Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXVI

[jay from jersey]

Of course it's not the end of the world. This position you are articulating is a righteous position. No one said the Rangers are wrong for believing this is the best thing.

The Rangers are wrong for not having any flexibility because taking the hard line made the kid run away from home. Shoulda read the tea leaves and deduced that not every human being reacts the same way to the same rigid rules. Exceptions can be made without causing any damage to your system.



I highly doubt this reaction was due to this being a paper transaction. He didn't "refuse to report" because they were just designating him for a game, this was an outright assignment to go play in Hartford till we call you back.

That being said I've already articulated why Kreider should be on the third line and why Kravtsov should be playing next to either Strome or Zibanejad.

Number one, constructing a roster isn't some strict pecking order where you always play your best players on the "top line." If so, explain why Panarin is on our second line with Strome and not Zibanejad? It's about fits, not who is best or who has earned it.

My opinion is that Kreider's best fit is on the third line playing his natural RW on a size line with Chytil and Goodrow. This allows Kreider to feast on third line matchups while also being deployed in a way that takes advantage of his size. It also allows an opening for Kravtsov to play a skill role.

By deploying Kreider in the top 6, and keeping the designation of your third line as a heavier line, Kravtsov has nothing to offer that third line and Gallant won't keep him up in the NHL to play fourth line minutes. A redistribution of roles makes a better, well rounded team. It's not about some straight-line "WHO IS BEST," decision.

The biggest thing is he sees it. He doesn’t fit here in the grand scheme of things. Drury /Gallant aren’t going to compromise their system/overall team play just to accommodate Kravtsov because he has more offensive talent but isn’t that good of a 2-way hockey player. That’s not why they revamped their bottom 6.
It’s mainly just a numbers game.
In the top 6 he’s not beating out Kakko/LaF/kreider/panarin. They are all better. Kreids is mostly contractual but offers net front presence on PP as well.
And he’s not the type of 2-way player they are looking for in the bottom 6.
It’s not that they’ve went overkill with toughness over skill. It’s identifying what players fit their system best going fwd and how well they play their.
This is just mainly the issue of having too many guys ready for not enough spot and shit like this happens. It’s sucks to be sure, but they obviously feel like with the line up/system they are deploying there’s no room for Kravy in the top 6 and not the type of player they want in the bottom 6

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

Of course it's not the end of the world. This position you are articulating is a righteous position. No one said the Rangers are wrong for believing this is the best thing.

The Rangers are wrong for not having any flexibility because taking the hard line made the kid run away from home. Shoulda read the tea leaves and deduced that not every human being reacts the same way to the same rigid rules. Exceptions can be made without causing any damage to your system.



I highly doubt this reaction was due to this being a paper transaction. He didn't "refuse to report" because they were just designating him for a game, this was an outright assignment to go play in Hartford till we call you back.

That being said I've already articulated why Kreider should be on the third line and why Kravtsov should be playing next to either Strome or Zibanejad.

Number one, constructing a roster isn't some strict pecking order where you always play your best players on the "top line." If so, explain why Panarin is on our second line with Strome and not Zibanejad? It's about fits, not who is best or who has earned it.

My opinion is that Kreider's best fit is on the third line playing his natural RW on a size line with Chytil and Goodrow. This allows Kreider to feast on third line matchups while also being deployed in a way that takes advantage of his size. It also allows opening for Kravtsov to play a skill role.

By deploying Kreider in the top 6, and keeping the designation of your third line as a heavier line, Kravtsov has nothing to offer that third line and Gallant won't keep him up in the NHL to play fourth line minutes. A redistribution of roles makes a better, well rounded team. It's not about some straight-line "WHO IS BEST," decision.

When Kravtsov shows a 10th of the dedication and commitment that Kreider has shown over his career or when he's produced a fraction of what Kreider has produced, maybe then your point "might" be valid. Until then, you're way off. What planet are we on that you think a kid who's shown very little should just be given a spot on a line with Laff and Zib???? Right now, in the year 2021, Kravtsov is a pimple on Kreider's ass. That's not opinion, that's fact. He would break in two if he had to play the game the way Kreider plays the game tonight.

