|
Ryan Hollweg |
Games
|
Goals
|
Assists
|
Points
|
+/-
|
PIM
|
|
Regular Season
|
78
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
-11
|
131
|
|
Playoffs
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
-1
|
2
|
This is how Dictionary.com defines the term “role player”…
role player
n.1. One who assumes or acts out a particular role.
2. One who engages in role-playing.
3. Sports A team athlete who plays mainly in specific situations.
So I look at that definition, I look at Ryan Hollweg when he is on the ice, and I think to myself, what are my fellow Ranger fans looking for more?
Answering that question is fairly simply, you only need go back a few days and look at my review for Jed Ortmeyer. The fact of the matter folks, is the Rangers probably have one of the 3 deepest farm systems, completely loaded with kids who not only can be role players, but who can bring some offensive finish, and some defensive presence. Lets face the facts here guys, Ryan is an agitator, who throws punishing body checks, but thats literally all he brings to the table. He is not gifted offensively, nor defensively. He can’t player the power play, nor can he kill penalties. He doesn’t have a good shot, he doesn’t have good vision, all he can do is skate, and hit. Which is a nice combination to have, but is his presence necessary?
My answer for this year is yes. We still have a lot of guys that are “wussies”. They don’t play physical, they don’t really stand up for themselves, they are finesse players (Jagr, Gomez, Straka, etc) who need protection from below. Colton Orr and Ryan Hollweg help to do that. However, as this team develops, as we start introducing guys like Sauer, Staal (not a fighter, but isnt afraid of physical contact), Dupont, Jessiman (oh yes, he will be a Ranger), Dubinsky, Korpikoski, etc we will see a lineup that may not be the best fighters, but who, almost to a man, stand up for each other, and can handle the physical play, and even give a little of it back. However, this is not for this year, this is for NEXT year and beyond. So while Ryan is definitely needed for this upcoming season since most of our kids are simply not ready, he can see very clearly the writing on the wall. Expect him to be dealt next offseason, or even as early as the trade deadline. He won’t be on the roster come 2008-2009.
-Inferno
