Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part LXVIII

[RGY]

Has there been any news recently on AHL plans?

They could do what MLB did, simply send their "taxi squad" at the AHL location and have them train/practice without playing any games.

Obviously not ideal, but not sure what the other option is.

AHL intends to have a season. The President was on Sirius last week and said they are following in the steps of the NHL, even though they are their own entity. The President said they will either start just before the NHL or at the same time.

 

[NYSPORTS]

well thats the thing half of America won’t take it you know that.

secondly the vaccine isn’t a 100% cure all immunity card. It will be similar to the flu vaccine in terms of effectiveness.

Two things about the vaccine

1. The fear is hypersensitivity which i don’t believe is an issue with the Flu vaccine

2. IDK if it will be like the Flu vaccine in that you will take it once per year. Could be like MMR (measles, mumps and rubella). I hope it is.

As far as going to an enclosed arena, no, i won’t be doing that for a while.

 

[Kovalev27]

Two things about the vaccine

1. The fear is hypersensitivity which i don’t believe is an issue with the Flu vaccine

2. IDK if it will be like the Flu vaccine in that you will take it once per year. Could be like MMR (measles, mumps and rubella). I hope it is.

As far as going to an enclosed arena, no, i won’t be doing that for a while.

No no that’s not what I meant in terms of being similar to the flu vaccine. I’m talking it’s efficacy. It won’t be a cure/immune all

 

[Leetch3]

By the way this would be a real depressing offseason if we hadn’t won first overall and Lafrenière.

I mean we did nothing. Replaced Staal and McKegg with Rooney and Johnson

watch Hank and Fast walk away (a good thing)

but talk about uninspiring. We would not have done anything other than hope some guys developed.

lack of movement and excitement isn't a bad thing...this is going to be the new norm for us IMO. a lot of the pieces are in the system and now its just a matter of patience and waiting for the team to grow. We might have 2 key moves left if there is cap space for a 2C and 1LD but beyond that there likely won't be any major changes over the next few years

 

[NYSPORTS]

No no that’s not what I meant in terms of being similar to the flu vaccine. I’m talking it’s efficacy. It won’t be a cure/immune all

idk what it will do. I agree, there are many factors. Hoping medication makes up for what’s lacking. If we had a Tamiflu to stop the virus from replicating i would feel safer.

 

[NYR Viper]

The leagues just need to get creative. Perhaps they increase the cost of NHL center ice to off-set some of the lost revenue. Missing an entire season seems like a bad idea in the long-run, even if it means the players need to take half of what they were 'promised' in their contracts. As a player, would you prefer $0 or 1/2 of what you were making before?

In contracting it's called an 'open book' approach where all expenses and costs are shown and there is an agreed upon mark-up to be charged at the end, be it 20%, 15% or whatever. The league could conceivably do something along those lines with the owners showing their costs and agreeing to take 30-40% (or whatever) profits every month and dispersing the remainder to the team on a month-to-month basis (split based on cap hit %).

All this requires is outside the box thinking.

 

[NYSPORTS]

lack of movement and excitement isn't a bad thing...this is going to be the new norm for us IMO. a lot of the pieces are in the system and now its just a matter of patience and waiting for the team to grow. We might have 2 key moves left if there is cap space for a 2C and 1LD but beyond that there likely won't be any major changes over the next few years

agree and wouldn’t it be nice if many of these players develop, the Rangers win and when the cap becomes a bigger issue we find other teams shopping the Rangers in return for solid prospects to rotate the stock.

I think the foundation is solid and has taken a huge step with back to back lottery wins. Time to wait and watch IMO.

 

[RGY]

lack of movement and excitement isn't a bad thing...this is going to be the new norm for us IMO. a lot of the pieces are in the system and now its just a matter of patience and waiting for the team to grow. We might have 2 key moves left if there is cap space for a 2C and 1LD but beyond that there likely won't be any major changes over the next few years

I dont think there is a need for any extravagant move right now. If an opportunity presents itself and the pieces lineup, then that could be a consideration. But given the landscape of this particular offseason and every team’s finances, the salaries are depreciated, and therefore I think you can find great value at a low cost in guys like Haula or Granlund that can add a lot of depth to your team and make you a stronger team all while being on short term deals. It doesnt block any kids if they prove they are ready and it also allows them to make the transition at a good pace. No one is rushed as they shouldnt be. No one is forced into roles that could be detrimental to their development. More harm than good. Its okay to have veterans fill out the bottom 6, keep the team competitive creating that culture of winning, and allow the prospects to develop in the roles that suit them best. I think thats where some of us are at. 1-2 more pieces. Haula/Granlund/Boyle/Wilson/Brassard/etc.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

By the way this would be a real depressing offseason if we hadn’t won first overall and Lafrenière.

I mean we did nothing. Replaced Staal and McKegg with Rooney and Johnson

watch Hank and Fast walk away (a good thing)

but talk about uninspiring. We would not have done anything other than hope some guys developed.

