UPDATE: Rangers coach John Tortorella today was named as an assistant to Team USA coach Ron Wilson for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, along with Islanders coach Scott Gordon.
ORIGINAL POST: Ever seen a "bag skate" in June? That's how second-round pick Ethan Werek described the first day of the Rangers' week-long development camp. It started with timed sprints (with the players wearing a timing device strapped around their skate boot) and, later today, the players will be timed in a three-mile run.
Tomorrow's skate will include 45 laps - three sets of 15. Coach John Tortorella said it's just a preview of what can be expected when the team opens training camp in September.
"I think we're soft," Tortorella said. "Not physically soft. I think we're soft thinkers."
Tortorella said he wants the sense of entitlement he believes many players show - keeping their hands out for more rather than earning it - to disappear. Tortorella is still amazed that some of the Rangers were tired during the first round of the playoffs. "Unacceptable," Tortorella said.
"It's definitely the first time I've been through something like this," Del Zotto said. "It's a new philosophy. It's a good test. Looking at training camp, it's going to be tough. It makes you work that much harder in the offseason."
Defenseman Michael Del Zotto, left wing Evgeni Grachev and defenseman Matt Gilroy are all players in the development camp who have a shot at making the Rangers out of training camp.
More from the players coming soon.
The Rangers absolutely have the right coach and philosophy. I remember the 94 team always working out on the exercise bikes. The only problem is that the right coach has the wrong players, courtesy of a GM who makes fun of an agent's ridiculous demands but has a record of making ridiculous payments to free agents (see Redden, Drury, Gomez)
Posted by: Bill | June 29, 2009 at 03:07 PM
I don't know why Torts was so surprised-the team is full of losers throughout the roster-and well paid losers at that. I just want them to gut the team and play the youngsters-at least I wouldn't get pissed when they made mistakes-it would all be chalked up to their development. I am sick of overpaid bums that not only don't produce when it counts but they don't play hard. If Redden played hard and blocked shots and took hits and checked some people I wouldn't care that he only scored two goals or whatever. But he doesn't-and there is no presence from him on the blue line. He's just one example-I could go on and on... I'm disgruntled... if they don't get it together they are going to get smacked around by Philly and the cup champs for the next ten years
Posted by: Keith | June 29, 2009 at 07:15 PM