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

[apoptygma]

This years top 9:
Laf - Zib - Buch
Panarin - Strome - Blackwell
Kreider - Chytil - Kakko

IF we go for Danault as an UFA and trade Buch + Strome for futures/depth we would end up with something like:
Laf - Zib - Kravtsov
Panarin - Danault - Kakko
Kreider - Chytil - Gauthier
and a mix of Rooney, Blackwell, Barron, Howden on the 4. line + whatever we get back from Strome/Buch. Some of what we get from Buch/strome should be futures, and could again be used in a future deal for another top 6 centre prospect or young player.

Both Buch and Strome is in their mid/late 20's, so a team that wants them should be in a porition to compete in the next 3-4 years.
Zegras will be a pipedream, Lundell, Glass or Newhook might be more possible.

 

[FIRE DRURY]

but does he do any of that? He’s big but does he play big?

He certainly did last game. But a kid with less than 50 games on his resume probably lacks the confidence to do it regularly.

He’s in a tough situation though. Buch, Kakko and now Kravtsov ahead of him on the depth chart. Not your typical 4th liner.

I’m not going to bitch if he’s moved but I would have liked to see a bit more of him this year.

 

[Raspewtin]

Yeah I'm ready to move on from a large number of players on this team. The ultra east-west pass everything and play passive garbage is perpetuated by too many players on this team. Armchair bong ripping I would do this

1. Hajek - gone forever. I don't care for what. I absolutely never want to see this disaster on skates again, the worst defenseman I've ever seen play for the Rangers. Stupid with the puck, stupid with his positioning, weak and gets lost in the D zone constantly, can't make simple passes and handcuffs half his f***ing teammates on simple exits. I would take Marc Staal back over having to watch him again.

2. Smith - gone. Sorry but the bursts of leadership and 40% shooting percentage don't make up for what an absolute f***ing moron he is. Keep him as a 7 if that's an option but no more.

3. Howden - gone. Useless, I'm tired of waiting to have NHL value. I've seen more from Barron and Gauthier in one game than i've seen in at least 80% of Howden's NHL career.

4. Strome - has to go. One of the worst offenders of our soft and careless play on the puck, I hate to use this phrase but imo Strome is not a player you win with. I'm not seeing anything special from him and am ready for Chytil to take his minutes yesterday.

5. Buchnevich - I really love the guy but you have to sell high. He's violently regressed the second half of this season and his unbelievable clumsiness with the puck and on zone entries is a serious problem considering half of our top 6 have the same weakness.

I also would like to add Nemeth and Derek Ryan as FAs. Adds a strong defensive player if one of the kids cant go, and adds a center who's good at ES, on faceoffs, and the pk.

That's all I got because I'm not sure who realistic trade targets are. But we cannot bring back the same team. IMO a lot of veterans played their way off the roster this second half.

 

[JohnC]

Rasp and I were talking about this yesterday. We would be all over Blake Coleman and Phillip Danault.

Danault is Barkov without the points. I know...I know. But do we need the points?

This team desperately needs a center that is interested in playing like a traditional center.

Danault’s on the older side but he’s the Derek Stepan type this roster needs.

 

[Machinehead]

This team desperately needs a center that is interested in playing like a traditional center.

Danault’s on the older side but he’s the Derek Stepan type this roster needs.

Derek Stepan but can ice skate. Sign me up.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

He will probably trade term for dollars. 3 X $1.75MM should get it done.

I would definitely pay that price for Goodrow.

 

[RGY]

What do we give up to get both Lindholm and Tkachuk in the same trade. I’m willing to give up a lot. Buchnevich, Kravtsov, this year’s first. What else?

I love Kravtsov by the way but I don’t see how we keep all three of he, Kakko, and Laf with Panarin in town.

I’d try Matt Tkachuk at RW just to have his talent and physicality.

 

[Fitzy]

If Chytil takes Strome's minutes, who takes Chytil's minutes?

If your answer is anything other than Brett Howden, you're fooling yourself.

 

[JohnC]

Derek Stepan but can ice skate. Sign me up.

We joked for years about shifting Stepan to wing because of his skating and now our top two centers are guys that legitimately should be shifted to wing.

I think the biggest problems with this roster is the lack of speed in a system that seemingly wants to play fast and the fact that our play in the middle of the ice in all three zones is practically non existent.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

I’d try Matt Tkachuk at RW just to have his talent and physicality.

Either that or switch Kreider to the right. Though I would think Tkachuk is one of their untouchables.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I’m not opposed to Danault but the price to sign him would have me a bit leery

Presumably he would replace Strome but that would mean Zibanejad is sticking around and having 15 million tied up to Danault and Zibanejad plus Kreider’s boat anchor deal makes me queasy

 

[bl02]

I’m not opposed to Danault but the price to sign him would have me a bit leery

Presumably he would replace Strome but that would mean Zibanejad is sticking around and having 15 million tied up to Danault and Zibanejad plus Kreider’s boat anchor deal makes me queasy

yep and he couldn’t put the puck in the net if the net was as wide as a barn door.
Hey he’s terrific defensively but if he gets even close to what he reportedly wants it will be a big mistake. I understand we don’t need a center that scores 30/35 plus Goals if he can do other things but his offense leaves a lot to be desired

 

[Machinehead]

If Chytil takes Strome's minutes, who takes Chytil's minutes?

