I may not be internet popular (nor do I wish I could be) but I am a decent writer with a lot of thoughts on Patrick Kane and the reactions to his actions. I also have a blog that I occassionally use to post my thoughts, so here I am on a mini soap box ready to get this all out.
I do not believe that Patrick Kane is a good person. Period. Make your own decisions on him based on whatever you wish. He is one hell of a hockey player and that's why we are even talking about him. If he wasn't a good hockey player, maybe the NHL would have taken a different action back in August. Actually, what is more likely is that the the press wouldn't have gotten the amount of information they did. The media dug into confidential information and between them and the inadequate representation on both sides, the public was given a lot. Information in the hands of the public is very dangerous; assumptions are made and conclusions are drawn. The investigation was compromised from the start and likely an innocent victim was harmed in the process.
A suggestion that Patrick Kane be nominated for the Masterton Trophy has brought a new incident to light. A woman was brave enough to tell her story, likely knowing how it would turn out. Immediately many people shared the story to show that Kane is scum and an awful person. Similarly, many people began victim blaming and accusing her of telling a story. We don't know what the truth is, but discrediting this woman does no one any favors. It only tells victims not to come forward because they will be villainized and mocked.
Back to the Masterton Trophy. This trophy goes to the person who overcame the most in life. Recent winners include Josh Harding who excelled for the Minnesota Wild while dealing with an awful disease that plagues his everyday life and Dom Moore, a man who lost the love of his life to cancer. How on Earth does an accusation of violating a human being even compare to that? Kane couldn't work out in public for a few weeks? He was still in camp in day one, he was on the opening night roster, he lived his superstar life in his mansion while others talked about him nonstop. This isn't adversity. This is dealing with consequences. I do honestly believe that the Chicago media would not nominate him anyway, so hopefully this is a moot point.
As to the reactions everywhere. The Chicago Blackhawks and the NHL did set a bad example. They put winning hockey games over a victim. They likely knew that there would be no charges and used this to support their money maker. Morally, this was an awful decision.
I also saw the belief that the lack of prosecution against Kane (and add Drew Doughty to this list) tells other players that it's okay to rape. This is a point that I cannot agree with at all. While I strongly believe that teaching needs to go more towards "don't rape" than "don't get raped," I do not believe that all NHL players think that they can just have any woman they want. Maybe I am naive, but the majority of these men likely have a conscience and will find a woman who says yes. There are plenty of women who will say yes. Don't slut shame them either. One step towards women's equality is also realizing that women are sexual beings with wants and desires. Some will still say no and those wishes should ALWAYS be respected, but some will go up to that hotel room willingly and do not deserve to be judged for it.
I am still a fan of hockey and even of the Blackhawks even though I did lose a bit of respect for the way the situation was handled. I support the wins. I don't support the human on the team. Maybe my compartmentalization is a problem, but that's who I am.
Off my soapbox now.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Monday, June 8, 2015
The Schism of Fandom
Okay, schism is way too strong of a word. Hockey fans aren't exactly Catholics and Protestants, but the divisions that exist seem to be so pronounced on social media. Should it be as easy as it is to divide fans of the same team into so many categories? Should't we all have some type of bond over the highs and lows of being a sports fan over the course of the season?
I used to use this blog to share post game reactions. It was never meant to be like most of the hockey blogs out there. Now, I'm just using it to express my thoughts in more than 140 characters.
Most of the discussion lately has been about "new" fans versus old fans. Of course this has been largely exacerbated by the Tampa Bay Times printing the list of rules in the newspaper. The immediate reaction that I saw on twitter was to mock the people of Florida....Florida, a place that is warm most of the year and perhaps doesn't have as many residents who are passionate about a sport on ice as a city like New York or Chicago. Their team made it to the Stanley Cup Final. As of the time I am writing this, they are three wins away from the second Stanley Cup in their franchise history. What's wrong with wanting to bring more people into the fun?
I know that I have been guilty of making jokes about bandwagon fans. Even though it is enemy territory, I have been to a lot of Islanders games at Nassau Coliseum over the last few years. When the Islanders were hanging out in the basement of the standings, that building was pretty empty. The people who were present were all passionate fans. They were used to the losing and excited about the future they knew was coming. Things changed this year. The building was packed every night with people who didn't know the rules or even the players on their teams. I heard conversations about how Kevin Okposo shouldn't be on the top line or how Michael Grabner being scratched was a reason for a loss. The sideline refs wanted penalties every time someone tripped over the blue line but chanted against the refs on textbook calls. I would spend time with some season ticket holders wishing that these people weren't getting in the way of the experience at the arena. This actually makes me commend Tampa, at least they recognize that new fans come when you are winning and these people need to learn many of the rules.
People all become fans at different times. Maybe they choose a team based on who is winning at the time or maybe they choose the closes team geographically. They're still fans. If they want to learn, help them learn. If they don't want to learn, I guess we need to accept this and not tell them that they aren't real fans.
Anyone who supports a team is a real fan.
Even passionate fans who know the rules are told on twitter that they aren't good enough fans. I know that I bring a lot of things back to the fancy stats community, but here I go anyway.
I am constantly seeing tweets about fancy stats that don't even just imply, but explicitly say that if you don't care about fancy stats then you don't care about the sport. Of course, you can't just know the rules and get enjoyment out of watching in order to be a fan. You have to analyze what goes on the ice using numbers.
Real fans have to analyze players by the numbers and then make general manager decisions based on that. Liking a player because of his heart is not acceptable. Finding a player fun to watch and exciting doesn't matter at all. All that matters is that more shots are generated by their team than against their team when they're on the ice (of course adjusted based on the score, time in the game, and what zone the shift started in). If this isn't the main statistic you use to want a player on your team, then you're not a real fan. Doesn't this make so much sense?
Seriously - it doesn't matter what made you a fan, why you're a fan, or how long you've been a fan. If you want to learn more, then ask questions and do some research. If someone else wants to learn the sport, then help them out.
Anyone can be a fan. There are no rules to fandom and no one is a better fan than anyone else.
/endrant
I used to use this blog to share post game reactions. It was never meant to be like most of the hockey blogs out there. Now, I'm just using it to express my thoughts in more than 140 characters.
Most of the discussion lately has been about "new" fans versus old fans. Of course this has been largely exacerbated by the Tampa Bay Times printing the list of rules in the newspaper. The immediate reaction that I saw on twitter was to mock the people of Florida....Florida, a place that is warm most of the year and perhaps doesn't have as many residents who are passionate about a sport on ice as a city like New York or Chicago. Their team made it to the Stanley Cup Final. As of the time I am writing this, they are three wins away from the second Stanley Cup in their franchise history. What's wrong with wanting to bring more people into the fun?
I know that I have been guilty of making jokes about bandwagon fans. Even though it is enemy territory, I have been to a lot of Islanders games at Nassau Coliseum over the last few years. When the Islanders were hanging out in the basement of the standings, that building was pretty empty. The people who were present were all passionate fans. They were used to the losing and excited about the future they knew was coming. Things changed this year. The building was packed every night with people who didn't know the rules or even the players on their teams. I heard conversations about how Kevin Okposo shouldn't be on the top line or how Michael Grabner being scratched was a reason for a loss. The sideline refs wanted penalties every time someone tripped over the blue line but chanted against the refs on textbook calls. I would spend time with some season ticket holders wishing that these people weren't getting in the way of the experience at the arena. This actually makes me commend Tampa, at least they recognize that new fans come when you are winning and these people need to learn many of the rules.
People all become fans at different times. Maybe they choose a team based on who is winning at the time or maybe they choose the closes team geographically. They're still fans. If they want to learn, help them learn. If they don't want to learn, I guess we need to accept this and not tell them that they aren't real fans.
Anyone who supports a team is a real fan.
Even passionate fans who know the rules are told on twitter that they aren't good enough fans. I know that I bring a lot of things back to the fancy stats community, but here I go anyway.
I am constantly seeing tweets about fancy stats that don't even just imply, but explicitly say that if you don't care about fancy stats then you don't care about the sport. Of course, you can't just know the rules and get enjoyment out of watching in order to be a fan. You have to analyze what goes on the ice using numbers.
Real fans have to analyze players by the numbers and then make general manager decisions based on that. Liking a player because of his heart is not acceptable. Finding a player fun to watch and exciting doesn't matter at all. All that matters is that more shots are generated by their team than against their team when they're on the ice (of course adjusted based on the score, time in the game, and what zone the shift started in). If this isn't the main statistic you use to want a player on your team, then you're not a real fan. Doesn't this make so much sense?
Seriously - it doesn't matter what made you a fan, why you're a fan, or how long you've been a fan. If you want to learn more, then ask questions and do some research. If someone else wants to learn the sport, then help them out.
Anyone can be a fan. There are no rules to fandom and no one is a better fan than anyone else.
