Roster Building Thread - Part VIII (2023-24 season)

[egelband]

This has been one of the best quarter seasons I’ve ever witnessed.

 

[egelband]

Which other players around the league who are leading their team in +/- by a decent margin are holding their teams back or are Mika and Kreider the only ones?

This is fair. I don’t think anyone is complaining about those guys on the defensive side. They’re elite and that’s why coaches don’t want to break them up. Offensively they’re treading water and it’s actually less of a problem than many are seeing. Still wish Kreider would stop trying to play east-west on offense. But I appreciate that bigger picture those guys are not an issue.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Coaches and players have done a great job so far but we should not confuse great win loss results with a great team. We are a playoff team so we have a chance but we have had stronger teams in the past that did not win. Id like to see us invest in this team by getting it a real puck carrying player.

 

[Kovalev27]

Rangers quietly building a nice pipeline of forwards to support the core here. Really good job by management.

Tro and Mika are here for a while but you’ve got Laf is going to be a star might be already frankly, Chytil Cuylle Perrault who looks like a steal, Othmann, and the two buzz saws I love Berard and Sykora are going to be here. Really like Rempe too. I think he’s going to be a very solid 4th liner.

And another two kids I like that are may or may nots are Korzack and Barker. Like them both. Both developing nicely. Could help us at some point.

Kakko is the one I don’t know if he’s here after this year. Would be huge if he is even back to being a good solid middle 6 guy.

That’s 10-12 forwards that could keep this team very competitive for years with the blue line we have and shesty of course.

 

[Chytilmania]

Rangers quietly building a nice pipeline of forwards to support the core here. Really good job by management.

Tro and Mika are here for a while but you’ve got Laf is going to be a star might be already frankly, Chytil Cuylle Perrault who looks like a steal, Othmann, and the two buzz saws I love Berard and Sykora are going to be here. Really like Rempe too. I think he’s going to be a very solid 4th liner.

And another two kids I like that are may or may nots are Korzack and Barker. Like them both. Both developing nicely. Could help us at some point.

Kakko is the one I don’t know if he’s here after this year. Would be huge if he is even back to being a good solid middle 6 guy.

That’s 10-12 forwards that could keep this team very competitive for years with the blue line we have and shesty of course.

With Laf emerging I’m fine moving on from Kakko. We need defense badly IMO.

 

[Avery16]

What if Perreault and/or Othmann make the jump next season?

 

[IDvsEGO]

With Laf emerging I’m fine moving on from Kakko. We need defense badly IMO.

Theyre both very different players. I dont wanna move on from kakko unless were selling high, which we would not be.

What if Perreault and/or Othmann make the jump next season?

Perreault is the following season, he's said his plan is 2 years in college. he still needs to put on significant muscle. I would be amazed if othmann doesn't make the team next season. Wheeler is gone, thats his spot.

 

[Anthony5967]

@McRanger92 Stamkos idea is intriguing, but there are too many moving parts, salary retention, hoops, similar to Kane last year, that Drury will have to jump through to acquire a rental, no matter how good 91 is. Also, no sure thing he will assimilate quickly to NY, his linemates, etc, after spending 15 years in one place as Captain. It would have Messier feels though if they did bring him in. Only shot NYR have of pulling that off is if Tampa retains half on 91 and if Goodrow wants to go back home and TB wants him.
The real guy I am eyeing is 'Eat More Bread' from Calgary. $5.8M hit. This year and next. Calgary has already started to sell. Only issue is you'd need Calgary to eat close to half, and they wouldn't even do any retention on Zadorov to bring in a solid return. Organization is clueless. So I doubt it, but imagine half retention, 1st round pick, Kakko, conditional 2nd that becomes 1st if NYR win Cup?
Also, on side note, mentioned here already, but Drury has done a great job targeting blood and guts players to support the core. Combining speed, skill and grit isn't easy. Look down the pipeline. I said it, but I honestly believe we have the right people in charge now in Drury and Lavi.

