This is a Bad Hockey Team: Part 2

[Samuel Culper III]

Alright, this might actually be a bad hockey team. I mean, it's whatever. If we're in the playoffs come April, anything can happen so I'm not going to start hating on the team or something but, at what point do we stop saying "it's early" "it's rust from the lockout" "it's the amount of roster turnover" and acknowledge that maybe this team actually is not put together well?

I don't know if it's Torts' system or the the players tuning him out.
I don't know if the Nash trade ruined the core and we were better off without him.
I dont know if maybe we just caught lightning in a bottle and overachieved last year.
I don't know what the source of the trouble is.

I do know that I've watched every game so far and we simply don't look like a good hockey team. We have our moments. There's ALWAYS a way to rationalize each game and explain why we lost or how we could have won or how the bounces didn't go our way, but the truth is, even if we could have won a couple of these games and it's just a few bounces here and there that have us at 4-5-0 and not 6-3-0, we haven't looked like a particularly good hockey team. I'm not excited about this team. It doesn't have the feel it had last year. We don't look like we work hard but we also don't look like we're talented offensively. We have no chemistry. Our powerplay could make someone physically ill.

I remain optimistic and faithful as I do every year, but I don't think this team is a favorite for anything. It seems like last year was the anomaly and our other recent seasons of being a 5-8 seed is more in line with the truth of where this team is. I was optimistic those years too. Getting in is enough; once you're in, any team can get hot. I can live with things this way. We're still good enough to get in and with a deadline deal or a couple of guys getting hot at the right time, we can still make noise and who knows how far we can go. I don't think we're a team to be feared though and I don't know what the source of the dysfunction is.

 

[charlie460]

Lets actually lose to the Devils first before we call it a lost cause.

ok.

 

[*Bob Richards*]

ok.

Sigh. Thursday can't come soon enough.

 

[Doctyl]

we need prince chad

 

[GeorgeHamiltonsTan]

Sigh. Thursday can't come soon enough.

ya...cant wait to get shut out by dipietro...

p.s.
this team isn't very good...

better?

 

[OverTheCap]

This season is starting to remind me of what happened in 2007-08. The team did really well the previous season and overachieved a bit, but then underwent a bunch of turnover in the offseason and struggled to find their footing. That team looked eerily similar to what I am seeing right now - game-to-game inconsistency, subpar chemistry, work ethic is off especially when compared to how hard last year's team played.

The 2007-08 team wasn't even in the playoff picture until about December-January and got on a roll in the second half. But with this year's lockout-shortened season, there's less games for the players to get comfortable with each other and forge an identity. They look more like a team in transition than a team that's supposed to contend for the cup.

 

[Harold86]

ya...cant wait to get shut out by dipietro...

p.s.
this team isn't very good...

better?

^ agree with this. everyone thinks the islanders are just gonna lay down. Yet 1st overall draft pick looks like ours.....

the sad part is people think were just gonna turn around like nothing happened and the clock is ticking. 9 games in (just like last year) and we should be ****ing 0-9

 

[Wamsutta]

This is getting really hard to watch. They look slow as heck, they dump and chase 100% of the time despite nobody on the team having the speed (or effort) to beat the opposing team to the puck. The powerplay consists of guys standing still passing for 120 seconds. Nobody is really throwing the body at all, either. You have three lines of grinders blocking shots and a top line who is also expected to grind and block shots. Who's supposed to score?

I watch games because it's a thing that I do. I watch Rangers games. But I'm not enjoying them at all at this point.

 

[broadwayblue]

Really don't see the reason for all the gloom and despair. It's only 9 games in and we're one game under .500. And the schedule hasn't exactly been a cake walk. There's plenty of time to put it all together. Definitely not worried yet.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

This isnt necessarily a bad hockey team - just one that continues to search for an identity. The in-your-face winning every battle mentality of last year hasnt really shown itself this season. And I dont care if the skill level increased, you need that attitude no matter what.

What is bad, terrible in fact, are the special teams. 3-35 on the PP and a PP goal against in 8 straight games. The team is lucky to be 4-5 with numbers like that.