/endrant
Monday, June 1, 2015
Final Thoughts of the 2014-15 season
It has taken me three days to figure out how
to put my thoughts on this past season and the way it ended into words…but here
it goes.
Starting with the reaction of the hundreds of
fans packing Hudson Station the moment Alex Killorn scored the opening goal and
ending when I got on the E train outside of Madison Square Garden just before
midnight, I witnessed all five stages of grief.
Denial
Was it really over? Did the Rangers really
decide that putting in any type of effort was really too much for them in a
game seven that would allow them to return to the Stanley Cup Final? It was incredibly hard to believe in that
moment. This team had overcome so much
since the start of the season.
It started when Derek Stepan, one of the most
consistent performers over the last few years, broke his leg in training
camp. Then it seemed like the defense
couldn’t catch a break, or maybe caught too many breaks in their bones,
muscles, and egos. Finally, come
December, the ship seemed to take a right turn and everything was working out. We all know what happened next, Captain
Murder took his first victim. McDonagh’s
accidental lifting of the plastic guard allowing Brad Malone’s shot to hit
Henrik Lunqdvist and it seemed right there that the season was over. The magic started very soon into Cam Talbot’s
reign as starting goaltender. On the way
to the President’s Trophy, the team seemed destined for victory.
The series against the Penguins wasn’t as
easy as a five game victory would seem, but once again luck was on the Rangers’
side. Then Captain Murder struck a
second time and shot a puck right at Zuccarello’s head. Many people wrote the team off again because
they did not believe the Rangers could beat the Capitals without
Zuccarello. The doubters seemed to be
right as the Capitals were manhandling the Rangers into a 3-1 deficit. No problem.
The luck of the Rangers and dominance of Lundqvist led to a series
victory.
With all this luck, how could anything have
gone wrong? Game one against the Lightning
made it look like the series would end quickly and it would be time to get
another shot at the Stanley Cup. As the
series progressed, the Rangers showed their faults. I don’t want to pretend that I know more than
I do because I watch games and know the rules, but I didn’t see a team that
wanted to win. It hurt to watch games
five and seven. My heart and soul were
poured into this team, but none of theirs were on the ice.
That’s why when it ended, no one seemed to
want to believe it.
Aggression
There was yelling. There were people walking down 35th
Street that looked like they were reading to start punching walls and kicking
street signs. People were yelling at
each other. Why shouldn’t everyone be
angry? The team didn’t perform for the
fans…or for themselves.
On top of that, there’s the anger caused by
just glancing at social media. There are
Rangers fans who are taking the loss so badly that they are saying whatever
comes to mind. Then there are fans of
the other teams who seem to pathetically get joy out of the loss. I honestly wish that I could get so much joy
out of hating something. The reactions
out of people who are fans of teams who didn’t even come close border on
hilarious to me. These people take to
social media so that they will get attention for their cheering of the
loss. There are two ways that this call
for attention works: first, acceptance from others who also get more joy out of
hate than anything else and second, they want to get responses from fans of
that team just in an attempt to knock them down. This is seen on all forms of social media
whether Facebook statuses or going and finding the Rangers’ instagram account
just to leave comments. Regardless, I
think it all borders on pathetic.
Bargaining
This is the fun one. Throughout the season, I love mocking people
for thinking they know more than general managers. Or maybe I mock them for believing that their
whining and opinions will actually have some type of influence on the future of
any NHL team.
Of course I believe 100% that keeping
Stralman and not signing Boyle would have been hugely different (not even
taking into consideration that he saved at least two goals off the goal line
during the Conference Final).
Others are looking ahead to the off
season. Fans are deciding what moves
should be made to make the team better and find a way to get to the Cup next
year. Sure, it can be fun, but there’s
definitely a line. When you cross over
from “I hope this gets done” to “this will happen because it’s the best and
only option,” you truly overvalue yourself.
Acceptance
Most of us haven’t reached this point
yet. Some people did right away
though. Maybe because there was a sixty
minute game that seemed to imply it would end the way it did. I’m not sure I have hit acceptance yet. It’s kind of funny, I still have a horse in
the race. My other favorite team is very
much alive with a chance to win their third Cup in five years. However, I wasn’t elated when the ‘Hawks were
eating the Ducks alive early in their game seven. Instead, I wished that the Rangers put forth
that kind of effort.
Eventually though, everyone should reach this
point. Accept that the season ended and
try to be excited for the future. This
is a Glen Sather/Jeff Gorton world. You
never know what the team will look like.
Say whatever you want about the lack of first round picks and the lack
of depth in the system…they are never afraid to make a trade and often, it’s
one you won’t expect. Don’t try to
predict anything. Sit back and watch the
show and just hope that next spring, the season doesn’t end so soon.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Fancy Stats: An Average Fan's Perspective
I wanted to tweet how I feel about fancy stats, but it's just too much for 140 characters.
A great divide has come between those who use fancy stats and those who don't. There has been discussion lately on my timeline between the two sides and it seems that the attitude and "smugness" is what's turning more fans away from learning more.
I understand fancy stats and their usage. I believe that they are a wonderful tool for coaches and GMs to use, combined with watching players closely for whatever other intangibles that specific player can bring to the game.
I am not a coach. I am not a general manager. I have no desire to be either. I also have no desire to be hired by an NHL team to work in their analytics department. Perhaps this separates me from the people who are obsessed with using these statistics to create a story.
For the past few days, I have been trying to figure out why I am so bothered by much of the fancy stat discussion that I see on twitter. Then I saw one tweet that made me just stare at my timeline for a minute. I had to process this because it felt almost like a personal attack. Of course, it was a tweet from someone that I do not communicate with and someone who likely does not even know that I exist. Regardless, it gave me insight into how the other side feels. To paraphrase, it said that people who don't want to use fancy stats are comfortable in watching the game without completely understanding it.
I understand the game. I watch the game and see what happens. I understand what fancy stats mean and why they are useful. While I do not necessarily agree that shot attempts for and against are a perfect measurement of possession, I do see the correlation. I also completely understand that there is a correlation between having the puck and winning the game.
Tweets like that however, are why people feel that there is an aura of superiority within the fancy stat community. The tweets and blog posts filled with charts and explanations of why that chart is more important than what you saw when you watched the game. They imply that if you don't care about the stats then you are comfortable being an ignorant fan.
Here is my response. I am a fan of hockey. I am a fan of both the New York Rangers and the Chicago Blackhawks. I watch the game for the intensity of hockey as a sport. I watch the game to be frustrated when there's a lane open and no one shoots the puck. I watch the game to laugh at the people who yell "shoot" when every lane is sure to produce a shot block. I watch games that don't even involve my two favorite teams because I love the sport. The fancy stats community is telling me that I enjoy the sport wrong because I don't have any interest in analyzing who was on the ice for the most shots for or shots against.
It's no secret that Derek Stepan has been one of my favorite Rangers since he put on his first blueshirt. This year, fancy stats tell me that he has been one of the worst players on the ice. Fine, let the stats say that. Let those who tweet about how important these stats are telling me that he has been awful this year and isn't worth the contract that he is sure to get in the off season. I will watch him on the ice and enjoy the way his incredible vision and intelligence are on display. I will look at the stupid, boring statistics like how many points he has and how drastically different the team's record is with and without him in the lineup.
I don't think Tanner Glass is a very good hockey player and I don't need numbers to tell me that. However, Alain Vingeault has won 500 hockey games as a head coach in the greatest league in the world. While he has not won a Stanley Cup, he has brought two different teams to the Final. He has won President's Trophies. I have to believe he knows what he's doing. But what do I know? I don't want his job.
Here's one last thing that I learned in law school that seems relevant: there is always going to be a statistic available to support the story that you want to tell.
A great divide has come between those who use fancy stats and those who don't. There has been discussion lately on my timeline between the two sides and it seems that the attitude and "smugness" is what's turning more fans away from learning more.
I understand fancy stats and their usage. I believe that they are a wonderful tool for coaches and GMs to use, combined with watching players closely for whatever other intangibles that specific player can bring to the game.
I am not a coach. I am not a general manager. I have no desire to be either. I also have no desire to be hired by an NHL team to work in their analytics department. Perhaps this separates me from the people who are obsessed with using these statistics to create a story.
For the past few days, I have been trying to figure out why I am so bothered by much of the fancy stat discussion that I see on twitter. Then I saw one tweet that made me just stare at my timeline for a minute. I had to process this because it felt almost like a personal attack. Of course, it was a tweet from someone that I do not communicate with and someone who likely does not even know that I exist. Regardless, it gave me insight into how the other side feels. To paraphrase, it said that people who don't want to use fancy stats are comfortable in watching the game without completely understanding it.
I understand the game. I watch the game and see what happens. I understand what fancy stats mean and why they are useful. While I do not necessarily agree that shot attempts for and against are a perfect measurement of possession, I do see the correlation. I also completely understand that there is a correlation between having the puck and winning the game.
