There is much scuttlebutt around the blogosphere tonight saying that Tom Renney has coached his last game for the Rangers. If  true, tomorrow will be  a sad day.

Tom Renney has been the second winning-est coach in Ranger history.   He has coached this franchise back to respectability since 2005. The Rangers have reached the playoffs every season since he took over after a drought of 8 years.

The Rangers are currently10 games over .500. They are in 6th place in the Conference  with 29 games remaining.  His record speaks for itself:

Renney’s Coaching Record 2004 to 2009

Games Coached 318, Wins-162, Loses-96, OTL 40, Playoffs-3

Regardless of what anyone thinks of Renney, Sather is the architect of this team. Sather is the one who signed all these bad contracts. He is the one who should take the fall. We all know he won’t. He’s the Isiah of Hockey.

The Penguins lost 9 games in January. Everyone was saying Therrien had lost that team. He has Crosby, Fleury and Malkin among others. Do the Rangers have these caliber players?  The Penguins lost Hossa and Malone in the off season and Gonchar has been out injured. That’s their excuse. Therrien’s still there.

The Stanley Cup Champions just lost 5 games in a row but no one accused Babcock of losing his team. Babcock’s team is 1000% more talented then these Rangers. Babcock still has his job.

Does Renney have cup finalists on his team like Babcock or Therrien do? We all know that answer. The Rangers, as presently constructed, will  be lucky to make the playoffs.

I still say it’s the players. They didn’t give up last night. They never came to play in the first place. Maybe they are riddled with the flu but the fan base is sick of excuses.

Firing Renneywill make some fans feel better but it won’t turn things around this season. Players need to be moved or waived, starting with Gomez and Redden.

I say make Renney GM and get rid of Sather. Nine years of Sather’s malfeasance is enough.

If Renney is fired, I won’t be renewing my season subscription next year or any year until Sather is gone for good.

Posted under New York Rangers

In the war that a regular hockey season can become, sometimes teams find themselves at the mercy of the fourth estate. By my reckoning, just such a happenstance has befallen the Rangers. Beat reporters are no longer quoting players. They are “interpreting” their remarks.

Case in point, Andrew Gross of Ranger Rants and Jane McManus of Rangers Report. Today on their respective blogs, both writers alluded to remarks made by Markus Naslund with regard to Ranger team “chemistry” without benefit of “quotation marks”. I will give both these writers the benefit they denied Naslund.

Gross

“New lines are a part of life in the NHL but Markus Naslund today mentioned that it’s time for the team to start developing some line chemistry.”

McManus

“Markus Naslund said today after practice that he’d like to see lines with a little more chemistry, and he might get to see how that works as soon as tomorrow night in Dallas. ”

 What did Naslund actually say? Which blogger interpreted Naslund’s remarks in their intended context. Judging by Gross’ interpretation, Naslund’s words can be read almost as an indictment against Tom Renney for continually changing  lines in an effort to find chemistry.

McManus’ interpretation illustrates a player who wishes for more team chemistry, perhaps starting with himself. In and of  itself, her spin is innocuous and fairly characteristic of player “hockeyspeak”.

Taking a player or coaches remarks out of context and not using direct quotes is a dangerous game. In Gross’ case, he fuels the fire of a disgruntled fan base who might interpret his report as evidence of discontent and fractiousness in the Ranger locker room. That’s the last thing the Rangers need at this time.

Both reporters also regaled their readers of  Tom Renney’s reported “bag skate” yesterday. They characterized it as a punishment  for player inattention at practice. That’s their take.

I put it to them that perhaps since the Rangers have the flu running through the locker room, maybe Renney wanted to see how his players would react to the exertion. Nothing like a good skate to sweat out what ails you. I guess this may not have occurred to them.

Today, both reporters listed the lines combinations that worked in practice. 

 Aaron Voros-Scott Gomez-Naslund
Brandon Dubinsky-Chris Drury-Nikolai Zherdev
Nigel Dawes-Lauri Korpikoski-Ryan Callahan
Fredrik Sjostrom-Blair Betts-Colton Orr

Given their lack of production, I am sure some fans will be up in arms to see Voros and Gomez on the so-called “first line” with Naslund.  And, still others will be incensed not to see Prucha’s name listed.

