Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part XIV

[Oscar Lindberg]

Drouin is a guy I think Quinn would hate

Skjei to Montreal makes sense, but I’d be asking for Poehling, which I’m sure they’ll push back against

 

[Edge]

I will say that if the Rangers move Skjei, his value will be a lot higher than some realize.

You put him in the right system, with the right role, and there’s a lot of value there for a team.

We’ve seen that before with guys we’ve moved.

 

[LokiDog]

Winnipeg for Ehlers. We add a prospect or Strome or something but they need D and Ehlers changes our look up front dramatically.

 

[Mikos87]

I think it's early to trade Skjei. He had a terrible start to last season before settling down. You need that player to be good. IMO Lindgren is the guy that pushes the Staals & Smiths off the roster, not Skjei.

It's good for him to get a bird's eye view and settle in. The Rangers have had a very poor defensive structure for years now. With the right team, and the right system, a Skjei trade would be a regrettable one.

 

[LaffyTaffy]

I say lets not trade any dmen until Ruff is fired. Get a good defensive coach and all of a sudden Skjei will be a stud. And maybe Hajek would stop getting lost in his own zone as well. Kreider needs to go because we cant resign him and we shouldnt let him walk. After that theres much to debate on Strome, Fast, Howden, Lias, and Buch (Thats the player that lands you a good hockey trade). If we keep pushing for billy nylander i think Skjei and/or Buch would have to go the other way.

 

[JimmyG89]

I will say that if the Rangers move Skjei, his value will be a lot higher than some realize.

You put him in the right system, with the right role, and there’s a lot of value there for a team.

We’ve seen that before with guys we’ve moved.

We've seen it with Skjei himself while being on the team. Unfortunately he's been not very good outside of his rookie year.

18 months from now, I don't think he's on this team. With his NTC kicking in, I'd like to think they are going to be moving him out in favor of our oversaturated LHD pool of players.

If they are going to want a more veteran defender, they'll sign a cheap one.

 

[SA16]

It is a good thing we gave Skjei the long term deal though that way if he broke out we wouldn't be paying him 8M+

 

[kovazub94]

I think it's early to trade Skjei. He had a terrible start to last season before settling down. You need that player to be good. IMO Lindgren is the guy that pushes the Staals & Smiths off the roster, not Skjei.

It's good for him to get a bird's eye view and settle in. The Rangers have had a very poor defensive structure for years now. With the right team, and the right system, a Skjei trade would be a regrettable one.

I say lets not trade any dmen until Ruff is fired. Get a good defensive coach and all of a sudden Skjei will be a stud. And maybe Hajek would stop getting lost in his own zone as well. Kreider needs to go because we cant resign him and we shouldnt let him walk. After that theres much to debate on Strome, Fast, Howden, Lias, and Buch (Thats the player that lands you a good hockey trade). If we keep pushing for billy nylander i think Skjei and/or Buch would have to go the other way.

IMHO moving Skjei has less to do with his performance (or perceived underperformance) on ice, but rather to set ourselves for the expansion draft and beyond.

 

[LeetchisGod]

Kinda worried we are winning too much. And on the backs of the vets, not the kids. Panarin, yes, it’s great he’s scoring. Strome? Eh. I guess it’s good for turning him into a trade deadline asset.

But one more top pick of our own would really be good.

I'm more concerned that we're winning because of goaltending. The team is being badly outplayed in too many games. Nobody is winning cups because of goaltending anymore.

 

[I Eat Crow]

A lot of good discussion the last couple of pages. The Rangers are in the odd position right now that I don't think they're as bad as their lows so far this season, and definitely not as good as the high points this season. The wins against Buffalo, TB, and Carolina last night were nice but unexpected.

Their overall record right now, as a matter of fact, I think is the best reflection on what they are now. A young team with major flaws that battles every night. A .500 hockey club that's not an easy win on any given night. The Boston game was an anomaly. They're winning the Cup this year, IMO.

Getting Zibanejad back, good play by Buchnevich, DeAngelo, Strome, and Panarin, Hajek and Lindgren not looking out of place, and Kakko and Fox getting better and better by the game is going to be good for this team as the season goes on. It's starting to look like the Rangers are going to be in the hunt until the closing games of the season.

The Rangers can't let Kreider walk for nothing. He's looked better of late. I'm ok with keeping him but only on a 3 or 4 year deal. I would not give him 7 or 8 years. Sign him short term or trade him, but make the decision before the deadline.

The writing is on the wall for Buchnevich. He's going to command big term and big dollars in summer 2021. He's playing well. Trade him this summer when his value is highest for a premium asset. Add a LHD prospect not named Miller or Jones to make the deal happen.

