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

[alkurtz]

My thought is that it is the next wave of our young players, especially our young D, that will determine the success of the rebuild. Lundkvist, Jones, Robertson, Schneider. If two of the four become top 4 D with the young D already here (Lindgren, Miller, Fox) that could propel us to the top. Even without a young #1 center, we have enough young offensive firepower, if the D becomes top 5 in the league. In my mind, this has pushed the rebuild back a year of two, but, overall, I am still optimistic as to the future.

 

[Kords]

I wouldn't put money on Barron be a better forward that Goat

 

[Kovalev27]

I wouldn't put money on Barron be a better forward that Goat

I almost would bet the house he will be. He’s a much much smarter player with a way better release

 

[NYR Viper]

Where does he play when Kravtsov and Barron inevitability arrive?

I'll worry about that when Kravtsov proves he is a full time NHLer. To me, Gauthier has been creating consistent chances with his ice time and has improved his defensive play. He's now using his speed, size and strength on the back-check to win pucks. The kid (and I say kid because he's 23 and it's important to note), was on pace for OVER 40 goals in the AHL last year as a 22 year old. He has proven he can score at all levels that he has played at and the types of goals he scores are available at any level. He's a power forward who excels in and around the net and creating problems down low.

I'm not saying he is going to be a 30 goal scorer. But 20g? I could see that. And the style of game he plays where he can win puck battles and create space for his linemates is something the top-9 lacks outside of Kreider.

 

[NYR Viper]

I wouldn't put money on Barron be a better forward that Goat

I almost would bet the house he will be. He’s a much much smarter player with a way better release

Can we not have both? This isn't a 1 for 1 trade. The team could use BOTH players.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Can we not have both? This isn't a 1 for 1 trade. The team could use BOTH players.

Goat has a problem where he’s likely to be pushed down to the 4th if Kratsov is in the nhl. Barron may end up at center but if he’s a wing he’s got a similar problem.

 

[True Blue]

If this is in fact a lost season, and it is beginning to look that way, I'd rather the boys start learning a new scheme sooner rather than later in preparation for trying to make the playoffs next year.

I can say with pretty strong certainty that if the Rangers win a cup in the next decade, it isn't going to be with David Quinn at the helm.

There is virtually no one here that did not say that when the Rangers enter their window, that Quinn will be at the helm for deep playoff runs. But, and this has been said over and over again, unless the wheels completely come off the bus, I doubt that he is going anywhere. Certainly not this season. That I will bet dollars to doughnuts on. And unless the kids regress in a major way, he will probably start the next year behind the bench.

So with the statement that he is not getting fired during the year being the baseline, were it up to you, who were you planning on bringing in?

 

[NYR Viper]

Goat has a problem where he’s likely to be pushed down to the 4th if Kratsov is in the nhl. Barron may end up at center but if he’s a wing he’s got a similar problem.

Ok, and what if Buchnevich is traded? What if the Rangers want to try Kravtsov and Barron at center? What if Kravtsov isn't ready and needs time in the AHL?

Gauthier, for all of his warts, has 5 points in 18 games in what is pretty much his rookie season and his play has been trending upwards.

With the investment on the LW already there in Kreider and Panarin, the argument could very easily be made that with guys like Gauthier, Kravtsov and Kakko, the team SHOULD move Buchnevich as a cost cutting measure.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Ok, and what if Buchnevich is traded? What if the Rangers want to try Kravtsov and Barron at center? What if Kravtsov isn't ready and needs time in the AHL?

Gauthier, for all of his warts, has 5 points in 18 games in what is pretty much his rookie season and his play has been trending upwards.

With the investment on the LW already there in Kreider and Panarin, the argument could very easily be made that with guys like Gauthier, Kravtsov and Kakko, the team SHOULD move Buchnevich as a cost cutting measure.

There’s an argument for it sure. But while Kakko has looked great this season, buch has absolutely been our most consistent forward all season.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I obviously want to see what Kravstov can do at the NHL level but I’m skeptical he’ll get much of an opportunity this season

unless the mandate comes from up top, I don’t see Quinn giving him much playing time

 

[East Coast Bias]

Praying Traktor is eliminated so we can get Kravtsov here ASAP and watch Quinn go 12 round with him next, sitting him for guys like Howden and others. Or just playing him the regular 8 minutes.

He's not gonna be ready. People need to be prepared for this. He's absolutely not walking into the lineup and playing a lot.

 

[True Blue]

Where does he play when Kravtsov and Barron inevitability arrive?

First Kravstov has to come here and prove that he deserves a spot in the top-9. Second, all Barron has to do is get promoted and out perform him. Let's allow for that to happen first.

 

[Reway10]

I obviously want to see what Kravstov can do at the NHL level but I’m skeptical he’ll get much of an opportunity this season

unless the mandate comes from up top, I don’t see Quinn giving him much playing time

Yeah, our clueless coach will not give him a real chance this season I am afraid

 

[Sayba]

Thinking more along the lines of Lundvist.

I always thought he was someone we could trade but now I'm not so certain.

 

[Bruner4329]

My thought is that it is the next wave of our young players, especially our young D, that will determine the success of the rebuild. Lundkvist, Jones, Robertson, Schneider. If two of the four become top 4 D with the young D already here (Lindgren, Miller, Fox) that could propel us to the top. Even without a young #1 center, we have enough young offensive firepower, if the D becomes top 5 in the league. In my mind, this has pushed the rebuild back a year of two, but, overall, I am still optimistic as to the future.

