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

[HatTrick Swayze]

Pronman's ranking is the best u23 hockey players in the world, right now. It's not prospects.

Having a pro ranked ahead of a college player is a pretty cold take tbh.

Yet somehow Buium is #8.

Dollar Tree Adam Fox

 

[Ruggs225]

To be fair, Cuylle only really started playing more the last couple of games, so we'll see how it goes.

Lafreniere has no excuse. He played over 17 minutes last year and is just a tick under 18 this year. He's a fixture in the top six.

Even on the third line you need more production than 4 pts in almost 20 games.

Laf, just seemed so disinterested in December. Like no passion at all. It really made me sad. Lately he seems to be picking it up, but overall i have been very disappointed with him.

 

[NYR Viper]

To be fair, Cuylle only really started playing more the last couple of games, so we'll see how it goes.

Lafreniere has no excuse. He played over 17 minutes last year and is just a tick under 18 this year. He's a fixture in the top six.

I think Cuylle is just having some bad luck. He's still getting chances and that line of Cuylle-Zibanejad-Smith is dominating at times. Sometimes it's just not going in

 

[Machinehead]

Yet somehow Buium is #8.

Dollar Tree Adam Fox

See, now that doesn't make any sense.

If you wanna take a hardline "these are professional players" stance, I'm good with that, but that one doesn't make any sense.

 

[Ruggs225]

I think Cuylle is just having some bad luck. He's still getting chances and that line of Cuylle-Zibanejad-Smith is dominating at times. Sometimes it's just not going in

At least he still hits and plays solid defensively.

Just need him to get his production closer to .5ppg area. 10 games without a pt just isnt a good look.

I was more just shocked how little production he has had in the past month and a half bc on ice hasnt been bad per se.

 

[McRanger92]

I think Cuylle is just having some bad luck. He's still getting chances and that line of Cuylle-Zibanejad-Smith is dominating at times. Sometimes it's just not going in

This season has been such a shitshow, Im watching process more than production, especially with our young players.

 

[Machinehead]

Cuylle is still driving offense at 5v5. He's just normalizing. He was bound to hit a cold spell after everything went in earlier and his normal production is going to look pretty good when it all shakes out.

Lafreniere is also driving offense at 5v5, he just sucks a butthole on the powerplay.

They're both at least driving offense unlike some people who are shooting 18% on their new teams so far. Not mentioning any names.

 

[SA16]

At least he still hits and plays solid defensively.

Just need him to get his production closer to .5ppg area. 10 games without a pt just isnt a good look.

I was more just shocked how little production he has had in the past month and a half bc on ice hasnt been bad per se.

It's also not really a surprise considering he had 5 points in his last 43 games last year. He's been a lot better this year but he obviously was never going to be this 50-60 5v5 point guy this year like everyone who is bad at math was saying based on his irrelevant early season "pace"

He might still be scoring if we didn't break up the best line in the league of Cuylle Chytil Kakko.

 

[UnparalledPark]

To be fair, Cuylle only really started playing more the last couple of games, so we'll see how it goes.

Lafreniere has no excuse. He played over 17 minutes last year and is just a tick under 18 this year. He's a fixture in the top six.

Cuylle looks injured to me. I think it was the NJ game where he was stepping into the penalty box, he looked like he was struggling. It looked like he was nursing his hip.

 

[McRanger92]

Cuylle looks injured to me. I think it was the NJ game where he was stepping into the penalty box, he looked like he was struggling. It looked like he was nursing his hip.

Would make sense considering he was the only guy to throw a check for the entire month of December.

 

[Ruggs225]

Cuylle is still driving offense at 5v5. He's just normalizing. He was bound to hit a cold spell after everything went in earlier and his normal production is going to look pretty good when it all shakes out.

Lafreniere is also driving offense at 5v5, he just sucks a butthole on the powerplay.

They're both at least driving offense unlike some people who are shooting 18% on their new teams so far. Not mentioning any names.

With Laf, i really wonder how much playing with Panarin effects him. Like panarin does his thing, and Laf is forced to try to react to him all the time (as is everyone else on the ice)

Not trying to make excuses, but get the feeling playing with panarin isnt exactly easy. Even though Panarin is awesome and racks up pts.

I have no clue why he is bad on PP. it just doesnt make sense.

