Roster Building thread - Part IX - (2024 edition)

[Lindberg Cheese]

The trade deadline wish list should be a 3c, 4th line forward (or maybe just move Brodzinski down there), 13th forward, and 7th dman.

Kreider-Zib-Vesey
Panarin-Trocheck-Laf
Cools-XXXX-Kakko
Edstrom-Brodz-Goodrow
XXXX

Wenneberg (if Kraks falls out), Duhaime, and DeHaan for your template

 

[Boris Zubov]

Kakko to line 1, Berard or Othmann to line 3, easy peasy

Kakko needs to stay put. Let him find some routine & comfort with Cuylle. The kid needs to build up his confidence. He hasn't shown he can do that in a top 6 role.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

One person’s opinion in regards to forwards, I wouldn’t call up Berard, Sykora or Othmann this year.
I don’t think they move the needle.
Let them keep developing.
If the team needs forwards my belief is Belzile, Blidh and then Rempe in that order.
Belzile and Blidh won’t hurt the team and Rempe is the most physically ready of the 21 and younger crowd.
Nash is out and we all know what Leschyshyn is/isn’t.

 

[eco's bones]

Wheeler had good games now and again but overall I haven't been impressed. For me of all our current forwards he was the least useful. I'd rather see what Berard or Othmann can do than trade a 1st rounder this year. We can move Kakko up and let one of Brett or Brennan slide below somewhere. We have Belzile up now though and he might get first crack.

I don't see either Jones or Robertson having a lot of value. I'd like to bring in a solid defensive guy at the deadline that we could use as a 6/7. If he has a physical side even better. I think we're going to need a dependable insurance guy for our D though.

Apart from that I don't see a lot that I would do. I'd definitely hang on to our top draft picks. I think we have some good players in Hartford we can use in an emergency. I think Edstrom's ready to move in. Playoffs get physical--he should help.

 

[JimmyG89]

Well that need for a winger just went up. PP2 changes too. Wheeler was getting those reps. Sucks cause you can see his teammates like him.

I'd get Cuylle in those minutes now. He's earned every bit of more time. His game translates to the postseason.

If Wheeler is done (99% sure he is), it's another 800k in space to add at the deadline. Might make potential retention hurt a little less.

For now, have Vesey go up, but I would sprinkle a shift or two of Edstrom up there. Big body and responsible. Not sure he has the skill level, but he looks like Toropchenko on the Blues. He's not stone hands, but average.

 

[Crease]

Drury is batting .400 on veteran depth signings this year. Vesey and Gustafson were hits. Bonino, Pitlick and Wheeler were misses. Honestly not a bad rate—a lot of teams churn the bottom half of their lineup and hope that it eventually clicks. What’s nice is Drury kept those contracts close to the minimum so they would be easy to offload if needed. No harm no foul, they’re sitting at the top of the Conference, and he has Hartford and the TDL to work with.

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

Kakko needs to stay put. Let him find some routine & comfort with Cuylle. The kid needs to build up his confidence. He hasn't shown he can do that in a top 6 role.

I honestly think with the way that line has played the less of a chance they trade Kakko. Wheeler being out and a need for a 3C are the top priorities imo. They can try Vesey up there which I know Machinehead would love, or they can gauge the market or do both. Brodzinski has performed well but I don’t think they should rely on a 30 year old career minor leaguer to be the third line center in the playoffs.

 

[hardnosed]

Drury is batting .400 on veteran depth signings this year. Vesey and Gustafson were hits. Bonino, Pitlick and Wheeler were misses. Honestly not a bad rate—a lot of teams churn the bottom half of their lineup and hope that it eventually clicks. What’s nice is Drury kept those contracts close to the minimum so they would be easy to offload if needed. No harm no foul, they’re sitting at the top of the Conference, and he has Hartford and the TDL to work with.

Better add Quick in. That puts Drury at .500.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Well that need for a winger just went up. PP2 changes too. Wheeler was getting those reps. Sucks cause you can see his teammates like him.

I'd get Cuylle in those minutes now. He's earned every bit of more time. His game translates to the postseason.

If Wheeler is done (99% sure he is), it's another 800k in space to add at the deadline. Might make potential retention hurt a little less.

For now, have Vesey go up, but I would sprinkle a shift or two of Edstrom up there. Big body and responsible. Not sure he has the skill level, but he looks like Toropchenko on the Blues. He's not stone hands, but average.

I like Toropchenko. If the Blues were to move him, id be interested. Underrated player too. I’d offer 3rd for him and someone like Jones. Cuylle should have gotten PP minutes. He better get them now. He has earned them

 

[Alluckks]

Drury is batting .400 on veteran depth signings this year. Vesey and Gustafson were hits. Bonino, Pitlick and Wheeler were misses. Honestly not a bad rate—a lot of teams churn the bottom half of their lineup and hope that it eventually clicks. What’s nice is Drury kept those contracts close to the minimum so they would be easy to offload if needed. No harm no foul, they’re sitting at the top of the Conference, and he has Hartford and the TDL to work with.

Any GM in the NHL signs Wheeler for 800k. And for 800k his production here was good.

 

[RangersFan1994]

I hope the Rangers Kings make a small trade. I’d love a trade for RW Alex Laferriere just to give the announcers some fits for the rest of the year

Alex Laferriere Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

 

[Ranger Ric]

@Clark Kellogg @nyr2k2 or @Ranger Ric could answer this better than I could.

But I don't believe so. I've watched 2 Hartford games this year and he was out for both of them.