If your answer is anything other than Brett Howden, you're fooling yourself.

There are surely options to fill the hole at 3C if we move on from Strome and just give his spot to Chytil. Something would have to be coming back for Strome/Buchnevich which is obviously an unknown at this time. You could give Barron a look. You could give (yes, I'm going there) Kravtsov a look.

Don't laugh, Ryan Getzlaf is a free agent. Yes, he's old and does the opposite of solving the speed issue, but he's been a captain in the NHL for 200 years, defends well, and wins faceoffs. He has an edge and kinda looks like Messier for those of you who need to scratch that itch. For one year, he could fill a hole and be a great mentor.

But I'm just spitballing. The best answer I can give not knowing the future is "figure it out." If the Rangers version of "figure it out," as you're implying, is just promote Howden, then they're dumb and we're f***ed anyway.

I'm trying to maintain a sliver of faith in the organization that Howden is just Quinn's toy and he's no longer seen as a viable top 9 option for this team.

 

[Edge]

@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.

I’m sure they’d be very interested if he becomes available, but my gut tells me he’s staying put.

 

[TheDirtyH]

There are surely options to fill the hole at 3C if we move on from Strome and just give his spot to Chytil. Something would have to be coming back for Strome/Buchnevich which is obviously an unknown at this time. You could give Barron a look. You could give (yes, I'm going there) Kravtsov a look.

Don't laugh, Ryan Getzlaf is a free agent. Yes, he's old and does the opposite of solving the speed issue, but he's been a captain in the NHL for 200 years, defends well, and wins faceoffs. He has an edge and kinda looks like Messier for those of you who need to scratch that itch. For one year, he could fill a hole and be a great mentor.

But I'm just spitballing. The best answer I can give not knowing the future is "figure it out." If the Rangers version of "figure it out," as you're implying, is just promote Howden, then they're dumb and we're f***ed anyway.

I'm trying to maintain a sliver of faith in the organization that Howden is just Quinn's toy and he's no longer seen as a viable top 9 option for this team.

Had the same thoughts about Getzlaf myself.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I think the FO just needs to look at MH's posts in the last 2 pages and use that as their off season plan.

I'd prepare for them to chase Nick Foligno though. He may already have an agreement of sorts to go back to Columbus as he was highly respected there but JD was there for a bit too. I hope he isn't completely washed yet.

 

[CLW]

I'm more interested in up and coming men, than old expensive vets or has beens. It's time for the pro scouts to show their mettle and management to come up with savvy deals.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Yeah I'm ready to move on from a large number of players on this team. The ultra east-west pass everything and play passive garbage is perpetuated by too many players on this team. Armchair bong ripping I would do this

1. Hajek - gone forever. I don't care for what. I absolutely never want to see this disaster on skates again, the worst defenseman I've ever seen play for the Rangers. Stupid with the puck, stupid with his positioning, weak and gets lost in the D zone constantly, can't make simple passes and handcuffs half his f***ing teammates on simple exits. I would take Marc Staal back over having to watch him again.

2. Smith - gone. Sorry but the bursts of leadership and 40% shooting percentage don't make up for what an absolute f***ing moron he is. Keep him as a 7 if that's an option but no more.

3. Howden - gone. Useless, I'm tired of waiting to have NHL value. I've seen more from Barron and Gauthier in one game than i've seen in at least 80% of Howden's NHL career.


I also would like to add Nemeth and Derek Ryan as FAs. Adds a strong defensive player if one of the kids cant go, and adds a center who's good at ES, on faceoffs, and the pk.

Whoa....Hajek worst ever? He's not very good but unless you've only been a fan since the Black and Blueshirts in 2010-11, I can't see worst ever. You never had the privilege of watching Dave Karpa or Igor Ulanov in the same season. I've been a fan since the late 80s and here are some names worse than Hajek; Jiri Grandsted, Miro Horova, Mark Hardy, Norman Rochefort, Joe Cirella, the aforementioned Karpa and Ulanov. Bryan Berrard, Pre-lockout Tom Poti Sandis Ozolinsh, Wade Redden, Dmitry Kalinin, Bryan McCabe, Roman Hmarlik, Michael Kotsa.

Smith has served his usefulness. He's been terrible the last few weeks and it's starting to outdo the good but between being a decent stopgap partner for Trouba last season and mostly competent this year, he isn't a total disaster. He's just not very good and pretty dumb.

Howden stinks. Barron can do anything he can and more.

I love Derek Ryan. He's someone who can actually win face offs and play PP2.

 

[JimmyG89]

When it comes to building during the summer, it comes down to a few things for me, starting with the team's defense.

