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

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

You can bring up whatever alpha/beta nonsense you want, JT Miller has absolutely exacerbated every annoying habit this team has with the puck. Not only are the guys around him not correcting it -- he's doing it.

My problem with that whole discussion on grit, leadership, etc, etc, whatever you want to call it is not that it's not valid, but that we don't conceptualize it. What does it mean? What specifically do we do wrong and how is Miller a correcting force?

I can think of quite a few ways we don't play "hard" or play "right," and he feeds right into it. One big one is just dumping the puck in if there isn't a rush chance, and giving it a token gesture one-man forecheck, because this team absolutely refuses to create offense off the cycle. The guy that dumped it is never the one to keep his feet moving and disrupt like you'll see Florida do. He rims it around and peels away, and it's the next guy's problem. Miller does that all the time.

I'm waiting for somebody to explain to me what Miller does on the puck, that's tangible, that's a change from how this team plays. All I get is "he's JT Miller, he's alpha!" Not only is that meaningless to me, but building the team like that based on vibes is not going to solve anything!

this is more of an omega type post

 

[Machinehead]

So what exactly is the solution? Should the team continue to bring in more skill players that are completely allergic to the middle of the ice and like to play catch outside the circles? Or more undersized defensemen that are consistently bullied in front of their own net? Hockey is a physical sport and teams need both physical and mental toughness in order to succeed. Now this isn't me arguing that we need 12 Tom Wilsons and 6 Chris Pronger's to win the cup, but you obviously need a blend of the two in order to be successful and have a real shot at winning.

The JT Miller deal was not ideal given his age and the contract that's attached to him. However,, Drury had very limited options in terms of what he could do and this was the only real attempt he had at shaking up the team, so I won't blame him for this. Only other option is a full tear down which they are not going to do given the the money tied up across multiple players over the next 5 years with various NMCs/NTCs attached.

I personally feel a full teardown would be the right approach since I don't believe the team is properly constructed (you start at C, build out the D, and add the rest of the pieces) but that's just not how the Rangers have operated (explains the lack of success and 1 cup in the last 70 years). When they actually tried this, they couldn't help themselves and signed Panarin and traded for Trouba less than 2 years into the rebuild.

The bolded is describing JT Miller.

Like I said, the whole discussion on physical and mental toughness falls apart when we don't think about what that is and what it actually looks like.

 

[Machinehead]

this is more of an omega type post

PSY-Framelord Omega?

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

PSY-Framelord Omega?

ur not up on ur male astrology bro

idk why the image button wont work for me on my phone im trying to put a picture here goddamnit

 

[Machinehead]

ur not up on ur male astrology bro

That's by design, Don Zaloog.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

That's by design, Don Zaloog.

 

[UnparalledPark]

This may or may not be pertinent, but I was on a site comparing the 2025 draft to the 2026 draft, and noticed that 19 of the 32 projected 1st round picks in the 2026 draft were listed as 176 lbs or under, including the consensus #1 overall. I imagine most will put on 15 lbs of muscle after a few years, but this did surprise me somewhat. The 2025 draft had 10 of 32 under that weight. Probably doesn’t matter, but Drury being a bit of a size queen may find this year to be more appealing, because of more players with desired size.

 

[MrAlmost]

Kreider himself, or whatever we get for kreider plus Schneider for Peterka. Maybe Othmann is included.

Panarin for Fiala and a 1st.

Yeah I am tempering what the returns are cause they are never as high as you think.

Sign Jokiharu.

Laf-Miller-Peterka
Cuylle-Z-Fiala
Berard-Tro-Perrault
Ed-Carrick-Rempe
Brod/Parsinnen

Miller-Fox
Jones-Borgen
Soucy/Vaak-Jokiharu

 

[GAGLine]

This may or may not be pertinent, but I was on a site comparing the 2025 draft to the 2026 draft, and noticed that 19 of the 32 projected 1st round picks in the 2026 draft were listed as 176 lbs or under, including the consensus #1 overall. I imagine most will put on 15 lbs of muscle after a few years, but this did surprise me somewhat. The 2025 draft had 10 of 32 under that weight. Probably doesn’t matter, but Drury being a bit of a size queen may find this year to be more appealing, because of more players with desired size.

It's not surprising since the 2026 kids are on average a full year younger. A better comparison will be the 2025 kids now vs the 2026 kids a year from now. Of course, it's also assuming those weights are accurate, which they might not be in every case.

 

[bernmeister]

Didn't read it. But as a 4th line option, hes solid for the cost.

that's the pt
he is more than 4th line material

 

[Takeahnase]

That's the rub, though. Who are we bringing in? The UFA market is likely to be very thin. Chychrun, Gavrikov and Provorov could all be off the market before July 1st. Trade-wise, I see some potential options.

There's Buffalo's 3 LD, obviously (Power, Byram and Samuelsson). I expect one of them will be available, but which one, and do any of them solve our problem?

Maybe we can pry one of Lindell or Harley out of Dallas. They have Bischel ready to take a spot on the left side, and their RHD options are pretty weak. They also have a number of spots to fill next year with very limited cap space.

Would Dallas do Lindell + Dumba @ 50% for Schneider? They get some cap relief and a young RHD. We get our 1LD and a replacement 3RD. Obviously, I'd rather trade for Harley, but I doubt they will have any interest in moving him. Maybe they would prefer Borgen to Schneider and we take Dumba at full price.

Montreal is also heavy on LD. Maybe Guhle could be a target, with Borgen or Schneider going the other way.

In Washington, Sandin is signed long term. If they re-sign Chychrun, will they consider moving Fehervary? Probably not. They have a ton of cap space and most of that is coming from guys who are currently on LTIR. Outside of Chychrun and maybe Eller, all of their important players are under contract, and they are going to add Ryan Leonard and potentially Cole Hutson to that mix.

