Great Post! Our players never look like they are having any fun on the ice. That's a reflection of who is coaching them.
- jslnyr1102

Winning is fun. When you aren't winning or playing up to your own expectations it isn't fun, period. As soon as they start playing well and getting some W's they will be back to having fun.

the nash trade was the beginning of the end

so foolish
- Crimsoninja

For Torts...

The Nash trade exposed the weakness on the offensive side in Torts coaching style. They were willing to trade some defense for some offense, hoping that we had a strong enough defense and added scoring to make up for it. However, the losses of Dubi and Prust are evident and that added scoring we were expecting to see isnt happening.

The sad thing is, we are 1 year removed from the ECF... looking at potentially not making the playoffs, buying out the player we picked up last year that helped us get to the ECF, and potentially firing our coach.

What the hell was Girardi doing on the ice with a 1:30 left in a game we are not going to win? Torts should be shot for that we are down 2 defensemen why risk our best for no reason
- jslnyr1102

Which leaves four. You can't skate Gilroy and Bickel on D every shift. This isn't basketball or football where you have a "second string." You have to play the players you have.

Torts was getting flak last night for benching Gaborik in the 3rd. If he had pulled Girardi at any point everyone would have questioned why he had benched G.

"G didn't do anything wrong. Torts is an idiot. Torts needs to go!"

I know that is a sampling of what I would have read last night and this morning if Torts had benched G for the last 5 or 6 minutes of the game.

For Torts...

The Nash trade exposed the weakness on the offensive side in Torts coaching style. They were willing to trade some defense for some offense, hoping that we had a strong enough defense and added scoring to make up for it. However, the losses of Dubi and Prust are evident and that added scoring we were expecting to see isnt happening.

The sad thing is, we are 1 year removed from the ECF... looking at potentially not making the playoffs, buying out the player we picked up last year that helped us get to the ECF, and potentially firing our coach.


- aecliptic

This is not directed at you Aecliptic but I think all of this is nonsense and typical overreaction by an impatient Ranger fan base. Most seem to have thrown in the towel on the season just 17 games in. Ordinarily that number would represent just more than 20% of the regular season though in the shortened campaign it's closer to 35%. Regardless, there is still plenty of time for this group to figure it out. God, I've followed sports for too long to think that it's time to give up on the season, fire the coach and buyout the #1 Center. Every team in every sport goes through slumps. Have some faith that they will get this turned around. We sound ridiculous. It's not like we have the talent pool of Columbus or something.

For Torts...

The Nash trade exposed the weakness on the offensive side in Torts coaching style. They were willing to trade some defense for some offense, hoping that we had a strong enough defense and added scoring to make up for it. However, the losses of Dubi and Prust are evident and that added scoring we were expecting to see isnt happening.

The sad thing is, we are 1 year removed from the ECF... looking at potentially not making the playoffs, buying out the player we picked up last year that helped us get to the ECF, and potentially firing our coach.


- aecliptic

i hear you man

but you have to remember they were a whisker away from being bounced in both the first and second round last year as well

Which leaves four. You can't skate Gilroy and Bickel on D every shift. This isn't basketball or football where you have a "second string." You have to play the players you have.

Torts was getting flak last night for benching Gaborik in the 3rd. If he had pulled Girardi at any point everyone would have questioned why he had benched G.

"G didn't do anything wrong. Torts is an idiot. Torts needs to go!"

I know that is a sampling of what I would have read last night and this morning if Torts had benched G for the last 5 or 6 minutes of the game.
- gkmkiller

Sure you can, just don't expect to win.

i hear you man

but you have to remember they were a whisker away from being bounced in both the first and second round last year as well
- Crimsoninja

And it was Dubi and Prust who would go out there, kill time, hit a couple guys and fight out some time to hold onto games.

Put this team in the same situations, I dont see them toughing out those games.

I think Powe is a good replacement for Prust, in terms of PK and backchecking... unfortunately hes out. Dont think theyll find themselves a replacement for Dubi in that respect.

i hear you man

but you have to remember they were a whisker away from being bounced in both the first and second round last year as well
- Crimsoninja

Which was why it made sense to add a guy like Nash, presumably so we shorten those series and conserve some energy for a deeper run. This team just needs to find their way and get into a groove. I'm still confident it will happen. Competitive team sports is always about ebbs and flows. The Rangers are just ebbing, a lot right now, but will get back to the flow.

And it was Dubi and Prust who would go out there, kill time, hit a couple guys and fight out some time to hold onto games.

Put this team in the same situations, I dont see them toughing out those games.

I think Powe is a good replacement for Prust, in terms of PK and backchecking... unfortunately hes out. Dont think theyll find themselves a replacement for Dubi in that respect.
- aecliptic

I wouldn't put anything past Slats. I'd bet there are a bunch of guys who could come in here and fill that role. And chances are we won't even know it until we see the guy doing it. That's the way these things go sometimes.

i hear you man

but you have to remember they were a whisker away from being bounced in both the first and second round last year as well
- Crimsoninja

I think that is precisely why they needed to
Make some changes in the offseason. Now they need to readjust.
I think one of the reasons they won so much last year was
Hard work and commitment to defense game in and game out;
In the playoffs, a lot of teams do that and it perhaps exposed the
Ordinariness of the rags lineup.

Yeah, it's time for some new hate though.

