Speculation: Roster Building Thread: New Season Edition

[Atax]

He had a good enough camp to solidify his spot on our 4th line and PK. Absolutely. He can be a really, really effective bottom line player.

I’d also be okay with him moving up the lineup in spot duty in emergency situations.

But el oh el at thinking it’s a good decision to play him in the top 6 in a default situation.

Agreed 100%.

 

[effen]

This is super hilarious where I wrote Vesey had an excellent camp that enabled him to get a shot on a top line from starting off on the 5th line and a bunch of people are writing or insinuating I think he earned it and deserves to be there the whole year.

Come on bros. Do better .

 

[irishlaxburger2]

40 lines played at least 200 minutes scoring at least 3 goals/60 last year

Those lines included players like Michael Bunting, Ryan Hartman, Travis Boyd, Jesper Fast, Marcus Foligno, Trevor Moore, Alex Barabanov, Motte/Lammiko/Highmore, Trent Frederic. Playing random guys on these lines is extremely common and often effective.

Random NHLers? Sure.

Random AHL caliber plugs that couldn’t even be resigned by a 63 point NJ Devil team? No.

We constantly give top 6 minutes to the latter type of player. Am I advocating for us to cut all those types of players? No, because we literally can’t ice a roster without those players considering how cap strapped we are. But if we’re going to have to play them, they should be utilized in the roles they’re meant for in the bottom 6. And *especially* should not be playing in situations that come at the expense of developing the potential young stars on our roster that need to develop in order for our team to actually evolve into a true Cup contender.

 

[Atax]

This is super hilarious where I wrote Vesey had an excellent camp that enabled him to get a shot on a top line from starting off on the 5th line and a bunch of people are writing or insinuating I think he earned it and deserves to be there the whole year.

Come on bros. Do better .

I mean you also made the intolerable comment and then tried to compare it to one of our top rookies. No one in this thread is saying he didn't deserve to make the team. Everyone is basically saying he should on the team but not the top line. Stop trying to make it as if your comment wasn't being condescending to other posters.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Blais and Goodrow are not in game form and two of the other three lines seem pretty set. No reason to get worked up here. Vesey is there because no one else is ready.

Kane trade starting to seem inevitable though isn’t it.

Yeah, wouldn’t want to rush those 22 year olds into a bigger role, let’s wait until they’re at least 29 then maybe they’ll be ready. This franchise knows how to develop forwards as they’ve proven over the years.

 

[pld459666]

This is super hilarious where I wrote Vesey had an excellent camp that enabled him to get a shot on a top line from starting off on the 5th line and a bunch of people are writing or insinuating I think he earned it and deserves to be there the whole year.

Come on bros. Do better .

He didn't earn top line role, but he did earn a contract as he was better than his competitors

 

[SA16]

Random NHLers? Sure.

Random AHL caliber plugs that couldn’t even be resigned by a 63 point NJ Devil team? No.

We constantly give top 6 minutes to the latter type of player. Am I advocating for us to cut all those types of players? No, because we literally can’t ice a roster without those players considering how cap strapped we are. But if we’re going to have to play them, they should be utilized in the roles they’re meant for in the bottom 6. And *especially* should not be playing in situations that come at the expense of developing the potential young stars on our roster that need to develop in order for our team to actually evolve into a true Cup contender.

The guys I listed were not exactly full time NHLers in the past.

Hartman was a bust 1st round pick depth piece scoring 20-25 points a year.

Bunting was a 26 year old who had yet to play a full NHL season

Travis Boyd had 41 points in 124 career games.

Barabanov was a 27 year old rookie who previously had 1 point in 13 games with the Leafs

Those guys did not have any better of a pedigree than Vesey. They played them on the top line. It worked. And they were better for it because it let them spread out their talented players.

