Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part LXIX

[Fitzy]

Many teams do. 15 teams had only 1 or 2 defenseman even average 1 minute per game at 5v4 this year. Guys like Reunanen are not as good on the PP as the forwards. We don't need two solid units. We can use have one elite unit and play them almost the entire time. That is what Edmonton does.

Well the Oilers don't have the depth at offense that NYR are likely to have in 3 years. Going heavy on PP1 is going to leave several high level offensive players (Kakko?) unhappy with their roles. Even if you find a way to get Panarin, Zibanejad, Lafreniere, and Kakko on a unit together, several are not going to be in their ideal positions/roles.

 

[Irishguy42]

Loading up heavy on PP1 and playing them for at least 3/4 of the PP time is always the right move, IMO.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Canucks and Hurricanes are a bit ahead of us in the process.

Ottawa has the pieces, but I'd probably but them a touch behind since our now talent>>>Theirs.

NJD is on the Buffalo train to LOL.

Don’t forget Ottawa’s cheapo owner who doesn’t like to pay his players. He will make sure that team is never successful.

 

[kovazub94]

You just play 8 forwards on the PP. DeAngelo PP1. Fox PP2. Trouba not on the PP. Outside of 18-19 Trouba has always been below average on the PP. I see no reason to give him a spot there automatically.

Something like
Kreider
Panarin Mika Laf
DeAngelo

and

Gauthier/Chytil
Buch Strome Kakko
Fox

No problem with PP1 but it looks like there’s at least one big right-handed shot is missing on PP2. Having Trouba and Fox at the top could give opponents a different look to deal with.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Canucks and Hurricanes are a bit ahead of us in the process.

Ottawa has the pieces, but I'd probably but them a touch behind since our now talent>>>Theirs.

NJD is on the Buffalo train to LOL.

I'd be surprised if Vancouver finishes ahead of us this season. They were going to miss the playoffs while playing in by far the weakest division in the league. They've lost Markstrom, Tanev, Toffoli & Stecher and all they got was Holtby & Schmidt. They are going to be in one of the worst cap situations in the league next year, and have one of the worst D cores in the league.

 

[Machinehead]

based on our current roster and prospect pool, we're still a couple of years away from seriously contending assuming everything goes as planned. I'm curious to know who are the other teams in the league that are on a similar trajectory with us in terms of their window starting to develop?

The Senators? Hurricanes? Devils? Canucks?

The Kings have one of the deepest prospect pools I've ever seen

 

[Richard Banger]

The Kings have one of the deepest prospect pools I've ever seen

They are probably going to eliminate us in the cup final again.

 

[WAIVE BRODZINSKI]

They are probably going to eliminate us in the cup final again.

But at least we are there again

 

[bl02]

They are probably going to eliminate us in the cup final again.

Well hopefully this time we will have at least two legit line carrying players who will score big goals at very crucial times like in three overtimes in a final. If that meeting were to ever happen (they would have to get past the AVS) their current stars will be well passed their prime. I'm more worried about the Canes in the East and AVS in the West.

 

[bl02]

I'd be surprised if Vancouver finishes ahead of us this season. They were going to miss the playoffs while playing in by far the weakest division in the league. They've lost Markstrom, Tanev, Toffoli & Stecher and all they got was Holtby & Schmidt. They are going to be in one of the worst cap situations in the league next year, and have one of the worst D cores in the league.

They had a great run last year no doubt but I agree with you. I am not as high on them as others are. Losing Markstrom for the present and future could be huge.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

They had a great run last year no doubt but I agree with you. I am not as high on them as others are. Losing Markstrom for the present and future could be huge.

Theyve lost a lot this year, Toffoli, Tanev, Markstrom. I think they will fall back a bit this year especially if there is a canadian division.

 

[LokiDog]

Loading up heavy on PP1 and playing them for at least 3/4 of the PP time is always the right move, IMO.

I agree. Sure, as the guys progress it may mean PP2 is Kreider/Chytil/Buch/Fox/Trouba, which isn’t any slouch of a unit, but letting Laf/Zib/KK/Bread/ADA take 75% of the PP time (assuming the kids develop to warrant it) just means you have a dominant, lethal PP. ideally you’re not burning too much energy on the PP so running them for nearly the entire time shouldn’t wear them down significantly.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

I agree. Sure, as the guys progress it may mean PP2 is Kreider/Chytil/Buch/Fox/Trouba, which isn’t any slouch of a unit, but letting Laf/Zib/KK/Bread/ADA take 75% of the PP time (assuming the kids develop to warrant it) just means you have a dominant, lethal PP. ideally you’re not burning too much energy on the PP so running them for nearly the entire time shouldn’t wear them down significantly.

Doubtful kreider loses his spot on pp1

 

[LokiDog]

Doubtful kreider loses his spot on pp1

Probably not this year, but going forward, if we choose to load up one elite PP unit, it’s very possible it’s Zib Laf and KK with Bread at the point.

 

[Fitzy]

But at least we are there again

This franchise deserves more actual cup wins. Well, the fanbase does. No one wins if this turns into another 54 year cupless spree.

