Speculation: Roster Building Thread: New Season Edition

[FIRE DRURY]

February 2023. Krav on a plane to Moscow. Kane on the 2nd line.

No.

 

[haohmaru]

But last year it was Kreider down low, Zibanejad at the one timer spot, Fox running the show, and Panarin and Strome, and that PP was lethal.

Why is there some need to add another down low guy or another face off guy, etc? The PP1 was great with Strome being a non-factor.

Lafreniere will be an upgrade over Strome at that PP1 spot because he's more skilled and it will help his long term offensive development which is critical for us.

Trochek can win faceoffs but other than that he'll play similarly to Kreider. I don't see how he helps PP1 or the team long term, other than the coach "trusting" the veteran not to have the mistakes and growing pains associated with a young player.

I'm not talking about down low being in front of the net, I'm talking about down low puck battles along the boards and behind the net. I don't see LaF in that role and, personally, I'd like to see him grow on the PP2 unit with Kakko and Chytil.

If Trochek bombs on the PP1 then I'd love to see Kakko slide in into that spot. I'd venture that his offensive development/confidence at this point is of greater concern than Lafreinere's is.

But, honestly, it's splitting hairs. I can live with any of them on the first unit.

 

[Crease]

By putting Blais and Kravtsov in the top six and keeping the Kid Line together, Gallant is trying create a deep lineup. Three lines that can score. No more third line of spare parts.

 

[JimmyG89]

By putting Blais and Kravtsov in the top six and keeping the Kid Line together, Gallant is trying create a deep lineup. Three lines that can score. No more third line of spare parts.

Probably had some concerns putting Blais and Kravtsov with Chytil, so keep the kids together, let Blais get out there and do the dirty work for Kreider and Zibanejad and see if Kravtsov can work well with Panarin as a combo. Trocheck's 200ft game lets them have more of an offensive winger on that line.

 

[EpicDing]

I have no issue with this if the top 9 get somewhat balanced ice time 5v5

 

[kovazub94]

OK, but if they come out flat in the first preseason game...

Fire Qui... I mean fire Gallant obviously

 

[Thirty One]

I have no issue with this if the top 9 get somewhat balanced ice time 5v5

About that...

 

[LORDE]

I have no issue with this if the top 9 get somewhat balanced ice time 5v5

Came just to say this...

I don't mind "The Kid Line" being given a chance but they can't ride the pine all night... if this is (and obv it's so early they haven't taken the ice yet lol) what it's going to be then it better not be sheltered mins

 

[IDvsEGO]

I have no issue with this if the top 9 get somewhat balanced ice time 5v5

This.

 

[mas0764]

This is the same team that wants to put Hunt and Fast in the top 6.

Rangers gonna Ranger.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

By putting Blais and Kravtsov in the top six and keeping the Kid Line together, Gallant is trying create a deep lineup. Three lines that can score. No more third line of spare parts.

It also makes them easier to bench in the 3rd period

 

[mas0764]

Same , ppl dont understand that there is only 1 puck and you cant have

the kid line going against 3rd pairing d men is what Gallant is dreaming of.

Blais - Chytil - Kravtsov wouldn't be favorable against third pair defenders too?

It also makes them easier to bench in the 3rd period

Exactly.

 

[haveandare]

Eh it makes sense in some ways and isnt ideal in others. It’s just the start of camp though, chances are it doesn’t last.

 

[mas0764]

Came just to say this...

I don't mind "The Kid Line" being given a chance but they can't ride the pine all night... if this is (and obv it's so early they haven't taken the ice yet lol) what it's going to be then it better not be sheltered mins

They need to not get third line minutes, 12 minutes a night.

They need top 6 minutes.

Hopefully this is just a testing out phase till he sees where everyone is at.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I think Laf/Blais swap at some point during the preseason and never look back. Laf will get his look on the top line.

 

[Chaels Arms]

In my ideal starting lineup roster world two out of three of Lafreniere/Kakko/ and Kravtsov are in the top six. I don't particularly care which two. Starting Kravtsov with Panarin makes sense to me from a skills and line chemistry stand point. It's also a great move from a relations perspective with Kravtsov and his team. It sends the message of "you think this organization didn't give you a chance before but we definitely are giving you a chance this time."

Of course, is that going to be a real "chance" or is that going to be a typical NY Rangers young first round draft pick forward "chance" where Kravtsov plays three games on that line with his performance falling somewhere on the spectrum of better than John Mitchell but not as good as Gretzky and Gallant says, "oh well, we tried it, didn't work, back to Dryden Hunt."

 

[TheDirtyH]

I don't think Blais is going to work in that spot, so I don't expect that to last very long.

No problem keeping the keeps together after the run they had. I think the message there is an encouragement to them to play just like they were playing. Moreover, if the kids won't see a lot of ice, nor special teams, it's best at least to give them consistent and talented linemates.

 

[leetch99]

I think some talent gets gone at the deadline if we are cruising . Dolan will get impatient and yank Drury by the chain . With a tricky cap year looming ahead and some guys to sign ....it will be tough retaining all the young talent . I don't want to see kids moved out for rentals and picks.....but it could have shades of 94 written all over it . Contract amounts of late certainly are not going down and surely a couple of our kids will do well this season .

 

[gravey9]

I don't think Blais will stay up there. But I think it's interesting. I think there's some politics to deal with in terms of where to start the kids.

I think once chemistry is established then the politics should go away, unless TOI is vastly different between the 3 lines at even strength. I do find it interesting that Kravy is on line 2, seemingly ahead of KK and AL. But maybe Gallant was like screw it, I'm starting the wingers out on lines purely based on age. Which is a ridiculous way to construct a lineup, but maybe a way that seems at least logical for political reasons.

But I am very curious to see how Kravy plays with Panarin and Tro.

 

[kovazub94]

In terms of the effectiveness/ impact Lafreniere - Chytil - Kakko was the Rangers’ 2nd line for the length of the playoffs and Blais looked very good before he got injured alongside Kreider - Zibanejad. So I can easily see
Kreider - Zibanejad - Blais
Panarin - Trocheck - Kravtsov
Lafreniere - Chytil - Kakko
Goodrow - Carpenter - Reaves / Rydahl

Unlike those crying that the Rangers didn’t improve / got weaker over summer, I will say this team will be the class of the Metro and in the group of the East “ true contenders” along with the Canes, Cats, Lightening and Leafs.

.... From earlier in the week... stick tap to myself.

 

[ajdj10]

Instead of talking about what will will need at the TDL, before the first preseason game, the NYR should be waiting to see how the season shakes out to see what or who we actually NEED if anything...

We need the cup.

 

[tomobson]

I think keeping the kid line together is more about having Laf stay on the LW. I think Laf gets moved up somewhere through preseason and we'll see a line of Blais or VK/Chytil/Kakko. Blais and Chytil together scare me because Blais just runs into teammates and Chytil is made out of glass.

 

[Crease]

If Blais doesn’t work on the first line, it’s gonna be Goodrow next up.

 

[huerter]

The kid line being kept together is putting them in the best position to succeed! In fact, you can argue it's the only position to succeed. They've been nubs everywhere else. Butt cised!

 

[haveandare]

I’d think it’s just let’s see where everyone is, start with the kids together since they ended strong and that should give a quick direct comparison or where they are after the offseason.

With that decided, Krav with Panarin makes sense since Trochek is more the straight line guy that used to be what they looked for in RWs for that line when Strome was there. Panarin works well with another mostly offense oriented guy on his line along with a straight line player.