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

[mandiblesofdoom]

Re "grit" ... people always call for it ... what is it?

Seems we were doing better before Fox came back & Jones was still in the lineup. Not sure what to make of that. I know Fox is a great player.

 

[duhmetreE]

This team is notorious for this....

have some success, and take the foot of the pedal. Whether it's a 2-0 lead in a game. 2-0 lead in a series. A strong start to the season... They become complacent. Get back to playing soft/gutless pond hockey.

It also does not help that Shesty has looked pedestrian.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

I hope everyone now stops complaining about Goodrow. The ripple effect especially at center and just solid not even gritty play it has down the lineup without him is bad. And now I get pelted with advanced stats and yeah buts.

Johnny Brodz has turned back into normal Johnny Brodz. It's a joke if they play him on the first line for another game.

Show some cajones and call up both Othmann and Edstrom. If Goodrow isn't ready move Wheeler to 4C for a game.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

 

[I Eat Crow]

They should be signing Kessel tomorrow if they come out flat again tonight. This team has missed secondary scoring and team defense took a nosedive once Kakko got hurt. He's individually been underwhelming but Kakko getting injured is about the time the team has started to look pedestrian.

 

[B17 Apricots]

Ironically if you go to 29mins on the game rewind (~5:25 in-game) Brodz is the one who makes the fantastic seam pass to Zibanejad to set up that Kreider tip-in. One of several missed chances from that top line.

In the beginning of the year Laf was making these sorts of plays but the points weren't there, so everyone said he sucked. Now the points are coming so he doesn't suck. You can make a nice play like the above, if there's not a point attached to it it doesn't count in the public's eye. If there's a point attached to it it counts.

We need an upgrade at RW but Brodz has been fine as a fill-in

 

[LaffyTaffy13]

To create the slowest line in the league ?

Hathaway is a very very good skater and fast. Not sure youve ever seen him play

This team is more concerned with making sure they look good for photo shoots and dont have any guys in the league mad at them to play golf with in may. Very few guys actually care about winning.

If it was up to kandre, hed start a modeling career for half the pay if he could

 

[The Crypto Guy]

We’ve sucked since Kakko went down.

 

[Savant]

Give SJ a first for Zetterlund (if serious about going for it this year)

 

[Avery16]

https://x.com/cf_transactions/status/1733876308721959060?s=46&t=WWGwhyQiVsqtB6-tfs442w

 

[TopShelfSnipes]

Re "grit" ... people always call for it ... what is it?

Seems we were doing better before Fox came back & Jones was still in the lineup. Not sure what to make of that. I know Fox is a great player.

We don't need "moar grit." It's dinosaur thinking, and it always sets this franchise back when we do that. We turn the puck over and suck at moving our feet.

Fans: "Quick sign an enforcer!"

What are we, the effing Flyers?

-We need skaters who are capable of carrying the puck in all three zones who know how to move without the puck to get open. This is the magical thing that Panarin and Lafreniere do that makes them play differently. Trocheck has always been a good puck carrier - he lacks the imagination those two have and isn't as good moving without the puck - but he can enter the zone with possession and has adapted to be better at using his linemates this season which has been great and adds to that line. Him and Lafreniere being willing to dig pucks out allows Panarin to float and not have to win board battles, but Panarin has also been more willing to get to scoring areas this year, so when they win the puck and try to get it to him, it's usually a good chance if it connects.
-We need someone, preferably an RW, with an elite shot/release who THINKS SHOOT FIRST and is capable of beating an NHL goalie clean from the circle (this is why, cap aside, I would've liked to have kept Tarasenko - Wheeler is nowhere close to replacing this and Kane was pass first/less elite of a shot).
-We need our offensive defensemen to stop doing dumb stuff at the offensive blueline
-We need our defensive defensemen, when they receive the puck at the offensive blue line and don't have a shooting lane, to stop uncreatively "activating" and skating down the half wall, to the goal line, and behind the net when them doing so has generated exactly zero offense over the past few seasons and usually results in a forward back or an oddman rush against.
-We need our powerplay to more aggressive in taking shots - especially certain players - at this point given their play at even strength (and Mika's hot ass play in every aspect of the game except PK) I'd almost rather see Lafreniere Trocheck Panarin Kreider Fox as unit #1.
-We need our #1 goalie to start playing like a #1 goalie again, and not like Jim Carey/Brent Johnson/Marty Turco/David Aebischer as guys who had a great career start then fizzled out.

