Post-Game Talk: Rangers / Sabres - Haley is a Second Liner

[ltsthinaz]

Contradictory is more like it.

The lines definitely do need fixing, though.

Call up Kreider. Sit Haley.

Hagelin-Stepan-Nash
Kreider-Richards-Gaborik
Boyle-Miller-Callahan
Pyatt-Halpern-Powe

Why is Boyle getting a pass? He absolutely stinks. Yeah, he's a nice guy, but he adds nothing except eating a few minutes and being a PK guy, and we have plenty of those. Haley is no top-6 player, but he at least had a pulse tonight. And playing with Richards, who can get muscled off the puck, Gaborik, who is worse and plays like he doesn't give a s**t, Kreider will be back in Hartford in about two games.

 

[Callagraves]

Torts hate is out of control.

Bunch of people who think they can run a professional hockey team better than the guy paid a hefty fee to do so, with the pedigree and record.

 

[Bernie Parent 1974]

Total embarrassment. Even in the playoffs last year. It's frightening that this small child is making personell decisions about a professional hockey team.

i kinda like him calling out the players [a coach in general, not just Torts] ..... Lavvy does it a tiny bit, i just can't imagine how i would feel if he really slammed my team ala Torts .... i'm gonna try to catch your next game & see if they respond to it

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Why is Boyle getting a pass? He absolutely stinks. Yeah, he's a nice guy, but he adds nothing except eating a few minutes and being a PK guy, and we have plenty of those. Haley is no top-6 player, but he at least had a pulse tonight. And playing with Richards, who can get muscled off the puck, Gaborik, who is worse and plays like he doesn't give a s**t, Kreider will be back in Hartford in about two games.

Richards has stepped up his game. I like Haley, and would actually not mind seeing him in the lineup over Pyatt, but I still think Boyle at the top of his game is a very valuable bottom-6 player. He looks out of shape. I honestly think he'll look a LOT better next year with a full training camp. He probably cheated on his workouts a bit, too, considering the state of the lockout. A lot of players probably did, but it sticks out with Boyle in particular because he's 6'7 and probably already struggled with his conditioning throughout the season because of his unique body frame.

In short, I think Boyle belongs in the lineup. Even if he's not forechecking, he's still an excellent faceoff man and a good PKer.

Torts hate is out of control.

Bunch of people who think they can run a professional hockey team better than the guy paid a hefty fee to do so, with the pedigree and record.

Being in the NHL doesn't automatically make him a fantastic coach.

Now, I know that sounds contradictory...but it's true. He has obvious flaws. They're being called out. It's what happens when a team with this kind of skill struggles.

 

[Inquisition13]

Torts hate is out of control.

Bunch of people who think they can run a professional hockey team better than the guy paid a hefty fee to do so, with the pedigree and record.

Pretty much. The guy gets asked "sappy sports question number one"(I mean seriously, 'who's the hungrier team'? lol), and he reacts in the way that I'd expect a guy who's in control of a Stanley Cup contender to act.

Pissed off.

I don't think Torts was in the wrong at all.

You ask a stupid question, you get an angry response.

These are the New York Rangers. Show some guff.

 

[Riverdale]

i kinda like him calling out the players [a coach in general, not just Torts] ..... Lavvy does it a tiny bit, i just can't imagine how i would feel if he really slammed my team ala Torts .... i'm gonna try to catch your next game & see if they respond to it

It can be flat out embarrassing. I like how Torts tells it like it is, but I'd like it better if he didn't mouth off and inspired the team to a victory on the ice. Talk is cheap. If you want to go off about how "we sucked" then do something to fire up the team and fix it.

 

[Ryan McDonut]

does anyone know if pyatt is still on the team? i literally havent heard his name in over 5 games

 

[Killem Dafoe]

Tort's post game comments were spot on. He's frustrated with a team that sucked and should have won. Period. He was right, our top line was out matched by their 3rd line and the top guys need to come through here.

Only thing I didn't like was him being mean to Sam.

 

[Inquisition13]

Being in the NHL doesn't automatically make him a fantastic coach.

No. But winning a Stanley Cup and posting the winning record he has throughout multiple teams DOES make him a fantastic coach.


He knows what he's doing. Let the season play out...

 

[ltsthinaz]

Richards has stepped up his game. I like Haley, and would actually not mind seeing him in the lineup over Pyatt, but I still think Boyle at the top of his game is a very valuable bottom-6 player. He looks out of shape. I honestly think he'll look a LOT better next year with a full training camp. He probably cheated on his workouts a bit, too, considering the state of the lockout. A lot of players probably did, but it sticks out with Boyle in particular because he's 6'7 and probably already struggled with his conditioning throughout the season because of his unique body frame.

