Post by NY Rangers (Dave) on Jul 20, 2015 16:30:00 GMT
MADISON SQUARE GARDENING
Interview with the GM
By Igor Hudak
The MSG blog's Igor Hudak recently got permission to spend a few minutes with Rangers GM, Dave Leibowitz.
IH: It's a good news/bad news situation for you now, right? The team is just treading water...bad...but you've got the top performing line in the league...good. What does that say to you about the team?
DL: It says to me that we've got a heck of a unit there with Nash, Stepan, and Schwartz. I'm not going to read too much into our record yet for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it's still early in the season and there's plenty of time to get more wins under our belt. Secondly, we've been starting Desjardins in goal in order to get Talbot ready to take the reins for the long-run. Not to knock Cedrick, but as a first year and backup goalie, we can't expect him to carry the team. Thankfully, that top unit has helped us keep our heads above water.
IH: What about the rest of the team? Are they living up to expectations or do you feel like there's more they can give?
DL: I definitely think there's more to come from the rest of the guys. The 2nd line, in particular, can step it up quite a bit to help relieve some of the pressure the 1st line has been feeling. I think they'll get there - I've seen some positive signs lately.
IH: Has the coaching staff considered moving someone off the top line to give a boost to the other players?
DL: I think they've talked about it but nothing is happening yet and nor should it, in my opinion. That unit is playing so well together...how can anyone willingly break-up that magical combination? I think the other lines may need some changes but not at the expense of the top unit.
IH: If not that, then what can be done to get the rest of the team contributing more?
DL: I don't want to paint with an overly broad brush here - the rest of the team is contributing, they're just not scoring as much as I'd hope. There's actually some very good defensive work happening with the forwards and defensive pairings. That said, the second line needs to score. I'm seeing signs of it coming from Brassard and Hagelin but Krieder is a key piece there. Getting him going will be huge. Once he gets a few pucks to the back of the net, I think we'll see some good momentum happening.
IH: Are you considering any farm players for promotion to the bigs? Any players standing out in Hartford?
DL: Not yet. I did consider keeping JT Miller or Marek Hrivik up but ended up keep Jesper Fast as I felt like he could contribute a little more right away and I also felt like those other guys would benefit tremendously from a little extra time on the farm. At this point, I might only bring one of them up in the event of some injuries.
IH: Who are the current farm players you anticipate will compete for NHL roster spots next season?
DL: It's going to be tough for anyone as the NHL lineup might not be too different from what it is now. But the guys who seem like they have the most potential are Miller, Hrivik, and Agozzino. Aside from them, I'm mostly looking to see something from Marcel Noebels, Brady Skjei, and Danny Kristo.
IH: Would you move players to make room for them?
DL: Only if they prove they are valuable enough to the big club for me to make those kinds of adjustments.
IH: Thanks for your time, Dave.
DL: You're welcome.
Interview with the GM
By Igor Hudak
The MSG blog's Igor Hudak recently got permission to spend a few minutes with Rangers GM, Dave Leibowitz.
IH: It's a good news/bad news situation for you now, right? The team is just treading water...bad...but you've got the top performing line in the league...good. What does that say to you about the team?
DL: It says to me that we've got a heck of a unit there with Nash, Stepan, and Schwartz. I'm not going to read too much into our record yet for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it's still early in the season and there's plenty of time to get more wins under our belt. Secondly, we've been starting Desjardins in goal in order to get Talbot ready to take the reins for the long-run. Not to knock Cedrick, but as a first year and backup goalie, we can't expect him to carry the team. Thankfully, that top unit has helped us keep our heads above water.
IH: What about the rest of the team? Are they living up to expectations or do you feel like there's more they can give?
DL: I definitely think there's more to come from the rest of the guys. The 2nd line, in particular, can step it up quite a bit to help relieve some of the pressure the 1st line has been feeling. I think they'll get there - I've seen some positive signs lately.
IH: Has the coaching staff considered moving someone off the top line to give a boost to the other players?
DL: I think they've talked about it but nothing is happening yet and nor should it, in my opinion. That unit is playing so well together...how can anyone willingly break-up that magical combination? I think the other lines may need some changes but not at the expense of the top unit.
IH: If not that, then what can be done to get the rest of the team contributing more?
DL: I don't want to paint with an overly broad brush here - the rest of the team is contributing, they're just not scoring as much as I'd hope. There's actually some very good defensive work happening with the forwards and defensive pairings. That said, the second line needs to score. I'm seeing signs of it coming from Brassard and Hagelin but Krieder is a key piece there. Getting him going will be huge. Once he gets a few pucks to the back of the net, I think we'll see some good momentum happening.
IH: Are you considering any farm players for promotion to the bigs? Any players standing out in Hartford?
DL: Not yet. I did consider keeping JT Miller or Marek Hrivik up but ended up keep Jesper Fast as I felt like he could contribute a little more right away and I also felt like those other guys would benefit tremendously from a little extra time on the farm. At this point, I might only bring one of them up in the event of some injuries.
IH: Who are the current farm players you anticipate will compete for NHL roster spots next season?
DL: It's going to be tough for anyone as the NHL lineup might not be too different from what it is now. But the guys who seem like they have the most potential are Miller, Hrivik, and Agozzino. Aside from them, I'm mostly looking to see something from Marcel Noebels, Brady Skjei, and Danny Kristo.
IH: Would you move players to make room for them?
DL: Only if they prove they are valuable enough to the big club for me to make those kinds of adjustments.
IH: Thanks for your time, Dave.
DL: You're welcome.
i'll be doing it all on friday as its teh only day off I have at the moment. Sorry, we are down people and its long late shifts at teh moment. 