Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXVI

[DialUp]

Fox will be the best player on the ice for either team unless they are playing Edmonton or Colorado. Full stop.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Fox will be the best player on the ice for either team unless they are playing Edmonton or Colorado. Full stop.

He's truly a special player. Being in the building last night for the show he put on was just an incredible experience. I just got this sense that I was witnessing something I had never seen before. He just takes the game to another level and is able to get to a place that is absolutely unmatched by any other player out there.

At this point, he can basically take whatever AAV he wants on his next deal. The only negotiating chip the Rangers have is the "how bad do you want to win" angle. Mika took a paycut, hoping Fox does too. Regardless, man we are so lucky to have this guy on the Rangers.

 

[tomobson]

Kreider - Mika - Kakko
Panarin - Strome - Goodrow
Laf - Chtyil - Blais
Hunt - Rooney - Reaves

I want to be mad at Laf but that first line is not clicking at all. Let Laf play with more straight forward players. His linemates playing a simpler game might be what he needs to help him get going. Kakko is misused on that second line. If Strome and Panarin want that third man to play defense for them then it might as well be Goodrow. I was thinking of putting Blais on the 2nd line but that would be a defensive disaster. You can still put Blais there to show Strome how useless of a center he actually is. There's a reason he has so little trade value around the league.

Other possibilities include Gallant completely blowing up the top two lines because they are a damn mess. If the buddies want to play together they can do it on pp1.

 

[rangers1314]

Kreider - Mika - Kakko
Panarin - Strome - Blais
Laf - Chytil - Goodrow
Hunt - Rooney - Reaves

I'd be open to flipping CK and Laf here as well.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Kreider - Mika - Kakko
Panarin - Strome - Goodrow
Laf - Chtyil - Blais
Hunt - Rooney - Reaves

I want to be mad at Laf but that first line is not clicking at all. Let Laf play with more straight forward players. His linemates playing a simpler game might be what he needs to help him get going. Kakko is misused on that second line. If Strome and Panarin want that third man to play defense for them then it might as well be Goodrow. I was thinking of putting Blais on the 2nd line but that would be a defensive disaster. You can still put Blais there to show Strome how useless of a center he actually is. There's a reason he has so little trade value around the league.

Other possibilities include Gallant completely blowing up the top two lines because they are a damn mess. If the buddies want to play together they can do it on pp1.

This really emphasizes how we are lacking another top-6 RW. Panarin-Strome obviously success with a grinder like Fast but he IMO had more skill and was a natural fit on that line. I really don't know how it will shake out but Goodrow doesn't seem like a fit to me but might as well give it a look.

 

[Rangerboy030]

While Blais is out:

Kreider - Mika - Kakko
Panarin - Strome - Laf
Goodrow - Chytil - Gauthier
Hunt - Rooney - Reaves

Blais back in:

Kreider - Mika - Kakko
Panarin - Strome - Blais
Laf - Chytil - Goodrow
Hunt - Rooney - Reaves

 

[NYR Viper]

This really emphasizes how we are lacking another top-6 RW. Panarin-Strome obviously success with a grinder like Fast but he IMO had more skill and was a natural fit on that line. I really don't know how it will shake out but Goodrow doesn't seem like a fit to me but might as well give it a look.

Goodrow is a better overall and more physical Fast. He'd work fine there. The guy who should be there is Blais though. Goodrow should be stapled with Chytil.

 

[rangers1314]

Goodrow is a better overall and more physical Fast. He'd work fine there. The guy who should be there is Blais though. Goodrow should be stapled with Chytil.

Don't disagree, but there needs to be some skill tossed in the mix on that line as well. That's where moving CK off RW comes in.

The strength of this roster right now is down the left side. I understand the want to give someone a look at RW to make the top 6 more formidable, but its coming at the expense of putting Chytil in a position to succeed. Give the kid someone on his left side that can score.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Goodrow is a better overall and more physical Fast. He'd work fine there. The guy who should be there is Blais though. Goodrow should be stapled with Chytil.

I disagree, and Fast is certainly a more skilled player than Goodrow. Maybe it is Blais who ends up being the guy there, I guess we will see.

