Blue Notes

read it...http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/rangers/2007/12/nhls-discipline-czar-not-comin.html#comments

Let's be honest with Sather. Maloney did all the work. Sather was off fishing or relaxing. Ask anyone and they will say Maloney and Renney had all the say in drafting. Sather really hasn't done anything.

What has he won in the last 15 years? Nothing. This team is a just a average team right now. If Henrik doesn't dominate this team doesn't win. Look at last week. The problem is scoring and scoring. We have been saying since October.

Other than Henrik and Staal, where is Sather's power forward or franchise player?

Steve, what makes you think there ISN'T a deal? Many new york and columbus papers are saying so.

In fact, a columbus source said that vyborny has been aware of the rumors. he wouldn't mind playing with his buddy jagr.

BTW, saw the rumor on this blog here:

http://brochuishockey.blogspot.com

"Other than Henrik and Staal, where is Sather's power forward or franchise player?"

ummmmmm, so, are you blaming that on Maloney?

Or if it is good, it was Maloney, bad, it was Sather?

I think the Avery trade was the best Rangers trade since Messier btw, who gets credit for that one, the Easter Bunny?

from the Daily News:

"According to those close to the situation in Columbus, the Blue Jackets are neither hot for Petr Prucha nor particularly interested in acquiring a winger. They need centers and probably would be more interested in Brandon Dubinsky, though the Rangers have no interest in trading the strapping youngster"

Maybe that is one of the reasons Zipay believes there will be no deal.

Stick Check,
On your Commodore question in the last thread. He didn't get one because until they saw the replay everyone thought Orr had intent to injure Cullen. The play at full speed looks like as dirty a play as you can get but in reality when you slow it down it turns out to just be a collision. If Orr wanted to he could have made that hit far, far worse than it was. If this really was a dirty play it would still be in the sports news and it's not. Orr would be suspended probably for close to 20 games and the Canes would be crying their eyes out on ESPN. Commodore didn't get the call because initially everyone thought it was a cheap shot by Orr when it wasn't...

Also, I see there is starting to be discussion about getting a big hard nosed defenseman to stop players from carrying the puck in the slot, or parking themselves in front of Lundqvist. I'VE BEEN SAYING THAT SINCE MID JUNE AND YOU ALL HAVE BEEN DISMISSING IT SINCE JUNE.

On the trading Dubinsky discussion. Theres a lot to look at here. Maybe he's trade fodder, maybe he's not. If I was going to trade him I would hold him a little bit longer. Try to get his muscle weight up. Let him get a little tougher and nastier. His trade value will be greater. He's got the guts but doesn't have the bulk and toughness to back it up yet but those are two things that can be developed. If you're not going trade him the potential is there to have an Adam Graves type player, but the big question is can he be as effective as 09? Can he get a 50 goal season? Can he be strong enough on the puck to single handedly forecheck away 30-40 seconds of a PK against 3-4 guys? If you are to trade him you have to sell the fact that he WILL do these things, if you're not going to trade him they are the things you want him to do. It may be easier to sell them than get him to do them.

Clueless,
You are wrong there about Sather doing nothing in drafting. He trumped the whole organization and grabbed Chereponov last season. From what I understand not everyone wanted him and he basically said, I don't care. Maybe it's genius maybe it's stupidity. Chereponov's development and emergence ramain to be seen. He isn't dominating his league like an "NHL ready" prospect superstar does ala Sidney Crosby. If he is to be better than JJ he needs development.

A lot of development

Staal is not a franchise player yet... but Sanguinetti will be

Dan,

One of the resons that you have an instigator rule is that players shouldn't be allowed to police themselves.

I actually kind of miss the era when players could police themselves.

However, even if it was a dirty hit by Orr, Commodore grabbed a bleeding disoriented Colton Orr and started a fight, first to drop gloves, the whole thing.

If that isn't an instigator, I dont know what is.

Clueless Renney, that's my felling about Sather, that's why I think this team is doomed if Sather stays in charge.

Sure, right now he seems to have a good scouting system in place and a good assistant GM (the coach is another story) and for the most part, Sather has been hands off since the lockout but I fear that Sather may not be able to keep his hands off indefinitely and get involved which will doom the franchise.

