Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants has numerous quotes from John Tortorella after today's practice including this one on the Rangers back-up goaltender situation...
“It’s a mess. Let’s call it what it is, it’s a mess. Honestly, I talked to Valley (Steve Valiquette) at the beginning of the year, we were looking to get him 15-17 games. That’s what I like to do, especially that Hank’s going to be there in the Olympics and all that. Would I still like to do that? I don’t know if I can."
Torts goes on to say that Chad Johnson is going to get a start along to the way. Gross thinks it will be next week on Long Island.
...a mess is an understatement. And making it even more of a mess is the payroll mess Sather created not allowing the Rangers to trade for a decent back-up. Having said that, looking forward to Johnson's possible debut next week.
On Gilroy being sent to Harford...
"We’ve talked for probably two weeks now on Gilly and what is best for him. There’s one part of his game we feel he needs to be consistent with, at least try to make an effort at, is the competing part of it. We’ve explained it to him, we’ve shown it to him. We still don’t think he totally understands and there’s not a better place in the world than the American League, where everybody chases you around there, chases the black puck, to figure out how to play in traffic and be involved in those type of situations."
Tortorella also down played Gilroy getting beat on the game winner in Chicago stating that Marian Gaborik's lack of a back check was to blame.
...i really don't have a problem with Gilroy being sent down to Hartford, as he does need to work on things. But as I've said what type of message does that send when Torts refuses to sit Rozsival and demotes a rookie at the first sign of struggles.
Gross also reports that Brandon Dubinsky is feeling much better than he did just last week, that Ilkka Heikkinen felt a lot more comfortable at practice today than the first few and Enver Lisin will be back in the line-up tomorrow night against the Sabres with P.A. Parenteau taking a seat.
...with players getting healthy, tomorrow night is a big game for Lisin.
Today's lines...
Higgins-Prospal-Gaborik
Avery-Drury-Callahan
Boyle-Anisimov-Kotalik
Brashear-Christensen-Lisin
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