PROSPECTS PROSPECTUS

(L to R, MSG Personality, John Giannone, Assistant Coach, Perry Pearn, Head Coach, Tom Renney, Assistant Coach, Mike Pelino, former Ranger D-Man and now broadcaster, Dave Maloney)

Last night about 250 Rangers season ticket holders attended an invitation only event with the Head Coach, Tom Renney and his Assistant coaches, Perry Pearn and Mike Pelino in the lobby of the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The discussion was often light and comical as the coaches were loose and somewhat surprisingly candid as to their feelings on a number of issues. For a breakdown of those issues that were focused on New York and not Hartford, including assessments of some former Pack players now in New York, you can read that at BlueshirtBulletin.com.

The topic did come back to the youngsters currently on the roster in Hartford. One hot topic that was brought up rather quickly was the demotion of Nigel Dawes. Renney spoke extensively in his belief in the young man and that he was in charge of the draft when he was selected. They had originally slotted Dawes as a 6th round pick but that they were so impressed with his character and the potential upside that he had to his game that they decided that rather than take a chance on his not being available in the 6th round that they took him in the fourth instead. Renney said, "there is no doubt that he has a terrific offensive knack, without question. What we're looking for in the young man is to be more consistent in all three zones with and without the puck." He added, "we're fortunate that we have a lot of depth on this team and he has options so that we can send him to Hartford to improve that area and then bring him back without fear of losing him as we would have with other players."

Pearn talked about building a system where the team can have a stable of players "in-house" that the team can draw from so that it doesn't become as necessary to go out after free agents. He stated, "there are 7,8 maybe 9 players right now in Hartford that we see as NY Rangers of the future."

Pearn talked about how high the organization is on Michael Sauer saying that he's "just at the tip of the iceberg as to how good he is going to be."

Pearn said that he felt that Dane Byers had the skill set to be a "strong power forward at the NHL level and we're very pleased at his level of commitment."

When the name of Alex Bourret was brought up Pearn had his strongest and most direct words for him. "He has a LOT of skill, there is no doubt about that. We were not pleased at all in his preparation for training camp...It was not as good as others as he was competing against for jobs on the team. However, he is a VERY talented player. He is very skilled and has a nasty side to his game. He can agitate a lot like Sean Avery and we like this young man. We just need to get him committed to the game if he is going to get to the next level."

First round pick from this past season's draft, Alexi Cherepanov, who's nickname is "Siberian Express" who has broken all kinds of scoring records in Russia including surpassing the Russian league rookie goal scoring record previously held by Pavel Bure, was also addressed, this time by Renney. "He has a VERY good chance of being here (NY) next year although he might be in Hartford. He has seen what (Artem) Anisimov is doing and how getting into the North American game has benefited him and we're pretty confident he'll be either in NY or Hartford next season."

Overall, the coaches were open and informative and for those who attended a good insight into how and where these prospects are seen by the Rangers organization.

(Rangers coaches photo by Mitch Beck, Nigel Dawes, Michael Sauer, Dane Byers photo courtesy of viewimages.com, Alexi Cherepanov photo courtesy of newyorkrangers.com)

Comments

[laurie]

We went to the season ticket holder forum with players at the WAMU a few weeks back... It was moderately entertaining (thanks primarily to Avery's presence through the first 45 minutes), but the one last night sounds like it was far more informational. I don't even remember there being a "chat with the coaches" option when we picked our event. Sounds like a good time!

[akayama49]

Excellent summary of the evening, Mitch.

I was the subscriber who raised the Dawes question. I have been Nigel's main booster since his demotion because I sincerely believe that his special offensive knack is what the Ranger's need now. There's no question the strength of this coaching staff has been defensive play--to date however it's been at the expense of players with an offensive spark a la Dawes...

[fran]

I'm curious about what the goaltending coach teaches.

Last season Lundqvist spent a lot of time goaltending from his knees. As a result, many shots were scored over his shoulder. He also did not seem to have mastered the technique of standing and facing a shooter when approached from the side, and sealing off the pipes. He'd still drop to his knees. This season I've seen him starting to stand up and seal the pipes on occasion. I have not however seen him stacking the pads and slide when being drawn across the crease. He usually tries to stick out a leg. Up close this can be a very effective ploy for it costs the shooter the ability to lift the puck when in close.

Do the goaltending coaches work on these type individual techniques with the netminders?

I noticed that Valiquette does stack the pads when necessary, but when he butterfly's, he often has the stick blade well off the ice.

Emile Francis used to always keep his stick blade on the ice when splitting and sealing off the 5 hole. This is also a point of instruction possibility. What do you folks think?

Fran

[Mitch Beck]

Akayama49,

I thought when you said you were in Section 67 that I had read your statements on Blueshirt. It's a pleasure to have you reading here as well. I had no problem with the demotion of Dawes to Hartford because he has been in a rut of late. Also, you can't have guys lagging behind. It's a team game first and foremost and Dawes' defense has been to be polite, suspect. He has also been having trouble moving the puck off the boards. Renney told us all in response to your question, and I believed it before he even said it, it wasn't a death sentence being sent down there. The purpose of being in Hartford is to work on specific parts of his game. In Dawes' first game back he was sleepwalking and then has picked it up as he realizes that he needs to dominate in all three zones if he wants to stay in NY. He's done it for a few games and now with Avery out for a few weeks he might get called up again. That hasn't been determined yet but it could come as son as today. If he goes up there and shows that he belongs there and that he will take on the Defensive responsibility I would think he could stick. The problem will come about in getting him enough minutes to continue to be sharp.

I truly hope that you will continue to be a regular reader and poster and that we get more and more people involved.

Fran,

A terrificly worded question that I have no idea whatsoever in how to answer. The one to ask is Benoit Allaire. I will see if I can get an answer from Allaire for the site since it's really in his wheelhouse and not mine.

I think this is also the first time you've posted here as well so thank you as well and hope to read more of what you think in the future.