June 21, 2013, New York Rangers introduce Alain Vigneault as head coach news story for Metor Newspaper in NYC
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 6:14 PM
Friday, June 21, 2013
June 21, 2013, New York Rangers introduce Alain Vigneault as head coach notebook for Metro Newspaper in NYC
Rangers Notebook: Vigneault brings much different style than Tortorella
Throughout his press conference and, later, a round table discussion with the writers that cover the team, Vigneault explained a philosophy diametrically opposed to the one employed by former head coach John Tortorella.
“I like my teams to play the right way which is, if you’ve got room to make a play, make a play. I believe your top skilled players have to be given a little bit more latitude. That’s why they have that high-end skill,” Vigneault said. “You have to put a system in place that maximizes their talent.
“Right now, I feel like here in New York, in talking with a few other people in management, our skill base is pretty solid.”
Still, there will be some changes. Vigneault is looking to employ at least three assistant coaches, and he will implement Corsi advanced statistics into game plans.
Much like its baseball cousin sabermetrics, Corsi — named after Jim Corsi, a former Buffalo assistant coach — examines why teams and players succeed or fail using mathematical analysis such as the percentage of shifts started in the offensive zone.
During the 2013 season, Daniel Sedin started 66 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. His brother and linemate, Henrik, started 63.7 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. Henrik Sedin led the Canucks in points last season with 45. Daniel Sedin was second on the team with 40.
“I will use my offensive players more in the offensive zone,” Vigneault said. “It’s the right place for them to start. It gives them more opportunity to have success.”
Rangers notes …
» Vigneault has not yet had a chance to speak with Rangers players. He estimated that he would begin talking to players “in the next couple weeks,” following the draft and free agency.
“Glen and I are going to sit down in the next couple days and come up with a possible list of names that we feel can help our organizations,” Vigneault said.
The only players on the team he has a history with are Arron Asham, Martin Biron, Brad Richards, Taylor Pyatt and Ryane Clowe.
» Team president and general manager Glen Sather told reporters that he spoke on the phone with Henrik Lundqvist’s agent, Don Meehan, Friday morning. He believes the two will meet next week, when it’s expected that contract negotiations will begin. Lundqvist is in the final year of a six-year, $41.25 million deal.
» Sather said he is planning on talking to special assistant Mark Messier “this week or the beginning of next week.” Messier made no secret of his interest in the head coaching position and had interviewed for the job.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/2013/06/21/rangers-notebook-vigneault-brings-much-different-style-than-tortorella/
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 6:13 PM
Thursday, June 20, 2013
June 20, 2013, state of the New York Rangers system story for Metro Newspaper in NYC
Gordie Clark discusses Rangers’ future in wide-ranging interview
That is how Rangers director of player personnel Gordie Clark summed up the state of the franchise following the week-long organizational meetings in team president and general manager Glen Sather’s home La Quinta, Calif.
“I think we’ll remain patient,” Clark told Metro New York in a wide-ranging phone interview Wednesday. “We’ve been very patient the last five or six years, keeping all this youth together. I think that’s the way the organization will stay.”
Entering what may be one of the most intriguing off-seasons in franchise history, the Rangers are an interesting conundrum. Are they a Cup contender? Are they a group with a bright future? Or is the window to win the franchise’s first Cup since 1993-94 rapidly closing?
Those questions will not be fully answered until the puck drops for the 2013-14 season. However, some questions will be answered in a training camp where the organization’s young talent will have an opportunity to win NHL jobs. One such player is Oscar Lindberg, who recorded 42 points (17 goals and 25 assists) in 55 games with Skelleftea HC of the Swedish Elite League.
“He probably had a bigger season than any one of [the organizational prospects], as far as what we expected,” Clark said. “We always had him as a very good two-way center. [He is] good on both sides of the puck, can make a play, score a goal and probably have him out there in the last minute of a game protecting a one-goal lead. He had a huge offensive year and was a big part of [Skelleftea HC] winning the championship. He was also the best-looking prospect in our summer camp last year. I would say he would be coming in with a lot of confidence and trying out for one of those spots [as a] third- or fourth-line center role.”
Lindberg, 21, will not be the only young player entering camp with confidence. Chris Kreider was the Rangers’ best skater in the final two games of the second-round series against the Bruins, including having scored the game-winner in the Rangers’ 4-3 overtime win in Game 4 following a campaign in which he was shuttled between Connecticut and the Rangers.
