Pre-Game Talk: Rangers @ Pittsburgh 4/16/16 3:00 PM EST

[Rangers2319]

I wonder what the official word is going to be for why Girardi is not at practice. If he's a legit healthy scratch, or if he's legit injured (issues from Boyle hit coming back?)

they have to sand the rust off, didnt you know

 

[JohnC]

I wonder what the official word is going to be for why Girardi is not at practice. If he's a legit healthy scratch, or if he's legit injured (issues from Boyle hit coming back?)

Gotta keep em safe and healthy for that summer buyout

 

[rangers1314]

I wonder what the official word is going to be for why Girardi is not at practice. If he's a legit healthy scratch, or if he's legit injured (issues from Boyle hit coming back?)

AV will say its the injury. All that "rust"

 

[nevesis]

they have to sand the rust off, didnt you know

 

[Megustaelhockey]

Anybody ever wonder what is going through a guy's head who hides behind his computer and calls a professional athlete who is playing at the top level of his sport who has battled a career threatening concussion and a slapshot to the eye a "clown".? Staal does more charity work in a year than most of us will ever even consider doing in a lifetime. "Clown" just doesn't seem to fit. Sorry for the rant. That just really bothered me. Carry on.

It's sports. Reality often doesn't apply... for better or worse.

 

[Gardner McKay]

It is official. Dan Girardi crossed the line into "Worse than Wade Redden" territory. He didn't just cross it though. He was going the speed of sound when he took his first steps into that territory.

 

[Irishguy42]

It is official. Dan Girardi crossed the line into "Worse than Wade Redden" territory. He didn't just cross it though. He was going the speed of sound when he took his first steps into that territory.

Don't kid yourself. This is Girardi we're talking about.

 

[nevesis]

It is official. Dan Girardi crossed the line into "Worse than Wade Redden" territory. He didn't just cross it though. He was going the speed of sound when he took his first steps into that territory.

I thought about this last night. His decline was extremely quick. He has no business being out on the ice with other NHLers. He's THAT bad.

 

[RangerBoy]

Girardi's injury is total body soreness. Everything hurts.

 

[bl02]

Please don't mention Redden and Girardi in same sentence. At least Girardi gave us 6-7 really good years (believe it or not his 9th playoff season with NYR). Redden came over right away for huge money and sucked from the very beginning. Sather botched both contracts but redden was worst ive ever seen for that money

 

[Mikachu93]

It really is alarming how fast Girardi's descent was. Largely in part to injuries I'm sure but the guy was in an NHL all star game just 4-5 years ago and there were people putting him in Norris trophy talk. It's really crazy how quickly he fell off. The game has passed him by.

 

[JT Kreider]

It really is alarming how fast Girardi's descent was. Largely in part to injuries I'm sure but the guy was in an NHL all star game just 4-5 years ago and there were people putting him in Norris trophy talk. It's really crazy how quickly he fell off. The game has passed him by.

He was tailor-made for Torts' system. As was one Ryan Callahan, and we are seeing a similar drop off him from him as well.

 

[RangerBoy]

It really is alarming how fast Girardi's descent was. Largely in part to injuries I'm sure but the guy was in an NHL all star game just 4-5 years ago and there were people putting him in Norris trophy talk. It's really crazy how quickly he fell off. The game has passed him by.

Why is it amazing? Going into this season,he had played the 4th most minutes of any player in the last 4-5 years. Brooks had that stat. All of the extra playoffs. The human body can only take so much pounding before it breaks down.

 

[Mikachu93]

Why is it amazing? Going into this season,he had played the 4th most minutes of any player in the last 4-5 years. Brooks had that dtat. All of the extra playoffs. The human body can only take so much pounding before it breaks down.

Oh no I agree. I guess amazing isn't the right word. He has been a fantastic player for us over the years and taken a beating. He's a warrior but we would all be lying if we said we expected him to be relegated to a marginal bottom pairing defenseman at the age of 31

 

[Gardner McKay]

Please don't mention Redden and Girardi in same sentence. At least Girardi gave us 6-7 really good years (believe it or not his 9th playoff season with NYR). Redden came over right away for huge money and sucked from the very beginning. Sather botched both contracts but redden was worst ive ever seen for that money

I am simply talking about how fast they declined and how bad they truly were near the end.

