Sending a Message in New York

After the Rangers loss at home to their bitter rivals, the Islanders, coach John Tortorella was furious with his club and needed to make a statement to his club that players were going to be singled out, because they weren't working hard enough. Making their way to the press box on Thursday night was Ales Kotalik and Wade Redden, neither of which were too pleased with their assignment.

In 32 games, Kotalik only has 6 goals on the season, which is not quite the scoring streak the Rangers wanted from him after his off-season signing. You have to believe that they were looking for more goals.

Redden only has 6 points in 28 games for the Rangers and is a -1 for the team as well. If the Rangers are to succeed, he has to play more like their number one defenseman and be responsible as a defenseman. The team is too talented not to have a postive +/-.

Kotalik is the only one of the two that have a spot in the Draft and he is a pick of Trevor's this year. Trevor currently sits 44 points out of the money and needs a better effort from Kotalik as well.

On the Sheet, Kotalik was taken twice in Box 20, while Redden was taken three times in Box 27. Kotalik ranks in the middle of the road with his 19 points, 8 behind the leaders, Nik Antropov and Tomas Zajac. Redden's 6 points is closer to the bottom of his box, 13 points behind Kimmo Timonen.