Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXII

[redwhiteandblue]

My personal wishlist is:

1) McDavid
2) MacKinnon
3) Matthews

Sometimes I f***ing hate how much I blurt out a chuckle at your posts.

I think Austin Powers said something to the tune of "and I'd like a toilet made out of solid gold, it's just not in the cards love". Still rings true today.

That being said, I am kind of low key blown away that somehow they aren't trying to leverage their really high end assets for Lundell. Seems like a potentially good hockey trade. They have Barkov, reasonably they could find his heir while he's still there and helping them go for Cups while another kid develops. Could get some much needed assets for this window. Rangers desperately need a center and have an abundance of high end and on-the-cusp assets. It hurts my brain how much it seems easy to me, but can't force desire.

I'd give up anyone not named Panarin, Fox, Lafraniere, Kakko, or Shesterkin in that deal. And I'm very high on Lundkvist and Kravtsov.

 

[duhmetreE]

Legit 1C’s cost money. True story.

Do we need 'true 1C's' with our wingers? That's the question.

Could we succeed with 3 good 2way centers in the top9? Obviously they can't be black holes on offense... but they dont need to be Jack Eichel either.

Still think, when all is said and done, Larkin is the prime target. Maybe Couturier but he's going to want big UFA money. Dvorak still makes so much sense

 

[jay from jersey]

Trouba can’t be traded without his consent. Doesn’t mean he won’t consent if he gets surpassed on the depth chart.

Probably up to wifey. There’s such a small percentage of a trade happening within 3 years time. I don’t see jakes game falling off a cliff at his age, even if nils passes him skill wise, that still leaves the rangers with Fox and nils 1-2 on the right side. Not a lot of beef to take the heavier matchups. I also don’t see them paying trouba 8 mill to be a 3rd pair guy unless he turns into post injury Staal before he’s 30. Which is also unlikely. I think they are going to want some kind of diversity between the pairs. I have no doubts there will be trades. I just think if Nils future is with the rangers it’s more then likely on the Left side making Miller/Jones/ Robertson/ lindgren the trade target instead

 

[redwhiteandblue]

Also, I'm such a firm believer in the idea that we should be trying these young in house options at 2C before making any huge shake ups. I mean, you have free assets because they're already on the team, who could potentially fill a void. I'm not saying to bank on the idea that it's Chytil, and then whoops ok Laff, whoops ok its Krava.... and maybe it's not any of them, but are we really worried about ruining the face of the franchise by using 30-40 games to try and, ya know, just see if we already have an answer in house?

 

[duhmetreE]

Trouba turns into a NTC when Lundkvist and/or Schneider will need a new contract. Timing is fine.

 

[NYSPORTS]

Also, I'm such a firm believer in the idea that we should be trying these young in house options at 2C before making any huge shake ups. I mean, you have free assets because they're already on the team, who could potentially fill a void. I'm not saying to bank on the idea that it's Chytil, and then whoops ok Laff, whoops ok its Krava.... and maybe it's not any of them, but are we really worried about ruining the face of the franchise by using 30-40 games to try and, ya know, just see if we already have an answer in house?

not sure why your approach has been dismissed by so many. Yes, the solution might in house.

 

[jay from jersey]

Trouba turns into a NTC when Lundkvist and/or Schneider will need a new contract. Timing is fine.

Only way I see Lundkvist and Schneider on the team that far down the road is if one of them is playing the left. Neither guy is going to marinate that long.
Next offseason is going to be a clusterf*** on the blue line if even 2-3 of the 4 look like they can likely make the jump.
That’s why I also have hope for skinner. I can see him kind of playing a similar game to what Lindgren does now, just not as good. I think his ceiling would be a cheap 3rd pair D. A little undersized but plays with that tenacity and can move the puck.
With what they are going to be paying some of these kids soon, 3rd pair and most of the bottom 6 is going to have to be cheap or ELC deals.
They can pay a little more for those type of players for the next 2-3 years, but that’s a luxury that’s going to quickly evaporate.

 

[duhmetreE]

Only way I see Lundkvist and Schneider on the team that far down the road is if one of them is playing the left. Neither guy is going to marinate that long

Never know what can happen, better not count our chickens before they hatch

but you're most likely right. Once again, why a lot of people keep putting Lundkvist and Jones in trade packages. He doesn't have to be traded this off-season, but he will ultimately be moved imo. Fox will always be in his way. ( speaking of Lundkvist )

Lundkvist for a top young Center is going to happen eventually imo

 

[haohmaru]

Do we need 'true 1C's' with our wingers? That's the question.

