Speculation: Roster Building thread - Part XVII - (TDL is March 7th)

[TominNC]

There are other examples of teams rebounding (Washington) so that a total rebuild isn't necessarily the only route. I'm for moving some vets and gaining assets, but there's no way the team is blowing it up. And no I don't want to watch 5-10 of losing. Give me a team that can go deep. It's a crapshoot anyway so I'd rather take chances than sit it out.

 

[RangerBoy]

EF asked if the Rangers forgot how to play hockey over the 4 Nations break.

 

[Machinehead]

I've never felt so trapped with this team. What do you even do?

There's such a stench. The brand of hockey sucks and everyone ends up playing it. Who's coming here that doesn't get sucked right into it?

You can't get rid of every player at the same time.

The coach isn't helping but I'm not sure how much another new one helps.

Drury isn't doing enough and I don't think he's that interested in anything that's not staying on the track.

Gorton was the worst GM in history. This is his project come to fruition. The first two words out of his mouth were character and speed and he left us with this featureless, slow ass team.

 

[duhmetreE]

There are other examples of teams rebounding (Washington) so that a total rebuild isn't necessarily the only route. I'm for moving some vets and gaining assets, but there's no way the team is blowing it up. And no I don't want to watch 5-10 of losing. Give me a team that can go deep. It's a crapshoot anyway so I'd rather take chances than sit it out.

Washington has a good young coach and added two good defensemen.

Maybe we should try that

 

[McRanger92]

There are other examples of teams rebounding (Washington) so that a total rebuild isn't necessarily the only route. I'm for moving some vets and gaining assets, but there's no way the team is blowing it up. And no I don't want to watch 5-10 of losing. Give me a team that can go deep. It's a crapshoot anyway so I'd rather take chances than sit it out.

Panarin contract is up in a year and the cap is skyrocketing but lets support an additional 5+ year rebuild because internet posters said so. The logic of these perpetual rebuilders is so flawed.

I've never felt so trapped with this team. What do you even do?

There's such a stench. The brand of hockey sucks and everyone ends up playing it. Who's coming here that doesn't get sucked right into it?

You can't get rid of every player at the same time.

The coach isn't helping but I'm not sure how much another new one helps.

Drury isn't doing enough and I don't think he's that interested in anything that's not staying on the track.

Gorton was the worst GM in history. This is his project come to fruition. The first two words out of his mouth were character and speed and he left us with this featureless, slow ass team.

Save the dramatics for when the deadline passes, and Lindgren is still here. It's premature right now.

 

[duhmetreE]

Lindgren has been one of the better players the past couple games….. that’s the state of the team

 

[Machinehead]

Save the dramatics for when the deadline passes, and Lindgren is still here. It's premature right now.

Of course he'll still be here. There will be some excuse why Drury didn't make the move like there was in the summer.

 

[McRanger92]

Of course he'll still be here. There will be some excuse why Drury didn't make the move like there was in the summer.

He's going to get hurt before the deadline and no one will trade for him. It's been his destiny for awhile.

 

[McRanger92]

We should have Othmann/Berard call-ups today and a trade of some kind. Vesey or Smith. Id love it to be Lindgren.

@ThePeoplesPeople bless us with some forbidden knowledge

 

[JohnC]

The Washington Capitals, last year, were thought to be on the cusp of aging out and falling to the bottom of the league. They barely made the playoffs and were swept. They are 1st in the East this year. They infused young players, Ovechkin had a resurgence and they completely revamped their blue line. The Rangers are in a better spot than the Caps were last year because they have pieces they can actually use to bring in futures. Kreider. Lindgren. Smith. Panarin. They have JT Miller and, for all his faults, Zibanejad in place. Shesterkin and Fox. They need serious changes, but lets not throw the bay out with the bath water.

The reactionaries on this board operate under the idea that every single player on this roster that’s having a down year cannot/will not bounce back next year.

