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

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I really wanted to make another thread about this, but there is a lot going on out there.

AV

I thought in the last interview we finally saw the real AV. Up until now he's come off as calculated, reserved but in control. Today he was confident, expressive and IN CHARGE.

Some good things I took from what he said...

Had a smirk on his face about "reinforcing some of those things" when talking about guys coming to camp out of shape. I don't think he expects many to be but it was a a subtle way to show his command of the situation.

Deft move telling the media that Brad Richards shouldn't answer questions about last season. All of the best writers know that now, and it's come from the coach. This group of writers for the Rangers are fair, and dying for a chance to get to work with someone who won't piss them off on pretty much a daily basis. AV is already using the media to his advantage instead of Torts' way.

He's taken some pressure off Richards, but more importantly he's given Richards what he needs from the coach. Reassurance. He talked him up and how he looked 'positive' and how he wants to 'lead' and again it doesn't matter whether or not if AV actually believes that, he's saying what he needs to say to try and get this guy going . Richards was a complete head case last year, battered and torn. He needs everything he can get.

Carefully walked around Stepan issues but has said the right things. Anythings better than calling him and his agent 'stupid' I guess.

It really seems like AV has a decisive approach to what he wants to do here, but open enough to have a 'clean slate' approach, which I think is good for the players - as their reset button needed to be hit.

He looked calmer and more in his element. Call me crazy but he reminds of hockey version of Javier Bardem the way he talks. I don't know what it is.

 

[gmerger37]

Tort's said he had a problem with the media in NY period.

Does he think the media in Van is going to be any easier to deal with?

Liking what I am seeing from AV so far, guy comes of as very intelligent and savy.

 

[JohnC]

Richards seems night and day compared to last year attitude wise

 

[Boruto]

I really wanted to make another thread about this, but there is a lot going on out there.

AV

I thought in the last interview we finally saw the real AV. Up until now he's come off as calculated, reserved but in control. Today he was confident, expressive and IN CHARGE.

Some good things I took from what he said...

Had a smirk on his face about "reinforcing some of those things" when talking about guys coming to camp out of shape. I don't think he expects many to be but it was a a subtle way to show his command of the situation.

Deft move telling the media that Brad Richards shouldn't answer questions about last season. All of the best writers know that now, and it's come from the coach. This group of writers for the Rangers are fair, and dying for a chance to get to work with someone who won't piss them off on pretty much a daily basis. AV is already using the media to his advantage instead of Torts' way.

He's taken some pressure off Richards, but more importantly he's given Richards what he needs from the coach. Reassurance. He talked him up and how he looked 'positive' and how he wants to 'lead' and again it doesn't matter whether or not if AV actually believes that, he's saying what he needs to say to try and get this guy going . Richards was a complete head case last year, battered and torn. He needs everything he can get.

Carefully walked around Stepan issues but has said the right things. Anythings better than calling him and his agent 'stupid' I guess.

It really seems like AV has a decisive approach to what he wants to do here, but open enough to have a 'clean slate' approach, which I think is good for the players - as their reset button needed to be hit.

He looked calmer and more in his element. Call me crazy but he reminds of hockey version of Javier Bardem the way he talks. I don't know what it is.

I love these details on personalities we have in the organization. This name of the game is to win but winning itself is a game of its own. The game of winning has all sorts of players and there are those that are equipped with the sensibility and the ability to build upon fundamental understanding to constantly understand how to win.

While winning at hockey is beyond just the proficiency of one, it's nice to have a coach who's mindful of all aspects of "the game".

It's nice to see he knows what the problems are and what the priorities are.

 

[Kakko]

We're playing on Monday. That's crazy...

 

[Boruto]

We're playing on Monday. That's crazy...

I know exactly how I'm feeling about this but at the same time, I have absolutely no idea how I feel about any of this.

 

[JohnC]

Lundpads talking about his new pads and the coaching change

 

[Clown Fiesta]

It's hard to be a truly effective coach now a days without being somewhat of a psychologist, you need to know how different personalities react in certain situations, which guys you can scream at and which guys you need to give positive reinforcement.

Don't get me wrong the overbearing control freak method works for awhile with anyone, as does the laid back approach, but if you can't add to either of them in one way or another you'll lose the room eventually.

 

[Boruto]

It's hard to be a truly effective coach now a days without being somewhat of a psychologist, you need to know how different personalities react in certain situations, which guys you can scream at and which guys you need to give positive reinforcement.

Don't get me wrong the overbearing control freak method works for awhile with anyone, as does the laid back approach, but if you can't add to either of them in one way or another you'll lose the room eventually.

