Speculation: Roster Building Thread LXXX: Going 8-0 to close out might not be enough!

[Peltz]

Howden had a prime opportunity to lay a huge hit on someone last night on the forecheck. He declined to do so. If he doesn’t add that dimension to his game I don’t see how he stays in the league. He is bad to mediocre at everything else. Not a single plus quality.

He kills penalties well.

 

[broadwayblue]

Should we not overtake Boston or win the lottery and wind up in the #16 spot, I am in total trade down mode. Get as many picks as we can to draft Euros and College players where you can stagger their contracts and entry into the league. We have the core skill guys. We need to have a steady stream of complementary players on cheap ELC deals to keep the cost down and keep flipping them for future assets when the next man up is ready.

I don't know. I'd rather trade up to grab a falling C, or stand pat and grab one. That's the one area we could really use more organizational depth.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Should we not overtake Boston or win the lottery and wind up in the #16 spot, I am in total trade down mode. Get as many picks as we can to draft Euros and College players where you can stagger their contracts and entry into the league. We have the core skill guys. We need to have a steady stream of complementary players on cheap ELC deals to keep the cost down and keep flipping them for future assets when the next man up is ready.

100% agreed. I’m all for drafting more “safe” than usual now. Just need a steady stream of ELCs.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Grabbing a C in this draft just to grab one would be bad. If one happens to be on the board and hes the BPA, then have at it. Other than that, take the best player. Your needs now won't be the same as your needs 3-4 years from now.

He kills penalties well.

He doesn't even do this. Hes our worst penalty killer.

 

[broadwayblue]

Grabbing a C in this draft just to grab one would be bad. If one happens to be on the board and hes the BPA, then have at it. Other than that, take the best player. Your needs now won't be the same as your needs 3-4 years from now.

I generally agree with that. But this draft looks to have quite a few C projected to go in the middle of the 1st. I have no problem prioritizing a C over a comparably ranked W/D. And while you are correct about our needs down the road, you can never have enough C and we presently have little depth. We really should start drafting and developing some now.

 

[DialUp]

Grabbing a C in this draft just to grab one would be bad. If one happens to be on the board and hes the BPA, then have at it. Other than that, take the best player. Your needs now won't be the same as your needs 3-4 years from now.



He doesn't even do this. Hes our worst player.

fixed it for ya

 

[Off Sides]

I hope they bring him back. Can also be an extra forward. By all accounts he's been tremendous with the younger players, great in the locker room, he sticks up for his teammates, and he's been pretty good on the ice too. You needs guys like this on a team with Cup aspirations.

I'm fine with him at that cap hit,

For one, it probably helps stop the Rangers from importing someone worse, JJ

For two, at that cap hit if he does not beat out someone else he is probably not default going to play anyway.

For three, if he decides he does not want to put in the summer workouts, he can be re-assigned with no cap implications.

Yet if some other team beats that offer, and he wants to go there, I think the Rangers should find an alternative.

The Rangers seem to be building towards something pretty good here, if he wants to be a part of that great, yet it needs to be advantageous to the Rangers at best, yet no real consequences at worst, no matter what happens. And really that does not need to be specific to Smith. The other guys who are up for contracts also need to see it through different optics than just financial.

 

[Rangers in 7]

I generally agree with that. But this draft looks to have quite a few C projected to go in the middle of the 1st. I have no problem prioritizing a C over a comparably ranked W/D. And while you are correct about our needs down the road, you can never have enough C and we presently have little depth. We really should start drafting and developing some now.

agreed, obviously dont reach if there isnt a C prospect even close...but from everything ive seen about this coming draft there will be alot of potential players around this spot

raty, silinger, mctavish, l'heureux, bolduc

theres a few more but all will probably fall between 10-20

 

[B17 Apricots]

I think this pretty much applies to most drafts outside of winning the lottery, theres a number of scenarios where I wouldn't mind trading up or trading down depending on whos available

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

I'm fine with him at that cap hit,

For one, it probably helps stop the Rangers from importing someone worse, JJ

For two, at that cap hit if he does not beat out someone else he is probably not default going to play anyway.

For three, if he decides he does not want to put in the summer workouts, he can be re-assigned with no cap implications.

Yet if some other team beats that offer, and he wants to go there, I think the Rangers should find an alternative.