 

[Savant]

We’ve sucked since Kakko went down.

Yeah, and our rush defense has cratered too. MuSt Be A cOiNcIDeNcE

 

[80shockeywasbuns]

I hope everyone now stops complaining about Goodrow. The ripple effect especially at center and just solid not even gritty play it has down the lineup without him is bad. And now I get pelted with advanced stats and yeah buts.

Johnny Brodz has turned back into normal Johnny Brodz. It's a joke if they play him on the first line for another game.

Show some cajones and call up both Othmann and Edstrom. If Goodrow isn't ready move Wheeler to 4C for a game.

lol what “ripple effect”?? He’s currently 4C so how does replacing him affect the rest of the lineup? The 4th line was good without him last night which isn’t surprising because Goodrow is a below replacement level player

 

[NickyFotiu]

Guys grit and toughness does not mean an enforcer nor slow. Hockey is still a contact sport. You will not win in the playoffs with a team of guys that go in to a shell when play gets physical. You will not win with guys that will avoid the more physical areas of the ice. A mix of guys is fine but if the other team knows you are soft you will have to prove you are not by playing through the physicalness. Guys like Marchand, Tkachuk, Stamkos, Crosby, Kucherov, Ovi, etc are not enforcers but they do not let other teams throw them off their games. They are gritty tough players.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

lol what “ripple effect”?? He’s currently 4C so how does replacing him affect the rest of the lineup? The 4th line was good without him last night which isn’t surprising because Goodrow is a below replacement level player

On the PK, taking facoffs, his hitting and defensive ability. Versatility to play any forward position.

You seriously can't say Riley Nash is a better player than Goodrow.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Guys grit and toughness does not mean an enforcer nor slow. Hockey is still a contact sport. You will not win in the playoffs with a team of guys that go in to a shell when play gets physical. You will not win with guys that will avoid the more physical areas of the ice. A mix of guys is fine but if the other team knows you are soft you will have to prove you are not by playing through the physicalness. Guys like Marchand, Tkachuk, Stamkos, Crosby, Kucherov, Ovi, etc are not enforcers but they do not let other teams throw them off their games. They are gritty tough players.

Agreed.....how many years have opposing teams been content to let Rangers circle the perimeter to their heart's content? In my limited (and probably faulty) memory, I'd say as far back as the lockout.

 

[80shockeywasbuns]

Guys grit and toughness does not mean an enforcer nor slow. Hockey is still a contact sport. You will not win in the playoffs with a team of guys that go in to a shell when play gets physical. You will not win with guys that will avoid the more physical areas of the ice. A mix of guys is fine but if the other team knows you are soft you will have to prove you are not by playing through the physicalness. Guys like Marchand, Tkachuk, Stamkos, Crosby, Kucherov, Ovi, etc are not enforcers but they do not let other teams throw them off their games. They are gritty tough players.

Pretty much every team that wins gets called soft up until the point that they win, at which point everybody that was saying they're soft and will never win do a
180 and claim that they were hardcore and tough all along. It's actually pretty hilarious. Happened with Detroit, Pittsburgh, Chicago, LA, Washington, Tampa, Colorado, Vegas, etc.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Pretty much every team that wins gets called soft up until the point that they win, at which point everybody that was saying they're soft and will never win do a
180 and claim that they were hardcore and tough all along. It's actually pretty hilarious. Happened with Detroit, Pittsburgh, Chicago, LA, Washington, Tampa, Colorado, Vegas, etc.

