Jan Levine: Remain Calm, All Is Still Mostly Well
The mantra, at least for the beginning of the season...

Jan Levine: Remain Calm, All Is Still Mostly Well
The mantra, at least for the beginning of the season...
- airjan23

I agree, at least give it to the quarter point of the season before we get too excited. As we saw in the preseason it is going to take time for these guys to learn when to jump into the play offensively to create chances and when not to. They have to unlearn a lot that Torts harped on them to do and that won't happen overnight.

I actually think that the long road trip to start the season is a great thing. If the team bonds like the Rangers roster did when they travelled to Europe in 2011 then it will be a great thing. If they struggle out of the gate, then at least they'll have a remianing schedule heavy on home games to help them get back in the race.

I agree, at least give it to the quarter point of the season before we get too excited. As we saw in the preseason it is going to take time for these guys to learn when to jump into the play offensively to create chances and when not to. They have to unlearn a lot that Torts harped on them to do and that won't happen overnight.

I actually think that the long road trip to start the season is a great thing. If the team bonds like the Rangers roster did when they travelled to Europe in 2011 then it will be a great thing. If they struggle out of the gate, then at least they'll have a remianing schedule heavy on home games to help them get back in the race.
- gkmkiller

good blog Jan

yeah Glen, thing I am scared of is starting off like 2-7 before they get home. I am pretty terrified of a start like that. I would sign up for 4-4-1 right now and run if I could.

good blog Jan

yeah Glen, thing I am scared of is starting off like 2-7 before they get home. I am pretty terrified of a start like that. I would sign up for 4-4-1 right now and run if I could.
- jimbro83

2-7 is very unlikely when you have a goalie name Lundqvst

2-7 is very unlikely when you have a goalie name Lundqvst
- mighty13duck

I hope so


Pete, you mentioned the late games.

I usually go to bed early, so my plan is to DVR the first 4 games, and then get up at 6am to watch them. gettin old

I hope so


Pete, you mentioned the late games.

I usually go to bed early, so my plan is to DVR the first 4 games, and then get up at 6am to watch them. gettin old


- jimbro83

No I meant with him in goal you guys would go 0-9 jk

No I meant with him in goal you guys would go 0-9 jk
- mighty13duck

Jan Levine: Remain Calm, All Is Still Mostly Well
The mantra, at least for the beginning of the season...
- airjan23

Ill agree that the pre-season games were hard to stomach. I dont usually watch much of the pre-season games, but this year i was a bit more interested in seeing some of the kids play. That being said, we weren't rolling the 4 lines that we normally would on a nightly basis. I have to give mad props (yo) to AV for not getting that itch to just throw Nash out there for double shifts. He stuck to his guns and rolled all four lines all game every game to make sure he knew what he's got to work with. In know we've been a defense first team and now we've got a coach who's changing the system from top to bottom, but I think once the season gets underway we'll see these guys begin to really develop some good chemistry.

Two points: Richards and Kreider, I believe, affected each other's fate. With Kreider not being NHL ready (again), where many had penciled him in as one of our 2 top LW, Richards actually doesn't seem like a bad option now. That also helps answer our Boyle, Moore, who plays wing issue. Gotta believe that Richards scoring 60+ points on the Left wing is an upgrade to Kreider no matter what. Even if Kreider were to have made the team, it would have been an extreme bonus if he even scored 50pts. So I actually like Richards on wing, given he performs at a modest 60pts. (for him).

I think Brassard and Zuccarello have stapled themselves as a dynamic duo, so I would think they would be powerplay pairing 1B. Staal's offensive prowlness in preseason may be the reason he won the top PP point position. I'll have to say, Pouliot Brass Zucc McD Moore isn't a shabby 2nd unit. In all honesty, Rangers could possibly ice 3 Powerplay lines this year. Hags Boyle Cally Stralman Del Zotto can easily all play the PP as well. Thats 10 usable forwards and 5 usable defenseman for the PP.

Hags Step Nash
Richards Staal

Pouliot Brass Zucc
Moore Stralman

Miller Boyle Cally
DZ McD

Brad Richards: “Now, we’re at the stage where we’ve brought in a new coach to take that foundation and become better. We want to keep that work ethic and be creative in an environment where we’re allowed to play the game the way it’s meant to be played.”

I don't think Torts and Richards are going to be exchanging Christmas cards in the near future, because that is quite the shot, IMO. Now, Richards should shut up, step up, and prove that it was really the coach that was causing your problems.

Two points: Richards and Kreider, I believe, affected each other's fate. With Kreider not being NHL ready (again), where many had penciled him in as one of our 2 top LW, Richards actually doesn't seem like a bad option now. That also helps answer our Boyle, Moore, who plays wing issue. Gotta believe that Richards scoring 60+ points on the Left wing is an upgrade to Kreider no matter what. Even if Kreider were to have made the team, it would have been an extreme bonus if he even scored 50pts. So I actually like Richards on wing, given he performs at a modest 60pts. (for him).

I think Brassard and Zuccarello have stapled themselves as a dynamic duo, so I would think they would be powerplay pairing 1B. Staal's offensive prowlness in preseason may be the reason he won the top PP point position. I'll have to say, Pouliot Brass Zucc McD Moore isn't a shabby 2nd unit. In all honesty, Rangers could possibly ice 3 Powerplay lines this year. Hags Boyle Cally Stralman Del Zotto can easily all play the PP as well. Thats 10 usable forwards and 5 usable defenseman for the PP.
- xcheckmajor

Right now, MDZ and Girardi are practicing with the second PP unit, with the forwards you mentioned up front.

