Speculation: Roster Building Thread : Part XV (Light em up!)

[Clark Kellogg]

ad filled article in the NY Post by Mollie Walkers on the current state of the Rangers. More questions than answers. Curious, seems that she acknowledges that there arelocker room issues. Yet, last week Trocheck addressed the media and said there was none and I can’t recall at the time anyone in the press contradicting him.

Rangers’ lowlights outweigh highlights with season teetering on brink of full disaster

Aside from maybe the Sabres, no NHL team needed to step away from their season more than the Rangers did this week.

nypost.com

 

[RangerBoy]

ad filled article in the NY Post by Mollie Walkers on the current state of the Rangers. More questions than answers. Curious, seems that she acknowledges that there arelocker room issues. Yet, last week Trocheck addressed the media and said there was none and I can’t recall at the time anyone in the press contradicting him.

Rangers’ lowlights outweigh highlights with season teetering on brink of full disaster

Aside from maybe the Sabres, no NHL team needed to step away from their season more than the Rangers did this week.

nypost.com

The locker room issues have been there since the summer. Arthur Staple and Vince Mercogliano reported there were issues over Goodrow and Trouba. We discussed it here. We thought it was BS. These guys are paid professionals. They will move on. They did not move on.

Larry Brooks said the issues were festering during training camp and the sentiment or resentment towards Drury has carried over into the season. These guys sabotaged their season worrying about Goodrow and Trouba. Brooks said there has been a bad vibe since training camp.

Trocheck's comments were damage control. The players looked bad with the "reports" about the players wanting the GM to be fired. You would dismiss that report and call nonsense but these guys have mad since the summer. Their feelings since the summer gave that "report" validity. Drury met with the players in Dallas and some people said this moment could be a turning a point. The Rangers beat Dallas and dropped games to Carolina and NJ. Some turning point.

I want Drury to gut the room. Mollie mentioned trades at the end of her story. Major players. I want to see Zibanejad crying over Kreider being traded. Have Michele Gingras interview him. We can laugh at Mika. So Mika what are thoughts on Chris being traded??? It's tough. I can't. PR guy please save me.

The holiday roster freeze is over. The Christmas break is over. Some of these teams have 4 or 5 days off. Another two week break in February for the 4 Nations. Then the players complain about no practice time. Practice? Having 4 or 5 days off for XMAS and then 10 plus days for a tournament results in no practice time. We can't practice our PP. You guys wanted a long XMAS break and more International events. The Rangers are playing tomorrow. Four days off. Ottawa has not played since Sunday and Saturday is their next game. Five full days.

 

[SA16]

The locker room issues have been there since the summer. Arthur Staple and Vince Mercogliano reported there were issues over Goodrow and Trouba. We discussed it here. We thought it was BS. These guys are paid professionals. They will move on. They did not move on.

Larry Brooks said the issues were festering during training camp and the sentiment or resentment towards Drury has carried over into the season. These guys sabotaged their season worrying about Goodrow and Trouba. Brooks said there has been a bad vibe since training camp.

Trocheck's comments were damage control. The players looked bad with the "reports" about the players wanting the GM to be fired. You would dismiss that report and call nonsense but these guys have mad since the summer. Their feelings since the summer gave that "report" validity. Drury met with the players in Dallas and some people said this moment could be a turning a point. The Rangers beat Dallas and dropped games to Carolina and NJ. Some turning point.

I want Drury to gut the room. Mollie mentioned trades at the end of her story. Major players. I want to see Zibanejad crying over Kreider being traded. Have Michele Gingras interview him. We can laugh at Mika. So Mika what are thoughts on Chris being traded??? It's tough. I can't. PR guy please save me.

The holiday roster freeze is over. The Christmas break is over. Some of these teams have 4 or 5 days off. Another two week break in February for the 4 Nations. Then the players complain about no practice time. Practice? Having 4 or 5 days off for XMAS and then 10 plus days for a tournament results in no practice time. We can't practice our PP. You guys wanted a long XMAS break and more International events. The Rangers are playing tomorrow. Four days off. Ottawa has not played since Sunday and Saturday is their next game. Five full days.

It's curious how the locker room issues only manifested in the results after game 17

 

[RangerBoy]

Don't read Staple's latest trade article if you want to save your brain cells.

 

[Mike in Houston]

Don't read Staple's latest trade article if you want to save your brain cells.

Arthur really should just stick with the Islanders.

 

[DaBadGuy7]

Just clarifying here that Panarin, who has two top 5 Hart finishes in the last 5 years is a B+ talent?

Yep, I explained in a previous response while he’s been elite in the regular season, his playoff performances haven’t been as good and that’s why I don’t consider him an elite talent. I’ll admit probably a bit unfair to lump him with Gaborik and Nash, but like them he was brought here to produce in the playoffs and to me that the separator between elite and very good.

