Well, at least that's over. Preseason came to an end with Sunday's 4-3 loss at the Phone Booth in DC. Hank was scheduled to play the entire game but after lackluster play by his teammates resulted in a 4-0 deficit through 40, he was pulled for Valley. Once Valley came in, the Rangers put on a little pressure and Caps goaltender Semyon Varlamov gave up three bad goals on open shots from the circles. The Blueshirts made it look respectable but that was about it. But let's face it, it doesn't matter.
What matters is that no one got hurt, and that the regular season starts Friday night in Pittsburgh. Before then management has to decide what direction they want to go in with these lines and make the personnel moves to help get them where they need to go.
*The first was sending Geno Grachev to the Pack. Grachev has run hot and cold in these exhibitions but in the 'what have you done for me lately' mentality, he scored a goal. We like goals, goals are sexy. But he isn't going to score many goals from the third or fourth line so it is likely for the best.
*Should the whole accountability thing that Torts spews be legit, we will see Grachev take Ales Kotalik's job sooner rather than later. Sure Alice has that incredible shot, but when he isn't using it he is virtually useless. This afternoon he had a perfect chance to tie the game against the Caps in the waning seconds but didn't seem to be paying attention to the play and wasn't in the right position to re-direct a perfect slap-pass into the goal.
*And as soon as Alice is kicked to the curb, Rozy should follow. What a horrific turnover to set up the first goal of the game. It's like he isn't paying attention. Sure he went on to make a good feed to Anisimov for the Ranger power play goal but defensemen need to be able to play defense. That simple.
*People want to dream of a Calder Trophy for Matt Gilroy but that just is not going to happen. If Drew Doughty didn't get it last season - despite playing a lot of minutes and putting up respectable numbers on a bad team - a defenseman has little chance. A safer, underdog selection for rookie of the year would be Arty. Then again, his preseason success still won't translate into top-six status so the likelihood of him getting into the big spots where he can shine isn't too hot.
*Donald Brashear scored. He also didn't fight Sugden for the sake of fighting Sugden. Then again, with the Rangers down 2-0. 3-0, 4-0, a fight certainly would have been warranted to help turn around their fortunes. But, it's preseason. Plenty of time to complain about him not doing his job during the regular season.
*Is it me or does it look like Aaron Voros is skating in mud? He is still working quite hard but this camp certainly has cost him a step. Loved, loved him starting with Tom Poti at the end of the second period. I mean, what coulda happened? Voros letting Poti keep hitting him, yelling "you brute" (2:11 mark)??
*I always liked Mike Knuble. It's just a damn shame he keeps bouncing around in this league and that now we will have to hate him as a Cap. Hard-working, honest hockey player who is willing to pay the price to get the job done. Still can't believe that Neil Smith traded him away for Rob DiMaio.
So, now there is just four days left until the regular season. Somewhere in that span I will put out my predictions (likely Thursday), a Peepin' Foes for the Pens (Friday morning) and who knows what else so keep on coming back!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
22 comments:
Just as I thought.
Last time you complain that Brashear "started" fights when there was no need to protect his teammates (even thought Sugden went after him)
Now it's all his fault for not fighting when he was "supposed to" and scoring a tally means nothing.
I have an idea, instead of writing up a BS paragraph on Brashear every game, just write "I STILL HATE BRASHEAR" at the end of every post. It will save you and the readers a lot of time.
-Plebeian
The last time he fought for the sake of fighting - nothing more. There are two good reasons to fight in this sport: defend your teammates and spark the team and the fans. He rarely does either. When he does, I will give credit. And I mentioned that he scored, that was enough.
And I think that it is quite well acknowledged that I still hate him, I don't need to point it out. Regular readers know I loathe him, Chris Simon, Tom Poti and Marek Malik. No need to point it out specifically.
Scotty hockey - still the worst ranger fan out there!
Except that you do point it out...in every game wrap. Oh and you call the rest of us "sheep" too. how very nice of you.
-Plebeian
Hahahaha! I'm telling ya, Scotty, just make the site members-only to post. Then we can finally enjoy the "Silence of the Sheep."
Have it your way Pete...I guess you don't like your nonsense spoiled with reason. Silence from here on out (bleat)
-Plebeian
it's a blog folks, don't like: don't read...
Pete - Still Scotty's loyal boyfriend!
Anony dont you have anything better to do, if you dont like the blog then dont read it. Scotty gets it, you dont like what he writes about but he lives in America, freedom of speech. He can say what he wants. Get over it.
There are times I don't agree with Scotty's insight, but they are few and far between.
C'mon Pleb, bleat away. I am all for contrary opinions here - I just don't dig flaming and wahhhhh-ing.
