Speculation: Roster Building Thread LXXXVIII: 3-2-1 TDL almost here!

[Savant]

People quickly forget that a month ago, Kreider was the only wheel the Rangers had spinning.

Think that’s just Kreider being Kreider

 

[LokiDog]

People quickly forget that a month ago, Kreider was the only wheel the Rangers had spinning.

Kind of. He had 9 of his goals and 10 of his points in a 5 game span. He’s got 8 goals and 8 assists in the other 36 games this season. A hot 10 days doesn’t really justify his lack of compete and focus lately. Production comes and goes. Happens to everyone but the superstars. But Kreider has tools he isn’t using that can still help his team. And he’s really just barely, or not at all, using them on a fairly consistent basis right now.

 

[EdJovanovski]

I think any major moves for the Rangers, if pursued, will be summer time topics.

Right now I expect them to maybe see if they can flip Smith, maybe PDG, and maybe ADA.

Howden is a maybe. But having Blackwell, Rooney and Howden means that at least two of them will still be the Rangers post-expansion draft, so that might be a facto.

No interest in Blackwell?

 

[Edge]

No interest in Blackwell?

I think they’d certainly listen, but they have Blackwell and Rooney signed for next year too. So I don’t know if there’s the same motivation to flip him for some kind of return at this time.

 

[RangersFan1994]

One of PDG/Howden/Goat will go, outside of that I don't except anything. I think Smith stays.

I wonder if a team out there would have interest in Rooney.

Considering how a lot of players would never dropped the gloves I’d keep Smith. Soft teams don’t do well t all.

 

[egelband]

Kind of. He had 9 of his goals and 10 of his points in a 5 game span. He’s got 8 goals and 8 assists in the other 36 games this season. A hot 10 days doesn’t really justify his lack of compete and focus lately. Production comes and goes. Happens to everyone but the superstars. But Kreider has tools he isn’t using that can still help his team. And he’s really just barely, or not at all, using them on a fairly consistent basis right now.

Yeah. That’s my issue with Kreider. He doesn’t have to score to be valuable. But he’s not doing those things either.

 

[Fitzy]

I thought they'd still get a first from someone like Boston. They really aren't worth that much

Reputation really seems to matter with rentals. Crazy. Hall got less than Grabner did. Should be a kick in the ass but you never know with him.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Couldn't agree more about Kreider, it's not so much the production, but he's just not driving play like he used to. He used to be a bull on the puck, winning races, recovering loose pucks and keeping cycles alive. This year that has basically been non-existent which is an issue because he's not gonna create offense through high end talent. Once he was put on the 4th line he seemingly became more engaged in the game, and maybe it's a better fit for his skillset instead of trying to play with Zibanejad and Buch at this point.

 

[Bruner4329]

Kind of. He had 9 of his goals and 10 of his points in a 5 game span. He’s got 8 goals and 8 assists in the other 36 games this season. A hot 10 days doesn’t really justify his lack of compete and focus lately. Production comes and goes. Happens to everyone but the superstars. But Kreider has tools he isn’t using that can still help his team. And he’s really just barely, or not at all, using them on a fairly consistent basis right now.

What about Zib. He basically has all his goals in what 6 games. Tonight another brutal game for Zib but no one pays attention instead its all on Kreider. If Zib hits the net with one of his great chances we win tonight. Just brutal.

 

[LokiDog]

What about Zib. He basically has all his goals in what 6 games. Tonight another brutal game for Zib but no one pays attention instead its all on Kreider. If Zib hits the net with one of his great chances we win tonight. Just brutal.

Plenty of people are fed up with Zib. The difference is you’re talking about production, not effort. If Zib scores we win. Valid. Absolutely. But Zib is still playing hard and getting good looks and chances. In some ways it may be more annoying because he misses but you can’t say Zib is floating. He still is hardly immune to criticism. But the problem with Kreider isn’t “if he scored tonight we win”. It’s hey... can you forecheck? Are you willing to get that 220lb body involved at all? Or are you just gonna float around and make mistakes for 15 straight games. Zib, while frustrating and hurting us with his lack of production, is still trying his ass off and getting looks. He’s just completely forgotten how to finish.

Zib’s inability to finish and forcing passes is hurting. No doubt. But it’s not for lack of effort. Kreider... it would be nice for him to produce too, but the issue is that it’s been accompanied by very lackluster effort and him not doing the other things he’s capable of doing that would still help his team. Okay, you’re not scoring, sucks but what can you do? Go be disruptive in the corner. Use your speed. Use your size. You’re supposed to be a leader right? Maybe THE leader? Lead! At least put in the work.

 

[Bruner4329]

Plenty of people are fed up with Zib. The difference is you’re talking about production, not effort. If Zib scores we win. Valid. Absolutely. But Zib is still playing hard and getting good looks and chances. In some ways it may be more annoying because he misses but you can’t say Zib is floating. He still is hardly immune to criticism. But the problem with Kreider isn’t “if he scored tonight we win”. It’s hey... can you forecheck? Are you willing to get that 220lb body involved at all? Or are you just gonna float around and make mistakes for 15 straight games. Zib, while frustrating and hurting us with his lack of production, is still trying his ass off and getting looks. He’s just completely forgotten how to finish.

He is also making a lot of dumb decisions, passing instead of shooting and some times turnovers off of passes that create an odd man rush against us. He has been totally inconsistent from a player and position we can't afford it from.

