Fair warning

So now maybe I can have songs from my favorite Van Halen album stuck in my head all day instead of Bob Seger.

The fair warning is this: At some point this week, this blog is scheduled to be switched over to a new platform (for lack of a better technical term or, technical understanding on this blogger's part). Not sure exactly what this all means yet as far as readership is concerned. They tell me the content will be switched over. I'm not sure if there will be a new web address or not but, if there is, I will try to let you know as soon as possible so you can bookmark it before the transition. If you do have trouble finding Ranger Rants, please go to http://www.northjersey.com/sports/pro_sports/hockey/ and you can navigate your way to this blog from there and then bookmark it.

If all that fails, please send me an e-mail at grossa@northjersey.com with the Subject header of "Can't find Ranger Rants" and I will send you back the URL.

Meanwhile, coverage of last night's 3-2 win over the Devils at The Rock in this morning's Record includes: Tom Gulitti's game story,  Devils' notes,   Rangers' notes and a feature on the Marian Gaborik-Jacques Lemaire relationship. However, missing from the online content is my article on the performance of the Rangers' two rookie defensemen, Michael Del Zotto and Matt Gilroy. I've posted the unedited copy of that below the break.

Lastly, no practice today, the Rangers are off until tomorrow morning. Don't expect news today but if it happens, I'll post here.
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By ANDREW GROSS

STAFF WRITER

   NEWARK – Their names topped the three stars of the game list Monday and the Rangers can only hope that’s as much of a good omen for the careers of Matt Gilroy and Michael Del Zotto as the lost ice time in their last game portended the rough patches yet to come.

   “It’s baptism by fire,” Rangers coach John Tortorella said after both rookie defensemen scored a goal in a 3-2 win over the Devils at the Prudential Center

. “They handled the minutes tonight. They had some mistakes along the way but they played well.”

   Gilroy, 25, selected as the game’s first star, scored the winner at 17:50 of the second period with his first NHL goal. Del Zotto, 19, notched his second in two games to tie the game at 1-1 with the Rangers’ first power-play goal of the season at 6:31 of the first period before setting up Ales Kotalik’s power-play one-timer to tie the game at 2-2 at 16:23 of the second.

   More importantly, both were trusted with third-period ice time after Tortorella went strictly with his veterans – Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, Wade Redden and Michal Rozsival – in the third period of Saturday’s 5-2 win over the Senators.

   The Rangers signed Gilroy to a two-year deal worth $3.5 million after he won the Hobey Baker Award at Boston University . The Devils, too, were interested in signing the free agent. Del Zotto was the 20^th overall pick in the 2008 draft.

   “Last game I should have gotten my ice time decreased, I was trying to do too much,” said Gilroy, who was a plus-1 with a team-high six shots in 18:52 against the Devils. “I have to find the rhythm of the game. I have to learn on the go here. I’ve only been playing defense for four years.”

   “That’s part of coming in when you’re young,” said Del Zotto, who had two shots in 11:42 Monday, including 4:05 on the power play. “You’ve got to pay your dues. I understand what the coaching staff is doing.”

   Gilroy’s goal came as he came into the slot from the backside and found himself open for Marian Gaborik’s tapped pass to beat Martin Brodeur through his pads. Minutes before his goal, Gilroy skated into the right faceoff circle but delayed his shot every so slightly before nearly scoring to Brodeur’s short side.

   “I was just trying to get my shot through,” Gilroy said. “That’s another thing Coach is working on with me. I think I got a lot of shots to the net today and that’s going to help my game.”

   Del Zotto, too, found himself open for his goal, collecting a long rebound of Vinny Prospal’s shot in the left faceoff circle and collecting himself for a split second with Brodeur out of position.

   “I wanted to make sure because the ice wasn’t the greatest out there and the puck was spinning about a million miles an hour,” Del Zotto said.

   Tortorella was even more impressed with Del Zotto’s assist as he froze the defense with his stickwork, making it seem like he might take the shot himself.

   “That’s something you can’t teach,” Tortorella said.

E-mail: grossa@northjersey.com

Comments

[CP (Chris)]

Andrew, has anyone asked Torts the question, once we sign a 7th d-man, or decide to use Potter, whether if he will dress 7 defensemen against the faster teams in the league, and in turn, double-shifting guys like Gaborik, Vinny, etc. on the 4th line? I liked the way the 4th line played last night, but I wonder how necessary it will be to have a 7th defenseman in the 3rd period when everyone is gassed, especialy with Gilroy and DZ.

