2011 New York Rangers Training Camp: Brian Boyle Sent Home With Flu, Sean Avery Skates
by Joe Fortunato on Sep 28, 2011 10:13 AM EDT
in 2011 New York Rangers Training Camp
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PrintSome news trickling out of Europe today where John Tortorella was much happier with his team's practicing, according to reports. Something he couldn't have been happy about, however, was Brian Boyle needing to be sent home with the flu.
Hopefully the Rangers caught it early enough so that Bole won't be infecting anyone else on the trip. It's not that the Rangers don't have the bodies in case the illness does spread, they do, but it's a situation the team obviously wants to avoid.
In better news, Sean Avery, who gashed his big toe blocking a shot against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, skated today in practice for the Rangers. Like it or not, Avery is fighting for a spot as well this year, so it's good news that he can get back onto the ice and play.
One of the players he's fighting with is Mats Zuccarello, who's really been impressive for the Rangers in camp thus far. Join me after the jump for more.
In a quick update on NHL.com today by Dan Rosen (he's traveling with the Rangers by the way, so if you're not following him on twitter or keeping up to date with his updates you should be) John Tortorella talked about the way Zuccarello is improving.
"Last year was a great year for him to understand how to play in the small buildings and understand the National Hockey League and North American hockey," the coach said. "He had some things to work on. We talked about it before he left in the summer, and you can tell he is concentrating on what he needs to do. He's had a really good camp, so hopefully he'll continue on along the way and he'll do just fine."
Tortorella said he was particularly pleased with how Zuccarello played Monday night in Philadelphia."He was one of our better players," he said. "He made a couple of good plays. He is probably one of our better players in-close as far as making plays. He's had a really good camp."
We have been taking about Zuccarello for awhile now, and about how his play is one of the main reasons why Erik Christensen and Avery can't get too comfortable with their roster spots. I have liked what I have seen from Zuccarello this camp, and I see no reason why he can't be an effective player this year.
Obviously a lot of that will have to do with how he plays in Europe. But if he play so far in camp is any indication, he seems ready to preform.
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wolski-richards-gabby
dubi-anisimov-callahan
boyle-stepan-zuccarello
Feds-rupp-Prust
avery
Borque and Hagelin on the whale, get some big boy experience while Feds and Avery come off the books. Then we will have an epic camp battle next year between Zucc, Borque, Hagelin, Thomas, Kreider next year.
Wolskie off the books as well, right?
I like those lines… off coarse we know they’ll get shuffled if they go stale or need more jam.
by CTrangerfan on Sep 28, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Like the lines, but we know they won’t stay that way.
After watching Boyle the past few games, I have no doubt he will repeat last years performance. Station him in front of the net and make him an Esposito.He has beast potential.
MZA has also improved a lot. He looked noticeably different in a very good way. Looks like he filled out a little also.
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
by nathansfamous on Sep 28, 2011 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
boyle
yah i dont understand y torts wouldnt for the life of him plant boyle in front of the net. he always had our smallest player tryin to screen or we would have everyone behind the net or in the corners and not in front of the net
by rangers4life on Sep 28, 2011 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I like those lines.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
Love how the third line has two centers on it, neither of whom can win a faceoff to save their lives.
@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
He looked good so far in preseason on F/O too.
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
I am gonna F-n kill Giroux!
by nathansfamous on Sep 28, 2011 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Boyle is average at faceoffs.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
Zuc is gonna look like a super star in the euro-rinks. Those wide rinks are his bread and butter.
by Pballer505 on Sep 28, 2011 10:59 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Are the rangers going to play a regular season game on with european dimensions?
seems weird that an nhl game will be played on non-regulation dimensions. Like if an NFL game was played on a CFL field.
No the Kings and Ducks games are going to certainly be NHL sized rinks. But for the Preseason games against teams like Frolunda Im pretty sure its gonna be on the large Euro sized rinks.
by CrazyRangerFan on Sep 28, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Sean Avery
I know I will probably get a lot of flack for this, but I believe that Sean Avery absolutely deserves a spot on this year’s squad.
