Lunqvist
6 October 2008
arely escape and sometimes, inexplicably, lose. It seems as though, for some reason, when Lunqvist handles huge shot totals he is unbreakable - yet how many times can you remember him giving up four goals on seven shots (or something in this neighborhood)? The answer, my friends, is scoring chances. All shots are not good shots - 40 shots from the point are not as good as 5 shots from the crease area. This could be where my Jagr - attachment syndrome comes from. The idea that, when Jagr was here, for all he did wrong, you could always count on his strength to provide at least 2-3 hard scoring chances from point blank range. Alas, we're two games in let's stay positive.......
Posted by Jared Trumpetto | No comments yet
11 June 2008
r />For Ranger fans the task seems daunting -
With large contracts securing the likes of Lunqvist, Drury and Gomez the rest of the roster is ripe for tweaking. Coach Tom Renny and company are left with a decision: Reload with players able to play Tom Renny hockey or adapt to the roster's existing talent. The problem lies in the team's inability to produce consistent quality chances, both on the power play and while playing full strength. In both instances the problem seems to be the "defense first" mentality of the coaching staff. Currently, the Rangers rely almost entirely on Scott Gomez for neutral zone movement. They lack a big puck moving defenseman capable of carrying the puck with speed in the neutral zone. What Ryan Whitney and Sergei Gonchar are to the Penguins and Nikolas Lidstrom is to the Red Wings, Marc Staal and Michael Roszival are not for the Blueshirts. While both players are talented zone defenseman - the hold the puck, relying on skaters like Gomez and Shannahan to create scoring chances. This ineffectiveness to clear the puck and advance through the neutral zone is what ultimately led to the Rangers playoff exit. The lack of creativity was highlighted on the Power Play. The Ranger's roster is devoid of anyone willing to drive the puck to the net, leading to few shots and low quality chances as well as the Madison Square Garden faithful chants of "SHOOT THE PUCK." These two glaring problems resulted in a playoff exit. The injuries to Avery and Drury hurt the teams chances but it was our style of play that doomed the team from the beginning. In my opinion, Renny needs to return to the drawing board, keep the roster intact and create a more open offensive style of hockey. Next year the team will need to produce high quality chances and score in volumes in order to beat the Penguins, and mark my words - next year's Eastern Conference champion will have to come through Pittsburgh. The Rangers need to re-group not re-tool. Renny needs to open up the game, take pressure off
With large contracts securing the likes of Lunqvist, Drury and Gomez the rest of the roster is ripe for tweaking. Coach Tom Renny and company are left with a decision: Reload with players able to play Tom Renny hockey or adapt to the roster's existing talent. The problem lies in the team's inability to produce consistent quality chances, both on the power play and while playing full strength. In both instances the problem seems to be the "defense first" mentality of the coaching staff. Currently, the Rangers rely almost entirely on Scott Gomez for neutral zone movement. They lack a big puck moving defenseman capable of carrying the puck with speed in the neutral zone. What Ryan Whitney and Sergei Gonchar are to the Penguins and Nikolas Lidstrom is to the Red Wings, Marc Staal and Michael Roszival are not for the Blueshirts. While both players are talented zone defenseman - the hold the puck, relying on skaters like Gomez and Shannahan to create scoring chances. This ineffectiveness to clear the puck and advance through the neutral zone is what ultimately led to the Rangers playoff exit. The lack of creativity was highlighted on the Power Play. The Ranger's roster is devoid of anyone willing to drive the puck to the net, leading to few shots and low quality chances as well as the Madison Square Garden faithful chants of "SHOOT THE PUCK." These two glaring problems resulted in a playoff exit. The injuries to Avery and Drury hurt the teams chances but it was our style of play that doomed the team from the beginning. In my opinion, Renny needs to return to the drawing board, keep the roster intact and create a more open offensive style of hockey. Next year the team will need to produce high quality chances and score in volumes in order to beat the Penguins, and mark my words - next year's Eastern Conference champion will have to come through Pittsburgh. The Rangers need to re-group not re-tool. Renny needs to open up the game, take pressure off
Posted by Jared Trumpetto | No comments yet