Cuylle im just kinda shocked that he hasnt gotten more accidental pts even. his play has been fine, just needs to get some pts. Limit the cold streak type things.

 

[McRanger92]

With Laf, i really wonder how much playing with Panarin effects him. Like panarin does his thing, and Laf is forced to try to react to him all the time (as is everyone else on the ice)

Not trying to make excuses, but get the feeling playing with panarin isnt exactly easy. Even though Panarin is awesome and racks up pts.

I have no clue why he is bad on PP. it just doesnt make sense.

Cuylle im just kinda shocked that he hasnt gotten more accidental pts even. his play has been fine, just needs to get some pts. Limit the cold streak type things.

Im on the bandwagon of removing Lafreniere from that line. His creativity is neutered by having to play off Panarin as you mentioned. Idk who you put with panarin thought. I thought Berard would be a good fit but he's gone for the time being.

 

[duhmetreE]

Laffy just needs to work on his shot.

We need a top player to have a good to elite shot

 

[Machinehead]

My confidence that you move Lafreniere to make him the puck carrier on a line instead of Panarin, and that makes him better, is very low.

He's a finisher type of player. He doesn't have the playmaking ability at this level that was anticipated.

 

[bhamill]

I didn’t look at the list but if Danny Nelson is higher than him he should just quit his job.

Also, making ridiculous lists that are all over the place sparks rage engagement. It doesn't matter if he's a good writer or a good evaluator of talent... his real job is engagement. If it gets traffic it gets advertiser dollars and that is all anyone cares about.

 

[MrAlmost]

My confidence that you move Lafreniere to make him the puck carrier on a line instead of Panarin, and that makes him better, is very low.

He's a finisher type of player. He doesn't have the playmaking ability at this level that was anticipated.

That's why they should move him back to the left, staple him with Perreault, and hope for the best. Of course, soonest that can even happen is next year.

 

[B17 Apricots]

Former Stars Defenseman Looking for NHL Return

The last time long-time Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg played in an NHL game was over a full year ago with the Toronto Maple Leafs. A hip surgery took K

www.si.com

I cant remember if I posted this last month or not... or if someone else did. Those injuries are tough, but Kane has done decent all things considered, especially at 36 years old. But he's also Patrick Kane. Klingberg is 32 and working with the same people that Kane did. Could be a nice zero risk move for more depth. Although I highly doubt he'd come here. Unless Drury is set on using Borgen as a deadline chip and can give Klingberg some assurance he'll have a chance to fill a spot... I think it's much more likely Klingberg would go somewhere that can guarantee him a role off the rip. Lots of teams are weak on the right side. There should be plenty of desperate teams looking to see if he can make a come back.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Where is Mike from Houston? What did Brooks write?

What the Rangers should target before trade deadline, and no, it’s not a playoff run

For the first time since both Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes were dealt, the Blueshirts will be sellers rather than buyers.

nypost.com

Let’s talk more about the trade deadline plan on which I focused at the top of Monday’s latest installment of Regarding the Rangers.

At this moment, the Blueshirts do not own a second-round draft pick for the next three years. This represents an untenable long-term position even if high-profile prospects Gabe Perreault, Drew Fortescue and E.J. Emery are in the pipeline.

But GM Chris Drury, who traded away all those seconds and a number of thirds in rental deals and in the Patrik Nemeth contract dump that helped the team advance to the conference finals two of the last three years, has a chance to reverse that course leading up to the Mar. 7 deadline.

For the first time since 2019, when both Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes were dealt a year after the 2018 purge, the Blueshirts will be sellers rather than buyers. Or they most certainly should be despite their climb back to credibility in going 4-1-1 over the last half-dozen matches.

Can I remind you, though, that the 1962 Mets went 9-3 from May 6 through May 20? Low blow, I know, but six games do not a Stanley Cup contender make.

Drury has the opportunity to recoup his second-rounders by utilizing Ryan Lindgren, Reilly Smith (who cost a 2027 second-rounder plus a 2025 conditional fifth in the deal with Pittsburgh) and Will Borgen as rental properties.

There is, and certainly will be, a discussion whether Borgen should be extended or dealt. The decision would hinge on what kind of contract the 28-year-old righty defenseman acquired in the Kaapo Kakko deal is seeking.

