If these two pan out, and they certainly seem to be on the right track, it will give this Rangers team another dimension that need but don't currently have right now with consistency. Guys who can actually play a skilled game, willing to battle and play with an edge. I know people hate this take but I really believe Kakko & Kravtsov's days are numbered if they don't show tangible improvements this year. Lafreniere has already shown more than both and we are still very deep with the wing prospects who are getting close to the NHL level.
While I’d love it if all these guys panned out AND played for the NYR, odds are one or two get moved. Numbers game. Both in positions/roles and cap space allocation.
I just dont find him to be overrated. He was doing things in the SHL that many before him had not done at his age. His trajectory was upward. I still think it is. I think he has a lot of the tools to be a successful defenseman in the NHL. He has the fluid skating, the passing ability with a good first outlet pass, the heavy shot, and he can be elusive to avoid big contact. I for one was not one of those guys ready to so easily pencil him into the lineup period let alone bumping Fox off of PP1. I think he has some growing and developing to do. I think if you are realistic and objective he is rated just fine, but if you are someone that had him in the top 4 from Day 1 and a guaranteed fixture moving forward then yes that small faction certainly overrated him.
Maybe you didn’t overrate him, that remains to be seen, but plenty of folks did. I didn’t bang the drums for him, but I’ll admit I expected more. And it was party because of the opinions I was reading. I don’t always get to watch prospects a lot.
Yeah, that was the report, but I don’t buy it for a second. He looked fine in the preseason.
They sent him down because they think he should be in better shape, but IMO it’s also cover for they wanted him to play harder for a too 6 spot, which they handed to f***ing Dryden Hunt over him instead. And they weren’t gonna let him get in shape on the third or fourth lines because those are their checking lines and they weren’t gonna allow skilled youth on those lines at that point of the season due to their philosophy. It was a horrible idea.
Whether you buy it or not is immaterial. He got hurt, missed some time and the team sent him to Hartford. That is completely reasonable no matter how much anyone might like the player better than the GM.
I’m fine with Nils doing what he’s doing
He owes the team nothing and whatever he can do to change his situation, he’s entitled to.
I thought I saw he requested a trade in January, Drury should have been on this frankly
He signed a contract. If he wants to play hockey professionally he’s obligated to do it for the NYR organization.
If you are fine with what he’s doing you shouldn’t see a problem with the NYR just allowing him to sit unpaid until they get a deal that suits them. The team owes him nothing and whatever they see fit to do for the team situation, they’re entitled to. He requested a trade in January. He should have played up to expectations that would have allowed Drury to get value for him.
