Speculation: Roster Building Frenzy Part XX

[Ola]

That's a narrative that's been pushed here, much like the " he can't play without Panarin" one that's not accurate either. People just don't like him and the board jumped all over it and micromanage every little misstep he may have. When you sit there watching for mistakes from someone you'll find them because not even Gretzky was prefect. He's not Bergeron but he's not Domi either.

But it’s not unfounded either. Strome is like say a Kyle Turris, you get very very little the day the points stop coming from being put in the right situations. Doesn’t mean that he doesn’t do well in a good environment and I like Strome a lot more than I did when we got him. He has improved a lot. I don’t mind keeping him per se, but he is just on the brink of UFA and I doubt it’s in the best interest of the franchise to in principle over-bid 31 other franchises for Strome at this point.

 

[Fitzy]

Yeah self-rent Strome and put Lafreniere in his spot on the god damn power play already.

That's the only downside to keeping Ryan around is if he continues to block Laf's amazing shot on that halfwall.

Also to RB's post following my own- that's about the only scenario I'd be happy we traded Nils is if we got a stud blue chip C prospect back.

 

[RangerBoy]

What are the Kings plans for Turcotte and Kupari?

Kopitar is signed for three more season. $10M AAV.
Danault just signed a 6 year contract.

The Kings have Byfield. He will be in the mix at center. I read the Kings will most likely move Vilardi to wing.

Where does that leave Turcotte and Kupari? They could move to the wing. Blake said centers can play wing but wingers can't play in the middle. Messier might the only guy who was a winger and became a terrific center.

If I were to bet, I’d be comfortable wagering a few dollars that we’re not going to see Danault or Byfield on left wing this season. And that’s perfectly fine, watching Vilardi last season, the gifts he possesses aren’t suited for a top-six center; a two-way game never surfaced that is required for a 1C/2C but his shot, the ability to navigate in tight spaces and size sets him up to be a dangerous goal-scorer like another former King, Tyler Toffoli. I drew this comparable when he was drafted and I’m sticking by it.

Despite my criticism of the player, I believe he still has the capacity to be a core player in Los Angeles if he doesn’t wind up in a trade package. After a disappointing 2020-21, it’s time to play to Vilardi’s strengths and not try to fix the weaknesses in his game (all on the other side of the puck) and it may result in the team’s first 30-goal scorer since Toffoli.

I asked Kings GM Rob Blake about the ramifications of the deal for Byfield and Vilardi during last week’s media availability and his answer crystalized the direction for me. While not naming specific players, connecting the dots doesn’t require complex thinking.

“Any of the teams I’ve been involved with I’ve seen centerman go the wings, I’ve rarely seen a winger go to center,” Blake said. “I don’t see any reason why any of these centers can’t go to the wing and find the right position.”

The Rangers have so many D prospects. Nils Lundkvist is going to be an excellent player. The Rangers also have Braden Schneider. He is going to be an excellent player. They are different players. Schneider fits better into the Rangers wanting to be a very combative team(I am trying to find the right word). Tougher. Grittier. Schneider is a very competitive player. His complete level was 5/5 in his draft year. The TSN draft preview. He can also play the game. He is not some brute.

Lundqvist for either Turcotte or Kupari. Or another young center.

You don't want to see the Rangers trade Lundkvist but they have depth at the position. Give to get.

 

[will1066]

I prefer WebMD, but I guess there's more than one way to wear a hat.

More than one way to bling a cat?

 

[Thirty One]

What are the Kings plans for Turcotte and Kupari?

Kopitar is signed for three more season. $10M AAV.
Danault just signed a 6 year contract.

The Kings have Byfield. He will be in the mix at center. I read the Kings will most likely move Vilardi to wing.

Where does that leave Turcotte and Kupari? They could move to the wing. Blake said centers can play wing but wingers can't play in the middle. Messier might the only guy who was a winger and became a terrific center.