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

He'd have a lot more goals if he had the playing time.

This is the second time that Kravstov's development was paused for the interest of others that required waivers. Last time, Kravtsov gave the Rangers 39 GP in Hartford, making AHL salary before giving up on the season in NA and exercising a clause in his contract.

FO had to see this coming. Kravstov came to camp and by most written accounts, impressed. He should have made the lineup. FO wanted to again exploit the fact that he could be sent to Hartford without waivers. Now it looks like they'll lose him anyways.

This was a 100% unforced and preventable error. They had a whole season to prepare for this. What will we have to show for Kravtsov? Gauthier and Hajek? A couple of 5th round picks?

This is not how you run a serious NHL franchise.

I think you're making the wrong comparison my guy. This isn't about Hajek or anyone else who needed to go on waivers. This is about a kid not stepping up and forcing the organization to make an easy decision. He had to beat out Gauthier, and in the coach's eyes, he didn't. Same coach everyone was falling all over themselves to be hired.

 

[mas0764]

When Kravtsov shows a 10th of the dedication and commitment that Kreider has shown over his career or when he's produced a fraction of what Kreider has produced, maybe then your point "might" be valid. Until then, you're way off. What planet are we on that you think a kid who's shown very little should just be given a spot on a line with Laff and Zib???? Right now, in the year 2021, Kravtsov is a pimple on Kreider's ass. That's not opinion, that's fact. He would break in two if he had to play the game the way Kreider plays the game tonight.

My point has nothing to do with earning anything, it's about fits and protecting assets, which you completely glossed over. I'm not of the opinion that Kreider "deserves," a second line spot simply because he's shown dedication and commitment so this post means nothing to me.

I'm saying the best fit for the Rangers roster is with Kreider on the third line and Kravtsov playing in the top 6. Moving Kreider out of position on the right side devalues him cause he's out of position, and puts a player who has proven to be inconsistent despite playing with top line talent against top line opposition, in that same role all over again (again, talking about Kreider). Instead I'm saying it's better for Kreider's performance to put him into a different role on the third line where he can feast on lesser talent, and where he has the physical attributes to contribute to a checking line with Chytil and Goodrow.

Doing this also allows Kravtsov to play a skill role next to either Strome or Zibanejad. It solves the issues.

Or we can take your shortsighted "BUT KREIDER EARNED THE SPOT," approach and everything can be worse.

I do like that you break out silly statements like "it's a fact that Kravtsov is a pimple on Kreiders ass" when you get angry, though. Shows your argument really has a lot of merit.

 

[jay from jersey]

I don't really agree. Maybe plenty to be a second round playoff exit consistently. But not a multi time Cup winner.

Depends on what Kakko and Laf are. If they are 90+ point players then this is probably true.

If they are only 60 point players then it's false.



I acknowledged that Kravtsov probably doesn't have interest in developing a heavy game, he wants to play a skill game. His inability to beat out Blais in terms of playing heavy is what cost him a spot, not that Blais is hands down the better player. Better for a checking role.



I think we need more skill, so I think it is overkill. Nothing wrong with playing Blais on the fourth line and going with one more skill player in the top 9.



Yeah, so.... play Blais on the fourth line.

you think we need more skill but where are you deploying it??
They think what Blais brings in terms of overall package has more of an impact at what he brings then what Krav can do.
Blais is more talented then a 4th line player. So is Goodrow. They will both likely move up and down the lineup trying to find the right combination to get the lines firing on all cylinders.
Our 4 th line just needs to give an honest hardworking shift, have some pK guys on it, hit, maybe pop in a goal here and there.
Kravy and Blais aren’t really 4th line types, so I doubt the coach would want to waste either there.
I just think Krav is mainly a victim of the numbers game here.
He may have more overall offensive talent, but what Blais bring for the make up of our current team has a bigger overall impact on the team itself.

they feel LaF-Zibby
Panarin- strome
Needs more of what Kreider/Blais/goodrow brings instead of Kravy.

