Speculation: Roster Building/Rumor Thread XVIII

[East Coast Bias]

seriously this.

we were told to brace for some skill for grit trades but now it kind of looks like we are just bringing in a new third line and not changing anything else.

they really need to impress with that last LHD spot and swing a good center. Promoting Chytil to 2C is ideal but Zibanejad really worries me right now.

They definitely should not be signing anyone to significant term until they figure out center. Its going to cost a lot whether it's a new Mika deal, upgrading Strome, Eichel, etc. But there's 2 C spots that need to be figured out long term. They cannot be bringing in any more guys in UFA that don't contribute to fixing the C position

 

[Kovalev27]

seriously this.

we were told to brace for some skill for grit trades but now it kind of looks like we are just bringing in a new third line and not changing anything else.

they really need to impress with that last LHD spot and swing a good center. Promoting Chytil to 2C is ideal but Zibanejad really worries me right now.

I was just saying this before the page reloaded and once again deleted what I was writing. But no one should be surprised we’re moving some skill for will. The only two real movable guys are buchy and Strome. And IMO Strome is going to be replaced by more of a two way guy not another scorer.

 

[pld459666]

You are getting that correct. I dont like or believe in the value Danault would bring at the numbers he wants.

I am also only interested in Coleman if the numbers come down to say 5 years x $4.5 AAV. They probably wont, at which point I would look to Suter or Martinez. Those will likely be the priority anyway. And then we look for value in the forward group.

Fair.

If I could get Danault at 5.5 over 6, I'm all over that.

 

[eco's bones]

Size isn’t all about height. Letang and McAvoy are built like tanks. Fox, Lundkvist, Jones and Reunanen are not. Fox is a master at avoiding hits while maintaining good position. Very, very few can do that. I don’t worry about him.

 

[Ola]

If we trade Strome and don't make any other trades/signings, we just became a significantly worse team.

Yeah, like there is a significant risk at least if we do. Or we would have some cap space, so I reckon some depth would be brought in at least. Think some improvements are coming from Gallant alone.

But this is why I am a bit surprised by how many and persistent the rumors are about Strome. Even if you don’t believe in him long term — which probably includes a significant investment in him for the coming 6-7 years at least — he is a “safe” option as a self rental.

 

[Kovalev27]

With a new coach in gallant, the moves we’ve already made, Danault and a resigned Mika plus a veteran LD IMO opens our window of contention right now.

 

[eco's bones]

I suspect the Rangers are going to bring in a vet LD and Jones, Robertson and Reunanen are earmarked for Hartford. One of Schneider and Lundkvist will probably end up there too. The LD coming in could be a younger guy like a Lauzon, Dermott or a McCabe or an older more established vet like a McNabb, Soucy or a Cole. I do think the Rangers are going to want some physical presence out of the player.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I think the chances of them signing Danault are almost zero

if you sign him you’re basically locked into this team for the foreseeable future and I doubt that’s what Drury wants

 

[eco's bones]

I also don’t think the Rangers are at all ready to move on from Trouba. He has size and physical presence…..also he’s a matchup and leadership guy and if I were to guess he’s the next Rangers captain.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

- Per Friedman; Big week for potential Jack Eichel trade, free agency predictions

Eichel's reps were very candid when asked directly by a reputable source. Eichel is not staying. Eichel also still wants (possibly needs) surgery.

No reports at all of any team ever seeing Eichel's medicals yet. No deals ever reported close. Imagine the Rangers offered what was being asked for, then saw the medicals and backed out? Wouldn't take a team of geniuses for the rest of the front offices to get the hint. Buffalo played this whole Eichel situation terribly.

If I’m not mistaken, Eichel is due a signing bonus on FA day. If we make it to there without a deal, I think we’re gonna see some fireworks out of Eichel’s camp.

 

[Kovalev27]

I think the chances of them signing Danault are almost zero

if you sign him you’re basically locked into this team for the foreseeable future and I doubt that’s what Drury wants

I don’t understand isn’t that the point? Lock in a core you believe can win? If he feels Danault solidifies the middle with Mika and Chytil he’s going to want to get them all signed for the foreseeable future no?

