Speculation: Roster Building Thread Part VII: Return of Beaver Brad

[Ghost of jas]

A few thoughts on the potential lineup -

1). Based upon last year, Vesey plays his best when Nash is on his line. AV had Hayes center the two of them for about a month or two last season and I expect that to be one of the initial lines to start the season.

2) Kreidet and Zib are going to be stapled together. Kreider has been attached to the team's best center for most of his time here. Buch will likely begin the season as the RW to those two. Hopefully, AV doesn't tire of that line too quickly.

3) If Miller is going is to be the 3C, he'll need a dependable winger like Zucc. Who becomes the third member of that line is the question. Does Andersson impress enough to push Miller to LW? Could Gropp push for a spot? Puempel could be as placeholder, or possibly win the soot outright. Grabner is the default, but, to lengthen the lineup, he might be more beneficial on the 4th line. And what about Nieves?

 

[RangerBoy]

 

[Gardner McKay]

Top-4 team in East. We'll win 50 games.

For all the doom and gloom this team won 48 games last season. This year's team is better.

There were people that wanted to trade Miller and Skjei for Trouba even after Skjei showed us how good he was going to be, were ready to trade Kreider + for Trouba or Stepan + for Trouba and insisted we would be a better team.

Instead we sign Shattenkirk, trade for and re-sign Smith, grab Andersson 7th OV (a kid who does have a small chance of making it this year), get DeAngelo in the Stepan trade, buyout Girardi, AND sign Bereglazov. Still, they claim we will be worse because we are without Stepan.

 

[Ghost of jas]

There were people that wanted to trade Miller and Skjei for Trouba even after Skjei showed us how good he was going to be, were ready to trade Kreider + for Trouba or Stepan + for Trouba and insisted we would be a better team.

Instead we sign Shattenkirk, trade for and re-sign Smith, grab Andersson 7th OV (a kid who does have a small chance of making it this year), get DeAngelo in the Stepan trade, buyout Girardi, AND sign Bereglazov. Still, they claim we will be worse because we are without Stepan.

And now we should trade Miller for Duchene, even though Miller is three years younger, on a much cheaper contract and outscored Duchene by 16 points last year.

 

[Gardner McKay]

And now we should trade Miller for Duchene, even though Miller is three years younger, on a much cheaper contract and outscored Duchene by 16 points last year.

Please. Duchene is clearly the 1C we have been lacking for all these years. Miller + 1st + Buch. Duchene makes us a cup contender.

That whole situation stinks and I feel like whatever happens, all three parties will not be happy.

 

[offdacrossbar]

Top-4 team in East. We'll win 50 games.

For all the doom and gloom this team won 48 games last season. This year's team is better.

yup

better powerplay and no girardi for av to overplay

the defense 1-4 is solid and better than last year.

we were 4th in goals scored last season no reason to think we cant score more

the key continues too be hanky. if his body and mind are right, he's the ticket to a final 4 return then its anyones game.

this team right now is very good.

 

[Edge]

Top-4 team in East. We'll win 50 games.

For all the doom and gloom this team won 48 games last season. This year's team is better.

If this team clicks, and the majority of people are firing on all cylinders (or close to), 50 wins is a very attainable goal.

The keystone to the defense is the continued progress of Skjei - even moreso than Shattenkirk or the emergence of a rookie on the third pairing. To me, Skjei continuing to move forward is critical.

On offense, it requires Kreider and Miller to be even slightly better than they were year, but more importantly it requires Z to be healthy and really grab that opportunity to be a top line center. Ideally, he needs to be at that 25 goal, 60-65 point mark.

Buch also needs to take that next step, if he can get to the 20 goal, 45-50 point zone, it gives the Rangers several good weapons on the wings.

So for me, it's three names that stand out - Skjei, Zibanejad and Buchnevich.

 

[offdacrossbar]

If this team clicks, and the majority of people are firing on all cylinders (or close to), 50 wins is a very attainable goal.

The keystone to the defense is the continued progress of Skjei - even moreso than Shattenkirk or the emergence of a rookie on the third pairing. To me, Skjei continuing to move forward is critical.

On offense, it requires Kreider and Miller to be even slightly better than they were year, but more importantly it requires Z to be healthy and really grab that opportunity to be a top line center. Ideally, he needs to be at that 25 goal, 60-65 point mark.

Buch also needs to take that next step, if he can get to the 20 goal, 45-50 point zone, it gives the Rangers several good weapons on the wings.

So for me, it's three names that stand out - Skjei, Zibanejad and Buchnevich.

yes but without henrik being henrik, we aint goin no where.

 

[Edge]

yes but without henrik being henrik, we aint goin no where.

Here's the funny thing, I don't even think Henrik has to be at his absolute best to get us anywhere.

While I believe he needs to be better than last season, I think even Lundqvist at 85-90 percent of his peak is enough if the other components of the team are working out.

I've seen lesser goalies, with less in front of them, do pretty darn well.

 

[Ghost of jas]

If this team clicks, and the majority of people are firing on all cylinders (or close to), 50 wins is a very attainable goal.

The keystone to the defense is the continued progress of Skjei - even moreso than Shattenkirk or the emergence of a rookie on the third pairing. To me, Skjei continuing to move forward is critical.

On offense, it requires Kreider and Miller to be even slightly better than they were year, but more importantly it requires Z to be healthy and really grab that opportunity to be a top line center. Ideally, he needs to be at that 25 goal, 60-65 point mark.

Buch also needs to take that next step, if he can get to the 20 goal, 45-50 point zone, it gives the Rangers several good weapons on the wings.

So for me, it's three names that stand out - Skjei, Zibanejad and Buchnevich.

