I think playing that rigid of a style has the tendancy to wear on players after awhile. I love Torts, but there is a reason why coaches like him come with an expiration date, because eventually the players either start tuning him out or stop having fun with the game, which isn't a good thing. I am not saying that we are saying that right now, but I will say that this team doesn't seem to be having much with the game right now. Too many guys are gripping their sticks too tight, perhaps because they are too worried about the coach.

There have been too many times this season where the team has seemed lifeless, and they aren't getting too much of a shot in the arm from the young guys either.

And, there has been some talk about buying out Richards and pursuing Getzlaf. You can say whatever you want about Bruce Boudreu, and whether you can win with his style in the playoffs, but that is player friendly style. I can imagine that the Ducks are having a great deal of fun right now.
- Pete V

Torts system is working for this team but i do think that system was built on the lack of high end talent he started with. Now that the higher end talent is here it is time to adjust a little. They don't need to win 2-1 or 1-0 anymore. We have the best goalie in the world right now but he's not doing the scoring.

Besides Nash, the other so-called top forwards on the team Richards and Gaborik, seem content with trying to blend in instead of lead.

When youngsters like Stepan and Hagelin thoroughly outplay you, lately on a nightly basis, that is a huge cause for concern. If they looked half competent last night, the Rangers escape with at least a point.

They need to be better than this, plain and simple.
- MidnightMarauder

Yea Stepan and Hags are playign well. Think Stepans quited some critics. Gaby is streaky but has shown an ability to score. Richards though? He'd be my whiping boy. $6.5 M for how many years an how much does he get in real $ with this back loaded contract poop? Just not what I was expecting. And sorry, but some plays he reminds me of Gomez, flying into the neutral zone and losing the puck. Since temas will be punished in the future for these back loaded contracts, plus we need money in 2014, he's on the chopping block as immediate as this summer with the buyout. We shouldn't be talkign about a positive being a player's skaing even though he turned it over a lto when he should be our #1 center.

Stepan I hope continues to develop and he takes that spot sooner rather than later.

Yea Stepan and Hags are playign well. Think Stepans quited some critics. Gaby is streaky but has shown an ability to score. Richards though? He'd be my whiping boy. $6.5 M for how many years an how much does he get in real $ with this back loaded contract poop? Just not what I was expecting. And sorry, but some plays he reminds me of Gomez, flying into the neutral zone and losing the puck. Since temas will be punished in the future for these back loaded contracts, plus we need money in 2014, he's on the chopping block as immediate as this summer with the buyout. We shouldn't be talkign about a positive being a player's skaing even though he turned it over a lto when he should be our #1 center.

Stepan I hope continues to develop and he takes that spot sooner rather than later.
- mrhattrick27

I think Jimbo posted that the Rangers would have to pay Richards $24 million in real cash if they bought him out this summer. I know the organization has a ton of money, but that is a ton of scratch to pay to buy-out a player after only 2 years of a nine year contract. He wasn't terrible last year, and we are only 15 games into this season. Let's give it a little time.

I think Jimbo posted that the Rangers would have to pay Richards $24 million in real cash if they bought him out this summer. I know the organization has a ton of money, but that is a ton of scratch to pay to buy-out a player after only 2 years of a nine year contract. He wasn't terrible last year, and we are only 15 games into this season. Let's give it a little time.
- Pete V

I agree. I think it would happen summer 2014 unless the cap space gained could be used on resigning people + another piece to repalce him @ $3-4 M that Sather is convinced would make the team better. Besides, a stanely cup run would handle that bill alone

I agree. I think it would happen summer 2014 unless the cap space gained could be used on resigning people + another piece to repalce him @ $3-4 M that Sather is convinced would make the team better. Besides, a stanely cup run would handle that bill alone
- mrhattrick27

Good we can buy him out after he wins his second Conn Smythe.

If the Rangers go into Ottawa and drop a 2-0 decision with Anderson standing on his head, this board is going to implode.

