Possibly, but I don't think its enough to explain his complete lack of forechecking ability. I mean it can't be much of excuse compared to the punishment guys like McD and Girardi are taking.
He blocks a lot of shots. If was hurting they wouldn't mention it.
At this point he has to, Bickel has looked like an AHL caliber defenseman and our top 5 are starting to get run down. Eminger was excellent before getting hurt so I would put him in especially since he is quite physical and Erixon justhas not filled out to compete at this level just yet. Bickel hurts this team more than helps it.
Yes...really.
1) WHY won't Torts play Emminger? He is healthy, and better than Bickel....play him! Even if it means dressing 7 D.
2) So how exactly did we blow a 2-1 lead...just bad breaks on the shots?
actually....Forsberg was the only Euro that played with that "Snarl', "Grit", "Edge", "Character"....or whatever you wan't to call it. Wish we could buy some of that for our Euro guy
Then again......Forsberg was Swedish (Scandanavian) so he doesn't even count...
Tikkanen comes to mind also. He was a gritty European and he could turn his game up 5 notches for the playoffs.
I was just talking to my brother about this -- Hossa fits this Rangers' squad style so much better than Gaborik does. While I wouldn't advocate signing him for that ridiculous 12 year contract...he'd be an ideal winger on this team. Versatile too, plays the left and right both quite well.
Ovi and Jagr like being hit? What games have you been watching over the past 10 years?
Edit: Ovi moreso...but there are a TON...(i'll edit and man up)... of Euros who don't even com close to the same style that NA plays, especially the Canadian style
Not sure why this has become a Cally vs. Gabby thing, and honestly, it's starting to look like a "North American vs. Euro" type argument. Neither of them are above criticism and both have been inconsistent in the playoffs. Both have room for improvement, IMO.
Having blocked about 1000 shots this year and Gabby the goal scorer blocking about 5, you can see how maybe Cally might be off his game a little. Because it's about time Torts makes an adjustment and rolls four lines, maybe we can rebound and break this stat that no team that went 2, 7 game series to start the playoffs, has won a cup.
Foppa is a huge exception to the rule. New age players from Europe and Russia versus Canadian and US have to completely different styles of play.
add: Jagr still plays this way
The post before you just said they ALL play a "Dont touch me style".
I am not trying to argue mate i just dont think you can paint a continent of Hockey players in this way. I am not doubting there is a difference in styles between North American and Euro but it doesn't mean players are soft because of it.
I have to say with regards to Jagr. He used to take some amount of punishment because he was the biggest danger on the ice for an opposition team and to me it doesn't make him soft just because he doesn't hit everything that moves IE: Callahan.
Tikkanen comes to mind also. He was a gritty European and he could turn his game up 5 notches for the playoffs.
yea....but he was Scandanavian too (Finnish). Scanners can play a more rugged 2-way game. Real Euros don't for the most part....LOL I think of Nedved and Gabby in the same mold. Lots of "Skill"...but softer than Fro-Yo
The post before you just said they ALL play a "Dont touch me style".
I am not trying to argue mate i just dont think you can paint a continent of Hockey players in this way. I am not doubting there is a difference in styles between North American and Euro but it doesn't mean players are soft because of it.
I have to say with regards to Jagr. He used to take some amount of punishment because he was the biggest danger on the ice for an opposition team and to me it doesn't make him soft just because he doesn't hit everything that moves IE: Callahan.
Agree to disagree...i shouldn't have said all...that was a overstatement cause I was caught up in the moment. Let's say 80% of them play a less physical type game..
yea....but he was Scandanavian too (Finnish). Scanners can play a more rugged 2-way game. Real Euros don't for the most part....LOL I think of Nedved and Gabby in the same mold. Lots of "Skill"...but softer than Fro-Yo
But i remember Nedved being a threat offensively.When he got the puck it was exciting. Gaborik is just......blah
what i dont understand is the total lack of urgency for the rest of the third period? you have over 18m of time to tie it up. you're only down 1 friggin goal, where is the urgency to score?
This passive approach when we're down in the third is just baffling to me. We wanted to win this game easy, with little effort. The rangers weren't willing to do what it takes to win this game. They played content to tie the series. It showed in every aspect of their game, and i just don't get it.
Exactly my point about this team. I saw the exact same thing in game 6 against the Caps.
There's definitely something to it because it's been happening a lot in these playoffs.
Ok we all got everything off our chests now lets focus on game 3. I hope Gaborik gets a hat-trick. GO RANGERS!!!!
Yea, I do too. I'd also like to see him pound someone into the boards just once and show one time, when he doesn't loose the puck on the boards during a Power Play. I think he weighs more than Callahan.
Z...can't be completely false if several of them play that way...
but i really don't wanna turn this into a argument about the two obvious style of European vs. NA play
and for the record, I'm not trying to prove a point or be a DB...but there are document players from Europe who play a similar style...sterotypes makes me sound like I lump all those people into the same grouping...which despite my words...wasn't my intention
It's extremely concerning that this team can only perform with their backs against the wall. You're in prime position to take a 2-0 series lead you get ****ing complacent? Are you kidding me?
Killer instinct, urgency, an edge have been discussed here ad naseum but God do we ever need it.
