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

[Rongomania]

After game two of the ECF if you told me it was December 2022, we blow, the devils are a powerhouse and Drai punked out trouba in 80's movie high school bully fashion...

I'd have to call bullshit.

What kind of f*cking bizarro world are we living in?

 

[egelband]

Yeah I mean that clip is stomach churning and embarrassing to watch, but what was Trouba supposed to do? Chase Draisatil down and punch him? You're down a goal with 2 minutes left, you want to take a penalty? We have the hindsight knowing we lose this embarrassing game, but at the time we still could've come back. Aside from the ref calling something on Draisaitil there, I'm not sure what else is supposed to happen.

When is the next time we play Edmonton? That's when I'll be keeping my eyes open for some form of retaliation.


Idk, I'm not Trouba's biggest fan and from my couch he wouldn't have been my captain but the room seems to be consensus that he's the guy. He was an important player for this team. He's played like dogs hit this season, no doubt. Maybe injured, maybe not - no excuse. He's sucked this year. He needs to turn it around. But I really don't think he's the captain because of his contact. He really really really needs to get back to his level. Trouba-KAM being a solid pair is foundational to this team's success and BOTH of them have sucked this season and that pair sucking has been integral in the failures of this team this season.

Could have knocked the stick out of the guy’s hands at least. If the refs call it they have to call it on both.

 

[cheech70]

Ryan Reaves skated in 12 of the teams first 15 games this year and was a healthy scratch for the next 5 before being traded to Minnesota.
Does it strike anyone else as odd that he would request a trade so short into this season?
This past season during the playoffs Mika Zibanejad made it known in many interviews that they were all playing for each other and that there was love for each other in that locker room.
Panarin had Strome, Reaves, Lindgren ,Fox and Goodrow. Mika had Kreider. Trouba had his possie of Miller, Schneider, Copp Vatrano and Motte. The Kids had each other.
What changed. Panarin closest teammate Strome left to Anaheim and the player he’s been working with since training camp is not getting into the lineup when healthy. Four of Trouba’s group signed elsewhere and Jacob was named Captain. Did that not sit well with everyone? Did he change for the worse when he went from player to Captain? Did he try to take too much control in the locker room and on the ice?
Why would Reaves demand a trade when he was held out for just a handful of games if this group is so tight? Wouldn’t he want to stay in an environment that was comfortable? He’s was on a team that treats their players well and there’s benefits to playing in a huge Media market like New York. He’s just shy of his 36 birthday what more could he expect from another team?
Just wondering if there is a problem in the locker room. lock this season? Like I said, seems odd.

Needs playing time for a new contract

 

[haohmaru]

Buchnevich hit the NHL 3 years later in his development than Chytil. Let’s see where Chytil is in two years when he hits 25 like Buch was. If you want to compare them fairly.

Meh. I"m also comparing 6 years of NHL experience (Chytil) to 5 and roughly the same amount of NHL games when Buch figured it all out. I hope you're right, though.

 

[RangerBoy]

There are 15 games left in the calendar year, if they don't clear 15 points in that time the season is in jeopardy.

Keep waiting for the bubble to burst in Detroit but it hasn't. Right now nyr and Flo are on the outside looking in. Who is everyone expecting to drop out of the top 8 to let us in, let alone Florida as well?

The top 5 should all be playoff teams

Pitt and Tampa should make it

Again the wings are the team people keep expecting to falter but they haven't yet and even if they do that would leave one spot for nyr or Florida and that doesn't even take into consideration the caps possibly making a run once they get healthy. Nyr is in serious jeopardy regarding a playoff spot and I know it is still kind of early, but in reality it really isn't early anymore. All of this and the team has been generally healthy so far this year, which most likely will not be the case through 82 games.


Again, it's a panarin thing. The guy is so entitled and he is enabled by this coaching staff. Take away his PowerPlay time and see how quickly he starts remembering the details of the game

Halak will need to win a few games. The Rangers have 13 games in 27 days in December.

