Speculation: Roster Building Thread: New Season Edition

[SA16]

There's nothing frustrating about the PP situation. It's a great PP and the ideal structure. If the younger guys aren't on the unit then so be it. They can learn to shoot right handed in the offseason if they want.

 

[duhmetreE]

I think Laf and Kakko are 60 point players right now.

I can't believe I even have to argue the importance of Lafreniere and Kakko vs Vincent fkn Trocheck. But here we are.

I'm never going to support prioritizing inferior players. But that's me. Let's hope it works out.

No one is arguing their importance. Everyone wants them to thrive and succeed.

Unfortunately there's a cap that's flat and we're at the limit.

Fortunately, we're pretty stacked and have a top PP unit, if not the top PP unit... without utilizing our top picks.. If we were struggling to score Powerplay Goals, I'd understand the frustration... that's not the case.

 

[TheDirtyH]

There's nothing frustrating about the PP situation. It's a great PP and the ideal structure. If the younger guys aren't on the unit then so be it. They can learn to shoot right handed in the offseason if they want.

The trajectory of the team necessitates this and I think as long as Kakko, Chytil, and Lafreniere are playing a lot and with stable linemates at even strength then it's not a big deal they're not on the power play.

The playoff run and their performance seems to have done wonders for their confidence. They want to win and they believe they can be contributors to that. Let Pronman rank whoever he wants ahead of them. If Kakko and Lafreniere don't lead their draft classes in scoring, but we're winning games and championships IDC

 

[SA16]

Worth a claim to help Kravtsov adjust and feel more comfortable?

 

[huerter]

So Lafreniere and Kakko won't get PP1 time for the next several years based on that. Which is stupid.

You think Laf and Kakko can't shoot off a pass because they're lefty?

You don't think a left handed thrower can play shortstop?

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

The trajectory of the team necessitates this and I think as long as Kakko, Chytil, and Lafreniere are playing a lot and with stable linemates at even strength then it's not a big deal they're not on the power play.

The playoff run and their performance seems to have done wonders for their confidence. They want to win and they believe they can be contributors to that. Let Pronman rank whoever he wants ahead of them. If Kakko and Lafreniere don't lead their draft classes in scoring, but we're winning games and championships IDC

As someone who frequently lamented the usage of these players over the years...seeing how confident they are playing is honestly all I need. The reason why I thought they should be given som PP work was to build their confidence with the hope that it would translate to their overall game.

Contributing offense together as a line in the SC playoffs may just have been a crash course for them. So far it looks like it.

 

[huerter]

I think Laf and Kakko are 60 point players right now.

I can't believe I even have to argue the importance of Lafreniere and Kakko vs Vincent fkn Trocheck. But here we are.

I'm never going to support prioritizing inferior players. But that's me. Let's hope it works out.

I'm never gonna support a lack of common sense #gallantgetsgeometry

 

[Boris Zubov]

that team had the Hart and Norris winner on it, and they won the presidents. One of the all time great teams that didn't win the cup.

Still pisses me off til this day that we lost in Round 2. That Graves suspension was such bullshit.

Fun fact, both games of the series we won, Messier was scratched with back spasms.

 

[TheDirtyH]

As someone who frequently lamented the usage of these players over the years...seeing how confident they are playing is honestly all I need. The reason why I thought they should be given som PP work was to build their confidence with the hope that it would translate to their overall game.

Contributing offense together as a line in the SC playoffs may just have been a crash course for them. So far it looks like it.

100% agree

 

[huerter]

The only thing worth arguing is what would happen if Trocheck gets hurt. I don't have an answer. I might consider putting Fox there and putting Jones up top.

 

[GENESISPuck94]

The only thing worth arguing is what would happen if Trocheck gets hurt. I don't have an answer. I might consider putting Fox there and putting Jones up top.

Chytil moves up, Goodrow centers line 3 and Rydahl (who should be on the roster to begin with) gets called up to center line 4.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Worth a claim to help Kravtsov adjust and feel more comfortable?

