Observations from NYR camp: Day 5

Grrrr...Just spent more than a half-hour on this and when I tried to file, it vanished. Gone. No recovery. Nice job, blog software. Had to completely rewrite. What a royal pain. As if I have nothing more to do tonight. 

OK, loser’s lament over. For my next trick, I’ll need a volunteer.

           The major flaw in the uncut diamond of the ‘11-12 season was the power play, an issue that was well-chronicled by the coach and players. Five or six more goals at key times might’ve meant wins or ties and definitely more points. Enter Rick Nash, who was on the ice for the PP and 5 on 3 debut at camp today.  He was on the right, Ryan Callahan in front, Marian Gaborik on the left, Michael Del Zotto (left) and Brad Richards, the QB, on the points. On the 5 on 3, Derek Stepan subbed for Del Zotto, and was also on with Marc Staal, Dan Girardi,Carl Hagelin and Brian Boyle  on the second unit.  Boyle, Jeff Halpern, Hagelin and Taylor Pyatt were on the PK. Given the fact that no one was firing bombs from the point (why risk an injury two days before the opener?), “I thought it was good for the first time,” said Nash. More on this coming in the paper….

             On the 5 on 3, two of the combos were: Ryan McDonagh, Stu Bickel and Arron Asham; Matt Gilroy, Steve Eminger and Brandon Segal. Wouldn’t read too much into the second trio.  I hear that Richards wanted to get in some 4 on 3, but ran out of time.

              Speaking of Segal, he’ll start on the right of Mike Rupp and Jeff Halpern Sunday, and he has a legit shot at 13^thforward. Watching Segal in nine or ten games in Hartford, Torts said he really liked his work along the wall and willingness to drop the gloves without hesitation. Asham only has one game left on his playoff suspension, but Segal “deserves a shot”, Torts said.

              Your sixth d-man, at least for Saturday, is Stu Bickel. Torts said he likes his reach, “adds some jam” and preferred to keep him on the blue line with Del Zotto and not deploy him as a fourth-line forward.  The rest of the lines and d-pairs:  Hagelin-Richards-Nash; Gaborik-Stepan-Callahan (who is really whistling some shots); Kreider-Boyle-Pyatt. On D: McDonagh-Girardi;  Staal-Stralman. ICYMI:  Wade Redden cleared waivers.

             Two quotables from Torts: “I think there’s going to be surprises thru the league, some of it could be real sloppy stuff some of the time.”  And this on coaching guys who are “ramping up” for the season, as he is: “I’m tired of listening to myself already.”

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            MSG re-airs the special from camp at 9 p.m. tonight.  Watch for Sam Rosen’s gloves. When I asked, he referred me to Peyton Manning’s handwear in the cold Denver air. Beauty.