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

[RangerBoy]

When you’re a top tier Cup contender, the regular season is a millstone.


Sabres.

Word is that they are shopping Bo Byram. They are looking for a RHD.

Last year I suggested Trouba for Byram. There probably needs to be some additional pieces and money considerations but this still makes a ton of sense to me,

Buffalo just acquired Byram. Something is wrong. Buffalo has too many lefties. They knew that problem would occur when making the trade. Perhaps the Sabres didn't want to pay Mittelstedt and just made any deal. Another small D. No thanks.

Trouba sucks. Is Jacob accepting a trade to Buffalo? 12 team NTC starting next July. $8M. Brooks has reported the Rangers were willing to retain $2M. 25%.

 

[RangerBoy]

Trading Trochek, to me, is silly unless they’re blowing up the entire thing. He’s underpaid and brings exactly what the team should be looking for from all of their players.

Trocheck will bring back some value. His numbers have been slipping a little bit. Mika isn't the only problem. Maybe the other teams won't notice the decline.

Trocheck, a reliable fit among the skilled Rangers elite, has just four even-strength points — far fewer than Zibanejad, whose struggles at five-on-five are well-documented — and both the Rangers’ top centers are way down the list of Clear Sight Analytics’ expected goals plus-minus, a measurement of a player’s high- and mid-danger chances for and against on the ice.

The Rangers need the lines centered by Zibanejad and Trocheck to dominate five-on-five play, even if it doesn’t lead to huge offense. It can lead to power-play opportunities, where the Rangers excel, and to keeping pucks away from opposing teams counterattacking, a place in which the Rangers have been far too vulnerable. Not just this season, mind you, but every season since Drury took over.

Here’s where the Rangers have ranked in expected goals against off the rush the last four years, again courtesy of Clear Sight Analytics:

• 2021-22: 15th
• 2022-23: 22nd
• 2023-24: 28th
• 2024-25: 24th

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5919640/2024/11/13/new-york-rangers-nhl-season-analysis/

 

[TGWL]

From Vince:

"Don’t expect to see Matt Rempe attempt to fill the role, either. The 6-foot-9 fan favorite has played some center since his recent demotion to Hartford, but word is that he’s struggled with zero points and a minus-six rating in six appearances. The Rangers want him getting regular AHL ice time and see him as a winger whenever he does make his NHL return."

"Word is that he struggled", like Vince couldn't be bothered to know for sure and just looked at some stats. Word around the corner is something happened and didn't look good.

 

[Boris Zubov]

EF discussed the NHL and NHLPA CBA discussions. The 2025-26 salary cap is expected to be $92.5M. However, the players have been told the number for next season could be higher. $95M-$97M. The current CBA has the built in increases. The league and players are expected to begin CBA talks in January. The current CBA expires on September 15, 2026. Gary Bettman said the NHL is hoping a new CBA will be completed by the Stanley Cup finals. The salary cap will see a substantial jump in the new CBA. Instead of the jump being $10M plus in 27-28, they will smooth out the increase between two to three years. More players would benefit from the increase instead of just one free agent class. Rip up the last season of the current CBA. EF had mentioned this scenario on 32T last month. it would mean the players would maintain 50% of the HRR. There really aren't any major issues. The players have their international hockey events. 50/50 split. The players don't like what happened with Eichel's neck surgery. The Sabres wanted spinal fusion and Eichel wanted the disc replacement. There is a clause about 2nd and 3rd opinions which the players don't like. The team doctor has final say. Vegas allowed Eichel to have the surgery after the trade.



The NHL will set the 25-26 cap in June. $92.5M. The current CBA hinted this scenario could occur. The built in increases didn't include 26-27.

How many times have we heard this before. It's like Lucy pulling away the football at this point.

 

[bernmeister]

From Vince:

"Don’t expect to see Matt Rempe attempt to fill the role, either. The 6-foot-9 fan favorite has played some center since his recent demotion to Hartford, but word is that he’s struggled with zero points and a minus-six rating in six appearances. The Rangers want him getting regular AHL ice time and see him as a winger whenever he does make his NHL return."

