GDT: Rangers 2019 Training Camp Thread

[Synergy27]

Isn’t it internet that people have emotional reactions to numbers? Like truly, academically interesting. Humans are f***ing weird.

 

[egelband]

They are still young adults with proven capability to deal with adversity and take coaching as professionals. They're old enough to have been drafted to war years ago. They can handle being put on the wing or benched occasionally. You are overdoing it massively with the worrying. Not only is there zero evidence that the "kids" development is being harmed there is only massive amounts of evidence pointing to the opposite

Homerun post.

 

[LeetchisGod]

Not writing Shesterkin off but it's hard not to have a reaction to the fact he's been outplayed by the guy who was backup at UConn last year.

I'm not worried. He hasn't gotten the Allaire treatment yet.

 

[egelband]

About time they made you a formal offer. You are their best Europe scout, might as well make it official.

All kidding aside, a guy crazy addicted to the the "work" like @Amazing Kreiderman is certainly worth hiring. Scouting is a job like any other. It's not magic. You hire people who love and adore passion toward the work.
I mean, many of us like hockey. But we're not putting in the time and sweat like AK. He goes above and beyond.

Edit: I'd add that it seems MLB is the leader among pro sports in hiring and promoting "super fans"/analytics geeks. Maybe I'm wrong but that's my sense. Hockey is always late to the dance but it'll happen.

 

[Joey Bones]

If it's good enough for Michael Jordan, it's good enough for Kaapo Kakko

#DadJokes

 

[ohbaby]

Ok, maybe this isn't the spot to talk about this, but after watching all the interviews at NHL.com on the Rangers camp (I suggest everyone take a look, there's a lot) ,.... I came to a very likely key to the Rangers season.

https://www.nhl.com/rangers/video/post-practice-coach-quinn/t-277437422/c-68882403?icmp=int_web_nyr_dl_190916

When you build a team, you start with the goalie out. And we sure have that base covered. Then the d-men and then up the middle (center). It is these three positions that cement a defensive core. We have improved some on the blueline, with Trouba and Fox. I have all the confidence in Fox, but it is Trouba who really makes our blueline better.

The only serious question this team has is up the middle. And this is where Chytil could make all the difference between a wining and losing season. By all accounts, from those interviews, he seems to have turned a corner. I keep hearing of a swagger about him. Even his teammates see a difference. And after seeing signs of brilliance last year, this could mean the world to this team. And I'm not talking only of his offensive production. A centerman has big responsibities in his own zone. They are like a third D-men, protecting the front of the net, and making sure that 3rd man in is covered. And if he is as confident as reports say, he just might be up to the task at both ends of the ice.

This team needs at least two reliable and responsible centermen in order to solidify our defensive core. And Chytil seems dedicated, coming into camp, to tackle that challenge. If he can succeed, chewing up big minutes on the second line, we will be ok with Strome, Anderson, Howden, and Nieves filling out the last two spots.

Chytil's success could be huge for this team.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

Not writing Shesterkin off but it's hard not to have a reaction to the fact he's been outplayed by the guy who was backup at UConn last year.

In one legitimate game at a prospects tournament and a scrimmage. Come on.

I’m not saying he’s gonna crush it this year. But surely the guy deserves a bit more time before even being judged.

 

[Joey Bones]

Surprised Robertson is still there.

Currently injured with a day to day thing....

 

[egelband]

I really don't give a damn about Kakko's number but 45 just seems so ... ugly.

I'm starting to dig 45. Which is how it goes. 66 was a dumb number before Mario.

 

[egelband]

3-0 team Huska boo Nieves with the goal. He keeps popping up on everyone’s tweets as someone who’s had a really good start to camp.

He's a 'late boo-mer'.

 

[Joey Bones]

Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen was a legend and....

 

[Joey Bones]

Reunanen with the eyes!!

 

[Rempe73]

i would rather have taken a chance on that type of player from Europe in a men's league like a Zidlicky type for example. those players have more potential in my opinion

How? Playing against better competition doesn’t automatically give you more potential.

 

[Rempe73]

I've always seen Chytil as a center. His size--his skating, his ability to cover lots of territory. The scoring will come naturally IMO--he's got the talent for that. What he needs to work on most is his defensive responsibilities and face-offs. His size and skating though has always put him over Andersson as a center for me.

