Pre-Game Talk: Training Camp '13 (Starts Sunday 1/13)

[iamitter]

I honestly don't even believe the bottom-6 is weak. There's a lot of size and toughness in the bottom-6, and it isn't completely devoid of skill, especially if one of Hagelin, Kreider, or Callahan is playing and the third line, and that is pretty much a guarantee. Boyle's good for 10+ goals in a full season, and Pyatt is good for around 10. That's typical third line production, but when you add in their size and defensive capabilities, it makes for a really solid third line.

I was also factoring in the fact that our depth is pretty poor beyond them. Besides whichever of Hagelin or Kreider is on the third line, there is not one person I am comfortable with in the top 6. There is also (as of now) not many capable replacements in the bottom 6 in Hartford.


I really wouldn't mind having Callahan on the third line ES. His main attributes ES are his defensive one - he's an effective player, but not terribly efficient at scoring ES. I feel like he'd still be utilized effectively in a third line defensive role with PK and PP time.

Hagelin-Richards-Nash
Kreider-Stepan-Gaborik
Pyatt-Boyle-Callahan
Rupp-Halpern-Asham

I like Pyatt, but I'd prefer him on the fourth line and have a more defensively responsible player there that we can pick up later, especially the way Torts plays his third line. A Feds from a few years ago could come in real handy now.

 

[Ola]

I don't love the Rupp or Asham signings. I think Rupp will be a pleasant surprise this year and be a great fourth liner for us, but Asham I could do without entirely. Pyatt I don't think is a meathead at all though and shouldn't be lumped with them. I think he's a very good third line winger who will actually excel with us. Has a one year deal with a lot of incentive to perform and also is coming from a really defensive system (so he'll fit ours) and much lower scoring team, so his offense might open up a bit. Either way, however, I don't think young players with fresh legs in he answer. You think we're going to win the Cup with a bunch of rookies in the lineup? I'm fine with a depth signing, though I do think our third line is fine and people are selling Boyle/Pyatt short, but having depth will never hurt. I don't think rookies will do us any good though unless they're extremely ready. Miller is not. He's 19. He'll be a great third line option, hopefully next year, but he's just not ready to be a solid third liner on a Cup contender; no way. Hrivik is injured. Either way, I'd rather have experience and go all in for the Cup than have Kreider, Miller and Hrivik in the lineup.

With these guys, they can break down in a hurry and what not, but I gotta admit that I always have kind of liked Asham. I think/hope that he could become a positive suprise...

 

[Samuel Culper III]

I was also factoring in the fact that our depth is pretty poor beyond them. Besides whichever of Hagelin or Kreider is on the third line, there is not one person I am comfortable with in the top 6. There is also (as of now) not many capable replacements in the bottom 6 in Hartford.


I really wouldn't mind having Callahan on the third line ES. His main attributes ES are his defensive one - he's an effective player, but not terribly efficient at scoring ES. I feel like he'd still be utilized effectively in a third line defensive role with PK and PP time.

Hagelin-Richards-Nash
Kreider-Stepan-Gaborik
Pyatt-Boyle-Callahan
Rupp-Halpern-Asham

I like Pyatt, but I'd prefer him on the fourth line and have a more defensively responsible player there that we can pick up later, especially the way Torts plays his third line. A Feds from a few years ago could come in real handy now.

Not something I really want, necessarily, but Pyatt's numbers have been low but he's been primarily a third liner, occasionally getting shifted on the fourth line. He has the size, aggression and hands around the net to play on a scoring line, because, as you say, he's not a very defensive player. If he was a little faster or just a bit more productive, I would say the idea of exploring:

Kreider - Richards - Nash
Pyatt - Stepan - Gaborik
Hagelin - Boyle - Callahan
Rupp - Halpern - Asham

Would be intriguing for the fact that a big body like Pyatt who is strong in the corners (his main strength) and throws his weight around could really be good on a line with Gaborik (create space, protect) but, more importantly, that third line would be a DYNAMITE shutdown line. Maybe the best overall (all three players considered) shutdown line in hockey. Again, not something I actually want because Pyatt is just a bit too slow, with too low a numbers, but an intriguing thought. I could see Torts actually letting Pyatt get a crack at the top six at some point though, considering how much he juggles the lines. Pyatt has gotten regular PP minutes on the second unit most of his career, so he CAN play with a skilled line.

 

[NewLife]

With these guys, they can break down in a hurry and what not, but I gotta admit that I always have kind of liked Asham. I think/hope that he could become a positive suprise...

