Speculation: Roster Building Thread : Part XVI (Playoffs or Retool?)

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I’m just confused by your post, because you wrote “Worst situation. The Rangers are winning”

I thought we were Rangers fans.

The team isn’t getting a lottery pick with Igor Shesterkin in net.

What top team in the east wants the Rangers to emerge as a wild card team with a red hot Igor Shesterkin in net?

I guess the question is, what is winning? The goal is to win a Stanley Cup.

As currently constituted this team has very little chance of doing so. Even if Igor goes on a heater.

However, if several impact players are brought in it could close the gap a bit. And the first step to that is actually making the playoffs.

I am still in the camp that thinks its foolish to be a buyer. But its obvious they will be, with all of the cap space they've accrued and the way they've turned things around recently.

Did I hear it right on Jeopardy last night? No Wildcard team has ever won a Stanley Cup? (Not much of a history there though)

 

[Machinehead]

Why we trading Schneider? Makes 0 sense

For Thomas Harley? It makes sense.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Kreider for Frederic and a pick. Younger more physical player, better suited for the bottom 6. I think @NYR Viper has mentioned a similar framework around Jeannott. It's a shame we are getting so little from him. You have to think his declining effectiveness is partially a reason for Drury's interest in JT. they are missing that all-situations guy Kreider has been over the years.

Good, but I really like CK full cap to Dallas for Bischel and a 2nd

 

[Shesterkybomb]

For Thomas Harley? It makes sense.

Why does it make sense for them to trade Harley+ for Schneider?

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

What number do Borgen and Vaakanainen want to extend here? Both guys have been great fits. not flashy but they are the defensive depth the team needs, that will always be useful. Borgen is Trouba at his best at a fraction of the cap hit. Urho is positionally solid and ist afraid to get his hands dirty for a smallish guy. They've made K'Andre and Schneider much better. Impressed at the work Drury did with those trades.

Vaak RFA, 1.8 and Borgen +/- 3mm?

 

[McRanger92]

Vaak RFA, 1.8 and Borgen +/- 3mm?

Id sign both at those numbers.

 

[Machinehead]

Why does it make sense for them to trade Harley+ for Schneider?

You have the + on the wrong side.

It makes sense for us because Harley is a top 25 defenseman.

I don't know why it makes sense for Dallas.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

For Thomas Harley? It makes sense.

Where is Thomas Harley coming from?

Dallas isn't going to trade him.

 

[Fitzy]

4 x 3 is a dream deal for Borgen. 4x4.5 is more what I'd expect, which is why I'm not 100 percent on board with it.

Vaak isn't worth a ton. You guys are just finally seeing what a #7 looks like playing consistently since somehow Lindgren has gone from a #4 to a #8 in 2 seasons.

 

[OriginalLimbo]

I’m just confused by your post, because you wrote “Worst situation. The Rangers are winning”

I thought we were Rangers fans.

The team isn’t getting a lottery pick with Igor Shesterkin in net.

What top team in the east wants the Rangers to emerge as a wild card team with a red hot Igor Shesterkin in net?

That loosely leads into the major issue that I have with the tank bus. Note, it’s a bus I fully admit I have been on AND off at times. So, this is my criticism…of myself.

I’m an adult. I understand short term “pain” for long term gain. I save, lol. Not for current mid age limbo and family. But for older limbo and family. And for potentially for unborn grand-limbinos and limbinas. So, I get the sentiment. And I see that most cups are won by teams that sucked for a while and got a bunch of high picks, where at least 1 or 2 were studs, most with a stud 1C. So, I get on the bus…kinda

Because, every time I am on the bus, and game like last night pops up - team playing well, a goal like Rempe’s, etc., etc……I find myself…happy. That they won. There is the conundrum, for me. In real life, at a minimum, I try to be logical and consistent. So, when I’m on the tank bus and I enjoy it when they win…it kinda…hurts my brain, lol. Maybe that’s just me. I can’t square that circle. So, I get off the bus…kinda. Until next time.

I don’t know which is which, but it feels like classic heart vs head.

 

[Machinehead]

I’m just confused by your post, because you wrote “Worst situation. The Rangers are winning”

I thought we were Rangers fans.

The team isn’t getting a lottery pick with Igor Shesterkin in net.

What top team in the east wants the Rangers to emerge as a wild card team with a red hot Igor Shesterkin in net?

The Devils would love it.

 

[80shockeywasbuns]

The Devils would love it.

