Roster Building Thread: Part VII (2023-24)

[Machinehead]

Fans like fourth liners who fill their role well and don’t play stupid hockey trying to get promoted. Motte was that way. So was Dom Moore.

Dom Moore was effective.

 

[Barnaby]

74 games, 45 points. Thats not a tough jump.
He's had bad injury luck.
I honestly really didnt like the trocheck signing because it did block him from 2c. But if they move trocheck to 3c, i'll be 100% fine with it.

This narrative forever drives me crazy. As if calling a player a 2C over a 3C will cost a guy EA Sports experience points. He plays plenty at even strength. His issue is he doesn’t play special teams. Guy needs to work on PK.

 

[Barnaby]

Overrated 4th liner. He does nothing

He can skate like the wind… and forecheck… the rare times he can stay healthy.

 

[Barnaby]

Motte wasn't necessary here, imo ny probably wasn't really interested in him as much as some folks here were. I see Cullye as a guy who needs a spot Motte would probably take on him. It's time for this franchise to involve the draft picks we made and coveted so much into the team. A guy like Cullye provides much the same as Motte and wi do it for the same price for multiple years while gelling as a member of this team going forward. Having guys come in and out of the lineup isn't helpful, give the kids the team and see what we got, Jones included.

What’s the over/under on 7 days before fans here start having a melt down about Cullye’s ice time if he’s on the 4th line.

I would’ve taken Motte back for what he got, but I won’t lose sleep because he’s gone. In the end, he did alright for himself. Good team. Tampa. Lower tax rate. Maybe not his end goal, but could’ve done worse.

 

[RangersFan1994]

I agree he's got potential, but he's not jumping into the top 9 right away, not on this team. The AHL isn't a good marker for what a someome will do when they make the jump, Brodzinski had 21 goals last year.

Brodzinski is an AHL vet. Cant compare him with Cuylle at all. One has potential and one is a AHL All-star NHL 13th 14th forward for a reason.

He can skate like the wind… and forecheck… the rare times he can stay healthy.

So can Julien Gauthier and he was a 1st round pick by the Canes. Just because you can skate does not mean you are an NHL player.

 

[Barnaby]

Brodzinski is an AHL vet. Cant compare him with Cuylle at all. One has potential and one is a AHL All-star NHL 13th 14th forward for a reason.




So can Julien Gauthier and he was a 1st round pick by the Canes. Just because you can skate does not mean you are an NHL player.

I do think us fans need to lose this narrative that players can only develop on the top line getting force fed PP time. If Cullye is ready then he’s ready. Play him in the roll he’s ready for. If he’s not ready or you don’t have a roll for him yet then leave him in the AHL. Fans here have gone from developing players properly. Each prospect is different to we need to rush rookies and force them into roles even if they aren’t ready “for their development.”

 

[Barnaby]

So can Julien Gauthier and he was a 1st round pick by the Canes. Just because you can skate does not mean you are an NHL player.

Motte is an NHL player. It doesn’t break my heart to see him go, but he’s an NHL player. He’s a 4th liner who will pop in a few goals, bring speed, and unlike Gauthier, can PK.

Like I said a few posts up. I won’t lose sleep losing him, but he did play a role.

In the same sentence, you think Cullye is going to come in and right away be a force. Pitlick, Motte, Vesey… all will probably bring more to the table than Cullye in 23-24.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Motte is an NHL player. It doesn’t break my heart to see him go, but he’s an NHL player. He’s a 4th liner who will pop in a few goals, bring speed, and unlike Gauthier, can PK.

Like I said a few posts up. I won’t lose sleep losing him, but he did play a role.

In the same sentence, you think Cullye is going to come in and right away be a force. Pitlick, Motte, Vesey… all will probably bring more to the table than Cullye in 23-24.

Pitlick is not that good. 7 goals and 16 points in 61 games. Rather see a rookie get his minutes. I miss the days when that a 4th line of young players and rookies like Brian Boyle, Dom Moore, Brandon Prust Dorsett types. At least all of them were good at hockey, take a regular shift and young. Pitlick, Bezile and Bonino should be the 14th 15th 16th forwards. Bonino is okay but he should not be more than a 14th forward on a good playoff team. If he is playing everyday team has depth issues. Bonino was good 5 years ago. Now not so much.

 

[TominNC]

Yeah its a total obsession to look at guys like Pitlick abs Belzille and think yeah Motte is better than those guys…

Yes we are forgetting how much you hate Kane and are dismissive of a HOF bound player who literally had 92 points just 2 seasons ago.

