Post-Game Talk: PS #6 - 09/28/19 | RANGERS @ islanders | 7:00 - MSG

[bobbop]

I’m still watching the game (had to go to church) but based on what I’ve seen it’s straightforward Strome 2nd line (for now) Andersson 3rd line and Howden 4th. Chytil heads to Hartford. Quinn can and will slide the centers up and down based on matchups. Kravtsov to Hartford. Morrow and Haley may both get two ways and head to Hartford and I think they are really going to angst over what to do with Lindgren. He’s a hockey player.

 

[JC704]

Panarin-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Kreider-Lias-Kakko
Namestnikov-Howden-Strome
Lemieux-McKegg-Fast
Nieves

Skjei-Trouba
Staal-Deangelo
Hajek-Fox
Smith

Hank
Georgiev

Not loving Howden in the 3C spot, but I think it is evident Chytil needs to start in Hartford, and Kravtsov will likely play the first few weeks in the AHL before the organization makes the determination if he has adjusted enough to the North American surface/quirks or not.

Lias has impressed me. I think he's the type of player you need to let "grab the bull by the horns." Playing next to Kreider/Kakko, two good skaters and finishers, would work well for him.

 

[Irishguy42]

He’s a hockey player.

Source?

 

[Vitto79]

Thinking we see 2 of Chytil/Kravtsov/BH go to the AHL at least for the 1st couple weeks. 21 man roster with Smith playing the 13th Forward and 7th D roles. I think it's probably Kravtsov and Chytil who go to HFD.

I agree w this . Both will be up soon and one in two weeks

 

[Vitto79]

How is Hajek making this team over Lindgren? The go ahead goal was was a blind pass behind the net to nobody. He didn’t even look up to see if anyone was there. To me Lindgren stood out this whole pre-season.

I did like Lindgren a lot . It’s a tough call but both should get time this year

 

[PuckLuck3043]

The D is still unproven and nobody is winning anything with a one line team

We are not a 1 line team by any stretch. #2 center is a big question mark but the forward depth is pretty damn good.

 

[haveandare]

I did like Lindgren a lot . It’s a tough call but both should get time this year

Lindgren was really, really rough against the Flyers. Granted he was with Robertson who was way over his head but he did not respond well.

 

[aufheben]

We are not a 1 line team by any stretch. #2 center is a big question mark but the forward depth is pretty damn good.

1L: Panarin, Zibanejad,Buchnevich — average
2L: Kreider, Kakko, Strome — below-average/poor
3L: Andersson, Namestnikov, Lemieux — below-average/poor
4L: Fast, Howden, Kravtsov, Chytil, McKegg, Nieves — average/below-average

I think the above placements are quite generous, especially Kakko and Andersson. Namestnikov and Strome are 3rd liners on an average/bad team. On a contending team, all of those Bottom-6 players are either on the 4th line or not playing. They have depth in that there are no atrocities like Glass playing, but the offense is going to heavily rely on Panarin.

For comparison, the Blues have something like Steen-Bozak-Thomas for a 3rd line, which is better than our 2nd line.

 

[Kovalev27]

Hajek will start. Will he stay healthy? I hate to say I think it’s a matter of when he gets hurt vs if. Lindgren will get games

 

[PuckLuck3043]

1L: Panarin, Zibanejad, Kreider — average
2L: Buchnevich, Kakko — below-average
3L: Andersson, Namestnikov, Strome — below-average
4L: Lemieux, Fast, Howden, Kravtsov, Chytil, McKegg, Nieves — average/below-average

I think the above placements are quite generous, especially Kakko and Andersson. Namestnikov and Strome are 3rd liners on an average/bad team. On a contending team, all of those Bottom-6 players are either on the 4th line or not playing. They have depth in that there are no atrocities like Glass playing, but the offense is going to heavily rely on Panarin.

He said they were a 1 line team which I disagree with. There is no question the 1st line of Zibs-Buch-Panarin will score alot but I also think the 2nd line of Kreider-?-Kakko will also score plenty. Lines 3 and 4 will chip in too and IMO be more productive than people think.

 

[LeetchisGod]

They need to draft more #centers if Chytil can`t get top 9 mins. this season.

They need to draft more centers anyway. You can never have too many.

 

[aufheben]

He said they were a 1 line team which I disagree with. There is no question the 1st line of Zibs-Buch-Panarin will score alot but I also think the 2nd line of Kreider-?-Kakko will also score plenty. Lines 3 and 4 will chip in too and IMO be more productive than people think.

I don't. I wouldn't expect Kakko to be effective anywhere outside the offensive zone. If Chytil took the 2C spot, I'd feel differently because of his puck-moving ability, but that line is now gonna to rely entirely on Kreider in the defensive zone and the neutral zone. Strome will likely bungle half the chances they generate the times they do have sustained pressure in the offensive zone. I don't know. I'm not looking for a good team this year, I'm looking for some fun and promise.

