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

[The Crypto Guy]

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.

I'ts pretty obvious what you do. You play the sellers market now and through the draft and try and do a re-tool and get rid the the majority of forwards over 30 we have.

Stop trying to hold on to the hope that we sneak into the playoffs and go on some magic run where we win the cup (not you, just talking out loud and hoping drury hears me).

Re tool, get younger, change the culture, and get ready with a new mindset come next season. We can still be a contender next year if things are done correctly.

 

[McRanger92]

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

Not sure what people expect a different GM than Drury to do. They are all pretty much the same throughout the league. People fawned over Yzerman in Tampa and now he looks like a dolt.

Totally agree on Laviolette though, he is as checked out as his players. Housley has been disastrous for the defense. I would like to see Peca get a chance. He was highly sought after and worked in a smart organization with Washington/Hershey. As a player he was physical and defensively responsible. We need more of that.

 

[Machinehead]

I'ts pretty obvious what you do. You play the sellers market now and through the draft and try and do a re-tool and get rid the the majority of forwards over 30 we have.

Stop trying to hold on to the hope that we sneak into the playoffs and go on some magic run where we win the cup (not you, just talking out loud and hoping drury hears me).

Re tool, get younger, change the culture, and get ready with a new mindset come next season. We can still be a contender next year if things are done correctly.

You're right, but then you replace those players with younger guys, and how am I sure the problem is gone? That's what scares me.

And while I agree with you on your general plan, it's not realistic to just jettison everyone at once. There's gonna be a process, which is fine, but I'm actually worried about the poison taking hold during the transition.

 

[Savant]

Not sure what people expect a different GM than Drury to do. They are all pretty much the same throughout the league. People fawned over Yzerman in Tampa and now he looks like a dolt.

People fawned over Yzerman because everyone knew who was as a player when BreisBois was actually doing the work. Now Yzerman doesn’t have no state income tax to cover his ass. So he looks human.

Totally agree on Laviolette though, he is as checked out as his players. Housley has been disastrous for the defense. I would like to see Peca get a chance. He was highly sought after and worked in a smart organization with Washington/Hershey. As a player he was physical and defensively responsible. We need more of that.

I think everyone knew Laviolette would just be another bandage. I just don’t want a lame duck GM to hire the next coach

 

[The Crypto Guy]

You're right, but then you replace those players with younger guys, and how am I sure the problem is gone? That's what scares me.

And while I agree with you on your general plan, it's not realistic to just jettison everyone at once. There's gonna be a process, which is fine, but I'm actually worried about the poison taking hold during the transition.

Unfortunately, you don't.

You just hope then some of the younger guys really step up and take on that leadership role that they might be hesitant to right now because of the older guys.

A Trochek/Miller would be 2 players that I think could change that leadership that would hopefully trickle on down to the Lafs/Cuylles/Schneider's etc.

Grass isn't always greener on the other side, but man our grass is dark brown right now.

 

[Vitto79]

Crazy to think we are only 2 points out of the playoffs. Yesterday it felt like the season was over.

Yup just hope they don’t win the next 5 and sell Instead lol

They can make 8th even by selling
They won’t go far

 

[cheech70]

 

[Machinehead]

People fawned over Yzerman because everyone knew who was as a player when BreisBois was actually doing the work. Now Yzerman doesn’t have no state income tax to cover his ass. So he looks human.

I think everyone knew Laviolette would just be another bandage. I just don’t want a lame duck GM to hire the next coach

That's my thing with Drury. He always feels like a sitting duck. He always feels like he's desperately papering holes to survive the next couple months (and maybe that's a Dolan thing) instead of having this big plan to transform the team.

Maybe somebody like Miller is a different direction, but right now, you can't convince me it's not "maybe we make the playoffs if I add this guy."

 

[UnparalledPark]

They have to call up Othmann and Berard and replace the dreck that is currently on the roster. Othmann has gotten hot and Berard has 10 in 13 since being sent down.

Don't need to see Vesey anymore. Don't need to see Smith anymore. Don't need to see Rempe anymore. Don't need to see Brodzinski anymore. I'd trade Carrick if I could too.

Losing Edstrom sucks cause he was a difference maker in the bottom 6.

You lost me at Edstrom.

 

[Machinehead]

Actually, yeah, there's probably been worse.

This sport can be really cruel.

 

[TominNC]

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.

They went deep LAST year. Yes, move out some vet dead weight and replace with younger players. Use cap flexibility to add and it's a competitive team.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

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

LA never makes that trade

 

[Savant]

That's my thing with Drury. He always feels like a sitting duck. He always feels like he's desperately papering holes to survive the next couple months (and maybe that's a Dolan thing) instead of having this big plan to transform the team.

Maybe somebody like Miller is a different direction, but right now, you can't convince me it's not "maybe we make the playoffs if I add this guy."

Yeah it’s really weird. Everything just seems so insecure. A lot of good moves being immediately cancelled out by bad moves. Not exactly one step forward two steps backwards necessary but it’s just sideways steps so not progressing.

Miller is there because they want to build around his “leadership” style. Which again, it’s defensible; and he’s probably been their best player since he was acquired - but as you said there is way too much poison that is already in this well right now

 

[McRanger92]

People fawned over Yzerman because everyone knew who was as a player when BreisBois was actually doing the work. Now Yzerman doesn’t have no state income tax to cover his ass. So he looks human.

