Vancouver finally got it right.  The Rangers are still "rebuilding" with an unstable core unlike what Vancouver started with. Ex. The Sedin Twins, Bieksa etc.....  You can also debate whether or not we have the right system in place when we get our "star" players,that it will even work for them.  You can look no further than Gabby for an example. What hurts the most is that Chris Higgins is likely to get himself a cup ring and Hank is still 2-3 years away from possibly contending.  

                  I will start with stating the problem isn't just the power play.  The power play is a result of the offensive style played by a team.  We have the identity of a "grinding" team.  The overall understanding of "grinding" is hard play around the net and a sound defensive game. 

                  John Torterella pre-lockout was known as a "Safe is Death" coach who preached a heavy offensive style.  His style was very efficient before the lock-out with no further evidence than a Stanly Cup. 

                  Then the rules changed.  The NHL removed the redline as a form of offsides and completely shifted the game from a defensive style to a more "exciting" offensive style.  This new gift allowed many of the leagues more "skilled" players to thrive and push the offensive boundaries that hockey can offer.   

                  This change made it very hard on coaches to redesign their style and a few lost their jobs, such as our head coach Mr. John Torterella following the 2007-08 season.  John then spent some time in the broadcasters booth before joining as the rangers coach in the latter part of the 08-09 season.

                   John then took the team and totally revamped them.  Expedited players out of New York who didn't fit his style and began building the team that was a failure in the 09-10 season.  This failure led John and Mike Sullivan to really look at their coaching styles in the off season.  The finished product, the 2010-2011 NY Rangers.

                   The team we are experiencing is a group of spare parts, paired with a few core guys who are playing a 75 foot game.  I'll explain further.  An NHL rink is 200ft long that consists of 3 major zones.  The offensive and defensive zones that are 64 ft and the neutral zone that is 30.  That leaves each zone behind the goal line a staggering 11ft in length for each.  My combination of a 75ft game consists of the defensive zone and the only place we tend to play offensive, the amazing 11ft offensive goal line zone.

                   Every successful team in the league currently doesn't use this "grind' ideology.  Take for example the two top teams currently in the NHL, the Flyers and the Canucks.  These teams both surround themselves with core skilled players and play a simple yet efficient combination of steady offensive pressure with pressure style defensive play.  I won't go any further into these teams because I am criticizing the Rangers.

                  In a nutshell, it seems teams have found out the counter to our style with our horrendous 7 for 17 skid we've been on since the start of January. Some of these losses can be attributed to injuries to some players, but John has preached no one is bigger than the team.  I am in now way comparing us to the Devils(that beat us) or the Islanders but just putting our style of play out for criticism.  

Sport-planet.ru is reporting that Czech superstar Jaromir Jagr has signed a new two year contract with Avangard Omsk of the KHL.  Citing “reliable sources” the article claims “Czech forward Jaromir Jagr has decided to remain with Avangard Omsk for two more seasons.  The sum of the agreement was not disclosed, but it will most likely be less than under the previous contract.”  Apparently there is some controversy involved, the Omsk president/gm has not confirmed just yet that the deal has been finalized.

Source: Beyond the Blueshirts

The Florida Panthers have traded Jordan Leopold to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a second round pick in 2010, pending a trade call with the NHL. As per TSN.ca.   It seems like our Florida trade ideas are starting to fall through.  LET THE TRADES BEGIN!

"In his NHL career, Leopold has 36 goals, 91 assists and 127 points in 416 games. His career plus/minus rating is -22, and he he has logged 184 total penalty minutes."