Enough of this crap...Put a pacifier in your mouth and clam up already...Are we supposed to be sorry or have some sympathy for a baby that makes 5 million a year and who's head isn't in the game? He's disappointed? What a freaking crock.....His head should have been in the game from the moment he stepped on the ice but hey, I guess 5 mill doesn't buy you too much anymore...Physically out of sorts is one thing, but not mentally for a 15 year veteran...Typical whiney Ranger...
The fact also is that in the nine games since his return, Leetch has been on the ice for nine of the 21 even-strength goals the Blueshirts have surrendered.
Even while taking into account both his team-leading 17:42 even-strength ice time per and his assignments against the opposition's top forwards, it's a striking stat.
I really wish Brian was getting his game together on the 3rd pairing with 16-18 minutes of ice. If you're play is sub-par and you readily acknowledge you're not at 100%, I'd say you shouldn't be out there for 23 minutes against top lines.
His reasoning for his poor play is certainly well, reasonable. Thing is, Leetch on the 3rd pair? You want Poti-Kaspar getting 24 minutes a night? EEEEP. I'll take a Leetch at 70% over Poti at 110% every day of the week.
Enough of this crap...Put a pacifier in your mouth and clam up already...Are we supposed to be sorry or have some sympathy for a baby that makes 5 million a year and who's head isn't in the game? He's disappointed? What a freaking crock.....His head should have been in the game from the moment he stepped on the ice but hey, I guess 5 mill doesn't buy you too much anymore...Physically out of sorts is one thing, but not mentally for a 15 year veteran...Typical whiney Ranger...
Eh, sorry, just had a rant stored up...
I think if there is one Ranger who has earned a little leniency its Leetch.
I think if there is one Ranger who has earned a little leniency its Leetch.
I like Leetch, but I don't buy this garbage....I also love Kovalev, but he's been horrible..NONE of them deserve leniency...These guys are Millionaire PROs, there's no reason not to be at the top of their game MENTALLY...
I like Leetch, but I don't buy this garbage....I also love Kovalev, but he's been horrible..NONE of them deserve leniency...These guys are Millionaire PROs, there's no reason not to be at the top of their game MENTALLY...
My point is Leetch has never used excuses before. He plays hurt and usually only doesn't play because he can't not because it hurts too much. He has done everything this organization has asked of him. He still plays 20+ minutes a game. The fact that he makes 5M is irrelevant to me. Personally, I'm going to give him a pass for the moment.
I like Leetch, but I don't buy this garbage....I also love Kovalev, but he's been horrible..NONE of them deserve leniency...These guys are Millionaire PROs, there's no reason not to be at the top of their game MENTALLY...
Not even going to get into it but your 1st rant on Leetch is absolutely ridiculous and couldn't be more offbase.
Say what you want about whoever you want but to bash Leetch for not being 100% is just crazy and unjustified.The guys ankle isn't close to 100% and when he says he's not metally into the games he's not talking about him thinking about where he's going for a steak diner after the game for Christs sake, he's saying his reads and instincts haven't been upto the ridiculous level it's been at throughout his HOF career.
Not even going to get into it but your 1st rant on Leetch is absolutely ridiculous and couldn't be more offbase.
Say what you want about whoever you want but to bash Leetch for not being 100% is just crazy and unjustified.The guys ankle isn't close to 100% and when he says he's not metally into the games he's not talking about him thinking about where he's going for a steak diner after the game for Christs sake, he's saying his reads and instincts haven't been upto the ridiculous level it's been at throughout his HOF career.
If you say so, because any time anybody disagrees with good old JR, they are "ridiculous"....Again, physically off a little because of his ankle-- I have no problem, but there's no reason for his reads, instincts or mental game to be down (BTW, how do instincts go up or down??)....
All this being said, I don't hold this as a major grudge against such a great trooper and Ranger as Leetch is, but everybody form Maladog to Lundmark to Leetch is accountable...
Besides, I just wanted to get the juices flowing a little...
If you say so, because any time anybody disagrees with good old JR, they are "ridiculous"....Again, physically off a little because of his ankle-- I have no problem, but there's no reason for his reads, instincts or mental game to be down (BTW, how do instincts go up or down??)....
The point that JR is making is that Leetch came in with very little training camp, so he really hadn't played against NHL talent in 7 months, and had very little time to work his way back into the flow of things before being tossed back into the fire. The NHL game moves so quickly that it would be impossible for anyone to have such a long layoff and just be "in the game" right off the drop of the first puck. The reason for training isn't just so that the prospects and AHLers can show their stuff to management. It's also so that the NHLers can ease themselves back into the flow of the fastest game on earth. Leetch missed that, so it's understandable that it will show. And yes, to skewer Leetch over that is offbase and ridiculous.
You want Poti-Kaspar getting 24 minutes a night? EEEEP. I'll take a Leetch at 70% over Poti at 110% every day of the week.
Obviously, I'd like to see a lot of things change and Kaspar wouldn't even be in the lineup. I'd probably have Bouchard out there on the top pairing getting 22 minutes. Last time he went 20+ was MTL, probably our best game of the season in which he registered 2 assists and was named 3rd star. The people who are getting the ice time need to do something with it. Joel's proven he can do that.
A month from now, when Leetch is playing like he can, THEN he can log the heavy minutes.