The big picture and the impact on Braden Schneider must also be weighed. If Borgen is extended, does that consign Schneider to third-pair duty? If Borgen is extended, would the hierarchy make the dreadful mistake of making Schneider available for trade?

I would say that extending Borgen should facilitate a move for Schneider … to the left side, where he was very effective the first seven games of the season while paired with Jacob Trouba.

Lindgren will not be back next season. There is a decision pending on second-pair lefty K’Andre Miller, who is coming up on restricted free agency with arbitration rights.

Regardless of what happens with Miller, the Rangers will need to replace top-four minutes on the left side next season. Schneider would be able to fill them.

But beyond the rentals, the Rangers will have the opportunity to acquire draft capital by becoming third-party brokers on deals for which contenders require cap relief.

Drury effectively cleared $11.642 million in cap space by trading Trouba and waiving Barclay Goodrow. According to PuckPedia, the Blueshirts project to have approximately $21.288 million in space at the deadline. That is all but unheard of for a team that generally has needed to count pennies in order to be compliant.

So the Big Market Rangers can — and should — become the Big Market Bankers.

Clubs are permitted to have no more than three contracts with retained salary on the books. The Rangers currently have none. Theoretically, then, the Blueshirts could be middle-men for three rental deals this season.

The Blueshirts started the season having also traded their third- and fourth-round picks this year, but they got a third back from Seattle in the deal for Kakko and the lower of Anaheim’s fourth-rounder in the Trouba exchange.

Even if Drury is unable to recoup all of the second-rounders lost at the deadline, the Rangers should be able to collect enough picks in the third- and fourth-round range so that they can use them for rentals when they are back in the Stanley Cup contention business.

 

[UnparalledPark]

Would make sense considering he was the only guy to throw a check for the entire month of December.

I think I saw where he had 9 hits in one game, but around that same time he had 1 in a game and 0 in another if I’m not mistaken.

 

[TominNC]

Even on the third line you need more production than 4 pts in almost 20 games.

Laf, just seemed so disinterested in December. Like no passion at all. It really made me sad. Lately he seems to be picking it up, but overall i have been very disappointed with him.

Of course I miss the scoring, but what happened to the guy thought we were getting with Laffy. The little bit on the edge, face washing sometimes dirty guy. He's a mild as most of them.

 

[lakeshirts37]

Yeah sure. See below - this site translates into English or I can give you my translation if you want.

P.S. I followed ADA career in the K and his defenses lapses were points of discussion throughout the whole season.

СКА расторг контракт с Деанджело – после конфликта с помощником Ротенберга и постоянных ошибок

Объяснили семейными обстоятельствами.

www.sports.ru

I particularly liked the part about Tony yelling at refs is just because he's Italian "have you seen the Godfather?" - imagine a coach saying that to the media here

 

[McRanger92]

Of course I miss the scoring, but what happened to the guy thought we were getting with Laffy. The little bit on the edge, face washing sometimes dirty guy. He's a mild as most of them.

Doesnt play that way with Panarin. Last time we saw any fire from him was that Nashville game Panarin didnt play where Laf and Cuylle were getting into some shenanigans. It's a matter of veteran leadership imo.

 

[NYR Viper]

We have to expect some of Cuylle's physical play to drop off as he gets more minutes. It's difficult to play that physical style and play 18 minutes a night.

 

[n8]

Yet somehow Buium is #8.

Dollar Tree Adam Fox

Yet somehow Adam Fox was #66

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Was just looking at some stats and game logs and really was surprised by two things.

1. Will Cuylle- i love him but he is not stepping up after being given more time. 0 pts in 10 games and only 4 pts since the start of December. I dont think he is ppg player like he was to start the year, but c’mon man this is 4th line production.
2. Lafreniere - only 4 pts in december, 3 so far in Jan. Again, need much more from him.

I am all for getting rid of vets, and letting kids lead. But the kids need to start potting some more goals and pts.

Laf for one has had worse pts/60 each month as the season progresses.

They need to take the reigns at some point.

I knew it was bad, but kinda shocked it was this bad with these two.

And laf has been horrid defensively during December. He has seemed to pick up his play lately so hopefully he starts coming around again.

Edit: chytil’s production in Nov and december were also kinda piss poor, but he does create alot of opportunities. But he just needs to stay healthy.

the whole team has been ass offensively. Even Panarin is on pace for like 80-something points. Which is an insane drop from last season.