 

[haohmaru]

Yep, I explained in a previous response while he’s been elite in the regular season, his playoff performances haven’t been as good and that’s why I don’t consider him an elite talent. I’ll admit probably a bit unfair to lump him with Gaborik and Nash, but like them he was brought here to produce in the playoffs and to me that the separator between elite and very good.

He's not elite? That's ridiculous.

Also, take a look at his stats in the playoffs beyond points. Like CF%. Look at the Rangers "offense" when he's out of the lineup.

He had 15 points in 16 games last year, FWIW, until he ran into the Panthers who, wisely, stuck to him like glue.

The problem the Rangers have with Panarin is that they don't have ANOTHER Panarin. Teams key on him and really don't have to worry much about the rest.

 

[leetch99]

I was being facetious. He's my favorite player and I want him to finish his career here.

He can...sign him for a one day contract 5 yrs from now . In the meantime....get us a left side Dman for him and a 1st or 2nd rd pick performance dependent on him on his new team .

 

[eco's bones]

The locker room issues have been there since the summer. Arthur Staple and Vince Mercogliano reported there were issues over Goodrow and Trouba. We discussed it here. We thought it was BS. These guys are paid professionals. They will move on. They did not move on.

Larry Brooks said the issues were festering during training camp and the sentiment or resentment towards Drury has carried over into the season. These guys sabotaged their season worrying about Goodrow and Trouba. Brooks said there has been a bad vibe since training camp.

Trocheck's comments were damage control. The players looked bad with the "reports" about the players wanting the GM to be fired. You would dismiss that report and call nonsense but these guys have mad since the summer. Their feelings since the summer gave that "report" validity. Drury met with the players in Dallas and some people said this moment could be a turning a point. The Rangers beat Dallas and dropped games to Carolina and NJ. Some turning point.

I want Drury to gut the room. Mollie mentioned trades at the end of her story. Major players. I want to see Zibanejad crying over Kreider being traded. Have Michele Gingras interview him. We can laugh at Mika. So Mika what are thoughts on Chris being traded??? It's tough. I can't. PR guy please save me.

The holiday roster freeze is over. The Christmas break is over. Some of these teams have 4 or 5 days off. Another two week break in February for the 4 Nations. Then the players complain about no practice time. Practice? Having 4 or 5 days off for XMAS and then 10 plus days for a tournament results in no practice time. We can't practice our PP. You guys wanted a long XMAS break and more International events. The Rangers are playing tomorrow. Four days off. Ottawa has not played since Sunday and Saturday is their next game. Five full days.

I don't think I need to see Mika crying over Kreider being moved. In fact I'd rather not. Mika definitely is one to go. That cap hit for the way he's playing is just ridiculous.

At this point there are guys to move and if Kreider is a main mutineer which I'm thinking is the case the Rangers need to move him. He's paid to play hockey not to f***ing mope over Goodrow and Trouba and plotting how to get even. I've always liked him as a player.....I'm not going to unlike him but I am disappointed. His line with Mika has not been good pretty much from the start of the season. That said I don't think Drury's that great of a GM and I'm getting the idea that communication issues is just something in his DNA. It's not just his keeping things close to the vest with fans and journalists----it's everyone. I'm thinking we might dump him at end of season.

There are guys who I would keep at least for now. I don't think Panarin, Fox, Trocheck, Igor have been the problem. Apart from maybe Miller not the younger players either. I didn't even think Kakko was a problem. Chytil's got a problem....an injury problem. Upcoming UFA's could be moved to. To go back to Miller his game has taken a step back again and breaking the bank off a subpar season for him might not be the smartest idea. If it looks like that's going to be an issue I'd move him too.

 

[McRanger92]

The best path forward is to overhaul the organization and eliminate the egos in the room. The players’ role is to focus on playing hockey, not to question management’s decisions. This isn’t a power-sharing arrangement or a diplomatic negotiation—it’s about running a team effectively.

No argument here I would like Drury to be ruthless with these guys. It's possible to run a successful organization under Dolan. Leon Rose is currently doing it in a more difficult situation. Now let's see if Drury can turn our unwanted crap into our KAT, OG & Bridges.

 

[leetch99]

We need to do whatever it takes to get Hagens.

Wrong....we need to whatever it takes to get McKenna the next year .

 

[eco's bones]

I feel like as a fanbase we spend too much time trying to figure out who to blame for the position we are in, instead of figuring out what the best path forward is.

We as a fanbase have no real capability of forming a consensus and even if we could we don't have the power to in any way implement it. We can enjoy things when they're good and bitch and moan when they're not. When our GM makes a move we can agree or disagree and that's about all really. Other than buy tickets and merch or watch from from TV land there's not much else we can do. It's kind of like with politicians they do what they want. They don't give a shit about what their voters really want.

 

[Mike in Houston]

He can...sign him for a one day contract 5 yrs from now . In the meantime....get us a left side Dman for him and a 1st or 2nd rd pick performance dependent on him on his new team .

