It is not simply amazing, it is alarming. It is not so much the group of players, but the fact that Torts simply got every ounce of success possible from the players. AV does not seem to be able to do that. The players may have chaffed under Tortarella's yoke, but they still played hard each night and played exactly the way that he wanted them to play. Because if they did not, first their playing time was cut and then they were not dressed at all.
Third of the way through the season. And the record and the results are of an absolute mediocre team. And not just that, but the lack of effort. People are supposed to have patience, but my patience for lack of effort and the non existent battle level has run out.
Yes, you're in trouble when your supposed core plays like they've been rookies for 5-6 years now. It has always been the problem, the NYR core are terrible puckhandlers and can't handle pressure. Girardi is one of the worst puckhandlers in the league, Staal is now unfortunately half blind because he refused to wear a visor, Del Zotto has always been an inconsistent trainwreck who looks terrible under pressure, Callahan doesn't have much else going than his work ethics and crashing the crease, Richards is a bad player occassionally playing good, Nash is not a franchise forward but an excellent complimentary player to the actual star player on a team... the list of problems is endless. In fact, it would be much easier to mention the positives.
