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

[Guyute]

Dolan is such a clown.

Imagine being an ovarian lottery winner with a lifelong history of failure (whether it be business, sports, or other), and still believing you know what it takes to build a winning team.

Jim, if you are reading, give it up already. You are a loser.

 

[gravey9]

The accountability thing was actually the line from Vince too on the show with Jeff Marek, not bringing ownership into it or talking about his job status though. It's interesting because I don't think that's a focus here compared to the kids doing nothing and the games being hard to watch

Well and Mollie mentioned it on Up in the Blue Seats too.

Dolan is such a clown.

Imagine being an ovarian lottery winner with a lifelong history of failure (whether it be business, sports, or other), and still believing you know what it takes to build a winning team.

Jim, if you are reading, give it up already. You are a loser.

I couldn't agree you with more. Charles Dolan - visionary. James Dolan -- the opposite of that.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

wait, is that from Tonight?

FWIW, and I know this is a separate bit of info. But James Dolan just basically laid off a ton of people at AMC and their other networks. Heads are rolling. And he's in a penny pinching mode at least in the other portions of their business. It doesn't mean anything necessarily. But it is human nature when going through a major change and restructuring to keep going.

But that said, you know what we HAVEN'T heard yet. Usually when a coach is truly on the hot seat, the GM comes out and gives them a vote of confidence. We're not hearing that yet. And I would think, if Dolan wanted accountability and Drury took no responsibility either, that wouldn't be great for him too. What's Jeff Gorton doing these days anyways? oh right, he's busy saving the Habs.

4:30 P.M. eastern time today.

 

[EdJovanovski]

I think a lot of this may be a snowball effect of giving an absolute buffoon the C.

 

[gravey9]

Going to go on record here and say this: I really only want two extremes to happen for the rest of this season. Either the team turns it around and we end up going deep into the playoffs or we suck bad enough to find ourselves out of the race with 30 games to go and we just give the keys the kids for the remainder of the season and start conserving the vets for next year. I'm really concerned that our success is based on the kids taking a giant step forward but in same breath we're not giving them far more responsiibility and leeway. Laffy and Kakko need to get far more PP time. They just do. We need to get them going. Give them 10-15 easy points. Move Tro off the top unit. Not because he deserves teh demotion, but because he got his bag. He's a vet whose reached his ceiling. We need to know what we have in Kakko and Laff and don't think for a minute they don't know they're being held back at this point. They know. Kakko had to negotiate his deal and was not thrilled with getting lowballed. And Laffy is facing the same this offseason. We must must must find a way to give them more responsibility.

 

[gravey9]

Finally, at this juncture in the season, we really do need to ask:

Are we just hitting the wall that so many teams hit after getting to conference finals the year before? Are we just too banged up to play a full 60? I mean even Tampa would phone it in unilt the last 3rd of the season when they were winning b2b.

Or -- is it just lack of structure and attention to detail? ie bad coaching mixed with other teams having scouted us thoroughly during the POs?

I keep waffling back and forth on this one. My gut says that its a combo. And we'll never know because of how tightlipped the Rangers are about injuries and fatigue. I worry for Adam Fox. We have zero depth on D right now so we're forced to play an injured Lindgren and an injured Trouba. We have literally no other options.

 

[Guyute]

I couldn't agree you with more. Charles Dolan - visionary. James Dolan -- the opposite of that.

The cable industry is in shambles right now.

The light at the end of the tunnel is appearing for every Knicks and Rangers fan. Dolan just needs to be his usual self and his businesses will crumble.

Straight Shot Jimmy’s infamous impatience and myopia will force him to sell the franchises. His businesses will fail either in his lifetime or his kids’ (my lord, they must be a talented crew).

When they make the ‘Winning Time’ style shows and documentaries, JD will be remembered as one who, in spite of being granted every advantage at birth, not only lost, but was the sucker, in every venture.

