Recalled/Assigned: John Gilmour and Vinni Lettieri

[kovazub94]

Would arguably say Smith has been a better forward than Lettieri on the NHL level. Am i that far-fetched?

You're right but at least one could "expect" this just based on how much more Smith is making and years of NHL experience.

On the other hand it's clear that Brickley has had more impact than Lettieri.

 

[nyr2k2]

Lettieri at the NHL level reminds me of what Gropp looked like at the AHL level before the past month or so. He needs space to get his shot off but can't find it. The game moves a little too quickly for him. Hopefully he can slow it down because it would be great to develop another legitimate bottom-six guy on a cheap deal.

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

You're right but at least one could "expect" this just based on how much more Smith is making and years of NHL experience.

On the other hand it's clear that Brickley has had more impact than Lettieri.

Brickley in the offensive zone:

 

[Rempe73]

Gilmours speed coming out of his own end is absolutely world class. Hands down.

He leads all AHL Ds in scoring, that is true, but remember, that is despite not being that super nifty point producing type of D.

I would say that he is good offensively, definitely not terrible defensively (although his mistakes will seen clearly) and a total rocket when he flies up ice with the puck.

With the logjam we have at LD and JGs upcoming UFA status, its felt like he was a lost opportunity. Maybe we can give him — and us especially — a last shot to use this asset.

I am not sure what Gilmour’s game exactly can amount to at the NHL level. But if he got a real shot I would be excited for sure about what type of D he could become in the NHL. Maybe he falls a little short, maybe he could become a bit of a somewhat unique NHL D style-wise with that speed coming out of his own end.

In the end, I know that there are many different opinions out there on JG. I am not saying that some concerns are baseless, but I definitely think that there is a lot of hockey in that kid’s body. Much more than he has been credited for at times.

The guy is kind of underrated. I know he hasn’t played a game in the NHL this season yet, but I think he might do a better job than Pionk. If Pionk is not producing consistent offense, then he’s kind of worthless. That’s why I loved the guy in the first place, because his instincts and offensive smarts were so good.

Gilmour is kind of similar to him. He’s not as offensively gifted, but I think he could be more consistent than Pionk in that area. Defensively, Gilmour is good with his stick, but like Pionk, his defensive awareness and positioning are not good. Both are amazing skaters. Pionk has the agility and edge work, while Gilmour has the speed. Both have a hard shot, but Gilmour’s is more accurate. Gilmour is probably a better passer, while Pionk has better hands. Pionk is also a smarter player. And neither have good size. Tough to say who will be the better player. I think it will come down to age and who’s better defensively. Gilmour’s time is almost up, and this is most likely his last chance with us.

 

[RGY]

The guy is kind of underrated. I know he hasn’t played a game in the NHL this season yet, but I think he might do a better job than Pionk. If Pionk is not producing consistent offense, then he’s kind of worthless. That’s why I loved the guy in the first place, because his instincts and offensive smarts were so good.

Gilmour is kind of similar to him. He’s not as offensively gifted, but I think he could be more consistent than Pionk in that area. Defensively, Gilmour is good with his stick, but like Pionk, his defensive awareness and positioning are not good. Both are amazing skaters. Pionk has the agility and edge work, while Gilmour has the speed. Both have a hard shot, but Gilmour’s is more accurate. Gilmour is probably a better passer, while Pionk has better hands. Pionk is also a smarter player. And neither have good size. Tough to say who will be the better player. I think it will come down to age and who’s better defensively. Gilmour’s time is almost up, and this is most likely his last chance with us.

Pretty good write up on both as far as a description goes.

At the end of the day, its a lesser of two evils type of thing to me. They are both flawed and both barely NHL defensemen. They would maybe, maybe, be the #6 on most teams in the league. Pionk likely got the edge with a longer look because he is 2 years younger. Still room for growth and development in the Rangers eyes.

Gilmour has all world speed. He dominated the AHL level because the play is less structured down there. He can skate circles around players and hold onto the puck longer. Still think his defensive ability is severely lacking. Playing ok defensively in the AHL doesnt mean jack to me.

He got his call up. Lets see how he does in his second go around at 25 years old

 

[Rempe73]

Pretty good write up on both as far as a description goes.

At the end of the day, its a lesser of two evils type of thing to me. They are both flawed and both barely NHL defensemen. They would maybe, maybe, be the #6 on most teams in the league. Pionk likely got the edge with a longer look because he is 2 years younger. Still room for growth and development in the Rangers eyes.

Gilmour has all world speed. He dominated the AHL level because the play is less structured down there. He can skate circles around players and hold onto the puck longer. Still think his defensive ability is severely lacking. Playing ok defensively in the AHL doesnt mean jack to me.

