I understand that Ek wants to clean up the place so that it reflects his image of himself as a serious journalist. What I don't get is why he is getting rid of all the hit generators.
- Canada Cup

He is going to sell the site to AOL before the philly front office gets totally cleaned out and he loses all earthly NHL contacts.

I'm not saying you can simply neglect defense (hi PIT) but Detroit and Chicago are attractive teams that don't emphasize defense over offense nor as the focal point for the team's structure. Organizing a team from the D out makes for horrific viewing and I'm seeing Torts as having this mindset. This is entertainment, that sh!t isn't entertaining.
- AlexF

Outside of blocking shots and asking all 5 players to actually backcheck, he actually doesn't mind an aggressive forecheck and offensively he's stated that when the players have the puck they won't be limited in their offensive creativity(a refreshing change from AV who wanted all 4 lines to dump and change/cycle and then we watched guys like Derek Roy sucks in that offensive system. Even a David Booth(when healthy)who's always been more of a rush player, instead of a slower paced dump and chance/cycle guy.

Here's a guy I follow on Twitter that came up with some interesting numbers:

mc79hockey ‏@mc79hockey 1h
NYR actually blocked a lower percentage of D shot attempts last year than did VAN. 55.4% to 47.4%.

Difference between them lay in blocking shot attempts by F: NYR blocked 20.7% of those, VAN blocked 9.6%. F take about 2/3 of shot attempts.

And not sure if you got a chance to read this yet, but I've posted it on Booner's post and Todd's last blog:

http://www.blueseatblogs.com/2012/02/21/draft/


Forwards usually don't load up and fire slap shots so I doubt we'll see any more injuries than in the past. And it's clear from this that we won't see our forwards covering the point men suddenly flopping all over the ice trying to block more shots than in the past.

Kesler I agree is always a polarizing topic. Edler IMO with a NTC and a brand new contract, I think he'll get at least a year under Torts so while a blog about why he should get traded would be interesting, I doubt it will be relevant this year. Burrows without the Sedins is a good one. Kassian with the Sedins is also a good one, but I doubt you could write a full blog on just him. Twins, again not much to say that you already didn't in your blog. Torts, we kind of hve to wait and see. But I'd like to do a blog that challenges the common opinion that he's a defensive minded coach so that could be a good one. Booth, meh I doubt you could generate much discussion from him. Everyone agrees that he has a bad contract and gets injured way too often.

Team speed, toughness, skill could be covered in a season preview for sure.

After our draft I'm going to do one with season projections for all players on the team. And fantasy sleepers/busts.
- Nucker101

I think edler will finally reach his potential under Torts. Give him 20-30 games to figure it all out.

He is going to sell the site to AOL before the philly front office gets totally cleaned out and he loses all earthly NHL contacts.
- TJTD

As long as he keeps putting paper in his fax machine, Ek will always be connected.

It seems common from the stuff I've been hearing from "hockey analysts" and a lot of NFL fans. I've read a few pieces that actual going into detail about his system and then I look at the Rangers shots for/against and I have to disagree that he's a total defensive head coach. He loves to have his teams play hard and block shots and work hard in all 3 zones, but he also likes to have a good forecheck and allows his team to be aggressive offensively when need be.
- Nucker101

I'm with you on this one. Aggressive forecheck, d jumping in the play. Defence first doesn't mean no goals. Its the lack of talented offensive players that will mean no goals.

Outside of blocking shots and asking all 5 players to actually backcheck, he actually doesn't mind an aggressive forecheck and offensively he's stated that when the players have the puck they won't be limited in their offensive creativity(a refreshing change from AV who wanted all 4 lines to dump and change/cycle and then we watched guys like Derek Roy sucks in that offensive system. Even a David Booth(when healthy)who's always been more of a rush player, instead of a slower paced dump and chance/cycle guy.

