Rangers Recap: Four Straight Losses for Rangers as they are Shutout by Habs
by Nick Montemagno on Feb 5, 2011 5:27 PM EST
in New York Rangers Recaps
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This afternoon's 2-0 loss to the Canadiens stretches the losing streak to four games as the Rangers are in the midst of their worst run of the season. Believe it or not, the Blueshirts did a lot of things right in this game, and also received clutch goaltending from Martin Biron. That, though, does not excuse them on the defeat. They had their chances, whether it was full strength or on the powerplay, but did not covert.
Come to think of it, that has been the story in almost all of these games that the Rangers lose by a hair. The effort is there, the opportunities are there, but the goals are not. Something needs to change quickly before time runs out.
These two teams wasted no time getting at each other, as there were multiple altercations just in the first period alone. The biggest one came during a brawl behind the Montreal net when Brian Boyle and Brandon Prust dove into a pile-up while Sean Avery dropped the gloves with Alexandre Picard. That got the emotions going and the game opened up a bit from that point on.
The scoring did not come until late in the second period, though, when Scott Gomez capitalized on a lively bounce off the boards and roofed a shoot from in close. Up until then, Biron was extraordinary between the pipes and you got the sense that it would take a fluky bounce to beat him. Unfortunately, to the dislike of many Ranger fans, that bounce ended up on the blade of none other than Scott Gomez.
The Rangers took complete control of the game in the third period, or at the very least, the tempo of it. New York outshot Montreal 19-6 in the third stanza, but still were unable to put one behind Carey Price. You may call me crazy for saying this, but I honestly don't think the Rangers put enough pucks on net. They were trying to be too cute in the offensive zone instead of throwing it on net from sharp angles. That wasn't entirely the case in the third, but it was in the first and second.
Continue reading after the jump....
The powerplay is nothing but a momentum killer. Several times in this game the Rangers had very good shifts and created some offense. They drew penalties because of that, but then failed to capitalize with the extra man. It's been a problem in all of the last four losses, so coach Tortorella (or maybe Glen Sather) needs to pay some attention to it and get that fixed.
Tomas Plekanec put the game to bed when he scored on the empty net with only 38 seconds remaining in regulation. The puck bounced over Mats Zuccarello's stick and his half-effort check was not stopping the speedy Plekanec. So yet again, after attempting the comeback, the Rangers came up short only to leave the ice in disappointment. Same story, different day.
There were some standout performances in this game even though the Rangers did not get the win. On offense, the most impressive to me was Sean Avery. For the second straight game his persistent effort and gritty swagger earned him extra minutes in the later stages of the game. Maybe the coach should consider moving him up in the lineup. Seems logical, doesn't it?
The Wolski-Stepan-Zuccarello line created a lot of chances as well. They probably were the most active out of all the trios out there, but it all comes down to conversion, and that they couldn't do. I would keep them together if I were Torts, though.
I still believe Del Zotto may need more time in Connecticut, but he showed improvement today. He was smarter with the puck and was one of the few that made a difference on the powerplay.
As I said above, Martin Biron was unbelievable in net and at certain points kept the Rangers in the game. So that brings me to my next question, which is if Torts should go with Biron or Lundqvist in goal against the Red Wings. Remember, at this point of the season it is whoever gives you the better chance of winning.
This is not the time for the Rangers to take a nosedive. The standings get tighter each night and consecutive losses like this could end up in the season slipping out of their hands. With Atlanta and Carolina playing each other later tonight, one of those teams will creep up even closer to the Rangers. There are no excuses anymore. This team needs wins.
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And the panic begins
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
ive been saying that all season
stop getting cute and shoot the godamn puck
Avery plays his ass off by the way he needs more time
frustrating loss.
Im going over to the Pens blog and read their injury threads. And drink their tears.
LOL! That's a good idea...
"...AAAAnd In Goooalll, Numbah Thirteee, Hhennnrikk LUNDqvisst!!!"
Living in the Pacific Northwest, but rocking my Rangers jersey every game.
Drink your fill, Sir Seats and quench thy thirst for misery.
Let me know how that works out for you . . .
by SimpleManiac on Feb 6, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
We deserved this win more than the canadians, atleast on even stregth.
Biron was soild and you can tell he made the team comfortable with him playing between the pipes this game.
As a fan of my team I would hate for this to happen but If boyle doesn’t get a suspension for that hit to the head, thts a bullshhhhh job by the league…
Aves played great, but I think id leave him on a line with prust abd boyle…
zuc-steps-wojtek….great as usual…
Like last game, I rather see a young team losing and learning from it than watching a bunch of overpriced vets losing. Its part of the learning process
by polishBLUE on Feb 5, 2011 5:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions
This sucks, because almost the entire team worked their asses off.
Biron was terrific. The defense gave up very little. The only real bad play was when Boyle and Girardi left Gomez alone..but that goal was just fluky. Boyle was closer…somebody needs to be back for that. Staal was already clearing somebody out of the crease.
