Kakko can still make it with us but 1) he needs to sign an affordable contract extension. A low AAV Kakko should still be better than a lot of what's out there on the market. 2) he is able to play a full injury free season (or two) with consistent linemates. 3) Either he is elevating his play, or one of his linemates is improving to the point where they can elevate his play. 4) Confidence. This kid needs it bad. You can see the swagger Laf has gotten, not just from consistent ice time with Tro & Pan, but he's more physical, he's making dangles he never used to. It's easy to see. 5) Rangers are patient. If we win the cup this year, that could buy a lot of patience from above. If we are still aggressively in a 'win-now' no matter the cost management mindset, then I can see his development suffer. 6) One of the young guns doesn't outplay him in camp and takes his spot. That's a lot of factors!
I think if you keep K'Andre away from Trouba, he's going to make those steps forward. What could cost Key his spot in NY could be his cap hit. If he's pushing for too high of a number, that puts pressure on the cap and could make him a cap casualty.
You will not get a Tkachuk/Huberdeau type of trade with Panarin/Zibanejad as they both have FULL NMC for the entirety of their contracts. You'd have to force them out in a way that I don't think I've seen from a NY GM. Like Wade Redden was the closest thing I can think of but they buried him and his cap, they didn't really get him out of the organization.
I think Michael Peca deserves a lot of credit for out improved faceoff %
Can't say what Phil Housley has contributed.
Lavis system counts on D- men to be active…. Smart time pinches( which we def don’t always see), guys stepping up and joining the rush, etc
They count on their D to be a big part of the offense.
It’s a lot of the reason why Gus had success here, especially early on in the season. It was a system he was familiar with because he played it under Lavi in Washington.
It’s a system he’s won with. Housley is a big part of it too. You can debate some of our guys are miscast/don’t have the offensive chops/brain/whatever etc…
But this is a pretty young team, especially on the backend that is fresh off being a top ( top 3 best) team in the league running this system after 1 freaking year….
How bout a little freaking patience? Or leeway for guys going from Quinn to gallant to Lavi in a short amount of time…..
For the most part, what I see here is that the guys have bought in and are trying to implement it the best way they can.
The effort has certainly been there for 95%-98% of the team all season/playoffs sans a few ghost/gutless appearances from our top guys when we’ve needed them to step up.
EDM had Years of playoff failure coming up as a young squad too. They look to be finally having everything come full circle….
Fla too. Canes, etc. the point I’m making is this isn’t just a 1 year run for this team.
If they can somehow get to the cup and win, awesome, but this team will likely be tweaked and back competing for the cup with the leagues best 4-6 teams next year as well.
I think peca has been great. Allaire is a miracle worker. Turning guys like raanta/talbot/pavilec into solid back ups
Housely should be given some credit here as well.
I think Jones in for Gus over a full season should pay dividends offensively.
Him being able to man the Point on PP2 should make the team more dangerous in that aspect as well.
Replacing Trouba with a better overall D will also go a long way.
Lindgren, I’m not sure. Certainly a down year, but I still think he’s an asset here in a decreased role. He’s mobile enough and smart enough to contribute in this system. He may not rack up the points, but he shouldn’t be a liability either. I guess we’ll see what the future holds.
