What's Your Opinion?
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Things have settled down a bit in Rangerland after what I think most would call a "major" overhaul of the roster. I still think that Glen Sather has one more trick up his sleeve before training camp starts. Also, you have the pending outcomes of the Brandon Dubinsky and Nikolai Zherdev contract negotiations/arbitration. Aside from those three situations, there's not much else left to do. So what I want from you die-hard Rangers fans is your opinion and thoughts on all of the moves that were made, how the roster looks, who will make the jump to the big club, etc. I will respond to any and all opinions and comments. Don't be afraid to be brutally honest with your thoughts!
Lastly, I will be playing in the Ron Greschner Foundation's 8th annual golf classic on Monday, July 27th at the Edgewood country club. This is a great event and all proceeds go towards autism research, awareness, and assistance. If you would like to see more information on this event, please check out: www.rongreschnerfoundation.com. Over and out!
28 comments:
Chris,
What do you think of the Michael Rozsival to Edmonton for Sheldon Souray rumors? The money is a wash and both have 3 years left. Sheldon is 2 inches taller and has that big shot from the point. Rumor has it that Tom Renney was the reason Rosy resigned with the Rangers.
Scoop
A successful team must have at least one if not two big stopper defensemen. One of the most underrated acquisitions on the Cup winning team at the time was Beukeboom, followed by Jay Wells. Slats needs to duplicate those. Also team needs tough players to compliment Brashear; not nec. fighters, but tough players like Graves, Noonan, Matteau. Otherwise this team folds early....as my dad used to say, the NHL isn't "couples only" skating...you should know Kots!
Gene "Scoop" Koerner, I would make that deal in a "NY" second not minute. That would be too good to be true.
Souray still has the shot and the presence, where Rozi has unfortunately for the Rangers digressed over the last 2 years.
RJC, That's music to this "Old D-man's" ears. I totally agree with you on this.
In the end defense is what win's championships. It takes a great goalie or a solid D core to accomplish this.
Without good solid D you can't win, just ask Alex Ovechkin.
As for complementing Brashear. I've been harping about "Team Toughness" for years and again you hit it dead on.
Fighting still has it's place in Hockey, but honest players like the ones you mentioned who will do the dirty, hard physical work are just as important.
Like the line by your dad, he is a wise man LOL.
Ok, Kots, thanks for the response. Here's the follow up question: why does it always seem that team toughness is such a foreign concept to the Rangers as a franchise, regardless of who is GM? Been watching since '68/'69 as a kid, and only some of your teams with Nicky and Beck, and the Cup team had it. What gives?
RJC, I really don't know how to answer that. As a Ranger fan I see your angst and it has been puzzling over the years.
One things for sure the game has changed dramatically since my time. Today it's tough to figure out with the "NEW AGE NHL" and all it's ridiculous rule changes.
The 94 team had a perfect blend on the roster with interchangeable parts. They could play the game any way you wanted.
In a perfect world for Ranger fans I think we all would like to see a highly skilled, gritty, physical
team.
Unfortunately with the "Salary Cap" it's not that easy to build.
I would love to do that trade that was rumored above in Gene's post! A good shot and a tough player for a guy who's shot is seldom used and is, let's face it - is fragile (mentally and physicall). I'd do it in a second.
I'm a little bit worried about our center spots now. We were pretty deep with Gomer, but now since he's been traded we're somewhat thin there and deeper at wing.
Here's to hoping we re-sign Dubsinky at a good price and he has a breakout year!
Wrath, If you can get Souray for Rozival it's a no brainer.
As for the middle of the ice. I think Anisimov will make the jump this year.
I also believe Glen Sather has one more deal left in him.
The Dubinsky situation is puzzling as to how long it has dragged on. I hope he is signed, but something may be cooking otherwise.
Sather has certainly remade the team this summer. He also did so last summer and the summer before that. My point is that there has not been enough continuity to really form a team in every sense of the word. There has always been a questions about whether certain player can click, and it is not going away. Gaborik can certainly be a game breaker. However, unless someone shows up as a legitimate alternative threat, other teams will deploy their best checkers against Gaborik and deny him the puck. This process will be that much easier for opposing teams if there is no first rate passer on Gaborik's line. If Anisimov is that person, great. Somehow, I do not think he is ready for such a responsibility throughout the entire season. On occasion, maybe (presuming he does have the requisite talent); over the course of 82 games and hopefully beyond, doubtful. The bottom line is that the roster, while promising, still looks somewhat half-baked. As you had mentioned, a deal may be brewing. However, there was the same talk last year when Sather inexplicably signed Rissmiller and Voros in addition to a trade that brought in Fritsche. Nothing happened. Looks to be another bumpy ride for the blueshirt train.
