Roster Building Thread: Part VII (2023-24)

[TGWL]

No. He hasn't been a bad player. Hes been a borderline 3rd/2nd line player... at 21.
Why are you hypothesizing taking away 5v5 points? And a tough forechecking game? Laf was our second most physical foreward, 141 hits, while getting 0.5 ppg, mostly at 5v5 where we are most in need of scoring...
Again, why are you looking to discount 5v5 scoring? It's a bizarre tact...


I'm amazed that these points are confusing to anyone.

I'm not taking away his production. Why are you ignoring all aspects of the game and looking only at the even strength production? I'm amazed that you can watch Laf be terrible on every line, majority of the game, and think he's played like a borderline 2nd line player just because he produced even strength points and doesn't get top powerplay opportunity.

I'm not saying he's a bust. I'm not saying he won't improve. I'm saying so far he's been a bad player.

 

[kovazub94]

Wouldn’t extending a deal increase the aav since it’s more ufa years?

In vacuum yes. You need context when it comes to specific players.

 

[bhamill]

I'm not taking away his production. Why are you ignoring all aspects of the game and looking only at the even strength production? I'm amazed that you can watch Laf be terrible on every line, majority of the game, and think he's played like a borderline 2nd line player just because he produced even strength points and doesn't get top powerplay opportunity.

I'm not saying he's a bust. I'm not saying he won't improve. I'm saying so far he's been a bad player.

And you are entitled to your opinion. But we disagree on whether he is a bad player or not, and you are trying to eliminate the most common and useful stat as pertains to gauging a forward: scoring... SPECIFICALLY EV scoring, our most miserable area. You are also ignoring that he's passable defensively AND our second most physical forward. And honestly it seems its pure bias based on your disappointment due to his draft position (which we actually share.) (The disappointment, not the bias).

 

[bhamill]

That is certainly a way of looking at things.

ONLY subjectivity matters!

 

[LOFIN]

I thought they used a photo of Panarin at first

 

[Rongomania]

Why do we have zero training info on Kak and Laf? The coverage for this franchise is so embarrassing.

 

[Savant]

Why do we have zero training info on Kak and Laf? The coverage for this franchise is so embarrassing.

Why do we need to have this info?

 

[Rongomania]

Why do we need to have this info?

I mean, how many #1 & #2 overall draft picks has this club ever had?

Just would be nice to have some info since we're banking on these two for the future of this team.

 

[Avery16]

I'd be game to give Lindgren a 7 year deal if it kept the cap hit below $4m.

I would be very surprised if he’d sign for less than $4m. Even with term, that’s a slap in the face.

 

[TGWL]

Why do we have zero training info on Kak and Laf? The coverage for this franchise is so embarrassing.

For the most part, the summer training is outside the organization with benefits of having facilities to use. I mean, our coaching staff can't be on the rink with him and can't force them into any training sessions. They reached a one-time summer agreement where 1 skills coach can work with a player who requested it through the NHLPA. I have no idea if any of them requested it, or if any players around the league requested the new agreement.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

3 years ago...we won the lottery

 

[Rongomania]

3 years ago...we won the lottery

Kak/Laf/Chytil becoming vets by the time they're 23. I cannot stop reiterating how tremendous this experience is for them. Key & Foxy too. The real future core is young and two of Chytil/Laf/Kak break out within the next two years and we are entirely unstoppable. Two kids have to break out, then we're better than every team in the NHL. There is no doubt in my mind. We are at the doorstep here for sure.

 

[bhamill]

Kak/Laf/Chytil becoming vets by the time they're 23. I cannot stop reiterating how tremendous this experience is for them. Key & Foxy too. The real future core is young and two of Chytil/Laf/Kak break out within the next two years and we are entirely unstoppable. Two kids have to break out, then we're better than every team in the NHL. There is no doubt in my mind. We are at the doorstep here for sure.

Sorry, they are all busts. Gotta trade them. For mid round picks.
J/K, I like your optimism.

 

[noupf]

I would be very surprised if he’d sign for less than $4m. Even with term, that’s a slap in the face.

Seriously……Dan Girardi made $5.5 million and people on this board think Lindgren will take $4.0 or less for 6-8 years…….GTFO !!

Rangers will be lucky if they can get him to do 6-7 at the $5.5 for crying out loud.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Seriously……Dan Girardi made $5.5 million and people on this board think Lindgren will take $4.0 or less for 6-8 years…….GTFO !!

Wouldn’t the point be to learn from mistakes?

 

[NYR Viper]

Lets assume for a minute that the team likes Gustafsson for his role. Bottom-pairing, puck moving LD and PP#2 guy.

That makes Jones a bit redundant.

Would anyone consider a trade of Zac Jones for Logan Stanley?

The team could rotate Stanley/Gustafsson as needed as a 6/7. He had an injury riddled year last year but going back to 2021-2022 when he was 23 years old, he held up pretty well on a pretty barren Winnipeg d-corps. ~15:39 ATOI, 13 points in 58 games along with 44 PIMs, 100 blocks and 131 hits in those 58 games and a -2.4 CF% rel.

