Comments on: Prucha back in as Rangers go for franchise record (Updated)

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:55:42 +0000

Prucha was the best player on the ice against Buffalo. We’ll never know how “good or bad” he can be for us until we keep him on the “SAME” line for at least 5 or 6 continuous games. Do you really think the 30 goals his first season and 20 the second are a fluke? I’m tired of the “he’s too small” comments (have you ever seen Gionta, Kane or St. Louis?) The coaches should just teach him to play like a 175 pounder and not like Voros. I “guarantee” if he’s ever traded he’s a 30 goal scorer on his next team. There is no comparison to the skill level he brings to the rink compared to Dawes (I know he scored against Detroit-why not put Prucha and Callahan on either side of Gomez or Drury for 6 games and see what happens), Fritsche or Rismiller. Give Prucha a legitimate chance, play him on the power play and the team will have the best $1.2 mil investment it ever made!

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:36:56 +0000

PRUCHA CAN’T SCORE HE WAS AT THE DOORSTEP AND COULD NOT PUT IT IN TWICE, I DON’T KNOW WHY IM WRITING IN CAPITALS BUT I LIKE IT, THE GUY IS A BUM.B.U.M, BUM!!!!!!!!! FRITCHE FOR PREZ!!! In all seriousness, Prucha can’t score, there is a mental block going on in the young man’s mind due to the fact that he never knows if he is going to be in the lineup and so much pressure is being put on him to score. That being said, Prucha is damaged goods here in New York, I bet he would thrive in another city but there is just too much on him at this point. Put Drury on the third line and bring callahan up to the first line, you will see more production because callahan will bring the grit and tenacity to the first line that it needs. Drury, Dawes and Fritche would be a good line in my opinion but it is all up to Renney to see these line changes, not me.

By: nyr09

nyr09 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:22:19 +0000

you need both types of player. you need the skill guys to do their thing, but you also need the Orrs to protect them, and make sure they are not prevented from doing their thing.

also, both types draw fan support. I do not want to ever see hockey become figure skating with sticks.

By: rocketnyr

rocketnyr — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:23:52 +0000

I just don’t get the current prevailing attitude – in all sports – that size equals talent.

f-champs, you say that there are plenty of bigger players who can do the same job as Prucha. Who says that a bigger player is necessarily better?

In fact, most of the best players in ALL sports have been smaller or average-sized athletes. Gretzky, Lafleur, Cornoyer, Kurri, and (currently) St. Louis, Savard, Zetterburg, Datsyuk, etc.. were and are all normal or smaller sized athletes.

Smaller players usually have faster reflexes, skate faster, and have better hand-eye coordination than bigger players.

So what is it that has gotten everyone so enamored of “big”? Is it the fact that a big guy can hit harder? Cause more damage? Since when does that equate to a better player?

Hockey is all about skills, not causing injury. When it’s played right, it’s the fastest, most beautiful sport in the world. When it becomes all about injuring the other team, it’s an ugly game.

I’d rather watch a team of Gretzkys and Lafleurs rather than a team of Dave Shultzes and Gillies and even Lindroses any day of the week.

By: paul

paul — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:00:56 +0000

graves

really?
gomez always gains the zone on drurys side… drops it to him, little give and go action…
they seem to pass the puck back and fourth pretty well…
especially in the tampa games…
gomez always seems to find drury when hes not in front of the net…

By: f-champs

f-champs — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:41:00 +0000

Hate to chime in as everyone here seems to be a regular—but Prucha, like every other player in the NHL, has to produce in the spot he’s given. On this team, barring injuries, he’s not going to see any top-line time or much PP time so he’s got to score on the third. If he doesn’t contribute offensively, I’m not sure why he plays. He does work hard and forcheck, but there are plenty of bigger players with similar speed out there who can do the same. Voros was given a shot and he made the most of it. Dubinsky came in and did the same last year. You make your own breaks. Prucha needs to do the same. His first year, with the PP time and that cross-ice pass from Jagr isn’t coming back. He probably should have been traded last year.

If he contributes though, that would be huge for this team. Someone needs to start scoring on the third line.

By: Beer Me!

Beer Me! — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:28:18 +0000

Well, if it’s proven, then I guess he has one foot out the door.

new post

By: graves9

graves9 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:26:06 +0000

I Sure haven’t seen any chemistry between Drury and Gomez this year.

By: graves9

graves9 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:24:18 +0000

Beer it’s been proven if Prucha doesn’t get pp time he doesn’t score. He was put on the pp in November of ‘05 and scored 30 goals that year. 06-07 he barely played on the pp in the first half and didn’t score much. He got a chance when Renney put Shanny and Jagr on different pp units and Prucha had a terrific second half scoring 22 goals.

By: Evan S

Evan S — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:17:05 +0000

I hope this will spark some action on the 3rd line. A real shame that it hasn’t clicked yet especially with the talented Korpikoski and gritty Callahan, you’d think maybe they’d fly…