Power Shortage Unplugs Rangers

UPDATE 5:15 PM: The Rangers have acquired right winger Pierre Parenteau from Chicago in exchange for a conditional 2008 seventh round draft pick. Parenteau is 24, 5'11-195, and was drafted by Anaheim in the ninth round (264th overall) in 2001. He had 79 points (30 goals) in 68 matches with Portland and Norfolk of the AHL last season. He appeared in five games for the Blackhawks, with one assist. He had been with Rockford in the AHL prior to the trade. TSN's scouting report says that he "has excellent offensive instincts [and] is a proven scorer in the minor-pro ranks." But, he "is somewhat undersized and needs to add more muscle in order to make it in the NHL, [and] must continue to work on his play without the puck."

UPDATE: Dave Scatchard worked out with the Rangers at practice this morning, according to Blueshirts Blog. Scatchard spoke to Blue Notes about how he came to be called in to try out. He skated today with Brandon Dubinsky and Colton Orr. Marcel Hossa sat out with a groin strain -- in his absence, Petr Prucha skated with Jaromir Jagr.

The Rangers look frustrated, even though they say they're not. They look discombobulated, even though they're getting a lot of shots. They look like their basic chemistry is a mix of oil and water. But whatever else they are, they are not worried. Not yet. Not three games into the season. "We have work to do but I still feel that this is the group of guys that will get the job done," Brendan Shanahan said after the Rangers dropped a 2-1 decision to Ted Nolan's always hard-working Islanders. "We got the guys in here and we're definitely starting to [come together]," Scott Gomez said. "The potential is really high, I can see it," Jaromir Jagr said.

All three accomplished veterans are on pace to finish the season with zero goals (Gomez with zero points), and the team as a whole is on pace to go somewhere close 0-for-400 on the power play with 27 shorthanded goals allowed. What are the chances of any of those things happening? Marek Malik is the team's co-leader in scoring with three points, and Fedor Tyutin is second in shots on goal with 11 to Shanahan's 12. Not the way things are going to stand for much longer. Nevertheless, there are causes for concern, especially with the power play, which went 0-for-6 last night to make it 0-for-15 on the season. The Rangers got only three shots on goal during their six power plays last night -- during a crucial third period five on three, they took ten shots, but only one got through to Rick DiPietro, eight others blocked by Islander penalty killers.

"We're getting our shots," Gomez said. "It's going to take maybe an ugly one, and I got two right there [that missed]. We're getting it in and we're setting it up -- you start to worry when you're not getting it in and setting it up. It's just one of those things. It's one of those things you gotta let go right away. It's right there on the bounce." Gomez believes, neverthless, that the team needs to work on it more. "We're right there," he said. "You go back tomorrow, work on it some more, get ready for the next game. Work on the power play, special teams, rushes."

Shanahan also sees the need to start working on specific manpower situations, which have been neglected due to the team's search for the correct line combinations. "Because we've been trying to get line combinations, we haven't spent enough time on five on three, four on three, six on four with the goalie pulled," he said. "That face-off [the Islanders scored on]. These are the things we've got to work on. These are the moments that win or lose games. It's a matter of coming to the rink and practicing the little things that win hockey games." Tom Renney agreed. "We haven't spent enough time on them yet," he said. "We began to actually yesterday. We have to continue to work on that, and we will."

Still, the Rangers thought they had enough of an attack last night, but were thwarted by untimely penalties, bad bounces, and good goaltending. "We came on in that second period really strong, tied the game up, had a lot of pressure," Shanahan said. "Some penalties allowed them to get back. We had our chances, we just didn't bury them. You can work harder, but you also have to find a way to relax." Added Renney: "We created a lot of chances. The plays were there, the opportunities were there. Our attacking was good. We had them hemmed in a number of times. We kept them to the perimeter. There are a lot of good things to draw on, but we have to tidy up our game, let's not kid ourselves."

The Islanders proved to be a good counterpoint for the Rangers in their ongoing search for the right chemical reactions -- they have many more new players than the Rangers, yet they seem to have come together quickly. "They have great players, but they have different players than we have," said Jagr. "Our new guys like to play with the puck a little more than their guys. That’s why we have to learn how to play together. When everything is going to click, I believe we're going to have a really great team. But it's not there yet. Trust me, I cannot wait."

