2010-08-19 01:51:58 +0000 #1
Quote:
Offseason moves please Tortorella
Had the opportunity to chat with John Tortorella by phone Wednesday and we covered a number of topics.
One day after the Rangers announced the signing of ex-King left wing Alexander Frolov, Tortorella seemed enthused by GM Glen Sathers summer moves. He made it clear Frolov would be given every opportunity to play on the top line with Marian Gaborik and he believes the signing of Marty Biron to back up Henrik Lundqvist could be a crucial signing as Tortorella believes it will finally give him a chance to rest Lundqvist in the regular season, potentially for a couple of games in a row here and there if Biron is playing well.
Hes also confident the organizations younger talent will be given a chance to earn ice time through the preseason even with the offseason signings. Conversely, he said veterans would not be assured roster spots just because they were veterans with perhaps a hefty contract. And he said one of his coaching staffs challenges this season is to help Derek Boogaard develop into more than just a heavyweight enforcer who logs 2-4 minutes a game. Tortorella is also confident a contract can be reached with restricted free agent defenseman Marc Staal. But if Staal does not have a contract by training camp, Tortorella said he does not think Staal should be there.
I think one of the biggest positives of the summer and during free agency is that we have kept the core of our team, Tortorella said. We havent gone out and signed big contracts. Weve tried to sit tight with our youth and keep the building blocks there. We are going through a bit of a process. I think Dan Girardi and Brandon Prust (both who were re-signed this summer) jumped right into being in that core. They were big signings. Everybody rants and raves that its time for the Rangers to really stay pat and build with youth. I think the deal Frolov signed, its not a long-term deal. He can show us what he can do and maybe it will turn into the same.
At the same time, Tortorella is not convinced the offseason moves are done. He knows the team could still use some more depth at center and could be inexperienced on the blue line.
I dont want to put words in Glens mouth, Tortorella said. I dont think you ever stop. We need improvements, maybe up the middle of the ice and were still fairly young in the back end. Im not sure how it will work out but I still think youre always looking to improve the hockey club and Glen is doing that. A lot of things personnel-wise before the season could change. You cant get locked in. Things could change the rest of the summer.
Tortorella definitely liked the Frolov signing and is optimistic the 28-year-old Russian can help the Rangers become a more potent team offensively.
Hes a guy that has produced offensively in the NHL and has had a struggle the past couple of years, Tortorella said. I think that was a situation he was put in, but I was not privvy to watching all of their games. I know he wasnt getting the offensive minutes he was getting early in the year. Were excited about having him. Hell get the opportunity right away to see if he can play on the left side with Gabby. Im not sure who the center is going to be. But Im anxious to see them play together. Hes killed penalties. I think hes fairly responsible away from the puck. It was a good signing. We need to up the offense.
Frolov adds to a left wing stable that also includes Brandon Dubinsky, Vinny Prospal, Sean Avery and Boogaard. Both Prospal and Dubinsky also played center last season but Tortorella believes left wing is the stronger position for both of those players. But while Prospal may be used at both positions, Tortorella is firm in his belief that hell keep Dubinsky on the wing.
I thought he developed very nicely in the second half of the year, Tortorella said. We tried to stay solid with him on the left side. Its tough for me to say hell be there all the time but I like him there. We do have a glut over there but I just think thats good competition.
That, in general, will be the theme at training camp.
We know some areas look crowded but if a young kid comes into camp and has a good camp and theres a guy that we feel now is in the 20-man roster, thats something we have to look at, Tortorella said. They have to be honest assessments. Like (Derek) Stepan. we want to take a look at him. We played very well at the development camp. The doors are wide open for positions here. Well see where it goes but I think there will be a healthy competition. Certainly, no one is locked in because he had a Rangers uniform on before.
Naturally, I had to follow up with a question on Wade Reddens chances of remaining with the team. The Rangers could certainly use the flexibility of getting his $6.5 million salary off the NHL books by sending him to Hartford (AHL) after training camp. Its not Tortorellas job to worry about the salary cap. His concern is whether Redden can still contribute to the Rangers.
I told Wade at the end of the year, during the exit interviews, I felt we gave him, along with a couple of other players, we gave him a great opportunity to play, Tortorella said. Really, at times, we probably kept him in too long where we should have put somebody else in because of his play. We had a frank discussion. Its not going to be, Wade Redden is a veteran guy and has a big contract, hes going to stay in the lineup. We need to move by that. Hes going to dictate that.