Tweets like that however, are why people feel that there is an aura of superiority within the fancy stat community. The tweets and blog posts filled with charts and explanations of why that chart is more important than what you saw when you watched the game. They imply that if you don't care about the stats then you are comfortable being an ignorant fan.
Here is my response. I am a fan of hockey. I am a fan of both the New York Rangers and the Chicago Blackhawks. I watch the game for the intensity of hockey as a sport. I watch the game to be frustrated when there's a lane open and no one shoots the puck. I watch the game to laugh at the people who yell "shoot" when every lane is sure to produce a shot block. I watch games that don't even involve my two favorite teams because I love the sport. The fancy stats community is telling me that I enjoy the sport wrong because I don't have any interest in analyzing who was on the ice for the most shots for or shots against.
It's no secret that Derek Stepan has been one of my favorite Rangers since he put on his first blueshirt. This year, fancy stats tell me that he has been one of the worst players on the ice. Fine, let the stats say that. Let those who tweet about how important these stats are telling me that he has been awful this year and isn't worth the contract that he is sure to get in the off season. I will watch him on the ice and enjoy the way his incredible vision and intelligence are on display. I will look at the stupid, boring statistics like how many points he has and how drastically different the team's record is with and without him in the lineup.
I don't think Tanner Glass is a very good hockey player and I don't need numbers to tell me that. However, Alain Vingeault has won 500 hockey games as a head coach in the greatest league in the world. While he has not won a Stanley Cup, he has brought two different teams to the Final. He has won President's Trophies. I have to believe he knows what he's doing. But what do I know? I don't want his job.
Here's one last thing that I learned in law school that seems relevant: there is always going to be a statistic available to support the story that you want to tell.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Dear Brad.
I haven't used this blog in a while, but I feel like starting again. I will begin by sharing a collection of letters that my friend, Siobhan, and I have written to Brad Richards.
Dear Brad, please pay attention, love Derrick
Dear Brad, wake the fuck up and remember how you got your Conn Smythe <3 EVERYONE
Dear Brad, Remember what scoring goals and passing to players on your own team? Can you um, remember more quickly and get to it? K, thanks, <3 NYR fans
Dear Bradley Glen, It would be Delite-ful if you showed up to a game. <3 Your mother
Dear Brad, Remember, 60 minutes, the game is 60 full minutes, sometimes more. love, Jim Dolan's checkbook
Dear Brad, Getting bench sores? I have some creams for that <3 Stu
Dear Brad, I understand...<3 Chris Drury
Dear Brad, Number one centers are supposed to lead the team in points, right? <3 Derek
Dear Brad, $7 million a year is supposed to help the team, no? <3 Hank
Dear Brad, The season in New York lasts longer than in Dallas. <3 Torts
Dear Brad, Showing up in the playoffs is kind of a big deal. <3 Brass
Dear Brad, please pay attention, love Derrick
Dear Brad, wake the fuck up and remember how you got your Conn Smythe <3 EVERYONE
Dear Brad, Remember what scoring goals and passing to players on your own team? Can you um, remember more quickly and get to it? K, thanks, <3 NYR fans
Dear Bradley Glen, It would be Delite-ful if you showed up to a game. <3 Your mother
Dear Brad, Remember, 60 minutes, the game is 60 full minutes, sometimes more. love, Jim Dolan's checkbook
Dear Brad, Getting bench sores? I have some creams for that <3 Stu
Dear Brad, I understand...<3 Chris Drury
Dear Brad, Number one centers are supposed to lead the team in points, right? <3 Derek
Dear Brad, $7 million a year is supposed to help the team, no? <3 Hank
Dear Brad, The season in New York lasts longer than in Dallas. <3 Torts
Dear Brad, Showing up in the playoffs is kind of a big deal. <3 Brass
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Difference Between Winning a Stanley Cup and Being the Worst Thing in the World
Henrik Lundqvist.
No, I'm just kidding. While he is a big part of the reason the Rangers haven't sucked enough for a top draft pick in the past few years, he is not the total difference nor the middle ground.
I was at MSG last night...it was the 3rd loss for the Rangers in the last 15 games. However, the people were beyond pissed. If they were saying things like "wow, this game sucked," it would have been one thing, but they were complaining about the team sucking and saying "same old shit." Fewest regulation losses in the league (though much of it through luck, not necessarily outplaying the opposition), but this team is awful.
Why are Ranger fans never satisfied?
Rangers sign the biggest free agent in the league last summer, the guy who many teams wanted. His contract is too long, he's already a disappointment.
Rangers let Matt Gilroy go. People complain. Tell me, other than score in the first game of the playoffs, where was his great contribution?
However, when the Rangers plays like shit for 2 periods, then light up a shaky Roberto Luongo, they're the greatest team ever.
When there's a missed call against the Rangers, no one seems to notice or many deny there should have been a call. Rangers get a soft call, there's a riot. Other team gets a soft call, a crime was committed. Refs miss a call, they're playing for the other team. Pittsburgh and Sidney Crosby aren't the only ones who get refs in their favorite. Sure, sometimes it's obvious and annoying, but it goes both ways.
Maybe part of this comes from being a Blackhawks fan as well...I've watched games where I notice the Hawks getting a lot of calls in their favor and calls being missed on them. It annoys me when that happens too even though last year their power play was lethal.
I'm just tired of blaming the refs. The refs are not responsible for a team being unable to capitalize on golden chances. The refs are not responsible for a defenseman being completely out of position allowing someone to get a shot off that Hank doesn't have a chance of stopping.
This team can be incredibly frustrating....but that happens when a team has an identity of hard work and not the most skill and finesse. Enjoy the winning when it happens, but don't get cocky. When the team loses, brush it off and support them. Without fan support, what reason to the players have to come out at MSG and give it their all? If they're under a long term contract, they get paid whether they play or not.
No, I'm just kidding. While he is a big part of the reason the Rangers haven't sucked enough for a top draft pick in the past few years, he is not the total difference nor the middle ground.
I was at MSG last night...it was the 3rd loss for the Rangers in the last 15 games. However, the people were beyond pissed. If they were saying things like "wow, this game sucked," it would have been one thing, but they were complaining about the team sucking and saying "same old shit." Fewest regulation losses in the league (though much of it through luck, not necessarily outplaying the opposition), but this team is awful.
Why are Ranger fans never satisfied?
Rangers sign the biggest free agent in the league last summer, the guy who many teams wanted. His contract is too long, he's already a disappointment.
Rangers let Matt Gilroy go. People complain. Tell me, other than score in the first game of the playoffs, where was his great contribution?
However, when the Rangers plays like shit for 2 periods, then light up a shaky Roberto Luongo, they're the greatest team ever.
When there's a missed call against the Rangers, no one seems to notice or many deny there should have been a call. Rangers get a soft call, there's a riot. Other team gets a soft call, a crime was committed. Refs miss a call, they're playing for the other team. Pittsburgh and Sidney Crosby aren't the only ones who get refs in their favorite. Sure, sometimes it's obvious and annoying, but it goes both ways.
Maybe part of this comes from being a Blackhawks fan as well...I've watched games where I notice the Hawks getting a lot of calls in their favor and calls being missed on them. It annoys me when that happens too even though last year their power play was lethal.
I'm just tired of blaming the refs. The refs are not responsible for a team being unable to capitalize on golden chances. The refs are not responsible for a defenseman being completely out of position allowing someone to get a shot off that Hank doesn't have a chance of stopping.
This team can be incredibly frustrating....but that happens when a team has an identity of hard work and not the most skill and finesse. Enjoy the winning when it happens, but don't get cocky. When the team loses, brush it off and support them. Without fan support, what reason to the players have to come out at MSG and give it their all? If they're under a long term contract, they get paid whether they play or not.
The Season Thus Far
I have greatly neglected this blog in the past year just because time gets away from me. I graduated law school, took the Bar Exam, then went on the never ending search for legal employment. I still have a lot of opinions, so it's time to express a few of them. I'll do mostly a player by player analysis, but not about everyone. I'm not even sure anyone will read this, but I can never get a full opinion out on twitter...damn 140 character limit.
I want to mention Bobby Ryan too...I would have loved to have him, but not if it would cost any of the top 4 defensemen...or Chris Kreider.
Since it's relevant at the moment, I'll start with the contributions of Michael Sauer. It really bothers me how few Rangers fans actually recognize his efforts. He is solid night in, night out, he's incredibly consistent, and he (almost) always makes the right decisions. While he is far from an offensive player, right now I am in fear of the length of time that we will be without him.
Next...I will move on to Brandon Dubinsky. Most people who know me know that I'm not his biggest fan, but I don't hate him as much as some think I do. I know he's better than how he's playing. I thought after they returned from Europe, he was playing pretty well. He was hitting, he was creating, he just wasn't scoring and I'm of the belief that scoring isn't everything. I was at MSG for his first goal, sitting literally 2 feet from where he celebrated it. Since that puck hit the back of the net, he has played worse than he did before that. He's not hitting, he's not putting pressure on the defense...he's not doing the things that make him an effective player. I know he can do better than this and I want to see that; if he doesn't, this team might not go anywhere.
