Posts tagged ‘Voros’

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.