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Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part LXIX

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aufheben said:
Colorado
Tampa

Toronto
Carolina
Vancouver

Los Angeles
Ottawa
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I would say all of those teams could be formidable opponents now and down the line.

Colorado's challenge will be consistently adding depth --- they are very top heavy right now. Tampa could be a team that declines if Hedman and the defense gets older faster.

Los Angeles' forward group is dangerous. I think they'll be a team that could contend on a regular basis if those guys cash-in and they can balance out the blue line. They'll regularly be involved in free agency and involved with available talent. So that makes them one to keep an eye on.
 
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Lafreniere
Kakko
Chytil
Kravstov
Gauthier
Barron
Henriksson
Cuylle
Pajuniemi

Byfield
Vilardi
Turcotte
Fagemo
Kaliyev
Kupari
Madden
Thomas
Andersson

Our support is guys like Zibanejad, Buchnevich, Kreider, Panarin. There’s are much older Kopitar and Carter and guys like Iafallo and Kempe.

I’d take our group too. And then of course, our D prospects and Shesty.
 
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Blueblood9 said:
I think we have more top end talent in our forward prospects but they have more depth. But we blow them away in d and goal.
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I think our top two forward prospects (Lafreniere and Kakko) are better than their top two forward prospects. In this case I would agree with the scouts who would probably rank it Lafreniere, Kakko, Byfield, Turcotte.

I'll even be as bold as to say that I think our third best forward prospect, Kravtsov, has more skill and is more dangerous than Turcotte. So if we were to pool the young forwards, I'd actually have Turcotte fourth on that amalgamated ranking. Though admittedly it's very close between Turcotte and Kravtsov for me.

If we're talking young forwards, and not just guys who qualify for the Calder, I like Chytil better than Vilardi as well.

So now we're at: Lafreniere, Kakko, Byfield, Kravtsov, Turcotte, Chytil, Vilardi.

Probably after that we're looking Kupari in the 8 spot.

At 9, you could make the case for Fagemo or Kaliyev. I go Fagemo there. Beyond that, if LA came to me tomorrow and offered Kaliyev for either Cuylle or Barron, I honestly don't know if I make that trade. Kaliyev is easily the most skilled guy left on that list, but who is he as an NHL player? Ray Sheppard kind of pops up. And I'll just leave my questions about Kaliyev at his on-ice performance. I won't get into some of the other things that concern me.

So where does that leave us?

1. Lafreniere
2. Kakko
3. Byfield
4. Kravtsov
5. Turcotte
6. Chytil
7. Vilardi
8. Kupari
9. Fagemo
10. Cuylle/Barron
11. Cuylle/Barron
12. Kaliyev

Both teams would have 5 guys in the top 10, or 6 guys in the top 12. We have four of the top 6, but they have 5 guys between 3 and 9.

LA has the advantage in the 5-10 range, but our top end skill in that 1-5 range gives us an advantage.
 
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Edge said:
I think our top two forward prospects (Lafreniere and Kakko) are better than their top two forward prospects. In this case I would agree with the scouts who would probably rank it Lafreniere, Kakko, Byfield, Turcotte.

I'll even be as bold as to say that I think our third best forward prospect, Kravtsov, has more skill and is more dangerous than Turcotte. So if we were to pool the young forwards, I'd actually have Turcotte fourth on that amalgamated ranking. Though admittedly it's very close between Turcotte and Kravtsov for me.

If we're talking young forwards, and not just guys who qualify for the Calder, I like Chytil better than Vilardi as well.

So now we're at: Lafreniere, Kakko, Byfield, Kravtsov, Turcotte, Chytil, Vilardi.

Probably after that we're looking Kupari in the 8 spot.

At 9, you could make the case for Fagemo or Kaliyev. I go Fagemo there. Beyond that, if LA came to me tomorrow and offered Kaliyev for either Cuylle or Barron, I honestly don't know if I make that trade. Kaliyev is easily the most skilled guy on that list, but who is he as an NHL player? Ray Sheppard kind of pops up. And I'll just leave my questions about Kaliyev at his on-ice performance. I won't get into some of the other things that concern me.

So where does that leave us?

1. Lafreniere
2. Kakko
3. Byfield
4. Kravtsov
5. Turcotte
6. Chytil
7. Vilardi
8. Kupari
9. Fagemo
10. Cuylle/Barron
11. Cuylle/Barron
12. Kaliyev

Both teams would have 5 guys in the top 10, or 6 guys in the top 12. We have four of the top 6, but they have 5 guys between 3 and 9.

LA has the advantage in the 5-10 range, but our top end skill in that 1-5 range gives us an advantage.
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This is how I see it as well.

Our top 3/4 guys (if we included Chytil) have high end talent and we clearly have the two highest end prospects. We have less “talent”, or skill outside of our top 3/4 guys, but more guys who can actually fill an NHL role. You can only have so much skill actually make and fit on the roster. Having Barrons, Gauthiers and Cuylles who have a better chance to round out a roster and bring other dimensions to it is preferable in my mind. And then we have guys like Henriksson who actually has a ton of talent and plays a responsible game who could actually end up blossoming a bit more later in his progression.
 
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Kravtsov, if he stays, is the potential secret weapon.

You’re talking about a guy with elite level skill who is not inherently a focal point like Lafreniere or Kakko, but is incredibly dangerous and capable of changing a game. He’s like a viper in the sense that he could strike quickly and deadly.

In many ways, playing “in the shadows” of Lafreniere and Kakko could be a tremendous benefit to Kravtsov.
 
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Edge said:
Kravtsov, if he stays, is the potential secret weapon.

You’re talking about a guy with elite level skill who is not inherently a focal point like Lafreniere or Kakko, but is incredibly dangerous and capable of changing a game. He’s like a viper in the sense that he could strike quickly and deadly.