The Rangers seem to be building towards something pretty good here, if he wants to be a part of that great, yet it needs to be advantageous to the Rangers at best, yet no real consequences at worst, no matter what happens. And really that does not need to be specific to Smith. The other guys who are up for contracts also need to see it through different optics than just financial.

Agreed. I'd like to see them resign Smith (or another reasonably priced veteran to play with Lundkvist) and add a bit more toughness to the 4th line. I can't wait to see that top 9 with Kravtsov taking Blackwell's spot next season.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I generally agree with that. But this draft looks to have quite a few C projected to go in the middle of the 1st. I have no problem prioritizing a C over a comparably ranked W/D. And while you are correct about our needs down the road, you can never have enough C and we presently have little depth. We really should start drafting and developing some now.

If you have 2 guys equally ranked then yeah, go with the position in need.

I'm all aboard the L'Heureux train so hopefully he's their guy.

 

[Off Sides]

Agreed. I'd like to see them resign Smith (or another reasonably priced veteran to play with Lundkvist) and add a bit more toughness to the 4th line. I can't wait to see that top 9 with Kravtsov taking Blackwell's spot next season.

If they want players who are reasonably priced, I think the idea need to be set on players who are a little older, not so great, who are going to get squeezed due to the flat cap. Hoping the right ones shake loose and picking the right ones from that batch is the key I think. Guys like Blackwell, Rooney, etc even tho they get ripped on, are the imperfect types who add value to the team at a cost of basically nothing, and to boot they really can be played below the youth on the depth chart even if it takes longer than we all think it should.

 

[True Blue]

didn't know that a bad player is ok as long as they play less than 10 minutes

You cannot see the reasoning that a coach would play him on this team less than 10 minutes for the PK and to be face off insurance? Hey, I do not love him either, but he does not really move the needle at all.

 

[Kodiak]

Should we not overtake Boston or win the lottery and wind up in the #16 spot, I am in total trade down mode. Get as many picks as we can to draft Euros and College players where you can stagger their contracts and entry into the league. We have the core skill guys. We need to have a steady stream of complementary players on cheap ELC deals to keep the cost down and keep flipping them for future assets when the next man up is ready.

There is a school of thought that this is the year to trade down in the draft if there isn't anyone you particularly like available at your pick. The scouting is going to be spottier than usual due to the pandemic, so there should be more uncovered gems in the mid to late rounds. More picks in those rounds are basically more lottery tickets.

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

If they want players who are reasonably priced, I think the sights need to be set on players who are a little older, not so great, who are going to get squeezed due to the flat cap. Hoping the right one shake loose and picking the right ones from that batch is the key I think. Guys like Blackwell, Rooney, etc even tho they get ripped on, are the imperfect types who add value to the team at a cost of basically nothing, and to boot they really can be played below the youth on the depth chart even if it takes longer than we all think it should.

I have no problem with those guys, they serve a purpose, every team has players like that. I don't consider myself and old-time hockey person but I didn't like seeing what Martin did to Trouba, clean or not. They need a player or two to answer stuff like that. Barron, Blackwell, Rooney, maybe a Martin type player would have the makings of a solid 4th line.

 

[Off Sides]

I have no problem with those guys, they serve a purpose, every team has players like that. I don't consider myself and old-time hockey person but I didn't like seeing what Martin did to Trouba, clean or not. They need a player or two to answer stuff like that. Barron, Blackwell, Rooney, maybe a Martin type player would have the makings of a solid 4th line.

I too agree, yet I don't think the Rangers need that player at the cost or term those players are getting. Perhaps wait until some other team no longer wants that contract they gave to that player and start to see about trading for him where they take back some cap hit the Rangers do not want, or they retain. Or better yet just at some point make a hockey trade where they get that type of player. Signing them as UFAs almost never works because they get ridiculously overvalued.

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

I too agree, yet I don't think the Rangers need that player at the cost or term those players are getting. Perhaps wait until some other team no longer wants that contract they gave to that player and start to see about trading for him where they take back some cap hit the Rangers do not want, or they retain. Or better yet just at some point make a hockey trade where they get that type of player. Signing them as UFAs almost never works because they get ridiculously overvalued.

Absolutely, I think they can find that kind of player in the offseason at a reasonable price. Whether that's signing a FA or from a small trade.