 

[NYR Viper]

Don't disagree, but there needs to be some skill tossed in the mix on that line as well. That's where moving CK off RW comes in.

The strength of this roster right now is down the left side. I understand the want to give someone a look at RW to make the top 6 more formidable, but its coming at the expense of putting Chytil in a position to succeed. Give the kid someone on his left side that can score.

Ah, that I agree with. My lines would be:

Lafreniere-Zibanejad-Kaako
Panarin-Strome-Blais
Kreider-Chytil-Goodrow
Hunt-Rooney-Reaves

Now with Blais out, I would just sub in Gauthier on that Panarin line and tell him to retrieve pucks and go to the net

 

[jay from jersey]

Ah, that I agree with. My lines would be:

Lafreniere-Zibanejad-Kaako
Panarin-Strome-Blais
Kreider-Chytil-Goodrow
Hunt-Rooney-Reaves

Now with Blais out, I would just sub in Gauthier on that Panarin line and tell him to retrieve pucks and go to the net

I think this could work. im sure Gallant would rather not have a 19 and a 20 year old flanking Zibby. But kakko is obviously improved. LaF doesn’t look terrible either (just a little lost), but both of them had chemistry with each other at the end of last season. So it’s worth a go.
I just think Gallant thinks it’s very important for us team wise, to have a motivated kreider. Kreids also has a history of success with Zibby.
It’s going to be a delicate balance to find the right combo with the right mojo, but right now, LaF-Zibby-Kreider doesn’t look very good.
Imo, partly due to Kreids not being real comfortable at RW wing yet, or if he will get comfortable at all. And Zibby not really coming out of the gate on fire. I suspect he’ll be better soon and maybe that line can work some magic together.
Ideally, I’d love to see
LaF-Zibby-Kakko
Panarin-Chytil-Blais
Kreider-Barron-Goodrow
Hunt-Rooney-Reaves
But we’ll likely only see this if strome is injured or traded until at least next season.

in the line up above, Gallant can also switch Kakko and Goodrow if one of them are running hot and the 1st or 3rd line needs a shot in the arm.
I think that would give us the best line up options. Each line has a puck hound. The 3rd line has 3 huge players that can play a heavy game and all have talent to score.
But either way, I’d like to see Gallant turn the kids loose with Zibby for a bit

 

[bigdog16]

Maybe this team does need Eichel

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Not for nothing, and I've never been a Kreider lover...but he's playing differently this season. He's out there hitting much more and imposing his will, his net front presence is better then ever as well. Like I said, never been in love with the guy but I've liked what I've seen so far this year. The front of the net stuff is also something that will not necessarily fall off a cliff with age either. He could continue to hone that skillset into his 30's.

 

[rangers1314]

Not for nothing, and I've never been a Kreider lover...but he's playing differently this season. He's out there hitting much more and imposing his will, his net front presence is better then ever as well. Like I said, never been in love with the guy but I've liked what I've seen so far this year. The front of the net stuff is also something that will not necessarily fall off a cliff with age either. He could continue to hone that skillset into his 30's.

It's only 2 games, but yes I've noticed that too. Plus going after PK in the preseason.

He's a leader on this team and he spent all summer having his team being called pusses. Maybe it got to him.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Maybe this team does need Eichel

They sure as shit need something more than what they got

 

[jay from jersey]

Not for nothing, and I've never been a Kreider lover...but he's playing differently this season. He's out there hitting much more and imposing his will, his net front presence is better then ever as well. Like I said, never been in love with the guy but I've liked what I've seen so far this year. The front of the net stuff is also something that will not necessarily fall off a cliff with age either. He could continue to hone that skillset into his 30's.

He’s motivated. I don’t expect a huge jump in his numbers, but he’s having a game impact like he did in his contract year. An engaged kreider creates chaos on the ice, even if it doesn’t show on the scoreboard.
Night and day from the corpse we saw most of the season playing last year

 

[tomobson]

Goodrow is a better overall and more physical Fast. He'd work fine there. The guy who should be there is Blais though. Goodrow should be stapled with Chytil.