In short, I think Boyle belongs in the lineup. Even if he's not forechecking, he's still an excellent faceoff man and a good PKer.



Being in the NHL doesn't automatically make his a fantastic coach.

Now, I know that sounds contradictory...but it's true. He has obvious flaws. They're being called out. It's what happens when a team with this kind of skill struggles.

I didn't say Richards hasn't upped his game, he has, I just didn't like the proposed line because I thought it wouold give Torts an excuse to send Kreider back down, and I think we need someone who can potentially score very badly.

As to Boyle, perhaps you are correct about his being out of shape and better next year. But I don't like his game. He can't skate, can't stay upright, has two points this year, and one of them I think happened when he got hit by a shot in the ass and it went in the net. Happy to see him get a nice goal Sunday, but today he was back to his awful self. Yeah, he can PK, but we have lots of guys better at it than him. The PK isn't our problem, scoring from the bottom six is (along with Gaborik, who seems to have lost it, and couldn't care less).

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

No. But winning a Stanley Cup and posting the winning record he has throughout multiple teams DOES make him a fantastic coach.


He knows what he's doing. Let the season play out...

that was years ago

 

[Callagraves]

Being in the NHL doesn't automatically make him a fantastic coach.

Now, I know that sounds contradictory...but it's true. He has obvious flaws. They're being called out. It's what happens when a team with this kind of skill struggles.

I don't disagree on that count, he has flaws, every coach does.

But the man has received accolades, and lifted a cup. That doesn't happen by accident.

There are people who will say that oh, yeah well Tampa has some excellent players, it wasn't Torts. Ok. Then that means that it's up to the players to go out and win, and that the coach is devoid of credit.

Then what the hell is the excuse for the skaters?

He's not a perfect coach. But he's not a bad one. I don't agree with many of his calls, but I have to imagine there's a thought process behind them.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

No. But winning a Stanley Cup and posting the winning record he has throughout multiple teams DOES make him a fantastic coach.


He knows what he's doing. Let the season play out...

I disagree that he's a "fantastic" coach.

He's a good coach, but he's one-dimensional. He's a fantastic motivator. Once you get past the screaming and yelling, what's really there? Line changes? I never see the team change up the game plan mid-game. It's frustrating when that plan obviously isn't working.

I don't place all the blame on Tortorella, though. Tonight's game, I don't really blame on him. The lack of contribution from the bottom-6 and Gaborik's struggles are both huge factors in this team's lack of success thus far.

 

[Inquisition13]

that was years ago

Are you serious?

It was in 2004. Do you know how many coaches have won a Stanley Cup in total? It's arguably the hardest championship to attain in sports.

He won it less than 10 years ago.

And he's been winning games and putting teams in the playoffs ever since.

I'm not sure what you're looking for, but if it's not for a regular chance to win the Cup on a yearly basis, perhaps you should root for the team in Uniondale?

 

[Callagraves]

Tort's post game comments were spot on. He's frustrated with a team that sucked and should have won. Period. He was right, our top line was out matched by their 3rd line and the top guys need to come through here.

Only thing I didn't like was him being mean to Sam.

Massively agree. Torts was primed and ready to blow, and poor Sam asked the first question. I'm sure the last thing Torts wanted to do was go answer questions.

People forget, we love the Rangers. We watch every game. This is their lives. This is his lively hood. However upset we are, however seriously we take it, it is much more serious for them.

I'm happy to see some emotion after that. Team needs fire.

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

I don't disagree on that count, he has flaws, every coach does.

But the man has received accolades, and lifted a cup. That doesn't happen by accident.

There are people who will say that oh, yeah well Tampa has some excellent players, it wasn't Torts. Ok. Then that means that it's up to the players to go out and win, and that the coach is devoid of credit.

Then what the hell is the excuse for the skaters?

He's not a perfect coach. But he's not a bad one. I don't agree with many of his calls, but I have to imagine there's a thought process behind them.

Its not his coaching per se, its his system and his refusal to move from it. This team has more talent than last year offensively. I dont think this team is made to be a grinding team like last years

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I didn't say Richards hasn't upped his game, he has, I just didn't like the proposed line because I thought it wouold give Torts an excuse to send Kreider back down, and I think we need someone who can potentially score very badly.

As to Boyle, perhaps you are correct about his being out of shape and better next year. But I don't like his game. He can't skate, can't stay upright, has two points this year, and one of them I think happened when he got hit by a shot in the ass and it went in the net. Happy to see him get a nice goal Sunday, but today he was back to his awful self. Yeah, he can PK, but we have lots of guys better at it than him. The PK isn't our problem, scoring from the bottom six is (along with Gaborik, who seems to have lost it, and couldn't care less).