Fans cannot wait either -- three games in, they're already up in arms. Despite limiting the opposition to exactly two goals against in each of the three games, the Rangers have scored only two goals of their own, except for a six-minute-plus stretch on opening night when they avoided a loss with a four-goal explosion. Jagr and Martin Straka look aimless. Shanahan is looking like his age. Gomez is carrying the puck up the ice one on four and getting no support, and is flubbing golden goal scoring chances. Chris Drury, who never seemed to lose a face-off as an opponent, is below 50% on draws as a Ranger.

You can draw a line through the age column to see who did well and who didn't last night and indeed for most of the season. The best and most consistent players have been Ryan Callahan and Petr Prucha up front, Tyutin and Dan Girardi on defense, and Henrik Lundqvist in net. Marc Staal played an excellent all around game last night, and Brandon Dubinsky was good enough in his handful of shifts to make one wonder why he didn't play more. In addition to the big stars on the top two lines coming up empty, Marek Malik was simply dreadful on defense, and Michal Rozsival was only marginally better. The only exceptions to the age distinction were Marcel Hossa, who played with purpose in his first game of the season, and Jason Strudwick.

Malik and Blair Betts were the goats on both goals against. The first goal was inexcusable -- during a rare three on three manpower situation with just seconds left in the period, the three Rangers lined up incorrectly, Betts lost the draw, and Malik did not pick up his man. The second goal was a five on three goal with both Malik and Betts in the penalty box -- Malik took his patented lazy hook after being beaten in his own zone, but Betts's penalty was the subject of dispute by both Renney and Shanahan. While Malik was a major liability even beyond his role in the two goals, Betts was otherwise effective as a key penalty killer, especially during long five on threes (when he wasn't in the box himself). But he is the wrong center for Callahan and Prucha.

Game reports can be found in the Daily News, Journal News, Newsday, Times, Post, AP, NYR.com, and NY Sports Day. The Islander point of view is in the Daily News, Newsday, SNY, and their web site (by our friend and teammate Jason Lockhart). More on the game can be found in the Newsday, Blue Notes, Blueshirts Blog, MSG.com here and here, and USA Today. Sam Weinman's inaugural Q&A with fans at Rangers Report. From the Globe and Mail, a look at team chemistry, including the Rangers. NHL.com looks at players making their NHL debut, including Staal. On the legal front, Flyer support for the Ranger lawsuit (report here) and the New York Sun on Jim Dolan. And at Prospect Park, Jess Rubenstein's take on the Rangers' start (in addition to a prospect update).

Comments

[Bones]

Marek Malik is the Perry Como of Dmen. Unflappable, unemotional, lacking in intensity. WAAAY too relaxed. His feet never move and he looks like he cares about nothing. Debates about Pock and Mara playing are superfluous when a guy consistently screws up and continues to play when his ass should be stapled to the bench while Pock & Mara both play. I think Renney just plays him because he's Jagr's buddy. It's very sad and frustrating to say the least.

[Pavel]

I'd take Pock over Malik any day.

[jon]

Malik made some great passes, to bad they were to the wrong team.

[laurie]

Great write up Dubi. Nice to see some balance and objective evaluation of the game amongst the panic and knee-jerk reactions I've been reading in Rangerland this morning.

[BoneCrusher]

Not to take anything away from the Rangers uninspired play, but the officiating was horrendous! The refs did all they could to tilt the game in the Isles favor. Callahan for diving??? Give me a break; that nullified a Rangers PP. Shanahan for holding the stick??? Could it be that Guerin might have held Shanny's stick? That nullified ANOTHER Rangers PP (and led to the first goal). Betts for hooking? With ONE HAND on the stick??? That made it 5 on 3, and the GW goal. Ridiculous. These refs should go back to coaching Mens' Leagues games at Sport-O-Rama. AND PLEASE, GET MALIK OFF THE ICE. I've been trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, but every time he has the puck in our zone, I cringe... Get Mara or Pock back into the lineup (plus I'd much rather have them on the point on the PP than any of the other D'men).

[jason]

Reading the stat the Shanny has the most shots on the team is shocking to me. Watching the 3 games so far, he looks lost, unable to hit the net most of the time, but I guess the stats don't lie.
While I'm not one to jump on anyone for their play, Malik looks awful. Other than the 3rd period last Thursday, he look uncomfortable carrying the puck and doesn't know where to be for Rozsival's return passes. I understand that his +/- is through the roof for the previous 2 seasons but he needs to learn to skate hard and not look he is milking it in his own zone.
While we had 37 shots last night, the one thing we didn't have and have to get more of is rebounds. Both Gerber and DiPietro let up enough rebounds to put in but we simply didn't have the bodies in front of the net to get to them.
The one positive that I'm taking from all 3 games besides the play of Henrik Lundqvist is the pairing of Girardi and Tyutin, they have been great physically and seem extremely confident in carrying and moving the puck. Am I alone thinking that they have quickly become our top D pairing?