Captain Cally. Ryan Callahan has been and always will by my favorite Ranger. He had a slow start, a lot of the same woes as Dubi. Since then however, he's picking up his game. Then again, he makes some of the same moves every game, but they're working. He's the only one on the power play that gets in the goalie's face and in the league today, when it's a forechecking team, that's how you have to play. Sure, he's gotten too close to the goalie a few times...or tried to glove the puck in. I'm not going to pretend he doesn't make mistakes or have off nights and will never be one of those "Cally does no wrong" people...but I do believe he is providing the type of leadership that was expected of him. When Cally plays hard, the team plays hard. He just REALLY needs to work on shot accuracy.
Now, my second favorite player on the team and the player who in my mind will be the future of the NYR blueline. Ryan McDonagh. Last night, I could not have been more disappointed in how he played. He was being owned all over the ice. Usually, he can out-skate the opposition and he's the king of the poke check. He brings everything to the game and since the day he was called up in January, there has been no looking back.
On the topic of not looking back, welcome to New York, Carl Hagelin, I hope you're searching for an apartment because you are not going back to Connecticut. I know last year with Zuc, everyone thought he was going to be staying and that he was the real deal. I see something in Hags that I never saw in Zuc; he has a passion, he has speed, he has raw talent. Forget the 4 points in his first 4 games and look at the little things. This kid is here to stay. I know I'll be forced to eat my words if he slumps and goes back down, but for right now, I'm contemplating a Hagelin jersey next year.
I was gonna talk about Boyle and Prust, but then I realized that they've been pretty invisible. Though if Prust fights in the first 2 minutes, the Rangers win. He's had more positives this year than Boyle, but he's not as noticeable in every game as he was last year.
Dan Girardi is a beast. Need I say more? Vote him into the All Star Game.
I miss Staalsy.
Gaby is back to his fantastic ways and actually scoring goals consistently and he's doing pretty well defensively. Sure, people are still going to bash him if he goes a game without a point, but hey, that's what NYR fans do.
I love the addition of Brad Richards. He's scoring clutch goals, making big plays, and setting up goals when needed. He's doing what we needed him to do. I see complaints about his contract everywhere, but NYR fans are never satisfied. Wait 5 more years before you complain about him...right now, he's doing exactly what he was signed to do.
Henrik is king. I don't care about his soft goals, he keeps the team in games and he helped both win streaks happen.
Marty Biron is the best veteran back up goalie in the league. Case closed.
This has been my opinion...maybe there will be more coming soon.
ETA: I forgot about Michael Del Zotto...ooohhhh Michael (and his parties). He has improved since last year. He hits the net about 20% of the time and his offense is returning to how it was before. However, his defense needs work. For every good defensive play he makes, he dives across the ice only to be undressed by the nearest offensive star for the other team...or the nearest fourth liner who hasn't scored all season. I still don't think he's a "dud" as many do, but he is showing that the skill is there. Now he needs the effort...remember skill + effort = success.
I want to mention Bobby Ryan too...I would have loved to have him, but not if it would cost any of the top 4 defensemen...or Chris Kreider.
Since it's relevant at the moment, I'll start with the contributions of Michael Sauer. It really bothers me how few Rangers fans actually recognize his efforts. He is solid night in, night out, he's incredibly consistent, and he (almost) always makes the right decisions. While he is far from an offensive player, right now I am in fear of the length of time that we will be without him.
Next...I will move on to Brandon Dubinsky. Most people who know me know that I'm not his biggest fan, but I don't hate him as much as some think I do. I know he's better than how he's playing. I thought after they returned from Europe, he was playing pretty well. He was hitting, he was creating, he just wasn't scoring and I'm of the belief that scoring isn't everything. I was at MSG for his first goal, sitting literally 2 feet from where he celebrated it. Since that puck hit the back of the net, he has played worse than he did before that. He's not hitting, he's not putting pressure on the defense...he's not doing the things that make him an effective player. I know he can do better than this and I want to see that; if he doesn't, this team might not go anywhere.
Captain Cally. Ryan Callahan has been and always will by my favorite Ranger. He had a slow start, a lot of the same woes as Dubi. Since then however, he's picking up his game. Then again, he makes some of the same moves every game, but they're working. He's the only one on the power play that gets in the goalie's face and in the league today, when it's a forechecking team, that's how you have to play. Sure, he's gotten too close to the goalie a few times...or tried to glove the puck in. I'm not going to pretend he doesn't make mistakes or have off nights and will never be one of those "Cally does no wrong" people...but I do believe he is providing the type of leadership that was expected of him. When Cally plays hard, the team plays hard. He just REALLY needs to work on shot accuracy.
Now, my second favorite player on the team and the player who in my mind will be the future of the NYR blueline. Ryan McDonagh. Last night, I could not have been more disappointed in how he played. He was being owned all over the ice. Usually, he can out-skate the opposition and he's the king of the poke check. He brings everything to the game and since the day he was called up in January, there has been no looking back.
On the topic of not looking back, welcome to New York, Carl Hagelin, I hope you're searching for an apartment because you are not going back to Connecticut. I know last year with Zuc, everyone thought he was going to be staying and that he was the real deal. I see something in Hags that I never saw in Zuc; he has a passion, he has speed, he has raw talent. Forget the 4 points in his first 4 games and look at the little things. This kid is here to stay. I know I'll be forced to eat my words if he slumps and goes back down, but for right now, I'm contemplating a Hagelin jersey next year.
I was gonna talk about Boyle and Prust, but then I realized that they've been pretty invisible. Though if Prust fights in the first 2 minutes, the Rangers win. He's had more positives this year than Boyle, but he's not as noticeable in every game as he was last year.
Dan Girardi is a beast. Need I say more? Vote him into the All Star Game.
I miss Staalsy.
Gaby is back to his fantastic ways and actually scoring goals consistently and he's doing pretty well defensively. Sure, people are still going to bash him if he goes a game without a point, but hey, that's what NYR fans do.
I love the addition of Brad Richards. He's scoring clutch goals, making big plays, and setting up goals when needed. He's doing what we needed him to do. I see complaints about his contract everywhere, but NYR fans are never satisfied. Wait 5 more years before you complain about him...right now, he's doing exactly what he was signed to do.
Henrik is king. I don't care about his soft goals, he keeps the team in games and he helped both win streaks happen.
Marty Biron is the best veteran back up goalie in the league. Case closed.
This has been my opinion...maybe there will be more coming soon.
ETA: I forgot about Michael Del Zotto...ooohhhh Michael (and his parties). He has improved since last year. He hits the net about 20% of the time and his offense is returning to how it was before. However, his defense needs work. For every good defensive play he makes, he dives across the ice only to be undressed by the nearest offensive star for the other team...or the nearest fourth liner who hasn't scored all season. I still don't think he's a "dud" as many do, but he is showing that the skill is there. Now he needs the effort...remember skill + effort = success.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
New York Rangers on 24/7
The news started to come out a few months ago that the Rangers were going to be getting the 2012 Winter Classic against arch rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. However, that's not the important part...the fans care more about 24/7 and why not.
But what are they gonna show?
Will the rivalry between Mike Richards and Brandon Dubinsky be front and center? I wonder if HBO and the NHL will try to push Torts to give Dubi an "A" for that reason. (I'm not going to get into why I don't think Dubi should get a letter, but for an idea, check out the amount of color in interviews from Torts' letter wearers in the past). Mike Richards and Brandon Dubinsky have a lot of respect for each other and have shown this through many fights in the past. Maybe we'll even get to see a montage of the past battles and a preview through an earlier game.
How many times will HBO show "the shootout"?
Will there be a special feature on teaching Paul Holmgren the meaning of the word "goaltender" and why they are necessary in the game of hockey?
Will Jeff Carter be a Flyer and if so, will he be competing with ths Sleaze Crew for how to get the most questionable characters on the show?
Will we see Michelle Trachtenberg? Or will Prusty, Boyle, Del Zotto, and whoever else chooses to join them find others who are attracted to the HBO cameras in New York City.
If Marty Biron goes into the interview room, how much time will the editors have to spend on each segment and will there be room on the cutting room floor when they're done? Will Marty be mic'd up during games just in case there's a shootout so we can find out what he says? Personally, Marty Biron might be the part I'm most excited about.
Will the NHL make sure that the Pens and Caps are both featured so that they can say Crosby and Ovechkin more? Of course we will remember the Rangers destroying both teams last year and being the best guest stars on the show.
Will we get to watch Torts blow up at Brooks?
Since its run by the league, will we get to watch Aves' on ice verbal antics or will we be forced to watch the cameras avoid him?