 

[NYR Viper]

Trade Kreider as much as that sucks
Trade Lindgren
Ask Panarin if he’ll waive for Miami or another contender.
Trade Reilly Smith
Fire Lavi and Housley. Let Peca or Muse take it on.
Infuse some youth into the lineup. I have no clue why Berard is not here. He’s literally exactly what this team can use. Give Othmann a cup of coffee

I have zero confidence in any of that happening

This is the way. Fix the defense in the off-season. There are pieces that would help round out and augment this group.

 

[Machinehead]

The reactionaries on this board operate under the idea that every single player on this roster that’s having a down year cannot/will not bounce back next year.

Fox probably will. The other guys struggling are aging.

 

[Machinehead]

The Miller trade was really discouraging for me, not because of anything the player did, really.

People sold it as a culture change. I'd like to be wrong on this, but it doesn't feel like that at all. It feels like the Rangers desperately trying to make the playoffs and throwing a big, obvious name at it which is all they know how to do.

Miller's habits have annoyed me the last few games. Again, this isn't really about him, it just feels like he's getting swept up in the stupidity, not the other way around.

 

[HonestGabe]

I'm ready for a deadline that transforms the makeup of this team. As injuries mount around the league, I think there is a legitimate chance we see significant moves this deadline with players we didn't expect to move. We should capitalize on that. Nuke this core once and for all.

• Panarin ($2.6m ret down to $9m cap hit) for Kempe + Clarke + 2026 2nd
• Lindgren + Vesey to WPG for 3rd round pick
• Kreider to VGK for Nic Hague, 2026 2nd
• Smith to TB for a 2025 2nd (via TOR)
• Schneider + Berard for Alex Tuch
• Vaakanainen, TB 2nd to SJ for Jake Walman
• LA 2026 2nd rounder to BOS for Morgan Geekie

Alexis Lafreniere - JT Miller - Alex Tuch
Adrian Kempe - Morgan Geekie - Mika Zibanejad
Will Cuylle - Vincent Trocheck - Brennan Othmann
Jonny Brodzinski - Sam Carrick - Matt Rempe

Jake Walman - Adam Fox
K'Andre Miller - Will Borgen
Nic Hague - Brandt Clarke

 

[haohmaru]

Ryan Lindgren is the 2nd leading scoring D on the Rangers. That's a huge problem.

He's also 1 point away from tying a career high in points (18) with 20+ games to play.

The reality that Miller is 3 points behind him, with all of 14 points this season, with all of that talent, is almost ludicrous.

 

[NYR Viper]

I really think that if Drury can at least continue the process of revamping this team at this deadline, it will be a positive step. He moved out Goodrow and Trouba. I really think the Kakko thing was forced a bit by him and his agent after another disappointing season and I quite like Borgen.

Move out the UFA's. Lindgren and Smith need to be on the move. Find a taker for Kreider or Panarin. The other one is likely to be an offseason move. I'd almost prefer it be Panarin honestly because of the value he can bring as a rental for a team for 2 years. Retain as necessary.

Something not to be forgotten is that Panarin has ~$8.5m in total salary left due to him. He has a $1m base salary for this season, a $7m signing bonus in July and then another $1m base salary next season. If there are teams who may be more actual dollar conscious going in to next season but want to push to compete, his contract would likely be seen very favorably.

 

[bernmeister]

If the Sabres had Shesty and we had whoever they have ....we would be be the lesser team for a few years while we catch up . Goaltending makes such a difference . Sabres have some good pieces .....maybe a younger coach for Buffalo like Gardiner MacDougal from Moncton Wildcats would move them up a notch as well .

coaches are a factor but foremost, we need better players
we need more/better horses

Trade Kreider as much as that sucks
Trade Lindgren
Ask Panarin if he’ll waive for Miami or another contender.
Trade Reilly Smith
Fire Lavi and Housley. Let Peca or Muse take it on.
Infuse some youth into the lineup. I have no clue why Berard is not here. He’s literally exactly what this team can use. Give Othmann a cup of coffee

I have zero confidence in any of that happening

No, irrationally taking less on Kreider b'c it feels good is not smart mgt
Also, ditching zib is a priority, not an afterthought

There are other examples of teams rebounding (Washington) so that a total rebuild isn't necessarily the only route. I'm for moving some vets and gaining assets, but there's no way the team is blowing it up. And no I don't want to watch 5-10 of losing. Give me a team that can go deep. It's a crapshoot anyway so I'd rather take chances than sit it out.