[Yussf ibn Mohamed]

It seems to me Shanahan is talking about coaching, if that's the case I aggree with him. Tom Renney is good talker, he should be teaching english at elemantery level. If Sather lets him stay, it's going to be a season of fiasco!

[Chris]

it seems to me that the rangers are moving the puck nicely on the power play, but the successful teams on the pp in the league to me seem as though they get some body to move and change positions behind and infront of the net

gomez on the setup they played last night should have been moving more but usually was in the same spot and if you dont move the dmen dont have to move making the whole situation easier to defend regardless of how many passes are made

that being said we played horrible hockey last year until late November, but the difference this year is henrik seems on from the first game the backup situation still worries me

bonecrusher is right giradi and tyuts might be the most underrated pair in the leauge
the officiating was horrible as well, it was very simialr to the momentum crushing calls that happened against buffalo last may

[Cuch]

First off, I am glad to see the comment section up and running again. But let me say that the type of garbage that was being posted on here last night was embarressing and inexcusable. I have neither met or ever spoken to Dubi or Jess but they provide Ranger fans with comprehensive 24 hour coverage of the team that fans are not going to get from the beat reporters or local tv and radio. This site is the best source out there for news on the Rangers and people need to appreciate the fact that they don't need to be doing this.

I find it pathetic that people need to sit on here and rip not only the team but others posting through out an entire game. Grow up and have a little perspective. It is 3 games into an 82 game season and already people are calling for the coach, the GM, and entire staff to be fired. Get a grip. There is no need to be ripping every mistake that happens in the course of a 60 minute game. Hockey is a game of one team forcing another into mistakes and capitalizing on them. They are going to happen and I don't care how much these guys are getting paid, they aren't going to be flawless. If you can't understand that then you need to go out and try to learn to play the game yourself.

Now...watching last nights game I saw a lack of effort for the first 20 minutes and lack of chemistry. Both are correctable problems. I think a lot of people are undervaluing what Avery brings to the table because the Rangers often skated with the same malase through parts of last year before he showed up. Sean goes out there and picks fights not to fire the other team up but to fire his own team up. Guys like Callahan and Girardi are doing an excellent job of hitting anything that moves right now but they are going to miss the edge that Avery brings. Many games are about who wants it more. We saw what the Rangers could do from March on last year when they refused to lose but it is tough to bring that kind of intensity in October and for 82 games straight. That being said, they could certainly ratchet it up some and I think 2 games at the Garden this weekend will help them do that.

As for the chemistry, it looks like it is getting closer. When guys finally started shooting in the 3rd period last night, the team was all over the Isles. DiPietro played well but there was a lot of blocked shots and unlucky bounces. Guys are still thinking too much out there but once they get a few to go into the net they will relax some more and it will grow more naturally. The offense isn't going to get shut out every game this year.

Finally, I also still think the Rangers are a bit of a victim of a light schedule so early. When they needed to play a lot of preseason games to build chemistry they only had 6. And a week plus into the season they have now have only played a combined 9 games together, while this Isles have played 13 and the Senators have played 12. Those other teams have had more time to build a rythem.

[rangerbill94]

Thanks for your write-up, Dubi. You saw the same game I did! Even with Malik, the defense is NOT the problem. Maybe too much mixing of ingredients, looking for the elusive "chemistry". Sounds like Renney was working on that, more than the special teams. The old adage in hockey when things are not going well is to "simplify". Keep it simply, guys. I think the best way to do that is to STOP moving players, fix the 4 lines and role them. Straka/Drury/Jagr; Shanahan/Gomez/Prucha; Dawes/Dubinsky/Callahan; Hossa/Betts/Orr(Hollweg). Just let them play 5 games together. Keep them toghther in practice. Replace Straka with Prucka on the PP. Replace Prucha with Callahan on the Shanahan PP unit. Keep it simple. BTW, if we are looking at Scathard, then Hossa or Hollweg are gonners! This guy scores sometimes!

[emscam]

Dave Scatchard are you kidding.

