It's not a very good excuse for this team, as points are always at a premium, and they looked so HORRRIBLE for those games which gives little reason for hope..
But it does hold a kernal of truth in that there's plenty of time to turn things around, and having this many days off until the next one, they can stew on things and look in the mirror..
Mistakes are one thing, they'll happen, but there were far too many, and far too many unforgiveable ones..
The biggest problem I saw was a complete lack of emotion and energy, which is UNFORGIVABLE..
I'm not singling anyone out yet, as they all have sucked, but I think there needs to be a lineup change somewhere.. Need to get Barnaby or Keefe up on a top line for a little bit, to get some energy going, and if Messier's line's going to play so much, then put a little more speed on his wings..
Don't know who should sit first, but Keefe needs to get into a game and provide a spark..
Rosie Nedved Kovalev
Barnaby Lindros Lundmark
Keefe Holik LaCouture
Simon Messier Carter..
I know, Hlavac fans will say, "sit Rosie" and Rosie fans will say "sit Carter" and Carter fans will say "sit Simon" etc. etc.. Fine, I don't care who gets the first hook, but I think there needs to be a energy injection into the top lines for a game or two..
Can't do much about the D at this point, but might try to juggle the pairs..
I read this morning that Slats may flip flop Lundmark and Carter but nothing is certain. I'm not going to panic over 2 games and I'm real curious to see what happens Thursday. According to the paper Slats worked their butts off yesterday with wind sprints.
were a disaster the only time around. The only changes I would make would to pair Kovalev with Lindros and/or Lundmark with Lindros. That puts Carter with Nedved, and Rosie with Holik. Keefe can play with Mess and Lacouture with Simon sitting and Barnaby to Holik's right. Oh well, I think I've changed every line to what I wanted to see to start the season.
I wouldn't panic just yet as the Rangers are about one game out of a playoff spot right now.
On flipping Carter and Lundmark...sounds good, but I'm still of the opinion that Lundmark makes for a good left winger given his ability to get the quick shots off from there, if he plays with a good playmaker (i.e., Kovalev).
I would happy to see Keefe inject some speed and youth into the lineup. If we could only add more, they might be able to hustle with a Minnesota or Columbus.
The following comments are the total opposite from what the Rags showed this weekend..
The rookie-filled Wolf Pack were speedy, moved the puck well and won loose pucks all over the ice. Five first-year AHL players and another three second-year players made up the core of the club's lineup.
"They just kept shoving it down our throats all night long," said Pirates captain Trent Whitfield.
Speed? won loose pucks all over the ice? I haven't heard this in 7 years
We basically have 4 worthless LWS and a team that just refuses or can't play smart or play defense, so I don't know if shuffling the deck is the answer...I would start with benchings and injecting youth---Keefe (and not for Lundmark), Tjutin, Scott would be a start...
Keefe will not be the difference in a 5-0 game, as that doesn't make this team more disiplined and doesn't get some of the goal scorers going. If the Rangers lose their opener, there needs a couple changes, such as a high level benching or two, to send an early message. I don't think it would happen for an opener, but another 7-10 times shorthanded game is not acceptable and Sather needs to let these clowns know as much.
Keefe will not be the difference in a 5-0 game, as that doesn't make this team more disiplined and doesn't get some of the goal scorers going.
Don't mistake my intent.. Keefe won't change the fortunes of the tem, but I just think he'd help take care of the biggest, most unforgiveable (in my eyes) mistake thus far, playing without emotion..
And it shouldn't be up to Keefe himself to do it, just that he's a sparkplug who could get others going..
But yes, that does need to follow with discipline..
It's not a very good excuse for this team, as points are always at a premium, and they looked so HORRRIBLE for those games which gives little reason for hope..
But it does hold a kernal of truth in that there's plenty of time to turn things around, and having this many days off until the next one, they can stew on things and look in the mirror..
Mistakes are one thing, they'll happen, but there were far too many, and far too many unforgiveable ones..
The biggest problem I saw was a complete lack of emotion and energy, which is UNFORGIVABLE..
I'm not singling anyone out yet, as they all have sucked, but I think there needs to be a lineup change somewhere.. Need to get Barnaby or Keefe up on a top line for a little bit, to get some energy going, and if Messier's line's going to play so much, then put a little more speed on his wings..
Don't know who should sit first, but Keefe needs to get into a game and provide a spark..
Rosie Nedved Kovalev
Barnaby Lindros Lundmark
Keefe Holik LaCouture
Simon Messier Carter..
I know, Hlavac fans will say, "sit Rosie" and Rosie fans will say "sit Carter" and Carter fans will say "sit Simon" etc. etc.. Fine, I don't care who gets the first hook, but I think there needs to be a energy injection into the top lines for a game or two..
Can't do much about the D at this point, but might try to juggle the pairs..
I like your lines but I would keep Hlavac in the lineup with either Mess or Nedved and play Rucinsky with Neved or Mess. With Keefe, Barnaby, and, presumably, Purinton, the team does not need Simon in the lineup. With Hlavac's confidence probably shakey to begin with (after failed stints in Philly, Vancouver, and Carolina) I keep him the lineup.