Yes, he makes dumb mistakes. Yes, his numbers aren’t great. That said, I went to 30+ games last season and there wasn’t another player who gave 100% effort on a more consistent basis than Avery (except Callahan). He skates down every puck, constantly stands up for his teammates, and makes a lot of contributions that don’t show up on a stat sheet. A constant complaint are his misdirected passes into the slot – for a team that was prone to incessantly pass last season (see: our power play), I welcomed Avery’s willingness to throw it in front and see what happens.
I respect the opinions of the fans on this board, but I feel that Avery is unfairly marginalized.
Honest question: Who is Avery better than in the lineup, given the roles that players will have on this team? For example, given Prust’s role as a primary PK player and otherwise defensive specialist, Avery is not better at that role, even if he’s more talented offensively.
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by George E. Ays on Sep 28, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
True, but even if not a starting player, he deserves a role on the team. I too believe he is unfairly judged on this site.
Who would you place as a 13th forward over him? The kids would be better off playing everyday minutes (except Weise maybe) and Avery is > Christensen, so Aves deserves a spot on the team.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
I haven’t argued otherwise. Avery’s the 13th forward on this team. EC’s 14th, if they keep that many.
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by George E. Ays on Sep 28, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Mitchell has been much better this preseason. I would rather keep him around as the 14th forward if they go that way.
He has beet pretty good, much better than EC.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Sep 29, 2011 5:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Good call. Avery is genius and it would be a shame for him to not be in the lineup. I always feel that you need that guy who can change the flow of a game, say, on those days when the other team jumps out to an early 2 or 3 goal lead. People know he is a pest and know that they should not feed into it but Avery still is successful. He gets entire arenas of people distracted from cheering for their team as they begin booing him. He has skill, speed, a nasty right hand, and has shown that he is dedicated. For people who question his worth, I question their concept of building a successful team. Every successful Cup-winning team has two or three legitimate pests on their team. And all of these teams have lived with the asinine plays these types of guys do once in a while.
Avery
Has been on how many Cup champ teams?
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Sep 28, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I was not referring to Avery but the rosters of recent Cup champions. Obviously, they cant win the Cup for you but these players are an important part of the roster. Recent guys I can think of include Marchand, Lucic (nice that he can score 30 goals a year too), Bolland, Eager, Talbot, and Cooke.
While I think it’s impossible to precisely assign credit to each player on a Cup winning team, I’m going to say that the likes of Crosby/Malkin/Fleury/, Toews/Kane/Keith, Thomas/Chara/Bergeron had more to do with their respective teams winning the Cup than the role players. Marchand’s bigger contributions came from scoring goals rather than driving peopel to distraction.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Sep 28, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Marchand, Bolland, Talbot and Cooke, along with being annoying to play against, are all average to above defensive forwards. Prust is the guy on this team that fits that mold, not Avery.
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by George E. Ays on Sep 28, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Prust’s value is almost immeasurable considering the load of crap that was sent to Calgary in the trade. And I know so many people are anti-fighting, but I have to say I have been impressed that Prust has developed in so many areas but has continued to drop the mitts whenever need be. He is definitely more selective now knowing his worth but he still gets it done.
I won’t speak for all people, but I’m way more anti-goon than anti-fighting. There’s nothing wrong with a guy like Prust who brings a lot of hockey skills to the table to go with his fists.
All the nostalgic fans who long for the days of Probert, Domi, etc… have lost sight that those guys were pretty darn good hockey players too. Guys like Brashear, or Ivanans, or whoever that are basically boxers on skates who hide under the misconceived notion that they’re protecting or preventing anything. They are a waste of cap space and minutes that can be used on much more effective players. That’s what needs to leave the game, not fighting.
Stepping down from the soapbox and back to the topic, I agree that there is a certain amount of grit that is needed to win. The guys you mentioned are the good kind of grit. They can play both zones, they can draw penalties with either their play or their mouths, and they actually have a chance to be out there when push does come to shove with your better players. Prust is that guy for this team now.
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by George E. Ays on Sep 28, 2011 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Lucic is far better than Avery could dream of being Marchand too
Bolland is a great checking center. Eager plays six minutes a night far from important. Talbot and Cooke are better than Avery.
With Rupp and Prust
Avery quickly becomes obsolete
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
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by Kevin Power on Sep 28, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
purinton: I couldn’t agree more.