Thats only if you don't believe in the kids we have taking a step forward. Which at this point they should be so instead of getting players to replace spots higher on the roster you hope and project they will do it. I think that management believes Kakko is a top 6 player, i think they believe that Chytil will continue to progress, same with Fox, Lindgren, Howden, and i also believe they feel one young dman can come in and play the left side, that Barron might fit in a bottom 6 spot and that Strome is as good a fit on this team as anyone they could have gotten, or atleast they know he fits and they might wanna see if adding another scorer opens up even more space for individuals on that line. If you believe all this, then there was never any need in getting more players to take spots from the kids, especially in a year where the expectation is to make playoffs, not to win them. They did add some fringe players as insolation but at some point you have to trust the kids and i think the time is now but thats just my opinion. Ofcourse looking at it today, the left side d is an issue, but it's nice that we have room for someone like miller if he is ready. I actually like our depth at forward, my only issue now is LD, but maybe that looks better under Martin.

 

[NYRangers16]

Thats only if you don't believe in the kids we have taking a step forward. Which at this point they should be so instead of getting players to replace spots higher on the roster you hope and project they will do it. I think that management believes Kakko is a top 6 player, i think they believe that Chytil will continue to progress, same with Fox, Lindgren, Howden, and i also believe they feel one young dman can come in and play the left side, that Barron might fit in a bottom 6 spot and that Strome is as good a fit on this team as anyone they could have gotten, or atleast they know he fits and they might wanna see if adding another scorer opens up even more space for individuals on that line. If you believe all this, then there was never any need in getting more players to take spots from the kids, especially in a year where the expectation is to make playoffs, not to win them. They did add some fringe players as insolation but at some point you have to trust the kids and i think the time is now but thats just my opinion. Ofcourse looking at it today, the left side d is an issue, but it's nice that we have room for someone like miller if he is ready. I actually like our depth at forward, my only issue now is LD, but maybe that looks better under Martin.

That’s a whole lot of assumptions. Even with the best of luck, half of that won’t pan out. But hey, given the cap mess, we really don’t have much of a choice but to let it play itself out for this season at least. Thankfully we are well positioned for next season and beyond.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

The leagues just need to get creative. Perhaps they increase the cost of NHL center ice to off-set some of the lost revenue. Missing an entire season seems like a bad idea in the long-run, even if it means the players need to take half of what they were 'promised' in their contracts. As a player, would you prefer $0 or 1/2 of what you were making before?

In contracting it's called an 'open book' approach where all expenses and costs are shown and there is an agreed upon mark-up to be charged at the end, be it 20%, 15% or whatever. The league could conceivably do something along those lines with the owners showing their costs and agreeing to take 30-40% (or whatever) profits every month and dispersing the remainder to the team on a month-to-month basis (split based on cap hit %).

All this requires is outside the box thinking.

Increasing center ice may just encourage less people to buy it. Asking consumers to foot the bills for millionaires in a pandemic kinda leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

That’s a whole lot of assumptions. Even with the best of luck, half of that won’t pan out. But hey, given the cap mess, we really don’t have much of a choice but to let it play itself out.

You have to trust your picks and give them the chance to prove you right or wrong otherwise why did you even draft them? It's more of a gamble for us then them as they have a better feel for what they have.

 

[NYR Viper]

Increasing center ice may just encourage less people to buy it. Asking consumers to foot the bills for millionaires in a pandemic kinda leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

There's a happy medium here like most things. Center Ice, at least to me, is incredibly affordable to the point it's a no brainer for me to purchase every year. Increasing it by $50 per subscription is more than likely not going to turn people away from purchasing it. Especially when you start to show the match of $/game even in a 60 game season.

 

[NYSPORTS]

That’s a whole lot of assumptions. Even with the best of luck, half of that won’t pan out. But hey, given the cap mess, we really don’t have much of a choice but to let it play itself out for this season at least. Thankfully we are well positioned for next season and beyond.

True - i think the luck of Laf and Kakko along with Fox strong arming Carolina gives the Rangers a nice ratio of hits vs misses even if the others don’t develop.

This is a lot more promising than if the Rangers had not rebuilt. Can you imagine Zuccarello and others still here with Nils the only prospect to look forward to? Could have happened.

 

[RGY]

You have to trust your picks and give them the chance to prove you right or wrong otherwise why did you even draft them? It's more of a gamble for us then them as they have a better feel for what they have.

There is nothing wrong with icing some youth in your lineup. But filling every role and position with a bunch of assumptions and unknowns could do more harm than good for the kids and the team as a whole. Just because you drafted them doesnt mean you just throw ice time at them. Thats a very silly position to take. Yes the team is trying to make the playoffs AND start to win a bit. Forcing kids into roles they are not ready for is more short sighted than it is visionary for the future.

I think they should add one more competent and proven NHL player at a discount. Maybe 2 as insurance. But definitely 1. To me thats Granlund.

Kreider-Zib-Buch
Panarin-Strome-Kakko
Lafreniere-Chytil-Granlund
Lemmy-Howden-Gauthier

Rooney/Blackwood/Barron/PDG - those are your options right now if someone is not progressing on that 4th line. I’d really rather Boyle on the 4th line over Howden and send Howden to the AHL so he can really focus on developing the parts of the game that will allow him to carve out a long career in the NHL, and that is Faceoffs and Defensive play. Very much like a Dom Moore role.