 

[Ola]

Size isn’t all about height. Letang and McAvoy are built like tanks. Fox, Lundkvist, Jones and Reunanen are not. Fox is a master at avoiding hits while maintaining good position. Very, very few can do that. I don’t worry about him.

Getting size at D has become a trend. I talked about it 3-4 years ago at least when there were a lot of focus on smaller Ds. One of the reasons for that is that it had been very valuable in the SHL to have size at D, and I had a hard time not seeing it translating to the NHL.

MTL had a lot of success with their Big 4. Tampa obviously has only targeted bigger D for a long time. But I actually think the need for size in the blue line will become more nuanced with time. I’ve seen talk about how you maybe can afford 1 or 2 non-big Ds. I could actually see the split being more 3:3 — if used correctly. And that includes a bigger defensive D pairing. There are many shifts in a game that is about closing things down. Attack may be the best defense, but if a team is up a goal with a minute left, you don’t often see that team spending 60 second in the attacking zone. You got the PK minutes against the top PP units. You got FOs in your own end.

My point is just that you can get a ton of size at D — for the right shifts — even if you just have one bigger D pair. And if you have a mixed pairing, it can take the rest.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I don’t understand isn’t that the point? Lock in a core you believe can win? If he feels Danault solidifies the middle with Mika and Chytil he’s going to want to get them all signed for the foreseeable future no?

I would assume he’d like to see them actually make the playoffs before getting locked into anything long term

but idk

Drury has something planned because you can’t trade Strome and not bring in some sort of 3C to backfill Chytil (unless the plan is too shift Goodrow to center)

 

[Raspewtin]

All I know is Kakko and Laf better have great seasons cause it feels like we are bleeding offensive talent and not getting any of significance back.

 

[McRanger92]

I think the problem the Rangers are trying to solve is the issue of not being able to win games that dont suit their strengths. The team has worlds of skill and can score at will when they are on, but the issue is when another team takes away their rush/slot line chances. The moves they are making signal to me that they are trying to build a team that can win in multiple ways. That is truly the Tampa model.

No one is arguing that Coleman/Goodrow/Maroon were the reason the Lighting have won back 2 back cups, but adding them gave Tampa the ability to win with skill AND to win games they could grind out against teams that could neutralize their top guys. Look no further than Game 7 against the Islanders.

The Rangers are a playoff team last year if they didnt constantly get off to sluggish starts, give up back breaking goals late and blow 3rd period leads. Drury is trying to correct those issues, and im willing to see how the team looks on opening day before I crucify him

 

[Kovalev27]

All I know is Kakko and Laf better have great seasons cause it feels like we are bleeding offensive talent and not getting any of significance back.

I think you have to expect your first and 2nd overall picks to under a real coach to perform. These kids have never not had top 6 mins in their lives. Definitely time to let them fly.

 

[bleedblue94]

If I’m not mistaken, Eichel is due a signing bonus on FA day. If we make it to there without a deal, I think we’re gonna see some fireworks out of Eichel’s camp.

The signing bonus is next year as is his ntc. He had a signing bonus last summer as well, but there isn't one this year, just the flat 10mil salary

 

[Raspewtin]

I think you have to expect your first and 2nd overall picks to under a real coach to perform. These kids have never not had top 6 mins in their lives. Definitely time to let them fly.

yes, for sure. idk Drury has just not inspired confidence at this point. He has a tough situation with the C position and he basically needs to solve it asap.

 

[bleedblue94]

I think the problem the Rangers are trying to solve is the issue of not being able to win games that dont suit their strengths. The team has worlds of skill and can score at will when they are on, but the issue is when another team takes away their rush/slot line chances. The moves they are making signal to me that they are trying to build a team that can win in multiple ways. That is truly the Tampa model.