George: Good question. I think it will ultimately depend on how the lines shape up. Avery is a quick skater who can win battles along the boards after a dump in. In my opinion, this team needs a true “scrappy” line that crashes the net and scores ugly goals. We were incapable of doing this last year.
Everyone else: I agree that Rupp and Prust dilute Avery’s value, but he is absolutely more effective than Fedetenko and is superior to Zuc when it comes to out-muscling people along the boards.
Fedotenko is far superior defensively.
While his style was different, Zucc put up virtually the same amount of points in half as many games.
And a decent portion of Avery’s points last year came during Gaborik’s big games vs the bottom feeders.
Avery doesn’t play special teams and he seems to take as many penalties as he draws. So what exactly is his role again?
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Sep 28, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, I mean that's the big question.
Sure, we all love Sean’s compete level and his antics certainly can change a game or three (mostly divisional).
But effort can’t be confused with production. Again, maybe he’s more dynamic or offensively skilled than Feds, but Feds’ role here is to be a solid defensive forward that chips in offensively. Avery can’t do that role, and in fact part of the reason he was benched last year was that he was mailing in his defensive effort.
That’s the problem Sean runs into right now. The guys in offensive roles are better than him offensively, and the guys in defensive roles are much better than him defensively. That leaves him twisting in the wind.
I’m not of the opinion he should be exiled, he does still have value as a 13th forward/injury replacement. He just isn’t really suited to bring something to this lineup that it doesn’t already get somewhere.
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by George E. Ays on Sep 28, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
SO what about Rupp compared to Avery?
If we’re talking about effectiveness, who would you rather have? You yourself have said many times that Rupp is weak on the defensive end.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
Rupp is better at being big and fighting big people. Also, he’s better at having just signed a 3 year contract which implies he’s going to play.
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by George E. Ays on Sep 28, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with the contract aspect. I’m just saying that I don’t understand why Rupp is valued over Avery so much.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
Feds is a terrific defensive player and great pker who adds some offense
around 25-30 points. Zuke has far more upside than Avery.
Prust has shown to be able to do all the things Avery does, and has established himself as a better 3rd liner and Rupp can be a pain in the ass as well as Avery can, we don’t need three guys who go around annoying teams, not in this NHL the more skill we have the better team we are and Avery is not part of that
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
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by Kevin Power on Sep 28, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
So why Rupp over Avery?
I’’d argue that Avery is a better player in almost all aspects.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
They are better bottom 6 players.
Also, Avery is kind of Antithetical to everything Torts has been attempting to instill in the hockey club.
He is the last dead weight of the old Rangers.
#12 Carl Hagelin
by The Blue Seats on Sep 28, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, I’d argue Avery is a better player than Rupp, but Rupp’s going to be in the lineup.
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by George E. Ays on Sep 28, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Although I don’t like Rupp for potentially keeping Bourque, Hagelin, or Wiese out of a spot, he’s probably better than Avery because of his size. He can be useful grinding out pucks and setting screens potentially, as well as he can fight heavy weights although thats not very important since we have Prust.
by CrazyRangerFan on Sep 28, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, I’m not saying Rupp is useless, but Avery’s easily more talented offensively, and is quite adequate at digging out pucks from the corners. Size is about the only edge Rupp has.
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by George E. Ays on Sep 28, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Avery is a better fit for the team than Rupp IMO.
Avery on the 3rd line with Stepan and MZA has some skill. Rupp will just slow them down.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
On the other side of the coin
Rupp isn’t a nuisance, so there is always that
#12 Carl Hagelin
by The Blue Seats on Sep 28, 2011 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Rupp is perfect for planting in front of the net once in a while on the powerplay, especially during those times in the year when the PP gets stagnant.
Thats what Boyle is for, he also has the skill to put the rebounds home.
by CrazyRangerFan on Sep 28, 2011 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
Avery = Genius? LMAO!
Avery is many things, but…um…not that.
And yes, just about every team has a so-called “pest”, the best example from us was Tikkanen. But a) Tik contributed way more offensively AND defensively in addition to annoying the other team’s (e.g. Keith Jones) players and b) Tik stayed out of the box way more than Mr. Stupid-Penalty-Risk-Every-Shift does. That’s a fact.
