Post-Game Talk: Jets at Rangers 12/2/2013

[nevesis]

I was against the move from the start. I kept hearing the kinds of things out of Columbus that, to me, screamed locker room cancer. Accusations that he worked/practiced only when he wanted to practice, and stuff like that. I was worried that he would come over here, after a decade plus of playing in a losing culture, and spread bad habits in the Rangers tight-knit room. I was even more concerned when guys like Feds and Prust followed AA and Dubi out the door. People kept saying that Callahan was the clear leader and that there would be no problems, but last year? I didn't notice the same effort. Not across the board like we saw before. I saw a team that the year before (without Nash) had every player working towards the same goal in the same way.

Enter Nash and suddenly the players are getting the coach fired? Suddenly they show up when they want to show up?

There is no proof to any of this, and I honestly question how much of this is likely due to Nash and his reported bad habits, and how much of this is me just reading things that way because that's what I was worried about. All I know, is that I had a bad feeling that the team would become just like it is now (mediocre, 8th/9th place level--just like the pre-lockout Ranger teams dominated by me-first mercenaries) when Nash came over.

To be fair, though, I know this is my own blind spot, which is why I try not to post about it often.

Although I respectfully disagree with your opinion, I appreciate your post. You make some fair points.

 

[Callagraves]

So how much longer does Av get?

Hopefully not too much longer. I'm tired of him taking zero blame for icing the worst rangers team in half a decade, especially after we just ran a coach out of town while playing playoff hockey.

Our defense looks the worst it ever has. I'm not a fan of playing man-D, and we've seen each and every defenseman play their worst hockey under it.

Offense? It's the same. Maybe worse.

Battle level? Hardly there. The blue-collar blueshirts are no more.

Resilience? HA! This team has a Masters degree from Columbia in Buckling Under Adversity.

I'd prefer dump and chase to endless neutral zone turnovers and no look passes at our own blue-line.

Most of all, I hate that ****ing gum chewing. Non-stop. I can't stand it.

 

[I Eat Crow]

He should stay. I see where he wants to go with the team but we just dont have the guys for it. Alot of grinders and bottom 6 guys trying to play a skill game doesnt work. I wish we could have signed Mason Raymond instead of Pouliot, at least AV knew him. We need more guys for his system, this isnt working. Goaltending is in place, we need the offense and defense now

Agree with this. Give our GM, whoever it may be, a couple of years to acquire pieces that better fit the identity that the existing coach is trying to establish. There's a lot of dead weight on this roster.

 

[varanger94]

Sure we didn't play well and deserved the loss, but the frustration of watching Winnipeg get away with at least 10 calls, particularly Byfuglien, just ruins any enjoyment in the game. Martell and Jackson sang "Oh Canada" all night.

 

[Kwayry]

Staal hasn't been playing up to his standard. I feel he is going through a rut that he will eventually get out of. He deserves it.

Somebody has to be held accountable for underperforming on the offense. The list is long.

Rangers need an enforcer, this is getting a little out of hands. If somebody takes liberties with Nash, Kreider Hags or anybody else, who will "enforce the peace"? There is nobody. Love Dorsett, but he is a middleweight.
The Boyle jokes are getting old, it's not his job, I give him a lot of props for trying, but he should stick to what he does best.

 

[varanger94]

Staal hasn't been playing up to his standard. I feel he is going through a rut that he will eventually get out of. He deserves it.

Somebody has to be held accountable for underperforming on the offense. The list is long.

Rangers need an enforcer, this is getting a little out of hands. If somebody takes liberties with Nash, Kreider Hags or anybody else, who will "enforce the peace"? There is nobody. Love Dorsett, but he is a middleweight.
The Boyle jokes are getting old, it's not his job, I give him a lot of props for trying, but he should stick to what he does best.

Dorsett is our heavyweight and zuc is our middleweight.

 

[Sweech]

Jets fan coming in peace.

I know you all likely know this already, but wow is McDonaugh ever amazing. Each time I've seen him he's been good, but this game he absolutely blew me away.

 

[darko]

Trade Talbot?

 

[RangersHank*]

I was against the move from the start. I kept hearing the kinds of things out of Columbus that, to me, screamed locker room cancer. Accusations that he worked/practiced only when he wanted to practice, and stuff like that. I was worried that he would come over here, after a decade plus of playing in a losing culture, and spread bad habits in the Rangers tight-knit room. I was even more concerned when guys like Feds and Prust followed AA and Dubi out the door. People kept saying that Callahan was the clear leader and that there would be no problems, but last year? I didn't notice the same effort. Not across the board like we saw before. I saw a team that the year before (without Nash) had every player working towards the same goal in the same way.

Enter Nash and suddenly the players are getting the coach fired? Suddenly they show up when they want to show up?

There is no proof to any of this, and I honestly question how much of this is likely due to Nash and his reported bad habits, and how much of this is me just reading things that way because that's what I was worried about. All I know, is that I had a bad feeling that the team would become just like it is now (mediocre, 8th/9th place level--just like the pre-lockout Ranger teams dominated by me-first mercenaries) when Nash came over.

To be fair, though, I know this is my own blind spot, which is why I try not to post about it often.

Good post, i disagree though, but good points. I would hope that our guys are stronger mentally to not let another players lazyness rub off on them, if there is any lazyness. If that is the problem, then the organization is in big big trouble.

 

[darko]

So how much longer does Av get?

Haha AV the Clown.

 

[Kwayry]

Dorsett is our heavyweight and zuc is our middleweight.

I tell you what, I am not really worried about Zuke, he seems to take care of himself just fine.

