Player Discussion Gerard Gallant

[The Gloaming]

I keep seeing reference to Gallant’s “caveman” style. Can someone elaborate. I watch every game and the only line that dumps and chases and hits and goes into the dirty areas is the fourth line. Everyone else is playing east-west, perimeter hockey. How is that “caveman” style?

They're not exactly playing a pretty game out there. It's more like just staying outside on the boards and grinding along there instead of bringing the puck to the middle of the ice. Everyone of the forwards seems content on just going to the corners and pretending to battle for the puck until they lose it. Even Panarin I see on the boards so often. No creativity except for blind centering passes to the other team. It's just baffling really. Not enough switching bw the forwards and D. Whenever a guy does pinch, there is no awareness from a forward to circle back up high. No communication. Caveman tactics.

Also, the defense has been doing a lot of Torts era "just chip it out" or hail mary stretch passes. There is no cohesion or puck support, no short passes almost at all in the NZ. Our defensemen have all been looking like declining Dan Girardi out there, flipping the puck back to the opposing point man or trying to send it out of the zone just softly enough so that it's not icing. But many times these braindead idiots still ice it, even when there isn't that much pressure.

The biggest thing is that there isn't any team speed on the transition. We look so f***ing slow out there - really like a bunch of cavemen. We have enough good skaters on this team that we should be faster in transition. Miller is good at carrying the puck and he needs to do more of that because passing is not his forte at all. As a team coming up ice, they just look so slow, like they are 260lb lumbering cavemen.

It's mostly in the D zone and NZ that they are looking like cavemen. I really don't know what they're doing in the offensive zone or how to even describe it.

 

[DuneGoon84]

They're not exactly playing a pretty game out there. It's more like just staying outside on the boards and grinding along there instead of bringing the puck to the middle of the ice. Everyone of the forwards seems content on just going to the corners and pretending to battle for the puck until they lose it. Even Panarin I see on the boards so often. No creativity except for blind centering passes to the other team. It's just baffling really. Not enough switching bw the forwards and D. Whenever a guy does pinch, there is no awareness from a forward to circle back up high. No communication. Caveman tactics.

Also, the defense has been doing a lot of Torts era "just chip it out" or hail mary stretch passes. There is no cohesion or puck support, no short passes almost at all in the NZ. Our defensemen have all been looking like declining Dan Girardi out there, flipping the puck back to the opposing point man or trying to send it out of the zone just softly enough so that it's not icing. But many times these braindead idiots still ice it, even when there isn't that much pressure.

The biggest thing is that there isn't any team speed on the transition. We look so f***ing slow out there - really like a bunch of cavemen. We have enough good skaters on this team that we should be faster in transition. Miller is good at carrying the puck and he needs to do more of that because passing is not his forte at all. As a team coming up ice, they just look so slow, like they are 260lb lumbering cavemen.

It's mostly in the D zone and NZ that they are looking like cavemen. I really don't know what they're doing in the offensive zone or how to even describe it.

Nice summary. Pinpoint accuracy with this

 

[Anthony5967]

Kane was always going to be an adjustment bc he needs to be the one controlling the puck and putting him with panarin was beyond stupid bc panarin is probably worse than Kane at demanding puck possession. It was bound to fail before it started. This is again why Kane belongs with zib and Kreider since neither of them requires the puck on their blade to be effective

Is the coach an idiot? Seriously. Everybody including Eddie O, the fanbase, everybody, knows Zib and Kreider need the puck on their blade to be the scorers they are and to get in position to score. Why is Kane not with them? It's laughable at this point. Tank is a scorer. He needs to be with a playmaker.

 

[Anthony5967]

It makes me sick to know they are going to squander this opportunity with all of this talent due to an archaic head coach with no idea what he's doing. This team is too talented to underperform like this all year. He's a big part of the issue. He broke up Kreider-Zibanejad-Kakko despite them being a top-7 line in hockey. He sticks with the PP1 all year despite it being below average for large chunks of the year. However, he's changing lines nonstop. The entire NHL will call Kane washed like they did Eric Staal. Eric Staal was misused here. Guy went on to still be an elite player elsewhere in a proper role and system. Kane will do the same.

 

[SA16]

It makes me sick to know they are going to squander this opportunity with all of this talent due to an archaic head coach with no idea what he's doing. This team is too talented to underperform like this all year. He's a big part of the issue. He broke up Kreider-Zibanejad-Kakko despite them being a top-7 line in hockey. He sticks with the PP1 all year despite it being below average for large chunks of the year. However, he's changing lines nonstop. The entire NHL will call Kane washed like they did Eric Staal. Eric Staal was misused here. Guy went on to still be an elite player elsewhere in a proper role and system. Kane will do the same.

Rangers PP% by month:

October - 12th
November - 8th
December - 10th
January - 9th
February - 7th
March - 9th

When was it below average?