I do think, say LaF was 22-23 Krav would have had a better shot on 1st line with him and Zibby. Zibby flanked by 2 kids isn’t what they want.

I would have liked to see Krav get 20 or so games with 2 solid line mates, just like I would with Gauthier. But he’s the one demanding the trade.
What’s ironic is Walstrom is facing a similar situation with the isles too. Except for the trade request

 

[bobbop]

Sure. Quite possible. They haven't responded to this with a big punitive response or confirmation that they're seeking a trade, though, so maybe we're reading this wrong. Maybe they really want him to apply himself in the AHL. The fact that they just let the agent talk to other teams is kind of a zen response.

If you're a parent of a difficult kid, you may actually have used this technique yourself: you may decide to let the tantrum burn itself out.

Also while Kravtsov has requested a trade he hasn't made an anti-NYR statement and burned this bridge, either.

Not reporting to Hartford pretty much burns the bridge

 

[mas0764]

you think we need more skill but where are you deploying it??

Short term I'd have Kreider on the third line, I'd like another skilled player in the top 6.

Long term Kreider won't be here and Panarin and Zibanejad will not remain 80-100 point pace players.

We've got plenty of roster usage room to bring another top line scorer aboard. Need, frankly.

People have this outdated idea of what the forward group should look like, and I think it's being weirdly influenced by our roster construction in 2014 where we had no big time scorers. People think that having, like, two or three is too many.

They think what Blais brings in terms of overall package has more of an impact at what he brings then what Krav can do.

That's what they say. What they think is that Kravtsov doesn't check enough and they want more physicality. For Kravtsov it was either the top 6 spot or Hartford, clearly. I'm against that notion. I would have moved Blais down and demoted Hunt. Or, I would have moved Kreider down and let Kravtsov play top 6 (I guess that also means Blais moves down and Hunt is demoted).

Blais is more talented then a 4th line player.

Of course he is.

But Cup winners have players littering their roster that are playing in roles that they are too good for. That's how they win; they are better than everyone else. They have second liners winning matchups on their third line. They have third liners dominating on the fourth line.

They also have guys who can score everywhere. We really could have used Kravtsov developing into a .5 ppg player this year in the middle six. Could have gone a long way.

I just think Krav is mainly a victim of the numbers game here.

Yes, he is. But there was a way to make it work, only it would have meant backing off their "toffness at all costs," bullshit.

Which they were foolishly unwilling to do.

Or even to proactively get ahead of this issue and trade him when he had value for someone that would fit and have future upside.

but what Blais bring for the make up of our current team has a bigger overall impact on the team itself

But again, Blais is still on the team no matter what. It's Hunt who is out if Kravtsov stays.

The issue is deployment of Kravtsov in a skill role. They figured they were out of spots to play someone who is skill-only, especially once Kreider took the second line spot. The third line for them was always going to require physicality (which Kreider could have provided had he been placed in that role).

I think that's short sighted.

 

[jay from jersey]

Short term I'd have Kreider on the third line, I'd like another skilled player in the top 6.

Long term Kreider won't be here and Panarin and Zibanejad will not remain 80-100 point pace players.

We've got plenty of roster usage room to bring another top line scorer aboard. Need, frankly.

People have this outdated idea of what the forward group should look like, and I think it's being weirdly influenced by our roster construction in 2014 where we had no big time scorers. People think that having, like, two or three is too many.



That's what they say. What they think is that Kravtsov doesn't check enough and they want more physicality. For Kravtsov it was either the top 6 spot or Hartford, clearly. I'm against that notion. I would have moved Blais down and demoted Hunt. Or, I would have moved Kreider down and let Kravtsov play top 6 (I guess that also means Blais moves down and Hunt is demoted).



Of course he is.