I think everyone knew Laviolette would just be another bandage. I just don’t want a lame duck GM to hire the next coach

I dont think Drury is a lame duck. Idk who is going to replace him either.

 

[McRanger92]

That's my thing with Drury. He always feels like a sitting duck. He always feels like he's desperately papering holes to survive the next couple months (and maybe that's a Dolan thing) instead of having this big plan to transform the team.

Maybe somebody like Miller is a different direction, but right now, you can't convince me it's not "maybe we make the playoffs if I add this guy."

I feel like adding JT was being opportunistic and getting a player who is a large team need for Chytil who was going to be a massive long term question mark. It's a continuation of the remodel and Drury clearly has the runway from ownership to continue it. I don't know what people are smoking thinking his job is in danger.

The guy has never put his stamp on the team, that's my problem with him. You're right though that he is seemingly twiddling his thumbs when the obvious immediate correctable issues with this team (Lindgren) has been ignored for a year and a half.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Yup just hope they don’t win the next 5 and sell Instead lol

They can make 8th even by selling
They won’t go far

I think Drury has been trying to sell for months. Nobody seems to be buying league wide lately. I think we will be sellers but we cant force people to make good offers.

Yup just hope they don’t win the next 5 and sell Instead lol

They can make 8th even by selling
They won’t go far

I think Drury has been trying to sell for months. Nobody seems to be buying league wide lately . I think we will be sellers but we cant force people to make good offers.

 

[Savant]

I dont think Drury is a lame duck. Idk who is going to replace him either.

Why do you not think Drury is a lame duck. Every move that he has made this year screams lame duck. If he didn’t think he was a lame duck, he would have kept selling after the Trouba trade

I think Drury has been trying to sell for months. Nobody seems to be buying league wide lately. I think we will be sellers but we cant force people to make good offers.


I think Drury has been trying to sell for months. Nobody seems to be buying league wide lately . I think we will be sellers but we cant force people to make good offers.

I think it’s less about “good offers” and more about no one wanting our trash. And none of our trash wanting to waive NMCs

 

[NickyFotiu]

Why do you not think Drury is a lame duck. Every move that he has made this year screams lame duck. If he didn’t think he was a lame duck, he would have kept selling after the Trouba trade


I think it’s less about “good offers” and more about no one wanting our trash. And none of our trash wanting to waive NMCs

I think the NMC and NTC are often over rated. Few guys try to stay where they are not wanted for long.

 

[Machinehead]

I feel like adding JT was being opportunistic and getting a player who is a large team need for Chytil who was going to be a massive long term question mark. It's a continuation of the remodel and Drury clearly has the runway from ownership to continue it. I don't know what people are smoking thinking his job is in danger.

The guy has never put his stamp on the team, that's my problem with him. You're right though that he is seemingly twiddling his thumbs when the obvious immediate correctable issues with this team (Lindgren) has been ignored for a year and a half.

You know what, I hope you're right.

I'd much rather have the problem of "he needs to be a bit more aggressive" than the problem of "he doesn't get it."

 

[McRanger92]

Why do you not think Drury is a lame duck. Every move that he has made this year screams lame duck. If he didn’t think he was a lame duck, he would have kept selling after the Trouba trade


I think it’s less about “good offers” and more about no one wanting our trash. And none of our trash wanting to waive NMCs

JT Miller wasnt a trade for this season. The deadline is coming up. Drury still has plenty of moves to make and his actions this year show he will continue to do so. He's very likely going to buy and sell with next year in mind because he's not getting fired lol.

 

[Machinehead]

At least Will Borgen can skate. That was refreshing as far as acquisitions go.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

That's my thing with Drury. He always feels like a sitting duck. He always feels like he's desperately papering holes to survive the next couple months (and maybe that's a Dolan thing) instead of having this big plan to transform the team.

Maybe somebody like Miller is a different direction, but right now, you can't convince me it's not "maybe we make the playoffs if I add this guy."

Well its different in the sense that he has multiple years left after this one. I think almost every non UFA acquisition has been a rental (which is an issue in itself.)

I don't think it was a "lets try to get in now!" move for that reason alone. We've heard time and time again about how they want to change the style of play/culture/etc. and this is certainly a move in that direction.

If he self rents his UFA's or tries to add more rentals? Yeah, thats a dumb ass hail mary.

1LD has been his biggest blind spot. Thats been an issue since he got here and it's only become more glaring as the player who occupies that spot has become less capable of handling it and he already wasn't really capable of handling it at his best.

 

[NYR Viper]

I feel like adding JT was being opportunistic and getting a player who is a large team need for Chytil who was going to be a massive long term question mark. It's a continuation of the remodel and Drury clearly has the runway from ownership to continue it. I don't know what people are smoking thinking his job is in danger.

The guy has never put his stamp on the team, that's my problem with him. You're right though that he is seemingly twiddling his thumbs when the obvious immediate correctable issues with this team (Lindgren) has been ignored for a year and a half.

Eh, I wouldn't say that is completely accurate though. He traded the teams captain and waived Goodrow. I mean those are pretty monumental moves in terms of NHL activity. The issue is, there is quite a bit more to do. It's like a game of whack-a-mole

 

[McRanger92]

You know what, I hope you're right.

I'd much rather have the problem of "he needs to be a bit more aggressive" than the problem of "he doesn't get it."

The next few weeks will be very telling.

 

[NYR Viper]

At least Will Borgen can skate. That was refreshing as far as acquisitions go.

That and he isn't shy about engaging physically and using his body correctly.