If Lafreniere is actually not comfortable at RW what do you want them to do? You want Kakko there? Well then your hero Lafreniere is the one who is going to be on a line with Vesey or Goodrow or Blais or something like that. Or, you can try filling in some random depth piece with Mika/Kreider and see if it works - as it does for many teams - and if it does now you have a far stronger 3rd line. If it doesn't work - and I'm not sure you're aware of this - there are 82 games in the season and it's actually possible to make a change to the lines. And in fact, if nothing works, towards the end of the season there is this thing called the Trade Deadline where they can trade for someone. I'm not sure why it matters who is there before then considering that isn't the playoff roster anyway.

 

[egelband]

We deserve a good one after just missing both Zuccarello conditions.

And the Tampa condition.

They'll never do this, but it might be the strongest lineup, depending on how Kravstov goes.

Lafreniere Mika Kakko
Panarin Trocheck Chytil/Kravy
Kreider Goodrow Chytil/Kravy
Vesey Rydahl Blais

I think we can default to Kravtsov playing with Panarin…and I’m very happy with that. Fwiw.

 

[Crease]

LOL wasn’t expecting to be right this quickly.

 

[EdJovanovski]

This is super hilarious where I wrote Vesey had an excellent camp that enabled him to get a shot on a top line from starting off on the 5th line and a bunch of people are writing or insinuating I think he earned it and deserves to be there the whole year.

Come on bros. Do better .

Do you expect him to keep this up for a whole season? If we based our opinions off of preseasons we'd all come away thinking 4th line scrubs with their NHL careers & potentially millions of dollars at steak are better than superstars. Vesey is 29 years old, it's very unlikely he suddenly breaks out now lol. He is what he is, he's had his whole career to prove himself in the NHL and he hasn't. This is a mirage.

 

[effen]

I mean you also made the intolerable comment and then tried to compare it to one of our top rookies. No one in this thread is saying he didn't deserve to make the team. Everyone is basically saying he should on the team but not the top line. Stop trying to make it as if your comment wasn't being condescending to other posters.

I feel like the reaction of "Welcome to hell" when a guy strongly exceeds expectations on a PTO to the point he deservingly gets a preseason look (!!!!!) in the top six was deserving of mockery. Especially juxtaposed with a guy who got gifted a prime spot and fired off C level performances that are mom'd away. Your mileage may vary.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Vesey with Kreider and Zibanejad, it's 2016 all over again.

I understand why it's a thing but it's pretty funny.

September 21: We don't need Patrick Kane!

October 11: Jimmy Vesey on the top line

...

 

[egelband]

View attachment 590775

Gallant interview states 29 guys still in camp yet only 26 in group photo. Curiouser and curiouser?

I guess one of them took the picture, so that explains one

 

[effen]

Do you expect him to keep this up for a whole season? If we based our opinions off of preseasons we'd all come away thinking 4th line scrubs with their NHL careers & potentially millions of dollars at steak are better than superstars. Vesey is 29 years old, it's very unlikely he suddenly breaks out now lol. He is what he is, he's had his whole career to prove himself in the NHL and he hasn't. This is a mirage.

Nowhere did I say Jimmy Vesey deserves a full year of top line RW minutes based on 3/4 of a good camp. I am legitimately f***ing baffled the hive mind thinks I did.

 

[McRanger92]

7 days until the seasons starts? People are at each other’s throats already

 

[Rongomania]

All the social media cringe aside, I don't remember one of our teams being this tight. They can feel it. They have a shit-ton of confidence right now. The things that have to go right for this team to be a giant are absolutely on the edge of happening.

I'm thrilled we get to destroy Tampa out of the gate.

 

[Zynbanejad]

Wow, who could have possibly predicted this? Oh that’s right, I did.


Yeah, like who the top lines RW is

So? Might as well try it out. Could be great value and then we upgrade at the TDL. The dude is hungry.

 

[MrAlmost]

---

I understand why people are apprehensive about Vesey on the Z line. He has had lackluster point production the last few years. We want to see our high picks in that spot. However, I also think these people have not kept up with him as a player over those years. He has changed.

First, his best offensive years came on the Rangers. I don't care what anyone says, but that isn't common. Someone who performs their best in New York is rare. We have all seen enough players play incredible elsewhere only to come here and be a disappointment.

