Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part XLVIII

[egelband]

In 2018, we were unsure how to work Andersson, Chytil and Howden into a lineup that already included Zibanejad and Hayes.

In 2019, we traded for Trouba and Fox with ADA, Lundkvist and Keane in the system.

In 2020, we'll draft Lafreniere with Kreider and Panarin in the system.

And like the scenarios that pre-date that move, it will work itself out.

Yep. Leave it to nature. It’ll organically sort itself. And if we ever truly reach a point when there is a logjam of legit productive NHL players, I’m sure other teams will come calling to help get that sorted. But usually something happens to intervene in the meantime.

 

[egelband]

If I’m Gorton, I’m looking very hard down the road a year while I formulate this years plan and working backwards.

One year from now;
Expansion draft
Strome likely UFA (may not be a bad thing)
Lundkvist arrives
Miller arrives (if he is not here already)
Lundqvist, Staal, Smith and the bulk of Shattenkirk’s buyout off the cap.

So the way I see it...

One of the three wise men will have to retire, be bought out or be traded. The Rangers need the money to resign Fast and prop up the left defense. Once the decision is made on how to proceed in goal, the other decisions will be easier to make.

Strome gets a one year contract (likely) unless he is willing to take 2-3 years at a discounted price. If he gets a multi year contract, he could always be exposed in the expansion draft if he shits in the bed next year.

The Rangers would be wise to get a potential Strome replacement into the system. Most likely a young veteran, perhaps an 2018 or 2019 draft pick from another team. At some point they are going to need another middle six (or better) center.

If Lundkvist is indeed judged ready to step right into the lineup next year that begs the question what to do with DeAngelo. If there is value available, he could be traded this summer. He may be at the top of his value. There’s also no harm keeping him and seeing how next year plays out. If he is traded this summer, the Rangers could be in the market for a one year stop gap on the right side (Kevin Shattenkirk? Alec Martinez?) Many others available

All other decisions fall out of these plans. If Lundqvist is staying next year, Georgiev will be used to acquire a developing center or draft capital.

There are dozens of UFA defensemen available this summer. Someone who can pair with Trouba is a priority. A third pair righty could also be on the docket.

Finally, I’d like to see the Rangers find a Brian Boyle type to kill penalties, take face offs and sit in the press box when appropriate. Hey, here’s a thought...what about Brian Boyle?

Boyle might be a good choice at this point. Up until recently I thought he was overrated and overpaid and also if I remember correctly he wasn’t super magnanimous on the way out. But at this point it might just work.

 

[egelband]

I still can't see Kreider ever hitting 30 goals due to consistency, unless he's met his match in the gym this summer with K'Andre Miller and the two become the Mega Powers.

Yeah. True. I think Kreider is what he is. A good two-way forward who pops in 20-25 if he’s on a top line but can do bottom-six work if needed. And a good guy/ leader.

 

[bobbop]

You know who I was thinking might make a good defensive coach for this team? Dan Girardi.

One thing to add to the discussion...Ruff (and Murphy) were in charge of the PK. G would be a specialist in that area.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Ideally, our F holes are middle-six.

Lemieux/Howden/Gauthier are best deployed getting good minutes on the 4th line. Chytil and Kakko should still get third line minutes.

As much as I’d like to see Kravtsov, Barron and Gettinger, they aren’t ready for NHL third or fourth line minutes on the regular yet.

Assuming Kreider shifts to RW and we draft Lafreniere, we just need a 2C and a 3LW. Maybe Fast could play with Chytil/Kakko. Maybe Andersson returns and can hold 4C, pushing Howden to 3LW. Either would leave us needing only a 2C.

No one within is ready for 2C. If we push Chytil there, no one within is ready for 3C. One way or another, we need a middle-six C.

You have a lot of F holes, we better get started because this is gonna take all night

 

[Thirty One]

One thing to add to the discussion...Ruff (and Murphy) were in charge of the PK. G would be a specialist in that area.

Would like to see the replacement have a lot of NHL experience. The staff is lacking in that department with Ruff gone.

 

[rangers1314]

Would like to see the replacement have a lot of NHL experience. The staff is lacking in that department with Ruff gone.

If Dallas doesn’t retain Rick Bowness as HC, perhaps he’s an option to run the D.

 

[Thirty One]

If Dallas doesn’t retain Rick Bowness as HC, perhaps he’s an option to run the D.

I don't think that's where he normally specializes.

 

[Avery16]

You have a lot of F holes, we better get started because this is gonna take all night

You go on ahead without me.

