There have been a lot of comments about standing up to intimidation from clubs like the Flyers, and a great point was made about how the definition of “enforcer” has changed.
Joey Kocur, throughout his career, was a regular in the line-up and he was one of the true league heavyweights. When both he and Bob Probert skated for the Red Wings, they were a constant concern because they weren’t merely dressed — as Colton Orr is — on an “as needed” basis.
When Orr took out Todd Fedoruk with one solid punch, he crumbled the Tin Man of enforcers. Imagine stepping on a soda can. Fedoruk’s face — full of surgical fixes for the blows he’s taken — made him more susceptible to a haymaker. Aside from that bout, Orr fails to impress in his role as enforcer.
I’d rather watch vintage tape of Probert, Kocur and even Tie Domi going toe-to-toe if I wanted an example of an effective hockey fight. In fact, I’d like to see a multi-purpose utility player like the aforesaid three get a full-time slot in the Ranger line-up. As mentioned in the comments, we have a good core of North American talent. Brendan Shanahan is the truest definition of an all-purpose hockey player. He’s a warrior who will stand up for his teammates and drop the gloves, as he did against Donald Brashear, and still score 29 goals.
Anyone not obsessed with their own ego would find it impossible not to admire someone with Shanahan’s skill and work-ethic; any of the North American prospects coming up from Hartford, or who are already in the line-up, would do well to emulate number 14. Shanny is the prototypical North American hockey player and the newest Rangers have a great opportunity to learn from him.
While Avery is small, relative to most scrappers, (and there’s only feeble argument against the physical proof that greater height equals greater reach and more weight means more force), there is more to be said for heart than has been. Giants can be felled.
And, on the issue of heart, Fran is spot-on when he cites the apparent lack of effort devoted to improving Jed Ortmeyer’s hands. Had the Rangers made more of a coaching investment in the Nebraska native, he could have turned into a capable forward with an outstanding ethic.
Instead, he’s been relegated to a gutted team expected to sit at the bottom of the standings next season. Considering Ortmeyer’s negligible salary, it seems like a waste for the Rangers to not give him another season’s opportunity to develop at the top-flight level.
As always, RIKIL makes astute points on all fronts, particularly highlighting the differences between the European and NHL games. Immonen had to go because he couldn’t adapt to the NHL style of play … that’s a vague phrase, to be sure, and it segues into the need to abolish the coddling, call-every-hooking-penalty atmosphere that’s permeated the league.
I watched Game Three of the 1983 Patrick Division finals on MSG the other day. The final score was 7-6, Rangers.
Remember everyone bemoaning the lack of scoring in the league and how the game had to be reworked to make it more exciting? This 13 goal game was 24 years ago. Even in that series there was another 7 goal performance and two 5-goal games (all by the Islanders).
The increase in European talent has definitely changed the NHL and there’s no going back to when Canadians comprised an overwhelming majority of the talent … but there are elements of Old Time Hockey that still belong in today’s games, and recent Cup winners have proven — albeit to varying degrees — that a combination of N. American and European talent, with each different style used to the fullest advantage within a system is the key to success.
In the end, nothing tops chemistry and good coaching. Obviously there’s a certain amount of necessary skill. Dazzling offensive talent is a joy to watch, but so is a bone-crushing, brain-rattling check at center ice.
For all of the talk about what needs to be improved and how this or that should change, the simplest argument is the best: let hockey retain its identity. The grit and toughness can’t be extracted without destroying the game. It can’t be streamlined and beautified for mass consumption. Not everything can be marketed to everyone.
At this point, any complaint about the management of teams and the league itself is idle hand-wringing, but the insights provided here by our readers are evidence that the right attitudes towards the sport still exist. Eras come to an end. And I’m hoping the end of the Bettman era is closer than it seems.
Also, thanks to all of our commenters; without your input and insight, there would be no reason for this blog. Keep up the good work.