“Kreider was diligent about his work in the minor leagues and got himself called up, and played really well for us in the playoffs,” Clark said. “As he became more confident, he was becoming more of a threat. He really seemed to do well when he was playing with [Rick] Nash. Both Washington and Boston were keying on [Nash] as our top forward. Chris’s speed and strength made them concentrate a little bit more on him, and opened up some things for Nash.”
In the final two games of the Boston series, Nash and Kreider were centered by Derick Brassard, who became a key component to the Rangers after the April 3 trade-deadline blockbuster which saw the Rangers land John Moore and Derek Dorsett along with the center in the trade that sent Marian Gaborik to Columbus.
Clark believes the deal may have fortified the organization’s future, as Brassard, 25, and Moore, 22, are still reasonably young players.
“Those guys, Brassard, he was a top first-round pick and John Moore was a top first-round pick. In those situations, you get a player and they’re still very young in their career,” Clark said. “Those were like nabbing two first-round picks.”
Since-fired head coach John Tortorella routinely said the trades “filled out” the roster for the sprint to clinch a playoff berth. The Rangers won 10-of-14 games in April and clinched a playoff berth by beating the Hurricanes in the penultimate game of the season.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman for all your offseason news.
Gordie Clark discusses Rangers’ future in wide-ranging interview
That is how Rangers director of player personnel Gordie Clark summed up the state of the franchise following the week-long organizational meetings in team president and general manager Glen Sather’s home La Quinta, Calif.
“I think we’ll remain patient,” Clark told Metro New York in a wide-ranging phone interview Wednesday. “We’ve been very patient the last five or six years, keeping all this youth together. I think that’s the way the organization will stay.”
Entering what may be one of the most intriguing off-seasons in franchise history, the Rangers are an interesting conundrum. Are they a Cup contender? Are they a group with a bright future? Or is the window to win the franchise’s first Cup since 1993-94 rapidly closing?
Those questions will not be fully answered until the puck drops for the 2013-14 season. However, some questions will be answered in a training camp where the organization’s young talent will have an opportunity to win NHL jobs. One such player is Oscar Lindberg, who recorded 42 points (17 goals and 25 assists) in 55 games with Skelleftea HC of the Swedish Elite League.
“He probably had a bigger season than any one of [the organizational prospects], as far as what we expected,” Clark said. “We always had him as a very good two-way center. [He is] good on both sides of the puck, can make a play, score a goal and probably have him out there in the last minute of a game protecting a one-goal lead. He had a huge offensive year and was a big part of [Skelleftea HC] winning the championship. He was also the best-looking prospect in our summer camp last year. I would say he would be coming in with a lot of confidence and trying out for one of those spots [as a] third- or fourth-line center role.”
Lindberg, 21, will not be the only young player entering camp with confidence. Chris Kreider was the Rangers’ best skater in the final two games of the second-round series against the Bruins, including having scored the game-winner in the Rangers’ 4-3 overtime win in Game 4 following a campaign in which he was shuttled between Connecticut and the Rangers.
“Kreider was diligent about his work in the minor leagues and got himself called up, and played really well for us in the playoffs,” Clark said. “As he became more confident, he was becoming more of a threat. He really seemed to do well when he was playing with [Rick] Nash. Both Washington and Boston were keying on [Nash] as our top forward. Chris’s speed and strength made them concentrate a little bit more on him, and opened up some things for Nash.”
In the final two games of the Boston series, Nash and Kreider were centered by Derick Brassard, who became a key component to the Rangers after the April 3 trade-deadline blockbuster which saw the Rangers land John Moore and Derek Dorsett along with the center in the trade that sent Marian Gaborik to Columbus.
Clark believes the deal may have fortified the organization’s future, as Brassard, 25, and Moore, 22, are still reasonably young players.
“Those guys, Brassard, he was a top first-round pick and John Moore was a top first-round pick. In those situations, you get a player and they’re still very young in their career,” Clark said. “Those were like nabbing two first-round picks.”
Since-fired head coach John Tortorella routinely said the trades “filled out” the roster for the sprint to clinch a playoff berth. The Rangers won 10-of-14 games in April and clinched a playoff berth by beating the Hurricanes in the penultimate game of the season.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman for all your offseason news.
Gordie Clark discusses Rangers’ future in wide-ranging interview
That is how Rangers director of player personnel Gordie Clark summed up the state of the franchise following the week-long organizational meetings in team president and general manager Glen Sather’s home La Quinta, Calif.
“I think we’ll remain patient,” Clark told Metro New York in a wide-ranging phone interview Wednesday. “We’ve been very patient the last five or six years, keeping all this youth together. I think that’s the way the organization will stay.”
