looks to just be saving himself for defensive purposes. Marc Staal was top 5 in minutes played last time I looked. Girardi has blocked more shots than any Ottawa goalie. McD/Sauer are rookies playing 2nd pair competition at or over 20 minutes a game.
What does all this mean? They’re worn out. We’ve got a lot of young guys playing the most minutes they’ve seen in one season. A lot of the core guys are banged up, battling injuries, and quite frankly being asked to carry a lot more than they should. We’ll probably limp into the playoffs and bow out in the 1st round, which, by all means, would make me happy. Because next season, a lot of these kids are going to have a year of experience, and a year of conditioning under their belts. Add in a couple of free agent pieces and possibly a good prospect (Kreider, maybe Werek/Hagelin) and in 2 years we’ll be one of the deepest teams in the east.
Blueshirt Banter, We've got some balls! *It's just pain.*
Why Panic?
I agree. The good thing about the front-loaded schedule is that there will be extra rest as the season ends. If the go .500, they will probably make the playoffs. Hopefully, the extra rest will help as the tournament starts.
If you want patience, this is not the year to panic.
by It may HAVE to Last a Lifetime on Feb 24, 2011 9:47 AM EST up reply actions
The first half of the year really spoiled everyone into thinking this team is better than it was. Guys like Dubinsky, Callahan, and Anisimov were poised to have breakout years. Brian Boyle was turning himself into Keith Primeau before our very eyes. Derek Stepan had a hat-trick in his first game. Del Zotto had everyone thinking we had finally found the 2nd coming of Brian Leetch. We finally had a back-up goaltender to give Henrik a rest and that could win us some games.
I actually think a streak like they had earlier in the year was a sign of how good the team can be. Next year is the vital year where they need to prove that some of the signs of breaking out weren’t flukes. If Dubi can finally bring his game to a 30 goal/70 point year, if Stepan can get close to 60 points ditto for Anisimov, a healthy Cally contributes 20 goals/50 points, MDZ shakes off his terrible year, McDonagh takes another step toward becoming Marc Staal Jr….
I think for a lot of the young kids it’s all about consistency. Avoiding these skids like the past month and putting together longer winning streaks. There’s a lot to be excited about when some of these guys really hit their stride while the current powers of the Eastern conference are getting broken up or are aging.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Feb 24, 2011 9:55 AM EST up reply actions
Next year is the vital year where they need to prove that some of the signs of breaking out weren’t flukes
It’s somewhat true, in that they need to keep at least this level, but we might still be 2 years from Duballahan’s peak years. Anisimov and Stepan are probably 3+ away from peak, but should get to that level within the next 1-2. (step maybe 2-3)
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 Feb 24, 2011 10:23 AM EST up reply actions
Looking at some of the more prominent centers of recent years that took time to develop, meaning not guys that put up eye popping numbers right off the bat (so exclude Crosby and Malkin). It looks like many of these guys such as Vinny Lecav, Mike Richards, Claude Giroux, Kopitar, Thornton, etc. finally had their big years, like point per game production, at anywhere between their 3rd and 5th full season.
Now I don’t know if Stepan or Anisimov project as high as some of those guys so maybe an 80+ point year may never happen but two centers at 60+ points isn’t bad.
I was hoping that Dubinksy was going to have a 30 goal year this year. The leg injury slowed him down a little. At least he’s on pace for a pro-rated 200+ shot season which is important for him to ever hitting that goal total.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Feb 24, 2011 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
Sick as it might be to think, Richards, Giroux, Kopitar probably haven’t hit their peak yet. They’re close, but given their ages, they probably have another step in there. (say, from 70-80 to 90-100)
Thornton hit his peak a little early, went from about 23-27, kept up ppg pace at 28-30 (similar , now he’s down at .87 (age 31)
LeCavalier similar path, hit early, had a shorter peak from 26-27, then back to his 23-24 year old level, now probably ready for another step down.
I think at this point Step has a better chance than Anisimov to be one of these guys (given the age difference), and there are a lot more factors than just the total points per game. It seems a safe bet though that they both should get to at least 60+ each through their top years, assuming they get the PP time as they progress.
