Confirmed with Link: Rangers agree to terms with Patrick Khodorenko

[egelband]

If he turns into a bottom 6 center who can play a shutdown role, PK and pot 10 goals/25-30pts that's a massive win to me.

Could end up being a guy that gets moved for a third round pick. In which case, it’s a free third round pick. Also a barometer on how much pull the Rangers have. And possibly a reflection on the lack of depth/perceived opportunity in the Rangers system.

 

[egelband]

Giroux also called him "the most underrated player in the NHL" if you recall.

He’s definitely getting underrated.

 

[egelband]

Sam: "This new kid, Patrick Krokodenko...."

Patrick Callahan, then?

 

[Barnaby]

So if this guys hits his rough ceiling.. what're we thinking... 2nd liner?

From what I’ve been reading he has a shot to be a bottom sixer, but hell if I know. I’m not a scout and can’t remember the last time I watched Michigan State.

 

[Barnaby]

Could end up being a guy that gets moved for a third round pick. In which case, it’s a free third round pick. Also a barometer on how much pull the Rangers have. And possibly a reflection on the lack of depth/perceived opportunity in the Rangers system.

Rangers have unearthed a few gems over the years... if he becomes an NHL regular then home run. If not, some depth for Hartford or maybe He gets moved at some point for a better asset. I get not being “excited,” but I can’t believe a few guys are actually criticizing this.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

"You never know what's gonna happen. If I get injured again, I have my degree to fall back on"

I like his mindset. He broke his leg when he was with the US NTDP, and it put things into perspective for this kid. Looks like a smart player.

Stoked about this, thought he should've been drafted way long ago!!

We talked about this kid years ago. We were both shocked he went undrafted at the time.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

So if this guys hits his rough ceiling.. what're we thinking... 2nd liner?

3rd line winger/center in the NHL is his absolute ceiling, but a lot has to go right for him to get there. For now, having him play in the AHL is great. That's a nice step up for him already

 

[Ola]

Agreed. Finding young forwards that can take away time and space and punish opposition is invaluable in today's NHL.

I was at the Kings/Wild game this weekend. Sat about 15 rows from the ice. Normally I sit much further away. The thing that stands out from a closer vantage point is just how much of the game is a bit too fast or too clogged to make legit hockey plays.

So much of the game is about chipping the puck to areas where there should be a teammate waiting. It's not actually about having the time and space to make a skilled read. The game is just too fast and the bodies are too big.

This is, in part, why rookies have such a hard time adjusting to the NHL game. They literally have to learn how to take creativity out of their games. And that's because teams have a mixture of elite talent combined with other players who rely on speed, size and reach. And there's just very little room.

From close up it feels like most of the guys in the NHL look like they're playing a video game that's a level too hard for them. And what makes STL and Boston so strong is that are all 4 lines can limit time and space. Everyone talks about the NHL game being exhausting from a physical standpoint and it is, but it's also the speed of the game and how that takes a mental toll as well.

So, in any case, this is why adding players like Gauthier, Barron and Khodorenko are so valuable. The more kids like this you have in your system and on your team, the more each piece becomes more valuable because as a collective they begin to have an accumulative effect on opposition.

Great post!

I definitely agree with you. I do think however that there are a few player types that can buy themselves time in this environment. But its the Karson Kuhlman type. 5'10, great skaters, great at turning away from pressure. And it also illustrates Minny and LAKs struggles, because they aren't built for that style. Really big teams.

But looking at like Howden, looking at Vesey. These guys aren't "dumb". Its the game that is extremely fast. And especially for forwards. Its hard for them.

 

[Ken Lund]

As far as taking a roster spot goes, we only signed him to an ATO, so it's a Hartford roster spot. And we're at 46 contracts, so we have some wiggle room anyway.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Nickname "Hodor"?

... you were sooo close!!! You missed one, I repeat, one god damned letter!!

KHodor!!!

 

[eco's bones]

Marc staal is where offense goes to die. You can literally see the higher end offensive guys actively avoid passing staal the puck unless no other options are there.

Actually Staal has two options if he wants to put up points---1) pass the puck to Panarin 2) pass the puck to Zibanejad. If he does that enough he could possibly have a 20 point season.

