Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part XLV

[Off Sides]

Let's not forget how happy the Rangers were when they were able to get Adam McQuaid. Perhaps they'd like another serving of meat and potatoes.

 

[DutchShamrock]

I can't believe Larry gets paid to write what he does. Larry I hope you're reading this.

Larry's job isn't to spout the consensus opinion. Consensus decisions and slam dunk options are poison for newspapers. He has to generate some suspense and debate to sell papers and clicks.

And all that aside, he said the rangers should consider Byfield during discussions. It's not a big deal.

 

[EdJovanovski]

1 year deal for Strome is a no brainer

 

[Edge]

I think Larry is partially right, though I think his wording and logic is flawed.

The Rangers are probably looking for balance --- which includes adding some north-south type players, balancing out the lines a bit, and continuing to add to the mix.

Byfield is not a kid who is going to up the Rangers grit factor. His size is a weapon because when paired with his skating, hands, vision, etc., it makes him very difficult to contain. He does also tend to play more of a straight-ahead style, and happens to play a position the Rangers could really shore up. So in that sense, he checks a lot of boxes and is probably a more natural "fit" for the roster as its shaping up.

Having said, this isn't a top pick debate scenario like other drafts, there's a clear consensus on the top pick and you really don't pass on that guy, even for any of the reasons I stated above, without some kind of bigger strategic plan.

Now, that plan could be having someone like Ottawa make a bold offer. I suspect they will approach whoever lands the top pick and make an offer, unless the top pick goes to one of either Toronto or Montreal.

So Larry has some of the pieces, but he doesn't really have them in the right order.

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

I think Larry is partially right, though I think his wording and logic is flawed.

The Rangers are probably looking for balance --- which includes adding some north-south type players, balancing out the lines a bit, and continuing to add to the mix.

Byfield is not a kid who is going to up the Rangers grit factor. His size is a weapon because when paired with his skating, hands, vision, etc., it makes him very difficult to contain. He does also tend to play more of a straight-ahead style, and happens to play a position the Rangers could really shore up. So in that sense, he checks a lot of boxes and is probably a more natural "fit" for the roster as its shaping up.

Having said, this isn't a top scenario like other drafts, there's a clear consensus on the top pick and you really don't pass on that guy, even for any of the reasons I stated above, without some kind of bigger strategic plan.

Now, that plan could be having someone like Ottawa make a bold offer. I suspect they will approach whoever lands the top pick and make an offer, unless the top pick goes to one of either Toronto or Montreal.

So Larry hsa some of the pieces, but he doesn't really have them in the right order.

Is Lafreniere that much better than Byfield that if they win the pick they should pass up a much bigger organizational need than another LW?

 

[Avery16]

I think Larry is partially right, though I think his wording and logic is flawed. So Larry has some of the pieces, but he doesn't really have them in the right order.

Sounds like most of his articles these days.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Honestly with a little patience we can fix everything in house. We have two draft picks this year, I'd hope to get one or two centers out of that hoping that 1 those or one of Chytil, Barron, Hendrickson becomes a 2c. Our LD has Lindgren, Miller, Robertson and Jones for the future. Our Rw depth has Buch, Kakko, Kravtsov, Fast, Barron(if they use him here instead of center) and Gauthier. We have stuff in place, it's just not cooked yet.

 

[Edge]

Is Lafreniere that much better than Byfield that if they win the pick they should pass up a much bigger organizational need than another LW?

I think the consensus is Lafreniere is the better player, and has the better odds of being the better player.

Byfield, isn't quite on his level right now, and has lower odds of being the better player, but if he hits on those odds, it's an incredibly dangerous combination.

The Rangers have typically when one of Bob's go-to survey teams. The fact that 10 out of 10 teams had Lafreniere number one, tells me the Rangers wouldn't pass on him for Byfield. I could be wrong, but I just don't see them passing on Lafreniere without getting a major sweetner to off-set the risk.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Here's an interesting thought if we managed to get Lafrenierre. Bear with me and think about it for a second because it seems silly but just think about it.
What if Kreider who takes draws for us sometimes anyway, moves to center? I feel crazy suggesting this but with Kreiders size and speed and the fact he is pretty decent on faceoffs anyway it might be worth exploring. I know his bread and butter is streaking up the wing but he has the frame and speed we are looking for in a center and he is signed long term so him chasing points for a contract isnt a concern.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Lafrenierre is the exact type of player we needed this week.