 

[Synergy27]

@McRanger92 Stamkos idea is intriguing, but there are too many moving parts, salary retention, hoops, similar to Kane last year, that Drury will have to jump through to acquire a rental, no matter how good 91 is. Also, no sure thing he will assimilate quickly to NY, his linemates, etc, after spending 15 years in one place as Captain. It would have Messier feels though if they did bring him in. Only shot NYR have of pulling that off is if Tampa retains half on 91 and if Goodrow wants to go back home and TB wants him.
The real guy I am eyeing is 'Eat More Bread' from Calgary. $5.8M hit. This year and next. Calgary has already started to sell. Only issue is you'd need Calgary to eat close to half, and they wouldn't even do any retention on Zadorov to bring in a solid return. Organization is clueless. So I doubt it, but imagine half retention, 1st round pick, Kakko, conditional 2nd that becomes 1st if NYR win Cup?
Also, on side note, mentioned here already, but Drury has done a great job targeting blood and guts players to support the core. Combining speed, skill and grit isn't easy. Look down the pipeline. I said it, but I honestly believe we have the right people in charge now in Drury and Lavi.

I like Mangiapane but that’s an insane price to pay for a middle six player. He had three more points than Kakko last year and naturally plays the wrong side of the ice.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Magiapane is the right fit.

I wish we had more space to add him and a D. Goodrow as usual gets in the way and the org doesn’t have the balls to upgrade Lindgren.

 

[Fitzy]

Not to get off topic, but if Igor's number this season stay consistent- it's a sign that his .935 season was a career year and that .915-.916 Igor is the norm.

Don't get me wrong, that's still very good in a league that has seen average save percentage fall from .915 in the middle of last decade to a disturbing .903 this season. Who knows, we might bring the old 'quality control cutoffs' of .900 and 3.00 back soon if scoring keeps going up.

But, is it worth a long term extension, for a guy who gets injured often?

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Do the rest of the Rangers also treat Lindgren like shit despite him being a good soldier who always did his job well and never complained?

Well, technically lowballing and trading him would be the NHL equivalent.

A team full of Rudy's gets you last place. Lindgren is carried by Fox and is not going to be worth his contract next year.

You need talent to win in this league. Rangers had a bunch of heart and soul guys in Cally and Girardi and they didn't win anything due to lack of talent. Keeping guys who are well liked is why teams don't win cups.

What's the Rangers record without Lindgren the last five years?. Pretty bad.

 

[McRanger92]

@McRanger92 Stamkos idea is intriguing, but there are too many moving parts, salary retention, hoops, similar to Kane last year, that Drury will have to jump through to acquire a rental, no matter how good 91 is. Also, no sure thing he will assimilate quickly to NY, his linemates, etc, after spending 15 years in one place as Captain. It would have Messier feels though if they did bring him in. Only shot NYR have of pulling that off is if Tampa retains half on 91 and if Goodrow wants to go back home and TB wants him.
The real guy I am eyeing is 'Eat More Bread' from Calgary. $5.8M hit. This year and next. Calgary has already started to sell. Only issue is you'd need Calgary to eat close to half, and they wouldn't even do any retention on Zadorov to bring in a solid return. Organization is clueless. So I doubt it, but imagine half retention, 1st round pick, Kakko, conditional 2nd that becomes 1st if NYR win Cup?
Also, on side note, mentioned here already, but Drury has done a great job targeting blood and guts players to support the core. Combining speed, skill and grit isn't easy. Look down the pipeline. I said it, but I honestly believe we have the right people in charge now in Drury and Lavi.

Yeah my preference is adding a guy with term. Rangers have done well with ex Lightning legends so I would’ve be too worried about the fit. I still think if Kakko is back before the deadline he’ll be dealt for an upgrade

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Not to get off topic, but if Igor's number this season stay consistent- it's a sign that his .935 season was a career year and that .915-.916 Igor is the norm.

Don't get me wrong, that's still very good in a league that has seen average save percentage fall from .915 in the middle of last decade to a disturbing .903 this season. Who knows, we might bring the old 'quality control cutoffs' of .900 and 3.00 back soon if scoring keeps going up.

But, is it worth a long term extension, for a guy who gets injured often?

I mean, it's not THAT bad like Chytil. Also his injury this year was more Precautionary Andy and the staff's new approach to injuries. If Ramsay were still here they'd spray some Windex on a band-aid and send him back out.

He has his Vezina and his All Star check boxes. As long as he brings it in the post season, who cares if it's .917 or .935.

Garand is still a work in progress and handing off the load to him in 2025 is not a given.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Magiapane is the right fit.

I wish we had more space to add him and a D. Goodrow as usual gets in the way and the org doesn’t have the balls to upgrade Lindgren.

As you mentioned he may be the right fit or someone who is in the right fit however they can't make it happen with his cap hit and length for two playoff runs.

