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

[RangersFan1994]

We dont need a RW. Who would he replace.

We need mika to be mika of old.

Also we need a top 4 dman.

Wings are the least of our concerns right now.

Mika is on the downside of his career. If the Rangers had young depth on defense to potentially scratch vets, defense wouldn't be much of an issue. Or maybe it's the defensive system that has to change.

 

[bernmeister]

Mika needs to be dropped down the lineup. The problem is are you really going to swap him with Carrick? That would be the only 5v5 move. You can't mess around with the Trocheck and Chytil lines. And I don't think PL is actually going to scratch Zibanejad for a guy like Brodzinski who can play center. So unless his hand is forced then PL will just ride with 20-93-91 and hope they can figure it out. But make no mistake... Mika is dragging that line down. It hasn't been the rotating RW on that line. It's been Mika. At some point you can no longer use the "they have to find the right RW to play with the BFFs", especially when one of the BFFs is the one who isn't playing well.

I'm open to experimenting w/Zib drop, but not to screw up mid 6 which is kickin it

That leaves 4th line. Maybe such demotion gives him incentive to waive.
In that case, Brodz and Eds visually look good w/Kreids and placeholder Smith

 

[noncents]

panarin chytil laf
kreider trocheck kakko
cuylle zib smith

 

[bernmeister]

when thinking about it. This was so predictable of an outcome.

We made zero significant changes last offseason. Did we really expect this team to be different from the last 3 years?

And no, trading trouba would have done anything. Not when kreider, zib, lindgren and miller are still here.

This old core needs to go. This offseason needs to be handing the keys to laff, kakko, chytil.

This is the most predictable outcome, and yet we all act aurprised and upset.

Time to old yeller the old core in the offseason. They just dont have it.


He absolutely does. He brings physicallity, boardwork and hitting.

Kreider doesnt do any of that.

The team needs to stop catering to kreider and zib. Its not about getting them going. Its about replacing them with youth who bring more to the table 5v5.

Ride the kids. Give them more. Push them harder. See them grow. Let them lead!

The old core must go both because it is in the natural order of things, and b'c youth = mo energy/cheaper than vets, which is needed for cap mgmt
There we agree

As to Kreider, calling you out for bs
eventually Father Time claims everyone, but barring injury that is not gonna be at least 5 more years for CK -- who keeps himself in phenomenal shape

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

The Chytil line has been the best line in the league.

Why the f*** are we breaking it up to appease the under achievers?

 

[xbure9x]

Yes, and we were presidents trophy last year. Our last three game were all pretty ugly, and we are reverting back to what we were last year.

Good regular season team, who probably has not shot of cup.

We have the same shortfalls as the last three years. Because we are the same team.

and whats the common denominator of the last three games?? I'll give a hint, he wears number 55.

Jones needs to play, I think we have enough of a sample size over last season and the beginning of this season to see that the team demonstratively plays better when he's in the lineup and Lindgren isn't. We all see it, why don't they see it? Or more likely, why do they see it and continue to do it?

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

The Chytil line has been the best line in the league.

Why the f*** are we breaking it up to appease the under achievers?

Free Reilly Smith

 

[EdJovanovski]

Zegras has been a mess ever since the Ducks moved him to wing. Between the position change and his injuries last year, I'm sure his confidence is shot.

Zibanejad for Zegras

 

[NYR Viper]

Zibanejad for Zegras

I thought about that when I was watching the Anaheim game honestly.

 

[Daves a mess]

Had the night to sleep on it after mocking #79 all game in the GDT. So this am, and watching the game and rewinding a lot, I can admit that he wasn't as bad as I thought.

He sucked way worse.

Mancini needs to stay in the line up.

The Chytil line is awesome.

The Meeka line is humiliating.

Rare off night for Trocheck line. They were stuck in the mud.

Matt got cut by his visor.

Edstrom was bad in the first. Good the rest of the way.

Adam Fox has been good. But not great. Used to be sold top 3 in the league. Now, top 10.

Don't see a way that Drury doesn't trade his 1st rounder. Blah.

How did the Capitals make possibly make the Rangers look slow?

Completely outworked along the boards, and the moon could of rolled down the center of the ice in front of Igor without being touched.

Put 79 back with Trouba, and Lindy back with Fox.

Or scratch #79. Or trade #79. ( won't happen duh)

Wish we had 3 lines of Chytil, Cuylle, KK.

 

[savebyrichter94]

Are you ready Mika?

You think that you’re better?

Bow to the Masters

And just in case you forgot, we got 2 words for ya!

 

[TominNC]

It’s going to take more than a road loss to a team playing like it’s the playoffs due to getting swept for me to give up in these guys.

D pairs still in flux. Mika slumping. Other forwards are fine.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Had the night to sleep on it after mocking #79 all game in the GDT. So this am, and watching the game and rewinding a lot, I can admit that he was t as bad as I thought.

He sucked way worse.

Mancini needs to stay in the line up.

The Chytil line is awesome.

The Meeka line is humiliating.

Rare off night for Trocheck line. They were stuck in the mud.

Matt got cut by his visor.

Edstrom was bad in the first. Good the rest of the way.

Adam Fox has been good. But not great. Used to be sold top 3 in the league. Now, top 10.

Don't see a way that Drury doesn't trade his 1st rounder. Blah.