Entering what may be one of the most intriguing off-seasons in franchise history, the Rangers are an interesting conundrum. Are they a Cup contender? Are they a group with a bright future? Or is the window to win the franchise’s first Cup since 1993-94 rapidly closing?
Those questions will not be fully answered until the puck drops for the 2013-14 season. However, some questions will be answered in a training camp where the organization’s young talent will have an opportunity to win NHL jobs. One such player is Oscar Lindberg, who recorded 42 points (17 goals and 25 assists) in 55 games with Skelleftea HC of the Swedish Elite League.
“He probably had a bigger season than any one of [the organizational prospects], as far as what we expected,” Clark said. “We always had him as a very good two-way center. [He is] good on both sides of the puck, can make a play, score a goal and probably have him out there in the last minute of a game protecting a one-goal lead. He had a huge offensive year and was a big part of [Skelleftea HC] winning the championship. He was also the best-looking prospect in our summer camp last year. I would say he would be coming in with a lot of confidence and trying out for one of those spots [as a] third- or fourth-line center role.”
Lindberg, 21, will not be the only young player entering camp with confidence. Chris Kreider was the Rangers’ best skater in the final two games of the second-round series against the Bruins, including having scored the game-winner in the Rangers’ 4-3 overtime win in Game 4 following a campaign in which he was shuttled between Connecticut and the Rangers.
“Kreider was diligent about his work in the minor leagues and got himself called up, and played really well for us in the playoffs,” Clark said. “As he became more confident, he was becoming more of a threat. He really seemed to do well when he was playing with [Rick] Nash. Both Washington and Boston were keying on [Nash] as our top forward. Chris’s speed and strength made them concentrate a little bit more on him, and opened up some things for Nash.”
In the final two games of the Boston series, Nash and Kreider were centered by Derick Brassard, who became a key component to the Rangers after the April 3 trade-deadline blockbuster which saw the Rangers land John Moore and Derek Dorsett along with the center in the trade that sent Marian Gaborik to Columbus.
Clark believes the deal may have fortified the organization’s future, as Brassard, 25, and Moore, 22, are still reasonably young players.
“Those guys, Brassard, he was a top first-round pick and John Moore was a top first-round pick. In those situations, you get a player and they’re still very young in their career,” Clark said. “Those were like nabbing two first-round picks.”
Since-fired head coach John Tortorella routinely said the trades “filled out” the roster for the sprint to clinch a playoff berth. The Rangers won 10-of-14 games in April and clinched a playoff berth by beating the Hurricanes in the penultimate game of the season.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman for all your offseason news.
Gordie Clark discusses Rangers’ future in wide-ranging interview
That is how Rangers director of player personnel Gordie Clark summed up the state of the franchise following the week-long organizational meetings in team president and general manager Glen Sather’s home La Quinta, Calif.
“I think we’ll remain patient,” Clark told Metro New York in a wide-ranging phone interview Wednesday. “We’ve been very patient the last five or six years, keeping all this youth together. I think that’s the way the organization will stay.”
Entering what may be one of the most intriguing off-seasons in franchise history, the Rangers are an interesting conundrum. Are they a Cup contender? Are they a group with a bright future? Or is the window to win the franchise’s first Cup since 1993-94 rapidly closing?
Those questions will not be fully answered until the puck drops for the 2013-14 season. However, some questions will be answered in a training camp where the organization’s young talent will have an opportunity to win NHL jobs. One such player is Oscar Lindberg, who recorded 42 points (17 goals and 25 assists) in 55 games with Skelleftea HC of the Swedish Elite League.
“He probably had a bigger season than any one of [the organizational prospects], as far as what we expected,” Clark said. “We always had him as a very good two-way center. [He is] good on both sides of the puck, can make a play, score a goal and probably have him out there in the last minute of a game protecting a one-goal lead. He had a huge offensive year and was a big part of [Skelleftea HC] winning the championship. He was also the best-looking prospect in our summer camp last year. I would say he would be coming in with a lot of confidence and trying out for one of those spots [as a] third- or fourth-line center role.”
Lindberg, 21, will not be the only young player entering camp with confidence. Chris Kreider was the Rangers’ best skater in the final two games of the second-round series against the Bruins, including having scored the game-winner in the Rangers’ 4-3 overtime win in Game 4 following a campaign in which he was shuttled between Connecticut and the Rangers.
