The most interesting thing about the Brad Richards signing in New York is the assumption that he’ll click with Marian Gaborik. The assumption is so prevalent, the only question people seem to be asking is who’ll play left wing on the Richards-Gaborik line. But I think we need to take a step back. Because just [...]
New York Rangers’ coach John Tortorella, despite another bumpy year, deserved the contract extension he received (thought to be three years). Ultimately, he managed to make the playoffs with a team that was not only inexperienced and/or bad, but one that was also injured for much of the season. Tortorella got a pretty bad team [...]
When a coach’s team is in trouble, he’ll typically do or say something provocative or outlandish to draw media attention away from his team and their performance and onto himself. It’s a standard coaching move that’s common across sports. Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau worked that move yesterday, calling New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal [...]
Much has been made of Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau’s sudden conversion into the Church of Defensive Hockey. When the Capitals struggled during the regular season, Boudreau moved the team into a more defensive system and found consistency and success. And Boudreau hasn’t looked back, maintaining a defensive posture into the playoffs. So far it’s [...]
The New York Rangers tried to steal a game in Washington, last night. Ultimately, it didn’t work, as they lost in overtime, but Rangers coach John Tortorella almost pulled it off. Tortorella had the Rangers start off the first period and most of the second playing passive hockey. The defense didn’t pinch or get involved. [...]
It was just about two years ago that New York Rangers coach John Tortorella scratched Sean Avery from game five of the Rangers’ first round playoff game against the Washington Capitals. The Rangers would go on to lose that game 4-0. Avery would eventually be reinserted into the lineup for games six and seven, both [...]
Michael Russo had an interesting post a few days ago, about what it takes to survive in the NHL. The post was about defenseman Justin Falk, a Minnesota Wild call-up who stood around while some Canucks were physically abusing his teammates. The next day, Falk was returned to the minors. Russo mused about what it [...]
The news that the New York Rangers have lost forward Ryan Callahan indefinitely to a broken ankle is bumming out a lot of people. Callahan is the team’s second leading goal scorer despite having missed 19 games with a broken hand. He averages 19:54 minutes of ice time per game. He kills penalties and works [...]
You really kind of have to feel bad for Tim Kennedy. Kennedy was bought out by the Buffalo Sabres, his hometown team, after they didn’t want to give him the contract he won in arbitration. Signed by the New York Rangers in the past off-season, Kennedy was never really given a chance to make the [...]
You can argue the NHL doesn’t care about its goaltenders, letting players run them like they’re pieces of broken sticks littering the crease. But New York Post reporter Larry Brooks? He cares about goaltenders. Since New York Ranger backup goaltender Marty Biron was injured during practice (broken collarbone), Brooks has written quite a few stories [...]