Like a poker player, there's a time for everything. Changing gears when the situation demands it is key and absolutely necessary to have long term success either as a cash game player or in the case of tournament, make a deep run and actually win the tournament. In order to know how to adjust and when to change gears, there has to be an awareness of a lot of things and to also be able to put all those pieces of the puzzle together and execute. Torts wasn't exactly great with that and hopefully AV will be substantially better.

Obviously, AV isn't going to be able to handle a lot of things perfectly when the amount of things to balance increases substantially but the advantage of a new coach is that he's starting fresh and has a clear mind, as with all new coaches. A part the reason of why I've always believed in having an energized and upbeat team with both character and true spirit of excitement, enjoyment, and eagerness (which is not exactly what Torts had going) is that it helps manage the players themselves.

As with all things in life, enjoyment makes everything exponentially better. Richards was a complete mess last year because of his admitted lack of confidence in himself after his coach lost confidence in him. He was in as bad of a mental space as I've seen a hockey player in. The lack of pride, enjoyment, and spirit was evident and that just buried him. I've never seen a man so confounded in his display of excitement and pride after scoring his 1st career hat trick even if it was one of the weirdest in history. With a culture that's more upbeat, the "energy" guys (and everyone else) will hopefully be able to be consistently driven.

Like Henrik said during that segment on that show... everyone needs to be at their best in the playoffs and I think a balanced mental space and moderated level of pressure and enjoyment is needed. When the employees are happy because the company has a fantastic environment and atmosphere, the quality of the work will be naturally better and the workers won't have to be micro-managed nearly as much.

One reason the PP is so bad is because of the lack of spirit and fluidity in the players running the power play. It feels a little bit too much like a obstacle course when it should feel like an opportunity for the team and the PP players themselves to score goals and notch points. The PP became quite literally, saddening.

I hope that's what AV had in mind. I mean, the culture change AV was referring to probably isn't anything about the way the team plays. We play a hard game and we have good leadership. We have a great locker room and the guys play for each other and Henrik's compete level ensures that everyone is reminded of the intensity they need to bring. In terms of changing the culture then, I think the most noticeable thing that a new coach would change is the culture of the last coach's regime and if that's the case, I think this is what he has in mind. I hope it is.

Sorry for the marshmallow talk.

 

[TheTakedown]

Some great stuff here:

http://blueshirtsunited.com/posts/3...s&utm_content=twitter_1379025841#.UjKvVcash8E

"In Brad's case I told him to turn the page as much as he can and not answer questions about last year because it has no significance to now," explained Vigneault. "He has to stay in the moment. Today I watched him during the testing and he was the first guy in line, you could tell that his skating was really good, and he has real positive energy."

That is incredibly, incredibly refreshing to hear. new coach and new workout schedule did the trick. Confidence is back up, lets hope he can do 60-80 points this year

 

[chosen]

I really wanted to make another thread about this, but there is a lot going on out there.

AV

I thought in the last interview we finally saw the real AV. Up until now he's come off as calculated, reserved but in control. Today he was confident, expressive and IN CHARGE.

Some good things I took from what he said...

Had a smirk on his face about "reinforcing some of those things" when talking about guys coming to camp out of shape. I don't think he expects many to be but it was a a subtle way to show his command of the situation.

Deft move telling the media that Brad Richards shouldn't answer questions about last season. All of the best writers know that now, and it's come from the coach. This group of writers for the Rangers are fair, and dying for a chance to get to work with someone who won't piss them off on pretty much a daily basis. AV is already using the media to his advantage instead of Torts' way.

He's taken some pressure off Richards, but more importantly he's given Richards what he needs from the coach. Reassurance. He talked him up and how he looked 'positive' and how he wants to 'lead' and again it doesn't matter whether or not if AV actually believes that, he's saying what he needs to say to try and get this guy going . Richards was a complete head case last year, battered and torn. He needs everything he can get.

Carefully walked around Stepan issues but has said the right things. Anythings better than calling him and his agent 'stupid' I guess.

It really seems like AV has a decisive approach to what he wants to do here, but open enough to have a 'clean slate' approach, which I think is good for the players - as their reset button needed to be hit.

He looked calmer and more in his element. Call me crazy but he reminds of hockey version of Javier Bardem the way he talks. I don't know what it is.

It is impossible for me to care less how a coach comes across in an interview because it has zero to do with results. They are not auditioning to play a coach in a film. I don't care how my doctor, lawyer or accountant interview either.

 

[SKS]

It is impossible for me to care less how a coach comes across in an interview because it has zero to do with results. They are not auditioning to play a coach in a film. I don't care how my doctor, lawyer or accountant interview either.

