How about this? If a group of players did step up and complain about Torts and is what eventually got Torts canned, can we question their character? What does this say? So now, if the new guy does something they don't like, do they go running to Uncle Slats? Just wondering why this hasn't been mentioned...
- Blueshirts4ever

Thats a big fear of mine. You cant have the inmates run the asylum. Is this a group that cant handle adversity? Last year they go to the ECF and everything is fine, this year things dont go as well and its a muntiny.

How about this? If a group of players did step up and complain about Torts and is what eventually got Torts canned, can we question their character? What does this say? So now, if the new guy does something they don't like, do they go running to Uncle Slats? Just wondering why this hasn't been mentioned...
- Blueshirts4ever

Normally, I would agree, but I really have a hard time questioning the character of this group of players, as they have consistently, under Torts, sacraficed and put themselves in harm's way to try to win.

Sometimes players do this, when things just get too toxic. Messier got Roger Nielsen fired, and I don't question his character.

Do the Rangers seem like fat cats? What players would Sather a old school type listen to? Had to be Lundquist, Cally, Girardi or at least two of those three. That tells me problems were legit. It seems like the public torts was the same way in private and I don't know about anyone else I would find that unbearable.
- Chris Erwin

No they don't and we really don't know what happened nor will we ever know. I just think it does set a potentially toxic precedent. Now if this did happen, the focus and onus falls squarely on the players shoulders, now its time to perform and excel, if they turn in a similar season then with some added cap space and the potential to really restructure the roster in 2014, its all on them now.

well, hopefully we don't have a whole lot of happy smiling Rangers on the ice next year but miss one of the playoff spots, because making the playoffs is going to be harder than ever next year.

Now without Callahan possibly for the first month, just even more difficulty

Normally, I would agree, but I really have a hard time questioning the character of this group of players, as they have consistently, under Torts, sacraficed and put themselves in harm's way to try to win.

Sometimes players do this, when things just get too toxic. Messier got Roger Nielsen fired, and I don't question his character.
- Pete V

Messier had already won 5 cups though, they could have gone to the coach themselves and talked to him and shared some concerns and maybe they did and he didn't listen, (if it even went down like this). It really doesn't matter anymore, its done and I just hope the team gets better as a result.

well, hopefully we don't have a whole lot of happy smiling Rangers on the ice next year but miss one of the playoff spots, because making the playoffs is going to be harder than ever next year.

Now without Callahan possibly for the first month, just even more difficulty
- jambodelta99

The division is brutal.

How about this? If a group of players did step up and complain about Torts and is what eventually got Torts canned, can we question their character? What does this say? So now, if the new guy does something they don't like, do they go running to Uncle Slats? Just wondering why this hasn't been mentioned...
- Blueshirts4ever

I dont know. I think if someone keeps cracking the whip like that anyone is going to eventually crack and become tired of it. I don't think it is a character thing. That wil lshow up with the next coach though.

Which reminds me how more and more I want Dallas Eakins. Kadri keeps pointing to him for his turn around. He was quoted as saying how when your on the ice you just wanted to win badly for him. I want the kinda coach players want to run through a brick wall for just to make him happy and he seems like that type.

Messier had already won 5 cups though, they could have gone to the coach themselves and talked to him and shared some concerns. It really doesn't matter, its done and I just hope the team gets better as a result.
- Blueshirts4ever

There was somethign deep seeded going on that didn't seem reparable. When McKenzie tweeted last week that you wouldn't find either Messier or anyone else in the organization that would say a good word about Torts, you know something went haywire.

Again, I think Torts is a great coach. I also think there are alot of other great coaches available. I am beginning to believe, with a few exceptions, that good coaches have 4-8 life spans with organizations, and then things start going south.

I dont know. I think if someone keeps cracking the whip like that anyone is going to eventually crack and become tired of it. I don't think it is a character thing. That wil lshow up with the next coach though.