[Andrew Gross]

No, we haven't discussed that option yet. It's not a bad question but it's not one that's going to get an answer, most likely, until the Rangers do make a roster move. Torts strength (or preference) is not to talk about what may happen. He talks about the here and now.
I do know Torts has said often he doesn't necessarily concern himself with what the other team is doing, he's concerned with what his team is doing which actually is a little deeper than the cliche it sounds like. In short, he's not going to alter his game plan to match another team. He's going to play the way he wants. If all goes right with the Rangers this season, they should have some of the quicker skaters (Gaborik, Lisin). Torts wants other teams to adapt their game to playing the Rangers, not the other way around.
My sense is that they want the seventh defenseman to give either the rookies or a struggling veteran a blow every few games.
But, I will raise that point when a seventh d-man arrives.

[Charles]

I have to admit, the way things stand now, albeit very early in the season, the whole 7th d'man question doesn't interest me too much. I imagine the Rangers will keep both eyes open for a 7th vet d'man, but it's not an urgent need and the last thing I want to see the Rangers do is make an inappropriate or desperate like trade for one. The longer they can wait, the better ... especially in the hope that someone [read Heikkinen, Sanguinetti, etc.] improves enough down in Hartford that they merit a call up. Based on what I've seen so far from Gilroy and MDZ, on balance they're more than adequate. On the offensive side of the puck they're the 2 best d'men ... and on d' they're not necessarily the 2 worst d'men in our lineup. Let them play and wait for the right opportunity to present itself. I'm sure there will be a number of teams in quiet desperation mode after 10 games, that's the time to play "let's make a deal".

[CP (Chris)]

Thanks, Andrew! I only ask because I wonder if half-way through the season, the young kids' play lets-up. I don't want another mid-season meltdown like last year; granted, these guy seem better conditioned than last year's squad, but I think it's better to have these what-if-scenarios during a this long season.

Charles, I was referring more to waivers or re-entry waivers than a trade. I can't see a trade for a 7th defenseman.

[Terry]

Zipay is asking a legit question: what will the Rangers do once Avery gets back? Drop Voros--hopefully? Or sit Lisin--I hope not? Voros is a waste--not tough enough nor skilled enough. Lisin should stay with the big club and learn, even if it's on 4th line or if he's being sat occasionally. What do you think the Rangers are planning? Thanks.

[LI Joe]

Chris

i was thinking the same thing re 7 dmen maybe more so on the road where teams can match up as they want against our guys

[Mike]

ok, the Avery scenario... who moves to the 4th?

[LI Joe]

maybe avery for his 1st 2 games. maybe he'll still sit for another couple to really get healthy

meanwhile someone will likely get hurt sooner rather than later.

but if avery is top 9 and no injuries. lisin is odd man out i think maybe as spare for short while or maybe in hartford (assuming no waivers required and i'm not sure that's the case)

[Charles]

Chris, I think our best shot vis-a-vis wiavers was right before the start of the season. Schubert would have been a nice pick up for $900K. For waivers to work now, we'll have to wait ... who knows for how long.

Regarding the young kids on D, Gilroy may be the best conditioned players on the team. He may bend somewhere down the line because of a much lengthier schedule as opposed to college, but I doubt he'll break --- plus BU players are always very well conditioned. As far as MDZ, only time will tell, but it isn't like he's going to get 21-29 minutes a night.

In the end I would be happy to see a very conservative approach where we just wait a month or so before worrying about this. Allow the guys in Hartford to adjust to Torts system and then re-evaluate the overall situation.

As far as who will Avery replace, although Voros hasn't played that badly, he's the guy to sit ... or Brashear. Move AA to the 4th line with Boyle & whomever. I would leave Lisin on the top 3 lines for now, I'm interested in seeing him develop.

[CP (Chris)]

Charles, Zipay keeps reporting Dandenault, and like Schubert, he can play forward as well.

Gilroy looks well-conditioned, but I think Torts still has to be cautioned with him in his rookie year.

I think Voros has to to sit, and agree with Charles that AA should play 4th line wing with Boyle centering.

[Maccarone's Stasche]

As much as I like Lisin and his potential, I think the 4th line has done a phenomenal job of performing their role so far this season.

