Speculation: Roster Building Thread: New Season Edition

[gravey9]

Did you even look before saying this?

Three days ago:


Five days ago:

I stand corrected.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Rules According to Hoyle.
This many days until opening night:

 

[RangerBoy]

I was listening to Mollie Walker on a Rangers fan podcast. She thinks Chytil becomes a star this season. Her breakout player is Schneider.

I hope Lafreniere becomes a star. Kakko takes the next step and establishes himself as a legit top 6 NHL forward. No need for Kane. There is some decline showing there. His defensive play is bad. Might be the worst defensive player in the league. His goal scoring numbers were down last season.

 

[Ola]

I am not talking about adding a top 4 D. The Rangers top 4 is set. The Rangers need Soucy or Sanheim as a 5/6 D. One of those players should cost a 2nd and a prospect based on the Manson trade. The post I was questioning discussed trading a #1 pick for a D. The Rangers don't have the cap space for that type of player.

For sure, at least as long as its not a Hagel type of trade. But I think that type of D could be hard to find.

The other day I was looking at if there were any LD that could help us with 50% retention. But the problem is that we can't afford them even then. But at the deadline, what would be the equal to the Hagel trade for a defender, Oliver Kylington at 50% -- i.e. 1.25m per for 22/23 and 23/24 -- for a 1st plus.

I was listening to Mollie Walker on a Rangers fan podcast. She thinks Chytil becomes a star this season. Her breakout player is Schneider.

I hope Lafreniere becomes a star. Kakko takes the next step and establishes himself as a legit top 6 NHL forward. No need for Kane. There is some decline showing there. His defensive play is bad. Might be the worst defensive player in the league. His goal scoring numbers were down last season.

If anyone of these kids really break out, Drury will have his work cut out for him next summer. But its the good type of problem to have.

 

[haohmaru]

I hope Lafreniere becomes a star. Kakko takes the next step and establishes himself as a legit top 6 NHL forward. No need for Kane. There is some decline showing there. His defensive play is bad. Might be the worst defensive player in the league. His goal scoring numbers were down last season.

Kane can be fun to watch but I don't think he's "helping" this team win much of anything by supplanting one of the youngsters down the stretch. Unless there's a season-ending injury I don't see why the Rangers are even looking at this. The cost (probably one of our firsts + decent prospect + later pick) is prohibitive - particularly with THIS draft. I like what Drury did at the last deadline but I'm not sure it'll be necessary this year to that extent. Assuming the Rangers are in playoff position, additional bodies (like Motte) will be a need as injuries mount. A 3rd/4th liner, depth D - stuff that doesn't really cost much.

Here's to hoping the entire group takes a step forward - particularly 1OA and 2OA and Chytil.

 

[Vitto79]

I like Gauthier and think he eventually puts it together (I know time is running out). But I agree, this is not the right spot for him. He did a nice job re-creating his game to become more of a fourth line banger. But I don’t think that’s him, really. Moving him would make a lot of sense. Problem appears to be that there are no takers.

He may even clear waivers honestly. A lot of guys that have done well in the AHL but not NHL

I think if he can be dealt for a 7th D they would of done it already

 

[GENESISPuck94]

I was listening to Mollie Walker on a Rangers fan podcast. She thinks Chytil becomes a star this season. Her breakout player is Schneider.

I hope Lafreniere becomes a star. Kakko takes the next step and establishes himself as a legit top 6 NHL forward. No need for Kane. There is some decline showing there. His defensive play is bad. Might be the worst defensive player in the league. His goal scoring numbers were down last season.

The only way Lafreniere becomes a star in this league is either by Gallant being fired or requesting a trade. He will never get the PP1 time virtually all NHL stars need to become stars. Everyone gushes over Stutzle, but Lafreniere was the better 5v5 player, the difference was Stutzle was spoon fed PP1 time and Lafreniere was denied even the slightest chance to be on PP1.

 

[haohmaru]

The only way Lafreniere becomes a star in this league is either by Gallant being fired or requesting a trade. He will never get the PP1 time virtually all NHL stars need to become stars. Everyone gushes over Stutzle, but Lafreniere was the better 5v5 player, the difference was Stutzle was spoon fed PP1 time and Lafreniere was denied even the slightest chance to be on PP1.

The problem with this is - who are you taking off PP1? Kreider who lead the league in PP goals or Panarin (tied for 5th in PP points)?

Firing Gallant isn't going to change much of anything in that regard.

 

[RGY]

I was listening to Mollie Walker on a Rangers fan podcast. She thinks Chytil becomes a star this season. Her breakout player is Schneider.

I hope Lafreniere becomes a star. Kakko takes the next step and establishes himself as a legit top 6 NHL forward. No need for Kane. There is some decline showing there. His defensive play is bad. Might be the worst defensive player in the league. His goal scoring numbers were down last season.

There is not any decline showing with Kane. That’s just not true. He was never some defensive stalwart. And he is by no means the worst defensive player in the league, thats just hyperbole.

