Torts did not mention Richards specifically, obviously... But they asked him about our situation at Center and he optimistically and confidently suggested the Rangers could/would go out and acquire a player if they needed to, either at the trade-deadline or in the off-season.... Looks like this is going to re-air at 2:30 AM... I'll record it and post what he said word for word at that time...
EDIT: It's re-airing right now, 10 PM... I'll put the quote up in a bit.
Biggest point of emphasis this season : Consistency, need to be better at home
Most excited about kids and Ranger's good core, need to keep building core
Frolov interesting acquisition to add offense, will get a chance with Gaborik right away
Spoke with Drury throughout summer... wants the players input on what they (coaches) can do to make things easier for them
Says he doesn't watch any of these informal practices
Says the young guys are going to get a "long-look"... Mentions McDonagh/Stepan/MZA, says he's anxious to see MZA play
Assessment of Marc Staal: big part of our core, still a young man at 23. Last season: thought he was inconsistent thru first half of the year, had a streak where he came along, last 2 months he "really got it"... Exit interview Staal said he finally felt comfortable using his instincts in terms of decision making (joining the rush, pinching, etc). Last couple of months Torts said he was a "stud"... Says Marc is a "huge part of this organization"... Re: contract situation - Torts says he doesn't think young players should try to hit a home run right away... Wait your turn and it will come to you... Marc can't afford to miss a day of camp because it will hurt his development
Re: Redden - His game is too deliberate in everything he does... His game has slowed down... Needs to speed up his decision making, his reads, getting his shot through.... Everything about his game, Torts think it's slow... Thinks he's been given a real fair chance being put in the line-up every night... Says he has to earn his ice time back.... Blue-line is going to be shaped on merit... Says Redden looks in great shape...
Christensen would play 2 great games, then you wouldn't see him for 5 games... Says they need help up the middle... At Center ice position there isn't a bunch of creativity... Rangers have to be patient, use our kids, grow them, and then when there's something out there, said he believes there's going to be something available, maybe at the end of camp or at the trade deadline but he believes someone will be available who can help the team...
Says maybe Stepan steps up.... Says during the rookie camp you can see his offensive awareness.... Says he's still a kid out of college though.
i think the key with stepan is that his biggest asset is his hockey iq...by far and away. its like Anisimov, AA's hockey IQ is without a doubt his best aspect...so you gotta give them time to let their physical skills catch up to their mental skills. a guy like Stepan wont hurt you playing in the NHL today, because hes just so damn smart that he wont make bad plays, but, it probably isnt best for his growth to do that. i think you put him in Hartford with Grachev, and MZA, and create an absolute monstrous top line with those 3, and let them all grow together.
perhaps...i need to see him in the preseason, but it may seem like more forcefeeding by the Rangers...like they did with Gilroy.
I think with Gilroy it was a lack of depth... We didn't have any good alternative options.... The same situation won't apply with MZA and the forward line-up... We have a surplus of forwards....
I think with Gilroy it was a lack of depth... We didn't have any good alternative options.... The same situation won't apply with MZA and the forward line-up... We have a surplus of forwards....
yep, hopefully they put who is ready in there, even if it means holding back a prospect to let them grow in favor of a poorer choice option today.
lets face it, we arent competing for jack this year, lets not screw up the future because of that.
I agree that it sounds like Torts can't predict when we'll get brad Richards but it sounds like that's who sather is putting on target to work a deal with. I mean let's face it it's not Ribeiro he's been available and Savard I don't think they'd go for if so had a chance this offseason..
And other then those two who else? Thornton?? Extension probably. So I think if a deal is reached then it's for B.Richards if not he's an offseason signing. Based on all these roster options what do u guys think a package could be?
I agree that it sounds like Torts can't predict when we'll get brad Richards but it sounds like that's who sather is putting on target to work a deal with. I mean let's face it it's not Ribeiro he's been available and Savard I don't think they'd go for if so had a chance this offseason..
And other then those two who else? Thornton?? Extension probably. So I think if a deal is reached then it's for B.Richards if not he's an offseason signing. Based on all these roster options what do u guys think a package could be?
