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

[McRanger92]

Rangers should add a 3C soon (as in, before the trade deadline) that is either under team control for next year or sign able to a reasonable number. As others have pointed out, the Rangers arent going to sell until deadline day and they should be operating as if they can make it until then. If the plan is to move Mika and Kreider this summer, I am all for it. But we still obviously need a 3C behind Miller and Trocheck. Preferably someone more suited to the role than Chytil. A few options I find interesting:

Nashville
ROR - Appears like he can still do it but he's 34. 14 goals and 30 points this year. 2 more years remaining at 4.5M
Tommy Novak - Rangers have been rumored to like him as recently as last year. Might need a change of scenery. 2 years left at 3.5
Colton Sissons - Worst option of the 3. probably more of a 4C at this point. 1 year left at 2.8

Minnesota
Hartman - Typical gritty 3C who can play wing on a top 6 line in a pinch. Minnesota might be looking to make space for Rossi. 2 years left at 4M
Rossi - If they arent looking to make room for Rossi, maybe they deal him. The type of player where the ask is probably K'Andre Miller. RFA this summer.

Montreal
Jake Evans - Honestly as good a fit for our needs as anyone. Wouldve been my top target if we were contending, but Id look to trade for and sign him like Borgen. UFA this summer.

There are other options to be sure. Guys we've been in on before (Gourde/Bjugstad). But if it were up to me Id be going for Novak or Evans. I agree with @NYR Viper that the long term solution to the LHD problem should be addressed on the UFA market this summer.

2025 Opening Night
Panarin-Miller-Perreault
Lafreniere-Trocheck-Cuylle
Othmann-Novak-Berard
Edstrom-Carrick-Rempe

Gavrikov-Fox
K'Andre-Borgen
Vaakanainen-Schneider

Igor
Garand

Id be really pleased with that.

Unfortunately Berard weighs 44 lbs less, and Othman weighs 32 lbs less than J.T. Berard played 3 games in the NHL before he missed time by being banged up. Othman missed a lot of time in Hartford. Unfortunately both will have to, shall we say manage that style of play if they want to have long careers in the NHL. Although I know what your saying in terms of being aggressive, pesky, and being willing to at least spend some time in the middle of the ice and in the slot.

They'll be ok.

 

[IronBloodedLion]

Steve gives the Rangers a 20% chance of making the playoffs. Too many teams. This segment is from yesterday. Last night, TB, Boston and Detroit won. The Islanders won too.

The Rangers will have a rebrand.

He sees the Rangers possible moving Reilly Smith and Jimmy Vesey. Zac Jones. Other moves heading into next season.

Full segment



The Rangers have too many sheep. Miller is a sheepherder.

Worried about Chytil's concussions.

Did Steve buy those Emmy's?

Something I’ve noticed this year from watching different broadcasts is that former players have 0 respect for this group after they effectively quit when that Memo went out.

Valiquette, Michelletti, Ferraro, Messier, obviously Drury. Just no patience for how they handled themselves. The disgust is obvious.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I’d take Samuelsson if we could get him cheap. Bit of a risk, but seems like a worthwhile reclamation project. If he can stay healthy and turn it around, he’s a big top 4 LHD on a great long term contract.

He’s been either hurt or awful since signing that extension.

One of the low key really bad contracts in the league imo. He’s a bigger Lindgren.

 

[McRanger92]

Something I’ve noticed this year from watching different broadcasts is that former players have 0 respect for this group after they effectively quit when that Memo went out.

Valiquette, Michelletti, Ferraro, Messier, obviously Drury. Just no patience for how they handled themselves. The disgust is obvious.

They quit on Sam Rosen

 

[LaffyTaffy13]

If you really look out into the future, it’s hard to see where brett berard fits in unfortunately. Which is why I’d be okay moving him if it meant getting tommy novak.

2025-2026 lineup
Perrault-jt miller-mika
Panarin-trocheck-laff
Cuylle-novak-othmann
Edstrom-carrick-rempe

This is assuming we find a way to move kreider. Where does berard fit? I guess 4th line but I take a 3C with term over a small 4th liner

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

If you really look out into the future, it’s hard to see where brett berard fits in unfortunately. Which is why I’d be okay moving him if it meant getting tommy novak.