Skjei or DeAngelo is the defense trade bait to go for a center. With Trouba locked in and with Fox playing well, and with DeAngelo needing a new contract this summer after holding out, I think he's the bait. His value is going to be through the roof if he finishes the year with 40 points. The Rangers will be able to get something nice for him. I don't know what to do with Skjei, but I'd be very surprised to see both he and DeAngelo on this team to start the 2020-21 season.

 

[Mikos87]

IMHO moving Skjei has less to do with his performance (or perceived underperformance) on ice, but rather to set ourselves for the expansion draft and beyond.

Still very early, but if it comes down to one of Hajek, Lindgren & Skjei needing to get exposed, is it a bad idea to lose $5.25M off the cap if Skjei plays like his October's & November's?

I still think that with a guy like Skjei- you end up wanting more when he needs to do less. The right system, and the right structure is going to be good for Skjei. In other words if you put him on the Islanders, he's a top 4 consistent D. The tools are there, the thinking and decision making is not.

IMO he is a trade asset, but only after the Rangers stabilize their defense. That starts with systems and structure, not just the players. So a lot remains to be seen. This is one of the reasons why I was so miffed that the Rangers brought back the same personnel to coach their defense. 3 Years of poor defensive structure in NY, after 17 years of it in BUF and DAL should tell you that... you know maybe there are better alternatives. Gorts and Co seem to be a little slow on the uptake here.

 

[Kovalev27]

On another note. I’ve come to terms with the fact we’re going to have to trade Georgiev at the deadline or during the summer.

hank is not going anywhere next year. And frankly Shesterkin is too good for the AHL now. We can get away with it this season but he’s not going to sit there another year.

but maybe more overlooked is the fact that while we have to find money to keep some of our kids in 48 and 77 we also have to give Georgiev a raise and with the cap crunch I don’t think we’re going to want to pay a second goalie more than the 925k. Georgiev will demand More as he should especially if he continues to play well this season.

the org seems high on Huska as well as they should be. Wall is playing really well in college and should get a contract and they obviously love lindbolm although who knows if he stays healthy. They’re going to deal Georgiev from a position of strength and hopefully get a solid return. Perhaps recoup a 2nd rounder they lost on Fox.

and then there’s this. Who knows if hank even wants to retire after next season. He may want to play another year or two with Shesterkin. I’m sure the org would give him another contract on the cheap if they feel he’s capable.

I hate this but I fully believe Georgiev is definitely going. I just don’t know when but it could be soon. I keep looking at Columbus. But San Jose Minnesota Detroit even the devils to name a few others

 

[Mikos87]

I'm more concerned that we're winning because of goaltending. The team is being badly outplayed in too many games. Nobody is winning cups because of goaltending anymore.

That's right. The wins feel good, but at the end of the day, this is still a very poorly structured team. The Rangers had their success due to depth, and being able to hold onto leads.

The Torts era, and the early AV era had a mix of both before it all came collapsing down. Vegas, NYI, WSH, PIT, BOS, STL, those teams have success because they are control the pace of the game, and don't give up a lot of high quality chances. That's what the Rangers need to emulate.

 

[Mikos87]

On another note. I’ve come to terms with the fact we’re going to have to trade Georgiev at the deadline or during the summer.

hank is not going anywhere next year. And frankly Shesterkin is too good for the AHL now. We can get away with it this season but he’s not going to sit there another year.

but maybe more overlooked is the fact that while we have to find money to keep some of our kids in 48 and 77 we also have to give Georgiev a raise and with the cap crunch I don’t think we’re going to want to pay a second goalie more than the 925k. Georgiev will demand More as he should especially if he continues to play well this season.

the org seems high on Huska as well as they should be. Wall is playing really well in college and should get a contract and they obviously love lindbolm although who knows if he stays healthy. They’re going to deal Georgiev from a position of strength and hopefully get a solid return. Perhaps recoup a 2nd rounder they lost on Fox.

and then there’s this. Who knows if hank even wants to retire after next season. He may want to play another year or two with Shesterkin. I’m sure the org would give him another contract on the cheap if they feel he’s capable.

I hate this but I fully believe Georgiev is definitely going. I just don’t know when but it could be soon. I keep looking at Columbus. But San Jose Minnesota Detroit even the devils to name a few others

If George has another year where he plays more than 30 games (he probably will this year), and his situational save percentages are above the league average, you will get a number of suitors. After last year, all of the hockey guys in my network thought George is a starter in the making. This isn't like a Talbot situation where Cam played behind a good team, George is doing it with a bad team defense in front of him.