He got his call up. Lets see how he does in his second go around at 25 years old

Thank you. And yes, the age difference is definitely a factor. Pionk still has some time to grow and become more consistent. Higher upside and ceiling, though not by much.

You make a good point about the AHL and its relative lack of structure. Gilmour’s blazing speed will not be as advantageous in the NHL compared to the AHL. It just sucks because although both have a ton of offensive talent, their one major flaw (defensive awareness/positioning/smarts) might keep them from carving out an NHL career.

 

[RGY]

Thank you. And yes, the age difference is definitely a factor. Pionk still has some time to grow and become more consistent. Higher upside and ceiling, though not by much.

You make a good point about the AHL and its relative lack of structure. Gilmour’s blazing speed will not be as advantageous in the NHL compared to the AHL. It just sucks because although both have a ton of offensive talent, their one major flaw (defensive awareness/positioning/smarts) might keep them from carving out an NHL career.

Exactly what I have been trying to say regarding Gilmour. He was really bad last year defensively. Pionk wasnt much better but like I said Rangers probably saw/see more of a future with him, or at least the door is more open for him still. He went and played for USA after the season ended.

If anyone thinks Gilmour is going to have the same success offensively that he did down in the AHL to offset his flaws defensively then they are just fooling themselves.

Not here to crap on him but again he is going to be 26 soon and i am sure the Rangers would gave called him up sooner if there wasnt something holding them back because why not? They have called up other players. Something prevented them.

 

[RGY]

Somehow that goal will be Shattenkirk’s fault in the eyes of the Gilmour defenders. Completely out muscled on the play.

 

[RGY]

Gilmour gets beat towards the end there creating a short 2-on-1 for Pionk to deal with. Luckily Bertuzzi lost his balance and Pionk got help from the backcheck of Chytil.

 

[nyr2k2]

How did these guys look? I didn't watch. Mostly interested in Gilmour since I think I pretty much have Lettieri pegged.

 

[RGY]

How did these guys look? I didn't watch. Mostly interested in Gilmour since I think I pretty much have Lettieri pegged.

Gilmour was just OK offensively. The speed we know is there. But he had problems in his own end again. He made careless decisions at times that maybe he can get away with in Hartford but they are detrimental at the NHL level. The first goal was not only* his fault as Shattenkirk contributed to them both being on the wrong side of the ice, but he was physically overmatched getting outmuscled by the opposing forward. Same happened in front of his own net. He was having a hard time getting body positioning on the forward in front of the net, just did not seem strong enough or swift enough to get the right positioning.

So while at times he looked like he was holding his own, its simply not enough when the window is closing as he is about to turn 26. Still not impressed.

 

[nyr2k2]

Thanks for the report. Would love to hear any other opinions, too.

 

[Lays]

Both were pretty bad, when are we gonna see Meskanen and Lindgren? I remember Lindgren being sent down “wasn’t a demotion” but he hasn’t got called up since though he played pretty well. Maybe next year?

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

Both were pretty bad, when are we gonna see Meskanen and Lindgren? I remember Lindgren being sent down “wasn’t a demotion” but he hasn’t got called up since though he played pretty well. Maybe next year?

Probably just trying to get extended looks at the guys

 

[nyr2k2]

Both were pretty bad, when are we gonna see Meskanen and Lindgren? I remember Lindgren being sent down “wasn’t a demotion” but he hasn’t got called up since though he played pretty well. Maybe next year?

My guess is that since Gilmour is a UFA at year's end, they want to get a final look at him to either cement their decision or maybe consider revisiting things with him. To some degree, the same with Lettieri, who will be RFA. I think Lettieri is a given to receive a QO however as he's a legitimate force in the AHL and could still theoretically figure it out at the NHL level (though I doubt that).

I'd like to see Meskanen, but he was slumping pretty badly and then picked up an "upper body injury" a few weeks back and just recently looks to have fully recovered from that. Lindgren, they may have seen what they needed to see, and are content to just lay him play it out in Hartford and come to camp next year to battle for a spot. Though it would be nice to see him in a few more games. I think he's one of our more unheralded prospects.

 

[NYR Viper]

How did these guys look? I didn't watch. Mostly interested in Gilmour since I think I pretty much have Lettieri pegged.

Both looked okay. Gilmour did his thing. It looked like he still needed to get used to the speed of other players as he got stripped a couple of times when eh tried to use his legs to get skate up ice. Not a bad game, just a small adjustment.

 

[True Blue]

One thing is for sure, for a quicker "tank", just have Gilmour and Shattenkirk as a pair on the ice more. Sorry, IMO, Gilmour is NOT an NHL calaliber defenseman.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

One thing is for sure, for a quicker "tank", just have Gilmour and Shattenkirk as a pair on the ice more. Sorry, IMO, Gilmour is NOT an NHL calaliber defenseman.

