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

[Machinehead]

I liked Mikkola. All we heard about is how he's dragging down Schneider.

Schneider is never with a good partner. Funny, that.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

I'm pretty adamant that the best move w KAM is finding a coach that gets through to him.

His obstacles at this point are mental. He has played extremely well for stretches, especially w Fox.

Him turning it around on another team similar to JTM would be a complete disaster for the NYR.

These guys need wake up calls, and structure provided to them by the NYR. NYR need to dig in and sort it out, not give up and move on.

 

[Machinehead]

I'm pretty adamant that the best move w KAM is finding a coach that gets through to him.

His obstacles at this point are mental. He has played extremely well for stretches, especially w Fox.

Him turning it around on another team similar to JTM would be a complete disaster for the NYR.

These guys need wake up calls, and structure provided to them by the NYR. NYR need to dig in and sort it out, not give up and move on.

The problem I have is a lot of people looking for a new D to replace Miller. We should be looking for a new D to add to Miller.

If one more person suggests Soucy-Borgen as a long-term top 4 pair, I'm gonna drink cyanide.

"They were good in Seattle!" So was Kurt Cobain and he's dead.

 

[will1066]

The problem I have is a lot of people looking for a new D to replace Miller. We should be looking for a new D to add to Miller.

If one more person suggests Soucy-Borgen as a long-term top 4 pair, I'm gonna drink cyanide.

"They were good in Seattle!" So was Kurt Cobain and he's dead.

Cobain-Cornell would've been an elite 1st pair

 

[DanielBrassard]

I liked Mikkola. All we heard about is how he's dragging down Schneider.

Schneider is never with a good partner. Funny, that.

Man I would like to capitalize on whatever value Schneider has in the trade market. Probably could get a nice piece. Especially since he’s never going to play above Fox or Borgen.

 

[Machinehead]

Man I would like to capitalize on whatever value Schneider has in the trade market. Probably could get a nice piece. Especially since he’s never going to play above Fox or Borgen.

This team never tries to aggressively move capital. They just sit around until the guy becomes a nameless vestige that could be found in the discard pile.

No value, no real elements added. Just spackle sitting in a hole.

 

[Guyute]

We should trade for a 1st in our vicinity then let Pittsburgh take 12. That way we keep our 1st in the deep 2026 draft. The Rangers should be better next year thanks to Sullivan and better vibes, but in the event Igor sustains a serious injury then we'd be right back in the thick of the McKenna sweepstakes.

Maybe something like:

Schneider + Lafreniere to Buffalo for Byram + 9th

or

Panarin to Anaheim for Zegras + 10th + prospects or more picks

 

[17futurecap]

 

[bleedblue94]

Whoever the rangers hire as the defense coach will most likely be the second most important decision of the summer

 

[Mac n Gs]

Whoever the rangers hire as the defense coach will most likely be the second most important decision of the summer

It should be Jay Leach if he doesn’t get the HC job in Boston. Throw a bag of money at him.

 

[Chalfdiggity3]

It’s going to be Sullivans bitch in velliccio.

 

[SML2]

I like Mikkola when he was here but this is entirely my point. Sometimes these big rangy guys just fit in specific systems. Soucy may fit in the system the Rangers are about to employ

It's really not a mystery. When a defenseman plays on a team where the forwards pummel the opposition on the forecheck the way the Panthers do, the other team is frequently just looking to clear the zone and get a line change. That takes a lot off the Panther's defensemen. The Rangers get trapped in their zone for extended periods all the time, although you're really going to have to pay attention to notice it this season without Michelletti's skill for noticing/announcing when our players "can barely stand".

 

[MrAlmost]

The problem I have is a lot of people looking for a new D to replace Miller. We should be looking for a new D to add to Miller.

If one more person suggests Soucy-Borgen as a long-term top 4 pair, I'm gonna drink cyanide.

"They were good in Seattle!" So was Kurt Cobain and he's dead.

Hey watch it. I didn't say they would win, I just said if they weren't going to make any changes on the hopes that a serious system and structure were being implemented then I would understand. Haha

 

[NickyFotiu]

Developed a rep for being lazy and floating.
He had a great season, then started a meh season, got traded and finished strong. Then started slow again with a meh season, got traded and finished strong. In both meh, slow starts, his ice time dropped. It seems to either be a problem when he gets too comfortable on a team, coaching, or something rubbing people the wrong way.