“Kreider was diligent about his work in the minor leagues and got himself called up, and played really well for us in the playoffs,” Clark said. “As he became more confident, he was becoming more of a threat. He really seemed to do well when he was playing with [Rick] Nash. Both Washington and Boston were keying on [Nash] as our top forward. Chris’s speed and strength made them concentrate a little bit more on him, and opened up some things for Nash.”
In the final two games of the Boston series, Nash and Kreider were centered by Derick Brassard, who became a key component to the Rangers after the April 3 trade-deadline blockbuster which saw the Rangers land John Moore and Derek Dorsett along with the center in the trade that sent Marian Gaborik to Columbus.
Clark believes the deal may have fortified the organization’s future, as Brassard, 25, and Moore, 22, are still reasonably young players.
“Those guys, Brassard, he was a top first-round pick and John Moore was a top first-round pick. In those situations, you get a player and they’re still very young in their career,” Clark said. “Those were like nabbing two first-round picks.”
Since-fired head coach John Tortorella routinely said the trades “filled out” the roster for the sprint to clinch a playoff berth. The Rangers won 10-of-14 games in April and clinched a playoff berth by beating the Hurricanes in the penultimate game of the season.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman for all your offseason news.
Gordie Clark discusses Rangers’ future in wide-ranging interview
That is how Rangers director of player personnel Gordie Clark summed up the state of the franchise following the week-long organizational meetings in team president and general manager Glen Sather’s home La Quinta, Calif.
“I think we’ll remain patient,” Clark told Metro New York in a wide-ranging phone interview Wednesday. “We’ve been very patient the last five or six years, keeping all this youth together. I think that’s the way the organization will stay.”
Entering what may be one of the most intriguing off-seasons in franchise history, the Rangers are an interesting conundrum. Are they a Cup contender? Are they a group with a bright future? Or is the window to win the franchise’s first Cup since 1993-94 rapidly closing?
Those questions will not be fully answered until the puck drops for the 2013-14 season. However, some questions will be answered in a training camp where the organization’s young talent will have an opportunity to win NHL jobs. One such player is Oscar Lindberg, who recorded 42 points (17 goals and 25 assists) in 55 games with Skelleftea HC of the Swedish Elite League.
“He probably had a bigger season than any one of [the organizational prospects], as far as what we expected,” Clark said. “We always had him as a very good two-way center. [He is] good on both sides of the puck, can make a play, score a goal and probably have him out there in the last minute of a game protecting a one-goal lead. He had a huge offensive year and was a big part of [Skelleftea HC] winning the championship. He was also the best-looking prospect in our summer camp last year. I would say he would be coming in with a lot of confidence and trying out for one of those spots [as a] third- or fourth-line center role.”
Lindberg, 21, will not be the only young player entering camp with confidence. Chris Kreider was the Rangers’ best skater in the final two games of the second-round series against the Bruins, including having scored the game-winner in the Rangers’ 4-3 overtime win in Game 4 following a campaign in which he was shuttled between Connecticut and the Rangers.
“Kreider was diligent about his work in the minor leagues and got himself called up, and played really well for us in the playoffs,” Clark said. “As he became more confident, he was becoming more of a threat. He really seemed to do well when he was playing with [Rick] Nash. Both Washington and Boston were keying on [Nash] as our top forward. Chris’s speed and strength made them concentrate a little bit more on him, and opened up some things for Nash.”
In the final two games of the Boston series, Nash and Kreider were centered by Derick Brassard, who became a key component to the Rangers after the April 3 trade-deadline blockbuster which saw the Rangers land John Moore and Derek Dorsett along with the center in the trade that sent Marian Gaborik to Columbus.
Clark believes the deal may have fortified the organization’s future, as Brassard, 25, and Moore, 22, are still reasonably young players.
“Those guys, Brassard, he was a top first-round pick and John Moore was a top first-round pick. In those situations, you get a player and they’re still very young in their career,” Clark said. “Those were like nabbing two first-round picks.”
Since-fired head coach John Tortorella routinely said the trades “filled out” the roster for the sprint to clinch a playoff berth. The Rangers won 10-of-14 games in April and clinched a playoff berth by beating the Hurricanes in the penultimate game of the season.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman for all your offseason news.
Gordie Clark discusses Rangers’ future in wide-ranging interview
That is how Rangers director of player personnel Gordie Clark summed up the state of the franchise following the week-long organizational meetings in team president and general manager Glen Sather’s home La Quinta, Calif.
“I think we’ll remain patient,” Clark told Metro New York in a wide-ranging phone interview Wednesday. “We’ve been very patient the last five or six years, keeping all this youth together. I think that’s the way the organization will stay.”