 

[FIRE DRURY]

I think a player like Robertson or K'andre make Skjei expendable, not Lindgren or Hajek.

 

[Kovalev27]

Skjei isn’t going anywhere until At least KAndre Miller is ready for full time NHL duty and that imo won’t be next year. Will be the following year.

Skjei needs to play better and he should be playing with Trouba. Playing Hajek in that spot is way too much to ask of the kid at this point . I don’t like it. And I think it hurts both of them.

 

[LeetchisGod]

Skjei isn’t going anywhere until At least KAndre Miller is ready for full time NHL duty and that imo won’t be next year. Will be the following year.

Skjei needs to play better and he should be playing with Trouba. Playing Hajek in that spot is way too much to ask of the kid at this point . I don’t like it. And I think it hurts both of them.

They tried Skjei with Trouba and it was an abomination.

 

[Kovalev27]

They tried Skjei with Trouba and it was an abomination.

for 20 mins. Of game 1 in which they win. that’s hardly trying anything

 

[Avery16]

Skjei isn’t going anywhere until At least KAndre Miller is ready for full time NHL duty and that imo won’t be next year. Will be the following year.

Skjei needs to play better and he should be playing with Trouba. Playing Hajek in that spot is way too much to ask of the kid at this point . I don’t like it. And I think it hurts both of them.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Skjei is moved by the holiday break.

 

[bobbop]

I say lets not trade any dmen until Ruff is fired. Get a good defensive coach and all of a sudden Skjei will be a stud. And maybe Hajek would stop getting lost in his own zone as well. Kreider needs to go because we cant resign him and we shouldnt let him walk. After that theres much to debate on Strome, Fast, Howden, Lias, and Buch (Thats the player that lands you a good hockey trade). If we keep pushing for billy nylander i think Skjei and/or Buch would have to go the other way.

Let me offer a counterpoint...doesn’t Ruff deserve credit for the improved play of Hajek, DeAngelo and Lindgren? How about the steadiness of Fox?

I’ve never agreed that he is the problem. The coach sets the overall system. Ruff develops the defensemen. So far this year, he deserves a lot of credit.

This is the youngest defense in the NHL and the forwards aren’t very defensive minded. He is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Let me offer a counterpoint...doesn’t Ruff deserve credit for the improved play of Hajek, DeAngelo and Lindgren? How about the steadiness of Fox?

I’ve never greed that he is the problem. The coach sets the overall system. Ruff develops the defensemen. So far this year, he deserves a lot of credit.

Not sure I agree. If you look at the data, literally every team he's ever coached has been awful defensively. He may develop them, but not in a good way.

It's not a coincidence defensmen leave him and get better.

I think it's too soon to claim the young defensemen on this team are doing well because of him. They haven't been playing long enough for me to make that decision

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

That's right. The wins feel good, but at the end of the day, this is still a very poorly structured team. The Rangers had their success due to depth, and being able to hold onto leads.

The Torts era, and the early AV era had a mix of both before it all came collapsing down. Vegas, NYI, WSH, PIT, BOS, STL, those teams have success because they are control the pace of the game, and don't give up a lot of high quality chances. That's what the Rangers need to emulate.

The team is just starting to emerge out of a rebuild and we're complaining about lack of depth. Classic.

 

[bl02]

Winnipeg for Ehlers. We add a prospect or Strome or something but they need D and Ehlers changes our look up front dramatically.

Ehlers is one of my favorite players to watch. I would personally drive our guys up to Winnipeg for Ehlers. No way Winnipeg would trade him unless I'm missing something

 

[RGY]

The team is just starting to emerge out of a rebuild and we're complaining about lack of depth. Classic.

Are people forgetting that the season is a marathon, not a sprint, and we are running this marathon with a very young team. Rookies, Sophomores, and “3rd year” players that could even still be considered sophomores.

The team is still growing and molding into what it will be come February. Things can and likely will change. With each game Lindgren, Hajek, Fox gain that much more experience. Trouba becomes even more comfortable with his new city, new teammates, etc. DeAngelo continues to produces and shows signs of why he was drafted where he was.

I still think Ruff should be fired, but the experience these young kids are getting will pay dividends over the course of the season.

You can see glimpses last night of Kakko starting to come from behind the net and off the boards towards the center of the ice to get a shot off. Drew a penalty in one instance. He is getting more of a feel for this league. Developing his instincts for this league.

Patience.

 

[EpicDing]

It is a good thing we gave Skjei the long term deal though that way if he broke out we wouldn't be paying him 8M+

It's funny, the one time the team makes that gamble it doesn't work out. It was 100% the right move at the time though.