I love the idea of Chytil playing with Goodrow but if you put Blais on the Panarin line it could be a mess. But I'd be willing to try anything to get Kakko off that line.

Don't disagree, but there needs to be some skill tossed in the mix on that line as well. That's where moving CK off RW comes in.

The strength of this roster right now is down the left side. I understand the want to give someone a look at RW to make the top 6 more formidable, but its coming at the expense of putting Chytil in a position to succeed. Give the kid someone on his left side that can score.

Yes. I know Mika and Kreider want to play together but doing it how the rangers are right now is just hurting the entire balance of the lineup. Let Laf season a little bit more on that third line. If he can get going I think you then swap Kreider and Laf because I would love a Kreider - Chytil - Goodrow/Blais line.

 

[jay from jersey]

They sure as shit need something more than what they got

Only 2 possible ways that happens now. A 3rd team is involved that will eat some of jacks cap hit.
Or kreider or Trouba are moved early.
Otherwise the finances are just impossible at this current juncture.
Either task isn’t going to be easy

 

[NYR Viper]

If Eichel isn't going to play this entire season after his surgery, the Rangers wouldn't need to worry about the cap until next off-season. That assumes they are still interested in Eichel.

I get the sense that Drury is on the lookout for a specific type of center that isn't Eichel.

A lot can change this season in particular. For example:

If Calgary gets off to a horrible start and wants to blow it up, would they re-consider moving Lindholm?

If Detroit can't come to terms with Larkin, will they look to trade him?

What does Carolina do with Trochek after acquiring Kotkaniemi? What is he looking for moving forward?

If St Louis struggles this season, would St Louis consider rebuilding on the fly and trading ROR?

What is the Sharks plan for Hertl and how much is he looking for moving forward?

I'm more intrigued by seeing how these things shake out than I am with Eichel.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Not for nothing, and I've never been a Kreider lover...but he's playing differently this season. He's out there hitting much more and imposing his will, his net front presence is better then ever as well. Like I said, never been in love with the guy but I've liked what I've seen so far this year. The front of the net stuff is also something that will not necessarily fall off a cliff with age either. He could continue to hone that skillset into his 30's.

I don’t want to be negative Nancy here but it’s two games in

Kreider is what he is at this point, his game is not being reinvented this far into his career

 

[rangers1314]

I don’t want to be negative Nancy here but it’s two games in

Kreider is what he is at this point, his game is not being reinvented this far into his career

It's not, I don't expect him to be a bowling ball the entire season. But its been a thing thus far.

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

I don’t want to be negative Nancy here but it’s two games in

Kreider is what he is at this point, his game is not being reinvented this far into his career

He's a streaky 25 goal, power forward. It's what he's been his whole career and he's paid accordingly. People have always had unrealistic expectations for the guy. It's nonsense. Evidenced by the fact that the last three coaches have all used him primarily the same way. Most fans are clueless. And ironically, it's been Laff and Zib dragging him down the first two games of the season.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

I don’t want to be negative Nancy here but it’s two games in

Kreider is what he is at this point, his game is not being reinvented this far into his career

Yeah, who knows if this version if Kreider will stick around. Powerforwards hitting their prime late in their 20's is not unfounded though. Like I said, the net front stuff is a skill that can be honed into someones 30's. Not banking on this version of Kreider for 82 games, but it's been very beneficial and I hope this version is around a lot this year.

 

[Bruner4329]

I don’t want to be negative Nancy here but it’s two games in

Kreider is what he is at this point, his game is not being reinvented this far into his career

Not sure why people are focusing on Kreider right now when he is the least of the issues. 2 games and 2 goals plus more physical. I would focus on same old stuff that killed us last year as well. How many shots have we taken that missed the net completely? Tons and on power play get the puck to the net. Zib and his one timers can be brutal. And in OT puck control is key so what was Panarin doing trying to skate though 3 guys? Few time last year he killed us in OT with sloppy play and careless back passes. The guy is a talent but too flashy/risky at times. Frustrating part is at end of year when we are competing for a playoff spot or miss the playoffs losing the one point on a game like last night comes back and kills you. I said it before the season started this division and conference is tough and we will need every possible point to get in the playoffs.

 

[EdJovanovski]