Saturday, October 30, 2010

Grachev on Trip to Toronto

Andrew Gross tweets...

Evgeny Grachev is accompanying the #NYRangers to Toronto for their game tomorrow night against the #Leafs.less than a minute ago via HootSuite


...nice to see, as call-ups are usually one and done with the Rangers.

...not sure if he's going to play especially with Boogaard expected back with Orr in the lineup for the Maple Leafs.

...maybe Christensen or White sits if Torts wants to get another look at Grachev.

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10 comments:

Rick said...

I think that Grachev needs a 10 game tryout to acclimate and gain confidence that he can play in this league. I think that once he really realizes that he can hang physically with the NHL, the skill package will follow rather quickly.

theking said...

@Rick

If he cant succeed in the AHL what is going to make him succeed in the NHL? I feel like to many people are fan boys and cant face reality. Its great they are giving him another chance but I just never see him being effective. He is way to slow to play at the NHL level and for his size he doesn't have that strength Dubinsky and Frolov have to turn their back to the defender and protect the puck.

Rick said...

At 20, I see Grachev along the same lines as most players. Played well in the O and struggled in the AHL last year. Callahan and Dubi came up and stayed at ages 22 and 21 respectively and they are still a work in progress according to most fans after 3+ NHL years. Who knows what Grachev will look like in 2/3 years? I just don't see the concerns until a player has established himself both in skill and experience. In relations to being slow or puck possession, these areas have there own techniques and learning curves that make a player more effective. I don't see a panic button because there are certain skills that need to be worked on.

theking said...

He is 20 years old not 18. Its either he has it or doesn't. I don't think you ever played hockey competitively. No matter how hard you practice there are somethings that never improve. Guys are born talents that others cant obtain. Thats what sets them apart. He will NEVER be fast. He does not show any signs of greatness. He is another Christensen. That had great Junior years but that was the highlight of their career.

Andrew_794 said...

i think torts needs to move prust off frolovs line...i love him but hes not gonna do too much scoring...throw grachev there

LI Joe said...

kevin i still don;t see why you hate on christensen so much that you want a guy with 2 ahl pts to take his place.

i'd sit boogaard - toronto has already said they plan to wear us down since its our 3rd game in 4. so why play boogaard for his 3 slow minutes when he likely would not fight either with the injury

at least use 12 guys who can play 7-8 minutes or more to give the teasm a chance

LI Joe said...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=339262

LI Joe said...

that article is about the leafs trying to take advantage of a tired ranger team

Kevin DeLury said...

LIJoe, I hardly hate on Christensen. If you look at all my comments this offseason I was pushing for Christensen to center Gabby.

I was merely stating that based on his play lately (and you have to admit EC hasn't been lighting the world on fire) he or White may be candidate to sit if Torts wanted another look at Grachev.

FYI, White is sitting for Grachev.

Rick said...

@theking: Wow-so you are one of those who play the "haven't played hockey" cards, how childish. Just to clear the air, I played before helmets were required.
Didn't know that 3rd rounders had to have "signs of greatness" to be considered NHL players. Don't understand your thought process in that statement. For reference-take a look at the 1st rounders in Crosby's draft year, half of those 1st rounders haven't even played more that one year in the NHL 5 yrs later.And yet a 3rd rounder is washed up because of one year in the AHL.really.
When you make comments like Grachev will "never be fast" or " doesn't have that strength Dubinsky and Frolov have" in protecting the puck I have to question how knowledgeable you really are. Fast is not the catch all that you suggest to be a good NHL player and protection skills are learned as you gain experience. To suggest that Grachev needs to come into the league already polished while players like Dubi, Calli, EC, Boyle, MDZ etc. can have a learn as you go environment again has to be questioned.
Not understanding why you just don't say that you are not a Grachev fan and leave it at that, but to suggest that he lacks a certain skill level to play the game kind of makes you look foolish, especially when his puck handling and above avg skating skills, his hands and size make him an attractive young player. Now if you brought up his competitive nature I might have to agree that might slow down his progress.