Rookie defenseman Bickel a healthy scratch
New York Rangers' Stu Bickel celebrates after assisting on a goal by Derek Stepan against the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period. (Dec. 23, 2011) Credit: AP
Rookie defenseman Stu Bickel played in 21 straight games before becoming a healthy scratch Thursday night against the Lightning (he was replaced by Steve Eminger). But John Tortorella would like the chance to keep coaching him, perhaps as a seventh defenseman.
"Business and all the other stuff aside, I want to continue working with him," Tortorella said of the 25-year-old, who would have to clear waivers if assigned to the AHL. "He's a work in progress as far as moving the puck and understanding our coverages . . . [but] I love his willingness."
Bickel, who will be a restricted free agent and earns $600,000, has five assists and 48 penalty minutes, including four fighting majors.
Tortorella provided an example of what the 6-4 blueliner brings to the club. On an early shift in Tuesday night's game against the Devils, Tortorella said, "He clears the puck out, clears the front of the net and ends up fighting [Tom] Sestito, and that was a legitimate fight, not a staged one."
On further review . . .
Tortorella suggested an NFL-style review be considered on last-minute disputed goals, such as the one with 3.5 seconds left Tuesday night against the Devils.
"I'm not questioning the call, but it brings up a discussion and I think the NFL gets it right," he said of Artem Anisimov's goal that was waved off because of goaltender interference. "In the last two minutes, it's a booth replay to get the call right. But maybe the last minute . . . maybe you do have to go upstairs to get the call right.
"We spend a lot of [time] with the shootout and all these little gimmicks we have; I think it's more important to make sure we get the calls right in those situations. Have I thought the ramifications through? No."
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