Mel
11-21-05, 3:17 PM
Well I am very pleased over all. After dropping 3 straight, the good start had "fluke" written all over it. But the team responded nicely with a very solid, smart win over an excellent Carolina team (who beat them 2 nights prior), and a 3-2 victory over Boston last night.
The only down-side, especially on Saturday was how they let Carolina back into the game late when they had it locked up. I don't know if it's their schedule (most games played so far in the league, and 2 more in the next 3 days) or what... but they seem to let up late in games. That needs to be addressed.
Random thoughts...
Despite all the abuse heaved on Tom Poti by the fans (myself included), he has really been working hard and his game is transforming. You can see him improving and gaining confidence week by week. It's nice to see. I hope he continues to work hard and I'm sure he will. This incarnation of the Rangers has the best work ethic I've seen in many years.
The second best penalty kill in the NHL is the only reason this team is where they are. They take waaaaaayyyyy to many penalties. I imagine that is a main topic of many practices and meetings. Saturday they were pretty good except for Malik who took 3 minors, and (I believe it was Rosival) who took one in the 3rd that Carolina scored on to get back in the game.
Up front this team is pretty solid, Jagr is well... Jagr - he's going to get his. This is the fastest Ranger team in a very long time. Rucchin has been a great addtion. They have some good blue collar bangers like Hollweg, Ward and Ortemeyer. These guys make things happen, they get the crowd and the team elevated with the energy they bring every shift.
Goal tending has been more than I hoped for in every sense. Weekes has been as good or better than I'd hoped... and who knew Lundqvist was NHL-ready? While neither man is a star... both are definitely adequate for the team to stay competitive. I would have to say this is the best goaltender situation since the demise of Mike Richter.
Where's the biggest room for improvement? On the blue line, plain and simple. The defense is thin... I would love to see them deal for a solid top-4, high-minutes defenseman. It's also comforting to know Marc Staal is in the pipeline... but he won't help this season. (maybe next?). I'm excited about him. He's really standing out in the OHL and if you consider the strides his brother has made only a few years into his NHL career... Marc might just have what it takes to be the next franchise Leetch-type defenseman.
Kasparitis is playing solid but needs to stay out of the box. Poti I already mentioned. Beyond that there's not a whole lot of experienced talent.
I don't believe Dale Purinton has played a game with the team yet this season, and may never again. He got a 10 game suspension late in pre-season for gouging Colton Orr. Not cool, and it's not the first or even second time he's pulled some real nasty, dirty crap in a fight.
Without Purinton the Rangers have only had 2 fighting majors this whole season (both by Jason Strudwick). He fought Boulerice Saturday but I missed it.
The only down-side, especially on Saturday was how they let Carolina back into the game late when they had it locked up. I don't know if it's their schedule (most games played so far in the league, and 2 more in the next 3 days) or what... but they seem to let up late in games. That needs to be addressed.
Random thoughts...
Despite all the abuse heaved on Tom Poti by the fans (myself included), he has really been working hard and his game is transforming. You can see him improving and gaining confidence week by week. It's nice to see. I hope he continues to work hard and I'm sure he will. This incarnation of the Rangers has the best work ethic I've seen in many years.
The second best penalty kill in the NHL is the only reason this team is where they are. They take waaaaaayyyyy to many penalties. I imagine that is a main topic of many practices and meetings. Saturday they were pretty good except for Malik who took 3 minors, and (I believe it was Rosival) who took one in the 3rd that Carolina scored on to get back in the game.
Up front this team is pretty solid, Jagr is well... Jagr - he's going to get his. This is the fastest Ranger team in a very long time. Rucchin has been a great addtion. They have some good blue collar bangers like Hollweg, Ward and Ortemeyer. These guys make things happen, they get the crowd and the team elevated with the energy they bring every shift.
Goal tending has been more than I hoped for in every sense. Weekes has been as good or better than I'd hoped... and who knew Lundqvist was NHL-ready? While neither man is a star... both are definitely adequate for the team to stay competitive. I would have to say this is the best goaltender situation since the demise of Mike Richter.
Where's the biggest room for improvement? On the blue line, plain and simple. The defense is thin... I would love to see them deal for a solid top-4, high-minutes defenseman. It's also comforting to know Marc Staal is in the pipeline... but he won't help this season. (maybe next?). I'm excited about him. He's really standing out in the OHL and if you consider the strides his brother has made only a few years into his NHL career... Marc might just have what it takes to be the next franchise Leetch-type defenseman.
Kasparitis is playing solid but needs to stay out of the box. Poti I already mentioned. Beyond that there's not a whole lot of experienced talent.
I don't believe Dale Purinton has played a game with the team yet this season, and may never again. He got a 10 game suspension late in pre-season for gouging Colton Orr. Not cool, and it's not the first or even second time he's pulled some real nasty, dirty crap in a fight.
Without Purinton the Rangers have only had 2 fighting majors this whole season (both by Jason Strudwick). He fought Boulerice Saturday but I missed it.