Thank you AV and Coaching Staff

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

I was an admitted skeptic. But the man has won me over. He never, even when the team was at their worst, wavered from what he believe and the system he wanted to play. And, like what I loved about Tom Renney, he never gets too high or too low and the team follows suit.

 

[DeadPuck]

Hats off to A.V. well done sir

 

[OverTheCap]

Kudos to AV. I had my doubts at times with the man defense (hell, I'm still unsure if the team fully grasps it, if Game 5 was any indication ), but it seems to have worked for the most part. He stuck with the system even though it looked like a hot mess at times throughout the season.

And a tip of the hat to Torts as well, not sure if we are in this position without him. He established the defensive framework of this team, helped turn around the careers of both Boyle and Stralman, and aided in the development of Stepan, McD, Hags, etc.

 

[NickyFotiu]

He really is a great coach!

Only minor thing I don't quite understand is his reluctance to call timeouts. There have been quite a few times where the situation just screams timeout, but he never takes one.

But you know life's good as a Ranger fan, when that is the only issue with the coach

He has done a great job. I'm very impressed. One thing I like is guys do not have to live in constant fear of the dog house. I have seen guys make bad plays leading to a goal and he does not even take them off the ice. I like that. They know they screwed up. No reason to publicly shame them.

Phil Jackson has won a huge amount of NBA championships. He also rarely calls timeouts. Unless the team is dead tired or needs to set up a play for a late goal I can understand this thinking.

 

[Miamipuck]

It's great he isn't emo behind the bench but that he isn't wooden at least. A lot of guys that don't get emotional also have zero personality, AV isn't one of those.

I wasn't expecting much this year because of the new coach thing. He has brought the Rangers into the modern era as far as style of play and not over playing a select few players.

2012 the Rangers lost because of Torts as much as they won. This team played the same amount of games yet was completely different. I know we all joke about not having a chance against LA/Chi juggernaut but I really think this team can surprise some people. It starts with AV. I just wish he can get that 1 stinker per round out of their system, they won't win the cup doing that.

 

[Traderalways]

Great job!

 

[Trxjw]

It's truly amazing how far the defensive scheme has come this year. It was an absolute train-wreck early in the season, and it looks fantastic now. Hats off to the coaches.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I did not even realize this:

Mark Spector ‏@SportsnetSpec

Rangers fire coach John Tortorella: May 29th, 2013.
Rangers advance to Stanley Cup Final: May 29th, 2014

Sean Hartnett ‏@HartnettHockey

The Rangers advanced to the 2014 Stanley Cup Final on the one-year anniversary of John Tortorella's firing.

You can't make this stuff up.

 

[CharlieCharleschuk]

I didn't really know if the team could get its act together. The coaches made it happen.

They unlocked this.

After the dark years, all I can say is "thanks, sincerely". This is the best hockey I remember them playing and certainly the best hockey since 2004.

 

[Thirty One]

#FireAV

 

[aufheben]

#FireAV

Man has been a TOI maestro.

 

[Thirty One]

Also, I echo the sentiments that John Tortorella deserves some credit for helping mold the players into what they are today.

And a secondary assist to Tom Renney. Although he coached only Lundqvist (I think? and Moore I guess) of this current team, he brought the team out of a long lasting culture of losing.

 

[jniklast]

Also, I echo the sentiments that John Tortorella deserves some credit for helping mold the players into what they are today.

And a secondary assist to Tom Renney. Although he coached only Lundqvist (I think? and Moore I guess) of this current team, he brought the team out of a long lasting culture of losing.

Torts definitely did a lot of good things concering player development. His playing style (which was a complete 180 from when he got here) just reached its EOL.

Renney put in Girardi and Staal as well (and Callahan), so he also did something. He was the coach when the franchise turned it around. He definitely layed a foundation and he got great results out of rather average groups of players.

 

[Holocene]

Also, I echo the sentiments that John Tortorella deserves some credit for helping mold the players into what they are today.

And a secondary assist to Tom Renney. Although he coached only Lundqvist (I think? and Moore I guess) of this current team, he brought the team out of a long lasting culture of losing.

Staal and G?

 

[Oak]

Cool, calm, cerebral. Sharply dressed.

Favorite coach in my time watching the Rangers AINEC. He exemplifies nearly everything I appreciate in another person.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Thank you AV!

 

[Thirty One]

Man has been a TOI maestro.

Meh, it's easier to balance ice time when you have the personnel.

2012 bottom six:
Fedotenko - Boyle - Prust
Rupp - Mitchell - Other (Bickel/Eminger for two games....)


2014 bottom-six:
[pick a line]
Boyle - Moore - Dorsett

 

[aufheben]

He's been masterful with zone starts as well. i.e. John Moore gets <15% of his starts in the defensive end.

 

[Thirty One]

Staal and G?

I am the dumbs.

Renney was reportedly instrumental in drafting Staal too. His draft year was the lockout year, so their head coach was available for other purposes.

 

[haveandare]

I was definitely skeptical when the team was sucking firmly into December, but AV has really molded them into something special now. Great coach. I'm happy those who make the decisions aren't as impulsive as I am.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Proudly eating crow regarding AV.

I was mortified at what was happening earlier in the year - thought AV looked like a deer in headlights. Truth of the matter was he knew the way he wanted to play and he was willing to go through the growing pains in late 2013 -- and look where this team is, still playing in June of 2014.

 

[OverTheCap]

Meh, it's easier to balance ice time when you have the personnel.

2012 bottom six:
Fedotenko - Boyle - Prust
Rupp - Mitchell - Other (Bickel/Eminger for two games....)


2014 bottom-six:
[pick a line]
Boyle - Moore - Dorsett

Yes, it is nice to finally have real depth for once. It seems like ages ago that Pyatt was on our 3rd line and Del Zotto was on the 3rd pairing. Props to Sather and the front office for getting it right this year. Now I just hope they don't screw it up in the offseason

 

[Thirty One]

He's been masterful with zone starts as well. i.e. John Moore gets <15% of his starts in the defensive end.

Yep, his zone starts are the main reason I wanted him.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Also, I echo the sentiments that John Tortorella deserves some credit for helping mold the players into what they are today.

And a secondary assist to Tom Renney. Although he coached only Lundqvist (I think? and Moore I guess) of this current team, he brought the team out of a long lasting culture of losing.

Theres a foundation still here from what Torts provided. The team still has the ability to hunker down defensively thats very necessary with a lead in the playoffs.

I think one of the bigger differences is Torts employed that style with just a handful of trusted players. AV's willingness to role 4 lines and preach extremely short shifts in the 3rd has paid huge dividends. They often look like the fresher team as the game goes on.

 

[Cliffy1814]

Meh, it's easier to balance ice time when you have the personnel.

2012 bottom six:
Fedotenko - Boyle - Prust
Rupp - Mitchell - Other (Bickel/Eminger for two games....)


2014 bottom-six:
[pick a line]
Boyle - Moore - Dorsett

You also have to stick with guys and believe in them and understand that they need confidence and a comfort level to perform.
Pouliot would have been off the team by Christmas under the previous regime. We already know Zucc would not have been given the same opprotunity. Diaz would have have gotten about three shifts last night with Torts.

AV was quoted as saying he learned from the Bos/Van SCF while watching Boston grind them down rolling four lines that depth was vital. AV was a three line coach in Van.

The best coaches are the ones who learn and evolve and are not too arrogant to think that they already have all the answers. That is why I love AV.

 

[aufheben]

Also was literally a cucumber during the Montreal series, whereas Torts no doubt would have tried to fight Michelle by Game 2.