Lines in Hartford have not been consistent. Injuries and call up’s in addition to line changes. Both players were on the top two lines so they probably did play together at times but they’re not a thing.

 

[duhmetreE]

Panarin Tro Laffy
Kreider Zibs Duclair
Cuylle Dowd Kakko
Vesey Brodz Edstrom


KAM Fox
Chychrun Schneider
Lindgren/Gus Trouba

A lot of draft picks... but we should be able to get some more in return for Lindgren and/or Trouba in the offseason

 

[Avery16]

Drury is batting .400 on veteran depth signings this year. Vesey and Gustafson were hits. Bonino, Pitlick and Wheeler were misses. Honestly not a bad rate—a lot of teams churn the bottom half of their lineup and hope that it eventually clicks. What’s nice is Drury kept those contracts close to the minimum so they would be easy to offload if needed. No harm no foul, they’re sitting at the top of the Conference, and he has Hartford and the TDL to work with.

I wouldn't call them misses. We had no one to fill those slots. Brodzinski took Bonino's job when Goodrow couldn't. Pitlick is good depth but they want to give Edstrom games. We don't have an internal replacement for Wheeler.

 

[NYROrtsFan]

Keep Vesey with Kreider and Mika. Guys always play well with Vesey. Was the same last season. Focus on bottom 6.

 

[NYR Viper]

A guy who comes to mind that I think would have minimal cost is Kyle Okposo. 18 points so far this season, $2.5m cap hit. I doubt there will be many suiters for him and I would imagine the Sabres would at least consult him on a location as he's their captain.

Kevin Labanc requested a trade. He's had quite the down year. RW, originally from NY but his contract is hefty. I doubt SJ will retain but would they take Goodrow? Would Drury consider trading Goodrow at the deadline if the opportunity arose?

 

[surlysailor]

Not a bad idea, but if we're going the cheaper top-6 RW route (i.e. not trading our first rounder or Kakko), I hope we go with Duclair.

I think it'll either be Duclair or Zucker. Arz is falling out and I don't think either player will cost a ton. Though ARZ would prob need to retain a little. Duclair makes sense because they can still go shopping for a C like Novak and fit both players under Chitin's LTIR.

 

[Mike in Houston]

Can Arthur just go with the Islanders full time? Jesus Christ.

 

[RangerBoy]

Any GM in the NHL signs Wheeler for 800k. And for 800k his production here was good.

$300,000 in performance bonuses.

 

[bernmeister]

Wheeler hurt
May aswell go with Othmaan

promote Oth + Berard
showcase
do long term Oth + Berard ++ for Zegras +

also less vets, more Edstrom, Rempe

Kakko to line 1, Berard or Othmann to line 3, easy peasy

NO
chemistry is important
don't willy nilly throw guys together
Cuylle - KK has chemistry
Brodz is fine for now
and we can experiment w/others to see if better match

Kakko needs to stay put. Let him find some routine & comfort with Cuylle. The kid needs to build up his confidence. He hasn't shown he can do that in a top 6 role.

Yes, but less confid and more chemistry.

 

[RangerBoy]

Keep Vesey with Kreider and Mika. Guys always play well with Vesey. Was the same last season. Focus on bottom 6.

It's easier and cheaper to fill the bottom six instead of adding an expensive winger.

 

[McRanger92]

Bonino, Pitlick and Wheeler being removed organically from the roster is tough for the room I'm sure, especially in Wheeler's case, but the team will be better in the playoffs for it. Edstrom and Brodzinski have played very well in those minutes and I think the clear move is to bump Vesey up with Mika/Kreider until we add pieces at the TDL. He can always stay there. I think Drury will be looking to add 2 forwards, and at least one who can play C/W. Rangers can't be afraid to trade picks with Cuylle & Ed at the NHL level and Othmann, Berard, Sykora & Rempe knocking on the door.

I'm still worried about the defense. Lindgren is good in his own zone but is an active detriment to Fox trying to get the puck up ice. They were leaving guys wide open in front of Quick all night. Trouba has been particularly oafish this year but he isn't going anywhere and he does have a knack for very clutch defensive plays (sometimes of his own making). I was talking shit about K'Andre all break and I think he heard me because he's been shoving it down my throat during this streak. Schneider has been carrying Gus on that third pair. Gustafsson makes so many dumb decisions with the puck, including in the offensive zone. They need an upgrade there.

 

[NYR Viper]

It's easier and cheaper to fill the bottom six instead of adding an expensive winger.

Yeah, I think finding a bottom-6 player, perhaps once who can play both wing and center, would be beneficial.

Low key- someone like Girgensons may make more sense now.

Goodrow-Girgensons-Edstrom

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Pick up Duhaime now cheaply and audition guys for Mika RW if Vesey can’t do it. You never know who can stick and add balance to the line.

3C and D depth at deadline.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Staple needs to be taken with a grain of salt but Laughton would be vomit inducing. Like the worst possible move that could be made would be trading for Scott Laughton.

Vegas and Florida had/have the likes of Brett Howden and Nick Cousins in their top 6. Vesey is a better player than both.

I'm doubtful that he will be the panacea for that line but that has nothing to do with him. If it works at all they should just leave it alone instead of chasing a name that won't fit. I'm confident that the line will be at least good defensively and that isn't nothing.

8 and 55 remain our biggest problems with 21 trailing behind in the distance. If they're serious about winning, they need to rectify at least some of that. 8 is probably a necessary evil but the others can be dealt with if they want to.