How did the Capitals make possibly make the Rangers look slow?

Completely outworked along the boards, and the moon could of rolled down the center of the ice in front of Igor without being touched.

Put 79 back with Trouba, and Lindy back with Fox.

Or scratch #79. Or trade #79. ( won't happen duh)

Wish we had 3 lines of Chytil, Cuylle, KK.

Fox is still top 3, who is comfortably better other than Makar (who has slipped defensively but is just insane at point producing) and Quinn Hughes? And don't you dare say Heiskanen.

But i agree he has been underwhelming from the eye test, he looks sluggish and lazy. And his body language has been problematic for a whole year now, idk whats up.

 

[80shockeywasbuns]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851489237851324678

Never saw any of these frail ass excuses written about Lafreniere or Kakko in their first few years

 

[B17 Apricots]

I think Lavi has been doing this team a massive disservice constantly putting the lines in a blender. Let these guys get in a rhythm. The first game we looked fantastic. The D pairings looked strong.

Miller Fox
Schneider Tuba
Jones Mancini

Then the 4th line gets off to a hot start, first goal of the season right when the game starts. Brodz makes a beautiful seam pass from the corner to the opposite point, Carrick deflects Tuba's shot. Tremendous. For zero reason Lavi has to f*** with that line the next game to get Rempe in the home opener. They play less than 5 minutes that game. We lose

We go back to the original line up the next 2 games against Detroit. Mancini notches a goal in the first one and a goal and an assist the 2nd one.

Playing great, not sure why you'd mess with it. Lets be frank, the players on the sidelines are not particularly important enough to "keep fresh" this early by replacing better players for the sake of getting them in. Rempe should be getting minutes in the AHL. The next game in Toronto Lavi takes out Brodz and Jones, inserts Rempe and Ruhwedel. They stomp Montreal out the next game. Brodz and Lindgren inserted back into the lineup. No Zach again. Johnny B scores a goal. They're winning, so no harm no foul yet I suppose. The following game against Florida, no Zach again. Can't score. Next game is Anaheim. Mancini comes out, for reasons. Jones back in, Lindgren stays (of course). Washington next. Jones back out. Rempe back in the line-up, plays 5 minutes. Schneider and Mancini played the least minutes and were the only D that were a plus rating.

So just to clarify this hodgepodge... arguably the best this roster has looked was with the below configuration.

Panarin Tro Laf
Cuylle Chytil Kakko
Kreider Mika Smith
Edström Carrick Brodz

K'Andre Fox
Schneider Tuba
Jones Mancini

And for whatever reason Lavi continues to f*** with it. I don't mind getting a guy in here and there but it's the beginning of the season. Let them find their game, get in a rhythm. I don't like how early he's been playing with the lineup while we were having success with it. I almost feel we're at a moneyball thing here where Drury should trade Lindgren just so we can ice the the best roster. For years this team was awful to league average at 5v5, having players on the back end that are savvy with the puck could help there. We need to see what we have in Jones. Aside from the passing ability, he creates so much chaos in the O-Zone from his mobility. He has zero issues getting involved, skating freely in their zone... I love it. Play him the year, if we need a bigger, more physical player come playoff time so be it. But for now he should be playing.

 

[cheech70]

Early season is the time to experiment with combos. I think its mental with Mika. He is in a funk. He glides and is lackadasical with the puck.

 

[Ruggs225]

It’s going to take more than a road loss to a team playing like it’s the playoffs due to getting swept for me to give up in these guys.

D pairs still in flux. Mika slumping. Other forwards are fine.

How about 3 years of the same thing.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Early season is the time to experiment with combos. I think its mental with Mika. He is in a funk. He glides and is lackadasical with the puck.

Someone tell Lav cause the only “experiments” he’s trying are scratching Jones and Mancini for worse players

 

[Guyute]

Zibanejad for Zegras

I was arguing in favor of this trade last summer, thinking it could be "Brassard for Zibanejad 2.0". Zegras' red flags are well known, but Mika has his issues too as we're now all too aware. The Ducks could use some veteran experience and help on the PK.

I don't buy that Mika is hitting his late career decline. There's still a good player in there somewhere, but he's too casual and needs a kick in the nuts from time to time. I think a trade would benefit his play. However, I doubt he wants to leave the Rangers so this discussion isn't worth too much deliberation.

In any event it would be an offseason move.

 

[Daves a mess]

Fox is still top 3, who is comfortably better other than Makar (who has slipped defensively but is just insane at point producing) and Quinn Hughes? And don't you dare say Heiskanen.

But i agree he has been underwhelming from the eye test, he looks sluggish and lazy. And his body language has been problematic for a whole year now, idk whats up.

Over the last 12 months i have Miro, Roman, Bouchard, Fox after Makar and Hughes. I'm a huge Josi guy getting to see him in person in Nashville a lot. I do have an irrational like for Dobson I admit. Kills me because the jersey he wears gives me the runs. Also because the subtleties of his game keep going up.

Bouchard is a force.

McAvoy in the mix too. I like his physicality. I am partial to D' with high skill and an edge. Chris Chelios is my fav D man. I would have traded half the roster to get Chris Pronger back in the day

Total body of work, i agree. you are 100% correct. Top 3.

I have K'Andre and 171. Just ahead of Ben Harpur, but just behind Libor Hajek.