Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XIII (Nanaki edition)

[duhmetreE]

24 minutes of ice time because he can't clear the zone.

Totally agree that a top 4 LHD is needed, but who is available? In an ideal world it's a guy who isnt a rental and be a part of the team going forward, but I guess that's tough with the cap. Id be willing to trade some of the AHL youth for that type of player.

The not so sexy answer is Walman.

 

[mas0764]

If Chytil is out long-term we need a center. I would like to see them give Edstrom a shot between Cuylle and Kakko in the meantime.

Miller has got to go. Zero awareness, zero motivation, a complete trainwreck. Seems like a guy who needs to be traded before he gets paid. Trying to flip him to another team with a similarly aged center would be a real smart move in my opinion. Ducks maybe? They've got nothing on defense and a few ex-Rangers. Zegras needs a change of scenery. I really like McTavish too.

With Miller, in hindsight it shouldve been more of a red flag that he came into camp with the blonde hair (dont care about that aspect) and said he was inspired by Odell Beckham! Why would you be looking for inspiration from a guy who got run out of NY on a rail??? I dont get it, and I think hes the odd man out on D.

If Miller is the odd man out, he's one of three odd men out and therefore he's really just getting booted.

Trouba and Lindgren both need to go before Miller. Maybe Miller is an enigma and will never be a top pair player but if we could aquire a top pair partner for Fox, I think Miller-Schneider could be a good second pair.

Jones can continue as the third pair along with a bigger guy.

 

[MrAlmost]

Sign Cuylle long term. No stupid f***ing bridge. Do the right thing for once. Maybe re up Kakko too. But might wait a little more on that to see if he keeps producing.

 

[mas0764]

I've watched a few Ducks games recently. Zegras actually looks pretty good now that Cronin put him back at center. His stat line sucks obviously, but the team is a total mess.

The Ducks have 7-8 guys age 23 and under playing significant minutes, and much of this inexperience is at crucial positions: center and defense. When the puck is in the offensive zone, they aren't poised enough to cycle and generate high quality chances. They have too many guys opting for low quality shots (ex: Cutter Gauthier shooting it from 40ft away all of the time) or turning it over, which kills the play. Then in the D zone, the young guys get exposed. Jackson LaCombe might actually be the worst D in the league right now, not Lindgren.

I think Zegras also is pissed at the Ducks for whatever happened during the contract negotiations and wants out. I wouldn't say he's dogging it, but a change of scenery is what he needs.

Furthermore, do you really want to roll with Brodzinsky as your 3C for the rest of the year? Othmann hasn't shown us much at 5v5. He could still turn into a really good player, but we already have Perreault and Berard in the system and close to NHL ready. Othmann played with McTavish in Switzerland during COVID. Verbeek likes pricks who finish checks. Trouba and Kakko are probably on the outs next summer, and trading them should help us recoup some draft capital.

Also unlike pretty much every other team, the Ducks have too many centers. They almost traded Zegras and a 2nd for Logan Mailloux and a 1st at the draft (basically 2 late 1sts). Othmann and a 1st should be more than enough for Zegras. Add in Lindgren and the Ducks can keep their 2nd rounder for 50% retention on Fowler, who is reportedly looking for a trade. IDK I could be biased being a Rangers fan, but I think this deal is feasible.

Even with Chytil returning this is something we should consider strongly.

We need another young center long term anyway, the fact that Zegras can play wing in the meantime is a bonus, and he'd also serve as Chytil-insurance.

If we can get it for Othmann (we are heavy on wings anyway) and Lindgren (addition by subtraction) we'd be dumb not to consider.

 

[mas0764]

Miller for Zegras. Who says no?

Miller can be the long term 1D for a team with a few ex-teammates and no pressure. Zegras can come back home and get serious about his preparation under Kreider's wing. Also protects us from future Chytil injuries. Both guys need a change of scenery bad.

So, you know me, I'm usually all about future moves. I wouldn't care if this move derailed this season if it put us ahead long term.