 

[EdJovanovski]

What would you guys think of something around Lundkvist, Andersson, CAR 1st for Cirelli?

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

What would you guys think of something around Lundkvist, Andersson, CAR 1st for Cirelli?

Lets do it.

 

[Avery16]

https://nypost.com/2020/08/15/alexis-lafreniere-draws-rave-reviews-as-likely-rangers-pick/

But unless the Blueshirts are overwhelmed by a trade offer that objectively makes no sense on the other side — specifically, such as the Senators offering 20-year-old center Brady Tkachuk and the third-overall pick in exchange for the Quebecer who was born and raised approximately 100 miles from Ottawa — then this is as slam dunk of a personnel decision as it gets.

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

Follow-up to this, I am relatively sure we're trading/getting rid of in some fashion at least 1 forward, and I'm finding it hard to address some needs in a way that doesn't make the team worse.

Lets go with the canned response of Buch goes wherever for D help and we let Fast walk. I don't know how likely either of these are but just for that.

Our needs are likely (a combination of my thoughts and what I think the team considers needs):

-A top 4 LHD but unless we overpay for Dillon that isn't happening without a trade

-A middle 6 C who is good defensively and can PK (I don't see this happening without a trade we're not expecting so it won't be addressed here)

-Two bottom 6 players who can bang, PK, and defend. Or at least two of those. Options IMO that are good include Girgensons, S. Bennett, Clifford, R. Hartman (I've had a bit of a change of heart on him), M. Foligno, Johann Larsson. I also wonder sometimes if Comeau can be had from Dallas retained, esp cause they might be hit pretty hard with an internal cap. I'd also, gulp, ask about Grabner potentially.

-A good LHD but the only one I'd argue for that doesn't require a trade is Patrik Nemeth who has size and is really strong defensively. Would be a great Staal replacement.

Gettinger next year can probably bring an ES defense and PK element to the game so you can potentially cut that need down a little bit. And also like I said I think the team would probably rather give Kravtsov a spot unless he shits himself in camp, especially if someone like Buch is traded.

With all this in mind, as much as I agree on our needs I think I'd rather just roll with what we have and try to mold some of our B younger players into them. I am very adamant that our PK was not only bad but that the wrong personnel were on it (looking at you Strome). Would really like to groom Chytil and Lemieux for PK roles and Gauthier for more of a hard forechecker with size role rather than sign stopgaps. Frankly, I'd try Kreider on the PK too. I would be more open to someone like Girgensons or Larsson if it wasn't a guarantee that Howden would be getting NHL minutes and he needs some serious lessons defending at 4 v 5 (well, everything actually but that's another time).

Idk. Throw Detroit a 3rd for Nemeth and sign one of the players I listed in case Kravtsov and Gettinger have a heart attack in camp. Not crazy about any non-trade changes tbh. I'm not happy per se with how our line-up is but I think there's a lot less change needed than is being discussed.

Some LHD targets of mine consist of: Hampus Lindholm, Jamie Oleksiak, Brett Kulak, Brayden McNabb, and maybe a couple others but most of those guys are under the radar players aside from Lindholm who I think would be good targets for the Rangers. Or they could even take a stab at seeing what the Preds want for Ekholm, or maybe Murray from CBJ? TJ Brodie is a FA but might be too pricey, but I like his game a lot. Although I think a guy like Oleksiak would be perfect for the Rangers. I also like the Nemeth idea, he's solid. Could try and offersheet Sergachev as well but it would be a good bit of draft capital to give up and probably even an overpayment tbh.

Two RFA defenseman I'd even inquire on are Mackenzie Weegar and Matthew Benning. Both are RH but Weegar played LD next to Ekblad and Benning is(or at least was) very good defensively in his first couple seasons. I don't care about handedness as much as others so I'm not sure but I think the Rangers just need a solid defenseman who has good underlying numbers that they could pair with Fox. Lindgren/TDA could be a good pairing and then Trouba, not sure. There's also Dylan DeMelo who had a fantastic season(I know he only had 10 points but there's so much more context behind his impacts) but would likely cost more.

In a perfect world, the Rangers can acquire a guy like Cirelli and then find a solid LHD to place alongside Fox/TDA imo. Maybe even try TDA/Fox as a pairing or TDA/Trouba as a pairing if you can't find that LHD.

Also love the idea of Johan Larsson. Guy is good defensively and is someone I've personally been vying for them to get in FA this season. Clifford wouldn't be a bad addition either.

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

I think Howden can develop into a Staal type of player
I think Chytil can develop into a stud workhorse/matchup Center.