Entering what may be one of the most intriguing off-seasons in franchise history, the Rangers are an interesting conundrum. Are they a Cup contender? Are they a group with a bright future? Or is the window to win the franchise’s first Cup since 1993-94 rapidly closing?
Those questions will not be fully answered until the puck drops for the 2013-14 season. However, some questions will be answered in a training camp where the organization’s young talent will have an opportunity to win NHL jobs. One such player is Oscar Lindberg, who recorded 42 points (17 goals and 25 assists) in 55 games with Skelleftea HC of the Swedish Elite League.
“He probably had a bigger season than any one of [the organizational prospects], as far as what we expected,” Clark said. “We always had him as a very good two-way center. [He is] good on both sides of the puck, can make a play, score a goal and probably have him out there in the last minute of a game protecting a one-goal lead. He had a huge offensive year and was a big part of [Skelleftea HC] winning the championship. He was also the best-looking prospect in our summer camp last year. I would say he would be coming in with a lot of confidence and trying out for one of those spots [as a] third- or fourth-line center role.”
Lindberg, 21, will not be the only young player entering camp with confidence. Chris Kreider was the Rangers’ best skater in the final two games of the second-round series against the Bruins, including having scored the game-winner in the Rangers’ 4-3 overtime win in Game 4 following a campaign in which he was shuttled between Connecticut and the Rangers.
“Kreider was diligent about his work in the minor leagues and got himself called up, and played really well for us in the playoffs,” Clark said. “As he became more confident, he was becoming more of a threat. He really seemed to do well when he was playing with [Rick] Nash. Both Washington and Boston were keying on [Nash] as our top forward. Chris’s speed and strength made them concentrate a little bit more on him, and opened up some things for Nash.”
In the final two games of the Boston series, Nash and Kreider were centered by Derick Brassard, who became a key component to the Rangers after the April 3 trade-deadline blockbuster which saw the Rangers land John Moore and Derek Dorsett along with the center in the trade that sent Marian Gaborik to Columbus.
Clark believes the deal may have fortified the organization’s future, as Brassard, 25, and Moore, 22, are still reasonably young players.
“Those guys, Brassard, he was a top first-round pick and John Moore was a top first-round pick. In those situations, you get a player and they’re still very young in their career,” Clark said. “Those were like nabbing two first-round picks.”
Since-fired head coach John Tortorella routinely said the trades “filled out” the roster for the sprint to clinch a playoff berth. The Rangers won 10-of-14 games in April and clinched a playoff berth by beating the Hurricanes in the penultimate game of the season.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman for all your offseason news.
Gordie Clark discusses Rangers’ future in wide-ranging interview
That is how Rangers director of player personnel Gordie Clark summed up the state of the franchise following the week-long organizational meetings in team president and general manager Glen Sather’s home La Quinta, Calif.
“I think we’ll remain patient,” Clark told Metro New York in a wide-ranging phone interview Wednesday. “We’ve been very patient the last five or six years, keeping all this youth together. I think that’s the way the organization will stay.”
Entering what may be one of the most intriguing off-seasons in franchise history, the Rangers are an interesting conundrum. Are they a Cup contender? Are they a group with a bright future? Or is the window to win the franchise’s first Cup since 1993-94 rapidly closing?
Those questions will not be fully answered until the puck drops for the 2013-14 season. However, some questions will be answered in a training camp where the organization’s young talent will have an opportunity to win NHL jobs. One such player is Oscar Lindberg, who recorded 42 points (17 goals and 25 assists) in 55 games with Skelleftea HC of the Swedish Elite League.
“He probably had a bigger season than any one of [the organizational prospects], as far as what we expected,” Clark said. “We always had him as a very good two-way center. [He is] good on both sides of the puck, can make a play, score a goal and probably have him out there in the last minute of a game protecting a one-goal lead. He had a huge offensive year and was a big part of [Skelleftea HC] winning the championship. He was also the best-looking prospect in our summer camp last year. I would say he would be coming in with a lot of confidence and trying out for one of those spots [as a] third- or fourth-line center role.”
Lindberg, 21, will not be the only young player entering camp with confidence. Chris Kreider was the Rangers’ best skater in the final two games of the second-round series against the Bruins, including having scored the game-winner in the Rangers’ 4-3 overtime win in Game 4 following a campaign in which he was shuttled between Connecticut and the Rangers.
