just keep coaching like he has been coaching since he got here

the lineup will be faster, younger and hungrier than what he had to work with last year

this theory that we would have won the whole thing last year if only AV had played Dylan McIlrath more makes me gag
- jimbro83

Anyone saying we would have won anything last year is not properly remembering how FAR superior Pitt was to us in the playoffs.
I think it was just that playing McI would have been the correct decision in a lot of respects, but AV refused to make that call.
I don't dislike his coaching, or even his strategies. What I find concerning is his inability or refusal to alter them when they aren't working out.

Yandle averaged over 2 minutes more per game (22:21 vs. 20:19) than Girardi.

But I'm not one to let the facts get in the way of a good Ranger-bashing.

Lundqvist is too old! Rangers' window is closing at breakneck speeds!
- eichiefs9

So let's have it - your prediction for the Metro...?

So let's have it - your prediction for the Metro...?
- 21peter

1. Islanders
2. 6 way tie
8. Rangers

Jokes asides, I'm terrible at the prediction game. Truthfully, I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised to see it finish the way it did last year. Caps, Pens, Rangers, Isles, Flyers, Carolina, New Jersey, 'Lumbus.

I think it's entirely possible for the Isles to finish ahead of the Rangers and Penguins and it's just as possible the Flyers finish ahead of the Islanders. I haven't even made up my mind on how optimistic I am about the Isles yet, I need to see what the opening night roster will look like.

I would give AV a D-. Anything that required competent coaching he didn't do well at all. Ice-time distribution was a joke, seeing how Yandle rarely played top 4 mins or even top line PP mins, yet Girardi continued to get 25+ mins of terrible play per game. He never adjusted the game plan when it wasn't working, seeing how two slow-footed, stay at home dmen played the most mins but are terrible fits for AV's puck moving system. His lineup choices were awful, with McIlrath rarely playing yet he proving to be one of the more effective dmen we have, forcing Hayes to play wing when he clearly is better at center (not to mention scratching him for no reason), deploying Fast in the top 6 even though he was nowhere near productive enough offensively, and NEVER making any adjustments to the lineup when it wasn't working. He couldn't even call timeouts at the right times. And lets not get started with his obsession with Tanner Glass. I thought AV should've been fired after this past season, but I know the Finals appearance and Prez trophy give him some slack. If the Rangers are slumping and have a losing record around All star break, though, AV should unquestionably be canned.
- SpeedBlue91

Hold your horses.
First of all, I don't like that you're making me agree with Chiefs.
A little homework shows that, a) nobody played 25+ min. a game. I don't think anyone playing under AV ever has. He rolls his lines and D pretty consistently. b) Yandle DID play top 4 min. He just didn't fit our system well.
AV didn't "force" Hayes to the wing. Hayes forced him to attempt something different to try and light a fire under his unmotivated ass. That would be the "no reason" that he was scratched - he deserved it.
I don't remember Fast playing top 6 all that often and when he did it was because the guys above him weren't getting it done and needed to be reminded of that.

All that being said, I think AV needs to be more flexible in his convictions in order to get the most out of his players over the long haul.

AV has coached this team to two playoff series wins when they were down 3 games to 1.

That's the epitome of being able to make adjustments.


Nobody was stopping that Pittsburgh steam roller last spring.

1. Islanders
2. 6 way tie
8. Rangers

Jokes asides, I'm terrible at the prediction game. Truthfully, I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised to see it finish the way it did last year. Caps, Pens, Rangers, Isles, Flyers, Carolina, New Jersey, 'Lumbus.

I think it's entirely possible for the Isles to finish ahead of the Rangers and Penguins and it's just as possible the Flyers finish ahead of the Islanders. I haven't even made up my mind on how optimistic I am about the Isles yet, I need to see what the opening night roster will look like.
- eichiefs9

Agreed.