I think Jimbo posted that the Rangers would have to pay Richards $24 million in real cash if they bought him out this summer. I know the organization has a ton of money, but that is a ton of scratch to pay to buy-out a player after only 2 years of a nine year contract. He wasn't terrible last year, and we are only 15 games into this season. Let's give it a little time.
- Pete V

Can't believe there are so many people jumping on and off the bandwagon here after a loss or a win. Players slump in ANY sport and the best thing to do, generally speaking, is to let them play their way out of it.

I still have no clue why Torts would sit Kreider and play Mashinter only to have Kreider put back in the lineup when Nash couldn't go.

Then he plays Kreider almost 15 minutes while Mashinter gets almost 6 minutes.

That make absolutely NO SENSE. WTF is Torts thinking?

Kreider and Miller (who made a few brilliant individual moves and was hard on the puck) had more jump than anyone on the ice last night with the exception of Hagelin.

The kid needs to play, either here or in Hartford. He does not need to be yo-yoed.

If the Rangers go into Ottawa and drop a 2-0 decision with Anderson standing on his head, this board is going to implode.
- Pete V

Perhaps. Depends on how we lose. If we are just getting plain robbed on good scoring chances you can't be as upset as an effort like we had last night

Yea Stepan and Hags are playign well. Think Stepans quited some critics. Gaby is streaky but has shown an ability to score. Richards though? He'd be my whiping boy. $6.5 M for how many years an how much does he get in real $ with this back loaded contract poop? Just not what I was expecting. And sorry, but some plays he reminds me of Gomez, flying into the neutral zone and losing the puck. Since temas will be punished in the future for these back loaded contracts, plus we need money in 2014, he's on the chopping block as immediate as this summer with the buyout. We shouldn't be talkign about a positive being a player's skaing even though he turned it over a lto when he should be our #1 center.

Stepan I hope continues to develop and he takes that spot sooner rather than later.
- mrhattrick27

I don't think anyone is saying that Richards played well last night. Richards skated noticeable better then he had in previous games. I do think its too early to make a buyout decision based on his season so far.

Can't believe there are so many people jumping on and off the bandwagon here after a loss or a win. Players slump in ANY sport and the best thing to do, generally speaking, is to let them play their way out of it.

I still have no clue why Torts would sit Kreider and play Mashinter only to have Kreider put back in the lineup when Nash couldn't go.

Then he plays Kreider almost 15 minutes while Mashinter gets almost 6 minutes.

That make absolutely NO SENSE. WTF is Torts thinking?

Kreider and Miller (who made a few brilliant individual moves and was hard on the puck) had more jump than anyone on the ice last night with the exception of Hagelin.

The kid needs to play, either here or in Hartford. He does not need to be yo-yoed.
- Downeaster

Eh, thats a case of top 6 vs. bottom 6. No Nash, so Kreider needs to play a top 6 role. With Nash, Torts thinks Mash is a better bottom 6 fit for the team. It makes some sense...

I don't think anyone is saying that Richards played well last night. Richards skated noticeable better then he had in previous games. I do think its too early to make a buyout decision based on his season so far.
- climbdenali12

Agreed, just saying if he doesn't turn it around.

howdy all, do I need to call suicide watch for many of you after reading the 300+ comments?

Wonder if you lost because you were missing Nash's great ability to put the puck in the net. Funny thing is, when he's in, the Rangers still never score. What a waste of a good D and Goalie with that 22 million dollar mistake for a top line.

Is Gaborik really making over 7 million a season? Your GM should be fired.
- BallardHitsHard22

Ah, he scored 40+ in 2 of
The last 3 seasons...name the others who have done that,
Wouldja

howdy all, do I need to call suicide watch for many of you after reading the 300+ comments?
- airjan23

I'm still on hold

If this inconsistent group pulls their heads out and wins the next 2 I'll be calm but I already penciled Saturday in Montreal as a loss.