But Cup winners have players littering their roster that are playing in roles that they are too good for. That's how they win; they are better than everyone else. They have second liners winning matchups on their third line. They have third liners dominating on the fourth line.



Yes, he is. But there was a way to make it work, only it would have meant backing off their "toffness at all costs," bullshit.

Which they were foolishly unwilling to do.



But again, Blais is still on the team no matter what. It's Hunt who is out.

The issue is deployment of Kravtsov in a skill role. They figured they were out of spots to play someone who is skill-only, especially once Kreider took the second line spot. The third line for them was always going to require physicality (which Kreider could have provided had he been placed in that role).

I think that's short sighted.

your acting like they are going to stop drafting talented guys. It’s not short sighted, your not being realistic. The kid is not going to sit around and wait his turn for years and years. You’re also banking on no one in are farm developing into an offensive threat before or while panarin and Zibby decline.
He doesn’t fit what they want what we needed/NOW.
Certain things may change in 2-3-4 years time, but they aren’t going to put everything on hold to accommodate a guy who they think doesn’t make the overall team better/harder to play against just because he has more scoring talent.

it’s not outdated roster look when it’s the formula almost every team uses including the last 10 or more cup winners.
Your top 6 are your high end money guys. 3rd and for aren’t cheaper 2-way guys that can move up and down the lineup and hopefully catch fire. And 4th line is your banger physical types.
If it’s out dated why do so many teams try to replicate it, and why do other very good teams not win a cup until they get the right composition?

 

[mas0764]

your acting like they are going to stop drafting talented guys.

They most likely are.

They are terrible at drafting forwards historically.

And now they are going to be picking no where near the top 10, which is almost exclusively where you find impact forwards. Not impossible - just very hard.

The chances that the Rangers can acquire another player organically through the draft on the level of a Kakko, Lafreniere, Panarin, or Zibanejad is now practically zero. The best they can realistically hope for, probably given their history, is like another Kreider or JT Miller in the middle to end of the first.

It’s not short sighted, your not being realistic. The kid is not going to sit around and wait his turn for years and years.

I wasn't saying he should sit around waiting, I said they should have found a spot for him in this lineup now.

Or traded him.

Too many people on this board have this laughable notion that wanting to acquire Tampa-level talent or Pittsburgh-level talent is unrealistic. I guess we just have to settle for less cause, why, we're the Rangers?

Aim higher.

You’re also banking on no one in are farm developing into an offensive threat before or while panarin and Zibby decline.

Yes, I'm playing the odds that we likely do not have a legit top 6 player in our system. Othmann would be the only legit possibility, but I personally don't think he's even Kreider. Berard and Panjuniemi are long shots still.

He doesn’t fit what they want what we needed/NOW

Yes that's exactly what I said. Because they have a stupid fixation on toffness. Which we now have so much of that we are cutting loose skill.

This is foolish. We have sufficient bottom 6 toffness without Hunt and the true toughness that will make us win will come from Laf, Kakko and Chytil physically maturing and getting hard to play against themselves. That can only be cured with time.

 

[EdJovanovski]

your acting like they are going to stop drafting talented guys. It’s not short sighted, your not being realistic. The kid is not going to sit around and wait his turn for years and years. You’re also banking on no one in are farm developing into an offensive threat before or while panarin and Zibby decline.
He doesn’t fit what they want what we needed/NOW.
Certain things may change in 2-3-4 years time, but they aren’t going to put everything on hold to accommodate a guy who they think doesn’t make the overall team better/harder to play against just because he has more scoring talent.

it’s not outdated roster look when it’s the formula almost every team uses including the last 10 or more cup winners.
Your top 6 are your high end money guys. 3rd and for aren’t cheaper 2-way guys that can move up and down the lineup and hopefully catch fire. And 4th line is your banger physical types.
If it’s out dated why do so many teams try to replicate it, and why do other very good teams not win a cup until they get the right composition?

Didn’t you watch the 2021 draft?

 

[jay from jersey]

They most likely are.

