Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Wolski Debuts With Gaborik, Anisimov; Coach Praises D, Talks Experienced D


After some questions based on travel issues when the New York Rangers take the ice tonight newly acquired Wojtek Wolski will be in the lineup, wearing number 86, and he will start with Artem Anisimov and Marian Gaborik on one of the top two lines.  Some are surprised that Wolski is going to immediately go there because he literally just got here and the way that Sean Avery had played on that line the last few games, but I have none of that surprise as Wolski is a skill guy and you might as well see what he has right away.  It is bad news for Avery both on the ice tonight and in the larger picture because it is a statement however fair or unfair to view it that way on the faith the team has in him to play consistent hockey at a high level worthy of that spot in the lineup.

Full lineup is:
Dubinsky – Stepan – Zuccarello
Wolski – Anisimov – Gaborik
Fedotenko – Boyle – Prust
Avery – Drury – Weise

Staal – Girardi
Eminger – Sauer
McDonagh – Gilroy

With Wolski in the lineup it also means that recent call up Kris Newbury is getting scratched and has been reported by all the writers Torts phrased it as “he got screwed.”

Other notes of interest from the pregame were Torts praising his current group of defense but also would not mind adding a veteran presence to the team.  The debate over getting a veteran of sticking with what they have is going to be one that sticks around for as long as it is until they make a move in all likelihood.

On Wolski Torts made calls around the league and talked to coaches about him but wants to see him with his own eyes.  That makes me chuckle the same way the talk of calling McDonagh up just to watch him practice did because that is what you have scouting departments for.  It might not be fair but it strikes me as an ego thing that Torts comes off as only his eyes can determine what a player has or does not have.