Let's face it, he has had this team since 2000 and it was only in the last few years that the farm system has improved. Like you said, still no bruising defenseman like a Penuaf (sp?) and no young franchise forward like a Lecav, AO, etc. I think 7 years is more than enough time to have acquired and/or developed that kind of young player.

Overall, his record is dismal and only the last couple of seasons has not been a complete failure.

Thank God Sather is restricted by the cap, or else I'm think he would foolishly spend the $$ like he has in the past. Also as long as he remains a figurehead, the franchise has a chance but afraid his ego will take over if the Rangers become a legitimate contender, which at this point they are not, and we will be on the way to doomsville with him calling the shots again.

I don't recall the Rangers ever have a #1 or #2 overall pick that would have enabled Sather to have drafted a Ovechkin, Lecavalier, Malkin or Crosby type player.

Do you Sather bashers wanna blame Sather for not winning the Crosby lottery after the lockout?

Marc Staal may end up being just as good as Dion Phaneuf, but guess what, 8 other teams passed up on Phaneuf in the 2003 draft and the Rangers never had a chance to draft him.

lennnyr,

hey! how ya doin

Hey, guess what, the salary cap is here to stay, so, maybe it's a little bit stupid to worry about what Sather would do if there wasn't a salary cap?

I am a little confused about the Sather theories, perhaps someone could enlighten me.

Is Sather nothing but a figurehead and has nothing to do with the actual day to day operations and shape the franchise is in?

Or does Sather make bad decisions and is he the reason we don't have franchise players and nothing but 3rd line players and #4 defensemen.

Inquiring minds want to know....

A good GM would either produce a legitimate contender or crash sale his team to get young prospects even at the cost of finishing in the bottom of the league which would have enabled the team to get a #1 or #2 pick.

What Sather did was pick up for $$$ borderline NHL'ers plus former stars who had seen better days. Actually post 1994, Smith and Checketts did that too when Smith realized the mistakes of that approach and was in the process of building the farm system when he got fired and replaced by Sather.

The problem with Sather's approach was the Rangers didn't make the playoffs under his reign pre-lockout but also didn't finish near or at the bottom, costing them draft position. Worse possible scenario to get franchise prospects.

That, more than anything, explains why the Rangers haven't developed a franchise player. Staal is a great prospect but to call him a franchise player at this point is jumping the gun a bit. Time will tell.

Obviously the team and farm system right now is in better shape than we have been at any other time during Sather's tenure.

If Sather wasn't fired then, what makes any of you think he would be now? And why do you guys even bother wasting your time talking about that?

And how are we not a legit contender anyway?

We have an all - world goalie who can be unbeatable at any given moment a nice mixture of youth and experience at forward with a bunch of Stanley Cup rings.

I have lesser teams than the Rangers make the finals in recent memory, usually because of their hot goalie.

There must be something in the air at the Garden.

Lets just be glad that Dolan was smart enough to bring in a real hockey expert in Sather and stop acting like we are watching the Knicks on ice.

Smashing Sather and Renney is so far off it could not be worse.
The blame is on the players here with this one not the coach and definitely not the GM. Lets not forget what he did this summer by grabbing two of the most wanted free agents, getting Henrik to sign the deal he did to make it happen, keeping kids around like everyone always whines about, Girardi staying, Staal coming and the list goes on.

Gomez, Jagr, Shanny, Drury, Rosy, Straka and Girardi lead this team in points right now... Although everyone wants to smash those top 4 on the list not give the respect due to Rosy and Girardi and Straka is just the victim of injury and his numbers will round out. Now after those seven who come next??? Sean Avery!

So I have to agree with a lot of what was said around here yesterday the trouble comes from the second line not having a goal scoring power forward on one wing, hopefully Dawes fills that spot. The third line is not fun to watch and is contributing nothing and leave the 4th line out of it. I am sick of hearing the 4th line is useless.

This team was built for this year with the future on the mind in the background! Everyday I grow more and more convinced that there is just no satisfying Rangers fans!

Prucha, Dubnsky, Callahan, Montoya, Hollweg, Hossa, Mara, Malik and Pock...