Will people outside of NY learn the amazingness of Ryan McDonagh and Michael Sauer?
Which team gets the happy story and music and who gets the sadness and dark lighting?
Which unknown player will barely be featured then be the star of the Winter Classic game?
Will Captain Cally have a chance to show everyone why we love him so much?
Will Brad Richards make any appearances on the show?
Will Brandon Prust be in pain from his beastly actions? Will we get to see him argue with Torts after it's reported that he is "a game time decision but probably won't play." Of course, he'll play and maybe even score a shorthanded goal after Boyle blocks a shot with some part of his massive body?
Speaking of blocked shots...will we get to see the bruises likely covering 90% of Dan Girardi's body?
Will the record be set straight that Girardi is Cally's #1 bromate NOT Dubi? (Dubi has said in interviews that EC is his best friend on the team)
Will Marian Gaborik show up for 24/7?
Will we be wasted if during each episode we play the "Staals are brothers" drinking game although Marc is the only one featured?
Will Hank blame himself for every loss even if the other 18 guys don't show up?
Will Chris Pronger steal the WC winning puck?
Will I manage to find my way in front of an HBO camera at MSG?
As the NHL would say...questions will become answers
But what are they gonna show?
Will the rivalry between Mike Richards and Brandon Dubinsky be front and center? I wonder if HBO and the NHL will try to push Torts to give Dubi an "A" for that reason. (I'm not going to get into why I don't think Dubi should get a letter, but for an idea, check out the amount of color in interviews from Torts' letter wearers in the past). Mike Richards and Brandon Dubinsky have a lot of respect for each other and have shown this through many fights in the past. Maybe we'll even get to see a montage of the past battles and a preview through an earlier game.
How many times will HBO show "the shootout"?
Will there be a special feature on teaching Paul Holmgren the meaning of the word "goaltender" and why they are necessary in the game of hockey?
Will Jeff Carter be a Flyer and if so, will he be competing with ths Sleaze Crew for how to get the most questionable characters on the show?
Will we see Michelle Trachtenberg? Or will Prusty, Boyle, Del Zotto, and whoever else chooses to join them find others who are attracted to the HBO cameras in New York City.
If Marty Biron goes into the interview room, how much time will the editors have to spend on each segment and will there be room on the cutting room floor when they're done? Will Marty be mic'd up during games just in case there's a shootout so we can find out what he says? Personally, Marty Biron might be the part I'm most excited about.
Will the NHL make sure that the Pens and Caps are both featured so that they can say Crosby and Ovechkin more? Of course we will remember the Rangers destroying both teams last year and being the best guest stars on the show.
Will we get to watch Torts blow up at Brooks?
Since its run by the league, will we get to watch Aves' on ice verbal antics or will we be forced to watch the cameras avoid him?
Will people outside of NY learn the amazingness of Ryan McDonagh and Michael Sauer?
Which team gets the happy story and music and who gets the sadness and dark lighting?
Which unknown player will barely be featured then be the star of the Winter Classic game?
Will Captain Cally have a chance to show everyone why we love him so much?
Will Brad Richards make any appearances on the show?
Will Brandon Prust be in pain from his beastly actions? Will we get to see him argue with Torts after it's reported that he is "a game time decision but probably won't play." Of course, he'll play and maybe even score a shorthanded goal after Boyle blocks a shot with some part of his massive body?
Speaking of blocked shots...will we get to see the bruises likely covering 90% of Dan Girardi's body?
Will the record be set straight that Girardi is Cally's #1 bromate NOT Dubi? (Dubi has said in interviews that EC is his best friend on the team)
Will Marian Gaborik show up for 24/7?
Will we be wasted if during each episode we play the "Staals are brothers" drinking game although Marc is the only one featured?
Will Hank blame himself for every loss even if the other 18 guys don't show up?
Will Chris Pronger steal the WC winning puck?
Will I manage to find my way in front of an HBO camera at MSG?
As the NHL would say...questions will become answers
Friday, December 24, 2010
Rangers v. Bolts 12/23/10
I haven't blogged in a while because I was away for the weekend and only saw the 3rd period of the game against the Coyotes.
So last night - I don't have that much to say about it. They played one of their best games in a while, but Ellis was ridiculous and the smallest mistakes led to goals for the other team.
I wish Prusty was able to get a stick on that loose puck when they were shorthanded. It probably would have turned the game around right there.
If EC teaches the rest of the guys some shootout moves, can they teach him a little more consistency than he has?
Clutch rookie is clutch and perfect rookie is perfect. The Calder committee had better take a good look at Derek Stepan or they're idiots.
Zuke had a great debut, but I understand if he doesn't come back up right away. If he can't play top 6 minutes, then let him play max time in Hartford. The kid seems to really get that too, he just wants to play. I also think Todd White belongs in the press box or in Hartford or anywhere but on the ice and Aves deserves more minutes.
So last night - I don't have that much to say about it. They played one of their best games in a while, but Ellis was ridiculous and the smallest mistakes led to goals for the other team.
I wish Prusty was able to get a stick on that loose puck when they were shorthanded. It probably would have turned the game around right there.
If EC teaches the rest of the guys some shootout moves, can they teach him a little more consistency than he has?
Clutch rookie is clutch and perfect rookie is perfect. The Calder committee had better take a good look at Derek Stepan or they're idiots.
Zuke had a great debut, but I understand if he doesn't come back up right away. If he can't play top 6 minutes, then let him play max time in Hartford. The kid seems to really get that too, he just wants to play. I also think Todd White belongs in the press box or in Hartford or anywhere but on the ice and Aves deserves more minutes.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Call Ups
It seems like every fan is saying bring up Zuccarello. I could not disagree with this more. I absolutely think that MZA should stay in Hartford. One week ago Torts said he wasn't ready...the kid JUST started surging in Hartford a couple of weeks ago, that doesn't mean he's suddenly ready for the big leagues. (see Torts' comment here: http://twitter.com/JimCerny/status/13671383535980544)
There is not a single player in Hartford who can replace the loss of heart on the ice. No one has Cally's passion and no one gives 110% every minute they are on the ice the way that Ryan Callahan does. Bringing up someone who needs minutes to grow is only going to hinder the growth of the prospect.
Deny it all you want, but when it comes to talent...Drury and Callahan are very similar. As much as we all love Cally, even he admits that he's not the most skilled player, it's his heart and passion that make up for it. Drury can kill penalties, play on the power play, score at clutch moments, block shots, and throw hits. If he practices on the wing with Artie and Dubi, he can probably develop some chemistry with them too. I am not saying Dru can replace Cally in any sense, but he has the experience to play the minutes and from what he showed last night, he is ready for the challenge.
If anyone gets called up, it's someone who would not be harmed by playing 4th line minutes. It would have to be a physical player who can also create offense. Whoever it is would be playing less than 10 minutes a game. It would be a WASTE to bring up one of the kids who is trying to grow to make the team full time next year.
One more thing - if MZA does get called up and proves that he's not ready, the entire fanbase is going to turn on him. More reason for him to stay in Hartford for now.
There is not a single player in Hartford who can replace the loss of heart on the ice. No one has Cally's passion and no one gives 110% every minute they are on the ice the way that Ryan Callahan does. Bringing up someone who needs minutes to grow is only going to hinder the growth of the prospect.
Deny it all you want, but when it comes to talent...Drury and Callahan are very similar. As much as we all love Cally, even he admits that he's not the most skilled player, it's his heart and passion that make up for it. Drury can kill penalties, play on the power play, score at clutch moments, block shots, and throw hits. If he practices on the wing with Artie and Dubi, he can probably develop some chemistry with them too. I am not saying Dru can replace Cally in any sense, but he has the experience to play the minutes and from what he showed last night, he is ready for the challenge.
If anyone gets called up, it's someone who would not be harmed by playing 4th line minutes. It would have to be a physical player who can also create offense. Whoever it is would be playing less than 10 minutes a game. It would be a WASTE to bring up one of the kids who is trying to grow to make the team full time next year.
One more thing - if MZA does get called up and proves that he's not ready, the entire fanbase is going to turn on him. More reason for him to stay in Hartford for now.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Rangers v. Pens 12/15/10
Anyone who knows me at all knows where this post will start.
The heart and soul of the team. The identity of the team. The one man who personifies everything that the Rangers want to be. The 2nd leading scorer. He's now sidelined for about 6 weeks. I'm sure we've all gotten used to Sam and Joe saying "Callahan looks hurt" and then a few minutes later, Cally's back on the ice blocking shots like a beast and connecting with Dubi on some kind of play where it seems almost impossible that they'd find each other. Not this time. Slapshot to the hand, broken bone, out 6 weeks. This team has to make up for a lot more than Cally's hits, play making, and shot blocking...they have to make up for Cally's heart. Ironic almost that the real captain comes back from a broken finger just for the "acting captain" to go out with a broken hand. Is Drury a jinx? Maybe...last time he came back from an injury (and got hurt again) Gabs got hurt too. Torts looked like he could cry during the postgame, that's how important Ryan Callahan is to this team.