 

[RangerBoy]

Gallant’s reticence to go with Kravtsov in games with outsized November importance with the winger having played just two games this month and just 52:28 of ice time on the season is understandable. But that is why the Rangers need to get him into games and, essentially, into the season.

To that end, it is believed that there have been constructive discussions between Blueshirts management and Kravtsov’s camp regarding a 14-day conditioning assignment to AHL Wolf Pack. If the 23-year-old does indeed sit out Monday’s contest, it is entirely possible that assignment could come before the Rangers travel to Ottawa for a match on Wednesday.

Under that scenario, Kravtsov would be in line to play five games in eight days for Hartford beginning on Dec. 3. That would give the winger — who has one assist in six games of limited action in which he sustained three different injuries — his best chance of success on Broadway. It would also provide Gallant with more confidence with which to use Kravtsov.

Rangers’ Vitali Kravtsov could be set for AHL stint amid lineup absences

It appears as if Vitali Kravtsov will be a healthy scratch for the sixth straight game on Monday.

nypost.com

 

[RangerBoy]

The $4M cap increase is based on a 75 cent loonie. The loonie is trading at 74/75 cents.

Kreider has a NMC for 23-24. Limited NTC to 15 teams starting in 24-25.

He would need to approve of any trade but the cap increase would put more money into the system starting next season.

Kreider is on pace for 37 goals. The Rangers will have paid off most of the contract after this season with four seasons remaining on the current contract. Kreider has a $2M signing bonus for next season. $3M salary. The Rangers pay the bonus. Hopefully, it's a July 1 bonus. He should have very good trade value. The Rangers have to get Lafreniere into the top 6 on the left side.

 

[kovazub94]

Reavo would've jumped over the bench and chased him down 100%
I've never seen such a disrespectful thing after a goal before with zero retaliation

Just wondering if this is the same alternative reality where Kravtsov is on 150 points per season pace or are your able to live in at least two?

 

[bleedblue94]

Rangers’ Vitali Kravtsov could be set for AHL stint amid lineup absences

It appears as if Vitali Kravtsov will be a healthy scratch for the sixth straight game on Monday.

nypost.com

This stuck out to me:

“My teammates, the trainers, the coaches are all working hard to get me bigger and more ready.”

This goes with what I suspected that he is getting the buchnevich treatment where buch was shutdown and left to focus on body training for a few weeks in season during his rookie year.

 

[bhamill]

Meh. I"m also comparing 6 years of NHL experience (Chytil) to 5 and roughly the same amount of NHL games when Buch figured it all out. I hope you're right, though.

Yeah. I see what you are saying. But really is it fair to compare one player’s 18 to (20 games of) 23 year old seasons to another’s 21 to 25 year old seasons?

 

[CLW]

This stuck out to me:

“My teammates, the trainers, the coaches are all working hard to get me bigger and more ready.”

This goes with what I suspected that he is getting the buchnevich treatment where buch was shutdown and left to focus on body training for a few weeks in season during his rookie year.

That's great news. It's what we said need to happen a few weeks ago.

 

[CLW]

Again, it's a panarin thing. The guy is so entitled and he is enabled by this coaching staff. Take away his PowerPlay time and see how quickly he starts remembering the details of the game

Gallant isn't really a "details" guy. He is a guy who gives his veterans/stars a lot of room to express themselves. It's typical he lobbied the grenade from the latest debacle back to the vets. Ironically most of the Ranger's top offensive players need a structure to base their game on, from there they can improvise which is their strength. Now they (Zib, Panarin, Laffy, Kakko) are kinda lost out there, none of them really in an environment that suits their game.