No one is arguing that Coleman/Goodrow/Maroon were the reason the Lighting have won back 2 back cups, but adding them gave Tampa the ability to win with skill AND to win games they could grind out against teams that could neutralize their top guys. Look no further than Game 7 against the Islanders.

The Rangers are a playoff team last year if they didnt constantly get off to sluggish starts, give up back breaking goals late and blow 3rd period leads. Drury is trying to correct those issues, and im willing to see how the team looks on opening day before I crucify him

That is exactly why they aren't a playoff team without some significant changes. Coaching will def help but at the end of the day the players are responsible for what you described. Each of those things is as much about mental state and preparation of the athletes as it is anything else, and is a part of why the roster was in need of a change not just in style but in mindset.

 

[eco's bones]

Getting size at D has become a trend. I talked about it 3-4 years ago at least when there were a lot of focus on smaller Ds. One of the reasons for that is that it had been very valuable in the SHL to have size at D, and I had a hard time not seeing it translating to the NHL.

MTL had a lot of success with their Big 4. Tampa obviously has only targeted bigger D for a long time. But I actually think the need for size in the blue line will become more nuanced with time. I’ve seen talk about how you maybe can afford 1 or 2 non-big Ds. I could actually see the split being more 3:3 — if used correctly. And that includes a bigger defensive D pairing. There are many shifts in a game that is about closing things down. Attack may be the best defense, but if a team is up a goal with a minute left, you don’t often see that team spending 60 second in the attacking zone. You got the PK minutes against the top PP units. You got FOs in your own end.

My point is just that you can get a ton of size at D — for the right shifts — even if you just have one bigger D pair. And if you have a mixed pairing, it can take the rest.

It seems to me that the deeper you go into the NHL playoffs the more the refs put their whistles away. So for instance a guy like Sergachev this year (who isn’t real small but for Tampa is on the smaller side) is less effective than a Luke Schenn or a David Savard. He’s not getting a lot of power play time because he’s second to Hedman and the refs aren’t calling shit and he’s constantly wrestling with opponents in front of his net or getting hammered in the open ice or into the boards.

Compared to Sergachev some of our D are small. That said trends do change from time to time and NHL hockey 10 years ago is not like today.

 

[pld459666]

seriously this.

we were told to brace for some skill for grit trades but now it kind of looks like we are just bringing in a new third line and not changing anything else.

they really need to impress with that last LHD spot and swing a good center. Promoting Chytil to 2C is ideal but Zibanejad really worries me right now.

If the thought was that we were trading Buchnevich for a grittier version, then we would have been the party adding.....significantly

 

[Kovalev27]

I mean this really says it all. When you have Mika and Chytil as your other two centers if you can support them with a guy that does this? You’re winning a lot of games

 

[JimmyG89]

If Chytil is going to take 2C reps, he is going to need to get a little better on draws. I'll give him a break at times last season since he did get a hand injury and came back probably before he was 100%, but it has to improve in general. He can't be tied to Kreider and have him take draws for him in that role.

Also, with moving Buchnevich, Chytil could slide to RW. We've been penciling in Kakko and Kravtsov as the top 2 RWs, but if Chytil moves to wing, it opens up a center spot to add to the roster, even without moving Strome, or Goodrow moves back into the middle.

Lafreniere-Zibanejad-Kakko
Panarin-Strome-Chytil
Kreider-Goodrow-Kravtsov
Barron-Rooney-Blais

Of course we are still waiting to see if Eichel is moved here. Chytil is probably in that package. This bottom 6 has some skill on it and size. I would like Richards to get a shot at the 4C role in camp, even with them protecting Rooney.

 

[bleedblue94]

I mean this really says it all. When you have Mika and Chytil as your other two centers if you can support them with a guy that does this? You’re winning a lot of games

Can you translate what I'm looking at please

 

[Raspewtin]

If the thought was that we were trading Buchnevich for a grittier version, then we would have been the party adding.....significantly

I don't think you needed to get a player equal to Buchnevich. Someone like Marcus Foligno or whatever. I wasn't expecting a Matthew Tkachuk.