The prob w/this gambler version is it reeks fo desperation
It is wrong
bern is right, time to admit it
smart build = the way forward

Panarin contract is up in a year and the cap is skyrocketing but lets support an additional 5+ year rebuild because internet posters said so. The logic of these perpetual rebuilders is so flawed.
...

Except that logic >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the inferior view that keeping age of vets over energy of youth, esp when most needed end of season in POs.

I'm ready for a deadline that transforms the makeup of this team. As injuries mount around the league, I think there is a legitimate chance we see significant moves this deadline with players we didn't expect to move. We should capitalize on that. Nuke this core once and for all.

• Panarin ($2.6m ret down to $9m cap hit) for Kempe + Clarke + 2026 2nd
• Lindgren + Vesey to WPG for 3rd round pick
• Kreider to VGK for Nic Hague, 2026 2nd
• Smith to TB for a 2025 2nd (via TOR)
• Schneider + Berard for Alex Tuch
• Vaakanainen, TB 2nd to SJ for Jake Walman
• LA 2026 2nd rounder to BOS for Morgan Geekie

Alexis Lafreniere - JT Miller - Alex Tuch
Adrian Kempe - Morgan Geekie - Mika Zibanejad
Will Cuylle - Vincent Trocheck - Brennan Othmann
Jonny Brodzinski - Sam Carrick - Matt Rempe

Jake Walman - Adam Fox
K'Andre Miller - Will Borgen
Nic Hague - Brandt Clarke

Few of those deals go thru and LA is def not dealing Kempe for Panarin

 

[Fitzy]

I've never felt so trapped with this team. What do you even do?

There's such a stench. The brand of hockey sucks and everyone ends up playing it. Who's coming here that doesn't get sucked right into it?

You can't get rid of every player at the same time.

The coach isn't helping but I'm not sure how much another new one helps.

Drury isn't doing enough and I don't think he's that interested in anything that's not staying on the track.

Gorton was the worst GM in history. This is his project come to fruition. The first two words out of his mouth were character and speed and he left us with this featureless, slow ass team.

Trapped is a decent descriptor. "Doomed" comes to mind for me, like watching the Vasa sink headed out of port.

I think you have to do all this in one offseason

1) New coach
2) Several high profile trades including possible Zib/Panarin
3) Bring in Berard, Othmann, and maybe Perreault to fight for spots in camp.

And perhaps 4) Make sure that we vet for aggressive playstyle with any UFAs we might sign.

I feel like our vets haven't felt 'pushed' by youth this year. I know Lavi says you cant scratch everyone at once and he's right, but I do think players do better in the dog days of the winter schedule if they know AHL guys are rearing and ready for their chance.

You have to try to get a feel for the veterans we think will raise their play with a better team culture. JT, Trocheck and Cuylle I have no doubt will give it their all. K'Andre, Zib, Kreider, Panarin, Laf? I'm far less certain.

If we can get Laf+ done for Tkachuk in the offseason, that would be a big step.

 

[MrAlmost]

Out at literally any cost/the benefit is the cap space and spots for others:
Kreider
Smith
Vesey
Lindgren
Lavi
Housley

In:
Berard
Othmann
Jones
Peca
Muse

Forwards:
Panarin-Miller-Laf
Cuylle-Z-Berard
Othmann-Tro-Kaliyev
Brod-Carrick-Rempe

D:
Miller-Fox
Jones-Borgen
Vaak-Schneider

I have no doubt this would be an improvement. From here, I start talking to Panarin and even Igor.

In the free agents class I sign Gavrikov and Maata right away. Vaak is a 7. Jones likely traded this season or leaves in off-season. Either way he wont be back.

Insert Perreault on the RW of Cuylle and Z. Cuylle will score 30 with Perreault.

I am not particularly impressed with the forwards of this free agent class, which would have me holding my moneys for 2026. Get McDavid. Maybe even Kaprizov too. Haha.

