Rest or Refocus (KK and Laf to Hartford)?

[mike14]

The Pack play 4 games while the Rangers pause for the all-star break and then have a week off.
Would you send these two down to play those 4 games with a focus on it being a chance to be 'the man' for their line and hopefully rediscover their skills/scoring touch; or is it likely to reap very little reward?

What says the group and why?

Click to read more...

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Neither of these guys are being sent to Hartford.

 

[mike14]

Neither of these guys are being sent to Hartford.

I understand that this poll would not sway the Rangers one way or the other, hence the 'would you' phrasing of the question...

 

[ElLeetch]

It worked for Kreider

 

[TheBloodyNine]

I understand that this poll would not sway the Rangers one way or the other, hence the 'would you' phrasing of the question...

No I would not. I would put Laff with Zib and Kakko back with Panarin and ride them there. Put Kreider on the third line with Goodrow, he will still score his powerplay goals and get 1st PP time.

 

[Thirty One]

I voted for both, but Kakko is waiver-eligible, so I'd like to change my vote to just Laf.

 

[nyr2k2]

Honestly, I'm usually opposed to sending "established" NHL guys down to the AHL. I'm also not a big believer in sending guys down to "gain confidence" or whatever. But these two--these two need to go somewhere and play with guys that they're better than and learn to be a little f***ing more assertive. Go remember what it's like to be "the man" on you line and dictate things. Then come back and try to do the same in the NHL.

I'm actually surprised I voted yes to both, but it does feel like it could actually be beneficial.

EDIT: As @Thirty One mentions, since Kakko is eligible for waivers, that obviously rules him out. But if he wasn't, then yeah, do it.

 

[cwede]

I'd consider sending Miller, for time with Steve Smith

FYI - this is Pack schedule during NYR time off
Wed, Feb 2 @hershey
Fri, Feb 4 @Springfield
Sat, Feb 5 Lehigh Valley-
Fri, Feb 11 Springfield
Sat, Feb 12 Rochester

 

[Psycho for Perreault]

Can you imagine the boards if they didn't each put up 3 points per game in the AHL? The whining? No thank you.

 

[LeetchisGod]

I don't know if this is the answer but Kakko and Laf are not improving right now. Whatever we've done so far hasn't worked.

 

[bbny]

I voted for both, but Kakko is waiver-eligible, so I'd like to change my vote to just Laf.

Having Kakko claimed would save hundreds of thousands against the cap.

 

[NYR94]

I would do whatever it takes for these guys to show some confidence and swagger at this point.

 

[Synergy27]

Honestly, I'm usually opposed to sending "established" NHL guys down to the AHL. I'm also not a big believer in sending guys down to "gain confidence" or whatever. But these two--these two need to go somewhere and play with guys that they're better than and learn to be a little f***ing more assertive. Go remember what it's like to be "the man" on you line and dictate things. Then come back and try to do the same in the NHL.

I'm actually surprised I voted yes to both, but it does feel like it could actually be beneficial.

EDIT: As @Thirty One mentions, since Kakko is eligible for waivers, that obviously rules him out. But if he wasn't, then yeah, do it.

yep.

 

[Crease]

A depressing thread. But not unwarranted.

 

[CLW]

I don't think Gallant has any problem at all with Kakko. If he did he wouldn't be playing him on the first line for up to 20 mins a night.

To me it does not seem as if the Rangers are very attached to statistical thinking. They want to develop Kakko and Laf into 200-foot players and that's what they are doing. Sending them to the AHL would do little towards that end.

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

I bet Kakko has an injury. Nothing serious but enough to affect his game a bit.

 

[EdJovanovski]

I bet Kakko has an injury. Nothing serious but enough to affect his game a bit.

Has he had this injury for the past 3 years?

 

[Thirty One]

Has he had this injury for the past 3 years?

No, the first two years was Quinn's fault. Duh. Now he's injured.

 

[TheGortonConspiracy]

No shot

 

[McRanger92]

I wouldnt send either guy down to play extra games. I know we want to see more from Kakko/Laf/Chytil but right now they are faces in a crowd on a Stanley Cup contender, and thats a good thing. They aren't being asked to do too much too soon, because the Rangers veterans have done such a great job this year.

I would rather they use the time off to rest because the end of the season + playoffs is going to be a marathon AND a sprint

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

Has he had this injury for the past 3 years?

Just my opinion.

 

[TominNC]

The break isn't too long with the rescheduled games. I think they may be better off resting and recharging for the second half and hopefully a busy playoff season. No they won't sent them down.

 

[TominNC]

Just my opinion.

Opinions can be wrong.

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

Opinions can be wrong.

Cool, thanks for sharing.

 

[Crease]

Right or wrong, the organization seems perfectly content with Laf and Kakko focusing on their defense.