 

[Fireonk]

By the way this would be a real depressing offseason if we hadn’t won first overall and Lafrenière.

I mean we did nothing. Replaced Staal and McKegg with Rooney and Johnson

watch Hank and Fast walk away (a good thing)

but talk about uninspiring. We would not have done anything other than hope some guys developed.

I think it's fair to say that if we didn't win the #1 Gorton and crew might have been a tad more aggressive. Less of a need to make a big splash when you get a gift like that.

 

[Waivers]

I don't disagree about the blueline...even if that guy is in the system none of them are ready yet. that said there is a huge difference between saying Toews or Eichel would look good here and being willing to 'ante up' or be 'all in'...I mean if you ignore the cost to get him (and cap hit) for a second, you'd be hard pressed to find a more perfect guy in the short term for us than Toews. He's still a 1C, he's good defensively/pks, great on faceoffs...and as far as filling our need of a veteran leader who can teach the young team how to win, a guy who won 3 cups as captain would basically be this generations version of messier in terms of bring that experience and leadership...all that said though there is close to 0% chance that I'd actually be willing to pay what the hawks would ask. lol

I'm with you and Toews would be a great, responsible add to the team. Captain Serious is a natural-born leader and winner. He holds his play accountable and practically is a Selke-finalist every year.

But even if we had the chance to do it now, we're not fully capable of competing until we address that area. Defense is certainly underappreciated at times on the board. Look at the last 2 winners in Tampa, and the Blues -- yes, the forwards bought in and played great two-way hockey. But, their defensemen were all big, mean, skilled and mobile.

 

[Avery16]

The armchair GMing on here is one thing. The armchair MDing is something else.

 

[Profet]

By the way this would be a real depressing offseason if we hadn’t won first overall and Lafrenière.

I mean we did nothing. Replaced Staal and McKegg with Rooney and Johnson

watch Hank and Fast walk away (a good thing)

but talk about uninspiring. We would not have done anything other than hope some guys developed.

I have a feeling there is a fair amount of shoes waiting to drop based on the contract of Strome and to a lesser extent, Lemieux.

 

[True Blue]

i wonder if Kreider was moved for a #1 last season like so many predicted may have positioned the Rangers to make a move for a Towes or part ways with a heavy package for Eichel.

By "many" you mean internet message board posters?

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

There is nothing wrong with icing some youth in your lineup. But filling every role and position with a bunch of assumptions and unknowns could do more harm than good for the kids and the team as a whole. Just because you drafted them doesnt mean you just throw ice time at them. Thats a very silly position to take. Yes the team is trying to make the playoffs AND start to win a bit. Forcing kids into roles they are not ready for is more short sighted than it is visionary for the future.

I think they should add one more competent and proven NHL player at a discount. Maybe 2 as insurance. But definitely 1. To me thats Granlund.

Kreider-Zib-Buch
Panarin-Strome-Kakko
Lafreniere-Chytil-Granlund
Lemmy-Howden-Gauthier

Rooney/Blackwood/Barron/PDG - those are your options right now if someone is not progressing on that 4th line. I’d really rather Boyle on the 4th line over Howden and send Howden to the AHL so he can really focus on developing the parts of the game that will allow him to carve out a long career in the NHL, and that is Faceoffs and Defensive play. Very much like a Dom Moore role.

That'd be great, but how are they affording Granlund?

 

[True Blue]

If we really wanted to ante up for Toews or Eichel, we really, in the worst way, need to do something about 1LD. We go no where without it and don’t tell me one of our prospects is automatically a 1LD.

I do not think that such a move would happen until after the expansion draft.

 

[mulli25]

By the way this would be a real depressing offseason if we hadn’t won first overall and Lafrenière.

I mean we did nothing. Replaced Staal and McKegg with Rooney and Johnson

watch Hank and Fast walk away (a good thing)

but talk about uninspiring. We would not have done anything other than hope some guys developed.

IMO this offseason was always about making it through the minefield of our cap situation without making the team worse

 

[Kovalev27]

I have a feeling there is a fair amount of shoes waiting to drop based on the contract of Strome and to a lesser extent, Lemieux.

I’m still trying to figure out if they want Strome or not. Doesn’t feel like it. But I don’t know

 

[True Blue]

Full buildings aren’t happening anytime soon and that’s even if a vaccine was released today.

most likely you’ll have to show proof of vaccination to get into an arena when it’s all said and done.

Soon? Depends on your definition of "soon". I believe that this year it is partial capacity and next year it is full capacity. Otherwise no sports franchise owner is going to want to run a professional franchise for long. They can only survive on television revenue for so long.

Regarding having to show "proof" of vaccine, I cannot see that. First of all, a vaccine does not mean immunity. At best you are talking about a flu type of vaccine, which is about 50 % effective. Second, you cannot force someone to get it for the ability to enter. As soon as one gets sick, that is a lawsuit in the making. Teams with partial capacity now are not requiring such an item. Teams in Europe are not requiring such an item. Fans will either choose to show up or not feel safe and strictly watch the games from home.