- Panarin played his best hockey in a stricter environment where his quick mind could shine by doing the unexpected and "break the the pattern" everybody else on the ice follow. Currently, when we are so 'awkward' tactically, he struggles with timing like most everybody else, and he is predictable. Imo it's no surprise he was playing best with Kravtsov early on. Panarin was "coaching" him and Kravy helped him use the entire o-zone and "stretch" the ice E/W which Panarin loves.

- Zib and Kreider are fine together, but Zib is a horse that needs a RW that can spring him. Kakko played well as his RW but you can see why puck movers like Buch and Zucc are better compliments to Zib's speed game, both in the neutral zone and o-zone, which is the key area to Zib's offense. He has to play with speed.

- Kakko thrives in a mobile possession game with 5 players participating.

- Laffy needs more strength and speed, but like Zib he also needs to play with speed under his skates. If he becomes "stagnant/static" he ends up behind the game and disappears. Both are "mercurial" players that need to be in motion. Much of the complaints about Laffy imo are because he is often a step behind play bc systemic/timing/puck movement issues.

The team overall played their best at the very start of the season. They still had the post-season tempo in them, they played with about as balanced lines as they can put out, and they had a clear template to work from. Along the way all of that has been diluted by tinkering. Also the team has to find a way to keep skating against trapping teams. The wonky results, which led to tinkering, started after opponents denied the Rangers speed up the ice with the trap.

A key to improve the overall game is for the D to be smoother (=faster) on starting the transition from the D zone, it has to be immediate, and the forwards need to be better prepared how to turn up the ice as a unit and as puck support/availability for the D. That will unlock the one or two steps the players need to keep their tempo/skating up.

The team needs fine tuning in all three zones, and both PPs, but I don't see it as a talent issue.

 

[haohmaru]

Yeah. I see what you are saying. But really is it fair to compare one player’s 18 to (20 games of) 23 year old seasons to another’s 21 to 25 year old seasons?

If you factor in expectations then, yes. One was drafted 21st and the other 75th. Chytil should have higher expectations.

 

[Machinehead]

I want to clarify, for when I criticize the skill level on this roster, that I'm focusing on particular skills.

People say "but Kreider and Zibanejad are talented players!"

Yes. They're good at what they do. Neither of them are particularly good passers, and aside from Panarin, that's where this forward corps really suffers.

When people talk about all the talent we have, I look at a forward group that's terrible at passing and terrible at skating, and that's where I'm like "where tho???"

 

[irishlaxburger2]

I want to clarify, for when I criticize the skill level on this roster, that I'm focusing on particular skills.

People say "but Kreider and Zibanejad are talented players!"

Yes. They're good at what they do. Neither of them are particularly good passers, and aside from Panarin, that's where this forward corps really suffers.

When people talk about all the talent we have, I look at a forward group that's terrible at passing and terrible at skating, and that's where I'm like "where tho???"

Bingo

 

[EdJovanovski]

I want to clarify, for when I criticize the skill level on this roster, that I'm focusing on particular skills.

People say "but Kreider and Zibanejad are talented players!"

Yes. They're good at what they do. Neither of them are particularly good passers, and aside from Panarin, that's where this forward corps really suffers.

When people talk about all the talent we have, I look at a forward group that's terrible at passing and terrible at skating, and that's where I'm like "where tho???"

Terrible hands too.
I find it hilarious how many fans think we’re too finesse and that we’re just putting on a skills clinic thinking we’re the globetrotters playing pond hockey. I wish that were the case lol, would be a lot more entertaining than whatever this is.

 

[Fitzy]

When people talk about all the talent we have, I look at a forward group that's terrible at passing and terrible at skating, and that's where I'm like "where tho???"

Kreider is a top 5 net front presence in the league with screens/tips/deflections.

Unfortunately it looks like he's regressed to just above average speed.

Zibanejad's got his shot, but he also has extremely underrated defensive awareness and his stick-checking ability is one of the best I've ever seen. For how much he reaches, he gets a lot of contact and rarely takes a tripping penalty. When he's on it's fun to watch.

