Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part XII

[RangerBoy]

The Rangers new line combinations.

In advance of Sunday’s matinee against the struggling Kings (2-7-1), Quinn elevated left wing Jimmy Vesey to the top line with center Mika Zibanejad and right wing Mats Zuccarello. The coach moved left wing Chris Kreider and right wing Ryan Spooner onto the second line with center Kevin Hayes. Quinn also put Vlad Namestnikov on the left of center Brett Howden with Pavel Buchnevich on the right, and dropped 19-year-old rookie Filip Chytil back to the fourth line, where he will center for left wing Cody McLeod and right wing Jesper Fast.

With Chytil down in the lineup, Spooner, who has just one assist in nine games this season, gets a chance to play with Hayes – with whom he had some success last season after coming over from the Boston Bruins in the Rick Nash trade – as well as to get more ice time.

Hayes, who said he last played with Kreider eight years ago, when he was a freshman at Boston College, said the line-juggling doesn’t bother him in the slightest.

Quinn juggles Rangers' lines again

They had Hayes and Zuccarello together and they were both struggling.

Zuccarello's game has picked up playing with Zibanejad. Leave them together.

Put Kreider with Hayes to give them someone with speed to play with Hayes. They try to get Hayes going and start producing.

Kreider and Zibanejad are/were their only consistent line generating any offense. They broke them up to try and get other people going. We will see how that goes considering Kreider and Zibanejad aren't on the same line.

Spooner is back with Hayes to get him going.

Fatten up the turkeys before they get sold at Thanksgiving. Same scenario. Pad the stats and trade them.

It probably has little to do with the line combinations. The Rangers just don’t have natural-born finishers and they don’t have a group pulsating with net-crashing DNA. Quinn has every right to make changes in the alignment — his predecessor, Alain Vigneault, juggled combos through Christmas his first couple of years behind the New York bench — but at some point, the juggling becomes counterproductive, which is the last thing this under-productive club needs.

https://nypost.com/2018/10/28/rangers-hoping-lineup-changes-have-domino-effect/

Try to squeeze a few more goals out of certain players.

 

[RangerBoy]

“He’s getting a lot of attention early, in terms of NHL scouts,” Kypreos said Saturday during Hockey Night in Canada’s Headlines segment. “It’s no secret right now he’s already making [$5.175 million] with the New York Rangers and he’s going to price himself out as he becomes an unrestricted free agent — especially when it comes to the New York Rangers’ rebuild. So he’s going to get a lot of attention early here.”

 

[cheech70]

PS....Breadman 5 goals 10 assists 10 games...stud

 

[Mikos87]

On Hayes-

Kyper brought up WPG as a destination, and I think its a good place for him.

They have the pieces to give the rangers a great return, and they've got the leadership core to keep a guy like Hayes from floating about.

All Kevin would have to do is have a great playoff run and he's good to cash in for life.

 

[Mikos87]

It's been a long time since I can remember a team willing to sell off premium assets so early in the season. Odd confluence of events -- Rangers know they will not be a playoff contender, fans already bracing for the worst this year and the Rangers still have some very good assets to sell. Most teams that know they won't be a playoff contender usually don't have much to sell. Very interesting dynamic emerging here. Stay tuned...

You mentioned it before, about how US Thanksgiving had been the deadline where teams identity their needs...

That's been game 10 this year.

Think that the dominoes will be the team that can seperate themselves by getting a 2nd line center.

There are a bunch of one line teams that are in the contender bucket so far...

The upstarts this year have forward depth... Teams like BOS, COL, CHI... All could take a step with a 2nd line center... Doesn't have to be a true 2nd liner... Just one that gives them 3 scoring units...

Should be fun.

Also expecting Yeo and Stevens to get fired if their homestands get off to a poor start.

 

[Waivers]

Once Hayes is gone for the right deal, the door opens for Andersson.

Oh, and once Zuccarello is dealt, that too opens the door for Panarin. It’s a beautiful thing.

 

[DutchShamrock]

Once Hayes is gone for the right deal, the door opens for Andersson.

Oh, and once Zuccarello is dealt, that too opens the door for Panarin. It’s a beautiful thing.

Maybe. Let's say Chytil moves up and gets more minutes with better players. The 4th is now open as Howden cemented a top 9 role. Maybe Boo returns and takes the 4th. Or Spooner/Namestikov plays there. But Andersen is still better served in the A getting minutes. Or LA comes up for a spell and Chytil gets minutes in Hartford.

I just wouldn't be shocked if a Hayes trade doesn't automatically result in Andersen coming up.

 

[LaffyTaffy]

Roslovic + 1st for Hayes and someone like Day would be ideal for me. Roslovic is practically a blue chipper, and getting the first round pick by sweetening the deal with Day who has no future here seemingly and can help us capitalize more on a Hayes selloff. Zucc and Namestnikov to Edmonton for Puljujarvi, Lucic w/ retention + pick. Spooner ++ for Gurianov at the deadline for Dallas' playoff push.

