At the risk of alienating hundreds---perhaps thousands---of fans and posters here and on other cyberspace sites who are endlessly clamoring for "yutes", as so wonderfully stated in "My Cousin Vinny", the Rangers' call-up of former Islander Brad Isbister isn't the end of the freakin' world.
Why not see what he has?
It's temporary, for crying out loud. No one's signing him to a Kasparaitis deal, OK?
Af for "yutes", Pock and Immonen are already here. Callahan has had two sniffs. Would bringing up more of the untested Wolf Pack roster while the Rangers are battling for first place be fair to the pros---the leaders---who are here like Shanahan and Jagr and Straka?
Granted, Isbister, the veteran left wing acquired from Carolina hasn't torn up the minors.
But he's a pro, only 29, hasn't got the flu, has some size, isn't afraid to be physical, and might give Colton Orr a run for his money. If not, no big deal. You turn the page.
Again, this appears to be a short-term thing. The risk is pretty low. Three-game losing streak, right?
Would I rather see Nigel Dawes? Maybe, because the team needs some speed. But only if he was going to get a long-term shot.
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Nylander (flu) didn't travel to Florida with the team today. Ortmeyer is at least a week away, maybe more.
Cullen (knee) and Lundqvist (flu) will apparently play tomorrow against the Panthers, and maybe Nylander and Malik (groin) dress on Saturday in Tampa.
No need for hysterics. That can wait until the second half of the season....
Comments (10)
isbister is another washed up cup cake....what the rangers need is nate robinson.
I'd be happy if it turns out to be Isbister on the roster and Orr gone. Then I'm with you, but if Orr stays when Ortmeyer returns and Immonen gets sent back down, I say "Fuggedaboud it!" Capeesh?
You're right. There's no need for hysterics at this point. The upside is they're in first place. The downside is that it's a mirage mainly due to the number of games they've played compared to the Devils & Islanders. The only reason I question the Isbister call-up is that Nigel Dawes (IMHO) would be perfect in the lineup against teams like the Panthers and Lightning... teams that skate north-south extremely well with little in the way of traps & forechecking. Great news about Henrik skating the full practice, and Cullen too. But Nylander's missing 3 games already. I guess his flu was worse than the others. Which is ashame, because it creates havoc with the first line & the combinations.
The fact that Isbister was acquired for a prospect (Pertuzalek) AND a draft pick irks me.
He's done nothing in Hatrford and gets the call up ahead of prospects who actually have a future with the Rangers.
I agree with what Brandon Dubinsky said that even practicing with an NHL team is something he'd rather do than play in the minors.
Orr needs to be waived and demoted, and if Hollweg is not going to mash pests like Jason Blake, Brendan Witt, or Derian Hatcher, and flatten Brian Gionta, he should be in the stands when Ortmeyer comes back.
Steve:
I usually agree with what you write about the rangers, however not today.
I know it is short term with Isbister, but to say that Callahan was given two shots sounds like something Renney himself would say. Callahan probably played a total of 9 minutes in both games and was constantly put on different lines, especially the last game. It is getting to the point where it is no longer even amusing to watch this team play. The worst part is that there does not seem to be any hope for change, barring a serious injury, while Dolan, Sather and Renney are around. Staying in first place is the worst thing that could happen to this franchise as it would only be an excuse for them to stay the course this year and as long as Jagr is on the team.
Steve,
I think Rich has it right. If Isbsiter assumes Orr's role, I'm OK with it. Renney seems to want an enforcer on the ice, but Orr has been failing miserably. Although it's not Isbsiter's style to date, I hope he recognizes that if he wants to stay with the Rangers, he's got the opportunity to take the spot the Orr has been doing his best to lose.
I do not believe Isbister is the end of the world either. But nor do I think he is going to help. At the end of the day, this team needs grit. We have the scoring and we have the goaltending. Our defense is suspect, but not doing too bad. But the one thing we do lack is grit. Orr is pointless and Hollweg cannot do it himself. If Isbister comes here to inject some life and throw his body around, then I am all for it. Everyone knows we need SOMEONE here who can stand up for their teammates.
...but if he comes here to 'find his game' and try to be a goalscorer, then it is a waste of time.
I like most Ranger fans wouldn't mind Ibby for Orr. What bothers us is the fact that Cally is being sent down. We are ready for rebuilding, I will watch the Rangers lose with rookies in the line up,but I will not watch the Rangers struggle thru this season with a team of older players that we know will not stand a chance of doing well in the playoffs. Time to keep your promise(Slatts) and rebuild.I've got tickets to the Ranger VS Tampa and I look foward to that game like i'm going to the dentist. (no offence to any dentists out there but you know).
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