“Kreider was diligent about his work in the minor leagues and got himself called up, and played really well for us in the playoffs,” Clark said. “As he became more confident, he was becoming more of a threat. He really seemed to do well when he was playing with [Rick] Nash. Both Washington and Boston were keying on [Nash] as our top forward. Chris’s speed and strength made them concentrate a little bit more on him, and opened up some things for Nash.”
In the final two games of the Boston series, Nash and Kreider were centered by Derick Brassard, who became a key component to the Rangers after the April 3 trade-deadline blockbuster which saw the Rangers land John Moore and Derek Dorsett along with the center in the trade that sent Marian Gaborik to Columbus.
Clark believes the deal may have fortified the organization’s future, as Brassard, 25, and Moore, 22, are still reasonably young players.
“Those guys, Brassard, he was a top first-round pick and John Moore was a top first-round pick. In those situations, you get a player and they’re still very young in their career,” Clark said. “Those were like nabbing two first-round picks.”
Since-fired head coach John Tortorella routinely said the trades “filled out” the roster for the sprint to clinch a playoff berth. The Rangers won 10-of-14 games in April and clinched a playoff berth by beating the Hurricanes in the penultimate game of the season.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman for all your offseason news.
Gordie Clark discusses Rangers’ future in wide-ranging interview
That is how Rangers director of player personnel Gordie Clark summed up the state of the franchise following the week-long organizational meetings in team president and general manager Glen Sather’s home La Quinta, Calif.
“I think we’ll remain patient,” Clark told Metro New York in a wide-ranging phone interview Wednesday. “We’ve been very patient the last five or six years, keeping all this youth together. I think that’s the way the organization will stay.”
Entering what may be one of the most intriguing off-seasons in franchise history, the Rangers are an interesting conundrum. Are they a Cup contender? Are they a group with a bright future? Or is the window to win the franchise’s first Cup since 1993-94 rapidly closing?
Those questions will not be fully answered until the puck drops for the 2013-14 season. However, some questions will be answered in a training camp where the organization’s young talent will have an opportunity to win NHL jobs. One such player is Oscar Lindberg, who recorded 42 points (17 goals and 25 assists) in 55 games with Skelleftea HC of the Swedish Elite League.
“He probably had a bigger season than any one of [the organizational prospects], as far as what we expected,” Clark said. “We always had him as a very good two-way center. [He is] good on both sides of the puck, can make a play, score a goal and probably have him out there in the last minute of a game protecting a one-goal lead. He had a huge offensive year and was a big part of [Skelleftea HC] winning the championship. He was also the best-looking prospect in our summer camp last year. I would say he would be coming in with a lot of confidence and trying out for one of those spots [as a] third- or fourth-line center role.”
Lindberg, 21, will not be the only young player entering camp with confidence. Chris Kreider was the Rangers’ best skater in the final two games of the second-round series against the Bruins, including having scored the game-winner in the Rangers’ 4-3 overtime win in Game 4 following a campaign in which he was shuttled between Connecticut and the Rangers.
“Kreider was diligent about his work in the minor leagues and got himself called up, and played really well for us in the playoffs,” Clark said. “As he became more confident, he was becoming more of a threat. He really seemed to do well when he was playing with [Rick] Nash. Both Washington and Boston were keying on [Nash] as our top forward. Chris’s speed and strength made them concentrate a little bit more on him, and opened up some things for Nash.”
In the final two games of the Boston series, Nash and Kreider were centered by Derick Brassard, who became a key component to the Rangers after the April 3 trade-deadline blockbuster which saw the Rangers land John Moore and Derek Dorsett along with the center in the trade that sent Marian Gaborik to Columbus.
Clark believes the deal may have fortified the organization’s future, as Brassard, 25, and Moore, 22, are still reasonably young players.
“Those guys, Brassard, he was a top first-round pick and John Moore was a top first-round pick. In those situations, you get a player and they’re still very young in their career,” Clark said. “Those were like nabbing two first-round picks.”
Since-fired head coach John Tortorella routinely said the trades “filled out” the roster for the sprint to clinch a playoff berth. The Rangers won 10-of-14 games in April and clinched a playoff berth by beating the Hurricanes in the penultimate game of the season.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman for all your offseason news.
Gordie Clark discusses Rangers’ future in wide-ranging interview
That is how Rangers director of player personnel Gordie Clark summed up the state of the franchise following the week-long organizational meetings in team president and general manager Glen Sather’s home La Quinta, Calif.
“I think we’ll remain patient,” Clark told Metro New York in a wide-ranging phone interview Wednesday. “We’ve been very patient the last five or six years, keeping all this youth together. I think that’s the way the organization will stay.”
