If Chris Drury breaks his scoring slump tomorrow against the Lightning and goes on a roll, maybe we should credit an old yellow board.
Alone on one end of the rink at the end of a rare Sunday practice yesterday---which was preceded by a 45-minute team video session----Drury was firing pucks off a foot-high yellow board attached to the lower part of the net and flicking the rebounds high into the cage.
"Did that in Buffalo," he said later. "First time here. The board seemed a little livelier there."
With all due respect, at this point last season, the Sabres were far livelier than the Rangers, who can be both moribund, muddled and mystifying.
There was no sleeping-in or leisurely Sunday brunches on the Upper West Side or in Westchester, as the Rangers watched game footage together a day after they lost their poise---and the game---to the Maple Leafs in the latter half of the second period, surrendering three goals in less than eight minutes.
After his press conference at Madison Square Garden following the 4-1 defeat that dropped the Rangers to a distressing 3-6-1, coach Tom Renney had made the decision: Scratch the scheduled off-day. Players were told to show up today at 11 a.m.
However, instead of a punishing, no-pucks, skate-til-you-drop workout, the morning began with a 45-minute meeting that included a reminder of how the team dug itself out of a deep hole last January to make the playoffs. "We had two different games out there," said Renney. "We looked at what we had done well and what we want to take into the Tampa Bay game (tonight). Other than that, it was to draw a litle bit of a parallel to last year, just making sure we all yank on the same chain, that we're open and honest with each other, and that we use (our situation) as the ultimate team builder."
As the 45-minute practice concluded, four veterans---Drury, Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan and Scott Gomez---discussed the league's 23rd-ranked power play (a 13 percent success rate) among themselves. "We needed to get out here," said Drury, who said the foursome's gathering "was about positioning, communication, getting more detailed...about what to expect out of each guy."
To be sure, Renney expects more from each of his players, but is trying not to burn out, or lose, a team whose confidence level is sagging. "We're fighting our own demons right now in respect to our offense. It'll come. The big thing for our coaching staff is to support them any way we can." Still, Renney added, if there were more days off before Tampa Bay's visit, "You might have seen us work a little harder. We don't have any stairs around here."
When I suggested portable stairs, Renney said. "That's an idea."
****
A helmetless Jagr, who scored his second goal of the season Saturday, also was one of the last few players on the ice, taking Perry Pearn's passes from the corner to the left circle and snapping shots at backup goaltender Steve Valiquette.
****
Sean Avery (shoulder) did not skate. "We've really pushed him. It was a recovery day," said Renney....Martin Straka's finger, uncovered aftter being iced down, looked only slightly swollen. He didn't skate either....Ryan Callahan, looking wan, hobbled by wearing a large brace on his right leg...
****
FYI, my Sunday NHL column is back: http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/ny-spzip285436178oct28,0,2825093.column
****
And finally, in a non-move that has been criticized here previously, the front office chose not to summon anyone from Hartford. "If someone were really prolific down there...but we're not sure that anyone who can come up right now would make that difference for us," Renney said. "We need to generate some offense; the sort of player who would join us would be a third- or fourth-line guy."
Hmm. Could there be any less offense from those two lines?
Comments (28)
We are tied for 28th in NHL, I think it is time to give Sather and Renney a 10 year contract extension.
What did Betts, Orr and Strudwick do to deserve to be in NHL? What is prolific about them? What makes them better than Moore, Pock, Korpikoski, Byers, etc? What have those 3 done to justify being on the roster and playing?
What happens in Renney's office stays in Renney's office, as well as get reflected in who plays and who doesn't. Didn't I read somewhere that Renney is a big church fan?
Hey Zip,
Thanks for the Sunday practice update, much appreciated. Here is my breakdow of what the Rangers need to do to get themselves jumpstarted:
1) Not since Adam Graves was on the team can I remember the Rangers having a guys who's sole job on the power play was to stand in the slot and offer a screen. I mean this is not rocket science and I don't understand Renney's reluctance to install such a player. Prucha doesnt count becuase he is small and often about 4 feet out in the slot ready for a shot, not necessarily there for deflections. We need this Graves/Holmstrom/LecClair type who can fight in front of the net, screen the goalie and get some ugly goals. I saw a reporter ask Renney that question the other day and he said in the future it is something he may have to think about. Well, it's getting late pretty early around here, Tom, so why not try it. Dubinsky or Avery may be the key...
