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

[UnSandvich]

I’m going to enjoy the kakko takes when his on ice sh% doesn’t stay at 70000%

We’ve been on this end of it before. Remember Ryan Spooner?

Kakko has the best xGF% on the Kraken since joining there. His linemates go from a 19.96% (Beniers in 20 mins apart) and 34.35% (Schwartz in 41 mins apart), to 54.23% (Beniers, in 177 mins together) and 57.5% (Schwartz in 157 mins together). Kinda like how Cuylle and Chytil's numbers also drop off hard away from Kakko this season.

Maybe he is, in fact, better than people want to give him credit for being

 

[Flan the incredible]

You must be blind. For the past 4 years this core sucked at 5v5 and guess what? It's gotten worse to the point of no return. If you can't see the obvious then it is what it is.

No you are just in denial. Its stupid to say a team that has made 2 of the last 3 conference finals isn't good enough to win. Frankly it's a loser mentality.

Rangers upgraded their defense by swapping Trouba for Borg. Goody for Carrick has been a huge upgrade as well. They also added Smith who has been pretty good. Now they have 8 million to spend to hopefully upgrade Lindgren. If this team gets JT who is a perfect match up for a teams top scoring center, they legitimately are a top team to beat. People can cry over the losing streak all they want but talent wise as long as everyone is healthy this team should be in the playoffs and an extremely difficult out.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Kakko has the best xGF% on the Kraken since joining there. His linemates go from a 19.96% (Beniers in 20 mins apart) and 34.35% (Schwartz in 41 mins apart), to 54.23% (Beniers, in 177 mins together) and 57.5% (Schwartz in 157 mins together). Kinda like how Cuylle and Chytil's numbers also drop off hard away from Kakko this season.

Maybe he is, in fact, better than people want to give him credit for being

He absolutely was better than he got credit for here. I wasn’t one of his haters.

He also didn’t instantly turn into an offensive dynamo. He is not going to enjoy a on ice sh% of 15 forever.

 

[UnSandvich]

He absolutely was better than he got credit for here. I wasn’t one of his haters.

He also didn’t instantly turn into an offensive dynamo. He is not going to enjoy a on ice sh% of 15 forever.

Of course not. But he's also putting up those numbers without any significant rush attempts (per NST). It's all in-zone stuff. In the 14 games since he was acquired, Schwartz and Beniers are ranked at 1 & T-4th in iHDCF. If they start adding play on the rush too, I don't see an immense fall-off. If anything, given the rate all his linemates have been getting high danger chances this season, I'd argue his assist rate is actually fairly lower than one would expect, and this is more a regression to expected levels than a random sh% bender. (Not to say i expect THIS rate of production to continue long term)

 

[Flan the incredible]

Kakko has the best xGF% on the Kraken since joining there. His linemates go from a 19.96% (Beniers in 20 mins apart) and 34.35% (Schwartz in 41 mins apart), to 54.23% (Beniers, in 177 mins together) and 57.5% (Schwartz in 157 mins together). Kinda like how Cuylle and Chytil's numbers also drop off hard away from Kakko this season.

Maybe he is, in fact, better than people want to give him credit for being

Now do Sammy Blais when he killed it after the Rangers traded him.

The numbers they are putting up will not continue. He will have better numbers based on usage but the chances of him being close to a PPG are ridiculously small. KK didn't have a shot when he was here so once teams guard the pass better his assists are going to dry up.

