Rangers 2010-2011

[Chappie 0]

  On 12/1/2010 at 1:44 AM, kirkomlett1 said:

Is there a reason that anyone knows of why Anisimov never goes on Gabby's line when they're trying out new combinations?

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Stepan has been working up there, and AA hasn't been able to win faceoffs.

Honestly, if AA could win more faceoffs, he'd be on the top PP line and probably be paired with Gaborik at least partially. That's the biggest part of his game that he needs to work on.

I'm with you though, I'd like to see it.

[mug25 2]

They tried it a few times last season and also a couple times in the pre-season. They didn't click.

Gaborik seems to have good chemistry with Stepan and Christensen though....

[Chappie 0]

  On 12/1/2010 at 5:13 AM, mug25 said:

They tried it a few times last season and also a couple times in the pre-season. They didn't click.

Gaborik seems to have good chemistry with Stepan and Christensen though....

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Last season it actually did work a little, the problem was Arty's skating really needed improvement because he couldn't keep up with Prospal and Gabs.

In the preseason, I think Stepan was working so well that Arty wasn't an option. I don't remember more than a game maybe that he and gaborik played together.

Everytime AA and Gabs have been on the ice this season, good things have happened. In fact, AA got his first goal this year off of a feed from Gaborik behind the net.

I don't think it should be a line that needs to be tried RIGHT NOW, but I do think it may be worth a shot down the road. Want I don't like is torts giving AA 3 shifts in the third. I understand Frolov, because he's a vet, but sitting him like that doesn't really teach him a lesson. Hopefully Torts doesn't go making him our 4th line center for the next month....

[kirkomlett1 0]

  On 12/1/2010 at 2:50 AM, Chappie said:

Stepan has been working up there, and AA hasn't been able to win faceoffs.

Honestly, if AA could win more faceoffs, he'd be on the top PP line and probably be paired with Gaborik at least partially. That's the biggest part of his game that he needs to work on.

I'm with you though, I'd like to see it.

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I agree with you on the faceoffs. But I think he's been the Ranger's best centre so far. Christensen seems to have one good game out of every 5 or 6.

[mug25 2]

  On 12/1/2010 at 9:16 PM, kirkomlett1 said:

I agree with you on the faceoffs. But I think he's been the Ranger's best centre so far. Christensen seems to have one good game out of every 5 or 6.

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Close tie between Stepan and AA — not that it's saying much since neither have been first line caliber.

[Chappie 0]

Well, it's their first and second year respectively, and they are both very young. I think AA is a 1a type center who will be able to put up a 65 to 80 pt season consistently, but will never quite be that game breaker. Not that that is an indictment, it just means he's not going to be an all star first line center, not a go to guy alla Gaborik, etc.

Stepan, I'm unsure about it. His path is too vague at the moment, and I think a lot of knowing what he will be wont come for another season or two. He could end up being like Mike Richards, no one knew he was going to be quite as good as he is either.

[mug25 2]

  On 12/2/2010 at 4:20 AM, Chappie said:

Well, it's their first and second year respectively, and they are both very young. I think AA is a 1a type center who will be able to put up a 65 to 80 pt season consistently, but will never quite be that game breaker. Not that that is an indictment, it just means he's not going to be an all star first line center, not a go to guy alla Gaborik, etc.

Stepan, I'm unsure about it. His path is too vague at the moment, and I think a lot of knowing what he will be wont come for another season or two. He could end up being like Mike Richards, no one knew he was going to be quite as good as he is either.

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Lots of scouts compare Stepan to Brad Richards.

[Chappie 0]

  On 12/2/2010 at 11:41 PM, mug25 said:

Lots of scouts compare Stepan to Brad Richards.

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Maybe. I think Stepan will be a better goal scorer though.

[mug25 2]

  On 12/3/2010 at 12:42 AM, Chappie said:

Maybe. I think Stepan will be a better goal scorer though.

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The way he sees the ice already, makes such great passes and has so much confidence and poise at a young age I think he's going to really develop into a legit 1st line Center within the next 2-3 years.

[mug25 2]

Ryan Callahan broken hand...slapshot to the hand while blocking a shot in the 1st period against the Pens tonight.

