Speculation: Roster Building Thread LXXXV: Sell some now, buy some later

[Kodiak]

An old member of the board said people were obsessed with shiny futures.

It was the only thing that got us through some dark times. Now, it's a different situation. The main pieces are already in place and the acquisition phase should be mostly over. As sour as some posters are on the current level of play of Kakko and Lafreniere, we already have the shiny future.

 

[CupSeeker]

I don't think Miller is playing over his head but i do think he's trying to do too much. When he first came in he was making quick plays, staying ahead of the other team, now its like he's trying to be Leetch and thats not who he is or who we need him to be. He needs to settle in and play smart defense like he was earlier, more the way Hajek is playing.

Miller needs to make mistakes to learn his boundaries; he is learning alot lately. To me that's fine. This year is pure development for guys like him. He should be a stud once the head catches up with the skills. Hajek is playing pretty well and still has second pair potential with the way he skates and moves the puck.

 

[Edge]

Miller will have his ups and downs. That's to be expected.

The thing with Miller is that when he's up, it looks damn sweet. When he's down, it can look really awkward.

That's why we take our time before proclaiming someone a future all-star or a future journeyman.

The upside with Miller is very enticing. He's got a shot to be a very unique and dangerous combination.

 

[Bruner4329]

Well it looks to me that Zibanejad's coming a round so hopefully not much longer. Otherwise I don't recall you complaining about faceoffs or turnovers last season when he scored over 40 goals or even two seasons ago when he was pacing at a PPG. Or do you think Covid specifically targets just a particular part of a game, like let's say a pulled groin?

People have been complaining about faceoffs for quite a while now including last year. As for scoring 40 goals last year that was great but you can't live on your past laurels. If you are not scoring like he is this year you hope at least the other parts of his game pick up... and they really have not. This is a huge issue as at some point the Rangers need to make a call on Zibs. Do you want to give him an extension coming off of this year or if not do you roll the dice and either trade him or see what next year brings which may cost you more if he has a bounce back year.

 

[Shadowtron]

respectfully, those ridiculing the shiny new toy seem equally reluctant to change by obsessing over old toys.

Agreed. Some are willing to hold onto a player long after he bottoms out...just in case. lol!

 

[NYRKing]

What’s the updated expansion list looking like?

ADA departure, Blackwells play, Howden suckage, Lemieux suckage. New considerations?

 

[kovazub94]

People have been complaining about faceoffs for quite a while now including last year. As for scoring 40 goals last year that was great but you can't live on your past laurels. If you are not scoring like he is this year you hope at least the other parts of his game pick up... and they really have not. This is a huge issue as at some point the Rangers need to make a call on Zibs. Do you want to give him an extension coming off of this year or if not do you roll the dice and either trade him or see what next year brings which may cost you more if he has a bounce back year.

He can't all of a sudden become a great faceoff man, especially while still recovering from covid.

Otherwise, luckily the call on the extension doesn't need to be made now (or by me, lol).

 

[cheech70]

Miller will have his ups and downs. That's to be expected.

The thing with Miller is that when he's up, it looks damn sweet. When he's done, it can look really awkward.

That's why we take our time before proclaiming someone a future all-star or a future journeyman.

The upside with Miller is very enticing. He's got a shot to be a very unique and dangerous combination.

His rise was quick and he is getting confidence hence the aggressiveness in the offensive zone. He needs to figure out when and when not to pinch!

 

[Edge]

His rise was quick and he is getting confidence hence the aggressiveness in the offensive zone. He needs to figure out when and when not to pinch!

And keeping in mind, that since he's 16 years old, Miller probably has only played something like 200 games as a defenseman, combined, in every league in which he's played.

 

[Lion Hound]

What’s the updated expansion list looking like?

ADA departure, Blackwells play, Howden suckage, Lemieux suckage. New considerations?

Or trade? There were a ton a trades for Vegas expansion. I would bet Kracken do the same. I still have a weird feeling that Zibanejad ends up there.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

 

[RangersFan1994]

trade for Barkov or Eichel

 

[RGY]

Definitely covid related...

 

[Kendo]

First off...SUPER PUMPED for G-Money! Buffalo is sort of in shambles, but that's why opportunities crop up for recently retired players under 40.

I think we have 3 big holes we need to fix in the future.

1. Center situation. At this point it's difficult to tell what we should do. Maybe the best bet is to wait a while. See what's happening with Mika. Strome has been our best C lately, but I still don't see him long term here. But if Mika does not improve we might be forced to trade Mika, not Strome.