2025-2026 lineup
Perrault-jt miller-mika
Panarin-trocheck-laff
Cuylle-novak-othmann
Edstrom-carrick-rempe

This is assuming we find a way to move kreider. Where does berard fit? I guess 4th line but I take a 3C with term over a small 4th liner

i wouldnt bank on othmann making it over berard

 

[bernmeister]

Unfortunately Berard weighs 44 lbs less, and Othman weighs 32 lbs less than J.T. Berard played 3 games in the NHL before he missed time by being banged up. Othman missed a lot of time in Hartford. Unfortunately both will have to, shall we say manage that style of play if they want to have long careers in the NHL. Although I know what your saying in terms of being aggressive, pesky, and being willing to at least spend some time in the middle of the ice and in the slot.

I'm pulling for Berard but it is an unchangeable fact that he is Marty St Louis size and he is gonna need to develop exception to the rule level power skating to his core so center of gravity powers him thru on shifts.
Whether or not he can get there remains to be seen, but odds are vs.

Oth is not a behemoth but enough height/size so if just bulks up intelligently he should be fine

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Rangers should add a 3C soon (as in, before the trade deadline) that is either under team control for next year or sign able to a reasonable number. As others have pointed out, the Rangers arent going to sell until deadline day and they should be operating as if they can make it until then. If the plan is to move Mika and Kreider this summer, I am all for it. But we still obviously need a 3C behind Miller and Trocheck. Preferably someone more suited to the role than Chytil. A few options I find interesting:

Nashville
ROR - Appears like he can still do it but he's 34. 14 goals and 30 points this year. 2 more years remaining at 4.5M
Tommy Novak - Rangers have been rumored to like him as recently as last year. Might need a change of scenery. 2 years left at 3.5
Colton Sissons - Worst option of the 3. probably more of a 4C at this point. 1 year left at 2.8

Minnesota
Hartman - Typical gritty 3C who can play wing on a top 6 line in a pinch. Minnesota might be looking to make space for Rossi. 2 years left at 4M
Rossi - If they arent looking to make room for Rossi, maybe they deal him. The type of player where the ask is probably K'Andre Miller. RFA this summer.

Montreal
Jake Evans - Honestly as good a fit for our needs as anyone. Wouldve been my top target if we were contending, but Id look to trade for and sign him like Borgen. UFA this summer.

There are other options to be sure. Guys we've been in on before (Gourde/Bjugstad). But if it were up to me Id be going for Novak or Evans. I agree with @NYR Viper that the long term solution to the LHD problem should be addressed on the UFA market this summer.

2025 Opening Night
Panarin-Miller-Perreault
Lafreniere-Trocheck-Cuylle
Othmann-Novak-Berard
Edstrom-Carrick-Rempe

Gavrikov-Fox
K'Andre-Borgen
Vaakanainen-Schneider

Igor
Garand

Id be really pleased with that.



They'll be ok.

Like where you’re going or..

Cuylle Miller Mika
Pan Troch Laffy
Othmann Blueger Berard/Kaliyev/Perrault
Edstrom Carrick Berard/Rempe/Kaliyev
Brodz

Dumoulin Fox
Key Borgen
Soucy/Vaak Schnieder

 

[Shesterkybomb]

i wouldnt bank on othmann making it over berard

Othmann is the better prospect, im not sure why people don't understand this. Berard is good but slight, imo the reason he was sent down this time was because he got totalled a couple times in the nhl. That won't happen to Othmann. Othmann has an elite shot, size, skates well and some grit to his game. If there was ever a comparable to Miller for this team it's him, they should call him up and have Miller work with him. Having Smith in the top 6 or Vesey in the lineup instead of Othmann is super dumb

 

[McRanger92]

Like where you’re going or..

Cuylle Miller Mika
Pan Troch Laffy
Othmann Blueger Berard/Kaliyev/Perrault
Edstrom Carrick Berard/Rempe/Kaliyev
Brodz

Dumoulin Fox
Key Borgen
Soucy/Vaak Schnieder

Soucy id for sure buy low on. He was a highly sought after player at this time last year. has been solid in the playoffs for Seattle and Vancouver.