Call every GM out there, let them know we are loooking for a power forward, a Big stay at home defnesman and a third line center with some experience preferably all younger but not wet behind the ear kids that will disappoint.

With the power that his been on this team the last few years and making the playoffs the thought of crashing this team to get even more kids and a good pick is the funniest thing I have ever heard. This team has a small window of opportunity with a guy called the best hockey player in the world called Jagr...Lenny do you really beleive the stuff you are really only trying to sell yourself right now???

Never happy, if they sit in the Garden they are never happy!
SAD!

Thanks Up in the Blues.

lennynyr's previous post actually has him criticizing Sather for the Rangers not having the worst record in the league at any time during his tenure.

Up in the blues, yes I do.

There's more.

Before I forget, Sather did have a crash sale just before the lockout getting rid of Leetch, Kovalev, Nedved and others and in my opinion didn't get back the value for these guys he should have been able to get.

Yes, he got some prospects but for Leetch, he got back Maxim Kondratiev and forward Jarko Immonen. Kondratiev was released and Immonen was allowed to go to Europe this season because he probably felt that with Renney in charge, he had no chance just like Dawes must feel right now. Effectively got nothing for Leetch, nice going Sather.

Sather's worst blunder in this deal was refusing to act on the rights he had obtained on Umberger and just let him go to the Flyers where he has been playing regularly. Umberger could have jumped into Dubinsky's spot allowing Dubi to develop further in Hartford giving him a chance to build up his bulk so that he could play tougher in the NHL.

As far as his being a figurehead, saw him on TV during the June draft just sitting back enjoying his stogie while Maloney was basically running it saying to others at the table, I think we should do this, I think we should do that, all the while Sather was basically observing without getting involved.

OK, so is Maloney to blame for us not having more franchise players, for trading but not keeping Umberger and for not getting more at the 2004 firesale?

Or are we blaming anything bad on Sather and anything good was Maloney.

Stick Check,

Blaming the men in charge (GM or Coach) is the easy way out. Sit back and evaluate the team and there is always a bigger picture! Very often when it comes time for the Coach or someone to get fired it's about the shakeup not the production. Unless of course there is say a coach that has lost his players.

Sather is regarded by many players current and not as one of the best coaches/ GM's and Renney has this team. He has their respect, he has their ears and vice versa... Like you said talking about this couldn't be more wrong for the topic of conversation.

How about how good the 1st line is starting to look?
How about what would help the second?
How about where is the third?
How about how hard the 4th line plays, Hollwegs benching worked or the hit/collision on Cullen?
How about how is Cullen?
How about how good Lundqvist looked the other night when he made that blocker save?
How about the trade rumors?
How about...

See those things get ignored because they take thought and not much whining.

The Rangers actually also received for Leetch a first-round pick in the 2004 draft, which became Lauri Korpikoski, and a second-round pick in 2005, which became Michael Sauer.

Nice going Sather, wait, I mean, Maloney, or wait, I mean the Easter Bunny....

I hear ya in the Blues, with ya loud and clear, and i'll be with ya Sunday night in the stands vs Montreal, while these guys will be on their couches.

Up In the Blues, you said,

Smashing Sather and Renney is so far off it could not be worse.
The blame is on the players here with this one not the coach and definitely not the GM. Lets not forget what he did this summer by grabbing two of the most wanted free agents, getting Henrik to sign the deal he did to make it happen, keeping kids around like everyone always whines about, Girardi staying, Staal coming and the list goes on.

The last part I totally agree and as I said previously, Sather gets credit for stepping back and picking good people to make those decisions.

As far as the kids staying, yes Renney does keep the kids but as long as they fit his 2-way style. But where I fault Renney as far as this issue is concerned, is not giving a natural goal scorer like Dawes a chance, even if his 2-way skills aren't up to Renney standards. What's the one thing the Rangers lack right now???

You got it, scoring goals and Dawes can do that. If you compare his goals/TOI, you'll find him near or at the top for the team.

Of course, the blame is on the players but who picked these players and who gives them icetime? You already know the answer to that.

As far as grabbing Gomez and Drury, I'm totally behind that and have said so here previously so we are not in disagreement as much as you might feel!

