Did asswipe AV just call up Glass?

[kreidertime]

AV would never need to be fired if we had a GM that would step in and tell him, you are going to play some tough players because your philosophy hasn't won jack shit. He's stubborn like all coaches and needs to be told to do certain things by a savy GM. Period.

 

[NYR2009]

That's right! AV will not win 16th. Because 2011 Boston Bruins realized that if they battle on talent alone then they stand no chance of winning. Vancouver was leading 3 games to 2 in that series. Boston injured half the team. Some injured continued to play and I think two key players were out. Boston did their job in that series and found a way to win even though they did not deserve it and Vancouver was way better team than Boston. Currently there are only two teams that can win the cup without physical play: Chicago and Pitt. Rangers are not talented enough to win. I expect Rangers to lose in 6 games to either (MTL, PITT or BJs).

My uncle lives in Vancouver and big Canucks fan. He was disgusted with AV after that series. Now are in the same shoes.

 

[theProdigy223]

hat's right! AV will not win 16th. Because 2011 Boston Bruins realized that if they battle on talent alone then they stand no chance of winning. Vancouver was leading 3 games to 2 in that series. Boston injured half the team. Some injured continued to play and I think two key players were out. Boston did their job in that series and found a way to win even though they did not deserve it and Vancouver was way better team than Boston.

I didnt see you mention Tim Thomas' .967 SV% in the finals, which had more to do with VAN losing than anything else. If Tim Thomas doesnt play like that, VAN still wins despite all the things you pointed out (a lot of which I happen to agree with). He was unreal in that series. It was one of the best goalie performances of all time.

Nobody is going to argue that Boston wasnt a tough team, or that the Canucks didnt get pushed around. Both of those statements are obviously true. But to sit here and definitively claim that AV can never and will never win the cup, when he's already been to the finals twice and gotten as close as possible once, is just irrational. The way some in the fanbase talk about him you'd think he was some bum ass minor league coach who fell into an interim gig and we're just counting down the days until a real coach is hired.

It's true he may never do it, and it's true this year's team more than likely won't do it, but he's a damn good coach and much better than any other option out there. Nobody can even name someone they'd like to see take over. And even if we did hire someone else, like I've said, the same people will run him out of town within 2 years when he doesnt play the latest prospect everyone has a hard on for.

 

[Stepupstepan]

The team is getting worse as his tenure continues. You are basing your opinion on his first two years. He should thank MSL in his first season anyway for taking them to the finals.

 

[Ranger71]

Half our overpaid defensemen suck and the team as a whole can't cover well around the net. The Rangers don't get half the prime scoring chances others do. It's not the coaching, the team is just generally slow moving and slow thinking.

 

[mrmel29]

A good coach doesn't play immobile defenseman man to man when they can't stay with anyone leaving open shooters 5 feet in front of hank all day instead of a zone which they can compete better with. This coach has had good personnel just completely misuses them. Never sticks up for his players ever and refs have no respect for him and hurts the team. The excuse that there is no one out there that can do better is ridiculous. I'll bet Gorton knows replacement coaches that just need the chance. This teams lack of toughness guarantees another first round exit this season most likely against montreal. Team needs a coaching change

 

[NYR2009]

AV plays favorites. He has to play whoever plays best at the time. Girardi has no business of being on the first pair with McD for few years now. There are many examples that we all can give and by now all of us know all these examples. Torts played top six who played best at the time and top 9. Obviously Torts was overdoing it. I wanted Sullivan to become a head coach. I think he has a good balance that we need. How about Messier? Give him a chance already. If it doesn't work out then it doesn't.

 

[Messiah717]

Meanwhile the team is having an excellent and likely 50+ win season. But yes everyone and everything sucks.

 

[kreidertime]

Meanwhile, certain fans can't get it in their thick heads much like last year that this team is not built for the playoffs. Christ, half the team would be out for the remainder of the playoffs if they ever managed to beat Washington. They just maul the Rangers.

 

[Messiah717]

Then don't watch. Seems like the most logical solution.

 

[kreidertime]

It's to the point now that I don't wonder if the Rangers will get an injury vs. the Craps. It's how many they will get.

 

[RangersFan]

Personally, I think you guys are both right.

Don't think this team is built for a long playoff run. Poor at face-offs, lack size and grit upfront and on D, our possession #'s are horrific, and we always seem to struggle to score in the playoffs. So I get that and acknowledge that.