No interest in Dumolin or Blueger though. Over the hill former Penguins. Id look elsewhere. I do think Mika may be on the roster next year on the RW. Still think the trade speculation on him is wishful thinking at best. i think his future is less tied to kreider than I previously thought.

 

[TGWL]

i wouldnt bank on othmann making it over berard

If Othmann doesn't make the lineup next season he's gone. We can most likely bank on him making the team or being traded.

 

[Boris Zubov]

Othmann is the better prospect, im not sure why people don't understand this. Berard is good but slight, imo the reason he was sent down this time was because he got totalled a couple times in the nhl. That won't happen to Othmann. Othmann has an elite shot, size, skates well and some grit to his game. If there was ever a comparable to Miller for this team it's him, they should call him up and have Miller work with him. Having Smith in the top 6 or Vesey in the lineup instead of Othmann is super dumb

Not saying you're wrong about Othmann being the better prospect, but I'm not sure about it either, however saying he has "elite" size is kinda laughable. He weighs a little over 180 pounds & is 6'. In today's NHL that's well below average.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Saying Othmann has elite size is crazy lmao

Guy is average as they come size wise. Some of you need to take the rose colored glasses off

 

[RGY]

Berard for RoR or Novak, each at 50% retention.

We still have Sykora who can be a competent 4th liner to take Edstrom’s spot if and when we move Vesey. Or if the team gets into a playoff spot you add someone like Bjugstad.

Panarin-JT-Mika
Laf-Troch-Smith
Kreider-RoR-Cuylle
Bjugstad-Carrick-Rempe

Edstrom takes Rempe’s spot upon return.

In the offseason, ship Mika out. Maybe Kreider too. Sign Kane to a 1 year deal. Sign Gavrikov. Promote Perrault. The reason I do Kane is so to keep the cap flexible going into the following free agency class that has McDavid, Eichel, Connor in it as if now. Panarin’s contract off the books as well. Othmann fits if they move Kreider. However, I would rather trade Othmann for a Top 4 RD. Build that D in anticipation if they 2026 offseason so it is all settled for that roster build.

Gavrikov-Fox
Miller-*****
Borgen-Schneider

 

[UnparalledPark]

Rangers should add a 3C soon (as in, before the trade deadline) that is either under team control for next year or sign able to a reasonable number. As others have pointed out, the Rangers arent going to sell until deadline day and they should be operating as if they can make it until then. If the plan is to move Mika and Kreider this summer, I am all for it. But we still obviously need a 3C behind Miller and Trocheck. Preferably someone more suited to the role than Chytil. A few options I find interesting:

Nashville
ROR - Appears like he can still do it but he's 34. 14 goals and 30 points this year. 2 more years remaining at 4.5M
Tommy Novak - Rangers have been rumored to like him as recently as last year. Might need a change of scenery. 2 years left at 3.5
Colton Sissons - Worst option of the 3. probably more of a 4C at this point. 1 year left at 2.8

Minnesota
Hartman - Typical gritty 3C who can play wing on a top 6 line in a pinch. Minnesota might be looking to make space for Rossi. 2 years left at 4M
Rossi - If they arent looking to make room for Rossi, maybe they deal him. The type of player where the ask is probably K'Andre Miller. RFA this summer.

Montreal
Jake Evans - Honestly as good a fit for our needs as anyone. Wouldve been my top target if we were contending, but Id look to trade for and sign him like Borgen. UFA this summer.

There are other options to be sure. Guys we've been in on before (Gourde/Bjugstad). But if it were up to me Id be going for Novak or Evans. I agree with @NYR Viper that the long term solution to the LHD problem should be addressed on the UFA market this summer.

2025 Opening Night
Panarin-Miller-Perreault
Lafreniere-Trocheck-Cuylle
Othmann-Novak-Berard
Edstrom-Carrick-Rempe

Gavrikov-Fox
K'Andre-Borgen
Vaakanainen-Schneider

Igor
Garand

Id be really pleased with that.



They'll be ok.

Minn is one of the few teams I could actually see making a play for Kreider at this years deadline, who would be on Chris’s trade list, with Hartman being part of the bounty coming back.

 

[UnparalledPark]

Something I’ve noticed this year from watching different broadcasts is that former players have 0 respect for this group after they effectively quit when that Memo went out.