I definitely agree about Zib, Buch and Skjei. Plus, as you stated, Kreider slightly upping his production from last year will help. And, if Miller can move to center and maintain his production, his numbers replace Stepan, (which is why you need Buch to essentially replace Miller's numbers on the wing.

Also, DeAngelo could be a wildcard. McDonagh, Shattenkirk and Skjei should all hit 40 points, but if DeAngelo produces, adding Shattenkirk and DeAngelo adding that kind of production to the blueline also helps to offset the loss of Stepan's production.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Gonna be really interesting to see how this season unfolds. So many longstanding HF narratives on the line.

I am skeptical that Hayes can handle additional minutes and tougher matchups. And that the 3rd line can produce. So even with more o-zone time I don't see them scoring more than LY. If Zib or Hayes go down long term they are up a creek.

Couple that with Hank adding another ring around the tree stump and I see a 5-9 finish depending on how injuries hit.

 

[Avery16]

I definitely agree about Zib, Buch and Skjei. Plus, as you stated, Kreider slightly upping his production from last year will help. And, if Miller can move to center and maintain his production, his numbers replace Stepan, (which is why you need Buch to essentially replace Miller's numbers on the wing.

Also, DeAngelo could be a wildcard. McDonagh, Shattenkirk and Skjei should all hit 40 points, but if DeAngelo produces, adding Shattenkirk and DeAngelo adding that kind of production to the blueline also helps to offset the loss of Stepan's production.

I think were going to see an entirely different defenseman in McDonagh with Shattenkirk as his partner. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving.

 

[Avery16]

Also, with a D squad who can actually carry the puck, I think were going to see our team possession stats skyrocket. Its going to have a dramatic effect on our game as a whole.

 

[RangerBoy]

I think were going to see an entirely different defenseman in McDonagh with Shattenkirk as his partner. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving.

In a tie game or with the Rangers protecting a lead,McDonagh and Shattenkirk will on the ice for D zone face offs? They will be matched up against the opposing team's best line? McDonagh and Shattenkirk will be on the ice against OV and Crosby/Malkin?

 

[RangerBoy]

I definitely agree about Zib, Buch and Skjei. Plus, as you stated, Kreider slightly upping his production from last year will help. And, if Miller can move to center and maintain his production, his numbers replace Stepan, (which is why you need Buch to essentially replace Miller's numbers on the wing.

Also, DeAngelo could be a wildcard. McDonagh, Shattenkirk and Skjei should all hit 40 points, but if DeAngelo produces, adding Shattenkirk and DeAngelo adding that kind of production to the blueline also helps to offset the loss of Stepan's production.

AV would match up Stepan against another top center. He trusted him defensively. Which center takes that responsibility? Stepan was awful on face offs but he was the Rangers best defensive center.

 

[Ghost of jas]

AV would match up Stepan against another top center. He trusted him defensively. Which center takes that responsibility? Stepan was awful on face offs but he was the Rangers best defensive center.

That responsiblilty now falls on Zibanejad. His ability to take the next in his growth is a huge factor in the amount of success this team has.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

It's a bit like the '93-94 team started out. Without the two top-10 all-time players... big difference, of course... but maybe Bereglazov will be Zubov 2.0...

Seriously it is a good team may be fewer east-west o-zone opportunity but they were never really that kind of team in my lifetime. A lot of offense will start just above the blueline.

 

[NYR Viper]

AV would match up Stepan against another top center. He trusted him defensively. Which center takes that responsibility? Stepan was awful on face offs but he was the Rangers best defensive center.

It should be Miller. That was his role in the WJC when he played for the US. The question is, can he fulfill that potential

 

[Hire Sather]

In a tie game or with the Rangers protecting a lead,McDonagh and Shattenkirk will on the ice for D zone face offs? They will be matched up against the opposing team's best line? McDonagh and Shattenkirk will be on the ice against OV and Crosby/Malkin?

Can't and won't be worse than McD/G or Holden/Staal.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Kreider - Zib - Buch
Vesey - Hayes - Nash
Xx - Miller - Zucc
Grabner - DD/Lias - Fast
Puempel

Who is XX?

That is the question

If Andersson makes the team, he takes the spot, probably moves Miller to the wing. But I agree with the rest. If its not Andersson, probably Grabner takes that spot, move Puempel up to the lineup, Nieves as the 13F.

 

[Vitto79]

Was hoping NYR would bring Winnik in. I will be shocked if they don't pick someone up whether it be a PTO or waivers

 

[Stasis]

Really feel that we should have given Winnik a shot.

Wonder why that didn't happen. Either he wanted nothing to do with us, or for some unknown reason management wouldn't even give him a PTO when it's a clear need.

I still feel we really need to add someone to the bottom/depth. I'd obviously prefer another C that can play top 6 but that's clearly not happening anytime soon.

 

[Hire Sather]

Really feel that we should have given Winnik a shot.

Wonder why that didn't happen. Either he wanted nothing to do with us, or for some unknown reason management wouldn't even give him a PTO when it's a clear need.

I still feel we really need to add someone to the bottom/depth. I'd obviously prefer another C that can play top 6 but that's clearly not happening anytime soon.

Everyday guys are signing that we should have given a look. It is mind boggling to me that we haven't brought in at least one guy. I don't count Farnham.

 

[Rangers in 7]

Really feel that we should have given Winnik a shot.

Wonder why that didn't happen. Either he wanted nothing to do with us, or for some unknown reason management wouldn't even give him a PTO when it's a clear need.

I still feel we really need to add someone to the bottom/depth. I'd obviously prefer another C that can play top 6 but that's clearly not happening anytime soon.

my guess is they are assuming anderson can get in right now and play

 

[BBKers]

my guess is they are assuming anderson can get in right now and play

Or something else is still up. I think we still need one more fwd.