Agreed.
- 21peter

My biggest concern with the Isles is the replication of their goaltending from last year. It's seeming more and more likely that Halak isn't going to me moved, so that eases concerns a little bit. I'm not super confident that Greiss will have the same kind of season, but I also don't think it's that far-fetched either. If the Isles get good goaltending and can find a decent 2C then I am pretty confident that they are going to have a good year.

Strome can only improve on last season and Ladd is unequivocally an upgrade over Okposo. Chimera is an upgrade over Martin. The only main issue with them is replacing Nielsen's points and defensive prowess.

My biggest concern with the Isles is the replication of their goaltending from last year. It's seeming more and more likely that Halak isn't going to me moved, so that eases concerns a little bit. I'm not super confident that Greiss will have the same kind of season, but I also don't think it's that far-fetched either. If the Isles get good goaltending and can find a decent 2C then I am pretty confident that they are going to have a good year.

Strome can only improve on last season and Ladd is unequivocally an upgrade over Okposo. Chimera is an upgrade over Martin. The only main issue with them is replacing Nielsen's points and defensive prowess.
- eichiefs9

shootouts yo

shootouts yo
- jimbro83

I need a ROW'd or die chick

De Blasio Disables Free WiFi At Kiosks After Hobos Caught Masturbating To Porn.


I will take things Stevie Wonder could have seen coming Alex.

De Blasio Disables Free WiFi At Kiosks After Hobos Caught Masturbating To Porn.


I will take things Stevie Wonder could have seen coming Alex.
- mdw7413

I mean, I'm not sure I necessarily blame the guy for not assuming that the homeless had (frank)ing wireless-capable devices. But de Blasio is a total trash human.

AV has coached this team to two playoff series wins when they were down 3 games to 1.

That's the epitome of being able to make adjustments.


Nobody was stopping that Pittsburgh steam roller last spring.
- jimbro83

Respectfully, I disagree.
I think AV is great at remaining calm and making a game plan, which helped turn around those series'. But, I would say that his ability to make in-game adjustments is lacking. He rolls his four lines and pairings relentlessly even when they are getting beat up.

Respectfully, I disagree.
I think AV is great at remaining calm and making a game plan, which helped turn around those series'. But, I would say that his ability to make in-game adjustments is lacking. He rolls his four lines and pairings relentlessly even when they are getting beat up.
- Tonybere

He's a (frank)ing stiff

Switch to Big Red
- mdw7413

YES!

He's a (frank)ing stiff

- 21peter

Eddie Munster-ass-lookin motha (frank)a

He's a (frank)ing stiff

- 21peter

"Got to use all 5 fingers." "No hesitation, just jam them right in there."

"Got to use all 5 fingers." "No hesitation, just jam them right in there."
- mdw7413

Quote from your gf?

"Got to use all 5 fingers." "No hesitation, just jam them right in there."
- mdw7413

Quote from your gf?
- 21peter

Too soon.

Too soon.
- mdw7413

Sorry for your loss

http://www.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=powerplay&season=20152016&gameType=2&sort=ppPoints&aggregate=0&teamId=3&pos=S

the three Ranger leaders in PP icetime last year were Brassard, Zuccarello and Yandle
- jimbro83

I guess he played more than it seemed, but I'm pretty sure it was only because of McDonagh missing alot of time after the all star break. I feel like early in the season all I read was that the Rangers didn't use Yandle enough, ice-time was too low, and watching the games I agreed there was wayyy too much Girardi.

Too soon.
- mdw7413

Safe space?

Safe space?
- smellmyfinger

Was hoping you were back in jail

Yandle averaged over 2 minutes more per game (22:21 vs. 20:19) than Girardi.

But I'm not one to let the facts get in the way of a good Ranger-bashing.

Lundqvist is too old! Rangers' window is closing at breakneck speeds!
- eichiefs9

I was wrong about the ice-time overall, but early in the season (pre-McDonagh injuries) Girardi was playing more and Yandle was playing 3rd pairing minutes.

Was hoping you were back in jail
- 21peter

You hurt me Peter