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 Feb 24, 2011 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
Richards and Giroux are certainly on the right team to keep putting up numbers for the next couple of seasons. Particularly if they can keep Carter and/or JVR. Although it looks like someone from their top 9 is going to have to get moved to keep them cap compliant for next year.
If the Kings can get another 30+ goal scoring winger I shudder to think what Kopitar can put up.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Feb 24, 2011 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
Offensive peaks I think are ages 22-25. Ovechkin is likely exiting his right around now.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
Behindthenet quick link to QoC/QoT/Corsi/PDO/Zonestarts
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Feb 24, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
During the Kovalchuk saga over the summer I tried to dispel the notion (on another Rangers blog) that an article that stated since he was only 27 he was “just entering his prime” by saying that there’s a good chance his peak production window was closing not opening. I got jumped all over for that comment, but then I started listing a long list of players where their best years were even before 27.
Now I think people confuse “peak” and “decline” meaning that a lot of people feel that you’re either producing career numbers or decling rapidly. Gretzky still had a number of other-wordly seasons in his late 20’s, but his last 200 point season came at 25 and he had no 50 goal seasons after 28.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Feb 24, 2011 12:11 PM EST up reply actions
It’s smallish sample, but alot of my spot checking has seen guys have their career years between 25-27. I know guys have done studies on it, I never find them when I search. I need to bookmark more often.
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 Feb 24, 2011 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
Here’s some links I’ve found
goals/82 by age
pts/gm by age
So sorry, looks like I was a bit mixed up with goalie sv% charts. Regardless, looks like the peak is a bit before RFA age ends. I guess the NHLPA should try for a UFA age a year or two lower in the next CBA.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
Behindthenet quick link to QoC/QoT/Corsi/PDO/Zonestarts
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Feb 24, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
yeah, that pts/gm chart jives alot with what I’ve seen spot checking.
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 Feb 24, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
Not to be negative - but what's their peaks?
I think Dubi could be a high 20 – low 30 goal guy, with the right teamates to take the serious heat. Probably about 60,maybe 70 points in a great season. Not bad, but not unbelievable. Step seems to have potential to hit about 60 points a season as well. I would put those two as showing the biggest ceilings of the guys we have, and would be two guys I would keep around. Other then that, we can’t keep them all. Getting the top end talent we need will do more for the development of “home grown” talent then anything else. Guys like Cally, AA, even Boyle are great to have around at the right price, but Gordie should be able to find more 50 point guys without too much trouble.
by BuckarooClub on Feb 24, 2011 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
I think Dubi could be a high 20 – low 30 goal guy, with the right teamates to take the serious heat.
Yes, against lesser competition, he probably rises higher (that’s true of everyone, including Crosby) but he’s as capable at beating top competition as anyone in the league. Even as a 60 point guy, if he’s beating top competition, that’s a solid peak.
As for the rest of them, it’s impossible to say what their peak is. As I posted in another thread, there are several “#1 centers” that couldn’t crack 40-50 points at the ages Artie and Step are, and both are doing it now. So they could have monster peaks, or they could sort of plateau at 60. If I could truly project them, I’d probably be working for a front office somewhere.
I mean, I know I harp on this, but it isn’t the 1980’s. There were only 55 guys in the league that hit 60 points last year. Less than 2 per team. There’s even less that hit 75 (22 of ’em)
If we have Dubinsky, Stepan, Anisimov, Gaborik who all have that potential level (not unreasonable to believe), not to mention Callahan who probably slots in at slightly less, that’s a lot of firepower relative to the league. That’s before you talk about Kreider or Thomas, who both seem to have high ceilings themselves, and before you talk about Wolski (who 2 years ago hit 65 with only 10 power player points).
I know it doesn’t give you that 80-90 point guy (well other than a healthy and productive Gaborik), but it’s still a fairly talented lineup.