 

[aufheben]

based on our current roster and prospect pool, we're still a couple of years away from seriously contending assuming everything goes as planned. I'm curious to know who are the other teams in the league that are on a similar trajectory with us in terms of their window starting to develop?

The Senators? Hurricanes? Devils? Canucks?

Colorado
Tampa

Toronto
Carolina
Vancouver

Los Angeles
Ottawa

 

[aufheben]

They had a great run last year no doubt but I agree with you. I am not as high on them as others are. Losing Markstrom for the present and future could be huge.

They have their core players, but I still think the rest of the roster needs work.

 

[TheDirtyH]

I think NJD and MIN will be on a timeline to us, for different reasons.

 

[Vitto79]

IF Strome goes to arbitration will he get his awarded salary before the Lemieux hearing?

They have to know Strome before signing Lemieux to fit the cap

 

[leetch99]

Well hopefully this time we will have at least two legit line carrying players who will score big goals at very crucial times like in three overtimes in a final. If that meeting were to ever happen (they would have to get past the AVS) their current stars will be well passed their prime. I'm more worried about the Canes in the East and AVS in the West.

We still need some guys that skate through/over guys and not be p***y like . Kings had guys like that...we did not . I don't see them on the current roster....I hope they address that in a draft or via trades at some point when we are out of cap hell . Maybe Lemieux evolves and Gauthier/Barron/Kakko/Kreider...big if there/and couple of guys like Edstrom? and another can provide it moving forward . If a couple of guys could find it in them to change their game a wee bit like Gauthier as an example....he would be a solid Ranger for us for the next 10 years ...but again...another big [if] .

 

[Rongomania]

We still need some guys that skate through/over guys and not be p***y like . Kings had guys like that...we did not . I don't see them on the current roster....I hope they address that in a draft or via trades at some point when we are out of cap hell . Maybe Lemieux evolves and Gauthier/Barron/Kakko/Kreider...big if there/and couple of guys like Edstrom? and another can provide it moving forward . If a couple of guys could find it in them to change their game a wee bit like Gauthier as an example....he would be a solid Ranger for us for the next 10 years ...but again...another big [if] .

Anyone else see a big, imposing dude in K'Andre? Nils is also known to be a good shut down guy from what I've read, doesn't back off easily. And Braden Schneider I also believe was drafted as a tough, take - no - shit dman.

And Lemmy didn't get a chance really to play in the PO's, and I do think he could be a tough SOB to play against in a playoff scenario.

I also agree that Gauthier may bloom into one of these types of guys.

 

[bl02]

We still need some guys that skate through/over guys and not be p***y like . Kings had guys like that...we did not . I don't see them on the current roster....I hope they address that in a draft or via trades at some point when we are out of cap hell . Maybe Lemieux evolves and Gauthier/Barron/Kakko/Kreider...big if there/and couple of guys like Edstrom? and another can provide it moving forward . If a couple of guys could find it in them to change their game a wee bit like Gauthier as an example....he would be a solid Ranger for us for the next 10 years ...but again...another big [if] .

At the forward spot agreed but I feel like that can be addressed in the bottom 6. We even hopefully drafted one in Cuylle.The size up front is there just need the playing style to match.
On the defense guys like Schneider, Robertson and even Miller should bring size and strength. Along with a 28/29 year old Trouba. Lindgren and ADA bring toughness for sure albeit being on the “smaller” side.

 

[McRanger]

I don't see Chytil making a serious threat for consistent PP1 time. He was eighth among forwards in PP time last season. Kakko or Lafreniere, sure. Not sure his game is built for PP success, similar to Nash.

Oh long term its Lafreniere. He probably has a stranglehold on the spot by the end of this season.

Early on though? Kakko might get first crack at it and he might not. I'm not sure I would base much on last year, especially with Chytil missing the first month.

As for how his game is built, PP success usually hinges on quick puck movement and shooting and that fits Chytils game. I doubt he gets much PP1 time in the future due to our depth and the talent coming up, but I don't see any reason why he couldn't succeed.

 

[McRanger]

I don't think the Rangers will be focusing as much as line assignments this season, so much as chemistry, consistency, and progress.

For example, you could have a scenario where Chytil is playing with Kreider and Buch on a "third" line. If Chytil is producing, let's say he is knocking on the door for 20 goals and 50 points, I think the Rangers would view that as a huge win --- bececause it demonstrates that Chytil can produce at a second line pace, even if he isn't technically on a second line.

You could even have a scenario where the Rangers hang onto Strome through the playoffs as their own rental. So I don't think it's necessarily a matter of having Chytil explode and pushing Strome out at the deadline, so much as it is seeing progress and a transition.

Yeah that was what I was getting at, Chytil taking the next step doesn't necessarily have anything to do with Panarin. If Zibanejad and Panarin can anchor the top 2 lines with our next-gen stars and some "right now" players, Quinn would probably be thrilled with Chytil anchoring what could be, depending on the personnel, one of the best 3rd line in the league.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

The Kings have one of the deepest prospect pools I've ever seen

They're absolutely loaded at forward. It's actually a little insane how much depth they have their