I think AV's system is not based off of zone but off of man on man. I just don't think he has enough guys who are willing to fight those man on man battles. Nash is a prime example. I also think this team is missing at least 2 to 4 players like McIlrath. A player who can level people with hits, fight and still play the game. McIlrath should have never been sent down. He should have been left up here to figure it out. Rangers have been drafting too many sissy players the past 5 years. They also got away from acquiring extra draft picks which is how they found players like Callahan, Dubinsky, Sauer, Anisimov and as well as using those picks to trade up to get Staal. Sather needs to start acquiring those extra first, second and third round picks again.
Most of us knew 6 weeks ago there was too much dead space on this roster for us to do anything this year My biggest concern is Nash. Since the 2nd concussion he is horrible. I was pretty optimistic about the foundation and getting the dead weight off this roster and bring in some more skill and toughness in offseason but now we have to worry about Nash being a total pussy and if thats the case this franchise has some serious problems regardless of what we do to prepare for next year.
The only guys who is proud to wear NYR jersey are: Girardi, McD, MZ, Cali, Stall, Stepan, Dorsett, Boyle, Hagelin, Kredier. That's it. Everyone else play because that is their job. I am sick of that. Plus, many of us wants Girardi out. The guy is made of steel. He just does not get hurt and play some important minutes. Okay yes, he is struggling with AV system a bit, but please he is part of the core of this organization, especially with Stall's unknown health future. Huge mistake if we don't resign him. On top PP unit. Our PP is top of the league year after year and he is a huge part of that. We make playoffs because of our PP these past years, you take that out and we are back to 9th place at the end of 82 games.
The only way this team makes some serious improvements is if they upgrade the defense, and get a few guys who are physical, smarter, protect the crease from players who want to get in Hanks face, can pass the puck and they have to have a shot. Right now the majority of this defense is stupid, and they are soft. This team has got to get tough, Period! When your goal scorers are getting knocked around, you need a player of two who will have their back. Nash gets knocked around (Gaborik before him), and his teammates just stand around with their hands in their pockets. This team will not contend for anything until they get a smarter, more physical defense. Nobody fears this team. In fact, they probably pencil the Rangers in as a team they should beat. This is all on Sather, and nobody else. And having coached in Edmonton, he should no better.
at 6' 4" , 225, Nash should be a physical force with his talent. However it is not in his DNA, and there in lies the problem. He plays a very passive game, and it has more than likely cost him a couple of concussions. Mark Messier was not as tall as Nash but had a mean streak in him. If you tried to run him, chances are you were going to lose a few teeth. He talk some penalties, but sent a very important message. He created space for himself. Too bad Nash doesn't have a little bit of that in him. You can't change the nature of an individual, but he must start creating space for himself, or I fear a third concussion is in his future
If Nash feels like none of his teammates have his back when other teams take a run at him it would explain his tentative play. Glen never addresses the need to protect his marquis players, John Scott was a good solution but Torts never dressed him but then again Torts never had his player's backs unless it was against the Devils. Ideally a guy like Scott plays 6-8 minutes unless he needs to go out and lay down the law. I know it's only AV's first year and this isn't the team he would construct but it doesn't provide him an excuse for the Rangers coming out every game with half-assed effort and AV's inconsistent punishment of these players. Miller is 20 makes one mistake and he's gone, banished to the AHL to learn nothing or healthy scratched while other older everyday players who should know better make the same mistake with no repercussions. Miller's had 49 games under his belt and some posters believe that's sufficient to evaluate his offensive ability, AV needs to play him, tell him to keep up the physical play and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Kreider was sent down at the beginning of the season despite outplaying most of his teammates in preseason for no apparent reason (the idea CK needed a few AHL games to fine tune his game is nonsense) now he's up and tied for the team lead in goal scoring with less games played. These two guys are the first round drafted future of the Rangers and should be given every chance to excel, they don't have to prove shit to anyone on this squad.