[ant]

Why the hell is Dawes not here yet its like a sign from god to brng dawes up 1st avery and now Hossa

[alan]

I don't really understand what the problem is. Did anyone really watch the game? It was a one goal loss in a game that we could have won 5-2 with a couple of breaks, and then you'd all be writing about how great we are. And as far as chemistry goes, Jagr is right. The Icelanders are a hard working bunch with little talent, while the Rangers have more intricate pieces that may take a little longer to fit. I think we have a lot to be excited about. It's three games into the season. Chill.

[brian]

all im saying is, that i agree with it only being 3 games in and its early and all that talk...but 3 games can turn into 30 really quickly and thn 30 into 50 andthen ur talkin 17 wins out of 20 to make the playoffs...its not good to start slow...

[craigz]

I'm old. I used to go to the old Garden and use my G.O. card to sit upstairs for a $1.50. I've been watching hockey for 40+ years. I played for 30+ years in various leagues in n.y. and pa. I'm so old I'm comfused. If someone hooks you or trips you and they call a penalty on that person, how can the person being tripped or hooked be called for a dive? I guess you can't teach old dogs new tricks after all. Maybe I missed that class during the New N.H.L 101 course they gave. Anyhow the refereeing is getting so bad that it's hard to watch anymore. Just a little annoyance for the Hossa/Strudwick bashers...Strudwick and Hossa played very well last night. Gomez and Straka played like doggy-do. It will come...just have a little patience... P.S. If not Renney who would you get to coach this team today????? Z

[jason]

Brian, I get the concern but I think it's way too early. Every team goes through a lull at one point or another during the season. We have lost two games, not blown out but haven't looked impressive at the same time. Last year, we were awful for the first 3 to 4 months of the season and then turned it around. We are a better team than we were last year but it does take some time for things to gel and I personally don't have any fear that they won't and 3 games in to a long 82 game season, I don't think anyone else should either.

[Godot]

Hossa's groin strain may just be a temporary tweak than anything. Let's see. In the meantime, I felt he played an okay game last night. He made a nifty little pass to Straka which led to Tyutin's goal....

As for the rest: the team looks like they're coming together but that they're a work in progress. Nothing wrong with that. Tyutin is becoming the Dman we knew he'd become (Mitch, are you still unsure of him???), Prucha is playing with hunger and ferocity, and the youth on this team is gearing up to replace some of the vets next year.

Still, some things aren't working: Malik and Shanahan both looked over matched out there, and Jagr seemed to be struggling, though I liked seeing him buzzing by the front of the net sometimes.

G

[Chris QCT]

Overall, I thought it was a bad game for both teams. The ice looked as soft as marshmallows out there. I'm not sure if I saw the puck sit flat for most of the entire game. The biscuit just flipped and flopped all over the place. The difference to me was the Isles seemed to adjust to this and had no trouble letting the NYR handle (and over-handle) the puck as much as they liked since it was only a matter of time before the puck bounced over a guy's stick or the pass went haywire since the puck was on edge to begin with. Aside from a few shifts, I do not really remember too much that the Isles fowards did either.

I thought Malik looked horrible. He has directly lead to the first goals in the past two losses due to mental lapses. I also think Gomez should be put back with Jagr. I have not seen much in watching Drury and Jagr in the first 3 games.

Staal looks better each game he plays. It was nice to see him bury Comrie in front they way he did. And he did have a nice rush up the ice I believe, but the VS guys were babbling on about non-sense at the time and did not mention it and the cameras were focused elsewhere.

Renney can right the ship. However unlike season's past, he will not have all season to do it. It took Matt Cullen until about December to get adjusted here. We now have 2 new centers. I'm hoping they will find their way quicker since they are more talented players than Cullen is. But to be honest, this is the start I expected. However, I did not expect there to be ZERO chemistry along with ZERO goals from the main players on this squad...

[baron34]

If Scatchard is brought in, that means Dubinsky goes back to Hartford.

Way to give him a decent shot centering the 3rd line, Tommy boy. One game and out. Then 2 games of 3 minutes each centering the scoreless wonders on the 4th line. Then gone.

I'm sure the kids have a lot of faith in your promises.... hahahahahahaha.

[Johnny P]

I found it was much more difficult to get my brand new, expensive HD tv to work than that old boring color tv I had. True, the color tv works as soon as I plug it in, no extra effort required. This damn HD tv though has taken some serious fine tuning but let me tell you, the picture is the best I've ever seen and is worth every bit of the headache. We ARE HD!Chill out, the picture is going to be beautiful.

