Asian Fever

Wishing coach, Alain Vigneault good luck with the Stanley Cup!

joho

Active member
Jan 22, 2007
710
42
28
I guess Canucks made a big mistake with the coaching changes. The coach, Alain brought the best of each player and made the solid team heading to the final. I really hope that Rangers will win the cup this year! What would happen to Canucks if he was still the coach?
 

Man in Submission

Active member
May 28, 2013
466
28
28
Okanagan
you actually think that it's because of the coach. Really.. Really? They would have finished where they did or worse and he would have been FIRED!

Or even if they somehow snuck into the playoffs they would have been dumped first round and he would have been Fired!.

The little gnome is behind someone else's bench. Good riddance. Not a fan of AV never have been Never will be.

Team would have lost in the first round vs Pittsburgh had they not come together after Martin St. Louis' mom past away.

They determined a will to win, good for them.
They played Pittsburgh in the 2nd round. Badger, I am a diehard Rangers fan and to go back to posts before the season started, I was slagging AV as much as anyone. But as always I watched parts or all of every game this season and the Rangers played an up-tempo, entertaining brand of hockey the likes of which I haven't seen out of this team in maybe forever! I begrudgingly have to admit he did a magnificent job with this team that looked completely and utterly overmatched by Boston in the 2nd round of last year's playoffs. The personnel really didn't change all that much, but AV simply had the faith in young, fast guys like Kreider, Zuccarello and Hagelin that Torts, for whatever reason, didn't.

At any rate, it's amazing to be going back to the final for the first time since 1994. That includes 7 straight years missing the playoffs from 1998 to 2004, plus 1 more year with the lockout! Gonna enjoy this for a few nights then look ahead to LA or Chicago in the Cup final. Can't believe this is happening after the dreadful start to the season and for sure I give a lot of credit to AV, as I know Torts would have freaked out after we lost 7 of the first 10 games, but AV stayed calm and the Rangers were able to pull it together, make the playoffs and get on a run. Come on boys, 4 more wins and sip from the Stanley Cup! :thumb:
 

chuckertmg

Member
Mar 12, 2013
364
2
18
Not Always Sure...
You actually think that it's because of the coach. Really.. Really?
Yep. Overwhelming evidence would suggest so. A.V. also led the Canucks to the cup final, and prior to that went to an A.H.L. final with the Manitoba Moose.
And the Rangers never did as well under Tortorella as they have under Vigneault. A.V. holds the Canucks record for wins under one coach. Then Tortorella took over and, uh… how did they finish this year? After back to back President's Trophies under Vigneault can you remind me where they finished this season??? I forget...
 

Jethro Bodine

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2009
4,452
1,825
113
Beverly Hills. In the Kitchen eatin' vittles.
The best line from last night's broadcast summarized the difference between AV and Torts.
The announcers were commenting on how much of the Ranger's success is the guys are not as worn out as in previous years.
AV is using all 4 lines effectively while Torts didn't waste any time shortening his bench. AV has everyone involved and understanding their roles while if Torts was coaching the Rangers by now he'd be playing only 6 forwards, 3 d, and half a goalie.
:)
 

badbadboy

Well-known member
Nov 2, 2006
9,547
300
83
In Lust Mostly
I thought the Rangers had a great team effort throughout this playoff run in the Penguins and Habs series. They are running their whole team and it seems they are all contributing.

We shall see if they can stand up to either of the two remaining Western Teams.

It would be just deserts to see AV with the Cup. Oh to see the look on Gillis's or Aquilini's faces. Priceless.

Then again according to Badger the Rangers would still be there even if they had a Garden Gnome behind the bench. :rolleyes:
 

manni

Well-known member
Apr 14, 2006
1,306
78
48
garden gnome or not, a system is still the responsibility of the coach.
congrats to AV and his team for making the finals.
not sure if Rangers stack up to either LA or Chicago, but it would be
sweet justice for AV if at the end it's him hoisting the cup.

FUCK YOU GILLIS!
 

dickotoole

Active member
Feb 17, 2006
340
29
28
yvr
There is no doubt that the Canucks made a mistake in hiring Torts and likely should have known going in how it would turn out, but a hope and a prayer allowed them to hire the disciplinarian hoping the players would listen and do what they wouldn't with a softer touch. It backfired big time.

AV had to go for the reason BJ listed - players had shut him out.

AV's engagement with players and treating them more humanely than Torts does found traction in NYR but the rally around St Louis' loss really brought them together. And they are hoping to ride that all the way. The King looked weak in the last two games against the Habs but they couldn't muster any/enough quality shots or get to any rebounds. That is a tribute to Torts coaching style and message to all the players in blocking shots and taking away lanes. AV has definitely benefited from the players still following what Torts taught in that regard.

Nash looks like he wants to play again, using his size at last. Krieder is fucking fast, Zuchini is fast but too small. The Rangers could go 6 or more against CHI or LA if they can handle the body and use their speed . . . a could lob passes that result in goals can change the way either CHI or LA play . . .
 

chuckertmg

Member
Mar 12, 2013
364
2
18
Not Always Sure...
Rangers made the playoffs under Torts in all but one year. losing in round once twice, the conference final that they lost to the New Jersey Devils, and round 2 when he was fired from New York. So I don't know what the hell you're talking about.
… and his entire term the Rangers had the highest payroll in the league and consistently underachieved - so that's what I'm talking about. So much for superstars coaching themselves.

Under A.V. the Canucks had the most consistent success they've ever had in franchise history. In New York he's led the Rangers into the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in a decade. Meanwhile the Canucks missed the playoffs for the first time in six years.

The Rangers may not beat the Western team at all, but if that occurs, Badger, it's because the Western team is also well coached.
 

grusse

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2010
3,771
2,013
113
actually chucker,it's 1st time in two decades,been a while for the blueshirts.

don't mean to be a stickler for this kind of s..t but it makes the Rangers' accomplishment all the more noteworthy.

AV has his detractors,but he's now led 2 different teams to the Cup Finals in 4 seasons, so he must be doing something right,no?
 

chuckertmg

Member
Mar 12, 2013
364
2
18
Not Always Sure...
It's been a fun series to watch so far; different than the usual defensive style often seen at this point. L.A. hasn't been in the lead during regulation play in either of the two games, not even once, yet ended up winning both of them. Weird.
 
Ashley Madison
Vancouver Escorts