Now onto the game -- it looked like it was going to stay 1-0...they were playing great in their own zone except for a small defense lapse which was more both Marc and Danny buying into a fake shot by Crosby and giving Malkin the opening.
I'm down on Christensen a lot, but this isn't his first time being clutch. I guess we have some more time with him now that Cally's out for him to prove his worth. Then Fro...that was a great shot, where's it been all season? Maybe now he'll keep playing like that last 10 minutes.
Brian Boyle can never be praised enough. I guess he's my favorite active player now? He'll never replace Cally as my favorite, but he's just been consistent and hard working. Apparently he was too tired to try to make a play on his goal, so he shot it...guess it worked. Sexy shot too. Aside from that....he took so many hits and he covered Crosby and Malkin whenever Staal wasn't right there...he dished out hits when necessary and did whatever he could to stay in the game.
I was not expecting a comeback like that at all and I wish they could play the way they play 3rd period on the road in every period of every game. Leading the league in road wins and shorthanded goals are two things they should be proud of...get some wins at the Garden, and this team is even more of a contender.
As for the disallowed goal...Hank said he couldn't move because Dupuis was on him...Rozi was there too, so I guess it could be a questionable call...but Hank's been interfered with so many times and the goals have counted that it's bound to be called in his favor eventually.
I was impressed with Drury...he was 2-1 on faceoffs, I believe and he started a 2-on-1 rush on the PK even though Dubi couldn't finish. I still say Welcome Back, Captain Clutch.
I hope they dedicated that 3rd period and that win to Cally....and that they play that way for the next 6 weeks without him and throughout the season with him.
The heart and soul of the team. The identity of the team. The one man who personifies everything that the Rangers want to be. The 2nd leading scorer. He's now sidelined for about 6 weeks. I'm sure we've all gotten used to Sam and Joe saying "Callahan looks hurt" and then a few minutes later, Cally's back on the ice blocking shots like a beast and connecting with Dubi on some kind of play where it seems almost impossible that they'd find each other. Not this time. Slapshot to the hand, broken bone, out 6 weeks. This team has to make up for a lot more than Cally's hits, play making, and shot blocking...they have to make up for Cally's heart. Ironic almost that the real captain comes back from a broken finger just for the "acting captain" to go out with a broken hand. Is Drury a jinx? Maybe...last time he came back from an injury (and got hurt again) Gabs got hurt too. Torts looked like he could cry during the postgame, that's how important Ryan Callahan is to this team.
Now onto the game -- it looked like it was going to stay 1-0...they were playing great in their own zone except for a small defense lapse which was more both Marc and Danny buying into a fake shot by Crosby and giving Malkin the opening.
I'm down on Christensen a lot, but this isn't his first time being clutch. I guess we have some more time with him now that Cally's out for him to prove his worth. Then Fro...that was a great shot, where's it been all season? Maybe now he'll keep playing like that last 10 minutes.
Brian Boyle can never be praised enough. I guess he's my favorite active player now? He'll never replace Cally as my favorite, but he's just been consistent and hard working. Apparently he was too tired to try to make a play on his goal, so he shot it...guess it worked. Sexy shot too. Aside from that....he took so many hits and he covered Crosby and Malkin whenever Staal wasn't right there...he dished out hits when necessary and did whatever he could to stay in the game.
I was not expecting a comeback like that at all and I wish they could play the way they play 3rd period on the road in every period of every game. Leading the league in road wins and shorthanded goals are two things they should be proud of...get some wins at the Garden, and this team is even more of a contender.
As for the disallowed goal...Hank said he couldn't move because Dupuis was on him...Rozi was there too, so I guess it could be a questionable call...but Hank's been interfered with so many times and the goals have counted that it's bound to be called in his favor eventually.
I was impressed with Drury...he was 2-1 on faceoffs, I believe and he started a 2-on-1 rush on the PK even though Dubi couldn't finish. I still say Welcome Back, Captain Clutch.
I hope they dedicated that 3rd period and that win to Cally....and that they play that way for the next 6 weeks without him and throughout the season with him.
Welcome Back, Captain Clutch
I've seen a lot of talk about people who either don't care about Dru coming back or don't want him to come back. I, like pretty much every Ranger fan, do not like Chris Drury's contract...he makes a lot more money than he's worth. HOWEVER, he is still the captain. We may all see Ryan Callahan as the heart, soul, leader, and identity of the team...and all of this is true, but there's more that we, as fans, can't see. I'm sure if there wasn't something about Dru in the locker room that exuded what the Rangers want to be, then he would be stripped of the C.
Torts even said that he's the captain, of course everyone is welcoming him back. The Rangers are also currently 29th in the league in faceoffs...cue Chris Drury...he'll take some of the more important faceoffs and maybe get some wins. Our PK has been pretty solid and he'll add to that, especially against the Pens. While the two teams are currently very close in PP%, the Pens also get more PPs than the Rangers.
Also, having their captain back is going to give the boys energy. They're going to want to go out there guns blazing tonight and I think Dru will only help that. He didn't displace anyone on the team who the fans find important...and Torts said that it would be either White or EC...although tonight it's White, when Boogey's better and we're playing a team with a tough guy, I wouldn't mind if EC starts seeing some time in the press box to make room for someone who is key in the most clutch situations.
So say what you wish, I'm happy about the return of Captain Clutch AS LONG AS the identity of the team does not change.
Torts even said that he's the captain, of course everyone is welcoming him back. The Rangers are also currently 29th in the league in faceoffs...cue Chris Drury...he'll take some of the more important faceoffs and maybe get some wins. Our PK has been pretty solid and he'll add to that, especially against the Pens. While the two teams are currently very close in PP%, the Pens also get more PPs than the Rangers.
Also, having their captain back is going to give the boys energy. They're going to want to go out there guns blazing tonight and I think Dru will only help that. He didn't displace anyone on the team who the fans find important...and Torts said that it would be either White or EC...although tonight it's White, when Boogey's better and we're playing a team with a tough guy, I wouldn't mind if EC starts seeing some time in the press box to make room for someone who is key in the most clutch situations.
So say what you wish, I'm happy about the return of Captain Clutch AS LONG AS the identity of the team does not change.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Rangers v. Caps 12/13/10
The people sitting next to me at the Garden last night said "how can a team lose 3-1 to Columbus then come back and do this against the Caps"...my answer? They played for each other last night. Hank admitted that he was killing himself over that goal and he needed to prove that he's better than that. The true fans know that he is (while others still believe that he's not the best goalie because he lets in softies) and last night there were many moments that I thought the shutout would end. Then the last 2 minutes, the rest of the team didn't care about the blow out, they didn't want more goals, they wanted to give Hank the shutout. While EC's penalty was stupid (on his part) at the same time, it helped because they didn't have to worry about icing the puck, they could just shoot it and get it away from Hank.
The work in the neutral zone was amongst the most impressive. The Rangers completely owned the neutral zone, between hits and poke checks, the Caps couldn't hold onto the pucks. We do have to realize that the Caps were not playing their best game and I have no idea why Varlamov was not pulled 5 minutes into the second. Artie's and Dubi's goals probably could have been stopped.
I've always referred to Cally as the heart and soul of the team...but he's not the only one anymore. Brandon Prust plays with so much heart, that every time he scores or his line scores, his smile lights up the entire place. He loves being out there and being part of that team and there's nothing I'd rather see in a player.
Dubi. He had a bit of a drought, now he's getting his scoring touch back. After he took down Ovi (that fight will definitely live on for a while), I texted a friend saying "he needs an assist," but at the same time, I was thinking "oh, they're not gonna score again...they scored 4 times already." He did it though...2nd career Gordie Howe...but this time he won the fight.
Artie's slump is over. I love that Russian and it was great to see a goal and assist..whatever Torts said to him on Friday worked and I hope this sticks.
Marc Staal has become something else. He was attached to Ovi last night, just like he was to Nash for the majority of Saturday night. He's scored in 3 of the last 4 game, I think? He's worth every cent of that contract he signed this summer. I just need to buy an A to put on my jersey because I don't think Prospal's getting it back when he returns.
now onto Dru's return...I love our captain, maybe not his contract...but Dru's clutch when he needs to be. What I don't get is why people are actually questioning who is out of the line up right now...if Boogey's out, obviously Todd White is gone. He's gonna go to Hartford or get shopped...he played more minutes last night than he usually does, so it's possible. Drury should fit on a line with EC and Fro, but we'll see what Torts does. If Boyle and Prust get separated though, I'll be PISSED. Against Pittsburgh AT Pittsburgh, we're going to need Dru on our PK.
