May 1, 2009, New York Rangers Breakup Day story plus Rangers and Devils final report cards for Metro (NY) Newspaper
NHL.
The worst isn't over.
After blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Washington Capitals in the first round of the playoffs, things seem to be getting even uglier for the Rangers. John Tortorella suggested Thursday that his Game 5 meltdown and subsequent suspension may have cost his team that series.
“My thing was a bad mistake by me. I regret it. I think I put the New York Ranger organization in an embarrassing situation. I’m embarrassed by it. I am an intense person, which is a positive but it turns into a negative sometimes. That turned into a negative for us,” Tortorella said, while noting that “the better team” won the first round series. “I regret it. Was it a distraction? Of course it was.
On Breakup Day, Tortorella vented about the team's lack of scoring, calling the team “offensively challenged.” Then he took shots at his player’s lack of conditioning. While not naming names, Tortorella said that there were players who were “tired after one playoff round.” Many of the players said that they were going to return to team in August to prepare for Tortorella’s first training camp as head coach—one that they said promises far more emphasis on skating than the camps under former coach Tom Renney.
Bringing a new attitude four months from now might be a step in the right direction. Tortorella said Thursday there may have been a lack of accountability among some of the players.
The coach said that he had a mental list of players that he wants to return and another with the players that he does not see on the 2009-10 New York Rangers. One of those players may be right wing Nik Zherdev.
The Rangers will have 11 free agents; five unrestricted free agents (Nik Antropov, Blair Betts, Colton Orr, Derek Morris and Paul Mara) and six restricted free agents. Zherdev is one of the six RFA’s, along with Lauri Korpikoski, Fredrik Sjostrom, Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan. Zherdev, Sjostrom and Callahan are arbitration eligible RFA’s.
The enigmatic Russian scored 23 goals during the 2008-09 campaign. It is somewhat misleading as Zherdev only scored seven goals in the 21 regular season games Tortorella coached. Possessing a game that tailor made for Tortorella’s puck-pressuring system and the “new” NHL, considering he spent most of the season skating alongside centermen Scott Gomez and Dubinsky, plus the world class talent he has, that is not nearly enough production.
Therein lay uncomfortable questions that the hockey operations people will debate amongst themselves prior to the draft and free agency: Can Zherdev finally put it all together and live up to the expectations that caused Columbus to select him fourth overall in the 2003 draft? Or does he not have the intellect and desire to be a dominant forward?
“He’s a young player. Sometimes when you speak about young players, chronologically he’s 21 years old. Sometimes players are young, even if they’re 25 or 26,” said Jim Schoenfeld about Zherdev, who will play for Russia in the World Championships. “In their, I wouldn’t say physical development, but maybe the understanding in what it takes to get the job done in the National Hockey League.
“I think that this was a learning year. He was traded to (this) organization, so that’s an adjustment. People say, ‘That happens all the time.’ Well, it didn’t happen to him all the time. You have to look at the individual. You have to kind of figure out where his head is, where his heart is.”
Mara, meanwhile, is one of the few Rangers that the organization does not have to wonder about his head and heart. He wants to return, as does Morris. The defensemen told reporters that they hope to be back next year, but it seems rather unlikely that either will return. Both will be causalities to a farm system that is stocked with promising young cap-friendly defensemen.
In Morris’ case, he was unimpressive in the 18 games he played with the Rangers after being a trade deadline day acquisition. Brought over from Phoenix, he did not provide the physical presence the Rangers have lacked since Jeff Buekeboom. Morris was also asked to provide a boost to an impotent power play, but only managed four assists and did not score a goal.
DENIS GORMAN
Rangers, Devils don't make the grade
Metro's NHL beat writer Denis Gorman hands out his final grades
NHL.
The Rangers and Devils certainly provided plenty of drama in their brief time in the playoffs, but they each fell short of expectations:
Grading the Rangers:
Forwards: For a group that boasted Scott Gomez, Chris Drury and Markus Naslund among others, it’s not a good sign that the Rangers’ best forwards were Ryan Callahan, Fredrik Sjostrom, Colton Orr and Blair Betts. Brandon Dubinsky regressed in his second season. When Sean Avery is concerned about playing hockey, he’s an effective player. However, in the first round loss to Washington, Avery’s antics hurt his team. Nik Antropov was very good in the regular season but invisible during the playoffs. C.
