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

[JohnC]

It wouldn't shock me if the reason why Hajek and Howden keep getting plugged into the lineup is Gorts pressuring Quinn. Purely speculation, but think about it. Gorts traded McD to Tampa and 2 of the biggest pieces of that trade were Howden and Hajek. That trade is looking worse and worse with each game where Hajek and Howden are the worst players on the ice. Yah the pick ended up being Lundkvist, but still the meat of that trade was those 2 pieces.

Doubt it. When has Gorton ever been afraid to cut ties with one of his mistakes?

 

[28]

Thanks. I remember watching a video last year where the interviewer had on all the potential top draft picks for the2020 draft and he asked them all who had the best skating, shot quickness etc... And when he asked who was the hardest hitter everyone of the group responded Lafreniere. Quinton Byfield even smiled when he said Alexis name.

I'm very much excited to see this competitive side of him as you would never know it was there based on his NHL start. The hit on Hajek doesn't count but it is interesting that he decided to take that liberty/ opportunity on a teammate.

 

[WojtekWolski86]

Doubt it. When has Gorton ever been afraid to cut ties with one of his mistakes?

There's a difference between moving on from Tony D at 25 and 3 organizations and the tireless plugging of Howden and Hajek and hoping they live up to their trade expectations. Is there another example of Gorts moving on from a mistake? Shattenkirk I guess?

 

[Tob]

I'll wager this mail circulatory McDonald's coupons book with over $60 of savings inside that Larry will come out with an article tomorrow pre-game with the phrase "waved the white flag" in it.

 

[Vitto79]

So is Lindren likely out next game ?
They may also play it safe w Trouba
Reuananen in for sure.
Barron for PDG

 

[Fitzy]

Howden out for the season with a broken foot via Vince

 

[Clark Kellogg]

I'm very much excited to see this competitive side of him as you would never know it was there based on his NHL start. The hit on Hajek doesn't count but it is interesting that he decided to take that liberty/ opportunity on a teammate.

ouch!

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

I'm very much excited to see this competitive side of him as you would never know it was there based on his NHL start. The hit on Hajek doesn't count but it is interesting that he decided to take that liberty/ opportunity on a teammate.

Finishing a check during a scrimmage in your first training camp? That's exactly what you want from players.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

That’s a real shame about Howden

 

[JohnC]

There's a difference between moving on from Tony D at 25 and 3 organizations and the tireless plugging of Howden and Hajek and hoping they live up to their trade expectations. Is there another example of Gorts moving on from a mistake? Shattenkirk I guess?

Shatty, Tony D, Etem (counting him, even if Sather technically traded for him), Lias, Skjei contract, Spooner extension, Namestnikov extension.

Whether it‘a trading a bad player, getting out of a bad contract, or getting rid of a malcontent, he has shown a willingness to move on from mistakes.

 

[BBKers]

Crab is too much work for too little payoff

In SWeEden, when I lived on the magical island of Koster (2013-2014), I had my own lobster traps. We would catch a lot of Mackerel in July/August and then ferment them in a wooden barrel filled with salt water. THey would then be used in the traps as bait. NOt emitting a perfume fragrance exactly... WE always caught a lot of crabs and some nice lobsters too. Lobster season was from the end of September into November when the water got cold and the lobsters became inactive. THis was also the stormy season, so I spent many a day on the rolling high seas struggling to get a few of these "black gold" specimens on board. THen we cooked them ourselves (in salt seawater, a bit of sugar, dill seeds and Porter beer) and had us some fantastic after hour parties. As I owned/managed the resort hotel out there at the time, we also used some of these lobsters in our 8 course Menu dégustation. And we then had access to nice wines and vintage champagnes, with concerts held every weekend (even had the Hooters frontman ERic Bazilian play there once...). Good times...

I do get your point about crabs being more "work", but there definitely was some work behind getting these lobster dishes to "work" too

 

[Fitzy]

I like how we and VInce have all agreed that Reunanen is such a tough name to spell that we're just gonna call him "Tarmo" now and forever.

 

[tomobson]

It wouldn't shock me if the reason why Hajek and Howden keep getting plugged into the lineup is Gorts pressuring Quinn. Purely speculation, but think about it. Gorts traded McD to Tampa and 2 of the biggest pieces of that trade were Howden and Hajek. That trade is looking worse and worse with each game where Hajek and Howden are the worst players on the ice. Yah the pick ended up being Lundkvist, but still the meat of that trade was those 2 pieces.

Isn't that trade bringing us Lundkvist next season? I don't think howden and hajek are keeping gorton up at night to the point that he's forcing quinn to play them. I think this is just quinn being quinn.

 

[bobbop]

@Edge @bobbop @BBKers @Ranger Ric @nyr2k2 @Anyone else who has an opinion.

Last night in the Rangers post game show on MSG Steve Valiquette stated that he was not concerned about the nastiness of next seasons roster. Can anyone elaborate on his comment?