Right now, MDZ and Girardi are practicing with the second PP unit, with the forwards you mentioned up front.
- Pete V

G isn't known too well for offense, but I guess him being the other righty makes him an asset for AV. I still think we will see tons of PP combos this year. D. Moore, Asham, Pyatt, Dorsett are really the only 4 guys I wouldn't really use. The rest of the roster can all play the PP. I just hope when Hags comes back, he doesn't "stink".

last time Marc Staal was on the powerplay he did this:

A few predictions for the year:

Points Leader: Rick Nash
Goals Leader: Rick Nash
Assist Leader: Derek Stepan
+/- Leader: Michael Del Zotto
Biggest Surprise: JT Miller
Biggest Disappointment: John Moore
Rangers' Finishing Position: 3rd in Metropolitan/6th Seed
Most likely trade acquisition: A left winger. Vanek at the deadline when salary can be made to work.
Most likely substantial piece to be traded: Chris Kreider.

last time Marc Staal was on the powerplay he did this:


- jimbro83

He's the the guy I hope the most that has a good, healthy season. If anybody deserves it, it's him.

Jan Levine: Remain Calm, All Is Still Mostly Well
The mantra, at least for the beginning of the season...
- airjan23

What's up fellas?! Long time no talk, wish I could have poked my head in a little more often but I've been kept quite busy.

Can't wait for tomorrow. Pumped for a new season and more importantly a new system

A few predictions for the year:

Points Leader: Rick Nash
Goals Leader: Rick Nash
Assist Leader: Derek Stepan
+/- Leader: Michael Del Zotto
Biggest Surprise: JT Miller
Biggest Disappointment: John Moore
Rangers' Finishing Position: 3rd in Metropolitan/6th Seed
Most likely trade acquisition: A left winger. Vanek at the deadline when salary can be made to work.
Most likely substantial piece to be traded: Chris Kreider.
- Pete V

Still down on J. Moore huh?

I just don't get why they don't use Brassard, who's the best pure passer on the team, on the PP more. Instead they keep force feeding Richards who's slow and Girardi. Moore or McDonagh would be the best options for a dman. They still lack a true PP QB which really hurts in terms of distributing quickly to get shots through. Stralman is decent offensively maybe he gets a shot. DZ is too timid though he's mobile.

He's the the guy I hope the most that has a good, healthy season. If anybody deserves it, it's him.
- tomburton99

I think Moore is gonna surprise a lot of people this year. Not only using his speed to create rushes and effectively pinch in the zone, but with that cannon of a shot that he will for sure be using on the pp.

A few predictions for the year:

Points Leader: Rick Nash
Goals Leader: Rick Nash
Assist Leader: Derek Stepan
+/- Leader: Michael Del Zotto
Biggest Surprise: JT Miller
Biggest Disappointment: John Moore
Rangers' Finishing Position: 3rd in Metropolitan/6th Seed
Most likely trade acquisition: A left winger. Vanek at the deadline when salary can be made to work.
Most likely substantial piece to be traded: Chris Kreider.
- Pete V

I agree except I think the biggest disappointment slot will be awarded to Hagelin. Shoulder injuries, of this magnitude, usually don't bode well for smallish players. He will likely have a hard time sniffing the 20 goal mark this season. He is valuable in other ways, I am aware of that, but he will be needed to elevate his offensive game this season and that is where the disappointment will lie.

I think the salary cap albatross will prohibit the team from acquiring a big name like Vanek. He is exactly what they need though; a big time scorer on the left side.

Big fan of your Del Zotto being atop their +/- leader board. I think he has a nice season under Vigneault; I think the entire blueline puts up decent numbers this season.

Brad Richards: “Now, we’re at the stage where we’ve brought in a new coach to take that foundation and become better. We want to keep that work ethic and be creative in an environment where we’re allowed to play the game the way it’s meant to be played.”

I don't think Torts and Richards are going to be exchanging Christmas cards in the near future, because that is quite the shot, IMO. Now, Richards should shut up, step up, and prove that it was really the coach that was causing your problems.
- Pete V

I really feel Richards play will either hinder or bolster this team. He is the proverbial X-factor this season; as he goes, so will the offense.

Not saying he is the best offensive player on the team--that distinction is carried by Nash and Stepan--but if Richards is able to bounce back; it will really round out their top six forward units.

I would go with J.Moore/Stralman/Brassard/Nash/Pouliot to start on the PP.

I hope so


Pete, you mentioned the late games.

I usually go to bed early, so my plan is to DVR the first 4 games, and then get up at 6am to watch them. gettin old


- jimbro83

Of course they schedule the west coast trip right at the beginning of the season when I can't attend any games!!! That's three straight years!! 2011 because they were in Europe, 2012 because of the lockout and now because I can't afford it!!!

Hopefully the wife and I can take a road trip, maybe to Dallas. Kid lives in Lafayette, Louisiana so maybe that will work.

Still down on J. Moore huh?
- tomburton99

Actually, not really down on Moore. The pick is just a recognition of how Rangers fans are. Rangers fans always need to pick some guy on the blueline to be their boogeyman, and I think John Moore will suffer from expectations that are too high for him this year. I don't think he'll be bad, I just think that he will have some growing pains and struggles (like many young defensemen do), and the fans will get on him. Of course, this all depends on the current whipping boy on the blueline, Michael Del Zotto, having a good year.

I really feel Richards play will either hinder or bolster this team. He is the proverbial X-factor this season; as he goes, so will the offense.

Not saying he is the best offensive player on the team--that distinction is carried by Nash and Stepan--but if Richards is able to bounce back; it will really round out their top six forward units.
- MidnightMarauder

Yeah, I agree. My two "x" factors this year were Richards and Kreider, and one of them is already in the minors. Hopefully, things will turnout better for Richards.