Torts Talks Defense and Gaborik

Following today's first cuts from training camp, Rangers head coach John Tortorella met with the media, and shared his feelings toward the Blueshirt defense, and how they have played so far, and on the situation he faces with Marian Gaborik. Here are the quotes, courtesy of Ranger Rants:

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On the defense: "I like what I see from the kids," Tortorella said. "As far as the veteran guys, I'm not crazy about what's going on there. I'm not crazy about a few guys on the blue line in how they've played."

On Marian Gaborik: "He won't play against Detroit, we'll make a decision come the Boston game."

"With Gabby, it's a matter of him mentally feeling comfortable with it," Tortorella said. "It's good to see him scrimmage today, you can see the talent level there. It's just like knee injuries, a lot of it is just getting through it mentally. Hopefully we'll be smart about this and get him geared up for that opener. He will play some exhibition games, it's just when he plays them."

"I don't blame him for the way he thinks about this," Tortorella added. "I believe in pushing athletes. But you can't be stupid either."
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When Tortorella refers to the veteran guys not showing him what what he wants to see, I would assume that he is talking about Michal Rozsival and Wade Redden, which is puzzling to me because Redden played well last night in New Jersey. Michal Rozsival was atrocious last night, however, so I would expect this feedback from Torts when talking about Rozy, but not about Redden.

Torts could also be possibly directing this at Dan Girardi, who was very quiet in his pre-season debut, but I guess we will never know, because Tortorella refused to go into anymore detail concerning the matter.

As for Gaborik, many good signs have been advertised today, especially when there is a chance that Gabs can play in Saturday's pre-season game against the Bruins in Boston. They are still taking it day-by-day, and I do not blame them, as there is no reason to rush the recovery which seems to be occurring rapidly anyway.

So I would say if we do not see Gaborik in Saturday's game, there is a good chance we will see him make his Ranger debut Monday against the Red Wings in New York, if everything goes as planned.