At first I was going nuts over the subtractions and additions, especially Brashear, but after looking at the team as a whole now and what they were last season, we are a much bigger team and have potential to be a much better team. As for chemistry, I think that's up to the team leader(s) to pull that together, not so much the coach. The coach is there to lead, instruct, and drive the team, the captains are there to unite them, whether it be against an opposing team or to get your coach to shut it/prove him wrong, so to speak. I hope that Dubinsky is signed, but am feeling that he's part of a deal....
I am hopeful....
I meant to say that I hope Dubinsky is signed, but if he is, I think he'll be part of a deal... and if one looks at the roster, it seems we have at least more up the middle, if you count the youngsters, Avery can be counted as a center, no?
Jason, It's obvious to any and all that the roster has been dramatically changed. I believe that's a product of the "New NHL" and it's cap restrictions.
Continuity is important no question, but status quo is no longer allowed again in today's NHL. It's tough on GM'S in the league and tough on the fans as well.
Gaborik is the Rangers Malkin, Ovechkin, Crosby etc.... He will definitely need some others to step up and contribute offensively.
I will go out on a limb and predict that if Anisimov sticks with the Rangers coming out of camp he will surprise people.
I am cautiously optimistic for the Rangers this year. Moves had to be made and I believe the moves made this year are far and above better than last year.
Kittylarue, I to believe that the Rangers look better on paper than last year.
I could understand Ranger fan's disgust with some of the moves, but really deep down change was needed.
Veteran players need to step up and be counted on for their play and leadership.
I expect Dubinsky to be signed, but I also believe there is one more move that Glen Sather has in his bag of tricks.
We will have to wait and see.
Kotsy, I am curious if you read a book by Barry Meisel entitled "Losing the Edge: The Rise and Fall of the Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers" and, if so, your thoughts on the subject. I found the detailed look at the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons provided in the book quite informative. Overall, this book seems to provide a glimpse at the internal workings of the franchise, which to me is fascinating.
Jason, No I did not. If I come across it I'll definitely read it.
From what I remember those years the Rangers were built to be a one trick pony.
The team that won the Stanley cup was loaded with veterans of the NHL wars. The farm system and prospects was an empty cupboard, not much there.
I tended to remember the same thing, but the book shows somewhat of a different picture. There are a lot of quotes, and I am curious as to how the author obtained them. Nonetheless, the read is quite interesting and shows the side of Keenan, Smith, Colin Campbell, and the players themselves that you typically never see in print. Interestingly, there is a fair amount of mention of Sather. In any event, I have a copy and am perfectly willing to share. Just let me know where to mail it. Also, while on the subject of books, have you come across "The Code: The Unwritten Rules Of Fighting And Retaliation In The NHL" by Ross Bernstein? Also an interesting read.
Hey Chris, I agree we are a centerman and a tough D-man away to compete and as for Dubi...better be signed, losing Zherdev for nothing will be a shame as he is a quality asset in a trade. Lets see what Sather has in store as you are correct, this is not the team set in stone to compete next year
Jason, Send me your e-mail address and I will get in contact with you.
Leatherneck, What's up? hope all is well. Yeah, I don't believe Sather is done with his tinkering with the roster.
I don't really know whats going to happen with Zherdev, it is possible he still ends up with the Rangers.
Dubinsky's situation is puzzling to me and all Ranger fans. What the end result is anybody's guess.
jason.okun@gmail.com
Hey Chris, I agree with you. I too believe Sather has at least one more trick up his sleeve. Not certain what that will be but…I do think he has a couple of targets.
