Korpikoski Out…Voros In? (Updated)
Something just doesn’t sound right about that does it?
Steve and I talked ad nauseum about the benching of Aaron Voros being a smart move on the last podcast. Then, low and behold, Tom Renney decides we here at the NYRangerscast don’t know jack, and inserts Voros back into the lineup tonight against the Penguins.
Not only that, but he puts Voros in at the expense of the guy Steve said was on the verge of stepping up to the next level, Lauri Korpokoski.
This move makes absolutely no sense to me. The Korpedo hasn’t shown up on the stat sheet as much as one may like, but when you talk about heart, effort, and groove; it seems Lauri has found all of those recently.
Conversely, Aaron Voros, had his 15 minutes of fame disappear over a month and a half ago. Voros hasn’t scored a goal since November 28th against Florida. Since then, he’s had 0 goals, 1assist and is -3 on the ice.
The argument that Voros is a big body that likes to throw his weight around has been disproved time and time again this season.
So, what’s the reason for putting him in you ask?
Coach Renney says his big body will help the power play!
Come on Tom, we’re not that stupid.
Update 5:07 p.m.: Steve here. I’m just about on my way out the door to go to the Garden, but before I leave I really need to chime in on this one here.
This move really blows my mind. Tom Renney really comes off here looking like a blind squirrel in search of a nut. There is simply no logic to make this move at this point in time. Aaron Voros brings nothing to the table. The early season Voros was absolutely an abberation.
The real Aaron Voros was drafted in the 8th round, 229th overall. He took six years to crack an NHL roster and put up a whopping 14 points in his only season. After a fantastic first five games of the year, Voros has managed to put up 5 total points in his last thirty. He’s a minus player over that stretch to boot.
Lauri Korpikoski is a first round pick who’s game is FINALLY rounding into shape. He’s strong on the puck, playing with confidence and seems right on the brink of breaking out. To take him out of the lineup at this point–and for a guy like Aaron Voros nonetheless–is laughable.
Renney said it’s not a reflection of Korpi’s game, but he needed to move someone out to give Voros a shot. My first question is obviously: why? But that question aside, there are plenty of people who would do well riding the pine for a game or two that aren’t named Lauri. The only problem with benching them is that their price tag is a little higher than a guy who is playing in his first full season with the big club.
Tom Renney threatened to sit down his “key guys” if they didn’t produce. I was a fool for believing he might do it. Drury has been awful and Gomez has been a joke, yet here they are again set to play against the Penguins, while another deserving young player gets the shaft.
Eric and I said this next tough stretch could do a lot to determine whether or not Tom Renney will be the head coach for the remainder of the regular season. Right now, he simply seems lost.
7:00 pm: Well this is just great. There will be no live blog tonight because the great Time Warner of Cincinnati does not carry the Versus network. Apparently, having the NHL package means nothing. So, I will have to wait and see what happens instead of watching the game live. Thanks NHL. Thanks Time Warner. Go Rangers.
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Tags: Eric Rothman, Korpikoski, Voros
20 Responses
Dan M January 5th at 4:40 pm
and i thought i understood my physics lesson today? agred that this does not make sense at all.
Inferno January 5th at 6:25 pm
*ahhhhhh*
You know, seeing you guys FINALLY come around to my way of thinking, makes me feel really happy.
Gary January 5th at 7:28 pm
Eric, I feel ya man. It is just like when they wont let you get NHL Network without Center Ice. And if you use a TiVo HD, you use their Cable Card and not their cable box… and not get Center Ice.
Gabbi R. January 5th at 7:30 pm
Rar. Inferno, yeah you can brag. Renney’s just a joke as far as it comes now. Korpedo’s been playing on the goddamned first line for 4 games, and then you motherfreaking bench him?! For motherfreaking VOROS?! WTF?!
Eric, sorry. *Hugs* Well so far, your boy Nigel Dawes has scored a PPG at the one minute mark, and Petr Prucha got called for a 4 minute high-sticking call because he was stick handling and Schuderi (sp?) got nicked over the eye and bleed. The refs then called a penalty on Dmitri Kalinin for holding, when Cindy Crosby dove. (as usual) so the Pens had a 5-on-3 and failed to capitalize. They then got called and we played 4-on-4 for a while, now it’s even strength again at the 11:20 mark.
Hope it helped.