As for other notable pests who could really play and contribute, Dale Hunter and Ken Linesman come to mind, both of whom are far superior than SA will ever be at either job. :(
The genius lies in his ability to be a distraction to other teams and fans even know that they are cognizant of the fact that it is what he does. The older names you mentioned are certainty valid but they were given the ability to contribute, which I do not think in his career, Avery has been given those opportunities. Plus, they had much more of an offensive game so to make the comparisons are difficult until Avery is given a real shot with offensive guys. I was a fan of Hunter until the hit on Turgeon, what I consider one of the top 5 dirtiest plays in the history of the NHL.
Chris Nilan.
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
I am gonna F-n kill Giroux!
by nathansfamous on Sep 30, 2011 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I think he's ridiculously overrated
If you listen to some Rangers fan you’d think he was an all time great or something. I’m fine with him being as the extra forward, but that’s about it.
Agreed with this, but there are also some Ranger fans who completely underrate him.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
I have given up wondering why Wolski will be a lock for the first line, other to think that there is nowhere else to put him. I wanted to throw this out there… if you were the coach, how long would you give the top line featuring Wolski time before you deemed it a failed experiment?
how long would you give the top line featuring Wolski time before you deemed it a failed experiment?
Until it actually fails.
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by George E. Ays on Sep 28, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I think he means
let’s say Wolski starts slow by doing his thing and showing a lack of effort, a lack of jam and not contributing to the dynamic duo—how long does torts keep him in that slot?
I think we all know the answer, but It’s worth discussing at least.
I think George answered it fairly
Maybe Wolski knows this is his last shot of sticking in the NHL. Maybe he lights it up with Richards and Gaborik.
It seems there’s a significant portion of the fanbase that is just waiting for Wolski to fail and not hoping that he puts it together. The Rangers will be a better team if Wolski can reinvigorate his career.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Sep 28, 2011 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
wait a second (francessa voice)
I don’t believe George answered the question fairly—I think there are a significant amount of knowledgable fans who are disappointed in Wolski’s performance as a Rangers and are disppointed with the sentiment that he is entitled to play on the first line becuase of his skill.
I highly doubt there are any fans who want him to fail—i’m sure they understand that if wolski thrives, we will be downright dangerous offesnively; hell, if Kris newberry can score 30 goals, I would want HIM on the first line.
The questions remains: desperation and “last chances” aside, if Wolski continues to play a lackluster game, how long does torts keep him on line 1? It seems like some Wolskiites continue to find excuses for him.
My dad put it best: if you fill wolski’s pockets with eggs before the game, he won’t break any of them through three periods lol. Anyway, I can’t help you if you think Wolski had a good season last year. I guess we will just have to chalk it up to a total difference of opinion and agree to disagree.
I didn’t say he had a good season last year. If anything I expressed that he needs to have a bounce back season (“reinvigorate his career”).
And maybe Rangers fans aren’t rooting for him to fail, but I find very few fans that are hoping for him to get back to a 50-60 point player. Rather they’re looking to have him replaced as soon as possible, with many hoping that it’s Avery who fills his spot.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Sep 28, 2011 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
sorry for misunderstanding you're view of wolski's year
But I continue to disagree that anyone would want Wolski to fail if given the chance to play with gabby and richards.
IF ANYTHING (and this I can understand) there are some that either A. want avery to step in and succeed IF wolski fails, or B. have Avery simply outplay Wolski, so either way, the best man is starting.
I am sure there are people who are rooting for him to fail but I think the fear is rooted in the idea that people can see the team at the 20 game mark of the season with Wolski still on the first line with 8 points.
so people are rooting for the root of their fear? No disrespect whatsoever, I just can’t understand that sentiment.
Yeah…its not eloquent…just that I think that people dislike him because of what they think will happen even though its not based on anything legitimate. Wolski has been given more time but a legitimate shot on a legit first line with a real all-star center/winger…not yet. So we can’t really say anything now…
that people can see the team at the 20 game mark of the season with Wolski still on the first line with 8 points.
Well, that’s the thing. Sure, I could see Wolski put up 8/20 with Richards. That’s a reasonable possibility. But that’s also seemingly a worst case scenario for his results. Wolski’s a guy that has been at ~40/82 for every year of his career, with last year being the worst with just 39.3.