We get Drury back and lose Callahan. WTF.

[#96 0]

  On 12/16/2010 at 1:16 AM, mug25 said:

Ryan Callahan broken hand...slapshot to the hand while blocking a shot in the 1st period against the Pens tonight.

We get Drury back and lose Callahan. WTF.

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I beg to differ on the Stepan/Richards comparison. Brad Richards IS and WILL be a better hockey player. Nothing against Stepan, but my opinion of him, at this point, is that he's a really good College player and NHL second line player, with PP time. To taught him as highly as Brad Richards, a Cup and Playoff MVP winner, is just not fair...to Brad Richards. In Stepan, I still very much see a kid grinding his way in the NHL. Not like other kids who have stepped right into greatness.

Losing Cali is big. The guy just contributes to so many different facets of the game, his loss will be tough to overcome. Beating Washington and Pitt in the same week feels pretty darn good though. I'm going tomorrow night against the Coyotes who were shut against the Debbies tonight. Let's make this 3 in a row.

[Dubbs 0]

I think it's unfair to compare the two at this point. I have absolutely no recollection of the beginning of Brad Richards career so I can't make a comparison to Stepan's development at this point. But I think Stepan does a very good job of seeing the ice in his first season and could be a number 1 center, he passes the puck so well. But it's still early yet so I'm just excited to see how this team continues to grow and develop.

The loss of Cally can't be overstated. It's a huge loss and is gonna be a real test for this team.

[mug25 2]

  On 12/16/2010 at 5:56 AM, #96 said:

I beg to differ on the Stepan/Richards comparison. Brad Richards IS and WILL be a better hockey player. Nothing against Stepan, but my opinion of him, at this point, is that he's a really good College player and NHL second line player, with PP time. To taught him as highly as Brad Richards, a Cup and Playoff MVP winner, is just not fair...to Brad Richards. In Stepan, I still very much see a kid grinding his way in the NHL. Not like other kids who have stepped right into greatness.

Losing Cali is big. The guy just contributes to so many different facets of the game, his loss will be tough to overcome. Beating Washington and Pitt in the same week feels pretty darn good though. I'm going tomorrow night against the Coyotes who were shut against the Debbies tonight. Let's make this 3 in a row.

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Hey, everyone has an opinion — with that being said, the Brad Richards/Derek Stepan comparison is the opinion of several professional scouts and analysts.

  On 12/16/2010 at 3:17 PM, Dubbs said:

I think it's unfair to compare the two at this point. I have absolutely no recollection of the beginning of Brad Richards career so I can't make a comparison to Stepan's development at this point. But I think Stepan does a very good job of seeing the ice in his first season and could be a number 1 center, he passes the puck so well. But it's still early yet so I'm just excited to see how this team continues to grow and develop.

The loss of Cally can't be overstated. It's a huge loss and is gonna be a real test for this team.

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Agreed, it is too early to compare the two but for his age and experience Stepan shows great confidence and poise. Not every kid can go from his Sophomore year of college to playing in a city like New York. He does indeed see the ice VERY well. If you watch every single Rangers game (like I do) and pay close attention to Stepan he's almost always making things happen.

[BenderHockey 127]

Anyone else notice that most, if not all, of the Rangers had protective pads sewn onto the back of their gloves vs. Phoenix? Guess they got tired of all these guys (Dubi, Dru and Cally) breaking their hands blocking shots.

[Dubbs 0]

  On 12/17/2010 at 8:45 PM, BenderHockey said:

Anyone else notice that most, if not all, of the Rangers had protective pads sewn onto the back of their gloves vs. Phoenix? Guess they got tired of all these guys (Dubi, Dru and Cally) breaking their hands blocking shots.

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Yup, they looked just awful it was so blatant that it was just extra padding taped on to the gloves, but if it was me, after losing cally, I'd be more concerned with protection and less concerned with visual appeal as well. I saw an article yesterday where Torts was saying that Sather has spoken to the league previously about increasing the protection in things like gloves.

[Chadd 916]

Drury was in Easton, what was Callahan wearing? Things like this would scare me away from buying the new retail Bauer four rolls with the EPP, that stuff doesn't like repeated impacts at all. No big deal if you can replace them every couple weeks, like a pro, but I just wouldn't be comfortable trying to get an extended life out of them.