Rating passing is tough because you've got multiple factors to consider- vision, accuracy, but also judgement. The ability to recognize when to make a risky pass and when to take the safer, more low percentage play is something that's hard to quantify.

Still I agree that our forward group is lacking in that capacity. Kreider and Chytil in particular as skill players are not very good distributors of the puck.

 

[Taluss]

Would be nice to trade Kreider in a lateral move for someone who is more of a passer

Who that guy is Idk. Kinda wishful thinking. But if this keeps up I wouldnt mind a shakeup

 

[Machinehead]

Kreider is a top 5 net front presence in the league with screens/tips/deflections.

Unfortunately it looks like he's regressed to just above average speed.

Zibanejad's got his shot, but he also has extremely underrated defensive awareness and his stick-checking ability is one of the best I've ever seen. For how much he reaches, he gets a lot of contact and rarely takes a tripping penalty. When he's on it's fun to watch.

Rating passing is tough because you've got multiple factors to consider- vision, accuracy, but also judgement. The ability to recognize when to make a risky pass and when to take the safer, more low percentage play is something that's hard to quantify.

Still I agree that our forward group is lacking in that capacity. Kreider and Chytil in particular as skill players are not very good distributors of the puck.

You could probably replace "in the league" with "ever" tbh. At least top 10. He's one of the best crease-cleaners ever.

Basically agree with you 100% but I wanted to give Kreider extra props.

Poor guy has actually become a first-line player despite his limitations on a franchise that seems to specialize in doing the opposite (sorry), and he gets nothing but shit for it.

 

[I Eat Crow]

Ryan Reaves skated in 12 of the teams first 15 games this year and was a healthy scratch for the next 5 before being traded to Minnesota.
Does it strike anyone else as odd that he would request a trade so short into this season?
This past season during the playoffs Mika Zibanejad made it known in many interviews that they were all playing for each other and that there was love for each other in that locker room.
Panarin had Strome, Reaves, Lindgren ,Fox and Goodrow. Mika had Kreider. Trouba had his possie of Miller, Schneider, Copp Vatrano and Motte. The Kids had each other.
What changed. Panarin closest teammate Strome left to Anaheim and the player he’s been working with since training camp is not getting into the lineup when healthy. Four of Trouba’s group signed elsewhere and Jacob was named Captain. Did that not sit well with everyone? Did he change for the worse when he went from player to Captain? Did he try to take too much control in the locker room and on the ice?
Why would Reaves demand a trade when he was held out for just a handful of games if this group is so tight? Wouldn’t he want to stay in an environment that was comfortable? He’s was on a team that treats their players well and there’s benefits to playing in a huge Media market like New York. He’s just shy of his 36 birthday what more could he expect from another team?
Just wondering if there is a problem in the locker room. lock this season? Like I said, seems odd.

This is an indictment on the players rather than the GM or coach. FFS these are grown ass adults. If Trouba is that sad about losing his buddies Copp and Vatrano or if Panarin is sulking about Strome leaving, I'd gladly oblige by dealing them both to Anaheim with Dallas' 1st for Trevor Zegras. Bedard is Anaheim bound anyway, yes? Not enough ice time for all of Zegras, Bedard, and Mactavish in the middle of the ice.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

I actually think the #1 skill our forward group is lacking that all the best teams do is carrying the puck at speed (and further beating defenders 1 on 1) to attack the blueline.

The NYR top players can move the puck well with time and space i.e. on the PP.

They suck at attacking the blueline with speed as a 3+ man unit, backing off defenders and using stickhandling/motion to open up lanes. That is a requirement for creating 5v5 offense in the league right now and the Rangers are terrible at it.

Panarin used to be excellent at this but at this point it's hard to tell if the way he is playing is a stylistic preference or him trying to adapt to aging/losing a step. At this point have to believe it's the latter. Zibanejad is probably the best they have at this right now, but also is not as effective as he used to be. Being stapled to Kreider also limits some of his options as Kreider has never been good at this.