This is not about "instant gratification", it's about who is the more capable player at this stage and it's not even close. The NHL is not a developmental league and Rempe isn't going to develop into anything worthwhile playing 3-5 minutes a night and having other team's goons looking for a spark for their team.

Vesey can PK. Vesey can be a defensive forward. Vesey has exceptional scoring hands for a 4th line. Vesey can slot up in case of an injury. Vesey has experience. Vesey is cost controlled. Vesey is a VERY capable 4th liner.

Vesey > Rempe.

The only thing we "learn with the bern" is that he slots players into unrealistic positions, proposes ludicrous trades, and thinks XYZ prospect is going to be the next thing and they never even become A thing at all.

1. I am not speaking to what is, but what should be.

2. Vince reporting this is moot. It is fair to ask to what extent he is shilling for mgmt

3. As to the core issue:
a) Rempe is bigger, faster, stronger, longer reach. He has WAY more upside, which only needs to be developed. To be kicking it to the max, team needs to develop Rempe asap, not squander in the A.
It is established premise in all sports that if everything else is (close to) equal, the good big man defeats the good little man. A variant proving your point could be in baseball, 2 guys similar size, or even one larger, but the smaller one has much better hand/eye coordination.
In this case, whatev upside Vesey has based on his experience is not huge, and it is in limited areas. He is not way superior in hand-eye coordination to use that analogy.
Rempe, not Vesey, is the better north-south skater by a lot. As to East-West, it is close.
As to technique, sure there is room to improve Rempe, but he is not the utter failure you infer he is (e..g., Lias Andersson).

b) Rempe has "struggled" with poor offensive output.
Who the eff has he been playing with?
He is not a finisher. It took Kreider years to develop both an overall offensive game and also into a PP specialist based on tip ins. Rempe already has in front of the net dominance, he needs to learn tips in, and would best be served by getting that directly from Kreider. He can screen shots otherwise, but unlike NYR varsity, his A linemates are not accelerating his development. Kindly admit to that reality.

No one is saying put this kid in top 6 immediately if not necessary. He is fully sufficient to be an effective bottom 6 guy now, with upside.

c) The kid has a right to be disappointed after all the hard work put in over the summer and wowing everyone with his speed/power skating, which was first or close to first on the team, but has gotten the short shrift b'c irrational, stupid preference to vets.

d) Setting aside rest of the year, this team needs to have size for the POs. Edstrom is a good add to Kreider, but it is not enuf. Rempe playing full 4th line mins [10ish per nite] is the way to go.

Vesey can PK.
so can Rempe

Vesey can be a defensive forward.
so can Rempe

Vesey has exceptional scoring hands for a 4th line.
I don't know about "exceptional" particularly given eye test applied to his career, but yeah, he's got more touch. So what? It's a coupla goals. Does not overwhelm/offset other aspects.

Vesey can slot up in case of an injury.
JV can emergency slot but he is not a true top 6 guy, let's not make more or less of him than what he is. Both are currently bottom 6 material in a vacuum and w/effective kid line for 3rd line, really are 4th liners.

Vesey has experience.
Yes. But lack of an abundance of talent and natural gifts only gets you so far,

Vesey is cost controlled.
So is Rempe

Vesey is a VERY capable 4th liner.
JV is fully capable 4th liner. Rempe is currently adequately ++ capable, with more upside, which overrides that.

Vesey > Rempe.
Nope.
Rempe > Vesey and long term IAEC


bottom line is not immediate, but to build, but even going short term this yr, Vesey does zip for us vs Panthers
same is not true as to Rempe

 

[DanielBrassard]

Trocheck will bring back some value. His numbers have been slipping a little bit. Mika isn't the only problem. Maybe the other teams won't notice the decline.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5919640/2024/11/13/new-york-rangers-nhl-season-analysis/

Trocheck has been flying under the radar but he’s been just as bad as Mika. As far as trading him, yeah I wouldn’t discount the possibility in the offseason. He’s getting to that age where decline starts to kick in. Not to mention the type of player he is.