After Sunday where they created so many chances they came back with one of the worst performances anyone could have expected, it's beyond inexcusable that a team that has enough talent to contend be so inconsistent.

I'm still on hold

If this inconsistent group pulls their heads out and wins the next 2 I'll be calm but I already penciled Saturday in Montreal as a loss.

After Sunday where they created so many chances they came back with one of the worst performances anyone could have expected, it's beyond inexcusable that a team that has enough talent to contend be so inconsistent.
- cranford93

I give Montreal a little more credit. While I do agree that the Rangers were flat I think Montreal, with all there icings, slowed the game to a crawl for both teams and game planned to not let themselves get extended and just try to steal a point. Montreal did there best to make sure the Rangers stayed flat. Hindsight being what it is I think that someone needed to go punch Prust right in the mouth to create a spirited game that I think Montreal wanted no part of.

I give Montreal a little more credit. While I do agree that the Rangers were flat I think Montreal, with all there icings, slowed the game to a crawl for both teams and game planned to not let themselves get extended and just try to steal a point. Montreal did there best to make sure the Rangers stayed flat. Hindsight being what it is I think that someone needed to go punch Prust right in the mouth to create a spirited game that I think Montreal wanted no part of.
- climbdenali12

At home you have the ability to get away and push the pace, the Rangers let them dictate the game

At home you have the ability to get away and push the pace, the Rangers let them dictate the game
- cranford93

10 games at home and only 5 on the road so far and in 9th place in the East.

The reality is this is gonna be a dog fight to get one of the top 8 spots.

This team needs a right handed shot on the power play from the point that can consistently get the puck on net in the worst way.

Richards playing right point with a lefty shot paired with MDZ with his lefty shot is not working. At all.

I don't think the team has an answer for this.

10 games at home and only 5 on the road so far and in 9th place in the East.

The reality is this is gonna be a dog fight to get one of the top 8 spots.

This team needs a right handed shot on the power play from the point that can consistently get the puck on net in the worst way.

Richards playing right point with a lefty shot paired with MDZ with his lefty shot is not working. At all.

I don't think the team has an answer for this.
- jimbro83

You could try Stepan back at the point, but he doesn't have the shot we're looking for. Might be worth a shot nonetheless.

howdy all, do I need to call suicide watch for many of you after reading the 300+ comments?
- airjan23

i feel fine but thanks for asking

If Nash comes back, I expect the Rangers to finish in 4th place this season. This team is too good to be in 9th place. San Jose lost 7 in a row and is still in 5th place in the West. All the Rangers have to do is to stay healthy and keep up their February pace and they will be fine. Are there issues? Of course. But all they need to do is make it into the playoffs in a solid position and anything can happen especially with Callahan as the captain, Nash as the number one, and the King in net. Richards needs to snap out of it though.

Andrew Gross ‏@AGrossRecord
#NYR announce Rick Nash is not traveling with the team to Ottawa. Team says Nash may join teammates in Montreal.

Andrew Gross ‏@AGrossRecord
#NYR announce Rick Nash is not traveling with the team to Ottawa. Team says Nash may join teammates in Montreal.
- jimbro83

They are taking precautions with his groin. Ottawa is a gritty team. Right decision in my opinion.

Andrew Gross ‏@AGrossRecord
#NYR announce Rick Nash is not traveling with the team to Ottawa. Team says Nash may join teammates in Montreal.
- jimbro83

Super!

Andrew Gross ‏@AGrossRecord
#NYR announce Rick Nash is not traveling with the team to Ottawa. Team says Nash may join teammates in Montreal.
- jimbro83

Great.

This is clearly more serious then anyone is willing to let on.. The rangers better not come out with that effort against the Sens. This is not a team they should lose to

They are taking precautions with his groin. Ottawa is a gritty team. Right decision in my opinion.
- Nomad91

Anyone think that Hags will be targeted for his hit on Alfie in the playoffs?