Speculation: Roster Building Thread LXXXIV: 2021: “The Fun has begun” or “Over & done”?

[Reway10]

Eichel to Rangers countdown should be the thread title.

 

[LokiDog]

I think you go:

Laf - Zib - Buch
Panarin - Strome - Krav
Kreids - Chytil - Kakko

And roll all three very evenly. Roll out a 4th line that is a mix of Lemmy, Howden, Blackwell, Goat, PDG, Rooney in limited minutes and give the top nine all roughly equal EV minutes. 1A, 1B, 1C... 4.

We have to not think of it as a third line. We have to think of it as having three good lines.

 

[MarkMessyay11]

What does a Seattle protected vs. exposed list look like at this point? I’ve completely lost track.

Seattle Expansion Draft Simulator - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

This site does a great job breaking it down...by my estimation, we likely expose 3 of Strome/Howden/Gauthier/DeAngelo (if he's still around). Those are really the only players of "concern"...Kakko, Laf, Miller, Igor, Fox, etc. are all exempt.

FWIW here's my protected list - Zibanejad (NMC), Panarin (NMC), Kreider (NMC), Chytil, Buch, Lemieux, Gauthier, Trouba (NMC), Lindgren, Hajek, Georgiev.

I left Strome unprotected but could easily swap him for Gauthier depending on our C situation this summer/if we think there's a trade partner for Strome.

 

[Flan the incredible]

Anyone have a website that will track line combos and how they performed? Curious to see Strome with and without panarin for his Rangers career.

 

[E-Train]

I left Strome unprotected but could easily swap him for Gauthier depending on our C situation this summer/if we think there's a trade partner for Strome.

Thanks for the link. Right now I protect Goat over Strome. He has breakout written all over him.

 

[MarkMessyay11]

Thanks for the link. Right now I protect Goat over Strome. He has breakout written all over him.

I would agree. If Seattle likes Strome and we have a contingency plan, that’s the right play. Get Strome’s $ off the books and fill that role with a trade or UFA.

Easier said than done, however. Given our center depth, I think the organization values Strome higher than the fan base does.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

I'd go:

Lafreniere Chytil Buchnevich
Kreider Strome Kakko
Panarin Zibanejad Blackwell
Lemieux Rooney Gauthier

 

[Lion Hound]

Very good question. DQ has really stepped in shit with these line combinations. He has flipped things around so much he was bound to find something that worked in the top 6. But Kreider and Strome are really playing well together. Its a tough call, but I would roll with these:

Lafreniere-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Panarin-Chytil-Gauthier
Kreider-Strome-Kakko.

And I dont look at one line as being the 1st line or the 3rd line. It gives you 3 formidable lines. Gauthier is a shooter which is why its good to have him with Panarin and Chytil. I could also see a swap of Kakko with Gauthier. But that might make the line too passive. Only reason being is it would be something to see Kreider and Gauthier on the same line as two guys that use their size, strength, and speed to drive the defenders back toward their own net. At the same time, that is a good reason to diversify the lines and keep them as I have above.

Depth wins hockey games.

 

[kovazub94]

When Trouba is back, neither Hajek, nor Smith, should come out of the lineup.

Nothing wrong with Hajek - Smith pair getting 12-14 min against opponents bottom lines.

 

[kovazub94]

They both earned their spot for the rest of the season. Send JMFJ to the moon.

Not arguing that JJ is the odd man out and my expectations had been set pretty low but at just over $1m he’s been better than almost $6m Staal a year ago.

 

[CupSeeker]

Not arguing that JJ is the odd man out and my expectations had been set pretty low but at just over $1m he’s been better than almost $6m Staal a year ago.

I was on the JJ out of the lineup train until recently. Brendan is making too many sloppy plays every game now. He may be the odd man out.

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

Somebody else said it but I can’t wait for Krav to come over and “learn how to play hockey the right way with “ Brett “1 Point more than Georgiev” Howden as his center. This organization’s love obsession for Howden rivals Pete DeBoer’s obsession with Stephen Gionta.

 

[kovazub94]

Thanks for the link. Right now I protect Goat over Strome. He has breakout written all over him.

It is what it is and there’s plenty of time for things to change before the expansion draft but at the moment Strome is significantly more important to the team and carries move trade value around the league.

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

I wouldn’t protect Lemieux, but I guess it’s possible that they do.