You're in for a boring pre-season if you dont appreciate to analyze every tidbit.

 

[RangerBoy]

It would benefit the cap-stressed Rangers to spend less on the backup goaltender, but it’s not so simple. For even presuming that Hedberg, a) outplays Biron in camp; and, b) is willing to sign a one-year deal for significantly less than Biron is set to earn, the Rangers would, c) have to be able to trade Biron in order to avoid the $3.75 million cap hit he would carry if waived through to the AHL Wolf Pack.

http://nypost.com/2013/09/12/returning-biron-has-new-competition-with-rangers/

$375,000. Not $3.75M.

 

[RangerBoy]

The Rangers are splitting the team into 3 groups

Friday, September 13: Group A On-Ice: 10:00AM-11:45AM

Group B On-Ice: 12:15PM-2:00PM

Group C On-Ice: 2:15PM-3:15PM

Saturday, September 14: Group B On-Ice: 10:00AM-11:45AM

Group A On-Ice: 12:15PM-2:00PM

Group C On-Ice: 2:15PM-3:15PM

Sunday, September 15: Group A (with part of Group C) On-Ice: 10:00AM-11:30AM

Group B (with part of Group C) On-Ice: 12:15PM-1:45PM

http://rangers.lohudblogs.com/2013/09/10/one-more-day-til-training-camp/

MSG will televise the Sunday practice/skate.

 

[eco's bones]

Hopefully Richards returns to form but we're probably going to need to buy him out anyway next summer. Richards playing like crap last year was not all Tortorells'a fault. These two were friends once upon a time anyway. Oh well--so no christmas cards now.

FWIW Tortorella is not a normal coach. Normal coaches don't always win either. Tortorella has managed to do that once. AV has yet to do it. I get the feel good thing after the first day of camp. The dark cloud has moved off and is acting a bit erratically in the Pacific Northwest and the sun has come out over MSG. Weather patterns being what they are I expect we'll at least still have some moments of gloom this year.

I agree with Chosen--interviews don't always mean a lot. FWIW some more--Torts battles with the press were mostly post game press conferences--not interviews which are usually staged between the interviewee and a friendly interviewer for a receptive audience. For instance Bill Pitdo or Sam Rosen or Al Trautwig etc. etc. More or less non confrontational and not after the heat of the game. Anyway after 10 years more or less as a head coach I'd expect AV to be very polished in his answers

 

[Leslie Treff]

Some thoughts about yesterday:

First, when I was tweeting about the players that were performing well, it means little about how they will do during the season. This was the first day of training camp and was just a show of conditioning (each player did six sprints around the ice two and a half times) and also separately skating speed.

Many of the players who were in the early groups looked like they were in much better shape that those in the last skating group, who were mostly regular forwards on the team. That does not mean that the prospects are going to be on the team or even would skate better if they were.

The other thing about speed is that, contrary to what used to be, the Rangers are now more and more built around speed. New York was a lunchpail team, but its changing. Glen Sather and company have for several years been looking for quickness. So expect there to be many speedsters in camp.

Several players did not look good yesterday--of those who are prospects or roster players, Sam Noreau and JT Miller stand out. Noreau was having difficulty skating around the cones and Miller just was having difficulty skating, turning bright red in the face very early. We were told, he tweaked a hammie while skating and would be back today, but it looked to me like he was having trouble breathing hard before he was having trouble skating--which frankly means absolutely nothing. He might have a cold or anything--under this regime, it will not be held against him. We'll see how he does during the rest of the camp.

Second, Glen did use the words "gap year" contract to me as respects Stepan, and at the time, shortly before noon, it did not appear that Stepan had agree to a bridge contract. I think Larry Brooks had a conversation with Stepan's agent after 12:30, and it seems that this might have been a move forward toward resolution. I would be very surprised if Stepan misses the entire camp (but this is pure speculation on my part, no particular inside knowledge).

Third, I did not see any tremendous difference in Brad Richards's speed on the ice; what seemed a little different was his fire. Richards seemed a little below average in his group of regulars, but not by much and it was just my impression (I had no stopwatch). What I was impressed with was his talk with the media after the practice, where he manned up to the problems of last season and declared to all how he did not want to end his Rangers career on the note of last season. He said he was thrilled and grateful to still be a Ranger.

AV is a complete breath of fresh air. Even though he was not happy that Richards talked to us about last season, he seemed to have a plan to get the most out of Richards, and have a plan for the team going forward. We should start to see some of the system he intends to implement starting today.