Valiquette, Michelletti, Ferraro, Messier, obviously Drury. Just no patience for how they handled themselves. The disgust is obvious.

Many things are obvious to one who is continually looking for said thing grasshopper.

 

[will1066]

Not saying you're wrong about Othmann being the better prospect, but I'm not sure about it either, however saying he has "elite" size is kinda laughable. He weighs a little over 180 pounds & is 6'. In today's NHL that's well below average.

 

[UnparalledPark]

I'm pulling for Berard but it is an unchangeable fact that he is Marty St Louis size and he is gonna need to develop exception to the rule level power skating to his core so center of gravity powers him thru on shifts.
Whether or not he can get there remains to be seen, but odds are vs.

Oth is not a behemoth but enough height/size so if just bulks up intelligently he should be fine

This is where I’m at as well. I think Berard could have a Brodzinski type of a career. If he could play center I’d say even a better one. I’m higher on Othmann than most but I wouldn’t send Kreider out for either one. Unfortunately there are other LW prospects in the pipeline, and I’m afraid the writing is on the wall.

 

[will1066]

Saying Othmann has elite size is crazy lmao

Guy is average as they come size wise. Some of you need to take the rose colored glasses off

 

[Fitzy]

Not saying you're wrong about Othmann being the better prospect, but I'm not sure about it either, however saying he has "elite" size is kinda laughable. He weighs a little over 180 pounds & is 6'. In today's NHL that's well below average.

I read it as

Elite Shot,


Size, etc.

Whereas Berard has the Petr Prucha frame, so comparatively even Martin St Louis looks big next to him

 

[LaffyTaffy13]

i wouldnt bank on othmann making it over berard

One of them will be dealt

 

[UnparalledPark]

Like where you’re going or..

Cuylle Miller Mika
Pan Troch Laffy
Othmann Blueger Berard/Kaliyev/Perrault
Edstrom Carrick Berard/Rempe/Kaliyev
Brodz

Dumoulin Fox
Key Borgen
Soucy/Vaak Schnieder

I would still focus on LD over 3C. We are not going far in the playoffs with that D group.

 

[IDvsEGO]

This is where I’m at as well. I think Berard could have a Brodzinski type of a career. If he could play center I’d say even a better one. I’m higher on Othmann than most but I wouldn’t send Kreider out for either one. Unfortunately there are other LW prospects in the pipeline, and I’m afraid the writing is on the wall.

Are we talking about CK of this year or CK over his career ? Because I'd send this version of CK out for gregg mckegg.

 

[Fitzy]

A half dozen pages back people were looking at the salary cap situation for next year with Shesty Laf and Miller raises, saying we'd have to move one of Mika/Chris even if we didn't add any other big money players. If that's true, seems as like that the defenseman/center we'd be getting would be this offseason and in a hockey trade for one of those two guys.

 

[TGWL]

Berard for RoR or Novak, each at 50% retention.

We still have Sykora who can be a competent 4th liner to take Edstrom’s spot if and when we move Vesey. Or if the team gets into a playoff spot you add someone like Bjugstad.

Panarin-JT-Mika
Laf-Troch-Smith
Kreider-RoR-Cuylle
Bjugstad-Carrick-Rempe

Edstrom takes Rempe’s spot upon return.

In the offseason, ship Mika out. Maybe Kreider too. Sign Kane to a 1 year deal. Sign Gavrikov. Promote Perrault. The reason I do Kane is so to keep the cap flexible going into the following free agency class that has McDavid, Eichel, Connor in it as if now. Panarin’s contract off the books as well. Othmann fits if they move Kreider. However, I would rather trade Othmann for a Top 4 RD. Build that D in anticipation if they 2026 offseason so it is all settled for that roster build.

Gavrikov-Fox
Miller-*****
Borgen-Schneider

I am personally against bringing another player who's slow into the lineup like ROR. I think the world of the player but I don't feel he's what we need right now. If you're looking for a 2-way responsible center, you can find something cheaper for the 3c role. Also, not a GM on the planet will trade you ROR for Berard.. You're missing a significant piece here. Also x2, wouldn't we just use Bjugstad on the 3rd line?