 

[Dijock94]

Panarin Zibanejad Buchnevich
Kreider Andersson Kakko
Lemieux Howden Fast
Namestnikov Chytil Strome

Skjei Trouba
Staal DeAngelo
Hajek Fox

 

[ETTER DE]

Couple notes on quinn versus hf: Quinn wasnt brought in to win, he was brought in to instill a culture and teach young players. Quinn knows what he is doin. There is plenty of practice time because of the absurd starting schedule. Every team has a coach that draws the ire of its fans for something, but then again what can quinn do? His center options suck rn because its either 20 year olds or a guy whose development was ****ed by edmonton or vlad who needs star players to elevate his play. Next year you guys can **** on quinn, this year let him figure out what pieces we have and then gorton and jd will deal with it accordingly.

Quinn was hired because he was thought to be a good coach for the kids. If the kids dont progress, Quinn will be replaced next year.

 

[TheDirtyH]

1L: Panarin, Zibanejad,Buchnevich — average
2L: Kreider, Kakko, Strome — below-average/poor
3L: Andersson, Namestnikov, Lemieux — below-average/poor
4L: Fast, Howden, Kravtsov, Chytil, McKegg, Nieves — average/below-average

I think the above placements are quite generous, especially Kakko and Andersson. Namestnikov and Strome are 3rd liners on an average/bad team. On a contending team, all of those Bottom-6 players are either on the 4th line or not playing. They have depth in that there are no atrocities like Glass playing, but the offense is going to heavily rely on Panarin.

For comparison, the Blues have something like Steen-Bozak-Thomas for a 3rd line, which is better than our 2nd line.

Well you never know how these things play out when the roster is so young. If Buchnevich gets a huge boost playing with Panarin, maybe that line can turn out really good results even relative to contenders' first lines. It'll be interesting to watch what happens with Dubois and Atkinson in Columbus without Panarin.

Same goes for the third line. Are Lemieux and Andersson what they were last season, or as players with less than a full season of NHL experience are they going to improve. Maybe that third line becomes something more promising.

I agree in sentiment. This year's about promise, showing some signs of good things to come. But I can't deny that if Lundqvist/Georgiev see a more even share and play at their peaks through the season because of it, if even one or two young players on offense can take a step, and if Fox and Trouba are as sizable upgrades as they appear to be we could be in for a season approaching playoff contention too.

 

[aufheben]

Well you never know how these things play out when the roster is so young. If Buchnevich gets a huge boost playing with Panarin, maybe that line can turn out really good results even relative to contenders' first lines. It'll be interesting to watch what happens with Dubois and Atkinson in Columbus without Panarin.

Same goes for the third line. Are Lemieux and Andersson what they were last season, or as players with less than a full season of NHL experience are they going to improve. Maybe that third line becomes something more promising.

I agree in sentiment. This year's about promise, showing some signs of good things to come. But I can't deny that if Lundqvist/Georgiev see a more even share and play at their peaks through the season because of it, if even one or two young players on offense can take a step, and if Fox and Trouba are as sizable upgrades as they appear to be we could be in for a season approaching playoff contention too.

For sure, I'm just trying to keep my expectations at a minimum. Except for Fox. Fox is crazy.

 

[TheDirtyH]

For sure, I'm just trying to keep my expectations at a minimum. Except for Fox. Fox is crazy.

Yeah. It also seems to be a growing trend that teams are first or second half teams. I'm curious to see what happens after the deadline this year. Then I'll really know how depressed to feel...

 

[duhmetreE]

I’m really concerned with the beating Hajek takes every game. He’s got to protect himself and add some strength

His game reminds me of MacTruck... minus the Level 0 Escapability. He doesn't have the elusiveness or sense to minimize the impact. He legit just eats it.

Hajek and Howden dont look like they'll have long careers

 

[Ola]

Hopefully Kravtsov is okay.

Is it just me or was Lias doing everything at 150% speed out there? Not just skating but his puck handling, passing, decision making and board play. It all looked super fast to me compared to what I’ve seen from him in the past. I’m super excited to see him in the regular season.

I know Kravtsov is likely to start in Hartford but if they’re playing wing, frankly he looked better than Chytil at wing. And Howden looked worse than Lias so he should be 4c.

Yeah, his quickness has been impressive. And I think the extent of his improvement is so big since he has improved in two areas, muscular but also his VO2 conditioning. I.e. last year he was a little slower, but he especially wore out fast during games and on the tail end of shifts. And if anything will make you look 'slow' its when you play gassed.

