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

[jay from jersey]

Depends on what they want to build. Kakko and Chytil can somewhat cycle right now. They are actually not bad along the boards. Yet if they are looking for a transition team, those two may not be the best choices.

Yet at some point they need to work with what they have or trade it for what they want.

Strome is not a forechecker, board, or cycle player. Yet he has some transition and rush play making in his game.

Zbad similarly, yet he does at times commit to winning some battles. He as well at times comes back and picks up the right read defensively.

I usually have some opinion on what I think they should do, I am sort of at a loss. They as a team are not really good at any particular good trait.

Some of that is coaching, yet the roster too, and management as well needs to figure out a path towards something.

You and I are pretty much in agreement. I think this team has plenty of talent. They don’t really have a problem scoring. They defend pretty well for the most part too. I have no problem sacrificing some skill for tough players that can play the game. I’ll just use this as an example not saying I would make the trade, but say you replace a guy like buch or strome with a guy like Hyman, Jenner, foglino type. They make not put up as many points as Buch But IMO they make the team overall better and much harder to play against. You need these types of guys to fire up the rest when they become stagnant.
This squad doesn’t have any of that. In fact it lost more of it when we lost Fast. Blackwell replaced his scoring, exceeded it probably. But he couldn’t hold a candle to Jesper on the defensive side, he’s not as tenacious. He doesn’t do all the little things fast did to win. And that’s not a slight at Blackwell, it’s just recognizing how important guys like fast are. Tough player. Not a fighter, but thought to play against. Definitely made the rangers harder to play against

 

[tomobson]

Gorton better have the front office focusing on finding a legitimate center to trade/acquire somehow. I'm not saying it has to be a 1c just someone who can actually play center for all 200ft of the ice. None of our centers are good at defense. Chytil tries to defend but he doesn't have the hockey smarts and Zib sometimes can defend but he's not consistent. I really want to see Chtyil with Panarin these last four games.

 

[Off Sides]

You and I are pretty much in agreement. I think this team has plenty of talent. They don’t really have a problem scoring. They defend pretty well for the most part too. I have no problem sacrificing some skill for tough players that can play the game. I’ll just use this as an example not saying I would make the trade, but say you replace a guy like buch or strome with a guy like Hyman, Jenner, foglino type. They make not put up as many points as Buch But IMO they make the team overall better and much harder to play against. You need these types of guys to fire up the rest when they become stagnant.
This squad doesn’t have any of that. In fact it lost more of it when we lost Fast. Blackwell replaced his scoring, exceeded it probably. But he couldn’t hold a candle to Jesper on the defensive side, he’s not as tenacious. He doesn’t do all the little things fast did to win. And that’s not a slight at Blackwell, it’s just recognizing how important guys like fast are. Tough player. Not a fighter, but thought to play against. Definitely made the rangers harder to play against

I think Fast was important.

I like skill, but it has to come with some sort of.. gumption maybe is a good word I guess.

Panarin is a great player, yet without time and space he is way less effective. Fast helped there.

I like Zbad, yet again he needs a type of line mates to be his best. Yet some of that will be east west stuff, which is an element that without, people would wish we had.

Anyway I really just have to hope they figure it out, they have tons of youth that have talents, and traits, yet they have to be good at something other than beating lesser teams at some point.

 

[jay from jersey]

I think Fast was important.

I like skill, but it has to come with some sort of.. gumption maybe is a good word I guess.

Panarin is a great player, yet without time and space he is way less effective. Fast helped there.

I like Zbad, yet again he needs a type of line mates to be his best. Yet some of that will be east west stuff, which is an element that without, people would wish we had.

Anyway I really just have to hope they figure it out, they have tons of youth that have talents, and traits, yet they have to be good at something other than beating lesser teams at some point.

Yea look at the other night though. Buffalo gave us a Fit. I mean talent eventually won out and the PP came alive. But if the Sabres had 1-2 good players more in their line up, they win that game ya know. I guess what I’m tryin to say is talent is only going to take us so far, against battle tested good teams it’s almost a guaranteed loss unless shesty steals it or we catch em on an off night. It’s no coincidence that the isles rolled us twice, and Boston didn’t give us a second thought. When they take away space and play physical, the rangers as currently constructed stink

 

[duhmetreE]

I’ve been impressed with Strome actually. He seems to have some fight in him. More than many others. And I was in the trade-Strome camp forever. Now I’m fine with him staying as long as it’s not a bank-breaking contract.

that 'fight' comes in rare bursts. He's too floaty and perimeter. It's the issue that needs to be addressed.

