Roster Building Thread - Part XI (Off-season edition)

[PuckLuck3043]

A year ago, Laf was 2 years younger than KK is today. It gets less likely that a player bursts out as he gets older.

Some people being wrong about Player A, doesn't mean all the other players will exceed their expectations also. Does Laf prove that Kravtsov and Lias are about to bloom? McIlrath? Blackburn? Malhotra? Maybe Pavel Brendl is about to hit it big? All of them were top 10 picks also. Age matters.

Sure, age matters, and Kakko is the ripe old age of 23. I'm sure social security is right around the corner. Age also didn't stop people from ripping 1OA 21yo Laf last year either which was my point. None of those players you mentioned came even close to scoring 40 points as a 21yo btw. Also Blackburn's career ended because of injury and Malhotra actually carved out a pretty long NHL career. Kakko is a 2OA pick that plays a position of need and has shown he can play in this league. Signing him to a relatively cheap, show me deal was absolutely the right thing to do. I see him as a solid 40-50 point 3rd line type who can play defense as well. Not a bad thing to have on a team.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

I have zero idea why people want to trade Chytil. He’s most valuable to this team. And if he gets hurts he goes on LTIR and they use his money elsewhere

Like it’s not even a question about whether I keep him

Because we have to trade anybody under 25 with any concerns at all. We also need to trade Kakko, Schneider and Miller just because. People are acting like he didn't come back and play last year.

 

[Luger]

Sure, age matters, and Kakko is the ripe old age of 23. I'm sure social security is right around the corner. Age also didn't stop people from ripping 1OA 21yo Laf last year either which was my point. None of those players you mentioned came even close to scoring 40 points as a 21yo btw. Also Blackburn's career ended because of injury and Malhotra actually carved out a pretty long NHL career. Kakko is a 2OA pick that plays a position of need and has shown he can play in this league. Signing him to a relatively cheap, show me deal was absolutely the right thing to do. I see him as a solid 40-50 point 3rd line type who can play defense as well. Not a bad thing to have on a team.

I'm ok if they keep or trade KK. But let's be honest about what we're seeing - this isn't going be a star 2OA.

23 may not be Social Security, but it's right around the corner from a player's peak. While different players may peak at different times, the NHL average is about 24 years old, which would be at the start of the next calendar year. We all root for KK to succeed, but at this point, if he breaks out, we going to call him a surprising late bloomer.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

Waiting for him to get hurt again & it will happen, just means we'll get caught with our pants down by depending on Brodz to step in; which isn't an ideal solution. I think you need to bring someone in this offseason for the 3C & move Chytil to RW. Options like Stephenson or Colton make a lot of sense. Stephenson is an elite PKer who can replace Goodrow's PK spot & add desperately needed speed to the lineup. Colton brings a sandpaper element & would probably blossom with some talent on the wings around him. Either would be good for 40-50 points & stabilize our C depth for not too much money.

He would be a good fit for this team. How much is he going to cost though?

I'm ok if they keep or trade KK. But let's be honest about what we're seeing - this isn't going be a star 2OA.

23 may not be Social Security, but it's right around the corner from a player's peak. While different players may peak at different times, the NHL average is about 24 years old, which would be at the start of the next calendar year. We all root for KK to succeed, but at this point, if he breaks out, we going to call him a surprising late bloomer.

He's ALREADY scored 40 points as a 21yo. Nobody said he was going to be a star. I see him as a perennial 40-50 point big body forward with a good shot who can play defense. He's going to be that type of player for some team and I hope it's the Rangers.

 

[Boris Zubov]

Sure, age matters, and Kakko is the ripe old age of 23. I'm sure social security is right around the corner. Age also didn't stop people from ripping 1OA 21yo Laf last year either which was my point. None of those players you mentioned came even close to scoring 40 points as a 21yo btw. Also Blackburn's career ended because of injury and Malhotra actually carved out a pretty long NHL career. Kakko is a 2OA pick that plays a position of need and has shown he can play in this league. Signing him to a relatively cheap, show me deal was absolutely the right thing to do. I see him as a solid 40-50 point 3rd line type who can play defense as well. Not a bad thing to have on a team.

What position is this exactly? He's a run of the mill 3rd line RW who can't skate & doesn't kill penalties. He may be able to step into a PK role if his skating improves, but if there's an avenue to move him for someone who is an upgrade for the team, you have to seriously consider it.

 

[Luger]

I would trade Chytil now, while he's sort of able to play and has some value. One wrong hit and he's toast.

