Speculation: Roster Building Thread LXXI

[eco's bones]

For such a “great leader” who people want as captain you’d think Kreider will be willing to mentor Lafreniere and let him move in with him..just goes to show you he’s yet another me-first guy out for himself worried he’ll fall to the 3LW job if Lafreniere performs as we all hope.

Raises eyebrow. Are you getting worked up over something for real? or something you dreamed up? Did I miss something?

 

[Vitto79]

Serious question, is this team’s bottom 6 depth or LD depth a bigger problem for this upcoming season

I think it has to be LD. Lindgren, Johnson and Smith as your left side is the worst corps in the league by a mile

bottom 6 will be fine but LD stinks till next year sadly . Miller won’t get rushed , Hajek has struggled and we don’t know if Reunanen is legit yet

now if 1 steps up it’s not terrible having Smith/Johnson as 3rd pair guys for only 1 yr
next year Jones , Robertson add to the depth

 

[Vitto79]

If Barron can make the team is it likely to be as a RW or LW? Can Lemieux play both sides? That could be a good combo w Rooney. Kinda down on Howden but hopefully he improves

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

If Barron can make the team is it likely to be as a RW or LW? Can Lemieux play both sides? That could be a good combo w Rooney. Kinda down on Howden but hopefully he improves

I think it's a stretch to expect Barron or Miller to make the team. They are making the jump from college to pro hockey. Probably start in the AHL first.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

I think it's a stretch to expect Barron or Miller to make the team. They are making the jump from college to pro hockey. Probably start in the AHL first.

Honestly i think in a normal year Barron makes this team. I'm not sure with a shortened camp and no exhibition games that they will have a good enough read on him or Miller to put them on though. With Barron he's a smart player with size, i think he could play, for Miller, as a d, its a tougher adjustment. I personally think given the way things will start, in a shortened season, they will go with what they know and take less chances with players they might not be sure about their readiness.

 

[leetch99]

If we can play like last season and Shesty can steal 4-5 gmes we should be able to see some playoff action . It will be easier though if Lafreniere can pot 20 and Kreider performs/responds against teams like the Caps and Isles when he certainly will be needed . Hope for the best and hope there are no panic trades this season just to make the post season .

 

[Ola]

LOL. Are you saying that photo isn’t really me?

But joking aside, I think a lot could really depend on seeing how Zibanejad does this next year. I know this board doesn’t necessarily want to hear this, but the Rangers aren’t fully committed to him long-term just yet.

JMO, but instead of waiting until a player is 27-30 and then committing to that player long-term if he has proven himself I think they should change strategy and commit to players in their prime and walk away from them when they are over the hill.

Our current strategy is to make sure that we never give a long term contract to a rotten egg, OTOH, we really risk getting stuck with declining players like we have seen time and time again. With the strategy I propose management must make a call on which players are worth betting on and which aren’t, because if we wait until they have proven themselves it’s too late.

But I just don’t think you ever can win a cup in this league unless you have multiple really good contracts. Look at Toronto. Top talent alone doesn’t even win you a round in the POs.

 

[Ola]

Honestly i think in a normal year Barron makes this team. I'm not sure with a shortened camp and no exhibition games that they will have a good enough read on him or Miller to put them on though. With Barron he's a smart player with size, i think he could play, for Miller, as a d, its a tougher adjustment. I personally think given the way things will start, in a shortened season, they will go with what they know and take less chances with players they might not be sure about their readiness.

It would be pretty sick if he could come in and like just belong. From my limited horizon he got that potential, but I’ve far from sold on it. I could definitely be wrong, but I am afraid of his skating. But the margins are small, will be one exciting camp!!

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

The current proposals for taxi squads and the AHL start date really work well for the Rangers given their roster and the performance bonus issues, IMO. Guys like Miller, Barron, and Richards, who would have their bonuses increase the cushion meaningfully above the already hefty $4MM – and who would need a longer look to determine if they're ready – can stay with the team, participate in practices, and potentially step in after a week or two without missing a beat (if they are in fact ready).