Here's a guy I follow on Twitter that came up with some interesting numbers:

mc79hockey ‏@mc79hockey 1h
NYR actually blocked a lower percentage of D shot attempts last year than did VAN. 55.4% to 47.4%.

Difference between them lay in blocking shot attempts by F: NYR blocked 20.7% of those, VAN blocked 9.6%. F take about 2/3 of shot attempts.

And not sure if you got a chance to read this yet, but I've posted it on Booner's post and Todd's last blog:

http://www.blueseatblogs.com/2012/02/21/draft/


Forwards usually don't load up and fire slap shots so I doubt we'll see any more injuries than in the past.
- Nucker101

I think people misunderstand getting in the shooting lanes and blocking shots. People translate and discuss it as shot blocking but it is about not letting a clear shot through to the net for tips etc.

The Canucks should look seriously at the pros and cons of making a major trade, otherwise this team is pretty much where we left off last year.
- VANTEL

That good you think? If we were in last years division maybe...

No one should feel guilty about lower expectations this season. It appears management has already done that to me. They will go with a decent draft position in the spring and use the cap jump next season for depth and easily be able to pick out a rookie or 2 for the line up., We are just not there yet with our prospects.

Something else to think about is Torts will know his players inside out next season.

I'm with you on this one. Aggressive forecheck, d jumping in the play. Defence first doesn't mean no goals. Its the lack of talented offensive players that will mean no goals.
- 1970vintage

A guy on HF posted this, and me and my buddy noticed this many times:

The other frustrating thing for me was when our team did dump the puck in AV often issued line changes, so no forecheck was present and we essentially gave the puck up at the cost of line changes, we had maybe one guy (alot of times someone like hansen who was fast) skate in the zone and forcheck but if he did manage to get the puck by himself nobody else was off the bench in the zone to pass it to.

At times I would notice that the Canucks would have a 2-on-2 rush near the end of a shift and instead of even attempting a shot they'd always dump it in and change. 2-on-2 chances shouldn't be tossed away like that, I hope it's sometime that Torts doesn't enforce, but we'll see.

The rangers didn't score much off the rush because they collapsed in the d-zone so deep , And maybe a bit of a lack of that type of players besides Nash and Gabby .They scored more off of the fore check and cycle , this will fall into the twins hands . They took lots of shots from deep in or bad angles . They tried to out work the teams they played below the goal line , they tried to pound the d-men hoping it pay off late in the game . Worked for well for their talent they had .

As long as he keeps putting paper in his fax machine, Ek will always be connected.
- Canada Cup

Push the send button!

Awww man you pushed copy......

Boy these new fax machines are complicated.

The rangers didn't score much off the rush because they collapsed in the d-zone so deep , And maybe a bit of a lack of that type of players besides Nash and Gabby .They scored more off of the fore check and cycle , this will fall into the twins hands . They took lots of shots from deep in or bad angles . They tried to out work the teams they played below the goal line , they tried to pound the d-men hoping it pay off late in the game . Worked for well for their talent they had .
- way out west

Yeah, again I think that was a more of a talent issue than coaching issue. The Canucks seem to be the same way, not many players that are creative off of the rush. It's one of the reasons why everyone is so excited about a young kid like Shinkaruk who thrives in paying that style of game. A good team should have different players/lines that can score in different ways IMO.

Outside of blocking shots and asking all 5 players to actually backcheck, he actually doesn't mind an aggressive forecheck and offensively he's stated that when the players have the puck they won't be limited in their offensive creativity(a refreshing change from AV who wanted all 4 lines to dump and change/cycle and then we watched guys like Derek Roy sucks in that offensive system. Even a David Booth(when healthy)who's always been more of a rush player, instead of a slower paced dump and chance/cycle guy.

Here's a guy I follow on Twitter that came up with some interesting numbers:

mc79hockey ‏@mc79hockey 1h
NYR actually blocked a lower percentage of D shot attempts last year than did VAN. 55.4% to 47.4%.

