This morning Katie Strang of ESPN New York reported, via Twitter, that Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards were not skating on the same line. Instead, the team’s newest free agent prize found himself between the heart-and-soul of the team – Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky – while Gaborik flanked Erik Christensen and Wojtek Wolski. Although this move makes sense due to the New York Rangers‘ disappointing 3-3-2 record after eight games, it further begs the question: Is coach John Tortorella being hasty with his line shuffling?
Stepan and Anisimov should not be anywhere near the top 6 right now.
I'm not surprised with Stepan's lackluster play. He didn't improve his skating at all over the summer. I never thought he was much of a goalscorer and it seems like he is regressing to the mean... he is missing the net by miles.
Anisimov, however, looked great in training camp. I'm not sure what has happened to him since then... he is being careless with the puck and is trying to be too fancy instead of making the simple play.
Don't get me wrong, I am not a fan of Wolski and EC. The only reason why they are playing in the top 6 is because Stepan and Anisimov have been disappointing. They better turn it around ASAP because this team won't go anywhere with Wolski and EC on the top line.
Stepan and Anisimov should not be anywhere near the top 6 right now.
I'm not surprised with Stepan's lackluster play. He didn't improve his skating at all over the summer. I never thought he was much of a goalscorer and it seems like he is regressing to the mean... he is missing the net by miles.
Anisimov, however, looked great in training camp. I'm not sure what has happened to him since then... he is being careless with the puck and is trying to be too fancy instead of making the simple play.
Don't get me wrong, I am not a fan of Wolski and EC. The only reason why they are playing in the top 6 is because Stepan and Anisimov have been disappointing. They better turn it around ASAP because this team won't go anywhere with Wolski and EC on the top line.
Stepan's game will never be skating. Hockey IQ and vision is what will make him a real good NHL player. He is getting first line power play minutes so the points will happen. He should get 50+ points this season with a majority from the power play.
Not sure with AA, he has great size and goods skills. Does he have the hockey IQ?
This morning Katie Strang of ESPN New York reported, via Twitter, that Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards were not skating on the same line. Instead, the team’s newest free agent prize found himself between the heart-and-soul of the team – Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky – while Gaborik flanked Erik Christensen and Wojtek Wolski. Although this move makes sense due to the New York Rangers‘ disappointing 3-3-2 record after eight games, it further begs the question: Is coach John Tortorella being hasty with his line shuffling?
nothing i can say that hasn't already been said. the players name spelling is atrocious. but that's no biggie to me, just think that Prust and Boyle work well together and shouldn't be separated.
I really don't mind Richards and Gaborik being broken up. Initially when acquired I drooled at the fact of Gaborik playing with a true number one center, but honestly we've seen Gaborik perform at a 40+ goal pace on this team before without a premier centerman. When Gaborik is going I really don't think he needs to have that elite centerman to keep it going. I don't mind spreading the wealth on the top two lines.
Yes EC isn't ideal being a top 2 center but I feel like the way Gaborik has been playing so far he would make things happen even if I was his center. I am more intrigued by what the possibilities could be if Richards could get a line with Dubinsky and Callahan going, this team really needs them to get going.
A lot of people won't agree but I would like to see what we could get out of WW in a first line role for a 2 or 3 games, with the talent he has he AT LEAST deserves a chance on the top line.
The only real problem I have is the fact that Anisimov and Stepan are on the fourth line.... would it be so bad for Torts to entertain the idea of having 3 scoring lines?
Stepan-Anisimov-Feds?
I know Steps and Anisimov haven't looked too great so far but you're not going to see anything with them being in a 4th line role
As much as I love Boyle and Prust, they really should be relegated to the 4th line/pk.
Hope torts gives ec and ww a few games then once he realizes they are useless they finally get banned from this team
I thought Wolski looked much better lastnight. He was in position to get some chances but you can see his timing is off. Give him a few games man.
Or has Wolski been branded the official whiping boy this year? Are you saying we lost because of Wolski? I don't get it. No one on the team is lighting it up right now so why pick on Wolski who is just returning from injury instead of the ones who have been playing since Sept?
Im trying to keep it positive, and i havent complained about the line changes in a long time, because i know its part of the game. The lines in practice usually dont finish out the game anyway and we sit here and over-dissect it.
But what bothers me and is just making me nuts is once again we hearing the same old story with big free agent signing not fitting in on the top line. Furthermore, our top sniper isnt fitting in with our top playmaker, because they both "want the puck"
********, find a way to make it work. The players, the coaches, etc. Its early and ive been patient - but I dont want to start hearing the chemistry excuse 8 games into the season, if a fan of the team can be patient so can the players and coaches. I'm sick of hearing it every year. Jagr cant play with X, Gomez cant play with Y, Gaborik cant play with Z, Richards cant play with....yet a guy like Fedotenko can play with anyone.
