Some if the older players isn't as specific. And he did say good things about Hags. That's called sandwiching u surround a insult with a compliment. Heard it works well with second graders think they teach it in elementary education courses. Like telling the fat chick she has a good personality.
- Chris Erwin

Or he is saying that Hagelin is excellent on the PK and 5 on 5 but not the PP, not to mention he love shis speed and affect on the game but isn't as effective on the PP. Which is true by the way, he just chose his words poorly. I love it how we get on coaches for giving nothing then kill coaches for being honest. I wish he had chosen a different word, perhaps, he is ineffective. He isn't wrong, and he did call out the whole PP which he is in a big way responsible for, I will not absolve him of that whatsoever, just so we are clear. There is no doubt he was calling Richards out for being lazy during the lockout...he specicifally cited that older guys need to condition themselves all year, Richie (albeit a noble cause) spent most of teh lockout working with charities...Torts also said adjustments are coming.

Until I hear a player say he's a jerk, aside from Avery who just also said Tortorella was great for him by the way, I believe his players respect him and understand why he says the things he does. Think back to 1994 for a minute and Keenan was similar. It took Messier to go to him and have a heart-to-heart before game five I believe of the ECF to get him to loosen up and Keenan was worse than Torts. That ended well.

I think Torts needs to make some changes; particularly to the PP but it doesn't matter one bit how we might feel about him. It only matters how the players feel about him and I still think they respect him.

No one ever talks about the positive things he does for or says to the players. How many times have we seen him go up to a young player and pat him on the back on the bench and say something positive? That in-game interview where he was talking about Callahan? No one talks about those things that probably happen hundreds of times throughout the season. They would just rather focus on the times that fans or media think he is being a douche. You want to be fair you have to admit the good with the bad.
- gkmkiller

The media hates him and for good reason. I want to like Tortorella because, for better or worse, he is the head coach of the New York Rangers. He sometimes makes it difficult to, at least for me, anyway.

I do notice the good qualities in his presence with the organization. But we would be remiss to ignore his faults as well.

But like Vin said earlier, this team scores some power play goals and gets back in this series, the proverbially sh!tting on Tortorella will subside.

Nope got me there. But I'm sure some players that hit everything in site, play half the game and dive in front of shots have had their careers shortened.
- Chris Erwin

everyone is different but look at what Julien demands out of Chara. I think thats a reach, look at Leetchs ice-time. These guys are supremely conditioned. He played the crap out of Dan Boyle in 04 didn't he? I'm sure Steven's played a boat load of minutes. It doesn't mean Girardi won't be worn out, I don't know but there have been good players play those kind of minutes and have had long careers.

My dumb@ss thought he would be good in the playoffs.

I have taken sh!ts that looked better than Brad Richards has this entire season.
- MidnightMarauder

he seemed to be getting himself going towards the end of the season, I can't believe how useless he has been.

The media hates him and for good reason. I want to like Tortorella because, for better or worse, he is the head coach of the New York Rangers. He sometimes makes it difficult to, at least for me, anyway.

I do notice the good qualities in his presence with the organization. But we would be remiss to ignore his faults as well.

But like Vin said earlier, this team scores some power play goals and gets back in this series, the proverbially sh!tting on Tortorella will subside.
- MidnightMarauder

The media should hate him. The players don't, if they do hate him, it will come out and when it does he will be gone. Overall, he in the organization's mind does more good than bad, what his relationship is with the media is probably not as high, although you can argue it should be while working in the fish bowl that is NYC to be fair...

he seemed to be getting himself going towards the end of the season, I can't believe how useless he has been.
- jimbro83

I still think they will wait to buy him out although he isn't helping himself...

everyone is different but look at what Julien demands out of Chara. I think thats a reach, look at Leetchs ice-time. These guys are supremely conditioned. He played the crap out of Dan Boyle in 04 didn't he? I'm sure Steven's played a boat load of minutes. It doesn't mean Girardi won't be worn out, I don't know but there have been good players play those kind of minutes and have had long careers.
- Blueshirts4ever

Leech and Boyle played ton but not the same style they more finess players. Char and Cheolis might be the exception then the rule and Chara body type is way different.

Leech and Boyle played ton but not the same style they more finess players. Char and Cheolis might be the exception then the rule and Chara body type is way different.
- Chris Erwin

I understand and I didn't say you were wrong, but at the present time, especially with Staal out, your better d-men are going to get more minutes.

I still think they will wait to buy him out although he isn't helping himself...
- Blueshirts4ever

the one thing that is scary about waiting another year to buyout Richards. If next season he suffers a serious injury, they may lose the last opportunity they have to buy him out, you can't buyout an injured player, and they simply cannot have Brad Richards with a 6.67 million cap hit until 2020

the one thing that is scary about waiting another year to buyout Richards. If next season he suffers a serious injury, they may lose the last opportunity they have to buy him out, you can't buyout an injured player, and they simply cannot have Brad Richards with a 6.67 million cap hit until 2020
- jimbro83

They really shouldn't gamble, think about how much more resourceful they can be with that money. Makes the Gabby trade that much more significant, in a few short months they go from right up against the cap to being to pay all of their RFA's, and have the flexibility to either sign a role guy or trade to address a need with plenty of maneuverablity or keep space open for the Geno sweeps if possible or get Hank signed long term, lets face it, we are going to be eating his contract money by the end of his stay.