2) which leads me to the second thing the Rangers must do, start a consistent and solid forecheck. We need team wide forechecking, including Shanny and Drury along with the 3rd and 3th lines, forechecking leads to mistakes made by the other team as well as turnovers. Maybe it is because Avery is out of the lineup, but Dubinsky and Callahan were the only other palyers throwing their bodies around on the forecheck, I don't count Hollweg who seems to be just targeting people and taking stupid penalties this season.
What do you think of my suggestions, Zip? Ask Renney about these two things if you can!
Finally,
any rumblings about Rangers trade rumors? With this record in NY, there has to be some rumblings. Let us know if you hear any. Keep up the good work.
Nick
How many goals do you think Lundquist could score if he plays out? What do we have to lose?
Nick, I think Prucha or other guys would be fine in that role, the problem is Renney, he doesn't understand such an offensive tactic. Another problem is me who constantly loses the puck. Another problem is Shanahan who shoots before he thinks and of corse misses and the puck is out of the zone. Prucha easily could stand in front of the net and so could Hossa, Shanahan, Callahan, Straka, Dawes, Drury, Avery, etc. the problem is Renney's "strategy" omits this.
I hope we get a top 2 draft pick and draft a great player, fire Renney and Sather, and get rid of some dead weight. That would be a perfect season for me. We have no chance for the Cup, so why even bother making the playoffs? Tank the season! and we get rewarded with a Crosby calibur player. And we lose the worst GM and the worst coach in NHL.
Hey Gomez, thanks for the comments.
Prucha has done it before and is not afraid to go into those dirty places in front of the net and pay the price. Renney needs to have someone who is dedicated to that. Shanny could be that person, but I like Dubinsky in that role, hell I could even see experimenting with Betts, who blocks shots and is not afraid to pay the price. I think it is better to have larger players in that role because they take up more space in front of the goalie and provide more of a screen. Hossa is a big boy and someone I could see who could carve out a role as that player in the slot - what do you think?
Renney frustrates me because sometimes he is too loyal to his players (vets especially) and resistant to change sometimes. How many times have we seen a 5 on 3 and Renney throw 5 forwards out on the ice, they never wind up converting and they all defer to each other, that is why the Garden yells, "shoot" all the damn time!
Come on, Tom, if it doesnt work try something new! Let's think out of the box here. Our Power play woes highlights the fact that we need a puck moving defenseman really bad and Roszival is not the answer- off to a bad start this season.
Nick
Renney said. "We need to generate some offense; the sort of player who would join us would be a third- or fourth-line guy."
A statement like this is a direct hit on the Ranger Organization as a scouting dept. In all honesty, Bourret had a bushel of goals last year in the AHL. If he isn't hurt ,he belongs here. Prucha, and Dawes have offensive skills. They cannot utilize them in Renney's system.
I just don't get Renney's fascination with Hollweg, Betts, and Orr (never mind Strudwick as a forward). We don't use our 4th line to match-up against the other team's best line - they aren't those types of players (and Renney almost never concerns himself with match-ups anyway). Do we really need 3 or 4 guys that don't add a whole lot of value to spell our "skilled" forwards for 12 or 13 minutes per game?
If I were Renney, I would sit the entire 4th line and bring up Hartford's 1st line and play them instead. (Although, I don't know if that is possible with roster limits, salary cap, etc.)
Hollweg doesn't do anything (except take boarding penalties).
Betts is useful on the PK, but with Drury and Gomez, is he really necessary?
Orr is the only one I would consider playing, at least he adds some muscle to the lineup.
As far as the line combinations go, Renney might want to play the old Billy Martin card and pull names out of a hat to see who plays on which line. Nothing else is working.
So far in 10 games Orr's muscles were needed at most 1 time. Therefore he is the most useless.
The fact is that Strudwick is on the 4th line as a wing only because the team refuses to bring anyone up from Hartford. The sad part is that the team had a guy in Pock who played a forward position until his last year in college, but sent him down "to get playing time." Well he could be playing the wing on the 4th line right now instead of Colton Orr whose only "hockey skill" is his ability to fight. If I hear Sam or Joe tell us how his skating ability has improved one more time... Who cares about his skating abiltiy if he can't do anything with the puck.
