Speculation: Roster Building Thread I (2021 Offseason) - And so it begins...

[BBKers]

This outta be an interesting summer after this cataclysmic past year and roller coaster hockey season!
I hope that all of you enjoy it in good health, wealth and spirit!!
Have at it!!!

Click to read more...

 

[426ers]

So many moving parts that will come into play, with cap space, potential trades, Rfa's , Ufa's and rookies trying to make the roster. Let's see what happens. Gonna be wild.

 

[n8]

How is the contract irrelevant if he just signed it and it hasn't kicked in yet? They wouldn't trade a guy they just extended. That's where the conversation about him starts and ends, if you're talking about acquiring him.

I see your point. I think you just assumed I was mind reading. But also, you've heard the phrase "no one is untouchable" and if we're talking roster moves on a forum, why such a large dose of reality? They just resigned him but for the right package, they'd move him. He's currently just their 3rd line center. If they are upgrading their top 6 or top 4 d, then he's got to be negotiable in a give-to-get deal. I was trying to see if he's the type of player we should look to acquire but you went your own way. Other posters seem to provide good answers while bring up the contract situation which is enlightening but if it just starts and ends like that for you, weird to even respond. Thanks for the follow up.

 

[RangerBlues]

I will continue the same message as last off season. and throughout the season.
This team needs CENTERS.
If it had two better centers the team would be in the playoffs.

 

[Machinehead]

Third line centers don't get any better than Chytil. I just wish he could take faceoffs.

 

[dshea19]

Third line centers don't get any better than Chytil. I just wish he could take faceoffs.

I have only two issues with Fil: faceoffs and his desire to try and stick handle through 3 guys at the blue line.

 

[xsniper11x]

We need to reduce the redundancy and diversify the talent pool. While it can be fun having a bunch of East West players blow the doors off PHI and NJ, it’s no fun consistently struggling vs NYI and BOS. I rather be competitive against all four than look like the Globetrotters vs one group and hopeless vs the other.

The question is, who goes? For me, it’s Buch and Strome. If we can convert them into a grinding W that can play with skilled players and a 2 way C, we’re on the right track. That combined w/ a real heavy 4th line and veteran LD to go w/ Nils would go a long way to solving a lot of issues.

Now, what players can we target that fit that mold?

 

[DutchShamrock]

@rangers1314

The main Rangers factor in Chris Drury's David Quinn decision

Brooks thinks DQ is a goner.

drops the usual names plus Roy as guys to look for.

The big take away, or maybe I'm reading into it too much, was this:

And, unfair as this might be, it will not be about whether Quinn deserves another chance off past performance and this time with a roster that is expected to be fortified with players who have attributes he has coveted throughout his tenure.

Coveted throughout his tenure. Kind of explains his roster decisions and minute distribution. Quinn shouldn't covet anyone. He should develop the raw talent he was given instead of burying people he doesn't value.

 

[EdJovanovski]

We need to reduce the redundancy and diversify the talent pool. While it can be fun having a bunch of East West players blow the doors off PHI and NJ, it’s no fun consistently struggling vs NYI and BOS. I rather be competitive against all four than look like the Globetrotters vs one group and hopeless vs the other.

The question is, who goes? For me, it’s Buch and Strome. If we can convert them into a grinding W that can play with skilled players and a 2 way C, we’re on the right track. That combined w/ a real heavy 4th line and veteran LD to go w/ Nils would go a long way to solving a lot of issues.

Now, what players can we target that fit that mold?

Buch & Strome are the ones with the edge
Mika & Kreider are the soft ones

 

[DutchShamrock]

We need to reduce the redundancy and diversify the talent pool. While it can be fun having a bunch of East West players blow the doors off PHI and NJ, it’s no fun consistently struggling vs NYI and BOS. I rather be competitive against all four than look like the Globetrotters vs one group and hopeless vs the other.

The question is, who goes? For me, it’s Buch and Strome. If we can convert them into a grinding W that can play with skilled players and a 2 way C, we’re on the right track. That combined w/ a real heavy 4th line and veteran LD to go w/ Nils would go a long way to solving a lot of issues.

Now, what players can we target that fit that mold?

It doesn't always have to be resolved with trades. Players adapt. There are countless examples of finesse, talented forwards that learned how to add the north-south element to their game.

 

[Matz03]

We need real centers, add a low key ufa like a Wennberg, Granlund or Danault. Go after a 20 yo prospect like Krebs, Vegas has Glass and older players so maybe you can pry him away. Draft another center in the upcoming draft, bpa will likely also be a C in our range in the first. That could be three top 9 center options in just one offseason. I do think we need to shift Chytil to wing, I was a proponent of keeping him at c but now I think his skill set will make him a more dangerous winger. The D will sort itself out with all of the options we have, not worried at all there. You have to move someone like Strome, Kreider or maybe Buch. I’d hate to lose Buch. Strome has been really good but he’s really a winger and we don’t need that. Kreider on the third line doesn’t make much sense if you’re shifting Chytil to wing. I do think there is something to Quinn and bad track record of developing forward.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Third line centers don't get any better than Chytil. I just wish he could take faceoffs.

the best way to improve at C is trade Strome and give Chytil his minutes

 

[xsniper11x]

Buch & Strome are the ones with the edge
Mika & Kreider are the soft ones

I’m not sold on Mika either and Kreider isn’t going anywhere unless he says so. So of the three that are owed extensions (Zib, Strome and Buch), it feel like two need to go to diversify our skillset and Strome is far more one dimensional than Zib is. If all three went I wouldn’t cry, but I also don’t see us shaking things up that much.