 

[CLW]

Going to go on record here and say this: I really only want two extremes to happen for the rest of this season. Either the team turns it around and we end up going deep into the playoffs or we suck bad enough to find ourselves out of the race with 30 games to go and we just give the keys the kids for the remainder of the season and start conserving the vets for next year. I'm really concerned that our success is based on the kids taking a giant step forward but in same breath we're not giving them far more responsiibility and leeway. Laffy and Kakko need to get far more PP time. They just do. We need to get them going. Give them 10-15 easy points. Move Tro off the top unit. Not because he deserves teh demotion, but because he got his bag. He's a vet whose reached his ceiling. We need to know what we have in Kakko and Laff and don't think for a minute they don't know they're being held back at this point. They know. Kakko had to negotiate his deal and was not thrilled with getting lowballed. And Laffy is facing the same this offseason. We must must must find a way to give them more responsibility.

True. But it's kinda pointless to give the kids time with this coaching group in place that doesn't have a creative bone in their collective body, nor the skills and knowledge to help the kids grow. If they had they would have done so already. Time for a fresh start for the kids with actual talent helping them along.

 

[RangerBoy]

Going to go on record here and say this: I really only want two extremes to happen for the rest of this season. Either the team turns it around and we end up going deep into the playoffs or we suck bad enough to find ourselves out of the race with 30 games to go and we just give the keys the kids for the remainder of the season and start conserving the vets for next year. I'm really concerned that our success is based on the kids taking a giant step forward but in same breath we're not giving them far more responsiibility and leeway. Laffy and Kakko need to get far more PP time. They just do. We need to get them going. Give them 10-15 easy points. Move Tro off the top unit. Not because he deserves teh demotion, but because he got his bag. He's a vet whose reached his ceiling. We need to know what we have in Kakko and Laff and don't think for a minute they don't know they're being held back at this point. They know. Kakko had to negotiate his deal and was not thrilled with getting lowballed. And Laffy is facing the same this offseason. We must must must find a way to give them more responsibility.

Drury will add at the deadline in an attempt to make the playoffs. The Rangers big players are invisible. Nothing will change unless these guys wake up.

 

[RangerBoy]

No surprise. Dolan talking through the media. His seat is warm.

The Garden is losing money. Dolan is paying Gallant to stay home for two more seasons and hire another coach? Gallant makes $3.5M per.

• Layoffs hit the two companies this week, with several people leaving MSG as a result.
• MSG comprises two separate publicly-traded companies: MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment. James Dolan is the executive chairman of both companies and the CEO of MSG Entertainment.
• The restructuring is part of wider cost-cutting across the Dolan-run companies. AMC Networks is also expected to undergo layoffs and restructuring.
• Partnerships will now be under the domain of MSG Sports president David Hopkinson.

MSG Sphere is a problem.

The company continues to finish construction of MSG Sphere, its new music and entertainment venue in Las Vegas. While highly anticipated, the Sphere continues to run over budget. The latest cost estimate went up to $2.175 billion last month, according to MSG Entertainment CFO David Byrnes, up from $2 billion.

MSG hopes to open the venue during the second half of 2023. But it is also facing questions about how it will continue to fund the project. Byrnes said on the earnings call that MSG will be able to pay for it with its cash on hand and through cash flow, noting that it’s now the busy season for the Knicks, Rangers, and Radio City Music Hall, another MSG venue.

MSG undergoing restructuring, cost-cutting as construction of MSG Sphere runs over budget

Layoffs hit the two companies this week, with several people leaving MSG as a result.

theathletic.com

Hope Dolan has to sell the MSG properties.

 

[RangerBoy]

Tell you what, if you’re not listening to Staple and Vally’s podcast you’re really missing something. Vally’s stats and takes are invaluable in trying to understand this team.

Staple is annoying. He believes Kane is the answer for the Rangers problems.

 

[haohmaru]

Staple is annoying. He believes Kane is the answer for the Rangers problems.

Nah, he hasn't talked about that in a month. It's pretty obvious, at this point, that Kane doesn't "solve" anything. This has become a team issue.