Is this team going to roll with the youth on LD or are pieces moved to acquire someone a little further along that is a top 4 type. You hope for improvement from Miller and you have a gluttony of other pieces that could be the 3rd guy, but are you rolling with that or are you trying to get a Hampus Lindholm type that will provide stability and can be re-signed. Lindholm also brings some size to the defense. One of those pieces cannot be Hajek, he needs to go.

I fully believe Lundkvist is the guy on the 3rd pair. No reason not too. Do they want to go with Jones and Lundkvist? It's a smaller pairing for sure, but there is talent.

As for up front, we need something different. I'd be on the phone every day this summer seeing what it would take to get Bo Horvat from Vancouver. They need a player like that. Pettersson and Hughes need new deals. They aren't flush with cap space unless they move some of their bad contracts.

They need to sell high on Strome. I think these are two different deals. Minnesota needs centers, I'm seeing what they'd move to get Strome.

The bottom of the lineup needs to be tuned. Rooney has done fine, but I'd like him to be a spare. Blackwell has over achieved and is a solid player too. I hope he is a spare as well. They missed the chance to find out what Gauthier is before the summer. Howden needs to go, hopefully Seattle take him. Barron needs to have a chance on this roster, he is a player. Brings size and skill.

As for goalie, Shesterkin is the guy, but Georgiev has regressed this season. I'm not sold on him being able to move forward with the rest of the team. See what he can get in a deal and I'd look to get a veteran as a backup.

 

[Fitzy]

Whoa....Hajek worst ever? He's not very good but unless you've only been a fan since the Black and Blueshirts in 2010-11, I can't see worst ever. You never had the privilege of watching Dave Karpa or Igor Ulanov in the same season.

Purinton and Pilon too. Just god awful.

We basically had to beg a one eyed Bryan Berard to play for us for a year.

I was thinking though, Hajek is probably no better than Stu Bickel, who I had as our previous "Worst defenseman we have a bunch of games to" since Matt Gilroy. Late career Roman Hamrlik and Brian McCabe were pretty bad too

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Purinton and Pilon too. Just god awful.

We basically had to beg a one eyed Bryan Berard to play for us for a year.

I was thinking though, Hajek is probably no better than Stu Bickel, who I had as our previous "Worst defenseman we have a bunch of games to" since Matt Gilroy. Late career Roman Hamrlik and Brian McCabe were pretty bad too

Purinton was hilarious that one season when he tried to be Brady Skjei minus the skating and puck handling and even dumber if the young guys on this board can picture it. Basically he was a lunatic goon who started doing the trying to be Bobby Orr and rush 200 feet thing that Brady Skjei did from 2017-18 to last season. He did end up scoring like 3 goals but it was just funny to watch.

I think Hajek > Bickel. Bickel literally could not skate at the NHL level.

 

[GoAwayGiannone]

Yeah, for my money Ol Stu Bickle was the worst defender the Rangers employed in ar least 10 or so years.

 

[Fitzy]

Yeah, for my money Ol Stu Bickle was the worst defender the Rangers employed in ar least 10 or so years.

The modern equivalent would be calling up Mason Geertson for half a year. Stu wasn't even a good AHL defenseman.

 

[Kodiak]

Whoa....Hajek worst ever? He's not very good but unless you've only been a fan since the Black and Blueshirts in 2010-11, I can't see worst ever. You never had the privilege of watching Dave Karpa or Igor Ulanov in the same season. I've been a fan since the late 80s and here are some names worse than Hajek; Jiri Grandsted, Miro Horova, Mark Hardy, Norman Rochefort, Joe Cirella, the aforementioned Karpa and Ulanov. Bryan Berrard, Pre-lockout Tom Poti Sandis Ozolinsh, Wade Redden, Dmitry Kalinin, Bryan McCabe, Roman Hmarlik, Michael Kotsa.

I’m going to throw Peter Popovic in there for consideration among the worst ever. Big, slow, soft, and all-around useless.

I remember one play where Popovic was defending a 2-on-2 with his partner. Popovic’s man had the puck. Popovic is in okay position. The puck carrier attempted a pass and partially fanned on it. So Popovic has a flat, slow moving puck coming to him that he just wants to shovel out to the neutral zone. He whiffs on it. Okay, maybe he was thrown off by the speed of it like a changeup, but it is going so slowly that he has a chance to recover and attempt a second clear. He whiffs on it AGAIN.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Either that or switch Kreider to the right. Though I would think Tkachuk is one of their untouchables.

I heard that the antics the management is tired of especially at the worst times. Personally I liked his dad and his sons are fun to watch. What would it take to snag both to NYR??


Matt Tkachuk to NYR for Buchnevich, Miller, and 1st in 2022, 2ed 2023. Jones surpassed Miller in my opinion. Better player in the long run.

Brady Tkachuk to NYR for Lundkvist, Geogrgiev, 1st in 2023, 2ed 2022

Greenway to NYR for Strome