Don’t think he will ever get the chance to unseat fox on PP1. As crazy as it sounds fox could have 10-15 more points if some guys finished better. I’m sure lundkvist has a better shot then fox right now, but the PP is set up for fox to dish to Zibby or panarin mainly. Fox taking the shot from the point is the last option.
I think Lundkvist is trade bait mainly for 3 reasons. It sucks because he can max out as a top pair D but he’ll never get the minutes to with Fox in the fold. The rangers have 4 smaller D in Fox, Lindgren, lundkvist and Jones. All guys are 5”10 and under. All of the can move the puck, some better then others. Of those 4 lindgren plays the biggest game and uses his body the most. Plus his chemistry with Fox, he’s going no where. And he has room to improve.
I am 99% certain the rangers want big mobile guys who can defend and skate.. they have Fox that’s mr. Everything he s going no where. Neither is lindgren for at least 2-3 years, same with a trouba. That leaves miller, Nils, Schneider, Jones, and Robertson for 3 spots.
Robertson and Schneider are both huge and proved they are both above average when moving the puck. The fact that they can do that plus their size, reach, and ability to play a real physical game makes me think they are both a sure thing for 4-6 D while they are young and learning. They fit the in house mandate.
Miller who finished the year a little rocky Still overall had an excellent rookie season. He also has the size, reach and wheels that the rangers want on the backend.
That leaves Lindkvist and Jones. Both smaller players who have the puck on their stick a lot. lundkvist is the far more polished players, he’s a more complete D currently and his value is sky high after setting record in the SHL. He is also older then jones. If Jones hits his ceiling he can become they better of the 2 but their are no guarantees.
Right now I doubt highly we will see a top 6 that features Lundkvist, Jones, and Fox in it.
I think Lundkvist is the piece currently that could be available that would bring back the most in trade,
I know I'm pretty much on an island with this, but I'd deal Miller for the right personnel coming back. Being big matters if you're physical. Otherwise, it just means you're big.
Miller is not physical. Might change. Might not. Almost never does, though.
He also didn't bring nearly the offense as advertised. That could change.
He was a pretty consistent horror show in defensive mistakes, who sometimes was saved by his reach. At other times, not. That could change.
I would trade anyone if I thought it would help. No one is ever untouchable. Granted I can't come up with a deal for Fox that would be worth trading him.