Does Trocheck put the Rangers over the top?

[Lays]

Why are Pittsburgh and Toronto the two teams listed as the ones we’re behind? We were better than both this season. We were 3-7 against the Pens this season and we won more playoffs series this year than the Leafs have in the entire 21st century

 

[Chytilmania]

Even though Carolina got Patches for free I think the Rangers are the favorite to win the Metro. Home ice advantage throughout the playoffs would be nice.

Like someone else mentioned, KAM, Laf, Kakko, Schneider, Jones, Chytil, Krav all progressing will make this team a Cup favorite.

 

[GENESISPuck94]

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.

Problem is Lafreniere will never get PP1 time. Trocheck 100% will be on PP1 where Lafreniere SHOULD be. Trocheck is a Gallant toy.

How are Lafreniere and Kakko supposed to take big steps when there's no chance in hell they get any time on the top PP unit and will maybe get junk time in the last 30 seconds of a PP with Trouba on the point.

Drury also added another Gallant toy Carpenter, we thought Rooney and McKegg were bad...

 

[McRanger92]

Problem is Lafreniere will never get PP1 time. Trocheck 100% will be on PP1 where Lafreniere SHOULD be. Trocheck is a Gallant toy.

How are Lafreniere and Kakko supposed to take big steps when there's no chance in hell they get any time on the top PP unit and will maybe get junk time in the last 30 seconds of a PP with Trouba on the point.

Drury also added another Gallant toy Carpenter, we thought Rooney and McKegg were bad...

I would say Lafreniere is developing fine without PP1 time, especially when our power play performs at the level it does without him. Hw scored 19 even strength goals as a 20 year old playing mainly 3rd line minutes. The only ones who think hes busting are the know it all's on twitter who dont watch the team every night. As for Kakko, why do we even want him on the power play? He doesnt shoot and cant hit the net even when he does.

I do think theres a good chance Laf is on the top PP unit though. Trocheck is a good special teams player but hes a net front guy like Kreider. They were missing a guy who could play that role on PP2. A way to cut down on the big guys ice time (which affected us in the ECF) is a more even split of the power play units during the regular season. I believe Drury/Gallant know this.

 

[Thirty One]

Problem is Lafreniere will never get PP1 time. Trocheck 100% will be on PP1 where Lafreniere SHOULD be. Trocheck is a Gallant toy.

How are Lafreniere and Kakko supposed to take big steps when there's no chance in hell they get any time on the top PP unit and will maybe get junk time in the last 30 seconds of a PP with Trouba on the point.

Drury also added another Gallant toy Carpenter, we thought Rooney and McKegg were bad...

Another year of the Rangers not gutting their roster so their young players can get PP minutes they haven't remotely earned. Sigh. When will they learn? Same old Rongos. etc.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

They're going to need more than just a step up from the young guys.

Panarin has to be MUCH better. Zibanejad can't take 2 months to get going and Kreider can't become allergic to the corners half way through the playoffs. I'm actually a bit worried about the Zib-Kreider combo. They weren't very good 5v5 in the RS and got murdered in the playoffs. They're going to be Panarin-Strome'd so I hope getting close this year only lights a fire under both of them, but I really, really, really think Kreider would be best served next to Chytil at ES. It's a combo that has always worked and he can still feast on PP1.

I think the team has improved pretty dramatically in their ability to get pucks up the ice, through the NZ and into the offensive zone with control, but the lack of cycle based offense is still going to be an issue. Trocheck helps but he can only play on one line.

 

[TominNC]

We're at the top of the Metro and a serious contender. That's all you can ever be. No player guarantees anything. The other teams, most of them, are trying too. You need to put your team in position to have a real chance multiple times.

 

[pld459666]

Additionally, Pitt is no longer a contender. They are a top heavy team with questionable goaltending.

Toronto will beat alot of teams in the regular season, but again, depth behind their top 4 is putrid and their defense and goaltending leaves alot to be desired.

I look at that leafs team and am not imprrssed.....at all

 

[GENESISPuck94]

Another year of the Rangers not gutting their roster so their young players can get PP minutes they haven't remotely earned. Sigh. When will they learn? Same old Rongos. etc.

This is serious? How has Lafreniere not earned PP time? He scored 19 even strength goals primarily playing with Goodrow and Chytil with 13:59 ATOI. He was one of the most consistent players in the playoffs.

It's mentality like this that cripples the full development of young Rangers forwards and people wonder why they are "busts".

 

[Bondra slapshot]

I think this sets the Rangers up for being a favorite to win the division and be at the top of the east. The teams that have improved in the east were already lower tier teams last year and the top teams of last year all arguably got worse. The Rangers are positioned now to be the top team in the east, with maybe just the Leafs remaining in the discussion.

Trochek I think was the right move (most balanced when taking all factors into account against the other options available). Although, Trochek himself will only play a part in terms of the ultimate success.

Laf and Miller should continue to noticeably improve. Does Kravstov end up playing for us? If he does, I tend to think he's legitimately going to be a contributor for us. Does Chytil become more consistent? If he does, watch out. Kakko? Same thing.