One thing that downright annoys me with the Lias situation is that he has so much in him that very sporadically is utilized. He is so team loyal that if he is told to play in-front of the net on the PP or when you get zone pressure, he goes there and stays there. You wouldn't believe that he would look good in a pure play making role. Why would you? But then all of a sudden he ends up in that situation -- and is excellent in it. Or he ends up in a shooting role, and he is excellent in that.

So what is the problem, if he is that good eventually it will show right? The thing is nobody can build a game solely on practice and ability, you must constantly work on it in game-situations. And for a long time, Lias has been playing at a high level in a bit of a smaller role. Would so like to see him get a little bigger role, a little more responsibility. A shot on a PP where he isn't just put in the face of the goalie. Like the kid is a really good passer. He has a very underrated shot. And so forth.

 

[Ola]

How is Hajek making this team over Lindgren? The go ahead goal was was a blind pass behind the net to nobody. He didn’t even look up to see if anyone was there. To me Lindgren stood out this whole pre-season.

I don't disagree, but at the same time, playing this Islanders team is almost a bit of a different sport than playing some other teams in this league. When they are taking runs at you at full speed, its a war out there for the defenders. Then all of a sudden you are playing a team like Tampa its all about speed and skill etc.

Hajak definitely felt the pressure out there tonight. Lindgren was steadier. But it could be the other way around against another type of team.

 

[eco's bones]

I don't disagree, but at the same time, playing this Islanders team is almost a bit of a different sport than playing some other teams in this league. When they are taking runs at you at full speed, its a war out there for the defenders. Then all of a sudden you are playing a team like Tampa its all about speed and skill etc.

Hajak definitely felt the pressure out there tonight. Lindgren was steadier. But it could be the other way around against another type of team.

The Islanders have forwards devoted to wearing other teams down physically. That the whole point of the Cizikas, Clutterbuck, Martin line and Ross Johnston. It's a kind of team that Barry Trotz is comfortable with. Hajek had an issue with it last night and Lindgren pushes back. That kind of game comes more natural to Ryan. The Islanders gooned it up particularly in the 3rd period and younger guys like Kravtsov, Chytil and Hajek have issues with that kind of game. Overall though our team did very well---playing without our top two lines and top defense pairing. If the Rangers had scored on some of those powerplays it would have made a difference.

......and by the way I had no problems with our lineup last night. Quinn wanted to give guys on the bubble a final chance to distinguish themselves and make the team. Nothing wrong with that. It's not like winning last night really meant a lot.

 

[romba]

Young guys handled the Isles grit and muck fairly well. I mean, I wouldn’t want them leading us into war but I’ll take them as privates for now, they’ll grow stronger and tougher.

Smith looked like a 3rd liner yesterday, color me impressed. Last year he looked like a forward adequately covering D position, and a D adequately covering the forward position.

 

[Ori]

yeah baby steps, but Islanders will struggle they almost had a full NHL team last evening and they struggle until last minutes 2-2.
Anyway it`s a lottery everytime we draft someone.

Have Kreider done anything this preseason? He is a slow starter as always..

 

[Miamipuck]

The Islanders have forwards devoted to wearing other teams down physically. That the whole point of the Cizikas, Clutterbuck, Martin line and Ross Johnston. It's a kind of team that Barry Trotz is comfortable with. Hajek had an issue with it last night and Lindgren pushes back. That kind of game comes more natural to Ryan. The Islanders gooned it up particularly in the 3rd period and younger guys like Kravtsov, Chytil and Hajek have issues with that kind of game. Overall though our team did very well---playing without our top two lines and top defense pairing. If the Rangers had scored on some of those powerplays it would have made a difference.

......and by the way I had no problems with our lineup last night. Quinn wanted to give guys on the bubble a final chance to distinguish themselves and make the team. Nothing wrong with that. It's not like winning last night really meant a lot.

The yahoo's complaining that Quinn isn't an NHL coach aren't even worth a reply. I think GeorgeKaplin (I forget who actually) even pointed out one of them thinks Mika is a soft #2 center. I feel comfortable saying that if I don't have to see that poster's opinion ever again it won't be too soon.

Anyway, the two schools of thought about preseason and playing your regular guys. I am fine with getting the fringe players a shot after you figure out what the top lines are looking like. The season is a long grind.

With a young team like this who knows what the best approach is. In my opinion it's fine playing the fringe guys assuming there's enough practice time for the team to gel.

 

[romba]

yeah baby steps, but Islanders will struggle they almost had a full NHL team last evening and they struggle until last minutes 2-2.
Anyway it`s a lottery everytime we draft someone.

Have Kreider done anything this preseason? He is a slow starter as always..

Don’t judge vets on preseason, and even so, CK looked dominant for stretches as usual. This year I see a big year for him with Panarin and Zbad on the PP.