Speculation: Roster Building Thread LXXXIX: Going 11-3 to close out this crazy year should do it!

[NYSPORTS]

Put in Jones. Call up Barron, sit Howden. Finish out the season. Flip Krav & Blackwell too.

not sure they burn a year on Barron for a few games. He’s coming by next season though despite those thinking the European finesse would be enough.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

not sure they burn a year on Barron for a few games. He’s coming by next season though despite those thinking the European finesse would be enough.

His first year of the ELC is burnt regardless of whether he gets called up or not

He should absolutely be called up, I don’t need to see anymore of Rooney, Howden or Blackwell

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

But we would then need to hire a new head coach with a consistent and realizable offensive vision adapted to the rosters strengths (with things like PP setup, line compositions, adaptibility and in game coaching, game preperation, street smarts/hanky panky when the going gets rough, aso taken into account)

I find it hilarious that we’re talking about hiring a coach to do such basic coach things like this list

The next coach can’t come fast enough

 

[NYSPORTS]

Enough comments on DQ. Some lay of the land thoughts regarding our players.

1. Brett Howden is playing pretty good hockey for us, IMO. I don't at all agree with the trash he is getting. He is skating really well, slowly but surely moving in the right direction. I think he could use some better guiding offensively, but there is still some potential there. Good young hard working players that should be valueable for us going forward. Should have a good cost/performance ratio too given how his stats don't really match his contribution.

2. Adam Fox has simply been amazing for us. But I want to add one thing, and that is that we should not take his play for granted at this level. Many things play a part in how you perform. Our opponents have been very very predictable for Fox. The schedule hasn't been super crazy, and of course there was a long long rest before the season started. Tougher schedule, more travel, new teams, all of a sudden Fox games is a bit more up and down. He is only human too. Confidence goes up and down.

We shouldn't take anything away from his play and his potential. But for example in the perspective of for example looking at next season and predicting how much better we should be, you can't count on Fox playing at the insane levels he have this season.

3. K'Andre Miller I will break my own rule and bring in DQ in this post too, but only because I won't be crapping on him. I think its super important that Key is pushed to keep making -- too -- risky plays on the ice. Keep trying to expand his register. Not to attack some other poster, but I saw someone say something like 'I will reserve judgement another year because Key is so young, but if he keeps making dumb misstakes ....'. But that is exactly what his orders should be. If he don't make dumb mistakes he isn't trying. Its super important that he doesn't go the route like Marc Staal did and just shrink and shrink and shrink his game until there was nothing left. Vic Hedman is the best D in the league today. He has made many dumb mistakes. I think our coaching staff is doing a good job here. Hopefully they aren't pressured into getting away from that. If Key keeps making dumb mistakes 5-6 years from now, it should warrant a post, not until then.

4. Pavel Buchnevich play should be put in its right perspective, 5 on 5 he is top 15 in scoring in the league. No matter how you slice or dice that, its remarkably good. It also shows that he is doing something well, but also his linemates.

5. Kravy has certainly brouht a breath of fresh air. And it accentuate our log-jam up front. I've been crying a lot about how all kids need super strong support and sheltering to have success. But at the same time, depth (should) be a good thing.

6. Hajak/Smith/Bietto I think that its important to point out that our issue isn't either of these guys individually, becaus I clearly don't think that is the case, but its that the fact that any combination of these three so-so LDs cannot form a NHL caliber defense pairing.

No matter what, we shouldn't underestimate the negative impact on the team overall from having such a totally crappy 3rd D pairing.

imo, #1 and all of #6 need to be gone. And the team cannot be all finesse lines 1 through 3. This isn’t Europe.

 

[NYSPORTS]

His first year of the ELC is burnt regardless of whether he gets called up or not

He should absolutely be called up, I don’t need to see anymore of Rooney, Howden or Blackwell

ok ty. This rolling cap with bonuses this season confuses me. I’m all for bringing Barron up and have been ringing that bell of endorsement as along as any around here. Big body, etc. As big a supporter as any.