You’ve got 4 seasons of evidence that says he’s a ~50 point guy, and one that says he’s a 40 point (he actually had 35, but only played 73 games thanks to his effort). I think we have to trust he’s really that first guy, and last year was the aberration. Or at least we have to hope that’s the case.
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by George E. Ays on Sep 28, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
i wish more people agreed with this.
hes got the skill to thrive with them. and hes playing for money. even at an average season he would put up close to 60 points, imo, thats pretty damn productive.
Man, I have got to watch how I phrase things…I guess the question should be focused on expected point production for Wolski considering time on the first line.
I mean…he’s not going to hang around there if he’s putting up 1 point every 4 games. That’s pretty obvious.
The thing to note will be his even strength production. I mean, lets say he puts up just 35 points again, for whatever reason. If those 35 all come at even strength, it’s a much different value than if he’s only chipping in 20 at ES and getting 15 by being on the PP.
Wolski’s one of the better forwards in the league at even strength point production, even despite questionable effort levels. When he’s had a playmaking center (Stastny, Lombardi, even Stepan), he has produced. I think we’re all going to be pleasantly surprised by what he can do with Richards.
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by George E. Ays on Sep 28, 2011 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. I think many will be pleasantly surprised. Funny, how many on here discount his amount of talent. BTW, he is on two of my Fantasy teams. I have one team that has our first line. Big things are gonna happen this season, if all goes well.
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by nathansfamous on Sep 28, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Watched a bunch of avery video’s on you tube last night…….I think and hope Avery makes the team. He is a more skilled player than both Prust and Rupp. He played 4th line minutes most of last season so his production was down. He is a very good skater and if he could hit the net more often with a quality shot, he would score more goals. He does everything a prick can do and better than most other pricks.
Absolute Worst Ranger Fan!!!!!!....yet incredibly realistic and usually correct.
Maybe he’s naturally more athletically skilled than those guys but Prust brings more to the table in his overall play, especially defensively and on the PK. Sure, Avery could probably be more productive than Rupp, but he’s probably the 12th forward anyway (although he was getting PK time in the preseason). The Rangers are in big trouble if the 12th forward determines their success this season.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Sep 28, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Prust over Avery. No question.
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
I am gonna F-n kill Giroux!
by nathansfamous on Sep 28, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Prust is much better than Avery
Prust will fight, protect teammates, hit and score some and is great on the pk. Prust’s career is on the upward slope vs Avery’s career that’s hanging on by a thread.
I would liken Marchand and Lucic to a pesky version of callahan than to sean avery. People keep saying Avery has all this skill and speed but if it does not show on the stat sheet then it doesn’t matter anyway. Look at E.C, kid has more talent those most and he is worthless. When it comes down it the Rangers have an all-star goalie and a solid D so this season i would like to see Zucc over Avery, as improving offense should be the #1 priority.
Feds is looking long in the tooth latel
Hopefully he is conserving his energy for regular season.
Slats signed him for this year and next if i recall.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Sep 28, 2011 12:12 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Fedotenko is on a one year deal.
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by George E. Ays on Sep 28, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Feds = J. Erixon
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
I am gonna F-n kill Giroux!
by nathansfamous on Sep 28, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Not on his best day.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Sep 28, 2011 12:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Feds is a player that helps win cups
he is a championship role player. Did Jan win any? (serious question, but I don’t think he did.)
Jan
he played his whole career with NYR and was back in Sweden before 94 so the answer is no. He spent a lot of time shadowing the other team’s best scorer. Feds is good defensively but I don’t think he could stay with the top scorers 1 on 1 if assigned that job.
Erixon was a premier defensive forward. He would literally shadow Super Mario and drive him nuts. For his career he was .386 PPG vs .448 for Feds. You have to discount Erixon for the era he played in..but I would take a healthy comparably aged Erixon over Feds (who i like) because he’s more impactful over the course of the season on his own talents. With the exception of last year feds has played on teams with top end talent (Pitts & Tampa). Rangers in the mid 80s early 90s not so much.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Sep 28, 2011 2:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Erixon hands down.
I have to pitch in here.
