Speculation: Roster Building thread: Part XIX (Thanks, Sam)

[GAGLine]

K Miller needs to go. You just can’t have a top 4 Dman as soft as he is.

And who are you replacing him with?

 

[pld459666]

JT takes control of every huddle. The other players are either afraid of him or he is saying the right things. They always defer to him and Miller has been here for two seconds.

that's because we have a bunch of Beta boys

 

[Roo Returns]

that's because we have a bunch of Beta boys

It's been a problem with the Rangers for their last two contending iterations. The AV team was too peace and love, and this team are all good guys.

Torts had a tough team from his second to fifth year, just not enough skill.

The looney tunes Gorton brought in post Letter are out of the organization or hanging by a thread like D'Angelo.

 

[Roo Returns]

K Miller needs to go. You just can’t have a top 4 Dman as soft as he is.

I still think there's untapped potential there. He needs a summer of intense training and to just keep getting older. He's a reflective guy. He's a lot like Fox in that he's very comfortable (serious g/f he's always taking pictures with on IG).

He needs to probably change it up and not rely on The Beauty League (I refuse to spell it that corny ass way) as a main source of training. He needs to someone to tell him "bro, you're bigger and stronger than all these guys not named Wilson...use it".

 

[Roo Returns]

Exactly the Rangers destiny is not in their own hands now. Montreal is the favorite to pick up the final WC spot.
Check out moneypuck playoff odds:

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The Rangers have this Cali swing and then games with the Wild, Devils, Lightning, Flyers, and Islanders.

If they're serious about the playoffs then they Hulk Up and handle this. They have the talent to beat all these teams with the exception of the Kings who they do owe some payback to. They go 7-1 or 6-1-1 then start having some faith.

 

[kovazub94]

I don't think Soucy has anything to do with Miller. We needed another LD, and he fills a short-term role.

Miller will get re-signed. We don't really have another option.

Soucy got another year. If plans is still to get 1LD partner for Fox then Soucy becomes an expensive option for 3LD especially with the Rangers contract situation for next year. Something’s got to give, no? Is it Miller, is it Schneider? Puzzling.

 

[archanfelnsx]

I tend to agree but maybe there’s still some potential he figures it out with us. But I think you’re probably right. A trade might be the wake up call he needs. Feel the same about Lafreniere.

Lafreniere and Schneider in a deal to BUF for Peterka and Bernard-Docker.

K'Andre Miller in a deal to ANA for Mason McTavish.

Kreider to BOS for a 2nd Round Pick.

Sign Sam Bennett ($8.5M AAV), Ivan Provorov ($6.5M AAV), Aaron Ekblad ($5.5M AAV) and Yanni Gourde ($4M AAV). Trading Laf, Schneider, K. Miller, and Kreider would free up around $22M - $23M in potential cap space; plenty to sign these UFA's.

Bennett - Miller - Zibanejad
Panarin - Trocheck - Peterka
Gourde - McTavish - Othmann
Edstrom - Carrick - Rempe

Provorov - Fox
Soucy - Borgen
Bernard-Docker/Vaakanainen - Ekblad

Shesterkin
Quick

As far as head coaches go, if Pittsburgh fires Mike Sullivan, he should be the next head coach of the Rangers. If not; go after an AHL head coach who has had recent success.

 

[pld459666]

No point in burning a year of his ELC.

Get him in. Burn the year.

 

[pld459666]

I think the first thing the organization has to do is sort out the situations with the vets. Mika seems to have righted himself. I like him as RW. Match him with two high motor guys and that’s a good line.
Panarin, likewise. Pair him with two effort guys to make space for him.
Kreider is more complicated. Is he willing to be a bottom six 12 min/ game player? That could work. Everyone has to commit to that though. If not he has to go.
Lafreniere and K. Miller are also at crossroads. Lafreniere clearly is a mess. He doesn’t have an identity. He’s floating around without a plan. Rangers should fish or cut bait with him.
K. Miller is talented but like Lafreniere he’s rudderless. He needs to figure it out or go.

Mika, CK and Panarin ALL HAVE TO GO.

Until that happens, we will continue to play a style of game that cannot win.

we have allowed these guys 5 years to compete for a cup. They have failed and are getting older. The only thing that will happen is that these guys are going to continue to decline. Father Time will remain undefeated

 

[pld459666]

Lafreniere and Schneider in a deal to BUF for Peterka and Bernard-Docker.

K'Andre Miller in a deal to ANA for Mason McTavish.

Kreider to BOS for a 2nd Round Pick.

Sign Sam Bennett ($8.5M AAV), Ivan Provorov ($6.5M AAV), Aaron Ekblad ($5.5M AAV) and Yanni Gourde ($4M AAV). Trading Laf, Schneider, K. Miller, and Kreider would free up around $22M - $23M in potential cap space; plenty to sign these UFA's.

Bennett - Miller - Zibanejad
Panarin - Trocheck - Peterka
Gourde - McTavish - Othmann
Edstrom - Carrick - Rempe

Provorov - Fox
Soucy - Borgen
Bernard-Docker/Vaakanainen - Ekblad

Shesterkin
Quick

As far as head coaches go, if Pittsburgh fires Mike Sullivan, he should be the next head coach of the Rangers. If not; go after an AHL head coach who has had recent success.