He might not be but I'll respectfully disagree. While the young players will be more assertive as they develop, there's still something missing on this team. They need more sandpaper. The Rangers have the money, space and need to add a couple of veterans to toughen up the lineup and lengthen the roster. Not goons but tough to play against players (e.g. Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow, Ian Cole etc.)

As long as Washington and the Islanders are in the division, this is going to be a concern.

 

[RGY]

That’s a real shame about Howden

Too little, too f***ing late. This was the only way the toy would be taken away from the Master.

Praying Seattle picks him.

 

[Savant]

 

[RGY]

He might not be but I'll respectfully disagree. While the young players will be more assertive as they develop, there's still something missing on this team. They need more sandpaper. The Rangers have the money, space and need to add a couple of veterans to toughen up the lineup and lengthen the roster. Not goons but tough to play against players (e.g. Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow, Ian Cole etc.)

As long as Washington and the Islanders are in the division, this is going to be a concern.

Whole heartedly agree with this.

The lineup needs to be diversified. They are by no means tough enough, they are not intimidating, they dont wear teams down. We talked about this leading into this year. The Islanders just walked all over them. They cannot win on talent alone.

 

[The New Russian Five]

There's a difference between moving on from Tony D at 25 and 3 organizations and the tireless plugging of Howden and Hajek and hoping they live up to their trade expectations. Is there another example of Gorts moving on from a mistake? Shattenkirk I guess?

Tony D came from the Stepan trade and was a big part of that trade. So yeah, he counts too. And then there's Spooner, Namestnikov, Lias Andersson, Lemuiex as well. He knows when to cut ties when things don't workout. Howden and Hajek are not playing because they were a part of the McD trade. They are playing because people in the organization, either Quinn or Gorts himself think they are high enough of on the depth chart to do so.

 

[RGY]

There will be options to get them to be heavier to play against. And options to improve the 3rd/4th line center position. It will come down to what they can afford:

Foligno
Saad
Cizikas
Sutter
Bonino
Wennberg
Glendening
Paquette

 

[BBKers]

@Edge @bobbop @BBKers @Ranger Ric @nyr2k2 @Anyone else who has an opinion.

Last night in the Rangers post game show on MSG Steve Valiquette stated that he was not concerned about the nastiness of next seasons roster. Can anyone elaborate on his comment?

I gather "Steve the backup Sieve" has (also) heard that there is an ambition amongst the brass that there:

A. will be some roster turnover in the offseason and that they will almost certainly add some grit/experience to both the fwds and D to better balance out the mix of the roster. I would think 2-3 pieces. MAXIMUM

B. that the head honchos will be very active to add even more depth/roll/grit pieces to complete the roster build to become a contender once they see that they are making the playoffs. This will apply for at least for the next 3 years... This might be our last first rounder (if we do not trade it) for some time iow...

 

[Avery16]

Looks good to me.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

I hope they are able to get the adds they want done. The salary amount for these types of players have become more reasonable though many want term,

He might not be but I'll respectfully disagree. While the young players will be more assertive as they develop, there's still something missing on this team. They need more sandpaper. The Rangers have the money, space and need to add a couple of veterans to toughen up the lineup and lengthen the roster. Not goons but tough to play against players (e.g. Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow, Ian Cole etc.)

As long as Washington and the Islanders are in the division, this is going to be a concern.

I gather "Steve the backup Sieve" has (also) heard that there is an ambition amongst the brass that there:

A. will be some roster turnover in the offseason and that they will almost certainly add some grit/experience to both the fwds and D to better balance out the mix of the roster. I would think 2-3 pieces. MAXIMUM

B. that the head honchos will be very active to add even more depth/roll/grit pieces to complete the roster build to become a contender once they see that they are making the playoffs. This will apply for at least for the next 3 years... This might be our last first rounder (if we do not trade it) for some time iow...

just look at Matt Martin (4 years).

 

[Off Sides]

Tony D came from the Stepan trade and was a big part of that trade. So yeah, he counts too. And then there's Spooner, Namestnikov, Lias Andersson, Lemuiex as well. He knows when to cut ties when things don't workout. Howden and Hajek are not playing because they were a part of the McD trade. They are playing because people in the organization, either Quinn or Gorts himself think they are high enough of on the depth chart to do so.

Not sure it gives me a ton of confidence that the Rangers figured out how to turn Shattenkirk, Stepan, McD, JT Miller, into, I guess only Lundkvist.

 

[bl02]

Great our only player with real balls is hurt now. i wonder what is going thru his head a day after 95 percent of his teammates played with their tails between their legs and him sacrificing his body to wake them up?!
And also being split up with his d partner who obviously plays better with Lindgren than with anyone else.

 

[28]

Finishing a check during a scrimmage in your first training camp? That's exactly what you want from players.

Agreed! Let's see it in a game.