Our Achilles’ heel continues to be the power-play and the complete lack of chances it generates. 4 straight chances and we get 1 shot on goal, which amazingly was a one-timer from the point (of course there was no screen in front, imagine that). To start, the zone entry is horrible. The D continues to take their sweet-ass time lugging the puck up to the redline, and by the time a decision is made to dump it in, every forward has stopped at the blue-line and they have no momentum to beat anybody to the puck.
Zukes and I think I saw Wolski at the points. They need to put Gilroy out there. Off-hand shots at the point have a real tough job because they have to keep the puck in on their back-hand. Any penalty-killer worth a damn is going to pressure that player towards the middle to keep them from bringing the puck to their forehand for a pass. It almost automatically forces the play back down the wall where we lose the puck in a scrum.
No consistent net presence. Where’s Boyle, where’s AA? Even when we get control and time, there’s nobody parked at the net. And Gaborik continues to spend the entire PP against the left wall. Can’t take a one-timer from the wall. He needs to start skating around in the high-slot, and at least draw a player to him to create openings.
MDZ looked better. He’s still shaky at times, but no real goofs. Sauer and McDonagh were excellent. McDonagh needs PP time.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
mcD did seem to step up his offense in this game, he had a few chances
i def wouldnt mind him getting a shot on the PP
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 5, 2011 6:24 PM EST up reply actions
Gaborik: Invisible Once More
Really the guy has sucked all year and I’m surprised he has not been benched. As our only real sniper, the offense is based around him and save three or four games against really bad teams, he’s been pretty much non-existant. Another wasted effort by our goaltender today, it’s really a shame he lost the game on a fluke goal but our offense just wasn’t there for him
by The Last Shall Become First on Feb 5, 2011 6:23 PM EST reply actions
He should be benched…..let’s start with Monday
He is lost out there on the ice this year, every time some gets near him he gives up the puck.
Let him watch the Detroit game from the sky box…..
Tough game...
Prospal and Callahan have been tremendous since coming back from their injuries. Dubinsky looks a little wounded still. Hope to see him feel better with some time.
Besides riding Gaborik, because I don’t expect anything from him against teams above .500, there is some invisibility by guys like Anisimov, Boyle, and at times Wolski. We need these guys to step it up.
Wondering right now if we get Souray in the next few days after having 4 straight power plays and only 1 shot on goal. The guys won’t shoot or move the puck around enough and I think we might as well try and get Souray.
"...AAAAnd In Goooalll, Numbah Thirteee, Hhennnrikk LUNDqvisst!!!"
Living in the Pacific Northwest, but rocking my Rangers jersey every game.
Dubinsky looks wounded?
He looks terrific to me.
He just doesn’t seem 100% yet. He’s played well, but not as well as he did in December/late January. He came back pretty swiftly from a stress fracture in my opinion, but I think he’ll be fine in a few more days.
"...AAAAnd In Goooalll, Numbah Thirteee, Hhennnrikk LUNDqvisst!!!"
Living in the Pacific Northwest, but rocking my Rangers jersey every game.
Dubi was great today. But his skating speed looks a tad off compared to before the injury. I know that makes no sense because he was playing injured before. Probably over analyzing, Canadians make lots of guys look a bit off in the speed department. His effort was monstrous today, I wish they had a beast of a center to play with him right now.
by Sather Sux Dolan SwallXws on Feb 5, 2011 8:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
i want dubinsky to be more selfish…i want this whole team to be more selfish…too many plays getting broken up because of soft passes…shoot and look for a frigin rebound
Agreed. Today I thought Zuccs and Stepan did that more than usual. They are really talented players but on occasion look to make the perfect play sometimes, sometime you need to just fire it on the net and look for a rebound.
by Sather Sux Dolan SwallXws on Feb 5, 2011 9:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Oh and also....
Fuck Scott Gaymez and the damn Bell Centre rubber boards. We didn’t deserve to give up a goal on a circumstance like that. Montreal practices that shit, so it wasn’t a fluke, they plan their shots from the point. I just felt bad for Biron today, while Price stood on his head in the 3rd period, facing shot after shot.
"...AAAAnd In Goooalll, Numbah Thirteee, Hhennnrikk LUNDqvisst!!!"
Living in the Pacific Northwest, but rocking my Rangers jersey every game.
Getting Nervous
I’m getting nervous that Sather will do something drastic at the trade deadline if the Rangers dont start scoring. Right now, as hard as they all are working it is a team made up of 2nd and 3rd line players. They do not have a 1st line that makes anyone respect them. What the hell happened to Gabby’s vaunted speed? The Habs were getting some breakouts- the Rangers and Gabby- nuttin!
Dear Glen – Only trade away players that 30 or over please.
by RangerFanInChicago on Feb 5, 2011 8:18 PM EST reply actions
In case you missed, Torts mood post game was pretty upbeat.
He liked the compete level, 5v5 and penalty kill. He said they don’t have a true quarterback on the power play and it holds them back and they couldn’t complete two passes on the PP all day.. Said they need to keep doing what they are doing and start scoring goals. Was given chance to go after Gaborik with one question, just said he needs more from his top guys in these spots.
by Sather Sux Dolan SwallXws on Feb 5, 2011 8:27 PM EST via mobile reply actions
When the hockey gods turn on a team it feels like the sky is falling.
