Eminger, Bickel In; Gilroy, Asham Out
Andrew Gross at the Bergen Record reports that Steve Eminger will remain in the line-up as the six defenseman, while Stu Bickel will skate on the fourth line.
Arron Asham (back spasms) will miss his fifth straight game, while Matt Gilroy will sit for the second game in a row.
...right now I think this is the Rangers strongest line-up. Skill and toughness. I'd be confident going into every game with this setup.
...yes, I know Bickel could be a weak spot, but if you remember Colton Orr wasn't exactly Gordie Howe out there. They both have a role and I'm confident Bickel can do it well.
...I've been pleasantly surprised with Gilroy's play this season, but for a guy who's supposed to bring offense to the line-up to have zero points this season, going with Eminger is the better option. Just hoping Torts gains confidence in one of those two to take burden off top three on defense.
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@TheNYRBlog what's your take on the idea of splitting up the big 3? Slightly different from what they have now
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What is going on with Asham, it cant just be back spasms.... He better play on Tuesday or he is a b*tch.
We miss his toughness playing against Guteless Kaleta i hope Our guys know when he's out there
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Just an FYI, Leafs fans aren't exactly super stoked about all the minutes Orr is getting. Seems unnecessary.
Bickel is good for 4 minutes a game. I think he's a good fighter, and he definitely stands up for his teammates. But... he sucks. Really bad. It prevents Torts from being able to roll 4 solid lines, like the Devils' 4th line that absolutely killed us last playoffs. It's the secondary guys that really end up making a difference down the road, and the Rangers still don't have that when they feel obligated to put a guy in the line-up that can't actually play hockey. Just sayin'
@coontzbloontz Torts was confident enough in Bickel last year on defense to give him 10+ minutes a game.
@KevinDeLury Yeah, he gave him minutes. But once it got to the playoffs, Bickel was constantly out of position, couldn't stay on his man, got caught flatfooted constantly, and played like crap in general. And that's just on defense. Bickel is INCAPABLE of creating any chances on offense. It's a waste of a line unless Torts starts double-shifting Pyatt or Hags with Halpern and Powe for 4th line shifts. Halpern and Powe are great bottom 6 players, and they can't get good minutes playing with Bickel. It's ridiculous.
@coontzbloontz @KevinDeLury I think we can all agree - a healthy Asham is a way better option than Bickel. I think it's part concussion with him - he has a history.
@coontzbloontz Again, Orr produced absolutely nothing offensively either and fans are begging for him back. Not everyone has to contribute offensively. Different players have different roles.
And please don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to make Bickel out to be this great player, because if he couldn't fight then he's probably not in the NHL. But I truly feel he can help this team by adding toughness and some intimidation.
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@KevinDeLury @coontzbloontz however he doesn't stay confident and stops playing the 6th D and the 4th line way too often!!
@coontzbloontz I'm sure Leaf fans enjoy being 13-9-0 though. Leafs learning importance of toughness this year.
When healthy, I'd rather have Asham. Guy fights and brings more balance than Bickel. I'll take Emmy over Gilroy any day and twice on Sunday
@IMLazzaro did @TheNYRBlog promise to keep touching you inappropriately to keep your silence?
@ScottyHockey I'm abstaining from adding to this convo as I promised @TheNYRBlog I would. @Jen9400
@ScottyHockey @TheNYRBlog I'm sitting in 213. Is that near you? @jeanine1994 is going too of course. We're inseparable!
@mcolucci1 @TheNYRBlog @Jen9400 wasn't knocking the wife, was knocking him. I imagine her being Indiana Jones http://t.co/no8v2qcDnO
@TheNYRBlog @Jen9400 How many games have you been to this year? Last seven years? Mmm hmm.
@Jen9400 The only toughness @TheNYRBlog knows & understands is his wife not letting him out of the house.
@TheNYRBlog @ScottyHockey I've been enjoying ur convo all day! 1st that great Murray article now the "toughness" debate. Love it!
