Is this team built for a stanley cup

[Stasis]

I'm not knowledgeable enough to really pinpoint what the problems are within the team, the system, or the staff but I do know that this team hasn't shown me anything convincing yet and we're basically 1/3 of the way in. This isn't just a slow start anymore, this is a poor season in the making. It's a "half" season and I just don't know if they'll get it together in time to make an impact and be a contender.

I'm not even convinced we'll make the playoffs at this point, and that's not a knee-jerk reaction after tonight's mediocrity personified. More change is needed, whatever that change is, and all I can hope for realistically right now is that they manage to do decently from here on out and make the playoffs.

All that said, I'm thrilled we have Nash for years to come.

 

[nyrpassion]

I think the lack of training camp absolutely screwed with this team more than anything. Yeah, you can make the argument that its the same situation for all 30 teams, but conditioning is the pinnacle of the Torts system. Add into that we lost Prust, Dubi, Anisamov which imo were all crucial pieces to not only chemistry, but what the intangibles they brought, especially Prust. Basically, they're not the same grinding team they were last year, they need to find their new identity and fast, or this season will be a ****show.

 

[Fataldogg]

Yes.

When healthy, there are few defensive cores in the NHL that can compare with ours. We have, IMO, the best goaltender in the world even if he had a rocky start this season. We have a solid core of forwards.

We did, however, lose forward depth with the Nash trade. It's a trade I'd do again, but it did weaken our depth. What I'd really like to see is us acquire a legitimate two-way third line center who can be a big impact player. I think that would go a long way in our Cup hopes.

All of this is moot if you can't fix the PP and that is a coaching issue. I feel that the players would almost do better if they just went out there and winged it. The PP, with that kind of talent, has to be fixed. It cripples the team time and time again. If we even had an AVERAGE PP, we'd have 2-3 more wins and be top-3 in the Conference. If we can't be average on our PP, no, we won't make it to the SCF. Coaching has to fix that ASAP.

 

[NYR Sting]

"Grit." LOL

Grit is hardly the team's biggest problem. Offense, playmaking, and skill have been and continue to be the issues here.

 

[Dorado*]

I love the NYR with all my heart but its nowhere near being ready to win 16 PO games .
Even if BRich turns it around . It still has too many holes in it .
Nash seems the real deal but still not on par with the Toews , Crosby. , Malkins of the league and the NYR have no Big bomb from t point and no knee down sniper who can one time it .
Defending is great but you still need to be able to put a team on its heels and make them pay on the PP and without a knee down sniper and a Bomb from the point all you have is a perimeter team . NYR rarely ever have a player in the slot score like a James Neal or a player who can one time a cross ice feed .
This team is not the tenacious fore checkers if last season and I think the luster of blocking all the shots has worn off . The cherry on top is they never win a big offensive zone face off

 

[Krams]

1) Tortorella's system is atrocious.
2) The power play is atrocious.
3) We don't have a #1 center.
4) We lack offensive depth.

Nope. This is a bubble team.

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

1) Tortorella's system is atrocious.
2) The power play is atrocious.
3) We don't have a #1 center.
4) We lack offensive depth.

Nope. This is a bubble team.

I disagree with #4, we have been getting alot of secondary scoring lately, something we haven't gotten last year. Well, we also technically have a #1 center in name, just not playing like it.. and I agree with the other 2, perhaps THE biggest problem is Torts and his horrible system.

 

[Krams]

I disagree with #4, we have been getting alot of secondary scoring lately, something we haven't gotten last year. Well, we also technically have a #1 center in name, just not playing like it.. and I agree with the other 2, perhaps THE biggest problem is Torts and his horrible system.

We've been getting secondary scoring from Hagelin, that's pretty much it. Swapping Rupp for Darroll Powe did not alleviate our depth problems. We've got somebody on the team who's getting paid like a number one center, but following in the footsteps of Drury and Gomez before him and deteriorating at an awesome rate.

 

[NYRSchrute217]

I'm expecting this team will heat up maybe around mid-March and show us their true colors. Until then, it's a lot of frustration due to inconsistency.

 

[NY Lito]

I'm expecting this team will heat up maybe around mid-March and show us their true colors. Until then, it's a lot of frustration due to inconsistency.

Exactly what I've been thinking.

 

[Dorado*]

Besides Nash ( who not exactly lighting it up ) and Hags this is a team chock full o plugs

 

[MTrangers]

I honestly thought we were good enough to be right there...it's a little much for one night to change my mind but I think it did. Even if we kept it tied and stole one in a shootout we looked so ordinary. Nothing that ANY team in the league couldn't compete with. I watched the first 5 minutes or the Chi/Van game and literally was more entertained during that than the entire Rangers game. Not only that, it looked like it was a different league. Literally. A different league. Passes being made and caught is one thing, doing that while making creative plays entering the zone AND skating with speed is enough to confuse any Rangers fan into wondering what sport they are watching.