[Paul Arensburg]

Seems to me like the Rangers speed guys are all small and the power guys are all slow. And, they don't have much forward strength. The use of Betts is mystifying. Guess that explains Scatchard. Too bad because Dubinsky is like the best candidate on the current roster to bridge the speed and strength dilemma. Gotta wonder what Renney is thinking: he uses Dubi with Jagr on the PP in game 2; buries him in game 3.

Jagr, meanwhile, is underperforming which compounds the problems because on the ice they are forcing him the puck. (I wonder if we'll soon hear something about how he over-trained in the summer.) Straka looks useful for like 7 seconds each shift.

Staal is good moving forward, okay going sideways, but needs more muscle. Comrie, of all people, outmuscled him last night. Staal did shutdown Guerin once, but he so far seems likely to lose more one on one battles. Not for long, though, I don't think. He's getting noticeably better each game, and I don't think he belongs in Hartford.

Gotta wonder about how Renney is seemingly bipolar on Staal and Dubi. Consistent ice-time each game, and he even plays during a 3 on 5 PK, which is good. Dubi meanwhile is being treated like Neil Smith's red-headed stepchiild. I'm getting Malhotra flashbacks.

On the plus side, Girardi and Tyutin are smack. DG a couple of times last night in the 1st period during play down low calling out where Tyuttin should cover gave me goosebumps. I luvs me that combo.

Malik...sigh. He can't be close to that bad regularly, can he?

[joeymole]

i totally agree with craigz and i hope the islanders awarded the no. 1 star to the refs. they handed them multiple opportunities and ended ranger momentum a number of times. seems like a revisit to the beginning of last season, same anti-ranger conspiracy. and malik seemed drowsy from the start, unusually sleepy, maybe he stayed up a bit too late the night before. and if gomez had been able to finish on one of two great jagr passes, he too would have ended his early season slumber. i agree with rangerbill, get betts back at center on his pesky line. maybe that's the scratchard tryout? as a 3rd line center? he is listed as both winger and center. check out his stat link at tsn:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=382&hubname=nhl

or maybe its a favor to give the guy a chance? its only 3 games in but all the points count at the end. final question: it seems like less tie games/shoot outs this year?! (compared to last season) not sure why.

[John]

There's still a chance for the Rangers to go 18-2, just as Sean Avery predicted...

[Dan]

I agree with Dubi that Cally and Pru look the most lively forwards right now,yet Prucha only got more even strength ice time than Orr, Holly and Dubinsky, why do you think that is?

[Anthony M.]

Why are the Rangers even bothering to look at Dave Scatchard? Could we look at a couple of our kids before we start hitting the waiver wire for unemployed thirtysomethings? Would it kill the Rangers to actually give Brandon Dubinsky a chance with a pair of wingers whose hands do not match those of Roberto Duran? I expect fans to panic, but Scatchard is a panic move by the front office.

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Bring in Scatchard and dump Hollweg. But if there gonna bring him in to replace Dubi then dont do it. Im sick of Hollweg, he's a horrible hitter and theres no point of playing him if he wont do his job. Orr should be in the lineup, and just put Scatchard on third line. I dont know if im thinking about the right guy, but i think he's a pretty tough guy, so it would be nice to have him on the the line. But i dont know, i dont care.

[emscam]

Dave Scatchard just shoot me.

[Chris QCT]

As much as some people do not like him, you have to look at this through Renney's head. He is NEVER going to replace Dubinsky with another kid from Hartford. In his mind, the problem with Dubinsky is his inexperience. He's not going to replace inexperience with a different version of inexperience. Plus, we're only 3 games in. Renney has had first hand experience with his players and prospects as recently as two weeks ago. If Renney did not see them ready for the big show on Oct 1st, he sure isn't going to change his mind on the 11th.

When Dubinsky gets sent down, I hope Nigel Dawes can help him adjust to the disappointment since the same happened to him...

[Greg]

Henrik is playing in mid-season form already. While the current D could use a true first line stud, I do not believe the NYR are in dire straights on the blueline. Malik and Strudwick are the least of their worries. The real problem is the lack of chemistry up front. Gomez looks lost, Jagr is predictable, Shanny is slowing his age, etc. Playing armchair QB, I'd shuffle the lines as follows. Aside from the Betts line, there is no particular number associated with them:
Hossa-Straka-Jagr
Callahan-Gomez-Prucha
Dawes-Drury-Shanny
Hollweg-Betts-Orr

Jagr has history with Straka, they should be able to gel rather quickly. Give Hossa ten games here and re-evaluate his future in NY then.