I love Torts approach, they are playing pretty well. Stay the course and keep plugging away. Pucks will eventually start going in. Play Biron Monday night and let Hank get his head and technique straight for next Fri in ATL. Its on Sather to do something smart here, no knee jerk quick fix like Souray.
by Sather Sux Dolan SwallXws on Feb 5, 2011 8:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Why why why dont they put Boyle on the PP to just hang out in front of the net. I believe it was the Toronto game that he scored on the PP on a deflection off a point shot from Staal. When a PP sucks like this u have to stop getting cute and get back to basics. Get a big body to screen the goalie and throw shots at net
Not a bad idea.
I’d like to see Avery get some time down low, maybe some Anisimov. Staal should be out there more because he’s the only one at the point who looks for a shot and will pull the trigger.
by Sather Sux Dolan SwallXws on Feb 5, 2011 8:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah but he cant keep the pill in if his life depended on it and his lateral point passes are pretty horrid.
In fact nobody can seem to pass the puck from the points. I saw a few times MDZ putting the pass behind the other pointman.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Feb 6, 2011 5:24 AM EST up reply actions
Gaborik not scoring is absolutely killing this team… The guy isn’t even getting on the point sheet… His goals come all at once and his assists are few and far between….
Biron should start the next game… he’s earned it… lundqvist hasn’t… not to say that lundqvist should become a mainstay on the bench, but what’s wrong with riding the hot hand?
@clalicata17
Whale win 4-3, Kolarik 2 goals, Grachev 2 assists
Redden -2 and took two penalties.
by Sather Sux Dolan SwallXws on Feb 5, 2011 9:36 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Can’t even get it done in the AHL – at 6.5 million. What a loser.
Let me know how that works out for you . . .
by SimpleManiac on Feb 6, 2011 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
I liked Kolarik’s game when he was called up
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Feb 6, 2011 1:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
"We don’t have a legitimate quarterback," said coach John Tortorella, playing a tune that’s beginning to sound like a broken record. The Rangers have experimented with numerous different defensemen and forwards on the points with little success. "I tried Zook (Mats Zuccarello) there today, I’m not sure we’re going to stay with that. Today, we couldn’t make two passes…. It’s execution. It’s been a struggle for us for about a month or so. We’re a better team than that."
I can’t say it any more.
Broken record?
Sounds to me more like a guy covering his butt to save his job, doesn’t it? The most ridiculous thing about it is for him to actually say PUBLICLY: “I’m not sure we’re going to stay with that.” Not sure?! The PP’s been abismal for more than a MONTH during crunch time! How does he not have a clear plan on how to fix it after all this time. Unacceptable…or at least it should be. If he, or Sullivan or whomever can’t figure out what to implement on the PP, then they should bring in a specialist a la Messier was for face-offs (Duguay perhaps?) . Funny how when things were clicking overall, Tortorella sat back and took the accolades but now, with a serious COACHING STRATEGY problem hampering the team’s ability to win games, he pleads the fifth and blames his players. This so-called “new and improved” attitude of his vs. last year is fooling no one, especially me!
We fought hard missed some golden opportunities but that sounds like a broken record. Duby Cally and Prospal are all working hard and moving their feet well but I think the team needs more practice to get everyone gelling together better. We are missing or mishandling simple passes and that makes the puck bounce around a bit or its missing the tape on the other guys stick in a pass. I think the team needs that break between detroit and atlanta to just work on making their game coherent. The lines are solid they just need to play a little together and get used to each other again I feel. We also should dedicate almost an entire practice to powerplay and just keeping it simple, body infront to screen, collapse the defense down, puck to the point for a one timer then dig for rebounds.
We would have won if we had anything on our powerplay. Side note fuck the nhl for not regulating the rinks more if that wasnt a set play for Gomez then I am completely new at watching hockey. No wonder Montreal has the best home record they have a true ice advantage knowing how to utilize those spring boards.
by Pballer505 on Feb 5, 2011 10:23 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Taking a Dive
Better now than late March or April
tortorella
Say what you want, bat this caoch is terrible. He has this team scared of making mistakes. He is a talent destroyer. The fact that our power play is so dad proves it.Dump and chase ond a power play!!!! Only the RANGERS.
you must be drunk....
torts’ name is being tossed around for the Jack Adams for good reasons. He gets stuff outta his players and I believe is one of the few coaches who could have gotten this gritty style out of a team. I don’t know what you expect from the guy. He’s shown that he’ll give everyone the chance to go out there and make something happen. Yeah he’s benched guys here and there but its not like its a death sentence for them. you make it seem like he haunts the players in their sleep or something…..
Ron Dugay for President
by ragsfan72291 on Feb 6, 2011 12:23 AM EST up reply actions
I agree but that dump and chase power play mentality is garbage
"Malik now." "6 foot 6, 238, not a noted goal scorer but he's gonna give it a shot here." "Malik has not scored this year. In on Kolzig, faked it....SCORES"
that’s because they can’t put 2 passes together without losing the puck. they need to: gain the offensive zone, put one forward in the high slot, one forward in front of the goalie, and shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot from the point, whether it’s a slapshot or just wristing it on net.
