Brad Richards Has Been "Lost Offensively", What's Wrong?
by Bryan Winters on Feb 8, 2012 2:04 PM EST
in New York Rangers Analysis
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Brad Richards has been in a massive slump over the last couple of games, but he finally notched an assist on the empty net goal against the Flyers. Near the beginning of the season, it took a few games for him to get in gear, and things were looking up. However, as of lately, he has completely fallen off from an offensive standpoint and needs to turn it around quickly.
One of the main contributing factors, in my opinion, are the line(s) he is currently playing on. When we first signed Richards, he was slotted to be out number one center right out of the gate, as we have never truly had a top-line center. But as of lately, he is finding himself on the third on a line with Brandon Prust, and Mike Rupp. Now, I'm not saying either of these players are bad, they just don't fit the style that Richards plays.
I believe one of our readers posted this in the comments, stating that Richards had Loui Eriksson on his wing when he was in Dallas, and he was successful. I believe that if Richards gets more time up on the top two lines it will only help his offensive production. Playing with more offensive minded line mates will help him big them in the offensive department.
Just my two cents, what do you guys believe?
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Olivia Munn.
Oh, serious answer? New team, new system, lack of players who know him well enough to know to just put themselves in open ice with a view of the net and expect a pass. Everyone wants Richards with Gaborik, in my mind Callahan is probably the better fir for Richards. He will put himself in and around the crease to get goals and if those two can connect it should work pretty well.
Seriously though, Olivia Munn.
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
Blueshirt Banter
Anisimov-Stepan-Gaborik
Wolski-Richards-Callahan
Hagelin-Dubinsky-Prust
Feds-Boyle-Rupp
is what id like to see before the break, switching Mitchell in and out with the bottom 3
I’d rather see Mitchell in than Fedotenko or Rupp, but Torts loves Feds and Rupper.
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
Blueshirt Banter
I like Mitchell too
I was just basing off what I think Torts could possibly do, I think if I had to rank them though it would be
Rupper
Mitchell
Feds
Mitch
Feds
Rupper.
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
Blueshirt Banter
+1
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Feb 8, 2012 3:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
new system? lame excuse, he came here for torts and has played for torts.
Insert witty comeback here
by birdmansns on Feb 8, 2012 2:30 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Was Torts coaching Dallas? Did Richards admit that he is a very different player from his days in Tampa? Is it a lame excuse?
Answers: No, yes, probably yeah.
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
Blueshirt Banter
ive awlays like hags richard and cally.
Insert witty comeback here
by birdmansns on Feb 8, 2012 2:33 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
She’s preggers with his baby. Don’t talk about his baby’s mama like that. He’s slumping cause he just recently found out.
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Feb 8, 2012 3:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
in theory they want a guy who can score from more areas on the ice
than Callahan (gaby)…Brich finding Callahan in the slot isn’t going to yield as many goals as it would Gaby….HOWEVER…I do love the Gas line…which is why we need to find another scorer…preferably one that can play the left wing whose name is not Wolski
@btown46
lack of players who know him well enough to know to just put themselves in open ice with a view of the net and expect a pass.
This reminds me of something I thought last year while watching MZA play. His vision was so good, he often made passes that were so good, our guys just weren’t ready for them because they seemingly never expected the puck to come through. I haven’t noticed that with Richards persay, but I wonder if the same kind of thing is going on there, especially as he plays with the muckers.
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by George E. Ays on Feb 8, 2012 6:12 PM EST up reply actions
as richie goes, so does the power play
He’s never been a great 5v5 player. Last game we had multiple chances on the doorstep, mostly dubinsky who whiffed on a couple beach ball sized openings. get someone who can slam those goals home, our power play will be fixed and Richards will be fine.
by nhl21 on Feb 9, 2012 9:47 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I was just thinking he played with Neal, Morrow, Loui Eriksson, Benn, etc.
All of those guys like to be near the net for ugly goals and tap-ins or are just really gifted offensive players in their own right like Loui.
I dunno.
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
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I think it’s time to put him with Gaborik and Hagelin. Richards is a puck distributor, he needs guys with skill/speed to take his passes and turn them into goals.
It’s not like the random guy/Stepan/Gaborik line has had any chemistry in months. Putting him with noted scorers such as Prust/Rupp/Feds is going to make things WORSE, and never get any better.
And, yeah, Olivia Munn. Maybe we should start a collection to get him laid.
We should sell Kevin’s organs on the blackmarket and see what kind of money that brings in.
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
Blueshirt Banter
What the hell is going on here?
I take a train home for an hour and now you’re blaming me for internet problems and selling my organs?
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
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"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
No, Dig broke the website, and we’re sacrificing you in order to get Richards scoring again. If you’re a TRUE fan, you’ll gladly give up a kidney, a testicle, 1 arm, 1 leg, 1 eye, a butt-cheek, and a heart valve (you have 4!).
