A year later that still holds true. I am going to combine memes here and do this the Facts of Life way - take the good, take the bad and take them both and see what we have, then assign a grade.
John Tortorella:
Take the good: The Rangers improved six points from 09-10, going from 38-33-11 to 44-33-5. Tortorella gave more kids shots to play in the NHL and several rewarded his faith with solid seasons. He found several good lines and shockingly stuck with them as long as he could (Cally-Dubi-Arty, Feds-Prust-Boyle). Torts managed not to publicly embarrass the organization in the playoffs against Washington again. Take the bad: The Rangers lost in the playoffs against Washington again. Tortorella couldn't motivate the team against lesser opponents like Florida. He couldn't ignite Marian Gaborik no matter what he tried. He couldn't find a solution to the power play. He completely mismanaged Sean Avery. He stuck with MDZ and MZA longer than he should have, although that is hard to attack. His petty public battles against Larry Brooks were unprofessional and ridiculous.
Take them both and then we have: If teams do indeed adopt the mindset of the coach, then Torts looks good as the boys bought in and became the hard-working, shot-blocking team that we loved to watch. Could they have finished even higher in the standings and lasted longer in the playoffs? Probably. But they were arguably more than the sum of their parts and injuries and disappointing veterans doomed them to their fate. Final grade: C
Glen Sather:
Take the good: Sather dispatched Donald Brashear to Atlanta and buried Wade Redden in Hartford. Sather opened the July 1st festivities by signing Marty Biron, who proved to be the perfect backup until he got hurt. He tied up Girardi and Staal long term and re-upped Mike Sauer. He lured Mats Zuccarello over from Sweden and Step and McD from Wisconsin. Sather invited Ruslan Fedotenko to camp back in the fall and Feds became one of the hardest working Rangers. He managed to rid the team of Michal Rozsival's contract and dealt the disgruntled Dane Byers to Columbus for Chad Kolarik.Take the bad: Sather signed free agents Alex Frolov and Derek Boogaard and extended Erik Christensen. Frolov, who failed his way out of LA, brought his brand of disappointment to New York before getting hurt. Boogaard himself admitted to letting everyone down with his performance. Christensen rested on the reassurance and was invisible most of the season. Tim Kennedy very well could have helped the team down the line but he was buried in the minors before being traded away. Speaking of such, Sather's gamble to bring in the old failure Bryan McCabe at the deadline did not work out.
Take them both and then we have: In this day and age where youth is taking over the NHL, not a single player drafted in '09 or '10 has played a single game for the Rangers. Now that is either a very good thing - they don't have to be rushed - or a bad thing - none are ready or simply have the ability. I am going with the former as the first wave of home-grown kids are beginning to establish themselves. Sather is admitting his mistakes and is correcting them. Final grade: B
James Dolan:
Take the good: Dolan doesn't meddle in the affairs of the Rangers, at least publicly. Because the team did not make the playoffs the season prior, ticket prices were not raised for the regular season. CDs by his band JD & The Straight Shot are just $4.99 - but a guy born into a family worth $3.3 billion singing the blues, that's just priceless ...Take the bad: Dolan is a money-hungry businessman with no regard for the people who are making him even richer than he already is. Despite ever-increasing merchandise revenues and a salary cap limiting costs, ticket prices were still extravagant. The Garden renovation got underway and inconvenienced those fans willing to pay to show up. The 85th Anniversary 'celebration' was just a shameless money grab - who the hell celebrates 85 years (outside of senior citizens)? The team has won one Stanley Cup in the last 71 years and yet the team ranks fourth in the NHL in Fan Cost Index. MSG Network was dropped by Dish Network, screwing the fans who didn't want to pay ticket prices and those who still had the network were still subject to Joe Micheletti.
Take them both and then we have: Dolan made $15.33 million during a down year in the economy where most Ranger fans were hamstrung. For him, that's fantastic. For us, notsomuch. Now Garden president Scott O’Neil is likely the cause of everything above but Dolan signs the paycheques and reaps much of the benefits so the complaints fall upon him. One redeeming factor to keep him from failure? The team isn't moving to Winnipeg. Final grade: D
ChatGPT
Title: Grading The Brass 2010-11: A Comprehensive Review of the NHL Season
Introduction
The NHL season of 2010-11 was a memorable one for hockey fans worldwide. From spectacular goals to sensational saves, the league showcased the best of professional ice hockey. However, it was also a season of transition, with teams reevaluating their strategies and roster compositions. In this article, we will provide a detailed review of the 2010-11 NHL season, highlighting key moments, standout players, and team performances. We will also address frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to this exciting season.
