Greg Moore's return to Hartford means that the Rangers are finally flush with healthy forwards, with Ryan Callahan---barring a setback---expected to be ready for the Islanders game on Thursday at MSG.
The 22-year-old right wing contributed six goals in 14 regular-season and 10 playoff games last year and had one score before spraining his knee in Pittsburgh on Oct. 23 and going on IR.
With Sean Avery, Martin Straka and Callahan back from injuries, one forward will be a healthy scratch Thursday.
The choices? Well, Marcel Hossa and Petr Prucha combined for zero shots on goal against the Stars. It's conceivable that enforcer Colton Orr will dress against the Islanders. Ryan Hollweg, Prucha and Hossa are left---not right---wings, but could be looking over their shoulders.
On Sunday, Prucha played 10:47 with no power-play minutes. Straka played 4:56 with the man-advantage and I don't see that changing. Just an opinion, but if Callahan's ready, I might give Hossa (0-3-3 in 20 games) or Hollweg (0-1-1 in 24 and minus 4) a night off against the Isles and find a way to give Prucha some PP time down low.
So, a possible third line: Prucha-Drury-Callahan; with Orr-Betts-Hossa/Hollweg as the fourth.
Thoughts? Comments?
Comments (20)
Please Steve talk to renney about getting rid of orr and hollweg. Why cant dawes or moore play on the 4th line along with hossa and betts?
A Hossa vs. Hollweg choice is a bit like a Derek Jeter vs. Miguel Cairo choice. But Rangers management will gum it up, somehow, you may be sure. Hossa is the best mucker in the corners the Rangers have, and they score with him out there and are extremely stingy as regards goals allowed, at the same time. Hollweg? You don't want to ask or know.
Here we go, first comment.
I'd give Hossa the seat. I've heard people talk about how good he is along the boards and his penalty-killing prowess, but there are plenty of other forwards who can fill the void that he'd leave if he was benched. His play this year has shown that the 8 goals in 12 games spree he had last year was truly a fluke. I think Hossa's a good player, but the Rangers have enough depth to comfortably bench him. Avery, Callahan, and Straka can all kill penalties with Betts, Drury, and Shanahan. Callahan, Dubinsky, and Straka are all pretty good along the boards.If Hossa can't produce, the Rangers don't really need him on the ice every night.
Are you at all concerned about Jagr, is he hurt is he think about next years contract if he does not hit his point triggers, what is it...and I think as far as not scoring I think it has to stop..they are getting the shots...as weird as it may sound but they have been snake bittin I know we are quarter the way in but still they are trying very hard..
I hope Jagr picks it up , want him to retire a Ranger hopefully with a cup...
Lets go Rangers...
My vote would be Hossa sits and has to earn a spot when given the chance to...competition for that last spot could be good.
I read today that Renney liked what he saw when Drury was on the 1st line with Jagr and Straka yesterday...can that stick? will it work?
Would that make the lines:
Straka - Drury - Jagr
Shanny - Gomez - Avery
Prucha - Dubinksy - Callahan
Hollweg - Betts - Orr
I guess I could deal with Hossa taking a spot on the 3rd or 4th when need be but, I don't like the idea of breaking up the 4th line just to play a guy (no matter who) that can't get a spot on the top 3...my opinion
Hossa sits, it's that simple. 3 assists in 20 games?
I just read something on NHL.com about Paul Holmgren calling Daniel Briere in for a meeting when Briere only had 3 goals and was invisible over a stretch, perhaps some kind of sit down to either motivate or warn him, anyone think something similar would work for Gomez / Jagr / Drury? All three of them need SOMETHING to get them moving, so you think Sather would even entertain the idea of trying something like that?
I agree with you Zip. Get Prucha more ice time. Sit Hollweg and play Hossa with Orr and Betts. Too much depth on this team to play one dimensional players like Hollweg (and Orr) every game. Orr could use a seat when the other team does'nt have a tough lineup. I also think Dubie should center the third line and keep Drury with Jagr and Straka. It would'nt hurt to leave the lines together for a while either Mr. Renny. GO RANGERS!
Steve - I think you nailed it with Hossa to sit this one out. 2nd choice being Hollweg.
Blueshirt Bulletin in comments area Dubi mentioned that Rozy seems to really be having trouble with the knee. Any thoughts on what you see there and if missing 2-3 games would help him physically. Baranka played good the 1 game and Malik must be getting closer. Strudwick is also not a 70 + games a season man so that comes into the equation as well.
