Does Trocheck put the Rangers over the top?

[mrmovies779]

I think we are a much harder team to play against.We upgraded our biggest weakness/need (2c) considerably.As others have mentioned,we need a nice boost from our youngsters to be considered a serious Cup threat.A lot can happen during a long season and I'm ready and excited for the ride.

 

[Chaels Arms]

The improvement will come from more Lafreniere and Kakko. I've got a fever. And the only prescription. Is more Lafreniere and Kakko.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Too early to say. What will make the biggest differences are the kids. Do we see one of Lafreniere or Kakko become what they were billed as being as well as does Kravtsov become a contributor? If that happens we are in really good shape. I won't even mention Chytil because I think he's probably pretty close to his ceiling and that's fine where he's slotted and he's already a good player even if the points haven't always been there.

If we see Lafreniere break out it completely changes the dynamic of the top-6.

 

[duhmetreE]

He's better than Strome and strengthens our weaknesses

We got to the ECF with our top6 being atrocious 5v5. If one line shows up, we're easily into the cup final.

If Laffy, Kakko and/or Kravtsov take off... We easily win a Cup.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Hopefully Trocheck makes us good enough to finally beat Pittsburgh in the playoffs.

 

[Crease]

No. It will depend on the kids taking the next step.

 

[bbny]

If a person watched the playoffs this year, then comes to the conclusion Kane will put the Rangers over the top, I am questioning several things. First and foremost, I am questioning their sanity, then were they really watching the 2013 playoffs.

Trocheck is a good signing. This team needs speeds and ability to get and keep the puck in the offensive zone. VT gives the Rangers more ability in that respect than Copp and much more than Strome. Looking at the contracts doled out, the Rangers did it at a fair market price

How dramatic. I think the current roster is significantly better than the pre-deadline Rangers roster.

+ Trocheck
+ Blais, healthy
+ Kravtsov
+ Carpenter
+ Zac Jones (presumably)
+ 1 year progression from "the kids"

- Strome
- McKegg
- Rooney
- Nemeth

I don't think it's particularly close either. Blais and Trocheck are more "playoff style" players. The defensive group will be better just by subtracting Nemeth. The 4th line will be better just by subtracting Rooney and the possibility of McKegg playing. There's more depth already.

Drury made good moves at the deadline last year, but he's way ahead of the curve this year already in depth, talent, and progression of the young players. He'll have to make a move or two at the deadline to keep pace with what was done this past season, but it won't need to be as significant. Kane is a tremendous player. On top of this roster, he easily makes this a better lineup for the playoffs than last year.

 

[Raspewtin]

No. He's an improvement over Strome in theory, but we'll need to see how he meshes with Panarin. It may end up a downgrade offensively.

What would put us over the top is a major leap from Lafreniere or Kakko (or even Kravtsov), combined with the continued development of Miller, Schneider, and possibly Jones or Lundkvist.

Even then, it probably takes a TDL acquisition to help mask whatever our biggest weakness is, to truly put us over the top.

We should be in good position for at least the next few years, though.

this is the answer

if Laf and Kakko (or Krav/Chytil) stagnate or even take just small steps, we are definitely not "over the top". We need at least 2 of these players to really get going.

 

[NickyFotiu]

If a person watched the playoffs this year, then comes to the conclusion Kane will put the Rangers over the top, I am questioning several things. First and foremost, I am questioning their sanity, then were they really watching the 2013 playoffs.

Trocheck is a good signing. This team needs speeds and ability to get and keep the puck in the offensive zone. VT gives the Rangers more ability in that respect than Copp and much more than Strome. Looking at the contracts doled out, the Rangers did it at a fair market price

Well to be fair he has won 3 of them. Granted the last was 7 years ago but has he changed so much?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Last season, we overachieved and reached the ECF.

With Trocheck in the mix, we potentially have a chance to reach the ECF again without relying on an elite PP and generational goaltending like last season. This team is a more structured group, with hopefully more sustainable hockey. Trocheck instead of Strome should make us a better team 5on5.

That said, let's see how Trocheck does first.

