Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part LVI

[Barnaby]

Here's what they should do, but they won't.

Trade Strome at the draft. Get a 2nd in this draft + a prospect/young tweener. Getting rid of Strome allows you to 100% afford Tony for at least for this upcoming season should they want to keep him.

Whatever day they can start talking to UFA's, give Johan Larrson a ring and tell him you want him. I've mentioned this guy for the last 6 months, he's basically Jesper Fast that can also play center. Tell him there's a real solid chance he'll either get to play with Kreider or Lafreniere, and you want him to anchor the 3rd line. 2.5 million over 2/3 years, maybe a little more per year.

Move Chytil up and let him play with the big boys, he's got it in him, he just needs the chance.

I'll pass on that one. That sounds completely farfetched.

I'm all about moving Strome if we find a better answer, but I'm not moving him for a pick just to go find Buffalo's 4th line center and pray he finds chemistry with our MVP caliber winger or young potential super star. That just sounds really far fetched to me.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I'll pass on that one. That sounds completely farfetched.

I'm all about moving Strome if we find a better answer, but I'm not moving him for a pick just to go find Buffalo's 4th line center and pray he finds chemistry with our MVP caliber winger or young potential super star. That just sounds really far fetched to me.

I mean I specifically said Chytil would move up to the 2nd line but okay lol

 

[Avery16]

I mean I specifically said Chytil would move up to the 2nd line but okay lol

On the roster building thread, its easier to make up a position no one's suggested and tar someone with it than to simply disagree in substance.

 

[Barnaby]

For some, myself included, it's not a dislike for Howden as much as it is a dislike for how he has been handled. He's gotten an incredibly long leash. You've pointed out that he went from juniors to the NHL, but he has not had much success, if any, yet is still here getting 13-15 minutes per game. In the past there have been others (i.e., Lias Andersson, Vitaly Kravtsov) who have been denied such opportunity and leash even though they came from adult leagues. Even Chytil was jettisoned back to Hartford to start the year last year. We can talk about how Chytil deserved the demotion, or how neither Andersson or Kravtsov deserved to be here, and it's probably true, but the same logic and reasoning has strangely never applied to Howden.

It's a mystery, so we must defer to management and the coaches working with him on a daily basis and hope they are correct. I hope they are.

Howden can generally keep up with the play and I think he's viewed as a bottom six option. They probably don't see the risk of spoiling him, have lest invested, and think he could develop into a bottom 6 guy as he plays in the NHL. The Rangers were more careful with a guy they have a lot invested in like Kravstov. Speaking of which, he couldn't hack it very well in the AHL or even KHL last year. Keeping him in the NHL probably would have stunted his growth if anything. Keeping him around to play in a bottom 6 role would have done him zero favors. He's a skill guy that clearly wasn't ready for the top 6 so I think this is a poor comparison. Chytil received more minutes with better line mates the season before. He didn't perform well in camp, was sent down until he got going then was brought back up and was better for it. He then played a bigger role than Howden again. I know some have beaten the Howden vs Lias drum. I honestly thought Lias was a poor skater and very obviously not ready for the NHL. He's another guy they have a lot invested in. He probably should have been left in Sweden until about now, but he wasn't so the AHL was the best option. You want to say he deserved a better chance? Ok, you can have that opinion. It's not necessarily wrong although I don't think it's a big deal, but I didn't see a scenario where he took the job and ran with it. I just didn't see a guy who warranted any further ice time because he didn't even look like a 4A player to me at this point.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to be a Howden or Rangers apologist. I do think Howden has gotten way too much trust. However, I think there are some legit reasons as to why things went down the way they did. Every players situation is different so pitting Kravstov vs a Howden for example is a lousy comparison for me.

 

[Trxjw]

Don't really see the incentive for someone like Koivu to continue his career as a 4th liner with the Rangers. At least Spezza went to Toronto thinking he was hitching himself to a cup contender. Koivu would be uprooting himself for nothing.

 

[MrPodz]

Look in terms of upside, we havd barron, chytil, howden and richardaon fighting for those 3/4 spots. My bet is on richards tho tbh. I think the rangers value def in the bottom. Chytil is their 2c potential. Look at it this way- theyre all young. Chytils faceoffs show that. They havent fully developed and the whole team is very young. Yes tony d or strome or both will get moved. I am adamant about that. However, dont be surprised we sign a guy in his 30s with cup experience for the bottom six. Imo someone like pavelski without the price tag. Bc you look at the playoffs and seguin looks like a shell compared to pavelski and perry and the older dudes who know what it takes. Also, i wouldnt be surprised if they address the faceoffs. I know theyre crapped on by some, but they have value in offensive and def draws when the game is on the line. Regular season players are great. Those are usually smaller guys where the game is physical, but not as much as the playoffs. Gorton and jd are building a big team just gotta make sure they develop a snarl akin to thw bruins. I promise you laf will be of the mold. Hes feisty, goes to dirty areas and creates. Also, he hits! Ovi is the greatest goalscorer, but uh have you seen his hits? He lead the league im pretty sure for many years or at least was top 5 or 3. We need that. All in all, very excited, but dont judge the young guys yet. Judge them at 23, 24 and then we see if theres a problem. For now, play the development game and improve when there is a deal. Just dont force it or you end up getting 70 cents on the dollar. Thanks for listening to my rant and on an unrelated note, anyone know how to do podcasts lol?

 

[Avery16]

Don't really see the incentive for someone like Koivu to continue his career as a 4th liner with the Rangers. At least Spezza went to Toronto thinking he was hitching himself to a cup contender. Koivu would be uprooting himself for nothing.

You dont think he could out-produce Howden and center Kakko on the third line?