They are terrible at drafting forwards historically.

And now they are going to be picking no where near the top 10, which is almost exclusively where you find impact forwards. Not impossible - just very hard.

The chances that the Rangers can acquire another player organically through the draft on the level of a Kakko, Lafreniere, Panarin, or Zibanejad is now practically zero. The best they can realistically hope for, probably given their history, is like another Kreider or JT Miller in the middle to end of the first.



I wasn't saying he should sit around waiting, I said they should have found a spot for him in this lineup now.

Or traded him.

Too many people on this board have this laughable notion that wanting to acquire Tampa-level talent or Pittsburgh-level talent is unrealistic. I guess we just have to settle for less cause, why, we're the Rangers?

Aim higher.



Yes, I'm playing the odds that we likely do not have a legit top 6 player in our system. Othmann would be the only legit possibility, but I personally don't think he's even Kreider. Berard and Panjuniemi are long shots still.




Yes that's exactly what I said. Because they have a stupid fixation on toffness. Which we now have so much of that we are cutting loose skill.

This is foolish. We have sufficient bottom 6 toffness without Hunt and the true toughness that will make us win will come from Laf, Kakko and Chytil physically maturing and getting hard to play against themselves. That can only be cured with time.

Yea I would have looked to move him by now as well. I think if they could have jettisoned kreider some how or if he were injured, Kravy would have truly gotten his chance to shine

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

My point has nothing to do with earning anything, it's about fits and protecting assets, which you completely glossed over. I'm not of the opinion that Kreider "deserves," a second line spot simply because he's shown dedication and commitment so this post means nothing to me.

I'm saying the best fit for the Rangers roster is with Kreider on the third line and Kravtsov playing in the top 6. Moving Kreider out of position on the right side devalues him cause he's out of position, and puts a player who has proven to be inconsistent despite playing with top line talent against top line opposition, in that same role all over again (again, talking about Kreider). Instead I'm saying it's better for Kreider's performance to put him into a different role on the third line where he can feast on lesser talent, and where he has the physical attributes to contribute to a checking line with Chytil and Goodrow.

Doing this also allows Kravtsov to play a skill role next to either Strome or Zibanejad. It solves the issues.

Or we can take your shortsighted "BUT KREIDER EARNED THE SPOT," approach and everything can be worse.

I do like that you break out silly statements like "it's a fact that Kravtsov is a pimple on Kreiders ass" when you get angry, though. Shows your argument really has a lot of merit.

I'm not angry, you're the one that's all salty because the coaches are being mean to poor little Vitaly. And he can't flash his "skill game." Any rational poster would see that Kreider is the better player. AINEC. He has a proven track record with the team's newly signed franchise center. And he produces. There's not a coach on this planet that would put Kravtsov in his spot tonight.

 

[mas0764]

I'm not angry

Dubious.

And he can't flash his "skill game" Any rational poster would see this has nothing to do with earning the spot. Because right now, tonight, Kreider is the better player. AINEC.

I don't even really know what this string of clauses means, but I agree, Kreider is better right now overall than Kravtsov. That's not the point.

Panarin is better overall than Lafreniere yet Panarin plays on the second line and Lafreniere the first line. It's better for the team that way.

Similarly it's better for the team both short term and long term to have Kreider on the third line playing a heavier role that he's physically able to do, plus, he can feast on lesser opposition which would be a boon to a player who has proven to be inconsistent when matched up against better competition.

And doing so frees up a skill role for Kravtsov, who yes, is the worse player, but it provides a better overall configuration for the team and protects the team's valuable asset from destroying all his value.

Giving Kreider the second line role based on this toxic concept that GRRR HE'S EARNED IT DUE TO SENIORITY is worse for Kreider's performance and worse for Kravtsov because now it puts Kravtsov v Blais in a checking role and that's a matchup that Kravtsov can't win.

There's not a coach on this planet that would put Kravtsov in his spot tonight.

Hyperbole, sure, you're not mad.

