When the Rangers’ best defender Adam Fox was tackled by Brandon Hagel during Tampa Bay’s win over New York, no one on the home team went after Hagel.
Veteran hockey writer Al Greenberg – watching from The Garden press box – told me he was disappointed that not a single retaliatory move was taken.
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It was interpreted by Greenberg – and many others – that the non-response was a sign that the Rangers lacked rigor. But upon further review, no retaliation was justified because the Hagel hit is of a type sanctioned by the National Hockey League.
Because it was completely and eminently legal; In fact, a perfect hit.
This was a neat bodycheck of historic Rangers defensemen like Bill Zuzda, Bill
Moe, and Bill Gadsby – to Ryan Lindgren and Jacob Trouba – have gotten the job done.
How can one take issue with Hegel?
1. His stick was down.
2. He made contact with good posture.
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3. He finished through the hands and arms.
4. It’s as well executed as you’ll find in any reputable hockey manual.
5. If a hit needs to be eliminated; Hegel showed how.
Too often, clean strikes that cause damage to the enemy inspire retaliation, be it for whatever reason or not, not out of emotion. One veteran Rangers fan I know insisted that – in his eyes – legal hit or not, it made no difference to him. “Back to Hegel” was his theme.
Are the Rangers really doing enough for Coach Sullivan?
Are the Rangers really doing enough for Coach Sullivan? How can one explain the Rangers’ woefully disappointing effort in a big game against the formidable Tampa Bay Lightning?
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As for those who claim Rangers are too soft, Sam Carrick as well as Will Quayle – as well as Matt Rempe when he eventually returns, have proven otherwise.
Super scout Jess Rubenstein has studied the Rangers as thoroughly as I know. When The Maven asked him if the Rangers lacked toughness, his response surprised me.
“It’s not a lack of toughness,” says Rubenstein, “they’re just emotionally fragile!”
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