But I'm not sure we need to move Miller, either in this deal to get Zegras (can probably be had for cheaper) or even in the sense that we need him gone.

He's paid like an mid-to-upper tier second pair defender and I still think he can be that. Just can't give him a big raise. Would like to see him in a stable pair without an anchor for a while.

I completely agree the Rangers should be exploring a buy low move on Zegras if for no other reason than Chytil insurance.

 

[TGWL]

Sign Cuylle long term. No stupid f***ing bridge. Do the right thing for once. Maybe re up Kakko too. But might wait a little more on that to see if he keeps producing.

What are you offering him long term?

 

[tlk]

Miller for Zegras. Who says no?

The Ducks I'm afraid

 

[cheech70]

Trade Othmann for Jiricek. I think JD would be all over that.

Jiricek is a righty and Othmann is hurt, but I dont hate the logic.

Love this Idea....add a little to make it happen...I'm not that sure of Othmann

 

[SnowblindNYR]

This is such a weird team. The actual depth on offense is insane if you look at it. But Mika and Kreider haven't been good for the most part. Our defense leaves a lot to be desired, but even then there are good players there. We also have the best goalie duo in the league. We have an excellent record. Yet a lot of people feel like we've stunk.

 

[Fitzy]

Couldn't be happier with Cuylle so far, he seems fast-tracking to a player who can core 20 at even strength. His shooting percentage is a ittle high, but 20-20 at a 2nd year player is exciting.

His hands are getting better, is the main thing. He's outgrowing some of the Brandan Lemieux-esque inability to recieve passed or stickhandle on the backhand. That's been a huge help.

Teams love that kind of guy. If you play your cards right you couldd sign him long term, sure, or he could be a keystone part of a bigger move for a young talented defenseman.

 

[McRanger92]

This is such a weird team. The actual depth on offense is insane if you look at it. But Mika and Kreider haven't been good for the most part. Our defense leaves a lot to be desired, but even then there are good players there. We also have the best goalie duo in the league. We have an excellent record. Yet a lot of people feel like we've stunk.

It's less about us stinking and more that we have evidence that this formula we're using has a ceiling below a Cup win, or even getting there. The playoffs are all that matters for this version of the team.

I think the Rangers are one of the best teams in the league, but also have no shot to win a Cup with this defense and inconsistent battle level from our highest paid players.

 

[mas0764]

It's less about us stinking and more that we have evidence that this formula we're using has a ceiling below a Cup win, or even getting there. The playoffs are all that matters for this version of the team.

I think the Rangers are one of the best teams in the league, but also have no shot to win a Cup with this defense and inconsistent battle level from our highest paid players.

You sound like me now.

 

[mas0764]

Jiricek is a righty and Othmann is hurt, but I dont hate the logic.

If you come to the conclusion that Kakko should stay (he should), then Othmann seems like a good candidate to be swapped for an equivalent young center or defenseman, even if you have to add a bit.

Cuylle's emergence may make Othmann disposable.

Still, I'd rather deal Kreider, because I'd prefer to focus on the future more than this season.

 

[mas0764]

Long term pieces:

Wings
Lafreniere (top 6)
Kakko (top 6)
Perrault (top 6)
Othmann (middle 6)
Cuylle (middle 6)
Berard (middle 6)
Sykora (bottom 6)

Centers
Chytil (top 6)
Edstrom (bottom 6)

Defensemen
Fox (top pair)
Miller (top 4)
Schneider (top 4)
Jones (top 4)
Mancini (bottom pair)
Emery (unknown)

Start supplementing this.

 

[Machinehead]

All told, so far this season, the Rangers are 6th in GF% and 7th in xGF% at 5v5. They're 17th in corsi but who cares if you can do the other two?

They haven't been a bad team so far this year.

I owe that to hiding Lindgren and Trouba a bit more and having Miller-Fox as a top pair they can lean on for dominant minutes.

Still, the 6th best team is a second round exit. To win it all, I think at least one of those guys needs to be off the ice entirely.

