[Sockeye]

Holik's not sure of his job description
http://www.nydailyne...64p-25690c.html

By JOHN DELLAPINA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER


Bobby Holik would like to know exactly what Rangers expect of him.

During his 10 years with the Devils, Bobby Holik often expressed his displeasure at being pigeon-holed.
But yesterday, a brutally lost weekend behind him and his new team, the hulking center opined that a bit more role definition would be a good thing for him and all the Rangers. And no, Holik wouldn't mind if that began with his being assigned to reprise his long-running role as Mats Sundin's tormentor when the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Garden tonight.

"I don't want to expect and mentally prepare for that and then have it not happen," he said. "But you know what? I know what to do. So if I'm sent out there, I'm ready. It's not something I have to prepare myself for."

What Holik would prefer is that every Ranger have a specific job to prepare for.

"It's got to be black or white," he said. "We are a little bit too much in the gray area right now. And I think it's going to get defined in a hurry. We all need to know what our jobs are."

For a decade, Holik never had any question. At first the center of the Crash Line that was supposed to create energy by being physical, Holik morphed into the guy assigned to shut down and wear down the top opposing center with his power and nastiness.

"I didn't come here expecting that's what's going to happen," said Holik, who signed with the Rangers July 1. "That's not how this team has played. I don't know if that's how Bryan (Trottier) wants to play it.

"It always makes it, not easier, but more effective if you know exactly what your role is. So maybe it's coming to get a better result out of the team."
Presumably, it will happen tonight against a team that possesses a top line - Darcy Tucker-Sundin-Alexander Mogilny - that has been as potent as any in this young season. Particularly since Holik has had so much history against Sundin - his and Scott Stevens' elimination of the Toronto captain in the 2000 playoffs played a major role in the Leafs retooling their roster to get tougher for last season.

"What rivalry?" Holik joked when asked about it. "Yeah, I did have some fun with (the Leafs). I don't think it changes at all (when you change teams).

"I relish it. I really enjoy it."

Holik said he wasn't pointing a finger at either the coaching staff or any teammates when calling for keener role definition. But after a come-from-ahead loss to Montreal and bludgeoning by Pittsburgh, Holik was firm that job description needs to be a focus.

"I think we have to concentrate on that a little more than we thought we had to," he said. "It's not a knock on anybody. Like sometimes it's: You know your role but you're not sure. Or: You know how you should play but you're not sure. No. You've got to lay it down that this is the way we're going to play and this is the way we're going to be successful.

"Right now, we're a little in between."


I don't believe $45 million guys are role players!

[Rock]

It only took 3 games for him to open his mouth!

[MrQuotes]

Quote

"It's not a knock on anybody.

of course its not, rot there

[redruM]

I'm surprised it took that long... losing always brought out the best in bigMouth!!!

[MantaRay]

Enjoy your pay increase and extended vacations Bobby!

[Jimmy Leeds]

Here's to the hope that the LHRB's mush mouth sows deep discontent in the Rag$ locker room.

[Sockeye]

This same story was posted on the blueskirts forum, and this was the first response to it:

Wow, Bobby's getting pretty vocal already. Cool. If the indication he's giving is true, then it appears there's some serious communication problems, at least as far as he's concerned.



I guess they think this is going to help. If they only knew....

[M.]

Give them time. I say by about the fifth loss they'll begin to tire of it, and by the 15th loss they'll begin to wonder what exactly they're getting for the $45 mil other than a media whore on skates.

[Devil Dog]

I can't wait for the first "I can sleep at night" quote. Or even "some guys in the locker room have to work harder".

[redruM]

Interesting how Kovy hasn't chimed in...he's always the first to defend Bopbby, wonder what he thinks about his...and I'm sure he'll spin it to something positive...those media types love to do that!!!

[sundstrom]

i can only hope that it gets worse for the rangers and holik.

holik=kamensky=happy me.

[SueNJ97]

He actually brought this up during training camp - so he didn't even wait for the season.

[msweet]

[MaddDog]

Ha, I kinda see his point (why is a 9 mil center playing with Barnaby)... BUT.....

Frankenbob, you're the one who wanted to be "THE MAN"!!! So why do you need your hand held and told exactly what must be done????

I'm surprised he waited this long to say anything

[NJDF]

I LOVE this!!!!! When I read between the lines i get:

"Trottier doesn't know what he's doing...if you morons would just look across the river at what the Devils have been doing the past 8 years and what everyone has been copying maybe we'll make the playoffs."

Of course that's how i read it.



GO DEVILS!!!!

[point]

I think NJDF read that pretty clearly.

[Devil Dog]

Just the thought of Holickme having to watch the Devils in the playoffs while the Rangers start calling for early tee times brings a to my face.

[Yeah, I suck]

A$$Holik is so full of sh*t. He knew full well the Rag$ weren't going to win anything, he jumped for A. the $$$, and B. just to stick it to Lou and the Devils.

[Jerrydevil]

Maybe the Rangers need The Rock to give the players a locker room pep-talk:

KNOW YOUR DAMN ROLE, YOU JABRONIS!!!

[NJDF]

Who knows....maybe this is what the Rags need. I can't remember the last time i heard of anyone on their team bucking up and tellling it like it is. If it works, good for them, if it doesn't GREAT, GREAT, GREAT fun for us!!!!

I like Bobby more and more everyday!!

GO DEVILS!!!