Jack Hughes when Urho Vakanainen hops over the bench

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

The Devils would love it.

He said top team.

 

[Mike in Houston]

The Rangers are back — and just in time for playoff push​

I’d never quite seen anything like the 19-game stretch bridging November and December in which the Rangers won four and lost 15 in regulation.

And I’m not sure I’ve seen anything like this dramatic turnaround that began the first week of 2025 in which the Blueshirts have gone 7-1-3 to wedge their way smack dab into the playoff picture.

This is the sentence that I never believed I would write this season:

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Worst situation. The Rangers are winning games. Drury doesn't talk to the media. When the Rangers were 12-4-1 or something like that, Drury sent out the note after losing to Calgary and Edmonton. There was all sorts of speculation about removing players from the team. Is the plan still the same?

 

[Fitzy]

Laf has always been better in the second half of a season (Every season he has been here) but NYR do need to start getting par-performances from Kreider, Miller, Mika otherwise this entire conversatuion is moot. You won't do anything with half of your top 6 producing nothing at even strength. The players that have regressed this year need to find some semblance of their old game again.

 

[duhmetreE]

If we add JTM and replace Lindgren with a real top2-4LHD, I think we’re much closer.

It’d come down to players playing to their capability. I’d like our chances more than any other ECF we’ve been in

 

[RGY]

If we add JTM and replace Lindgren with a real top2-4LHD, I think we’re much closer.

It’d come down to players playing to their capability. I’d like our chances more than any other ECF we’ve been in

Petterson next to Fox?

Who has been better recently, Lindgren or Vak? Who would be better suited to play on that last pair next to Schneider. Who has the better card.

I am on the Bjugstad train.

Laf-Troch-Panarin
Kreider-Miller-xxxx
Cuylle-Zib-Smith
Edstrom-Carrick-Bjugstad
Kaliyev

I think they self rent Reilly Smith.

Question is do they upgrade Kaliyev. And i think they do.

We shall see. All depends on where they are at the deadline. I think they will be in playoff position by then, especially if they bring in JTM now.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Laf has always been better in the second half of a season (Every season he has been here) but NYR do need to start getting par-performances from Kreider, Miller, Mika otherwise this entire conversatuion is moot. You won't do anything with half of your top 6 producing nothing at even strength. The players that have regressed this year need to find some semblance of their old game again.

Exactly. We’ve been better recently ( impossible to be worse than we were for November/December). But it’s delusional to think we’re a legit contender still. Especially with our core players still sucking for the most part. You can’t rely on the 4th line to carry you. And while I can see Panarin and even Trochek turning it on, I don’t see Zib or Kreider turning things around. They need to be replaced , and we need a big upgrade on D before we can even think about making a run. And I doubt Drurys ability to get that done in season.

 

[NYR Viper]

What number do Borgen and Vaakanainen want to extend here? Both guys have been great fits. not flashy but they are the defensive depth the team needs, that will always be useful. Borgen is Trouba at his best at a fraction of the cap hit. Urho is positionally solid and ist afraid to get his hands dirty for a smallish guy. They've made K'Andre and Schneider much better. Impressed at the work Drury did with those trades.

Many here will disagree but the fact that both guys will likely re-sign for the collective cap hit of 2/3 of just what Trouba made by himself is likely to open up options elsewhere. Specifically that top pairing LD spot.

 

[kovazub94]

If the return to Vancouver is what was reported on the weekend; no thanks. Good to be rid of Lindgren, but to include him in this is bad asset management. I'd prefer to involve Zibanejad, but guessing he won't waive his NMC to go to Vancouver.

That trade reeks of desperation. This team is not going far this year; at the risk of going full Bern here, they should not be trading away more picks/prospects.

Seems that your issue is that Lindgren is included, yes?

 

[duhmetreE]

Petterson next to Fox?

Who has been better recently, Lindgren or Vak? Who would be better suited to play on that last pair next to Schneider. Who has the better card.

I am on the Bjugstad train.

Laf-Troch-Panarin
Kreider-Miller-xxxx
Cuylle-Zib-Smith
Edstrom-Carrick-Bjugstad
Kaliyev

I think they self rent Reilly Smith.

Question is do they upgrade Kaliyev. And i think they do.

We shall see. All depends on where they are at the deadline. I think they will be in playoff position by then, especially if they bring in JTM now.

I like Pettersson but I really like Walman. Would cost much more though. I’d like a goal scoring threat like Chychrun but that ship has sailed.