Maloney did draft Jesiman, that was a bad choice totally on Maloney.

Stick,
I understand that. I just think they kind of let it go a little, and rightly so. I have seen plays like that let go many, many times when they should have been called. I think they save the instigator rule for something that isn't a reactionary mugging but more of a calculated retaliation, unless the victim of the mugging gets hurt bad. I think the league doesn't want players affraid to stick up for one and other in the heat of the moment unless it's really bad because it makes the game more explosive. I do agree however that after watching the replay they should have done something to even up the penalties. It was obvious that Orr was trying to hit someone but not hurt someone...and even if he did go in with initention of being Scott Stevens, GOOD. Maybe it will keep guys from charging down the middle in the future.

Jessiman was an attempt to draft a player with size and skill, I don't recall anyone at the time bashing the Jessiman pick, it's only now with the Getzlaf's and Parise's do people say HEY, that Jessiman was a bad pick.

Dang. Having trouble posting. Each time I do I have to try three or four times while it tells me that my security code is wrong and Im posting too quickly. Even if the code is right and I haven't posted in an hour.

Lenny..

OK, lets get this right:

Leetch was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs just prior to the trade deadline for prospects Maxim Kondratiev, Jarkko Immonen, a first-round pick in the 2004 draft, which became Lauri Korpikoski, and a second-round pick in 2005, which became Michael Sauer.

Kondrateiv and Immonen were busts. Still have to see what Korpikoski and Sauer do or turn into for the organization. So after a crap year in 2004 for the Rangers we get rid of Leetch turn him into 4 prospect kids. Which you want now. Leetch goes on to play 15 games in Toronto and a season in Boston (one of the worse in his career).

OH YES D@MN THAT SATHER GUY!!

Kovalev to Montreal for Josef Balej and 2nd round pick in 2004. Which in that round the Rangers grabbed…Darin Oliver, Dane Byers, Brandon Dubinsky and Bruce Graham. He has played well last year and this year in Motreal. But was not the rookie kid that wowed us all when he returned to NY. Bye, Bye…

SATHER STRIKES AGAIN!!

Nedved and Markannen go for Dwight Helminan, Stepehen Valiquette and another 2nd round pick in 2004 round which again we got (Darin Oliver, Dane Byers, Brandon Dubinsky and Bruce Graham) also got Montoya that year when we got rid of Markannen.

I’ll go along with Umberger would be OK to have as a third line center right now. If Dubinksy can start putting up numbers I would be happy to. I like the kid, like how he plays and what he brings to the table.

My feeling is also that with the cap the way it is and a few other kids waiting for their shot at the big club. Maybe the plan was to let Dawes, Dubinsky and Callahan play to either prove themselves or up the value. I think Dubinsky was here to up the value personally. That to me explains why this kid was on the 1st line for the first third of the season.

About the issue posting...

Type your post
Copy it
Go up top to and click on 'main' link and go back out
come back in
paste it
hit post

It has to do with time you spen in here. So if you read a bunch then type you get that warning.

Did someone mention the Farm...

Team Russia’s offense is predictably headlined by New York Rangers prospects Alexei Cherepanov and Artem Anisimov. Cherepanov struggled in the Super Series, though did not have a chance to make an impact due to the concussion he suffered in the same game. The Russian squad will need to protect him better at this tournament, and he will need to deliver some key goals as he did last year. Thus far he has not had as much success in the Super League with Avangard in 2007-08, but that was to be expected as the teams now know of the young winger and have started to pay special attention to him. Anisimov showcased his size and ability to play in traffic during the Super Series and has hopefully gotten more grit with Hartford in the AHL and should also help with his playmaking ability. These two give Russia a serious scoring line no matter who will be playing on wing with them.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/10098/2008_wjc_russia_preview/

Enjoy.
Slick Willy

Up in the Blues,

Didn't mean to indicate that Sather's fire sale was a total bust, just thought for what he gave away, he should have got back more.

At the time, nobody knew that Leetch would be so ineffective, especially Toronto, so you have to evaluate it based on the feeling at the time.

Sather could have also done a lot worse and we wouldn't have Dubinsky, Korpikoski, Sauer etc. For that, he deserves credit.