In many ways, playing “in the shadows” of Lafreniere and Kakko could be a tremendous benefit to Kravtsov.
Click to expand...

Kravtsov playing in the shadows of Lafrenière and Kakko reminds me a bit of Kuznetsov behind Ovechkin and Bäckström. I'm not saying he will be that good, but not having the spotlights on him will be great. If Kravtsov can turn into a 60 point winger behind those 2, that's huge
 
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Amazing Kreiderman said:
Kravtsov playing in the shadows of Lafrenière and Kakko reminds me a bit of Kuznetsov behind Ovechkin and Bäckström. I'm not saying he will be that good, but not having the spotlights on him will be great. If Kravtsov can turn into a 60 point winger behind those 2, that's huge
Click to expand...

I completely agree and that analogy aligns with some Rangers thinking about Kravtsov that goes back to 2017/18.

The bar and expectations for this group is pretty high. As it should be.
 
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Amazing Kreiderman said:
Kravtsov playing in the shadows of Lafrenière and Kakko reminds me a bit of Kuznetsov behind Ovechkin and Bäckström. I'm not saying he will be that good, but not having the spotlights on him will be great. If Kravtsov can turn into a 60 point winger behind those 2, that's huge
Click to expand...
Scouting will be even more important now with us probably dropping down in the drafting order the next few times it happens . Hopefully we can find a Pastrnak or something similar . Rangers should really be investing in scouting heavily...looking under every rock and in every crack for guys that can step in at some point or become trade pieces for something we need to upgrade or fill a hole if we are in a cap bind which will happen . If there are bird dogs out there that have that kind of talent for finding talent...they should be sought after by Davidson and Gorton no matter the cost , get them in the fold...money likely talks for scouts and our organization should have truckloads of it ...assets accrued during those drafts sets teams apart and are what is needed to win more than one Cup . They should look at the drafts from the last 10 years and the picks from the last 6 rounds from each club that has made a significant impact in the league and identify who found them in those late rounds...or who developed them in the minors. I bet 2-3 guys are better at it then the rest . LOL....that could be a good project for somebody on here that likes to play around with players and numbers and names . It would be an interesting chart to see .
 
We can score all you like but if the team's defense doesn't improve substantially a first round exit is the best case scenario for next season.
 
Rongomania said:
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.
Click to expand...

I dont see Gauthier as having it in him to be a physical player but imo he needs to bring that if he is gonna stick around.
 
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I never really liked the Johnson signing but im also willing to admit that its possible Martin sees more in him than i do so hopefully that works out. If he could turn it around it might have a big impact on the season. I dunno.
 
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Edge said:
Kravtsov, if he stays, is the potential secret weapon.

You’re talking about a guy with elite level skill who is not inherently a focal point like Lafreniere or Kakko, but is incredibly dangerous and capable of changing a game. He’s like a viper in the sense that he could strike quickly and deadly.

In many ways, playing “in the shadows” of Lafreniere and Kakko could be a tremendous benefit to Kravtsov.
Click to expand...

I wish they would ask the khl team to play him at center. He played well in world juniors in that spot, if he was the answer to our middle 6 c that would be a huge win for this team.
 
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King’s will have almost 20 million tied up in two guys that should be on the decline before their deals are up. Not Including guys like Quick and Carter who will be done contract wise in two years.
 
Loki Dog 74 said:
Lafreniere
Kakko
Chytil
Kravstov
Gauthier
Barron
Henriksson
Cuylle
Pajuniemi

Byfield
Vilardi
Turcotte
Fagemo
Kaliyev
Kupari
Madden
Thomas
Andersson

Our support is guys like Zibanejad, Buchnevich, Kreider, Panarin. There’s are much older Kopitar and Carter and guys like Iafallo and Kempe.

I’d take our group too. And then of course, our D prospects and Shesty.
Click to expand...

guys like Turcotte and Chytil are in the NHL. Wouldn’t you have to also include Fox and Igor?
 
Fitzy said:
We can score all you like but if the team's defense doesn't improve substantially a first round exit is the best case scenario for next season.
Click to expand...
I would be fine with that. I think the following season is when the window as cup contenders opens depending on how Gorton fills out the depth. 1st and 2nd overall picks are in their 2nd/3rd seasons respectively, Shesterkin 2nd full season, K'Andre should be on the left side and possibly Reunanen or Robertson, Schneider and/or Lundkvist on the right. Fox will be in his prime. Kravtsov will be here. Chytil 22yo and in his 4th full season, we'll know what we have in him by then.

I am not expecting all of these players to be at their ceilings in 21-22 obviously, and on RD you have a logjam where one of Schneider/Lundkvist needs to be moved, but all or almost all of them should be NHL-ready by then.
 
Krams said:
I would be fine with that. I think the following season is when the window as cup contenders opens depending on how Gorton fills out the depth. 1st and 2nd overall picks are in their 2nd/3rd seasons respectively, Shesterkin 2nd full season, K'Andre should be on the left side and possibly Reunanen or Robertson, Schneider and/or Lundkvist on the right. Fox will be in his prime. Kravtsov will be here. Chytil 22yo and in his 4th full season, we'll know what we have in him by then.

I am not expecting all of these players to be at their ceilings in 21-22 obviously, and on RD you have a logjam where one of Schneider/Lundkvist needs to be moved, but all or almost all of them should be NHL-ready by then.
Click to expand...

This is true, but I would like to see some substantial improvement from the defense this season- not just from the 6 guys we play back there, but with more forward support and help. I want to see Trouba return to his Winnipeg form. I'd like to see ADA improve his defensive play and find some way to get more out of the left side despite losing Skjei.

We just lost our best defensive winger. We need to improve the PK and get better defensive play from our centers not named Zibanejad.
 
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