Post-Game Talk: kong

[cwede]

a note note of dissent, i dont want to overpay for Chychrun
but i think he would be difference maker, for the team's consistency, quality of play and success

K'Andre has made great strides,
but it sure seems to me that almost every game, watching replays of Goals-Against, he is smack-dab center screen often

blending the developing youth of Miller, Schneider, Jones around a core of Fox, Lindy, Trouba, Chych seems, to me, a promising strategy
(assuming Nils as the odd-young-d-man-out and traded, it could easily happen otherwise)

at F, if they cant find the right non-rental (age, Cap, upside, fit)
then just find a reasonably priced/rental shooting veteran RW and/or faceoff-decent C

NYR just really are not yet at the performance or consistency level that Avs, Bolts, Canes or Panthers are
don't spend all the assets, to go all in, too soon

btw, i don't see a Miller return to NYR actually happening

 

[tomobson]

I love Laf and expect him to be great, eventually. But KK has exhibited much better puck control and defensive responsibility than Laf and neither is finishing. Having said that, Laf based on our roster should be in the top 6.

He could possibly slide in on RW of Mika/Kreider but it looks like GG isn't interested too much on getting him on the right side unless he's out of options. The issue with playing with Strome is that Strome sucks defensively so it's better to keep him with Panarin so they can play as much as possible in the offensive zone. I think the best thing that can happen to Laf is Chytil gets back to form or Chytil gets plugged in with Panarin/Strome and Goodrow comes to center the third line or some trade happens that brings in a new 3c. Laf/Chytil/Goat had a good run when they had an easy schedule but I don't think those three are enough to be a good third line against the better teams and I don't fault them for that because the most established NHLer on that line is Chytil and when he hit a slump that line disintegrated.

I think if GG is forced to put Laf in the top six you do Kreider/Mika/Laf. Slide Kakko down to Panarin's line because Kakko is struggling in terms of production. I don't think Panarin/Strome/Kakko are a good line but it's worth a shot to see if Laf has some better synergy with Kreider/Mika now. I think Laf has improved a bit as the season has gone on so maybe he can slot into that top line now. But I think he spends most of the rest of the season on the third line, unfortunately.

 

[mandiblesofdoom]

4 on 4 or 3 on 3 OT is all about leveraging the massive space suddenly available on the ice. You can do this a couple of ways, with speed or with patience/vision.

Laf doesn’t offer either of those things right now. He is also knocked off the puck too easily to be trusted on these situations.

I wanted Laf in every OT last year. This year is different.

It's a reasonable argument.

OTOH, they already had a point, and they are in the playoffs regardless. These games are about making the team better. And Gauthier is not like some amazing player who demands PT.

 

[leetch99]

Strome would probably be a lot more likely to give a 5 minute response about the importance of choosing your move before you go rather than struggle with the uncertainty of trying to pick a spot last minute based on what the goalie is doing.

I thought Strome had a great game...very involved in the corners the whole game . I gave him a star for his work effort .

 

[leetch99]

What I don’t get is how Gaut goes from scratched to getting OT minutes over Laf. Laf needs to be better but also needs more TOI. Let him work through it

Laf seldom beats another player 1 on 1 at any point in a game whereas Gauthier usually gets two chances a game and beats a defender and a winger but just can't finish . The thing is though is that he is creating plays and rebounds and wearing down the opposition with these plays and they are also aware he is out there which can be a distraction of sorts . Laff has to find a bit more speed in his game to earn extra shifts when the bench gets shortened .

 

[Brief Candle]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but with all this talk about J.T. Miller returning, wasn't part of why he traded was because he was a locker room problem? I get the feeling they'd want too much for him anyhow.

 

[Boris Zubov]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but with all this talk about J.T. Miller returning, wasn't part of why he traded was because he was a locker room problem? I get the feeling they'd want too much for him anyhow.

Only if you believe the rumors that were circulated here but never confirmed anywhere else.

 

[McRanger92]

Only if you believe the rumors that were circulated here but never confirmed anywhere else.