Regarding Jessiman, if Maloney thinks this kid is the real deal and none of us have seen him play, of course we are going to back management and think they made a good choice. That doesn't mean we can't consider it a bad move later when we have seen him play. It's up to management to get it right and in Jessiman's case, they didn't.

Lost me a bit on your last paragragh. Did you mean by upping the value, you mean how much you could get for say Dubinsky or Dawes? That's how I interpreted your remarks on this.

I don't know if I agree with you about Immonen being a bust, he did put up some points when he was up. Renney must have saw something that turned him off, maybe lack of speed?? Immonen played a decent 2-way game so couldn't be that.

Dan,

Got the same problem when posting. What I do is copy the post, hit Post (without putting security code in) and when the Comment Submission Error page appears, click on the "Return to the original entry" page which comes up with a blank message winow and a new security code. I paste the post there and enter the new security code. So far it works but is something Mr Zipay and company need to fix.

This is all wrong. There is no "one" reason for the lack of production. They need three things to increase the production out of Gomez, Drury, and JJ.
1. Big punishing D-man to clear the slot and keep guys like Gaborik from skating straight down the center and standing in front of Hank like a beer vendor on the concourse, and keep guys from taking liberties with the offense.
2. Big power forward to take pressure off from the more skilled players. Hossa could do this if he had more finish but doesn't and never will.
3. Chemistry. It's so, so difficult to get a team full of stars to gel. Chemistry is going to be a problem and it's up to the coach and GM to force it into them or get the pieces in place to produce it.

Now as far as Sather NOT doing anything, that's a crock. I heard he is single handedly responsible for picking Chereponov. I heard (after the draft) that what they were really looking for was a big D-man like Petrecki and actually were courting him but Sather trumped them all and wanted Chereponov. Who knows, maybe he will be great. Let's hope so, or at least great enough to fetch tons of talent in return.

As far as "blaming the men in charge" being the easy way out that is also a crock. The leader ALWAYS takes the blame for bad production, mistakes, bad moves etc. That's the price for being the leader. They are in the position TO BE RESPONSIBLE regardless if they don't have a direct hand. Therefore...the captain also should be getting the blame for the poor production, and he isn't. Now like I have said in the past THE reason that the guys making the most money and are supposed to be leading the team on the ice (JJ, Drury, Gomez, and Shanny) are not being held accountable are because it HURTS DOLANS WALLET. Period. How fast would Renny get canned if he benched JJ? In an instant.

"At $173,333/point, Jags is on pace for 57 points... I said 57 POINTS! He isn't making his option triggers and isn't going to get 9.88 million next year unless he goes to Philly."

"Put-Mess, be-hind, the-bench!"

Up in the Blues,

Your method seems easier than mine. I'll try it now.

Hossa should have been the solution to the power forward problem. Oh, well.
Dubinsky spent too much time with Jagr. Good for Dubi, bad for Jagr. Oh, well.
As for time on ice vs. points scored Pru holds that NHL wide 2 seasons in a row. Poor kids having a real tough time finding the net, but it isn’t for a lack of effort. Oh, well.
Girardi and Staal turned out better than we all expected. Nice. Too bad for Malik and Mara. Oh, well.
I didn’t think it was possible to find someone even more insane than R.C. Lenny, amazing! You shouldn’t be proud though.
And once again Blues sets the record straight with doing the proper homework before opening his mouth. Lenny take note.

Consider this. We’re better than the Islanders and have way more hope for the season. We could have the franchise player like A.O., Lenny. We could also have that franchise player and a team like the Caps.

I’m happy to be a Ranger Fan.

Slick Willie,

Are you saying that Sather got the most he could have from that fire sale?

Up in the Blues did a nice in-depth summary of Sather's fire sale. I have no disagreement with that. You said I should do my homework. I didn't post anything false, I just posted my overall opinion of Sather regarding that firesale. Doesn't require homework, just an opinion.

Up in the Blues did the homework and I gave my evalation of Sather on this as I saw it.