Gomez=mistake
Drury=mistake
Malik=mistake
Orr=mistake
Strudwick=mistake
Valliquette=mistake
Shanahan=mistake
Betts=mistake
Straka=mistake
at least 9 mistakes in the lineup
and nobody in any hurry to fix them, they won't even admit them
Not signing Lundqvist to at least a multi-year deal=mistake
i guess Hugh Jessiman is a waste now. After 4 years you can put him out. Wow. Dustin Brown, Getzlef, Parise, no Hugh Jessiman in 2003. Like I have been saying the Rangers could have had a solid winger for the 1st line. Instead they looked at size and choose him. Parise fell the Lou at 17. Who looks good now.
Sather hasn't won anything since 89. He brings in his fellow goons to run this team. Ron Low, Renney, Ted Green or whatever his team was.
Randy - Betts is one of the few pk players we have. We're down to 4 including Betts and should have 6.
Rich - how good do you think Pock is. he passed through waivers by all 29 other teams.
Chuck I can see you really know your hockey. Obviously a youth fanatic. Can I suggest you go watch the Wolfpack
Hugh Jessiman is a living testament to the genius that is the Rangers Management. How can a player like that get drafted in the first round is beyond me.
LI Joe, what has youth got to do with it? You make no sense. Can I suggest you go watch the Rangers or as I call it the freakshow?
Chuck - I'm guessing then you're another Islander fan infecting this blog. Good to see you have nothing better to do. I do agree with you on Jessiman - he was a terrible pick.
LI Joe you keep missing with your wild guesses, keep trying because there is nothing intelligent comming out of you except for guessing things about other posters, no debate skills whatsoever.
Chuck - you blasted 1/2 the team some after just 10 games with the team and who have a track record of solid performance. Some who play incredible 2 way hockey and give up their body for their teammates and yes even "fans" like you. I might agree with one or two of your "mistakes" but that's about it. I'd rather people like you not even be a fan of a team I root for.Not much to debate with someone like you. I "guess" I was hoping that you were an Islander fan troll instead of a poor attempt at being a Ranger fan. Good night.
LI Joe, I really doubt you are much of a fan because I doubt you watch this team play on regular basis. Renney and Rangers are polluting the NHL right now with their pathetic play and ALL NHL fans should be appalled and disgusted.
Chuck,
your an idiot. all humans should be appalled and disgusted by you.
The Rangers are beginning to remind me of the special olympics...
No one can bring the puck up the ice except for Gomez, Tuytin, Strake (out now) and maybe Drury... Jagr slips by now and then, but often alone and with the attempt to go in himself, shoot himself or get ridden off the puck. I went to both the win against the Devils and the loss to the Leafs. In the loss I noticed to be honest that only Hossa, yes Marcel, finished his checks. Jagr, Shanny and others don't even bump guys when they are close on a forecheck. Jagr is hopeless anyway... why they ask him to forecheck is beyond me. Gomez and Drury have been utilized completely false. This IS Renny's fault. Gomez with Jagr and Hossa is ridiculous. Gomez with Prucha and Callahan makes more sense. Period end of story. Again I see Gomez in the zone , time after time, with the puck waiting for someone to join him or for his wingers to arrive. This allows the defending team to send two men to him... he often tries to be creative, but the attack just deflates for lake of support. I too see the old problem of looking for Jagr too much. I caught myself yelling at Dawes... telling him to hell with Jagr take the shot yourself kid. The power play is so lame... doesn't matter who is out there except to say the second unit is so far superior to the first. Renny began to get this the other night, but will it stick... you need goals and offense not to stroke your vets egos...The defensive situation scares me more... There is NO offense from the backline whatsoever... Tutyin is the most we have to offer... even Rosival looks nervous now. What was Renny thinking with Pock? Was he punished for speaking out? I also feel Staal is badly overrated. They want him to work out for the franchise so much that they have relagated Pock to the minors. Staal is ok, but brings nothing to the table, sorry folks again he does not rush the puck, no major hitting or clearing, doesn't have a shot or if he does can't use it. His positional play is fine and he skates well... but what does he do? What does Malik do? What does Mara really do? And Girardi is great on the defensive side of the puck, but has shown me little at the other end. I am really happy with his play, but I can't even remember the last time I saw him take a shot...I say god bless Hollweg after him no one hits... the boarding call was unfair... the player turned, with intention, at the right time to get the call. Orr misses too many hits...but makes at very least the effort. Hossa and Hollweg and Dubinsky, no one else even bumps the opposition. NO GRIT...
