Speculation: Roster Building Thread II (2022-23): The Puck is Prepared to be Mounted

[mas0764]

Which can be said for all but 1 team. I think they are better than last year's team prior to the TDL. A few smart additions like last year and who knows.

Sure, but just like every year, renting ends up being a bad proposition for most, really almost all, of those teams, cause the main drivers of the teams are really just not able to keep up with the star players on the lead contender(s), no matter how many middle six forwards you overpay for.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Why is it a foregone conclusion that we are?

I just feel its like Rick Nash, like Brad Richards, Keith Yandle, like Panarin, all signs point to it happening, had the same feeling with all those guys too.

They really just need Kakko and Laf to be the elite players that they should be in their 3rd and 4th seasons from being drafted. Barkov was 0.85 ppg his fourth year. Svechnikov was at 0.88 ppg. Kakko has showed SOME signs of being able to approach that number, ie, with his 10 points in 13 games stretch he's on, but he's gotta keep that up and he can't go cold like he so often does.

Laf's most common quality-comp as a prospect, MacKinnon, was at .072 ppg in his third year. If they could each be doing that, we'd be in decent shape. Still wouldn't be calling us favorites, but we'd be in much better shape.

I dont think anyone was thinking we got MacKinnon when we drafted Lafreniere did we? Like MacKinnon is a top 5 forward in the league, Huberdeau was a more likely comparison.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Steve Valiquette said on the latest podcast with Staple the Rangers forward group is pretty set in stone. There are going to be a couple of adds at the trade deadline just like last season. The D pairings have been good with Harpur on the bottom pair. First PP unit is set. First unit PK with Zibanejad and Kreider is set. Goodrow and Vesey on the second unit on the PK. The goaltending is in good shape with Halak putting three good performances together. Steve also said Kakko shouldn’t be taken off the first line with Zibanejad and Kreider.

Some of these rentals. Do they really move the needle? You make a move but how much better is the team?
The Rangers need another experienced D who can play 12-14 minutes per game. I read the Rangers are among the teams which has expressed interest in Gavrikov but Columbus wants a 1st and 3rd for him. Columbus is trying to sign the player to an extension but the player is looking for a big deal. Gavrikov is too expensive. The Rangers shouldn't/aren't paying a 1st and 3rd to rent a bottom pair D who they can't afford to re-sign. The Rangers top 4 is set. Lindgren and Miller will be used on the PK. The Rangers need an upgrade over Harpur and Hajek. Keep Harpur at the 6/7. Send Hajek in the deal for the other D.

The Rangers don't need a high profile forward rental because that player isn’t playing on the first unit PP. The asking price is a first round pick at the minimum for a high profile rental. Whether or not a team will get it is another story. Kane has a bad knee. Double retention. Tarasenko has a broken hand. A goal scorer with a broken hand. He is out for four weeks. The Blues have played better since ROR and Tarasenko left the lineup. Scheen and Saad have woken up. The Blues are starting a seven game home stand this week. They are a streaky team. The Blues don't want to be sellers. They had a big win last night in Minnesota after losing a brutal game to Montreal. Greiss was excellent. Binnington stinks. Last season the Blues had Husso when Binningtom struggled. Husso is now in Detroit. They beat Toronto, Jersey and Minnesota and lost to Montreal. Zuccarello missed the Wild games in Buffalo and the Blues at home. He is scheduled to make the road trip to New York. Unknown whether or not Zuccarello plays tomorrow night.

The Rangers don't need a center rental because they don't need a center. ROR has a broken foot and he will miss six weeks. Gallant doesn't believe in checking lines. Horvat is a top 2 center. The Rangers have Zibanejad and Trocheck signed long term. Rangers can't afford Horvat's next contract. Toews isn't much of a player these days. He makes too money and a team will need double retention.

The Rangers had a better record last season. The Rangers are deeper this season with Kakko being healthy. He was injured this time last season. He had the wrist/hand injury/surgery. Kakko is also playing better. Hunt and Gauthier were seeing minutes in the top 9. Vesey is an upgrade over what the Rangers had on the team at this time last season. Chytil is better this season than he was last season at this time

On the podcast, Arthur and Steve were debating on whether or not to give Lafreniere another look in the top 6 on RW.

