A Penny For Your Thoughts...

It's good to get some time to write again!  I've been extremely busy at work, thank G-d.  Anyway, just a few thoughts from the last few weeks.

1.  Sean Avery.  For those of us, myself included, who argued against Avery's off-season antics, there is no denying his mid-season value.  The Rangers are a different team when Avery is in the lineup.  If the guy can manage to stay out of his own way, he may very well have found a long term home in New York. 

2.  Henrik Lundqvist.  We knew that he would have to carry the team early.  We didn't know he'd have to single handedly carry them!  Lundqvist has been extraordinary for much of the season.  That's good news for the Rangers.  The bad news is that when he's been human, the Rangers have lost.

3.  0ffense.  I actually spelled it with a zero, not an "o"!  Need I say more? 

4.  Marc Staal.  Wow!  The kid is incredible.  The kid plays like a veteran.  A good veteran!  I think he's the best defenseman on the team.  I can't even imagine how good he's going to be once he fills out a little bit and gains some more experience. 

5.  Brandon Dubinsky.  Another wow!  In the off-season, I wanted the Rangers to sign Peca.  I'm thrilled that they didn't!  Dubinsky is an excellent hockey player.  He's got great hands, excellent instincts, great size and phenomenal fore-checking ability. 

6.  The 4th Line.  Kudos to Tom Renney & Co.  They managed to turn these guys into a reliable line.  Betts, Hollweg and Orr have earned the Coaches trust.  These guys have effectively reduced the amount of time that older players like Jagr, Shanny and Straka have to play.  That should pay some dividends as the season progresses.  It also forces opponents to play their fourth lines or run the risk of getting tired as games near their end. 

7.  Tom Renney.  After reading item #6, you might be surprised by what I'm about to write.  I don't think Renney is the right guy for the job.  He's too nice and he's too soft on his players.  He was the perfect coach to help the franchise turn the corner towards becoming a playoff club.  I don't think, however, that he's got what it takes to lead the team to real and meaningful success. 

Renney is the ultimate "player's coach".  He understands each players unique strengths and weaknesses and he tries, to the best of his ability, to put each player in their optimal circumstances.  He protects his players from the media and from public scrutiny in general.  He is careful not to bruise the delicate egos of his athletes, especially those of his super-stars.  Don't get me wrong, these are all virtues and admirable ones at that. 

So what's the problem?  The Rangers (like most if not all other teams) suffer from mental lapses.  They'll play exceptionally well for significant stretches of time and then they'll abandon the things that made them successful.  In response, Renney plays the role of the exceedingly patient, loving and all knowing Daddy.  He believes in his kids and knows that eventually they'll learn from their mistakes.  He doesn't punish them, he doesn't even lose his cool and he will certainly NEVER "call out" his older boys for setting bad examples for their younger siblings. 

The truth is that over the long haul, that approach probably makes the most sense.  Especially with the Rangers.  They are, after all, a veteran club with very capable leaders in the locker room.  They are a mature and proud bunch who will, if given the time, correct their own mistakes without the need for loud reminders. 

So again, what's the problem?  Time.  Sports are a microcosm of life, yet they are different.  In life, you have a lifetime to find yourself (which G-d willing means a very happy long time!).  In sports you don't.  You have a relatively short regular season and an even shorter playoff tournament.  If the Rangers get derailed when it counts, they will not have three or four games to "find themselves".  They'll be playing golf by then! 

G-d gave us two hands.  Jewish mysticism (also known as Kaballah) teaches that the right hand represents kindness while the left represents severity.  We have been given both of them for a reason.  Sometimes you have to be kind and patient.  Other times you have to crack the whip.  Renney is a very powerful "righty".  Most great coaches are ambidextrous!            

Comments

[fauxrumors]

1) It may not be politically correct, whatever, but probably the best thing that could happen to your team would be a significant season ending injury to Jagr. Why?
2) Like Jersey, the rangers would be forced to give the C to a real leader, Shanahan. The team would be able to unload some underachieving Euro's without worry that JJ will get his feathers all in a bunch.
3) Since this is likely JJ's last season in the red/white blue andway, its probably better to get used to missing (his diminishing) production now instead of later.
4) BTW Avery can demand big $$ now that he has shown to be the team MVP(behind hank)

[MOSS]

I agree with your philospohy that we should start moving away from the Jagr-centric theme that the team had subscribed to. But as I have been saying since last season, this team is Lundqvist's- not Jagr's. Even last season, when the team started slow, the play started to pick up when Lundqvist turned it around. And I really think that management believes this. More importantly, the team is learning to win without Jagr's contributions. Opponents still are focused on containing Jagr (because he is Jagr), which gives more of an opportunity to the second line to produce, which they are. Gomez is starting to feel more comfortable, & his numbers reflect that. Shanny is scoring, and he's doing so at clutch times (see sundays Devils game). I still think that the main issue right now is the defense. Don't let the impressive goals against stat fool you- it's all Lundqvist. They still need one bruiser on the blue line to make them real players for the cup. Right now, it's Ottawa in the East & the Wings in the West & thats really it.

[The Dark Ranger]

...and this is why Sean Avery plays left wing. Aahhhh... Good to hear from you.

[The Dark Ranger]

...and this is why Sean Avery plays left wing. Aahhhh... Good to hear from you.

[Used Hockey Helmets]

Times are great. Living in Montreal we couldn't be happier about the team this year. The main thing though isn't just finishing first, it's really about the way they've been playing. Fast and furoius hockey. With Komisarek hitting everything in sight and the flying Kostitsyn brothers - man it is simply a joy to watch. Now how far they get in the playoffs nobody knows but we're certainly grateful for an exciting season. Can I say that it was about time...

[BERT]

hey Hockey "Rabbi"
always trying to keep track of jewish athletes- is Dubinsky Jewish? with a name like that one would think so!

[The Hockey Rabbi]

Bert:

Thanks for the comments. I don't think Dubinsky is Jewish. If I'm not mistaken, Blueshirt Bulletin asked him early in the season and he said he was not.