 

[jay from jersey]

Didn’t you watch the 2021 draft?

Hah I’m actually higher on Othmann then most. He’s got a sneaky good shot and some skill. Is he def top 6 guy? Who knows but I’ll give him the benefit of a doubt atm.
I still would have taken Lucius or Wallstedt though

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

Dubious.



I don't even really know what this string of clauses means, but I agree, Kreider is better right now overall than Kravtsov. That's not the point.

Panarin is better overall than Lafreniere yet Panarin plays on the second line and Lafreniere the first line. It's better for the team that way.

Similarly it's better for the team both short term and long term to have Kreider on the third line playing a heavier role that he's physically able to do, plus, he can feast on lesser opposition which would be a boon to a player who has proven to be inconsistent when matched up against better competition.

And doing so frees up a skill role for Kravtsov, who yes, is the worse player, but it provides a better overall configuration for the team and protects the team's valuable asset from destroying all his value.



Hyperbole, sure, you're not mad.

I am 100% ok with tonight's lineup. I'm actually excited. Tomorrow, I'd love to see the guy who stole Krav's lunch, Guathier, on the third line and Lundkvist at the 6th D. I guess in your everyone gets a trophy world, the team should just bend to Krav's will and give him a spot he isn't ready for. Oh well, good luck getting Lundell.

 

[jay from jersey]

They most likely are.

They are terrible at drafting forwards historically.

And now they are going to be picking no where near the top 10, which is almost exclusively where you find impact forwards. Not impossible - just very hard.

The chances that the Rangers can acquire another player organically through the draft on the level of a Kakko, Lafreniere, Panarin, or Zibanejad is now practically zero. The best they can realistically hope for, probably given their history, is like another Kreider or JT Miller in the middle to end of the first.



I wasn't saying he should sit around waiting, I said they should have found a spot for him in this lineup now.

Or traded him.

Too many people on this board have this laughable notion that wanting to acquire Tampa-level talent or Pittsburgh-level talent is unrealistic. I guess we just have to settle for less cause, why, we're the Rangers?

Aim higher.



Yes, I'm playing the odds that we likely do not have a legit top 6 player in our system. Othmann would be the only legit possibility, but I personally don't think he's even Kreider. Berard and Panjuniemi are long shots still.




Yes that's exactly what I said. Because they have a stupid fixation on toffness. Which we now have so much of that we are cutting loose skill.

This is foolish. We have sufficient bottom 6 toffness without Hunt and the true toughness that will make us win will come from Laf, Kakko and Chytil physically maturing and getting hard to play against themselves. That can only be cured with time.

I think your underestimating the roles these type of guys have on the other players and the overall momentum shifts what they do provide on the game.
If it were easy to find teams wouldn’t pay a premium for it.
Guys that will hit, fight, score and stand up for each other and actually play hockey well usually make the overall team play better as well as get the crowd into it.

 

[Ned Braden]

I don't really agree. Maybe plenty to be a second round playoff exit consistently. But not a multi time Cup winner.

Depends on what Kakko and Laf are. If they are 90+ point players then this is probably true.

If they are only 60 point players then it's false.



I acknowledged that Kravtsov probably doesn't have interest in developing a heavy game, he wants to play a skill game. His inability to beat out Blais in terms of playing heavy is what cost him a spot, not that Blais is hands down the better player. Better for a checking role.



I think we need more skill, so I think it is overkill. Nothing wrong with playing Blais on the fourth line and going with one more skill player in the top 9.



Yeah, so.... play Blais on the fourth line.

Ridiculous take....

You have Zib and Panaran on the top two lines. That alone is enough skill to torpedo this thought process. But...

You also have a first overall pick, a second overall pick, and two good skilled vets in your top six. And...

You have a big skilled third line center who could jump into a top six role at any time. In addition...

You have two grit guys in Blais and Goodrow who have enough skill to play top six if needed due to injury. Have done so for cup winning teams. Lastly...