From what I know he is a great teammate that guys including coaches really like. I think most his goals come from in close leading to high shooting percentage. Did read he has had some issues on defense and scoring when he cant do it from inside.

 

[kovazub94]

Soucy's results as a Ranger last year were very good. Doesn't necessarily mean they will continue to be (though everyone seemed to think that for de Haan based on 3 games). The problem is everyone came in with preconceived notions declaring him bad, because the often poor models that fluctuate like crazy rated him poorly last year, and nobody will ever change their mind to the contrary. I bet those same people would have a totally different opinion had his season been reversed (i.e. his first 16 games been with the Rangers where he had a 54 CF%, 53 xG% and then been traded when his numbers looked great).

Is there a stat that takes a ratio of HDCA/60 / CA% ?

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

It’s going to be Sullivans bitch in velliccio.

Vellucci doesn't coach defense.

 

[kovazub94]

Mikkola alienated himself from what the Rangers are looking for on the back-end by being talented.

My first thought reading this tweet: f***ing Lindgren and f***ing P.Kane (i.e. f*** Dolan)

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

I was watching the 2nd period intermission of the game last night on Sportsnet. Chris Pronger mentioned Mikkola skates like Hedman. Pronger is the latest Sportsnet guest analyst. He was on ESPN last week. Seth Jones and Mikkola make up a nice D pair. Two big guys.





Who leads the Panthers in scoring in the playoffs? Eetu Luostarinen.

If the Panthers repeat the Smythe is gonna go to a player on the losing team again

 

[LokiDog]

Hell of a goal by Bennett just now. People make so many claims without watching these players and they just expose themselves. It's comical.

Ladies and gentlemen, for your consideration, a collection of quotes from yours truly (going back to my first account starting in 2015, going up to 2021, where I just stopped looking):

Breakout Candidates:

Forwards: Nichushkin, Silfverberg, Sam Bennett

Defense: Murray, Larsson

Goalie: Mrazek will be Detroit's starter by the end of the year.

I am hoping Bennett really breaks out. I like his game a lot and he has the skill. I'm expecting big things. I like what the Flames have put together.

I’d take a flyer on Sam Bennett getting closer to his original potential if he were moved. Like his game.



Matt Tkachuk is a great player to have too. Lots of little plays to keep pucks alive and such.

I’m also a big fan of the way Bennett plays. I really want him to be moved before writing him off because I would love his game if he could get it to click somewhere. I don’t know if a change of scenery would make a difference but I hope to see him play at least one other place if he doesn’t start finding his game in Calgary. He could become a Marchand type of guy if he can get it to fall into place. He’s got the grit and the skill. Hopefully doesn’t become as big a rat.

With that said, you would think Edmonton has a big advantage, especially with all of the other young talent they've accumulated but it's going to be interesting. Calgary has a great looking stable of youth as well; I especially am keen on Bennett. We know all about Gaudreau and Monohan already but I think Bennett is going to become a fan favorite even among non-CGY fans.

Andersson + 2nd for Bennett

Bennett and Strome also have experience on the wing, so it could be Chytil centering Bennett and still leaves room for Chytil to eventually center Panarin, depending on development. If Strome ends up 3RW for a year and is dealt or not re-signed, we can fill that hole internally. Bennett insulates the C position, would help with PK and adds character. Guys like him who know how to elevate in the post season would also help the mental makeup of the team. Eventual potential:



Panarin - Chytil - Kakko

Kreider - Zibanejad - Buch

Lafreniere - Bennett - Strome/Kravstov



Eventually Laf leaps Kreider. Kravstov means that if Chytil supplants Strome, we have the internal replacement on the wing ready to come in. Bennett being there is good insurance.

I like Monahan, Lindholm, Backlund, Bennett and Hanifin. I don’t think we’d target any of them, though Bennett intrigues me and could still breakout a little with a change of scenery.