The Lindgren hate.....if people don't like him then they need to offer actual upgrades and what the Rangers would give up.

Goodrow isn't going anywhere. They need his versatility and ability to play center as we're at the Chytil injury generator part of the season.

 

[redwhiteandblue]

I’m also cool with that. Tarasenko would’ve been looked at more favorably if not for Kane. I thought he was a perfect fit last year, on the ice and in the room

I believe I mentioned this when it happened, but I ran into Tank at my hotel when I was down for the playoff game last year. I was with my girlfriend and we were heading out early in the day for drinks. Not another soul knew who he was haha. You could tell his wife enjoyed seeing a fan love running into him. I think they definitely felt at home as Rangers. I'd welcome him back with open arms.

One of my favorite players since coming into the league.

 

[huerter]

The couple who have been married 50 years and is who everyone around them aspire to be don’t have the balls to get a divorce and upgrade.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Rangers quietly building a nice pipeline of forwards to support the core here. Really good job by management.

Tro and Mika are here for a while but you’ve got Laf is going to be a star might be already frankly, Chytil Cuylle Perrault who looks like a steal, Othmann, and the two buzz saws I love Berard and Sykora are going to be here. Really like Rempe too. I think he’s going to be a very solid 4th liner.

And another two kids I like that are may or may nots are Korzack and Barker. Like them both. Both developing nicely. Could help us at some point.

Kakko is the one I don’t know if he’s here after this year. Would be huge if he is even back to being a good solid middle 6 guy.

That’s 10-12 forwards that could keep this team very competitive for years with the blue line we have and shesty of course.

Those young prospects (minors/college) can be NHL players but they are mostly C maybe B level guys until proven otherwise. Solid but not spectacular guys are always needed but if the goal is a Cup we need to find forwards that are all star caliper and above imo.

 

[IDvsEGO]

As you mentioned he may be the right fit or someone who is in the right fit however they can't make it happen with his cap hit and length for two playoff runs.

The Lindgren hate.....if people don't like him then they need to offer actual upgrades and what the Rangers would give up.

Goodrow isn't going anywhere. They need his versatility and ability to play center as we're at the Chytil injury generator part of the season.

Ive said this as well. Find me a player who contributes better across the board, who's capable of at least defensively playing top pair minutes without being a liability, while also somehow magically fitting into our cap situation, and is affordable ( we dont have to give up perreault or othmann) and i'll agree.
Hanafin is a better defenseman than lingren, he's also gonna cost 7m.
Slavin is the ideal partner for fox, but he'd cost an arm and a leg for a trade, and he's due a big raise from 5.3.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I believe I mentioned this when it happened, but I ran into Tank at my hotel when I was down for the playoff game last year. I was with my girlfriend and we were heading out early in the day for drinks. Not another soul knew who he was haha. You could tell his wife enjoyed seeing a fan love running into him. I think they definitely felt at home as Rangers. I'd welcome him back with open arms.

One of my favorite players since coming into the league.

Nice story but that aside you aren't worried that Tank is past his prime and in decline? I like Tank but I really feel we need a guy that can carry the mail. Tank does well shooting but he isn't the type of dimension we lack imo.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Ive said this as well. Find me a player who contributes better across the board, who's capable of at least defensively playing top pair minutes without being a liability, while also somehow magically fitting into our cap situation, and is affordable ( we dont have to give up perreault or othmann) and i'll agree.
Hanafin is a better defenseman than lingren, he's also gonna cost 7m.
Slavin is the ideal partner for fox, but he'd cost an arm and a leg for a trade, and he's due a big raise from 5.3.

Yup, they don't grow on trees. This isn't a situation like with Lundqvist at the end of his career where you actually had two young goalies who needed playing time, or trading Buchnevich when you had young wingers who needed playing time.

There needs to be actual facts and not just "oh this guy is overrated, trade him and everything will be dandy". That's WFAN caller logic.

Rangers are in very good shape with wingers and goalies. They need need centers (as always) and defensemen prospects. Matthew Roberstson is not going to be a Lindgren replacement. He might not even be a Zach Jones replacement.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Ive said this as well. Find me a player who contributes better across the board, who's capable of at least defensively playing top pair minutes without being a liability, while also somehow magically fitting into our cap situation, and is affordable ( we dont have to give up perreault or othmann) and i'll agree.
Hanafin is a better defenseman than lingren, he's also gonna cost 7m.
Slavin is the ideal partner for fox, but he'd cost an arm and a leg for a trade, and he's due a big raise from 5.3.

