Pre-Game Talk: The 2013-2014 Training Camp/Preseason Discussion Thread

[Levitate]

Honestly I'd expect Richards meant he lost confidence in his coach after being benched at the end of the season/playoffs, but in the sense that he lost confidence that the coach had his back, not that he lost confidence in the coach overall

 

[Tawnos]

Honestly I'd expect Richards meant he lost confidence in his coach after being benched at the end of the season/playoffs, but in the sense that he lost confidence that the coach had his back, not that he lost confidence in the coach overall

It might go even further, per Zipay:

To clarify, Brad Richards said Tortorella lost confidence in him, and that Richards lost confidence in himself

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

No more than making a good defensive play to strip the puck from a player. If the end result is the same who cares about how you achieve it.

While I would argue that a defensive play does not carry the same momentum / energy impact, your point is well taken. Still, the original question was "is the Rangers' D soft?" not "does it matter if the Rangers' D is soft?"

I think soft is a bad word for how the Rangers' defense plays. But I would not by any stretch consider them overly physical.

 

[JohnC]

obviously. I also have herpes.



I mean, just because he threw himself under the bus also, doesn't make it any less of a (female dog) move.

We our gonna be forced to low-ball our #1C because all our money is tied up with that waste of life.

You're dwelling into a tad too emotionally invested (and also pretty ****ed up) territory

 

[Levitate]

Well that's pretty much why they drafted McIlrath so let's just hope he doesn't suck too bad

 

[Thirty One]

It's pretty ridiculous actually.

I'd be totally fine if McIlrath can make the team and over his career doesn't throw a lot of crazy hits, as long as he learns to defend properly like all our other D-men have and clears the crease that's all the "toughness" I need on the back end. He can pound some faces too that's fine.

Yeah, I would much rather he be a defenseman that can play physical than a physical defenseman that can play some defense.

Who ever said it was indicative of good defense? It's just another element. If intimidation gets one player to dump the puck at the blueline, when they otherwise wouldn't, doesn't that add to a team's ability to win?

It's not indicative of defense or offense. Those are the two components of hockey, so...

 

[Tawnos]

While I would argue that a defensive play does not carry the same momentum / energy impact, your point is well taken. Still, the original question was "is the Rangers' D soft?" not "does it matter if the Rangers' D is soft?"

I think soft is a bad word for how the Rangers' defense plays. But I would not by any stretch consider them overly physical.

I think what might be a problem with the group isn't so much hard-hitting or being soft... I think it might be emotion. Teams play better when they are emotionally engaged, but this group might be too even-keeled... again.

 

[Boruto]

For the millionth time, no we aren't.

For the millionth and oneth time, no we aren't.

Also, what the hell is with people not getting over a bad season from Richards. It's like he committed a war crime or something.

 

[Thirty One]

Also, what the hell is with people not getting over a bad season from Richards. It's like he committed a war crime or something.

You new here, bro?

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

It's not indicative of defense or offense. Those are the two components of hockey, so...

I don't think it's so black & white. Hockey is an incredibly emotional game, and often difficult to quantify.

To each their own, just my 2 cents from time around the sport.

 

[eco's bones]

I remember when Kasparaitis started his career with the Islanders. He used to make some ridiculous runs at people and often be the cause of defensive breakdowns leading to goals and moving on to Pittsburgh it was more of the same. Still--he was an effective player--often times a dirty one. Even for being a small D--that ****er could hit and playing the Isles or Pittsburgh you needed to be aware of when he was on the ice because getting creamed by him might mean a trip to the hospital. There is a psychology here maybe not of fear per se but of self preservation.

When McIlrath finally shows up I want other teams to worry about him and if he gets caught out of position now and again but really buries his opponent and earns that kind of rep around the league where everyone knows it's no longer going to be easy going cruising around our defensive end of the ice--that's really okay with me. Perhaps Falk will be another one. He's a big guy with a physical game.

 

[Boruto]

I think what might be a problem with the group isn't so much hard-hitting or being soft... I think it might be emotion. Teams play better when they are emotionally engaged, but this group might be too even-keeled... again.

I honestly believe that's what AV was referencing to. Being a casual Avs fan, they are as high energy as anyone else. Compared to us, the Rangers are like office workers at 9:23AM on a Monday that just received news that their lunch breaks are cancelled permanently and their houses are on fire.

Torts and his whole accountability mentality is too extreme. When the parents aren't having fun, the kids can't have fun around the parents. When the kids don't have fun, well, they don't have fun when they probably should be having fun.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

For the millionth and oneth time, no we aren't.