Marc also scored our first goal of the season on a wraparound of all things--so he briefly led the team in scoring.

 

[Stasis]

Also good points. You’re a very respectable poster imo so I’ll take you at your word.

You're adorable and you make my time here more enjoyable.

edit: But not as enjoyable as people who don't edit and just post 2-3 times in a row. So we're clear.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

Another off the top of my head, Ryan Haggerty was a nothing player but he got traded for Antti Raanta who was a good player.

Who was then traded in the package that brought ADA and the #1 pick back. Love these trade trees!

 

[NCRanger]

Agreed. Finding young forwards that can take away time and space and punish opposition is invaluable in today's NHL.

I was at the Kings/Wild game this weekend. Sat about 15 rows from the ice. Normally I sit much further away. The thing that stands out from a closer vantage point is just how much of the game is a bit too fast or too clogged to make legit hockey plays.

So much of the game is about chipping the puck to areas where there should be a teammate waiting. It's not actually about having the time and space to make a skilled read. The game is just too fast and the bodies are too big.

This is, in part, why rookies have such a hard time adjusting to the NHL game. They literally have to learn how to take creativity out of their games. And that's because teams have a mixture of elite talent combined with other players who rely on speed, size and reach. And there's just very little room.

From close up it feels like most of the guys in the NHL look like they're playing a video game that's a level too hard for them. And what makes STL and Boston so strong is that are all 4 lines can limit time and space. Everyone talks about the NHL game being exhausting from a physical standpoint and it is, but it's also the speed of the game and how that takes a mental toll as well.

So, in any case, this is why adding players like Gauthier, Barron and Khodorenko are so valuable. The more kids like this you have in your system and on your team, the more each piece becomes more valuable because as a collective they begin to have an accumulative effect on opposition.

Can't agree with this enough.

One of my biggest complaints about the NHL is that the game is TOO fast. A lot of guys in the league that can skate, but that's really about all they can do. And those guys have completely changed the game from a sport of hockey skill and grit, to be all about speed.

I went to an AHL game last year and it was the same, but actually worse, because the players are just as fast, but even have less skill. I was about 10 rows off the ice and noticed the same. No room to do anything, and it happening at a breakneck pace. My daughter was bored out of her mind.

It was a lot of passes to where someone was supposed to be, some contact, puck kicked forward, either an offside, or a dump in. Occasional turnover that sometimes led to a transition chance. But even that was usually covered.

 

[dshea19]

About time I have seen people think the same as I do. Playoff hockey can be excruciating to sit through at times because there is even less space than usual and the refs let more go. It just turns into a muck fest. You see momentary flashes of actual hockey with the majority of it being like watching football where neither team has a QB that can throw but have excellent run defenses and average RBs. It can be so boring. Dump... turnover, dump, picked pass, breakout, picked pass, dump... repeat. I think for every 10 games I see, I actually am impressed by 2.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Can he win a face off?

Not if he’s a Ranger.

 

[will1066]

What does that even mean?

It's an HFNYR trope making player comparisons to Anton Stralman.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Now official:

 

[RGY]

 

[Machinehead]

These are always our most interesting players

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Weird number

55 must be sentimental in some way

 

[RangersFan1994]

Weird number

55 must be sentimental in some way

55 is a lot more common in hockey Mark Scheifele wears #55 and Ryan Lindgren also wears 55 as does Colton Parayko, back in the day Keith Primeau and Eric Daze also wore 55.

 

[JCProdigy]

That sounds like a snack

But is he a Nacho cheese Dorenko or a Cool Ranch Dorenko...that's what is most important.

Good signing though eh? I mean, the hope is he at least becomes a productive member of the Wolfpack. Even if he doesn't make it up to the NHL, you have to think it important to have those AHL lifers that add stability to a team. I mean just look at the Wolfpack thread right now and what is kinda happening this year as the Rangers have thinned out that roster.

 

[eco's bones]

An ATO to a Brown U. defenseman Zach Giuttari to play in Hartford.

Khodorenko played with both Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren for the USNTDP teams in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Weird number

55 must be sentimental in some way

Don't tell Lindgren. Or Gary Reasons.