I hear there might be a guy named Prucha hitting FA and some say he's better than Crosby maybe we are targeting him...
Biggest point of emphasis this season : Consistency, need to be better at home
Most excited about kids and Ranger's good core, need to keep building core
Frolov interesting acquisition to add offense, will get a chance with Gaborik right away
Spoke with Drury throughout summer... wants the players input on what they (coaches) can do to make things easier for them
Says he doesn't watch any of these informal practices
Says the young guys are going to get a "long-look"... Mentions McDonagh/Stepan/MZA, says he's anxious to see MZA play
Assessment of Marc Staal: big part of our core, still a young man at 23. Last season: thought he was inconsistent thru first half of the year, had a streak where he came along, last 2 months he "really got it"... Exit interview Staal said he finally felt comfortable using his instincts in terms of decision making (joining the rush, pinching, etc). Last couple of months Torts said he was a "stud"... Says Marc is a "huge part of this organization"... Re: contact situation - Torts says he doesn't think young players should try to hit a home run right away... Wait your turn and it will come to you... Marc can't afford to miss a day of camp because it will hurt his development
Re: Redden - His game is too deliberate in everything he does... His game has slowed down... Needs to speed up his decision making, his reads, getting his shot through.... Everything about his game, Torts think it's slow... Thinks he's been given a real fair chance being put in the line-up every night... Says he has to earn his ice time back.... Blue-line is going to be shaped on merit... Says Redden looks in great shape...
Christensen would play 2 great games, then you wouldn't see him for 5 games... Says they need help up the middle... At Center ice position there isn't a bunch of creativity... Rangers have to be patient, use our kids, grow them, and then when there's something out there, said he believes there's going to be something available, maybe at the end of camp or at the trade deadline but he believes someone will be available who can help the team...
Says maybe Stepan steps up.... Says during the rookie camp you can see his offensive awareness.... Says he's still a kid out of college though.
Not going to get a chance to watch this. Thanks for the update Wolfy~
i dont see how on earth the rangers are fitting Richards under their cap unless they trade Rozsival and another big contract...his cap hit is almost 8 mil.
i dont see how on earth the rangers are fitting Richards under their cap unless they trade Rozsival and another big contract...his cap hit is almost 8 mil.
Much like with kovie any hit above 7 for me is too much with him. Years wise nothing more than 5. That's probably unrealistic which means if it's unrealisitc to sign player to a deal that won't cripple the team long term than don't make the deal.
I feel Richards is going to be injured more. If he goes through this year without injury I'll be a lot more comfortable with the team signing him for 5 years 35 mil.
The more I think about it, the more iffy I am about Brad. Trust me, I would not be disappointed AT ALL if we signed Richards, but with Anisimov and Stepan maturing it looks to me like we'll have 1st and 2nd line center solidly covered in a few years. I love what Richards and Gaborik could very likely create, but is it worth it to blow the money now instead of waiting for Derek and AA to mature into the roles of top 6 center?
Biggest point of emphasis this season : Consistency, need to be better at home
Most excited about kids and Ranger's good core, need to keep building core
Frolov interesting acquisition to add offense, will get a chance with Gaborik right away
Spoke with Drury throughout summer... wants the players input on what they (coaches) can do to make things easier for them
Says he doesn't watch any of these informal practices
Says the young guys are going to get a "long-look"... Mentions McDonagh/Stepan/MZA, says he's anxious to see MZA play
Assessment of Marc Staal: big part of our core, still a young man at 23. Last season: thought he was inconsistent thru first half of the year, had a streak where he came along, last 2 months he "really got it"... Exit interview Staal said he finally felt comfortable using his instincts in terms of decision making (joining the rush, pinching, etc). Last couple of months Torts said he was a "stud"... Says Marc is a "huge part of this organization"... Re: contact situation - Torts says he doesn't think young players should try to hit a home run right away... Wait your turn and it will come to you... Marc can't afford to miss a day of camp because it will hurt his development
Re: Redden - His game is too deliberate in everything he does... His game has slowed down... Needs to speed up his decision making, his reads, getting his shot through.... Everything about his game, Torts think it's slow... Thinks he's been given a real fair chance being put in the line-up every night... Says he has to earn his ice time back.... Blue-line is going to be shaped on merit... Says Redden looks in great shape...