Enough already. Go out and play hockey, you're intelligent enough - thats why you get paid millions.
Im trying to keep it positive, and i havent complained about the line changes in a long time, because i know its part of the game. The lines in practice usually dont finish out the game anyway and we sit here and over-dissect it.
But what bothers me and is just making me nuts is once again we hearing the same old story with big free agent signing not fitting in on the top line. Furthermore, our top sniper isnt fitting in with our top playmaker, because they both "want the puck"
********, find a way to make it work. The players, the coaches, etc. Its early and ive been patient - but I dont want to start hearing the chemistry excuse 8 games into the season, if a fan of the team can be patient so can the players and coaches. I'm sick of hearing it every year. Jagr cant play with X, Gomez cant play with Y, Gaborik cant play with Z, Richards cant play with....yet a guy like Fedotenko can play with anyone.
Enough already. Go out and play hockey, you're intelligent enough - thats why you get paid millions.
Agreed. I am effing sick of the "clicking" and "chemistry" thing.
Further, if the chemistry/clicking thing IS the problem, try giving them more than a few shifts to click!!!!!
Posted this in the other thread and i think it applies here too. Seems like every thread is going the way of the Torts debate.
We do have to remember this team is very young - and a lot of what Torts' system relies upon is the defense moving the puck, forechecking and controlling the neutral zone. The Rangers arent doing much of that because they lack the timing, speed, experience (to a certain extent) and grit right now. Its a combination of a lot of things. I dont think you can put the blame squarely on the system itself.
I do however agree with some of what Crossbar is saying in regards to Torts rigidity. In certain situations he neglects to change (or changes to often) and thats a negative for this team. I cant say that when the Rangers win it has everything to do with the players and Lundqvist (though its easy to say that with the reputation he has built, for good reason), the coach is putting forth the framework and the Rangers have to execute, so he does get some of the credit. the players make a coach look good and also make them look bad. The truth is usually somewhere in the middle.
I do however, think we'll put some of this debate to bed (at least imo we will) in december, when we can take a trip inside the locker room with 24/7. I'm eager to see how Torts conducts himself behind close doors with the players, and more importantly - what his in game adjustments are like between periods. I came out of the last 24/7 really impressed with Bylsma coaching style and encouragement tactics. I wasnt so enamored with Boudreau though. I wouldve have never formed as good as an opinion on those two, had I not seen all of those episodes. True, its just a few moments and a small look into a larger body of work, but i think you can get a real good sense of how a coach operates if you pay attention.
Like i've said, ive been a Torts supporter these past few years - and I like him as a coach - but i wouldnt be surprised if i see some things I dont like, that my change my mind about him. Then again, it might reinforce my thoughts, we'll see. Either way, I can't say the hate Torts has gotten unfounded. There is some validity to it.
Wolski Christensen Gaborik is the top line.
Lets see how much ice time they get.
Won't get better chance.
Wolski on the top line makes sense cause its how they started in camp. EC is a different story. Boggles my mind Torts can chose Richards, Anisimov, Stepan , Boyle and goes with EC
Wolski on the top line makes sense cause its how they started in camp. EC is a different story. Boggles my mind Torts can chose Richards, Anisimov, Stepan , Boyle and goes with EC
EC is doubtlessly being showcased. Let us hope he gets hot, nets some nifty goals and gets us a half decent return on D (or a pick straight up) together maybe with a pick/prospect from us - coming perhaps from an offense-starved team (Montreal, Nashville, Boston, Anaheim, Minnesota, Columbus...). Would be a win/win scenario. And no - I am not joking...
Torts does not seem to understand the notion that chemistry between players TAKES TIME to develop. He's always shuffling guys around, looking for a spark, but in reality, guys need time to get accustomed to one another. Breaking up Gaborik and Richards is the dumbest thing he could have done.
This would be a much harder team to play against imo
And quiets the Norwegian fraction here
Spreads out talent and grit throughout the lineup...
4 lines - that all can score
And many feasible options when the line-juggling starts a la Torts
This would be a much harder team to play against imo
And quiets the Norwegian fraction here
Spreads out talent and grit throughout the lineup...
4 lines - that all can score
And many feasible options when the line-juggling starts a la Torts
. And will remain out for the next 3-5 days. I'm cold, out of tune from the world and hungry