If the Rangers try to trade Chytil, all other teams will assume we know something they don't because the Rangers have more access to his medicals. They will assume they are buying on a guy who is ready to retire. We won't get anything of value. Better off seeing how his injury plays out long term.

He's ALREADY scored 40 points as a 21yo. Nobody said he was going to be a star. I see him as a perennial 40-50 point big body forward with a good shot who can play defense. He's going to be that type of player for some team and I hope it's the Rangers.

Ok, so what if he scored 40 one time? You see tons of players who scored a bunch in one season at a young age, never to do it again. There's nothing that says that he must score every year at least as much as he scored at the age of 21.

 

[Boris Zubov]

He would be a good fit for this team. How much is he going to cost though?
.

I assume you're asking about Stephenson since Colton already is signed. If you can get him to agree to similar deal as Vinny T, for 5 years, I think that's fair for him & the team. If he want's 6.5 or more, you look elsewhere.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

What position is this exactly? He's a run of the mill 3rd line RW who can't skate & doesn't kill penalties. He may be able to step into a PK role if his skating improves, but if there's an avenue to move his for someone who is an upgrade for the team, you have to seriously consider it.

He killed penalties 2 years ago and was fine at it. There was no room for him to kill penalties this season but he is more than capable of doing so.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

What position is this exactly? He's a run of the mill 3rd line RW who can't skate & doesn't kill penalties. He may be able to step into a PK role if his skating improves, but if there's an avenue to move his for someone who is an upgrade for the team, you have to seriously consider it.

RW is a position of need on this team and has been for quite some time.

I assume you're asking about Stephenson since Colton already is signed. If you can get him to agree to similar deal as Vinny T, for 5 years, I think that's fair for him & the team. If he want's 6.5 or more, you look elsewhere.

I meant in terms of assets going the other way.

 

[Boris Zubov]

RW is a position of need on this team and has been for quite some time.

Fair enough, but wouldn't you like to upgrade instead of running back the same guys who haven't been able to get over the hump?

 

[PuckLuck3043]

Fair enough, but wouldn't you like to upgrade instead of running back the same guys who haven't been able to get over the hump?

Again, the guy has already put up 40 basically ES points as a 21yo. He was injured last year and had a bad year. You don't give up on his potential. He's 23. Not everybody has to be a star.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Again, the guy has already put up 40 basically ES points as a 21yo. He was injured last year and had a bad year. You don't give up on his potential. He's 23. Not everybody has to be a star.

And he’s making 2.3 million
A defensive responsible winger putting up 40 pts is usually paid a lot more than 2.3 million.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

It's mind boggling the amount of hate Kakko gets.

 

[GAGLine]

Waiting for him to get hurt again & it will happen, just means we'll get caught with our pants down by depending on Brodz to step in; which isn't an ideal solution. I think you need to bring someone in this offseason for the 3C & move Chytil to RW. Options like Stephenson or Colton make a lot of sense. Stephenson is an elite PKer who can replace Goodrow's PK spot & add desperately needed speed to the lineup. Colton brings a sandpaper element & would probably blossom with some talent on the wings around him. Either would be good for 40-50 points & stabilize our C depth for not too much money.

I think Stephenson is going to be looking to cash in, and he's going to want term as well. The last 3 years, he has outperformed his contract. I could see him signing 5 x 5 somewhere.

Colton doesn't score as much and has 3 years left at 4 mil. He might not cost a lot to acquire since Colorado is looking to clear cap space, and he's younger than Stephenson.

Either could be an option depending on what other moves we make. If we are going to upgrade the defense, we have to factor in the long-term cost. Like, if we trade for Chychrun, he will need a new contract next summer. Signing Stephenson or trading for Colton would make that a lot harder, given the other players who will need new contracts.

We may not be able to address every weakness this offseason. If push comes to shove, I'd rather fix the defense, since we have prospects who can fill in on the wing. We don't have centers, but we can bring in someone on the cheap to provide some insurance there, preferably on a 1-year deal. Maybe we trade for Lars Eller, Nic Dowd or Jake Evans, or sign Teddy Blueger.

That said, I'm not sure the right fix exists for the defense, barring a trade for a player otherwise thought to be unavailable. It's easy to suggest trading Trouba and/or Lindgren, but finding the correct replacements is the real trick.

 

[Atax]

It's mind boggling the amount of hate Kakko gets.

I don't hate him and I hope he succeeds. I'm just not as optimistic as you guys.

 

[mas0764]

If Drury has the stomach to move on from Kakko Chytil and Lindgren he can make the team so much better.