Gomez has played with young, fast and small players his entire career in NJ, why not now with the two best forwards this season thus far in Prucha and Callahan? This group seems like a no-brainer to me.

Unless he can play wing, Dubi will have to sit/be sent down in favor of Dawes who should give Drury some speed to work with and let Shanny pick up the garbage goals. I fear Shanny may have jumped the shark, he just looks...old. I hate to say that since I am mere months older than him. Slip Avery into the mix here when he returns from injury.

Fourth line is the expected HBO, use Dubi/Struds/Pöck if someone needs a rest or just to keep those in street clothes somewhat fresh.

Sather should move one of Mara/Pöck/Struds by the time Avery returns. Moneywise I'd trade Mara but I don't think anyone would take his salary. I haven't given up on Pöck and hope he can somehow stay. I met Struds once, like the grit on the ice and calming influence he brings to the unit, particularily at the end of last season. Still, I'd let all three of them go for that first line powerplay cannon from the point.

[TonyM]

I attribute the loss in large part to horrendous and one sided officiating that tipped the balance in the Isles favor. Shanny gets slashed by Sutton but he gets called for holding?
Guerin hooks Betts first but a brief hook by Betts puts us down 5 on 3?
Girardi gets crosschecked to the face with no call and Jagr was hooked numerous times without a call.

The other persons responsible for the loss are ATTROCIOUS Malik and Renney. Renney should have sat Malik down early in the first after numerous giveaways and indifferent play. He should have gone with 5 dmen the rest of the way.

Renney also gets blame for limiting Dubinsky's ice time. His line was the most dynamic.

Sather gets blamed here too for not addressing a serious flaw on this team. No PP quarteback,and no hard shot from the point.

I know its early but with high expectations and the loss to the Isles its a bit hard to take.

The word is players need time to mesh. How come the Flyers, Isles, and Caps have had no problems in this area with tons on new people?.

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Putting Drury on the 3rd line?? Are you out of your mind??

My lines..

Hossa / Prucha - Drury - Jagr
Callahan - Gomez - Shanahan
Prucha / Hossa - Dubinsky - Avery
Orr - Betts - Hollweg

Dont trade mara. Trade Malik. Sather is a moron, i cant understand this, he hasnt even given Pauly a chance, and he's quick to dump him. Malik has been awful the last 2 games, give aways up the yin yang. Im trying to give the guy a chance but already he's costing us goals. Im sick of him and sick of seeing his lazy penalties cause he's to slow to chase the opponent. When will Renney and Sather realize that this guy SUCKS. You'd think Malik is using mind control on them to make them like him so much and not trade him. I like Jags, he's one of my fav players and has been since i got into hockey, but if trading him pisses him off, then i dont care. He still has Straks, and Rozsie, along with Pruchs. Trade Malik, and put Pock in his spot and put Mara in Strdsy's spot. And thats it.

[Blast Tyrant]

So is Scatchard going to be this year's version of Isbister?

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Putting Drury on the 3rd line?? Are you out of your mind??

My lines..

Hossa / Prucha - Drury - Jagr
Callahan - Gomez - Shanahan
Prucha / Hossa - Dubinsky - Avery
Orr - Betts - Hollweg

Dont trade mara. Trade Malik. Sather is a moron, i cant understand this, he hasnt even given Pauly a chance, and he's quick to dump him. Malik has been awful the last 2 games, give aways up the yin yang. Im trying to give the guy a chance but already he's costing us goals. Im sick of him and sick of seeing his lazy penalties cause he's to slow to chase the opponent. When will Renney and Sather realize that this guy SUCKS. You'd think Malik is using mind control on them to make them like him so much and not trade him. I like Jags, he's one of my fav players and has been since i got into hockey, but if trading him pisses him off, then i dont care. He still has Straks, and Rozsie, along with Pruchs. Trade Malik, and put Pock in his spot and put Mara in Strdsy's spot. And thats it.

[emscam]

Renney sit Malik. Not in this lifetime.

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Forgot to put in Straks, here's a repost.