Can they bring in someone to speciffically coach the powerplay? Like in football they have a special teams coach, why not in hockey? it may be that torts isn’t that good at it. Ok, fine, let’s inject someone who is.
by NewburghHockey on Feb 6, 2011 10:53 AM EST up reply actions
Yesss!
Sounds to me more like a guy covering his butt to save his job, doesn’t it? The most ridiculous thing about it is for him to actually say PUBLICLY: “I’m not sure we’re going to stay with that.” Not sure?! The PP’s been abismal for more than a MONTH during crunch time! How does he not have a clear plan on how to fix it after all this time. Unacceptable…or at least it should be. If he, or Sullivan or whomever can’t figure out what to implement on the PP, then they should bring in a specialist a la Messier for face-offs (Duguay perhaps?) . Funny how when things were clicking overall, Tortorella sat back and took the accolades but now, with a serious COACHING STRATEGY problem hampering the team’s ability to win games, he pleads the fifth and blames his players. This so-called “new and improved” attitude of his vs. last year is fooling no one, especially me!
Agreed
Sounds to me more like a guy covering his butt to save his job, doesn’t it? The most ridiculous thing about it is for him to actually say PUBLICLY: “I’m not sure we’re going to stay with that.” Not sure?! The PP’s been abismal for more than a MONTH during crunch time! How does he not have a clear plan on how to fix it after all this time. Unacceptable…or at least it should be. If he, or Sullivan or whomever can’t figure out what to implement on the PP, then they should bring in a specialist a la Messier for face-offs (Duguay perhaps?) . Funny how when things were clicking overall, Tortorella sat back and took the accolades but now, with a serious COACHING STRATEGY problem hampering the team’s ability to win games, he pleads the fifth and blames his players. This so-called “new and improved” attitude of his vs. last year is fooling no one, especially me!
playoffs
O ya , this team in not making the playoffs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Relax, your gonna pop a blood vessel.
I’m one of the most negative trolls around here, but we all need to take a deep breath. Torts is doing a good job overall. The PP needs to be addressed, both by Sather and Torts. Eventually this will turn around, tough game Monday night, but then three days off to get everyone straight and then its crunch time.
by Sather Sux Dolan SwallXws on Feb 5, 2011 11:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think taking a deep breath is a good idea, because holdin it in is not going to halp us. Detroit is not going to be eazy to turn it around. IMO is not the personal but the caoches phylosofy that is the problem.
Lets' see...
1) No line juggling during games barring injury and steady ones for at least 5 games
2) No Gaborik at the point on PP (can’t believe I even have to say that?!)
3) Lundqvist plays against all play-off bound teams
4) You must answer ALL post-game questions clearly, completely and seriously with a smile, win or lose (ok that may be tough, but no rudeness, that’s for sure!)
5) No blaming individuals – Hockey is a TEAM game.
6) Actually PRACTICE the PP during practice, NOT during games
…happy to provide more if you’d like…
Playoffs?!?!? You wanna talk playoffs?
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Feb 6, 2011 1:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
P S
I am not a troller , i am new an this site but I have been a RANGERS fan for longer then 40 years.
Well if you first post t to say to fire a coach that is Jack Adamas candidate and has this young team overachieving then you can expect some WTF from the peanut gallery.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Feb 6, 2011 5:10 AM EST up reply actions
WTF?
Let me know how that works out for you . . .
by SimpleManiac on Feb 6, 2011 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
See you have the same philosophy as he does. Make your team think that they are bad so they think that they are overachiving.We have more broken bones this year then all the rest of NHL because he wants our players to black shats. What a moron!!!!!
okay so by your BRILLIANT logic, you just want our guys to step aside when the other team gets the puck in a shooting position wherever so that they could blast away on hank? ever heard of a team leaving a goal tender out to dry? pull your head outta your ass man!
Ron Dugay for President
by ragsfan72291 on Feb 7, 2011 12:28 AM EST up reply actions
Prospal was amazing again. Is it just me or is Prospal just leagues ahead of everyone (except Gaborik WHEN he’s playing well)?
"Malik now." "6 foot 6, 238, not a noted goal scorer but he's gonna give it a shot here." "Malik has not scored this year. In on Kolzig, faked it....SCORES"
He was good but dont forget that he is pretty rested and the rest are beat up to some extent.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Feb 6, 2011 5:11 AM EST up reply actions
Patrick Thoresen is the solution
1. Tearing up the KHL, second in goals and points.
2. Much tougher than his last stinch in the NHL, in soviet russia hockey plays you. Bus trips in AHL seem like sunday morning drives.
