Steve Zipay at Blue Notes has numerous quotes from John Tortorella before tonight's game at New Jersey...On Marian Gaborik...
"He’s bought in to the way we’re gonna play....the thing that's very important is that he’s joining his teammates. He’s a guy that’s easy to like and he’s buying into the team concept with the other parts, not just the scoring. He asks questions, he’s inquisitive. I know he wants to play because he’s staring at me all the time on the bench and that’s a good thing. Rather have them burn through you than looking down at the water bottles. I’m always looking down the bench for him too. You know how I feel about the top players, they’re going to be a big part of the decision each night, win or lose."
...Gaborik has to be ecstatic to go from Jacques Lemaire's defense first system to Tortorella's up-tempo one.
On Artem Anisimov...
"He’s a guy trying to find his way away from the puck as all young guys are this time of year who are cracking into the National Hockey League. Had a really good camp, scored some goals, did some good things for us. he needs to be stronger in certain areas, on the puck, and a lot of that is away from the puck. But he’s a promising young guy."
...Anisimov's line is the only one I've been somewhat disappointed with so far. I can understand the slow start with two younger players and a new face, but I'd like to start seeing something in the next few games.
On Michael Del Zotto...
"There are some plays that he could get away with when he was playing in junior, a couple seam plays where he burned a hole through it and they were waiting for him. But for a 19-year-old kid, putting the pressure one him to be the quarterback on our power play, he’s handled it pretty well."
...i think he's handled it more than well. I'm sure we'll see a lot of bumps along the way, but they will be worth it.
And finally on the penalty kill...
"It's been good. We were a little bit more aggressive (against Ottawa). With Gaborik, Dubinsky and Callahan, I’d still like to see more pressure up the ice and try to create more havoc up the ice."
...i've been very critical of the Rangers not re-signing Betts. But one thing I'm enjoying with the new pk units is the potential to score shorthanded. Especially with Gaborik. Not much chance of offense when Betts was in.
No comments:
Post a Comment