Post-Game Talk: 02/17/2013 | Washington Capitals @ New York Rangers

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

JT Miller has been awful outside of the first 2 games. Good thing we used up the SPC.

Send him down, call up Mashinter , Palmieri or Haley.

I don't think he's been awful, but I agree he hasn't looked great. Interesting that Torts apparently is giving Miller chances after mistakes, yet benching Kreider every time he made a mistake. Oh well.

Btw I think Richards should get his hair cut. Maybe that's what's slowing him down.

 

[ltsthinaz]

Honestly, Marian has looked the best not playing with Richards and back on the right side. At this point, they should at least try putting Cally on the left side.

If Gabs is playing the right at least its easier for Richards to dish the puck to him.

I actually like Callahan better on the third line because of his defense and shot-blocking.

Call me crazy, but why not try Boyle on the wing on the second line. While he has "manos de piedra", he can hit and forecheck and doesn't have to lug the puck. Plus he isn't a defensive liability and can take face-offs.

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

I don't think he's been awful, but I agree he hasn't looked great. Interesting that Torts apparently is giving Miller chances after mistakes, yet benching Kreider every time he made a mistake. Oh well.

Btw I think Richards should get his hair cut. Maybe that's what's slowing him down.

Yeah, its pretty mind boggling how Torts has handled Kreider. But since he isn't Ryan Callahan, he doesn't know how to utilize him.

 

[Colby]

The game-winner reminded me of this:



Different circumstances, and not a PPG, but same idea.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Pretty close to a 60min dominant win.

Cally plated phenomenal. Boyle was an animal out there as well.

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

I actually like Callahan better on the third line because of his defense and shot-blocking.

Call me crazy, but why not try Boyle on the wing on the second line. While he has "manos de piedra", he can hit and forecheck and doesn't have to lug the puck. Plus he isn't a defensive liability and can take face-offs.

Well if by second line you mean Gabs line, Boyle wouldn't really offer anything offensively to it. It would stifle both Richards and Gabs imo.

But, I agree, I would much rather have Cally on the third line with Miller and Kreider. Personally, if we are going to try any other left wing with Richards/Gabs-it should be Kreider.

But it will never happen because he isn't a defensive stud.

 

[Jim Ramsay]

Marian Gaborik needs to pick it up. He looks like he's giving a half-hearted effort. I think if he does, Richards will look better, too. Otherwise, team looked real sharp. Could've been a real blow-out, they completely dominated after the first few minutes, and they didn't collapse when they got scored on early.

Most games I watch Gaborik I think "he could really pick it up" but I actually thought tonight he had looked like more of a factor than he has in a lot of games this season... He did have 6 shots on goal and easily could have had one or two goals tonight. He should be back on the right side, but I think Torts senses that this team has big weaknesses on the left side is trying to make adjustments. The fact is that he alone has more game winning goals than Richards/Nash/Callahan COMBINED is enough for me to realize that he has been doing a solid job even though he isn't extremely noticeable every game... but tonight i thought he was noticeable

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

Most games I watch Gaborik I think "he could really pick it up" but I actually thought tonight he had looked like more of a factor than he has in a lot of games this season... He did have 6 shots on goal and easily could have had one or two goals tonight. He should be back on the right side, but I think Torts senses that this team has big weaknesses on the left side is trying to make adjustments. The fact is that he alone has more game winning goals than Richards/Nash/Callahan COMBINED is enough for me to realize that he has been doing a solid job even though he isn't extremely noticeable every game... but tonight i thought he was noticeable

Then they should experiment with either Kreider or Cally on the left side imo.

 

[Nanaki]

Does anybody know the song that took over for Good Feeling this year? I can never make out the words.

 

[Kakko]

I now know why we get so many TMM penalties.
Our captain has the manliness of about 10 guys

 

[JohnC]

Great game to be at, and I made a friend

 

[silverfish]

I don't think he's been awful, but I agree he hasn't looked great. Interesting that Torts apparently is giving Miller chances after mistakes, yet benching Kreider every time he made a mistake. Oh well.

Seriously. It's infuriating figuring out where Torts is lenient and where he's firm. Miller brings that jam though. I actually don't mind the way Torts is bringing Miller along, I just wish he'd do the same for Kreider.

JamJamJamJamJam

 

[Tawnos]

Seriously. It's infuriating figuring out where Torts is lenient and where he's firm. Miller brings that jam though. I actually don't mind the way Torts is bringing Miller along, I just wish he'd do the same for Kreider.

JamJamJamJamJam

Different players respond differently to different stimulus. I trust Tortorella in that regard. If he's handling Kreider differently, it's because he's identified something different about Kreider's personality. Only bad managers treat every employee exactly the same.

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

Seriously. It's infuriating figuring out where Torts is lenient and where he's firm. Miller brings that jam though. I actually don't mind the way Torts is bringing Miller along, I just wish he'd do the same for Kreider.