It's funny how people keep saying, "It's only 2 games" would you all be saying "it's only two games" if we had won both of those 5-0?
This team is in need of serious help and a complete overhaul.
It'll be very interesting to see how this team comes out and plays for the home opener. It will be unacceptable for this team to come out with zero emotion.
For the first time ever I turned the game off against Columbus. Losing is one thing. I didn't expect this team to win the cup, but I do expect them to at least play with some heart and emotion. I can't chear for a team that doesn't even bother showing up to games.
I'm not a fair-weather fan by anymeans I've supported this team throughout these dreadful 6 year, this team for this year has let me down more than any other previous team. A lack of heart, emotion, energy it's despicable to think they're being paid millions of dollars to simply "go through the motions".
Sorry for the rant, it's just depressing to watch a team that doesn't even care.
If there was a time to turn around the same problems that have plagued this team since day one of Sather's reign, it's not 2 games into the season. The fact that after 120 minutes of play, we sit here and consider what 1st line player needs to be benched in order to wake up a group of veteran players, or which waiver draft selection needs to be installed to spark the team shows just how dire the situation really is.
If there was a time to turn around the same problems that have plagued this team since day one of Sather's reign, it's not 2 games into the season. The fact that after 120 minutes of play, we sit here and consider what 1st line player needs to be benched in order to wake up a group of veteran players, or which waiver draft selection needs to be installed to spark the team shows just how dire the situation really is.
I'm with you, i can't believe people are still optimistic about this team. My brain is fried from reading everyone's line combo's from the last 6 years, how are you not all going insane by now? This team has not/will not play the same game as the rest of the league. Every players' looking for someone else to make a big play, so they all sit back & wait. Thats their system. Sather & his threats are ridiculous. When you reprimand a team or demand accountability you're supposed to see results. If not, you're supposed to bench the bozo's and plug in some player's, inexperienced or not, who'll at least put forth the effort & make the Veteran jokes realize if they don't hustle, they don't play.
Anyone else see a desperation trade of Lundmark/2004 1st rounder happening very soon?
We basically have 4 worthless LWS and a team that just refuses or can't play smart or play defense, so I don't know if shuffling the deck is the answer...I would start with benchings and injecting youth---Keefe (and not for Lundmark), Tjutin, Scott would be a start...
I'm more playing devils advocate then anything else but why not Lundmark? What has he shown in the first two games that nobody else did. Like everybody else on this roster, he has shown nothing in the first two games. I hardly even noticed him on the ice except for one play where he made a nice move then got knocked off the puck like he was a knat. Is this the youthful exuberance that this team is suppose to have? He's been gliding around on the ice like everybody else and he shouldn't be exempt from criticism.
Now, in all honesty, I think that they should go from the top down because when the whole team is not looking good then the big dogs need to be made an example of. It shows that nobody is exempt from accountability. Of course Lundmark shouldn't be the first to be sat but after a few others, if he isn't performing then it's his turn.
well he certainly cant be any worse then anson who has looked worthless out there so why not give lundmark a shift? no one is saying we should construct the lines around him but what the worst case scenario? he's as bad a fit as carter?
my biggest problem isnt losing, it's playing with heart. if this got out classed and lost while giving it there all, i have no complaints. but this team looks like it doesnt have a pulse and yes that bothers me. not because it's only two games but because it's been too long since this team gave a care. the last time they even remotely resembled a team, the two teams they lost two didnt even exist. heck a kid who is now in first grade was only a twinkle in his momma's eye the last time this team even sniffed a playoff game.
well he certainly cant be any worse then anson who has looked worthless out there so why not give lundmark a shift? no one is saying we should construct the lines around him but what the worst case scenario? he's as bad a fit as carter?
my biggest problem isnt losing, it's playing with heart. if this got out classed and lost while giving it there all, i have no complaints. but this team looks like it doesnt have a pulse and yes that bothers me. not because it's only two games but because it's been too long since this team gave a care. the last time they even remotely resembled a team, the two teams they lost two didnt even exist. heck a kid who is now in first grade was only a twinkle in his momma's eye the last time this team even sniffed a playoff game.
Like I said, just playing devil's advocate. Carter and Lundmark swap I would definately look into after one or two more games if nothing changes. The only thing that I don't want is Lunmark exempt from criticism when he deserves it. I know that everyone wants to give him a pass because he's young but he is the youth that WE ALL have been talking about giving a chance and now that he's gotten the chance he better do something with it. If he doesn't then it makes us look bad. To me he looked as lifeless as all the other old fellas out there on the ice in the first two games. Hopefully he brings more youthful exuberance to the home opener....and I agree with you on the team looking like their not playing with heart which can't be excused.
i agree and if he fails, he fails, but carter has shown nothing since arriving. fact is he doesnt want to be here.
i just cant "get" this team.
the lindros line in general except for one preseason game hasnt shown me much and lindros is going on what? 15 months of mediocrity? he hasnt shown life since the bure trade.
i wasnt optimistic in the preseason and i'm not now. this team roster was locked since july and for a team that desperatly needed competition and fresh blood that was a HUGE mistake.
now i am not expecting miracles but these two teams are without their big guns and the ranger seldom looked like they were in the same zip code.