Where did Will the Thrill go?

 

[The Crypto Guy]

48 hours after the lotto/order is determined.

Those two dates are extremely far apart. It had to be the order, not lotto,

 

[bernmeister]

I’m really not that concerned with Brodzinski being one of the 13 forwards on the roster. He plays any forward position. He is actually a decent center with good face off numbers. He likes to shoot the puck. He skates well.

Whether he plays or not, whatever. But in terms of him as a player, he’s a NHLer for sure.

help me to understand you
you got a legit guy actually playing well
but for whatev reason he is being suppressed down in the lineup
his play suggests he deserves more not less time
but you are indifferent to him being here. playing etc. ?

to quote vinny barbarino: "I'm so confused."

Get him in. Burn the year.

again, instant gratification needs to be avoided 99 out of 100

 

[Savant]

again, instant gratification needs to be avoided 99 out of 100

I mean, if Gabe asks you to burn the year, you burn the the year. The NCAA guys have the leverage here because they can run their clock out. If he pisses off the FO and they have to trade him, so be it; but you cannot mess around with his rights

 

[80shockeywasbuns]

Brodzinski has a 2.31 point/60, highest on the team behind Panarin. 2nd year in a row he’s top 5 while playing mainly with shitters

 

[bernmeister]

I mean, if Gabe asks you to burn the year, you burn the the year. The NCAA guys have the leverage here because they can run their clock out. If he pisses off the FO and they have to trade him, so be it; but you cannot mess around with his rights

yes and no

I get never say never = inflexible absolute w/its own set of probs

but if you earn a rep of being a doormat and saying yes too often to too many, you can expect every guy we draft will want to go there

don't need to be unduly hard assed but gotta draw a line...

 

[Savant]

yes and no

I get never say never = inflexible absolute w/its own set of probs

but if you earn a rep of being a doormat and saying yes too often to too many, you can expect every guy we draft will want to go there

don't need to be unduly hard assed but gotta draw a line...

Rangers also are not exactly going to be drawing the line from a position of strength though. Also I think especially since the Gauthier incident the cat is out of the bag on this. Players are going to want the ELC burned and its going to be hard to hold it against them. These scenarios are not going away, and its going to be a hazard in drafting these guys. Don't think its about being a doormat; just think the market has changed and now they have to re-adjust

 

[Kendo]

Soucy got another year. If plans is still to get 1LD partner for Fox then Soucy becomes an expensive option for 3LD especially with the Rangers contract situation for next year. Something’s got to give, no? Is it Miller, is it Schneider? Puzzling.

$3.25M expiring is not "expensive." Miller/Soos/Jones/Vaaks on the left side is pretty okay. Fox/Borg/Schneids is better than okay.

If the plan is to find a partner for Fox, then that's a next deadline or following off-season plan, imo.

 

[Kendo]

Lafreniere and Schneider in a deal to BUF for Peterka and Bernard-Docker.

K'Andre Miller in a deal to ANA for Mason McTavish.

Kreider to BOS for a 2nd Round Pick.

Sign Sam Bennett ($8.5M AAV), Ivan Provorov ($6.5M AAV), Aaron Ekblad ($5.5M AAV) and Yanni Gourde ($4M AAV). Trading Laf, Schneider, K. Miller, and Kreider would free up around $22M - $23M in potential cap space; plenty to sign these UFA's.

Bennett - Miller - Zibanejad
Panarin - Trocheck - Peterka
Gourde - McTavish - Othmann
Edstrom - Carrick - Rempe

Provorov - Fox
Soucy - Borgen
Bernard-Docker/Vaakanainen - Ekblad

Shesterkin
Quick

As far as head coaches go, if Pittsburgh fires Mike Sullivan, he should be the next head coach of the Rangers. If not; go after an AHL head coach who has had recent success.

I love JJ, but that trade value is atrocious. Want to just give them Cuylle too?

Bennett's one hell of a player, but his next contract is gonna be UGLY. He has never broken 50pts, and you want to give him Mika's contract??? Provo will be overpaid too, and he's kind of a dick (and not in the Tkachuck or Marchand way). There's just so much wrong with this. But if it's your video game roster, then go ahead and have fun! =P

 

[pld459666]

help me to understand you
you got a legit guy actually playing well
but for whatev reason he is being suppressed down in the lineup
his play suggests he deserves more not less time
but you are indifferent to him being here. playing etc. ?

to quote vinny barbarino: "I'm so confused."



again, instant gratification needs to be avoided 99 out of 100

Run the risk that he decides not to sign.

Not worth the risk

Burn the year, bring him in as soon as you are able

 

[RangerBoy]

The Rangers need so many elements. They really need a solid third line defensive minded center. Someone who can contribute offensively but someone who is a dawg. A mean nasty piece of business.



Jason Dickinson has always been a good defensive player.



He plays a hard game.









The Rangers have always been the kid getting bullied at the bus stop by the older kids.

