1 ) All we hear all season is how "tight" this group is, and how " much they care about each other " - well folks, we all see how far that gets you now... the only time a "tight" group and " caring for each other " works is an orchestra or synchronized swimming. Great teams need conflict, Great teams need motivation from within.
Last season, we had our conflict in Sean Avery, and the season before. Every game with him was an adventure, and the team had to stay on its toes. He was gonna run his mouth, and get the game to a new level. In turn, it brought the levels of others around him higher. Now that he is gone, there is no one to do that, and you get the feeling its ok with the vets to stay at one level and never really push it forward.
BTW - for you avery haters, He netted 15 goals in 57 games... which would have put him # 2 on the rangers currently, had he played another 20 games, he would have cashed in on over 20, and only one ranger ( naslund) seems poised to do that.
So when you cry about how " disruptive " Aves was, remember that stat, while the players you protect Gomez 12-31-42-(-9) and Drury 15-24-39-(-11) wont come close to matching Averys stat line of 15-18-33 - +6
Avery has more heart in his pinkie that captain monotone will ever have. And it breaks my heart saying that, but thats just the truth of the matter.
As for the conflict, its now here with Torts, i believe that. I believe he will be kind and friendly like he has till the camp opens, and then hell breaks loose. He cant change the team the way it... but next season... he WILL start calling players out, and putting them in uncomfortable situations.
Right now, he cant, he needs to establish confidence first if he plans on a playoff push.
B ) MVP outside of Hank this season is Paul Mara. The guy playing with basically one arm still was throwing the body more then Gomez or Drury has all season. He will not be a Ranger next year, which makes me sad.
C ) There are often times when a team needs a leader to step up and fall on a grenade. Now, the grenade this year has already exploded. But lets look back at some of the great moments in recent memory shall we...
2 yrs ago, Dec 30th vs Wash - Donald Brashear running around the garden, until 39 yr old Shanny drops the gloves with him. That was a major turning point until Avery came a month later to further that spark.
Last Year - Struggling - Jagr decided to play like a man again, and carried the teams offense on his back.
This year - Nothing, not one memorable moment.
Leaders step up in times of crisis. Leaders rise to the occasion. Leaders are the ones who when all doubt, stand up and have their voices raised the loudest.
Which, is why its no surprise Drury speaks so softly. Why Scott Gomez is always clowning around, as a way to deflect the tough questions.
I have heard one voice recently, but its a whisper in a sea of white noise, and that was Dubinsky. But its hard for a young kid to make an impression on vets who are collecting a paycheck.
Drury needed to bleed for this team, or Gomez. Those were the two who had this team handed to them by Sather and pushed Jagr and Co. out the door.
2 cup winners, who had legends to learn from, have failed the course. You think Joe Sakic, Scott Stevens, Ray Bourque or Ken Daneyko would allow this type of lethargic leadership happen in their dressing room?
Where are these 2 to step up and score the big goal, willing the team to victory. Or did we get spoiled by having some of the best leaders of our generation all together on one team ( Mess, Graves, Larmer - yeh, i said Stevie L ).
Fact is, these 2 "hockey" players need a rude awakening. They need a shakeup. Torts is right in saying he needs his best players "CURRENTLY" to be their best players.
D) sorry for the long post - bare with me - Ive read on a few places 2nite that " at least the games are fun to watch, and the quality scoring chances have gone up "
Great - you played Toronto and Florida folks, not the Bruins and Wings. 2 teams who , by all means, are chocked filled of AHL players. Outside of Jason Blake, Bouwmester, Horton and Hagman, who really is NHL ready on either team... NOT EVEN THE GOALIES PEOPLE.
Chris Drury might not score again this season. Scott Gomez might not make another tape to tape pass. Wade Redden may never actually hit someone to deter them off the puck.
How Sad is this?
Its nice to see Torts behind the bench...but maybe we should fire Jim Ramsey and bring in heart and back Dr so we can fit these "leaders" with a heart and spine.
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