For a 23 year old 6'7 d-man those aren't bad numbers.

He probably tops out as a #6, maybe #5 d-man if paired with the right partner

 

[Rongomania]

Sorry, they are all busts. Gotta trade them. For mid round picks.
J/K, I like your optimism.

Yeah f*ck 'em.

Lindgren 8 x 5.3 tho.

 

[MrAlmost]

Seriously……Dan Girardi made $5.5 million and people on this board think Lindgren will take $4.0 or less for 6-8 years…….GTFO !!

Rangers will be lucky if they can get him to do 6-7 at the $5.5 for crying out loud.

People probably don't want to admit it cause of his final year here when he was still making a lot of money, but Girardi was better than Lindgren. On both sides of the puck.

However, maybe you are right. He might cost more, but it never hurts to ask.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

People probably don't want to admit it cause of his final year here when he was still making a lot of money, but Girardi was better than Lindgren. On both sides of the puck.

However, maybe you are right. He might cost more, but it never hurts to ask.

Girardi couldn’t hold Lindgren’s jock defensively.

He blocked shots well. That’s about it

 

[Rongomania]

Girardi couldn’t hold Lindgren’s jock defensively.

He blocked shots well. That’s about it

Lindgren / Fox is like McD / Girardi on top shelf steroids.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I'm looking forward to seeing if Nick Bonino can change the way I view his game at this point in his career.

Honestly, I haven't seen a ton from his game since he's been with the Penguins (twice).

I would've loved the 2013-20 version of him, because you are getting 15g, 30p and that helps offset his deficiencies.

Regardless of the added scoring, I value role players in much higher esteem than the average fan does.

Bonino’s game has been rooted in consistency. An “identity player” as former Sharks coach Bob Bougher would say. All of the platitudes bestowed on the coach’s dream of a player — smart, plays hard, defends well, kills penalties, committed to blocking shots and battling for every inch, every puck in the toughest areas — Bonino is those things.

Bonino's scoring surge presents Sharks with a decision to make

Bonino is a pending free agent and exactly the type of player that contenders want to add in a trade.

theathletic.com

These days, he’s got some utility as a fourth-liner. The offensive contributions have dried up, but he’s still strong in his own end, plays on the penalty kill and brings a level of intangible and comfort.

NHL trade grades: Playoff hero Nick Bonino returns to Penguins

Bonino will bring some utility to the Penguins as a fourth-liner.

theathletic.com

So while I know that he will bring some solidity to the 4th line on this team - I wasn't in love with the signing. (Cost conscious, sure - but hey there a lot of deals to be had out there for 4th liners)

The main issues I have:

Slow - The lack of speed and quickness was exposed in the playoffs, big time. The Rangers need to add skaters. Bonino is anything but.

Face-offs - Yes, He's averaged 51.5% the last 6 seasons, but it's headed south only winning 50% in the last 3. More troubling is he had a 48.5% on D draws over the past 3 years and 46% last year. There's no upgrade there, where you really need it.

Checking - His hits per 60 is a dreadful 1.33 and it was one of the main reasons I didnt want to trade for him at the deadline. If you are going to get through the Devils, Pens, Bruins or Canes (amongst others in this conference), you gotta take the body and its going to be a prerequisite in Lavs system.

I just feel like this was a lazy signing with better options out there, better & younger skaters, just as cheap.

Leadership, Cups, sure. It counts for something - but if he's trusted to be rolled out the entire season as the obligatory 4th line center we could be in trouble.

 

[will1066]

Girardi couldn’t hold Lindgren’s jock defensively.

He blocked shots well. That’s about it

Holy smokes.

Girardi's prime years were the early 2010s.

Alex Ovechkin, Diminished Ice Time, and Line-Matching

Did Dan Girardi play less because Alex Ovechkin played less?

nymag.com

You don't recall Girardi consistently getting matched with and shutting down Great 8?

Ovi finished second to Jason Chimera lol in team scoring for that series in 2012 with a 3-1-4 stat line in 7 games.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I couldn't stand Girardi the last few years of his career and thought he was brutal, but his prime years he was a rock for us. Same as Staal who gets a ton of hate.

 

[Leonardo87]

I couldn't stand Girardi the last few years of his career and thought he was brutal, but his prime years he was a rock for us. Same as Staal who gets a ton of hate.

Girardi and Staal got way too much hate from the fans. They were warriors for the Rangers in their primes. It’s crazy that Marc Staal was in the SCF this year.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Girardi and Staal got way too much hate from the fans. They were warriors for the Rangers in their primes. It’s crazy that Marc Staal was in the SCF this year.

I was really really really hoping he was going to lift the cup. Like you said, he was a true warrior for us, it's a shame that eye injury ended his prime sooner then it should have.