Saturday, December 15, 2007

Lineup Follies

With the Rangers suffering from injuries and illness, Sam Weinman of the Ranger Report gives us an update on the odd line combinations at practice today...

"... in Hossa’s absence, the Rangers bumped everyone up a peg on the left side. Petr Prucha moved to the second line with Brendan Shanahan and Scott Gomez; Ryan Hollweg took Prucha’s spot with Chris Drury and Ryan Callahan; and Jason Strudwick took left wing with Blair Betts and Colton Orr (Sean Avery skated again, but only as a spare forward, so he’s not a possibility for tomorrow).

This also meant Marek Malik was back in at defense, albeit not with Michal Rozsival, but alongside Paul Mara.

All of this presents the obvious question: wouldn’t the timing be ripe to call a red-hot Nigel Dawes back up from Hartford?

Granted, Tom Renney said he’s still discussing a call-up, but I’m surprised it requires that much thought."

...wow, I don't even know where to start after reading this update. All I have to say is please God don't let these be the line combinations tomorrow.

...I'm sure most of us envisioned Drury playing on a line with Hollweg when we signed him to a $35 million contract. No?

...let me try to get in Renney's head for a second: Hmm, what sounds better...

idea #1 moving Prucha, 2 goals in 31 games, to the second line; Hollweg, 0 goals in 31 games, to the third line; Strudwick, our offensively challenged defenseman, to the fourth line; and Malik, the worst d-man in the league, from the press box to the third d-pair.

or

idea #2 calling up the hottest player on the Hartford Wolfpack Nigel Dawes, 9 goals in 13 games, and putting him on the second line with players that he clicked with all preseason.

I think I like idea #1. WHAT?!?!?!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Is Dawes wrinting this Blog or giving you money to promote him everyday?

Idea #2 sounds good. Bring up Dawes, then shuffle the lines.

Renney needs to keep it simple. Stop over thinking. With the players he has available it really shouldnt be that hard.