spotlight on petr prucha....
who's better than barry? no one.
When the NHL lockout ended the New York Rangers started to rebuild around superstar Jaromir Jagr. Specifically Slats and Maloney believed that if Jagr was happy he would perform to the level he reached in Pittsburgh where he won five scoring titles. Immediately management signed fellow veteran Czech players Martin Straka and Martin Rucinsky, hoping that they would create a comfort zone for Jagr. The three were linemates for the gold medal team in last years World Hockey Tournament which was closely scouted by the Rangers.
However, a funny thing has happened along the way. The Rangers organization never expected fellow Czech Petr Prucha to be a big part of the process for Jagr or the Rangers' success for that matter. But it's the 23 year-old Prucha who is making his presence known even if he was the 240th pick by the Rangers in the 8th round of the 2002 draft. He scored two goals last night in the Rangers impressive 5-1 win over Nashville. One of the goals was a beauty of a backhand on a breakaway in which he was dished the puck coming out of the sin bin (penalty box). Later the crafty Michael Nylander fed him for a one timer that beat the tender badly to the short side. Prucha scored the Rangers lone goal in Chicago the night before and two more power play goals against Minnesota on Monday night (wittnessed by this writer from section 125 in MSG). That's five goals in 3 games this week for the young Czech who has added much needed offense to the Rangers seemingly anemic offense. He should be considered among the NHL offensive players of the week and definitely as a Rookie of the week!
Petr first made a name for himself earlier this season when he won two shootouts for the Rangers in extra rounds (NJ and Fla). Now he's pumping in goals in regulation to help New York win a lot more than most figured. The six-foot, 170 pound Prucha has displayed tremendous courage by charging toward the crease where big defenseman lurk. But that's where the rebounds are and that's where most power-play goals are scored. Think Adam Graves garbage goals the year he scored 51! Unlike most European style players Prucha has proved himself physically as he is not afraid to take a hit or finish his check. This has certainly caught the eye of coach Renney who has increased his playing time and taken note of his will and toughness (a classic quote by the way).
"I think he'd be able to play there under the old rules, too," Tom Renney said. "I'm not sure he'd last through 60 minutes. But he's got more guts than a slaughterhouse."
Meanwhile Jagr has rediscovered his scoring touch and leads the league in points and powerplay goals. Jagr keeps an eye out for rookie Prucha and is letting the young rookie stay with him in his Manhattan penthouse. The synergy seems to be clicking at the current time for both players and the Rangers. There is still plenty of room on this bandwagon for you deeky readers. Hop on, this 19-8-4 team is going places and the two profiled players Strudwick and Prucha is just a scratch on the surface of this interesting and exciting season!
Barry's Complaint of the Week: Why are Rangers stories buried on page D6 of the Times sports section every day? Deeky, can you get Jason Daimos to raise issue with the paper?
When the NHL lockout ended the New York Rangers started to rebuild around superstar Jaromir Jagr. Specifically Slats and Maloney believed that if Jagr was happy he would perform to the level he reached in Pittsburgh where he won five scoring titles. Immediately management signed fellow veteran Czech players Martin Straka and Martin Rucinsky, hoping that they would create a comfort zone for Jagr. The three were linemates for the gold medal team in last years World Hockey Tournament which was closely scouted by the Rangers.
However, a funny thing has happened along the way. The Rangers organization never expected fellow Czech Petr Prucha to be a big part of the process for Jagr or the Rangers' success for that matter. But it's the 23 year-old Prucha who is making his presence known even if he was the 240th pick by the Rangers in the 8th round of the 2002 draft. He scored two goals last night in the Rangers impressive 5-1 win over Nashville. One of the goals was a beauty of a backhand on a breakaway in which he was dished the puck coming out of the sin bin (penalty box). Later the crafty Michael Nylander fed him for a one timer that beat the tender badly to the short side. Prucha scored the Rangers lone goal in Chicago the night before and two more power play goals against Minnesota on Monday night (wittnessed by this writer from section 125 in MSG). That's five goals in 3 games this week for the young Czech who has added much needed offense to the Rangers seemingly anemic offense. He should be considered among the NHL offensive players of the week and definitely as a Rookie of the week!
Petr first made a name for himself earlier this season when he won two shootouts for the Rangers in extra rounds (NJ and Fla). Now he's pumping in goals in regulation to help New York win a lot more than most figured. The six-foot, 170 pound Prucha has displayed tremendous courage by charging toward the crease where big defenseman lurk. But that's where the rebounds are and that's where most power-play goals are scored. Think Adam Graves garbage goals the year he scored 51! Unlike most European style players Prucha has proved himself physically as he is not afraid to take a hit or finish his check. This has certainly caught the eye of coach Renney who has increased his playing time and taken note of his will and toughness (a classic quote by the way).
"I think he'd be able to play there under the old rules, too," Tom Renney said. "I'm not sure he'd last through 60 minutes. But he's got more guts than a slaughterhouse."
Meanwhile Jagr has rediscovered his scoring touch and leads the league in points and powerplay goals. Jagr keeps an eye out for rookie Prucha and is letting the young rookie stay with him in his Manhattan penthouse. The synergy seems to be clicking at the current time for both players and the Rangers. There is still plenty of room on this bandwagon for you deeky readers. Hop on, this 19-8-4 team is going places and the two profiled players Strudwick and Prucha is just a scratch on the surface of this interesting and exciting season!
Barry's Complaint of the Week: Why are Rangers stories buried on page D6 of the Times sports section every day? Deeky, can you get Jason Daimos to raise issue with the paper?
posted by fredeeky at
4:21 PM
2 Comments:
love euro hockey jersies. we should get some. speaking of which i can't wait to unveil my winnepeg jets jersey one of these days. "closely scouted" was my fave. thanks again barry.
enough already- can we get some pat riley up in here for mac fu
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