Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part XLIX

[SA16]

Just trade for Bozak to be a fill in at 2C.

 

[pld459666]

I cannot see the coaching staff disrupting the chemistry that Kreider has with Zbad and placing the kid there. Same goes for Buch. I think that Kreider and Buch (provided that he is not traded) stay with ZBad.

Otoh, I can see Kakko playing with Strome and Panarin. That is no matter what happens with Fast.

I still feel that there is another move that will be made. I can also see an all Kid third line.

I posited a few days ago

AL - FC - KK third line.

I'd love that

 

[True Blue]

Kreider has also shown very good chemistry with Chytil. Moving him next to Chytil would allow Quinn to balance all three lines by putting a veteran with a younger player - Zibanejad and Lafreniere (which seems like a perfect fit), Kreider and Chytil, and Panarin and Kakko.

A legit point but 1) I tend to think that next year, at least to start, they will go with the lines that they were riding down the stretch to ensure max production. They really were deploying two top lines. 2) Unless he completely knocks the doors down in camp, I have a hard time picturing Quinn putting a teenager to one of the top lines to start the year.

As the year progresses, that may well change. But I cannot see handing out of spots.

 

[Trxjw]

Kreider has also shown very good chemistry with Chytil. Moving him next to Chytil would allow Quinn to balance all three lines by putting a veteran with a younger player - Zibanejad and Lafreniere (which seems like a perfect fit), Kreider and Chytil, and Panarin and Kakko.

This is how I see it shaping up as well. The really nice thing is it mitigates the need to find really impactful players filling in the other spots on those lines:

With Zib/Laf you just need a north-south player with decent hands to create space and get greasy goals. The Rangers have that guy developing already with Gauthier, who is skilled in his own right. Fast can play that role for now.

You need a competent center between Panarin and Kakko who can be defensively responsible and not drag them down in the offensive zone or in transition. Strome is fine as a stop gap but we could find someone who brings more defensively. I think Howden and Barron are longer shots to be that guy, but it's not completely impossible either.

Lastly, Kreider and Chytil would benefit from a guy who can create from the wing and bring more skill to the line. Surprise, surprise, we already have that guy in Buchnevich and also have Kravtsov who could actually be an upgrade over Buch if he hits. If he doesn't he's at least a less expensive option that can replace that production.

 

[True Blue]

I actually don't think Mika and kreider had great chemistry. I think Mika and buch had very good chemistry and buch and kreider had good chemistry, buch as much as people underestimate him was likely the piece that made that line click.

That certainly is one theory. Could be that Kreider had great chemistry with both.

 

[True Blue]

I like KZB a lot no doubt but KCB also showed a lot of promise and had great numbers together. You never know how Zib could do with such an amazing disher like Laf who is LH. And I do t think if Fast returns, that the Rangers should take him off Panarin’s line. I’m not sure why everyone is so fixated on doing that. Kakko wasn’t ever productive as Panarin’s RW this season either and Fast brings a different element that meshes with Panarin.

Fast is not really a top line player. I know what happened there last year, but he makes for an excellent third liner.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Domi is a guy you acquire just for the name

Want no part of him or that next contract

 

[NYR Viper]

Just trade for Bozak to be a fill in at 2C.

I'd be totally fine with a Bozak or Stastny in the 2/3C role, slowly giving Chytil more minutes but perhaps more offensive situations and then re-evaluating next year. Hopefully they can nab a center with the Carolina pick in the 1st round this year and Howden and Chytil take a step forward.

In saying that, I do like the idea of Domi but he would be more of a Howden replacement to me where I would probably send Howden to the Habs plus other asset(s) and play Chytil/Domi as 2/3C and go find a Johan Larsson or someone like that for the 4th line. Someone who can play 10-12 minutes of heavy defensive match-ups while Domi and Chytil develop that side of their game.

 

[True Blue]

I posited a few days ago

AL - FC - KK third line.

I'd love that

Fast becomes the first domino. If not back (gut says no, but who knows?) it may be Kakko that gets a promotion and then Gauthier gets a shot at 3rd line duties.