Why not take Brandon…he’s the rookie after all
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
He’s secretly an Islander fan and sacrificing his body would anger the hockey gods and cause Henrik to become cross-eyed.
huh…well then, carve me up
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
Seriously… who is going to want to take organs that have never had to handle alcohol or the crappy food normal people eat? Our organs are like… the Captain America of organs compared to his organs. Right?
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
Blueshirt Banter
Uh-Hum..
Mitchel-Richards-Hagelin.
Just a thought.
Put him with any of Cally, Gabby, Hagelin, Wolski – all guys who will shoot the puck. Mitchell might not be a bad fit either. I love Prust but he’s not gonna do any good with Richards.
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!
+1
Id be happy with seeing Cally, Hags or Wolski with Richards and Mitchell on the other side.. I also like keeping Gabby and Richy on seperate lines, spread the wealth
As Mr. Buffer would say.... ITTTTTTTTSSSSSSS TIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEE
@MikeDay88
Random question
Anyone else can’t see the FanPost list pop up on the main page or is it just me? Thanks.
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
Blueshirt Banter
same here, i have to click all posts to see it
As Mr. Buffer would say.... ITTTTTTTTSSSSSSS TIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEE
@MikeDay88
Heh, wonder what that is about. I can see them fine if I click on the FanPost tab.
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
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I can see FanShots. Can you?
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
Blueshirt Banter
The plot thickens.
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
Blueshirt Banter
Same, no Fanposts just the FanShots
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Feb 8, 2012 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah… that is still going on for me today…
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
Blueshirt Banter
I've been saying this for weeks
It doesnt make sense to put him with guys who cant score. The GAS line clicking made the Richards-Gaborik pairing entirely too short. That line hasnt produced in over a month, and yet Richards still has not seen any time with Gabby. Enough with “sending him a message” or whatever people are using to justify his treatment. At some point you need to put players in a position to succeed, not put them with the scrubs and wait for them to play better until you move them back with better players.
3 pts in the last 12 games doesn’t cut it but what’s even worse is that lack of effectiveness he has in games going back to the WC. time to put him with Gaby again and/or get the scoring LW he’s craved since he got here. having his arse nailed to the pine in games like he was on Sunday against a division rival is not what the team thought it was getting in BR.
I’m just waiting for the Rangers to re-sign Voros and call up Deveaux so Richards can shift with them too.
Richards skating with Prust and Rupp is a waste, as is skating Hagelin with Boyle. Prust, Boyle and the Mother Rupper are role players, Richards is not.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Feb 8, 2012 3:26 PM EST reply actions
dont forget bout Rissmiller and Ortmeyer is on waivers right now
As Mr. Buffer would say.... ITTTTTTTTSSSSSSS TIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEE
@MikeDay88
anyone a bit scared of what may happen in the playoffs?
since the All-Star break, I have been getting a little scared of the Rangers scoring woes. Yeah, they scored against Philly but I think the Rangers have their number. But the amount of scoring seems to be reverting to the last few years. I am a little concerned how they will fair in the playoffs.
here’s my thought. I think we all agree the Rangers are the hardest, or in the top 3-5, working teams in the league. however, this is for an 82-game regular season schedule. yes, they need points to qualify, but I worry how they will fair when the other teams ramp their style up.
Do the Rangers have another offensive level to ascend to in the playoffs? we should get a better idea as we get closer to April and teams are scratching for points. But too many players are too inconsistent right now.
I just have this feeling that the Rangers will not fair well once other teams raise their level of play in the playoffs. Either way, Richy, Dubi, Anisimov, Boyle need to step it up and players who have never been in the playoffs will have to adjust quickly. I have seen too many players disappear come their first playoffs. I believe Stepan didnt fair well last year towards the end, but the extended season probably affected him too. I guess Hagelin is the only newbie forward, but he will be needed to produce.
The Rangers defense doesnt worry me, just their ability to score, and Hank cannot be expected to let in 2 goals or fewer for 4 rounds for the Rangers to have a chance to win.
This team has trouble against competent goal-tending. Bryzgalov gave up some pretty soft goals (Gaborik’s should have been stopped, he had MDZ’s shot squeak through his legs, and he started moving anticipating a pass when Dubinsky shot). Thankfully there isn’t an abundance of good goal-tending in the East (Boston, Jersey, maybe Pitt when Fleury is on) are the only other teams with goalies capable of owning a game.
fair enough
but these are teams we consider elite in the East and the Rangers will have to go thru one of them by round 2.
And this doesnt discount a goalie who gets hot come playoffs, say an 8th seeded Neuverth/Vokoun.
by truebluesince75 on Feb 8, 2012 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
I was all for the Richards signing.I hope this dosn’t turn into another Scott Gomez because Sather will have a hard time finding another stupid team like Montreal to find a suitable trading partner.