 

[Kovalev27]

I’m taking the Swedish goalie if he’s there and letting him cook for 5 or 6 years

 

[Off Sides]

100% agreed. I’m all for drafting more “safe” than usual now. Just need a steady stream of ELCs.

I think I'd rather see them swing for the fences. Not so much because I really want the risk involved, more so because the Rangers "safe" usually means someone better was available and he was actually safer just due to him being better at hockey.

 

[haohmaru]

How about putting the best 12 forwards on the ice?

Quinn is doing exactly that. Sorry, I’m on my phone and cutting/copying/pasting is a pain the ass so I’m going to respond without doing that.

You do realize that Howden has committed exactly 3 minor penalties in 41 games? Let’s call that one penalty every 14 games. Gauthier? 7 in 27 - that’s a minor every four games. That’s a huge difference.

You point out Howden’s whiff but then talk about Gauthier SCORED THAT GAME but fail to acknowledge that his two careless high sticking penalties led to two goals and a loss. Cherry picking.

I don’t think the 4th line is unimportant at all, but I think obsessing over which role player is on it is lower on the list of priorities.

As far as their record and who they’re playing against, you and I both know that teams with nothing to lose play loose and can be every bit as difficult as contenders holding their sticks too tight.

Long term, I hope Gauthier progresses into the better option. Right now? I don’t think he is nor do I think you and will I agree to that. So, I’ll agree to disagree with the opinion that you have every right to espouse and I happen to think differently about.

 

[leetch99]

LOL...somebody mentioned drafting C's and developing them . Geesh...we have a great young C playing his 3rd or 4th year here in Chytil and who has been developing him ? Who is teaching him the art of face offs ? Who is teaching Barron in the AHL ? Do we have anyone in the organization that is doing that ? We are the richest club in all of hockey .....why is that a black hole ? Then again....why do we have a poor US college coach when guys with winning records in the NHL are moving around and or available ?

 

[True Blue]

Should we not overtake Boston or win the lottery and wind up in the #16 spot, I am in total trade down mode.

That does not really seem to be Gorton's mo.

 

[Boris Zubov]

A lovely Pinot Noir reduction, and a crab cake on the side?

Make mine a lobster tail instead. I never understood the allure of taking something so succulent like crab meat & smashing it together with a bunch of mayo.

 

[Fitzy]

Make mine a lobster tail instead. I never understood the allure of taking something so succulent like crab meat & smashing it together with a bunch of mayo.

Nah that's what imitation crab meat is for. Don't ruin crab with mayo- tastes good on its own

 

[gravey9]

Grabbing a C in this draft just to grab one would be bad. If one happens to be on the board and hes the BPA, then have at it. Other than that, take the best player. Your needs now won't be the same as your needs 3-4 years from now.



He doesn't even do this. Hes our worst penalty killer.

To be fair, Brett Howden is useful in some ways. First the negatives:

1. His offensive abilities are quite limited. Vision, confidence stick handling and shot are all meh. Offense dies on his stick -- and any time he's placed with an offensive player, fan criticism of Brett Howden skyrockets.
2. On top of that, he has the yips offensively. Whenever he sees an open man or an open net his brain cannot handle it.
3. He's not strong enough along the boards to play his style.
4. He's not great on faceoffs

What he's good at:
1. Skating & Motor. He's an above skater on this team. And he rarely stops. You don't have to tell him to be more aggressive in pressuring or forecheck. He is more than happy to be first in on the puck.
2. He has a pretty good stick defensively. Has a long reach. He's above average at getting in shooting and passing lanes. Overall tenacious defender. One of the best at breaking up passes or blocking a shot.
3. He has shown decent chemistry with Rooney and the two have been pretty good at getting the puck in deep. He's one of the few forwards on the whole team that concentrates on getting the puck in deep.
4. He usually tries to make the smart safe play and is thus reliable and risk averse.

Point is -- while it's easy to see what he doesn't bring. He brings enough strengths currently to be a trusted 4th line player. Say what you want about Gauthier, there's a lot more potential in his talent, but he's not yet as reliable as a 4th liner. Gauths plays like a less effective version of Benoit Poulliot. As such, it's really hard for him to stay in the lineup in a top 9 role and he really doesn't have a 4th liners game -- yet. To me, Julien Gs long term cieling in the NHL is as a middle 6 power forward who could one day be netfront presence on PP2. The issue is -- we currently have no shortage of wingers that can play that role. But I hope we can develop him still.