The point that JR is making is that Leetch came in with very little training camp, so he really hadn't played against NHL talent in 7 months, and had very little time to work his way back into the flow of things before being tossed back into the fire. The NHL game moves so quickly that it would be impossible for anyone to have such a long layoff and just be "in the game" right off the drop of the first puck. The reason for training isn't just so that the prospects and AHLers can show their stuff to management. It's also so that the NHLers can ease themselves back into the flow of the fastest game on earth. Leetch missed that, so it's understandable that it will show. And yes, to skewer Leetch over that is offbase and ridiculous.
Yeah, I know what JR's point was...And sorry, I just don't agree..As a 15 year vet, this should all be second nature to him..He's been pretty pitiful out there on the ice and alot of that has been due to being out of position and missing (or forgetting) assignments....If it's the ankle that's preventing him form carrying these things out, no problem...Guess, I'm just not as forgiving..
As for skewering Leetch, of course I over did it a bit, but that's what happens in rants! Still, he's as accountable as the rest of the Rangers....And although we are dealing with Leetch here, I realize that he's not one of our major problems..
The point that JR is making is that Leetch came in with very little training camp, so he really hadn't played against NHL talent in 7 months, and had very little time to work his way back into the flow of things before being tossed back into the fire. The NHL game moves so quickly that it would be impossible for anyone to have such a long layoff and just be "in the game" right off the drop of the first puck. The reason for training isn't just so that the prospects and AHLers can show their stuff to management. It's also so that the NHLers can ease themselves back into the flow of the fastest game on earth. Leetch missed that, so it's understandable that it will show. And yes, to skewer Leetch over that is offbase and ridiculous.
That's all I'm saying Larry but yes you continue to be ridiculous on other issues as well.
Indeed. If there's one sacred cow left on this team, it's Leetch.
This fun little discussion aside, why is that true? Given that this team has not made the POs in 7 years (yes, my crystal ball is working), the idea of a "Sacred Cow" on this team is--- what's the word JR uses? Ah, yes--ridiculous........Leetch, based on his performance, should get treated no different then Hlavac, Maladog, Messier, Lundamrk, Sather, etc........
This fun little discussion aside, why is that true? Given that this team has not made the POs in 7 years (yes, my crystal ball is working), the idea of a "Sacred Cow" on this team is--- what's the word JR uses? Ah, yes--ridiculous........Leetch, based on his performance, should get treated no different then Hlavac, Maladog, Messier, Lundamrk, Sather, etc........
Fast question. When was the last time you called one of the players on this team gutless, heartless, or complained about them looking lazy out there? Now when was the last time you called Leetch any of those things? That's why he is given so much leeway on such a horrible team.
I think Kodiak and JR have it right. I've been playing hockey since I was young and I didn't pick up a stick for the past year until recently when I joined a marginal league. Physically I was able to adapt but it also took some time mentally to get back into the flow of the game. You honestly have to re-remember your instincts. I found myself going, "woh!" after a play because I knew that I had just done something that I know not to do. It took time to get the thinking part back to 100% for sure. I think that's the case with Leetch. Given Leetch's track record I'd give him the benefit of the doubt. He's not complaining but just explaining what it takes to get back into the game.
Fast question. When was the last time you called one of the players on this team gutless, heartless, or complained about them looking lazy out there? Now when was the last time you called Leetch any of those things? That's why he is given so much leeway on such a horrible team.
I think Kodiak and JR have it right. I've been playing hockey since I was young and I didn't pick up a stick for the past year until recently when I joined a marginal league. Physically I was able to adapt but it also took some time mentally to get back into the flow of the game. You honestly have to re-remember your instincts. I found myself going, "woh!" after a play because I knew that I had just done something that I know not to do. It took time to get the thinking part back to 100% for sure. I think that's the case with Leetch. Given Leetch's track record I'd give him the benefit of the doubt. He's not complaining but just explaining what it takes to get back into the game.
Actually, I haven't done that for awile because except for maybe Halvac and Poti, the team has been trying hard.!.And you are correct, I have never had or have any reason to get on Leetch for any of that......but that's still no reason to give him leeway if he's not performing mentally...
And I'm not trying to be a ***** here, but there's a huge difference between what you and I might go thru and what Leetch is doing now after playing Professional hockey for Godknows how long......He's been substandard in terms of play with alot of mental mistakes and I won't give him the benefit of the doubt that I wouldn't give Sly Lefebvre or whoever...Just perform and there's no problem, and I'm sure that's where it will end up
if you define lazy as being somewhat lackadaisacal in one's own zone. Too many times Leetch had guys look like he's standing still. Too many times he's been caught out of position or standing still on a goal. Maybe lazy's the wrong word, but nobody talks about that because it's easier to wow when he rushes up the ice, or blame the guy on the other side (often Poti) because he's not the physical, stay-at-home, All Star defenseman that for some reason only Leetch on this teams afford th luxury of us saying that he needs that.
I guess all I'm saying is that i don't think he's using the "mental" problem as an excuse as he has never been the type of player to ever use excuses, mental or otherwise. If he's playing poorly, it's not from the lack of trying. He's just saying this is the problem and it's frustrating but he's gonna correct it and as you said, he'll end up performing.
Fletch - I hear ya..The laziness correlates with the mental misatkes and being out of position that I've been talking about...Now whether he looks lazy because of the latter two or the laziness causes the poor play, I'm not sure..But I guess it's ridiculous either way...
JC - Though I ranted a little about his explanations, it's his game that bugs me more and for which I don't give him any quarter..Hopefully, it will all come together soon..