Difference between them lay in blocking shot attempts by F: NYR blocked 20.7% of those, VAN blocked 9.6%. F take about 2/3 of shot attempts.

And not sure if you got a chance to read this yet, but I've posted it on Booner's post and Todd's last blog:

http://www.blueseatblogs.com/2012/02/21/draft/


Forwards usually don't load up and fire slap shots so I doubt we'll see any more injuries than in the past. And it's clear from this that we won't see our forwards covering the point men suddenly flopping all over the ice trying to block more shots than in the past.
- Nucker101

Good post.

That good you think? If we were in last years division maybe...

No one should feel guilty about lower expectations this season. It appears management has already done that to me. They will go with a decent draft position in the spring and use the cap jump next season for depth and easily be able to pick out a rookie or 2 for the line up., We are just not there yet with our prospects.

Something else to think about is Torts will know his players inside out next season.
- boonerbuck

our rookies and the team generally - all summer we heard how our cupboard was bare, and we have no cap space so we are doomed. Then we pick up a nice extra 1st and the future couldnt be better, and we 2m minimum in the bank. We will have a middling season and then get lots of rest over the olympics make a nice trade at the deadline and maybe havie a good run in the playoffs if injuries are not too bad. Then we will still hear all the fears of no depth and no money and we will have this conversation again. After 43 years i am happy i can drink enough to make it all seem new and exciting.

Like I said earlier I'm a long time ranger fan and I didn't like Torts hiring years ago for the rangers but like the AV hiring less for them . Torts is a very pig headed man that refuses to make adjustments as the game and season goes along . He did change the Rangers work ethic witch was needed but didn't care for the rest of the poop that came along with him.

Outside of blocking shots and asking all 5 players to actually backcheck, he actually doesn't mind an aggressive forecheck and offensively he's stated that when the players have the puck they won't be limited in their offensive creativity(a refreshing change from AV who wanted all 4 lines to dump and change/cycle and then we watched guys like Derek Roy sucks in that offensive system. Even a David Booth(when healthy)who's always been more of a rush player, instead of a slower paced dump and chance/cycle guy.

Here's a guy I follow on Twitter that came up with some interesting numbers:

mc79hockey ‏@mc79hockey 1h
NYR actually blocked a lower percentage of D shot attempts last year than did VAN. 55.4% to 47.4%.

Difference between them lay in blocking shot attempts by F: NYR blocked 20.7% of those, VAN blocked 9.6%. F take about 2/3 of shot attempts.

And not sure if you got a chance to read this yet, but I've posted it on Booner's post and Todd's last blog:

http://www.blueseatblogs.com/2012/02/21/draft/


Forwards usually don't load up and fire slap shots so I doubt we'll see any more injuries than in the past. And it's clear from this that we won't see our forwards covering the point men suddenly flopping all over the ice trying to block more shots than in the past.
- Nucker101

It's well know that NYR calmed down on the shot-blocking last season.

Nucker - one question: did you watch NYR under Tortorella? I have a friend who's a big NYR fan so have watched a fair few over the past few seasons. That's not the style of team I want to see in Vancouver.

It seems common from the stuff I've been hearing from "hockey analysts" and a lot of NFL fans. I've read a few pieces that actual going into detail about his system and then I look at the Rangers shots for/against and I have to disagree that he's a total defensive head coach. He loves to have his teams play hard and block shots and work hard in all 3 zones, but he also likes to have a good forecheck and allows his team to be aggressive offensively when need be.
- Nucker101

don't get me wrong, he loves aggressive forechecking and playing hard in all 3 zones. but his offense, if it hasn't changed from his time in NY, is dump the puck in and cycle it behind the boards aggressively and with effort. after 4+ years in NY, i got fcking sick of it and i'm glad that we now have a transition game and passing in the O zone.

BUUUUT, torts will always believe in defense over everything.

