Richards Out With Flu as Rangers Training Camp Opens
Andrew Gross at the Bergen Record reports that Brad Richards did not participate in today's first day of Rangers training camp because of the flu.
...geez, doesn't this guy's health plan pay for the flu shot. Let's hope Richards and his teammates have been washing their hands all week because the flu has been spreading like wildfire in New York.
Meanwhile, Pat Leonard at the Daily News reports these lines with Richards out...
Hagelin-Stepan-Nash
Callahan-Boyle-Gaborik
Kreider-Halpern-Pyatt
Asham-Rupp
McDonagh-Girardi
Staal-Stralman
Del Zotto-Bickel
Eminger-Gilroy
...surprised to see just 12 forwards in camp. I guess if Torts wants to keep all eight defensemen he could use Gilroy as an emergency forward.
...if Torts is only looking to keep seven defensemen, I think Gilroy is the most likely to go. Despite Torts not trusting Bickel in the playoffs last year, he likes his toughness on the blueline. Also Eminger seems to be a Torts guy. Plus, with Del Zotto re-signing, Gilroy is more expendable.
Gross also reports that there were no endurance laps today, which is the trademark of a Tortorella camp.
...no time for suicides. Torts has to get this team ready to play in seven days.
Here's a great pic of Nash bearing down on Henrik Lundqvist during breakaway drills (via NY Rangers)...
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. .
Bickel's tougher no doubt but the lack of mobility he showed in the playoffs makes Gilroy, for me, a better option.
asham is suspended for the first game so surprised not to see an extra forward...bickel could fill in or they might call someone like haley up to play 4 minutes
@Van_Ness_WVU Keep forgetting he's suspended. Maybe they bring up Haley for first game in Boston.
1 Like
@Van_Ness_WVU I agree. Maybe Gilroy too. I like Gilroy playing a little as a forward better than I like Bickle as a forward.
1 Like
@GLENsatherVSglennDANZIG @Van_Ness_WVU i hear what youre saying but i feel torts will feel more comfortable with bickel because he used him in that role a few times last year.
@_Jack @GLENsatherVSglennDANZIG
a-lot of players league wide will be out over the first few weeks of the season. Best thing for the Devils would be if marty got a stomach flu...see, cuz he's fat.