Slick,
You are right. Hossa should be the solution to the power forward problem but he won't be. He's got the strength on the puck and dig it out of the corners as well as anyone (ie he's got the power) but he doesn't have the finesse and finish needed to make that perfect pass, or shot to take the pressure off the big boys. His big brother got all the skill. The other problem is when they have had picked power forwards they picked Malhotra, Jessimen, Cherneski. Malhotra still not that cornerstone forward. NYR still blaming an injury for keeping Jessimen out of the league. Cherneski with the broken knee forced to retire before completely developing, and now they pick JJ Jr. He isn't producing in his league because he's injured. Fair enough, but how long is it going to be an excuse when he bombs in camp, doesn't make the team, wallows in Hartford for a few years, plays a couple games in Edmonton and then bounces around the NHL and AHL for a few years like the Ferraro brothers did, when they were supposed to be the next great thing?

Slick Willy,
I hope those two keep playing together, find their way to the garden as linemates and make everyone happy.

Lenny,
I think the team did a great thing around the lockout and rebuilding this team. Hell we've been watching playoff hockey! lol

Yes just a theory but what if Dubinsky was picked to play here and given that opportunity of a life time to play on the first line with Jagr just to showcase him?

Dan,
Its a crock and the easy way out when looking at this team right now. Tied for second in the division, 3 pts out of first. 3 way tie fror 5th in the division and 3 points out of grabbing second from the Devils...People want to act like the Rangers are the Kings right now.

Slick Willy,
Amen to that proud to be a Rangers fan!

I do the homework to know what I am talking about and to learn some as well. Work is crazy boring this week!

Dawes sent down to Hartford which doesn't please me!

I love Prucha's grit and Callahan's getting in your face play but neither guy is scoring. Avery is Callahan with a little more getting in your face (actually a lot more) so Callahan is redundant at the moment. Prucha needs to get his confidence back so at least one of those guys should be sent to Hartford to get back their confidence. Still think Callahan is nursing that bad knee. Takes a long time to get back to full speed with that kind of injury and it's also a mental problem too.

Here's where Dawes comes in. The Rangers need scoring and Dawes has a much higher Goals per TOI than the other two guys. So Renney isn't totally pleased with Dawes defensive efforts?? I saw Dawes break up some plays and throw some decent checks both in the offensive and defensive end. But what do the Rangers need more than anything else right now? Right, scoring. Do I think Dawes can help in that regard?? Yes I do but obviously Renney disagrees with me.

Hey we agree!!!

I'm not sure why they just did that we have max roster with everyone healthy...Healthy scratches and choices are good no?

Trade coming?

Up in the Blues,

Told you we agree more than disagree. I also respect the way you do your homework but as you can see, I'm lazier than you and make a lot of off the cuff remarks. Nothing like diversity to make a hockey board interesting.

I'll listen and respond respectfully to criticism of my views as long as it's done in an intelligent manner. Name calling and smart aleck remarks just isn't worth my time to read or respond to.

Thanks for a civil debate.

Interesting theory about a trade. My prediction is NO TRADE. I think Dawes situation is a lack of Renney recognizing how much his offensive skills could help this team.

Lenny,
"Are you saying that Sather got the most he could have from that fire sale?"
Does anyone get the most out of a fire sale? I not sure how you got that out of what I wrote at 14:08.
There is nothing wrong with this team. They're having the same type of problems that other teams have. Sure there's a few missing pieces and Pru isn't scoring. But other than that... Malik stinks and Mara does too. Big deal they'll be gone in July and we can look forward to Bobby and Sauer getting some ice time next season.

Everyone always talks about deep playoff runs and winning the cup. Wouldn't winning the division be a more achievable goal? Then we could worry about the cup.
Come on, I know it's a slow day for hockey news with no fines to Colton and no trade with CLB, but all this complaining about what Sather has done is kind of weak on the conversation list.
We had a great Oct. A poor Dec. Maybe we could wait to press the panic button until, say, end of Jan.

Now those talks (rumors) about Vyborney were exciting. Man that kid can play. And he plays well on a bad team through rough seasons. That's the kind of PF we need. It also helps he's Jagr's buddy. Oh, well if it happens it happens, if it doesn't it doesn't. Renny and Sather know a heck of a lot more than we do. Let them do there jobs and complain about the players not doing theirs.

