There have been plenty of surprises in the early going thus far, but is there a better story than the New York Rangers?
I don’t know how coach John Tortorella is doing it, but he has his Rangers riding a six-game winning streak and their next game in Toronto should be a gimmie. This season’s edition of the Rangers may present Tortorella with his toughest challenge yet as an NHL coach. When he looks down his bench there’s no Vinny Lecavalier to tap on the shoulder to leap over the boards. No Martin St-Louis, or Brad Richards, or Dan Boyle.
True enough, right winger Marian Gaborik has been a pleasant addition to the club and could be a top 10 scorer in the NHL, but with his history of injuries, we’ll reserve judgment on what kind of a season he’ll have.
A quick scan of the Rangers roster leading into the season showed more question marks than sure-bets.
The defence, for the most part is young and with the Rangers playing in the Atlantic Division, you had to worry about kids like Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zatto and Matt Gilroy playing against high-octane offences in Washington and Pittsburgh. Thus far, the kids have been alright.
Then there was the case of veteran defenceman Wade Redden. You could make the case that based on his regressing play the past few years in Ottawa and then last season in New York, his six-year, $39 million contract is the worst in NHL history. So far this season, however, Redden looks reborn. Averaging just over 20 minutes of icetime, Redden looks tougher and more engaged and is chipping in on offence with a goal and three points through seven games.
Not exactly Norris Trophy stuff, but whatever Tortorella has done to revamp this guy’s game is working wonders.
The one sure thing the Rangers have going for them is goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. Former NHL goalie Darren Eliott suggested on Hockeycentral at Noon Thursday there isn’t a more consistent goalie in the NHL and that Lundqvist always gives his team a chance to win.
No doubt the Rangers will hit a speed bump or two along the way, but they will always have their quick start to refer to when it comes time to recall what it takes to win.
Here are some other early season observations:
EARLY IMPACT: Two other new coaches having immediate positive impact on their teams are Joe Sacco in Colorado and Dave Tippett in Phoenix. Sacco arrived in Colorado with precious little coaching experience, but is already being heralded by his players as a coach that makes them accountable, but is honest in terms of voicing his expectations. Tippett, who replaces Wayne Gretzky behind the bench of the Coyotes, has his kids playing with gusto and discipline. The Coyotes have shut out the Penguins and the Sharks so far.
DODGE-BALL: Some critics of Toronto Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson suggested he blew it by giving his players a day off after they were shellacked by the Rangers and then inviting them to play dodge-ball at practice Thursday.
I don’t see it that way.
With pressure building for the Maple Leafs to win their first game of the season after six losses, coming to the rink and being bombarded by the media had players ducking into their shells like frightened turtles.
Wilson saw that and decided to address the tension before getting back to business. All you had to do was look at the smiles on the players’ faces to understand his strategy had the desired effect.
They looked relieved and now Wilson can get back to business.
By no means does this mean the Leafs will beat the visiting Rangers Saturday night, but at least the players know the coaching staff understands their misery.
If the losing streak goes on too long, though, the players can expect to be bag skated into the ice soon.
WHERE’S VINNY? I have gone on record as saying the Tampa Bay Lightning will be one of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference this season, but I’ll be dead wrong if captain Vinny Lecavalier doesn’t find his game – and soon. Lecavalier has just five assists through the Lightning’s first six games and is minus-5. Thus far the team is being carried by Martin St-Louis (three goals, 10 points), Steven Stamkos (three goals, seven points) and Ryan Malone (six goals) while defenceman Mattias Ohlund and rookie Victor Hedman each have four assists.
But until Lecavalier shakes himself out of his funk, the Lightning will not come close to reaching their potential.
