Tortorella: I haven't given White a fair shake
New York Rangers center Todd White (12) skates during the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at Madison Square Garden. (Oct. 18, 2010) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
Todd White is on the bubble - again. The Rangers acquired White, 35, from Atlanta on Aug. 2 in exchange for Donald Brashear and Patrick Rissmiller before he was waived and left unclaimed earlier this month. The center could lose his roster spot to right wing Jeremy Williams, 26, who debuted last night on a line with Brian Boyle and Derek Boogaard.
"To be fair, I've got to figure out what I'm gonna do with Todd White," coach John Tortorella said. "I don't have him in a spot [where] I'm certainly giving him a fair chance at showing what he has. I don't know what he is as a player, and I think when you put him in spots and different situations, I don't think he has a ton of confidence, and I had a little to do with that. I'm concerned about the speed . . . but I don't think I've given him a fair shake. We bring a kid up here who might add some offense and I want to look at him. I've been very honest with Todd about that, he understands it, and we'll talk next week about how we can give him a better opportunity . . . if we can."
White, who had 22 goals and 73 points for the Thrashers in 2008-09, slipped to 7-19-26 in an injury-plagued 2009-10.
Williams, who played 31 games for the Maple Leafs from 2005-09 and was 9-2-11 in that period, was recalled from Hartford in part because it was unclear whether Brandon Prust could play after taking a high stick in the right eye in Boston Saturday.
Mantra: Watch your stick
Less hooking and slashing. Discipline. That was Tortorella's message to the troops, who were whistled for 10 penalties Saturday. "We have to begin understanding as a team what we think is going to be called as a stick foul; whether you agree with it or not, we have to adhere to it,'' he said. "You have to get stick on puck. I'm sure it's been, and is, a point of emphasis with the league. It's to the point where you lift your stick off the ice, they're looking to make a call."
Blue notes
D Steve Eminger sat for the third straight game. Matt Gilroy and Mike Sauer were the third pair on defense.
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