Anyway, the only bright spot for me last night was watching Miller and Kreider. Kreider has a lot to learn in the neutral/defensive zone, but hes a real weapon when he gets some space in the offensive zone. Miller seems poised to be a real solid all-around player. I was really impressed with his poise with an without the puck. Don't know if he'll stick around, but at the very least maybe he'll push some of the other guys to up their games at risk of losing a spot.

 

[Jackpot]

Should be talking to the Caps, maybe a change in scenery for a player or two is what both parties need to wake up....

 

[NikC]

Really don't see the reason for all the gloom and despair. It's only 9 games in and we're one game under .500. And the schedule hasn't exactly been a cake walk. There's plenty of time to put it all together. Definitely not worried yet.

i agree! I have concerns, and am frustrated, but if this was the preseason (which essentially it is) who would be giving a rat's @ss?

imo once this team starts to click, (sooner or later it wil), they'll be no off switch. Hank's not there yet, not even close. The defense wil get stronger with a move eventually, and the offense will come.

this stupidity about "this reminds me of when we over achieved a few years back" BS!

These shortened seasons are aberrations. they suck. It's not benefitting the Rangers right now and all of the armchair experts in the media are all over it.

it takes time to assimilate young players and new players. If we had a camp and a preseason, we'd look a lot more polished right now.

 

[alkurtz]

Look, we all know how fast things can turn around. LA underachieved last year, barely made the playoffs and won the Cup.

Not saying that will happen here but it just shows that you can never know or tell what will happen.

The one thing that makes me optimistic (sort of) is Hank. We all know that at some point in every year he goes through a stretch, lasting about a month, when his play is just OK. Not bad, but not great....where he doesn't win us some games by himself. Hopefully he is going through that stretch now. I've never been able to figure out why he comes out of those stretches, though I think its more mental and psychological that technical, but one day he just does. If he gets hot, we become a better team, simple as that. He's not getting much help from his D or down low coverage from his forwards now and that doesn't help, but when he's hot, he overcomes even that.

The powerplay has to get better. It can't get any worse. Statistically and just by the odds, they should get some goals soon no matter how bad they are.

I've been a fan for over 50 years and to this day, I don't understand powerplays. I don't think anyone does. I don't think you can practice it. I don't think you can analyze it. It just is...or isn't. A few years ago, someone on XM (Melrose? Potvin?) said a powerplay is like falling in or out of love. You don't understand why it happens, it just does.

Think of all the things the Rangers have done to help the PP over the last few years:

We need someone to play the point so we bring in Redden: doesn't work
We bring in clutch player who can score garbage goals around the net in Drury: doesn't work.
We bring in a pure goal scorer in Gaborik: doesn't work.
We bring is a slick passer to play the point in Richards: doesn't work.
We bring in a big body power forward to score from in close in Nash: hasn't worked.

Sometimes I think its simple, stop being stationary, move around and into open areas, play with as much energy on the PP as you sometimes do in other areas of the game instead of standing around trying to make the perfect pass or play (which drains energy and causes frustration), pass the puck crisply and quickly to make the opposition move and create open space to exploit.......but if it was so simple why are we struggling? And its not just us....biggest complaint I hear on XM from fans is their team's powerplay. If we had potted one or more in the first period last night, the whole feel of the game would have been different.

That was a pathetic performance last night (is pathetic on the same level as the pitiful I used after the game against the Pens last week....don't know).

Though I'm not ready to panic yet and, as I said, anything can happen, with a 48 game schedule it can get late early.

I'm not a Torts fan but I don't think you can blame him. He didn't go from a guy who almost won coach of the year to a loser overnight. Onus is on the players who are underperforming. Who is playing as well as we thought they can? Who is doing more than we thought they can? Nobody.

 

[Championship*]

Really don't see the reason for all the gloom and despair. It's only 9 games in and we're one game under .500. And the schedule hasn't exactly been a cake walk. There's plenty of time to put it all together. Definitely not worried yet.

the gloom and despair is because if they continue on like they have they are going to look up, realize it's March and they haven't shown any signs of getting better. Add to that the fact that these 3 point games other teams are having are absolutely a gigantic detriment to them trying to climb out of the hole they've dug themselves into. I'd also like to add that the doom and gloom, for me, is that this team has the same old problems year, after year, after year. Powerplay. Puck Possession. Same old Rangers.