Bennett is kind of a Swiss Army knife who has under achieved production wise (though brings it in the post season). He can slot anywhere since he plays all forward positions and had the requisite skill to compliment skill players, but doesn’t translate it to production. In all reality he’d probably be a third line version of fourth line Lemmy, but I could definitely see him getting a shot on Panarin’s off wing and finding a good fit there.



He’ll switch to 63 and be our Marchand pest.

Remember when a contingent of us here really wanted to go after Bennett as a middle six C/W addition who needed a change of scenery and a majority of posters insisted Bennett was another Lemieux we didn’t need? Dude would have been exactly what this roster needs. He’d be a perfect Panarin...

I love Bennett. I think that what he’s been in Calgary isn’t necessarily exactly what he’ll be if he moves. I’m not saying he’d “breakout” at this point. I’m just saying he could find a better fit or more defined role and clearly brings some good things. He’s played more wing than center, but he’s played enough center that he certainly can still be used as one. He’d be a GREAT fit for Panarin’s off wing.



Honestly, if Bennett is moved and we don’t grab him, I’ll be very disappointed. He should be an affordable player and not saying anything about position or production, he brings a feistiness and GO level that this team desperately, desperately needs.

Edit the last quotes all got funky and inside each other, they’re separate posts. Let’s just say I beat that drum.

 

[kovazub94]

The problem I have is a lot of people looking for a new D to replace Miller. We should be looking for a new D to add to Miller.

If one more person suggests Soucy-Borgen as a long-term top 4 pair, I'm gonna drink cyanide.

"They were good in Seattle!" So was Kurt Cobain and he's dead.

Courney Love to Kurt Cobain = Soucy to Machinehead.

 

[NYR94]

I think if we're going to make fun of Carolina for anything, it should be for trading a way a guy who has been f***ing insane in the playoffs (and continues to be insane) because they want to continue to be what they've been the last half decade.

I gave them credit for trading for Guentzel (it didn't work out, but was the right move and that iteration of the Canes was good enough to win) and for making the ballsy move to trade for Rantanen (and they paid quite the price for him.) Moving him because he didn't want to play for them beyond this year was dumb. Nice return sure, but a motivated AF Rantanen would have been a massive difference maker for them (yes, one big enough to possibly take down the vaunted Panthers.)

They function in perpetuity like a team that makes an unexpected run in the playoffs years ahead of schedule when the truth is they've been in their window for a while now (and are honestly in the back end of it.) If you keep thinking big picture (3-4 years down the line) you're just signing up for chasing your end goal instead of it being an actual destination.

I don't know what their situation is cap wise but they're a team that should throw a bag at Marner.

Analytically? We know what they've been. Even last year when they faced the Rangers most of the analytics people who know whats up said that it would end up being quality vs quantity and didn't really give one team the edge over the other despite the models slanting heavily towards the Canes.

Quality won out. It usually does especially when the goalies played for who they played for.

I think Carolina offered Rantanen to Toronto for Marner before eventually trading him to Dallas.

 

[kovazub94]

I think Carolina offered Rantanen to Toronto for Marner before eventually trading him to Dallas.

Both team wanted to make sure that Rantanen would sign long term with them. HE picked Dallas over Toronto

 

[NickyFotiu]

But yet they keep acquiring worse dman to replace the depth. Rangers can’t scout talent at any level of hockey. This is proof.

A few thoughts come to mind.

1. We said we liked him a lot and that is why we traded for him.

2. The rest of the NHL could have had him as well for that cheap not only us. So if we made a mistake so did the rest of the NHL outside of Florida.

3. I know we had to have St. Louis retain salary and we went down 2 players to make that trade cap wise.

“This was a piece that I really wanted in there and to have it in there now and not wait on it,” Drury said of Mikkola, who comes to New York with 139 games of NHL experience over four seasons in St. Louis. “He’s a real good shutdown defenseman. Obviously, he’s got size and reach, like K’Andre [Miller] does.”

 

[Machinehead]

Courney Love to Kurt Cobain = Soucy to Machinehead.

He's killing me and getting away with it!

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Both team wanted to make sure that Rantanen would sign long term with them. HE picked Dallas over Toronto

Marner said no to being traded.

Toronto was on Rantanen’s yes list.