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

[MrAlmost]

I’m going
Kreider , Zib , Kakko
Panarin, Chytil , Laf
Cuylee, Tro, Wheeler
Vesey , Goodrow , Pitlick/Bonino

This is the correct lineup.

Team has gotten better each game. Collectively and individually. I don't think we need to throw in the towel yet.

The Rangers did their rebuild just fine. They should not have signed Panarin, but if literally just Laf is as good as Hughes this is a completely different picture.

Kreider, Laf, Kakko, Chytil, Cuylle, Miller, Schneider, Jones, Igor all Rangers picks. Fox and Lindgren acquired before playing in the NHL. Othmann, Berard, Sykora, Enstrom, Rempe all potential NYRs within 2 years. And we acquired both Z and Trouba when they were young. We did better than some teams who rebuilt for a decade. Which isn't rebuilding. It's sucking.

 

[bl02]

After watching preseason the only certainty is that Kakko should either be RW1 with Zib and Kreider or bring back the kid lline. Because everything else looks like a disjointed mess with the forward lines.

 

[LOFIN]

Regarding the powerplay, early season is when you should experiment. I believe there is higher upside with Kakko on PP1 instead of Trocheck. Just because it has been good, doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to make it better.

You tell Zibanejad to focus on his faceoff ability, so Trocheck becomes expendable in that unit.

 

[NickyFotiu]

If we play mediocre 5 on 5 our pp is gonna have to look much much better. It's be a good stretch now it's looked pretty pedestrian. I know it's preseason but what did the pp go 1 for 20? And it was a cheap 5 on 3 goal.

Our PP has ranked high compared to other teams the last 2 years. Our PP has not been our problem. If anything we relied too much on our PP.

 

[CLW]

Like I sad in the GDT yesterday, it’s really maddening that we have a complete new coaching staff but our PP is literally the EXACT SAME as the last couple years. Literally everything from the same exact players and positions, to overpassing, to strictly looking for Mika’s one timer, and to the first unit not getting off the ice.

Give me a break.

The coaches said they will not touch PP1 since it's working. Except now it's stopped working so no doubt they will take a look at it over the next few days. They said they will practice a lot of special teams from now until the opening day.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

I'd like to see some different things on the PP but the Rangers have had 1 of the best PP the last 2 seasons. It is far from the biggest problem with this team imo.

And when we get to playoffs teams collapse and shut it down. A pp can't be this predictable, tell me you can't see them setting up for a one timer 10 seconds before it happens and then think, if everyone here can see it whats an nhl coach going to do on the pk vs it. They need to keep the other team guessing.

 

[CLW]

Regarding the powerplay, early season is when you should experiment. I believe there is higher upside with Kakko on PP1 instead of Trocheck. Just because it has been good, doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to make it better.

You tell Zibanejad to focus on his faceoff ability, so Trocheck becomes expendable in that unit.

This. Tro doesn't really have the hands for PP1. If nothing else Kakko's puck possession skills should mean more o-zone time for the PP, which should translate to more goals. In that scenario the coaching staff needs to come up with new ideas for the PP to balance Kakko's different presence with the rest of the guys, which is not a bad idea anyway since Zib's blaster is such a stale idea.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

After watching preseason the only certainty is that Kakko should either be RW1 with Zib and Kreider or bring back the kid lline. Because everything else looks like a disjointed mess with the forward lines.

Its sad to say but Panarin hasn't worked with anyone seemlessly since Strome left. With Chytil out i wish they'd experiment with Wheeler at center, he was a really good center for Winnipeg when they had injuries, and it would be a give and go type player for Panarin like Strome was, might be something to try.

 

[bl02]

Our PP has ranked high compared to other teams the last 2 years. Our PP has not been our problem. If anything we relied too much on our PP.

It's looked pretty stale late in the season last year and looked horrendous in the preseason. It might look like we will have to rely on it again this season. Just like others have said maybe make a few changes/different looks

Its sad to say but Panarin hasn't worked with anyone seemlessly since Strome left. With Chytil out i wish they'd experiment with Wheeler at center, he was a really good center for Winnipeg when they had injuries, and it would be a give and go type player for Panarin like Strome was, might be something to try.

Interesting. Yeah was hoping Trocheck would be a seamless fit for Panarin but it hasn't worked. It seems like no winger has worked either.

 

[TominNC]

Anyone they have to put through waivers (other than Jones) is a replaceable part.

Given that, why not come out of the gate with the best roster? That means Cuylle on the left side of line 3.

He’s one of the few who looks ready to go from game one.

Othmann looks like he can use some heavy minutes at Hartford. Jones might have to be moved but can start at 7D.

The rest of the 4th liner 13F types are going to get spare minutes. I’m not concerned if we lose a Brodzinski type.

 

[CLW]

After watching preseason the only certainty is that Kakko should either be RW1 with Zib and Kreider or bring back the kid lline. Because everything else looks like a disjointed mess with the forward lines.