I see Chytil as a center as well (maybe it’s because we desperately need a 2C so I’m subconsciously hoping he can become that), but I don’t think being a great skater is a necessary part of being a good center (see Hayes, Stepan). Of course it helps, but hockey IQ, playmaking ability, defensive ability, and size are among the main things I look for in a center. That being said, I do think that Chytil can develop into a big, rangy, fast, goal-scoring 2C, and that would be more than enough for me. I’m actually curious to see how it plays out, because he kind of has a unique skill set. And if he can make some strides in his playmaking, defensive play, and hockey sense, all the better. For now though, I hope his skating can kind of make up for his mediocre defensive game.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Reunanen with the eyes!!

Cool that they posted it. Kravtsov’s first and Fox’s setup were both nice. Impressifinish from Keane as well.

 

[Rempe73]

I’m not sure the center needs to be the playmaker on a line any longer. I’d be more inclined to find an elite transporter of the puck

Exactly. Look at the Tavares-Marner combination. Obviously Tavares is still good at passing the puck, but the playmaking was left up to Marner, while he scored the goals. And it worked out well, as I think both players had career years.

 

[QJL]

Ok, maybe this isn't the spot to talk about this, but after watching all the interviews at NHL.com on the Rangers camp (I suggest everyone take a look, there's a lot) ,.... I came to a very likely key to the Rangers season.

https://www.nhl.com/rangers/video/coach-quinn-press-conference/t-277437422/c-68839903?icmp=int_web_nyr_dl_190916

When you build a team, you start with the goalie out. And we sure have that base covered. Then the d-men and then up the middle (center). It is these three positions that cement a defensive core. We have improved some on the blueline, with Trouba and Fox. I have all the confidence in Fox, but it is Trouba who really makes our blueline better.

The only serious question this team has is up the middle. And this is where Chytil could make all the difference between a wining and losing season. By all accounts, from those interviews, he seems to have turned a corner. I keep hearing of a swagger about him. Even his teammates see a difference. And after seeing signs of brilliance last year, this could mean the world to this team. And I'm not only talking of his offensive production. A centerman has big responsibities in his own zone. They are like a third D-men, protecting the front of the net, and making sure that 3rd man in is covered. And if he is as confident as reports say, he just might be up to the task at both ends of the ice.

This team needs at least two reliable and responsible centermen in order to solidify our defensive core. And Chytil seems dedicated to tackle that challenge. If he can succeed, chewing up big minutes on the second line, we will be ok with Strome, Anderson, Howden, and Nieves filling out the last two spots.

Chytil's success could be huge for this team.

Chytil’s success is huge. I think he has the broadest variance in expectation. Could be a 25 point player or could be a 65 point player. I’m betting he steps up. Thought his talent shined through last season and the camp reports are great.

 

[ohbaby]

Chytil’s success is huge. I think he has the broadest variance in expectation. Could be a 25 point player or could be a 65 point player. I’m betting he steps up. Thought his talent shined through last season and the camp reports are great.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. With all the talk of his fighting for this position, I'm optimistic. Because anyone who wants to play center, knows straight away, you must be involved defensively. This is what will make or break him playing up the middle. And if he succeeds, our main weakness turns into one of our strengths. And that will be huge for this team.

 

[CameronNeely]

Was Kakko any good? Anyone?

 

[bobbop]

Let Kaapo take #4.

Bring back memories of Big Beliveau

 

[egelband]

Let Kaapo take #4.

Bring back memories of Big Beliveau

I've like it. Love forwards with the low numbers.
Similarly I like pitchers wearing low numbers like Stroman.
Come at me.

 

[ohbaby]

Got a peek of Hughes in the Devils vs Boston game. How old is this kid? He looks like 13! And he got shoved around like he was 13 also. I couldn't watch much, the Devils graphics are so annoying. I can't see any Devils fans being happy about that.

Edit: I fast forward through the game, Hughes had a one-timer PP goal and a OT winner. They probably celebrated with some ice cream afterwards.

 

[eco's bones]

TOO early to tell who’s going to get that LD spot . Hajek , Ruenanen , Lindgren and Rykov if healthy

Anyone else think they really like Crawley. Can he play RD?

DeAngelo needs to sign though or Smith may play

I could swear I heard Quinn mention Crawley the other day and it surprised me. He's not super talented but Crawley is a gamer type--a guy who goes through walls. To have any chance he's going to have to keep things simple and not run around looking for hits or chasing after the play. He plays really rough though and that can be endearing. He can get under skins. Not fun to play against--kind of a Kasparaitis style of game as far as I can tell.

 

[eco's bones]

Currently injured with a day to day thing....

It's a groin issue.

 

[eco's bones]

I don't mind Kakko playing with 45. It's a cool number as far as I'm concerned and really any number he wears is fine with me. I'm kind of expecting he's going to become my favorite player.