There is no coincidence that since Richards was moved to the first line center passing pucks to Gaborik his point production has improved a lot. This is why the Rangers signed Richards to be the first line center.
Stepan has been moved down to the 2nd line center position and his point production has decreased since being moved. It will be interesting to see if Torts keep this lineup or switches Stepan back to the Gaborik line to get Stepan going again
Just wondering how everyone feels. With the team winning so much, the spotlight is off Richards, but if we get knocked out in the playoffs, and Richards does not play well, the glare will be intense.
I was against the signing over the summer but at this point I'm rooting to prove me wrong...hard. I was told about the perfect marriage between Gaborik and Richards, and how Richards would fix the anemic power play. Wrong on both counts.
He has scored a few timely goals, but for his salary we need more than that.
That said, if Richards draws on his vast Stanley Cup experience and comes thru in the playoffs, for me all will be forgiven. Hopefully he can do so.
What say you?
He has multiple huge game winning goals and the team is in first place. Hockey games are not played on a stat sheet. He is our best center, the guy is an unbelievable passer and sees the ice so well. granted the power play struggle is a valid argument, but I believe there is a lot of behind the scenes and locker room aspects that Richards brings to this team. Its hard to knock the signing being that this team is about to win the presidents trophy.
He has multiple huge game winning goals and the team is in first place. Hockey games are not played on a stat sheet. He is our best center, the guy is an unbelievable passer and sees the ice so well. granted the power play struggle is a valid argument, but I believe there is a lot of behind the scenes and locker room aspects that Richards brings
to this team. Its hard to knock the
signing being that this team is
about to win the presidents
trophy.
Fairly certain either ST Louis or Pitt going to win the Pres and their respective conferences . NYR more than likely fall a bit short .
Can't see Pitt losing to anyone in a 7 game series
Richards has been a monster. His pass to Gabby last night is only topped by his pass to Girardi in October or November. Nobody else on this team could do something like that.
I think Stepan could do that. And also a couple passes does not change his overall play that this season overall has not been great by any means and lets hope its a matter of comfort and will continue to improve rather than be 50 points 7 mil dollar guy for the rest of his contract.
Fairly certain either ST Louis or Pitt going to win the Pres and their respective conferences . NYR more than likely fall a bit short . Can't see Pitt losing to anyone in a 7 game series
I heard this about Boston for months.
Teams rise and fall, even within the course of a season.
He was screwing up defensively and away from the puck all of the individual things that indicate that HE was in fact performing poorly regardless of linemates. Offensively the number weren't there because of the combination of both of these factors but for a short time he honestly belonged on the 3rd or 4th line his play was atrocious for one week in particular where he handled the puck worse than Mcilrath.
That said most felt he would get acclimated and get going and he has now the worry is, has and will continue to be 5-6 years from now. That said if we get another 3 years of this stuff then it really is ok and he'll have been a real good ranger. I won't constantly ride him and dream up doom scenarios today for the crap he may become 5 years from now but I will credit him for his astounding play and get annoyed with crap play. I think we should agree that he's been good-great this year overall and should continue to be for another handful of years which is exactly what most were saying. I don't think i saw a single detractor say he would suck eggs from day 1
An elite playmaker can't be as effective as you'd like when he doesn't have an elite finisher to pass to. I'd still like to see what he can do on a line with Gaborik and Hagelin.
Said back in january give this guy a prize. The first part a lot of people said.
Except Richards hasn't looked nearly as good as he has as an individual playing with our second best goal scorer.
He's bumped up his own play to a new level. It's not Gaborik that's the reason he's racking up points- he's playing like an elite center when you examine him as an individual. He wasn't doing that early in the season.
Except Richards hasn't looked nearly as good as he has as an individual playing with our second best goal scorer.
He's bumped up his own play to a new level. It's not Gaborik that's the reason he's racking up points- he's playing like an elite center when you examine him as an individual. He wasn't doing that early in the season.
This has been said a lot by many including myself who are you directing that at?
Now with just 4 games left is everyone satisfied with the signing? Is this what to expect for the next 6-8 years? I love it he's exactly who I thought he'd be and I think he'll kick it up another notch during playoffs
Richards is #10 in scoring for centers. Stepan is in a 5 way tie for #27 in points for center with 50. I'd say that's pretty solid for a first and second line center.
This has been said a lot by many including myself who are you directing that at?
I don't know, I was just browsing the forum before I had to leave and posted it real quick. I still think a lot of people are saying Richie and Gabby wouldve worked from the beginning, but I think this new found play is mostly from Richie himself stepping up.
Richards himself has said the current chemistry with Gaborik has come from him being able to be around Gabby more in practice and watching him out on the ice during games while on a different line.
Richards in the month of march has been red hot..Second in points only to Malkin and 1st in assists........and no coincidence since he has been playing with Gabby
Its unreal to watch someone like Brad just flat out find another gear consistently in the playoffs. Sure hes had some blah shifts but overall the dude is playing possessed. You can tell he lives for this right now, its a lot of fun to watch.