 

[Matz03]

the best way to improve at C is trade Strome and give Chytil his minutes

Maybe Chytil isn’t a center after all? Great young player but might be even more effective on the wing.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Maybe Chytil isn’t a center after all? Great young player but might be even more effective on the wing.

he's a center

 

[Matz03]

he's a center

Sure he is now, but might be more effective on the wing. And I was a proponent of keeping him at C.

 

[bobbop]

Off season shopping list;

1. Veteran left hand defenseman with some bite and short contract. Matthias Ekholm would be perfect. Mark Giordano is a nice alternative.

2. Center who can win face offs and bring some bite. Barclays Goodrow please.

3. At least one winger with some sandpaper. Heavyweight standing not a requirement but would be nice. This could go in a lot of different directions. It could also be more than one

4. Monetize some of the players at/near the end of their ELCs who do not figure in the long term plans of the team. I’ll take some more lottery tickets please, especially this year.

 

[Avery16]

Pretty confident we’re leaving Hajek hogtied on the altar of the Krakken. It’s hard to believe he played in 43 games for us this season.

 

[mrmel329]

@rangers1314
The big take away, or maybe I'm reading into it too much, was this:

Coveted throughout his tenure. Kind of explains his roster decisions and minute distribution. Quinn shouldn't covet anyone. He should develop the raw talent he was given instead of burying people he doesn't value.

Well said!!

 

[Kovalev27]

I’m a big fan of fil but I’ll be curious to see if there’s a commitment to Mika and Strome or if we go in another direction.

I always saw fil in that 2C spot but if Strome has solidified himself. I can see fil gone for a more physical two way center that can win face offs and be trusted defensively. Is that the right decision? I don’t know. I think we’ll regret moving him. But I think it’s something to keep an eye on for sure

 

[Avery16]

Could we convince Kreider to waive for Boston? Could we get that fatass Ritchie and Frederic for say DeAngelo and Kreider? They’d have to shed cap, of course.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Below is a list of every player who ever played with and every coach who ever coached Chris Drury starting from his Boston University days. In order to be on this list, they must have played in at least 10 games with Chris and have been a Head Coach up until 2020.

Name	Years as Head Coach	Last League Coached in	Number of Championships
Adam Foote	1	WHL	0
Bob Hartley	25	KHL	5
Sylvain Lefebve	6	AHL	0
Dale Hunter	20	OHL	3
Warren Richel	1	OHL	0
Patrick Roy	13	QMJHL	0
Darryl Sutter	21	NHL	3
Jim Playfair	9	AHL	1
Dave Lowry	7	WHL	0
Bob Boughner	12	NHL	2
Craig Berube	8	NHL	1
Lindy Ruff	20	NHL	0
Scott Arniel	7	AHL	0
Chris Taylor	3	AHL	0
James Patrick	3	AHL	0
Jay McKee	4	OHL	0
Mike Pelino	6	KHL	0
Greg Moore	3	AHL	0
John Tortorella	25	NHL	1
Mike Sullivan	10	NHL	2

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Honorable mention to Todd Gil who stopped coaching in 2019. Gil had 6 years as a Head Coach. Last coached in the OHL with zero championships.

 

[ETTER DE]

Just hope that we dont trade anyone before we know we have something better. If we do, we may soon have to rebuild again.

 

[Good Intentions]

I am ready for the July Chytil trade...

Upon departure on a stormy summer afternoon:

“Oh, we think an awful lot of Fil...” -David Quinn

 

[gravey9]

I’m a big fan of fil but I’ll be curious to see if there’s a commitment to Mika and Strome or if we go in another direction.

I always saw fil in that 2C spot but if Strome has solidified himself. I can see fil gone for a more physical two way center that can win face offs and be trusted defensively. Is that the right decision? I don’t know. I think we’ll regret moving him. But I think it’s something to keep an eye on for sure

While Strome has great chemistry with Panarin, I don't love how they look against teams like the Isles or last year CAR. I don't think those two will be effective playing with each other in the playoffs. And I think Strome doesn't quite do some of the little things you need a center to do in the playoffs -- win a crucial faceoff, win a tough board battle, make sure the puck gets in deep when there's no play, etc. I would love to find a center for Panarin that has size and speed and creates more space for him against bigger, structured teams. But until that player comes along I'm fine holding onto him longer.

I could see us keeping one of Strome/Mika but I can't see both. But we'll see.

Aside from finding us a center who can play hard minutes and is hard to playa against, we still need better leadership in the dressing room. Those two things could be addressed in the same move. That's why I fear Eichel because as good as he is, I don't see the kind of leadership skills we'll need. I still have hope that Laffy can be that. Or maybe Scheider long term. But that's very unclear right now.