They really shouldn't gamble, think about how much more resourceful they can be with that money. Makes the Gabby trade that much more significant.
- Blueshirts4ever

if they buyout Richards immediately, they have 20 million in cap space to sign McDonagh, Stepan, Hagelin and Zucc. And, doubtful, but maybe Clowe this summer

if they buyout Richards immediately, they have 20 million in cap space to sign McDonagh, Stepan, Hagelin and Zucc. And, doubtful, but maybe Clowe this summer
- jimbro83

Even if you sign those guys, they will still have $ left over correct? MacD and Step will be the highest hits. Clowe is a risk now, if he can stay healthy I'd explore it but within reason.

Carl Hagelin says, "For me, I definitely don’t think I stink on the power play. That’s the only comment I have on the PP."

He scores the game winner on the PP. Torts will be hailed as a master psychologist

The media should hate him. The players don't, if they do hate him, it will come out and when it does he will be gone. Overall, he in the organization's mind does more good than bad, what his relationship is with the media is probably not as high, although you can argue it should be while working in the fish bowl that is NYC to be fair...
- Blueshirts4ever

The whole thing is with torts, Will he win a popularity contest? No. But he has a cup on his résumé. As much as people wana poo poo that here, players respect that because they know how hard it is to do. That's what I don't understand why guys don't think he can win here and want someone else. I'm not sure who's available with a Stanley cup, but that has to be someone we'd want to be the coach. And we already have that with us. All this after a year where we made it to the ECF.

Don't want this to start a riot btw

Just an opinion or observation

Even if you sign those guys, they will still have $ left over correct? MacD and Step will be the highest hits. Clowe is a risk now, if he can stay healthy I'd explore it but within reason.
- Blueshirts4ever

with Clowe it's just a matter of weighing giving another 2nd round pick to San Jose if we re-sign him, or if there is someone else on the market we can sign without giving another pick away

Interesting.... Hagelin just said that he doesn't think that he stinks on the power play.

Carl Hagelin says, "For me, I definitely don’t think I stink on the power play. That’s the only comment I have on the PP."

He scores the game winner on the PP. Torts will be hailed as a master psychologist
- Blueshirts4ever

anybody who doesn't see this as a way to try and motivate Hagelin seriously must have an overall IQ of about 54

Bottom line is they're wasting time and the question is how long do they go on this path before they stop wasting it?
- cranford93

Would I be correct in assuming you consider a "wasted season" to be any season in which they do not win a Stanley Cup. If so then I can't consider any season in which they make the playoffs to be a wasted season. I believe that once you are in you have a chance and since no team is going to win a Stanley Cup every year and the best you can hope for is a chance to win it every year then I can't call it wasting time. Just my opinion.

with Clowe it's just a matter of weighing giving another 2nd round pick to San Jose if we re-sign him, or if there is someone else on the market we can sign without giving another pick away
- jimbro83

Its a difficult decision. I'd like to think with Clowe in the lineup for this series the Rangers forecheck woiuld be much more effective and who knows, maybe we squueze out that first win.

if they buyout Richards immediately, they have 20 million in cap space to sign McDonagh, Stepan, Hagelin and Zucc. And, doubtful, but maybe Clowe this summer
- jimbro83

And trade DZ in a package for Yandle

anybody who doesn't see this as a way to try and motivate Hagelin seriously must have an overall IQ of about 54
- jimbro83

Thats my point, and its turned into Hagelin sucks, he said he sucks only a little but, geeez guys get it right

Would I be correct in assuming you consider a "wasted season" to be any season in which they do not win a Stanley Cup. If so then I can't consider any season in which they make the playoffs to be a wasted season. I believe that once you are in you have a chance and since no team is going to win a Stanley Cup every year and the best you can hope for is a chance to win it every year then I can't call it wasting time. Just my opinion.
- gkmkiller

This season is presumably a step backwards, not over yet but even for where they are they don't look to have progressed

Would I be correct in assuming you consider a "wasted season" to be any season in which they do not win a Stanley Cup. If so then I can't consider any season in which they make the playoffs to be a wasted season. I believe that once you are in you have a chance and since no team is going to win a Stanley Cup every year and the best you can hope for is a chance to win it every year then I can't call it wasting time. Just my opinion.
- gkmkiller

They are 1 of 8 teams in a league of 30 still playing. We all want more but given where and how this team started (ignore the pundits) they have done OK. and again....

WE ARE NOT DONE!!!!

This season is presumably a step backwards, not over yet but even for where they are they don't look to have progressed
- cranford93

They had almost 50% roster turnover, backwards, eh...i'd lean more sideways...

Call me crazy, but i feel pretty good going into tomorrow.

This team just needs to start finding ways to win, rather then ways to lose.