Post-Game Talk: #1 - 10/3/19 | jets @ RANGERS

[GeorgeKaplan]

For those begging for Kakko to be on the top line, relax. It's been one game. You can pretty much expect to see Kakko take shifts on the top line due to in-game moves, game-to-game adjustments, injuries (god forbid), slumps (god forbid), etc.

Also, he’s 18 and not many 18 year olds get top whatever duties regardless of who they are

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Henrik looked like hot garbage last nigjt

 

[NYRFAN218]

There is no grooming. For Kakko to take Buch's spot, Buch has to perform poorly and Kakko has to perform better. If that happens, he will jump. If he does not earn it, he will not.

I'm fine with earning it but at the same time, I think the team would benefit greatly from flipping Kakko and Buchnevich. I think anyone you put with Panarin and Zibanejad would thrive. And right now, that 2nd line feels like a mish mash of guys with no chemistry. Buchnevich has proven to play well with Kreider so putting those two together could make a formidable 2nd line. It's still way too early and that line hasn't had much time to play together anyway but it's something I'd definitely investigate because I really didn't like too much from what I saw with line 2.

 

[ohbaby]

Skjei should also be off the team, but they were right to trade Pionk

Pionk did some heavy lifting for us last year. You didn't like him?

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Pionk did some heavy lifting for us last year. You didn't like him?

He did some heavy lifting by virtue of being put in that position, I don’t think he was particularly good and I don’t really see a spot for him on this years team or moving forward

 

[Fugazy]

Henrik looked like hot garbage last nigjt

He was more inconsistent than anything. Made some key stops but also let in a couple of soft ones.

 

[ohbaby]

Buchnevich has proven to play well with Kreider so putting those two together could make a formidable 2nd line. It's still way too early and that line hasn't had much time to play together anyway but it's something I'd definitely investigate because I really didn't like too much from what I saw with line 2.

I agree Buch and Kreids play well together, but whatever they choose, they need to give them ample time to gel. I wouldn't mind seeing Kreids, Ziba, Buch back together again either. Leaving Panarin with Kakko. But whatever they do,... they must be patient before busting up line combos.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Pionk did some heavy lifting for us last year. You didn't like him?

One man's heavy lifting is another man's improperly utilized.

 

[Edge]

Henrik looked like hot garbage last nigjt

His performance seems to be pretty polarizing.

Some people really liked it; others thought there was a lot to be desired. Personally, I'm in the latter category, but it's probably the most interesting post-game topic we've had.

 

[ohbaby]

He did some heavy lifting by virtue of being put in that position,....

My point exactly. He was forced to play top minutes, and showed promise regardless. I'll bet WPG will be happy with him.

 

[McRanger]

He was more inconsistent than anything. Made some key stops but also let in a couple of soft ones.

That's the best word to use.

 

[LannyMcdonald]

That's the best word to use.

He kept the game close... for both sides!

 

[Ail]

Getting Buchnevich going is more important than just handing Kakko first line minutes because he is destined for them. He is going to be a first line player for a long time. I would rather try to get Buchnevich some confidence and maybe up trade value if nothing else.

 

[ponzu4u]

Trouba: Beast.
Zibs: Beast.

No doubt this year will have some rough moments. Those "retaliatory" goals the sign of a young team. But man, the potential is just crazy. In one of the MSG shorts Quinn mentions how he's had older BC teams than this Rangers team. His vets are 25 year olds now.

The D pairings definitely appear to need shaking up. Hajek can't take that many big hits in a single game. Hopefully it was just opening night jitters causing him to overthink and be a step slow, but yikes...

Really looking forward to watching this team this year. So much young talent and potential at so many levels, and a coaching staff and organization that I truly trust and continues to say all the right things as far as I'm concerned.

 

[True Blue]

I just don't see where you can watch that game and come away saying that Skjei was bad. He was out there against one of the top lines in the NHL and looked fine. What are your expectations? Are other teams not supposed to get any chances while our top pair are on the ice? That would be a tall order.

Being out against top players is not an excuse for looking out of position. What are my expectations, better play.

It is not, no chances = good, many chances = bad. But play starts with being sound positionaly.

You can like his game, that is fine. I thought he was poor.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

btw did andersson fall as a joke...? looked like trouba kind of hopped over the same spot...

No, he genuinely didn't see the wire and tripped over it. Others did hop over it, Lias did not.

 

[True Blue]

I agree Buch and Kreids play well together, but whatever they choose, they need to give them ample time to gel. I wouldn't mind seeing Kreids, Ziba, Buch back together again either. Leaving Panarin with Kakko. But whatever they do,... they must be patient before busting up line combos.

Unless they completely bomb out, there is no way that Panarin is not riding shotgun to ZBad.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Henrik looked like hot garbage last nigjt

Is this sarcasm? Has to be.

 

[Killem Dafoe]

For me, I'm one of the people who would like to see Kakko on the first line. This isn't just because I want him to play with Panarin and Zib, it's also because I feel like Buch would fit in better on the second line.

 

[True Blue]

That's the best word to use.

Agreed. But I think that this is going to be expected given where he is in his career arch.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

I mean this morning, I just saw the highlights on nhl.com and Hank looked like hot doodoo, but only because it's pretty much only the goals against they showed.

Then I got here and saw a 91.5 save% on 4 goals against ... and I was like "giaaad daaayum", that's solid.

 

[ohbaby]

Unless they completely bomb out, there is no way that Panarin is not riding shotgun to ZBad.

Don't be too sure. You hardly ever see Malkin and Crybaby playing on the same line.

 

[Fugazy]

For me, I'm one of the people who would like to see Kakko on the first line. This isn't just because I want him to play with Panarin and Zib, it's also because I feel like Buch would fit in better on the second line.

I'm definitely on board with this.

 

[kovazub94]

Getting Buchnevich going is more important than just handing Kakko first line minutes because he is destined for them. He is going to be a first line player for a long time. I would rather try to get Buchnevich some confidence and maybe up trade value if nothing else.

Buchnevich was fine yesterday. I don't know if it was possible to see from the game on TV but from the stadium, he was involved and always being in the right spot. It just in this particular game he was fighting a puck which is not a norm for him.

Overall, I'd like to suggest not to start taking lines apart after one game. A lot of new faces and line combinations that will need at least some time to gel. Personally I feel the team and Kakko will be better served if Panarin and Kreider switched lines but I will hold off on this "agenda" until I get to see at least a month-worth of games in the current state.

 

[True Blue]

Don't be too sure. You hardly ever see Malkin and Crybaby playing on the same line.

They are both centers. Just because they have been paired together for some shifts, does not mean that they should do it as a rule for entire games. However, if Malkin was a wing, yes, I believe he would be stapled to Crosby's line.