By the way, my favorite player is Prucha.

Slick Willy

Sooner or Later Vyborny is coming...
Will you be upset if Prucha goes to get him?

no. and Yes.
I think it's better for the team now. It'll be better for the team if they sign him to a few years. If not, we'll be the losers in the end. Just say no to Foote!
I think Renny slights Pru. I also think the kid is having a rough time dealing with being slighted and it's now showing through in his 3rd season.
But hey, my opinion shouldn't count here because I'm kind of bias.
That TOI vs. goals is a really bad example for a reason to play Dawes when Prucha is playing 3rd line. In case someone doesn't know what I'm refering to... Prucha lead all players in points with 14 average minutes or less in the last two season.
It's also should be mentioned that Prucha seems to play/finish better in the second half of the season.
Now I like that Vyborny kid. I think he'll bring a spark to the team. Something Prucha isn't, hasn't, been doing this season.

14:51 was me

Re: Vyborny

Small, 5' 10", old, going to be 33 this Jan. Scored 20-22 goals for the three preceeding seasons. Just 3 goals in 30 games this season. PASS!!

You made me do some homework!! :)

I would definitely be upset if that's all we got for Prucha.

http://www.outsidethegarden.com/articles/story.asp?id=416

I think this is the link to back up Prucha's TOI vs Goals.

I need to run.
Thanks for the reads.

Slick Willy

Up in the Blues,
You are right, they are a very good team but they aren't producing like they should. The biggest problem is they should be getting 3-4 goals a game. They aren't. Less than half of their games were 3 or more goal games, and only 9 were 4 or more. On paper they are the top team in the league. On the ice they are AVERAGE. 5th in the east is still 5th in the east, and top of their division does put them in the top three but it doesn't make them good. The Atlantic has not been what it was projected to be. Something stinks, and I'm calling B.S. on the crap they keep saying about being "happy about their play". There is something fundamentally wrong with the fact that they aren't scoring. They are almost halfway through the season and still saying "we are doing the right things", and "the puck just isn't going in the net". They have 4, count them, 4 of the leagues top point getters for the last 10 years and can't find the back of the net? B.S. B.S. B.S.
December they went 4-8 with two left.
November they went 10-4
October the went 4-7
Am I happy with their play. NO.
Am I happy with their production. NO.
I would be even more unhappy had I paid 50 bucks to sit in the Blues with you to see AHL caliber hockey.

For the month of November the common denominator is Avery and Dawes. They take the attention from Drury, Gomez and Jagr. They need Avery to play like he did in November. They need him to run his mouth during the skate around. That's what he was doing when they were winning.

Dan I agree and the seats are only $30. I would not give them up for anything! Not even purple seats with the suits!

But, like I said I agree with what you wrote. Only the Islanders have a worse Goals For this season than the Rangers!

Very nice. Anyone see what Sean Avery said in the Daily News today? lol.
"
Asked after practice yesterday in Greenburgh whether he was looking forward to the trip, Avery, who grew up in neighboring Pickering, Ontario, replied: "No. I never enjoy going to Toronto, really. So all that'll do is motivate me to play better, probably.

"Why? Let's see. ... Because I don't enjoy hockey-obsessed Canadians. The exchange is not very good right now. And it's going to cost me a lot of money in tickets for people I don't even like.

"How's that for an answer? Would you like me to go on? Nah, I think that's probably enough."

LOL, just Avery being Avery

Up in the Blues,
Once you figure in train tickets, tolls, beer, soda and nachos etc etc. 50-70 bucks a pop. For me, it's even worse, I live in smAlbany so it costs me even more. It's 30 bucks for the MetroNorth from Poughkeepsie plus thruway tolls to get there, gas, and parking at the Poughtown parking ramp. Then subway before I get the tickets.

and that is just the metro north one way

Dan, get yourself an Amtrak credit card and ride free on Amtrak. Only 2:20 from Rensaeullear to Penn Station and you are right there.

Amtrak Credit Card. Please tell me more. Amtrak is at least 100 bucks a pop one way to Penn from Rensselaer Station which is walking distance from my house.

Dan, see my response on next thread.