A third line center has always been an issue. Filip Chytil could not stay healthy. Nick Bonino. Jonny Brodzynski. Alex Wenneberg. Chytil gets traded and Peter Laviolette refuses to play Mika Zibanejad at center. He is always alternating between JT Miller and Zibanjead. Maybe he goes with Miller, Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck at center in a game.

 

[GAGLine]

Soucy got another year. If plans is still to get 1LD partner for Fox then Soucy becomes an expensive option for 3LD especially with the Rangers contract situation for next year. Something’s got to give, no? Is it Miller, is it Schneider? Puzzling.

If Soucy isn't that good, and is an expensive option for 3LD, why the hell would we trade away one of Miller or Schneider to accommodate him for 1 year?

No, nothing has to give. It's entirely possible that we go into next year with the same defense. Tell me what 1LD we are acquiring and how we are acquiring him. In the unlikely event that we can trade for one, Soucy could be going the other way to help balance the cap.

Bringing in Soucy doesn't make anyone else expendable.

 

[RangerBoy]

Brennan Othmann’s long-awaited look with Rangers’ top six came with instant dividends

Upon the Blueshirts’ request for a second — or third? — look, however, the point officially was returned to Othmann.

nypost.com

Peter Laviolette had mixed up the forward lines after what the Rangers head coach described as a “dead” first period, which pushed Othmann into a rare appearance alongside players who skate on the first and second lines.

The Toronto native played some of his best hockey since making his NHL debut on Jan. 4, 2024 on Saturday, when he logged 4:19 of five-on-five ice time next to Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck, per Natural Stat Trick.

“It was great. You don’t know when that opportunity is going to come, so you want to do well,” said Othmann, who landed five hits in the win. “I think our first shift in the second period — playing with those guys is definitely different. You kind of want to read off them a little more. So the first shift was a bit rocky, then we got into penalties back and forth, so you kind of don’t get into a rhythm with them until the back half of the second period.

Othmann plays with a hard edge. He finishes every check. He isn't afraid to chirp. Othmann reminds me of Jake Neighbours of the Blues. Neighbours is always finishing his checks. He is a very good player for the Blues. JT Miller plays with a hard edge. Will Cuylle. The Rangers need more of these players. I remember when the Rangers played in Edmonton in November 2023. Dave Maloney was on Jason Gregor's Edmonton radio show. Maloney said the Rangers need more hard and physical players in their top six. Drury re-acquired Miller. Cuylle should become that top six winger. He has played well on the right side in the last few weeks. He can both sides. He gives the Rangers options. Othmann was a better junior player than Cuylle. Their AHL numbers were the same. He has played RW too. Othmann starts out on the third line next season like Cuylle did at the start of his NHL career. Lafreniere is an enigma. He is another guy who can play with hard edge and chirp the opposition. He has more to give and the Rangers should give him more meaningful minutes on PP1. Unless the Rangers get some crazy offer for Lafreniere, they should keep him and play him more on the PP. Perhaps move him back to LW. Gabe Perreault will most likely turn pro in the next few weeks. He may need some AHL seasoning. It won't be much. Cole Caufield is a small player and played six AHL games after barely any hockey during the Covid season. Gabe needs to play in the top 6 to be an effective player. He will be factor at some point next season assuming he turns pro this spring.

The Rangers need to determine what they do with Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad. Kreider needed to go before March 7. Panarin is entering the last season of his seven year deal next season. Drury needs to be decisive and not let it linger. He shouldn't bring him back. Trade him. Drury is finishing his fourth season as GM and it is time to put his imprint on the team. Mika is a big question mark.

 

[Takeahnase]

The Rangers have always been the kid getting bullied at the bus stop by the older kids.

A third line center has always been an issue. Filip Chytil could not stay healthy. Nick Bonino. Jonny Brodzynski. Alex Wenneberg. Chytil gets traded and Peter Laviolette refuses to play Mika Zibanejad at center. He is always alternating between JT Miller and Zibanjead. Maybe he goes with Miller, Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck at center in a game.

No thanks on Dickinson, I already have a thousand yard stare from the Tanner Glass era.

Someone above just posted that Brodzinski is ranked 2nd in p/60. We suck for a variety of reasons this year but when your 2nd best skill guy apparently is Johnny Brodzinski you have a problem.

 

[bernmeister]

Rangers also are not exactly going to be drawing the line from a position of strength though. Also I think especially since the Gauthier incident the cat is out of the bag on this. Players are going to want the ELC burned and its going to be hard to hold it against them. These scenarios are not going away, and its going to be a hazard in drafting these guys. Don't think its about being a doormat; just think the market has changed and now they have to re-adjust

fair enuf, will consider on indiv case by case basis
not thrilled tho about lack of pushback

 

[bernmeister]

Run the risk that he decides not to sign.

Not worth the risk

Burn the year, bring him in as soon as you are able

thanks, now what about what I said relative to Brodz?

No thanks on Dickinson, I already have a thousand yard stare from the Tanner Glass era.

Someone above just posted that Brodzinski is ranked 2nd in p/60. We suck for a variety of reasons this year but when your 2nd best skill guy apparently is Johnny Brodzinski you have a problem.

yes as to this being an indictment of others but NO, Brodz is apparently GOOD