Along with Redden, Michal Rozsival is another veteran defenseman who has fallen out of favor with Rangers fans. But Rozsivals play clearly improved the second half of last season and, if that play continues, Rozsival could be a key piece to the blue-line corps.
Were just hoping he continues to grow, Tortorella said. The biggest thing I thought he improved on was the consistency of his intensity in playing. He was more consistently ready, he played hard, he played through injuries. People dont realize the injuries hes played through. He needs to get more out of it. He knows it too, he has to shoot the puck. It has to get instinctive with him. Rozsy transformed himself. Give him credit. We kicked him hard along the way. But he was not laissez faire with his style and preparedness. At the end of the year, we played him in all situations and he contributed well. He has to have the same mindset.
Likewise, Tortorella liked the improvement he saw out of Staal in the seasons final months. Hes also confident the business side of things will work themselves out even while Sather at the draft described contract negotiations with Staals agent, Paul Krepelka, as a chasm.
Im hopeful and confident, Tortorella said. Both of them, that Marc is with us. This is all part of the process. You get to these situations, as a restricted free agent, and both parties are using all the things to their benefit to get a contract. I think it will get worked out. Hes a good guy. The last two months he was good. He was very erratic much of the season. But the last two months, he was instinctive. He understand us better as coaches and the schemes, offensively and defensively. Hes a very big piece to the puzzle. But a player has to understand there is a business aspect and there is a domino effect.
If a player is not signed, I dont want him in camp, Tortorella said. I just think its nothing but a distraction. I dont have full say but I think if Marc Staal is not signed, I dont think he should be at camp.
One defenseman Tortorella is eager to see at camp is Ryan McDonagh, signed out of Wisconsin after the prospect camp. Tortorella implied that McDonaghs college coach, Mike Eaves, tried to convince McDonagh staying in school was the best thing for him. Tortorella has often said that developing defensemen is one of the hardest things to do and they take the longest time to get acclimated to playing in the NHL, perhaps around 250 games in the league before fully maturing.
It remains to be seen, Tortorella said when asked whether McDonagh could make the Rangers out of training camp. Its not fair for me to answer for anybody but he certainly impressed us in June. He had a good career and were really happy he turned pro. Just to get him here, in the pro game, with us coaching him, hell be quicker in his development rather than going back. Mr. Eaves made him feel differently but to get our hands on him so he can go through the process with us, its good.
Tortorella is also looking to get his hands on Boogaard, who signed a four-year deal worth $6.6 million to replace Jody Shelley as the enforcer. Shelley, 34, signed a three-year contract with the Flyers the Rangers were not willing to offer.
He added to our room, Tortorella said. We were interested in him but Glen wasnt ready to go for a three-year deal. Honestly, I dont blame him. Weve struggled a bit with older players, like with Donald (Brashear). I understand that too. But he was a good, solid player, solid in the room. Im hoping familiarity with help us build that room. No one wanted to lose Jody but theres also some business that comes into play here. We wish him the best in Philadelphia. Jody and I talked after that and this is all part of it.
Boogaard, 28, of course hasnt scored a goal since notching two in the 2004-05 season.
Hes a tough kid, Tortorella said. Ive already had a conversation with him. We also want him to play. Im not sure what his minutes were last year but we want to try to help him progress as a player. I think the way the game is played, you cant just go out and fight a few times and dress him to do that. Part of his responsibility and part of our responsibility as a coaching staff is to teach.
Finally, Tortorella believes with Biron, signed shortly after the free agent market opened on July 1, he can finally implement his plan to have Lundqvists workload reduced with the backup playing perhaps 20 games in the regular season. Lundqvist has now played more than 70 games four straight seasons, including a career-high 73 in 2009-10.
Yeah, Tortorella said when asked if he was now comfortable with his backup goalie, something he wasnt last season between veteran Steve Valiquette and rookies Chad Johnson and Matt Zaba - Alex Auld came aboard too late in the season and Tortorella rode Lundqvist in a desperate attempt to make the playoffs. Just the way he (Biron) approaches his work, he understands his role, hes excited about being here. I think hell be a good complement to Henrik, whos the No. 1 guy. But look back at the months of November and December, I thought Henrik was struggling. A lot of bad goals had gone in but we really didnt have the recourse of a veteran (backup). A guy we feel more comfortable that we can put him in and maybe play him a couple of games in a row if he wins some. Henrik just cant play as many. If hes struggling, were hoping to take him out and put Marty in. Thats how you get into the playoffs where your backup maybe plays a couple in a row when hes playing well.
blogs.northjersey.co...s_please_tortorella/
Offseason moves please Tortorella
Had the opportunity to chat with John Tortorella by phone Wednesday and we covered a number of topics.
