The Rangers have rightly (at times) been accused of lacking depth offensively and Glen Sather has rightly (most of the time) been criticised for bringing in the wrong free agents. All this makes for a bad combination and a patchwork roster.

Has it always been a case of simply having the wrong players in the wrong (prominent) positions and has it also been the case that the coaching staff have deferred (far) too much to a small core of players. Yes to both.

What we are seeing right now on the Rangers is less Gaborik filling the scoreboard alone and more of unheralded players such as Parentaeau, Voros, Prust, hell even Shelley, contributing offensively.

The Rangers recent run even has me believing again and while I have always maintained i’m an optimist I have another concern to air. John Tortorella. The head coach is my primary focus of concern. Why? Take a moment to listen…

  • 4 Lines. At the start of the season we heard Torts would ‘ride his horses’ and he did – Certain players got all the minutes. To poor, season long results. When we have run 4 lines this season, often it has been to good effect. 
  • Artem Anisimov. Too often he got little ice time or garbage time, Torts seeemed reluctant to use the talented rookie extensively. Now with some good line chemistry AA is playing at key times and his line has perhaps been New Yorks most consistent in this current hot streak. Refer to point 1 – use 4 lines.
  • Marc Staal. Torts force fed him a more offensive mindset and his natural game suffered. He’s a defence first guy and a damn good one. Now back in his usual role, his confidence and stability have returned and we’re now seeing the offense he displayed in the OHL as a result of a solid foundation. 
  • Henrik Lundqvist and his recent inconsistent play. Torts promised to find him more breaks, didnt and is it a coincidence Henrik hasnt been on top form recently – is it tiredness? Torts failed to accommodate his most important player’s needs.
  • PA Parenteau. Torts says he can’t skate at this level apparently. Doubted his NHL ability. Well he might not be Pavel Bure but given an opportunity the small winger can make a difference. and he has. The kid deserves a prolonged chance next year as he’s shown enough to warrant it. Especially in the NHL where teams often live and die by the shootout.
  • Accountability. Why were certain players not benched but the easier (cheaper) options were? Have we really seen the accountability this team needs to have been shown?

What is the point i’m making?……

Torts’ decision making must be put into question. I like him, I think he’s a good coach and I thought he was the right guy at the right time and YES, he wasn’t given a great squad to work with but alot of what he has said or done has been wrong and things he is accountable for havent worked out positively. Its been a poor year personally, for the coach.

Will his decision making and judgement shown this year cost the Rangers going forward long term?

….oh one more thing, that ‘safe is death’ mantra lasted a long time too, didnt it?!

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