The work in the neutral zone was amongst the most impressive. The Rangers completely owned the neutral zone, between hits and poke checks, the Caps couldn't hold onto the pucks. We do have to realize that the Caps were not playing their best game and I have no idea why Varlamov was not pulled 5 minutes into the second. Artie's and Dubi's goals probably could have been stopped.
I've always referred to Cally as the heart and soul of the team...but he's not the only one anymore. Brandon Prust plays with so much heart, that every time he scores or his line scores, his smile lights up the entire place. He loves being out there and being part of that team and there's nothing I'd rather see in a player.
Dubi. He had a bit of a drought, now he's getting his scoring touch back. After he took down Ovi (that fight will definitely live on for a while), I texted a friend saying "he needs an assist," but at the same time, I was thinking "oh, they're not gonna score again...they scored 4 times already." He did it though...2nd career Gordie Howe...but this time he won the fight.
Artie's slump is over. I love that Russian and it was great to see a goal and assist..whatever Torts said to him on Friday worked and I hope this sticks.
Marc Staal has become something else. He was attached to Ovi last night, just like he was to Nash for the majority of Saturday night. He's scored in 3 of the last 4 game, I think? He's worth every cent of that contract he signed this summer. I just need to buy an A to put on my jersey because I don't think Prospal's getting it back when he returns.
now onto Dru's return...I love our captain, maybe not his contract...but Dru's clutch when he needs to be. What I don't get is why people are actually questioning who is out of the line up right now...if Boogey's out, obviously Todd White is gone. He's gonna go to Hartford or get shopped...he played more minutes last night than he usually does, so it's possible. Drury should fit on a line with EC and Fro, but we'll see what Torts does. If Boyle and Prust get separated though, I'll be PISSED. Against Pittsburgh AT Pittsburgh, we're going to need Dru on our PK.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Rangers v. Blue Jackets 12/11/10
Should I go with the herd and blame Hank? Marc fell on the rush and lost Nash who somehow got a bad angle shot in the net. Hank could have hugged the post more? I don't know, I've never been a goalie so I don't know if there's a way to eliminate that. For an elite goaltender like Hank that should have been an easy save, I assume..but he missed it. The team tried to rally back and didn't...
As for the rally...why the fuck did Torts put that PP team out in desperation? Frolov has done shit, Torts has called him out for his bad play, in times of desperation, don't fuck around. Put out the top PP team, the guys who have scored on the power play. I'm not blaming the team as much here as I am Torts...he knows who strives under pressure and who has been folding all season. Had he put the special team that produces out there, they might have been able to tie the game back up.
There were some great shots on goal tonight, each one stopped by Mason. He dove out of the net to stop some shots. Dubi, Cally, Steps, Gaby, and Boyle all had some great shots...none got past Mason.
Gilroy is making a case for himself as to why he belongs in the line up.
I'm not going to say that the team did nothing wrong...but as I've said before, if you say things like "typical crap" and "this team sucks" then you're not a fan and if I follow you on twitter, you'll meet my favorite button...unfollow. I just don't get it....what does being so down and negative on a team you supposedly support do for you? How does hating something you love get out frustration - go punch a fucking wall.
As for the rally...why the fuck did Torts put that PP team out in desperation? Frolov has done shit, Torts has called him out for his bad play, in times of desperation, don't fuck around. Put out the top PP team, the guys who have scored on the power play. I'm not blaming the team as much here as I am Torts...he knows who strives under pressure and who has been folding all season. Had he put the special team that produces out there, they might have been able to tie the game back up.
There were some great shots on goal tonight, each one stopped by Mason. He dove out of the net to stop some shots. Dubi, Cally, Steps, Gaby, and Boyle all had some great shots...none got past Mason.
Gilroy is making a case for himself as to why he belongs in the line up.
I'm not going to say that the team did nothing wrong...but as I've said before, if you say things like "typical crap" and "this team sucks" then you're not a fan and if I follow you on twitter, you'll meet my favorite button...unfollow. I just don't get it....what does being so down and negative on a team you supposedly support do for you? How does hating something you love get out frustration - go punch a fucking wall.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Rangers v. Sens 12/5/10
I wish people would start selling their tickets for what they feel the team is worth. Seriously, I would LOVE to get Rangers tickets for under $30 from these people who hate the team so much that they have nothing positive to say about them ever.
Yes, that first period was a mess and they did not show up. I'm not going to say that they looked like they were trying hard and working hard because that would be a lie. Hank was there, luckily...without him that first period could have been an absolute disaster.
I understand that they are professional athletes and they are paid to go out there and play the best hockey they possibly can...but that does not make it any easier for them to be under pressure and have guys on them and shoot at the exact perfect angle. We can make jokes about DZ shooting wide...but that's not what I'm talking about. I mean when there are players in front of the net and they miss -- I would like to see every fan who bashes them for that get out there and try it themselves. A lot of the problems tonight were from not elevating the puck on LeClaire...or lifting them too high and having them go over the net.
That kind of leads me to the odd man rushes -- they got a couple of them and some of the shots were nice and on point, but LeClaire covered them and didn't even let a rebound out.
Being frustrated is one thing...bashing a team you supposedly support is another.
They know what to expect from this team on Thursday, so we can hope they come out with more energy.
Good things? I think that Steps is showing a lot of improvement quarterbacking the PP and Torts agrees with that. Yeah, he let the shorthanded breakaway get away from him, but first off there should have been a penalty call when Gaby got tripped, then second he's got tripped up chasing him down...it happens.
Sauer is impressing me more every game. I want to see the player he becomes when he gets more NHL experience. He's leading the league in +/- for a rookie and is tied with John Carlson of Washington.
Feds seemed to be gaining the offensive zone more than anyone else...that's saying something about the rest of the team.
There were definitely shifts where they had really good, sustained pressure, they just didn't finish.
Also - just a "fun" fact: during pre-season, Chris Kelly scored a hat trick against the Rangers which included both a shorthanded goal and an empty netter.
I think I'm too frustrated with Ranger "fans" to write a legit recap, so I'm gonna stop here.
Yes, that first period was a mess and they did not show up. I'm not going to say that they looked like they were trying hard and working hard because that would be a lie. Hank was there, luckily...without him that first period could have been an absolute disaster.
I understand that they are professional athletes and they are paid to go out there and play the best hockey they possibly can...but that does not make it any easier for them to be under pressure and have guys on them and shoot at the exact perfect angle. We can make jokes about DZ shooting wide...but that's not what I'm talking about. I mean when there are players in front of the net and they miss -- I would like to see every fan who bashes them for that get out there and try it themselves. A lot of the problems tonight were from not elevating the puck on LeClaire...or lifting them too high and having them go over the net.
That kind of leads me to the odd man rushes -- they got a couple of them and some of the shots were nice and on point, but LeClaire covered them and didn't even let a rebound out.
Being frustrated is one thing...bashing a team you supposedly support is another.
They know what to expect from this team on Thursday, so we can hope they come out with more energy.
Good things? I think that Steps is showing a lot of improvement quarterbacking the PP and Torts agrees with that. Yeah, he let the shorthanded breakaway get away from him, but first off there should have been a penalty call when Gaby got tripped, then second he's got tripped up chasing him down...it happens.
Sauer is impressing me more every game. I want to see the player he becomes when he gets more NHL experience. He's leading the league in +/- for a rookie and is tied with John Carlson of Washington.
Feds seemed to be gaining the offensive zone more than anyone else...that's saying something about the rest of the team.
There were definitely shifts where they had really good, sustained pressure, they just didn't finish.
Also - just a "fun" fact: during pre-season, Chris Kelly scored a hat trick against the Rangers which included both a shorthanded goal and an empty netter.
I think I'm too frustrated with Ranger "fans" to write a legit recap, so I'm gonna stop here.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Rangers v. Isles 12/3/10
The game was boring. I was drunk and it was still boring....so my notes are gonna be short.
First...why is Jon Sim breathing? He touched the King TWICE and no one went after him...remember when Cally had that borderline dirty elbow...he got challenged immediately. The fight was lame, but Cally prob would have gotten his ass kicked if he tried to throw punches. But seriously, I was incredibly disappointed that no one beat the shit out of him at least after the 2nd time .
Where the fuck did that Marc Staal slapshot come from? That was one of the sexiest goals that I have ever seen. Nothing else needs to be said.
The King is now 2nd in shut outs to Tim Thomas and tied with Carey Price...however, it was an "easier" shutout...only 17 saves. However, 28 games into the season, he has as many shutouts as last year and only had more in 2 seasons (5 in '06-'07 and 10 in '07-'08). Regardless of his struggles this season, he's still the king.
Brian scored on the empty net. I told him that he scores whenever I get his autograph before the game. He told me to keep it up.
First...why is Jon Sim breathing? He touched the King TWICE and no one went after him...remember when Cally had that borderline dirty elbow...he got challenged immediately. The fight was lame, but Cally prob would have gotten his ass kicked if he tried to throw punches. But seriously, I was incredibly disappointed that no one beat the shit out of him at least after the 2nd time .