Which reminds me how more and more I want Dallas Eakins. Kadri keeps pointing to him for his turn around. He was quoted as saying how when your on the ice you just wanted to win badly for him. I want the kinda coach players want to run through a brick wall for just to make him happy and he seems like that type.
- mrhattrick27

Again, I'm still not convinced a rebellion took place and those documents and tapes have all been burned by now. Like i said earlier, just improve the team, they are now in a brutal division, and the path to the playoffs is much harder now, so we will all be watching

There was somethign deep seeded going on that didn't seem reparable. When McKenzie tweeted last week that you wouldn't find either Messier or anyone else in the organization that would say a good word about Torts, you know something went haywire.

Again, I think Torts is a great coach. I also think there are alot of other great coaches available. I am beginning to believe, with a few exceptions, that good coaches have 4-8 life spans with organizations, and then things start going south.
- Pete V

I think Torts coaches the Nucks next season. I also think that coaches can put their finger print on a team that can be used by the next coach to build a winnign team. What Torts did here wont be erased. The next coach has the foundation he built of a lunch pail lineup and needs to add the offense.

Meanwhile Nucks have the talent and the offense etc, but just seem to need that kick in the pants. Thats where hirign a Torts comes in handy.

There was somethign deep seeded going on that didn't seem reparable. When McKenzie tweeted last week that you wouldn't find either Messier or anyone else in the organization that would say a good word about Torts, you know something went haywire.

Again, I think Torts is a great coach. I also think there are alot of other great coaches available. I am beginning to believe, with a few exceptions, that good coaches have 4-8 life spans with organizations, and then things start going south.
- Pete V

Obviously something was wrong, and I understand why he was fired, I just hope it doesn't set a bed precedent. I'm ready to move on.

On a unrelated note before using second buyout should team consider bad contract for bad contract trade? Richards for lecavalier? Rangers get better player but million more cap hit. Another bad contracts you could think of? Brian Campbell?

On a unrelated note before using second buyout should team consider bad contract for bad contract trade? Richards for lecavalier? Rangers get better player but million more cap hit. Another bad contracts you could think of? Brian Campbell?
- Chris Erwin

The problem with trading bad contract for bad contract is that if either player retires before the contract's expiration, the original team is then stuck with a burdensome cap hit, despite the fact that the player retired -- i.e., if the Rangers trade Brad Richards, and he retires in 2018, the Rangers would then be stuck with a cap penalty for the remainder of his deal.

The details are confusing, but in short, if the player retires before his deal ends, the original team is screwed.

I dont know. I think if someone keeps cracking the whip like that anyone is going to eventually crack and become tired of it. I don't think it is a character thing. That wil lshow up with the next coach though.

Which reminds me how more and more I want Dallas Eakins. Kadri keeps pointing to him for his turn around. He was quoted as saying how when your on the ice you just wanted to win badly for him. I want the kinda coach players want to run through a brick wall for just to make him happy and he seems like that type.
- mrhattrick27

That would be one, Mark Messier

That would be one, Mark Messier
- Slimtj100

I think Messier could work. I think he could be a great coach. But, hiring him to me seems like a football team driving the ball methodically down the field with an effective base offense, and then running a triple reverse with a QB throwback at the 5 yard line. It could work, but why would you take the chance?

Just too much risk associated with a Messier hire, but listen, I certaintly would be intrigued if that happened.

The problem with trading bad contract for bad contract is that if either player retires before the contract's expiration, the original team is then stuck with a burdensome cap hit, despite the fact that the player retired -- i.e., if the Rangers trade Brad Richards, and he retires in 2018, the Rangers would then be stuck with a cap penalty for the remainder of his deal.

The details are confusing, but in short, if the player retires before his deal ends, the original team is screwed.
- Pete V

Wow that blows. Don't think that is best interest of players. Or maybe it is lessons likelihood of getting traded and increases chances for buyout. Don't think that was intended spirit of rule or at least hope not.

Wow that blows. Don't think that is best interest of players. Or maybe it is lessons likelihood of getting traded and increases chances for buyout. Don't think that was intended spirit of rule or at least hope not.
- Chris Erwin

The rule makes the buying out of players signed to long-term "retirement contracts" almost necessary. They made sure they did everything in their power to punish the clubs that signed players to such deals, and to virtually guarantee the buy outs of certain players. It's a stupid, stupid rule.