Where I agree with Mess is what is your end game here "Ranger fans" who come on this board and do nothing but complain and whine about everything non-stop. I mean all you guys do is knock everything and say everyone sucks as Mess said. What's the point of that?

To me acknowledge this team may not be built for the playoffs. Understand we could be out early for the second straight year, then move on and enjoy the ride. What is the point of complaining about how much everything and everyone sucks every single day...I truly don't get that.

We clearly can beat Montreal or Ottawa in round 1, and we will play one of those teams (as of today we'd play Ottawa), and we clearly can lose to Montreal or Ottawa in round 1. If we get by round 1 we clearly can beat Boston or Montreal or Ottawa or Toronto or TB in round 2. And we clearly can lose to Boston or Montreal or Ottawa or Toronto or TB in round 2. That's the reality.

This years team is clearly better and much deeper than last years team. Last year we had about a 2% chance of beating the red hot Pens in round 1, that was reality. This year we'll be a coin flip with Montreal or Ottawa, or any team from the Atlantic. So this year we can make the ECF for sure I think. And we can get beat round 1 for sure I think. We are a total flip of a coin as we sit here on March 12th (maybe a very slight underdog). Last year we were worse, and huge underdogs against the Pens. This year is different.

So to watch, and come on here, and non-stop every day rip everyone and everything is pointless. Must be a miserable life as a "Ranger fan" to feel the need to do that every day instead of enjoying the ride right now. Everyone knows how you all feel guys. And guess what...if we are done early we will have PLENTY of time (months) for you all to gloat and say I told you so. You'll get your chance in April to do it, so for now watch, enjoy, and see if maybe the team can surprise and win a round or 2, which they clearly can this season...just like they clearly can lose round 1 to Montreal or Ottawa as well.

I agree this team is not built for the playoffs, so we are in lockstep kreider, but I don't see the need to be angry about it and post day after day how awful everything is like you and most "Ranger fans" on this board do constantly. I will enjoy the ride, and if it ends early again there will be plenty of time to bury everyone then.

 

[Ranger71]

Hi there Chuckles.

 

[panzerporter]

AV has always been focused on winning regular season games, he leads all NHL coaches in wins in the last 10 years. He took over a Rangers team that Torts also had playoff success with and took them where Torts fell short. Since then as AV has put his touch on the roster the team has gone in the wrong direction postseason. To be one game from hoisting the Cup to getting outmuscled by Tampa and then even moreso by Pitt the following year isn't progress. Running your team ragged in search of a President's trophy to enter the playoffs beaten up and tired is a selfish endeavor. AV is a very good coach, just needs a Cup to become a great coach.

What I find frustrating as a fan is when possible solutions to the Rangers shortcomings may be in Hartford like a Graves but AV refuses to even give him a look. Last year Boyle got hurt at the end of the season and AV was forced to call up Skjei who immediately showed himself to be NHL ready. On the plus side I like Smith. I would prefer his salary to the king's ransom Shattenkirk will want.

 

[kreidertime]

I think Shattenkirk will take considerably less to play here as he's made it pretty clear it's his dream to play for the Rangers.

 

[Ranger71]

You can't really complain about losing to TB in 7 which is pretty much making the SC final, or last year just being overmatched by Pitt. It's not Vigs fault Sather signed Girardi for 200 light years and extended Glass instead of looking elsewhere at that point for better 4th line help. Plus they were bound to take a few steps back last year. I don't know how you can get on AV for much he's done here.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Hi there Chuckles.

Seriously!!! Does it get any more Chuck-ish than "I think you guys are both right"???

If you think the Rangers can put together a legit Stanley Cup contending team when there are teams trotting out players like Crosby/Malkin, Ovechkin/Oshie (or Backstrom), Kane/Toews, Burns/Pavelski you are going to be disappointed. There are too many teams that have way more top level talent with REALLY good supporting players all through the lineup. The Rangers can be mildly to moderately competitive against those teams in a 7 game series but it would take heroic performances from several players to make any real noise. Will be fun to watch though! Start of the playoffs about 30 days away now!

 

[Ranger71]

We do have Washingtons mental number a little bit bit they probably have just too much with adding Shatt. I think we should hope to beat either Ott/Mtl and then face Boston and then a playoff untested Columbus. None of this would be less than 6g minimum and Ottawa would be a real bitch.

 

[strudwickisthebest]

This team can't beat suck azz teams, geeze

 

[theProdigy223]

This team can't beat suck azz teams, geeze

Strudssssss not you too man. They just beat a suck ass team last night and are tied for the most wins in the entire league.