I understand that Ek wants to clean up the place so that it reflects his image of himself as a serious journalist. What I don't get is why he is getting rid of all the hit generators.
- Canada Cup

There are a lot of "serious minded" places to talk about hockey. I've always kinda liked it here because of the somewhat crazy nature of the place.

Our blogs have gotten pretty boring now and basically a troll fest for the oilers/leaf fans now.

Keeping the hits down on forum posts can not be what Ek wanted.

It was an accidental hit with a stick, how was the rest of his game lousy? because he didn't win?
- rune_74

@TSNBobMcKenzie: NHL reviewing VAN Dale Weise's hit on EDM Taylor Hall/VAN Zack Kassian high stick on EDM Sam Gagner. No word yet on if hearings will follow.

Nice to see that the NHL agrees that the axe murderer needs to be punished. 40 games minimum.

@TSNBobMcKenzie: NHL reviewing VAN Dale Weise's hit on EDM Taylor Hall/VAN Zack Kassian high stick on EDM Sam Gagner. No word yet on if hearings will follow.

Nice to see that the NHL agrees that the axe murderer needs to be punished. 40 games minimum.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

@TSNBobMcKenzie: NHL reviewing VAN Dale Weise's hit on EDM Taylor Hall/VAN Zack Kassian high stick on EDM Sam Gagner. No word yet on if hearings will follow.

Nice to see that the NHL agrees that the axe murderer needs to be punished. 40 games minimum.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

And yet he'll get 2, if any.

And yet he'll get 2, if any.
- AlexF

Yeah I know lol.

don't get me wrong, he loves aggressive forechecking and playing hard in all 3 zones. but his offense, if it hasn't changed from his time in NY, is dump the puck in and cycle it behind the boards aggressively and with effort. after 4+ years in NY, i got fcking sick of it and i'm glad that we now have a transition game and passing in the O zone.

BUUUUT, torts will always believe in defense over everything.
- rangerdanger94

So glad you're here to give some eloquence (and legitimacy) to my argument.

So glad you're here to give some eloquence (and legitimacy) to my argument.
- AlexF

based on the reputation the canucks have established, i think torts is a good hire in terms of changing the culture and toughening up the players and giving them a final kick in the ass before the sedins start to really go downhill/leave. and, as evidenced in NY, his system can and does work if everyone buys in.

it was just painful to watch as a fan after so long.

based on the reputation the canucks have established, i think torts is a good hire in terms of changing the culture and toughening up the players and giving them a final kick in the ass before the sedins start to really go downhill/leave. and, as evidenced in NY, his system can and does work if everyone buys in.

it was just painful to watch as a fan after so long.
- rangerdanger94

That's fair. AV's system isn't exactly run n' gun either, and he also rarely employ more than a one man forecheck, loves the dump and chase/cycle game. Also sat back way too much one goal leads in the early third were enough for him to sit back and once the other team tied it up it was hard to get the momentum back. And arguably his biggest weaknesses(at least according to us) was his lack of adjustment sduring the playoffs when he was constantly outcoached by guys like Queneville(Hawks fans would even tell you this). And also player communication, he was not on the same page with guys like Keith Ballard, Willie Mitchell, Ryan Kesler, etc. One thing that I really liked about hin was his zone start usage, he'll definitely help the Rangers top line score a few more points, while the third/4th lines will see a decrease in production. But my guess is that Gillis might have influenced some of the zone start usage that AV used since Gillis is apparently an advanced stats/moneypuck guy. I bet AV will continue to use it though and should help the Rangers.

Clearly both of them have their strengths and weaknesses(which is why both were fired and neither won cup despite coaching talented teams), and both teams needed a change. I believe both teams will benefit from it during the short-term, we'll see what happens after the new coach effect wears off after this year though


FYI, the Canucks were painful to watch last year as well(not just because of the regression, but just from a total lack of chances created per game).

Vancouver Canucks‏@VanCanucks2m
Kellan Lain has been assigned to the @UticaComets. #Canucks