Gaborik to Left Wing Experiment Over...For Now
Back in training camp, we were informed of John Tortorella's decision to move Marian Gaborik from his natural right wing to the left side. It was received with skepticism from fans, including myself. Well, lost in the Rangers recent resurgence has been Gaborik's return to the right wing on a line with Brad Richards and Taylor Pyatt.
He addressed this with Andrew Gross of the Bergen Record after today's quick 35-minute practice before the Rangers headed to Boston for tomorrow night's game against the red hot Bruins...
”I’m back on the right wing. I’m more comfortable on the right side.”
Gaborik added he can be moved back "in a heartbeat" as lines change all the time under Tortorella.
...i'm sorry, when your number one sniper is saying he's more comfortable on the right side, you leave him there. I know we all enjoyed the super line of Gaborik-Richards-Nash, but it proved to make the Rangers line-up way too top heavy. I get what Torts was trying to do with the move, but after seeing the results, I now beg of Torts, please leave Gaborik in his natural position.
Brett Cyrgalis at the New York Post reports that the lines at practice were the same as last night with Brian Boyle as the extra forward.
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I don't understand why they moved a 40+ goal scorer to other side? Yes maybe if he was struggling but they never gave him a chance....
I know this was a discussion last week, and many responded that changing right to left wing was no biggy. Anybody who watched Gaborik play during the first 2 weeks could see he was uncomfortable, and out of place...and I am glad they saw that. This team is very right wing heavy....Nash, Gaborik and Callahan.....maybe having 3 right wings playing the powerplay at the same time was part of the reason we were so awful early on.
I like the lines the way they are and to be honest Pyatt is probably more comfortable on the left. So ya Gabby on the right is fine with me. You cand see that line working, Pyatt just worries about puck possession and richies always looking to feed gabby and gabby's looking to snipe. I love the balance of the top 2 lines now. On paper I hate it, but to see it in motion you can see the genius of it.
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@GLENsatherVSglennDANZIG I would even say the top three lines are balanced. The third line shows a lot of grit with cally, speed and physicality with kreider, and playmaking ability with JT. If that line continues to produce we could be in for a special year. Also, the Nash Stepan Hagelin line looks to be pure genius at this point.
@slapshot13j ya that's what I'm saying the top two are perfect. The 3rd is obviously great too. But those top two are probably envied by most teams fan bases. Also the next time we see the welcome to the jungle line will be the next time we're down 2 to 3 goals unless Torts gets a little frisky here and there.
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@GLENsatherVSglennDANZIG @slapshot13j Let's not get too crazy with the Messier talk until Nash at least wins a playoff game.
@chrisD @GLENsatherVSglennDANZIG no doubt he put up great numbers for the rangers. Just didn't feel that he wud go into the corners against two guys and knock one guy over and come out with the puck. Loved jagr but I think Nash is a different kind of superstar that is better suited for these rangers
@chrisD @slapshot13j I agree I would take Jag's in a heartbeat. He gets hurt a lot but he also puts up great numbers for a guy his age.
@slapshot13j @GLENsatherVSglennDANZIG Jagr not a premadonna - look at his numbers with NYR - he produced and he anchored the PP. Look how he's doing with Dallas! I'd still take him on our 3rd line.
@GLENsatherVSglennDANZIG they usually get a shift a game, maybe just because he double shifts Nash for one shift, which I have no problem with. Guy is an animal. He is the player the Rangers have always been missing. Even with Jagr he was a premadonna. Nash can do anything with the puck... Score, pass, play in the corner. Almost reminds me of a more physical kovalchuck with a worse shot. I mean did you see that move he put on hedman last night. Made him look like a minor league defenseman... It was unbelievable, just wish he had finished there it wud have been the best goal of the year
Huge game for the Rangers tomorrow. Obviously can't go as far to say a must win this early, but a win over Boston on the road would give this team a lot of confidence. Especially with two games coming up against the Islanders and Capitals. If we do what we are suppossed to we could be 9-5 by the end of the week, and the slow start begins to fade. That being said it won't be easy on Tuesday Boston is probably the best team in the east right now asides from the devils.
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@slapshot13j Hate to give the Devils and kind of props, but how the hell do they lose the players they do and continue to win games. I thought they'd be terrible this year.
@KevinDeLury also meant to say DeBoer is a great coach it looks like so far with this team
@KevinDeLury you have no idea how much I hate the devils too haha. But the reason they are always great is because they consistently have great coaching. Even during the trap era, people say it was cheap including me, but it takes a great coach to implement that system and make it work. Also Marty still playing like he is 25 helps. We played great against them but he shut us down...
@slapshot13j @KevinDeLury The Devils games last year were some of the best of the season. (except for the playoffs) We came out flat against them in our first game and I expect we'll be much better the next time we meet. Now, if we can start beating the Pens - i hate them even more than the Devils!
