If the Rangers cut Rydahl and Vesey they are stupid.
Carpenter has a long enough resume to prove he's useless, and the preseason has only shown it more.
Hunt is still as useless as he's always been.
Gauthier is the same exact player he's always been, all skating, no hands, no brains.
Rydahl and Vesey are good players, they can PK, they're engaged, not brain dead, and are cheap.
I can't fathom how the most simple logical decisions are always the hardest ones to make for this team.
Waive Carpenter, Hunt, and Gauthier.
Sign Vesey.
Keep Rydahl and Brodzinski.
Kreider - Zibanejad - Lafreniere
Panarin - Trocheck - Kravtsov
Blais - Chytil - Kakko
Goodrow - Rydahl - Vesey
Reaves, Brodzinski
Or whatever lines you want, but those should be the forwards on the 23 man roster. If they're not then clearly merit means nothing and camp is pointless.
This team can buy out Lundqvist, Girardi, Shattenkirk, and Redden but they can't waive Ryan f'n Carpenter?
After watching the first two games I agree with you. Was gonna come on and say the same thing.
Rydahl and Vesey have both stood out and made a noticeable impact, even if it's just two games. You invite these guys to come into camp to try to win a job and push the competition level up around them. They are doing just that but the other people they are pushing arent pushing back.
To me, Vesey is an easy, slam dunk choice to make the team. He has the most experience with over 400 NHL games, has a good skill set, has played with the Rangers already so theres familiarity there with the media, training facility, etc, etc. That isnt totally important but it helps. Bottom line is what hes shown on the ice is a player who can help this team and is more skilled and intelligent with and without the puck than Hunt & Gauthier. Its plain to see and I will no longer call him Jimmy. He has graduated to JIM.
With Rydahl, we've only seen two games but its been what this team needs. There was a clamouring to re-sign Motte and Rydahl provides almost everything he provided, speed, PK, good stick - except hes 5 inches taller and 10-15 pounds heavier, likely more durable and he can play center and win faceoffs and thats huge. Yes Motte has the experience over him, but Rydahl comes in at 600K less.
Othmann
Gauthier
Hunt
Carpenter
Brodzinski
Reaves
Trivigno
Cuylle
We know Reaves will be on the roster. But your 4th line is light years ahead of what we saw early last year when they had to send out the likes of McKegg and Gettinger. Im fine with Brodz making the club and sticking around even if he doesnt play all of the time. Gallant trusted him with a spot start in the playoffs, hes got wheels and heavy shot and can play up and down the lineup if needed. He's a better player than Hunt, Gauthier & Carpenter who are one dimensional and have more weak points in their games. Hes a better player. Its clear.
Rydahl and Brodz can easily be brought up and down as mentioned above. Thats where it gets tricky with the cap. But I'd love to see Rydahl make this team. And to me, at the very least Vesey should be on the 4th line and written in ink.
Othmann would get his games if it were another team with less depth. He wont this time unless theres an injury. Cuylle will start in Hartford. Trivigno has heart, but shouldve signed with another team because he is too undersized and has too many guys to leapfrog.
