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

[ajdj10]

What about Sammy "PP2" Blais? Maybe Drury can try to trade him and a second-rounder for a PPG player...

Why would a GM ever do that kind of a trade?
Oh wait.....

 

[Off Sides]

This coming offseason and the next are the most important that this organization will have in at least the last 25 years. It's a real inflection point on how the next 10 to 15 years are going to go after this one.

The more things change the more they stay the same. The country club Rangers are running the asylum. They're about to get their 3rd coach in the last 5 years fired. At what point do the players look in the mirror and ask themselves if they're part of the problem?

They have a month to turn this year around. If they're out of a playoff spot come New Year's, shut it down the rest of the year. Get Igor a sports psychiatrist and some sleep. The guy looks exhausted and he's putting all of the blame on his shoulders even if he shoulders only part of it. Stop playing Fox 30 minutes a game. He's going to wear down and be a shell of himself by the time he's 30 if you keep running him out there half the game.

This core is rotten. Get them out of here. This team is stuck with Kreider and Trouba until the NMC's turn into limited NTC's. Maybe Panarin asks out once he gets his head out of his ass and realizes what a clown car show he got himself into. Maybe Anaheim wins the Bedard sweepstakes and tries to retool quickly and contend. They'll need defense. Enter Trouba. His wife can find a nice hospital in the hills to practice medicine in.

Panarin at 25% retained and Trouba with the same amount of retention for Trevor Zegras in the summer of 2024. Zegras signs a 1 year deal after this year as he knows the Rangers will need until at least 2024 to clear the cap space for him.

Ask Kreider if he'll waive this summer. He'll still have value a year removed from scoring 52 and likely 30+ this year. Boston looks like they're going to go all in this year and next. The natural fit is Kreider for DeBrusk and a 2024 1st.

Deal Lafreniere to Montreal for their 2023 unprotected 1st ASAP. Just cut the losses on him and get something of value back right now. It's for another lottery ticket but this is the year to have lots of tickets. Keep the 2023 1st rounders and draft your next core of young talent with a new amateur scouting staff this summer and next with two 1st's. The Rangers could very well have two top 10 picks if the wheels really fall off the next few weeks and they acquire Montreal's pick.

Kravtsov is gone for a reclamation project and maybe a 3rd rounder.

This is a significant retool, but it's very desperately needed. This is your core for your next window of contention if this can be pulled off is below:

Adam Fox
Trevor Zegras
Mika Zibanejad
Kappo Kakko
Filip Chytil
Brennan Othmann
K'Andre Miller
Ryan Lindgren (I'd just keep signing him to 2 or 3 year deals until the tape and crazy glue stops working and he literally falls apart)
Braden Schneider
Vince Trochek (I guess)
2023 1st
2023 1st
2023 1st
2024 1st
2024 1st
God forbid some mid round picks hit and be valuable contributors


You still have lots of star power in Zib, Zegras, Fox, and hopefully one the 2023 1sts is a player you can nuture as a top 6 forward out of the gate and one of Othmann or Chytil turns into one too. Tough sledding ahead this year and next, but this core can be very much in it and contending again in three or so years.

Notice how I don't have Shesterkin in here? More ammo to make a run at a shrewd youngish UFA (Aho, Matthews?!?!) to put that core over the top.

While I'd go slightly different on some of this, yes.

Yet to be realistic, no one is trading for the older vets who have clauses.

I mean if that can happen and not be a total drag, sure

At this point, I just hope they do not try to enhance this group of vets. They are just not very good.

I know last year's playoffs seem to say they are good, but they are not. Cinderella run.

I'd just leave the current team alone, they either figure it out or they do not.

At the deadline if they are in playoff position, do nothing, if they are outside there is not much they can do anyway. No one they should send out is really on a contract that any team will want.

Suck it up, use the draft to bolster the next, next rebuild, it's where they are going to end up anyway, might as well have a head start.


More realistically, they'll make some shortsighted moves that end up being a failure in hindsight which will be justified by the current failure which is of their own making.

 

[Brutananadilewski]

Notice how I don't have Shesterkin in here? More ammo to make a run at a shrewd youngish UFA (Aho, Matthews?!?!) to put that core over the top.

Personally, I'm actually sick and tired of us heavily relying on our goalie to keep dragging us into the postseason, where we eventually wither away one way or another.

No, Shesty isn't playing to form like he did last season, but Shesty being on his game hides the many blemishes we have on defense and provides inept coaches their jobs.

I'm seeing Lundqvist in this guy...and I don't like it. I don't want it.

Out of everyone on the team, Shesty will command the king's ransom (No pun intended) in a trade, and if the price is right, you have to pull the trigger.

Could also lead to the domino effect in that players that have those big contracts may want out sooner rather than later.

 

[bhamill]

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

You can have whatever expectations you want. Totally subjective. I’m not comparing expectations. Im comparing players developments. Because that what was done. Chytil at the beginning of his 23 year old season was being compared to Buch at his 25 season. No where was a comparison of value at draft position being talked about.