One day after the Rangers announced the signing of ex-King left wing Alexander Frolov, Tortorella seemed enthused by GM Glen Sathers summer moves. He made it clear Frolov would be given every opportunity to play on the top line with Marian Gaborik and he believes the signing of Marty Biron to back up Henrik Lundqvist could be a crucial signing as Tortorella believes it will finally give him a chance to rest Lundqvist in the regular season, potentially for a couple of games in a row here and there if Biron is playing well.
Hes also confident the organizations younger talent will be given a chance to earn ice time through the preseason even with the offseason signings. Conversely, he said veterans would not be assured roster spots just because they were veterans with perhaps a hefty contract. And he said one of his coaching staffs challenges this season is to help Derek Boogaard develop into more than just a heavyweight enforcer who logs 2-4 minutes a game. Tortorella is also confident a contract can be reached with restricted free agent defenseman Marc Staal. But if Staal does not have a contract by training camp, Tortorella said he does not think Staal should be there.
I think one of the biggest positives of the summer and during free agency is that we have kept the core of our team, Tortorella said. We havent gone out and signed big contracts. Weve tried to sit tight with our youth and keep the building blocks there. We are going through a bit of a process. I think Dan Girardi and Brandon Prust (both who were re-signed this summer) jumped right into being in that core. They were big signings. Everybody rants and raves that its time for the Rangers to really stay pat and build with youth. I think the deal Frolov signed, its not a long-term deal. He can show us what he can do and maybe it will turn into the same.
At the same time, Tortorella is not convinced the offseason moves are done. He knows the team could still use some more depth at center and could be inexperienced on the blue line.
I dont want to put words in Glens mouth, Tortorella said. I dont think you ever stop. We need improvements, maybe up the middle of the ice and were still fairly young in the back end. Im not sure how it will work out but I still think youre always looking to improve the hockey club and Glen is doing that. A lot of things personnel-wise before the season could change. You cant get locked in. Things could change the rest of the summer.
Tortorella definitely liked the Frolov signing and is optimistic the 28-year-old Russian can help the Rangers become a more potent team offensively.
Hes a guy that has produced offensively in the NHL and has had a struggle the past couple of years, Tortorella said. I think that was a situation he was put in, but I was not privvy to watching all of their games. I know he wasnt getting the offensive minutes he was getting early in the year. Were excited about having him. Hell get the opportunity right away to see if he can play on the left side with Gabby. Im not sure who the center is going to be. But Im anxious to see them play together. Hes killed penalties. I think hes fairly responsible away from the puck. It was a good signing. We need to up the offense.
Frolov adds to a left wing stable that also includes Brandon Dubinsky, Vinny Prospal, Sean Avery and Boogaard. Both Prospal and Dubinsky also played center last season but Tortorella believes left wing is the stronger position for both of those players. But while Prospal may be used at both positions, Tortorella is firm in his belief that hell keep Dubinsky on the wing.
I thought he developed very nicely in the second half of the year, Tortorella said. We tried to stay solid with him on the left side. Its tough for me to say hell be there all the time but I like him there. We do have a glut over there but I just think thats good competition.
That, in general, will be the theme at training camp.
We know some areas look crowded but if a young kid comes into camp and has a good camp and theres a guy that we feel now is in the 20-man roster, thats something we have to look at, Tortorella said. They have to be honest assessments. Like (Derek) Stepan. we want to take a look at him. We played very well at the development camp. The doors are wide open for positions here. Well see where it goes but I think there will be a healthy competition. Certainly, no one is locked in because he had a Rangers uniform on before.
Naturally, I had to follow up with a question on Wade Reddens chances of remaining with the team. The Rangers could certainly use the flexibility of getting his $6.5 million salary off the NHL books by sending him to Hartford (AHL) after training camp. Its not Tortorellas job to worry about the salary cap. His concern is whether Redden can still contribute to the Rangers.
I told Wade at the end of the year, during the exit interviews, I felt we gave him, along with a couple of other players, we gave him a great opportunity to play, Tortorella said. Really, at times, we probably kept him in too long where we should have put somebody else in because of his play. We had a frank discussion. Its not going to be, Wade Redden is a veteran guy and has a big contract, hes going to stay in the lineup. We need to move by that. Hes going to dictate that.