Entering what may be one of the most intriguing off-seasons in franchise history, the Rangers are an interesting conundrum. Are they a Cup contender? Are they a group with a bright future? Or is the window to win the franchise’s first Cup since 1993-94 rapidly closing?
Those questions will not be fully answered until the puck drops for the 2013-14 season. However, some questions will be answered in a training camp where the organization’s young talent will have an opportunity to win NHL jobs. One such player is Oscar Lindberg, who recorded 42 points (17 goals and 25 assists) in 55 games with Skelleftea HC of the Swedish Elite League.
“He probably had a bigger season than any one of [the organizational prospects], as far as what we expected,” Clark said. “We always had him as a very good two-way center. [He is] good on both sides of the puck, can make a play, score a goal and probably have him out there in the last minute of a game protecting a one-goal lead. He had a huge offensive year and was a big part of [Skelleftea HC] winning the championship. He was also the best-looking prospect in our summer camp last year. I would say he would be coming in with a lot of confidence and trying out for one of those spots [as a] third- or fourth-line center role.”
Lindberg, 21, will not be the only young player entering camp with confidence. Chris Kreider was the Rangers’ best skater in the final two games of the second-round series against the Bruins, including having scored the game-winner in the Rangers’ 4-3 overtime win in Game 4 following a campaign in which he was shuttled between Connecticut and the Rangers.
“Kreider was diligent about his work in the minor leagues and got himself called up, and played really well for us in the playoffs,” Clark said. “As he became more confident, he was becoming more of a threat. He really seemed to do well when he was playing with [Rick] Nash. Both Washington and Boston were keying on [Nash] as our top forward. Chris’s speed and strength made them concentrate a little bit more on him, and opened up some things for Nash.”
In the final two games of the Boston series, Nash and Kreider were centered by Derick Brassard, who became a key component to the Rangers after the April 3 trade-deadline blockbuster which saw the Rangers land John Moore and Derek Dorsett along with the center in the trade that sent Marian Gaborik to Columbus.
Clark believes the deal may have fortified the organization’s future, as Brassard, 25, and Moore, 22, are still reasonably young players.
“Those guys, Brassard, he was a top first-round pick and John Moore was a top first-round pick. In those situations, you get a player and they’re still very young in their career,” Clark said. “Those were like nabbing two first-round picks.”
Since-fired head coach John Tortorella routinely said the trades “filled out” the roster for the sprint to clinch a playoff berth. The Rangers won 10-of-14 games in April and clinched a playoff berth by beating the Hurricanes in the penultimate game of the season.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman for all your offseason news.
Gordie Clark discusses Rangers’ future in wide-ranging interview
That is how Rangers director of player personnel Gordie Clark summed up the state of the franchise following the week-long organizational meetings in team president and general manager Glen Sather’s home La Quinta, Calif.
“I think we’ll remain patient,” Clark told Metro New York in a wide-ranging phone interview Wednesday. “We’ve been very patient the last five or six years, keeping all this youth together. I think that’s the way the organization will stay.”
Entering what may be one of the most intriguing off-seasons in franchise history, the Rangers are an interesting conundrum. Are they a Cup contender? Are they a group with a bright future? Or is the window to win the franchise’s first Cup since 1993-94 rapidly closing?
Those questions will not be fully answered until the puck drops for the 2013-14 season. However, some questions will be answered in a training camp where the organization’s young talent will have an opportunity to win NHL jobs. One such player is Oscar Lindberg, who recorded 42 points (17 goals and 25 assists) in 55 games with Skelleftea HC of the Swedish Elite League.
“He probably had a bigger season than any one of [the organizational prospects], as far as what we expected,” Clark said. “We always had him as a very good two-way center. [He is] good on both sides of the puck, can make a play, score a goal and probably have him out there in the last minute of a game protecting a one-goal lead. He had a huge offensive year and was a big part of [Skelleftea HC] winning the championship. He was also the best-looking prospect in our summer camp last year. I would say he would be coming in with a lot of confidence and trying out for one of those spots [as a] third- or fourth-line center role.”
Lindberg, 21, will not be the only young player entering camp with confidence. Chris Kreider was the Rangers’ best skater in the final two games of the second-round series against the Bruins, including having scored the game-winner in the Rangers’ 4-3 overtime win in Game 4 following a campaign in which he was shuttled between Connecticut and the Rangers.