3. Great chemistry with Zuke.
4. Has expressed he wants to play for Rangers.
If there was only a way to get him here before next season….
why dont we get that guy from the KHL who had a 110 mph shot lol
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 6, 2011 4:25 AM EST reply actions
So who here still thinks that Gaby shouldn’t have been traded? Prospal is back so what’s the excuse now? Dubi and Cally got over 4 minutes each on the PPs yesterday and Gaby got half that. Maybe some GM still believes a change of scenery will help. Not only is he not scoring but he’s invisible and playing like a stiff. Did anyone really hear his name yesterday? 3 more years of this boys and girls. The only other possible explanation is that he is hurt more than we know. But that only means that he is the same injury-prone player he was before which still results in no production. Doesn’t make me feel any better about it.
Prospal is back two games . . .
Let me know how that works out for you . . .
by SimpleManiac on Feb 6, 2011 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
Honestly,
I would dump Gabby for cap space and picks. From last year’s all-star break to now I’ve seen enough. We need someone, but it isn’t Gabby so even if we can’t pick him up in a trade, we need to pad our wallets. In the meantime, we work better as a pure lunch-pail hit-and-grind club. He doesn’t fit.
d
Here come the morons again....
… with the “dump Gabby” crusade. I mean, come on… have some heart. People have off years. Kovy and Ovy are both having bad years too, and don’t even TRY to tell me that those other two are “contributing in other ways” like their team spin doctors say.
Gabby is our best player, period. He is staying here so you should warm up to that and ask how to improve the situation rather than how can we get rid of him. This isn’t his year, but so what? This isn’t the Rangers year either. What do optimists expect this year? Making it to the 2nd round? This isn’t a cup year, so just relax. I’d rather Gab be cold this year than the next 3. And while it is not the entire problem, getting him a center would certainly help.
No he’s not our best player right now. The King is, then Dubi, then Cally, then Staal, then Girardi, then Boyle. stop living in the past. IF HE’S CONSTANTLY HURT THEN HE CANNOT HELP THE TEAM. get it? I forgot more hockey then you’ll ever know pal, no reason to call people who have an opinion that doesn’t match your’s as “morons.”
Constant critiques from fairweather pessimists after every loss is tiresome. I wouldn’t brag about how much hockey you have forgotten. And while last year is “the past” it is not distant, Gabby has a lot to offer. Call it what it is, a bad year, nothing more. If he can be 2/3rds as productive as last year, in this year’s team then we wouldn’t be scrambling for the bottom playoff spot. He is an important piece of the puzzle.
it’s not after every loss. I expressed concern about Gaby back in December. it has nothing to do with his talent and skill, it has everything to do with his ability to perform (injuries, etc). I’ve been a fan for 45 years with ONE CUP. I would hardly consider myself a fairweather fan. If you are referring to “game-by-game” fans then I have no argument with that. But know that I wrote a fanpost on this back in December so this is hardly a one-game thought on my part. You are entitled to your opinion which I totally respect just leave the personal descriptions out of it, which I have no tolerance for, ok? :).
Yes, that would be towards game-by-game fans, sorry. it is just that after each loss it seems there are a dozen people crying for gabby’s head, whereas I would like to see us solve our problems instead of bury them (well, we can bury Redden and Drury tho..)
trust me, I understand. we’re on the same page. as for gaby, please understand that I love the guy and I want him to be THE guy. i’m rooting for him but I’m frustrated. i go to about 25 games per year and I see the whole ice and he’s just not engaged a lot of the times. maybe he’s hurt more than we know. but the problem with that is that last year was the exception (injuries) not the rule. and even though he’s only 29 I feel that all his injuries are taking starting to take a toll. I wanted to trade him to sell high not to get rid of him. I was preaching a Brayden Schenn + package for Gaby. It’s too late now because he’s gone too many games without scoring. scoring in only 9 games this year or whatever it is to produce 16 goals doesn’t cut it for what they need him for. I want Gaby to succeed but they are running out of things to do to get him going. Richards is the next move, lol.
Sheldon Souray
It appears that Sather is scouting Souray again. His big shot might help the PP, but he brings a heavy cap hit. I would stick with the guys we have and develop the younger players whether we make the playoffs or not. The coaching staff needs to draw up some new approaches on the PP.
indeed. unless the Rangers were getting something more in return
I would NOT touch Souray with a ten foot stick.
"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"
Souray is a stiff and his addition would not significantly change the direct of the team this year not to mention he has another year on his contract. Brad Richards helps elevate the talent on the team and probably helps solves the PP issues without having a true PP QB.
Big NO to Souray, but I would pull the trigger on McCabe or even Kaberle with their expiring contracts. Allow us to send MDZ down for the remainder of the season and then have room (and cap room) for next season. I would also insist that any trade include Eric Christensen. He really doesn’t add anything that can’t be done by our own young players. This may be the only opportunity to clear our cap of a $1m player who doesn’t really have a spot on the starting lineup next year if we acquire a center.
I’ve said it before on this site—I’ll say it again!!!! Most of you guys have been bitching for years that we don’t get some good young players and give them ice time to mature. Well we are, and this is what you have to accept—-IT TAKES TIME!!!!!!
Give them some time to adjust and grow. We have some exceptional young kids on the roster, let’s not go back to the way we’ve done business (unsuccessfully, I might add) for the last 20 years.
