A deck re-shuffled
In Florida, pitchers and catchers are talking change-ups.
In Westchester, the Rangers are talking change.
When you score seven goals in the last four games, why wouldn't it be time?
In an effort to get Jaromir Jagr (without a goal since Jan. 22 against Atlanta, for pete's sake) going and to open a spot for the returning Brendan Shanahan, the lines have been juggled back to some earlier combos.
Here's an understatement: Jagr has struggled to find his game without C Michael Nylander, who opted for a lucrative, long-term contract with the Capitals, and with Chris Drury and Scott Gomez as centers.
Meanwhile, Dubinsky has blossomed, tied for the team lead in scoring with 11 points since Jan. 1. So, the duo may skate together for the rest of the season, as Rangers coach Tom Renney said he hoped to lock in lines for the playoff push.
For the second consecutive practice, Jagr, who likes Dubinsky's aggressive style down low, LW Sean Avery and Dubinsky were partnered, and Gomez---13 points in 12 games---centered Shanahan and Nigel Dawes. Gomez and Shanny were on fire for a stretch before Shanahan's left knee faltered. Drury, who is finding the net with regularity, was between Martin Straka and Ryan Callahan.
Marcel Hossa, after missing nine games with a back injury, appears to have eclipsed Ryan Hollweg as left wing on the fourth line, centered by Blair Betts, at least for Saturday's matinee against the streaking Sabres (8-0-1) who've leapfrogged the Rangers (28-24-7) and Bruins into seventh place in the tight Eastern Conference. Barring injuries, the same pairing could continue into the San Jose game Sunday.
"We're trying to go to some combinations that had reasonable success earlier," said Renney. "The Betts line is pretty much what it is. Beyond that, I think the combinations we have will stand the test of time with what lies in front of us. There's not 60 games left, there's 23." And more if the Rangers manage to snag a postseason berth.
The blueliners on the power play have changed as well, in part because defenseman Marc Staal missed his second practice with the flu, and Renney is worried about his energy and stamina for Saturday. On one unit was Gomez, Drury, Dawes, and Straka at the point with Dan Girardi; Jagr, Shanahan, Dubinsky, Paul Mara and Michal Rozsival was the other fivesome. Also absent was Fedor Tyutin, who is having difficulty getting shots through on the man-advantage.
RW Petr Prucha, who could be on one of the units if he were healthy, said his sprained shoulder felt "much better" but only skated afterward, with no contact; he is day-to-day, and, like Staal, doubtful for Saturday.
"We've done a couple flips with people on the back end," said Renney. "The power play hasn't helped us much this year." Yes sir, coach; the Rangers rank 19th out of 30 teams in effectiveness.
****
No official word on Lundqvist's contract figures, but my estimates of about $39 million appear to have been low. TSN reports that he'll earn $6.875 million per year for a total of $41.25 million over six years with a limited no-trade clause that would begin in the 2009-10 season. If those numbers are accurate, Lundqvist would be the second-highest-paid goaltender in the league. Only the Canucks' Roberto Luongo, at $7 million next year, would surpass him. "All I'm seeing is the metamorphosis of a top-notch goaltender in this league," said Renney. "He's still evolving."
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Comments (25)
So now there gonna f@$k up all the lines that have been working for the past 10 games just to get Jagr going. Thats been their mistake all season. CLUELESS!!! Fire Renney and trade the old farts!!!!!
kocur relax hollweg isnt playing, my next question is what happens if prucha is available i really hope bye bye orr too
If Jagr wants a Nylander-type so much, ship him to San Jose and give us Cheechoo. I'm sure he'd mesh FINE with Gomez. Thornton plays that patient passing game like Nylander, except with 10 times the talent!
Better yet, package Jagr and whoever else it takes to get Cheechoo and Carle.
Kocur...I've got news for you. If they don't get Jagr going they are going nowhere fast. Something has to be done to try and jump start him.
So Renney is damned if he doesn't do anything to try and get scoring going, but if he does something, he gets damned too.
Kocur, what would you like him to do?
He doesn't trade the players, his job is to coach.
At least say something that make sense.
You can't take Orr and Hollweg out of the lineup do you want Dubinsky handling the fights? For all of you who think it doesn't matter it does. The opposing teams would run all over the skill players without fear of having anybody to answer to. Do you think the Hurricanes didn't have Orr in the back of their mind the rest of the game after his hit on Cullen?
Just to clarify I don't mind Hollweg out of the lineup but you can't take both out and leave the team totally defenseless on the physical side of the game.
orr is a necessity for this team and he handles his role as well as anybody in the league. He is a legitamite heavyweight who skates better than the rest.
Hossa replacing Hollwieg is worth a shot in that they may be able to kick in some goals now and then.