MAYBE if they split him up from Panarin. Even then, I see him getting paid and I do not think he's worth it or the 'proper fit' at the moment.

I prefer Mika stylistically. Wouldn't mind Chytil playing with Panarin, with simple instructions. 1) go get puck 2) drive the middle or 3) get open in a shooting lane. Chytil still needs a lot of work at Center.

 

[duhmetreE]

The problem with the roster, is that our vets are nearly all top6 players, that lean towards finesse/perimeter play. Our prized youth are also top6 players and do not yet have a fully developed NHL game.

A 'kid line' can't be your 3rd line; along with journey men and Howden as your 4th line.

1) Replace some of the top6 vets with our kids. ( Buch and Strome are the obvious choices )
2) Get some good veteran 3rd liners. As mentioned, someone like Copp makes a lot of sense.

We need a good matchup/checking line that provides energy and can forecheck effectively. Mika should not be the main matchup guy.

 

[jay from jersey]

that 'fight' comes in rare bursts. He's too floaty and perimeter. It's the issue that needs to be addressed.

MAYBE if they split him up from Panarin. Even then, I see him getting paid and I do not think he's worth it or the 'proper fit' at the moment.

I prefer Mika stylistically. Wouldn't mind Chytil playing with Panarin, with simple instructions. 1) go get puck 2) drive the middle or 3) get open in a shooting lane. Chytil still needs a lot of work at Center.

Agreed. Even when Mika was bad and panarin was out, strome put up a PPG but he didn’t carry the line. When Mika is on he’s a force. He certainly can carry a line and draw harder match ups. He’s also a much bigger weapon on the PP. strome has performed well, but if there are no trades and I can only keep Mika around 9-10 or strome for 7-7.5 I take Mika all day twice on Sunday. He also plays a heavier game. Strome does have a little fight in his game but you can tell he really doesn’t like the rough stuff. Once in a blue moon he might make a physical play or take a hit to move the puck. As far as 1 on 1 battles, using the body, speed, board work, etc it all leans in Mika a favor. I will say strome thinks the game well. He’s quicker then most give him credit for, but he will never be able to drive a line himself. If I were GM I wouldn’t commit major dollars to either guy with long terms TBH

 

[jay from jersey]

The problem with the roster, is that our vets are nearly all top6 players, that lean towards finesse/perimeter play. Our prized youth are also top6 players and do not yet have a fully developed NHL game.

A 'kid line' can't be your 3rd line; along with journey men and Howden as your 4th line.

1) Replace some of the top6 vets with our kids. ( Buch and Strome are the obvious choices )
2) Get some good veteran 3rd liners. As mentioned, someone like Copp makes a lot of sense.

We need a good matchup/checking line that provides energy and can forecheck effectively. Mika should not be the main matchup guy.

Copp would be a great get. He’s going to get a lot of money though. I think he’s going to be 27. Gorts shit the bed wholly not getting 24 yr old playoff tested Bennett for a 2nd and decent prospect. Would have solved our 3c or 4C problems for years. If he’s playing like he is now in FLA he’s for sure an excellent 3C. If his offense ran dormant in the Reg season like in Calgary he’s still an excellent 4C who scores big time goals in the playoffs.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Copp would be a great get. He’s going to get a lot of money though. I think he’s going to be 27. Gorts shit the bed wholly not getting 24 yr old playoff tested Bennett for a 2nd and decent prospect. Would have solved our 3c or 4C problems for years. If he’s playing like he is now in FLA he’s for sure an excellent 3C. If his offense ran dormant in the Reg season like in Calgary he’s still an excellent 4C who scores big time goals in the playoffs.

Rangers need grit, especially in the top 6. Way too much finesse no battle level that is a HUGE issue. That is not coaching which many think is a problem. that is ON Rangers management not getting those types of players. I wanted Bennett as a NYR. He always does well in NHL 21 as a Ranger

 

[egelband]

Really? Strome to me embodies everything I don't want. Not trying to say I know anything, but I don't like his game.