Jacob Middleton.

Move Lindgren in a different deal.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

this board tends to lean into the extremes regardless of the subject, and heavily skewed towards the negative narratives. the team is 17-4-1, they're going to lay an egg some nights and not all nights they find a way to win are going to be pretty ones. there's a fine line between obsessing over micro issues with the record they currently have, and overlooking weaknesses that can be detrimentally exposed on a longer horizon. the 5x5 scoring i don't get too caught up in - they aren't terribly efficient, but they've done enough to put themselves in this position. there's room and potential for growth in generating more/better chances.

the real area of concern they absolutely need to clean up is their defensive awareness, especially late in games holding a 1 goal lead. they have to become a team more capable regularly of possessing the puck late, essentially running out the clock, rather than hanging on for dear life in almost every single win. the 5x5 defense with a lead late is a lot more concerning to me than anything to do with offense. today they weren't at their best...whatever...it happens. but the amount of times they left a guy WIDE open on the backside and allowed a pass to get across to them which left a 1 on 1 down low with igor was egregious. they regularly get too many guys caught below the puck with no real reason for that to even be conscionable late in games with a lead that hand teams odd man rushes. that stuff simply cannot be happening regularly in the spring.

one other kinda random thing, which may or may not be statistically material but stands out as surprising, is that for the record they have they've had so few easy wins. there's something to be said for what a team that can will itself to win is made of, and that's a great thing. at the same time, to see a team at 17-4-1 that almost never wins convincingly strikes me as odd. it might not hold any significance, but something about an extremely dominant record from a team that almost never displays the ability to dominate a given opponent stands out as something that doesn't add up. maybe they have a subconscious masochistic element to them, maybe they get bored easily, maybe they need more time to really lock in. at the same time, it does make me wonder if they do need a few upgrades to have the talent level needed to allow that will to win to have a chance when the weather gets warm.

Over the course of the season I see this team as pretty good when protecting a lead in the 3rd. Opposing teams are going to push when down a goal and havoc sometimes ensues when they pull the goalie. Their record when tied or up by a goal entering the 3rd is very good. They may sit back a little more than we want but it's worlds better than other Ranger teams. No team is perfect no matter the record. This is the NHL and it's hard to win at a near .800 clip. The fact that they lead the league in winning % when playing so many road games is outstanding. GD is similar to other top teams in the league. Boston, Vegas, Colorado, Dallas are all about the same. Remember they played the last month without Fox and Chytil and were still 7-2-1. Again, outstanding. I think another factor is teams bring their A game when playing the Rangers and are often desperate for points. Not worried at all about the ups and downs of an NHL marathon season and there will be down periods. This team needs Chytil back and an upgrade at 1RW and they are going to do some damage.

 

[Chalfdiggity3]

Rangers quietly building a nice pipeline of forwards to support the core here. Really good job by management.

Tro and Mika are here for a while but you’ve got Laf is going to be a star might be already frankly, Chytil Cuylle Perrault who looks like a steal, Othmann, and the two buzz saws I love Berard and Sykora are going to be here. Really like Rempe too. I think he’s going to be a very solid 4th liner.

And another two kids I like that are may or may nots are Korzack and Barker. Like them both. Both developing nicely. Could help us at some point.

Kakko is the one I don’t know if he’s here after this year. Would be huge if he is even back to being a good solid middle 6 guy.

That’s 10-12 forwards that could keep this team very competitive for years with the blue line we have and shesty of course.

funny thing is most if not all of those picks are Drury guys. drury gets way to much flack, he’s done a lot of good here

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

What if Perreault and/or Othmann make the jump next season?

Othmann could, Perrault probably still a ways off

funny thing is most if not all of those picks are Drury guys. drury gets way to much flack, he’s done a lot of good here

He’s the anti-Grotons. Some good draft picks and some whack ass trades

Yup, they don't grow on trees. This isn't a situation like with Lundqvist at the end of his career where you actually had two young goalies who needed playing time, or trading Buchnevich when you had young wingers who needed playing time.

There needs to be actual facts and not just "oh this guy is overrated, trade him and everything will be dandy". That's WFAN caller logic.

Rangers are in very good shape with wingers and goalies. They need need centers (as always) and defensemen prospects. Matthew Roberstson is not going to be a Lindgren replacement. He might not even be a Zach Jones replacement.

Nobody calls into WFAN to talk hockey