Roster Building Thread IV (2022-23): Luck of the Irish

[TheDirtyH]

I wrote months ago that two units might make sense. @Uninstaaled probably right that the split here is dictated by the 5v5 lines, and as people have mentioned already, it is bizarre to see all four of our most dangerous goalscorers on one unit with a defenseman who tends to shoot way to much himself, and then the other unit is four guys who tend to overpass and a fifth guy who as a shooter couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat this season.

Gallant has really had a way of doing the very opposite of what seems to make the most sense with basically all of his combos this year. And while he's repeatedly said he really wants to lock combos in and roll the rest of the year with them, it feels like he's the only person preventing him from doing so. It's pretty annoying.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Thats some nice excuses but the team has played like a pig's ass since October. I can count the truly good performances on one hand.

Well that's certainly an opinion.

Love that laf is gonna get some time on pp1

 

[zlev]

i guess we're tanking for Bedard now? wtf is this

 

[gravey9]

i guess we're tanking for Bedard now? wtf is this

It seems counterintuitive to put your two best shooters on PP2. And put them with a defenseman who only shoots. And a center who only shoots.

And then all the best passers on PP1 with no shooters.

GG is likely doing this to help Bread and Kane re-build chemistry, but it sure seems like they're prioritizing that connection over all else right now. We'll see if they try something diff at practice tomorrow.

 

[SA16]

I wrote months ago that two units might make sense. @Uninstaaled probably right that the split here is dictated by the 5v5 lines, and as people have mentioned already, it is bizarre to see all four of our most dangerous goalscorers on one unit with a defenseman who tends to shoot way to much himself, and then the other unit is four guys who tend to overpass and a fifth guy who as a shooter couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat this season.

Gallant has really had a way of doing the very opposite of what seems to make the most sense with basically all of his combos this year. And while he's repeatedly said he really wants to lock combos in and roll the rest of the year with them, it feels like he's the only person preventing him from doing so. It's pretty annoying.

Trouba: 21.7 shot attempts/60 at 5v4 this year
Fox: 21.2 shot attempts/60 at 5v4 this year

Trouba probably has more point slap shots though.

 

[zlev]

It seems counterintuitive to put your two best shooters on PP2. And put them with a defenseman who only shoots. And a center who only shoots.

And then all the best passers on PP1 with no shooters.

GG is likely doing this to help Bread and Kane re-build chemistry, but it sure seems like they're prioritizing that connection over all else right now. We'll see if they try something diff at practice tomorrow.

it's literally the worst combinations you could come up with

the one time this year the PP was consistently dangerous was when Chytil replaced Trocheck on the original PP1 configuration. but we never saw that again.

anyway maybe Fox starts setting up Lafreniere for tons of PP goals or something and we can all rejoice

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

What’s the prognosis on Motte?

 

[Leonardo87]

What’s the prognosis on Motte?

Skating with a non-contact jersey now.

 

[Gardner McKay]

The problem with this adjustment is that he's making adjustments to an area that has been working for the team. Thats been par for the course with him this year and the worst part of it is that his line of thinking is probably that he's going to force chemistry by putting his top 6 units together at ALL times, even though no amount of ice time is going to keep them from being the wrong mix.

Since the new year, only 6 teams have scored more PPG than the Rangers. Of those 6, 4 of them have done so with more TOI on the PP. Their per 60 rate is top 5 in the league since 1/1 IIRC. Why Gallant insists on changing things that are working is beyond me.

Since the start of the new year, maybe. However, the last 5-6 games it hasn't looked great, at least not PP1. PP2 has looked good though.

 

[Chalfdiggity3]

I like the change but jesus, 3 passers on pp1 and 3 shooters on pp2. Gallant is a moron

 

[Number 9]

I wish they brought Cullye up instead of Brodzinski. I can see Cullye being a playoff performer with his grit and physicality.

 

[Machinehead]

I think that's a good idea.

Go 1A and 1B and give them a minute each.

It's a huge gift to have that kind of talent but it's too many quarterbacks.

I might shuffle the chairs around if I were Gallant. Who in the blue hell is shooting on that first unit?

But I like the concept.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Just realized Mika is off PP1 too.