2. Our D. At this point we only have one true NHL quality D pair with Fox-Lindgren. We have a lot of prospects incoming. But is it wise to throw our young prospects right into 2nd pairing, giving them too much responsibility early on? Like someone posted I think this is what happened with Miller. A better place for him at this point would be 3rd pair. I think we need to add another experienced solid 2nd line D man to help the kids. I also don't like Trouba. He should be producing way more with that cap. Moving him will be difficult. If Trouba had half the cap I would be ok with him.

3. Decent backup goalie. Geo needs to improve, otherwise we have to look at options here.

IMO, we have TWO big holes we need to fix, and both of them are at C. Mika's having issues plus his contract question marks, Strome is a band-aid, and Chytil might be more of a utility forward that struggles as a top 6 pivot (especially at faceoffs). Even if Filip takes a step forward, we don't have a C prospect behind him until/unless we draft one this year.

I think we merely need a band-aid on D next year. After that, we won't need to shelter Miller anymore, and any other kid that comes up will already have sheltered 3rd pair time. Not a big hole.

Whether Georgie stays or goes, slays or sucks, it doesn't matter. We can find a Valliquette, Talbot, Raanta when we look competitive in a couple years. Not a big hole.

How long are we going to use health as an excuse for Zibs play? Forget the fact he can't shoot on net but his lack of winning faceoffs and his turnovers are killers.

I just read an article on "Long Covid," that occurs in 1/4 of cases. Mild symptoms at first, but lingering effects after recovery that are more pronounced. Brain fog, lack of coordination, fatigue, etc, that can last for months. We don't know if this is that, but it's certainly plausible.

 

[Reway10]

trade for Barkov or Eichel

gotta be that, right?

 

[Fitzy]

Definitely covid related...

Yeah I wouldn't be surprised if we are on the verge of being shut down for a few weeks.

 

[LokiDog]

trade for Barkov or Eichel

Trade for Eichel to trade for Barkov.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Tony D to Hawks?? maybe that can be a possibility.

Insider Trading: Dubas willing to move a top prospect, but not Sandin

 

[Ola]

Miller will have his ups and downs. That's to be expected.

The thing with Miller is that when he's up, it looks damn sweet. When he's done, it can look really awkward.

That's why we take our time before proclaiming someone a future all-star or a future journeyman.

The upside with Miller is very enticing. He's got a shot to be a very unique and dangerous combination.

Yeah, and I am not really worried about his future f. The necessary physical and mental strength takes years to build up. But the big test for him and many Ds like him is to not lose confidence and "shrink" during the period it takes to get there. Many of the young Ds that develop really well over time plays for the better teams, they are not as exposed and its a little easier for them to keep it up and stand the line so to speak.

For a D playing good/great hockey almost always equals making higher risk plays, and the increased risk is of course off-set by the ability the good/great D have. If Miller stops moving the puck, stops trying to stand up forwards, and so forth, he won't play good/great even if he executes perfectly and stop making mistakes. He will just become Marc Staal II.

 

[bl02]

Definitely covid related...

Wouldn’t they have cancelled the game by now?

 

[rangers1314]

Vancouver grabbed Vesey off waivers.

 

[cheech70]

Tony D to Hawks?? maybe that can be a possibility.

Insider Trading: Dubas willing to move a top prospect, but not Sandin

Hate to do it............ but Pavel to TML? I think Gauthier is the real deal

 

[Edge]

Yeah, and I am not really worried about his future f. The necessary physical and mental strength takes years to build up. But the big test for him and many Ds like him is to not lose confidence and "shrink" during the period it takes to get there. Many of the young Ds that develop really well over time plays for the better teams, they are not as exposed and its a little easier for them to keep it up and stand the line so to speak.

For a D playing good/great hockey almost always equals making higher risk plays, and the increased risk is of course off-set by the ability the good/great D have. If Miller stops moving the puck, stops trying to stand up forwards, and so forth, he won't play good/great even if he executes perfectly and stop making mistakes. He will just become Marc Staal II.

I will say that one of the things I've liked about Miller to this point is his ability to do what you touched upon --- including his ability to adapt and adjust and respond to challenges.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Tony D to Hawks?? maybe that can be a possibility.

Insider Trading: Dubas willing to move a top prospect, but not Sandin

There's really no need to give up an asset to get rid of his contract.

 

[NYblades]

I will say that one of the things I've liked about Miller to this point is his ability to do what you touched upon --- including his ability to adapt and adjust and respond to challenges.

Having that long reach for a defenseman certainly is a benefit for Miller.