Speculation: Free Agent Frenzy Part V: Gorton is on McLeod Nine.

[Amazing Kreiderman]

He technically became a UFA on August 15th before he signed with us. Same with Hayes.

Yeah, I was confused since we just went through some UFA/RFA debate regarding Vesey haha. Regarding that whole free agency drama... I think people expected more because there was so much hype surrounding him. Vesey being a career bottom-6 winger is still a good deal for the Rangers, having picked him up as a free agent.

 

[Levitate]

I've said it many times but my biggest complaint about Vesey is that I think the previous coaches really WANTED him to be more than a bottom six winger and gave him a lot of slack because he hustled around the ice a lot despite being kinda crap at certain things.

Then again, when they cracked down on him they cracked down pretty hard. It's like they couldn't just say "hey this guy is pretty good in this third line role as someone who can chip in some goals and transition the offense but he needs to keep his game simple and not be put in over his head". It was top six or bottom 3.

but I may be irrational. I think Vesey could have a real good role on the offense as an around the net guy and needs to focus on that rather than carrying the puck as much as he tries to

 

[Deleted member 23124]

My lines to start the year:

Kreider - Zibanejad - Buchnevich
Namestnikov - Chytil - Zuccarello
Andersson - Hayes - Fast
Nieves - Spooner - Vesey
Lettieri
Lindqvist

Skjei - Pionk
Hajek - Shattenkirk
Staal - DeAngelo
Smith

Lundqvist
Georgiev

I think Howden is probably ready but I don’t think they have room for him and Chy/Andy. To me, him and Hajek are going to be the two to watch most in camp.

Probably just me, but I would switch Fast and Vesey.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Probably just me, but I would switch Fast and Vesey.

Why? Fast is better offensively and far better defensively at even strength.

 

[LORDE]

if those 2 aren't better than vesey, holland, mcleod and Beleskey we are so screwed lol

They may not be. The others u mentioned won’t be here in a year or two (Vesey) anyway.

It’s doesnt really matter what this team looks like right now, or in Sept... or Xmas...

In 3 years I’ll care but there’s almost zero chance any of those players are here then.

 

[Ola]

I hope for the best for Vesey, I think he possibly could become better. I think the game was a bit fast for him, I’ve said it before. With experience things slow down. When he couldn’t thread passes and create open ice, his unit had the puck less and he didn’t cut it. If that comes, it could make other things come too. But it’s hard to tell either way.

I think Buchnevich is the biggest X factor for me under Quinn. He needs a great off season and he needs to find a god role. Is it with Zib on the top line? Be better one the forecheck and backcheck, but also a lot more consistent in the transition game.

Namestnikov is also big question mark for me. What is he about? You are young and up and coming and comes to a new team, I want to see a kid try to make a statement. Namestnikov really just mailed it in. You can’t describe it in any other way. I hope we keep him on an extremely short leash this coming year. Can he be a part of this team going forward? And in what capacity?

I’ve said it before, TDA is more skilled than we give him credit for. There aren’t a ton of kids out there as skilled as he is. Then of course he also has issues. What will the bottom line be? What can Quinn and Brown get out of him?

 

[Leetch3]

ok lumping vesey in with those other guys was a bit harsh lol...other teams have guys as 18/19/20 year old that not only play but are stars, when will we have nice things? lol (and no thats not serious)

but seriously if lias starts the year in hartford while you know who is the #2 center in buffalo who do I have to pay to unplug the servers so this board doesn't work lol

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

ok lumping vesey in with those other guys was a bit harsh lol...other teams have guys as 18/19/20 year old that not only play but are stars, when will we have nice things? lol (and no thats not serious)

but seriously if lias starts the year in hartford while you know who is the #2 center in buffalo who do I have to pay to unplug the servers so this board doesn't work lol

I don't see what Reinhart has to do with this

 

[Levitate]

I hope for the best for Vesey, I think he possibly could become better. I think the game was a bit fast for him, I’ve said it before. With experience things slow down. When he couldn’t thread passes and create open ice, his unit had the puck less and he didn’t cut it. If that comes, it could make other things come too. But it’s hard to tell either way.

This is why I think he shouldn't be the guy with the puck having to make those plays. He shouldn't be the one controlling the puck, he should be attacking the net.

I’ve said it before, TDA is more skilled than we give him credit for. There aren’t a ton of kids out there as skilled as he is. Then of course he also has issues. What will the bottom line be? What can Quinn and Brown get out of him?