Agree, Asham is this typical player that you love to have in your team but hate too face. I do believe he is a good replacement for Prust.

 

[eco's bones]

I've always liked Asham as well. There's not a lot of bull **** to his game. Unfortunately it would be better if he could do more--for instance penalty kill. Pretty much he's a north-south player who will drop the gloves with anyone--even someone much bigger than him. He's also got a hell of a slap shot if and when he gets room to get it off. Very capable of putting 10 to 15 or so pucks in the net in any given year given decent linemates. He fights very well for his size and despite the high crosscheck in last year's playoffs he's not a dirty player and had never been suspended before. A good character guy.

 

[Levitate]

Asham's effectiveness seems to have gone downhill a bit since he's getting older, but yeah hopefully he can be a good 4th liner at least

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

Do we have an official training camp roster yet?

 

[Vitto79]

Do we have an official training camp roster yet?

nope but for an update Winchester at Calgary camp, Darche at NJ..........on the Trades board, training camp invites thread. Tons of news like this will come out

Hoping Rangers invited one vet and called up 2 from CT to battle for spare spot..........would we not know who was in camp by now though? They could let Bickel play for Asham on 4th line wing

could they only carry 2 D as spares and only call up when needed?

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

Don't think the Rangers will be inviting any D to camp with MDZ resigned and Gilroy signed. They have Staal, McD, Girardi, MDZ, Stralman, Eminger, Bickel, and Gilroy under contract.

 

[Nanaki]

Pat Leonard ‏@NYDNRangers
Yes. RT @pickledotcom: is Rupp back to #17?

This actually makes me sad...

 

[Jabroni]

Pat Leonard ‏@NYDNRangers
Yes. RT @pickledotcom: is Rupp back to #17?

This actually makes me sad...

Just pretend that we have Kovalchuk out there.

Ilya Rupperchuk.

 

[Samuel Culper III]

I do miss Dubi.

 

[TC82]

Nobody really expected that the 17 would never be worn again, did they?

 

[Jabroni]

Chris Johnston ‏@reporterchris
The new CBA doesn't allow for NHL players to be put through a skate on the same day they do medical testing. Another wrinkle in short camp.

Did the Rangers do their medical testing already? Otherwise, it appears they can't skate today.

BUT, they could run...

 

[The Gloaming]

Did the Rangers do their medical testing already? Otherwise, it appears they can't skate today.

BUT, they could run...

Torts must be furious.

Watch him make them run across the Tappan Zee and back.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Do the players get a juicebox and a snack after each practice too?

 

[JCrusher*]

I do miss Dubi.

i liked dubi but id rather have an all-star who now can be even better because he is playing with better linemates. dubi signed that contract and had his worst year

 

[Samuel Culper III]

i liked dubi but id rather have an all-star who now can be even better because he is playing with better linemates. dubi signed that contract and had his worst year

What does one have to do with the other? I just miss having him on the Rangers. Never said I was unhappy with the trade. I'd take Dubi back in a couple years on a cheaper deal though.

 

[JCrusher*]

What does one have to do with the other? I just miss having him on the Rangers. Never said I was unhappy with the trade. I'd take Dubi back in a couple years on a cheaper deal though.

I think you misunderstood. I was just making a personal statement I wasnt trying to show you up.

 

[azrok22]

Steve Zipay ‏@stevezipay

12 forwards, eight d (Del Zotto, Gilroy), two goalies on NYR training camp roster.No one else from Whale

We need to scrounge up a 13th forward unless we plan on using Bickel in a bind (including that Asham is suspended to start the year).

 

[silverfish]

We need to scrounge up a 13th forward unless we plan on using Bickel in a bind.

They need a F for game 1 with Asham suspended. Probably safe to assume at this point, with Haley not being around, that they'll just use 7 D for one game.

 

[Tawnos]

We need to scrounge up a 13th forward unless we plan on using Bickel in a bind.

The bind exists in game 1, with Asham suspended.

 

[azrok22]

Richards out with the flu.

Andrew Gross ‏@AGrossRecord

Without Richards, lines are Hagelin-Stepan-Hagelin, Callahan-Boyle-Gaborik, Kreider-Halpern-Pyatt with Asham and Rupp skating together.

Torts strikes hard and early. (assuming Hagelin2.0 = Nash)

 

[Jim Morrison]

Richards out with the flu.



Torts strikes hard and early. (assuming Hagelin2.0 = Nash)

Where's Nash?

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Hagelin 2.0 is definitely Nash