 

[bl02]

Now 27 line change combinations in 10 games...wasn't AV criticized heavily for that kind of stuff?! Moving Chytil back and forth to wing now center. Hopefully not with Mcleod or other 4th liners as his linemates. Leave the kid at center please for the year and see what he can do at his natural position. Jeeez

 

[kovazub94]

I’d be shocked if Hayes would be willing to re-sign in Winnipeg which drops his value in that sense

Outside of Vesalainen, Niku and Appleton are probably their two best prospects. They were both very impressive in the AHL last year.

Wouldn’t do Hayes for one straight up though, have to be some pick coming back, which Chevy is stingy about

Hayes wants to get paid, bigger role and be on a contender during the length of his contract. Winnipeg can satisfy these all. Could other team where he’d prefer to play before Jets?

 

[SA16]

He would not have a bigger role on WPG

 

[kovazub94]

He would not have a bigger role on WPG

Not relative to his current role but other opportunities.

 

[bobbop]

Shattenkirk to Buffalo.

The Sabres could have three first round picks this season. Their own pick plus the Sharks(Evander Kane) and Blues(Ryan O'Reilly) picks.

The Sharks pick will go to Buffalo if the Sharks make the playoffs or it becomes a 2020 first if they miss. SJ owes a first to Ottawa in 19 or 20 depending upon which pick goes to Buffalo. San Jose could miss the playoffs and Ottawa gets their 1st this June. SJ has already traded their next two #1's. Does Wilson want Hayes? SJ needs a center. Send the 2021 1st to the Rangers. No conditions. The Sharks will be toast by then and the Rangers get a lottery pick in 2021 when the Rangers start humming again. When SJ acquired Karlsson, Pierre LeBrun reported Wilson wants to acquire a center. The Celtics and Danny Ainge. The Celtics were a playoff team and he had the top pick in the NBA draft in 2017. He flipped picks with Philly at #3 to select Tatum and the Celtics could get another lottery pick from that trade or a 2014 trade with Memphis. Ainge got the #1 pick from the Nets trade.

The Blues pick is top 10 protected in 2019. The Sabres would get their 2020 first.

The Sabres wanted Shattenkirk in 2017. They get him for a cheaper price. Just 2 more seasons remaining and 5 more seasons if they gave him 7 seasons. Buffalo is playing well. They are in the middle of the playoff race in the Atlantic. I know it's still October. Every point counts.

Wilson puts all of his chips in the middle and goes all in by acquiring Hayes. SJ can afford to pay him.

The Rangers will have all of their young guys from the 2017 draft, 2018 trading deadline, 2018 draft, 2019 trading deadline, 2019 draft, etc. In 2021, they get a top pick in the draft.

Boston did it with Ray Bourque.

The Islanders and Pat LaFontaine.

The Devils and Scott Niedermayer.

Those teams traded for future #1's and they ended up being picks at the top of the draft.

A 2021 first for Hayes is a ridiculously low return. The Sharks have a high probability of still being an elite team by then and Gorton may not even be around to see that return.

Shattenkirk to Buffalo would make sense if he was playing better. If he gets his game untracked, there may be suitors. Big if though.

 

[bobbop]

We are looking at Something close to this

On the block:
Hayes
Zucc
Names
Spooner
Vesey
McQuaid
Smith
ADA

If the right deal (overpayment) comes along:
Kreider
Zib
Buch
Shatty
Pionk
Skjei

Ballast
Staal

Should be real interesting

Nobody is giving a whole lot for anything short of excellent assets at this time of the year. Some of the younger players (Vesey, ADA) may be traded after the season depending on how this year goes. They could also move in a smaller hockey trade.

 

[cheech70]

Roslovic on elite prospects is listed rw/c..what is his natural position?

 

[Trxjw]

Roslovic on elite prospects is listed rw/c..what is his natural position?

He's been primarily a center, but he's played RW in the NHL while he adjusts. He also played some RW at the WJC.

Hayes isn't returning him without a contract extension though. After Stastny walking out, I seriously doubt Chevy is going to try and fill that spot without being damn sure he has the guy for at least one more year.

 

[kovazub94]

A 2021 first for Hayes is a ridiculously low return. The Sharks have a high probability of still being an elite team by then and Gorton may not even be around to see that return.

Shattenkirk to Buffalo would make sense if he was playing better. If he gets his game untracked, there may be suitors. Big if though.

Coming back from a knee injury is not easy and takes time. With the state of the team’s RD they could try trading both McQuaid and Shattenkirk but there’s no urgency to do both this season.

 

[Mikos87]

Chevy doesn't deal good cheap assets. You'll either get picks, or a good prospect that can't crack their lineup and is going to be lost on waivers.

Think Petan.

What they miss about Stasny was that he opened up space for Laine ane Ehlers.