Nah.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Roster freeze officially lifted…

 

[McRanger92]

Roster freeze officially lifted…

One day more, Valjean

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

One day more, Valjean

Stupid me for trusting ESPN which is a joke

 

[GAGLine]

Wrong....we need to whatever it takes to get McKenna the next year .

We might be just as bad next year.

 

[LOFIN]

One day more, Valjean

Funny that they start playing games again today, but the freeze runs until midnight.

 

[McRanger92]

Stupid me for trusting ESPN which is a joke

View attachment 951747

Im shocked Rachel Doerrie didnt have her facts straight after vehemently defending Trouba quitting on the Rangers.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Now that JD has been back in Columbus for a few years it's pretty obvious he has a large input. Look at what Columbus did when he was brought in. Whether someone wants to argue pro or con, that's one thing. But it's pretty clear now the sort of direction he has. He went to the BJs and followed a similar blueprint.

When they brought him back they were coming off a shortened season where they finished 4th to last in the league. They had made the playoffs 4 consecutive years up until then. The following season after JD was brought in they didn't make a ton of moves in terms of free agents or trades. There really wasn't much cap space. They had just acquired Laine for PLD and gave him big money. They swapped Atkinson for Voracek. He carried a big price tag. They signed Elvis Merzlikins to that 5 year +5M per deal after only ever playing 33 games at the most in a season... thats the guy who requested a trade not too long ago, and their GM flat out said no one is trading for that contract . So they had some money on the books.

Then they miss the playoffs again that year (21-22). The following off-season they have some cap space, that's where they really spend. And thats an apparent theme for JD. He isnt shy about spending. They sign Johnny Hockey (RIP) for a boatload of money at almost 30 years old. Very similar to the Panarin signing. Except this time, Johnny really wasn't performing up to the contract. They made that silly signing of Gudbranson, paying him 4 million a year. This isn't hindsight either, many people were skeptical about all these moves at the time they were made. So they miss the playoffs yet again (22-23). At this point you kinda figure they're rebuilding. But, the following summer they go out and trade away a 1st and a 2nd round pick for Provorov.... not all that dissimilar from the Tuba acquisition. (That pick turned out to be 1 spot ahead of our boy Gabe Perreault). Again, JD & Co go out and sign another ~30 year old, Severson to that 8 year +6M per contract.

If someone wants to argue the merit, for or against some of the moves, sure. I think there have been some good and some bad. But it's obvious when looking at both organizations' timelines that JD has had his fingerprints all over them.

Fans in Columbus that I know believe they have to overpay to get players to want to sign there. They have a hard time keeping their better players there. I can understand the thought. Off the top of my mind Nash, Carter, Bread, Bobrovsky, Seth Jones all wanted to go elsewhere. Little strange in Nashs case because he reportedly liked the community.

 

[McRanger92]

Funny that they start playing games again today, but the freeze runs until midnight.

It's also funny that the NBA and NFL battled for Christmas viewership and the NHL took the week off. And they wonder why they get left in the dust financially.

 

[LOFIN]

It's also funny that the NBA and NFL battled for Christmas viewership and the NHL took the week off. And they wonder why they get left in the dust financially.

Probably something they have bargained for in the CBA.

I do think they should start on Boxing Day, that's a pretty traditional sporting day around the world.

 

[NickyFotiu]

ad filled article in the NY Post by Mollie Walkers on the current state of the Rangers. More questions than answers. Curious, seems that she acknowledges that there arelocker room issues. Yet, last week Trocheck addressed the media and said there was none and I can’t recall at the time anyone in the press contradicting him.

Rangers’ lowlights outweigh highlights with season teetering on brink of full disaster

Aside from maybe the Sabres, no NHL team needed to step away from their season more than the Rangers did this week.

nypost.com

There may be locker room issues but they may also be an older, injured, poorly matched soft as Charmin team right now. Very few have above average speed. Very few are physical. They relied more and more on PP/Goaltending over the years. That plan collasped once the PP declined. Also hard to get PP when other teams are out hustling you.

 

[McRanger92]

Probably something they have bargained for in the CBA.

I do think they should start on Boxing Day, that's a pretty traditional sporting day around the world.

It's definitely in the CBA. The problem is that these standalone "event" type games are economic opportunities that the league and players pass up. The only good idea the league has had in years is the outdoor games and even those are getting oversaturated.

 

[LOFIN]

It's definitely in the CBA. The problem is that these standalone "event" type games are economic opportunities that the league and players pass up. The only good idea the league has had in years is the outdoor games and even those are getting oversaturated.

The NHL had a good idea this year by doing a full slate of games, all starting at intervals.

Except they did that on a random Tuesday. How about negotiating that for Boxing day? And make it in-division rivalries while you're at it. Start games around noon ET, 30min intervals or something.