Marian Gaborik

[Heyoooo*]

That was my point. Until Gaborik can create offense and be a consistent threat I disagree.

Hes not the only one struggling in this system.

Other teams have caught on to us per last year and are playing us much tougher than before.

People forget the massive amount of pressure put upon this team to do well immediately with a pretty fair amount of overhaul in the forward group.

A more open system I believe would definitely help that. Give our most skilled players more leeway here. Dump and chase, and grind grind grind worked well with the personnel the last two years. Not now.

Richards, Nash and Stepan are all players who need the puck to be successful. Gaborik is an open ice player. No more stretch passes that never work, no more dumping and chasing when only two players are actually good at retrieving the puck, etc.

Even the one part of our game that is entirely offensive has been arrested to dumping and chasing. The PP. They need to break out with the puck and make short passes up the ice and gain the zone that way. It should be that way most of the time really.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Gaborik comes and goes, as was mentioned 100x already he's a streaky scorer so he can't be depended on every night. Same goes for Nash, he was never looked to be as "that guy." So, as it stands at the moment we don't have a single consistent threat a la Stamkos.

In all fairness only 5 teams at most have that type of player.

 

[*Bob Richards*]

Gaborik comes and goes, as was mentioned 100x already he's a streaky scorer so he can't be depended on every night. Same goes for Nash, he was never looked to be as "that guy." So, as it stands at the moment we don't have a single consistent threat a la Stamkos.

And how many teams do?

 

[Tawnos]

Even the one part of our game that is entirely offensive has been arrested to dumping and chasing. The PP. They need to break out with the puck and make short passes up the ice and gain the zone that way. It should be that way most of the time really.

This is what's frustrating to me. They've got Gaborik with his blazing speed. They've got Nash with his intimidating speed. They've got Hagelin and Kreider with their blazing speed. Gaining the zone on the powerplay should be the simplest thing in the world. Watch how Detroit does it. They attack the offensive blue line with speed. Back the defenders off slightly and then dump the puck off on a short pass to a player on the point. You set up a guy on either side of the blue line to account for the choice the puck carrier needs to make based on what he sees.

It really not that hard.

 

[Heyoooo*]

This is what's frustrating to me. They've got Gaborik with his blazing speed. They've got Nash with his intimidating speed. They've got Hagelin and Kreider with their blazing speed. Gaining the zone on the powerplay should be the simplest thing in the world. Watch how Detroit does it. They attack the offensive blue line with speed. Back the defenders off slightly and then dump the puck off on a short pass to a player on the point. You set up a guy on either side of the blue line to account for the choice the puck carrier needs to make based on what he sees.

It really not that hard.

It isnt.

Even watching the Hawks tonight, theres an urgency to gaining the zone and moving the puck. They move the puck with such cohesion, its like they have a sixth sense. The Rangers just seem braindead out there in comparison. Theyre constantly trying to set up the perfect play, and most of all, no shots.

Gaborik should also be setting up not in front of the net but on the off wing. Does anyone know how to one time it besides Stralman?

 

[Tawnos]

It isnt.

Even watching the Hawks tonight, theres an urgency to gaining the zone and moving the puck. They move the puck with such cohesion, its like they have a sixth sense. The Rangers just seem braindead out there in comparison. Theyre constantly trying to set up the perfect play, and most of all, no shots.

Gaborik should also be setting up not in front of the net but on the off wing. Does anyone know how to one time it besides Stralman?

To be fair to Gabby, I can't remember the last time a pass was laid on his stick in a position for him to one-time it.

 

[Heyoooo*]

To be fair to Gabby, I can't remember the last time a pass was laid on his stick in a position for him to one-time it.

Well ive always been a big believer that if you want your team to do well, you need to put your best players in the best position to do so. Our best players certainly arent fit for this ********.

Tortorella would probably do well with Columbus.

 

[BBKers]

Well ive always been a big believer that if you want your team to do well, you need to put your best players in the best position to do so. Our best players certainly arent fit for this ********.

Tortorella would probably do well with Columbus.

I believe he would actually. For 2-3 years until his act gets old. Dubinsky would be like here we go again...
Erixon would cry to daddy & demand an immediate trade to NYR.
Anisimov would start shooting goalies in scoring ceremonies again.
JAM would get 1st line duty (the name says it all)
Vinny P would be captain
They would immediately trade for Brian Boyle, Fedotenko, Brandon Prust & Johnny Malkin Mitchell - of course too. Naturally sending us back our 1st rounder (maybe for Brian Boyle we get their 1st rounder instead? )

 

[chosen]

He switched it up to be convenient.

I do agree that the three most important players to this teams' success is Lundqvist, Gaborik and Nash.

What did I switch?

I believe that McDonagh is far more important to the Rangers winning than Gaborik. Do you think the power play could possibly suffer without Gaborik?