 

[bbny]

How I rate the roster lineup from good to not as good:

- Post-deadline roster
...
- Post-UFA/current roster
...
...
...
- Last year's pre-deadline roster

The roster is in great shape right now.

 

[JimmyG89]

I think his addition puts them squarely in line to be in the Final. The questions that need to be answered are being hit on already. Lafreniere, Kakko, Kravtsov.
Jones, Lundkvist, Schneider, Robertson. This team needs two in each group to step forward and be more than roster spots.

The forwards have a better chance to do that than the defense. Lafreniere and Kakko know they are NHLers. They aren't trying to make the team. Are they fighting for ice time? Sure, but that's how teams work in general. Lafreniere has been in 155 games. Kakko has been in 179 games. Both will surpass 200 games played this season. This is when it "clicks" for players traditionally. Kravtsov would need to be the outlier, but coming from the KHL, he has the best pro experience outside the NHL, so that pro experience is big.

The defense is tougher. We all like the four prospects that can fill in the 3rd pair. The question is can they get up to speed and play at a level that isn't just another NHL defender. All four are 2nd year pros. None have cracked the NHL. That alone is on their minds. Making the team. Schneider has the inside track since he was the one that stuck last season.

People talk about trading for Kane at the deadline. If one of the four take steps, that last spot on defense will be addressed at the deadline. That is where the extra cap space will go. Might be where it goes anyway to secure someone that can step in.

 

[Synergy27]

Trocheck improves on Strome. Hopefully the kid line improves as well.

If that happens, Shesty remains elite, and we get a little bit of luck, this team is right in the conversation.

 

[duhmetreE]

There's significant room for improvement. It's not just on Trocheck but he's a piece to the puzzle.

35.2% xG from our 'top line'.

40.8% xG from our Panarin line.

That's just no where near good enough. Embarrassing really

Copp → Laffy
Vatrano → Kravtsov
Strome → Trocheck

I like our potential.

 

[HonestGabe]

The way I see it, we certainly didn't get any worse.

Our biggest strengths (Igor, the Powerplay) aren't going to take any major steps backwards, while our biggest weaknesses (center depth, faceoffs, defensive structure from our forward group) SHOULD get a boost.

Blais + Kravtsov should be able to replace Vatrano rather easily.
Carpenter in for Motte is maybe a slight downgrade but he plays the PK just as well and improves an area we suck at which is winning draws.
Trocheck is a very clear upgrade to Strome, no doubt about it.
The key will be if the production from the kids can outweigh the impact Copp had.

The rest of the team is the same, and most of it is young and should presumably take some steps forward. Health will obviously be key and if you can save money for a deadline acquisition or two, we should be in a great spot to improve upon this past season.

 

[Matt Rentfree]

If everything stays the same as it was last year, performance wise for everyone else still here, but now we have Trocheck, I can't see the needle being moved TOO much. Have to see how he fits with Panarin, if that is even where he eventually ends up.

Everything matters on the what K'Filaapo Laftsov does in terms of putting us *over the top*.

I would think the most realistic scenario is we go into the playoffs in a similar position as last year. Not a bad thing!

*Edit* looks like others above me already covered this.

Agree with all of this and part of me wonders if Trocheck's style of play is better suited to having Kreider on his wing. If that works out, a Panarin/Zib 5v5 line could be lethal.

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

The way I see it, we certainly didn't get any worse.

Our biggest strengths (Igor, the Powerplay) aren't going to take any major steps backwards, while our biggest weaknesses (center depth, faceoffs, defensive structure from our forward group) SHOULD get a boost.

Blais + Kravtsov should be able to replace Vatrano rather easily.
Carpenter in for Motte is maybe a slight downgrade but he plays the PK just as well and improves an area we suck at which is winning draws.
Trocheck is a very clear upgrade to Strome, no doubt about it.
The key will be if the production from the kids can outweigh the impact Copp had.

The rest of the team is the same, and most of it is young and should presumably take some steps forward. Health will obviously be key and if you can save money for a deadline acquisition or two, we should be in a great spot to improve upon this past season.