Maybe it’s time for Tom Renney to have closed practices. If reporters are going to take players remarks and apply their own interpretation, maybe they shouldn’t be there.

Maybe player health status and line combinations should remain privileged information. Who is practicing or not practicing and with whom should strictly remain the knowledge of the coaching staff. The opposition certainly doesn’t need to know and lately some fans are becoming the opposition.

In the war that is the regular hockey season, sometimes loose lips do sink ships.

Posted under New York Rangers

I think Adams Graves is very deserving of the honor he received last night in having his number retired. I also hope that this retirement ceremony will bring to a close this organization’s preoccupation with 1994. Yes, I will be forever grateful to all the players, coaches and management that brought the Stanley Cup back to the Rangers after 54 years. But, almost fifteen years have passed since then. It is time to move on.

There’s only one problem with moving on. Bad times have befallen the New York Rangers. Despite hanging on to second position in the Atlantic Division and fifth overall in the Conference, the team’s failure to score goals is eating away at their position in the standings.

It has also baited that  bloodthirsty segment of the fan base. When things haven’t gone according to the wishes of some impatient and petulant fans, their response is to call for trades or heads to roll.  Tom Renney’s head is at the top of their list. He’s been there since February of 2006. 

If you have been reading this blog for the last few years, you know that I respect and appreciate all Tom Renney has done for this franchise during his tenure. However, after watching last night’s poor showing, I am at a loss to explain why this team cannot score goals. When all is said and done, I still contend that it’s the players.

Somewhere and at some point in past games this season, they did something right.  Granted, the powerplay has never really worked. But every time this team takes one step forward, they take one or two back.  The last time the Rangers played a complete game, having the better of the play, was two weeks ago against the Ducks.

The Detroit Red Wings slumped in January. It was my fault. After I saw them play the Kings in LA, they went on a five game losing streak. That streak ended Monday with a 4-3 shoot out victory over St Louis. In a post game interview, Nik Lidstrom attributed the losing streak to Detroit’s failure to play tighter team defense.

How ironic. The Rangers lose because they cannot score and the Red Wings lose because the need to play better defensively. Not that I would deign to compare the Red Wings to the Rangers. They have the fire power. We have the goal tending.  

Whether a team wins by 2 goals or in a shoot out, two points is two points. It isn’t always going to be exciting, it isn’t always going to be pretty. Save for last night, the Rangers are pretty much beating the teams they should be beating this season.

 I will continue to save my rancor for those players who have been phoning in games. Redden, Gomez, Drury come immediately to mind. I hope that the right line combinations will be found and that something will click for this team, and their coaches.

Rangers January Record

 

 

 

Posted under New York Rangers

I haven’t set foot in the Nassau Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum (hereinafter referred to as the Mausoleum) for a Ranger/Icelander game in two seasons.  The reason is simple. Whenever the Ranger’s play at the Mausoleum,  Murphy’ Law is always in effect.  I always walk out disappointed and angry for having given my money to the Fish.

Tonight’s game was no exception. The curious thing is that fate stepped in and saved me from myself and the Rangers from a certain doom, as I am the kiss of death when in attendance in Nassau. I was supposed to be at the game. In fact, I was supposed to be two rows off the glass at the center ice. 

My very good friend Scott called me yesterday asking me if I wanted his tickets to tonight’s game. He had a scheduling conflict. Seems the girlfriend had gotten other tickets and, being the great guy he is,  he felt obliged to fore-go the game in favor of  her show.  As Tom Renney once said of Marty Straka, Scott’s the kind of young man you hope your daughters will bring home to meet you.

Scott Fedex’d the tickets to my office this morning. When I opened the envelope, I found he had enclosed tickets to the Ranger/Fish game in March, not tonight’s game. When I called to let him know, he told me the tickets to tonight’s game were at his home. He could not leave work and get them. So, two prime seats sat empty at the Mausoleum. That’s okay. Their probably used to being empty.