Second, he is not the player people remember when we signed him out of college. He is bigger, stronger, more aggressive, better on the boards, good defensively, great on the PK, and smarter. If you haven't been watching him you wouldn't know that Vesey has become a well rounded player. Stat watching on him does not tell the whole story, much like stat watching for a Motte or a Goodrow does not do them justice. Vesey is a smart person, like Kreider, and he has been able to adjust his game accordingly.

Third, he is familiar with the players. He is not a new face. Kreider and Z know him and know what he can do. That helps a player get more comfortable than people realize. I think that is a big reason why Vesey has played so well. And he has. Good for him.

I think people should have an open mind. The Chytil line plays well together. Let's see what happens. It's gonna be fun.

 

[Zynbanejad]

- At least we have a solid 4th line of Blais-Goodrow-Rydahl.

- I don’t want to see a single comment about Kakko or Laf not “earning” top 6 minutes. Because Jimmy Vesey certainly hasn’t, but here we are.

The Kid Line is a possession monster. You don’t mess with that chemistry. They’re getting PP time and it’s not a traditional third line. Such is the consequence of depth.

I really don’t get you guys lol if we don’t have depth, you’re crying for it. When we do, you’re upset about it. Laf and KK will get their shot in the top 6 if Vesey and Kravtsov dont perform.

 

[huerter]

Laf is a great young player who needs to play with other great players
Fil is a great young player who needs to play with other great players
Kakko is a great young player who needs to play with other great players

Laf - Fil - Kakko on a line together? The organization is ruining them.

 

[Zynbanejad]

Laf is a great young player who needs to play with other great players
Fil is a great young player who needs to play with other great players
Kakko is a great young player who needs to play with other great players

Laf - Fil - Kakko on a line together? The organization is ruining them.

Is this a joke? They’re fantastic together lmao they pass the eye test and the advanced stats are in their favor as well.

Did you not watch them in the playoffs and this preseason? They trap teams in their own zone

 

[DanielBrassard]

September 21: We don't need Patrick Kane!

October 11: Jimmy Vesey on the top line

...

1RW, well RW in general has always been the biggest and most important hole that had to be filled heading into the season and still is. For those who have been saying we don't need Patrick Kane, they are sorely mistaken.

 

[huerter]

Is this a joke? They’re fantastic together lmao they pass the eye test and the advanced stats are in their favor as well.

Did you not watch them in the playoffs and this preseason? They trap teams in their own zone

So the organization is allowing them to thrive? I thought so too. Perfect!!!

 

[RangersFan1994]

---

I understand why people are apprehensive about Vesey on the Z line. He has had lackluster point production the last few years. We want to see our high picks in that spot. However, I also think these people have not kept up with him as a player over those years. He has changed.

First, his best offensive years came on the Rangers. I don't care what anyone says, but that isn't common. Someone who performs their best in New York is rare. We have all seen enough players play incredible elsewhere only to come here and be a disappointment.

Second, he is not the player people remember when we signed him out of college. He is bigger, stronger, more aggressive, better on the boards, good defensively, great on the PK, and smarter. If you haven't been watching him you wouldn't know that Vesey has become a well rounded player. Stat watching on him does not tell the whole story, much like stat watching for a Motte or a Goodrow does not do them justice. Vesey is a smart person, like Kreider, and he has been able to adjust his game accordingly.

Third, he is familiar with the players. He is not a new face. Kreider and Z know him and know what he can do. That helps a player get more comfortable than people realize. I think that is a big reason why Vesey has played so well. And he has. Good for him.

I think people should have an open mind. The Chytil line plays well together. Let's see what happens. It's gonna be fun.

I dont mind Vesey like I said before huge upgrade from Hunt and Gauthier. Vesey can play with skilled players where Hunt and Gauthier cant.


wait until Carpenter gets ice time with Mika and Kreider for more options at center ice if Mika cant take draws.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Vitali Kravtsov days until opening night!