Which top 6/9 winger are the Rangers acquiring? Does that player make them better? What does it mean for Kravtsov? Some of these players are playing on lousy teams and they haven’t played a meaningful game in a couple of years.

Dadonov is having an awful season. He was a good player in Vegas. He should not cost much as a rental. $5M cap hit. Montreal retains money.

This is from last summer.



Put Dadonov on a wing with Panarin. He could be a good guy for Kravtsov too off the ice. His even strength numbers were good in Vegas last season.

I dont mind that gamble but it has to be cheap. However,whats wrong with leaving Kravtsov there? He seems to be getting more comfortable every game, at some point we gotta put some trust in the kids and let their confidence grow, no better time than from now til the deadline. Adding him to the 3rd line with chytil and Lafreniere and having a 4th line of vesey goodrow and gauthier would be good.

 

[mas0764]

I just feel its like Rick Nash, like Brad Richards, Keith Yandle, like Panarin, all signs point to it happening, had the same feeling with all those guys too.


I dont think anyone was thinking we got MacKinnon when we drafted Lafreniere did we? Like MacKinnon is a top 5 forward in the league, Huberdeau was a more likely comparison.

The most common refrain I saw about Lafreniere was "not generational like Crosby or McDavid, not the next tier like Matthews either. The tier after that, like MacKinnon." MacKinnon hadn't won a Cup at that time but he was coming off three straight 90 point seasons, and yes, I do think that's what people thought of Lafreniere. Not a center, so knock off another half point, but a winger with size like MacKinnon and able to put up 90+ points with relative consistency.

Kakko I think was supposed to be more of the Barkov/Huberdeau level.

 

[surlysailor]

Goodbye Othmann. I just have a gut feeling the way Drury has made bonehead trades. Too much grit in that player for this soft core. Hope I am wrong.

This is a bad take. Literally all drury has done since being gm is trying to add grit. Traded buch for blais “cause he plays the right way” traded for goodrow(paid him for way too long), reeves. Drafted othmann & sykora with is first 2 picks in each draft. Both kids have some skill but play with an edge or are consider a pest. Even at the trade deadline he added copp who plays tough. Also the reason they wanted troch over any other c was because he plays a two way game and doesn’t shy away from contact. Maybe he doesn’t fight but fighting doesn’t mean much unless it’s Wilson type of incident, which hasn’t happened.

 

[LORDE]

I agree. I think if they keep all their young players and their high picks we can make 10 years of playoff appearances. Trade 4th round picks for depth and hope for the best.

I’m on board w this.

I think the thought process that “We’re close” is fools gold so trading youth or 1st rd pick(s)
Should be off the table

It won’t be how they do it but it should be the mode they’re in.

 

[Avery16]

Shesty isn’t going to put up .936 again this year

We also can’t count on facing only backup and AHL goalies in the playoffs again.

 

[pld459666]

Strongest disagree ever. Environment isnt good but there is nothing that will change how players are in their heart of hearts if they don't want to.

Coaches just don't matter like that. They're not on the ice. Gaborik didn't change for Torts. Rangers have like 6 guys like that. They're also the best players on the team.

They already told the last coach too f***ing bad I'll play how I want and got him fired for the sin of *checks notes* wanting less E/W bullshit. Not even two years ago!

You either have to be tjat type of player, or everything else is inconsistent and with a serious lack of commitment.

 

[CLW]

The gap between developing forwards vs defenceman is absurd. Schneider, Miller, Lundkvist and Jones are all going to be solid NHL players, first three have first pairing potential. The highest pick of those four is Schneider at 19.
Then you take a look at our forwards. You have Laf, Kakko, Kravtsov, Chytil and Andersson (lol). Four of those picks are in the top 10, two of the four are the numbers 1 and 2. At this point Kakko is the only one trending to be top-6 forward who can score. The defensive minded philosophy they have when developing forwards is just plain dumb. Just take a look at how the Devils are handling Hughes in his fourth season in the NHL. They went out and signed a player who can defend, Jack mainly plays wing in his own end and almost never is the first man to take a face-off. He is given the freedom to go out there and do his thing.

Hardworking grit really is the ideal of this club when it comes to forwards.

Thriving on the World Stage | New York Rangers

Several Rangers prospects played significant role for their respective countries at 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship

www.nhl.com

"Othmann has been doing a lot of the dirty work in this tournament and hasn't gotten rewarded as much on the scoresheet," Ortmeyer said. "He shows up every game with big hits, getting in on the forecheck, and being hard to play against and getting under the other team's skin.