“Kreider was diligent about his work in the minor leagues and got himself called up, and played really well for us in the playoffs,” Clark said. “As he became more confident, he was becoming more of a threat. He really seemed to do well when he was playing with [Rick] Nash. Both Washington and Boston were keying on [Nash] as our top forward. Chris’s speed and strength made them concentrate a little bit more on him, and opened up some things for Nash.”
In the final two games of the Boston series, Nash and Kreider were centered by Derick Brassard, who became a key component to the Rangers after the April 3 trade-deadline blockbuster which saw the Rangers land John Moore and Derek Dorsett along with the center in the trade that sent Marian Gaborik to Columbus.
Clark believes the deal may have fortified the organization’s future, as Brassard, 25, and Moore, 22, are still reasonably young players.
“Those guys, Brassard, he was a top first-round pick and John Moore was a top first-round pick. In those situations, you get a player and they’re still very young in their career,” Clark said. “Those were like nabbing two first-round picks.”
Since-fired head coach John Tortorella routinely said the trades “filled out” the roster for the sprint to clinch a playoff berth. The Rangers won 10-of-14 games in April and clinched a playoff berth by beating the Hurricanes in the penultimate game of the season.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman for all your offseason news.
Gordie Clark discusses Rangers’ future in wide-ranging interview
That is how Rangers director of player personnel Gordie Clark summed up the state of the franchise following the week-long organizational meetings in team president and general manager Glen Sather’s home La Quinta, Calif.
“I think we’ll remain patient,” Clark told Metro New York in a wide-ranging phone interview Wednesday. “We’ve been very patient the last five or six years, keeping all this youth together. I think that’s the way the organization will stay.”
Entering what may be one of the most intriguing off-seasons in franchise history, the Rangers are an interesting conundrum. Are they a Cup contender? Are they a group with a bright future? Or is the window to win the franchise’s first Cup since 1993-94 rapidly closing?
Those questions will not be fully answered until the puck drops for the 2013-14 season. However, some questions will be answered in a training camp where the organization’s young talent will have an opportunity to win NHL jobs. One such player is Oscar Lindberg, who recorded 42 points (17 goals and 25 assists) in 55 games with Skelleftea HC of the Swedish Elite League.
“He probably had a bigger season than any one of [the organizational prospects], as far as what we expected,” Clark said. “We always had him as a very good two-way center. [He is] good on both sides of the puck, can make a play, score a goal and probably have him out there in the last minute of a game protecting a one-goal lead. He had a huge offensive year and was a big part of [Skelleftea HC] winning the championship. He was also the best-looking prospect in our summer camp last year. I would say he would be coming in with a lot of confidence and trying out for one of those spots [as a] third- or fourth-line center role.”
Lindberg, 21, will not be the only young player entering camp with confidence. Chris Kreider was the Rangers’ best skater in the final two games of the second-round series against the Bruins, including having scored the game-winner in the Rangers’ 4-3 overtime win in Game 4 following a campaign in which he was shuttled between Connecticut and the Rangers.
“Kreider was diligent about his work in the minor leagues and got himself called up, and played really well for us in the playoffs,” Clark said. “As he became more confident, he was becoming more of a threat. He really seemed to do well when he was playing with [Rick] Nash. Both Washington and Boston were keying on [Nash] as our top forward. Chris’s speed and strength made them concentrate a little bit more on him, and opened up some things for Nash.”
In the final two games of the Boston series, Nash and Kreider were centered by Derick Brassard, who became a key component to the Rangers after the April 3 trade-deadline blockbuster which saw the Rangers land John Moore and Derek Dorsett along with the center in the trade that sent Marian Gaborik to Columbus.
Clark believes the deal may have fortified the organization’s future, as Brassard, 25, and Moore, 22, are still reasonably young players.
“Those guys, Brassard, he was a top first-round pick and John Moore was a top first-round pick. In those situations, you get a player and they’re still very young in their career,” Clark said. “Those were like nabbing two first-round picks.”
Since-fired head coach John Tortorella routinely said the trades “filled out” the roster for the sprint to clinch a playoff berth. The Rangers won 10-of-14 games in April and clinched a playoff berth by beating the Hurricanes in the penultimate game of the season.
Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman for all your offseason news.
http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nhl/2013/06/20/gordie-clark-discusses-rangers-future-in-wide-ranging-interview/
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 1:43 PM
About Me
- Name: Denis P. Gorman
- Location: Forest Hills, New York, United States
I am a freelance sportswriter based out of New York City, where I primarily cover the NHL and college basketball. I have written hard news, features and game stories for numerous outlets. Professional Contacts: Available upon request. You can review my portfolio here.
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