Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part XLVIII

[kovazub94]

This is the combo I want as well. Put Laf with the team's best shooter and let him beast out. Fast could work here on the opposite wing, but Fast could really work anywhere. Gauthier could work here as well and I think Laf would do wonders for him.

My issue with that group of forwards is that they're too homogenous. I almost feel like moving one of Buchnevich or Chytil needs to be done just to get a deeper mix (Panarin and Kreider are going no where, they aren't trading Kakko, they aren't trading the 1OA and I'd love to upgrade Strome, but that will likely require one of those 2 going the other way+)

They aren't going to roll with the same group of forwards +Laf next year. Changes are going to be made and I doubt that they will just be the 4th line variety (though this is an area that needs to be hit.)

Also, I don't understand why people are so married to players and which wing they're playing on. Im relatively confident that Panarin could play on the right side and be just fine, same with Laf. Kreider's already done it.

Not a fan. Unless AL proves to be a better performer than Kreider from the get go, I really dislike putting him with Zibanejad. This babysitting assignment would diminish the all around work that Zibanejad does as our 1C and moves it to Strome de facto. Ouch.

Let Kreider - Zib - Buch continue to do what they proved they could do as the 1st line.

Let Panarin - Strome - Kakko be the second line. I’d put money that with improved Kakko he will be a better option on this line than Fast last season.

Let AL start on Chytil line until he is actually able to overtake Kreider in the NHL. The Czech, still only 21, will be continue to develop leaps and bounce and will be much better next season, just watch. For the Rangers being able to comfortably put Lafreniere on the 3rd line without leaving a hole in the top two lines above could be a critical advantage both short and long term. Not discussing who’d be 3RW because there are reasonably good options from Gauthier, PDG, maybe Kravtsov within a month or two. Absolutely no idea what Fast will ask but IMHO they will pass if it’s either over $3.1-2m per or longer than 3 years. From Fast’s perspective it’s too much money to leave on he table.

Gorton’s biggest (relatively, lol) miss last season was McKegg. He must sign someone who’d be a lot more effective. Howden and Lemieux have spots that are theirs to lose but as a group the line has serve much better.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Lias playing a good season in Sweden going to change Ken Hollands mind about him not being an NHL player?

Not so sure

Plus you add in the fact Puljujarvi said he’d be open to coming back to the Oilers, I think that deal is dead as they come

Good. The last thing we need is a winger like Puljujarvi

 

[Edge]

The one thing that may be off putting for Puljujarvi imo is that he did have double hip surgery last year. I question how long his hips will hold up long and short term. Especially since he has such a big body that those hips support. Maybe Jamie Benn is an example where it may not be too much of an issue, but there's risk here.

Well, I think if the Rangers went down that path it would be a reclamation project type transaction and carry with it an appropriate cost. I doubt they’d be paying premium at this point, or passing too many plans around having Puljujarvi in the lineup.

 

[Mikos87]

The thing with Puju is that he's 5 drafts removed from being the 4th overall pick. He like Lias- is signed for another year in Europe. EDM has had higher picks bust and disappoint. So at some point you are going to have to call a spade for what it is. A one on one for Lias makes total sense, but at the same time, if Lias gets you a guy who can fill an effective NHL role and you don't swap bodies for the same situation... that might be better asset management.

The guy I would like to see Lias get moved for is Juolevi. He finally took a step and got a pre-season game in a couple of weeks ago in a Canucks jersey. Another young LHD to compete for NHL open slots on the backend. Definitely fits a more pressing need for the Rangers.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Not a fan. Unless AL proves to be a better performer than Kreider from the get go, I really dislike putting him with Zibanejad. This babysitting assignment would diminish the all around work that Zibanejad does as our 1C and moves it to Strome de facto. Ouch.

Let Kreider - Zib - Buch continue to do what they proved they could do as the 1st line.

Let Panarin - Strome - Kakko be the second line. I’d put money that with improved Kakko he will be a better option on this line than Fast last season.