 

[Waivers]

We are negligent in the dots. The other team is always winning more draws than the Rangers on average per game. That needs to change big time.

 

[QJL]

Updates grades so far relative to expectations. B = as expected

Fox = A
Gauthier = A
Chytil = B+
Trocheck = B
Goodrow = B
Schneider = B
Hajek = B
Vesey = B
Lindgren = B-
Zibanejad = B-
Kakko = B-
Jones = B-
Shesterkin = C+
Kreider = C+
Carpenter = C
Kravtsov = C
Panarin = C
Miller = C-
Blais = D
Halak = D
Lafreniere = F
Trouba = F

3 players performing above expectation
6 players performing at expectation
14 players performing below expectation

 

[haohmaru]

You can have whatever expectations you want. Totally subjective. I’m not comparing expectations. Im comparing players developments. Because that what was done. Chytil at the beginning of his 23 year old season was being compared to Buch at his 25 season. No where was a comparison of value at draft position being talked about.

Yes, I understand - but you're using only one variable (age) in comparing the two. Having higher expectations for a higher draft pick and his development isn't subjective at all - it's realistic. Their development paths are different and there's more to it than just age.

 

[IronBloodedLion]

You’ll never get Jim Dolan to ever agree to a rebuild ever again. I’m really afraid this botched rebuild is going to lead us back to the dark ages.

It’s also appropriate that Drury of all people is the one that’s going to screw this up. Hope it doesn’t ruin his Christmas.

 

[Avery16]

Someone tell Drury this pizza needs to go back in the oven for a few.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Maybe it's time to move Zibanejad to the wing and rethink the PP?

Panarin - Chytil - Kakko
Laffy - Trochek - Zib
Kreider - Goody - Gauts
Blais - Carpenter - Vesey

PP1: Zib - Trochek - Chytil/Kakko - Artemi - Fox

 

[Daves a mess]

Wonder what changes the Rangers can make in the stands. Heard the Devils kicked our asses their too. Got a text from a friend who has had seasons since the early 90s. Said he's never heard anything like it.

Soft everywhere.

 

[McRanger92]

The thing that bothers me about Buchnevich more so than what he actually got, it shows you what Drury values in a player. Tough gritty North American, f*** skill.

Theres nothing about the team Drury built that says "tough and gritty" lol. This team is soft as shit. And no, keeping Reaves wouldn't have changed a thing.

They all look like they are about to cry after the games, it's embarrassing as a fan. They don't even pretend to care on the ice

 

[AirGut]

Wonder what changes the Rangers can make in the stands. Heard the Devils kicked our asses their too. Got a text from a friend who has had seasons since the early 90s. Said he's never heard anything like it.

Soft everywhere.

I felt sick upon hearing it last night
absolutely whipped franchise

I wish we had Matthew Tkachuk
we need to bring in pure unadulterated psychopaths not "Le good guy enforcers" like Reaves. That's the real difference to me right now

 

[IronBloodedLion]

Theres nothing about the team Drury built that says "tough and gritty" lol. This team is soft as shit. And no, keeping Reaves wouldn't have changed a thing.

They all look like they are about to cry after the games, it's embarrassing as a fan. They don't even pretend to care on the ice

We traded Buchnevich to get “tough,” and I’d argue we’re softer now than we were before.

This team gets punched in the face and just go right down. No fight, no response, nothing.

 

[McRanger92]

We traded Buchnevich to get “tough,” and I’d argue we’re softer now than we were before.

This team gets punched in the face and just go right down. No fight, no response, nothing.

And it happens every game. Even last year they were blowing multiple goal leads left and right with Shesty bailing them out, with the last one costing them a 3-0 lead in the ECF. Now that Shesterkin isn't playing at an all-time level (not his fault) theyve already lost at least 4 this year, including 3 in regulation where they didn't even get a point.

The players are predictable on offense and make completely unforced turnovers on every shift, the coach has no answers and Drury hamstrung the team with 25% of the roster being completely useless players (Reaves, Blais, Carpenter, Hajek, Halak)

Coaching change needs to come soon, just to give the team a jolt.

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

 

[IronBloodedLion]

And it happens every game. Even last year they were blowing multiple goal leads left and right with Shesty bailing them out, with the last one costing them a 3-0 lead in the ECF. Now that Shesterkin isn't playing at an all-time level (not his fault) theyve already lost at least 4 this year, including 3 in regulation where they didn't even get a point.

The players are predictable on offense and make completely unforced turnovers on every shift, the coach has no answers and Drury hamstrung the team with 25% of the roster being completely useless players (Reaves, Blais, Carpenter, Hajek, Halak)

Coaching change needs to come soon, just to give the team a jolt.