Does anyone see any other possibilities?

Mintyukov seems to have had a sophomore slump of sorts and has been surpassed by Lacombe. Not sure what Ducks would want maybe Lafreniere in some sort of deal. I don’t pretend to Bern this stuff out. Mint an Upcoming RFA if I am not mistaken but then again I don’t trust any young player coming in to develop under Housley.

 

[Savant]

Miller can play with Fox.

Miller can only play with Fox if the coach puts him with Fox. This has not consistently happened. If this is intentional they probably should trade Miller instead of paying his RFA raise

 

[Savant]

That's the rub, though. Who are we bringing in? The UFA market is likely to be very thin. Chychrun, Gavrikov and Provorov could all be off the market before July 1st. Trade-wise, I see some potential options.

There's Buffalo's 3 LD, obviously (Power, Byram and Samuelsson). I expect one of them will be available, but which one, and do any of them solve our problem?

Maybe we can pry one of Lindell or Harley out of Dallas. They have Bischel ready to take a spot on the left side, and their RHD options are pretty weak. They also have a number of spots to fill next year with very limited cap space.

Would Dallas do Lindell + Dumba @ 50% for Schneider? They get some cap relief and a young RHD. We get our 1LD and a replacement 3RD. Obviously, I'd rather trade for Harley, but I doubt they will have any interest in moving him. Maybe they would prefer Borgen to Schneider and we take Dumba at full price.

Montreal is also heavy on LD. Maybe Guhle could be a target, with Borgen or Schneider going the other way.

In Washington, Sandin is signed long term. If they re-sign Chychrun, will they consider moving Fehervary? Probably not. They have a ton of cap space and most of that is coming from guys who are currently on LTIR. Outside of Chychrun and maybe Eller, all of their important players are under contract, and they are going to add Ryan Leonard and potentially Cole Hutson to that mix.

Does anyone see any other possibilities?

Again it depends on what skill set they are trying to add here. Where do they see Miller? Are they going to tolerate a smaller guy? Are Drury and Laviolette making the decision(s). All of these things matter

 

[Shesterkybomb]

They can replace K'Andre with that mythical defenseman they are always chasing. The one who is large, physical, and not a total klutz. One day they'll find him! Or they'll die trying.

Don't forget underpaid

 

[Machinehead]

Kreider himself, or whatever we get for kreider plus Schneider for Peterka. Maybe Othmann is included.

Panarin for Fiala and a 1st.

Yeah I am tempering what the returns are cause they are never as high as you think.

Sign Jokiharu.

Laf-Miller-Peterka
Cuylle-Z-Fiala
Berard-Tro-Perrault
Ed-Carrick-Rempe
Brod/Parsinnen

Miller-Fox
Jones-Borgen
Soucy/Vaak-Jokiharu

Getting Peterka for spare parts doesn't feel tempered.

 

[MrAlmost]

Getting Peterka for spare parts doesn't feel tempered.

I think we have a different opinion on Kreider(or his return), othmann and Schneider as a package. Haha

 

[haohmaru]

Schneider is a spare part now? Lol.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I’d trade for Peterka depending on the cost but using a few of the teams prime trade assets on another winger seems counterintuitive

 

[Machinehead]

Schneider is a spare part now? Lol.

Yes. 100%.

 

[Machinehead]

I’d trade for Peterka depending on the cost but using a few of the teams prime trade assets on another winger seems counterintuitive

I don't entirely disagree but we're approaching the point of every position but 1RD being a position of need.

 

[haohmaru]

Yes. 100%.

To you maybe. Not to many other NHL GM’s.

 

[Machinehead]

To you maybe. Not to many other NHL GM’s.

He's a third pairing defenseman who will be 24 this year.

That's a throw-in.

 

[NYR Viper]

This fits:

Panarin + Jones for Fiala + Clarke + LA 1st '25 + LA 2nd '26

Kreider + Parsinnen for Lindholm + 3rd '25

Lafreniere-Miller-Fiala
Cuylle-Zibanejad-Perrault
Othmann-Trochek-Berard
Edstrom-Carrick-Rempe
Brodzinski
Kaliyev

Miller-Fox
Lindholm-Borgen
Schneider-Clarke
Vaak
Soucy

Shesty
Quick

Miller - 6 years @ $4.85m per season
Cuylle - 6 years @ $3.75m per season

That's a 24 man roster (which won't work but you get the idea still with $1.118m in cap space (so really ~$2m in cap space with one player sent down or traded)

 

[Machinehead]

This fits:

Panarin + Jones for Fiala + Clarke + LA 1st '25 + LA 2nd '26

Kreider + Parsinnen for Lindholm + 3rd '25

Lafreniere-Miller-Fiala
Cuylle-Zibanejad-Perrault
Othmann-Trochek-Berard
Edstrom-Carrick-Rempe
Brodzinski
Kaliyev

Miller-Fox
Lindholm-Borgen
Schneider-Clarke
Vaak
Soucy

Shesty
Quick

Miller - 6 years @ $4.85m per season
Cuylle - 6 years @ $3.75m per season

That's a 24 man roster (which won't work but you get the idea still with $1.118m in cap space (so really ~$2m in cap space with one player sent down or traded)

I hate it less than what they have now.

They would need a lot of Perreault and they would need Zibanejad to get back to being an NHL player at center. They would also need a coach who really dictates how they need to play and gets buy-in. That's not easy to find. A lot of coaches are just there.

 

[haohmaru]

He's a third pairing defenseman who will be 24 this year.

That's a throw-in.

Nah. That’s how he’s being used by a dinosaur coach. Other teams are asking for him in packages for marquee players. And he’s still young.