Posts tagged ‘Voros’

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.

Just some quick thoughts and observations from inside the Garden last night:

-  It seems the Rangers have made a conscious effort to (finally) embrace their 83 year history.  Last night’s opening video started from 1926 and followed straight through to the present.  Throughout the night the videoboards read “You are Part of a Brotherhood” and the word “Tradition” was used a lot.  Long overdue, but good work.

-  Bad work though on the lack of a Fan Giveaway last night.  It’s opening night people!

-  The Garden fans seemed a little more tentative then last season for the opener.  “Let’s Go Rangers!” chants didn’t have the same traction at points throughout the game that you’d expect out of an opener.  If it’s any consolation though, the “Potvin Sucks” chants were 18,200 strong!

-  While Harry Howell, Andy Bathgate and Adam Graves got a nice ovation before the ceremonial puck drop, it didn’t come close to Leetch’s last season.  I guess that’s to be expected though.

-  Suprise of the Night: Chris Drury getting the biggest ovation.  I thought the King would run away with it, but Dru at least matched him when announced as the 25th captain in Rangers’ history.

-  Aaron Voros will become a fan favorite quickly.  The guy plays the game the right way and is pedal to the metal at all times.  Best of all, he badly wants to be a Ranger.  The Garden fans fed off his energy in a big way last night.

-  Nik Zherdev cares.  It’s early yet, but what I saw up-close and personal last night was a player who not only possesses incredible, raw offensive ability, but hustles and plays physically.  It’s a good sign that I noticed him as much when he had the puck as when he didn’t have the puck.  The kid also wants the puck at all times.  He was noticably calling for the puck all night long.

-  This is a team that New York and the Garden Faithful are going to fall in love with.  They were far from perfect last night, but they hustle, work and take a direct line to the net.  The loudest chant each year at MSG is “Shoot!”  I only heard that once last night and it didn’t sustain itself.  When in doubt this Rangers team throws the puck on net and charges to the front.  It’s going to be a fun year.

Now gear up for the Palin Puck Drop in Philly as the Rangers look to go 4-0 on the year.  Check back at gametime for the Live Blog.

In two games with the Rangers, Aaron Voros, has already found himself in coach Tom Renney’s good graces.  According to Sam Weinman at the Rangers Report, Voros is skating with the second line during practice.

This makes for a second line of Brandon Dubinsky, Nikolai Zherdev, and Aaron Voros.  With Nigel Dawes getting the bump down to play with Lauri Korpikoski and Ryan Callahan.

I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Voros in the short time he’s been with the Rangers.  As long as he can keep pace with Dubi and Zherdev he will add a nice toughness to that line.

As for my man Nigel Dawes, well, he’s got to step his game up.  After disappearing during the playoffs last year, his first two games of this year were less than stellar.

I like Dawes and don’t think his starting spot is in jeopardy yet, but with the excess of forwards this team has, everyone on offense needs to be playing at their best.