This year, you don't like his game - at least, that's what I hope you're saying.

The two years before, he was as good a practical bottom-6 player as you could have. Big, good defensively, decent enough skill to produce 10-15 goals, 20-30 points. Plays center. Can PK. Very versatile player. He looks a lot slower and he's been unable to get in on the forecheck. He's been a scratch a couple of times, and each time he came back, he looked faster and therefore more effective. Probably because of the rest.

As for tonight, nearly everyone looked awful tonight. Especially the defense.

 

[Off Sides]

Yes none of the players have any pedigree

Torts never finished tied for last place in the league after he won his cup either

 

[Callagraves]

Its not his coaching per se, its his system and his refusal to move from it. This team has more talent than last year offensively. I dont think this team is made to be a grinding team like last years

We don't have the offensive depth to really open it up and try to out firepower other teams. Outside of our top 6, there are about half a dozen goals on the season, and our defense hasn't been the world beaters we saw last year.

Last year's team was built for grind it out, defense first hockey. We tore out the third line, added a superstar. We have a team with a top six built for open, forechecking hockey, and a bottom six built to kill the clock.

Team needs a 3rd line.

 

[Kokoschka]

*Looks at the standings anxiously*

Yeah, how about we get out of 8th, so I don't have to worry?

I'm kinda shocked, bc I think those last 4 games were the easiest week we're gonna have all season. @WPG, @ PIT, vs CAR, @ NJD will be a lot tougher than this IMO. Need to go >.500, so we don't get into trouble again.

And, as much as I hate to be this guy, but Lundqvist has to steal a few games for us finally. He's been good, but he has not been Lundqvist.
Not to mention, we have to fix that 3rd line. As much as I was against it, I'm growing on the idea of bringing MZA back, if there's a somewhat decent deal to be made. Can't get any worse, right?

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Are you serious?

It was in 2004. Do you know how many coaches have won a Stanley Cup in total? It's arguably the hardest championship to attain in sports.

He won it less than 10 years ago.

And he's been winning games and putting teams in the playoffs ever since.

I'm not sure what you're looking for, but if it's not for a regular chance to win the Cup on a yearly basis, perhaps you should root for the team in Uniondale?

2004 wasn't a long time ago, but the game is SO different now than it was then. It's a lot faster and less clogged.

 

[Glennsoe]

As brutal of a team effort as it gets..

All of theire Lines showed up to play..only a few of our guys did..

Outplayed,outsmarted, outmuscled and outcouched..

Next game please...

 

[ltsthinaz]

This year, you don't like his game - at least, that's what I hope you're saying.

The two years before, he was as good a practical bottom-6 player as you could have. Big, good defensively, decent enough skill to produce 10-15 goals, 20-30 points. Plays center. Can PK. Very versatile player. He looks a lot slower and he's been unable to get in on the forecheck. He's been a scratch a couple of times, and each time he came back, he looked faster and therefore more effective. Probably because of the rest.

As for tonight, nearly everyone looked awful tonight. Especially the defense.

I can only hope you are right, because I don't like what I'm seeing from him. And the 22 or 23 goal season was to me an aberration.

I think this is going to wind up as a lost season, at least compared to last year. I hope it is one of those one step back, two step forward things. Last year wasa bit of an aberration as well, we weren't that talented, but they played great. Agree with getting Nash, though, the idea is to win the Cup, and they needed more talent to get over the hump. Maybe next year we can combine the talent upgrade of Nash with replacements for Dubinsky, AA, et al.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I can only hope you are right, because I don't like what I'm seeing from him. And the 22 or 23 goal season was to me an aberration.

I think this is going to wind up as a lost season, at least compared to last year. I hope it is one of those one step back, two step forward things. Last year wasa bit of an aberration as well, we weren't that talented, but they played great. Agree with getting Nash, though, the idea is to win the Cup, and they needed more talent to get over the hump. Maybe next year we can combine the talent upgrade of Nash with replacements for Dubinsky, AA, et al.

I don't disagree that 22 goals was an aberration for Boyle - but, I don't think it's out of the question for him hit 10-15 goals consistently over the course of an 82 game season.

 

[Ryan McDonut]

Are you serious?

It was in 2004. Do you know how many coaches have won a Stanley Cup in total? It's arguably the hardest championship to attain in sports.

He won it less than 10 years ago.

And he's been winning games and putting teams in the playoffs ever since.

I'm not sure what you're looking for, but if it's not for a regular chance to win the Cup on a yearly basis, perhaps you should root for the team in Uniondale?

ok we've only had a regular chance to win the cup, what, once in torts' time here? and that was last year. we certainly don't look like contenders so far this year.