My Two Keys for the Season

[chosen]

I'm of the belief that there are two Rangers who will stand out as determining factors as to how the Rangers perform this season, besides goaltending.

Two players are at a point where they should be giving indicators as to how their careers will go: Chytil and Buchnevich.

Chytil has to show more this season than a couple of good weeks. I don't expect peak performance, yet, but I do expect a nice jump if he is going to be a top 6 player. If not, I'll be a bit disappointed. It won't be over for him if he disappoints, but it would be a setback to our hopes for him.

Buchnevich, on the other hand, is at a true career crossroad. When the upcoming season is over he'll either be a real and consistent scoring threat or trade fodder. He's had a few chances. I think this is his last one in NY.

If Chytil and Buchnevich shine, I believe the Rangers are fighting for a playoff berth. If not, they could be a bottom 10 team.

Yes, this may all be oversimplification, but to me, these two are the biggest variables this upcoming season.

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[Edge]

While I concur that this is an important season for those two forwards; personally, I still think this defense is going to struggle.

So on that regard, I almost feel like Skjei is a bit of a linchpin.

If Trouba can do his thing, and guys like Hajek, ADA and Fox can progress, then Skjei needs to be a bit of a bridge to tie things together.

He’s not a first pairing guy, but if he can at least consistently play like a solid second pairing defenseman, that’s significant.

 

[chosen]

While I concur that this is an important season for those two forwards; personally, I still think this defense is going to struggle.

So on that regard, I almost feel like Skjei is a bit of a linchpin.

If Trouba can do his thing, and guys like Hajek, ADA and Fox can progress, then Skjei needs to be a bit of a bridge to tie things together.

He’s not a first pairing guy, but if he can at least consistently play like a solid second pairing defenseman, that’s significant.

Not worried about Trouba at all. ADA and Fox should attain what they need offensively. Defensively?

Unimpressed by Hajek, to date. Skjel could be anything.

The reason I stress Buch and Chytil is because they are both expected to become top 6 forwards. If that doesn't happen, the future is not nearly as promising as we hope it is.

 

[aufheben]

I don't know a lot about Trouba, but I know he's going to have a lot of responsibility on a much weaker roster than he's accustomed to. So he's not really a "?" for me, but I am curious to see what transpires. However, he is an NYR defenseman making a lot of money so I can only assume fans are gonna be on his ass either way.

 

[Crease]

I have a feeling fans are going to get on Skjei Trouba for the same reason they got on Malik Rozsival. Perfectly fine defensemen, just not a proper first pair.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

I'd say it's:

#1 defense
#2 the C-situation
#3 goaltending

if these boxes check, we're a playoff team. It's not as simple as only Chytil and Buch and we're there, although these two are indeed key-factors, Chytil much much more so than Buch tbh, Buch can take a next step or not, he's top 9; also sure OP didn't mean it as exclusive as I made it sound.

 

[AIexisLafreniereNYR]

Defense is our biggest problem. I have full trust our Center position is set up for a while between Zib, Chytil, Andersson.

Trouba, Fox, TDA, Skjei, Staal, Smith is NOT going to get it done, at all. We need to look to make a splash for a big solid defensemen, I’d look to move TDA + to acquire Someone similar to McDonagh. And let Smith, and Staal’s contract expire. Our defense won’t be set up until then.

 

[Barnaby]

I'm not a Buchnevich guy... I'd have dealt him in the offseason for fair value if a deal was out there. I could be wrong, but I don't see him ever taking that next step. I think he's a fair 45 -50 point winger who doesn't bring much else...

 

[Edge]

I don't know a lot about Trouba, but I know he's going to have a lot of responsibility on a much weaker roster than he's accustomed to. So he's not really a "?" for me, but I am curious to see what transpires. However, he is an NYR defenseman making a lot of money so I can only assume fans are gonna be on his ass either way.

My question with Trouba isn’t whether he can bring value, it’s whether he can bring enough.

I still think there’s a gap between what Trouba is and what a lot of people expect/hope him to be.

 

[Doctyl]

I'm not a Buchnevich guy... I'd have dealt him in the offseason for fair value if a deal was out there. I could be wrong, but I don't see him ever taking that next step. I think he's a fair 45 -50 point winger who doesn't bring much else...

50 point wingers don’t exactly grow on trees

 

[Barnaby]

50 point wingers don’t exactly grow on trees

Agreed... jus

50 point wingers don’t exactly grow on trees

Agreed... he’s just not a guy I’d be crazy about giving big long term money to...

 

[Thirty One]

1. Have fun
2. Make friends

 

[aufheben]

My question with Trouba isn’t whether he can bring value, it’s whether he can bring enough.

I still think there’s a gap between what Trouba is and what a lot of people expect/hope him to be.

An $8M defenseman needs to be very good both defensively and offensively. That's like John Carlson territory. There are a few things that I find concerning 1) He's played less than 66 games 4 out of 6 seasons; 2) He's never been a real minute-eater; 3) People seem to think he's either awesome or nothing special; 4) His career average is 36 PTS/82.

I've been very unimpressed so far other than his willingness to rip shots on the PP. Now, I don't know how much of his preseason play can be explained by the apparently atrocious chemistry he has with Skjei (which is in itself concerning,) but am I starting to wonder.