 

[Avery16]

Here's an interesting thought if we managed to get Lafrenierre. Bear with me and think about it for a second because it seems silly but just think about it.
What if Kreider who takes draws for us sometimes anyway, moves to center? I feel crazy suggesting this but with Kreiders size and speed and the fact he is pretty decent on faceoffs anyway it might be worth exploring. I know his bread and butter is streaking up the wing but he has the frame and speed we are looking for in a center and he is signed long term so him chasing points for a contract isnt a concern.

When he came in long ago, I had hoped he could convert to C for the very reasons you cite here. However, given our almost constant need for at least one if not two elite top-six Cs since then, I have to imagine that if there was any hope for such a conversion it would have been tried long ago.

 

[bleedblue94]

Good question.

Based on this team's faceoff issues I have to believe a legit fo guy has to be a priority for that spot if strome is moved out.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Let's not forget how happy the Rangers were when they were able to get Adam McQuaid. Perhaps they'd like another serving of meat and potatoes.

Meat and potatoes kinda guys you sign in free agency. You don't reach for them with a 1st overall pick like grandpa suggests in the NYP

 

[cheech70]

Barkov is way more realistic of an option and would cost less in terms of assets and salary. He'd be my target if Hank retires and the cap space opens up.

DeAngelo, Kravtsov, Carolina 1st is a great place to start for an extended Barkov.

I'd love Barkov...why would the Panthers trade him?

 

[bobbop]

Skjei I believe was more of a salary cap move than they actually wanted to trade him.

I think it was both. The contract is bad and he played his way off of the future core. If he had stayed here, he would be next in line for the Stall/Smith/Glass scapegoat of the day award.

 

[bleedblue94]

I'd love Barkov...why would the Panthers trade him?

upcoming ufa after next year that the team will probably not resign since all indications are they are chopping salary after this year.

 

[bl02]

Sure if the Kings or Sens want the number one let them pay through the nose. They both have some very nice assets especially the Sens with 3, 5 and plethora of other picks.

 

[bl02]

upcoming ufa after next year that the team will probably not resign since all indications are they are chopping salary after this year.

Yeah heard that Hoffman and Dadonov are sure goners if the rumors of them wanting to save money is true.

 

[Off Sides]

Meat and potatoes kinda guys you sign in free agency. You don't reach for them with a 1st overall pick like grandpa suggests in the NYP

Larger picture, the front office led by president John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton will add some muscle and grit to the organization. Teams can live the high life off flash-and-dash during the regular season, but teams thrive on larger helpings of meat and potatoes in the postseason.

The Rangers do not have enough fiber. Not enough sandpaper. This confirmed it.

That, plus a looming top-six opening in the middle over the next couple of years, is why the Rangers might at least consider Sudbury’s Quinton Byfield rather than Rimouski’s Alexis Lafreniere if they win the lottery.

I was referencing to the first paragraph. Where it states meat and potatoes.

 

[Edge]

Byfield is as much a meat and potatoes guy as Panarin is a power forward.

It's just Larry being lazy and seeing a 6'4, 220 pound center and assuming he plays like a throwback from 2000.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I'd love Barkov...why would the Panthers trade him?

UFA in 2022. Get value while they can. At least, that's the thought process here

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Byfield is as much a meat and potatoes guy as Panarin is a power forward.

It's just Larry being lazy and seeing a 6'4, 220 pound center and assuming he plays like a throwback from 2000.

Lafrenierre is more physical than Byfield

 

[Shesterkybomb]

I'd love Barkov...why would the Panthers trade him?

They wouldn't

 

[Edge]

Lafrenierre is more physical than Byfield

I don't think that's inaccurate.

I think the overall difference at the NHL level will be pretty negligible, but you're not wrong when talking about their play in juniors.

 

[I Eat Crow]

upcoming ufa after next year that the team will probably not resign since all indications are they are chopping salary after this year.

Exactly this. One year of playoffs his whole career besides this year's gong show can't make him too thrilled either.

 

[Off Sides]

I think it was both. The contract is bad and he played his way off of the future core. If he had stayed here, he would be next in line for the Stall/Smith/Glass scapegoat of the day award.

I do think what you stated were factors too, however I think they would have put moving Skjei off without the new Kreider contract.

Not that I am upset about them trading Skjei, just sort of seems like the team is two groups, one where they are established NHLers, another where they are not, and I have never understood how they planned to reconcile that without it using up what will likely be the prime years of the established group.