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 Feb 24, 2011 12:27 PM EST up reply actions
Excellent post
I agree 100% (except that I didn’t think McD looked shaky his first two games, just a bit nervous). When talking about youth, we should also not forget AA, who has started to blossom, albeit inconsistently, with added responsibility. Or Boyle, who’s not as young but was given an opportunity last season and a challenge this season and rose to meet it. And the patience they’ve shown with Grachev, including giving him cups of coffee on the bog club when opportunities arose, may well pay off as well.
On a related note, I hope the Rangers aren’t considering parting with even one of the players Joe Nieuwendyk is apparently demanding in exchange for renting Brad Richards (according to Larry Brooks of the Post). Even if Richards is better than all of them (Staal, Dubi and Stepan) right now, given their respective ages there is no guarantee he will be better than any of them in 2 years.
OUTSTANDING POST
I’ll say it again. I’ve been a Rangers fan for more than 55 years. In that time the phrase coined to explain what to expect from the Blue Shirts at this time of year is “February Fade”.
For as long as I can remember the Rangers have had a definite problem in maintaining a consistent winning record during the month of February.
It would be interesting, at least in my mind, to see what the won/lost record during this period has been over the last 25 years or so.
Panic? Hell no.
Wait it out, let the kids learn and we’ll be much better for it in the long run. What is happening now, as long as they can keep the commitment to consistent hard play and believe in their abilities, this team will be a much better club next year.
We didn’t expect to be where we are at the beginning of the season and I for one am pleasantly surprised with the attitude of this team. They believe thay can win every time they take the ice. Great attitude for a young team.
I agree Joe. And there isn’t even a reason to panic because we didn’t really have many expectations for this team, so if they do make the playoffs I see it as a bonus because the real goal this season was to develop youth.
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers for SB Nation.
The Rangers Tribune: A hockey blog dedicated to covering the New York Rangers.
by Nick Montemagno on Feb 24, 2011 9:58 AM EST reply actions
Anybody else feel that the trade deadline and showcasing of Del Zotto and Gilroy is royally screwing with the team?
It seems like EMinger has been a healthy scratch forever and is being sacrificed so other D men (Del Zotto and Gilroy) can get ice time to show off their skills.
It is funny that Del Zotto isn’t playing by the script by missing the net at key moments of the game.
Once the deadline is over we break out of the funk.
I predict the Rangers will go on a tear after the deadline. So I agree with the article above. Let the chips fall where they may. This team is a vast improvement since last year (and so is Torts).
Calmer than you are.
I generally don’t believe in the concept of showcasing. There’s plenty of game film available and scouting a player for one particular game shouldn’t be enough to make/break a trade. If a team is seriously interested in a player, they will have done their homework on him long before a call is even placed to the other GM.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Feb 24, 2011 10:19 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed
I think showcasing is something that went away with the age of unlimited data storage and digital video. There’s no reason to send scouts to find out about a player’s overall skill.
You can still send scouts
But having them look at one game in isolation shouldn’t be the basis for a trade. It seems like teams start talking about targeted players well in advance and then track the player throughout the year, sometimes across multiple seasons.
Plus the Rangers are still contending for a playoff spot so I don’t know if a coach would start giving a player more ice time because they might be trade bait.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Feb 24, 2011 10:30 AM EST up reply actions
Right
Scouting is still important. You can see a players immediate tendencies, e.g. whether he’s favoring an injury. You can also discern coaching strategy. But evaluating a player for a trade on the basis of just a couple games during some team’s “showcase,” well I’d like to hope most NHL GM’s aren’t that backwards.
Maybe that's what Gainey did for the Gomez trade?
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 Feb 24, 2011 10:54 AM EST up reply actions
I really thought that Gomez would fit in well with Montreal. They’re a fast skating team, better skilled players to at least be in position to receive his passes. The guy really doesn’t seem to be able to become the type of player that his physical skills suggest he could be.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Feb 24, 2011 10:59 AM EST up reply actions
OK perhaps showcasing is the wrong word
But if Del Zotto was being considered for NHL tradebait, it would drop his value if he was down with the whale.
There is just something not right with Del Zotto experiment and I think his role in a potential trade is the reason.
Calmer than you are.