But I am who I am, nothing more and nothing less. I call it as I see it and yet fully admit to having inherit prejudices against certain players. But - as was said - if you don't dig it, there are plenty of other great Ranger blogs out there. I just give my opinion, take it or leave it.
Ok, I'll comment again just to clear something up, there are two (or more) anonymous posters here so dont think I am saying all of this stuff.
As for the blog, I have been reading for over a year and I rather like it, so I regularly do ignore stuff I don't agree with. I just took exception to being likened to a sheep because I did not fall in like with Scotty on this issue, so sorry if the claws came out. I can't hate a guy who loves Robotech, so I will give him a pass. But Scotty, if my opinion matters at all (and I'm sure it doesn't) try to keep your disgust to Brashear, and not with his fans.
-Plebeian
aww, what's not to love about Tom Poti? he's big, slow, dumb, American, and, at the moment, sucking down $3.5million and a roster spot meant for Karl Alzner.
wait, what was the question again?
Scotty hockey doesn't like black people - kanye west
and for someone who doesn't like "wahhh-ing" as you put it, you sure do an awful lot of it on your blog!
Taken from Larry Brooks' latest column:
" We get that John Tortorella is heavily invested in Donald Brashear and that he wants to be publicly supportive of his player in the head coach's ceaseless circle-the-wagons approach to professional life.
But Tortorella doesn't get that he doesn't get to dictate to the fans how they should feel about any given player, let alone one mere months removed from viciously concussing one of their own.
Players and executives move on, leave hurts behind them. They have no choice. It's their job. But fans, they don't move on. Teams move out, but fans don't move on. They stay. That's what makes them fans.
These Rangers fans here, they have an open wound. They are angry. They care a lot about Blair Betts.
Tortorella doesn't ever get to tell them not to."
I couldn't have said it better. Thanks, Larry.
Hey pete, Larry Brooks is a bigger retard than you and scotty combined, and about 95% of New Yorkers know that already. Funny how you seem to fall into that other 5%...
Now now, no name calling. Unless it is Gomez. Or Mmmmaarrrtttyyy.
He didn't kill his dog, he gave him a vicious hit. Players survive them all the time, and they get over it.
I notice that you bleed blue when it comes to the loyalty of players you like, and yet others you don't give a rats ass about (Poti, Gomez) where is the loyalty for them? Is it simply a matter of how well they play? If so does that mean Brashear would be given a pass if he was a 40 goal scorer?
food for thought...If poti was still on the team, and Brashear had knocked HIS lights out last april, would you feel the same? What is it was Redden?
I'm not trying to perpetuate an argument here, mind you. I guess I'm just not as mushy about my hockey players.
-Plebeian
Pleb,
Scotty is what is known as a "Hypocrite", so I think that answers your question!
Hahahaha! I'm not sure what's sadder; the fact that you continue to comment or that you think it matters to me if you call me names, etc.
Either of which is almost as ridiculous as this quote:
"He didn't kill his dog, he gave him a vicious hit. Players survive them all the time, and they get over it." So...what happens when they don't get over it? What if Betts got concussion syndrome from what was deemed to be a dirty hit, not just by the fans, but also by the league (hence the suspension)? And what does that have to do with the fans reaction to the dirty player, which was what Brooks was talking about?
Your choice of words is most appropriate. You called it a "vicious" hit. Vicious, in that it had an intent behind it, and that intent wasn't to break up a play, or stop Betts from making a play, or anything related to hockey strategy. The intent was to brutalize the player. Maybe not to injure, but to make him hurt. It was completely indiscriminant of the player or the situation. Just an example of dirty play from a continually dirty player.
Pleb asks the question if whether the person who was hit makes a difference to Scotty. It may, to Scotty, but it doesn't to me. If it did, I'd be happy to have the jerk on the Rangers. He can go and end people's careers left and right. The division would be a lot easier to win with Gino on crutches and Cindy in a body cast.
I didn't call you names Pete, it was another "anonymous". If the topic is dead then just say so, but I'm not the only one who is continuing to comment.
As for the 2nd paragraph, that's why suspensions are levied for. If you think it should have been longer, then be mad at the NHL for not making it so. If he served the suspension, then what more can he do?
Out of curiosoty, did you despise Ryan Holleweg as much? Because I saw him board players headfirst just about every 5 games. He was brutalizing players too. One time an accident?, fine...two times?,...maybe. But the man made a career out of it and I never heard anyone complain. Then when Simon whacked him across the face it was all "what a monster, he could have hurt Holleweg...he should never play again" Hockey's not for girls folks. You can get hurt playing it. That's why they earn the big bucks.
-Plebeian
Clearly Pete cares about the names I call him, and he's now trying to whipe his tears with the latest Larry Brooks article!
Post a Comment