 

[LokiDog]

He is also making a lot of dumb decisions, passing instead of shooting and some times turnovers off of passes that create an odd man rush against us. He has been totally inconsistent from a player and position we can't afford it from.

If you go back in the game day thread I said “if Quinn starts OT with Panarin and Zib he’s out of touch. If he follows it with Strome and Kreider he’s even more out of touch”. The reason being because he keeps going to these guys regardless of how they’re playing. Tonight none of them were particularly good. Obviously you’re gonna put Panarin out in OT, but in a game like the one Kreider, Zib and Strome had compared to the way any one of Blackwell, Kravtsov, Kakko, etc. have been playing the last few games and tonight, why the refusal to give the chances to the guys who look good instead of the guys who have the name reputation but aren’t delivering the goods?

 

[bl02]

A great positive with the kids is that they seem to be getting better as the season rolls along. Especially as the schedule has been tighter. That’s really a great sign.
Throw Gauthier in there for the final 15 games or so and let’s see what we have.

 

[jay from jersey]

Plenty of people are fed up with Zib. The difference is you’re talking about production, not effort. If Zib scores we win. Valid. Absolutely. But Zib is still playing hard and getting good looks and chances. In some ways it may be more annoying because he misses but you can’t say Zib is floating. He still is hardly immune to criticism. But the problem with Kreider isn’t “if he scored tonight we win”. It’s hey... can you forecheck? Are you willing to get that 220lb body involved at all? Or are you just gonna float around and make mistakes for 15 straight games. Zib, while frustrating and hurting us with his lack of production, is still trying his ass off and getting looks. He’s just completely forgotten how to finish.

Zib’s inability to finish and forcing passes is hurting. No doubt. But it’s not for lack of effort. Kreider... it would be nice for him to produce too, but the issue is that it’s been accompanied by very lackluster effort and him not doing the other things he’s capable of doing that would still help his team. Okay, you’re not scoring, sucks but what can you do? Go be disruptive in the corner. Use your speed. Use your size. You’re supposed to be a leader right? Maybe THE leader? Lead! At least put in the work.

I think you said it. It’s a big reason why this team doesn’t have a captain yet, and I think the coach has lost the team. Certain nights superb individual efforts from Panarin and Fox not withstanding

 

[jay from jersey]

Quinn never rides the hot line, or the line that seems to have more jump in their game any given night. It’s one of the more frustrating things to watch because it’s such a basic thing most coaches all do. They get a feel of the game and the players and they know whose really going and whose not. You have to ride that wave. With the swings of momentum in these games being so vital, you’d think riding the hot line would be a no brainer. For Quinn it seems like a tough decision. It’s really unfortunate

 

[MysticLeviathan]

What’s so frustrating is Quinn has no problem jumbling all the lines during the game, but god forbid he tries to tweak our PP every once in a while or base OT lines on how the players played. It’s frustrating. You can’t try and claim things are merit based when playing well gets you benched and playing poorly gives you ice time. I honestly don’t mind starting Panarin and Mika there. They’re very good playmakers and giving them extra space helps them a ton. It’s the second line sent out that was blasphemous.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

Is Quinn gone after this season ends?

 

[MysticLeviathan]

Is Quinn gone after this season ends?

tough to say. I really have no idea at this point. he’s not downright awful, but we could do sooo much better.

 

[kovazub94]

People quickly forget that a month ago, Kreider was the only wheel the Rangers had spinning.

I don’t expect much other than some housekeeping moves on the edge of the roster but remember last year the Skeji trade pretty much came out of nowhere.

Interesting how similar situations are if not for Kreider’s NTC.

 

[kovazub94]

Yeah. That’s my issue with Kreider. He doesn’t have to score to be valuable. But he’s not doing those things either.

Absolutely no problem having Kreider on the fourth line even for another game. Remembering how to play this way could help him find his ways as a top-6 player.

 

[CommaSynapse]

I’d much rather keep Blackwell. He was buzzing around the ice, getting involved, getting chances. He’s noticeable even when the points aren’t there. No matter where he is in the lineup, he stays engaged. For $725k, he’s both valuable and capable.

The kid line is looking better and better game after game. The mistakes are going to happen, but that’s going to happen if we want to play the kids. They were all over the Isles.

Kravtsov, too—very noticeable, responsible both sides of the ice as well. He very well may end up a center.

It’s just a shame when your four highest-paid forwards don’t come to play.

 

[kovazub94]

Reputation really seems to matter with rentals. Crazy. Hall got less than Grabner did. Should be a kick in the ass but you never know with him.

Boston keep stepping into the same puddle. The Rangers sold them Nash on his reputation.

 

[kovazub94]

What about Zib. He basically has all his goals in what 6 games. Tonight another brutal game for Zib but no one pays attention instead its all on Kreider. If Zib hits the net with one of his great chances we win tonight. Just brutal.

Zibs “brutal” game was miles better than Kreider’s (who’s been MIA for weeks now).

 

[egelband]

Absolutely no problem having Kreider on the fourth line even for another game. Remembering how to play this way could help him find his ways as a top-6 player.

Yep. He really needs to be making space for his line mates. It’s that simple. And if he’s trying to be a finesse guy, we’re screwed.

 

[kovazub94]

Yep. He really needs to be making space for his line mates. It’s that simple. And if he’s trying to be a finesse guy, we’re screwed.

He was a force in January 2020 through end of last season that we only have seen for just a few games this season. I was calling on Quinn for switching Kreider with Lafreniere but Kravtsov is just fine by me.