Also, what the hell is with people not getting over a bad season from Richards. It's like he committed a war crime or something.

I'd be more inclined to ask why so many people are willing to get over things so quickly?

Richards was embarrassing? Get over it
Torts is gone? Get over it
Our GM stinks? Get over it

How are you going to learn anything if you don't analyze the past?

 

[Thirty One]

I don't think it's so black & white. Hockey is an incredibly emotional game, and often difficult to quantify.

To each their own, just my 2 cents from time around the sport.

It's absolutely that black and white. If something doesn't have an effect on goals for and goals against, it has no effect on winning and losing.

Of course physical play can have an impact on offense and defense through intimidation/body position etc., but I think it's greatly overstated.

 

[OverTheCap]

For the millionth and oneth time, no we aren't.

Also, what the hell is with people not getting over a bad season from Richards. It's like he committed a war crime or something.

We have seen this song and dance before with players in their early 30s, such as Redden or Drury, where one bad season quickly turns into a career decline. And it's not like Richards played up to expectations in his first season as a Ranger either.

I think some people get too worked up about it, but it's easy to see why many fans have little confidence that Richards will bounce back and think that last year was more than just a bad season.

 

[Tawnos]

I'd be more inclined to ask why so many people are willing to get over things so quickly?

Richards was embarrassing? Get over it
Torts is gone? Get over it
Our GM stinks? Get over it

How are you going to learn anything if you don't analyze the past?

The past is replete with guys following bad seasons with good ones too.

Also, some of us don't like to dwell on things out of our control. "No use crying over spilt milk." i.e. Brad Richards is a member of the Rangers. I'm rooting for him to bounce back, because that would be good for the Rangers. That's not to say I expect him to, but if he does, last season is but a memory.

 

[KreiMeARiver*]

Explains why you're so bitter and angry.

yeah I don't really care that much, Babs

 

[Thirty One]

https://twitter.com/ice_chip/status/378220687296454656

Tolchinsky has minor injury from Traverse City. Muller says he dinged it again today. Didn't want to leave practice but Muller sent him off

Injury-prone bust.

 

[Boruto]

You new here, bro?

It's fine if it was just after the year ended. We're now at the start of training camp and everyone is on a new page. Richards is on a new page, his teammates are on a new page, there's a new coach, everyone has reasons to believe in him, management kept him for a reason and so on. Turn the page.

 

[Thirty One]

It's fine if it was just after the year ended. We're now at the start of training camp and everyone is on a new page. Richards is on a new page, his teammates are on a new page, there's a new coach, everyone has reasons to believe in him, management kept him for a reason and so on. Turn the page.

Ranger fans still chant Potvin sucks and boo Tom Poti every time he touched the puck. I've still got an axe to grind with the Renney detractors.

Moving on isn't our forte.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

The past is replete with guys following bad seasons with good ones too.

Also, some of us don't like to dwell on things out of our control. "No use crying over spilt milk." i.e. Brad Richards is a member of the Rangers. I'm rooting for him to bounce back, because that would be good for the Rangers. That's not to say I expect him to, but if he does, last season is but a memory.

What does a good season of Richards do for this team longterm exactly? Nothing. In fact, it may be a detriment if the thought even crosses Sather's mind to keep Richards for the duration of his deal.

Anytime I ask myself about why Richards is still here, its less about building a competitive team and more about Sather punting another financial blunder down the road for another year.

 

[KreiMeARiver*]

I'd be more inclined to ask why so many people are willing to get over things so quickly?

Richards was embarrassing? Get over it
Torts is gone? Get over it
Our GM stinks? Get over it

How are you going to learn anything if you don't analyze the past?

He's part of the "look how calm and rational I am/look at you getting so angry and emotional" soapbox crew.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

It's absolutely that black and white. If something doesn't have an effect on goals for and goals against, it has no effect on winning and losing.

Of course physical play can have an impact on offense and defense through intimidation/body position etc., but I think it's greatly overstated.

I think we're arguing for no reason. Your initial comment was that it "is not indicative of offense or defense" but then you basically go on to say it can indirectly affect those two facets of the game. Which is my stance as well and what I was getting at with my post.

 

[I Am Chariot]

Steps pulling the Dubi.

Is there anyone left in CBus we can trade him for?

 

[KreiMeARiver*]

It's fine if it was just after the year ended. We're now at the start of training camp and everyone is on a new page. Richards is on a new page, his teammates are on a new page, there's a new coach, everyone has reasons to believe in him, management kept him for a reason and so on. Turn the page.

kumbaya, my lord....