i too think that torts is having an easier job going to vancouver than AV is going to NY. in vancouver, the players have been instinctually coached for the past 7 years to be a good passing, puck-possessing, skill team that is now being forced to work harder and put more effort in all 3 zones. in NY, the players have been instinctually coached the past 4+ years to literally just dump and chase and collapse and block shots. seeing the open man and passing him the puck, wheeling the puck around the zone, transitioning from defense to offense, etc. in the NHL is pretty new to most of the players who have only been coached by torts at the NHL level and it will take longer for them to instinctually use their skill and hands than just dump and chase the puck or cycle it in the corner.
- RAGSareDANGERus

Let's not forget that Renney was a defense first coach with an offense that spent its time along the boards and in the corners, so thats more like 8 years. That said, even with such a restrictive style of play, Gabby hit 40 2x, Cally notched 29, Stepan has hit 20, hell, even Dubinsky hit 20 ... Torts system was a lot more productive offensively than its given credit for.

lets not forget that Renney was a defense first coach with an offense that spent its time along the boards and in the corners. That said, even with such a restrictive style of play, Gabby hit 40 2x, Cally nothched 29, Stepan has hit 20, hell, even Dubinsky hit 20 ... Torts system was a a lot more productive offensively than its given credit for.
- JackBurton37

torts system worked wonders in NY for a while. like you said, guys like gabby who you wouldn't think would perform well here put up 40 twice, cally who not many people think of a goal scorer hit 29, etc.

it was a solid system offensively where the team would physically wear down the opponent in the corners for the first 2 periods and then pounce on the tired mistakes they made in the 3rd period usually.

but i can see why players would get sick and tired of constantly doing that instead of playing hockey the fun way.

it's all just growing pains imo and we'll be fine within 10 games...

torts system worked wonders in NY for a while. like you said, guys like gabby who you wouldn't think would perform well here put up 40 twice, cally who not many people think of a goal scorer hit 29, etc.

it was a solid system offensively where the team would physically wear down the opponent in the corners for the first 2 periods and then pounce on the tired mistakes they made in the 3rd period usually.

but i can see why players would get sick and tired of constantly doing that instead of playing hockey the fun way.

it's all just growing pains imo and we'll be fine within 10 games...
- RAGSareDANGERus

Agreed on all points ... I think the panic is a bit premature. This isnt Football where a 1-4 start is practically 'season over' ... I'll reserve my panic for November.

5-3 caps.

5-3 caps.
- Blackstrom2

3-1 rangers

So I love the Rangers, but is a loss tonight the worst thing? It sounds like changes could be coming if they have another rough outing tonight. For the good of the season, maybe a loss tonight will help shake the lineup up and get rid of some of the dead weight. I Just think this lineup has some flaws and if Nash is out long term they need to make some adjustments.

But also I love the Rangers and don't have it in me to hope that they lose
- TPC

If the word on the street is true, and the team will be rearranged with a bad loss tonight will actually happen, I want the Caps to rout tonight.

Hagelin and Nash are missed and will help, once they are back, but help them what? Win a round in the playoffs and then get undressed by a Pittsburgh, Boston or Ottawa? No thanks, seen that story way too much.

It's not a great core nor is it a basement dwelling core. It's simply a middle of the road core, as they are now. Middling for years is just as bad as missing the playoffs and never getting a franchise elevating prospect.

5-3 caps.
- Blackstrom2

is that with or without an EN goal, or your clozapine?

If the word on the street is true, and the team will be rearranged with a bad loss tonight will actually happen, I want the Caps to rout tonight.

Hagelin and Nash are missed and will help, once they are back, but help them what? Win a round in the playoffs and then get undressed by a Pittsburgh, Boston or Ottawa? No thanks, seen that story way too much.

It's not a great core nor is it a basement dwelling core. It's simply a middle of the road core, as they are now. Middling for years is just as bad as missing the playoffs and never getting a franchise elevating prospect.
- MidnightMarauder

I'm a bit higher on them than that ... a middling Kings team turned an 8 seed into a Cup with a few moves. The top 6 of this team (switching 10 for 61) is pretty much the same that went to game 6 of the ECF. Do they need some tinkering, of course, but no core is going to be all superstars, unless you finish last in the league 4 or 5 years running.

Carlson with a small slight there...we know you want PP time.

I'm a bit higher on them than that ... a middling Kings team turned an 8 seed into a Cup with a few moves. The top 6 of this team (switching 10 for 61) is pretty much the same that went to game 6 of the ECF. Do they need some tinkering, of course, but no core is going to be all superstars, unless you finish last in theleague 4 or 5 years running.
- JackBurton37

Agreed, a successful team doesn't need to have three lines of all stars on it. But, a forward core of Nash(when healthy), Richards(when playing to his full capabilities), Callahan, Stepan and Hagelin is not exactly setting the world on fire either though.

There needs to be a few reliable forwards more than a few lines worth. Good teams can usually run three solid lines out there and sometimes a fourth line as well. The way these lines are looking right now, they can barely roll out two decent forward lines.

I have hope though, not quitting on this team until they give me a legitimate reason not to. The chips are down as of now though despite how early in the season it actually is.

Well, Let's Go Rangers! Things have to go up from here, no?

Well, Let's Go Rangers! Things have to go up from here, no?
- pcjr307

Watching this game with the sound turned off. I'll pass on Egghead ripping this team at every turn, thank you.

Agreed, a successful team doesn't need to have three lines of all stars on it. But, a forward core of Nash(when healthy), Richards(when playing to his full capabilities), Callahan, Stepan and Hagelin is not exactly setting the world on fire either though.

There needs to be a few reliable forwards more than a few lines worth. Good teams can usually run three solid lines out there and sometimes a fourth line as well. The way these lines are looking right now, they can barely roll out two decent forward lines.

I have hope though, not quitting on this team until they give me a legitimate reason not to. The chips are down as of now though despite how early in the season it actually is.
- MidnightMarauder

dont forget the D as part of the core, or Hank for that matter ... and honestly, I dont consider Nash (or Gaborik prior) part of the core ... they're hired guns (of which we could use another).

pierre mcguire hates the Caps.

dont forget the D as part of the core, or Hank for that matter ... and honestly, I dont consider Nash (or Gaborik prior) part of the core ... their hired guns (of which we could use another).
- JackBurton37

Girardi, Staal and McDonagh?

pierre mcguire hates the Caps.
- Blackstrom2

And the Rangers, dude is a huge Pens guy, that's not a secret though.

Jesus Dorsett...3 on 1, I don't think he knew it

Jesus Dorsett...3 on 1, I don't think he knew it
- TPC

Yeah, he's gotta be aware there.

Dorsett

Jesus Dorsett...3 on 1, I don't think he knew it
- TPC

That's why he is on the fourth line boys.

That's why he is on the fourth line boys.
- MidnightMarauder

poop, 4th line or not, you coming through with steam across the other team's blue line on the rush, you gotta look around.

He was probably tired and at the end of his shift and only had "get it on net and get off" in mind.

That's why he is on the fourth line boys.
- MidnightMarauder

Miller is going to flourish playing with him.

Miller is going to flourish playing with him.
- TrueBlue9182

Setup for success if I have ever seen it, right...right?

poop, 4th line or not, you coming through with steam across the other team's blue line on the rush, you gotta look around.

He was probably tired and at the end of his shift and only had "get it on net and get off" in mind.
- Blackstrom2

Fans stock is very low on Dorsett lately so we aren't about to give him any benefit of the doubt.

Setup for success if I have ever seen it, right...right?
- MidnightMarauder

I want some goal scorers on this roster lol