 

[darko]

I'm upset about losing, but Stepan is being trashed of all people? There are far more severe problems with this team.

Lundqvist gets ripped on around here. Going by that there is no way Stepan should be off limits.

 

[varanger94]

I tell you what, I am not really worried about Zuke, he seems to take care of himself just fine.

I agree. I saw him hit 4 guy's on one shift in Boston. Didn't back down from Kunitz. i'd like to see him take on Cindy crosby

 

[Kwayry]

I've watched hockey for over 25 yrs, and i've seen every game Del Zotto has played. He can't play defense. He loses his man and his assignment night after night.

I guess AV is scratching him for no reason? Yet i'm accused of having an agenda?

I have seen them too, so has Torts and guess what, he was playing for Torts as top 4 in a defensive system. So forgive me if I trust Torts and my judgement more than yours. It seems to me you are blindly hating on DZ for your own personal reasons.

 

[mrhockey193195]

Stepan is a poor skater, a horrible faceoff man, and doesn't show up for big games. He hasn't taken any steps to improve the holes in his game and lacks drive and toughness (physical and mental). No team having to rely on DStep will ever win anything.

I'm going to hold onto this quote.

I completely disagree with you...let's see who ends up being right in the end

 

[Kwayry]

So how much longer does Av get?

He gets this season I'd think, regardless of where they finish.

 

[Raspewtin]

So how much longer does Av get?

Plenty of time.

Not his fault this roster sucks.

 

[BroadwayStorm]

The level of prima donna on this board is ASTOUNDING!

What proof do you have that NASH is a cancer or has bad habits or is lazy? What player or coach said this? I want to see a quote from somewhere to prove this other than your own neurotic-ism.

 

[DelZottoHitTheNetJK]

I'm going to hold onto this quote.

I completely disagree with you...let's see who ends up being right in the end

If I were you I wouldn't hold onto that quote because it's a bet you will lose. Derek Stepan is a decent 2nd line center at best. He creates absolutely 0 offense on his own. I could not care less about his stat line as I can already hear his nut hugger supporters yelling 51 points; he has played with good wingers his entire career. He has been abysmal this year outside of the Carolina game and maybe 2 or 3 others. He doesn't have the physical tool box to go along with his hockey IQ. He is the opposite of Kreider, although Kreider is developing hockey sense. You can teach hockey sense and defensive awareness; you can't teach speed and a blazing shot. You either have it or you don't. As stellar as Kreider has been this season, Stepan has been equally as bad. All in a guy that held out for an extra measly $200K and hurt his team in the process by missing camp and the preseason. Pathetic

No team relying on Stepan as their anchor at C will ever get anywhere

 

[TheTakedown]

This is going to be an unpopular opinion but I think a member of the so called "core" is going to have to be traded to shake up this moribund bunch. McDonagh, Kreider, Stepan and Lundqvist are the only untouchables. I would start calling around the league to see what we could potentially obtain for guys like Staal, Callahan, or Girardi. Also Brassard is not the answer at second line center. Makes too many dumb decisions with the puck for my liking. I also can't wait until I no longer have to see Richards in a Ranger uniform. Another in a long line of failed free agent signings. Good riddance, Beaver.

I mentioned this in the trade thread. If you want an impact trade, one of those players has to go. Del Zotto is the easy way out. And he's not getting you a whole lot back.

Beaver isn't the problem here, and the list of untouchables is correct.

If it's between Staal, Callahan, and Girardi, I would say Girardi is the first to go because of his lack of foot speed and inability to carry the puck well. Staal is much more mobile, and Callahan wears the C.

MDZ is going to have to be packaged with one of those three before we get anything solid back.

 

[wolfgaze]

I wonder what the posts will look like next season when Richards is gone and our Center depth consists of Stepan, Brassard and two of Boyle, Moore, Miller, Lindberg....Next season has the potential to be a ROUGH one....

 

[TheTakedown]

Jets fan coming in peace.

I know you all likely know this already, but wow is McDonaugh ever amazing. Each time I've seen him he's been good, but this game he absolutely blew me away.

McD is a stud. Him and Girardi are a solid pairing.

 

[Inferno]

i dont sense as much accountability on this club as before. Torts held you responsible for your play, shift to shift, game to game...AV isnt really like that...he more....guilts you into playing better...

like the passive aggressive parent who just sighs in disappointment to their kids in hopes of getting them to feel shame and be better...rather than the task master who tells them to get off their *****.

i just dont feel this club reacts as well to the softie as they do to the hard ass.

Torts got the guys playing hard almost every night....i cant really say the same for AV.

 

[smoneil]

The level of prima donna on this board is ASTOUNDING!

What proof do you have that NASH is a cancer or has bad habits or is lazy? What player or coach said this? I want to see a quote from somewhere to prove this other than your own neurotic-ism.

Settle down, Beavis. I clearly said there wasn't any direct proof. That's why I rarely post about it. He asked. I answered. I'm not seeking validation of any kind. Also, when just about every Columbus fan, including the ones demanding McDonagh + Stepan in return for Nash, were saying that he practiced only on his terms, you have to think there's something behind it. Even his biggest supporters in Columbus admitted that he had a lazy streak and had a hand in getting one of his coaches fired.

 

[LeetchisGod]

I wonder what the posts will look like next season when Richards is gone and our Center depth consists of Stepan, Brassard and two of Boyle, Moore, Miller, Lindberg....Next season has the potential to be a ROUGH one....

It will be the same as this year because Richards isn't a quality center anymore. He's played far better on the wing this season.