I love Scott dearly but he’s always in too much of a a rush. He’s always dashing off somewhere, always on the go. Ah, youth! I just feel badly that he’s out the money, a considerable sum, because of the gaffe.  Still, he’s such a great guy I am sure the hockey gods will bring him better luck in the future. 

For those watching the Rangers from home,  I’ll bet an M-80 going  off under your old easy chair wouldn’t have woken most viewers up during this game.   In another low scoring affair, the Rangers took a 2-1 lead after two. It was shut down hockey the rest of the way.

Chris Campoli scored the only Fish goal in the final two minutes of the first period. What is with the Rangers? They are like a trail horse going back to the barn at the end of periods. I can’t count the number of times this season that the Rangers have been scored on in the final minutes of play. Surely they must  have as many late goals against as shorthanded goals against.

No matter.  Unlike the game in Buffalo on Friday, the Rangers were able to score the go ahead goal and shut the Icelanders down in the third period. It wasn’t entertaining. It wasn’t exciting, except for the heroics of Henrilk Lundqvist. The Rangers earned two more points and are back atop of the Atlantic Division thanks to, of all teams, the Penguins. 

Once again, the Icelanders played better then their record.  The premature departure of Icelander goaltender Joey MacDonald, Ranger Killer, was a bonus for the Rangers. In this five game segment, the Rangers earned 7 points out of a possible 10. I’ll take it. With three games left before the All Star break, the Rangers are 26-15 and 4 and have 56 points. Boring=Success.

I will also be taking a break. I’ll be in LA on Thursday hoping to score tickets to the Wings/Kings game. On Saturday I will be cruising to sunny Mexico. I’ll be back after the All Star game.

Until then, Let’s Go Rangers!

Posted under New York Rangers

Any enjoyment I might have had at last night’s game was sucked right out of me three minutes in when Kovalev scored the first goal. It wasn’t so much that Montreal got the first goal or that it was Kovalev who scored it. It was the boneheaded play of Henrik Lundqvist that allowed the goal to be scored.

When, WHEN, is Henrik going to learn to stay in his crease and stop trying to handle the puck? What does Tom Renney have to do, put an ankle bracelet on him that administers an electric shock every time he leaves the paint? What is wrong with this guy?

As good as Henrik is and has been for the Rangers, he never seems to learn his lesson. Is he that vain not to admit his weaknesses? Puck handling has never been his strong suit. I can recall at least five times in the past when Lundqvist came out of his net and failed to get back into position, resulting in an opposition goal.

After it happened you could visible see Henrik’s game deteriorate. Were I Renney I would have pulled Lundqvist immediately and put in Valiquette. No one is above the team. When any other player does something stupid like that, they should be sat. Lundqvist is no exception, regardless of his star status.

The officials did their best to ensure a Montreal win by screwing the Rangers at every opportunity . There  were some ridiculous calls against the Rangers and non-calls on Montreal.  Montreal usually comes in and pounds the Rangers unmercifully. Not so last night.

Last night they appeared to ease up on their physicality, as though they had been forewarned to reign it in. Devorski and Morton should be called on the carpet in Toronto and sanctioned for their incompetence and stupidity. If it wasn’t incompetence and stupidity then the fix was well and truly in against the Rangers.

And as a  final insult, the row behind me in Section 409 had six Canadiens fans that looked like they were the cast of the Francophone version of  “Trailer Park Boys”. There must be a lot of inbreeding in Le Provence de Quebec to produce such a  motley crew.  These same six seats seem to be for sale on Rangers ticket exchange all the time. Whoever the season ticket holder is who sells these seats to opposition fans should have his subscription revoked.

Posted under New York Rangers

Breathe deep the gathering gloom,
Watch lights fade from every room…

Cold hearted orb that rules the night,
Removes the colours from our sight.
Red is grey and yellow white,
But we decide which is right.
And which is an illusion?

When I got up to Section 409 tonight, I encouraged some of the Faithful to take a deep, cleansing breath and let it out. I went on to suggest that everyone should put the prior night’s fiasco behind us and to view tonight’s game with a positive attitude. I had no idea that it would actually work.

