Comments on: Does it get any easier?

By: Rucchin

Rucchin — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:56:04 +0000

The puck was bouncing but he even missed when he turned to swat it. He knows how many SH goals had been scored against them this year. He could’ve dropped and covered the puck like Chara did earlier in the game. And it’s a lot easier for Rozy to do that than 6’9” Chara.

http://www.nyhockeyrivalry.com

By: Jeever

Jeever — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:14:23 +0000

Nasty raises a good point there…

There was a PP SAturday night, Rozie had the puck, about at the bottom of the circle (closer to the blue line). he had TONS of open ice in front of him. A WHLE bunch of people yelled shoot, so he hesitated a second, then blasted a slapshot that got blocked. In a case like that, I’d much rather he walk the puck up and THEN either shoot or pass.

There was no need to hurry and blast the shot when there was NOBODY by him, but he did it cause the crowd all screamed it.

By: Nasty 1

Nasty 1 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:59:51 +0000

I don’t think Roszi was ready in the beginning of the season to start playing yet, after that surgery that he had. I am not making excuses for him, but the guy has never played this badly before. You can say all you want that he was always this bad, but the fact is, he wasn’t. That being said, he is not worth the money we paid him. I think the guy started off the year hurt and afraid to take a hit. His confidence is shot right to hell, he is scared to take a hit, shoot, accept a pass, everything. The booing has not helped one bit. I don’t think he is going anywhere though. So I think as fans we should make it a little easier on the guy. When he is playing his “A” game he can be a very good defenseman. Our power play looks much better on the road because we don’t have a bunch of pricks (our fans) screaming and bitching and moaning every second we have the puck. I agree, we need to shoot more, but when you have dancing granny yell shoot the puck when Hank has it behind our own net, there is a problem. You can’t always just shoot, it is not that simple, just as it is that simple. Hope that makes sense. I am sure that those of us who have played hockey, or truly understand hockey, know exactly what I am saying.

By: Pavel

Pavel — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:38:16 +0000

I still think Blozsival is tradeable… just need to add a sweet pick or prospect to get it done.

Assuming he puts up another 35-40 points, $5m is not THAT bad.. my problem is he shouldn’t be such a PANSY.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:37:00 +0000

Top reasone defensemen are booed at MSG:

1. Big defenseman, doesn’t ever take the body. This was the case with Malik, Huber, Hatcher, the list goes on and on. I’m not sure how good a player Beck was, but he hit like a freight train. He was loved. Again, if Rozie lays somebody out tonight, the fans’ take on him will change dramatically.

2. Turning the puck over with bad passes up the middle of the Rangers’ zone or worse, failure to absorb a hit to make the play. Now that may often be the forwards’ fault for not being in a position to help out and receive a pass, but obviously nobody boos, say Nigel Dawes when Rozie makes a bad pass.

The truth is the Garden actually does NOT need a scapegoat. The Garden needs everyone to leave it all on the ice every night. Even though it’s not entirely accurate, the failure to play the body, especially by a lareg defenseman, translates into a lack of effort or a lack of willingness to engage or lack of desire to sacrifice for the team. Same thing with blind passes up the middle – it’s such an atrocious thing to do that it smacks of a lack of effort. And even booing the PP – it’s the same thing. Everyone can see that they need to move the puck quicker, go to the net and pay the price and goals will come. When that’s not happening it looks like nobody wants to pay the price so nobody bothers going to the net. And for some reason these are common themes in the Garden and have been for 40 years. New Yorkers don’t necessarily demand wins, they demand that you give 110% for the Rangers. The perception that a player isn’t doing that is what makes all the booing start.

By: kc

kc — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:36:19 +0000

If your team is losing 5-0, then booing may be understandable. But it’s ridiculous to say one player is the only one who is making mistakes on the ice. Mistakes happen the entire game by every player—that’s the beauty of hockey—you never know what will happen, and everything can change in a split second. Try enjoying the game and supporting your team—the team that’s in first place with one of the highest ranked defenses in the league, by the way!

By: Beer Me!

Beer Me! — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:28:02 +0000

I thought this was interesting, and coincides with what was discussed here yesterday. Coaching is changing in the NHL, and if it continues, we’ll have been ahead of the curve.

This is from a story in Ottawa about their troubles.
........
“Hartsburg says it’s not his job to threaten players that change is going to come if they don’t start playing better. His task is to make them understand they have to play in a certain way if the team hopes to be successful. If they’ve heard him so far, they haven’t given much of an indication.”
.........

BTW…The ‘bad ice’ comment is a poor excuse, and a deflection from the fact that he hasn’t been playing to his potential for a while. I was a bit surprised to hear it from Renney. (see…I can be critical of the coach too…when it’s appropriate). But it doesn’t change the fact that the handling of players is changing.

And at this point, it’s not about how bad of a game he HAD. It’s about how he responds to it.

By: Jeever

Jeever — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:14:27 +0000

hey, anybody looking for tickets tonight? I got 2 in section 304, Row D, looking for face value on them ($104 for the pair).

By: acdaviddc

acdaviddc — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:10:55 +0000

Ofcorse all bets made before the season started

By: Dude1994

Dude1994 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:10:36 +0000

historically, it’s always been a defenseman who gets to feel the wrath of the fans.

They booed Harry Howell, they booed Rod Seiling, they booed Carol Vadnais, they booed Maloney and Greschener.

It’s always going to happen and it is usually always extremely unfair.