Come TDL, Drury may also plug a couple of holes and I think he's proven he's very good at assessing his team's weaknesses and targeting the appropriate fits. That also will determine the fate of the Rangers in the post season.

I think Trochek positions us to be over the top, assuming the other moving parts develop in our favor. If not, Trochek won't really matter. Too many factors in this picture to pin this just on Trochek.

 

[Machinehead]

This is impossible to answer. I don't think Trocheck makes us the best team or the Cup favorite, but the team that wins it often isn't the best team. He gives us a better chance.

 

[Bluto]

If Chytil, Kakko, Kravtsov, and Lafreniere take that next step, there will be no holes in the roster come trade deadline. (and I have no doubts that Laf and Chytil will)

Panarin has to be better. He was garbage in the playoffs. The little dipsy doodle backhand pass turnover straight to the middle of the ice has to stop. So does the absolute allergy to shooting the effing puck. He's already defensively useless. Playoff Panarin was a turnover nightmare. If Panarin had played like he did in Columbus, we might have been champions. I really got Rick Trash vibes from Panarin minus the 'muh kills penalties' bit. At least Trash was good for dumping a softie straight into the goalies pads on every possession. Panarin became astoundingly allergic to shooting. Fingers crossed he had a broken wrist or something but my god.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Need more choices than:

We will win the cup 100% guaranteed

We will be in the finals

We are worse than Pittsburgh

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

What a vage question

 

[Thirty One]

Need more choices than:

We will win the cup 100% guaranteed

We will be in the finals

We are worse than Pittsburgh

Yeah, add Conor Bedard in there too.

 

[chosen]

Yeah this, need growth from the young top picks and in general every cup team fills some holes or needs at the TDL to help out

Also need Panarin to show up in the playoffs

E: I think Trocheck puts them in a better spot than they were with Strome though

Panarin was hurt the entire playoffs and playing with a very hurt Strome and had 16 in 20,

 

[Mandar]

Problem is Lafreniere will never get PP1 time. Trocheck 100% will be on PP1 where Lafreniere SHOULD be. Trocheck is a Gallant toy.

How are Lafreniere and Kakko supposed to take big steps when there's no chance in hell they get any time on the top PP unit and will maybe get junk time in the last 30 seconds of a PP with Trouba on the point.

Drury also added another Gallant toy Carpenter, we thought Rooney and McKegg were bad...

Kinda like your posting history….started out strong….then sunk like a stone.

whining about the PP personnel when our PP was a major strength is such a stupid hill to die on….

 

[Rangers in 7]

The poll is tough because I think we will win every year

 

[PuckLuck3043]

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??

It's not. They may not even be able to sign a 4th liner like Motte. They made their choice of 2c and will go with Chytil as 3c.

 

[Thirty One]

This is serious? How has Lafreniere not earned PP time? He scored 19 even strength goals primarily playing with Goodrow and Chytil with 13:59 ATOI. He was one of the most consistent players in the playoffs.

It's bullshit mentality like this that cripples the full development of young Rangers forwards and people wonder why they are "busts".

How has he not earned it? He had 2 points in 163 minutes on the PP over the past two seasons. That's the least in the league for players who had that many minutes. The players around him are getting their PP time cut, not getting promoted to the top unit.

The excuses are tired. The other players in that ice time range are getting mop-up minutes on the second unit too.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

They're going to need more than just a step up from the young guys.

Panarin has to be MUCH better. Zibanejad can't take 2 months to get going and Kreider can't become allergic to the corners half way through the playoffs. I'm actually a bit worried about the Zib-Kreider combo. They weren't very good 5v5 in the RS and got murdered in the playoffs. They're going to be Panarin-Strome'd so I hope getting close this year only lights a fire under both of them, but I really, really, really think Kreider would be best served next to Chytil at ES. It's a combo that has always worked and he can still feast on PP1.

I think the team has improved pretty dramatically in their ability to get pucks up the ice, through the NZ and into the offensive zone with control, but the lack of cycle based offense is still going to be an issue. Trocheck helps but he can only play on one line.

Kreider and Mika were nearly as bad as you say they were. They had 40 points between them and some big goals and no not every one was on the PP. They had their moments of sucking too but they were far more engaged and better than the 2nd line AINEC.

 

[will1066]

Kinda like your posting history….started out strong….then sunk like a stone.

whining about the PP personnel when our PP was a major strength is such a stupid hill to die on….

You show a little respect to the board rookie of the year, brother.

 

[Fitzy]

We're both trying to develop the kids and win the cup.

Jones won't see PP1 because we've got a top 5 defenseman there already.

My guess is NYR take a look both at Trocheck and Lafreniere on PP1. Even if they give it to Tro, Laf spending the whole year in the top 6 should help a lot.

 

[Mandar]

You show a little respect to the board rookie of the year, brother.

Huge fall from grace….in record time too….

 

[will1066]

Huge fall from grace….in record time too….

Only sets him up for a redemption tour. Then he'll be the first winner of the board comeback award. Unless we're all unwittingly in an M. Night Shyamalan universe with a BloodyNine plot twist.