Along with Redden, Michal Rozsival is another veteran defenseman who has fallen out of favor with Rangers fans. But Rozsivals play clearly improved the second half of last season and, if that play continues, Rozsival could be a key piece to the blue-line corps.
Were just hoping he continues to grow, Tortorella said. The biggest thing I thought he improved on was the consistency of his intensity in playing. He was more consistently ready, he played hard, he played through injuries. People dont realize the injuries hes played through. He needs to get more out of it. He knows it too, he has to shoot the puck. It has to get instinctive with him. Rozsy transformed himself. Give him credit. We kicked him hard along the way. But he was not laissez faire with his style and preparedness. At the end of the year, we played him in all situations and he contributed well. He has to have the same mindset.
Likewise, Tortorella liked the improvement he saw out of Staal in the seasons final months. Hes also confident the business side of things will work themselves out even while Sather at the draft described contract negotiations with Staals agent, Paul Krepelka, as a chasm.
Im hopeful and confident, Tortorella said. Both of them, that Marc is with us. This is all part of the process. You get to these situations, as a restricted free agent, and both parties are using all the things to their benefit to get a contract. I think it will get worked out. Hes a good guy. The last two months he was good. He was very erratic much of the season. But the last two months, he was instinctive. He understand us better as coaches and the schemes, offensively and defensively. Hes a very big piece to the puzzle. But a player has to understand there is a business aspect and there is a domino effect.
If a player is not signed, I dont want him in camp, Tortorella said. I just think its nothing but a distraction. I dont have full say but I think if Marc Staal is not signed, I dont think he should be at camp.
One defenseman Tortorella is eager to see at camp is Ryan McDonagh, signed out of Wisconsin after the prospect camp. Tortorella implied that McDonaghs college coach, Mike Eaves, tried to convince McDonagh staying in school was the best thing for him. Tortorella has often said that developing defensemen is one of the hardest things to do and they take the longest time to get acclimated to playing in the NHL, perhaps around 250 games in the league before fully maturing.
It remains to be seen, Tortorella said when asked whether McDonagh could make the Rangers out of training camp. Its not fair for me to answer for anybody but he certainly impressed us in June. He had a good career and were really happy he turned pro. Just to get him here, in the pro game, with us coaching him, hell be quicker in his development rather than going back. Mr. Eaves made him feel differently but to get our hands on him so he can go through the process with us, its good.
Tortorella is also looking to get his hands on Boogaard, who signed a four-year deal worth $6.6 million to replace Jody Shelley as the enforcer. Shelley, 34, signed a three-year contract with the Flyers the Rangers were not willing to offer.
He added to our room, Tortorella said. We were interested in him but Glen wasnt ready to go for a three-year deal. Honestly, I dont blame him. Weve struggled a bit with older players, like with Donald (Brashear). I understand that too. But he was a good, solid player, solid in the room. Im hoping familiarity with help us build that room. No one wanted to lose Jody but theres also some business that comes into play here. We wish him the best in Philadelphia. Jody and I talked after that and this is all part of it.
Boogaard, 28, of course hasnt scored a goal since notching two in the 2004-05 season.
Hes a tough kid, Tortorella said. Ive already had a conversation with him. We also want him to play. Im not sure what his minutes were last year but we want to try to help him progress as a player. I think the way the game is played, you cant just go out and fight a few times and dress him to do that. Part of his responsibility and part of our responsibility as a coaching staff is to teach.
Finally, Tortorella believes with Biron, signed shortly after the free agent market opened on July 1, he can finally implement his plan to have Lundqvists workload reduced with the backup playing perhaps 20 games in the regular season. Lundqvist has now played more than 70 games four straight seasons, including a career-high 73 in 2009-10.
Yeah, Tortorella said when asked if he was now comfortable with his backup goalie, something he wasnt last season between veteran Steve Valiquette and rookies Chad Johnson and Matt Zaba - Alex Auld came aboard too late in the season and Tortorella rode Lundqvist in a desperate attempt to make the playoffs. Just the way he (Biron) approaches his work, he understands his role, hes excited about being here. I think hell be a good complement to Henrik, whos the No. 1 guy. But look back at the months of November and December, I thought Henrik was struggling. A lot of bad goals had gone in but we really didnt have the recourse of a veteran (backup). A guy we feel more comfortable that we can put him in and maybe play him a couple of games in a row if he wins some. Henrik just cant play as many. If hes struggling, were hoping to take him out and put Marty in. Thats how you get into the playoffs where your backup maybe plays a couple in a row when hes playing well.
blogs.northjersey.co...s_please_tortorella/