I am old enough to remember the great Jan Erixon. There is no way that Feds, as much as I like him, can be compared to Erixon for all of the reasons cited by Gabby above. Erixon played on entirely different teams than Feds. He was probably the best shadow player not only to ever wear a Ranger uniform but to play the game. He was that good. Night after night, year after year his job was to shut down the oppositions top players. Ask ANY of them and they will tell you how difficult Erixon made their lives. When we contended during the years he played with us, it was largely because of Erixon.
Loved that guy!!
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by Blueshirt in Paris on Sep 29, 2011 5:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Theres a reason Why Feds has won two cups and been on other contending teams, he is one of the best defensive forwards in the league don’t let his game fool you. He is an integral part of this team, we missed him big time last year when he went down with an injury.
by CrazyRangerFan on Sep 28, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
It's a trade-off
I think Feds is better OFFENSIVELY than Jan was but Erixon was, w/o a doubt, THE shutdown guy in the league esp. agst Mario when even Le Mario was in his prime. In fact, I believe JE was a finalist for the Selke some of those years, or at least very close to it.
That being said, I’ll take and keep Feds on my team b/c he does contribute very well at both ends as we saw in Round 1 last year, esp the glorious 7 second double-assist he pulled off in Game 4. :)
Feds should only play a fourth line role. You wouldn’t see a dip in his stats if he did anyway. He has little offensive ability but is a winner which is something this team lacks. This team collectively has 5 cups. 2 for Feds two for rupp 1 for richards.
We are going to go to Philadelphia... and we are going to win.- Glen Sather
by RichieToGabbySCORE on Sep 28, 2011 2:13 PM EDT reply actions
Just wondering
How many Cups did other recent winning teams have, with the exception of the Red Wings? I know the Bruins had a few because of Recchi, but given that teams are increasingly built on younger talent I imagine that in the “new NHL” vets players better bring more than just having played on a Cup winner in the past.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Sep 28, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Not many.
I can’t find a definitive list anywhere, but it doesn’t look like there’s more than a couple rings on any of the recent champs, again Red Wings aside.
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by George E. Ays on Sep 28, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Which is why
The traditional thinking of needing players who have won before needs to be rexamined. I suppose having savvy/experienced/winning vets is something that resonates with Rangers fans given the amount of vet players on the 1994 team. But I’m more concerned with a player being useful rather than if he’s already won.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Sep 28, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I thinking have the guy whose won the cup is a bit overrated. That being said, having guys with experience in the playoffs is a must. Hossa had never won a cup, but he knew about the level of commitment and sacrifice it takes to get to the finals. I think that is the biggest part; teaching and preparing the young guys for the ramp up in intensity and game play.
i mean every situation is different
having a guy on your team just because they’ve won is foolish, but if they can legitimately help your team in a similar fashion that they did their cup winning teams, then why not? I’ll take a proven, effective and saavvy role player for my cup run than a young up and comer. Feds falls under this category.
It's more of a media creation than anything else
Like how big of a deal was made when the Caps acquired Jason Arnott (or when the Devils brought back Jason Arnott for that matter).
At least for last season Feds showed he could play decent minutes and provide a little bit of offense. If he repeats last year then it was worth it. If not then I think you’ll see some kids getting a shot and maybe more ice time for Avery.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Sep 28, 2011 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Thing about the caps is they really have NO cup winners or anyone who had done anything great career wise in the playoffs. Knuble has one cup yes, but he didn’t play in the finals. And they just got Brouwer so that’s two people. Arnott was a big deal at the time but that lasted only so long.
We are going to go to Philadelphia... and we are going to win.- Glen Sather
by RichieToGabbySCORE on Sep 28, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Whether it’s fair or not, Avery should be off the team. Too much of a distraction on and off the ice. There’s no reason why Weise can’t replace him. I’m not an Avery basher but I believe his act is getting old not to mention there’s been no scoring from him in quite a while. Weise is a better fit based on the number of minutes given in that role with more scoring potential. I have been pro-MZA since I saw him last season. Should be very productive this year.
What is there not to "like" about this????
Like it or not, Avery is fighting for a spot as well this year, so it’s good news that he can get back onto the ice and play.
Because people hate him Buck, especially on this site.
And when I say “hate”, I mean literally want him to disappear off this earth.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
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