Christensen would play 2 great games, then you wouldn't see him for 5 games... Says they need help up the middle... At Center ice position there isn't a bunch of creativity... Rangers have to be patient, use our kids, grow them, and then when there's something out there, said he believes there's going to be something available, maybe at the end of camp or at the trade deadline but he believes someone will be available who can help the team...
Says maybe Stepan steps up.... Says during the rookie camp you can see his offensive awareness.... Says he's still a kid out of college though.
Biggest point of emphasis this season : Consistency, need to be better at home
Most excited about kids and Ranger's good core, need to keep building core
Frolov interesting acquisition to add offense, will get a chance with Gaborik right away
Spoke with Drury throughout summer... wants the players input on what they (coaches) can do to make things easier for them
Says he doesn't watch any of these informal practices
Says the young guys are going to get a "long-look"... Mentions McDonagh/Stepan/MZA, says he's anxious to see MZA play
Assessment of Marc Staal: big part of our core, still a young man at 23. Last season: thought he was inconsistent thru first half of the year, had a streak where he came along, last 2 months he "really got it"... Exit interview Staal said he finally felt comfortable using his instincts in terms of decision making (joining the rush, pinching, etc). Last couple of months Torts said he was a "stud"... Says Marc is a "huge part of this organization"... Re: contact situation - Torts says he doesn't think young players should try to hit a home run right away... Wait your turn and it will come to you... Marc can't afford to miss a day of camp because it will hurt his development
Re: Redden - His game is too deliberate in everything he does... His game has slowed down... Needs to speed up his decision making, his reads, getting his shot through.... Everything about his game, Torts think it's slow... Thinks he's been given a real fair chance being put in the line-up every night... Says he has to earn his ice time back.... Blue-line is going to be shaped on merit... Says Redden looks in great shape...
Christensen would play 2 great games, then you wouldn't see him for 5 games... Says they need help up the middle... At Center ice position there isn't a bunch of creativity... Rangers have to be patient, use our kids, grow them, and then when there's something out there, said he believes there's going to be something available, maybe at the end of camp or at the trade deadline but he believes someone will be available who can help the team...
Says maybe Stepan steps up.... Says during the rookie camp you can see his offensive awareness.... Says he's still a kid out of college though.
Biggest point of emphasis this season : Consistency, need to be better at home
Most excited about kids and Ranger's good core, need to keep building core
Frolov interesting acquisition to add offense, will get a chance with Gaborik right away
Spoke with Drury throughout summer... wants the players input on what they (coaches) can do to make things easier for them
Says he doesn't watch any of these informal practices
Says the young guys are going to get a "long-look"... Mentions McDonagh/Stepan/MZA, says he's anxious to see MZA play
Assessment of Marc Staal: big part of our core, still a young man at 23. Last season: thought he was inconsistent thru first half of the year, had a streak where he came along, last 2 months he "really got it"... Exit interview Staal said he finally felt comfortable using his instincts in terms of decision making (joining the rush, pinching, etc). Last couple of months Torts said he was a "stud"... Says Marc is a "huge part of this organization"... Re: contact situation - Torts says he doesn't think young players should try to hit a home run right away... Wait your turn and it will come to you... Marc can't afford to miss a day of camp because it will hurt his development
Re: Redden - His game is too deliberate in everything he does... His game has slowed down... Needs to speed up his decision making, his reads, getting his shot through.... Everything about his game, Torts think it's slow... Thinks he's been given a real fair chance being put in the line-up every night... Says he has to earn his ice time back.... Blue-line is going to be shaped on merit... Says Redden looks in great shape...
Christensen would play 2 great games, then you wouldn't see him for 5 games... Says they need help up the middle... At Center ice position there isn't a bunch of creativity... Rangers have to be patient, use our kids, grow them, and then when there's something out there, said he believes there's going to be something available, maybe at the end of camp or at the trade deadline but he believes someone will be available who can help the team...
Says maybe Stepan steps up.... Says during the rookie camp you can see his offensive awareness.... Says he's still a kid out of college though.
