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

[Machinehead]

What is the solution to these three issues?

We need to bring in players who are "hard to play against" I guess you would call it, although I think that can mean anything. Panarin is hard to play against.

I think we need a speedy forechecking winger, and a center who can play defense and do zone entries. We need to improve our puck support but that's more so coaching.

We have to bring in guys who get tangible results in terms of forechecking and producing puck possession. Too often, the Rangers target guys who actively look like they're trying hard. Those guys are laboring because they can't keep up. They need to re-conceptualize how they see grit and north-south hockey.

 

[LokiDog]

Yep. Perfect injury fill in. Can play anywhere and not look out of place, for short stretches at least. I don’t want him on any line full time but happy to plug him in anywhere when a hole opens up.

Yes, because he’s a perfect 10-13 forward. Using him as a top six plus default PP regular is only within the confines of galaxy brain Quinn. He can be a FILL IN anywhere, but as a regular he is a 4th liner. That’s that.

 

[Edge]

And I'll say this about Blackwell: I absolutely keep him on the roster. He's versatile and good enough if something goes wrong. I just wouldn't give him priority over anyone.

Can Quinn be trusted to not overuse him? I don't know but I've always believed that when you have to take players away from coaches like a child, the coach should go, not the player.

Would welcome him back easily, but also have little confidence he doesn’t remain as a crutch for DQ.

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

Buch had a great season but if the guys we're all counting on aren't going to be good enough to cover for the team losing Pavel Buchnevich, the Rangers are in bigger trouble than the Quinn/Blackwell discussions and the sudden discoveries that Ryan Strome is soft are making it seem

 

[Edge]

At this point I think the chances of Buchnevich being here next season are in single digits percentage wise

I’m not too far off. I’d give him a 20 percent right now.

 

[mas0764]

I’m not too far off. I’d give him a 20 percent right now.

Ooooooh

 

[bobbop]

I understand the entire picture with Buchnevich but we need more players that are tough to play against and he is one of the best we have now.

 

[mas0764]

I understand the entire picture with Buchnevich but we need more players that are tough to play against and he is one of the best we have now.

Don’t you think Kakko and Lafreniere become “tough to play against,” as they develop though? And if we could get a young defensive minded future “tough to play against” center for Buch, wouldn’t that be worth it?

 

[Edge]

Ooooooh

The Rangers have been approaching Buch with the belief that Kakko and Kravtsov have to take that mantle at some point. Frankly, if they back out now, with his value peaked, it’s probably going to be a regrettable decision.

There’s a belief around the league that the Rangers would seek a young center via this path and that interest could be higher because teams have a chance to lock Buch up.

I generally agree with this belief, but we’ll have to see what that actually means.

 

[Fitzy]

If I’m thinking of the most natural piece that makes sense to be traded for strength at center, it’s Buchnevich.

He had a career year for us, and should get quite a haul in a trade. He also plays at our strongest position of wing, and management is clearly impressed with Kravstov and his potential.

We are Better with Buch then without him, but if you can get a good young 2 way center that’s the obvious trade.

Edit- ditto edge lolol

 

[mas0764]

The Rangers have been approaching Buch with the belief that Kakko and Kravtsov have to take that mantle at some point. Frankly, if they back out now, with his value peaked, it’s probably going to be a regrettable decision.

There’s a belief around the league that the Rangers would seek a young center via this path and that interest could be higher because teams have a chance to lock Buch up.

I generally agree with this belief, but we’ll have to see what that actually means.

I agree completely. Excited to hear that this may be the way they are thinking and leaning as well. Sell high and get a young center.

 

[Edge]

I agree completely. Excited to hear that this may be the way they are thinking and leaning as well. Sell high and get a young center.

That was the plan. We’ll see if it changes.

Fair warning, a trade could also end up being round out the roster pieces rather than an exciting young center that everyone can “project.”

 

[effen]

That was the plan. We’ll see if it changes.

Fair warning, a trade could also end up being round out the roster pieces rather than an exciting young center that everyone can “project.”

So when they trade Buch for a 30-40 point utility center and other stuff this place is gonna melt down about the terrible value. Noted.

The fun part is figuring out which 26-28 y/o C is gonna be the guy. To h-ref!

 

[TheBloodyNine]

I would feel better about a non-high skill player coming back in a Buch trade if it also included that team's 2023 1st.

 

[DanielBrassard]

That was the plan. We’ll see if it changes.

Fair warning, a trade could also end up being round out the roster pieces rather than an exciting young center that everyone can “project.”

Just to stay on the Buch for young center discussion, how many teams have a top-6 RW need with a center to spare? A team like Dallas comes to mind, with Seguin and Hintz, perhaps a Ty Dellandrea+ package would be available. Even then they already have Benn, Pavelski, Gurianov, Robertson so IDK. Florida with Lundell, I am skeptical that would be on the table.

 

[duhmetreE]

That was the plan. We’ll see if it changes.

Fair warning, a trade could also end up being round out the roster pieces rather than an exciting young center that everyone can “project.”

I'd trade Buch for Lundell/Holloway types.

I'd trade Strome for that roster balance.

Or at least that's what I'm hoping for. This market is really weird right now

 

[The New Russian Five]

I'd trade Buch for Lundell/Holloway types.

I'd trade Strome for that roster balance.

Or at least that's what I'm hoping for. This market is really weird right now

Sign me up for Buch for Lundell. I'd probably want a pick out of that too though.

 

[Edge]

Just to stay on the Buch for young center discussion, how many teams have a top-6 RW need with a center to spare? A team like Dallas comes to mind, with Seguin and Hintz, perhaps a Ty Dellandrea+ package would be available. Even then they already have Benn, Pavelski, Gurianov, Robertson so IDK. Florida with Lundell, I am skeptical that would be on the table.

Florida is intriguing, but with varied opinions on the feasibility.

I’ve had some people say they think it could emerge as a legit option, others are more skeptical.

 

[Edge]

I'd trade Buch for Lundell/Holloway types.

I'd trade Strome for that roster balance.

Or at least that's what I'm hoping for. This market is really weird right now

Unlike past years, I’m having a hard time getting solid guesses from people on market values. Which is understandable.

Buch was certainly in play for a top 10 pick a few years ago and his value is theoretically higher. So there should be very good offers on the table - in normal circumstances. Which this is not. So I have no idea how to gauge the ballpark at present time.

 

[Edge]

So when they trade Buch for a 30-40 point utility center and other stuff this place is gonna melt down about the terrible value. Noted.

The fun part is figuring out which 26-28 y/o C is gonna be the guy. To h-ref!

I’d by lying if I said I could rule it out.

I know that’s not a very exciting answer, but it is within the realm of possibilities.

 

[LokiDog]

The thing about NYR is we have an abundance of D prospects and an abundance of F. I’d be fine with “the right” overpayment for the right forward coming back. We can’t really fit multiple forwards on the roster. If we had to move Strome and Buch and not necessarily get back a 1:1 value, that’s fine if it’s the right fit.

 

[Good Intentions]

I’m in a twilight zone with the video game trade crew here...

89 seems to be inseparable with 93...Think that has any weight? Chemistry? 93’s next contract? Or is this all in your PS3 where you trade for another piece and all of this occurs within a computer simulation? Asking for a friend.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

What about using Buch as bait to move up and grab Beniers?

 

[Clark Kellogg]

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.

I’d like to add Kevin Hatcher and Bruce Driver.

 

[KevinFinnerty]

Buch for William Karlsson?