Physicality

[Raspewtin]

Boyle can play wing. Also, I believe Stamkos played on Johnson's wing after St. Louis was traded.

He was moved back to center in game 3 of the Montreal series I believe, where he belongs.

Boyle can play wing but he just shouldn't get top 9 minutes. Almost sure Tampa has the forward depth where that wont happen.

 

[Thirty One]

He was moved back to center in game 3 of the Montreal series I believe, where he belongs.

Boyle can play wing but he just shouldn't get top 9 minutes. Almost sure Tampa has the forward depth where that wont happen.

Johnson was still Stamkos' most frequent linemate in Game 3.

 

[slipknottin]

I think a much bigger concern than hits is who will play in front of the opponents net.

Pouliot and Kreider shared that role last year. Pou is gone now. They need someone that can do that. Preferably two more who can do that

 

[True Blue]

Where do the Rangers find physicality? Boyle, Poo, Dorsett,Stralman are gone. How do we compete along the walls? Teams may run us out of the rink.I thinkthe Rangers were hurt more than any other team in free agency

What are you worried about? They will just outskate everyone.

 

[Jersey Girl]

You could argue the team's best player along the walls is Hagelin. He's not what people would call a physical player.....

For me it's Zucc, but your point still stands.

 

[Mikos87]

Hey look none of the forwards that were lost were high impact hitters. Very rarely did they separate the man from the puck due to their physicality.

They were skinny guys without the muscle mass to hit guys like the Kings.

Glass adds a few elements over Dorsett, but his puck skills are below that of a modern 4th liner.

A guy like Kreider doesn't throw his weight around during as hard as he could. Dude could do some damage at his speed and size. The team is more focused on possession than they are on hits.

But it does help to have a few guys that can bring that to the table.

 

[NYR Viper]

This is going to be a major issue this season. I am calling it now

 

[Garv23]

I agree about Kreider. With that size/speed, he could be a force ala early Lindros. There doesn't seem to be that consistent willingness to battle though. It's frustrating.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

If the Rangers had more than one player with the ability to battle in front of the net, the onus wouldn't be one Kreider to single-handedly be a wrecking ball every shift.

 

[Dagoon44]

I am very happy the rangers made the cup I was shocked and excited . But go back and read A.V. Comments he wants to be the red wings .. No toughness. At all.. He stated this multiple times the Rangers will be soft no way around it

 

[Wolfy*]

Funny about Kreider. Big and strong, but couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag. He's like a gorilla with the mindset of a kitten.

Maybe Glass should teach Kreider how to fight. And insert McIlrath, then it will be the end of Rangers softness image.

 

[Miamipuck]

^^Toughness isn't just fighting ability. With the exception of fighting the Rangers were tough enough last year, they dealt with all the adversity that came their way. How many goons did the Kings or Blackhawks employ?

To make the distinction though they lost some physicality in losing Boyle, Dorsett, and even Stralman compared to signing Boyle. Of course there is time to rectify that.

Miller playing regularly will be more physical then Brad Richards. That said the Rangers are going to have some work to get a 4th line even half as good as last year.

As it stands right now I agree the physicality is really lacking. Tanner Glass isn't an answer to any questions. I hope to hell McIlrath can make a good impression in training camp.


FYI: I just mean Stralman laid some good hits in the playoffs but he wasn't overly physical.

 

[Fletch]

If the Rangers had more than one player with the ability to battle in front of the net, the onus wouldn't be one Kreider to single-handedly be a wrecking ball every shift.

And perhaps the Rangers score a PP goal and the SCFs are different. Been saying what's wrong with the PP is someone both deflecting shots and getting loose pucks around the net, of which there were plenty.

 

[Florida Ranger]

I care about mental toughness more.

 

[haveandare]

Funny about Kreider. Big and strong, but couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag. He's like a gorilla with the mindset of a kitten.

Maybe Glass should teach Kreider how to fight. And insert McIlrath, then it will be the end of Rangers softness image.

Based on what? He fought phaneuf, which was hardly a fight by either guy, and that's it.

He's a power forward who plays left wing on the top line. I don't really want him fighting and sitting out 5 minutes. Fighters aren't that hard to find. Huge, fast LWers are.

 

[True Blue]

I am very happy the rangers made the cup I was shocked and excited . But go back and read A.V. Comments he wants to be the red wings .. No toughness. At all.. He stated this multiple times the Rangers will be soft no way around it

The Wings also had the Grind line all those years.

 

[True Blue]

If the Rangers had more than one player with the ability to battle in front of the net, the onus wouldn't be one Kreider to single-handedly be a wrecking ball every shift.

The statement should read if they had more than one player who was willing to go to the front of the net.

 

[slipknottin]

I agree about Kreider. With that size/speed, he could be a force ala early Lindros. There doesn't seem to be that consistent willingness to battle though. It's frustrating.

Well he gets penalized or suspended when he actually uses his size and power. I don't blame him for holding back.

If he got the Lucic treatment from the league/refs then he could be out there running guys all game without fear

 

[LORDE]

Zucc may be our most physical forward. And I'm not even joking.

Boyle, for all of his size didn't use it very well and couldn't stay on his skates when he did.

I don't think we need fighters...

It would, however, be nice if Nash started getting his hands dirty.. going to the net, muscling guys off pucks, etc. but I may be talking about a player who doesn't exist anymore.

 

[Inferno]

I am very happy the rangers made the cup I was shocked and excited . But go back and read A.V. Comments he wants to be the red wings .. No toughness. At all.. He stated this multiple times the Rangers will be soft no way around it

Red Wings make the playoffs every year, and if not for injuries the past few years would be a SC contender every year. They also have won the same amount of cups in the past 20 years as what we've won in our entire history.

 

[True Blue]

It would, however, be nice if Nash started getting his hands dirty.. going to the net, muscling guys off pucks, etc. but I may be talking about a player who doesn't exist anymore.

That player never existed.

Overall softness as a team was a hallmark of AV's Van teams.

There were and are players out there who can still be brought in. I would have made a play for Downie, but he was signed by the Pens. There is nothing wrong with flanking Moore, in addition to Glass, with a Carter or even a Carcillo. Unless boht have signed and I missed it. This is not about bringing in enforcers. Just being able to bring the fight to the other team.

Isn't Ott still out there as well?

 

[True Blue]

Red Wings make the playoffs every year, and if not for injuries the past few years would be a SC contender every year. They also have won the same amount of cups in the past 20 years as what we've won in our entire history.

All true,but again, Maltby, Draper and McArty had an impact. The Detroit/Avs games were bloodshed sometimes.

 

[LORDE]

That player never existed.

Overall softness as a team was a hallmark of AV's Van teams.

There were and are players out there who can still be brought in. I would have made a play for Downie, but he was signed by the Pens. There is nothing wrong with flanking Moore, in addition to Glass, with a Carter or even a Carcillo. Unless boht have signed and I missed it. This is not about bringing in enforcers. Just being able to bring the fight to the other team.

Isn't Ott still out there as well?

Totally agree.

I don't feel that throwing one Glass on the roster is addressing team toughness.

Like I said, give me 9 Zuccs and you have a tough team. Yeah he lacks size but isn't afraid of ****, and is constantly throwing what weight he does have, around.

Boyle didn't use his size effectively. You don't have to fight or be big to have toughness. Cally was tough too but not large and imposing.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

All true,but again, Maltby, Draper and McArty had an impact. The Detroit/Avs games were bloodshed sometimes.

Not to mention in more recent history having Holmstron and Franzen in their top-6. Maybe they weren't traditionally "tough" but they had plenty of net front ability and grit to their game.