He has his work cut out for him but a fresh slate under a coach who may not favor veterans as much and a chance to earn icetime could help him

 

[Levitate]

ok lumping vesey in with those other guys was a bit harsh lol...other teams have guys as 18/19/20 year old that not only play but are stars, when will we have nice things? lol (and no thats not serious)

but seriously if lias starts the year in hartford while you know who is the #2 center in buffalo who do I have to pay to unplug the servers so this board doesn't work lol

Different teams have different depth charts. If Middlestadt starts in Buffalo while Andersson stays in hartford, it doesn't necessarily mean Middlestadt is so much better if Andersson has better NHL players in front of him and it makes more sense to let him work his way into th elineup

 

[egelband]

Namestnikov is also big question mark for me. What is he about? You are young and up and coming and comes to a new team, I want to see a kid try to make a statement. Namestnikov really just mailed it in. You can’t describe it in any other way. I hope we keep him on an extremely short leash this coming year. Can he be a part of this team going forward? And in what capacity?

I agree but also am willing to give all these guys a mulligan for a weird season. Lots of changes. Some folks probably thrived in the turmoil, which is great. But a few kind-of fell through the cracks. Obviously every year is a new page. But in this case in particular, I’d let it go.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I agree but also am willing to give all these guys a mulligan for a weird season. Lots of changes. Some folks probably thrived in the turmoil, which is great. But a few kind-of fell through the cracks. Obviously every year is a new page. But in this case in particular, I’d let it go.

I don't agree that Namestnikov "mailed it in". I think people underestimate how difficult it is to move to a new team near the end of the season. New teammates, different strategy. And to top it off, going from one of the top teams in the NHL to a team that is already out of the play offs.

 

[Leetch3]

Different teams have different depth charts. If Middlestadt starts in Buffalo while Andersson stays in hartford, it doesn't necessarily mean Middlestadt is so much better if Andersson has better NHL players in front of him and it makes more sense to let him work his way into th elineup

you've posted here way too long to actually believe logic has anything to do with the reactions

 

[Deleted member 23124]

Why? Fast is better offensively and far better defensively at even strength.

I think Vesey and Hayes will have better chemisty. I've never been convinced that Fast is anything more than a 4th liner.

 

[Trxjw]

I agree but I also think it'll be up to how he performs in training camp.

If he's overshadowed by guys like Chytil and Andersson etc then he might find himself fighting for a top 9 spot

I think they'd probably rather have Chytil and/or Andersson playing center in the AHL, than skating on the wing in the NHL in the fall. There's no hurry to get either kid into the lineup, and despite some of the discussions around here, I'm not sure the Rangers are anticipating either guy bumping out to the wing this early in their development.

Vesey is a capable scorer, but he has to be the 3rd best guy on his line. Stick him with two higher skill players and let him be the guy who cleans up around the net and there's a good chance he's a relatively consistent 20-25 goal guy. The shot and hands are there, but he has to have other guys elevating his play on the ice.

 

[eco's bones]

Vesey needs to play a harder game. I agree he shouldn't be the guy moving the puck so much as the guy going to the dirty areas. The best things he can do IMO is improve his forecheck and crash the net more. His play away from the puck could use some improvement too. Become an asshole--a player hard to play against and be more responsible at the same time. Those things are not mutually exclusive necessarily. I imagine there might be a forward or two start to get penalty kill time. If Vesey could improve defensively that is another way for him to find a niche with the team. Basically it's about earning ice time for him and not being carried by others so much.

 

[bobbop]

I'll still be shocked if Spooner isn't traded before training camp.

When Gorton talks about the roster, Spooner seems to be an afterthought. I’m guessing he gets a one year contract, maybe even an arb award and the Rangers ship him out shortly thereafter, possibly holding some salary back. Remember, Chiarelli (who is short on $) drafted Spooner.

 

[Gardner McKay]

When Gorton talks about the roster, Spooner seems to be an afterthought. I’m guessing he gets a one year contract, maybe even an arb award and the Rangers ship him out shortly thereafter, possibly holding some salary back. Remember, Chiarelli (who is short on $) drafted Spooner.

Seems like a very plausible scenario. I honestly couldn't begin to fathom what type of return (large or small) we could see from Edmonton. It is Chiarelli so nothing is off limits.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I think Vesey and Hayes will have better chemisty. I've never been convinced that Fast is anything more than a 4th liner.

What convinced you they have chemistry?

 

[Deleted member 23124]

What convinced you they have chemistry?

I said "I think" they would have chemistry....if I remember correctly they've known each other since they were kids and have spent time practicing together.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I said "I think" they would have chemistry....if I remember correctly they've known each other since they were kids and have spent time practicing together.

Yeah, but that doesn't mean anything. Vesey and Hayes barely played together because they are in different tiers

 

[Mac n Gs]

Yeah, but that doesn't mean anything. Vesey and Hayes barely played together because they are in different tiers

Vesey has spent 30% and 25% of his ice time in the last two seasons with Hayes. They're never really that good together.

 

[kovazub94]

I think skjei closes that gap with a brain damaged alpaca behind the bench. But that's just me.

OMG! This was GOAT visual!

 

[Kaapo Cabana]

OMG! This was GOAT visual!

Alpaca, Not Goat

 

[kovazub94]

Alpaca, Not Goat

Touche