If you look at his offensive numbers, over the course of his 15 year career with 1 being a shortened season in 20-21 and 19-20 ending early, he just had his 3rd highest point total with 92 points. That is a 1.17 PPG production. In the shortened 20-21 season before that he was at a 1.17 PPG. In 19-20 he was at 1.2 PPG. Those are his age 31-33 seasons. And his best year was the one before those in 18-19 with 110 points and a 1.35 PPG. This guy is hardly “declining” or showing signs of slowing down. He is a true competitor and an elite one of that. He has never been some prolific goal scorer. Over the course of his 15 year career he averages 28 goals per year. He scored 26 last season. He has been predominantly in the 20-30 goal range with the exception of 2 seasons where he eclipsed 40 and 3 were he hit 30+. His career Goals Per Game is 0.38. Last year was 0.33.

I am on the fence about adding Kane. I am leaning towards yes go after him at the deadline. Because no matter how much the kids improve they are not Patrick Kane and what he can do offensively. He takes on the pressure and allows the kids to fly under the radar while giving us even more scoring depth. This is a 3x Stanley Cup Winner.

Arthur Staple was on SiriusXM yesterday afternoon and whether you believe he has heard things or not, he was hinting that Patrick Kane is going to be the Rangers #1 target at the deadline. He said the two things “he has heard” from other people is 1) Kane loves the spotlight and 2) He loves playing with Artemi Panarin. Panarin-Trochek-Kane could be a lethal line.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

The problem with this is - who are you taking off PP1? Kreider who lead the league in PP goals or Panarin (tied for 5th in PP points)?

Firing Gallant isn't going to change much of anything in that regard.

There is an opening on PP1 with the departure of Ryan Strome. Should be filled by 1 of Trocheck, Laf, and Chytil. It should be Laf, but Gallant will probably choose Trocheck.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

The problem with this is - who are you taking off PP1? Kreider who lead the league in PP goals or Panarin (tied for 5th in PP points)?

Firing Gallant isn't going to change much of anything in that regard.

It’s Laf or Trocheck in Stromes old spot. But if we are looking at past history it’s Chytil who was there when Strome was out.

IMO it will be Trocheck. He is also right handed, can win face offs which they’ve been starving for for years (decades). Slides right into the same spot and they don’t go out and pay guys big bucks in free agency and not back it up with top minutes

But what would be best for the future of this team is getting Lafreniere on the PP1, even if he is playing in a spot not perfectly suited for him. It is the next progression of his development

 

[Savant]

I was listening to Mollie Walker on a Rangers fan podcast. She thinks Chytil becomes a star this season. Her breakout player is Schneider.

As a rule I don’t think you can call for any player who has been in the league less than 3 years to be breakout.

 

[IronBloodedLion]

This has potential to be a really exciting year.

This year is nut cutting time for the young forwards. I really like the veteran group, especially with the addition of a legit 2nd line center whose had success with this coach before.

 

[haohmaru]

There is an opening on PP1 with the departure of Ryan Strome. Should be filled by 1 of Trocheck, Laf, and Chytil. It should be Laf, but Gallant will probably choose Trocheck.

Who is taking draws on the PP if Trochek isn’t on it? It should NOT be LaF.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Who is taking draws on the PP if Trochek isn’t on it? It should NOT be LaF.

Mika is still the center. And Ck does win draws.

 

[mas0764]

I was listening to Mollie Walker on a Rangers fan podcast. She thinks Chytil becomes a star this season. Her breakout player is Schneider.

I hope Lafreniere becomes a star. Kakko takes the next step and establishes himself as a legit top 6 NHL forward. No need for Kane. There is some decline showing there. His defensive play is bad. Might be the worst defensive player in the league. His goal scoring numbers were down last season.

He still scored 92 points.

Hey, I would love Patrick Kane to sign a 1 year affordable contract with us in the offseason. I'm just not, no way, under any circumstance at all ever, giving up either of the two first round lottery tickets in this very strong draft for him, nor am I giving up any player I have rights to that I view as a future starter on what I hope to be a Cup winning team (and by that I mean, Kravtsov, Kakko, Chytil, Jones, Robertson, Schneider, Othmann, etc). Seconds, thirds, lesser prospects like Cuylle, Korczak, Skinner, etc, are all fair game, but I understand that's piddling and won't get the deal done. That's ok. I don't need to make a deal. I'm not giving up core pieces for rentals. Trading core pieces for rentals hardly ever results in a Stanley Cup win.

You want to play in NY? We'd love to have you. We will still be trying to win the Cup next season. Come play with us when your contract is up.

If anyone of these kids really break out, Drury will have his work cut out for him next summer. But its the good type of problem to have.

There are two obvious solutions staring him in the face.

 

[mas0764]

The problem with this is - who are you taking off PP1?

Trocheck, easy answer.