You have the damn Norris trophy winner on D.

The skill here is good my man.

 

[jay from jersey]

Play wrong for Shane Wright?

great Wright Shark?

 

[jay from jersey]

Not overly, no. McKegg is down in the AHL and beyond Barron, Gettinger and Pajuniemi are options. Gettinger specifically is a guy who has improved every year and would be a nice addition to the 4th line even right now.

People always sleep on Timmy Gettinger but let's look at his stats and age:

Gettinger
Born April 1998
6'6 220lbs
2019-2020
16g and 11a for 27 points in 53 games in the AHL
2020-2021
9g and 10a for 19 points in 23 games in the AHL


Barron
Born December of 1998
6'4 220lbs
2019-2020
14g and 18a for 32 points in 29 games in the NCAA
2020-2021
10g and 11a for 21 points in 21 games in the AHL


In terms of actual stats they are very close. Barron may be the sexier name and IMO he has a higher upside but Gettinger, for being a whopping 8 months older than Barron, never gets discussed. Gettinger's 2-way game is also one of his calling cards in general and he is a primary PKer in the AHL so this isn't a guy who only is looking to score.

Richards and Big Austin Ruesschoff also have potential to be everyday 4th liners imo.
Richards can likely step in now and Ruesschoff in a year or so

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

If the difference between success and failure this season is Vitaly Kravtsov, this team is screwed.

 

[SA16]

Why do we need to trade for a C when RW was by far the weakest position on our roster...before Kravtsov wanted out?

 

[jay from jersey]

I'm extremely worried for the long term. I don't really care about winning this season since I don't think we are Cup contenders, so I'm not all that concerned about getting a warm body like another Gauthier for Hunter Skinner or something.


But I'm extremely concerned about the long term health of this team in the forward core. I think we absolutely need to trade a high end defensive prospect for a high end forward prospect. Maybe two.

I’m sure we’ll draft some. If not in the 1st, maybe we’ll get lucky in the 2nd/3rd Rounds or rest of the next 2 drafts.
The market Via Trade and UFAs every season is also littered with talent.
It wouldn’t be back breaking for our farm to acquire a Kubalik or something like that.
LaF and Kakko have to just keep progressing into the guys we know they can be. Panarin/Zibby should be high end for 4-5 years or so as well. There’s a lot of time still.

 

[TominNC]

We haven't even played one game nnd there are people talking about "if it all goes bad". Screw that. If it all goes bad that's a disaster. They didn't sign Mika to be playing for possible lottery picks. Another year of Bread's prime would be wasted. It would mean injuries to key players or a total lack of development for the kids. Who wants to even think about that?

It's game one. They're playing for a playoff spot. They're going to be a difficult opponent for other teams. Combination if talent and grit, plus depth in the minors. I don't want a lottery shot, I want wins. Lots of wins.

 

[SA16]

your acting like they are going to stop drafting talented guys. It’s not short sighted, your not being realistic. The kid is not going to sit around and wait his turn for years and years. You’re also banking on no one in are farm developing into an offensive threat before or while panarin and Zibby decline.
He doesn’t fit what they want what we needed/NOW.
Certain things may change in 2-3-4 years time, but they aren’t going to put everything on hold to accommodate a guy who they think doesn’t make the overall team better/harder to play against just because he has more scoring talent.

it’s not outdated roster look when it’s the formula almost every team uses including the last 10 or more cup winners.
Your top 6 are your high end money guys. 3rd and for aren’t cheaper 2-way guys that can move up and down the lineup and hopefully catch fire. And 4th line is your banger physical types.
If it’s out dated why do so many teams try to replicate it, and why do other very good teams not win a cup until they get the right composition?

What do you mean "for years and years?"

Take a look at the first round of his draft class. Only like ten of them have even been full time NHL players so far. And six of those were the first seven picks in the draft.

 

[Blais to Win]

Not reporting to Hartford pretty much burns the bridge

Why? Is this story over? He did this before. He may end up reporting.