You're right no time to panic. You can be pissed off and frustrated, but panic? No.
the biggest indication is how Torts handled Stepan when was slumping. Instead of putting him on the sidelines, he stuck with him and put him in the best situations to succeed.
Canyon of Blueshirts
Rangers Tickets
Follow Me on Twitter
Facebook
"We play them a few more times this year"
- Brian Boyle
We've had the same problem since Jagr left - GOALS
We lose close games, we can’t get the goal we need to get over the hump. What we NEED is a “go to” guy (or really 2). We have alot of “good” players, but we need a couple of great ones. Good players are alot easier to come accross, and develop then great ones. Until we can bring in (or develop – which I think is a much longer shot) we NEED to consider making moves that can bring us the top talent we need.
They were also a low scoring team in Jagr’s last couple of years.
What type of moves would you advocate making?
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Feb 24, 2011 11:49 AM EST up reply actions
They all involves players that rhyme with ball.
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 Feb 24, 2011 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I've made my reasons known
I just think some people put alot of value in the Staal name, and the fact he got into his first All-Star game this year (weather earned, or by the fact he created a nice storyline with brother being the captain and his team hosting the game), give him a bit of “extra value”. As I’ve said before, I don’t think he WANTS to be a #1 defenseman, and its easier to “upgrade” him, then to try to bring in a guy who can fill that role, and still pay Staal and Girardi.
As i said in the post game after the ‘Canes though – if ANYTHING is going to get to the level he needs to, that hit by his brother should be it. I’m anxious to see if it inspires him to put in the work he needs to step into that role.
by BuckarooClub on Feb 24, 2011 1:34 PM EST up reply actions
Upgrades
Try to “color up” if we can. Use our vast amount of good players to try to get us one “Great” one. I think that might mean moving one of our young “core” guys as a the centerpiece of that deal (meaning Staal, Cally, or Dubi) but you have to give to get. I think the way some of the young guys were able to come up and not just tread water shows that we have alot of guys who can come up an contribute. Just no one who can come up and dominate.
I’m not saying it’s going to be easy to find these deals (The Colorado/St. Louis and Pitts/Dallas were both great examples of talent-for-talent moves) , but I think even if Slats just leaks the IDEA that everyone but Hank is on the market, it might be the wake up call some guys need to speed up their progress.
by BuckarooClub on Feb 24, 2011 1:36 PM EST up reply actions
Chicago, the one’s with Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp….are 11-10-6 in 1-goal games.
Vancouver, the one’s with two Sedins, Kesler, etc… are 12-7-9 in 1-goal games.
The Rangers are 17-10-4 in 1-goal games.
We have plenty of signs of lack of high-end talent, the sudden downstreak in 1-goals games isn’t one of them.
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 Feb 24, 2011 12:12 PM EST up reply actions
Not looking to argue, but rather asking to put the stats in context… How many of those Chicago loses were during the early season meltdown?
Also, how many multi goal loses to they have. I feel like we turn one goal games into two goal games pretty regularly.
The point I was trying to make, is since Jagr left we haven’t had a guy who MAKE a goal when we needed it, not just with the game on the line, but a guy who can FINISH when we’re getting tons of chances, but nothing is going in. Someone who can get us the goal that take a team out of it in the middle of the games, or get the ball rolling for our glut of secondary scoring. That’s what one 80 point guy is gonna do.
by BuckarooClub on Feb 24, 2011 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
On Chicago, I’d have to look. I can do it, just not this minute.
Copper and Blue, on the right side of their page, keeps the “Clear Victory” standings, which is simply the record in games decided by 2 or more, not counting EN goals that shift a lead from 1 to 2. Not surprisingly, Vancouver, Chicago, and Detroit are 1-2-3 in the West, they are the strongest teams after all. The Rangers, at 11-9, are 4th in the East, percentage points ahead of the Caps.
As for the last point, I’ve argued that before. The reason a 30 goal guy is more likely to get that key goal is because he’s more likely to score any goal than the 20 goal guy. Jagr was so good at it because he was so good, not because he had a special talent to be clutch. You need not look further than Drury, who was remarkably ‘clutch’ when he was also remarkably scoring 37 goals instead of his normal 20. Weird that his clutchness waned when he went back to 20, and disappeared when he couldn’t score goals any more.