But how can anyone hate Tavares?
- GioRock

Same way we hate Hank and not just for him having the best hair in the NHL.
When BOTH teams meet in the playoffs, I think we'll see some new hate form.

Which leaves four. You can't skate Gilroy and Bickel on D every shift. This isn't basketball or football where you have a "second string." You have to play the players you have.

Torts was getting flak last night for benching Gaborik in the 3rd. If he had pulled Girardi at any point everyone would have questioned why he had benched G.

"G didn't do anything wrong. Torts is an idiot. Torts needs to go!"

I know that is a sampling of what I would have read last night and this morning if Torts had benched G for the last 5 or 6 minutes of the game.
- gkmkiller

There is no way Girardi should have been out there use 2 forwards and 1 defenseman then. Thanks for the update on how other sports operate. Bad judgment call by Torts. We are down 2 of 3 of our best defensemen no way no way.

I wouldn't put anything past Slats. I'd bet there are a bunch of guys who could come in here and fill that role. And chances are we won't even know it until we see the guy doing it. That's the way these things go sometimes.
- gkmkiller

One guy I like is Glencross... but I doubt CGY moves him.

There is no way Girardi should have been out there use 2 forwards and 1 defenseman then. Thanks for the update on how other sports operate. Bad judgment call by Torts. We are down 2 of 3 of our best defensemen no way no way.
- jslnyr1102

I can't blame Torts for Girardi's injury. Your team is killing a penalty, he is your best penalty killer. Fluke injuries happen, it is part of the game. What should they do, just triple shift Gilroy and Bickel the last 5 minutes? They wouldn't be able to move out there.

I can't blame Torts for Girardi's injury. Your team is killing a penalty, he is your best penalty killer. Fluke injuries happen, it is part of the game. What should they do, just triple shift Gilroy and Bickel the last 5 minutes? They wouldn't be able to move out there.
- TPC

He shouldn't of been out there and I'm not the only one thinking that way. I respect your opinion. But bad job by coaching staff. If he had been truly hurt can you imagine how pissed Slats would of been putting a player in an unnecessary situation. Making it that much harder to make a deal for a defenseman

He shouldn't of been out there and I'm not the only one thinking that way. I respect your opinion. But bad job by coaching staff. If he had been truly hurt can you imagine how pissed Slats would of been putting a player in an unnecessary situation. Making it that much harder to make a deal for a defenseman
- jslnyr1102

Fair enough, but what if that injury happened in the first period? It would still be just as hard for Sather to make deal for a defenseman, having 3 of the top 4 be out. Just sucks for the Rangers right now.

He shouldn't of been out there and I'm not the only one thinking that way. I respect your opinion. But bad job by coaching staff. If he had been truly hurt can you imagine how pissed Slats would of been putting a player in an unnecessary situation. Making it that much harder to make a deal for a defenseman
- jslnyr1102

What if the injury happened earlier in the game? Would that be Torts' fault too? You never know when something like that will happen. Whether or not you are the only one that thinks that doesn't matter. I'm not the only one that thinks you don't sit Girardi or any other key player in the waning moments because you are afraid they will get hurt blocking a shot.

Did anyone question why Girardi was on the ice before he blocked the shot? I bet not. That's SOP and I bet every coach in the league does the same thing.

I can't blame Torts for Girardi's injury. Your team is killing a penalty, he is your best penalty killer. Fluke injuries happen, it is part of the game. What should they do, just triple shift Gilroy and Bickel the last 5 minutes? They wouldn't be able to move out there.
- TPC

x2

Fair enough, but what if that injury happened in the first period? It would still be just as hard for Sather to make deal for a defenseman, having 3 of the top 4 be out. Just sucks for the Rangers right now.
- TPC

Bro I'm with you very frustrating

One guy I like is Glencross... but I doubt CGY moves him.
- aecliptic

They might if they are again out of contention at the deadline. But I bet they only move him for a steep price. When I have the time I will see if I can find some names of players who I think could help.

What if the injury happened earlier in the game? Would that be Torts' fault too? You never know when something like that will happen. Whether or not you are the only one that thinks that doesn't matter. I'm not the only one that thinks you don't sit Girardi or any other key player in the waning moments because you are afraid they will get hurt blocking a shot.

Did anyone question why Girardi was on the ice before he blocked the shot? I bet not. That's SOP and I bet every coach in the league does the same thing.
- gkmkiller

Time factor is element of my argument.

I think that is precisely why they needed to
Make some changes in the offseason. Now they need to readjust.
I think one of the reasons they won so much last year was
Hard work and commitment to defense game in and game out;
In the playoffs, a lot of teams do that and it perhaps exposed the
Ordinariness of the rags lineup.
- BobbySchmautz

Lol why do you
Write like that
It is not a
(frank)ing poetry
Forum

Would you guys consider trading Kreider? And if so, what would it take? Just curious.

apologies for the delay in getting a blog up, Jewish Holiday and family stuff the past day. I am about to go through all the comments and work on getting a blog up later this afternoon.

Would you guys consider trading Kreider? And if so, what would it take? Just curious.
- MaximumBone

Of course hes tradeable but he would only get moved for another young budding star.

A year ago, I had him included in a deal for Bobby Ryan... would I still do it? If it happened, I wouldnt hate it. I want to ride it out a bit, see what happens... but I think the system Torts runs isnt conducive to a player like Kreider. Kreider on a team that plays a more open style would probably break out like crazy.