Me and a lot of other fans. While you obsess about bringing in other teams past stars. Talk about repeating the errors that have us winning 1 cup in over 80 years

 

[RGY]

Me and a lot of other fans. While you obsess about bringing in other teams past stars. Talk about repeating the errors that have us winning 1 cup in over 80 years

No, no. Repeating the errors of the turn of the century into the early 2000s would be signing Kane to a 5 x $5 million deal as they often did then. We are talking about signing him to a 1 year deal at $3 million or less. Likely $2 million imo. That is a bargain no matter how many times you want to dismiss that he scored 92 points 2 years ago, or how you move the goal posts that it was because he was on a crappy team even though he has scores at that consistency his whole career. Keep moving those goal posts.

 

[Barnaby]

No, no. Repeating the errors of the turn of the century into the early 2000s would be signing Kane to a 5 x $5 million deal as they often did then. We are talking about signing him to a 1 year deal at $3 million or less. Likely $2 million imo. That is a bargain no matter how many times you want to dismiss that he scored 92 points 2 years ago, or how you move the goal posts that it was because he was on a crappy team even though he has scores at that consistency his whole career. Keep moving those goal posts.

Not that I’m advocating for that approach, but the Rangers won a cup bringing in past stars to complement their young stars.

The problem came in when they stopped drafting well, and backfilled with overpaid middling talent

 

[haohmaru]

I honestly have no idea why people have a problem playing either side, it's just basically using your iq to play the position and adjusting where you shoot from and how you play pucks off the wall . Lafreniere, Kreider, Panarin, they're all good enough to switch sides, problem is that none of them want to except for Lafreniere, but Gallant wouldn't let him get used to the right side before he pulled him. I've always prefered my off wing, but I've played all 3 forward positions growing up, outside of faceoffs there's little difference once you know where you're supposed to be.

The difference is defending the wall with your backhand instead of your natural strength. It's difficult for a lot of players.

 

[RGY]

Not that I’m advocating for that approach, but the Rangers won a cup bringing in past stars to complement their young stars.

The problem came in when they stopped drafting well, and backfilled with overpaid middling talent

Yep and I am certainly not advocating abandoning our draft picks. In fact the whole point of wanting Kane is because they have a gap in the middle 6 wing position, no matter how much some people think Vesey will suffice or that Othmann will make the jump this year which is highly unlikely nor should he be rushed, and I would rather sign Kane in November for $2-$3 million than to trade draft picks AGAIN at the deadline to fill that gap.

 

[Vitto79]

Rather have Motte over Pitlick and guys like Belize but it does give Cuylee a shot eventually

 

[kovazub94]

Not far from you. Right by the mouth of Great Kills Harbor.

3 quick train stops over. Neighbors!

 

[Barnaby]

If Kane can pass a physical and is willing to sign a cheap one year deal, then it’s a no brainer IMO.

 

[SA16]

What really stood out to me about Motte was his possession-philosophy especially on the PK. It was a breath of fresh air when he was on the ice and, when the situation allowed for it, held on to the puck for a bit longer killing off valuable seconds. It also made opponents more cautious and helped neuter their PP.

However, that alone isn't reason enough for me to get up in arms about losing him. He was a good 4th liner but if you want to be a contender, you have to develop these guys yourself.

You definitely do not have to develop those guys yourself when they’re available for league minimum

 

[RangerBoy]

Drury does not have $800,000 for Motte? He is better than Pitlick. If one of the kids take a spot, place Pitlick on waivers. Assign him to the AHL if he doesn’t get claimed.

Kane needs to play in the top 6 to be an effective player. He needs to receive PP time. Kakko and Lafreniere should receive those minutes. Kane is not a middling winger. A 35 year old player coming off hip resurfacing surgery. People talk about Backstrom. He struggled when returned after his hip resurfacing surgery. A months ago, Backstrom said he was 100%. What else did you expect him to say? The Capitals hoped Backsrom stooped playing so they could him on long term IR and use the cap hit on better players. Who knows how Backstrom will perform in the remaining two seasons on the contract at $9.2M?

I was listening to Chris Johnston’s podcast a few days ago. They were discussing why Kane to the Rangers didn’t work out. CJ said the Rangers had too many similar players. Who did not see that coming? Really? No. Too many offensive wingers. Can't be.

The Rangers need to identify their bottom six players and go from there. The Rangers need another D. They aren’t winning with Gustafsson. I don’t care how much Laviolette loves him. The Rangers are Gustafsson's 7th team since 19-20. The people who cover this team act like the Rangers issues on D are solved. Oh boy!!!

The Rangers had 9 top 6 forwards after the trade deadline and there was not enough ice time for everyone. All of that nonsense regarding Kane becoming Kane being surrounded by better players was BS. All of that nonsense about Kane and Panarin picking up in NY where they left in Chicago in 2017 was more BS.