 

[eco's bones]

James Mirtle reporting today that next year's cap might go as high as $95 to 97 million. For the Rangers that could open up a lot of things and if something like that happens Lafreniere's contract just gets better and better.

 

[bobmottoutica]

James Mirtle reporting today that next year's cap might go as high as $95 to 97 million. For the Rangers that could open up a lot of things and if something like that happens Lafreniere's contract just gets better and better.

Suddenly Shesterkin's rumored deal looks better as well. I was on the fence before, but not anymore. Re-sign him.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I think the team “rebuilding” is about as likely as me getting out there on the ice tonight

And also, if they were to rebuild it, do people really want Drury leading that charge? His trades have been anywhere between average to straight garbage.

Not the guy I’d want doing the job

 

[haohmaru]

"Word is that he struggled", like Vince couldn't be bothered to know for sure and just looked at some stats. Word around the corner is something happened and didn't look good.

Word is that he struggled suggests it comes from sources that, you know, use words.

 

[effen]

Trochek is a mid 50s points guy most of his career with occasional spikes, and this year he is trending for... 55 points. He's fine.

He is getting WAY overused though, because Mika has been shit and Chytil has a jellyhead. Take him off the PK, thats 2 super hard minutes he doesn't need. Vesey is a good PKer not on it right now with a lot of capacity.

 

[Fitzy]

Suddenly Shesterkin's rumored deal looks better as well. I was on the fence before, but not anymore. Re-sign him.

I'm not giving Igor 12.5 million unless he wins the Vezina again.

If he wants to be paid like a top 10 player and #1 goalie in the league, he needs to actually be it.

 

[noncents]

i like the "try cuylle at center" idea.

 

[bobbop]

Rangers need young depth on D in Hartford. Do the Rangers need to keep relying on Mackey Harpur types. Bryam for Trouba does not do much but get out of that contract for next season. Rangers need another Schneider type that can go to AHL without waivers. Young dman that they can be called up besides Mancini. Byram for Trouba does not add any depth to the defense, especially for Hartford which is needed. Rangers need more young defensive prospects that can play when needed. Not the Chad Ruwedahl, Fitzgerald, Mackey, Harpur

The Rangers need a solid young defenseman in New York

 

[bobbop]

Buffalo just acquired Byram. Something is wrong. Buffalo has too many lefties. They knew that problem would occur when making the trade. Perhaps the Sabres didn't want to pay Mittelstedt and just made any deal. Another small D. No thanks.

Trouba sucks. Is Jacob accepting a trade to Buffalo? 12 team NTC starting next July. $8M. Brooks has reported the Rangers were willing to retain $2M. 25%.

Byron is 6’1”, 205. Not small. Watch Buffalo play Bynam is awful in on his off side.

Instead of knocking down everyone’s idea, why don’t you try to come up with some solutions?

 

[TGWL]

Word is that he struggled suggests it comes from sources that, you know, use words.

Maybe he should find some better words to use.

 

[eco's bones]

Suddenly Shesterkin's rumored deal looks better as well. I was on the fence before, but not anymore. Re-sign him.

I wasn't really on the fence with Igor. It's a lot but finding players who are elite at their position is really really hard to do.....and finding elite players you don't always get to pick the position. The thing is if the Rangers can get a halfassed season out of the rest of the team with someone like Igor in net playing the majority of your games you're still at least making the playoffs. So far we're getting a halfassed season out of some of our guys now.

Another thing is I was already counting on the Rangers moving on from Trouba and Lindgren over next summer. Those two would pretty much pay for Igor's new deal and I'd take Igor over moving on from both of those guys easily. Even with the rise in cap I'd still kind of expect one of those two D will go.....maybe both of them anyway.