Help am acclimate to Hartford

 

[Peltz]

The only thing worth arguing is what would happen if Trocheck gets hurt. I don't have an answer. I might consider putting Fox there and putting Jones up top.

On the Powerplay? Play Kakko, Laf, or Chytil. I don't see the reason to put Fox down in the bumper spot.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Today’s Media Availability. Coach Gerard Gallant:

 

[huerter]

Chytil moves up, Goodrow centers line 3 and Rydahl (who should be on the roster to begin with) gets called up to center line 4.

I'm talking about PP1.

On the Powerplay? Play Kakko, Laf, or Chytil. I don't see the reason to put Fox down in the bumper spot.

SMH.

 

[RangerBoy]

The first unit PP is what it is. The Rangers added a new wrinkle last night. Zibanejad and Panarin switched sides. Trocheck found Zibanejad at the right wing circle. Zibanejad scored. They set up on the other side.

The Kid line plays the last half of the PP. Lafreniere scored his goal on that sequence. They stayed on the ice after the PP had finished.

 

[Peltz]

SMH.

What am I missing?

 

[GENESISPuck94]

I'm talking about PP1.


SMH.

Lafreniere or Kakko goes on PP1 then.

 

[huerter]

Lafreniere or Kakko goes on PP1 then.

I'd hate to move Panarin but I guess it's an option.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Yeah and Kakko was alright too lol

 

[JimmyG89]

Lafreniere or Kakko goes on PP1 then.

I think Kakko is better suited to be in the bumper spot. Plus, they could use him as extra help along the boards recovering pucks.

 

[leetch99]

.

 

[McRanger92]

They should be getting the 5v5 time they're getting. They should also be getting special teams time.

The Rangers will not win a Cup without Laf and Kakko being the players they can be in all situations. It's not going to happen before then.

The other issue is them sitting for extended periods of time during games because of special teams. That shouldn't happen.

Your argument would hold more weight if they weren't playing behind some of the best players in the entire league. As mentioned ad nauseum, Trocheck is a righty and the PP scheme calls for a righty in the bumper, and he's already thriving in that spot. The coaches and players have said this openly. The PP is the best in the league.

The bolded is just wind and not rooted in facts at all. You shouldn't concern yourself so much with what the main boards say about the Rangers young players.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Because Lafreniere and Kakko are 1 and 2 overall picks still being denied situations that just about every other 1st and 2nd overall pick is put in. And they're better players than the guy being put in the spot they should be in.

I agree with idea of this, I do.

However Lafreniere or Kakko dont have a career 52+ FO%. They are also not RH. Everyone has covered all of that. If you want to go against that and say neither is important, that is fine I guess, but that isnt how most teams are run.

So what we are really are talking about is providing both Laf and Kakko the opportunity to inflate their numbers so we can feel better about comparing them to other young players drafted in their year on other teams. Its really to drive a point home to say they are just as good or better than the Stutzles, Hughes, Raymonds, etc. It makes us feel better about things.

If Laf and Kakko were on the Devils, RedWings, Senators, Sabres, etc. they would find themselves on PP1. Question is, if all of those teams had Panarin, Mika, Fox, Trocheck & Kreider, would 1 or both of them be on PP1?

You want to say that not being on the PP is stunting their development and confidence? hmm, very little I'd say. It wouldnt hurt, but they are looking mighty fine 5 on 5 and basically scored a PP goal last night after the time expired.

I get it. Maybe Kak and Laf will be looked upon more favorably around the league by fans and the media, but in the end does it really matter if the team is winning and their PP without them is on fire? What's more important?

Also, it actually helps the Rangers (it already has) when it comes to contract extensions/cap. Kakko could go out this year and get top line minutes and 40+ even strength points and be on a 2.1 mil contract next season

 

[Fitzy]

Laf and Kakko don't have the upside of Zibanejad/Panarin so I have no idea why the argument that they need to be our very best forwards for us to win a cup holds any water whatsoever.

They both can be very good players, but neither are ever going to be hart trophy finalists.