He said the two things “he has heard” from other people is 1) Kane loves the spotlight and 2) He loves playing with Artemi Panarin. Panarin-Trochek-Kane could be a lethal line.

I look forward to him signing a one year minimum deal with us in the 2023 offseason.

Lafreniere Zibanejad Kreider
Panarin Trocheck Kane
Kravtsov Chytil Kakko

Yikes, sorry Othmann. One more year till you can break in, enjoy Hartford.

 

[Fitzy]

This has potential to be a really exciting year.

This year is nut cutting time for the young forwards. I really like the veteran group, especially with the addition of a legit 2nd line center whose had success with this coach before.

It also has the potential to be a disappointing year.

In 2014 we rode a relatively mediocre regular season to the SCF, and came out the next year with a much improved RS, even with a roster that was perhaps slightly weaker after the departure of Pouliot, Richards, Boyle, and the replacement of Stralman with Dan Boyle.

The team knew it was good and was gunning for a cup, and the performance the next year was a Presidents trophy. I genuinely think part of that improvement came from the previous year's run and the team understanding that the expectation should be to win each game and gun for a cup.

We talked a lot about how last season the metrics of this team were terrible at even strength. The only reason we even made the playoffs with time to spare was the power play and one of the best single seasons by a goaltender in the last 20 years.

Our expectation should be a team that isn't losing the battle at even strength most nights this season. We will see if we have a better performance or if the team stagnates like it did in 2012-2013. If it does the latter, you're going to see a lot of "Trade Panarin/Kreider/Zibby" threads as people consider whether the roster we have built is really good enough to win 16 games in the playoffs.

 

[mas0764]

Who is taking draws on the PP if Trochek isn’t on it? It should NOT be LaF.

Zibanejad?

 

[mas0764]

I will say, a lineup that looks like this -

Lafreniere Zibanejad Kreider
Panarin Trocheck Kakko
Othmann Chytil Kravtsov
Cuylle Goodrow Blais

is beginning to look like the kind of lethal forward scoring depth that wins in the playoffs.

With two stud drafted centers in the system.

2023 could be lovely.

 

[mas0764]

Our expectation should be a team that isn't losing the battle at even strength most nights this season. We will see if we have a better performance or if the team stagnates like it did in 2012-2013. If it does the latter, you're going to see a lot of "Trade Panarin/Kreider/Zibby" threads as people consider whether the roster we have built is really good enough to win 16 games in the playoffs.

If the team is as abysmal at 5v5 again this year I think you have to consider asking them to waive and then trading either a Zibanejad or a Panarin or something. The team can't just be lethal on the PP and have amazing goaltending and then mail it in 5v5.

We are banking on swapping out noted specialist Ryan Strome for well-rounded Vincent Trocheck and then the development of the kids. Problem is, despite lacking offensive finishing, Kakko was already a big plus defensively and with possession. It can't all be blamed on Lafreniere and Chytil. Zibanejad and Panarin can't just be PP stat compilers, they have to drive and carry play at 5v5 for what they are being paid.

 

[GENESISPuck94]

The problem with this is - who are you taking off PP1? Kreider who lead the league in PP goals or Panarin (tied for 5th in PP points)?

Firing Gallant isn't going to change much of anything in that regard.

Trocheck shouldn't be on PP1. Lafreniere should be on PP1.

PP1
Kreider - Zibanejad - Lafreniere
Fox - Panarin

PP2
Kravtsov - Trocheck - Kakko
Trouba - Jones

 

[duhmetreE]

Panarin Trocheck Laffy
Kreider Zibs Kravtsov
Blais Chytil Kakko
Cuylle/Goodrow/Carpenter/Reaves/Hunt

KAM Trouba
Lindgren Fox
Hajek/Jones Schneider

This is the way.

 

[GENESISPuck94]

I will say, a lineup that looks like this -

Lafreniere Zibanejad Kreider
Panarin Trocheck Kakko
Othmann Chytil Kravtsov
Cuylle Goodrow Blais

is beginning to look like the kind of lethal forward scoring depth that wins in the playoffs.

With two stud drafted centers in the system.

2023 could be lovely.

This is what I'm hoping for. But I doubt they'll have 3 rookie forwards. Hopefully one of Othmann/Cuylle make it. I think Vesey would be a good player to have on the 4th line and kill penalties.

I think Othmann is going to make a case for himself over Cuylle. Play the 9(?) games and reevaluate. If he's playing well he sticks. If he's struggling he can go back to Juniors for the rest of the season.

 

[mas0764]

This is what I'm hoping for. But I doubt they'll have 3 rookie forwards. Hopefully one of Othmann/Cuylle make it. I think Vesey would be a good player to have on the 4th line and kill penalties.

I think Othmann is going to make a case for himself over Cuylle. Play the 9(?) games and reevaluate. If he's playing well he sticks. If he's struggling he can go back to Juniors for the rest of the season.

I'm saying that could be next year's lineup. Othmann would probably be the only rookie as Cuylle and Kravtsov will get time this year.