I always like JT and still would welcome him back, but it is odd that he was thrown out for nothing.

 

[CupSeeker]

That’s highly unlikely

Because of Turk's love for him? or on merit? No fighting in playoffs and all opponents will take advantage of 4th lines that can't skate. He is a relatively poor skater at this point in his career.

 

[CupSeeker]

He could possibly slide in on RW of Mika/Kreider but it looks like GG isn't interested too much on getting him on the right side unless he's out of options. The issue with playing with Strome is that Strome sucks defensively so it's better to keep him with Panarin so they can play as much as possible in the offensive zone. I think the best thing that can happen to Laf is Chytil gets back to form or Chytil gets plugged in with Panarin/Strome and Goodrow comes to center the third line or some trade happens that brings in a new 3c. Laf/Chytil/Goat had a good run when they had an easy schedule but I don't think those three are enough to be a good third line against the better teams and I don't fault them for that because the most established NHLer on that line is Chytil and when he hit a slump that line disintegrated.

I think if GG is forced to put Laf in the top six you do Kreider/Mika/Laf. Slide Kakko down to Panarin's line because Kakko is struggling in terms of production. I don't think Panarin/Strome/Kakko are a good line but it's worth a shot to see if Laf has some better synergy with Kreider/Mika now. I think Laf has improved a bit as the season has gone on so maybe he can slot into that top line now. But I think he spends most of the rest of the season on the third line, unfortunately.

KK was having success with 16 and 10 right before he was moved to the top line. I think they figured something out and then the move was made. I would try Laf with Zib and CK (actually I want CK on the 3rd line but that idea seems crazy to most) and KK with Strome and Bread. Then Goodrow slots in on the 3rd line or 4th line center where he gains an advantage against bottom 6ers.

 

[Levitate]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but with all this talk about J.T. Miller returning, wasn't part of why he traded was because he was a locker room problem? I get the feeling they'd want too much for him anyhow.

I think he was mainly traded because the Rangers were going into the rebuild and didn't want to give him that next contract they knew he'd want.

Also I think he pissed people off when he just completely gave up and stopped playing after the Rangers sent that letter out. I've never seen a player just say "screw it I don't want to be doing this" the way he did after that.

That said, I know in Vancouver he has been considered more of a leader and is regarded much more highly than he was here. It's entirely possible he matured and we are far too influenced by our memories of the maturity growing pains he had at times in NY

 

[Gardner McKay]

So glad we won, even though we didn't deserve to win. I hate that team, I hate that dumpster fire of a city and, those helmets they wore took my hatred for LA to an entirely new level. For once, Anze Kopitar wasn't the ugliest thing on the ice. It was the helmets.

 

[TheGortonConspiracy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but with all this talk about J.T. Miller returning, wasn't part of why he traded was because he was a locker room problem? I get the feeling they'd want too much for him anyhow.

I believe the term at the time was "uncoachable." If you google JT Miller uncoachable there are some references.
Now take into account what we know about AV's coaching style, his word on JT Miller I will take with a grain of salt...

 

[JohnC]

I do remember a bunch of people saying JT had an affinity for partying in White Plains a lot and it left management with the impression that he wasn’t dedicated?

Wouldn’t have been the first time a young guy with a partying habit grew up after getting traded. Look at Seguin.

 

[Brief Candle]

I believe the term at the time was "uncoachable." If you google JT Miller uncoachable there are some references.
Now take into account what we know about AV's coaching style, his word on JT Miller I will take with a grain of salt...

Yeaaaaaaaah. I agree there. My only reason for thinking it is that he has kiiiiiiiiinda gotten that rep in Vancouver. Who knows, he might flourish under a guy like Gallant.

 

[Larrybiv]

From the N.Y. Post
Foxy; “We have confidence in each other, know what team we are, know what team we can be and the ultimate goal for us,” Fox said. “I think we’re just going to come in and keep winning games. Eventually, people will start not questioning every time we beat a team or win a game.”

That last sentence says a lot.
Question the Rangers? we at HF boards don't do that......or, do we?
Maybe Foxy comes here? Who is he disguised as? All I know is, I will NEVER badmouth that man. He is amazing.