TRUE UNGRIT= New York Rangers
This team is a mess. Prucha is insulted by Renny when asked to play on the third line with Hollweg when Hossa plays on the first line.
Gomez and Jagr are not clicking. Next center please. Dubinsky. And then flank him with Prucha. Avery after he returns.
Hollweg and Orr are the most useless players ever. They offer nothing to the team other than a hit or a fight. Poor Betts. No wonder he can’t get a scoring chance, look at what Renny surrounds him with. Not that we need more rookies on the team, but at some point we’ve got to be able to say to ourselves enough is enough, time to get rid of at least one of them.
People are saying we need a puck moving defensemen. Yup, that’s for sure, and a potential future offensive minded puck moving defense men, recently signed to a new contract this pass summer was given one chance to show the team what he can bring to the table before being sent to Harford. Huh? Malik is slow, and turning over a puck each period.
People we might have a bunch of superstar players that all bring big parts of the game essential to winning a Cup, but the rest of the team is young.
Yes this team has problems scoring goals. But I seriously do not understand the love affair that some of you have with Thomas Pock. Keep in mind this is a player making around the veterans minimum salary. The Rangers put him on WAIVERS. That means any team could claim him. And all 29 teams showed no interest at all. What does that tell you?
You may think the Rangers are underestimating Pock's skills. Maybe so. But I tend to think the entire NHL would have a sense of what he can do just from scouting alone. And yet every team didn't want him. Face the facts, Thomas Pock is not an NHL-caliber player. Not for the Rangers and not for any NHL team.
Why would someone grab him now when they can wait to grab him for half the price on re-entry? What does that tell you?
Everything else you said is now void until he passes through re-entry, huh?
Even if Pock sucks, he is still better than Malik and Strudwick, that is what real fans are upset about. The way Renney views and evaluates players.
"F Stop".... you're kidding, right? There's no good reason he'll be called up while the 6 D and Strudwick are healthy. At $650,000, I tend to think that any team that needed blueline help would have grabbed him. The Rangers would be stupid to call him up, knowing they'd be on the hook for half of his salary. He's not an NHL player. He can go to Europe and play out his career there.
Hey Dan...play out his career? This kid had major goals for the Blueshirts down the stretch last year when we made the playoffs... I remember game 73 or so in Boston... he tied the game with under 2 minutes to go and played very well and he is only 23 or 24. He has a salary of about 1.3 and teams are looking at their cap so maybe a few interested passed on his way down to the minors. I don't think anyone has been taken off of waivers after 10 games anyway. If Tuytin or Girardi or Rosi or even the beloved Malik go down... would you really want Struts back there for any extented period of time? You can NEVER have enough defensmen, NEVER. Remember Buffalo two years ago against Carolina? They had 4 guys from the minors playing in the conference finals. Might have been the difference. The Rangers have stunk or at least been terribly inconsistant in thier first 10 games. Pock played one game and yes he played poorly. Who did play well in Atlanta? Rosi his partner? No... Tuytin? no Girardi? they all stunk that night...Love affair? Pock actually has a game other than not making blaring mistakes... he brings offense. He can shoot and hit the net and has the BEST outlet passes... Pock in terms of skills is (sorry was) my 4th best defensmen. I see it too as Renny telling anyone who is a little outspoken (I am tired of sitting) that you will be banished! And some of the Hartford players would have to pass through waivers too, meaning if they are so much better than Pock they will surely disappear upon re-entry without even a 1.3 million dollar possible deterant salary to potentually protect him... I love you guys that think you're all better coaches...try being GMs too or you'll be sitting there with no players in a sort amount of time... all lost between the NHL and Hartford.
I hope Pock does go elsewhere so he can have a career... Honestly... a love affair... I'll take Pock over Mara, Malik, Strudwick and Staal in the short term (this year).
Dan - right on about Pock.
Christopher - Pock will be 26 in December and is earning about 1/2 the $ 1.3 mm you quoted. He has this yr and next on his contract. As Dan correctly pointed out all other teams passed on him. He is an AHL caliber dman. Having said that I do think he would be claimed on the way back up. So it serves no purpose to try to bring him back just to have dead cap hit to our cap space. So adios Pock don't let the door hit you on the way out.