JamJamJamJamJam

Kreider brings the Jam a bit on the forecheck. He isn't a slouch. It just seems he is a bit disinterested playing in the Dzone. That is why Torts has issue with him.

Torts wants 6 Ryan Callahan's on the ice at all times.

 

[JCrusher*]

Seriously. It's infuriating figuring out where Torts is lenient and where he's firm. Miller brings that jam though. I actually don't mind the way Torts is bringing Miller along, I just wish he'd do the same for Kreider.

JamJamJamJamJam

Exactly. There seems to be a double standard for certain players

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Seriously. It's infuriating figuring out where Torts is lenient and where he's firm. Miller brings that jam though. I actually don't mind the way Torts is bringing Miller along, I just wish he'd do the same for Kreider.

JamJamJamJamJam

Yeah, exactly like you said, I don't mind what he's doing for Miller and wish he'd do the same for Kreider. I get that Kreider is not as complete as Miller is, in the sense that Miller grinds, hits and stuff. But I've seen a few VERY bad giveaways and defensive lapses by him. Kreider does it: benched, sent to AHL, Torts tells media he's not there yet. Miller does it: right back out next shift.

Personally I like them both in the lineup. And Kreider needs some confidence. He needs to know he can play his game and not get benched if he makes a gaffe. Play him balls out for a few games, let him build his confidence and maybe he will start to round into form. It's never going to happen with him constantly thinking in the back of his mind that he's going to get benched or demoted.

 

[JCrusher*]

Kreider brings the Jam a bit on the forecheck. He isn't a slouch. It just seems he is a bit disinterested playing in the Dzone. That is why Torts has issue with him.

Torts wants 6 Ryan Callahan's on the ice at all times.

I think that the belief that kreider doesnt play any defense is not totally true. I saw him play decent defense. the kid is trying to learn teh system. In fact in Bostin he broke up a couple 2 on 1 situations

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

Exactly. There seems to be a double standard for certain players

The only reason why Gabs gets away with it or Richards is that they are established and a big salary hit. If they were both young players, earning their keep, Torts would have jettisoned both of them.

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

Yeah, exactly like you said, I don't mind what he's doing for Miller and wish he'd do the same for Kreider. I get that Kreider is not as complete as Miller is, in the sense that Miller grinds, hits and stuff. But I've seen a few VERY bad giveaways and defensive lapses by him. Kreider does it: benched, sent to AHL, Torts tells media he's not there yet. Miller does it: right back out next shift.

Personally I like them both in the lineup. And Kreider needs some confidence. He needs to know he can play his game and not get benched if he makes a gaffe. Play him balls out for a few games, let him build his confidence and maybe he will start to round into form. It's never going to happen with him constantly thinking in the back of his mind that he's going to get benched or demoted.

This. He needs to know that he can be trusted.

 

[JCrusher*]

The only reason why Gabs gets away with it or Richards is that they are established and a big salary hit. If they were both young players, earning their keep, Torts would have jettisoned both of them.

I still dont understand why Torts hasnt put richards with kreider more. both seem to bring the best out of eachother in the limited time they have played together

 

[Riverdale]

Knowing Torts, he will dump Kreider on the 4th line with Asham and Halpern. Instead, Boyle will be playing with Miller and completely wasting him. Then when Powe is healthy, he will send Kreider back down.

Yup. The sad thing is I can see this happening, and that is my problem with Torts. His line combinations at times are unbelievably stupid.

Kreider hasn't been good, but being on the 4th lines is a complete waste of his natural talent.

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

I think that the belief that kreider doesnt play any defense is not totally true. I saw him play decent defense. the kid is trying to learn teh system. In fact in Bostin he broke up a couple 2 on 1 situations

I don't think he is incapable of playing quality D. I would much rather the kid add something offensively(at the very least a threat), and make occasional mistakes. Then have him be sent down to Hartford to work out all his defensive "kinks."

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

Yup. The sad thing is I can see this happening, and that is my problem with Torts. His line combinations at times are unbelievably stupid.

Kreider hasn't been good, but being on the 4th lines is a complete waste of his natural talent.

Actually, prior to the Boston game, I thought he looked solid(when he came back from the bone chip).

But Torts was looking for any excuse to get Boyle back in the lineup.

 

[Tawnos]

The echo chamber is solid in here tonight.

 

[JCrusher*]

Yup. The sad thing is I can see this happening, and that is my problem with Torts. His line combinations at times are unbelievably stupid.

Kreider hasn't been good, but being on the 4th lines is a complete waste of his natural talent.

Defense is important but Torts goes overboard with it. If you have offensive talent but you make one defensive mistake you are benched so gusy seems afraid to mess up. Kreider wants to help the team but he knows he has a coach that doesnt cut him any slack like other guys