If McDonagh is out for any length of time you may change your opinion. How many dmen would you trade McDonagh for?

 

[chosen]

To be fair to Gabby, I can't remember the last time a pass was laid on his stick in a position for him to one-time it.

Great players don't need it even if it would be nice. He is a top notch goal scorer when healthy but his all around game is average and he has lapses where he disappears. I am not saying he isn't a good hockey player worth having. I just think his salary vs what you get in return is not good value.

 

[Beacon]

Gaborik comes and goes, as was mentioned 100x already he's a streaky scorer so he can't be depended on every night. Same goes for Nash, he was never looked to be as "that guy." So, as it stands at the moment we don't have a single consistent threat a la Stamkos.

Very few teams have that, but we have three players making major money, so one would hope that we'd get an All Star in one of them almost every game.

 

[Salsa Shark]

Great players don't need it even if it would be nice. He is a top notch goal scorer when healthy but his all around game is average and he has lapses where he disappears. I am not saying he isn't a good hockey player worth having. I just think his salary vs what you get in return is not good value.

I dont think any established player that hits FA has a reasonable contract. It's just the way it is.

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

I'll throw this out here: We can get a decent return on Gaborik, I think we will trade. And here's where you all rage at me: We're better when we play without him. When he was out for stretches I've seen live, the Rangers scored more and shared the puck instead of trying to feed to him. They played harder and succeeded more.

 

[RangerBoy]

The Hawks best players are their BEST players. Can you say the same thing about the Rangers? All of the Hawks players are playing well. You can count the number of Rangers playing to the best of their ability with one finger. Hagelin. That's it.

 

[Drewbackatu*]

What did I switch?

I believe that McDonagh is far more important to the Rangers winning than Gaborik. Do you think the power play could possibly suffer without Gaborik?

If McDonagh is out for any length of time you may change your opinion. How many dmen would you trade McDonagh for?

Right on the money! McDonagh is more important to this team than Gaborik is at present.

 

[Heyoooo*]

I'll throw this out here: We can get a decent return on Gaborik, I think we will trade. And here's where you all rage at me: We're better when we play without him. When he was out for stretches I've seen live, the Rangers scored more and shared the puck instead of trying to feed to him. They played harder and succeeded more.

Gaborik hasnt missed a game in over two years??

 

[Jabroni]

The Hawks best players are their BEST players. Can you say the same thing about the Rangers? All of the Hawks players are playing well. You can count the number of Rangers playing to the best of their ability with one finger. Hagelin. That's it.

this is what it comes down to. Richards, Gaborik, Callahan and Stepan are not playing to their abilities.

 

[Drewbackatu*]

this is what it comes down to. Richards, Gaborik, Callahan and Stepan are not playing to their abilities.

Actually, Stepan has pretty much played quite well the last handful of games. He's been active, good on face-offs, aggressive on forecheck, etc. Whether or not he has played to his ability is purely subjective.

 

[Kokoschka]

Gaborik is due for a big game. As is everyone else on this team.

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

Gaborik hasnt missed a game in over two years??

As much as I wish you were right, you're wrong.

 

[McRanger]

My take:

When a player can't back up defenders with speed, can't stick-handle around them, can't win a battle along the boards and isn't strong enough to seriously battle in front of the net, its tough to be effective except in certain situations.

Gaborik is great at finding openings around the net and can fire a nice shot off the rush but there is not much that he does otherwise that keeps the opposition honest. If he has the puck and is not within a few feet of the net with a shooting lane, defenders just pressure him and he often turns it over.

Nothing but respect for the player. Not just playing but scoring some big goals with a separated shoulder in the playoffs is enough for me not to question his heart.

But his playing style has always driven me crazy and when you factor in injury concerns and cap hit I would not be too upset if they moved him, assuming the return was good.

For the record I agree with Chosens list. Lundqvist, our big 3 D, and Nash are more vital, at least in my opinion. Callahan also, though his play has been somewhat... off this year as well. And you can even make an argument for Richards who, after a lousy start, was the more consistent player at both ends of the ice for the final 2/3 of last season and the playoffs. But who knows what his deal is.

 

[LieutenantLackluster]

Gaborik is due for a big game. As is everyone else on this team.

The universe isnt obligated to give players good games.

 

[Dangleberry]

Gaborik is due for a big game. As is everyone else on this team.

Says who? The coin you just flipped? He can have a big game 2 months from now for all we know.

 

[Kokoschka]

Says the fact that Gabby has been a PPG player over 5 of the last 6 seasons. You don't get there not having big games.

 

[Heyoooo*]

The thing with Gaborik here is, yes, we are struggling, but given his resume here, I have full confidence he will work it out. He always does. Its a what have you done for me lately fanbase. He will be fine.

****, there are people who get on Lundqvist too, which is probably unfathomable for about... 25 other teams.