The only possible complication is what the restrictions will be on movement between the taxi squad and the AHL. Obviously, there'll need to be some consideration given to leaving one bubble and moving to another, but a limited quarantine period is manageable. If, however, there is NO movement allowed between the two for the entire season (or until vaccines are widely available), that complicates matters, as you don't want to determine in like March that one of those guys needs significant AHL time and lose an entire year of development.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

JMO, but instead of waiting until a player is 27-30 and then committing to that player long-term if he has proven himself I think they should change strategy and commit to players in their prime and walk away from them when they are over the hill.

Our current strategy is to make sure that we never give a long term contract to a rotten egg, OTOH, we really risk getting stuck with declining players like we have seen time and time again. With the strategy I propose management must make a call on which players are worth betting on and which aren’t, because if we wait until they have proven themselves it’s too late.

But I just don’t think you ever can win a cup in this league unless you have multiple really good contracts. Look at Toronto. Top talent alone doesn’t even win you a round in the POs.

Its imperative that Kakko, Lafreniere and Fox are locked up long term at the first chance. I agree with your take on Toronto, worst thing with them is they gave Matthews the money and only gave him 5 years. To me, Laf and Kakko have to go 8, its the only way you can continue to compete, Boston and Pitsburgh are examples of teams getting their top players on decent contracts.

 

[GAGLine]

The current proposals for taxi squads and the AHL start date really work well for the Rangers given their roster and the performance bonus issues, IMO. Guys like Miller, Barron, and Richards, who would have their bonuses increase the cushion meaningfully above the already hefty $4MM – and who would need a longer look to determine if they're ready – can stay with the team, participate in practices, and potentially step in after a week or two without missing a beat (if they are in fact ready).

The only possible complication is what the restrictions will be on movement between the taxi squad and the AHL. Obviously, there'll need to be some consideration given to leaving one bubble and moving to another, but a limited quarantine period is manageable. If, however, there is NO movement allowed between the two for the entire season (or until vaccines are widely available), that complicates matters, as you don't want to determine in like March that one of those guys needs significant AHL time and lose an entire year of development.

Nothing is final yet, but as of right now, the teams won't be playing in a bubble. There will be no issues with movement between the NHL and AHL.

3 of the Canadian teams have their AHL affiliates in the US, so they will have issues, but it shouldn't be an issue for the Rangers.

 

[carminejr]

It would be pretty sick if he could come in and like just belong. From my limited horizon he got that potential, but I’ve far from sold on it. I could definitely be wrong, but I am afraid of his skating. But the margins are small, will be one exciting camp!!

Same gut feeling with barron as i did with fox. They won’t overtly give him a spot, they’re more hoping he takes one and doesn’t look back. 3 years of training table and S&C at a cornell program known for teaching its kids how to play the game the right way. The ecac is a low scoring, tight checking conference full of overagers. He was the best offensive and defensive player on the best team in the country. He gets in on the forecheck and simply gets to work no questions asked. 6’3 220+ and plays nasty, blocks shots, can pk, great iq, leadership qualities, and has an absolutely blistering shot. career 55% faceoff guy. all things we’re lacking. i look at barron and see the type of player quinn is proven to covet. lemieux - barron - rooney/howden has the makings of a real solid 4th.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Raises eyebrow. Are you getting worked up over something for real? or something you dreamed up? Did I miss something?

It was a try at parody that swung and missed

 

[Tawnos]

Nothing is final yet, but as of right now, the teams won't be playing in a bubble. There will be no issues with movement between the NHL and AHL.

3 of the Canadian teams have their AHL affiliates in the US, so they will have issues, but it shouldn't be an issue for the Rangers.

Pagnotta made mention that players and staff "being restricted to only game arena, practice arena and hotel," which is the sort of bubble that I believe @Brooklyn Rangers Fan is referring to. That's on the road, I'm assuming at home is the same plus being able to go home. Bubble doesn't only mean what they did in the RTP. I go to work, see my family and one friend that I also work with, and go to the supermarket. That's it. I consider that a bubble.