Could we succeed with 3 good 2way centers in the top9? Obviously they can't be black holes on offense... but they dont need to be Jack Eichel either.

Still think, when all is said and done, Larkin is the prime target. Maybe Couturier but he's going to want big UFA money. Dvorak still makes so much sense

The lack of fortitude at the Center position has been an issue since the late 90’s, so, yeah, I think it’s a need.

 

[duhmetreE]

The lack of fortitude at the Center position has been an issue since the late 90’s, so, yeah, I think it’s a need.

who said it wasn't a need?

 

[mas0764]

Lindgren is not the issue. If he's the 3rd biggest defender on the team, that's the issue.

I don't think that's an issue.

 

[mas0764]

Probably up to wifey. There’s such a small percentage of a trade happening within 3 years time. I don’t see jakes game falling off a cliff at his age, even if nils passes him skill wise, that still leaves the rangers with Fox and nils 1-2 on the right side. Not a lot of beef to take the heavier matchups. I also don’t see them paying trouba 8 mill to be a 3rd pair guy unless he turns into post injury Staal before he’s 30. Which is also unlikely. I think they are going to want some kind of diversity between the pairs. I have no doubts there will be trades. I just think if Nils future is with the rangers it’s more then likely on the Left side making Miller/Jones/ Robertson/ lindgren the trade target instead

If you trade Trouba you can roll with Fox - Nils - Schneider on the right, and Lindgren - Miller - Robertson on the left. That's plenty of physicality and two excellent puck movers and offensive generators. A pretty ideal mix frankly.

This obsession that it has to be Fox and then 5 tanks is silly.

And again, this idea that we will be suffering on defense without the big boys is misplaced. Fox just won the Norris, he is an excellent, excellent defensive player in addition to being a great driver of offense. I am obviously not saying Nils is Fox but he is a similar style in that he is both great at offense AND defense. He's not a one dimensional Tony DeAngelo style defenseman who will be a negative in his zone.

And Trouba's wife was doing her residency in NYC. That means her permanent career isn't necessarily there. In fact a residency is just 3 years so after this year she may have relocation options. On top of that I'm sure she can change her plans to accommodate a partner who is making $8m a year... lots of nice cities to practice medicine in even if Winnipeg is not one of them.

 

[noupf]

Do we need 'true 1C's' with our wingers? That's the question.

Could we succeed with 3 good 2way centers in the top9? Obviously they can't be black holes on offense... but they dont need to be Jack Eichel either.

Still think, when all is said and done, Larkin is the prime target. Maybe Couturier but he's going to want big UFA money. Dvorak still makes so much sense

Yes, yes you do need a legit 1C. Nobody and I mean NOBODY wins championships without legitimate 1st line centers........and for that matter, a 2nd line center that is borderline 1c capable.

This isnt even up for debate when it come to having the correct pieces to win a cup.

 

[Thirty One]

Yes, yes you do need a legit 1C. Nobody and I mean NOBODY wins championships without legitimate 1st line centers........and for that matter, a 2nd line center that is borderline 1c capable.

This isnt even up for debate when it come to having the correct pieces to win a cup.

ERRONEOUS.

 

[mas0764]

Do we need 'true 1C's' with our wingers? That's the question.

The answer is, study the best teams of the last two decades. Detroit, Boston, Pittsburgh, LA, Chicago, Tampa.

All have excellent center depth and at least one elite C.

I'm not as interested in one time winners like Washington and St. Louis (and even they had Backstrom/Kuznetzov and ROR).

 

[jay from jersey]

If you trade Trouba you can roll with Fox - Nils - Schneider on the right, and Lindgren - Miller - Robertson on the left. That's plenty of physicality and two excellent puck movers and offensive generators. A pretty ideal mix frankly.

This obsession that it has to be Fox and then 5 tanks is silly.

And again, this idea that we will be suffering on defense without the big boys is misplaced. Fox just won the Norris, he is an excellent, excellent defensive player in addition to being a great driver of offense. I am obviously not saying Nils is Fox but he is a similar style in that he is both great at offense AND defense. He's not a one dimensional Tony DeAngelo style defenseman who will be a negative in his zone.

And Trouba's wife was doing her residency in NYC. That means her permanent career isn't necessarily there. In fact a residency is just 3 years so after this year she may have relocation options. On top of that I'm sure she can change her plans to accommodate a partner who is making $8m a year... lots of nice cities to practice medicine in even if Winnipeg is not one of them.