 

[NYR Viper]

Seriously, if we look at this objectively and assume the deal is Chytil + prospects for Miller there would appear to be a pretty direct way to make this team competitive. Drury could conceivably buy and sell in the same season and revamp the roster. By this I mean:

Chytil + Sykora + Chmelar for Miller

Kreider to LA for 1st ‘25 + 2nd ‘25 + 2nd ‘26

Panarin to Dallas for Bischel + DAL 1st ‘25 + DAL 2nd ‘26

Smith to Vegas for 2nd + 4th

Lindgren at 50% for 2nd + 5th

For now let’s assume Drury re-signs Borgen at 5 years for $3.5m per season

The roster next year, with an absolute boatload of cap space to play with is:

Lafreniere-Miller-______
Cuylle-Zibanejad-______
Othmann-Trochek-Berard
Edstrom-Carrick-Rempe

Schneider-Fox
Miller-Borgen
Bischel-______
Vaakanainen

They’d have A TON of cap space here to play with likely. Bennett, Rantanen, Marner. Big trade? Drury would have options and the team would be significantly harder to play against

 

[Boris Zubov]

Bringing in JT Miller to take a flamethrower to the locking room while simultaneously chucking beloved teammate #warrior55 would be extremely risky (for this season at least). I'm sure Drury covets JT, but I doubt he has the balls to move Lindgren at the same time.

It's literally the only reason to bring him in, the locker room needs to be nuked. Not to mention that Lindgren simply sucks at hockey. Miller is not only an upgrade on our 1C options, but if he comes in here & upsets the apple cart that is our entitled core, I'm all for it.

Sending Laf the other way, however shouldn't be on the table, but if the deal is Chytil, Sykora & Chemelar, it's really a no brainer.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Of course not. But he's also putting up those numbers without any significant rush attempts (per NST). It's all in-zone stuff. In the 14 games since he was acquired, Schwartz and Beniers are ranked at 1 & T-4th in iHDCF. If they start adding play on the rush too, I don't see an immense fall-off.

Well theres a reason for that.

I do think that he's got a good compliment and it's not to different from a stylistic standpoint from what he had going on here before Lavi decided to take his frustrations out on him instead of guys who actually deserved it but there will be an immense fall off (or maybe not immense, but significant enough) because his line mates (and him) are not going to continue to finish at the rate that they're finishing at.

No one does this over a long period of time. Panarin in his 120 point season was sub 13% (all situations) and that was with a PP that really cooked all year.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Seriously, if we look at this objectively and assume the deal is Chytil + prospects for Miller there would appear to be a pretty direct way to make this team competitive. Drury could conceivably buy and sell in the same season and revamp the roster. By this I mean:

Chytil + Sykora + Chmelar for Miller

Kreider to LA for 1st ‘25 + 2nd ‘25 + 2nd ‘26

Panarin to Dallas for Bischel + DAL 1st ‘25 + DAL 2nd ‘26

Smith to Vegas for 2nd + 4th

Lindgren at 50% for 2nd + 5th

For now let’s assume Drury re-signs Borgen at 5 years for $3.5m per season

The roster next year, with an absolute boatload of cap space to play with is:

Lafreniere-Miller-______
Cuylle-Zibanejad-______
Othmann-Trochek-Berard
Edstrom-Carrick-Rempe

Schneider-Fox
Miller-Borgen
Bischel-______
Vaakanainen

They’d have A TON of cap space here to play with likely. Bennett, Rantanen, Marner. Big trade? Drury would have options and the team would be significantly harder to play against

Will never happen.

Any trade for JT means they need to win right now, they’re not trading away core pieces that would aid in that goal

At most, I’d see them moving Lindgren. But even then I’m not convinced. Could absolutely see a scenario where Drury talks himself into keeping Lindgren this season because he provides more value to the team than whatever he gets back in a trade

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

It's literally the only reason to bring him in, the locker room needs to be nuked. Not to mention that Lindgren simply sucks at hockey. Miller is not only an upgrade on our 1C options, but if he comes in here & upsets the apple cart that is our entitled core, I'm all for it.

Sending Laf the other way, however shouldn't be on the table, but if the deal is Chtyil, Sykora & Chemelar, it's really a no brainer.

I think it's clear that a C from our roster was involved. Bo Groulx was scratched to be recalled and Lavi always goes on and on about wanting to have that extra body incase something happens (and they play today, so they'd want some insurance incase Miller couldn't get his affairs in order and another C got hurt/sick)

Chytil being the main piece makes more and more sense. Entirely possible that Zibanejad straight up said no and that was it but I think that would have leaked by now.