Howden imo, has to hit the weight room. He’s still young so he may physically develop yet enough is enough.

 

[NYSPORTS]

I find it hilarious that we’re talking about hiring a coach to do such basic coach things like this list

The next coach can’t come fast enough

he might be a Pat Shurmur type. He knows the game yet gets lost on the big stage whereas other coaches seem more aware. I understand football more so i can’t criticize him as much but others. Some of these decisions are tough to justify imo.

Big picture is he’s helping develop while the immediate picture is they can’t compete with any team playing playoff type hockey.

 

[Kocur Dill]

I actually think that, in 2 years time and with a few roster modifications, our marinating core could very well compete in the playoffs playing a skill game combined with an edge. Our kids should have developed considerabely more by then and our "vets" not deteriorated that much, if at all. Optimal situation, in theory at least. The roster tweeks need to be the right ones too. But we would then need to hire a new head coach with a consistent and realizable offensive vision adapted to the rosters strengths (with things like PP setup, line compositions, adaptibility and in game coaching, game preperation, street smarts/hanky panky when the going gets rough, aso taken into account). Martin and Allaire could stay tho.

There could be a path to being winners with a Red Wings model over the Boston Model. We have the talent. Cycling and East/West can work because the goalies today are too good at stopping direct shots and dead pucking rebounds.

But, it worked for DRW because they had talented down low guys in the mix. The question is, where do we get our Franzen, McCarty, Draper type players? To play that role that makes us unpredictable and hard to game plan against so we can match up well against all the teams we face and their different styles and/or make mid game adjustments from a heavy game to a skill game and back again.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Isles fans have some vehement hatred for Kravtsov they're talking about him like he's some freak of nature LMAO

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Thinking ahead move - if I’m the Rangers and I’m trading any guys like Buch or Zib in the near future - target that team’s 2023 first.

 

[Kovalev27]

not sure they burn a year on Barron for a few games. He’s coming by next season though despite those thinking the European finesse would be enough.

its burnt he’s playing in the A

Rooney and Barron whichever plays center is a huge upgrade over Rooney Howden

smith I’d keep cheap as a 7 next year. Hajek has some potential has played well in spurts but there are guys in the system much better than he is.

 

[NYSPORTS]

Thinking ahead move - if I’m the Rangers and I’m trading any guys like Buch or Zib in the near future - target that team’s 2023 first.

anybody on your radar to trade for? Moving your #1 center and perhaps your #1 RW for?

 

[TheDirtyH]

Don’t take away from Fox—takes away from Fox.

Enough comments on DQ—comments on DQ.

Applauds Fox's talent but suggests that we temper our expectations that Fox will be the best defensemen in the world from here on out.

Criticizes Quinn but adds one comment to commend Quinn.

Gets flippant response.

 

[TheDirtyH]

This is not what Quinn was saying AT ALL. The players were able to get away with sloppy plays and lower intensity against the Devs and it absolutely didn’t work in the last game. The Devs series in itself was a curse as the Rangers we’re playing the “right” - disciplined - way prior to these 4 games and then facing the Isles they couldn’t get back to it because young teams don’t have that vet experience to be able to quickly increase intensity levels.

His point is that the vets are the one's leading the team's play away from Quinn's vision.

 

[kovazub94]

His point is that the vets are the one's leading the team's play away from Quinn's vision.

I don’t think so but sill you can’t separate the two.

KZB line can and has played in straight lines against the top of the East. Strome and Panarin are just not that type of players. Kids seems to learn and eventually will be able to play this way.

 

[Made Dan]

I mentioned him in the last thread. It will be unpopular but I’d sign him for a year or two. He’d add a dimension the team needs

On board with this. Would love Hakanpaa as a similar, likely cheaper option.