Let AL start on Chytil line until he is actually able to overtake Kreider in the NHL. The Czech, still only 21, will be continue to develop leaps and bounce and will be much better next season, just watch. For the Rangers being able to comfortably put Lafreniere on the 3rd line without leaving a hole in the top two lines above could be a critical advantage both short and long term. Not discussing who’d be 3RW because there are reasonably good options from Gauthier, PDG, maybe Kravtsov within a month or two. Absolutely no idea what Fast will ask but IMHO they will pass if it’s either over $3.1-2m per or longer than 3 years. From Fast’s perspective it’s too much money to leave on he table.

Gorton’s biggest (relatively, lol) miss last season was McKegg. He must sign someone who’d be a lot more effective. Howden and Lemieux have spots that are theirs to lose but as a group the line has serve much better.

This could work as well. Chytil is really more of a shooter as it is and at the very least, has shown some finishing ability.

I don't think he would be "overtaking" Kreider by playing with Zibanejad though. It's all about spreading the wealth as deep as we can throughout the lineup. They'll get it figured out.

I would still caution everyone against expecting the same team+Laf+4th line additions here at camp next year. Something similar to Brooksie's Buchnevich for Josh Anderson trade may end up happening. It will be wildly unpopular here, but in the long run it'll probably be something that we're glad they did.

 

[Tawnos]

It’s way too early for strong opinions on whether or not Lafreniére can or cannot slot in the lineup above Kreider.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Kreider to RW makes sense in theory but I’m a little skeptical of how effective he would be long term there. I’m not sure he has the ability to use his backhand more and be as effective.

 

[Doriva]

Sure but this give you depth. Essentially Laffy and Stastny replace McKegg and PDG here. That is significant. If Stastny and Martinez walk, you still get Cap Space which you use to resign Zibanejad. The Rangers do not need cap next season they need cap for 2021. They get it.

Georgiev on his own probably gets a 2nd. I’d rather have someone with cup experience come in for a year than a second. Someone needs to show them the way, and especially with a Lundqvist staying an uncertainty, they could use some help in the room.

I realize the site is Hockey’s Future, not Hockey’s Present but sometime these trades matter too.

Those type of trades do matter, just perhaps a year or two too early in my opinion. Even with adding Laf, I still don't think we're a Stastny and Martinez away from being a true contender, or at least not close enough to gamble our best trade chip on. If you want those type of guys throw some draft picks at the deadline ala the Eric Staal trade, not a Dman who was top 5 in points this season, we're literally giving up the best player in the trade for two rentals we still might not even be a playoff team next year.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Lias playing a good season in Sweden going to change Ken Hollands mind about him not being an NHL player?

Not so sure

Plus you add in the fact Puljujarvi said he’d be open to coming back to the Oilers, I think that deal is dead as they come

Friedman said on latest podcast that the Oilers thought this was the case but the player dIdnt

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

I see people’s points about not jumping too far ahead on where Laf should play, my concern is that we roll out an under-21 3rd line. Ideally I’d like to see some balance. DiG doesn’t do it for me, I have him at 13F. Gauthier, who knows, can he use his body to separate guys and play without the puck in the D zone? If we’re penciling guys in now I think that Krieder would be just who you want on the 3rd with Chytil and presumably Kravtsov.

it’s all moot anyhow because I agree with some that something will happen with Strome and/or Buch.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Kreider to RW makes sense in theory but I’m a little skeptical of how effective he would be long term there. I’m not sure he has the ability to use his backhand more and be as effective.

True, he’s prob one of our least versatile Fs (here’s to you Smith) but it puts him on the forehand for his goal sweeps

 

[Avery16]

I'd prefer Kakko in top 6 and Kreider adding to a third line. Kreider - Chytil - Gauthier is a very big, fast third line.

Gauthier is barely handling 4th line minutes. Why would Quinn give him 3rd line minutes?

 

[Avery16]

Kreider to RW makes sense in theory but I’m a little skeptical of how effective he would be long term there. I’m not sure he has the ability to use his backhand more and be as effective.