@ThePeoplesPeople what happened?

 

[Boris Zubov]

I think it's clear that a C from our roster was involved. Bo Groulx was scratched to be recalled and Lavi always goes on and on about wanting to have that extra body incase something happens (and they play today, so they'd want some insurance incase Miller couldn't get his affairs in order and another C got hurt/sick)

Chytil being the main piece makes more and more sense. Entirely possible that Zibanejad straight up said no and that was it but I think that would have leaked by now.

@ThePeoplesPeople what happened?

I agree about Zib, there's been too much smoke that he won't waive for a west coast team, plus I don't think the discussions get that far along without seeing if he's amenable to Vancouver move. You're not scratching players in Hartford, nor is Friedman leaking that Miller might sit out if there's a NMC holding things up.

I said last night the deal could've been on the 5 yard line, then Allvin saw Fil's medicals & that was enough to give him pause. Someone else speculated that there was retention involved & the Canucks owner put the kabosh on it.

Somehow I don't think this is the end of it. Something's gotta give in their locker room & our GM seems like this is the guy he wants. Feels like a deal gets done in the near future.

 

[DuneGoon84]

No you are just in denial. Its stupid to say a team that has made 2 of the last 3 conference finals isn't good enough to win. Frankly it's a loser mentality.

Rangers upgraded their defense by swapping Trouba for Borg. Goody for Carrick has been a huge upgrade as well. They also added Smith who has been pretty good. Now they have 8 million to spend to hopefully upgrade Lindgren. If this team gets JT who is a perfect match up for a teams top scoring center, they legitimately are a top team to beat. People can cry over the losing streak all they want but talent wise as long as everyone is healthy this team should be in the playoffs and an extremely difficult out.

Terrible take, this is the loser mentality not mine. Wake up and smell the coffee. This group has been on a decline. Pot calling kettle black if I ever seen one. Holy smokes. Talk about projection.

You aren't winning with this group, leadership lacks snarl.

 

[NYR Viper]

Will never happen.

Any trade for JT means they need to win right now, they’re not trading away core pieces that would aid in that goal

At most, I’d see them moving Lindgren. But even then I’m not convinced. Could absolutely see a scenario where Drury talks himself into keeping Lindgren this season because he provides more value to the team than whatever he gets back in a trade

Maybe, but there’s been smoke around this core all year. I’m not sure Drury is 100% in on this season. It may be that Miller is a move for next season and beyond

 

[duhmetreE]

my tinfoil hat is that Stevie Y was making room for Trouba, who nixed it.

Walman will def cost a 1st. if we're trading chytil + Hartforders for JTM, then you have to get Walman too.

Conditional 1st and jones

 

[lakeshirts37]

Yeah, I'd agree that that value makes more sense. Though, there is likely an even lesser chance that Zib would waive to go to Chicago.

He’d waive for Chicago

 

[duhmetreE]

I know it’s not as sexy and young but don’t sell JTM short. He’d easily be our best center and he’s a son of a birch to play against

But trading for JtM and keeping Lindgren on your top pair would be as dumb as it gets

 

[RangerBoy]

Miller, Zibanejad and Trocheck will be 32 years old. Kreider and Panarin will be 34 years old. The Rangers are winning with these graybeards as the core of a Cup winning team? Did Drury suffer an aneurysm?

 

[TominNC]

Seriously, if we look at this objectively and assume the deal is Chytil + prospects for Miller there would appear to be a pretty direct way to make this team competitive. Drury could conceivably buy and sell in the same season and revamp the roster. By this I mean:

Chytil + Sykora + Chmelar for Miller

Kreider to LA for 1st ‘25 + 2nd ‘25 + 2nd ‘26

Panarin to Dallas for Bischel + DAL 1st ‘25 + DAL 2nd ‘26

Smith to Vegas for 2nd + 4th

Lindgren at 50% for 2nd + 5th

For now let’s assume Drury re-signs Borgen at 5 years for $3.5m per season

The roster next year, with an absolute boatload of cap space to play with is:

