I see the thread about him below, and I read through it... unfortunately for me, it didn't necessarily delve deep into the things that I wonder about him at the moment... I'm curious about him this year, on the whole, and then looking forward:
- biggest problem with him this year? or, in better form, what has been the biggest hindrance on him taking that next step towards becoming an effective, top-6 regular that seemed imminent this time last year?
- I've certainly seen varying opinions of the relationship he has (or lacks) with Torts... understanding that Tortorella holds players to a certain standard, has any part of his 'sheltering' (for lack of a better term) been unjust/unfair/unwarranted?
In a vacuum, separate and apart from Torts, CK is basically the same guy (who last year showed all that promise, along with a handful of mistakes, some subtle, some obvious like a throw away pass) you are remembering, with a bit of improvement from added experience. Though he did have some injury, including one to the leg and that may be a partial factor, he is still basically the same boatload of raw talent you don't waste.
But waste is what is happening.
In a construct compounded by the fact Kreider came directly from college last year, and due to the lockout apparently had a minimum of coordinated official instruction to prepare, Kreider showed up, and seemingly, instead of properly grading on a curve and allowing Kreider to be human and make mistakes and improve (which is what he did with JT Miller), he has made the golden boy the whipping boy.
I believe I am pushing but within boundaries for language of posts when I say: Torts, for this, kiss my ass.
I obviously can't and don't claim to truly know what is in CK's brain, as if, literally I were a mind reader. That disclaimer said, IMO, it appears that Chris is trying, but now instead of playing he is OVERLY thinking about everything before doing it. Of course every player, especially a professional, should be aware of the game and its aspects and not sleepwalk through them. Yes, dedication encourages an alertness. This is not the "thinking" to which I am referring. His brain, like other players, is wired for basic play, and should be making adjustments that are improvements in technique. I believe that analogy applies outside sports as well.
IMO, in an attempt to improve his technique, CK seems that much behind in the thought process, for fear of getting further in the dog house. In other words, there is an artificial delay Kreider is unintentionally creating as he attempts to do his job. That delay in a fast sport like hockey is enough to throw off timing and execution.
Torts deserves no special kudos for Miller or prior MDZ into making them better players. I am not saying his contribution was worthless. I am saying that whether it is Torts, or, to illustrate a point, Bobby Orr [agent for the Staals, I believe] demonstrating a technique, the key is that Del Zotto got the ice time to develop, and without Torts jumping in his head. In the case of MDZ, that was at Hartford. In the case of Miller, it was initially at Rangers, 'cause they were desperate for help at C, then when they got pivot help, they elected to give Miller more minutes. I'm ok with that. (I was proven correct, btw, that Miller, while in need of more seasoning, was good enough, and had physically developed enough, to play here. This is something that was a point of disagreement on the Ranger forum, and I was largely by myself on this.)
Such is not the case with Kreider. Kreider already has all the physical gifts he needs to play at NHL level. What he needs is the equivalent of pro experience Miller got, at minimum probably more, which is getting; and one other important thing. He needs to get Torts out of his mind.
In a construct where one or the other is going to bend, buckle and break, it should be Torts. Kreider should go where his development is best. That could, at the moment, be long stretches in AHL. But once here in the NHL, he doesn't need either berating or coddling by Torts or any other coach. He needs to play and improve at this level, just as at the AHL level.
It stands to logical reason that if we allow Kreider to be Kreider as in last year's playoffs, the good will outweigh the bad, and since he is motivated to improve, results will demonstrate progress over time and quickly.
But if as soon as he gets to the Rangers the spectre of Torts -- liminally, subliminally or otherwise --- gets to him, it is a huge and unnecessary obstacle for Kreider to overcome.
Hopefully this will all be moot going forward for two reasons.
As applies to Kreider, whatever happens this season, there will be no NHL-NHLPA restriction, so while he should take a few weeks off and not burnout, every thing he needs to focus on to improve, is an exercise he can undertake with specialized instruction. CK has had success pre-NHL and I believe has demonstrated in last year's playoffs had shown enough skill AND enough hockey sense to succeed here. I agree he will succeed better with more work which he needs, but he will succeed.
As applies to Torts, hopefully he will be gone.
Yes, we have suddenly scored a lot of goals the last couple of games, cause except for the odd shift, Torts has abandoned the six goalie excessive shotblocking idiocy he has been preaching since day 1. So at the moment, the Rangers are doing well not by using the Torts system, but by NOT using the Torts system, so to speak.
Another question is if we make the playoffs, how far do we go?
The acid test that Torts system is over-hyped is that even last year, with minimum of injury, and more breaks than not, we were too impotent at the end. We could not put opponents away, and we were completely and totally too exhausted for last year's playoffs. I applaud them for even showing up and making an effort vs. Jersey. Lundqvist, in particular, already must be tired, if not exhausted.
Of course, while no one is saying let Hank be left out to dry, if we played a more offense oriented system and did less shot blocking to begin with, one which sustained less damage, one which left us less out of position, and more importantly, one which left us less exhausted to begin with, we arguably would have done better.
The Rangers will win when they have the horses and can execute better than the opposition. They are getting more and better horses. Miller will be better next year, hopefully Kreider will appreciably be so as well. I'm looking forward to Fast(h), Lindberg and at least a cup of coffee with McIlrath next year. That, plus what remains to be seen from Slats, will help.
But while Torts can morph into whatever, he may be steering the ship, but if it is not his failed system which he has specifically hung his hat on, then the Torts system is proven to not be the winning strategy. Hopefully Slats and Dolan are listening.
In any event, rather than trade Kreider for less than optimal value, I assume in any case Torts will NOT be allowed to further ruin Kreider. The assurance that is the case regardless of whether or not Torts is on the bench may be enough for Kreider to get Torts out of his head, and that could make the difference. But if not, then I'd rather see Kreider stay and Torts go.
- he's so young, very raw, oozes potential...has a rare combo of size, good speed, hands/puck skills, and a good shot... is this a hiccup/bump in the road that comes with development as a prospect (particularly that of the NCAA prospect ilk), or are you worried that he might not live up to lofty expectations in the form of being a top-6 certainty?
I confident that barring injury he will be another Dave Keon at minimum in terms of a player of exceptional speed putting it to good use, even though he is being converted from C to LW (another adjustment). If Kreider can harness the shot he has shown to us in glimpses, he could be a special LW.
- what do you think about him regarding the intelligence aspect of the game? Safe to call him a moderately smart forward? Worse than that? Better than that? How's his knowledge of the game and the forward position?
As explained above, he obviously has more to learn. I don't think he has a learning disability. I think it is difficult when anybody is in your face. Once that artificial barrier is offset or removed, slowly but surely, IMO Kreider will thrive.
Unfortunately, the shortened season and condensed schedule hasn't allowed me the normal routine I've had every year I can remember watching hockey to keep my finger on the proverbial pulse of the Blueshirts as my "default second team" being in the suburbs. I ask out of sheer curiosity and lack of ability to dissect as I would in a normal season.
I don't speak for anyone other than myself here, but for my part, your thoughtful and cordial inquiry was well written and appreciated.
Thanks in advance, all, and I'll be pulling for you come May.
- jBuddy
You are welcome, thanks for your support of Rangers w/Sabres out atm.
Carl Hagelin also came into the NHL with little time in the AHL and also straight from college and was a bit older...