He should go back to crashing goaltenders and then it wouldn’t matter which wing he was barreling down to do it.

 

[Mikos87]

A really good buy low upgrade off of Buch is Rickard Rakell. Dude is signed to a bargain basement contract, if he can get back to form. Doesn't look like he's been producing on some really bad Anaheim teams.

Oh and... he and Zibanejad were dynamic together at the WC where they won gold, and they won gold together in the WJC. That's a top 6 upgrade that I would add another prospect and pick for with Buch. They've had similar numbers the last two years as well so it's not a huge add. You can get Anaheim to balance out the deal as well. They've got some interesting depth.

It's not a trade that should cost an arm and a leg and you get a guy who can score in the NHL and make plays, and he's signed for a sub $4M contract after he's already scored 30+ twice and hit 70 points. He's been dogging it a bit on some bad teams, and it's a great lifestyle over there in SoCal where he's at so I can see some complacency set in, but that being said... ANA's GM hasn't really gone after a lot of Russian players historically.

 

[LeetchisGod]

I would hold on to Lundkvist. No problem with deals that address needs like C or LD. But I would prefer players not much older than our young group, so they can play together for awhile.

Agreed, Lundqvist has improved the most of any of our prospects recently. I have no interest in dealing him.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Eh, don’t want to deal Lundkvist for Cirelli. Jones instead?

It's going to cost more than Jones, late 1st and a guy like Andersson to get a 23 year old elite defensive 2-way center. I think if you can get him for Lundkvist, late 1st and Lias it would be stupid to pass that up.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

It's going to cost more than Jones, late 1st and a guy like Andersson to get a 23 year old elite defensive 2-way center. I think if you can get him for Lundkvist, late 1st and Lias it would be stupid to pass that up.

For real.

Nils is a great prospect, but this deal would be a no brainer.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Friedman said on latest podcast that the Oilers thought this was the case but the player dIdnt

What does that mean?

Wasn’t it reported Puljujarvi said something to the effect of never say never when he was asked about the Oilers?

 

[Heckler81]

I was looking at the UFA class this year and next. There are no C’s worth signing in the next two off seasons. If we really want a 2C improvement, it will have to come via trade.

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

With the exception of a guy like Lafreniere the draft isn't a place to address weaknesses on your pro roster. Most of these kids are 2-3 years away from playing in the NHL at least, let alone filling holes there. I'm a firm believer in filling your prospect pool with the best players you possibly can. Balance is important there of course but you can always trade from a post of strength to fill a need.

Exactly. Which is why we need to draft Marat Khusnutdinov with that 2nd first round pick we have.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I was looking at the UFA class this year and next. There are no C’s worth signing in the next two off seasons. If we really want a 2C improvement, it will have to come via trade.

There are a bunch of 4c's who should be looked into though.

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

Bruins ?

I doubt it. Sharks, Wings, Wild, Oilers, Hawks seem like more viable options.

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

There are a bunch of 4c's who should be looked into though.

Especially over Howden. I feel as if the 4th line, youth isn't nearly as much of a factor. I'm talking Johan Larsson here.

 

[TopShelf86]

Kreider to RW makes sense in theory but I’m a little skeptical of how effective he would be long term there. I’m not sure he has the ability to use his backhand more and be as effective.

Idk...I think Kreider has a difficult enough time being consistent on a nightly basis at his natural position. Like anything its worth a shot of course
Plus I like the idea of 3 tough lines to play against
Itll be a nightmare for teams

That's one of the cool things about hockey, you can make as many in game switches you want unlike baseball where to make a switch means you're out of the game.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Kreider to RW makes sense in theory but I’m a little skeptical of how effective he would be long term there. I’m not sure he has the ability to use his backhand more and be as effective.

He's not really going to be handling the puck all that often though. At the least it would open up more comfortable shooting opportunities for him.

The same really applies to Laf though. He can make plays on his forehand and backhand as it is and the 1T opportunities will be there for him.