Where the fuck did that Marc Staal slapshot come from? That was one of the sexiest goals that I have ever seen. Nothing else needs to be said.
The King is now 2nd in shut outs to Tim Thomas and tied with Carey Price...however, it was an "easier" shutout...only 17 saves. However, 28 games into the season, he has as many shutouts as last year and only had more in 2 seasons (5 in '06-'07 and 10 in '07-'08). Regardless of his struggles this season, he's still the king.
Brian scored on the empty net. I told him that he scores whenever I get his autograph before the game. He told me to keep it up.
Friday, December 3, 2010
And to everyone who has issues with the Vote for Avery campaign, I just want to remind you that the voting is only for the top 3 forwards. The rest of the team is chosen by the NHL and they can choose whoever they want regardless of voting...therefore Dubi can still be the Ranger chosen to be in the game because we all sure as hell know that Aves will not b chosen by the NHL for anything.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Rangers v. Isles 12/2/10
I'm gonna be all over the place for this post -- it will kind of fit the pace of the game.
The first period was a full, strong effort by the Rangers, but that goal at the end? It was moving so slow, I'm not sure how Marty let himself lose sight of it. I was disappointed; granted, I have never been a goalie, so maybe it was a harder stop than I thought it was. I'm a 24 year old who doesn't even know how to ice skate, I'm not going to sit here and say what should have been done differently or what would work because that's not what fans should do.
Sean Avery. I got into a few arguments in the last 2 days as to whether or not Sean Avery should be playing on the top line with Gaborik. The past few games, he has been playing amazingly...he creates a forecheck, he can puck handle like no other, and he knows how to pass to the right places. I think he proved all of those things tonight assisting on Christensen's goal and 2 of Gaby's. He might be the biggest pest and one of the most hated people in the NHL, but he's one hell of a hockey player when he puts himself into it. I don't know what the fuck was up with the refs following him around because I saw people starting with him and him not letting himself get engaged. He had his best game of the season and I'm not sure if it was because of the rivalry or because of playing with Gaborik, but I don't care, he was phenomenal.
Marian Gaborik scored his 12th career hat trick which also was his 3rd as a Ranger and 2nd of the season where he has only played 14 games. Did you see anything about this on nhl.com? Neither did I. Gaby is proving why he's our superstar and while I wouldn't mind him getting hat tricks any time he scores, I wanna see goal in more games...and I think we will. (for those of you who don't know, 6 out of his 8 goals came in 2 games)
Dan Girardi and Brandon Prust are beasts. Seriously, those two are in constant pain, yet they play through it every night. They're not going to get much time off for a while and hopefully they don't do anything permanent because I don't want either of them to go anywhere.
Where was Dubi? He just wasn't the same aggressive force that he has been lately. Hopefully his comeback is soon....I wanted a 30 goal season out of him...I still have some home...that's 18 more in the next 45? games.
Ryan Callahan deserves a C on his sweater. Especially if Dru's being prolonged.
Sauer is continuing to grow on me...but come free agency, I don't know if he's going to make the cut. With his success so far, I wouldn't even be surprised to see him traded for a left sided veteran defenseman or maybe even a center...but I liked the top 2 lines tonight and I thought that they worked, but I guess we'll see when we play a better team.
The first period was a full, strong effort by the Rangers, but that goal at the end? It was moving so slow, I'm not sure how Marty let himself lose sight of it. I was disappointed; granted, I have never been a goalie, so maybe it was a harder stop than I thought it was. I'm a 24 year old who doesn't even know how to ice skate, I'm not going to sit here and say what should have been done differently or what would work because that's not what fans should do.
Sean Avery. I got into a few arguments in the last 2 days as to whether or not Sean Avery should be playing on the top line with Gaborik. The past few games, he has been playing amazingly...he creates a forecheck, he can puck handle like no other, and he knows how to pass to the right places. I think he proved all of those things tonight assisting on Christensen's goal and 2 of Gaby's. He might be the biggest pest and one of the most hated people in the NHL, but he's one hell of a hockey player when he puts himself into it. I don't know what the fuck was up with the refs following him around because I saw people starting with him and him not letting himself get engaged. He had his best game of the season and I'm not sure if it was because of the rivalry or because of playing with Gaborik, but I don't care, he was phenomenal.
Marian Gaborik scored his 12th career hat trick which also was his 3rd as a Ranger and 2nd of the season where he has only played 14 games. Did you see anything about this on nhl.com? Neither did I. Gaby is proving why he's our superstar and while I wouldn't mind him getting hat tricks any time he scores, I wanna see goal in more games...and I think we will. (for those of you who don't know, 6 out of his 8 goals came in 2 games)
Dan Girardi and Brandon Prust are beasts. Seriously, those two are in constant pain, yet they play through it every night. They're not going to get much time off for a while and hopefully they don't do anything permanent because I don't want either of them to go anywhere.
Where was Dubi? He just wasn't the same aggressive force that he has been lately. Hopefully his comeback is soon....I wanted a 30 goal season out of him...I still have some home...that's 18 more in the next 45? games.
Ryan Callahan deserves a C on his sweater. Especially if Dru's being prolonged.
Sauer is continuing to grow on me...but come free agency, I don't know if he's going to make the cut. With his success so far, I wouldn't even be surprised to see him traded for a left sided veteran defenseman or maybe even a center...but I liked the top 2 lines tonight and I thought that they worked, but I guess we'll see when we play a better team.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Rangers v. Pens 11/29/10
I feel like I already summed up the entire game in one tweet: oh no, the tired Rangers couldn't beat a significantly more skilled team...they must be the most awful, garbage team ever.
I wrote that after reading responses of Ranger fans after the game. The refs were not against us this time...except that bullshit call against Cally. I would have been less upset if it was just a complete noncall...Crosby says he got caught up with Cally in a battle and Cally says it was a slew foot -- every time I watched it, it looked like a slew foot...but I am incredibly biased toward Cally and this goes without saying.
Torts was playing with the lines all game...I don't know why he thinks that will increase the skill level. In the end, the Rangers didn't lose because of lack of work, they lost because the Penguins are incredibly skilled. They had shots, while many went wide or high, a lot of those were forced that way by the Pens defensemen. Our three/four most skilled players were the most effective in the game - our King in the net, our Slovakian Sniper, and our top shutdown defensemen (when Marc and Danny are a pair, they count as 1). Marc stayed on top of Crosby for the most part.
The odd man rushes definitely killed the second period, but they didn't know how to fix it. In 2 weeks when the Rangers head back to Pittsburgh, maybe they'll know better.
As for the lines: I thought I was going to love Steps with Dubi and Cally, but there wasn't enough of it to judge - I did like Brian with them because he has the same gritty, yet skilled style of play. I also think Steps and Gaby have amazing chemistry and need to be together and I liked Aves with them. Aves has been showing that he's more than a pest lately and he's incredibly skilled...he was one of few I noticed tonight carrying the puck into the offensive zone rather than trying a dump and chase. Dump and chase doesn't work against teams like the Pens.
DZ had a decent game as well. He was on the puck when he had to be and there was a lot less of him watching the puck go past him at the point.
I don't think the Rangers played badly at all...I just don't think they had the energy in them to outplay the more skilled team and that's all there is to it.
I wrote that after reading responses of Ranger fans after the game. The refs were not against us this time...except that bullshit call against Cally. I would have been less upset if it was just a complete noncall...Crosby says he got caught up with Cally in a battle and Cally says it was a slew foot -- every time I watched it, it looked like a slew foot...but I am incredibly biased toward Cally and this goes without saying.
Torts was playing with the lines all game...I don't know why he thinks that will increase the skill level. In the end, the Rangers didn't lose because of lack of work, they lost because the Penguins are incredibly skilled. They had shots, while many went wide or high, a lot of those were forced that way by the Pens defensemen. Our three/four most skilled players were the most effective in the game - our King in the net, our Slovakian Sniper, and our top shutdown defensemen (when Marc and Danny are a pair, they count as 1). Marc stayed on top of Crosby for the most part.
The odd man rushes definitely killed the second period, but they didn't know how to fix it. In 2 weeks when the Rangers head back to Pittsburgh, maybe they'll know better.
As for the lines: I thought I was going to love Steps with Dubi and Cally, but there wasn't enough of it to judge - I did like Brian with them because he has the same gritty, yet skilled style of play. I also think Steps and Gaby have amazing chemistry and need to be together and I liked Aves with them. Aves has been showing that he's more than a pest lately and he's incredibly skilled...he was one of few I noticed tonight carrying the puck into the offensive zone rather than trying a dump and chase. Dump and chase doesn't work against teams like the Pens.
DZ had a decent game as well. He was on the puck when he had to be and there was a lot less of him watching the puck go past him at the point.
I don't think the Rangers played badly at all...I just don't think they had the energy in them to outplay the more skilled team and that's all there is to it.
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