Lately, Henrik Lundquist has not been playing like himself. Do you think it is because of the abscence of Defenseman Marek Malik? The past few weeks Malik has been a scratch; I heard the Rangers are trying to trade him. Without a big 6'6" defenseman who played on the top line, I really think they are suffering. What is your opinion?
2007-12-22 05:32:41 · 5 answers · asked by Justin H 2 in Sports ➔ Hockey
no malik sucks
2007-12-22 05:54:02 · answer #1 · answered by crzy_chicken0 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
it isnt henrik just watch the goals gaborik scored on him the other night one on a break away two ridiculous tips out of the air a rebound with like 6 guys in front and an unbeleive able set up on the back side with no defenseman covering him....... that being said the rangers just are not playing well defensively havin malik would not help that much he mishandles the puck very often and does more damage than good its hard to watch the rangers struggle i think they can be a great team
2007-12-22 14:34:21 · answer #2 · answered by laxin out 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, the issue is that the Rangers have began to play a style that involves their defensemen pinching and jumping into the play in the offensive zone.
The reason for this is because of the lack of offensive productivity in the beginning of the season. Because of the lack of goals, the Rangers coach wanted to put more pressure in the Offensive zone (and once this style came, the Rangers had 2 games in a row where only defensemen scored).
But lately, that has backfired against the quick teams with hard forechecking players (hence the embarrassment against Phoenix), causing a lot of odd man rushes the other way. Their defensive players haven't been able to fall back as quick as Renney (the Ranger coach) expected. Malik won't be any better.
And also, the amount of goals they've given up can be related to their undisciplined play. They've had wayyy too many penalties. In last nights game against Colorado, I think the Avs had 20 power play shots or something like that.
Malik is not a necessity for the Rangers and should be traded. He takes up too much cap room. And he could be a good deal for another team, someone looking for a veteran stay-at-home presence.
Opponents have found the flaw in the Rangers system, and this is why they have struggled, not really because of Lundquist. And also, the West coast teams have looked much quicker on the forecheck then the East coast teams, hence their 3 losses against their Western Conference opponents this week.
2007-12-22 06:46:58 · answer #3 · answered by Garys Basem3nt 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Malik has been battling a series of maladies (back spasms in November) and is nursing them, he's certainly not a healthy scratch. Lundqvist has been battling a bug lately as well.
As for Malik being traded, several teams have approached the Rangers about him and Sather considers him the teams best defenceman (as does most of the NHL) so I don't see him going anywhere soon.
2007-12-22 07:06:21 · answer #4 · answered by Like I'm Telling You Who I A 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
More likely, he is over-worked! Add that with minimal defensive support and you get your result.
2007-12-22 05:57:16 · answer #5 · answered by NIPS® 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