I get what your saying. Definitely doesn’t have to be Fox and 5 tanks, but the partners have to make up for the shortcomings. Size and physicality is also a plus if we have it and it progresses.
The chance of all the stars aligning for the scenario above is slim to none in that time period. Part of what makes the Fox lindgren pair so good is what lindgren brings that Fox doesnt
You’d have a easier time of seeing
Lindgren-Fox
Lundkvist -Trouba
???—Schneider maybe by the end of next year
With one of Miller/ Robertson/ Jones
But even this is unlikely but more realistic.
No shot we’re going to get to keep all these kids and get them the minutes and stuff they need to develop.
It’s what sucks about them all coming into their own in the same time/age range

if nils plays spectacular this season, I could see them not wanting to deal him and pumping his minutes. Odds are Schneider is ready for 3rd pair duty by next year. I’m sure injuries will happen, and some guys that come up might not make it easy to send them down. Next season is where the traffic jam starts to really rear it’s head, but imo somebody is going before then in a deal/package for a center

 

[duhmetreE]

Yes, yes you do need a legit 1C. Nobody and I mean NOBODY wins championships without legitimate 1st line centers........and for that matter, a 2nd line center that is borderline 1c capable.

This isnt even up for debate when it come to having the correct pieces to win a cup.

What's a legitimate 1st line center?

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Yes, yes you do need a legit 1C. Nobody and I mean NOBODY wins championships without legitimate 1st line centers........and for that matter, a 2nd line center that is borderline 1c capable.

This isnt even up for debate when it come to having the correct pieces to win a cup.

Nobody won a championship without a Russian captain...until they did.

Even if it were a 100% set in stone requirement, the ultimate question is, is Zibanejad a #1C on a Cup winner over the relevant timeframe (2022-23 season through whenever)?

I see many saying, they have to sign him, the NYR have no one better. That’s not a great argument. I’m not convinced that “a Cup requires a top C in the game” is more of a sure thing than Zibanejad even being that top C 4 years from now.

 

[mas0764]

Yes, yes you do need a legit 1C. Nobody and I mean NOBODY wins championships without legitimate 1st line centers........and for that matter, a 2nd line center that is borderline 1c capable.

This isnt even up for debate when it come to having the correct pieces to win a cup.

St. Louis is literally the only team even close to not have two top centers to win.

 

[duhmetreE]

The answer is, study the best teams of the last two decades. Detroit, Boston, Pittsburgh, LA, Chicago, Tampa.

All have excellent center depth and at least one elite C.

I'm not as interested in one time winners like Washington and St. Louis (and even they had Backstrom/Kuznetzov and ROR).

So Zibs is enough? Just need 2way center depth.

 

[Thirty One]

The answer is, study the best teams of the last two decades. Detroit, Boston, Pittsburgh, LA, Chicago, Tampa.

All have excellent center depth and at least one elite C.

I'm not as interested in one time winners like Washington and St. Louis (and even they had Backstrom/Kuznetzov and ROR).

I'd re-check Chicago.

 

[Taluss]

So Zibs is enough? Just need 2way center depth.

Id say Zibs is enough, and I agree.

 

[NYR Viper]

I have no issue re-signing Zibanejad, I just don't want to pay him $8.5m+ per year. If he'll take $7.5-$8m per season I'd sign up for that

 

[mas0764]

What's a legitimate 1st line center?

Brayden Pointe/Steven Stamkos, Ryan O' Reilly scoring 77 in 82 and playing Selke defense, Kuznetzov/Backstrom combo, Crosby/Malkin combo, Toews scoring 66 in 81 games playing Selke defense, Anze Kopitar followed by Carter and Richards, Krejci/Bergeron, Datsyuk/Zetterberg, etc.

 

[jay from jersey]

Never know what can happen, better not count our chickens before they hatch

but you're most likely right. Once again, why a lot of people keep putting Lundkvist and Jones in trade packages. He doesn't have to be traded this off-season, but he will ultimately be moved imo. Fox will always be in his way. ( speaking of Lundkvist )

Lundkvist for a top young Center is going to happen eventually imo

he’s the logical choice because of his value, what he’ll bring back, and what we currently have in the system that’s similar to his size and style of play. His shot is probably his most unmatched quality. Doubt fox, Miller, Jones can rip it like him, so he’s got that in his corner as well. It’s going to be a tough decision. I just think if his future is with the rangers it will be as a LD as a partner to Trouba and eventually Schneider. Making 1 of the current LD expendable