Proposal: Roster Building Thread Part IV: High Hopes

[GAGLine]

I definitely don't agree that the team is worse off then a year ago. I think we're a significantly better team now then a year ago actually, even with that hole at C.

Getting rid of Girardi and replacing him with Shattenkirk is a MASSIVE upgrade on D, add that we're likely to have Skjei and Smith in top 4 roles aswell over Staal and Holden.

I think most people underestimate just how much it means to go from a bottom 5 D to a top 10 D (when accounting for usage, assuming Skjei and Smith in top 4).

I'm still not convinced that this team will be better at keeping the puck out of the net.

 

[Raspewtin]

I'm still not convinced that this team will be better at keeping the puck out of the net.

Why not ?

 

[Dr. Ogrodnick]

I definitely don't agree that the team is worse off then a year ago. I think we're a significantly better team now then a year ago actually, even with that hole at C.

Getting rid of Girardi and replacing him with Shattenkirk is a MASSIVE upgrade on D, add that we're likely to have Skjei and Smith in top 4 roles aswell over Staal and Holden.

I think most people underestimate just how much it means to go from a bottom 5 D to a top 10 D (when accounting for usage, assuming Skjei and Smith in top 4).

Yup. I also think that if the Rangers defense generates offense like it should, that should cover up the lack of center depth in the first half of the season. Now if they are going into the playoffs with the same center depth that's probably their undoing barring a big leap from Andersson or Nieves. But Gorton certainly has more time than people realize to try and add a quality center.

 

[LORDE]

Why not ?

Probably because we lost a good/great two way center and replaced him with no one and Shatty, while an upgrade on ur fav D of all time, isn't known for his defense.

I hope he and McD are amazing together and that Skjei/Smith stick and Staal watches from the booth with ANYONE else on that 3rd pair...

But we still have issues up front if all of that plays out.

Especially at C and there's no way to fix that this year.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

Another thing to take into consideration is the PP will be much more effective this season with the addition of Shattenkirk and DeAngelo. That was a massive issue last season and in the playoffs.

 

[silverfish]

Never mind. This post will start a **** storm I don't feel like dealing with today.

Mods can delete.

Sorry.

 

[Irishguy42]

Never mind. This post will start a **** storm I don't feel like dealing with today.

Mods can delete.

Sorry.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww...no fun! Drama is the best!

 

[GAGLine]

Probably because we lost a good/great two way center and replaced him with no one and Shatty, while an upgrade on ur fav D of all time, isn't known for his defense.

I hope he and McD are amazing together and that Skjei/Smith stick and Staal watches from the booth with ANYONE else on that 3rd pair...

But we still have issues up front if all of that plays out.

Especially at C and there's no way to fix that this year.

This, plus if Hank struggles, our backup isn't likely to bail us out.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

I think we're looking to place 3rdn or 4th again. DeAngelo and Buchnevich will only grow especially if we go to the ECF. We'll jockey for even better contention for the next offseason. By this time next season, I bet JT, Seguin, Duchene or Barkov will be in NY, and Gorton has proven he'll make the right decision in regards to the Nash situation.

 

[Griffinbw]

I think we're looking to place 3rdn or 4th again. DeAngelo and Buchnevich will only grow especially if we go to the ECF. We'll jockey for even better contention for the next offseason. By this time next season, I bet JT, Seguin, Duchene or Barkov will be in NY, and Gorton has proven he'll make the right decision in regards to the Nash situation.

I agree with everything you said except for the addition of a center. We won't have the cap space for any of those guys without moving a key asset or two

 

[Mac n Gs]

Why do people keep mentioning Seguin? Dallas has absolutely zero reason to move him or anyone that can come even close to replicating his skill and production. Their C pipeline will thin out once Spezza is gone

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Why do people keep mentioning Seguin? Dallas has absolutely zero reason to move him or anyone that can come even close to replicating his skill and production. Their C pipeline will thin out once Spezza is gone

I may be wrong, all the posts I've seen about him are talking about when he hits UFA in two years, not trading for him

 

[Mac n Gs]

I may be wrong, all the posts I've seen about him are talking about when he hits UFA in two years, not trading for him

They'll have Spezza's $7.5M coming off the books along with their goalie carousel of Lehtonen and Niemi. They'll have a boatload of money to dump at Seguin's feet. We won't

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

I agree, the only way Seguin doesn't resign with Dallas is if he doesn't want to play there anymore.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

They'll have Spezza's $7.5M coming off the books along with their goalie carousel of Lehtonen and Niemi. They'll have a boatload of money to dump at Seguin's feet. We won't

Oh I don't disagree with you at all

Dallas will give him money similar to Benn without hesitation

He ain't going anywhere

 

[Tawnos]

Probably because we lost a good/great two way center and replaced him with no one and Shatty, while an upgrade on ur fav D of all time, isn't known for his defense.

I hope he and McD are amazing together and that Skjei/Smith stick and Staal watches from the booth with ANYONE else on that 3rd pair...