Hossa / Prucha - Drury - Jagr
Callahan - Gomez - Shanahan
Prucha / Hossa - Avery - Straka
Orr - Betts - Hollweg ( Try Dubi on the wing )

[laurie]

I agree that bringing Scratchard in on a try-out reeks of panic, and there's absolutely no reason whatsoever to panic yet. I hate the idea of bringing in another retread when there are so many talented kids working their butts off in Hartford. But with that said, I'm not entirely convinced Dubinsky was ready to make the jump to begin with. I know that won't be a popular opinion, but that's my feeling based on seeing him play in Hartford last season and so far this season with the Rangers. And as much as I'd hate to see Dubinsky take 1st line minutes away from Anisimov in Hartford, I think it would probably help his development. It certainly wouldn't hurt him.

I also think the Rangers are worried about how thin they are at center. If one game is anything to go by, Anisimov's not going to be ready for the big show for a little while. They've already lost one of their fall-back centers to injury in Avery. No one knows for sure how long Straka's shoulder is going to hold up.

Add to that the fact that none of the kids in Hartford that are closest to being ready offer the gritty, physical aspect of the game that Renney is looking for on the 4th line and that Scatchard can provide. Honestly, I'd rather them continue to allow Dubinsky to gain experience on the 4th line (more than 2 minutes a night playing time, please!) for the time being. But as much as it pains me to admit it, I do see the logic behind this (potential) decision. I just think it's somewhat premature.

[rangerbill94]

"I'm sure the kids have a lot of faith in your promises.... hahahahahahaha." baron34, sometimes I think you would rather be proven right instead of the Rangers winning!??! Look, everybody knows that Renney has more faith in veterans then rookies. In a very close game, both OTT and NYI were close games, he will use the vets most of the time. Two reasons, first he believes that the vets have been in those situations before and can respond. Second, if he plays the kids and they either 1) fail or 2) give up a goal, their confidence will be effected. If I were the coach, I'd treat them as hungry professionals and send them out. That is the best way to see who steps up and who doesn't; but I'm not the coach. Renney is in this for the long haul and most of us are in it for the immediate victory. Where I differ from Renney is I AM IN IT FOR EACH VICTORY! I don't care about the kids confidence. If we are winning, the confidence will be there. When the kids make a big mistake and we still come out with the win, they will "learn from their mistakes". I believe the coach needs to project the winning at all costs approach and then that will spill over to the team. I'm not saying each game needs to be approached as a game seven, but winning isn't everything, it is the ONLY thing, to quote a rather famous football coach.

[Mitch Beck]

I do not have a problem with Dave Scatchard coming in here to run the third unit if:

a) He's the best center free agent out there
b) He'll play for a $500K 1 year deal
c) Dubinsky gets sent down to play 20-25 minutes a game to prove that he's
ready for the level of responsibility that he's being given on the 3rd line
in the NHL.

While he has looked okay in the pre-season, he was terrible in the opener and I will grant you that I don't think he's been given enough of a chance yet at this level to show what he's got, but he hasn't jumped out of the box the way Callahan did or Girardi for that matter. I know for a fact that there isn't a person on this board, or any other for that matter that knows what it will take to make the team work better than Tom Renney does and he knows what he needs in order to compete and win. He also is a far better evaluator of talent than any of us are which I certainly hope that nobody is going to argue that. Bottom line is though that in the estimation of those in the know, Dubinsky isn't ready yet...and the key word is YET. If he goes to Hartford and starts lighting it up and dominating he would be back in NY in a flash. Dawes looked awful in the first game in Hartford. He needs to start dominating there again in order to get his time in back in NY. Going into a funk and/or not producing or playing poorly will keep either of them there and further cement the idea in the management's heads that the player is not ready yet. When Prucha went down to Hartford and I saw him play he so looked out of place and that he was playing on another level that he was called back right away...that can happen again.

I bet that Sather is scratching his head wondering why he didn't sign Peca now.

[Orr will hit youuuuuuuuu..........pretty hard.]

I agree that Dubi might not be ready...So why dont they just use the line that had alot of chemistry in camp, which was Straka and Prucha centered by Callahan. Straks and Pruchs have always had pretty good chemistry together, more then Pruchs and Jags, and Cally will have some vet leadership and a hard working foward on his line. But you gotta get Malik in front of the net on the PP, and Straks off the point. All 3 games, ive seen Straks nearly give a shorty away cause he cant control the puck on the point. And Rozsie must be afraid of Jagr or something cause this guy does not want to shoot the puck. He has a damn good shot. He had 10 goals last year, if he starts shooting on the PP he can potentially be our PP quarterback. But he needs to friggin shoot. And i cant stress this enough....DUMP HOLLWEG!!!

[The Dude]

Just throwing this out there: Scatch was bought out by the Coyotes.