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

Fast is not really a top line player. I know what happened there last year, but he makes for an excellent third liner.

It doesn’t really matter. What top line players did Sidney Crosby ever play with? Pascal Dupuis? He wasn’t a top line player. Neither was Chris Kunitz, realistically.

That’s my issue tbh. There’s this fixation on “top line” or “better player” being paired with Panarin when it’s just not necessary. Panarin technically isn’t even on the top line. The Rangers will have plenty of offense with all of the talent in their lineup, why would they want to break up a line that was one of the elite lines in the NHL this past season?

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

An all kid 3rd line carries much more risk than spreading the kids out with the vets.

Personally, the most/best balanced lineup we can run with what we have is something similar to this

AL-Zib-Gauthier
Panarin-Strome-Kakko
Kreider-Chytil-Buchnevich
Lemieux-Howden-Gettinger

Who knows, maybe an all kid 3rd line rips up the league, but I don't think shoehorning Kreider next to Zibanejad is smart, especially since he chytil and buch killed it last year (small sample size, but the same people who are against breaking up this line are the same people who were against putting it together in the first place because they hadn't proven it, what ever that means.)

 

[SA16]

I'd be totally fine with a Bozak or Stastny in the 2/3C role, slowly giving Chytil more minutes but perhaps more offensive situations and then re-evaluating next year. Hopefully they can nab a center with the Carolina pick in the 1st round this year and Howden and Chytil take a step forward.

In saying that, I do like the idea of Domi but he would be more of a Howden replacement to me where I would probably send Howden to the Habs plus other asset(s) and play Chytil/Domi as 2/3C and go find a Johan Larsson or someone like that for the 4th line. Someone who can play 10-12 minutes of heavy defensive match-ups while Domi and Chytil develop that side of their game.

Much harder to fit Stastny as he makes an additional 1.5M and is on a team with no relevant FA whereas Bozak makes 5M on a team that needs to clear space if they want to extend Pietrangelo.

 

[Trxjw]

He's signed for a bit longer than I would like but I'll say that Tyler Johnson does interest me as a potential Strome replacement. Similarly skilled and versatile, quicker, and is a considerably better defensive player that can also kill penalties.

 

[duhmetreE]

An all kid 3rd line carries much more risk than spreading the kids out with the vets.

Personally, the most/best balanced lineup we can run with what we have is something similar to this

AL-Zib-Gauthier
Panarin-Strome-Kakko
Kreider-Chytil-Buchnevich
Lemieux-Howden-Gettinger

Who knows, maybe an all kid 3rd line rips up the league, but I don't think shoehorning Kreider next to Zibanejad is smart, especially since he chytil and buch killed it last year (small sample size, but the same people who are against breaking up this line are the same people who were against putting it together in the first place because they hadn't proven it, what ever that means.)

If Chytil is staying at Center, Strome needs to be replaced with a Cirelli, Lindholm, Bonino, Bozak etc.. IMO. I'd also keep Fast. Buch used in trade for 2c.

Lafry - Zibs - Gauthier
Panarin - CLBBe - Kakko
Kreider - Chytil - Kravtsov
Lemieux - Howden - Fast

I'm down with that.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

He's signed for a bit longer than I would like but I'll say that Tyler Johnson does interest me as a potential Strome replacement. Similarly skilled and versatile, quicker, and is a considerably better defensive player that can also kill penalties.

I really worry about the durability moving forward.

He's signed for way too long.

 

[True Blue]

It doesn’t really matter. What top line players did Sidney Crosby ever play with? Pascal Dupuis? He wasn’t a top line player. Neither was Chris Kunitz, realistically.

That’s my issue tbh. There’s this fixation on “top line” or “better player” being paired with Panarin when it’s just not necessary. Panarin technically isn’t even on the top line. The Rangers will have plenty of offense with all of the talent in their lineup, why would they want to break up a line that was one of the elite lines in the NHL this past season?

There is a world of difference between Dupuis and Kunitz and Fast. That is why Strome put up the numbers that he did with Panarin and Fast did not.

 

[Avery16]

I have.

You should get vetted.