And I would wager that those teams were still tougher than the Rangers in their "soft" period.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Agreed.....how many years have opposing teams been content to let Rangers circle the perimeter to their heart's content? In my limited (and probably faulty) memory, I'd say as far back as the lockout.

The first year under Gallant we played a little tougher at times but your point is correct. One difference in Bread this season vs last years playoffs is he has been going to the higher traffic areas more often as well as looking for his own shot. Laf and Vince have shown some willingness and grit. It is not that we need all of our players to be gritty and tough but it is going to be hard if other teams know they can shut you down with physicality. I go back to Mike Bossy. Bossy played as gentlemanly was anyone. He took a ton of beatings but he refused to let anyone take him off his game. In a cup finals Tiger Williams was really taking it to him but Bossy just kept at it. That is a kind of toughness. The ability to take the abuse but still fight through it and produce. Stamkos and Krucherov are far from enforcers but they will not let other guys dictate where they play their games.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

The first year under Gallant we played a little tougher at times but your point is correct. One difference in Bread this season vs last years playoffs is he has been going to the higher traffic areas more often as well as looking for his own shot. Laf and Vince have shown some willingness and grit. It is not that we need all of our players to be gritty and tough but it is going to be hard if other teams know they can shut you down with physicality. I go back to Mike Bossy. Bossy played as gentlemanly was anyone. He took a ton of beatings but he refused to let anyone take him off his game. In a cup finals Tiger Williams was really taking it to him but Bossy just kept at it. That is a kind of toughness. The ability to take the abuse but still fight through it and produce. Stamkos and Krucherov are far from enforcers but they will not let other guys dictate where they play their games.

I would love to know what Lavvy said to Panarin to get him off that left wall!!!!

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Re "grit" ... people always call for it ... what is it?

Seems we were doing better before Fox came back & Jones was still in the lineup. Not sure what to make of that. I know Fox is a great player.

Not in the sense that we need to add 4th line goons.

Grit in the sense that we need our top players to play with some balls for once. (not happening, I know).

 

[NickyFotiu]

I would love to know what Lavvy said to Panarin to get him off that left wall!!!!

Would be interesting to hear if it was Lavi speaking to Bread or if Bread made up his own mind over the offseason. Bread did realize last years playoffs were not what he wanted to be as a player. Zibs actually used to be a bit more of a physical player. Now sometimes its like he is playing in a no hit league. I can understand that though if its due to past concussions. Speaking of hitting is it just me or is CK hitting much less this season?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Would be interesting to hear if it was Lavi speaking to Bread or if Bread made up his own mind over the offseason. Bread did realize last years playoffs were not what he wanted to be as a player. Zibs actually used to be a bit more of a physical player. Now sometimes its like he is playing in a no hit league. I can understand that though if its due to past concussions. Speaking of hitting is it just me or is CK hitting much less this season?

I never CK hit that much to start with.....but it does seem as if he's also avoiding contact when necessary.....it's becoming annoying to see him standing at the side of the net when there's a scrum in front of the net.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I never CK hit that much to start with.....but it does seem as if he's also avoiding contact when necessary.....it's becoming annoying to see him standing at the side of the net when there's a scrum in front of the net.

I like CK but he does that weird wrap around hit where he wraps his arm around the guy so he won't fall down. To CK's credit in past years he was usually one of if not our most frequent hitter. He was often the guy on his line going in the corner to retrieve dump ins.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I like CK but he does that weird wrap around hit where he wraps his arm around the guy so he won't fall down. To CK's credit in past years he was usually one of if not our most frequent hitter. He was often the guy on his line going in the corner to retrieve dump ins.

To be honest, I don't think he's been the same player since the runin with Carey Price. He'd been called for a number of "marginal" calls due to hits he'd made and he started pulling back....he really changed after the CP incident.