"You can also see that Othmann is a more complete player in this tournament than he was in the summer. I think that's why his line has had success, because he's been a driving force on that line regardless if he's getting points on the scoresheet. He's playing a more detailed, hard game that we've come to expect from him."

"Sykora's energy, his forechecking ability, and his tenacity enabled him to break up plays that ultimately benefited his linemates, and they were getting points," Ortmeyer said. "He was kind of the straw that stirred the drink for his line and his team, and you could see that every time he was on the ice. That's what we love about him. He's a guy who brings it every shift and you know what you're going to get from him. And he has the ability to finish and score, even if he didn't get rewarded on the scoresheet in this tournament.

[Etc. with similar words for Väisänen and Chmelar...]

 

[pld459666]

Hardworking grit really is the ideal of this club when it comes to forwards.

Thriving on the World Stage | New York Rangers

Several Rangers prospects played significant role for their respective countries at 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship

www.nhl.com

"
"You can also see that Othmann is a more complete player in this tournament than he was in the summer. I think that's why his line has had success, because he's been a driving force on that line regardless if he's getting points on the scoresheet. He's playing a more detailed, hard game that we've come to expect from him."

[Etc. with similar words for Väisänen and Chmelar...]

There goes any hope of offensive production from Othmann.

This franchise is clueless on how to develop skilled forwards.

 

[duhmetreE]

Quinn pushed him his first year? It looked a lot like he gave him free reign and it paid off.

It was still in his game.

Now he has complete free reign and he believes he’s transcended working hard/skating. He’s above it…. When it’s working hard along with his skill set that allowed him to have one of the best seasons from a New York Rangers forward.

 

[RangerBoy]

Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek mentioned Kane on the new episode of 32T. Elliotte said Kane has been dealing with an injury for a while and there are rumblings/speculation about Kane needing to have a clean up. Elliotte speculated Kane would have the clean up/surgery and the Hawks will shut him down for the rest of this season. The Hawks and Kane agree to terms on a one year extension. Kane has missed the last two games with a knee injury.

I just feel its like Rick Nash, like Brad Richards, Keith Yandle, like Panarin, all signs point to it happening, had the same feeling with all those guys too.


I dont think anyone was thinking we got MacKinnon when we drafted Lafreniere did we? Like MacKinnon is a top 5 forward in the league, Huberdeau was a more likely comparison.

Keith Tkachuk was linked to the Rangers numerous times in his career. JT Miller looked like a done deal to come back to NY.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Have seen a few pieces from Seravalli (not sure how reliable he is these days) saying essentially the below on the Panthers:

Perhaps the priority is setting the table for the summer, where they hope to rebound, maybe by offloading a talented forward like Sam Reinhart or Sam Bennett for futures, to then try and add a top defenseman.

Bennett is a guy the NYR should be in on if he is available.

2023 Trade Deadline Countdown: Eastern Conference Objectives

Less than two months from the deadline, which East teams are trending toward buyer, seller or something in between?

www.dailyfaceoff.com

 

[bhamill]

The most common refrain I saw about Lafreniere was "not generational like Crosby or McDavid, not the next tier like Matthews either. The tier after that, like MacKinnon." MacKinnon hadn't won a Cup at that time but he was coming off three straight 90 point seasons, and yes, I do think that's what people thought of Lafreniere. Not a center, so knock off another half point, but a winger with size like MacKinnon and able to put up 90+ points with relative consistency.

Kakko I think was supposed to be more of the Barkov/Huberdeau level.

Yup. What I remember was a MacKinnon type potential. Or at least that’s the scouting that I felt was accurate, I’m sure there were outliers that said possible generational and the like.

 

[RangerBoy]

Have seen a few pieces from Seravalli (not sure how reliable he is these days) saying essentially the below on the Panthers:



Bennett is a guy the NYR should be in on if he is available.

2023 Trade Deadline Countdown: Eastern Conference Objectives

Less than two months from the deadline, which East teams are trending toward buyer, seller or something in between?

www.dailyfaceoff.com

$4.45M cap hit for two more seasons. That's an issue.

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

I just feel its like Rick Nash, like Brad Richards, Keith Yandle, like Panarin, all signs point to it happening, had the same feeling with all those guys too.

if that's how you felt about all those guys i get it. except for one. richards? really? i counted 3 teams that he played with that made cup finals.

