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

[Oscar Lindberg]

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.

I agree

If they can work out an extension I think that boosts the value a bit

 

[Off Sides]

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.

I agree with some of that, yet centers need to be there to cycle and work the boards too. I think we see that Zbad and Strome are not good at that and it pretty much limits any dump in and retrieve the puck option, as well as any offense coming off the boards.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Listen I’m all for getting players who make the team tougher to play against but let’s aim for guys who can actually play

Fredric is a not someone I consider good. He’s another Brendan Lemieux just not on our team

 

[Kaapo Bustfreniere]

Yeah. Chytil is a 0.5 ppg player at 21, with 13 minute of TOI and no power play, all points at equal strength, coming from an injury AND covid.

He is indeed a huge disappointment. What a terrible draft pick. He has no future here.

We should probably trade him to Edmonton for that McDavid guy. His production has also been a little underwhelming this year and both could use a change of scenery.

 

[LOFIN]

The #1 issue off season is to figure out how to turn Buchnevich and Strome into a good centerman.

 

[RGY]

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.

I, for one, am fully prepared for that. Although I would love to pry Lindholm out of Calgary to replace that production. But I am prepared to make that sacrifice. We will have plenty of skill and finesse with Laf/Panarin/Kakko

 

[LOFIN]

I, for one, am fully prepared for that. Although I would love to pry Lindholm out of Calgary to replace that production. But I am prepared to make that sacrifice. We will have plenty of skill and finesse with Laf/Panarin/Kakko

Precisely. I'm fine with turning 60 point Buch and 60 point Strome to a proper 2nd line centerman, capable of driving the play, being good defensively and potting 50 or so points without PP#1 time.

 

[jay from jersey]

Listen I’m all for getting players who make the team tougher to play against but let’s aim for guys who can actually play

Fredric is a not someone I consider good. He’s another Brendan Lemieux just not on our team

Definitely more talented then Lemieux. I hope Goodrows asks aren’t astronomical. He can actually win face offs as well. He’d be a perfect poach from Tampa. They have done it to us enough. We owe them one lol

 

[Fitzy]

Yeah. Chytil is a 0.5 ppg player at 21, with 13 minute of TOI and no power play, all points at equal strength, coming from an injury AND covid.

He is indeed a huge disappointment. What a terrible draft pick. He has no future here.

We should probably trade him to Edmonton for that McDavid guy. His production has also been a little underwhelming this year and both could use a change of scenery.

I mean I agree with your general point. Chytil is scoring more than Kakko and Laf despite similar usage and ice time, and he's hardly any older.

Literally my only complaints about Chytil are about whether he has what it takes to be a center in the NHL. We're so stocked at wing and weak at center it might stop us from playing him in his best position

 

[pld459666]

I think you need a vet who has won and knows what needs to be done to win. Thats why going after a guy like Eichel or Barkov isn't necessarily the best play because neither guy has won anything yet. Buffalo in fact is playing better right now without Eichel but the coaching change there has something to do with it.

Something out of left field may happen this offseason. Rebuilding and gathering all these young assets is all fine and good but at some point you need that player that has "it" to help them take that next step. Chara would be nice but he'd definitely be a very short term solution but for one year let him mentor guys like Lindgren and Miller.

As unlikely as it might seem, if Pittsburgh gets bounced early in the playoffs I'd ask them what it would take to get Sidney Crosby. He is almost in his mid 30's now but he is still a Top 10 player in the league. He gets you that true top line center, he'd help us on faceoffs and he makes guys around him better. Look at guys like Rust and Guentzel in Pittsburgh; they would not be the players they are today without a guy like Crosby mentoring them during practice and games. Imagine what he can do to motivate a guy like Kreider and make guys like Lafreniere and Kakko better?

It would require a lot to persuade Pittsburgh but for a start how about:

Sidney Crosby

For

Mika Zibanejad
Nils Lundkvist or Braden Schneider
Vitaly Kravtsov
Zac Jones
1st Round Pick in 2021
2nd Round Pick in 2022

Not even a little interested in that. At all

 

[jay from jersey]

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.

Our number 1C couldn’t muster a shot against the Sabres, who were without a Eichel. It’s not just the wins and losses that really trouble me. It’s the battle/ compete level and poor preparation that’s scarier. Goodrow would be an excellent signing if he doesn’t look to break the bank. He’s exactly what we need. And he can win a face off

 

[Ola]

Not deep enough.

Not tough to play against.

Not enough sandpaper.

Not this year.

But soon.

Under whom’s management? As a team, we have gone in the wrong direction. Management idea is that we must change players, it’s their fault. I don’t disagree with that per se, we need more grit and I also think we need more quickness, especially at center ice.

But will we all of a sudden be a team that can compete with the better teams around us if we get a few more gritty players?

Believing that is tragicomical from my point of view. These teams are beating us in all areas, we do nothing well. Let’s say we got like Josh Andersson and Boone Jenner gift wrapped to us — in what areas would we as a team start to play well in??

We have a coach who is clueless and since he can’t find a solution to anything or improve the team — he focus solely on trying to get the team to “stop” doing a bunch of things. He never has a plan for anything. When he got to prepare the team for the bubble, he arguably does the worst job of all coaches by quite a wide margin. We litterary win the lottery twice and gets two mega talents, Dave Quinn has no plan whatsoever how to utilize them. He puts them to focus on learning to play defense.

