New York Rangers Noon Number: 5
by Joe Fortunato on Jan 9, 2012 12:02 PM EST
in New York Rangers Noon Number
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Brad Richards hit a snag midway through this season in which he was playing well but couldn't find the back of the net.
The past four games, however, that hasn't been the case. Richards has three goals and two assists in those games, and two of those three goals have been game-winning goals -- increasing his season total to six.
Richards was expected to pair up with Marian Gaborik when he agreed to sign with the New York Rangers. After about four games, John Tortorella didn't like what he saw, and the two haven't been consistently paired since.
What that decision has done has allowed Tortorella to have two significantly dangerous offensive lines that are dangerous in different ways. But through it all Richards has remained consistent, and his balanced offensive output (15 goals and 16 assists) has helped the Rangers get goals from all over the ice.
When Richards is playing well, so are the Rangers. But when Richards isn't, he's not the only offensive player expected to put up points.
Sometimes balance is everything in hockey. Right now, the Rangers have balance.
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Hah.
Pat Leonard @NYDNRangers
Players saying Tortorella didnt like their intensity at start of practice and told them to go back to locker room and come back ready to go.
He’s like Keenan all over again. Even though they’re the top team in the league right now, he’s going to ride them like they’re crap. Hope it keeps them hungry though June!
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!
i love how richards is playing clutch
And the balance we’ve gotten from the split has been great. But to be honest I expected a slightly higher points pace from him. Anyone agree? Hopefully he pots a few quick ones and gets on pace for a nice 75 points.
by nhl21 on Jan 9, 2012 2:31 PM EST via mobile reply actions
My expectations from the beginning of the year have changed since he is not on the first line with Gabby. Call it a 1A line if you want, but it IS a second line. I think 75 points is a bit high for what to expect from your 2nd line center. Honestly, this summer I was thinking if he had a 65 point season we’d be getting our money’s worth. His points have definitely been affected by the slow production from Dubi also. And hey, he is on pace for career high goals and has 5 game winners.
That’s an akward situation though. He might be slotted as our second line center but he’s getting paid to be a first line caliber. I hope and think you’ll be right about his production related to Dubi. I still expect a little more out of him though. Not mvp numbers but 45-50 assists is pretty par for him. Right now he’s on pace for what.. 33?
by nhl21 on Jan 9, 2012 3:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
He’s also on pace for 30 goals, a number he’s never sniffed. I’d like to think he just adapted, but since he’s on pace for his lowest shot total since his rookie year, it’s something else.
I agree 65 points would be disappointing, especially considering he’s not the two-way player some of his teammates are.
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by George E. Ays on Jan 9, 2012 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
That is true, though I would be totally ecstatic with a 75 point season, and if it is 30-45 with 12 game winners there is little to complain about! (I was wrong, it is 6 game winners so far and a couple more clutch goals…)
George, you say 65 pts would be disappointing… that said, are you disappointed with his performance through 39 games?
are you disappointed with his performance through 39 games?
I’m in between. I think there’s been a lot of benefit to having him around beyond the numbers (I know, blasphemy!). I don’t feel like he’s improved his teammates on ice. Cally’s numbers are nice but I don’t sense that’s really from playing with BR, I think he took the step last year before he was hurt the 2nd time. Whoever has been on the LW on that line hasn’t really been better by being on that line. I also would really prefer that line not be the power v power line and let GAS take care of it. I think that would help, but I also don’t see that happening.
That said, he’s everything I thought he was at ES (good point production, poor possession numbers) and our PP system seems to have sucked the life out of him there, so disappointed is not the right word. Underwhelmed maybe? I dunno. At this point it’s more about how he performs in the playoffs than anything he does between now and April.
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by George E. Ays on Jan 9, 2012 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
Well you could say that he has been worse because of the rotating non-factor on LW (prior to the past week)! He cannot take any responsibility for Dubi’s poor performance, I don’t think the best center in the league could have forced Dubi to shoot it on net and score.
I also wonder to what extent he has made the young player better, like Stepan and MDZ.
Oh I’m not saying he’s to blame for Dubi, or Fedotenko for that matter. Just saying that he hasn’t had a positive impact on either, both have played the same next to BR as away from him.
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by George E. Ays on Jan 9, 2012 9:08 PM EST up reply actions
Jonathan Audy-Marchessault
When are we going to talk about this guy.. 37 games for CT and he has 14 goals 21 assists. Just turned 21 years old on 12/27.
Another PA Pap Smear (but with testicles)?
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Jan 9, 2012 2:57 PM EST via mobile reply actions
J-A-M
Loved this guy since Traverse City. He may be a nice surprise. I don’t think the expectations were too high b/c his numbers, albeit good, were in the QMJHL, which is known for scoring. I think he could be a real nice 3rd line player as soon as next year if needed. Lord knows we could always use more JAM
He can compete for one of the bottom six spots next camp… I mean, PAP would be a 3rd liner on our current roster. Feds will be vacating and Mitchell’s spot is probably open for competition. But if Kreider is ready, that really only leaves one spot for the rest to fight over.
Parenteau couldn’t crack our roster a few years ago for more than a couple games at a time… on a roster with less depth than we have now, so how would he do that now?
His point totals for the Fishsticks are the result of his linemates (Tavares and Moulson) making him better, not the other way around.
If he can play that well with Tavares and Moulson, you would hope he could play well with Richards and Cally, right?
"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 feel like he’s played exactly as advertised, He’s on pace for a career year in goals, somewhat lacking in the assist category so far, but that should go up if Dubi stays on the line and keeps producing. He has had a all around solid performance so far this year. He’s a great guy to have in the room and on the ice.
meh..
I expect him to be a point/game kinda guy. But I cut him some slack for transitioning over. He was bouncing between lines and linemates for a while and for all the clutch scoring. I think 70+ Pts would be a nice number. He’ll need to start distributing a little better to get there though. I’d be looking for 80+ next year.
In all honesty, he has put up his numbers over his career not facing top competition. Torts is sending his line out power-vs-power, so expect his estimated production to drop a little as a result. He’s on pace for 30 goals, which is a career high. He’s not Crosby (a player that can put up 90+ points with a revolving door of wingers)—he will need to find wingers that can stick on that line before his production will spike.
What really matters...
…is winning the Cup. The Rangers are first overall, playing great, winners of 9 of their last 10. Does Brad Richards’ PPG average really matter?
His production is important.
Long as he stays on pace for 60-65 points the Ranger machine should continue to hum and accumulate points.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Jan 9, 2012 9:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
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