 

[Anthony5967]

Rangers PP% by month:

October - 12th
November - 8th
December - 10th
January - 9th
February - 7th
March - 9th

When was it below average?

What? At one point the powerplay was like 21st in the league lol.

 

[duhmetreE]

I keep seeing reference to Gallant’s “caveman” style. Can someone elaborate. I watch every game and the only line that dumps and chases and hits and goes into the dirty areas is the fourth line. Everyone else is playing east-west, perimeter hockey. How is that “caveman” style?

His entire system can be summed up to, “owning the boards”.

It’s why the middle of the ice is so often vacated. Standing in front of the net is not what I’m talking about

Rarely if ever support the puck using the middle. Rarely if ever transition using the middle. Rarely if ever attack the middle. Add to it our spacing and movements do not create space or opportunity.

We complain about players not going to the certain spots but a big portion of that is game plan imo

 

[duhmetreE]

I think that Gallant is a much better coach than many of you give him credit for. His strength is creating a positive atmosphere and environment. That’s a highly unrecognized trait in today‘s NHL. There are several head coaches in the league who are excellent tacticians but lousy environment coaches.

Gallant has always counted on others - re: Mike Kelly — to be his X’s and O’s guy. One tactical guy and one teamwork. That’s not an uncommon pairing in the NHL.

Whomever suggested Kelly could be the sacrificial lamb this year may be right. I’d also offer that Gord Murphy has been a big step back from Jacques Martin.

If this thing blows up, I could see a scenario where there is a coaching change. I don’t think the league has any appetite to welcome back Quennville in such a high profile position, but I could see Andrew Brunette coming in here.

I’m more than OK with this. Get me a modern day tactician. I don’t know who but someone like brunette would be great.

Like you said too, defensive coverage hasn’t been great. A step back from Martin. He should have been kept.

 

[hackeyman]

They undoubtedly will be when they lose in round one as Drury has one more chance to buy himself another season in NY .....so...he'll take the easy way out . I doubt Turk will care...he will be home golfing/watching hockey and cashing 75,000.00 dollar US checks for the following 104 weeks and enjoying his life with his grandchildren . Darn good severance package .

You obviously have know idea about who Turk is. And you're from his hometown ?

 

[Zats Muccarello]

He's a good coach, I don't understand the hate

Edit: Just to clarify, that doesn't mean that he doesn't have any flaws. Nobody is perfect but with Gallant I feel like there is a lot more good than bad.

 

[huerter]

He's a good coach, I don't understand the hate

They hated Renney, they hated Torts, they hated AV, they hated Quinn, they hated Arniel, they hated Sullivan, they hated Ruff.

They'll hate the next guy.

 

[haohmaru]

He's a good coach, I don't understand the hate

Best winning % in Rangers coaching history - almost 100 years.

"He SUCKS."
"FIRE GALLANT"
'He can't develop the kids"

If he wins a Cup people will still talk about Laf having barely 40 points

 

[NickyFotiu]

He's a good coach, I don't understand the hate

That is what they do. Best coaches never to have coached an actual game.

 

[Overcast]

What? At one point the powerplay was like 21st in the league lol.

Probably during some arbitrary period of time, from like November 9th at 3:25pm through November 21st at 7:49am.

 

[Megustaelhockey]

That is what they do. Best coaches never to have coached an actual game.

People want a yeller. They want a bag skater. They want an id.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Best winning % in Rangers coaching history - almost 100 years.

"He SUCKS."
"FIRE GALLANT"
'He can't develop the kids"

If he wins a Cup people will still talk about Laf having barely 40 points

He also has had the most talented and complete roster (in their prime) than any other coach. Even if you compare the roster in '94
No other roster had
mika - top 10 center ,messier would be the best center we had previously
fox - Leetch would be the best defenseman, and leetch is still better, but fox is climbing
panarin - best winger we've had since jagr
kreider - Net front ability, can play a physical game (doesn't but can), graves would be the comparison, but CK is better than graves
miller - Puck moving defenseman that can also shut down.
trouba - Big physical defenseman, can throw huge clean hits to change the momentum of a game. Designed for the physicality of the playoffs.
Lindgren - Solid steady defensive defenseman - the Beukeboom to fox's leetch

Shesterkin when he's hot is capable of stealing series like prime hank, only we have an offense in front of him.


Not to mention, we've got a kid line who only most non playoff teams would be firmly in the top 6 or even top line and crushing production, as our 3rd line.

We've got a solid defensive 4th line that can put up points, forecheck and actually control play.


When I look at the rosters we threw up in front of hank, We had so many holes in comparison, we could barely score. You want to give gallant credit, he does deserve some, but not for his winning percentage. He walked into a great situation.

 

[NickyFotiu]

People want a yeller. They want a bag skater. They want an id.

Those get hated on as well.

 

[eco's bones]

I get that with a lot of coaches there is a sell by date but it's too easy to pick on the coach......because this because that. We're a playoff team now and arguably not only that but a real contender. But like pretty much every one of the better teams we have games.....sometimes a bunch in a row where it's a real struggle.