But we still have issues up front if all of that plays out.

Especially at C and there's no way to fix that this year.

Yeah things feel unbalanced on the team right now in a way that it didn't even with guys performing poorly on D.

 

[kovazub94]

A year ago there was a lot of doom and gloom here, talks about trading everyone because the team would struggle even making playoffs and definitely forget about it if Hank struggled. Back then I said that looking at a roster - there was a lot of room all around for improvements while only little for a shortfall. It turned out to be a strong bond fide playoff caliber team even with mightily struggling Lundqvist.

Look at this roster:

1. D is light years ahead of last season. It will positively impact all aspects of the the Rangers game

2. In goal I'd put on Hank likely having a back to the norm season, especially with a much improved D. That will also reduce a pressure to excel from our new backup. I'd bet on goaltending also be better than last year.

3. At forwards the loss of Stepan and Lindberg hurts a lot but let's start with what kind of Stepan we would have seen if he stayed and remember that Lindberg didn't get going until the second part of the season. Then both Buchnevich and Vesey should have a much better sophomore seasons as neither had a through the roof freshman seasons. Zibanejad, Kreider, Miller and Hayes as a group should provide a better performance than last season. Nash and Zuke have the most room to underperform but at this point in their careers they both give you about the same as last season. Grabner will likely not going to have another 27 goal season but 15 - 17 is not unreasonable. Fast is Fast and DD has room to positively surprise.

To me the biggest risk is depth. For a center depth based on Ziba-Miller-Hayes-DD, If Zibanejad is lost for some reason it would be a huge blow. A little less but also potentially bad if it's either Miller or Hayes. Still I will say that this team is better than the the one from the last season and there still some time left to make a deal to address center depth.

 

[McD37]

I do not know, maybe it is not the best example, but look at the effect that Scuderi- Daley trade had on Pittsburgh. And Shattenkirk is better player than Daley. That whole defense is so much better especially when AV will not play Staal as much. Kekalainen said in EF 30 thoughts how good D can affect the offense of the team...I am definitely banking on Buch, Vesey being better than last year. Zibanejad still has room to grow. Hayes, Miller, Kreider also can all be a bit better IMO...Powerplay should be definitely better. I am also not as down on Hayes. I think he can replace Stepan offensive output and I hope Gorton can bring someone who can at least partially help to replace Stepan defense. A lot will depend on Henrik. I think Pavelec is talented enough that Allaire can get the best out of him.

 

[McD37]

If Lias goes to Sweden after camp, can he play for the Rangers after his season with Frolunda will end? I think he definitely may be NHL-ready at the end of the next season and could provide Rangers even better depth if they are in play-off position.

 

[Weltschmerz]

I think most people underestimate just how much it means to go from a bottom 5 D to a top 10 D (when accounting for usage, assuming Skjei and Smith in top 4).

Goals against they where middle of the pack (and not because Hank this time).

All 3 pairs had a guy scoring more than 30 points.

How is that a bottom 5 defense?

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

Goals against they where middle of the pack (and not because Hank this time).

All 3 pairs had a guy scoring more than 30 points.

How is that a bottom 5 defense?

It had Girardi, Staal and Holden playing top 4 minutes for most of the season, how is that not a bottom 5 defense?

We were carried by our F group (and Raanta to some extent) for most of the season.

Edit: Our entire top 4 was under 48% in CF%, maybe bottom 5 was slight hyperbole but find me 8 teams with a worse D then us last season.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

I agree with everything you said except for the addition of a center. We won't have the cap space for any of those guys without moving a key asset or two

Oh, of course. Depending on whether Florida "wants to dance" as well as Sakic's situation, or another party, I think they'll move for a C by the Olympic break... if not, they never planned on competing for the Cup, and there will be a lot of movement to go for JT... I'd lean toward the latter. Tavares would then be a Ranger until what 35-36? Guys like that are the exception to the 23-27 curve. I think he'll be putting up 60+ till 38-39.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

Rangers D were the reason they lost to Ottawa in the playoffs. They couldn't move the puck out of their end to save their lives.

Should not be losing 2 games in a series of you score 4+ goals.

 

[Drew4u]

Overall, i think the team will be the same. Not a contender, but should make the playoffs.

But Gorton has made the team much better in the long term, with Lias Andersson. I think the time of trading first rounders for rentals and going all in is over.

All things considered, this offseason has been a success.

 

[Weltschmerz]

It had Girardi, Staal and Holden playing top 4 minutes for most of the season, how is that not a bottom 5 defense?

We were carried by our F group (and Raanta to some extent) for most of the season.

Edit: Our entire top 4 was under 48% in CF%, maybe bottom 5 was slight hyperbole but find me 8 teams with a worse D then us last season.

If you are only looking at corsi maybe i don't know.

But they are not exactly designed to be a corsi team.

From the results at least half the atlantic had a worse defense, then you have teams like Colorado, Arizona, Dallas, New Jersey and probably some more.