[Greg]

Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout ---

No, I am not out of my mind. Reread my post, I said specifically..."there is no particular number associated with them..."

I don't know, maybe I didn't make that obvious enough?

[Orr will hit youuuuuuuuu..........pretty hard.]

Whats up with Tyutin and Girardi. There scary good. Physical, shooting etc. They have damn good chemistry together. I enjoy watching them when there on the ice. Tyuts is finally having confidence with his shot, and Girardi is as well. I think there gonna have a great season. I still think Renney should try Pock with Staal. Maybe Staal would feel more comfy with someone around his age. Eh just my opinion.

[Orr will hit youuuuuuuuu..........pretty hard.]

GREG

I didnt read that part...i just read the line combo and saw red...Nothing personal

[emscam]

I think that Dubinsky has looked fine in the limited ice time he has gotten. Less than 3 mins last night is a joke.

As pointed out Scatchard was bought out, not waived but paid to go away. Not a good sign.

[jon]

whoever said this should be the lines.....
Hossa-Straka-Jagr
Callahan-Gomez-Prucha
Dawes-Drury-Shanny
Hollweg-Betts-Orr

This is very interesting, I was thinking that if Dubinsky is centering the fouth line you might as well send him down and have Straka center the 3rd line and put Dawes on the wing. I like what you can up with here, kudos. Too bal we'll never see it.

[Jason]

As pointed out on Steve Zipay's blog, Prucha is practicing with Drury and Jagr, I have only one things to say about it: It's about time! The kid is good, he can score goals and plays a fearless style of hockey. I think given enough time with Jagr, he, not Hossa can truely flourish and defintally have another 30 goal season.

[imitation]

Mitch Peca if healthy would have given them someone to guage Dubinsky against. He could have been traded or waived, if not kept. Hindsight...Renney will figure it out, but I hate seeing points going down the drain, they all count.

[Alan]

greg, i gotta agree with your lines. i was going to post the same this morning. gomer with pruchs and cally is a no-brainer at this point. nobody has the speed to keep up with gomer except for these two. straks centering jags, maybe straks can replace nylander or be that east-west kind of center that suited jags better. hossa on the other wing for now is ok. drury with shanny i'd like to see more of. shanny still doesn't look right. he seems to need to play himself into game shape and hopefully regain his form pre-concussion. dawes on the wing for some scoring. the fourth line is ok, except depending on the team i want one of orr or holly to sit for some needed scoring on the line. and please play pock!! he deserves some time. i like staal and his stick, but he's not strong enough to play game in and out. malik?? eek. some vintage malik passes last night. we'll be all right when they get some games in. seven games in the next 15 or so days will help.

[LI Joe]

Dubi - I think your blog got the overrun from Sam's blog. His blog was down most of last night and today so that led to a lot of postings here that would normally be posted there.

Jess- on the newsday blog there were several postings after midnight posted by a Jess. One started out as something you might post even talking about friendship with the Dubinsky family - but the others did not fit your style. So I'm just giving you the heads up - although Jess is a popular name. These were in the larger thread with 90 + postings.

[Mitch Beck]

In reading what Steve Zipay posted on his blog, he presents a very interesting picture. Based upon what he's saying here the person who may be seated in the stands or headed out is RYAN HOLLWEG. Apparently Scatchard was on a line with Dubinsky in the middle and Orr on the other wing.

As I told you there is a method to the madness and you can't bring up Nigel Dawes to skate 4th line minutes. It'll ruin him. Scatchard on the other hand on the 4th line is a MAJOR improvement over Ryan Hollweg and makes sense especially since there is nobody in Hartford right now that deserves or would benefit from limited 4th line minutes.

If this combo does work out, I think it's a marked improvement for depth and also allows you to run Scatchard at 3rd line Center should the need arise and it become evident that Dubi is not ready yet and has lost the confidence of the team in his 4th line role and will not be given a 3rd line shot at this time. I think, if I'm Tom Renney, I would sit Dubi down and tell him that I felt that he wasn't there yet but showing potential to be a 3rd line NHL Center but that before he was placed in that position, he'd need to improve his defensive talent and learn more of what it takes to play in the NHL with the 4th line minutes he's being given. IT would then fall upon Dubi to show Tom Renney and the staff in practice and in game situations that he's capable and ready to handle that role. AS I said earlier, I don't think he is just yet and don't have a problem with him on the 4th line or in Hartford...as I also said, Blair Betts isn't the answer for 3rd line Center either...

And so the plot thickens...