I’m not a hockey genius, but even my little brain expected this kind of year, up one day, down the next. If we make the playoffs, hooray; if not, at least the players are young enough to be able to learn and do better in the years to come.
To me, the only thing that really aggravates me is the leftover mentality of coaching the whole offense to revolve around one so-called franchise player (Gaberick). Just like they did for years unsuccessfully with all the other over the hill players that were supposed to be “the savior” for the team.
Just look at the record—the team did very well with a LOT of the “stars” out of the lineup for long periods of time. Why change something that has been working?
OK, the PP sucks, it’s sucked for the last umpteen years! We need a point man that can carry the PP. I think we have one or two right now——BUT THEY"RE YOUNG!!! Give them time! II’ll bet there are plenty of teams that would love to have Del Zotto or Staahl, and would give them the time to mature before giving up on them. Weve given up far too many young talents to other teams because we lost faith in them, only to have them come back to haunt us for years afterward.( Zhukov comes to mind) Let’s not do that again!
well I missed this one as well so I gotta ask
Have we jumped off the ledge yet?
How did EC look?
Did the invisible man at least make a passing appearance with a shot on goal?
How did Marty fare in Montreal?
Was the zuke-step-wolski line the team’s best again?
"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
by Kevin Power on Feb 6, 2011 11:31 AM EST via mobile reply actions
We've been playing hard good hockey
We play rough and tough,I’m happy with how we’re playing,just not the results of course. This pouring it on in the 3rd is a problem.I’m not worried about the losing streak,we’re a good team and hard to play against,I think getting going in the 1st and 2nd and some well deserved luck is all we need. Gabby needs to show up,Drury needs to stay on the injured list,and i really beleive we’ll turn it around. i just hope torts doesnt make any major changes,this team is tight,i really like what we have going here aside from this slide.
Si Vis Pacum Parabellum
Trading deadline
I think we should be bayers or selers at the deadline. Yes we should consider trading players like Gaby , Girardi, Avery, and even Callahan, Zuccarello if wee are not going to make the playoffs and if we do make it we should trade some of our prospects to improve our team
Really? Trade Zuke,cally? Umm…why?
Explain
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Feb 6, 2011 1:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
so if we don't make the playoffs we trade away our young core
And if we make the playoffs we trade our prospects? And that makes sense how?
"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
by Kevin Power on Feb 6, 2011 2:06 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
We should be “buyers” or “sellers”? That’s like saying we should be alive or dead. Personally, if Sather can move some spare parts to get us a rental, I wouldn’t be against it… but trading away our core players? Unless we’re getting a player better than the combined abilities of both players, I don’t see why in hell we would do that. We really don’t have anything to sell that people would want, and even then we wouldn’t get anything better than a fourth round pick.
YOU HAVE TO GET BETTER OR START ALL OVER. You can not stay the same and then complain how bad we are.Why say we dont even have a number one center but I would not traid any of the terible “core players” players we have. As far as trading prospects I did not say trade them all, just some of them to improve our present team for playoffs. We dont have room for all our prospects and never will so why not trad some ef them. IMO Zuke or Cally are very replesable as well as a lot of athers on oure team. I know a lot of you want to do nothing but “nothing plus nothing” equals NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! P S. Buyers or Selers does not mean live or die it means get better or start all over again. You must be very happy with the job Saider is doing!!!!
wat do you think this season is?
This team is moving in the right direction and any trade that involves any of our core players will result in an egypt style revolt on MSG…you cannot touch any of dubi, cally, step, zuke, boyle, prust, staal, girardi or any of our top prospects…yes we need a number 1 center but NOT at the expense of any of those players I mentioned above
"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
by Kevin Power on Feb 6, 2011 3:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
You dont want to traid any “CORE” players or top prospects but you do want a number 1 center. What expense are you willing to pay.
I'm willing to spend this season
And by that I mean I am willing to miss the playoffs this season in order to have stepan develop into a number 1 center which he will be…this is a true rebuilding effort that has shown glimpses of the promise of things to come for the next year or two
"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
by Kevin Power on Feb 6, 2011 5:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
What I meant by “alive or dead” was referring to your “we should do x or y”, where x and y are complete opposites. That’s like Eklund rumoring “Rangers will buy or sell at the deadline”… It’s something that will happen with almost absolute certainty, because he’s covering all the angles.
Again, I don’t mind mind if we can move spare parts, a couple of our D prospects (we seem to have too many), or the extra 2nd round pick we have to bring in someone worthwhile (either long-term or elite rental), but I wouldn’t even consider moving any part of our core unless the offer is mind-blowing.
When you said “Cally is replaceable”, you lost all validity to your argument. The only way you replace someone like Cally is you get an upgraded version of him (Kesler, etc.), and players like that will require selling the farm to get.
Take the time to proofread your posts before replying, trying to read it with all the spelling and grammar errors makes me want to grab an epic facepalm gif in response.
When you say a jurnyman player like Cally is ereplaceable shows how knowlagible you are obout hockey. He is just a undersized RW with not much upside and very replesable. A 3 line player at best. Players like that are a dime a dosen.