The Rangers have so many D prospects. Nils Lundkvist is going to be an excellent player. The Rangers also have Braden Schneider. He is going to be an excellent player. They are different players. Schneider fits better into the Rangers wanting to be a very combative team(I am trying to find the right word). Tougher. Grittier. Schneider is a very competitive player. His complete level was 5/5 in his draft year. The TSN draft preview. He can also play the game. He is not some brute.

Lundqvist for either Turcotte or Kupari. Or another young center.

You don't want to see the Rangers trade Lundkvist but they have depth at the position. Give to get.

Think Turcotte has been playing wing and they've liked him there.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

We should take the PETA approach to free agency as well and start euthanizing the unclaimed free agents

Can we euthanize PETA instead?

 

[Alluckks]

Can we euthanize PETA instead?

Let Bettman and Parros join PETA first

 

[haveandare]

I’d rather lose the Jones, Robertson level guys than trade Nils or Schneider before getting a sense of what they can do at this level.

 

[Fitzy]

I’d rather lose the Jones, Robertson level guys than trade Nils or Schneider before getting a sense of what they can do at this level.

Yep. Problem is those first two guys don't get you the kind of return the latter two do. Nils and Schneider are on the Miller tier, or at least should be.

 

[JimmyG89]

What are the Kings plans for Turcotte and Kupari?

Kopitar is signed for three more season. $10M AAV.
Danault just signed a 6 year contract.

The Kings have Byfield. He will be in the mix at center. I read the Kings will most likely move Vilardi to wing.

Where does that leave Turcotte and Kupari? They could move to the wing. Blake said centers can play wing but wingers can't play in the middle. Messier might the only guy who was a winger and became a terrific center.





The Rangers have so many D prospects. Nils Lundkvist is going to be an excellent player. The Rangers also have Braden Schneider. He is going to be an excellent player. They are different players. Schneider fits better into the Rangers wanting to be a very combative team(I am trying to find the right word). Tougher. Grittier. Schneider is a very competitive player. His complete level was 5/5 in his draft year. The TSN draft preview. He can also play the game. He is not some brute.

Lundqvist for either Turcotte or Kupari. Or another young center.

You don't want to see the Rangers trade Lundkvist but they have depth at the position. Give to get.

I would rather wait a year on it. Nils and Schneider can battle for a job this camp as the 3rd RHD. The "loser" goes to Hartford, is their #1 and will get to play with Robertson and Jones. Not a bad consolation prize, outside of the money. Unless Nils completely flames out, his value will be there the following season. LA is pushing to make a difference in the Pacific since that division is dog shit.

If Nils builds on his value, he'd be worth even more than someone like Kupari or Turcotte. We're not dealing with a hot head, so he's not going to go off the deep st... um, end and tank his value.

While Turcotte or Kupari would be nice returns, where are they playing on this current team? They're likely in the AHL for the Kings this season and would be in the AHL for the Rangers as well. None of them are taking a spot from Zibanejad, Strome or Chytil. They are established players in the league. Nils at least fills in a vacant spot that we know is open.

If Lundkvist takes that step forward at the NHL level, we could be opening up a higher level market. Something similar to what Chytil is now, which is a good NHL center that can play in your top 9 with upside as a 2nd or maybe a low end #1. They might need it with how much Strome and Zibanejad could cost. Or if things go nuclear with Barkov or if Yzerman gets antsy with Larkin, I'd want to have a piece that is likely a top 20 prospect in a position that teams covet that wouldn't set us back in that spot. If you can swing that, you have Schneider and Skinner as your options the following season, which isn't bad, but that is it for the right side.

 

[mas0764]

Even If Nils is as good as Fox. There's still no room at the inn for the next 7 years. Trouba and Fox will be in the top 4 for a long, long time. They also got paid, no money for Nils on the Right side anytime soon. He's expendable.

If Nils is as good as Fox, Chris Drury will drive Jacob Trouba to the bus stop and buy him a ticket to wherever he'll waive his NMC to.