 

[haohmaru]

No surprise. Dolan talking through the media. His seat is warm.

I hate a coaching carousel but, you know what, good. His "we" have to be better never includes "I" and that's problem. Figure out a lineup and stick it out for 10 games instead of putting names on paper and sticking it in a blender.

 

[RangerBoy]

Nah, he hasn't talked about that in a month. It's pretty obvious, at this point, that Kane doesn't "solve" anything. This has become a team issue.

Staple writes about it. The guy is always trading Kakko in every deal. Staple and one of the Chicago writers have a Kane to the Rangers article today.

As far as assets going to Chicago, the Rangers have two first-round picks this coming June: their own and the Stars’ from the Nils Lundkvist trade in October. The Rangers’ top prospect is winger Brennan Othmann, currently playing his final season in the OHL. It’s highly unlikely Drury would include Othmann in a Kane deal, but having Othmann in the 2023-24 lineup would allow Drury to trade another one of his young wingers without feeling much of a sting. Kaapo Kakko, the No. 2 pick in 2019, has shown flashes of success but has still underachieved. Vitali Kravtsov, the No. 9 pick in 2018, hasn’t yet established himself in the Rangers lineup either. Both Kakko and Kravtsov play the right side, where the Rangers are extremely thin, but Drury likely would be OK with moving either one for Kane.

If Patrick Kane is traded, could he be reunited with Artemi Panarin?

Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin developed a special relationship as Blackhawks teammates. Could we see a reprise?

theathletic.com

Kakko in a deal for Kane. Someone wrote that.

The Rangers are in no position to be trading young assets and first round picks for a rental who isn't the same player he was in 2017 when was the last time Panarin and Kane played together. Kane isn't the player he was last season playing with DeBrincat.

Trade for players who will help the team beyond this season.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Believe me or not, I'm not vetted, you can totally ignore it if you want but i have a relative who's a former exec with another org that says Gallant is on borrowed time.

 

[Circus86]

Looking backwards, this half ass retool really will come back to bite us. Better do a full rebuild and suck for a while. The Devils did it right. The Ducks will be really good team in 3-4 years.

How was this even called a rebuild? We were promised a rebuild and not a retool. Looking back at some of the events, no wonder we are where we are. Some of this is a year prior to the rebuild, but it just shows that lots of bad choices where made on management level. Still can't understand the love for Gorton on this board, I mean...he basically screwed up most of the big trades and signings.

- 1C Stepan and backup Raanta traded. Got ADA in return and bought him out couple of seasons later. Also got a nice 7 OA pick.
- select Lias Andersson #7 overall. He is long gone for a 2nd rounder.
- Sign Shattenkirk and buy him out couple of season later.
- Trade McDonagh and JT Miller for a bag of pucks. McDonagh will become the backbone of Tampa's defense and wins multiple cups. JT Miller turns into an elite PPG player.
- Three first round picks in 2018. Yay. Nils Lundkvist is gone. Select Kravtsov #9 and Miller #22. Meh.
- Instead of tearing it all down, sign Trouba and Panarin for big bucks. What rebuilding team does this?
- Give Kreider an extension instead of trading him to the stars for Robertson and a first round pick.
- Signing Kreider prevents us from signing Buch, a team favorite. Traded for a 4th liner and a 2nd round pick. Puts up PPG numbers for STL
- Team gets lucky and wins two lotteries in a row. Fail to develop 1OA and 2nd OA draft picks.


I mean...this is a horrible read. There are obviously some good things in there. The Mika trade and Shesty pick was great and the Nash trade was fine. Buy overall most of the big trades and signings have backfired.