Table of Contents
Introduction: The 2010-11 NHL Season Overview
A Season of High Expectations
Standout Players and Performances
The Sedins' Dominance
Tim Thomas: A Goaltending Marvel
Steven Stamkos: Scoring Sensation
Corey Perry's MVP Campaign
Team Reviews and Playoff Contenders
Vancouver Canucks: Presidents' Trophy Winners
Boston Bruins: Stanley Cup Champions
Detroit Red Wings: Playoff Excellence
San Jose Sharks: Regular Season Prowess
Memorable Moments
Winter Classic: Capitals vs. Penguins
Zdeno Chara's Record-Breaking Slapshot
Roberto Luongo's Duel with Tim Thomas
Vancouver Riots: A Dark Chapter
NHL Awards and Recognitions
Hart Trophy: Corey Perry
Vezina Trophy: Tim Thomas
Norris Trophy: Nicklas Lidström
Calder Trophy: Jeff Skinner
FAQs: The 2010-11 NHL Season
Who won the Stanley Cup in the 2010-11 season?
What were the most memorable goals of the season?
How did the Vancouver riots impact the city?
1. Introduction: The 2010-11 NHL Season Overview
A Season of High Expectations
The 2010-11 NHL season was marked by high expectations, with several teams aiming for playoff success and ultimately the Stanley Cup. The season featured remarkable individual performances, intense rivalries, and unforgettable moments that continue to be etched in hockey history.
2. Standout Players and Performances
The Sedins' Dominance
Henrik and Daniel Sedin, playing for the Vancouver Canucks, showcased their incredible chemistry and offensive prowess. Henrik led the league in assists, while Daniel led in points, earning them both the Hart Trophy as co-MVPs.
Tim Thomas: A Goaltending Marvel
Tim Thomas, the veteran goaltender for the Boston Bruins, delivered an outstanding performance. His remarkable save percentage and goals-against average earned him the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender.
Steven Stamkos: Scoring Sensation
Tampa Bay Lightning's Steven Stamkos emerged as the league's top goal scorer, tallying an impressive 60 goals during the season.
Corey Perry's MVP Campaign
Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks had a sensational season, earning the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP. His scoring ability and physical play were instrumental in the Ducks' success.
3. Team Reviews and Playoff Contenders
Vancouver Canucks: Presidents' Trophy Winners
The Vancouver Canucks dominated the regular season, winning the Presidents' Trophy for the best record. They were considered strong Stanley Cup contenders.
Boston Bruins: Stanley Cup Champions
The Boston Bruins, led by Tim Thomas, clinched the Stanley Cup, defeating the Vancouver Canucks in a thrilling seven-game series.
Detroit Red Wings: Playoff Excellence
The Detroit Red Wings continued their tradition of excellence, making the playoffs for the 20th consecutive season.
San Jose Sharks: Regular Season Prowess
The San Jose Sharks had another strong regular season but faced playoff disappointments, failing to secure the Stanley Cup once again.
4. Memorable Moments
Winter Classic: Capitals vs. Penguins
The Winter Classic, featuring the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins at Heinz Field, was a marquee event that showcased outdoor hockey at its finest.
Zdeno Chara's Record-Breaking Slapshot
Bruins captain Zdeno Chara set a new record for the hardest slapshot, reaching an incredible speed of 108.8 miles per hour.
Roberto Luongo's Duel with Tim Thomas
The goaltending duel between Roberto Luongo of the Canucks and Tim Thomas of the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals captivated fans worldwide.
Vancouver Riots: A Dark Chapter
Unfortunately, the excitement of the Canucks' playoff run was marred by riots in Vancouver following their Game 7 loss in the Stanley Cup Finals.
5. NHL Awards and Recognitions
Hart Trophy: Corey Perry
Corey Perry's outstanding season earned him the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP.
Vezina Trophy: Tim Thomas
Tim Thomas's exceptional goaltending skills were recognized with the Vezina Trophy.
Norris Trophy: Nicklas Lidström
Nicklas Lidström of the Detroit Red Wings received the Norris Trophy as the best defenseman.
Calder Trophy: Jeff Skinner
Jeff Skinner, a rookie sensation with the Carolina Hurricanes, was honored with the Calder Trophy.
6. FAQs: The 2010-11 NHL Season
Q1: Who won the Stanley Cup in the 2010-11 season?
A1: The Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Vancouver Canucks in seven games.
Q2: What were the most memorable goals of the season?
A2: Some memorable goals included Steven Stamkos' 60th goal and various game-winning goals in the playoffs.
Q3: How did the Vancouver riots impact the city?
A3: The riots that followed the Canucks' Game 7 loss in the Stanley Cup Finals were a dark chapter, resulting in extensive property damage and arrests.
Conclusion
The 2010-11 NHL season was a thrilling rollercoaster ride for hockey fans, featuring remarkable players, standout performances, and unforgettable moments. From the Sedins' dominance to Tim Thomas's heroics, the season left an indelible mark in the annals of hockey history. While the year had its highs and lows, it showcased the passion and excitement that make the NHL a beloved sport worldwide.
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