If it's the kid line I'd like to see Cuylle (or even overager Kreider) at LW instead of Laf. But Kakko deserves 1st line duties.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Anyone they have to put through waivers (other than Jones) is a replaceable part.

Given that, why not come out of the gate with the best roster? That means Cuylle on the left side of line 3.

He’s one of the few who looks ready to go from game one.

Othmann looks like he can use some heavy minutes at Hartford. Jones might have to be moved but can start at 7D.

The rest of the 4th liner 13F types are going to get spare minutes. I’m not concerned if we lose a Brodzinski type.

They have to put Cuylle on this team if they are trying to show a merit based way of distributing ice time, he's been our best player in preseason.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

If it were up to me my lines would be this to start

Panarin Zibanejad Lafreniere
Kreider Trochek Kakko
Cuylle Chytil Wheeler
Vesey Bonino Goodrow

What i think the lines will be

Kreider Zibanejad Kakko
Panarin Trochek Lafreniere
Cuylle Chytil Wheeler
Vesey Pitlick Goodrow

 

[CLW]

If it were up to me my lines would be this to start

Panarin Zibanejad Lafreniere
Kreider Trochek Kakko
Cuylle Chytil Wheeler
Vesey Bonino Goodrow

Maybe swap Chytil and Tro, but that looks reasonable.

 

[Bruner4329]

Pan/Chy/Kak
Laf/Zib/Whe
Kre/Tro/Ves
Cuy/Bon/Pit/Bro

FC on the top line is a joke and CK playing on the 3rd line with Laf on the second line is even more of a joke. Why people want to force Laf into a bigger role when he keeps showing nothing is ridiculous.

And the we have another poster wanting Cuy on the roster because he has shown he has deserved it with his play. Probably true but if that is the case Laf deserves a trip to Hartford.

Finally unless Goodrow is traded there is no way he is not in the lineup.

 

[ecemleafs]

Like I sad in the GDT yesterday, it’s really maddening that we have a complete new coaching staff but our PP is literally the EXACT SAME as the last couple years. Literally everything from the same exact players and positions, to overpassing, to strictly looking for Mika’s one timer, and to the first unit not getting off the ice.

Give me a break.

since we got panarin and fox in 2019 were 5th in the league in PP percentage. what is the obsession with complaining about a very very effective powerplay?

 

[IDvsEGO]

since we got panarin and fox in 2019 were 5th in the league in PP percentage. what is the obsession with complaining about a very very effective powerplay?

People long for the dark ages of us being 32nd on the pp with staal as the qb

 

[bl02]

They have to put Cuylle on this team if they are trying to show a merit based way of distributing ice time, he's been our best player in preseason.

only if he's top 9 minutes. If he makes a few mistakes (and i am sure he will) and gets relegated to the 4th line keep him away from this team.

 

[CLW]

Its sad to say but Panarin hasn't worked with anyone seemlessly since Strome left. With Chytil out i wish they'd experiment with Wheeler at center, he was a really good center for Winnipeg when they had injuries, and it would be a give and go type player for Panarin like Strome was, might be something to try.

Move Wheeler to C, trade Laf + Chytil in a package deal, sign Kane for RW.

Panarin-Wheeler-Kane should tickle all Ranger fans, no? (evil grin)

 

[n8]

Move Wheeler to C, trade Laf + Chytil in a package deal, sign Kane for RW.

Panarin-Wheeler-Kane should tickle all Ranger fans, no? (evil grin)

like tickle the sphincter?

 

[Shesterkybomb]

FC on the top line is a joke and CK playing on the 3rd line with Laf on the second line is even more of a joke. Why people want to force Laf into a bigger role when he keeps showing nothing is ridiculous.

And the we have another poster wanting Cuy on the roster because he has shown he has deserved it with his play. Probably true but if that is the case Laf deserves a trip to Hartford.

Finally unless Goodrow is traded there is no way he is not in the lineup.

Lafreniere needs to get some confidence going, this is a pivotal year for him and the Rangers as a team. Imo you force feed him minutes and see what he's got. If he can't handle it by Christmas we are in big trouble with him and as a team. Continuing to do the same thing with him isn't working. Pile the mins to him, he'll either sink or swim, put him with the vets and make them drag him along. This team as constructed isn't going anywhere without him, Kakko and Chytil being big contributers and allowing us to have 3 lines that can score.

 

[bleedblue94]

Right now I'm more interested to know if cullye can play the right side than I am if laffy can

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

I’m sure the team will eventually figure it out, I’m thinking late December or early January like usual. But in the meantime they are going to be completely unwatchable and I’m gonna complain the whole time.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Would you guys do Laf for Podkolzin?

 

[duhmetreE]

I thought the lineup was fine last night. Once you replace Goodrow with Chytil.

Kreider Zibs Kakko
Panarin Chytil Laffy
Cuylle Trocheck Wheeler
Vesey Bonino Goodrow

I would switch up the D-pairs though.

KAM Fox
Gus Trouba
Lindgren Schneider
Jones