Yes, obviously we don’t have that top end guy right now, but Gaborik was that guy pretty often last year however, and he is still on the team.
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 Feb 24, 2011 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Thank You!
As for the last point, I’ve argued that before. The reason a 30 goal guy is more likely to get that key goal is because he’s more likely to score any goal than the 20 goal guy. Jagr was so good at it because he was so good, not because he had a special talent to be clutch. You need not look further than Drury, who was remarkably ‘clutch’ when he was also remarkably scoring 37 goals instead of his normal 20. Weird that his clutchness waned when he went back to 20, and disappeared when he couldn’t score goals any more.
I'm not necessarily saying it has to be a "clutch" guy
But to be a 30 goal guy, I think you have a mentality where, if you HAVEN’T scored in 2 or 3 games, you start to wonder why. You have to EXPECT to bury one every couple nights. We have plenty of guys who CAN score goals, but no one who expects to. Gabby has the skill, but I’m starting to question if he has the mentality. Not just based on this season, but he sort of came and went from the score sheet last year at times too. Gabby comes off as a guy who would be happy to play second fiddle on a good team, or the big fish in a small pond, like he was in Minny.
by BuckarooClub on Feb 24, 2011 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
But to be a 30 goal guy, I think you have a mentality where, if you HAVEN’T scored in 2 or 3 games, you start to wonder why.
Check this. There’s lot of good work being done on this topic of consistent performance right now. Even the most super-consistent 30-goal guys are going to go scoreless about 66% of their games, or 2 out of every 3.
So they should be expecting to have streaks of 2-3 games without one, not having a mental crisis over it.
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 Feb 24, 2011 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
If we had a guy who could bury one every third game, that would be great.
We’ve had those spells where NO ONE was scoring. Didn’t we go like 8 periods between goals at one point? I think having SOMEONE we can count on could count on as primary scoring will do MORE for this team then waiting and hoping everyone fufills their potential.
by BuckarooClub on Feb 24, 2011 5:28 PM EST up reply actions
Which is why I’m fully endorsing trading just about anyone to get Stastny here, who would certainly help the problem. We need more than primary scoring, we need YOUNG primary scoring, which can be counted on to sustain that level of play for multiple years.
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 Feb 24, 2011 5:32 PM EST up reply actions
Nice stat link, thanks for the hookup.
Let me know how that works out for you . . .
by SimpleManiac on Feb 24, 2011 6:04 PM EST up reply actions
Wonderful article, and I totally agree.
However, I dont think it’s time to give up on this team. We have shown incredible resilience this year and won some big games. We can make the playoffs with a solid end of the season.
Never forget: we have Hank. If we slip into the playoffs… Maybe Hank gets hot… Maybe stepan and zuke happen to be incredible
postseason players… A Dubinsky clutch goal here, a Prust shorthanded goal there… An inspirational intermission speech from boogaard to cap it all off… And BAM eastern conference finals!!!
But hey, I’m an optimist.
Let’s light up the caps first
I listen to Enter Sandman before taking exams. I wear the exact same jersey every Giants game. The Rangers goal song goes off in my head when I achieve small successes in life.
HEN-RIK
by BombersGmenBlueshirts25 on Feb 24, 2011 11:51 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Dont tell Last, but
Alexi Kovalev was picked up by Pittsburgh, I’m on my phone so someones gonna have to link the tweets
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
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
by Kevin Power on Feb 24, 2011 12:21 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Panic time?
Now that Dolan got Carmelo, we can panic if he starts consulting with Brett Hull on what big name the Rangers should go after. Other than that – stay the course and 2011 playoffs would be a bonus.
Manning lobs it, Burress alone, touchdown New York!
For the empty net, Mark Messier... do you believe it?! Do you believe it?! He said we will win game 6 - he has just picked up the hat trick!