 

[Fitzy]

But in terms of passing and the emergent weakness at RW- Minnesota would be wild to trade Zuccarello, but he's exactly the kind of player the team needs in the top 6.

Zuccarello, Voracek... if NYR wanted to blow their cupboard on a high paid playmaking winger at 50% retention this deadline, they could do it. Then in the offseason you look to move Goodrow or Trouba.

For me Trouba is the obvious candidate to be a cap casualty. 10 bucks says he actually has really good trade value around the league. Schneider has been better (Than he was last year) so far this season, I don't think there's anything in Trouba's game beyond sheer size that a fully developed Schneider couldn't emulate, and the lack of a mirage of offensive production that came from Trouba's days as the Michael Rozsival of the WPJ PP will keep his second contract looking more like Lindgren's.

Kreider-Zibanejad-Kakko
Panarin-Chytil-Zuccarello
Lafreniere-Trocheck-???
???-Goodrow-Gauthier

Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Schneider
Robertson-Jones

Isn't the worst template to build on. If you assume you can get a good energy winger for Trouba in a trade you've effectively balanced the lineup.

 

[Taluss]

But in terms of passing and the emergent weakness at RW- Minnesota would be wild to trade Zuccarello, but he's exactly the kind of player the team needs in the top 6.

Zuccarello, Voracek... if NYR wanted to blow their cupboard on a high paid playmaking winger at 50% retention this deadline, they could do it. Then in the offseason you look to move Goodrow or Trouba.

For me Trouba is the obvious candidate to be a cap casualty. 10 bucks says he actually has really good trade value around the league. Schneider has been better (Than he was last year) so far this season, I don't think there's anything in Trouba's game beyond sheer size that a fully developed Schneider couldn't emulate, and the lack of a mirage of offensive production that came from Trouba's days as the Michael Rozsival of the WPJ PP will keep his second contract looking more like Lindgren's.

Kreider-Zibanejad-Kakko
Panarin-Chytil-Zuccarello
Lafreniere-Trocheck-???
???-Goodrow-Gauthier

Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Schneider
Robertson-Jones

Isn't the worst template to build on. If you assume you can get a good energy winger for Trouba in a trade you've effectively balanced the lineup.

I dont see a Zuc trade happening.

Maybe Trouba can be shipped off to Nucks for something around Boeser or Garland? I dont Watch either player though, not sure how they would fit here

 

[I Eat Crow]

I actually think the #1 skill our forward group is lacking that all the best teams do is carrying the puck at speed (and further beating defenders 1 on 1) to attack the blueline.

The NYR top players can move the puck well with time and space i.e. on the PP.

They suck at attacking the blueline with speed as a 3+ man unit, backing off defenders and using stickhandling/motion to open up lanes. That is a requirement for creating 5v5 offense in the league right now and the Rangers are terrible at it.

Panarin used to be excellent at this but at this point it's hard to tell if the way he is playing is a stylistic preference or him trying to adapt to aging/losing a step. At this point have to believe it's the latter. Zibanejad is probably the best they have at this right now, but also is not as effective as he used to be. Being stapled to Kreider also limits some of his options as Kreider has never been good at this.

Ironically, Scott Gomez was great at exactly this. But agreed on all accounts. Not one player on this team is above average, never mind good at gaining the zone with speed.

 

[AirGut]

Would be nice to trade Kreider in a lateral move for someone who is more of a passer

Who that guy is Idk. Kinda wishful thinking. But if this keeps up I wouldnt mind a shakeup

A swap of Kreider for Nylander could benefit both us and TOR but I figure Drury would be too stubborn to move Kreids.
A top-6 of:

Lafreniere-Zibanejad-Nylander
Panarin-Trocheck-Kakko

would be interesting to see, I think Toronto still craves a power forward like Kreider