You're talking about as limited a group of people as possible that, with call-ups and demotions, you're introducing a new person into and, in a way, all the people in that person's previous bubble.

 

[Thirty One]

5 games needed for Bitetto. 7 for Rooney.

 

[CommaSynapse]

Been really out of the loop. Is the AHL happening? And are a lot of teams talking about carrying 3 goalies?

How would that look for the Rangers?

Shesty, Georgiev, Kinkaid....Wall for AHL...would they bother recalling Huska?

Any talk of Khodorenko joining the taxi squad?

 

[Irishguy42]

Is the AHL happening?

Right now, the AHL is scheduled to begin their season on February 5th.

 

[GAGLine]

Pagnotta made mention that players and staff "being restricted to only game arena, practice arena and hotel," which is the sort of bubble that I believe @Brooklyn Rangers Fan is referring to. That's on the road, I'm assuming at home is the same plus being able to go home. Bubble doesn't only mean what they did in the RTP. I go to work, see my family and one friend that I also work with, and go to the supermarket. That's it. I consider that a bubble.

You're talking about as limited a group of people as possible that, with call-ups and demotions, you're introducing a new person into and, in a way, all the people in that person's previous bubble.

Fair point, but moving a player between Hartford and NY isn't really any different than the Rangers traveling to Philly or Newark to play a game. The players are going come into contact, literally, with players in a different "bubble".

I guess if the testing at the AHL level isn't as stringent as it is at the NHL level, that could be an issue, and players joining the Rangers might need a couple negative tests before joining.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Pagnotta made mention that players and staff "being restricted to only game arena, practice arena and hotel," which is the sort of bubble that I believe @Brooklyn Rangers Fan is referring to. That's on the road, I'm assuming at home is the same plus being able to go home. Bubble doesn't only mean what they did in the RTP. I go to work, see my family and one friend that I also work with, and go to the supermarket. That's it. I consider that a bubble.

You're talking about as limited a group of people as possible that, with call-ups and demotions, you're introducing a new person into and, in a way, all the people in that person's previous bubble.

Exactly what I meant. Thanks for clarifying, @Tawnos.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Fair point, but moving a player between Hartford and NY isn't really any different than the Rangers traveling to Philly or Newark to play a game. The players are going come into contact, literally, with players in a different "bubble".

I guess if the testing at the AHL level isn't as stringent as it is at the NHL level, that could be an issue, and players joining the Rangers might need a couple negative tests before joining.

Every new person added is a risk factor.

Theoretically, the Rangers organization constitute their own bubble, and the Atlantic Division constitutes a second, larger bubble. When it comes to a deadly pandemic, every new individual added to either could bring the whole house of cards down.

My assumption is that transfers will be allowed... following a ~14-day isolation period (away from *both* the Rangers and HFD) and a negative test.

 

[Vitto79]

5 games needed for Bitetto. 7 for Rooney.

that’s easy to do IMO
Also is Reananen expsnsion exempt like Kakko? I’d think so based on contract yrs left

 

[GAGLine]

Every new person added is a risk factor.

Theoretically, the Rangers organization constitute their own bubble, and the Atlantic Division constitutes a second, larger bubble. When it comes to a deadly pandemic, every new individual added to either could bring the whole house of cards down.

My assumption is that transfers will be allowed... following a ~14-day isolation period (away from *both* the Rangers and HFD) and a negative test.

I haven't seen the NHL protocols, so who knows, but I can't imagine them requiring a 14 day quarantine. The state or local governments could dictate it, but I don't see that happening either.

 

[eco's bones]

It was a try at parody that swung and missed

Well I must have missed where it all started.

 

[GAGLine]

that’s easy to do IMO
Also is Reananen expsnsion exempt like Kakko? I’d think so based on contract yrs left

Yes, Reunanen is exempt.