If the season started tomorrow, and there were no more additions, only trimming of the current roster, I think this is a playoff bound team. I like the potential of the top 6. And if I understand Tortorella’s system correctly, he has what he is looking for. Aggressive forecheck in the offensive zone right? Heavy puck pressure, forcing the defenders to make hasty decisions, and if it works correctly causing turnovers. I think the idea here is to build three lines that can all play this same style. 3 lines instead of 4 being Tortorella himself admits to his system relying on really only three lines. With that said Ryan Callahan, SeanAvery and Chris Higgins all fit into this system as players that can play this aggressive forechecking style. With that said he also has some players that can capitalize on the turnovers and create offense with quick transition off the mistakes. Gaborik is healthy of course may be the fastest skater in the league, and unlike other speedy players the club has employed in the past hehas the hands to go with it. Dubinsky I think will also experience a break-out season this year alongside Gaborik. Kotalik and Drury found chemistry in a similar system when they played together in Buffalo. Bottom 6 is totally up for grabs, but my guess is Anisimov finally makes the club as 3rd line pivot. Guessing Lisin andVoros split time with Higgins on the other side.
On defense I think there are changes coming. Not so certain that the club will start the season with both Redden and Rozsival. Wish training camp was open to the public though. There is so much depth in the prospect pool there that realistically there are 6 or 7 players that are all potential candidates to make the club, Gilroy, Potter, Michael Del Zotto, Sauer, McDonough, Sanguinetti, Heikkinen.
I would imagine that things will start to work themselves out in the next couple of days after the Zherdev arbitration hearing.
Hiya Chris, I am doing great. Ashley will be back soon, I am sure of it. as for the Rangers..
here is my team as it stands now
Lundqyvist
Valiquette
Girardi and staal...Redden and Roszival...Gilroy, Potter and Del Sotto...7th D-man Sauer
!st line..Avery, Drury and Gaborik..2nd line Lisin, Dubinsky and Callahan..,3rd line Higgins, Anisimov and Grachev...4th line Byers, Boyle and Parenteau...extra forwards Brashear, Brodie Dupont and Craig Beller
as you can see...theres a great nucleus however this year we wont be up there in the Las Vegas odds chart to win the Stanley Cup
there is alot of great talent in the making considering our drafting position in the last 10 years of the draft...it'll be an interesting year to say the least
Joe Tucc, I think Sather has something brewing. It all revolves around the Zherdev arbitration results and the Brandon Dubinsky contract.
Gaborik's going to need to stay healthy. If he does he will need help in the scoring department from others.
I think you can pencil in at least 2 new faces to the Ranger "D". I believe Gilroy will be one and the other is? .... we will have to wait and see.
Like I said in a previous response I am cautiously optimistic about this years Rangers. Let's hope I'm right.
Leatherneck, I like the team you have put fourth. It's time to see new blood in the lineup and how they will perform.
I also feel that a couple of changes on the "D" are in store for the Rangers. Gilroy will be one, the other is anyone's guess.
I also noticed how you slipped in Brodie Dupont for the extra team toughness feature... Nice.
Hiya Chris, the saying goes 'Absance will make the heart grow fonder" ...well to me it is interesting corolating the Rangers to my current situation in my personal life. I have a visual board for my goals, wants and needs in life and yesterday i placed a stanley cup picture with the Rangers logo on there. I look at this team and knowing anything is possible in life and how the law of attraction works, I say to myself "what do the Rangers need to contend for the cup? I see a major trade happening prior to the season and another major trade during the season for us to win it. I really dont understand not signing Betts to a contract nor the signing of Dubinsky as center position seems to be one of the major defficiencies. So that has to mean a trade is in the brewing. I also dont understand giving up an asset like Zherdev for nothing. Trade the man for a 4th rd pick or something, infact the kings have a surplus of young D-men why not straight up for say Gauthier? Dont we need a tough D-man? There has to be something brewing for all this to make sense Chris, as is it does not. whats your take my brother?
Leatherneck, I believe that the system is the reason for all the strange maneuvers in the NHL today.
The so called friendly "Cap" is the culprit. It has made GM's around the league more accountable to stay within the number of the Cap.
It's definitely a lot tougher to deal with today than it was with out a cap.
I also believe that "Potential" is out the window now a days because of the Cap. See Nik Zherdev.....
Zherdev has lots of talent. Unfortunately he's typical of most Europeans (Not All) of I'll play tonight, but take next few games off. Sad but true.
Unless something else happens, I feel Dubinsky needs to be signed.
Hopefully the Rangers will have it all figured out and get into the mix for the "Cup"
Joe Tucc I sent you an e-mail,about a month ago. Did you get it ? email me back at troublizing@yahoo.com
Kotsy get ready for Wednesday I got a surprise question lined up for you.
err Thursday
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