I felt that way up until this year but I’ve seen him improve in terms of general toughness and willingness to fight for territory. Not a monster at all but better. I think he’s trying to be the player the Rangers want and need.

 

[egelband]

that 'fight' comes in rare bursts. He's too floaty and perimeter. It's the issue that needs to be addressed.

MAYBE if they split him up from Panarin. Even then, I see him getting paid and I do not think he's worth it or the 'proper fit' at the moment.

I prefer Mika stylistically. Wouldn't mind Chytil playing with Panarin, with simple instructions. 1) go get puck 2) drive the middle or 3) get open in a shooting lane. Chytil still needs a lot of work at Center.

Yeah. I’m not saying he’s a force of nature. Just that I’ve adjusted my opinion on him for the better. And certainly would want him on 2C money. I want the team to be able to afford Mika or another 1C type.

 

[DanielBrassard]

We do need some grit, but we also need some freaking speed. We could also use someone who is a volume shooter and is a quality puck retriever. The Rangers have to be one of the worst teams in the league when it comes to 50/50 pucks, and to take this team to the next level we need to have the puck more often. I love Buch but I would trade his vision and passing ability for someone in the mould of a Gallagher or Tuch.

As for the pivot I really have no idea what direction the Rangers are going to go in. Eichel is still appealing, and I think trading Zibanejad is the right move. Strome has been great, exceeding all expectations but he isn't the answer on a team that is trying to compete. Chytil I get is frustrating but the guy has produced really well at 5v5, he's our fastest center and our best at exits and entries. They really have no choice but to keep him there. A lot of very important decisions have to be made, hope they come to the right conclusions.

 

[RangersFan1994]

We do need some grit, but we also need some freaking speed. We could also use someone who is a volume shooter and is a quality puck retriever. The Rangers have to be one of the worst teams in the league when it comes to 50/50 pucks, and to take this team to the next level we need to have the puck more often. I love Buch but I would trade his vision and passing ability for someone in the mould of a Gallagher or Tuch.

As for the pivot I really have no idea what direction the Rangers are going to go in. Eichel is still appealing, and I think trading Zibanejad is the right move. Strome has been great, exceeding all expectations but he isn't the answer on a team that is trying to compete. Chytil I get is frustrating but the guy has produced really well at 5v5, he's our fastest center and our best at exits and entries. They really have no choice but to keep him there. A lot of very important decisions have to be made, hope they come to the right conclusions.

Rumor has been that Flames could move Tkachuk due to his contract down the road, maybe this summer who know, but if that happens, Rangers need to consider this. Rangers need these types of players. Enough of the finesse soft types here. Rangers need to be harder to play against, but I recall management always saying this the past few seasons, but doing nothing about it to fix the issue. Eichel is just a list of issues drama finesse no defense liability not healthy now. more of the same. Rather wait on Barkov, complete players are needed. Enough finesse

 

[RangersFan1994]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova...brother-professional-hockey-leagues-1.6010540

 

[bobbop]

Not deep enough.

Not tough to play against.

Not enough sandpaper.

Not this year.

But soon.

 

[Avery16]

Strome has had a good year. He has not had a good past couple of weeks, going the past seven games without a goal while recording two in his past 14 matches.

Rangers' loss to Islanders at Coliseum was inevitable

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I hope Gorton wises up this time around and moves Strome this summer. They’ve failed to do so the last two opportunities they’ve had. Trade him for the best return and move on, he’s not a winning player

Although I know what will actually happen is they’ll trade Mika, keep Strome and next deadline when they’re close to a playoff spot, instead of trading him they’ll self rent and lose him for nothing when they inevitably don’t re-sign him

 

[RGY]

Chytil is the only center that has any forechecking, cycling ability.

He's not very good defensively though.

Chytil is not a center at this point. Because he can forecheck/cycle, does not mean he should be a center. He is terrible on faceoffs. Worse than Strome. He gets lost in his own end defensively. He makes a lot of questionable decisions with the puck on his stick especially where he is on the ice at the time of the decisions. He is much better suited for the wing.

 

[True Blue]

Gorton better have the front office focusing on finding a legitimate center to trade/acquire somehow.

Or what?

 

[True Blue]

Not deep enough.

Not tough to play against.

Not enough sandpaper.

