Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part XX (WTF are we going to do this Off-Season edition)

Yes, shit oct-dec. Good jan-apr.

I dont see how Mikas second half where we went almost PPG and ended up 2nd on the team in scoring falls below Lafs first half?
I said quarter. If you look at Zib's 4th quarter, it was his best, stats wise, I think.
I do NOT think Laf's first half was better than Zib's second. If I did, that's what I would have SAID... Laf was excruciatingly mediocre after the first quarter.
 
I don't mean so pissy about these guys all the time, but for me, being a Rangers fan for 30+ years has made me hate mediocrity.

I am so disinterested in replacing our not-quite-stars with different not-quite-stars.

I'd rather hire Torts, bring in a bunch of meatsacks, and try to win 2-1.
We may not have a choice regardless of who the coach is. Our lineup is going to be 10 bottom sixers along with JTM & Panarin.
 
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We may not have a choice regardless of who the coach is. Our lineup is going to be 10 bottom sixers along with JTM & Panarin.
That's why what I really kinda wanna do is just light this thing up, but we won't do that either.

So yeah, do what you want, just don't trade draft picks. I'd rather have the chance that the 11OA is a lotto ticket than Dyaln Larkin.
 
I don’t like Meier but he’s effective in his role
He's been awful in NJ. He liked being a passenger in SJ when Hertl, Pavelski, Couture, Kane & Thornton were doing all the work.

He's also a really low key cheapshot artist who runs away when challenged. It was so gratifying when Tuba laid him out in that series.
 
He's been awful in NJ. He liked being a passenger in SJ when Hertl, Pavelski, Couture, Kane & Thornton were doing all the work.

He's also a really low key cheapshot artist who runs away when challenged. It was so gratifying when Tuba laid him out in that series.

Trouba laid him out a week too late sadly. Lafreniere could use a little of that edge. At least it would show he’s engaged. 13 could be an even better version of the type because he can score at even strength.
 
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Larkin top speed: 22.81

Mika top speed: 22.52

You guys are nuts.

He does carry the puck more effectively through the neutral zone than Zib, which IMO is what some folks mean when they say 'fast'

Larkin is more like Chytil/Duchene in terms of being able to get up and down the ice from one blue line through the next, carrying the puck all by his lonesome, which offers a new dynamic for transition play. MacKinnon is another example of this type of player- and he was even before his big breakout. It feels like 90% of NYR's zone entries start at the walls on either side, which (This is an overly simplistic argument for the sake of my typing) really only offers passes in one general direction, or a ring around the boards. You get the puck over the blue line centrally, like Larkin, Chytil, Duchene and others are adept at doing- you've got lots of different options on the pass. It also pulls blueliners centrally once you're in the zone, which can create much more space.

If we wanted that though, I'd just as soon try to sign Duchene if he's still headed to UFA.
 
That last .29 MPH really makes the difference.
I think a lot of people confuse "top speed" with playing fast. Rempe has probably got a top speed higher than Zib's... or close to it.
Larkin does play much faster than Zibs in my estimation. Which doesn't mean BETTER, but if a team need is players who play fast... well maybe Larkin is an upgrade.
 
Trouba laid him out a week too late sadly. Lafreniere could use a little of that edge. At least it would show he’s engaged. 13 could be an even better version of the type because he can score at even strength.
Laf had over 140 hits one season. He has it in him. His problem is putting it all together. Or ONE of his problems. Hahahaha.
 
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I think a lot of people confuse "top speed" with playing fast. Rempe has probably got a top speed higher than Zib's... or close to it.
Larkin does play much faster than Zibs in my estimation. Which doesn't mean BETTER, but if a team need is players who play fast... well maybe Larkin is an upgrade.
Right, that's me that talks about that all the time.

But the thing about playing fast is that it should reflect somewhere. He's really not that much better than Zibanejad.

I don't hate Larkin, but sending Zibanejad out and bringing him in is changing the upholstery on a sinking ship.
 
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Mika’s problem is his decision making with the puck in the offensive zone. Is there a stat for the amount of lazy blue line turnovers or slot chances he passes up? He’s hamstrung the power play with his inability to adjust or score on his one timer

Aside from the obvious things people have noted about O zone choices, his reign as the 'king of one timers' going from one of the best in the league to looking like he has drunk goggles from health class on, and his body language, there's one other thing with Zib.

During his best stretches at even strength- he was generating tons of turnovers with his stick work. Both in the neutral zone and even in the O zone- he used to be a master of picking pockets and getting his blade on passes at just the right moments, even when off balance or out of position.

This created a lot of joy with Kreider on the rush- where those two operate so effectively still shorthanded. They need to catch opposing defenses a little off guard, and then they're amazing.

Mika, for whatever reason, has been generating fewer and fewer turnovers season after season. Either teams have adjusted, or his stick has gotten less sharp much as it has on one timers.
 
One thing Sullivan will prioritize is getting the puck out of our own end, which will help, but the pens were notorious for just flipping the puck to center for a 40/60 puck chase, maybe it was personnel but I'd want a coach that can get this team making 3 quick passes out of our end and stop putting it back behind the net as the forwards are exciting their end.
 
Right, that's me that talks about that all the time.

But the thing about playing fast is that it should reflect somewhere. He's really not that much better than Zibanejad.

I don't hate Larkin, but sending Zibanejad out and bringing him in is changing the upholstery on a sinking ship.
They make about the same contract wise but you can get out of Larkins in 2028 when it moves to a 10 team no trade (Mika’s is full through 2030). If they theoretically produce close to the same, wouldn’t it be better to get younger and swap for an easier to move contract at an earlier date? We’d still be making additional moves to address the roster.
 
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