Will Rangers Grinding Style Grind Them Down?
"There wasn't a player who was willing to admit to being tired, mentally or physically, during the postseason, but their play on the ice said otherwise. The Rangers have just as much talent as anyone with the addition of Nash, but maybe a little less grind and a little more finesse will help the club go further this season."
...i say the answer is yes. I think you can only go with the Rangers current style of play for so long. Injuries and fatigue will inevitably set in and players will quickly grow tired of the shot blocking, body on the line every night of the season game plan.
...players like Girardi and McDonagh will easily lose years off their careers if they continue to play this way.
...now having said that, with the Rangers having more skill on the team this season, I really do feel that Torts will ease up a bit on this grinding style and implement some of his "safe is death" mantra from his Tampa days. Makes absolutely no sense to have guys like Nash, Gaborik and Kreider more focused on the defensive end. Especially when you have a Vezina winning goaltender behind them.
Other questions include Lundqvist, handling big expectations, line combinations, penalty kill and Kreider.
Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The grinding system they ran fit last year team. Remember, defense was a huge question mark coming into the season. They adapted to the pieces they had, which is what a good coaching staff does. I don't see why they won't adapt again to the more skill and speed they have.
too much shot blocking last season. We have the best goaltender in the NHL. why would we need 5 more goaltenders on the ice. We spent the majority of our time in our own end because of this. 1st thing you learn in youth hockey is to get the puck out of your end. i can see the shotblockng on penalty kills and when you are stuck in you own end. Our mentality all last season was shotblock 1st get puck out of our end last. we would skate into our end and immediately line up as goaltenders.
You know I'm with you on this one, Kevin. It's come up before, particularly in reference to Girardi and what happens when his contract is up in two years. I also agree that Torts will roll out a little bit more of a 'skill game' this year.
Funny, I never noticed Gordie Howe or Chris Chelios wearing down because they played a tough, physical, game every night.
@JoeSmith Neither one of them played in a Torts like system that stressed blocked shots to go along with tough physical play.
@JoeSmith I don't think guys in Howe's era were ever hit like this which can and does happen on any given night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urfv3RYk8GQ