If you think 20 goal / 200 shot RWs that also kill penalties are a dime a dozen, you’re living in the 80’s.
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by George E. Ays on Feb 7, 2011 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
Just relax....
…team is fine. Just need to find the right combos for the PP. I personally would like him to just play the normal lines on the PP and I think Gilroy could be a good QB.
this team is not ready to compete for a cup
And yes we realize that this is a rebuilding effort and they will be ready to compete in a year or two but right now this team is getting great experience
"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
by Kevin Power on Feb 6, 2011 3:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
We have been rebuilding for to long now.1994 to now is way to long for me and it was 54 years before that. I guess that is OK with You.You are getting what You deserve.
Not really....
This is really the first year of rebuilding. 1995-2009 anyway was in no way rebuilding, it was always throwing money at problems. This past summer we only made one bad acquisition in Boogaard and it was only a slight overpayment not a $5-7m one. Frolov was not a mistake, any GM would have rolled the dice on him with his past stats and at that price.
It seems like you are being very negative and impatient and not really facing the reality that Sather has bought into developing our youth. Yes, I think that surprising all the pre-season critics and making it to say, the 2nd round of the playoffs, is OK with most true fans. This isn’t our year to take the cup. Our core players are age 21-26. We are at the bottom of a 5 year slope of success. With any luck we can land a star center like Richards this summer and keep the core intact (but goodbye to Eminger, Prospal, Drury, Fedetenko even) and maybe actually contend next year and certainly the 2 years past that.
So if you believe what you are typing about “starting over” you must realize it is a process and yes, you should be fine and OK with not getting to the finals this year.
See, you say that and I just have to discount everything you say as the words of someone who is just not very knowledgeable as a Rangers fan. Every newspaper and website has admitted that this is the first year that Sather seems to “get it” and buy into our youth. This has NEVER been the case in the prior 15 years, period. Also, your comments mid-thread about Torts and the Jack Adams award further this point. You know I was watching the Pens-Caps game this afternoon and d-bag Rangers hater Pieree McGuire actually said that if voting for the Jack Adams was today (and he is one of the voters) he would vote for Torts.
I am sorry, you’re just not going to be able to convince many experts or fans that Torts is a bad coach this year, and even fewer would say that Sather made any attempts to rebuild in the prior 15 years.
I think im very knowledgeable Rangers fan I just dont agree with your phelasophy. As far as Trots i think he is just a baffooe. I was just listening to him say how out power play was bad as if that was part of the team that he is not responsable to.Blame the players, that is what all the good coaches do.
I’m sorry, but you’re way off on the actual definition of ‘rebuilding’. In no way has this team been ‘rebuilding’ for 15 years. Rebuilding teams don’t throw huge 6 mil+ contracts at has-been players until they’ve established a quality core.
Take a look at recent teams with successful ‘rebuilds’. Pittsburgh, Washington, Chicago, Tampa Bay, post-Lindros Philadelphia, hell post-Kariya Anaheim. All of these teams eventually hit some form of rock-bottom. They all eventually rebuilt through quality draft-picks and players they developed in their systems. THEN they went out and supported their quality cores with veteran signings that filled specific needs.
The Rangers, up until now, have never, never done that. Our entire defense, except Eminger who was a cast-off 1st round pick, is in some form home-grown and developed talent. MDZ, Staal, Sauer, all draft picks. Girardi, signed undrafted. McD, somebody else’s pick that we developed. Gilroy, college free-agent that spent some time with our development team.
Look at the home-grown forwards. Dubi, Cally, Stepan, AA, all draft picks, Boyle/Zuke both home-grown type of players because we’ve developed them into the players they are.
I just don’t understand your version of ‘rebuilding’ and I’m hoping it’s just a lax definition, because by my term, this is the first time in the 20 years of me watching hockey that we’ve gone through some form of rebuild. For me, I think a team is done rebuilding when their young core has become NHL-quality players, and a few decent free-agent signings will help that team consistently make the playoffs, and at least contend for a Cup a couple of years.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
And I’m hoping that next year will be the year guys like Anisimov, Stepan, Del Zotto, McDonagh, Zukes, and whoever replaces Drury’s ass will take that next step. Some of those guys are already close to it, but an off-season of quality training and putting on some muscle weight will do wonders for the young kids.
Those guys becoming quality NHL mainstays, in my opinion, will be the culmination of our rebuilding process, and starting next year, at least make the playoffs, and after that, some deep runs.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
I have said it a dozen times, but I think one of the better acquisitions we could make this summer would be to sign Barb Underhill to an exclusive contract to work with each and every Ranger this summer. Could you imagine if all of our players, including the ones that are already great skaters, gained an extra step like Boyle has? Do it Glen, before soemone else does!
Yup, after what she did with Boyle, she could do a lot for a guy like Anisimov, who while he’s made a vast improvement, still needs to work on his quickness. He’s got good speed, but it takes him a while to get there. After seeing the major improvement in Boyle, he should try it.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
So you think “rebbuilding” is just keeping your home-grown players wright . Signin free agents or trading with ather teams is not wright.I totally disagree.All dose things ar considered building a team. All aptions should be open.