Wonderfully said Joe
You have a talent for clearly but eloquently laying out your points, Joe. I think the article is dead on. My thinking on this is to go back to October, before the season began, and recall what we all felt we would be happy with come the end of February. 7th place, with a +16 goal differential, with youngsters making huge strides? I can’t imagine many if us would have been unhappy if you had told us that back in October.
Still not convinced
I think we have quite a bit of young talent which hasn’t peaked yet, players (expected and unexpected) have stepped up to the plate on many, many occasions, and there is a great situation with our current goaltenders, but I’m still not convinced Tortorella is the right coach for the job.
I’m of the mind he tries to fit everyone into a static team concept, grind, grind, outwork the opposition, will over skill. That belongs in every team’s game, yes, but as the sole strategy takes horrible tolls on the players and nixes most chances of winning back-to-back games. You can only run on overdrive so long. When that inevitably fails, he’s prone to experimenting with lines mid-game, killing whatever chemistry might ever have been built. He needs to let guys develop rapport. Guys on these mercurial lines often seem like they don’t know what their role is supposed to be on the ice, and I think that prevents anyone from really stepping up to the plate and becoming a play-maker. He’s also a real disciplinarian, overly so by my count, and he’ll almost always focus on the negatives before, during and after play- even when they’re leading, even when they earned a W. Instruction is one thing, and the Rangers make a host of mistakes to address, but I don’t like the manner in which he addresses them. And I suppose on a more personal level, I can’t stand how he treats the NY media or even how he talks about other teams/players. The media isn’t always pretty, but NY teams have always been heavily-covered (and heavily speculated on and scrutinized). I mean that news conference the other night after the Devils game was one of many that had me irked. I find him to be a condescending jerk who treat professional players like college kids. If anything, that’s where he should coach, the lower levels where he can teach his fundamentals and get away with the tirades.
So without the right coach, imho, I just don’t feel quite as optimistic as many board members.
Excellent post Joe!
and big kudos for:
Even if this season falls into the abyss and the Rangers miss the playoffs, this team is astoundingly better then the teams of the past.
Couldn’t agree more. i also liked the props given to the coaching staff in regards to letting the entire youth core play. and you managed to not say a single word about our biggest draft pick of the last decade – hank.
the future is bright, and i still think this team has got what it takes to go to the 2nd round this year.
by #17ToTheRafters on Feb 24, 2011 5:05 PM EST reply actions
not far away from the cup .
build this young core win a few playoff rounds then bring in the veteran playoff vets and make the run to the cup by at least 2013 sound good to everyone ?
lohaus #54
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Blueshirt Banter
Related FanShots on Blueshirt Banter
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Rangers Schedule
Next 5 Games
@
New Jersey
|
Fri 05/25 | 8:00 PM EDT |
|
New Jersey
|
Sun 05/27 | TBA |
Last 5 Games
|
New Jersey
|
Wed 05/23 | L 3 - 5 |
|
@
New Jersey
|
Mon 05/21 | L 1 - 4 |
|
@
New Jersey
|
Sat 05/19 | W 3 - 0 |
|
New Jersey
|
Wed 05/16 | L 2 - 3 |
|
New Jersey
|
Mon 05/14 | W 3 - 0 |
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Devils guarantee they’ll downplay 1994 conference finals for Game 6 vs. Rangers
- Dodger Stadium Winter Classic; 10 worst NHL fans; ‘While The Men Watch’ debate (Puck Headlines)
- Lightning GM Yzerman suggests he won’t be trading for Luongo, strengthens position for Luongo trade
- Marek Vs. Wyshynski Radio: Ron Hextall, Luke Richardson and Rangers/Devils
- Tomas Kopecky visits Pavol Demitra’s grave with Slovakia silver medal (VIDEO)
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Despite loss, Phoenix Coyotes build solid foundation in the desert with run to West finals
- Worth every penny: LA Kings D Drew Doughty comes through with stellar playoff performances
- Coyotes finish off best season ever
- Doughty enjoying breakthrough playoff for LA Kings
- Maple Leafs sign defensive prospect Petter Granberg to entry level deal