 

[TheDirtyH]

I don’t think so but sill you can’t separate the two.

KZB line can and has played in straight lines against the top of the East. Strome and Panarin are just not that type of players. Kids seems to learn and eventually will be able to play this way.

The veteran players on the team did not have the intensity level necessary to beat the Islanders. It wasn't an issue of youth. The third and fourth lines were our most effective start to finish.

 

[JimmyG89]

There is nearly a zero percent chance this team is going to invest big UFA dollars on defense. Even with the amount of cap space they have, the defense is pretty much set for next season, especially if Jones shows well the rest of the way.

Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Jones-Lundkvist

That's the defense. Maybe some guys move around a little and the pairs are different, but make no mistake that unless a trade is made, this is their defense. Jones and guys like Reunanen and Robertson will battle for the last spot. Maybe Hajek as well, but this is what it is.

I'm more inclined to think this team invests cap space into extending their own players. Lindgren could get a 5/6 year deal. Gets him to 28/29. That's probably where we'll begin seeing the decline based on his style of play. Buchnevich should also be getting a 5 year deal. Even if it is to get moved in a year or two, it's better to lock him in or move him. A 1 year deal is a bad move. Then Shesterkin should be getting a long term deal as well. Hopefully to limit the actual cost of the deal. Would not mind committing to a 6x5.5 or 6x6 for him. He's a stud.

Locking in Lindgren and Buch into longer term deals is ideal and they are still tradable in those deals. They've also earned those deals. Shesterkin needs to be locked in to avoid an extremely large cap hit on him when this team is set to cup contend. I would also see what Chytil wants to do with a contract. They could be getting a discount on him too if he continues to progress and he takes a longer team deal instead of a bridge.

 

[Raspewtin]

if we're going for a big mean LHD, trade for Nemeth. Oleksiak is just whatever, not worth what he's gonna get as a UFA

just getting rid of Hajek and Smith will be such a massive upgrade. They're so awful.

 

[TheDirtyH]

if we're going for a big mean LHD, trade for Nemeth. Oleksiak is just whatever, not worth what he's gonna get as a UFA

just getting rid of Hajek and Smith will be such a massive upgrade. They're so awful.

Would love to see a nemeth-lundkvist pair

 

[Kovalev27]

It’s going to be Jones and Lundkvist with Brendan Smith sprinkled in there

they aren’t going ufa shopping

 

[mas0764]

I agree no reason to hunt UFA defensemen.

Let the kids grow into roles. Maybe keep someone cheap like Smith around as a 7th D for insurance and a locker room veteran.

Other than that use your money to start re-signing guys to long term deals. Those deals will look like steals once the cap rises due to the new TV deal that's coming.

 

[rangers1314]

Would love to see a nemeth-lundkvist pair

I've asked this before, but is Edler cooked? He's a UFA.

I know hes 35, but they all can't be kids.

 

[TheDirtyH]

I've asked this before, but is Edler cooked? He's a UFA.

I know hes 35, but they all can't be kids.

I like Edler but he probably will be looking for top 4 money, and he's a bottom pair player at this point. If he was going to be bargain bin, he'd be resigned by VAN no questions asked.

 

[Avery16]

It’s going to be Jones and Lundkvist with Brendan Smith sprinkled in there

they aren’t going ufa shopping

Why is Smith getting re-signed- is Johnson pricing himself out?

 

[Ola]

imo, #1 and all of #6 need to be gone. And the team cannot be all finesse lines 1 through 3. This isn’t Europe.

I agree for sure. The hard part is, with Kreider there, which of the other 8 do you take out? Buch, Ziba, Panarin, Kakko, Laf, Strome, Kravy or Chytil?

Blackwell is a given, at the same time, if he has shown anything, we are also short and speed and quickness. When we get in someone like him it pays off. From my POV Strome and Buch are the best alternatives. But it won’t be super easy to replace them wi physical options. Especially a top 9 center that can play.