Maybe hes just trying to send a message. This wont last long.

Problem is you are f***ing around with shit too much now.

IMO You dont need balance on PP units. You need a goal. Put the best personnel you have out there and let them figure it out. Its been 2 games for chrisssake

 

[Machinehead]

Looking forward to seeing Kane work with Lafreniere. Maybe Laf can learn something.

I know I've had my differences with Kane as an overall player, but nobody has more pure offensive teeth than he does since the lockout, except maybe McDavid.

That's what Lafreniere desperately needs.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Just realized Mika is off PP1 too.

Maybe hes just trying to send a message. This wont last long.

Problem is you are f***ing around with shit too much now.

IMO You dont need balance on PP units. You need a goal. Put the best personnel you have out there and let them figure it out. Its been 2 games for chrisssake

i thought the setup vs Ottawa was fine, the execution was abysmal though.

 

[bl02]

Just realized Mika is off PP1 too.

Maybe hes just trying to send a message. This wont last long.

Problem is you are f***ing around with shit too much now.

IMO You dont need balance on PP units. You need a goal. Put the best personnel you have out there and let them figure it out. Its been 2 games for chrisssake

agreed. I don't know how other teams do it but this team needs to figure out pp1 because the 2nd unit doesn't really matter much with 20 seconds. Except Trouba get him off any pp especially in the playoffs.

 

[redwhiteandblue]

Can't tell if it's more doom or gloom here or just in general on Twitter...

 

[Machinehead]

Just realized Mika is off PP1 too.

Maybe hes just trying to send a message. This wont last long.

Problem is you are f***ing around with shit too much now.

IMO You dont need balance on PP units. You need a goal. Put the best personnel you have out there and let them figure it out. Its been 2 games for chrisssake

I get the school of thought of letting them figure it out, but in my opinion, the PP1 we've been running since Kane got here can't be figured out. It fundamentally doesn't work.

Zibanejad is the clear shooter and there's nowhere for him to set up with Panarin, Kane, and Fox on the ice.

Like I said, I would still move things, and my new concern is that one of Panarin, Kane, or Fox has to actually shoot for once on that unit, but maybe this gets them out of the covid circles and forces them to actually get a look.

 

[Leonardo87]

I think that's a good idea.

Go 1A and 1B and give them a minute each.

It's a huge gift to have that kind of talent but it's too many quarterbacks.

I might shuffle the chairs around if I were Gallant. Who in the blue hell is shooting on that first unit?

But I like the concept.

You're ok with Mika on the 2nd unit with Trouba? I get the changes, but that was one, I'm weary about.

 

[RangerBoy]

Two games. He's played two games.

You can see the disaster coming. It's the entire situation. Stanley Cup or bust. The PP changes. Kakko is off the PP. The playoffs start in 5 weeks. Too much change.

 

[Machinehead]

You're ok with Mika on the 2nd unit with Trouba? I get the changes, but that was one, I'm weary about.

I would 100% go five forwards before putting any of our defensemen besides Fox out there but they won't do that.

Assuming a defenseman has to be out there, I would gone with this

PP1: Zibanejad, Kreider, Trocheck, Tarasenko, Fox

This unit entirely runs through Fox with no confusion. He has a one-timer on both sides and plenty of presence in the slot.

PP2: Kane, Panarin, Chytil, Laf, Trouba

Let Kane and Panarin play catch on their own unit. Don't have to share the puck with Fox. Trouba never has to pass with those two on the ice. Laf and Chytil can switch between net-front and bumper because imagine movement? Shocking development.

Average it out to a minute each.

 

[Avery16]

What the f*** is this? The players choose the lines?

 

[Chalfdiggity3]

Its about giving each power play equal parts to operate and score. I think its the right move to create two very good power play units. Gallant is being weird about it though with his combos that are hard to make sense of. We all know what the right combos are bc you need balance, someone in front of the net, a pp qb, passer and shooter.

NOt sure what Gallant is thinking anywhere.

 

[Machinehead]

Kakko is off the PP.

Oh no whatever will we do without those 3 assists???!!

 

[Chalfdiggity3]

What the f*** is this? The players choose the lines?

I hope we can move on from Gallant sooner than later. Would love to hire Brunette