As you have already heard I am sure, AV is looking for two or three players who stand out and impress him and the organization, so that they might become unexpected members of the team. He called out Lindberg in particular as impressing the organization at Traverse City--he personally was not in TC, but is looking forward to seeing Lindberg play in camp.

Personally, Lindberg continued to impress me yesterday. He was excellent on the ice, worked with the goalies long after his group went back to the hotel, and dealt with the press extremely well. He has filled out (looks solid, bodywise) and could be a top six player on the team. It will bring up interesting questions of positioning (when Stepan gets back) though.

Off to camp. Follow me on twitter at HFNYRangers today.

Be back here tomorrow morn with more thoughts.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Thanks, Leslie. Great stuff!

 

[BBKers]

Thanks, Leslie. Great stuff!

Yes

it will be an interesting camp
maybe Lindberg is ready and Stepan (finally) signs
Logjam at center with Richards, Stepan, Brassard, Lindberg, Boyle and Moore filling slots with Miller & Powe in the wings
Where is a good Eklund rumor when ya need it?

 

[Crease]

I hope that Kreider will benefit from the competition that Lindberg and Hrivik present. And also remind him that he's no longer the golden child in the organization. He strikes me as a guy who needs to be reminded of that.

 

[BroadwayBlues]

The Moore signing took a great chance away from Lindberg making the team. imo.

 

[CTRanger]

The Moore signing took a great chance away from Lindberg making the team. imo.

If Lindberg earns a spot he will make the team. There would be nothing better than if he grabs a top 9 C spot and forces managements hand. Moore adds depth and insurance at C.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

http://nypost.com/2013/09/12/stepan-open-to-short-term-deal-with-rangers/

My favorite part:

“Derek isn’t interested in negotiating his contract through the press, ” [Stepan's agent Matt] Oates said

 

[Ola]

If Lindberg earns a spot he will make the team. There would be nothing better than if he grabs a top 9 C spot and forces managements hand. Moore adds depth and insurance at C.

Agreed, Moore hasn't played in a year and OL will just grab a spot — if — he is good enough.

Beating out say a Dubinsky/Anisimov is tough for a kid. Moore is doable.

 

[Levitate]

http://nypost.com/2013/09/12/returning-biron-has-new-competition-with-rangers/

$375,000. Not $3.75M.

Brooks should maybe get an editor worth a damn.

Anyways sticks and pucks can't wait to be upset at AV's line pairings and get mad when he praises bubble players we don't want on the team

AV is a complete breath of fresh air. Even though he was not happy that Richards talked to us about last season,

Also, anyone who keeps reading this should also check out the video interview when he expresses this. He's smiling and laughing about it and it's obvious he's not "Tortorella upset" about it, he just wants Richards to turn the page and be ready for this year.

I hope that Kreider will benefit from the competition that Lindberg and Hrivik present. And also remind him that he's no longer the golden child in the organization. He strikes me as a guy who needs to be reminded of that.

Kreider strikes me as the last guy who needs to be reminded of that. He's never come off as anything but extremely humble and grateful to have a chance at the NHL. What he needs is good coaching and support from the staff to make him a better player.

Finally, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Rangers move someone to the wing if necessary. Having lots of center depth is usually a good thing

 

[RangerBoy]

“The bridge deal is a little safer route to go for lots of reasons. You want to know exactly what you’re buying if you’re going to go long-term, you worry about long term contracts sometimes because you want to keep athletes hungry, players get hurt sometimes and it’s costly if they’re on a long term deal,†McPhee said. “The bridge deal buys you a little more time to sort out what you have. We’ve done it with a number of our guys now and so it helps you make, I think, a better decision when they’re four, five years into the league instead of three.

“In Marcus’s case we got a deal that worked for both of us it was done before camp, he’s ready to go,†McPhee continued. “It’s the highest bridge deal we’ve done and it buys us some time to evaluate a little bit longer. We think there’s lots of upside there, [it] bides him more time to prove himself and playing on the line he’s playing on now he’ll probably earn a lot of points and be able to get a better deal [in the future].â€

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...-his-philosophy-on-bridge-contracts-for-rfas/

2 years/$4M.

Stepan will end up being the Rangers highest bridge contract unless you want to count the 1 year of $4.25M in 07-08 for Lundqvist. The Rangers didn't have the space to give Henrik nearly $7M after signing Drury and Gomez with a $50.3M cap. In January 2008,Lundqvist got his current 6 year deal and the cap was set at $56.7M that June.

McPhee signed John Carlson to a 6 year/$23.8M contract out of entry level. No arbitration rights. That was an exception for him.