Look. Dan Girardi is not good at hockey any more. You know what? I still love the guy as a player. He has been a warrior for us for many years, blocked an ungodly amount of shots and has been the ultimate team player. Despite the lackluster ending to his career, he will always remain one of my favorite Rangers because you don't get more dedicated than Dan Girardi. It doesn't change the fact though that much like Chris Drury, the type of game he plays has led to a steep decline in his overall abilities.

I am not mindlessly trashing the guy because I have a vendetta against him (as some people do). I am stating the facts. Dan Girardi isn't an NHL player any more. It is a sad thing because I have enjoyed watching him suit up as a Ranger for a long time. He has been a rock of consistency at a time where we as fans didn't know what that word was (after the atrocity of 1997-2004).

However, just like Frank Sinatra sang in the song "My Way":
And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

The end is here for Girardi. I want to see him go out with dignity and hopefully a cup (because I think we can all agree that the guy damn well deserves it). The problem is, for us to win that cup, he can't be a big part of it.

Whether its rust, illness, injury or (gasp) Vigneault is coming to his senses... whatever it may be that is causing uncertainty with him, it is in the best interest of the team that he not play.

 

[Hire Sather]

I am simply talking about how fast they declined and how bad they truly were near the end.

Look. Dan Girardi is not good at hockey any more. You know what? I still love the guy as a player. He has been a warrior for us for many years, blocked an ungodly amount of shots and has been the ultimate team player. Despite the lackluster ending to his career, he will always remain one of my favorite Rangers because you don't get more dedicated than Dan Girardi. It doesn't change the fact though that much like Chris Drury, the type of game he plays has led to a steep decline in his overall abilities.

I am not mindlessly trashing the guy because I have a vendetta against him (as some people do). I am stating the facts. Dan Girardi isn't an NHL player any more. It is a sad thing because I have enjoyed watching him suit up as a Ranger for a long time. He has been a rock of consistency at a time where we as fans didn't know what that word was (after the atrocity of 1997-2004).

However, just like Frank Sinatra sang in the song "My Way":
And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

The end is here for Girardi. I want to see him go out with dignity and hopefully a cup (because I think we can all agree that the guy damn well deserves it). The problem is, for us to win that cup, he can't be a big part of it.

Whether its rust, illness, injury or (gasp) Vigneault is coming to his senses... whatever it may be that is causing uncertainty with him, it is in the best interest of the team that he not play.

Good words on Girardi here. 100% agree.

Also, I'd be shocked if hes too injured to play. He's never too injured to play.

 

[Maineice11]

awesome quote!!! Love that attitude!!!

 

[aufheben]

Wow Yandle-McIlrath back in action?

 

[nevesis]

 

[Loff]

No closeup pic of Hank yet?

i r dissapoint.

 

[nevesis]

Girardi is obviously not injured but they don't want to embarrass him with a healthy scratch.

Hank will obviously play.

 

[nevesis]

Hahahahahahahaha

 

[NCRanger]

I am simply talking about how fast they declined and how bad they truly were near the end.

Look. Dan Girardi is not good at hockey any more. You know what? I still love the guy as a player. He has been a warrior for us for many years, blocked an ungodly amount of shots and has been the ultimate team player. Despite the lackluster ending to his career, he will always remain one of my favorite Rangers because you don't get more dedicated than Dan Girardi. It doesn't change the fact though that much like Chris Drury, the type of game he plays has led to a steep decline in his overall abilities.

I am not mindlessly trashing the guy because I have a vendetta against him (as some people do). I am stating the facts. Dan Girardi isn't an NHL player any more. It is a sad thing because I have enjoyed watching him suit up as a Ranger for a long time. He has been a rock of consistency at a time where we as fans didn't know what that word was (after the atrocity of 1997-2004).

However, just like Frank Sinatra sang in the song "My Way":
And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

The end is here for Girardi. I want to see him go out with dignity and hopefully a cup (because I think we can all agree that the guy damn well deserves it). The problem is, for us to win that cup, he can't be a big part of it.

Whether its rust, illness, injury or (gasp) Vigneault is coming to his senses... whatever it may be that is causing uncertainty with him, it is in the best interest of the team that he not play.

This.

The guy might be 31, but when you add in all the additional playoff games, and the way he plays with the shot blocking, his actual age is probably on the wrong side of 35. I don't see him ever regaining any of what made him such a steady defenseman.

I'd like to see him retire at the end of the season and the Rangers find a spot in the organization for him.

 

[nevesis]

 

[nevesis]