 

[Synergy27]

It's a reasonable argument.

OTOH, they already had a point, and they are in the playoffs regardless. These games are about making the team better. And Gauthier is not like some amazing player who demands PT.

I think last year was supposed to be about making the team better. Maybe it worked because the team is definitely better this year.

This year is about winning.

 

[Larrybiv]

Two foxes are better than one. Reminds me of my college days.

Adam needs to hook up with Trouba's sister (or anyone for that matter) and have many boys immediately. We need to have a back-up Fox, or 2 or 3.

 

[Leonardo87]

They need to figure out their slow starts. It's going to get them in trouble with the more potent teams. They got better as the game went on. I just wish they took care of business in regulation, oh well. Kings are a trending up and solid team so it was a good win.

 

[Larrybiv]

I have an extremely hard time believing that's possible. The 5v5 issues are too deep rooted.

Panarin and Zibanejad are being opportunistic but aren't driving play. Kreider never drives play, he just parks it in front and deflects shots in, which has to come from other players' possession of the puck. Laf and Kakko and Chytil have not arrived yet. Bottom end players like Goodrow, Rooney, etc, just don't generate enough offense and never will.

I don't think adding a Hertl into the lineup and a Gauthier out of the lineup changes nearly enough. You still have all the same problems.

What you need is the maturation of 3-4 of your young stars into offensive possession and shot generators (Kakko, Laf, Chytil, maybe Kravtsov) and the arrival of plus players from your system (Barron, Panjuniemi, etc) to fill out the bottom and replace the black holes down there.

It is at that point that adding an icing on the cake piece becomes attractive.

Until then the team is going to have the same problems. Hertl isn't going to have the impact people think; he's way more likely to get lost in the wash.

No mas, No mas, mas! you really know how to put a damper on things with your "wisdom". jeez. whatever GOOD feelings I have in regard to my team, you and a few others have taken me off my "high horse". I guess I should be bowing down, right about now. Yes master, yes master.

 

[McRanger92]

They need to figure out their slow starts. It's going to get them in trouble with the more potent teams. They got better as the game went on. I just wish they took care of business in regulation, oh well. Kings are a trending up and solid team so it was a good win.

The slow starts suck, but they improve as they go on almost like clockwork. You’re gonna win a lot of hockey games if you play your best at the end of them, which the Rangers have

 

[Larrybiv]

RE: Bolded - Rangers had their game at the Garden against Islanders in November cancelled.

okay, yes. bottom line is they still haven't played them at the garden.

 

[kovazub94]

Only if you believe the rumors that were circulated here but never confirmed anywhere else.

Or people change maybe?

 

[Black Tank]

Just watched the Devils Kings game from a few days ago to get caught up on Metro hockey. Gallant said it in his post game presser that the Kings are a heavy team and they outright abused the Devils into a humiliating home loss. Lil jack was targeted on every shift and he turned the puck over on all the Kings goals. LA tried to do that to Fox last night but it didn't work because the Rangers were outhitting and outmuscling the Kings all over the ice. It's hard to target the other team's star when you're getting shoved and hit every time you're out there. That's how you handle it, not by sending your goon to fight their goon but finishing every check and keeping them thinking about protecting themselves.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Only if you believe the rumors that were circulated here but never confirmed anywhere else.

If those rumors ended up being true, it's not like they couldn't have been fixed with some maturity.

It was rumored he was partying too much. Seems reasonable to think a kid who got traded twice in a year might have been humbled and seriously re-committed himself to being the best player he can be and that means taking things off the ice just as seriously as things on the ice.

Miller got traded twice, is 4 years older, got married and had two kids. Him maturing and outgrowing his locker room issues wouldn't be a shock, especially considering how much better of a player he has been since we traded him. Seems like it was all a real wake up call for the kid and he turned his career around.

That being said, I think he could be a fit but it would have to be the right move. I'm not sure I see it. I'm pretty sure someone else will trade Vancouver more for him than Drury will (rightfully) be willing to part with.