The lines should be
Straka/Dubinsky/Jagr
Avery/Gomez/Shanny
Prucha/Drury/Callahan
Hossa/Betts/Orr
You can flip flop Dubi and Drury if you like.
But I really can't understand why we continue to play Hollweg. Yes he does work hard but he has zero skill and he is not a heavywieght either, thats what Orr is for. I think if they would just sit Hollweg we can really roll 4 lines!!! What do you guys think?
Prucha had 5 hits yesterday, jointly leading the team, and a lovely forecheck/take when he went in for goal only to be hooked, the resulting power play of course failed.
I like your lines, maybe with Hossa over Hollweg. My guess is Renney wants Hossa in there for PK and board work and he's capable of moving onto any other line if Straka gets reinjured or Avery gets a misconduct, fight, etc.
Personally I'm not pleased with Prucha's play or playing time. He's got to do better but he also needs more quality ice time. Not sure he's long for this team. I had high hopes for this guy but he's just not getting it done and doesn't seem to get as many chances as other projects like Hossa.
If Hossa or Hollweg play and Prucha sits, I might even stop watching Rangers hockey.
Hossa is a wash. He's been given enough of a chance to "make it work" up front with Jagr. That's a heck of a lot more than Prucha's been given. Pru's numbers are on the rise of late, very much unlike the younger brother of a superstar! Sit him, trade him do something before he losses all value.
Would like Prucha-Drury-Callahan as a line.
I think Hossa needs to sit. A few bad mistakes lately. Also, his 3 points were all assists that came in his FIRST THREE GAMES of the season. Since then, nothing!
His only saving grace is he doesn't take a lot of bad penalties, he's a decent defensive-forward, and he's a +5.
My kneejerk reaction is to sit Hossa. He's been on the first line and his no goals, three assists record is much starker failure than Hollweg's offensive record. How many other LWs have played as many games on the first line as Hossa this year without scoring. I don't think so. Secondly the next two games are against the Islanders and Ottawa and you can be sure Hollweg is going to try to threw his body around as best he can, but you don't know even after two and a half years what to expect from Hossa. Having said all that, the coach is Renney and Hossa is the teacher's pet, so I wouldn't be suprised to see Hossa in the lineup at the expense of someone.
Steve good choices.. but my choices would be as follows:
Straka - Drury - Jagr
Avery - Gomez - Shannahan
Prucha - Dubinsky - Callahan
Hossa - Betts - Orr/Hollweg
It is not even a question if Hossa should be in the lineup or not. He may not score but is too valuable defensively. It is time for Prucha to start getting chances (getting chances then scoring will come). There is no more waiting for him. If he does not start creating opportunities it is time to put Dawes in the lineup for good with Dubi and Callahan.
Prucha is not a top 6 fwd on this team but he should still produce 15-20 goals playing on the 3rd line.
As for Drury, it is time to put him on the #1 line and let it be. We are not going to be Cup contenders with a rookie centering Jagr. Let the 3rd line be our energy line creating havoc.
Prucha has done more to earn his ice time over the past 2 years than maybe any other forward. He breaks his hole on every shift, never takes a game off, never shies away from a hit.
Sure, he's going through a slump now. The difference is that on every other team, the coach puts a slumping player with a hot player the jumpstart the guy. Renney should leave Dubinsky with Jagr and Straka and play Drury with Shanahan and Avery. Those wingers are doing OK and they should be able to jumpstart Drury. Gomez should play with Cally and Prucha, when those 2 wingers would benefit from his playmaking skills.
There's no reason those 3 lines shouldn't see a combined 16 minutes a night each, outside of special teams.
Up in the Blues,
i was thinking exactly what you were thinking. I was telling my pops a game or two before straka came back, that when he is healthy i would like to see drury center that line. i think drury is picking up his game and there is a comfort level between straka and jagr. drury can handle the puck around the edges and/or muck it up in front of the net. Sounds like a good idea to me. i wanna see it
Ryan Hollweg STINKS! I can't believe that anyone thinks this guy should be in the NHL. One forward has to sit, there is no choice it should be him. He can barely skate for God's sake and he has the same amount of goals as ME! I can't take watching this guy another minute I wish they would just CUT HIM! And I dont want to hear about him being "high energy" Whatever that means. It's the NHL if you don't have high energy then you belong in the league. Enough is enough he's a waste of a roster spot.