 

[CLW]

There are other examples of teams rebounding (Washington) so that a total rebuild isn't necessarily the only route. I'm for moving some vets and gaining assets, but there's no way the team is blowing it up. And no I don't want to watch 5-10 of losing. Give me a team that can go deep. It's a crapshoot anyway so I'd rather take chances than sit it out.

You seriously think this team can go deep with some changes on the fringes of this squad?

The JT Miller trade was the NYR grabbing hold of the NYR culture with all it's might. It's sold as a culture change but it's the polar opposite.

Nothing will change. The NYR will go through the same organizational muscle twitch spasms year after year as it has done for decades.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Going into TDL, Synergy and truculence more important than ever.

 

[Savant]

There are other examples of teams rebounding (Washington) so that a total rebuild isn't necessarily the only route. I'm for moving some vets and gaining assets, but there's no way the team is blowing it up. And no I don't want to watch 5-10 of losing. Give me a team that can go deep. It's a crapshoot anyway so I'd rather take chances than sit it out.

Again. Washington has MacLennan and Carberry. We have Drury and Laviolette. That is a massive difference

 

[McRanger92]

They really need to move off Panarin, Kreider and Mika before we judge any of the young guys or new arrivals too harshly. The 3 of them sap the energy from the team. They are never going to be the leaders and play drivers this team needs them to be. I would be expediting the process of getting rid of them. I feel like Kreider and Panarin are very moveable, at least in other teams being interested. And even if Panarin invokes the NMC, he'll be gone in a year anyway. I think Drury will retool slightly until the summer of 2026 and that UFA class, namely Eichel. We've already taken that step back into the wild card mix.

 

[Savant]

I really think that if Drury can at least continue the process of revamping this team at this deadline, it will be a positive step. He moved out Goodrow and Trouba. I really think the Kakko thing was forced a bit by him and his agent after another disappointing season and I quite like Borgen.

Move out the UFA's. Lindgren and Smith need to be on the move. Find a taker for Kreider or Panarin. The other one is likely to be an offseason move. I'd almost prefer it be Panarin honestly because of the value he can bring as a rental for a team for 2 years. Retain as necessary.

Something not to be forgotten is that Panarin has ~$8.5m in total salary left due to him. He has a $1m base salary for this season, a $7m signing bonus in July and then another $1m base salary next season. If there are teams who may be more actual dollar conscious going in to next season but want to push to compete, his contract would likely be seen very favorably.

The only thing that forced the Kakko trade was Kakko’s interview when he called out exactly what was happening.

 

[Machinehead]

Trapped is a decent descriptor. "Doomed" comes to mind for me, like watching the Vasa sink headed out of port.

I think you have to do all this in one offseason

1) New coach
2) Several high profile trades including possible Zib/Panarin
3) Bring in Berard, Othmann, and maybe Perreault to fight for spots in camp.

And perhaps 4) Make sure that we vet for aggressive playstyle with any UFAs we might sign.

I feel like our vets haven't felt 'pushed' by youth this year. I know Lavi says you cant scratch everyone at once and he's right, but I do think players do better in the dog days of the winter schedule if they know AHL guys are rearing and ready for their chance.

You have to try to get a feel for the veterans we think will raise their play with a better team culture. JT, Trocheck and Cuylle I have no doubt will give it their all. K'Andre, Zib, Kreider, Panarin, Laf? I'm far less certain.

If we can get Laf+ done for Tkachuk in the offseason, that would be a big step.

Where's this compete level Lafreniere was supposed to have? It was supposed to be elite. I think, once again, skating hard because you can't skate got confused for hustle. I'm a logical guy (I try to be). I'm more inclined to put some blame on the Rangers than think the entire hockey world completely whiffed twice (although maybe they did, who knows right now?) but Kakko being soft and Lafreniere being lazy is on those players.

As far as the youth not pushing the vets, that I do put on Laviolette. When Carl Hagelin came up and pushed his way in, Torts gave him a real spot. Berard comes up here and looks great and we give him 6 minutes. There's definitely a culture problem and it's helped tremendously by this "earn it" thing with our young players where you can't earn it. You just have to be around long enough before they arbitrarily decide you were around long enough.