Absolutely. All the stats said last year that we were bad 5v5, and gave up way too many high danger chances. The difference was Shesterkin having the greatest season we might have ever seen, and a lethal PP1 that covered up a lot of the teams shortcomings.

Now he’s come back down to earth, but the problems are still there. We’re back to being a team that gets off to a lousy start, look unprepared, and show no fight when challenged. Shesterkin struggling is only half the story.

 

[Machinehead]

Said it for years, this team would "tough" or like they care more, or whatever, if the offense was more cohesive.

You look bored and tired and when you can't move the puck down the ice.

At a certain point, you get bored and tired when you can't move the puck down the ice as frustration builds.

 

[NYR Viper]

It's clear to me that Drury recognizes the issue. He has a clear track record in terms of the guys he brought in at last years deadline. Trochek is another high energy, higher speed player and I think that is why they chose him over Copp and I agree with that move. The guys who he has his team drafting and scouting are guys who are more of an in your face, higher energy type. This off-season, I would have preferred he made a couple of different signings but that's water under the bridge as the big contracts were here. The guys need to figure out a way to play at a higher intensity level consistently.

 

[Daves a mess]

I felt sick upon hearing it last night
absolutely whipped franchise

I wish we had Matthew Tkachuk
we need to bring in pure unadulterated psychopaths not "Le good guy enforcers" like Reaves. That's the real difference to me right now

These triple latte drinking marshmallows need a taste of the blue seats from the 80s...

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

The backup goalie issue needs to be resolved. We can't have a backup who simply is incapable of winning games. Halak is 0-5-1 with a 3.20 and an .881. This is not workable. Are we all going to pretend that this doesn't drag the entire team down? Most importantly, doesn't this put crushing pressure on Shesty? The guy can't take a day off because if he does, the team loses. It needs to be fixed, and it's worth spending assets to fix it.

 

[NYR Viper]

The backup goalie issue needs to be resolved. We can't have a backup who simply is incapable of winning games. Halak is 0-5-1 with a 3.20 and an .881. This is not workable. Are we all going to pretend that this doesn't drag the entire team down? Most importantly, doesn't this put crushing pressure on Shesty? The guy can't take a day off because if he does, the team loses. It needs to be fixed, and it's worth spending assets to fix it.

If I recall, his first couple of games should have been wins if the team could score. I'm less concerned with Halak as I am the remainder of the team and I am for sure not willing to spend assets or cap space on another backup goalie.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

If I recall, his first couple of games should have been wins if the team could score. I'm less concerned with Halak as I am the remainder of the team and I am for sure not willing to spend assets or cap space on another backup goalie.

This is just not true. Look at the bulk of the games he has lost for this team. Do you remember that game against Columbus at home? That was his 2nd game. Absolutely abysmal. His Save% started was in the 700's and he had multiple soft goals. He's simply washed up. It is a massive issue and we can all pretend it's no big deal but throughout the season its all about momentum. The boys all know when you put Jaro out there, it;s basically a loss. It's extremely demotivating and again it's just a pressure multiplier for Shesty that he surely does not need.

 

[SA16]

The backup goalie issue needs to be resolved. We can't have a backup who simply is incapable of winning games. Halak is 0-5-1 with a 3.20 and an .881. This is not workable. Are we all going to pretend that this doesn't drag the entire team down? Most importantly, doesn't this put crushing pressure on Shesty? The guy can't take a day off because if he does, the team loses. It needs to be fixed, and it's worth spending assets to fix it.

Well that's a bad way to look at it. Has he been good? No. But he also has allowed more than 3 goals exactly one time. They're 0-4-1 in starts that he's allowed 2,3,3,3,3 goals. That is not what you would expect the record to be with those GA. They haven't allowed many shots in his starts and, good or not, there has definitely been research that shows goalies generally have worse save percentages in games they don't face many shots. He needs to be better but I cannot exactly say he has cost them games when he's had exactly one game where he's really blown up and allowed a bunch in.

It's also not worth fixing. Most backup goalies are bad. They will play zero games in the playoffs. The difference in a goalie with an .895 save percentage and a .905 save percentage over 25ish games is like 0.25 goals/game. The average save percentage of goalies who played 20-30 games a season in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 was .904. 16/41 were below .900. These guys are bad. That's why they're backups.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Well that's a bad way to look at it. Has he been good? No. But he also has allowed more than 3 goals exactly one time. They're 0-4-1 in starts that he's allowed 2,3,3,3,3 goals. That is not what you would expect the record to be with those GA.

There's no statistical support for any of what you just said. His GAA and Save% are absolutely terrible. Those 2 metrics are the gold standard for what is used, and has been used league wide for decades.

Could and should the Rangers be scoring more? Of course. Thats also an issue. I am just pointing out that it's easy to forget the abysmal backup goaltender we have that adds unneeded pressure to Shesty and the entire team. Perhaps I've been spoiled as the Rangers have had decent backup goalies traditionally, but I think it's worth it to try to solve this issue, among a ton of other issues.