It sucks that it would be admitting that the team doesn't know how to rebuild with youth though.

 

[Ruggs225]

It's mind boggling the amount of hate Kakko gets.

Same as Laf last year. Maybe laf was even worse.

Some people here are just miserable

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Sorry but buying out Chytil makes sense how? If he’s out all year again can’t he go on LTIR which will provide cap relief?

 

[duhmetreE]

KAM Fox
????? Roy
Jones Schneider

The big move will be the top 4LHD or at least it needs to be and signing Roy. Trouba and Lindgren need to be moved

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

If Drury has the stomach to move on from Trouba and Lindgren he can make the team so much better.

Fixed.

 

[Boris Zubov]

It's mind boggling the amount of hate Kakko gets.

I'm unclear of how being justifiably & fairly critical of a player is hating on them. I didn't say he sucks or I want to get rid of him, but I have no problem adding him to a deal that clearly improves the team. The light hasn't turned on for him here & it may never, but it's not hate to say he need to improve his skating & his finishing.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

I would look to roll with Kakko as my 3RW next year unless he is the headlining piece of a move for an elite 1LD or top 6 RW who is 25-27 years old. There's no reason to move Kakko for a 2nd round pick or whatever.

I would try to start Cuylle on the 4th line with Edstrom and Rempe/Vesey.

Chytil I could understand the team wanting to move on from, but he had a tough year with injuries, is signed relatively cheaply for 3 more years and has already potted 20 goals once. If healthy, he's a top-tier 3rd line scoring C. He can also move to top 6 W or 3LW pretty easily. I don't see a reason to give him away with that type of versatility. On top of that he is a committed player and is dedicated to getting back stronger.

That said if the team doesn't add a Colton type guy who can slot in at 3C if Chytil does get hurt, it's probably not doing it's job. They have to hedge against that. I want to give Othmann or Berard a chance on that line, but I don't know if they want to start the year with them. Colton could probably be had for a mid-round pick considering Colorado's cap situation and he can play 3LW.

That's a really good bottom 6 and if god forbid Chytil goes down, Berard/Othmann step into that slot and Colton shifts to C.

The more I think about it, as much as I want a big gritty scoring forward like Brady Tkachuk, if Patrick Kane really does want to run it back with the Rangers then I see no reason why they can't offer him like 1x3.25 and see if he takes it. He showed last year that he's still dynamic, and with 3 cups and a Conn Smythe, no one can say that he isn't a playoff performer.

Trade Lindgren to Utah for 2 2nds, sign a guy like Kylington for 900K or whatever and have him and Jones swap in and out as the 6D with Trouba. Then I don't know what poster said it, but maybe a guy like Dillon makes sense at like $2.3M. There really isn't a UFA D in the 4-6M range that I find appealing. And the ones available for trade all have massive warts, as I suggested Theodore and other posters pointed out his injury issues and other concerns. Maybe bide your time here and pounce on another Hanifin situation if it comes up.

Trades: Lindgren to UTA for 2024 and 2025 2nds. 2024 2nd (UTA) and 2025 5th to COL for Colton.
Signings: Kane 1x3.25, Dillon 2x2.3, Kylington 1x900K, depth pieces. Schneider 2x2.25

Panarin-Trocheck-Kane
Kreider-Zibanejad-Laf
Colton-Chytil-Kakko
Cuylle-Edstrom-Rempe/Vesey

Miller-Fox
Dillon-Schneider
Jones/Kylington-Trouba

900K cap space.

Sign Lafreniere 8x8 and Shesterkin 8x10 and go into next year with $11M in cap space. Move Trouba then to open up some space. The year after Panarin is off the books and McDavid is a UFA

 

[RempireStateBuilding]

Because we have to trade anybody under 25 with any concerns at all. We also need to trade Kakko, Schneider and Miller just because. People are acting like he didn't come back and play last year.

Chytil has yet to play a full NHL season. It's not "just any concern" about him, we need someone who doesn't have to go to the ICU if they trip.

 

[Fitzy]

It's mind boggling the amount of hate Kakko gets.

It’s not that boggling given his draft day expectations.

Howden dealt with the same beef stringing from his being a key piece in the McDonagh deal

 

[The Crypto Guy]

It’s not that boggling given his draft day expectations.

Howden dealt with the same beef stringing from his being a key piece in the McDonagh deal

No, it still is.

Most of us have realized he's not going to hit his superstar power forward expectations, just like a ton of other players in each draft don't reach their expectations, but we are still rooting for him to be an effective top 6 forward and don't want to trade him for a bag of pucks.