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

[NickyFotiu]

Id argue both players are top 10 at their position. Neither player has been able to push their team over the top and D is more concerning to me than C. Especially after the Miller trade.

Well just for discussions sake even before this season in the NHL rankings they had Mathews in the top 10 and I think Fox was around 37.
I think this team needs major overhauling in all areas outside of goaltending and even in goal Shesty has to play up to his contract. Anyway I do appreciate all the opinions. It is good to see Rangers fans holding up our players so high. I always like that.

 

[haohmaru]

I appreciate your opinion. My opinion is that Mathews is the bigger, stronger more productive player and that he has more value league wide. I could be 100% wrong but I believe people outside of this fan base value Mathews much higher than Fox even before this season.
Your point about the D is valid. I think we need a #1 D pairing guy with or without Fox if Fox plays like he has for parts of the last 2 seasons going back to the NJ playoff series. I do understand he has had some injuries and I do not blame him for that. Its not like I'm saying a nobody for Fox. Mathews is a former Hart winner. A Richard winner. A guy that is rated a top 10 player.

I'm not doing an apples to apples comparison though. I'm saying what I think is best for this Rangers team. Hard to evaluate D vs F anyway.

I mean, you can throw out the Richard trophy as much as you want but a Norris, Hart, or Conn Smythe is much more impressive to me and likely most other NHL fans.

Matthews rep as fading quietly into the night in the playoffs isn't a good fit for this team either.

Fox has been to two ECF's in four years. Matthews... has never been despite having other weapons for teams to focus on: Marner, Nylander, Tavares, etc...

Not a fit here.

 

[effen]

The wings are prepping for more youth infusion and less vets. It's part of the drama with Larkin right now

Perpetual rebuild. Infinite job hack.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

wait are people actually debating matthews/fox?

it isnt even close lol.

if toronto makes matthews somewhat available we should do everything in our power to trade for him. no one should be off limits

 

[haohmaru]

wait are people actually debating matthews/fox?

it isnt even close lol.

if toronto makes matthews somewhat available we should do everything in our power to trade for him. no one should be off limits

Top 10 D for top... 20? Forward. It is close.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Top 10 D for top... 20? Forward. It is close.

top 5 center.

 

[LeetchisGod]

wait are people actually debating matthews/fox?

it isnt even close lol.

if toronto makes matthews somewhat available we should do everything in our power to trade for him. no one should be off limits

Eichel was considered a failure until Vegas traded for him. Worked out pretty well for them.

 

[NYR Viper]

Austin Matthews had 69 goals last year in the regular season. That's INSANE. The Rangers entire team had 278 and they won the Presidents trophy. He would have amounted to ~25% of the Rangers goals that year. He's inarguably a top-5 center in the world. McDavid. Eichel. Barkov. Mackinnon. Matthews.

 

[FoxysExpensiveNYDigs]

Austin Matthews had 69 goals last year in the regular season. That's INSANE. The Rangers entire team had 278 and they won the Presidents trophy. He would have amounted to ~25% of the Rangers goals that year. He's inarguably a top-5 center in the world. McDavid. Eichel. Barkov. Mackinnon. Matthews.

Now do playoff goals

 

[Tob]

Matthews is all style over substance, new era of vibe first work second players like Zibanejad. They show up for the low physicality regular season paychecks and fanfare then disappear in the playoffs when real hockey players battle for space to win. There are things more important than hockey, if you have to be physical. How will you be able to enjoy your millions and wear your gucci real bat leather shark suede reversible loafers if your shoulders are aching from a taking a hit?

Players like Matthews Marner and Zibanejad should form something similar to a hockey diversity alliance, but it’s the sensitive hockey alliance.

 

[NYR Viper]

Now do playoff goals

He has 71 points in 82 games, along with 31 goals on teams that haven't been out of the 1st round until this season when he was 27.

Barkov has 68 points in 82 games including 22 goals.

Brayden Point has 79 points in 82 games.

I'm not saying he's perfect, but this whole 'he's terrible and can't get it done' is so basketball-ish where the games are played much more 1v1 than hockey is.

 

[FoxysExpensiveNYDigs]

He has 71 points in 82 games, along with 31 goals on teams that haven't been out of the 1st round until this season when he was 27.

Barkov has 68 points in 82 games including 22 goals.

Brayden Point has 79 points in 82 games.

I'm not saying he's perfect, but this whole 'he's terrible and can't get it done' is so basketball-ish where the games are played much more 1v1 than hockey is.

Sure i get it. He's a great player. He's also been surrounded by a better core than he would have here (minus goalie although Stolarz was great this year) and failed to reach the 2nd round more often than not. If we could somehow move Zib and Kreider and not give up Fox I'd be all over it. Adding another scoring forward while subtracting the teams best defender is not going to help Igor perform better, nor the team win more imo.

 

[haohmaru]

top 5 center.

I certainly don't put him in the top 5. Top 5 centers get past the 2nd round of the playoffs.

 

[mrmovies779]

Matthews is now 0-6 in Game 7's without a single goal scored.Wonderful player,but we don't need anymore players who wilt under pressure

 

[Machinehead]

The absolute best version of Fox is truly in rarified air in terms of how he impacts the game, but Matthews is more consistent.

Starting from scratch, I take Matthews. As it stands, making that trade just creates another massive problem, so why bother?

 

[EdJovanovski]

Laf’s parents fooled the hockey world having a 30yo dominating the Q and no one can convince me otherwise

 

[haohmaru]

The absolute best version of Fox is truly in rarified air in terms of how he impacts the game, but Matthews is more consistent.

Starting from scratch, I take Matthews. As it stands, making that trade just creates another massive problem, so why bother?

Agreed. Even if you think Matthews is better, which is fine, he's not an option that makes the Rangers better if the cost is Fox or Fox+.

 

[Machinehead]

Laf’s parents fooled the hockey world having a 30yo dominating the Q and no one can convince me otherwise
View attachment 1039121

Idk, Messier was bald. This could be a good development for us.

 

[TGWL]

Laf’s parents fooled the hockey world having a 30yo dominating the Q and no one can convince me otherwise
View attachment 1039121

I'm only a HFboard personal trainer, physiotherapist, and Dr./major in sports medicine, so my word is definitely foolproof when I tell you that Lafreniere looks like an unathletic, out-of shape slob with the way that shirts sits on him.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Laf’s parents fooled the hockey world having a 30yo dominating the Q and no one can convince me otherwise
View attachment 1039121

Don't know why they are in Japan but people rave about the 7-11 egg salad sandwiches in Japan. No joke.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Don't know why they are in Japan but people rave about the 7-11 egg salad sandwiches in Japan. No joke.

if i was rich id fly to japan just for superior sushi

 

[Machinehead]

Japan is beautiful. I'd love to have the time and money to make that trip someday.

 

[JohnC]

I wouldn’t pass up the chance to add another player that dodges accountability. A 1-2 punch of Matthews and Zibanejad is a top 3 accountability dodging center corp in the league.

 

[MrAlmost]

Laf’s parents fooled the hockey world having a 30yo dominating the Q and no one can convince me otherwise
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I like that Laf is with Rempe. That dude just works. I'm encouraged.

Also, sake bombs.

 

[NickyFotiu]

if i was rich id fly to japan just for superior sushi

My buddy went a couple of months ago. He loved it. His son goes every year lately. Some really nice scenery in the pics he sent. I don't think you need to be rich. If you go at the right time it could be as reasonable as $1000 airfare and $100 a night hotel.