Lafreniere-Miller-______
Cuylle-Zibanejad-______
Othmann-Trochek-Berard
Edstrom-Carrick-Rempe

Schneider-Fox
Miller-Borgen
Bischel-______
Vaakanainen

They’d have A TON of cap space here to play with likely. Bennett, Rantanen, Marner. Big trade? Drury would have options and the team would be significantly harder to play against

I think you're overrating trade value. Most do

 

[RangerBoy]

View attachment 963631

Larry wrote this team was a disgrace to the city three weeks ago. "Smart use of cap space" should not be used in a sentence concerning the Rangers.

 

[RangerBoy]

Kakko has the best xGF% on the Kraken since joining there. His linemates go from a 19.96% (Beniers in 20 mins apart) and 34.35% (Schwartz in 41 mins apart), to 54.23% (Beniers, in 177 mins together) and 57.5% (Schwartz in 157 mins together). Kinda like how Cuylle and Chytil's numbers also drop off hard away from Kakko this season.

Maybe he is, in fact, better than people want to give him credit for being

Kakko wasn’t going to be that player on this team which still caters to their top 4 forwards like they are Messier, Gretzky, Kurri and Andersson.

 

[RGY]

Just get the JTM Trade done and put me out of my misery already.

 

[Boris Zubov]

I think you're overrating trade value. Most do

I actually think those values are pretty close to reality. Drury actually pulling the trigger is another story, however.

 

[B17 Apricots]

Let's remember too... a few years ago when we wanted Miller at the deadline it was reported that Drury offered a 1st, Chytil and Lundkvist for JT. At the time he was still in his late 20s and had 1 more year left at 5.25M after that current season. He wasnt on the giant contract that he is now. He finished with 99 points that year. That season really propelled his stardom. Chytil at the time was in his early 20s and did not yet have his breakout season, which came a year later. The injury reputation was not to the extent that it is now. And for Nils he was in his rookie season sparsely getting minutes. He was more of a question mark at that time.

Fast forward to today. Chytil is a giant question mark. In my eyes, talent wise he can be a borderline star. In a larger role with powerplay time I'd bet he can put up fairly gaudy numbers. But it'll never happen if he can't stay healthy.

Miller is a legitimate star but he turns 32 in a few months. He has another 5 years remaining on his deal making 8 million a year. He plays a hard game, so you have to question how long his shelf life is going to be. You don't want Brad Richards 2.0. But frankly... this group absolutely needs a player like this. You can add some jam to the bottom half of the roster... that's nice and all but you really need a couple impact players in the top of the lineup that can play this style of game. It was on a nationally broadcasted game not too long ago where I believe it was Ray Ferraro saying this team needs an Alpha sort of leader. And pointed toward Messier who was with him on the broadcast. None of their star players have that sort of personality.

This time around though Miller has a NMC. He only wants to re-run it in NYC. Drury needs to be smart here. I don't love the idea of targeting a soon to be 32 year old with his particular playstyle... but Drury has all the leverage. Do I want Miller if we have to sell the lot? No. But if Miller is set on NY and Vancouver is set on dealing him, then I don't have an issue acquiring him if the cost isn't crazy. If he flames out in his mid 30s we'll cross that bridge when we get there I suppose.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Larry wrote this team was a disgrace to the city three weeks ago. "Smart use of cap space" should not be used in a sentence concerning the Rangers.

Window open for another three seasons? The rangers just had a three year window with this group of players, and they f***ing got embarrassed in the conference finals twice. By the way, all of those players are worse than they were in that previous window. The sad thing is, this team has a chance to really reload for 2026 if they do things the right way.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Maybe, but there’s been smoke around this core all year. I’m not sure Drury is 100% in on this season. It may be that Miller is a move for next season and beyond

Trading for JT right now and it not being about this season makes no sense to me

all they would do in that scenario is kick the can down the road a year when JT is one year older and closer to decline