Seems like alot of money for a goalie who is "evolving". I hope he's worth it
Boy, I am continually just baffled regarding the number of negative comments I am reading on all the blogs regarding the Lundqvist contract from Rangers fans.
I just truly do not get it.
I'd like Renney to leave the lines alone for more than a few games at a time. They have played better the last 10 games and he just can't leave it alone. He's always trying to re invent the wheel and show how smart he is. If Jagr can't get himself going by now he's a lost cause. He's dragged the whole team down with his sh!ty attitude all year. Dump him! Does that make enough sense?
How has Jagr had a sh!tty attitude, explain that?
I think he is working as hard as he ever has, he just isn't scoring. He hasn't been lazy in anyway.
I think Jagr's attitude has been fine this year. He might be upset that he's having what for him is a bad offensive year but if he wasn't upset you guys would blast him even more. Every post game interview I've seen of him he's talked positively and even jokes around with the media. Not to mention he plays his heart out on the ice and has to deal with the opposing teams best defensemen shadowing him the whole game and not getting called for penalties against him.
I realize it's been the popular thing to do throughout his career jumping on the bandwagon of people saying he doesn't care and he's a problem in the locker room and I agreed with that when he was in Washington but I just haven't seen that this year.
By the way, I am as frustrated as anyone that he's stuck in this slump but I think if you watch him play you can't blame it on his attitude.
Greg,
I agree 100%
Right on Dude I like the way you think. Haha
Yeah, you're like 2 peas in a pod. Two blind peas. You have to be kidding me standing up for Jagr's effort this season. They boo him in Washington and Pittsburgh where he won 2 cups. Is that by accident? When he's not happy he sucks the life out of a team. The Rangers should trade him and throw in the two of you as cheerleaders.
I really would't look good in a cheerleader outfit, gotta be honest with you.
They boo Jagr in Montreal too, really not sure why.
I do not know how him booing booed by other cities proves your point that he has had a bad attitude THIS SEASON for the Rangers.
Great players make the players around them better. The Rangers have juggled lines all year to get someone who he can get him to produce. The lines never stay the same and that's why there's no chemistry on this team. He's like f$#cking Charlie Brown on the ice. Whah Whah Whah I'm not scoring. Head down, round shoulders and a puss on his face all the time. Open your eyes!!!!! When he's not scoring, he's a cancer. Period! If he ever plays at the garden for another team, he will get booed. You'll see.
nah, sorry, you still haven't convinced me he has had a bad attitude all year.
Kocur, Oiler fans booed Ryan Smyth when he went back to Edmonton this year. I wouldn't read to much into a player getting booed in his old club's building,
I feel bad for Penguins fans and those two Stanley cups Jagr helped them win.
You know who annoys me? Penguins fans.
Their franchise loses on purpose in 1984, they get Mario Lemieux.
They inexplicably get Jagr after he falls to #5 in 1990.
They win two cups.
They get Malkin second overall in 2004.
And then the kicker, they win the lottery of all lotterys in 2005 and they get Sidney Crosby given to them on a silver platter.
But, is it just me, or do Penguins fans just continue to biatch and moan about everything?
Obviously no convincing you guys Jagr's a bitch. Oh well.
The Capitals paid us to take him because he's a cancer. They pay half his salary for god's sake. Thats the only reason the Rangers took him. What does that tell you? CLUELESS!!!!!
Let's change the lines every game. That will really confuse the other team. I'm a genius! No, I'm a...a...a super genius. Yeah that's it! Super genius!
Kocur, what the hell is your gripe with Jagr ? How is he a "cancer" ? He hasnt missed 1 regular season game, he goes to optional practices, and he does play hard. Sure he makes mistakes, but so did Brian Leetch; do you hate him too ? Was he a cancer also ??
Oh, was Jagr a "cancer" when he scored 54 goals and 123 points ?
I get frustrated watching him play, but more often than not I DONT SEE ANYONE GETTING OPEN FOR HIM WHEN HE HAS THE PUCK !
Yes, I hate Jagr. He's the kind of hockey player I've always hated. One dimetional lazy crybaby. When he's not scoring he does NOTHING else to make up for it. He rarely backchecks and is always slow to the bench. His reputation as a lazy, moody, negative presence in the locker room preceeded him and he has lived up to it perfectly. I hated him before he was a Ranger and I'll hate him even more after he's a Ranger. His 54 goals and 123 points got the Rangers to the playoffs so they could choke in the first round. I'm not impressed. One season out of four at the level we all expected. Still not impressed. There are alot of people who agree with me so it's not like I'm coming out of left feild with this stuff. You don't agree, fine. I don't know why people take player criticism so personaly here. Yeah, I hate Jagr. Whoopie! Big deal. Is he your friend? Get over it. We'll see how much better the Rangers will be without him.