For all the talk about Mika and Kreider (sometimes Panarin), they're underwhelming at worst. The only malignant ingredients on the roster are in the D corps.

 

[McRanger92]

You sound like me now.

Ive been beaten down by this long playoff runs with nothing to show for it.

But in all seriousness, the ECF has gone the same exact way in 2022 & 2024. Lead the series early, shit down their leg with a chance to take a stranglehold, then hold on for dear life while Igor gets peppered. Lose in 6. I understand this is the "last ride" for some of the guys and there will be a different hierarchy, but they've lost my personal benefit of the doubt.

 

[Machinehead]

Also, I'll say this, this team has been f***ing BORING at times this year, but you know what? They have better underlying numbers when they're boring. This has been true for a bit now.

They need to cut the horseshit and play north-south. That's what they did last night and it was a good game where Vancouver generated very little pressure.

We had the one really nice goal on a play that opened up, and that's fine if it's there, but the other goals were scored on work and speed.

 

[TominNC]

Yes, Lindgren is struggling but it’s a long season. Why isn’t he with Fox where they’ve had a lot of success? It’s not like KAM is looking great either. Why not put him back with Schneider?

Because then two pairs are bad. Right now Miller-Fox and Jones-Schneider are fine.

KAM has been crap with fox. For years Lindgren and Fox have played well together - what information disputes that?

Also I think there’s more balance with KAM paired with Schneider and Jones with Trouba.

Miller and Fox have been a top 5 pair in the league. You must never watch other teams' defensive pairs.

 

[MrAlmost]

What are you offering him long term?

Between 4 to 5 million for 6+ years. Comparable are Mercer, Zacha, Crouse, Chytil, Batherson, etc. Would be a good deal for both sides I think.

 

[McRanger92]

Also, I'll say this, this team has been f***ing BORING at times this year, but you know what? They have better underlying numbers when they're boring. This has been true for a bit now.

They need to cut the horseshit and play north-south. That's what they did last night and it was a good game where Vancouver generated very little pressure.

We had the one really nice goal on a play that opened up, and that's fine if it's there, but the other goals were scored on work and speed.

The Rangers started 5-0-1 playing this way. Shifted the lines around the Capitals game and went 4-4 during that stretch. Went back to the original lines after the Jets game and they've won 3 in a row. Wtf was the coaching staff thinking?

Boring is good. I find Tampa and Florida to be very boring at times. Boring usually means you're playing sound defensively. There may be hope yet for this team if we can keep a relatively healthy Chytil all year and we jettison one, if not both, of Lindgre/Trouba.

 

[Machinehead]

Miller and Fox have been a top 5 pair in the league. You must never watch other teams' defensive pairs.

I still don't think people have mentally adjusted to how high scoring the NHL is right now.

3 GA is a pretty decent defensive effort.

 

[noncents]

24 minutes of ice time because he can't clear the zone.

Totally agree that a top 4 LHD is needed, but who is available? In an ideal world it's a guy who isnt a rental and be a part of the team going forward, but I guess that's tough with the cap. Id be willing to trade some of the AHL youth for that type of player.

Walman

 

[Machinehead]

The Rangers started 5-0-1 playing this way. Shifted the lines around the Capitals game and went 4-4 during that stretch. Went back to the original lines after the Jets game and they've won 3 in a row. Wtf was the coaching staff thinking?

Boring is good. I find Tampa and Florida to be very boring at times. Boring usually means you're playing sound defensively. There may be hope yet for this team if we can keep a relatively healthy Chytil all year and we jettison one, if not both, of Lindgre/Trouba.

The whole roster is being tried for a war crime for how bad that Washington game was, but you can't react like that to one game, no matter how bad it is.

They overcorrected on what had been a pretty good season before that.

 

[zlev]

i wonder if the flu was going around the team for a couple weeks, they look so much quicker the last few games

 

[haohmaru]

The Ducks I'm afraid

That’s why the Ducks suck.