Building is one thing, REbuilding is something else. Teams are always building. And yes, teams should trade or sign free-agents if it improves the team. I already mentioned guys like Boyle, Girardi, Zuke, Gilroy, McDonagh (all FAs or via trade). Rebuilding isn’t just ‘keeping home-grown guys’, but if you look at recent history, it’s where it starts.
The Rangers have always been ‘building’, but they’ve been trying to do it forever by throwing money at veteran players (usually guys who are past their prime and could never live up to those contracts) without any sense of chemistry or long-term investment. It was always ‘win now or start over’.
Tomato, tomahto, potato, potahto.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
That is how you see it and I can respect that. However I dont see it that way. So I gues we just have to respectfully disagree.
i’m sorry. i don’t know if its the awful spelling or this jaded belief of yours that you are a “knowledgable” rangers fan, but you really irritate me. does this year have to be the year for you? why trade away our future now for a cup? most sensible fans of this team would fully accept sticking with this team and continuing the development of the young ones even at the cost of putting off a cup run for a couple years. I really don’t know what you’re looking for……
Ron Dugay for President
by ragsfan72291 on Feb 7, 2011 12:35 AM EST up reply actions
Big, I wholeheartedly agree.
big ale appears one of those fans that Sather tries to appease by going for the big name free agents every chance he gets. People want to win now, and typically aren’t willing to wait, especially in a market as big as New York. I understand it’s been 16 years without a cup in NY, but it’s not the end of the world. We’re finally in a position where we’re forced to rebuild properly (cap restraints), and from what I can see, it’s exactly what Torts wants to do, and Sather’s following suit.
Yes, we’re struggling on the power play… but while you want to blame Torts for its continued ineffectiveness, the blame really falls on Sather. They thought MDZ was the answer, and while he lit it up early last season, teams quickly caught on to his strategy and rendered him ineffective. Del Zotto’s confidence has suffered lately, due to a couple bad plays combined with Tort’s berating of his negative play. He was demoted to continue developing, but was the first defenseman called up for injury, effectively wasting his time in Hartford.
While Souray would be an option to cure our scoring woes, his struggles with the injury bug rival a certain Montreal defenseman as of late (Markov), and his contract extends until the end of next season. Picking him up on reentry waivers could be a gamble, but McCabe would most likely be the safer option (despite having to give up assets). We could also do nothing, pray Gilroy and Staal step up, and hope for the best.
trading our core???
blasphamy!!! Cally is not replaceable,Zuc just gets better and better.We’re finally doing the right thing with this team,and to go back to the old way is crazy just because of of bump in the road.we’ve finally built a young through the system team we all have been begging for for years,
I completely agree with davybabybrazil,its that simple.
Si Vis Pacum Parabellum
We can’t trade our young core now. They would destroy us on other teams. Plus, I’d think the angry mobs of fans would actually burn down the garden. Stay the course
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Feb 6, 2011 3:59 PM EST via mobile reply actions
People need to chill the frack out.
This is a young team, IMO to make this year a success they just need to make the playoffs and get the rookies some big game experience. Hopefully, they stay out of the 8th spot. They can do this with the current team, but it will be a tight. For the record, I wouldn’t trade Staal, Dubi, Cally, Stepan, Prust, MDZ, Girardi, Sauer, McDonagh, Zucc or Hank. That’s the core to me. I would dangle a combo of Anisimov or Prospal or Boyle or Gilroy with a draft pick if the team could land a long term asset such as play making defenseman or center/wing to play with Gaborik. But those deals get made in the offseason, not at the deadline. I would not move Gaborik unless the team senses to any degree that he’s falling victim to the big money bright lights of NYC that has soiled other FA signings, if that’s the case I move him. Bottom line, he’s having an off year and is more likely to get hot between now and the playoffs as his play (and production) reverts closer to the mean.
by Sather Sux Dolan SwallXws on Feb 6, 2011 4:42 PM EST via mobile reply actions
chemistry
This team is not the most talented team in the league right now, and they feed off of hard work and chemistry. I feel like right now MDZ is breaking up that chemistry right now because everyone is so worried that he is going to make mistakes. It seems like the whole team is more confident when Eminger is in that compared to DZ. They need to keep him in the AHL until next season when he can start building chemistry with the other teammates again.
Compare the fight in this losing streak to obe from the last years. Much more tolerable imo. They are grinding, and competing, down to the last second. Yeah we aren’t sitting 1st in the league, but no reason to go all crazy.
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Feb 6, 2011 6:59 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Hi! I hope you don’t mind if I play in your sandbox.
I’ve been ghost-reading on your site for a few months now, and it seems like you all have a great time and share a good sense of humor, while being highly knowledgeable about hockey in general, and the Rangers in particular. Reading your comments as the games evolve has made the games a lot more entertaining. Well, except for the past four. ;)
Thank you.
Welcome!
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by George E. Ays on Feb 7, 2011 9:25 AM EST up reply actions
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