 

[kreidertime]

Nobody cares. It's freakin obvious they are going to get throttled vs. Pitt or Columbus in the playoffs. Good chance they would lose to Montreal if Price is healthy. While they have beaten the Craps a lot in the playoffs, they no longer match up with them. This season is for the most part is over. However, as always we will have many delusional fans in our fan base who like last year refuse to accept the fact that this team isn't built for the playoffs. The A's have a better chance of winning their division than this team does of making a run in the playoffs.

 

[Ranger71]

Kampfer's actually done a nice job. They should keep him up and send Klein to Connecticut.lol

 

[RangersFan]

I would love to get the opportunity to be throttled by Pitt or CBJ or the Caps in the playoffs. After last night they are 90% + locked into the Atlantic bracket.

So if anyone in here even mentions the Pens, BJ's, Caps going forward understand you are now talking about playing in the ECF, because that is the ONLY shot they can play 1 of those 3 teams.

 

[RangersFan]

As for Montreal, yeah cannot feel great about playing a team that plays well against us, with a back on top of his game Price in goal. With that said, Montreal is no world beater at all, so clearly we'd have a shot (I would make Montreal a small favorite). But right now the way we have played the past 10 games or so, I admit I wouldn't feel great about us beating the Habs. But we'd have a decent shot at worst I'd think.

I think we'd beat Ottawa though, and right now the Atlantic top spot is a coin flip. Watch the home and home between the Habs and Sens this weekend...GO SENS GO is what I say.

Like I said above though, unless you are talking ECF, we all need to stop focusing on the Pens, BJ's, Caps and start focusing on the Habs and Sens. Virtually no shot we don't end up in the Atlantic bracket now.

 

[Ranger71]

I think Ottawa is going to be as tough as anyone to knock off and i'm still not sold that Columbus won't lose early. I think the Caps are the team we might have the best shot against in an ecf.

 

[theProdigy223]

Nobody cares. It's freakin obvious they are going to get throttled vs. Pitt or Columbus in the playoffs. Good chance they would lose to Montreal if Price is healthy.

Jesus Christ would you do everyone a favor and shut the fuck up for once. Nobody is saying this team is gonna win the cup but plenty of fans do care and are just enjoying the ride of pretty good hockey and another playoffs appearance, unlike you who bitches at every turn. Just because you're a miserable asshole doesn't mean everyone else is.

 

[RangersFan]

If you win a division you are a good team, so yeah Ottawa would be no prize or given either. But if given the choice I would rather play Ottawa and no Price, than Montreal with Price and that building up there.

Either way we can beat either of those teams. Even though I think Montreal would be a small favorite, and right this moment I wouldn't love us against them, we can beat them for sure. Nether Montreal nor Ottawa are big time teams, so we can beat either even if we are small underdogs heading in. Plus we have road ice advantage....

As for CBJ losing in round 1, yeah can happen for sure, and truthfully I wouldn't kill them for it. They will most likely play the Pens or Caps round 1 due to the ridiculous NHL playoff seeding, so no shame there (and BTW once again want to add how ridiculous is the NHL playoff system). That's why getting 1st in the Met is huge. Avoid having to play one of the Pens/BJ's/Caps.

 

[Messiah717]

As a fan I enjoy a good season and the prospect of playoff games. I don't "need to understand" anything. It's like the saying goes. Stay away from negative people. They have a problem for every solution.

 

[panzerporter]

Those of us rooting for the Rangers during their long playoff drought can appreciate any postseason appearance because anything can happen in the playoffs. Hank comes back 100% and rested with 4 lines that can score. Defense was upgraded with the acquisition of Smith and the PP has recently showed signs of life. Best road record in the NHL too.

 

[RangersFan]

I'll say this. I don't normally get on the coach. I also realize this is a good time to mix and match and try things out for the playoffs, but these lines from practice today don't make much sense to me:

• Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan, Mats Zuccarello

• JT Miller, Mika Zibanejad, Rick Nash

• Michael Grabner, Kevin Hayes, Jesper Fast

• Jimmy Vesey, Oscar Lindberg, Tanner Glass

Somethings I don't love:

Glass in over Buch (no surprise from AV)
Putting Fast on the 3rd line. Fast is a good 4th line player, leave him in that role.
Breaking up the Miller/Hayes/Grab line

On D, Girardi practiced as an extra in a regular jersey today, so he should be back worst case after the back to back this weekend. Klein was on ice in a non-contact jersey, so hopefully he has turned the corner as well.