Gabbi R. January 5th at 7:36 pm
Freddy Shoes driving to the net with a nice SOG. Just wish someone was there in the slot to jam in the rebound. There was another 4-on-4 btw
Gabbi R. January 5th at 8:01 pm
OK. Pissed and confused here. Apparently the Pens were going to get called, and so Lundqvist goes off for an extra skater before the Pens touched the puck. Then as the Rangers touch the puck in the offensive zone the whistle blew. I was like what the hell? They then called Voros for boarding and forgot the Penguins penalty (which I believe was goalie interference on Crybaby). So now the Pens go into the second a goal down, but still on the man advantage.
Gabbi R. January 5th at 8:09 pm
WHAT THE HELL VERSUS JUST MOTHERFREAKING FROZE ON MY TV I HAVE ONLY AUDIO!! WTF?
DIEEEEEE VERSUSSSSSSS
Gabbi R. January 5th at 8:26 pm
Dear Commissioner,
I have some serious issues with how networking in the NHL is done. Some fans are unable to see games in smaller market cities like Cincinatti, while other fans get frozen screens and/or no visual. Having poor/no visual and no resolution of this problem could cause a severe detracting trend in friends. Versus is not a good network to spread the NHL name. Commercials need to be played on major American TV networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and ESPN. The NHL should also attempt a television with ESPN to show games on ESPN/ESPN2. Ratings will not increase and fan bases will not grow with strict Versus and local television games shown. It has gotten better with more games being shown on NBC on weekends, but that is only January-June, and some Stanley Cup finals games could not be seen due to being shown on Versus. More night games during the week on a channel like ESPN (or ESPN2) could signifigantly increase NHL ratings.
Versus is not doing NHL or its fans any good.
That’s a tidbit of the letter to the commish I’m working on. It’s finally back on after 11 minutes of no game.
Henry January 5th at 8:30 pm
Prucha with a nice open ice hit on Cindy C.
Gabbi R. January 5th at 8:34 pm
Hard shot by Kalinin hit the crossbar with a clang.
Gabbi R. January 5th at 8:46 pm
GOAL Mara!
I missed most of the period due to my stuid cable company, but as of the 9 minutes I did get to see, were some good play. I think on the penalty kill Callahan had some chances to skate with it and dump it in the zone but opted for the long shot across the ice. Dawes, however, skated through the neutral zone, skated past a defenceman and almost got a 2nd. Then Mara had a hard shot on the rebound just as time ran out.
Pens will start the third a man up for a little over a minute again, as “Captian Clutch” got called for delay of game.
Gary January 5th at 8:49 pm
“Captain Clutch” or Captain Clutz?
Gabbi R. January 5th at 8:55 pm
oops, it’s stupid not stuid.
I’m having an illiterate night tonight. It’s very lonely here.
Gary January 5th at 9:18 pm
I just hope that we play this good and this score with our team being on top Wednesday Night when I am there with my nephew for his Christmas Present and Dan will be a few sections from me.
Gary January 5th at 9:33 pm
Great Game 4-0 RANGERS WIN
THE RANGERS WIN!
Gabbi R. January 5th at 9:40 pm
HANK WITH THE SHUTOUT! That’s how you win games boys! I’m happy now
Crybaby, slewfoot are now 9th in the East, 4th in the Atlantic.
It now looks like this in the division:
1. Rangers 51 pts
2. Flyers 50 pts
3. Devils 49 pts
4. Penguins 42 pts
5. Islanders 28 pts
Gary and Dan have a great time at MSG on Wednesday. I might not be going to my second home until March
Dan M January 5th at 9:46 pm
if they can play this well on wensday ill be happy
Gary January 5th at 10:24 pm
Dan I will be in 423 Last Row with a Ranger Jersey on with no name on the back with a little one who also has a rangers jersey or blue seats shirt (depending on which one he wears)
Dan M January 5th at 10:37 pm
ill be wearing a blank ranger jersey i think ill find ya ill see you wensday
Inferno January 6th at 2:32 am
Rangers played like absolute ass for the first 2 periods. Pens had like 3 or 4 goal posts, and Henrik had to make at least 2 ri-freaking-diculous saves along with a beautiful poke check. The Rangers had zero quality shots on goal, just some flukey goals thanks to a garbage goalie.
In the 3rd though, we dominated. Pens just stink right now, worse than us…which is amazing.