We have Berard as another winger. I love Kaliyevs shot. Best example last night, he can score from anywhere. If he works on his first few steps/explosiveness he can be a good player

 

[McRanger92]

Jack Hughes when Urho Vakanainen hops over the bench
View attachment 965224

More like "Sam Carrick when Jack Hughes hops over the bench"

 

[bernmeister]

Resign Lindy. He’s earned it. But more importantly, we need him.

He’s not a UFA until the following season.
By then Panarin’s contract will be off the books.
If a move is to be made then Drury should start now. This group’s past performance has shown that it unable to take the next step. Zibanejad can’t be moved. Buying him out won’t help.
Kreider needs to be moved Gand I can’t see Drury moving out Fox and Igor before their no movement clause kicks in.
Sadly for us fans, the GM placed himself in a room ablaze and has only left one exit unblocked.

thnx for reminder on bread
Drury should have started yesterday, agree now will do
111% bold is spot on and that is what the rah rah sis boom bah crowd needs to recognize; we need more/better horses to win the SC race
zib can be moved but it won't be pretty
it is nec
as is dealing high end vets for quality youth = sell high profit

They can’t move Lindgren without replacing him which is why I bring up Soucy In Vancouver

disagree
then can and should move him now
we can give Robertson one more try [not that he got full/fair shot before] and if not a fit deal him too; Mancini bring up, AND YES, ACCEPT THE EFFIN GROWING PAINS LIKE EVERY OTHER CLUB DOES

I want JT more than anyone probably but we arent the desperate team. The haters and losers (of which there are many) said the season was over for us but clearly they were wrong. Canucks have no leverage. Canes prob offering them nothing because they dont want the contract. Trading Mercer/Nemec for JT would be a panic move by the devils, the same way us trading Chytil and Schneider 2 years ago would've been. Regulation home loss to Sabres has to be putting Vancouver toward Defcon 1 with this trade.

Im still very ok with trading Chytil. I really like him but the injury concerns and lack of defensive awareness are big issues for me. Not to mention he is allergic to finishing. Drury should be able to leverage the Rangers good play/Vancouver's poor play to get the pick conditions he wants. If he can get any kind of retention, he'd be a magician.

It's wholly appropriate for yours truly and many others to call out that this team has demonstrated REPEATEDLY it is NOT gonna win the SC outside of luck. It needs improvement, which means dealing the vet core. Kreider does not have to go NOW and others do.
Speaking such truth does not make me/those who agree "haters and losers".

What’s the worst situation? Winning?

I think he means theoretically we win but fail to get the cup puts us at less likely chance of drafting better which sets us up for better long term results of an extended window.
If it was ok just to compete and go deep, that would be one thing
In NHL it's cup or bust

Well seems like the team is trending back to making the playoffs.

I would do a lot for Drury to move Kreider at the deadline for a young hungry player who can help in the playoffs. Don't even need the 1st.

Kreider has been so checked out for almost every game, I want no part of him in the playoffs, one big game last year or not.

disagree on da bold

Kreider for Frederic and a pick. Younger more physical player, better suited for the bottom 6. I think @NYR Viper has mentioned a similar framework around Jeannott. It's a shame we are getting so little from him. You have to think his declining effectiveness is partially a reason for Drury's interest in JT. they are missing that all-situations guy Kreider has been over the years.

disagree x 2 +...

Winning? What are the Rangers winning? It's a flawed team. The team presidentGM wanted to make big changes a few months ago.

tell it like it is, etc.

I’m just confused by your post, because you wrote “Worst situation. The Rangers are winning”

I thought we were Rangers fans.

The team isn’t getting a lottery pick with Igor Shesterkin in net.

What top team in the east wants the Rangers to emerge as a wild card team with a red hot Igor Shesterkin in net?

see above

Good, but I really like CK full cap to Dallas for Bischel and a 2nd

we are better off keeping CK at least for now and instead bread to DAL 5.6+ retained to an even 6m per, for Bisch + 1st + 2nd, w/ANA eating 2.5 for this season (pro rated) and next, for something from stars and we chip in

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I’m surprised Larry hasn’t said much of anything about the noise with JT. Maybe they told him to zip it up while they’re working it out

Worst situation. The Rangers are winning games. Drury doesn't talk to the media. When the Rangers were 12-4-1 or something like that, Drury sent out the note after losing to Calgary and Edmonton. There was all sorts of speculation about removing players from the team. Is the plan still the same?

The plan changes depending on what side of the bed Chris wakes up on every day. So no, the plan is not the same