 

[duhmetreE]

He's signed for a bit longer than I would like but I'll say that Tyler Johnson does interest me as a potential Strome replacement. Similarly skilled and versatile, quicker, and is a considerably better defensive player that can also kill penalties.

I'd prefer Gourde. Another Honey Badger

 

[SA16]

It doesn’t really matter. What top line players did Sidney Crosby ever play with? Pascal Dupuis? He wasn’t a top line player. Neither was Chris Kunitz, realistically.

That’s my issue tbh. There’s this fixation on “top line” or “better player” being paired with Panarin when it’s just not necessary. Panarin technically isn’t even on the top line. The Rangers will have plenty of offense with all of the talent in their lineup, why would they want to break up a line that was one of the elite lines in the NHL this past season?

To be more clear the following players played in their teams top six just last game:

PHI: Michael Raffl/Joel Farabee
WSH: Lars Eller (due to Backstrom injury)
CHI: Drake Caggiula/Kirby Dach
DAL: Mattias Janmark
CGY: Tobias Rieder (due to Tkachuk injury)
CBJ: Alex Texier
CAR: Jordan Martinook (Svechnikov injury)
BOS: Anders Bjork/Charlie Coyle (Pastrnak injury)
VAN: Jake Virtanen
STL: Oscar Sundqvist

Teams playing random guys in the top 6 is very common.

 

[pld459666]

You should get vetted.

Sounds like it might tickle

 

[Avery16]

It doesn’t really matter. What top line players did Sidney Crosby ever play with? Pascal Dupuis? He wasn’t a top line player. Neither was Chris Kunitz, realistically.

That’s my issue tbh. There’s this fixation on “top line” or “better player” being paired with Panarin when it’s just not necessary. Panarin technically isn’t even on the top line. The Rangers will have plenty of offense with all of the talent in their lineup, why would they want to break up a line that was one of the elite lines in the NHL this past season?

Clearly Dupuis had chemistry with Sid that allowed Sid to find a new gear. If Pittsburgh wanted to win, they should have paid Dupuis like the top-line winger he appeared to be on Sid's line. Huge mistake.

 

[duhmetreE]

It doesn’t really matter. What top line players did Sidney Crosby ever play with? Pascal Dupuis? He wasn’t a top line player. Neither was Chris Kunitz, realistically.

That’s my issue tbh. There’s this fixation on “top line” or “better player” being paired with Panarin when it’s just not necessary. Panarin technically isn’t even on the top line. The Rangers will have plenty of offense with all of the talent in their lineup, why would they want to break up a line that was one of the elite lines in the NHL this past season?

So if Panarin keeps setting up a Potato with no thumbs, it doesn't matter?

Fast is a great player for what he does. PK, forecheck, board play etc. Putting him with the best player we've had in decades is a disastrously bad scenario.. If Kunitz was on that line he'd have 25-30 goals.

Playing on a line with Panarin nearly the whole season and having only 10 goals is not good. and it does matter.

 

[effen]

I really worry about the durability moving forward.

He's signed for way too long.

Dude partys too, for whatever that's worth. I think he'll wear down due to frame as he gets caught more as his quickness fades. Don't want either.

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

There is a world of difference between Dupuis and Kunitz and Fast. That is why Strome put up the numbers that he did with Panarin and Fast did not.

Fast also doesn’t play any PP. Again, the fixation on points. Ever figure his primary role on that line isn’t to score because we already have the best ES offensive player in the world on his opposite wing?

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

To be more clear the following players played in their teams top six just last game:

PHI: Michael Raffl/Joel Farabee
WSH: Lars Eller (due to Backstrom injury)
CHI: Drake Caggiula/Kirby Dach
DAL: Mattias Janmark
CGY: Tobias Rieder (due to Tkachuk injury)
CBJ: Alex Texier
CAR: Jordan Martinook (Svechnikov injury)
BOS: Anders Bjork/Charlie Coyle (Pastrnak injury)
VAN: Jake Virtanen
STL: Oscar Sundqvist

Teams playing random guys in the top 6 is very common.

And Fast is a good player. People are acting like he’s not good.