Not this year.

But soon.

All true. The completely legitimate thing to start to ponder about is whether BOTH ZBad and Strome are meant to be a part of the future. The complete disappearing act that occurred during the last 3 Isles games have been quite the eye sore.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I’d like to keep Chytil but I think any deal they make for a 1C (i.e Eichel, Larkin etc) is going to include him

I’d imagine if they trade Zibanejad they would try to get a player to replace Chytil in terms of age and potential but odds on that are slim with Mika’s contract situation.

Maybe Buchnevich could bring back a player like that guess it depends on how much that team likes him

 

[True Blue]

Rangers need grit, especially in the top 6. Way too much finesse no battle level that is a HUGE issue. That is not coaching which many think is a problem. that is ON Rangers management not getting those types of players. I wanted Bennett as a NYR. He always does well in NHL 21 as a Ranger

They do need more sandpaper. But because in the way that the cards have unfolded, there are very specific ways for this to happen. It needs to be on the right side. And if you want a player like that, then you are dealing away not only Buchnevich but Kravstov as well. These bulldogs are even scarcer at center. Colorado is not trading away Kadri. And Boston has Fredric as a bottom-2 center and are likely not moving him.

For the sandpaper to arrive on the Rangers team, more than likely it is in the form of a RW, if you are talking about top-3 line role. It also means that many folks are not going to like the route that Gorton & JD will take to get there. Which they will. I give them credit for having a plan, being patient, but also being clear eyed. Rome was not built in a day. The first part of the rebuild is complete. The asset gathering is done. Now comes the hard part. Deciding who is here for the short, medium and long term and shaping a roster. First will be the roster that will be come a playoff contender. Next is the roster that will be come a Cup contender.

It all takes time. Much as the end of this season has been a bitter pill to swallow, the nucleus of this roster is set up for a long, long time. Not just with what is on team, but with what is coming next year and the year after. The asset base has been built. Now the shaping of it is about to start.

 

[RGY]

All true. The completely legitimate thing to start to ponder about is whether BOTH ZBad and Strome are meant to be a part of the future. The complete disappearing act that occurred during the last 3 Isles games have been quite the eye sore.

Strome disappeared even more than Zibanejad did. I felt Zibanejad was one of the few players trying to make things happen.

But at this point, one or both can go. Whatever this management group thinks this team needs to take the next steps to be tougher to play against.

They may have a subtraction in production from their offense, but I would sacrifice that for an increase in the W column. If it means having a center with less chemistry than Strome has with Panarin, then so be it. That Panarin-Strome combo was soft as hell during the last 3 Islanders games. It was hard to watch. Panarin isnt all the sudden turning into that type of player and you certainly arent looking to move your best player.

I just dont see the centers that bring that heavy game, in free agency at least. I see wingers that bring it. Foligno, Saad, Cizikas, Paquette, etc.

 

[True Blue]

Strome disappeared even more than Zibanejad did. I felt Zibanejad was one of the few players trying to make things happen.

But at this point, one or both can go. Whatever this management group thinks this team needs to take the next steps to be tougher to play against.

They may have a subtraction in production from their offense, but I would sacrifice that for an increase in the W column. If it means having a center with less chemistry than Strome has with Panarin, then so be it. That Panarin-Strome combo was soft as hell during the last 3 Islanders games. It was hard to watch. Panarin isnt all the sudden turning into that type of player and you certainly arent looking to move your best player.

I just dont see the centers that bring that heavy game, in free agency at least. I see wingers that bring it. Foligno, Saad, Cizikas, Paquette, etc.

This is a part of what I mean when I say that the fans will need to be prepared when trades of assets do not necessarily bring back similar production. A trade of Buchnevich, will probably not mean a 60 point forward coming back.

 

[Off Sides]

I’d like to keep Chytil but I think any deal they make for a 1C (i.e Eichel, Larkin etc) is going to include him

I’d imagine if they trade Zibanejad they would try to get a player to replace Chytil in terms of age and potential but odds on that are slim with Mika’s contract situation.

Maybe Buchnevich could bring back a player like that guess it depends on how much that team likes him

I think with Buch his value is going to depend on if he would extend with the trading team, arranged prior to the trade, and what that extension would entail. No extension the trading team see his last RFA year as the value.