Sample size is way too small. I'm not sure we are going to find out though as I'm sure he signs with someone else after this.

 

[Larrybiv]

Thank you. And yes, the age difference is definitely a factor. Pionk still has some time to grow and become more consistent. Higher upside and ceiling, though not by much.

You make a good point about the AHL and its relative lack of structure. Gilmour’s blazing speed will not be as advantageous in the NHL compared to the AHL. It just sucks because although both have a ton of offensive talent, their one major flaw (defensive awareness/positioning/smarts) might keep them from carving out an NHL career.

I might not know much, but I DO know, that if you are a "defenseman" you "should be" good at playimg defense. That is your main objective.
So, are you a defenseman because your offense isn't good enough to be a forward or center? or a crappy forward but play pretty good defense?

 

[Larrybiv]

Both were pretty bad, when are we gonna see Meskanen and Lindgren? I remember Lindgren being sent down “wasn’t a demotion” but he hasn’t got called up since though he played pretty well. Maybe next year?

Maybe there is still plenty of time for those two? Opposed to maybe one "last chance" for these two "tweeners"? Mind you, my cousin Vinny had my support, but even a relative has it's limitations when it comes to my Rangers success. Shit or get off the pot already. You might have 9 games left, before you have to hamg them up, and get a real job.

 

[Larrybiv]

One thing is for sure, for a quicker "tank", just have Gilmour and Shattenkirk as a pair on the ice more. Sorry, IMO, Gilmour is NOT an NHL calaliber defenseman.

He isn't a calaliber defenseman in my book as well.

 

[egelband]

My guess is that since Gilmour is a UFA at year's end, they want to get a final look at him to either cement their decision or maybe consider revisiting things with him. To some degree, the same with Lettieri, who will be RFA. I think Lettieri is a given to receive a QO however as he's a legitimate force in the AHL and could still theoretically figure it out at the NHL level (though I doubt that).

I'd like to see Meskanen, but he was slumping pretty badly and then picked up an "upper body injury" a few weeks back and just recently looks to have fully recovered from that. Lindgren, they may have seen what they needed to see, and are content to just lay him play it out in Hartford and come to camp next year to battle for a spot. Though it would be nice to see him in a few more games. I think he's one of our more unheralded prospects.

All your scenarios make sense and ring true. I hope Vinni and Gilmour make some hay.

 

[eco's bones]

Gilmour was just OK offensively. The speed we know is there. But he had problems in his own end again. He made careless decisions at times that maybe he can get away with in Hartford but they are detrimental at the NHL level. The first goal was not only* his fault as Shattenkirk contributed to them both being on the wrong side of the ice, but he was physically overmatched getting outmuscled by the opposing forward. Same happened in front of his own net. He was having a hard time getting body positioning on the forward in front of the net, just did not seem strong enough or swift enough to get the right positioning.

So while at times he looked like he was holding his own, its simply not enough when the window is closing as he is about to turn 26. Still not impressed.

When you have smaller D--other teams will match their bigger, stronger forwards against them. To me it's one of the reasons that Pionk has so many issues on the penalty kill. He can't handle certain guys. They tie him up and when they need the space they just shove him out of the way. When Pionk's on the penalty kill it might as well be a 4v3 with continual net front presence. Isolating Pionk vs. Ovechkin or Tom Wilson or Malkin are terrible matchups for us and we can go around the league. To add to the problem though Shattenkirk and DeAngelo have their own issues and the other night we were adding Gilmour into that mix. The only two way D we have that can handle physical play and play respectable defensively is Skjei.

Which pretty much means we need more size and skill on our D. To many smaller guys who aren't good enough defensively to make up for the other skills they have.

 

[True Blue]

Sample size is way too small. I'm not sure we are going to find out though as I'm sure he signs with someone else after this.

Sample size is now nearly 30 games. For those 30 there is not nearly enough offensive production to somehow assuage the ineptness of capably defending.

 

[Rempe73]

I might not know much, but I DO know, that if you are a "defenseman" you "should be" good at playimg defense. That is your main objective.
So, are you a defenseman because your offense isn't good enough to be a forward or center? or a crappy forward but play pretty good defense?

In my opinion, it all depends on your style. A defenseman should be able to play defense (as should every skater), but just because a defenseman is an offensive specialist, doesn’t mean his style of play is suited to be a center or winger. Some players are really good at breakout passes (or puck moving in general) and creating offense from the point with their vision, so they should be defensemen. But they should also not be terrible defensively.