SAFE IS DEATH

If the Rangers stop playing all out everyshift, no one will realize how much they need scoring. I for one realize that this style will produce some ugly results in the short term. I am ok with that. It is time for the management to admit their mistakes on draft day and start punting. It is time to re think draft day . It is time to draft plyers based on offense only. It is time to trade prized prospects for scoring.

ITS THE FINAL SCORE STUPID!

THATS RIGHT! If the other team can score more than your team YOU LOSE!. Play all the scenarios you want in your hockey strategy minds. But you have to score goals to win. If you want the other team to respect you, you have to score goals. You have to score on the power play. You have to score at even strength. You even have to put one in shorthanded from time to time. Your team has to score from center position. It must score from the wing position. Scoring from the defensive position is imperative to gaining the opponents respect.

There is that word RESPECT again!. What does it mean in hockey? Well for one it does not and never will mean being afraid of your teams goons. No No No. Respect is derived from your teams ability to convert chances into goals. Your opponent is very fearful when you can score from every situation on the ice. Opposing teams prepare WAY WAY different for you when you have proven to be a goal scoring team. .. They cannot take liberties. Because they pay for it on the scoreboard. How do the Rangers lose? When THEY do not respect teams that can score from all areas. And the only way the Rangers will gain ANY RESPECT from any opponent is when they can score from all areas and situations. So let us all stop making up all the excuses. From "why did the coach bench a dressed player" to " Lundqvist was sitting" to " we were playing a second game after getting in at 3:00 AM." to Using Drury at the point on the PP. ....etc

Can somebody just say that no one can score on the Rangers . So NO TEAM in the NHL respects them and lets get on with it. Danny Heatly was available. The Senators could have had Dubinski, Stahl, Callahan, and Drury for him as far as I am concerned. Because he is a player who is respected in the NHL. Remember; RESPECT IN THE NHL IS WHEN YOUR TEAM CAN SCORE GOALS. NOT WHEN YOU CAN BEAT SOMEONE UP WITH YOUR FISTS. OR YOU ARE A GOOD GUY OFF THE ICE!

OK. I HAVE HAD A GOOD LOOK AT THESE RANGERS

I have been a good soldier for 15 or so games. It is time to let loose. Good or bad. The Rangers are losing hockey games for 2 reasons. Their style of play has reverted to mostly dump and chase . With the majority of the offense being generated behind the goal line . They are not putting the players in front. They are not taking chances like they were in games 1 to 7 . The other issue is the goaltenders. Neither goalie is playing well. Hank is looking more and more like a late round draft pick. Valle is just not that good. I don't think this team can survive another season without having 3 lines that go for goals. I am really pissed that Torts has pulled in the defense. Personally, I do not care if we lose 6-4 . I just want to see this team score 4 or more a night. The Rangers are falling right back into the protect the defensive zone mode. I hope it is an adjustment. By the way.. If Avery or Boyle or Dubinsky cannot find a reason to take out Glenncross then none of them belong on this team. Another point. When all 3 of your leaders are not aggressive players, and your so called edgy players refuse to engage at the proper time, you have a lame team concept.

ONE WEEK INTO THE REGULAR SEASON

NUMBER FOUR, MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO. Thats all we need to know right now. Del Zotto has transformed the klunky , hands of stone, Rangers defensemen into a confident, keep your head up, look for an outlet pass, contribute to the offense, defense corp. Along with NUMBER NINETY SEVEN, MATT GILROY, opponents have learned that you can no longer flood the Ranger zone with reckless abandon, and be sure that you will not suffer an odd man rush against. Thats all Ranger fans need to know for now. Yes, the third and fourth line are beefier and can stand toe to toe in front and on the cycle. Marion Gaborik makes some very deceptive plays, and Chris Higgins is tougher than I thought he was. But the the defense is the story up to know.

TIME TO DROP THE PUCK 2009-2010

WE ARRIVE AT THE SEASON OPENER .

I am curious about this Rangers team at this point. It does not look as if it is a set group. The players seem to be feeling it out up to now. I mean, Dubinsky looks Dubinsky like. As does Callahan. The defense seems to have found an identity in the rookies . Not the vets. Thats a good thing. I do not think this Rangers team is ready for prime time. They seem like a team that will sneak away a couple victories, but on most nights they will fall just short. I like the new blood in the bottom 6 forwards. That is refreshing. But the top 6 have not proven anything in the past. I hope they change my opinion of them .

PRE SEASON SPECIAL

We are at the 3/4 pole of the pre season. The NY Rangers have played a bunch of rookies in games and used them in all situations. The coaches have been utilizing the teams faster players on PK. The result is average. Not so much that the forwards are not playing well. But that our defense is still way too soft. I heard that Stall and Garardi were asked to be tougher to play against in the goal area. Well that would be real nice of them. The leftovers from last years number 1 and 2 defense, Redden and Roszival, are soft and do not deserve top 4 status on this years team. The defense has shone from the offensive point of view. Matt Gilroy can truly go end to end with gusto. Mike Del Zotto is the most poised Ranger defenseman of the pre season with control of the puck.

The forwards are doing some new things from past Ranger teams. There seems quite a bit more push to the front of the net. Even from the back board cycles I can see the goal of the shift is to put the puck in the net by every line. Anisimov is already getting attention from the Hockey News. It is deserved. This kid may be the number one center. Grachev and Paranteu , along with Lisin and Callahan, have been dynamic at forcing the play. Marion Gaborik made a beautiful one time pass that hasn't been seen in MSG by a Ranger since Messier, Leetch and Kovelev. I hope Marion can skate in real games too.

Rangers Rookies Invade Traverse City

All eyes point towards Traverse City. The Rookies are coming! The Rookies are coming! Starting this weekend September 5th, The Rangers coaches will be assembling lines and combinations of Ranger prospects to play against some of the top NHL prospects in Traverse City. Del Zotto, Bourque, Gravchev, Chad Johnson, to name a few.I can't wait! NHL Network will be the tv source. The tournament is fun to watch. It reminds me of the rookie games between the Rangers and I'sles at Rye Playlands' Ice Casino when the team used to practice there. Lots of excitement. With alot of players with something to prove.