I think Carpenter was moreso a Rooney replacement, not necessarily a Motte one.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Rangers lines as of July 14

Kreider Mika Blais Othmann
Panarin Trocheck Kravtsov
Lafy Chytil Kakko
Cuylle Carpenter Goodrow Reaves

14 forwaards

7 D

Miller Trouba
Lindgren Fox
Jones Schneider
Hajek

Igor
Halak

23 man roster.

trade Hunt Gauthier for picks or AHL players to help Hartford.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Its so hard to predict what will happen in the playoffs for any team.

I mean the Avs were one of the odds on favorites to win it all going in, and they did. The other, Florida, lost in the first round.

There are so many bounces, injuries and things out of your control that make up success in the playoffs. So its almost silly to predict what will happen. You could say this team is X or Y level.

With that said, I dont think they are a better team RIGHT NOW then last year's roster that almost reached the final. I do believe that they are a better team than the Rangers team going into the season last year and a majority of it.

All the kids are a year older and we saw the development of Laf and Chytil specifically. Schneider got some big time experience as well. Trocheck over Strome is an upgrade in a lot of areas. The other losses and replacements of Rooney, Nemeth, Georgiev wont amount to much either way. The question is will Drury be able and as successful in fill the holes going into the dance like he did last year.

If they make it to the playoffs again, you know theyll be loading up. A guy like Vatrano had some huge timely goals for this club, as did Copp, and they became true rentals who are now gone. Do Blais and Kravstov, etc. fill that void? Trocheck helps solidify the roster (as does a returning Blais). I see this team as a playoff team for sure, but im not going to go out and predict what round theyll get to.

The real thing that will have to happen is theyll need to improve their 5on5 offense and defense. Trocheck is a start. Developing young forwards and D is another boost. Theyll likely get similar success out of their PP and PK and if they can get the goaltending they got last season theyll be in a good position to make it.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Just think what if the Rangers still target Dubois. Imagine having Mika Vinny and Dubois down the middle. I know its unlikely but if what if they are still targeting Dubois? Could it be possible??

 

[NikC]

As others have mentioned...

Staying healthy, and all youth improving are what's going to really put the NYR "over the top"

Being strong down the middle is what EVERY cup contending team has to have.

I think Drury addressed a weakness and made it "stronger". By how much, we'll see.
Trocheck is good player, with the potential to play better under Gallant. Maybe we'll get a few
very good years out of him.

What's really going to help push the NYR over the top, is puck control and managing the middle of the ice better. That and a sizable improvement to scoring 5v5.

 

[mas0764]

Depends.

They have the talent to be.

It’s up to the coach to commit to two things -

1) improving the teams 5-on-5 chemistry and productions, and
2) putting the kids into positions for them to develop and excel.

For the latter you can’t just plop them into grinder bottom 6 roles and then be shocked that they don’t produce. They need to be put into specific situations to succeed and that means Chris Kreider or Artemi Panarin might have to take a few less of those opportunities. But that should be ok because “a few less” doesn’t mean none. Figure it the f*** out, you are paid millions to do this very balancing act.

On defense I think you just bring in Jones or Nils and roll with it. Let them grow. They will get better as the season goes on. And they can’t be worse than Nemeth/Braun so just live with it and profit for the future.

Just think what if the Rangers still target Dubois. Imagine having Mika Vinny and Dubois down the middle. I know its unlikely but if what if they are still targeting Dubois? Could it be possible??

Absolutely zero money to afford him.

Unless we are moving Kreider or Trouba, any other players we add have to be near ELC.

 

[2014nyr]

no, he does not. ryan carpenter does.

 

[Brutananadilewski]

The improvement will come from more Lafreniere and Kakko. I've got a fever. And the only prescription. Is more Lafreniere and Kakko.

Pretty much this.

I know Laf is working on his skating but I hope KK is doing the same because a sloth/snail/corpse hybrid would say his acceleration was pathetic at best.

 

[McRanger92]

Trocheck isnt a "put us over the top" move but it drastically raises the floor of the team to have him and Mika locked up 1/2 down the middle.

What puts us over the top is further improvement Laf/Miller/Chytil/Schneider/Kakko. Getting Patty Kane at the deadline will help too. I think we are the best team in the Metro and very much in the tier with Tampa Bay and Toronto in the Eastern Conference.