He hasn't been great. But he hasn't been as bad as his detractors proclaim, either. He obviously needs time to develop. Be it at the NHL level or the AHL the organization needs to decide. What's also obvious is he has a ton of potential. He's 21. He will be fine once he has the confidence at this level to realize he can play at this level.
They also shouldn't be ramming a role down his throat that he doesn't fit. He's at his best when he's on the attack. When he was being coached a little less, and being allowed to just play a little more, he was fine. Rangers systems are a bit complicated. For a kid like him to try to develop his game and learn the system, and be flawless, is too much to ask. His performance is equally as much the coaching staff's fault as it is his own. Pull back a little and let his skill come out.
He made a couple of good defensive plays last night. He broke up a sure scoring chance coming back. He needs to be allowed to attack without feeling like if he makes one mistake he's out for the rest of the night.
The kid is playing like he has to be flawless. He's afraid to make a mistake. Because it means less playing time. Kreider, Bickel, Eminger...for some reason, the accountability only applies to guys playing to retain their spot. Meanwhile other guys can't do anything wrong in Torts' eyes. There are some guys here that have been awful this season, and haven't had to answer for it at all. Be it for political reasons or what ever. I've been in situations like that before as a player. Having to be flawless while learning a system. It's not easy.
Richards has been disgusting by his standards so far this season, the stat sheet doesn't tell the story. His play has been awful. Bad decisions with the puck. No accountability, however. Boyle has been invisible. No accountability. Staal was a -3 to start the season. Bickel was even. The next night, in a game where the Rangers allowed 6 goals, Bickel was a -1 with 3 blocked shots in 14+ minutes. One mistake and he's benched.
Double standard.
It's the perfect time for one of the veteran players to step up as a leader and take the kid under their wing. Nash, looking at you. Richards did it for Del Zotto last year. Weekes did it for Lundqvist. Stepan was allowed to play with Gaborik for a huge portion of the season last year. Dubinksy rode shotgun with Jagr, Dubinksy hadn't scored a goal in his initial call up. The equivalent would be putting Kreider with Nash or Gaborik and letting him ride shotgun.
Hartford is a disaster. That isn't exactly the right environment for your top prospect, either.
They need to add more skill over there. The organization should have looked into bringing Fast and Lindberg over. They will have to play AHL hockey at some point, anyway. They aren't both jumping straight into the NHL next season. Hrivik being concussed doesn't help matters. The AHL is a black hole for talent. Miller, Jean, Hrivik are the only forwards who look like they have a future in the NHL. There needs to be more talent down there.
There's a misconception that because you have more talent means you should be the leader. Kreider won't be going back to Hartford and suddenly lead the team to the Calder Cup. He still needs a TEAM around him. The opposition put their top pair against him, he was one of the focuses of the opposition. Rangers brass themselves mentioned this.
Or, maybe he goes back with his recent experience and it helps the team in Hartford. Who knows, but it's not exactly doing wonders for McIlrath or Miller right now, down there.
It's not an easy decision to make.
But assuredly, the easiest way to "ruin" a player, is to try to make him something he is not, and not allowing him to play to his strengths.
I still have enough confidence in this coaching staff to get the most out of him eventually.
Last night the Rangers were beating the Bruins by stretching their team out. Getting the puck back behind defenders, going on the attack. Before the Bruins were handed five thousand power plays. That attack is where Kreider typically finds success. On the rush, or in front of the net. Boyle, Pyatt, and Callahan are not the right linemates for that kind of attack. Stepan, Richards, Gaborik, and Nash are. It's finding that chemistry that helps certain players. Someone who can get him the puck. Not just dump and chase.