 

[Taluss]

Yeah I don’t think we would have to worry about Trouba in that case. I’m sure they would have a way to ship him out if need be

 

[TheGortonConspiracy]

If Nils is as good as Fox, Chris Drury will drive Jacob Trouba to the bus stop and buy him a ticket to wherever he'll waive his NMC to.

That would be a ticket to the bottom d pairing on Broadway because he has size/physicality. Dumping Trouba would just create more problems

 

[Fitzy]

If Nils is as good as Fox, Chris Drury will drive Jacob Trouba to the bus stop and buy him a ticket to wherever he'll waive his NMC to.

Fox is also a good enough player to play either side of the defense without missing a step, in my opinion.

 

[RGY]

You are kidding yourself if you think Kreider is worth his money. Contract wise his comps are Gallagher, Anders Lee, Evander Kane... I take those three in a f* heartbeat over Kreider, even considering Kane's antics

Your kidding yourself if you think you are in the majority that would rather have those guys. In fact you immediately lost any sense of credibility or intelligence once you said you would even rather have Kane and his antics.

The insanity of some people.

 

[Fitzy]

Your kidding yourself if you think you are in the majority that would rather have those guys. In fact you immediately lost any sense of credibility or intelligence once you said you would even rather have Kane and his antics.

The insanity of some people.

The grass is greener effect is real, which is why I laugh when I see Strome detractors saying we should trade for Monahan.

 

[rangers1314]

Your kidding yourself if you think you are in the majority that would rather have those guys. In fact you immediately lost any sense of credibility or intelligence once you said you would even rather have Kane and his antics.

The insanity of some people.

"Say what you want about what Sandusky did off the field, but the man could draw up a gameplan! I'd take that guy running my teams defense anyday!"

 

[Kocur Dill]

Let's try to use more PETA-friendly sayings please.

Nuke the gay baby whales for Jesus.

 

[Bluto]

"Say what you want what Sandusky did off the field, but the man could draw up a gameplan! I'd take that guy running my teams defense anyday!"

Kane would sell his kids to sandusky for gambling money to bet on his own games

 

[LORDE]

I mean, we as fans aren't going to see his medicals or get all of the info. I think if the Rangers trade for him it will be because they're confident he will return to normal and not have further issues.

Lev you're a good poster... but when I read this the names Bure, LaFontaine, Lindros & Fleury are screaming in my head.

In those cases the Rangers traded for damaged goods and those players were NEVER the same and were never worth it.

Obv all players and injuries are different but if this turned out to be the exact same result would anyone really be that surprised? Any hockey fan at all?

I guess we have to trust the front office but man We've ALL heard this story so many times before.

 

[haohmaru]

Lev you're a good poster... but when I read this the names Bure, LaFontaine, Lindros & Fleury are screaming in my head.

In those cases the Rangers traded for damaged goods and those players were NEVER the same and were never worth it.

Obv all players and injuries are different but if this turned out to be the exact same result would anyone really be that surprised? Any hockey fan at all?

I guess we have to trust the front office but man We've ALL heard this story so many times before.

+ You just know that whoever we send to Buffalo is just going to light up our asses for the next 10 years. Thanks but no thanks.

 

[ElLeetch]

this is what I want nothing to do With. If we have to pay him 6 mil a year it better be for 7 or 8 years minimum. 6 mil 5 years puts us in a terrible position of re signing him in his prime. No way don’t let it happen drury

6M x 5Y would have been perfect if we had drafted BPA and taken jesper wallstedt

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

"Say what you want about what Sandusky did off the field, but the man could draw up a gameplan! I'd take that guy running my teams defense anyday!"

You knew quite a bit about offenses as well

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Lundqvist for either Turcotte or Kupari. Or another young center.

.

Been saying this for months. Said it on the main boards and was almost attacked through my computer screen by people.

 

[KOVALEV022473]

No Eichel,Bye Tob.