Little has played well, but he's not a playmaker.

You're not going to get Roslovic.

 

[bobbop]

Coming back from a knee injury is not easy and takes time. With the state of the team’s RD they could try trading both McQuaid and Shattenkirk but there’s no urgency to do both this season.

There is an urgency with McQuaid. He’s a UFA this summer.

 

[Trxjw]

Chevy doesn't deal good cheap assets. You'll either get picks, or a good prospect that can't crack their lineup and is going to be lost on waivers.

Think Petan.

What they miss about Stasny was that he opened up space for Laine ane Ehlers.

Little has played well, but he's not a playmaker.

You're not going to get Roslovic.

Yup. Jets 1st and Petan is more like what I expect for Hayes. Maybe a conditional pick if they extend him.

Colorado makes more sense for me. They were in the mix for signing him coming out of college; they have the cap space; and they have the Ottawa pick which likely makes giving up their 1st a non-issue. Plus Gorton has already hooked up with Sakic in a deal with the Graves/Bigras swap.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Hayes wants to get paid, bigger role and be on a contender during the length of his contract. Winnipeg can satisfy these all. Could other team where he’d prefer to play before Jets?

I mean they can pay him but it seems to me Hayes cares about the place he lives.

Winnipeg sucks, half the league thinks so

 

[Mikos87]

Yup. Jets 1st and Petan is more like what I expect for Hayes. Maybe a conditional pick if they extend him.

Colorado makes more sense for me. They were in the mix for signing him coming out of college; they have the cap space; and they have the Ottawa pick which likely makes giving up their 1st a non-issue. Plus Gorton has already hooked up with Sakic in a deal with the Graves/Bigras swap.

I mentioned COL for seasons now. Would be a great place for Kevin, they'll have the money with Soderberg coming off the books.

Bunch of speedy wingers that work their ass off, so Kevin can glaze about and have the speed and effort to bail him out.

COL also has a huge defense that covers a ton of ice, Hayes wont have to move his legs as much as long as he's in position.

COL is a one line team. You stop them, you win.

It's probably the best line in all of hockey outside of the Bergeron line imo.

Come playoff time, they'll need another unit that can back up Nate.

 

[Trxjw]

I mentioned COL for seasons now. Would be a great place for Kevin, they'll have the money with Soderberg coming off the books.

Bunch of speedy wingers that work their ass off, so Kevin can glaze about and have the speed and effort to bail him out.

COL also has a huge defense that covers a ton of ice, Hayes wont have to move his legs as much as long as he's in position.

COL is a one line team. You stop them, you win.

It's probably the best line in all of hockey outside of the Bergeron line imo.

Come playoff time, they'll need another unit that can back up Nate.

Yeah I remember you bringing them up a few times. I wasn't sold until they turned things around but you're absolutely right that they're a one-line team. Good goalie tandem with a good group on the blueline who can move the puck up the ice, but they need depth scoring and desperately need a good center to lineup behind MacKinnon. I think they were hoping Jost or Kamenev would step up into that role this year but they've both struggled.

I saw Jost mentioned before in this thread but I think he's another Roslovic type of prospect. A guy who is struggling but isn't getting moved unless the player coming back has term on his deal. I like AJ Greer and he has ties to Quinn as a former BU player/recruit. Likely tops out as a 3rd liner but he has good wheels and could be a really nice fit next to Howden.

 

[Crease]

Once Hayes is gone for the right deal, the door opens for Andersson.

Oh, and once Zuccarello is dealt, that too opens the door for Panarin. It’s a beautiful thing.

Bearing in mind that a competitive team would have all four of those guys.

 

[Mikos87]

Yeah I remember you bringing them up a few times. I wasn't sold until they turned things around but you're absolutely right that they're a one-line team. Good goalie tandem with a good group on the blueline who can move the puck up the ice, but they need depth scoring and desperately need a good center to lineup behind MacKinnon. I think they were hoping Jost or Kamenev would step up into that role this year but they've both struggled.

I saw Jost mentioned before in this thread but I think he's another Roslovic type of prospect. A guy who is struggling but isn't getting moved unless the player coming back has term on his deal. I like AJ Greer and he has ties to Quinn as a former BU player/recruit. Likely tops out as a 3rd liner but he has good wheels and could be a really nice fit next to Howden.

There's something amiss about Jost... was supposed to be an all-around good Canadian boy, but that hasn't shown if you know what I mean. He's another kid that's headed down the Bennet route imo. Star in juniors, alpha dog on his team, but gets to majors and he's undersized and ineffective.

Kids that don't dominate the WJC-20 don't tend to take that next step until they hit 23-24, and that's more of a maybe. That's where Jost is at the moment imo.

Haven't followed Greer. Don't know much about him.

I think more highly of Roslovic than Jost. Jack's the ability to be a very good player if the scoring isn't there. Great hustle, he's much closer to a Hagelin type than anything else.