 

[Dijock94]

I’m on board w this.

I think the thought process that “We’re close” is fools gold so trading youth or 1st rd pick(s)
Should be off the table

It won’t be how they do it but it should be the mode they’re in.

If they have any clue on where they are as an organization their true “core” is:

Chytil
Kakko
Lafreniere
Kravtsov
Othmann

Fox
Lindgren
Miller
Schneider

2 first rounders this year ++++

 

[IDvsEGO]

I just feel its like Rick Nash, like Brad Richards, Keith Yandle, like Panarin, all signs point to it happening, had the same feeling with all those guys too.


I dont think anyone was thinking we got MacKinnon when we drafted Lafreniere did we? Like MacKinnon is a top 5 forward in the league, Huberdeau was a more likely comparison.

Wasnt the comparison with huberdeau not in terms of ceiling but in terms of play style?

Laf was considered on the talent level of mackinnon, but his play style was a higher end version of huberdeau.
Which was why the focus on laf to "learn defense first" seemed really bad, because huberdeau (who gallant coached) is terrible at it.

If they have any clue on where they are as an organization their true “core” is:

Chytil
Kakko
Lafreniere
Kravtsov
Othmann

Fox
Lindgren
Miller
Schneider

2 first rounders this year ++++

I mean you also have a top 5 goaltender on an absolute value contract.
Hard not to want to go for it, when in 3 years shesty is going to be making 9m+

 

[Lion Hound]

Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek mentioned Kane on the new episode of 32T. Elliotte said Kane has been dealing with an injury for a while and there are rumblings/speculation about Kane needing to have a clean up. Elliotte speculated Kane would have the clean up/surgery and the Hawks will shut him down for the rest of this season. The Hawks and Kane agree to terms on a one year extension. Kane has missed the last two games with a knee injury.


Keith Tkachuk was linked to the Rangers numerous times in his career. JT Miller looked like a done deal to come back to NY.

Literally every trade deadline Keith Tkachuk was linked to the Rangers. The deal that never happened!

 

[Rangers in 7]

I just feel its like Rick Nash, like Brad Richards, Keith Yandle, like Panarin, all signs point to it happening, had the same feeling with all those guys too.


I dont think anyone was thinking we got MacKinnon when we drafted Lafreniere did we? Like MacKinnon is a top 5 forward in the league, Huberdeau was a more likely comparison.

been saying it since he was drafted

 

[Dijock94]

Wasnt the comparison with huberdeau not in terms of ceiling but in terms of play style?

Laf was considered on the talent level of mackinnon, but his play style was a higher end version of huberdeau.
Which was why the focus on laf to "learn defense first" seemed really bad, because huberdeau (who gallant coached) is terrible at it.


I mean you also have a top 5 goaltender on an absolute value contract.
Hard not to want to go for it, when in 3 years shesty is going to be making 9m+

Even if he’s making that much he still fits in with the younger core of players timeline. We have a lot of money tied up in older players, but if they can continue to draft and develope and add to the younger core we have a long run of playoff appearances and cup chances.

 

[GAGLine]

Have seen a few pieces from Seravalli (not sure how reliable he is these days) saying essentially the below on the Panthers:



Bennett is a guy the NYR should be in on if he is available.

2023 Trade Deadline Countdown: Eastern Conference Objectives

Less than two months from the deadline, which East teams are trending toward buyer, seller or something in between?

www.dailyfaceoff.com

Why? We are already set at center, and we don't have the cap space to make a futures deal for him.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Why? We are already set at center, and we don't have the cap space to make a futures deal for him.

I was under the impression that he played RW as well. Can serve a Goodrow-like role up and down the lineup while being a much better player. Agree cap probably doesn't work barring another unexpected move.

 

[Machinehead]

You know what this team really, really needs?

What Laf and Kakko were projected to be. We need those guys.

 

[mas0764]

If they have any clue on where they are as an organization their true “core” is:

Chytil
Kakko
Lafreniere
Kravtsov
Othmann

Fox
Lindgren
Miller
Schneider

2 first rounders this year ++++

Yes, yes, yes.

And move Kreider and Trouba when feasible to add to that young core.

Zibanejad and Panarin can stay as the grizzled vets.