 

[Vitto79]

I’d trade Chytil
They need a better 3rd line C fit and actually a 4th too
Goodrow should be on the wing
It’s just hard to find a team that’s willing to move guys that have options

Flame me on this one
Henrique and Grant at 50. Comtois plus 2nd
Chytil, Blais, Carpenter

Mix up lines not sure how ….
Kreider , Zib, Kakko
Panarin , Henrique , Kravtsov
Laf, Trotchek , Goodrow
Comtois, Grant, Vesey/ Gaut

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Remember when i told you all that Strome meant more to this team than you all thought? The pp has been and always was dog shit without him. Trochek is now on the 3rd line, Chytil looks out of place on line two, neither can play with Panarin and imo Strome was more likely our Captain than anyone and a glue inside the room. This is why you don't move pieces that already work, grass is not always greener on the other side.

 

[haohmaru]

Staple writes about it. The guy is always trading Kakko in every deal. Staple and one of the Chicago writers have a Kane to the Rangers article today.

Kakko in a deal for Kane. Someone wrote that.

The Rangers are in no position to be trading young assets and first round picks for a rental who isn't the same player he was in 2017 when was the last time Panarin and Kane played together. Kane isn't the player he was last season playing with DeBrincat.

Trade for players who will help the team beyond this season.

I don't read the Athletic anymore as their Rangers coverage over the summer and leading into the season was laughable and I cancelled.

But, yeah, I'm with you on this and have been pretty vocal about it - Kane to the Rangers should not happen. This team isn't a piece away and, even if they were, Kane isn't the piece. I'm not trading premium assets, young players, or anything else for an aging Kane that doesn't play D - we have enough of that risky pass mentality around here already. No thanks.

Keep the 1sts, keep the kids. If you're in playoff position and adding depth then add it cheaply (3rds and 4ths) for bodies to fill holes. This team isn't sniffing a Cup this year unless something drastically changes.

 

[Vitto79]

Remember when i told you all that Strome meant more to this team than you all thought? The pp has been and always was dog shit without him. Trochek is now on the 3rd line, Chytil looks out of place on line two, neither can play with Panarin and imo Strome was more likely our Captain than anyone and a glue inside the room. This is why you don't move pieces that already work, grass is not always greener on the other side.

Strome isn’t doing well and you don’t give him 5 yrs

Atleast Trotchek is noticeable

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Strome isn’t doing well and you don’t give him 5 yrs

Atleast Trotchek is noticeable

Why, don't like a functional powerplay for 5 years?

 

[haohmaru]

Why, don't like a functional powerplay for 5 years?

Anaheim is next to last on the PP despite the mighty Strome PP specialist that the Rangers are lacking.

FOURTEEN POINT FIVE PERCENT, baby!

 

[howztheglass]

I think that they want specific traits for the captain, and leading by example is a big one.
Trouba is physical and I think that’s one of the things gallant wants in a captain.

The playoffs are where Drury made his decision, Trouba was as physical force throwing big hit after big hit. Tell me truthfully anyone didn't like the big hits taking players out. Now in saying that yes, he did take himself out of the play on multiple occasions trying to keep up the same pace.

Also has some have said I doubt CK wanted the C more of a ra-ra guy--love it when he took the I-pad of Mika and threw it down.

Winnipeg and NY are 2 very different places and Trouba seems to be struggling with his play, personally I think he has some kind of upper body injury just watch him in front of the net pushing players from the side not squared up, no mean cross checks to the other players back to clear the crease. I was surprised he fought BT last night. Maybe it's an injury or maybe it's just the pressure of the C and the team playing like crap this year, but Trouba isn't the only player that needs a kick in the ass

 

[haohmaru]

Winnipeg and NY are 2 very different places and Trouba seems to be struggling with his play, personally I think he has some kind of upper body injury just watch him in front of the net pushing players from the side not squared up, no mean cross checks to the other players back to clear the crease. I was surprised he fought BT last night. Maybe it's an injury or maybe it's just the pressure of the C and the team playing like crap this year, but Trouba isn't the only player that needs a kick in the ass

Staple confirmed this in his podcast.

 

[Avery16]

Our core is what it is due to NMCs. We have to find a way to re-tool around them, hopefully without giving up recent/future 1sts.

Finding someone to take Goodrow would help a lot. Blais might need to go as well. Lindgren is too valuable to this team to sacrifice.