[burrn 0]

  On 12/18/2010 at 8:55 PM, Chadd said:

Drury was in Easton, what was Callahan wearing? Things like this would scare me away from buying the new retail Bauer four rolls with the EPP, that stuff doesn't like repeated impacts at all. No big deal if you can replace them every couple weeks, like a pro, but I just wouldn't be comfortable trying to get an extended life out of them.

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I think Callahan wears warriors.

[Chappie 0]

  On 12/16/2010 at 5:56 AM, #96 said:

I beg to differ on the Stepan/Richards comparison. Brad Richards IS and WILL be a better hockey player. Nothing against Stepan, but my opinion of him, at this point, is that he's a really good College player and NHL second line player, with PP time. To taught him as highly as Brad Richards, a Cup and Playoff MVP winner, is just not fair...to Brad Richards. In Stepan, I still very much see a kid grinding his way in the NHL. Not like other kids who have stepped right into greatness.

Losing Cali is big. The guy just contributes to so many different facets of the game, his loss will be tough to overcome. Beating Washington and Pitt in the same week feels pretty darn good though. I'm going tomorrow night against the Coyotes who were shut against the Debbies tonight. Let's make this 3 in a row.

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Don't think anyone said he'd be a better player. My comment was that he could be a better goal scorer, and I think that is fair. Richards is a star playmaker, but he's never scored more than 26 goals in an NHL season. Stepan has 8 as a rookie, and he's on pace for 20+ this season. I think he could easily be a 30+ goal scorer if he continues to develop.

[mug25 2]

  On 12/18/2010 at 8:55 PM, Chadd said:

Drury was in Easton, what was Callahan wearing? Things like this would scare me away from buying the new retail Bauer four rolls with the EPP, that stuff doesn't like repeated impacts at all. No big deal if you can replace them every couple weeks, like a pro, but I just wouldn't be comfortable trying to get an extended life out of them.

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he wears Warrior gloves. The rest of his protective gear is Bauer.

[kirkomlett1 0]

What's up with Gaborik? Every time he gets the puck in games he seems to looking to dish it off to his line mates instead of shooting. I know he gets a lot of attention from D men in games but in previous years he found a way around it. Id like to see him shoot the puck a bit more.

[mug25 2]

  On 12/19/2010 at 12:43 AM, kirkomlett1 said:

What's up with Gaborik? Every time he gets the puck in games he seems to looking to dish it off to his line mates instead of shooting. I know he gets a lot of attention from D men in games but in previous years he found a way around it. Id like to see him shoot the puck a bit more.

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I dunno but it's really annoying. He gets double teamed nearly every shift but like you said, in the past he's been able to beat heavy coverage. Hopefully he turns it around soon.

[Chadd 916]

  On 12/19/2010 at 12:43 AM, kirkomlett1 said:

What's up with Gaborik? Every time he gets the puck in games he seems to looking to dish it off to his line mates instead of shooting. I know he gets a lot of attention from D men in games but in previous years he found a way around it. Id like to see him shoot the puck a bit more.

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It's either his hip or his groin, he doesn't have the speed that he normally has. Hopefully trying to play through it isn't going to make it worse in the long run.

[kirkomlett1 0]

Yeah it could an injury hes playing through. Something doesn't seem right though.

[mug25 2]

  On 12/19/2010 at 1:47 AM, Chadd said:

It's either his hip or his groin, he doesn't have the speed that he normally has. Hopefully trying to play through it isn't going to make it worse in the long run.

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thats what i was thinking

[Dubbs 0]

they said a week or two ago that he was suffering from flu like symptoms but played anyway, since then he hasn't looked right. If it truly was the flu, those effects can linger, which is what i think it is, he seems fatigued, doesn't have that first step explosiveness that he usually has that separates him from the d men. Hopefully with the break this week he'll get some time to rest and come back feeling better. If it is an actual injury (hip/groin), I'm sure a bigger deal would be made about it being that this is the new york media and if they get even the slightest hint of something being wrong they'll amplify it ten fold, and being that he has been so injury prone in his career, i would think (hope) the training staff would address it immediately.