They have been physical and Boyle especially has been using his long reach to take away lanes/cause turnovers. They've been extremely effective at banging the glass and playing the cycle game in the offensive zone for a few minutes a night - exactly what a Torts 4th line should be doing.

I'm just not sure you break that up yet.

[CP (Chris)]

Yeah, they have done a good job of cycling, but it's not that hard to cycle when you're bigger than the opposing line. Voros can barely keep the puck on his stick without it jumping around on him.

Speaking of Maccarone, what happened to him? I figured he would end up in Hartford. Is he currently unsigned?

[Charles]

Chris, not suggesting a lack of caution with either rookie --- or vets for that matter. I'm just thinking it's very early to be worried about what might happen in December/January .... plus, this year, players like Gilroy, MDZ, AA, etc. will get an Olympic break to recover. Dandenault is a possibility, but I guess the question is, "what type of d'man do we want for the 6th/7th slot"?

Speaking of the 4th line, how much time will they actually see against Washington? Should they see a lot of time? It might be the perfect time to sit one of the 4th liners. Now if it were Philly or another BIG physical team, I would perhaps feel differently.

[bob]

regardless of the salaries, of the 12 forwards Drury has looked the worst, does not display anything at all to make me like him. And this has nothing to do with him being overpaid, but everything with him being a small, soft, uncreative, unskilled player. I don't see any speed or passes, or hits or puck control, or any fancy moves, or leadership, he even sucks on faceoffs

[CP (Chris)]

Flyers are having trouble skating with the Caps right now. Even their big guys like Steckel, Laich, and Knuble are quick. The D is going to have to stay fresh Thursday.

[Charles]

A couple of good points there Bob, but he does turtle with the best of them.

[bob]

yeah that he does, LOL. He is a joke, I never understand all the fascination with him and his "clutchness" intangibles.

[CP (Chris)]

Right as I say the Flyers aren't keeping up, the Mike Richards show begins.

Anyone else catch Peter Berg's documentary on ESPN, "Kings Ransom", about the Gretzky trade from Edmonton? Slats looks like the indifferent GM that he is now. Peter Pocklington started the downfall of hockey in Canada; granted, the trade probably saved started the hockey era in the US.

[CP (Chris)]

By hockey, I mean NHL not juniors in Canada...

[Charles]

Bob, "His Clutchiness" aka Captain Clutch, leads wherever his team follows.

[Andrew Gross]

Maccarone was ultimately cut from Hartford after being sent there from Rangers' training camp.

[lennynyr]

Carp suggests Anisimov will sit when Avery returns.

Some of the media, not Andrew, seem to think that Anisimov will be the one to sit when Avery returns.

Anisimov needs to play. He'll get stronger and his skills are obvious. Lisin is too much of an offensive threat at ES so he shouldn't sit either. I'd sit Voros and use Kotalik on the 4th line plus on the PP, that's where he excels. I'd put Avery with Anisimov and Lisin. That would be one fast line.

[CP (Chris)]

Thanks, Andrew! I'm not suprised he was cut, but, at the very least, hoped the best for him in Hartford.

Charles, with regards to the Olympics, yes, they rookies will get a break, but coming back from the break in the same form will be just as hard as grinding through a full NHL season for the first time.

Bob, do you ever have anything constructive or relevant to say about the Rangers, or hockey, besides that Drury sucks, is terrible, needs to be benched, etc? We know you don't know like him, so why not converse with others as if you know something about the sport? Saying someone sucks on numerous blogs carries zero weight with anyone even remotely skimming the blog.

[ntb]

Anisimov, Lisin, Boyle, or Voros. IMO, none have done anything to warrant immunity from sitting when Avery comes back.

[Charles]

Chris, given the fact the rookies came to training camp in great shape, at least Gilroy, I'm not too worried. We'll see. I don't usually say this, but I think Gilroy and MDZ are pretty special rookies --- not to suggest they're special like some superstar rookies or anything. I just think they're very responsible and prepared, as was evidenced by their commitment to coming into Torts camp in tip top form.

As to Bob and his Drury commentary, he actually listed out all the issues he has with Drury. I for one don't necessarily disagree with all his perception (I agree with some of it) ... he said much more than "Drury sucks", it would be worth commenting on if Drury supporters wouldn't get so defensive about Drury.