Pre-Game Talk: 2013-2014 Rangers pre-season discussion
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Off Sides
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- Sep 8, 2008
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How's Staal looked? I haven't been able to catch a game yet, but the highlights I've watched he's looked good. He was my favorite ranger, happy to see him on the ice again and hopefully like his self.
I remember a lot of people complaining here about our lack of physicality, but if Staal's back to himself wouldn't that be a huge boost? Especially in board play.
This hit still gets me going every time.
I remember a lot of people complaining here about our lack of physicality, but if Staal's back to himself wouldn't that be a huge boost? Especially in board play.
This hit still gets me going every time.
McKenzie saying Edmonton looking for a tough guy still. Asham for Potter? Maybe Potter stays as the 8th D, righty shot?
Its often pick your poison when it comes to a defensive strategy. Quite frankly, Ill take my chances with Tori Krug and the other pointmen of the world vs. all-world forwards who, for the most part, the Rangers shut down when it comes to making even strength plays below the hash marks.
My major issue is how comfortable the staff became with bunching up down low in the defensive zone. It seemed like very little thought and practice went into what comes next when the team actually gets the puck.
My major issue is how comfortable the staff became with bunching up down low in the defensive zone. It seemed like very little thought and practice went into what comes next when the team actually gets the puck.
- Sep 1, 2010
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We're still too passive. We're not standing up the opposing team at the blueline. Defense starts in the neutral zone. Force the opposing team to dump the puck instead of allowing them to skate it in.
Blue Blooded
Most people rejected his message
Exactly.
I'm on board with giving up chances from the point in order to shut down the more dangerous ones. But I hated how Torts' strategy had no transition game whatsoever. The shot blocking was good in isolation, but it came at the expense of basically everything else.
Off Sides
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- Sep 8, 2008
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Fair enough, yet when the team is trapped in their own zone playing that style, they are not ever going to have the energy to go up ice. They have to change lines or at least the defense, so it's what we saw, chip/stretch/tip/dump change.
They need some sort of hybrid system, yes collapse and block shots need be, dump the puck if they are tired, but that can not be their only plan. It just allows for the other team to dictate the pace until they find a way to get their version of Krug open, especially if that team also has a Boychuk and Chara type also blasting away.
I know I know.
Then again, I'd imagine you'd be one of the first people to complain if/when our defensemen start getting beat on the rush.
Sure. Easier said than done though.
I think Tortorella was so married to the idea that his players weren't offensively skilled that his collapsing defensive game became more and more of the gameplan over the years.
The truth is somewhere in the middle, but I think Tortorella's perception of the roster trumped Sather's when it comes to reality.
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- Sep 17, 2007
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Torts had one of the best goaltenders in the world. He had a solid top 4 even with Staal out of the lineup. If our offensive skill was lacking, wouldn't it make more sense to implement a system that helps us offensively? Why play to enhance our strength at the expense of our weakness? How much offense are we going to generate when we always have to go 200 feet?
Tawnos
A guy with a bass
Playing to your strengths is how you win games. That being said, a collapsing system didn't play to our strengths either. Our defensive groups skates well and moves the puck well within the defensive zone. We have the best goalie in the world. A passive defensive strategy doesn't play to the strengths of THOSE players and the abilities of our forwards doesn't even come into the conversation yet.
cd211
Registered User
i think miller is going under the radar.. i think he has the ability to make the team..for being 19 last season he showed a lot of promise.. deff wouldn't count him out yet.. brings the same as kristo and fast.. but way more physical.. which would be more ideal on 3rd line
Mike Mike Caron
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- Aug 29, 2010
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Thomas hasn't looked good or bad, he has a lot of speed and vision but really every time he touched the puck nothing was happening. He looks like he has all the tools but he's not ready yet. He's going to start the season in Hamilton as he has Bournival ahead of him in the depth chart and arguably Leblanc and Holland who looked better than him in pre-season.
UAGoalieGuy
Registered User
Would have liked to have seen either Kristo or Fast on the wing with Kreider and Miller. Asham's going to drag that line down.
Well a lot can change but thoughts:
Defense: Aaron Johnson and Tommy Hughes, Marc Staal and Conor Allen, Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi.
Johnson being paired with a AHLer. Is that bad for him? At the same time so is Staal so may mean nothing. I would think Johnson gets the 8th D spot please not Bickel
Forward:
-Marek Hrivik, Oscar Lindberg, Danny Kristo. ( the line I want to watch the most )
-Micheal Haley, Dominic Moore, Derek Dorsett. (Haley have a inside track on 4th line?
-Chris Kreider, JT Miller, Arron Asham. ( Kredier has to do something )
Benoit Pouliot, Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello-Current 2nd line, need Step already
Do they make cuts after this game or play all 4 this week then do it?
Defense: Aaron Johnson and Tommy Hughes, Marc Staal and Conor Allen, Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi.
Johnson being paired with a AHLer. Is that bad for him? At the same time so is Staal so may mean nothing. I would think Johnson gets the 8th D spot please not Bickel
Forward:
-Marek Hrivik, Oscar Lindberg, Danny Kristo. ( the line I want to watch the most )
-Micheal Haley, Dominic Moore, Derek Dorsett. (Haley have a inside track on 4th line?
-Chris Kreider, JT Miller, Arron Asham. ( Kredier has to do something )
Benoit Pouliot, Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello-Current 2nd line, need Step already
Do they make cuts after this game or play all 4 this week then do it?
I think you will find that he is a good sniper in his own right and that his hustle and play away from the puck is supriseingly good, but then that he doesn't have a hole lot more on top of that. Considering that he is really small, there is a great risk that the scale will tip over more in favor of someone else.
The kid is still young and its too early to rule him out for sure, but the big challenge for him is to become better at playing a puck possession game.
Like that Kreider is paired with someone different than Richards and Nash here. Miller is a guy who likes to have the puck and make plays and is a tenacious player. I think that suits a guy like Kreider much better, helps keep his energy up.
Yes, I think he's in danger of getting bumped.
I also think (and may be making excuses) that the line he's been on has been ****** for him to try to make an impact on. Nash isn't going full speed or trying his hardest and who knows with Richards. They just don't look interested or fully engaged and Kreider isn't good enough to be a catalyst on that line by himself. Getting him some time away from that line is probably for the best.
a year and a half ago he joined the team and was told "just play and have fun" and he looked like a solid and promising top six forward with some things to work on (namely defense). After a year of coaching from Tortorella and the Hartford coaches, he looks tentative and un-engaged. Again, maybe making excuses, but the previous coaching staff really does not seem to have brought out the best in him or found a way to use his best attributes. You hardly ever see his speed because of the terrible breakout and transition game the Rangers have
NYR Viper
Registered User
Agreed. Richards is too slow in everything he does. He can't control the puck because he can barely move.
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