Will we improve? Hands up who here didn’t think Kaappo Kakko would have been better this year? Why will things be different next year?

There are also arguments for why things could become worse. A lot more pressure. Bust labels starts to thrown around if some kids keep struggling. Look at Hart in Philly, long players aren’t immune. If we are off to a slow start, these things will build up. It’s not easy to have a good start in the NHL. Will DQ have the team firing on all cylinders for the season debut?

 

[duhmetreE]

I mean I agree with your general point. Chytil is scoring more than Kakko and Laf despite similar usage and ice time, and he's hardly any older.

Literally my only complaints about Chytil are about whether he has what it takes to be a center in the NHL. We're so stocked at wing and weak at center it might stop us from playing him in his best position

That's why it's worth a shot to put him with Panarin. Hopefully Panarin's gamesense/IQ rubs off on him or Chytil has an 'aha' moment where it clicks.

 

[Fitzy]

That's why it's worth a shot to put him with Panarin. Hopefully Panarin's gamesense/IQ rubs off on him or Chytil has an 'aha' moment where it clicks.

It's kind of hard to predict who can go where, because Edge has been dropping some heavy suggestions that some of the veterans may be on their way out this offseason.

If there are moves made that change the whole dynamic of the roster, new combinations and options will open up.

Chytil with Panarin would be interesting, it's a matter of whether Chytil centers that line or plays on the right wing.

 

[Vitto79]

Chytil and Jones for Werenski ?

 

[duhmetreE]

Even a guy like Gauthier... he's a problem for other teams. It is kind of crazy that he has sat for so long.

If he could get some direction, he could be a force. If we move Buch, we need to keep him.

 

[Richard Banger]

@Edge has the rangers have had any interest in Barkov? As a FA or getting via trade?

i feel like he’s a perfect fit for this team.

 

[Anthony5967]

Even a guy like Gauthier... he's a problem for other teams. It is kind of crazy that he has sat for so long.

If he could get some direction, he could be a force. If we move Buch, we need to keep him.

Quinn has no idea. Gauthier should've never been sitting as much as he was.

 

[NYR Viper]

I think it’s going to be incredibly difficult for Gorton and his team to find a team that is willing to trade the specific component the Rangers need in return for guys like Buch and Strome. What Gorton should do is continue collecting assets, trade these two along with Howden and Hajek for good returns and remain cap flexible. Guys will become available and even if it means going into next season with a placeholder that’s ok. With the stagnant cap teams will be looking for cheap, good assets. Gorton will be a popular man.

Gauthier needs to be an everyday 3rd line winger next season. Kaako, Kravtsov, Gauthier. Panarin, Kreider, Lafreniere. You’re top-9 wingers are set.

I would be looking to trade Howden and Hajek for a specific type of 4th liner each. Energy guys who know and relish their role. Strong PKers with a couple of years left on their deals. I’m okay with overpaying in terms of cap dollars if they are the right guys.

On defense, I’d be pushing pretty hard for Oleksiak on a 2 year deal. Again, I’d overpay a bit in terms of cap hit in order to make that happen. He’s a solid bottom pairing guy. One of Jones, Lundqvist, Schneider, Reunanen starts the year in the NHL.

 

[DanielBrassard]

@Edge has the rangers have had any interest in Barkov? As a FA or getting via trade?

i feel like he’s a perfect fit for this team.

Why would he leave Florida?

 

[duhmetreE]

Quinn has no idea. Gauthier should've never been sitting as much as he was.

The problem comes when people start talking out of both sides of their mouth.

Is he a developmental coach? Or is he here to win?

If he's a full on developmental coach, fine. Let the kids play then. No reason for Blackwell to get the time he's getting, over the kids. No reason not to give our future, all the Special Teams time they can get. 8 minutes a game should not be a thing, IF this is true.

Is he here to win? This is when it gets hairy. He is not a good NHL coach and it has been embarrassing since the Covid Cup.

The dial was turned further to the left (development) the 1st two seasons... It has been slowly cranked to the right and when push comes to shove, his 'teams coaching' is being exposed.

He needs good-great assistants if he's to stay on. His teams do not have an identity. He let Ruff dictate the 'identity' of this team the first 2 seasons. IMO this season, he's letting Martin dictate the teams direction. He does not control the room or command respect of his players imo. There's no 'buying in' and he doesn't have a foundation to build on.

 

[I Eat Crow]

Why would he leave Florida?

The Florida Panthers franchise hemorrhages money and was even doing so before COVID, for one.

Florida should throw a Brinks truck full of money at him to stay and I think Barkov has little reason to leave, but can they?

 

[kovazub94]

..
Gauthier needs to be an everyday 3rd line winger next season. Kaako, Kravtsov, Gauthier. Panarin, Kreider, Lafreniere. You’re top-9 wingers are set.

Where’s Buchnevich?

 

[duhmetreE]

Счастливой Пасхи to my fellow Russians.
καλό Πάσχα to my Greeks

 

[DanielBrassard]

The Florida Panthers franchise hemorrhages money and was even doing so before COVID, for one.

Florida should throw a Brinks truck full of money at him to stay and I think Barkov has little reason to leave, but can they?

If they are going to throw money at anyone it will be him. I don't see any reason he would leave Florida for the Rangers right now. Maybe if Florida sucks next season and he doesn't sign an extension before then but why would they.