A lot comes down to personnel. Gallant obviously has more talent than Quinn ever had. Gallant's had something of a track record. I get the progress of Kakko and Lafreniere haven't been on a par with Zegras and Stutzle but Zegras and Stutzle don't have Zibanejad, Panarin, Kreider etc. in front of them. Zegras and Stutzle can score a bazillion points each but Anaheim isn't going anywhere for a while and Ottawa though getting better has flopped again too. But really if Gallant continues with us getting Laf and Kakko's numbers up should be a big part of his mission.

The best statistic in hockey for me is the win column. Winning builds your culture.

 

[huerter]

I get that with a lot of coaches there is a sell by date but it's too easy to pick on the coach......because this because that. We're a playoff team now and arguably not only that but a real contender. But like pretty much every one of the better teams we have games.....sometimes a bunch in a row where it's a real struggle.

A lot comes down to personnel. Gallant obviously has more talent than Quinn ever had. Gallant's had something of a track record. I get the progress of Kakko and Lafreniere haven't been on a par with Zegras and Stutzle but Zegras and Stutzle don't have Zibanejad, Panarin, Kreider etc. in front of them. Zegras and Stutzle can score a bazillion points each but Anaheim isn't going anywhere for a while and Ottawa though getting better has flopped again too. But really if Gallant continues with us getting Laf and Kakko's numbers up should be a big part of his mission.

The best statistic in hockey for me is the win column. Winning builds your culture.

Points schmoints (no sarcasm)

 

[PuckLuck3043]

They hated Renney, they hated Torts, they hated AV, they hated Quinn, they hated Arniel, they hated Sullivan, they hated Ruff.

They'll hate the next guy.

Truth. Some will hate every player and every coach.

 

[GENESISPuck94]

They hated Renney, they hated Torts, they hated AV, they hated Quinn, they hated Arniel, they hated Sullivan, they hated Ruff.

They'll hate the next guy.

I liked Renney, Torts, and Sullivan.

I didn't/don't like AV and Gallant. Quinn was just in way over his head and never should have left NCAA.

 

[hackeyman]

Gallant obviously has more talent than Quinn ever had.

I agree with most of your post with the exception of the above. Last years team was very little changed from the year before. Last years team had Blais and Reavo. The previous team had Buch.

 

[GENESISPuck94]

Not a fan of Quinn really, but before the lock down, Quinn's Rangers were arguably the hottest team in the league. They were on a roll. Every game it was the young Rangers out working their opponent and winning games and having fun. Zibanejad and Panarin were dominating. The young players were contributing. They were tough to play against.

The lock down happend then they got beat by Carolina and the wheels fell off the next season and the last straw that finally broke was the Wilson incident that made Dolan go nuclear.

But Quinn at one point had his team rolling and were all in. Gallant has never had that even in the playoffs last year. They won games by a thread and sheer luck. But they got their teeth kicked in most of the time and somehow got a timely goal or lucky bounce. Shesterkin also had a historic season.

I can't say Gallant is better at anything than Quinn. Gallant has a stacked roster right now, possibly the most stacked in the league, and he still can't figure it out and get everyone on the same page and can't figure out how to use them.

 

[McRanger92]

Not a fan of Quinn really, but before the lock down, Quinn's Rangers were arguably the hottest team in the league. They were on a roll. Every game it was the young Rangers out working their opponent and winning games and having fun. Zibanejad and Panarin were dominating. The young players were contributing. They were tough to play against.

The lock down happend then they got beat by Carolina and the wheels fell off the next season and the last straw that finally broke was the Wilson incident that made Dolan go nuclear.

But Quinn at one point had his team rolling and were all in. Gallant has never had that even in the playoffs last year. They won games by a thread and sheer luck. But they got their teeth kicked in most of the time and somehow got a timely goal or lucky bounce. Shesterkin also had a historic season.

I can't say Gallant is better at anything than Quinn. Gallant has a stacked roster right now, possibly the most stacked in the league, and he still can't figure it out and get everyone on the same page and can't figure out how to use them.

I dont even like Gallant but to say he doesnt have everyone on the same page this year could not be further from the truth. Just ignoring the fact that weve got one of the best records in the league since December. And that was before he's been able to integrate the new guys. It's not like he's an AV redux.

His long-term future is going to be decided by how far he can take the team in the postseason, but the W/L record during his tenure doesnt lie.

 

[Leonardo87]

I dont even like Gallant but to say he doesnt have everyone on the same page this year could not be further from the truth. Just ignoring the fact that weve got one of the best records in the league since December. And that was before he's been able to integrate the new guys. It's not like he's an AV redux.

His long-term future is going to be decided by how far he can take the team in the postseason, but the W/L record during his tenure doesnt lie.

I think he will get 2 more playoffs runs and if there isn’t progress, think they move on to another coach. So basically Gallant is not going anywhere anytime soon.
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