 

[Avery16]

TRADE CALL PENDING

 

[Shesterkybomb]

You dont think he could out-produce Howden and center Kakko on the third line?

Imo its not a good idea to replace Howden at this point in his career. I still believe there is more to his game, i think he was rushed a bit because Hartford was a mess but giving up his spot now to an aging player isn't the right thing to do if we are thinking long game and it would actually be koivu on the 4th line behind Chytil

 

[haohmaru]

You dont think he could out-produce Howden and center Kakko on the third line?

Koivu has said it's Minnesota or the retirement home, afaik. Don't think he's an option.

 

[Minmonster]

Full honesty, howden gets a bad rep. Hes 21, bout to be 22, and the coach plays him in these positions. He went from juniofs to nhl, so hes learning on the fly. Honestly, i expect a lot of rangers who werent really good last year to have exceptionally better seasons

Howden seems like he has decent hockey iq. He is where he is supposed to be but his reaction time is like a second off. I think that’s why he’s so frustrating to watch. I think that he will put it together and be a fine bottom 6 forward. He will also improve when his playing strength improves.

 

[BKGooner]

On the roster building thread, its easier to make up a position no one's suggested and tar someone with it than to simply disagree in substance.

Tony D. - all time legend as a rover. Probably plays for the Americans not the Rangers historically.

 

[Trxjw]

You dont think he could out-produce Howden and center Kakko on the third line?

It's not a matter of production. It's a matter of incentive. He's played on the same team his entire career. Minnesota is his home. Why go play for another team, in a reduced role, that is almost certainly not making a cup run? What does he have to gain other than a bit of extra money?

 

[JC704]

I'm all in on Greenway. I think he would provide the team another big bodied winger who can develop and add a different dynamic to the team. Also, I truly believe Kreider slides over to the right in the near future leaving that 3LW spot open.

If you start to build your team around guys like Kreider, Greenway, Kaako, Gauthier, Chytil, Zibanejad, Kravtsov, on top of guys like Panarin and Lafreniere, you have a forward group that not only is super skilled but also BIG and more difficult for the new age puck moving defensemen to handle.

I'd consider Andersson for Greenway if Minnesota wanted to add a young center to their prospect pool. They had GREAT luck with Mikko Koivu for years who was never swift of foot, perhaps they see Andersson ebing able to develop into a similar type player for them.

I'm assuming Buch or Strome are traded this off-season.

Panarin-Strome-Kaako
Lafreniere-Zib-Kreider
Greenway-Chytil-Gauthier
Lemieux-Howden-_______

This is exactly what I think will happen. One of Kreider/Panarin are going to shift to right wing. Factor in Kravtsov, and I think he will be knocking on the door, Buch is 100% going to be moved like how Skjei was moved. Not a talent issue, just a cap construction standpoint. Strome was going to put up 70 points at C and can shift to right wing if Chytil blows them away and grabs a C spot.

Plus, Buch is going to need a raise next year. His value has never been higher. Nashville has 11, Edmonton has 14, Montreal has 16. There are matches. I think Buch and Georgiev will be traded. 22 is in play in a trade that makes sense.

Georgiev/Lias/Howden/Lemieux/22 in play for Greenway. Buch is moved for a first-round pick or a package of future assets. Rangers sign Strome, bridge Tony D. They have enough cap space from there to round the roster how they need to + I think Fast re-signing is in play if he really wants a discount.

Greenway-Chytil-Gauthier/Fast/Kravtsov as a third line would be so great to watch. Sign me up.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

Anyone else think this looks like Jeff Gorton?

 

[NYR]

I've never used the term "takes" but some of the takes in this thread in particular are Southpark level lol

 

[wafflepadsave]

It's a very big year for Howden as a Ranger. His role as the 4C is not going to be a given. Richards and Khodorenko signed and are going to push for spots on the team. They may require AHL time, but they will get a chance in camp to impress.

What is going for him is the 16 games he has left before he cannot be sent down without waivers. Without knowing how many games will be played next season, that number could be a larger portion of the season than normal. As well as the unknown of the AHL at this time.

I'm hopeful he can progress to where he is a solid bottom 6 option this season, but there is going to be pressure due to internal options on him for the first time in a while.

Those guys don’t stand a chance. They’ll go straight to Hartford. They love howden too much. He should’ve gone to Hartford from the beginning. They’re stuck with him now.

 

[pld459666]

Agree that Greenway is a great target but where would he fit in?

LW: Pan, Laf, Krieds, Lemmy
RW: Buch, Kakko, Kratvsov (looking like he’s ready), Gauthier

Something tells me Laf may get a shot at center

 

[GAGLine]

Anyone else think this looks like Jeff Gorton?

I don't get it. Why would you post a picture of Gorton, and then ask us if it looks like him? Of course it does. Does he have a twin?

 

[pld459666]

I can understand it but IMO they'd move Cirelli, Johnson, Palat, Gourde and Killorn before Stamkos.

I dont think the current front office has the 'balls' to move Stamkos. Stamkos is a special player for that organization and fanbase.

They win the cup with out Stamkos, hes no longer special

 

[rangers1314]

Something tells me Laf may get a shot at center

I don't think he has ever played center, but someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Something tells me Laf may get a shot at center

I don't think he has ever played center, but someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

Just looking at their games, the Rangers wing prospect who would translate best to center IMO, is Kravtsov. And by a large margin.

 

[rangers1314]

Is Kravtsov currently playing W or C in the KHL?

 

[Anthony5967]

Is Kravtsov currently playing W or C in the KHL?

LW/RW. Suited up last two as a LW. I think he has three goals over those two.

 

[Anthony5967]

Tyler Pitlick a good FA target? 20 points. $1M last year. Shouldn't get too much of a raise. Cheaper Fast replacement.