 

[Jersey Girl]

We're 4-5 after nine games in an aberration of a season that had almost no training camp. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay to early to decide anything.

 

[broadwayblue]

the gloom and despair is because if they continue on like they have they are going to look up, realize it's March and they haven't shown any signs of getting better. Add to that the fact that these 3 point games other teams are having are absolutely a gigantic detriment to them trying to climb out of the hole they've dug themselves into.

Of course if nothing changes and it's march there will be reason for gloom and despair. But it's not March. Let's see where this team is in 5 or 10 games...when it's still February. And it's not like we're 1-7 or something ridiculously terrible. We're a .500 team. The hole isn't too deep.

I do agree that the power play riddle needs to be solved or it won't matter where we finish.

 

[NikC]

the gloom and despair is because if they continue on like they have they are going to look up, realize it's March and they haven't shown any signs of getting better. Add to that the fact that these 3 point games other teams are having are absolutely a gigantic detriment to them trying to climb out of the hole they've dug themselves into. I'd also like to add that the doom and gloom, for me, is that this team has the same old problems year, after year, after year. Powerplay. Puck Possession. Same old Rangers.

look up and realize February just started man! Things can and will get better, it's just a matter of time.

there are no back/back games this entire month.

 

[Tawnos]

It took until our 10th game last year for the team to find it's stride. We were 3-3-3 before that. In other words, one point better. They ended up 31-12-5 in the first 48 games of the year.

It's getting to the point where they need to kick it into gear, but the season isn't lost yet.

 

[NikC]

We're 4-5 after nine games in an aberration of a season that had almost no training camp. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay to early to decide anything.

wow, i agree with you again?

what's going on here?

 

[Championship*]

February is the shortest month of the year, it will be over sooner than you think. Right now all they're doing is playing catch up.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I always laugh at people complaining about how the "dump and chase" system is stifling the offense.

Reality of the situation is guys are going to dump the puck when its time for a change, or they dont have a play in the neutral zone.

You hear some people on this board tell it, and you'd think every forward is a drone thats expected to dump the puck as soon as they reach the red line, which isnt reality.

 

[LORDE]

Without one of our best, time eating D-Men and our Captain... those games are going to happen.

The PP however... just gets worse and worse.

 

[BBKers]

I always laugh at people complaining about how the "dump and chase" system is stifling the offense.

Reality of the situation is guys are going to dump the puck when its time for a change, or they dont have a play in the neutral zone.

You hear some people on this board tell it, and you'd think every forward is a drone thats expected to dump the puck as soon as they reach the red line, which isnt reality.

True. In those instances when players are tired... fine. But it is the rule of most every attack. And we are not gaining puck control this year either as the fore-checking is off. More often than not - this is also used in PP situations. We have seen the results of that. If my old juniors coach saw this madness and the results it had gotten so far - he would say "next fella that dumps the puck into the zone on the PP rides the pine the rest of the game. Period" And it would have given effect. Both on creating constructive plays, puck possession and scoring goals

 

[highandwide]

As long as we make playoffs, we'll go places. Everyone is in paranoid parrot mode because of the shortened season, but we weren't that great from the start last season. While we don't have the same amount of time, guys with heart will step up and push. Powerplay is still terrible.

Positive from last night: After Nash gave up that terrible turnover, he was beasting all over the ice come the beginning of the third. While he didn't convert, he damn near put a ton of effort in.

Baby steps.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

True. In those instances when players are tired... fine. But it is the rule of most every attack. And we are not gaining puck control this year either as the fore-checking is off. More often than not - this is also used in PP situations. We have seen the results of that. If my old juniors coach saw this madness and the results it had gotten so far - he would say "next fella that dumps the puck into the zone on the PP rides the pine the rest of the game. Period" And it would have given effect. Both on creating constructive plays, puck possession and scoring goals

I agree to an extent. No doubt that preferred style of play last year was to win battles in the trenches below the hash. With that said, I dont see any evidence that offensive creativity on the rush is being stifled. In fact, most of our the teams good scoring chances have come off the rush these first 9 games.

If you have a chance on the rush, take it. If theres no play in the neutral zone, dump it and win a few battles. Its not rocket science. Im not sure why this team is having such a hard time with it.