Defensemen: An underrated group’s grade was brought down due to Wade Redden. Partnered with Michael Rozsival, the one-time franchise defenseman was unsure when to join the rush, when to stay back, when to shoot and overpassed the puck. Paul Mara provided physical toughness, a hard shot and leadership to a team that lacked those attributes. Trade deadline acquisition Derek Morris was merely OK. Marc Staal is developing into a franchise defenseman, while Dan Girardi is solid. The organization potentially has studs in Bobby Sanguinetti and Michael Del Zotto. B-.
Goaltending: It is fair to question where the Rangers would be without Henrik Lundqvist. Here's a guess -- a week into the offseason, instead of a day. The Caps roll this team in four without King Henrik in the net. Lundqvist has won 142 games in four years. In the same time span, the Rangers have won 171 games. Steve Valiquette is among the best backup goaltenders in the league. A.
Coaching: In the two-thirds of the season that Tom Renney ran the Rangers’ bench, he implemented a defense-first system. After replacing Renney, John Tortorella installed a heavy forecheck, puck-pressuring style. Both men and their systems were limited by the personnel or lack thereof. Despite his Game 5 meltdown, expect Tortorella to return next season. It will be interesting to see if the coach that preaches accountability will be accountable for his actions. C.
Management: After being exposed as being too slow, too small and not having nearly enough scoring by the Penguins in the playoffs last year, GM Glen Sather re-signed Rozsival (4 years, $20 million) and gave Redden $39 million for six years. Sather also traded for Dan Fritsche—who was later released—and the underachieving Nik Zherdev. The end result was that the Rangers were close to capped out, still lacked scoring, speed and size. Sather may have to buy out several high-priced players (Drury and Redden perhaps?) in order to be able to improve a team that, to be brutally honest, is not good enough to compete for the Stanley Cup as currently constructed. F.
Grading the Devils:
Forwards: An older, smallish, speedy group that may be broken up. The Devils have seven forwards who are free agents; five UFAs (Brian Gionta, John Madden, Bobby Holik, Brendan Shanahan and Mike Rupp) and two RFA’s (Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond and Travis Zajac, who is arbitration eligible). Zajac’s arbitration hearing may have long-term implications. If Devils management — read: Lou Lamoriello — treat Zajac in the same manner as they did Scott Niedermayer when the future Hall-of-Fame defenseman went to arbitration, they could ruin their improving No. 1 center. Zach Parise joined the league’s elite with a 45-goal, 94-point season, and he had an oustanding playoff series -- his first as the team's No. 1 offensive option. Patrik Elias and Jamie Langenbrunner provided leadership and offense. David Clarkson provides muscle and a good screen on the power play. B.
Defensemen: The Devils desperately need a No.1 defenseman and a physical force on the blueline. Johnny Oduya and Paul Martin are a solid, if unspectacular duo. When he played, Andy Greene was a contributor. Trade deadline addition Nic Havelid was invisible in the season’s homestretch and in the postseason. Bryce Salvador and Colin White are blueline muscle. Mike Mottau is a glorified AHL defenseman. C+.
Goaltending: Martin Brodeur is among the all-time greats. He is also 37 years old. It is fair to wonder just how many world class years Brodeur has left in him. The all-time leader in wins let in two pucks in Game 7 from the exact same spot on the ice. Clearly, he is not the same goalie he was even two or three years ago. When Brodeur was out with an injured arm, Scott Clemmensen proved that he can be a No. 1 goaltender. The UFA should leave Newark over the summer. Expect the Devils to re-sign Kevin Weekes to be Brodeur’s back up. The organization is hoping that Jeff Frazee can develop into NHL-caliber while in the minors. B.
Coaching: The Devils lost Martin Brodeur for 50 games with an arm injury. Instead of collapsing, the team won its eighth Atlantic Division title. Brent Sutter deserves Jack Adams consideration for the Devils’ success. In his two seasons, Sutter overhauled a trapping team into one that can score while retaining its defensive conscience. A.
Management: Lou Lamoriello is on the short list of the best general managers currently working in any sport. With the philosophy that no one player is greater than the group, Lamoriello constructs hockey machines, only adding lpieces as necessary. Expect him to add several pieces this summer. B-.
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 10:17 AM
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