Traid for Eric’s son
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Feb 8, 2012 4:43 PM EST reply actions
Rischards is in a slump I get it. Playing him with 4th liners isnt really going to help as he is a distributor of the puck not a pure goal scorer.
I’d rather see Richards centering Gabby because at least he’ll go 50/50 on draws.Steppan is about 0- for 1000 on face offs. we lose 1/2 of Gabby’s ice time just trying to reaquire the puck.
"Shoot the Puck Barry, Shoot the puck !" Bill Chadwick
by RangerFanInChicago on Feb 8, 2012 6:07 PM EST reply actions
Cally, BR, Gabby
Hags, Anismov, Dubi
Mitchell, Stepan, Wolski
Prust, Boyle, Rup
Lines work well in NHL 2012 at least
impossible
because I am the LW on a line with Richards and Gabby… i just set up in front and deflect shots all day everyday…
@clalicata17
I find Dubi works better on the first line,, i got
Dub-Rich-Gab
Wolski-Anisimov-Stepan
Jagr-Boyle-Cally
Prust-Rupp-Zuc
Yes I have Jagr now haha
As Mr. Buffer would say.... ITTTTTTTTSSSSSSS TIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEE
@MikeDay88
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Get to check out Kreider!
I don’t want to get too far ahead here but… in the playoffs Rupp will be scratched (or at least rotated being scratched with Mitchell or someone) if we move for a forward or if WW plays well when he returns to the lineup, and Richards will be on second line with Cally
in the playoffs Rupp will be scratched (or at least rotated being scratched with Mitchell or someone)
If there’s anything 24/7 taught us, it’s that Tortorella loves what Rupp brings to the lineup. I would seriously doubt he gets any pressbox time from here out, other than maybe a maintenance day or two.
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by George E. Ays on Feb 8, 2012 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
A quick Richards observation...
Last season he took metric shit ton of shots. He pumped 3.7 shots per game. The Stars PP ran through him from the point…and he shot. Often. He’s taking a shot less per game this year. A shot per game over 51 games is 5 or 6 goals.
The three guys Richards played with were ridiculous. He played primarily with James Neal and Loui Eriksson for a year and a half. Neal lived in his house. When Neal was moved Jamie Benn slid into that spot. In Eriksson he played with a guy that is solid defensively as any forward in the league that knows how to find open ice. Neal, for most of their time together, was a pretty ridiculous puck hound than crunched people. I don’t know what kind of game he’s playing with Pitt this year, but that’s what he did while with Richards. Benn is a puck possession fiend.
So, Richards didn’t really have to worry about anything other than gripping the puck and ripping it/making plays under Crawford. His lines had everything. He had a higher offensive zone start % in Dallas and played against a much lower Quality of Competition. Less shots, less zone time (slightly), consistently worse teammates, and consistently tougher competition sounds like a recipe for a production decrease.
Just my .02, for what they’re worth.
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by Josh Lile on Feb 8, 2012 11:08 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Thanks Josh
The 5v5 play isn’t even really the troubling aspect. It was expected that tough competition would be a detriment to his production. It’s his power play decisions that is disturbing. Given how he played in Dallas, and compared to his output now, you have to honestly question what he’s being taught by the coaching staff here.
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by George E. Ays on Feb 8, 2012 11:22 PM EST up reply actions
How is he being used on the PP?
He got about a minute more PP time per game in Dallas too, for what thats worth.
When they ran the PP here they would normally load up with Richards at the point, and let him shoot until his heart was content.
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Thanks for the insight, really enlightening.
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
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He's not hustling
There were several times against the devils that Richards was dogging it and not back checking. I agree that he should slotted on one of the top two lines. But Torts can either bench him or demote him when he doesn’t hustle. He’s chosen to put him on the 3/4 line. Maybe a night in the press box will shake the doldrums.
by Blueshirts Rock on Feb 9, 2012 12:10 AM EST reply actions
"It’s very intriguing to hear your name rumble around for a contender," Smyth said. "It’s flattering. As a player, you want to win. That’s the ultimate goal in professional sports, and in hockey, it’s the Stanley Cup. So …" Don’t tell me Smyth wouldn’t waive his rights to try and win a Cup if he got a guarantee that the Oilers would re-sign him after the season. Get him and put together a true #1 line in Smyth-BR-Gaby and put them on the PP too. Put the Pack line back together as well. The team has gotten stale offensively.
I don't ever see him clicking with Gabby
They both play their best when they are dictating play and controlling the offense. Thats why the GAS line worked so well, cause anismov and steps would make plays while the D was freaking out over Gabby. Richards will work somewhere, but 40ish games is a small sample in the terms of his contract. No need to worry yet.
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