I dont see it happening for at the least, a couple of years. We would benefit greatly from some good stopgaps who can show them the ins and outs. ( eg. Bonino, Bozak )

Brett Howden has been the exact opposite of Jordan Staal thus far in his NHL career, when it comes to defensive impacts and puck possession game... so I'm not sure about that.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Barron can play LW and could Kravtsov ?

Also they can get to a point where they sign a UFA to fill a bottom 6 Role

If Buch can turn into a 2nd line young C well It’s easier to find a winger later

Kravtsov and Kakko can play LW. They have in the past for large chunks and I refer to what Joe Micheletti said: With these young kids, it doesn't matter if you play them at LW or RW because they are so dynamic and don't really stick to 1 side. Panarin is the same way.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Has he ever played LW?
Puljujarvi/Chytil/Kakko would be an interesting third line.

Can we please stay away from Puljujärvi? He is not going to move the needle for any team in the NHL.

 

[Ola]

Has he ever played LW?
Puljujarvi/Chytil/Kakko would be an interesting third line.

In a bit more free role on the right line, I have no doubt that Kakko could play LW (as well as Buch and Kravy too). You take a marginal part out of their game.

I think Pulju should be expected to be a RW.

 

[Ola]

Can we please stay away from Puljujärvi? He is not going to move the needle for any team in the NHL.

I am not so sure of that.

I get a bit of a Blake Wheeler vibe when I watch him in Finland. And these really big young forwards just takes time. Pulju just turned 22. He is the same size as Kevin Hayes and Wheeler and co. Both Hayes and Wheeler debuted in the NHL at the age of 22. It’s not his fault that EDM was brain dead and brought him to the NHL over 4 years ago...

I would not bet my mom on that Pulju — will — make it, even become a NHLer. But I definitely think that he has moved a long way in the right direction. And there is no reason to not expect a young kid with his size to keep developing and to grow into their body.

 

[Inferno]

quinn didn't single out 1 or 2 guys he mentioned like 2/3 of the team. and what planet do some of you live on that you don't expect the coach to pump his guys tires regardless of if he believes it or not...its been 3 days since the draft lottery and people are just dying for anything to complain about

Thank you!

 

[Black Aces]

A $6.5M/ 7yr 3rd liner.
Tell me more about how billiant JG is again..

Its important to remember how that contract is structured. Rangers can get out of it in due time if need be.
Also the reported returns for kreider were crap.

 

[Doriva]

The bridge is here. If you have two Hart caliber players you can contend. They added two of the best three prospects in the last two drafts. If Igor can do what Carter Hart did there is zero reason the Rangers can’t make a run with some veteran tweaks.

The problem isn't the lack of top end talent, it's a lack of quality depth combined with essentially carrying $20m+ in dead cap space. You can't realistically think that this team is a cup contender whilst still carrying Staal/Smith and having AHL'ers like McKegg and PDG heavily featuring in the bottom six

Lets say we make your trade for Stastny, Martinez and Krebs and come up short because we're still a young inexperienced team and then both Stastny and Martinez walk in UFA. What do you have to show for your 24 year old RHD who just paced for 60+ points ? A similar tier prospect to the one you probably could have gotten with the first round pick you threw in for two 30+ year olds, not to mention you're losing Georgie who could fetch at least a second or another young depth piece.

Have patience the window is cracked, it'll be slammed open once we get all of that cap space back and the kids get another year of growth. ADA is one of the better trade chips for a while, if he goes it has to be for someone who is going to have a long term impact and keep the window open.

 

[eco's bones]

What would you guys think of something around Lundkvist, Andersson, CAR 1st for Cirelli?

Absolutely not. If you want to move an RD for Cirelli--it's going to be DeAngelo.

 

[Ola]

What would you guys think of something around Lundkvist, Andersson, CAR 1st for Cirelli?

I am not against that if we can get fair value for Strome/Chytil.

 

[Vitto79]

Absolutely not. If you want to move an RD for Cirelli--it's going to be DeAngelo.

I agree and Tampa won’t take Tony back I’m sure

I’d just be picky and sign him unless the right deal is in place. No need to rush into a meh return

 

[RGY]

What would you guys think of something around Lundkvist, Andersson, CAR 1st for Cirelli?

No. Take out Lundkvist and replace with a lesser prospect. Andersson isn’t far off no matter how frustrated we have been with the whole situation. He can realistically be a cheap contract that jumps into a center position for them sooner rather than later. And they get low 20’s 1st that could be another quality forward with this draft class.

Adding Lundkvist is too much. He has Top 2 potential.