I believe the elephant in the room will be the center position moving forward. What to do with Zib and quite frankly do you really want to resign him at a high price after this season? Strome is not a LT answer so IMO right now on the roster we have one center for the future if he does not get traded. We may have young offensive fire power but it will not come to fruition if the center position is not addressed.

 

[True Blue]

I'll worry about that when Kravtsov proves he is a full time NHLer. To me, Gauthier has been creating consistent chances with his ice time and has improved his defensive play. He's now using his speed, size and strength on the back-check to win pucks. The kid (and I say kid because he's 23 and it's important to note), was on pace for OVER 40 goals in the AHL last year as a 22 year old. He has proven he can score at all levels that he has played at and the types of goals he scores are available at any level. He's a power forward who excels in and around the net and creating problems down low.

I'm not saying he is going to be a 30 goal scorer. But 20g? I could see that. And the style of game he plays where he can win puck battles and create space for his linemates is something the top-9 lacks outside of Kreider.

Going to correct you. Gauthier has not proven it at all levels. He has not proven it in the NHL. That is not to say that he should be kicked to the curb. His game has slowly gotten better. But that ability to score is what will separate him from being a third liner and a 4th liner. Or possibly just looked at as a AAAA player.

Right now, I have not seen nearly enough to think that a 15-20 goal season is coming any time soon. But I have seen enough improvement in his game to be curious about what else he can do.

 

[JimmyG89]

If they are moving Buchnevich before the deadline, he will have quite a hefty price tag. I'm not too sure they are going to be looking to make that move right now though. Probably shifts to the offseason. Even with Kravtsov coming in soon, they don't need to make a move just yet. He could play in Hartford for a little while. He has also played a full season in the KHL plus some playoffs. They could just use him on the taxi squad. Gets in NHL practices, lives in NY as opposed to Hartford, and can be used at anytime in case of injury or ineffectiveness.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Well you have 4 other people already in disagreement with you.

Its kinda hard to really show something when you are typically only getting 7 minutes of ice time and when there were injuries getting no PP2 time but yet Howden and Lemieux were? Yet in that limited time he was making things happen in the offensive zone.

Kinda funny you call him vanilla when its PDG, Blackwell, Rooney who are all pretty vanilla players. There is absolutely no severe reach here that he backs defenders up and has them getting crossed up by misjudging his size and speed, with them then chasing him trying to prevent him from cutting around the edge and hard towards the net. And if thats not available then he heads behind the net to keep possession. I dont see the other group of players you mentioned doing any of that.

Lol at fighting for a roster spot... yeah thats because the Coach is an airhead who refuses to play him but so happily play others that do nothing but chase the puck around the ice, can barely handle it when they have it, or make/receive a clean pass.

Others are already challenging you on this take so I will leave it at that.

You just proved my point...he's getting 7 mins a night on a team looking for answers, he isnt it. I called him vanilla just like PDG and Rooney, they are all replaceable players much like Nieves(who everyone said the same thing about), Letteri etc etc. Its all the same container of ice cream. He isn't part of the long term plan here.

 

[NYR Viper]

Going to correct you. Gauthier has not proven it at all levels. He has not proven it in the NHL. That is not to say that he should be kicked to the curb. His game has slowly gotten better. But that ability to score is what will separate him from being a third liner and a 4th liner. Or possibly just looked at as a AAAA player.

Right now, I have not seen nearly enough to think that a 15-20 goal season is coming any time soon. But I have seen enough improvement in his game to be curious about what else he can do.

Fair enough, he has proven it at all levels he has played at for extended periods of time.

 

[Fitzy]

If they are moving Buchnevich before the deadline, he will have quite a hefty price tag. I'm not too sure they are going to be looking to make that move right now though. Probably shifts to the offseason. Even with Kravtsov coming in soon, they don't need to make a move just yet. He could play in Hartford for a little while. He has also played a full season in the KHL plus some playoffs. They could just use him on the taxi squad. Gets in NHL practices, lives in NY as opposed to Hartford, and can be used at anytime in case of injury or ineffectiveness.

Thing is, we'd probably get more for him at the deadline if the deal was to a team looking for a stanley cup.

If he isn't moved, I believe he has one season remaining of RFA eligibility, so they could push the long term decision on him down the road a touch.

 

[True Blue]

There’s an argument for it sure. But while Kakko has looked great this season, buch has absolutely been our most consistent forward all season.

Buchnevich has become a legit top line, 60ish point player. No two ways about that.

 

[True Blue]

Yeah, our clueless coach will not give him a real chance this season I am afraid

Am 100% positive that he will be ruined the same way that Buchnevich was. And the same way Chytil was. And the same way that Lafreniere is being ruined. And Kakko.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

I get that moving in from Buch may make sense in a flat cap world where he plays a position of relative depth and is due a big raise.

But man it scares me to strip another vet who is generally performing well from this roster. Would think ideal scenario would be in a “hockey trade” for a C but I’m sure that is far easier said than done.

 

[True Blue]

Thing is, we'd probably get more for him at the deadline if the deal was to a team looking for a stanley cup.

If he isn't moved, I believe he has one season remaining of RFA eligibility, so they could push the long term decision on him down the road a touch.

Whatever else happens, Buvchnevich is not being moved at the deadline. If he is moved at all, it will be as a part of a trade for everyday players. Not prospects or picks.

 

[Guyute]

Buchnevich has become a legit top line, 60ish point player. No two ways about that.

i aint making that claim until he scores at that pace for more than 50-60 games