Nolan Kicks Renney

Posted 6:32 PM ET | Comments 7

No, Im not an Islander fan. This is coming from a die-hard Rangers fan who knows an undeniable fact when he sees one.

The Rangers came off a brilliant second half and playoffs last season and looking poised to make a Cup run.

In the offseason they added Drury and Gomez and lost Nylander and Cullen. This seemed like an upgrade but it left no room for error. And thats exactly what happened. Error, confusion, lack of chemistry, or what ever you want to call it. The Rangers' offense, especially the top lines, has had trouble getting sustained pressure, shots to the net and most importantly, goals. There is no shortage of talent on paper. Glen Sather put the best team possible on the ice. The fault lies with Tom Renney. Not the player and not the management. The proof:

The successful case, Coach Nolan.
The Islanders came into the season having lost their two best forwards: Ryan Smyth and Jason Blake. In came Bill Guerin, Mike Comrie and Ruslan Fedotenko. They have a combined 11 goals and 17 assists.

Thats 2 goals and 6 assist less than the entire Rangers team. They have shown superb chemistry whether playing together or apart. They do not look erroneous, confused, lacking chemistry or whatever you call it. They are fluid and solid at the same time. The Islanders have had more lineup changes with less skilled players than the Rangers yet they have been much more successful. Blame Renney for not utilizing his assets. Credit Nolan in his encore of leading a patchwork team and making them into a piece of art.

I don't know how long the Islanders will be this successful or the Rangers this dismal. But I do know that as of now, the Islanders are 5-3 and the Rangers 2-4-1. Take no credit or blame from the players but give recognition to a man who should have won the Jack Adams last year and is on his way to capturing it this year.

Filed Under: islanders rags2riches rags2riches nolan renney

Nolanitis

October 21, 2007 6:56 PM ET | Delete
I agree 100%, however dont discount your Rangers. They were out of it last year too, and then played the best hockey in the NHL the 2nd half. Seems like the Rangers have so many stars that they are all trying to find their fit in the puzzle. The Isles know their roles and are playing a great team system, no superstars. I bet this year will wind up being like last year, except I am hoping the Isles win a round or two this time

Jsaquella

October 21, 2007 10:55 PM ET | Delete
I think Sather fell into the trap of Neil Smith and looked at names rather than chemistry. Everyone knows Jagr is a tempermental, and he LOVED playing with Nylander. Now Renney is hamstrung with a revamped roster that is lacking in chemistry. That said, Nolan is the better coach.

Jon Jordan

October 21, 2007 11:08 PM ET | Delete
Great blog, pal ... but, like Nolanitis said, don't knock the NYR too much just yet (fun as it may be for us Isles fans ...)Still, you make some outstanding points here! I said in my Atlantic Division preview, and elsewhere, that this Islander team would shock people. It's early, yes, but this team is good.I'm sure your Rangers will get it going ... just hopefully not against us ...

Fisticus

October 21, 2007 11:31 PM ET | Delete
As a Canuck fan, if Teddy Nolan had won the Jack Adams trophy I would have not had a problem with it at all. Excellent coach who like Lemair in Minny is doing a heck of a lot, with not a whole lot.

BlueDrury23

October 22, 2007 12:30 AM ET | Delete
i agree, we have one of the best rosters in the nhl and cant seem to do anything

October 22, 2007 11:46 AM ET | Delete
Good blog. Can't ignore that Nolan is one of the best and has the Isles playing some great hockey early on. I wouldnt give up on Renney just yet though. I like him as a coach and respect what hes been able to do for this franchise. Although it does seem that Renney only has the ability to motivate his team when they are the underdog, doesnt it? Look at the last two years...the Rangers played their best hockey when everyone else had written them off. I hope im wrong, but if Renney has an inability to motivate a team who is favored this team could be destined for a long season or a new coach. But I think Rangers fans should still give it some time to play out.

SCLI

October 22, 2007 1:45 PM ET | Delete
I don't see the Rangers being any worse or any better than last season. They spent more money and changed the feel of the dressing room. They will make the PO's and go about as far as last year. They could have stayed status quo and done the same thing. When Shanny and Jagr are gone in a year or so the signings of Drury and Gomez my pay off but now it looks like no one agrees on or off the ice.

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