This is why I continue to refer to this year as a transition year. If the Rangers make the playoffs...great! But, it is more important to watch Dubi/Cally/AA develop into top flight forwards, and grab the leadership roles, (which they are doing), and allow players like Stepan, Sauer and Grachev seeing ice time and developing, and even seeing younger players like Boyle and Prust develop into quality role players. And, if the Rangers can make the playoffs because this kind of development is taking place...well, that's just gravy.
Torts says making the playoffs isn't enough. ( this season)
You'd expect the head coach to say something else?
There are plenty of coaches/managers around the league that do. They even label their season as a "transition" period(FLA, EDM, ATL) Fact of the matter is w/ a goalie like Lundqvist, a d-men like Staal, and a forward like Gaborik you try to make the playoffs and take it from there. Especially when from the look of things you'll have secondary support scoring to some extent.
Two words: Henrik Lundqvist. He is the reason we have prevailed. He did allowed a soft second, but was otherwise even better than last shutout. Kudos to Sullivan for his work on our defense, it is very impressive. We lead the NHL in blocked shots.
There are plenty of coaches/managers around the league that do. They even label their season as a "transition" period(FLA, EDM, ATL) Fact of the matter is w/ a goalie like Lundqvist, a d-men like Staal, and a forward like Gaborik you try to make the playoffs and take it from there. Especially when from the look of things you'll have secondary support scoring to some extent.
even if he truely feels it or thinks it, a statement like that would NEVER fly here
there's a reason we've never done a true rebuild...and it not cause we didnt need it
There are plenty of coaches/managers around the league that do. They even label their season as a "transition" period(FLA, EDM, ATL) Fact of the matter is w/ a goalie like Lundqvist, a d-men like Staal, and a forward like Gaborik you try to make the playoffs and take it from there. Especially when from the look of things you'll have secondary support scoring to some extent.
IDK if ATL makes that list...they're already a force to be reckoned with
This is why I continue to refer to this year as a transition year. If the Rangers make the playoffs...great! But, it is more important to watch Dubi/Cally/AA develop into top flight forwards, and grab the leadership roles, (which they are doing), and allow players like Stepan, Sauer and Grachev seeing ice time and developing, and even seeing younger players like Boyle and Prust develop into quality role players. And, if the Rangers can make the playoffs because this kind of development is taking place...well, that's just gravy.
But actually playing in the playoffs shouldn't be underrated for the development of our young players. I'd happily pick a few spots lower if they make the playoffs, even if they don't get far. Playing playoff hockey can only be good for young players.
even if he truely feels it or thinks it, a statement like that would NEVER fly here
there's a reason we've never done a true rebuild...and it not cause we didnt need it
Trust me if he truly feels that way he'd let us know....and he has. He continuously said we need to keep our core together and develop them.
Sure...maybe that does spell out a transition year. However, that's not the mentality they're going with , and right fully so. You have allstar players like Lundqvist, Gaborik, Staal in 3 of the games different positions. You have Dubinsky who at the end of last season showed that he's finding a niche/identity in regards to his game. You've been watching Callahan all season and you see what he's ready to bring to the table.
I'm not so sure you want to do a full rebuild w/ many good pieces in place. Besides, Lundqvist isn't getting any younger. Bias aside, he's bar none the top goaltender in this league and he needs to start getting recognition for it. The consistency he provides between the pipes is something I've never seen.
Trust me if he truly feels that way he'd let us know....and he has. He continuously said we need to keep our core together and develop them.
Sure...maybe that does spell out a transition year. However, that's not the mentality they're going with , and right fully so. You have allstar players like Lundqvist, Gaborik, Staal in 3 of the games different positions. You have Dubinsky who at the end of last season showed that he's finding a niche/identity in regards to his game. You've been watching Callahan all season and you see what he's ready to bring to the table.
I'm not so sure you want to do a full rebuild w/ many good pieces in place. Besides, Lundqvist isn't getting any younger. Bias aside, he's bar none the top goaltender in this league and he needs to start getting recognition for it. The consistency he provides between the pipes is something I've never seen.
im certainlly not advocating a rebuild
im just saying that as long as dolan's still upstairs the team will never publically say anything other than a "we want the cup" type statement
But actually playing in the playoffs shouldn't be underrated for the development of our young players. I'd happily pick a few spots lower if they make the playoffs, even if they don't get far. Playing playoff hockey can only be good for young players.
But, making the playoffs is better for the organization if it is coming through the rapid development of the "young core" Tortorella has been talking about. If this team makes the playoffs on the backs of Gaborik and Lundqvist, it's just business as usual. It is better for the long-term growth of the organization that we are seeing the young core already assuming such an important part of the success of the team.
Definitely impressed with the Rangers composure facing a very good team (even with their offseason losses). Besides his stinker, Lundqvist played lights out.
I can't really complain about anything from what i saw. Since Grachev has not looked too bad, and Fedetenko hasn't done a whole lot, I would like to see Grachev get a few shifts with Stepan on the 3rd line with Avery. maybe around 12 minutes - 13 minutes gametime total. See how he uses it.
BIG win last night, especially because it was at home. Playoff like atmosphere.
Were we at the same game? lol
I mean the Garden was pretty quiet for most of the night, short of a few chants and the final few minutes. It was pretty full, but I'd hardly call it a playoff atmosphere. The place was far from electric.
I mean the Garden was pretty quiet for most of the night, short of a few chants and the final few minutes. It was pretty full, but I'd hardly call it a playoff atmosphere. The place was far from electric.
The last 5 minutes it was, thats what i was really referring to. Other than that, yeah the Garden needs to pick it up. At least we heard a smattering of LGR chants though.
So with back-to-back games coming up and Biron due for a start, do you play him against the Flyers, and their weak goaltending or against the struggling Devils, who Lundqvist always plays well against?
So with back-to-back games coming up and Biron due for a start, do you play him against the Flyers, and their weak goaltending or against the struggling Devils, who Lundqvist always plays well against?
Hank aganist the devs, let Biron take the beating that is sure to come from philly, then turn Boogey loose on carcillo
So with back-to-back games coming up and Biron due for a start, do you play him against the Flyers, and their weak goaltending or against the struggling Devils, who Lundqvist always plays well against?
against the devils...i'd say the devils would be more a threat to us in terms of playoff position than the flyers this year.