 

[haveandare]

Somebody else said it but I can’t wait for Krav to come over and “learn how to play hockey the right way with “ Brett “1 Point more than Georgiev” Howden as his center. This organization’s love obsession for Howden rivals Pete DeBoer’s obsession with Stephen Gionta.

God forbid he learn like Chytil, Kakko and Laf. Because they’re all so ruined

 

[kovazub94]

I was on the JJ out of the lineup train until recently. Brendan is making too many sloppy plays every game now. He may be the odd man out.

Smith gets more exposed with more ice time. As 3LD he’s better than JJ.

PS Smith on the right makes me cringe and watch with eyes half closed every time he jumps on the ice.

 

[Raspewtin]

God forbid he learn like Chytil, Kakko and Laf. Because they’re all so ruined

I don't think this addresses his point that he will likely line up with Howden who is probably the worst player on the team right now

 

[haveandare]

I don't think this addresses his point that he will likely line up with Howden who is probably the worst player on the team right now

I mean, yeah but it’s not a decision making issue there’s just literally no spot for him in the top 9

 

[kovazub94]

I'd go:

Lafreniere Chytil Buchnevich
Kreider Strome Kakko
Panarin Zibanejad Blackwell
Lemieux Rooney Gauthier

Blackwell can’t keep up for long with first liners and Lafreniere is still not consistent enough to be a full time first liner ahead of Panarin (and Kreider). Zibanejad has been showing signs of life and I’d love Panarin to prop him even more:

Panarin - Zibanejad - Buchnevich
Kreider - Strome - Kakko
Lafreniere - Chytil - Gauthier
Howden - Rooney - Blackwell

 

[haveandare]

Eichel to Rangers countdown should be the thread title.

God, I hope not.

 

[I Eat Crow]

Seattle Expansion Draft Simulator - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

This site does a great job breaking it down...by my estimation, we likely expose 3 of Strome/Howden/Gauthier/DeAngelo (if he's still around). Those are really the only players of "concern"...Kakko, Laf, Miller, Igor, Fox, etc. are all exempt.

FWIW here's my protected list - Zibanejad (NMC), Panarin (NMC), Kreider (NMC), Chytil, Buch, Lemieux, Gauthier, Trouba (NMC), Lindgren, Hajek, Georgiev.

I left Strome unprotected but could easily swap him for Gauthier depending on our C situation this summer/if we think there's a trade partner for Strome.

Do we know if the summer buyout period is going to be after the expansion draft? I think it usually is.

I'd expose DeAngelo and then buy him out if Seattle doesn't take him.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Blackwell can’t keep up for long with first liners and Lafreniere is still not consistent enough to be a full time first liner ahead of Panarin (and Kreider). Zibanejad has been showing signs of life and I’d love Panarin to prop him even more:

Panarin - Zibanejad - Buchnevich
Kreider - Strome - Kakko
Lafreniere - Chytil - Gauthier
Howden - Rooney - Blackwell

I'm not too focused on the labeling of lines (first, second, etc). To me it's more about line combos. Panarin could certainly help get Zib going. I don't see what Gauthier has done to play over Blackwell. I don't see how you can sit Lemieux ahead of Howden or Gauthier either. Actually I think a Lemiex/Howden-Rooney-Lemieux/Howden line would be interesting.

 

[I Eat Crow]

I don't think this addresses his point that he will likely line up with Howden who is probably the worst player on the team right now

A Howden for Sam Bennett trade with a small add from the Rangers makes sense for both teams.

 

[bobbop]

Thanks for the link. Right now I protect Goat over Strome. He has breakout written all over him.

I would agree. If Seattle likes Strome and we have a contingency plan, that’s the right play. Get Strome’s $ off the books and fill that role with a trade or UFA.

Easier said than done, however. Given our center depth, I think the organization values Strome higher than the fan base does.

Fellows, you have to be kidding. Strome is a valuable center with a very reasonable contract. He has good trade value if (big IF) the Rangers have a better alternative. You are not going to find a UFA who is going to give you that kind of performance and value.

To me, it’s Gauthier or Howden for the last protected spot. Lemieux isn’t making much of an impact. Howden can’t hit a bull in the ass with a shovel full of hay but he is a great penalty killer. Gauthier has a ton of potential that is starting to show. Right now, it’s wide open for the last protected spot.

Of course, a trade sooner than later could change everything.

 

[RGY]

Elias Lindholm. That is the target. That is all.