Goal Line Report
Managing Expectations
by Patrick Hoffman on 08/30/11 at 03:44 PM ET
Comments (5)
This is something that New York Rangers’ fans must learn to do prior to the start of the regular season because if they do not, they could end up being disappointed in the long run.
I am not saying this to be downer. Instead, I want Rangers’ fans to take a realistic approach to the season because while the team does look solid on paper, it does not necessarily mean that it will translate over well onto the ice.
For starters, fans need to be realistic about Brad Richards. Yes, he is going to produce and yes, he is going to play in all situations but the team did not bring him in to be Marian Gaborik’s savior. Rather, the team got him to be their No. 1 center for the foreseeable future.
Secondly, fans cannot want to boo Gaborik if he does not get going early on in the season. With Gaborik, fans need to practice patience because in the end, this could end up being a very big season for the third-year Blueshirt.
Fans must also realize that if the team does not end up winning the Stanley Cup this season, the year should not be looked at as a total disappointment. Instead, what fans should hope for is for the team to at least get past the first round, something the club has not done since the 2007-08 season.
It is going to be a long season folks. I suggest you check your expectations at the door and be prepared to deal with whatever the Rangers throw at fans this season.
Filed in: | Goal Line Report | Permalink
Tags: Brad+Richards, Marian+Gaborik, New+York+Rangers, Rangers+Fans,
Comments
The Wings can kiss my ass.
And this post sums up my feelings exactly. Optimism and hope, not unrealistic expectations. I am a fan of Gaborik’s and will be patient with him. I would like to see a Stanley Cup within the next 3 or 4 years, I believe wholeheartedly that they can do it. The team looks solid on paper and IS solid, with a few years improvement will be real contenders once again instead of outside chances. If the scoring gets going, the PP improves, the PK stays as excellent as always, Callahan becomes an even greater leader and example than he already is and Richards pays off this will be an even greater season. Cally/Dubi/Artie line will continue to produce. Prust/Boyle/Feds will provide as much on the ice in different areas. Staal and Girardi will be as brilliant as ever, the best shut down pair in the league, hands down. McDonagh and Sauer continue to play above their ages and improve with every game. Lundqvist will remain The King. One who finally has an ace back-up in the skilled Biron. Upcoming prospects and AHL players look great and will have their chances to shine.
What do I expect? To qualify for the playoffs comfortably and BEFORE the findal day of the season, to not have their destiny dictated by other teams, and to get further than the first round. The second round, perhaps even the Conference Finals. They can do it. We know it, and more importantly, so does the team. After the season they had last season, with all that adversity and trial, to continue to play wonderful hockey, win many tough games and have the incredible moments they did, and make the playoffs by the skin of their teeth says more about the current Rangers team than any stats in the game.
They’ll win it all within the next four years.
Posted by Laura on 08/30/11 at 07:01 PM ET
I’d save best shutdown pair for Weber and Suter, everything else sounds reasonable. I wouldn’t be mad at a DET/NYR SCF.. wouldn’t get your cup though.
Posted by HockeytownOverhaul on 08/30/11 at 08:11 PM ET
I like Staal and Girardi a lot, but they might be the 3rd best shutdown pair in the Atlantic (Pronger/Carle, Pittsburgh’s top 4), let alone the league (Chara/Seidenberg, Suter/Weber, Scuderi/Daughty, Keith/Seabrook).
Posted by steviesteve on 08/30/11 at 09:42 PM ET
Let’s just start playing hockey and see what shakes out..i do agree the Rangers will be legitimate contenders for years to come, and have a real shot at a cup in the next 3-5 years…let’s hope this year is a healthy one too.
Posted by Jeff from Middletown, NJ on 08/31/11 at 07:59 AM ET
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About Goal Line Report
Patrick has a tremendous passion for hockey. Besides covering the Rangers and the NHL for Kukla’s Korner, you can also find Patrick’s work over at Sportsnet.ca, The Red Light District Hockey Blog, NHL Home Ice, and Liam Maguire’s Ultimate Hockey web site.
Prior to writing for the above mentioned outlets, you could find Patrick’s musings at hockey web sites/outlets such as TheHockeyNews.com, TheFourthPeriod.com, Spector’s Hockey, Hokeja Vestnesis, Blueshirt Bulletin, SNYRangersBlog.com and many more.
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Posted by HockeytownOverhaul on 08/30/11 at 05:19 PM ET