 

[TGWL]

I honestly have no idea why people have a problem playing either side, it's just basically using your iq to play the position and adjusting where you shoot from and how you play pucks off the wall . Lafreniere, Kreider, Panarin, they're all good enough to switch sides, problem is that none of them want to except for Lafreniere, but Gallant wouldn't let him get used to the right side before he pulled him. I've always prefered my off wing, but I've played all 3 forward positions growing up, outside of faceoffs there's little difference once you know where you're supposed to be.

I've preferred my off wing as well. I find it easier to skate up the rink, curl towards the boards with puck, or protect the puck with it on your backhand. Grabbing the puck off the wall is a little harder and could burn you at elite/high level play, but I think the benefits out weigh the difficult times.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

Offer Kessel a PTO, you cowards!

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Brodzinski is an AHL vet. Cant compare him with Cuylle at all. One has potential and one is a AHL All-star NHL 13th 14th forward for a reason.




So can Julien Gauthier and he was a 1st round pick by the Canes. Just because you can skate does not mean you are an NHL player.

My point is you can't compare 20 goals in the AHL to the NHL and now expect him to jump into a top 9 role right away.

I've preferred my off wing as well. I find it easier to skate up the rink, curl towards the boards with puck, or protect the puck with it on your backhand. Grabbing the puck off the wall is a little harder and could burn you at elite/high level play, but I think the benefits out weigh the difficult times.

Your stick is always in a better shooting position on the off side. Once you get used to your own end it's better imo, nhl players should have no problem adjusting.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Drury does not have $800,000 for Motte? He is better than Pitlick. If one of the kids take a spot, place Pitlick on waivers. Assign him to the AHL if he doesn’t get claimed.

Kane needs to play in the top 6 to be an effective player. He needs to receive PP time. Kakko and Lafreniere should receive those minutes. Kane is not a middling winger. A 35 year old player coming off hip resurfacing surgery. People talk about Backstrom. He struggled when returned after his hip resurfacing surgery. A months ago, Backstrom said he was 100%. What else did you expect him to say? The Capitals hoped Backsrom stooped playing so they could him on long term IR and use the cap hit on better players. Who knows how Backstrom will perform in the remaining two seasons on the contract at $9.2M?

I was listening to Chris Johnston’s podcast a few days ago. They were discussing why Kane to the Rangers didn’t work out. CJ said the Rangers had too many similar players. Who did not see that coming? Really? No. Too many offensive wingers. Can't be.

The Rangers need to identify their bottom six players and go from there. The Rangers need another D. They aren’t winning with Gustafsson. I don’t care how much Laviolette loves him. The Rangers are Gustafsson's 7th team since 19-20. The people who cover this team act like the Rangers issues on D are solved. Oh boy!!!

The Rangers had 9 top 6 forwards after the trade deadline and there was not enough ice time for everyone. All of that nonsense regarding Kane becoming Kane being surrounded by better players was BS. All of that nonsense about Kane and Panarin picking up in NY where they left in Chicago in 2017 was more BS.View attachment 742075

Im not advocating for Kane but the biggest problem was the whole top 9's deployment, ofcourse his injury as well. There was absolutely no reason to have him playing with Panarin, and when him Kreider and Trochek played together it was actually effective. Kane for his struggles during his time was one of the few guys going all out, even if his body was limiting what he could do. I'd take him on the cheap but the staff need to put a 3rd line together with him on it so that teams have a problem line matching.

 

[zlev]

Julien Gauthier ruled and it sucks we got rid of him. penalty drawing machine. absolute perfect 4th liner that can move up in the lineup.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Pitlick is not that good. 7 goals and 16 points in 61 games. Rather see a rookie get his minutes. I miss the days when that a 4th line of young players and rookies like Brian Boyle, Dom Moore, Brandon Prust Dorsett types. At least all of them were good at hockey, take a regular shift and young. Pitlick, Bezile and Bonino should be the 14th 15th 16th forwards. Bonino is okay but he should not be more than a 14th forward on a good playoff team. If he is playing everyday team has depth issues. Bonino was good 5 years ago. Now not so much.

Bonino is depth and will be an experienced 4th line center who gets PKs, faceoffs, protects leads, and will be insurance if the random injury wheel hits Chytil.

He has no impact on Cullye/Edstrom/Othmann at all.

They needed a 4C so it was either Leschyshyn (no and yuk), or move Goodrow there fulltime and deplete center depth.

It's a good signing.

In a perfect world one of the kids (Cullye/Edstrom/Othmann) makes Pitlick the 13th forward and pushes Vesey or Goodrow down to the 4th line. Belzile may have done well on a tanking Montreal team, but he's not a waiver risk.

 

[pld459666]

I shoot right handed, hate playing RW.

Find myself looking pass first whenever I'm on the right side with the puck. Hate the angles from the RW.

Feel way more comfortable shooting from the LW. I see the ice better and while I pass more from the RW, I make better passes from the LW and am usually in great position for the one timers.