I think Messier could work. I think he could be a great coach. But, hiring him to me seems like a football team driving the ball methodically down the field with an effective base offense, and then running a triple reverse with a QB throwback at the 5 yard line. It could work, but why would you take the chance?

Just too much risk associated with a Messier hire, but listen, I certaintly would be intrigued if that happened.
- Pete V

Guys like ruff vingnault Boucher all have just as many question marks as messier. I get excited when I hear his name, I just don't get excited when I hear these other guys. The fear of the unknown is what is bothering people about messier, which is understandable. But I just can't explain, I think messier is the right man

Guys like ruff vingnault Boucher all have just as many question marks as messier. I get excited when I hear his name, I just don't get excited when I hear these other guys. The fear of the unknown is what is bothering people about messier, which is understandable. But I just can't explain, I think messier is the right man
- Slimtj100

Come on, TJ. No they don't. AV and Ruff have been very successful at the highest level of coaching. Are they perfect? No way. But, Messier has almost no coachign experience, at any level. I think the question marks are bigger with him. I think it could work, but I also think that it could be a titantic like disaster as well. Just don't see the same downside with the other guys, although I will agree with you that they aren't as exciting of hires.

If Mess wants to coach, he should go pay his dues somewhere for a couple of years and see if its even for him. I just think, in anything in life, I would be really hesistant to hire someone with no experience, even if I think they could eventually be great at it.

Come on, TJ. No they don't. AV and Ruff have been very successful at the highest level of coaching. Are they perfect? No way. But, Messier has almost no coachign experience, at any level. I think the question marks are bigger with him. I think it could work, but I also think that it could be a titantic like disaster as well. Just don't see the same downside with the other guys, although I will agree with you that they aren't as exciting of hires.

If Mess wants to coach, he should go pay his dues somewhere for a couple of years and see if its even for him. I just think, in anything in life, I would be really hesistant to hire someone with no experience, even if I think they could eventually be great at it.
- Pete V

I don't see why they can't do with Mess what the Devs are doing with Stevens. Just have him there as assistant to run the Offense like Stevens runs the Defense.

EDIT: But of coruse that is up to the HC they hire.

I don't see why they can't do with Mess what the Devs are doing with Stevens. Just have him there as assistant to run the Offense like Stevens runs the Defense.

EDIT: But of coruse that is up to the HC they hire.
- mrhattrick27

kind of dangerous ground with Messier in that role though

NY Rangers fans are the most impatient in the league, the first 5 game losing streak and the fans will be calling for the guy's head and for Messier to take over.

Vigneault is winning this poll:

http://snyrangersblog.com...ext-coach-of-the-rangers/

Vigneault is winning this poll:

http://snyrangersblog.com...ext-coach-of-the-rangers/
- jambodelta99

How odd would it be if Alain and Torts just switched teams. It would really be a coachign rivalry born that instant by the media. Trading teams and combining records at both organizations, would really say who the better coach it (not what I think but how the media would spin the poop outta that one)

How odd would it be if Alain and Torts just switched teams. It would really be a coachign rivalry born that instant by the media. Trading teams and combining records at both organizations, would really say who the better coach it (not what I think but how the media would spin the poop outta that one)
- mrhattrick27

I think Chris Higgins would be like "get me the eff outta here!"

Come on, TJ. No they don't. AV and Ruff have been very successful at the highest level of coaching. Are they perfect? No way. But, Messier has almost no coachign experience, at any level. I think the question marks are bigger with him. I think it could work, but I also think that it could be a titantic like disaster as well. Just don't see the same downside with the other guys, although I will agree with you that they aren't as exciting of hires.

If Mess wants to coach, he should go pay his dues somewhere for a couple of years and see if its even for him. I just think, in anything in life, I would be really hesistant to hire someone with no experience, even if I think they could eventually be great at it.
- Pete V

What I mean is does vingnaults 1-8 playoff record the last 2 years get you pumped? It doesn't get me pumped. That talent should've gotten him more success over the years. They blew an 0-2 series lead in the SCF if I'm not mistaken

Ruff got fired for a reason too. He missed the playoffs an awful lot.

My point is, all coaches have question marks...the other guy I see mentioned that gets more excited is Babcock. But he isn't confirmed to be available.