The Rangers won in a shoot out but not before letting Carolina come back to tie the game twice.  I thought Blair Betts shorthanded goal would have stood up as the game winner but the Rangers couldn’t get another goal on the powerplay or any other way.

After Friday’s track meet in New Jersey, the Rangers taking this game  to the shoot out was indeed miraculous, especially when you consider that the Rangers shut down Carolina’s powerplay.  By the time the two minute five on three was over, Blair Betts could barely skate off the ice.

But, the Rangers stayed in the game and won it in a shoot out. Another two points are in the win column. They didn’t dominate the weaker team. There was no run and gun. No fancy plays. Just fundamental and defensive hockey. It wasn’t exciting but a win is a win. Take it and move on.

The Rangers leave home on a high note for the Western road trip. Let’s hope they treat all these road games like playoff games.

Could someone please tell me why Tom Renney didn’t call time out when he had 1:28 seconds of powerplay time at 18:32 of the final frame? What is he doing, saving time outs to trade for Green Stamps?

Posted under New York Rangers

According to Steve Zipay’s blog today, rumor has it that if Mats Sundin doesn’t declare his intention to Ranger management by Tuesday, Brendan Shanahan will most assuredly be back for another year. He will more then like be Captain of the Rangers. He was the de facto Captain regardless of Jagr having worn the C. While the HockeyRodent may have cajoled his readers  “Don’t You Leadership Me” regarding the comeback of Brendan Shanahan, it seems (based on the leadership he brings), Shanny’s return is a fait accompli.

Some fans are wholeheartedly in favor of bringing back Brendan. They feel Shanny brings experience, skill and the leadership needed to move past the second round of the playoffs. They attribute Shanny’s lack of production in the second half of last season and in the playoffs to injury. When healthy last season Brendan did score 23 goals. With Jagr and Straka gone, Shanny’s goal scoring capability takes on more importance.

Others, considering Brendan’s age and slowness, are dead set against Shanny taking a roster spot away from up and coming youngsters like Prucha and Korpikoski at left wing. They feel there is no place for the future first ballot Hall of Famer on the Rangers anymore.  They want to move on with the youth movement and leave the leading to Drury, Gomez or Redden.

Where and how Tom Renney deploys Brendan is the key to Shanahan’s success. If Shanny is lightly used for the lionshare of the regular season, he should have something left for the playoff run and beyond. “If” he is lightly used. “If”. If Shanny is going to play, it shouldn’t be on the checking line with Betts and Orr. He’d be fried by November. If Renney reserves Shanny for the powerplay and shootouts and gives him the occasional game off, he’ll be in better shape and more effective in March.

There is a little wiggle room on the left side if the Rangers go with six defenseman. They look much more solid on D then last season so it’s possible they’ll go with six. They are overloaded at center and right wing. Gomez, Drury and Dubinsky are basically a lock at center. Betts is fighting with Anisimov and Fritsche for fourth spot. We may not see either Anisimov or Fritsche season. They’ll be headed to Hartford. That’s too bad. Anisimov looked so good in preseason last year. On the right side, Parenteau and Jamtin will probably stay in Hartford, leaving Moore and Orr to fight for the fourth spot.

Naslund Gomez Zherdev
Prucha Dubinsky Callahan
Shanahan Drury Sjostrom
Dawes Betts Orr

Orr and Sjostrom will have to stay up or clear waivers to come back. Of all the other forwards looking for the last spot, I would say Korpedo and Anisimov have the best shot. Korpikowski or Dawes can replace Shanny on third line and can be flipped with each other on the fourth line. Betts is really going to have to fight for his job. He is a good defensive fourth line center for face offs and penalty kill. Anisimov is a much more skilled player who can bring scoring to the fourth line. The question is, how is Anisimov defensively? Will he be as good as Blair on face offs? Will he block shots? I have no doubt of Artem’s desire but his effectiveness as a fourth line grinder and checker is what counts.

So, I’ve drawn my lines. Now let’s see how close I’ve come come October.

Posted under New York Rangers