Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXX

[MetalJaws]

Chytil, Lundkvist and Kravtsov should be good enough to get a middle 6c who can go on some cup runs these next 5 years.

Chytil ain't it, as much as we want him to be. He's not the guy to drive offense from the center. He's had a lot of opportunities but very little to show for it.

Hunt is a bad option in the top 6. Strome sliding to wing and having a better 2c wouldn't be bad either.

Gotta be something out there. Can't blame Drury for being patient. Rangers are in the best spot they've been in a while and are showing the league that they're the real deal.

Fun stuff.

 

[Vitto79]

I really like Strome. More so the guy than the player tbh. He does have chemistry with Panarin but I really do believe that as long as you're not a potato, Panarin will gel with you.

The hail mary would be Laf at Center... with Panarin.

Chytil isn’t a potatoe and hasn’t gelled
Laf can’t play RW and we expect him to play C,
Strome is working so he likely stays

 

[Vitto79]

I think its unlikely we see much change from the 3rd pair, we signed nemeth longterm for some boneheaded reason and they could swap nils for schneider but its unlikely. I think an alternative is mixing up our pairs. Something along the lines of
Kandre-Fox, Nemeth-Trouba, and Lindgren-Nils might work better together all around.

the teams winning and Nils is learning
Gallant isn’t a dummy and keeps putting him in the lineup . Swap in the spares once in a while

come playoffs maybe get a cheap vet

agreed Nemeth isn’t going anywhere this year
Cap hell may move him next

 

[Vitto79]

Probably one of those guys on the way out, I suppose. If Lundkvist has value, they could trade him and Nemeth together, even. Not sure who returns more, though, Jones or Lundqvist.

you keep both Lundkvist and Jones unless blown away W the perfect deal . Like a Turcotte

 

[jay from jersey]

I’m very curious to see how Drury is going to handle this years TDL.
Forget the strome deal for a minute, the way he’s playing with Panarin right now, at worst even if they don’t plan on resigning him, he’s being self Rented.
I know no one had super high expectations for this season. Most figured we’d absolutely make the playoffs and possibly win a round.
After the 1st quarter of the year, with the way this team has come together and bonded/gelled, with Gallant at the helm, doing an amazing job on/off the ice in his first year, I’m sure expectations are raised at the possibility of us making the playoffs and catching fire at this point in time.
We have a Norris D leading a formidable top 6 D where the 3rd pair is making progress at least And getting better.
We have another D in Trouba that is rock solid, dependable, and physical this year. He’s moving the puck well and helping miller. They are playing vital minutes, and it’s helping Lindgren-Fox.

we have an elite goalie playing at the top of his game.
We have 4 lines rolling playing very well keeping everyone fresh. Versatile guys that can move up and down the line up if need be in case of injury.

a top 3 winger in the game and one of the best Power forwards in the league playing the best hockey of they’re careers.

we are physical, we have secondary scoring. A good mix of youth/vets. Proven winners with valuable leadership qualities, and a solid coaching staff.

if this team shores up the back up goaltending position, adds a solid depth player or 2, anything can happen.

can you imagine how well we’d be playing if this team was even half way decent at winning a face off? If the were able to dictate possession off an offensive draw, with our lethal PP??

all this is happening with our high paid 1C not even firing on all cylinders yet, and our 1 and 2OV picks just maturing and coming into the scene.
This team is just mentally and physically tough. They play for each other and knows what it takes to win.
I can see why some expect us to do some great things this season.

the next few moves for Drury are critical. Not just for this season either. I’m not saying trade our 1st, empty the cupboard and go all in like 94.
But we’ve been blessed with some good luck finally and have a well stocked system.
If this team keeps playing like this, add a key piece or 2 down the stretch, whose to say we can’t raise the cup this season?

 

[duhmetreE]

Chytil isn’t a potatoe and hasn’t gelled
Laf can’t play RW and we expect him to play C,
Strome is working so he likely stays

When it comes to IQ/vision, he's a potato. He plays a north-south blinders game which is fine. But that's not Laf's game. Laf needs another linemate to work with.

If they want to go back to Laf-Chytil-Kakko, it may work. I don't see Kakko getting 'demoted'

 

[duhmetreE]

I’d go back to our opening day lineup for a game or two.

panarin Stromer Kakko
Laffy Zibs Kreider
Hunt Chytil Gauthier

chytil and Gauthier play a simple north south game. That will be accentuated even more with hunt. Zibs line at even strength has been extremely opportunistic.

Gluten Free Bread and Butter was the best line we’ve had in ages

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

I’d go back to our opening day lineup for a game or two.

panarin Stromer Kakko
Laffy Zibs Kreider
Hunt Chytil Gauthier

chytil and Gauthier play a simple north south game. That will be accentuated even more with hunt. Zibs line at even strength has been extremely opportunistic.

Gluten Free Bread and Butter was the best line we’ve had in ages

The only reason I disagree is because both Kakko and Panarin require the puck to be on their sticks for large amounts of time. Neither should have to defer, and both are currently possession monsters in the way the lineup works as it stands today.

 

[duhmetreE]

The only reason I disagree is because both Kakko and Panarin require the puck to be on their sticks for large amounts of time. Neither should have to defer, and both are currently possession monsters in the way the lineup works as it stands today.

That's fine. They were dominating together. It becomes nearly impossible to defend. A true top line

Zibs line is just too 'one and done'. The hope is Kakko could bring possession in the offensive zone but it just how Zibs line works... It's highly opportunistic at ES. Until Zibs starts galloping around the ice and on the forecheck like he used to, that line will continue to be 'one and done/opportunistic'. I think Laf is better for 'the rush offense/opportunistic' offense.

We've seen how dominant Panarin Strome Kakko was. A line that should be getting 20 minutes every night.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

That's fine. They were dominating together. It becomes nearly impossible to defend. A true top line

Zibs line is just too 'one and done'. The hope is Kakko could bring possession in the offensive zone but it just how Zibs line works... It's highly opportunistic at ES. Until Zibs starts galloping around the ice and on the forecheck like he used to, that line will continue to be 'one and done/opportunistic'.

I would argue that Artemi is making himself impossible to defend, even without Kakko on his line. Not sure it's possible for him to be any better. I wouldn't touch it right now.

 

[duhmetreE]

I would argue that Artemi is making himself impossible to defend, even without Kakko on his line. Not sure it's possible for him to be any better. I wouldn't touch it right now.

You literally saw it better... With Kakko on the line.

Panarin being good is part of the recipe. He's so good that he affords Strome and Kakko space to make magic.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

You literally saw it better... With Kakko on the line.

Panarin being good is part of the recipe. He's so good that he affords Strome and Kakko space to make magic.

I guess that's where I disagree - I think this season Panarin has been his most dominant over the last handful of games. I don't remember off hand how long ago Kakko was on his line but it was at least more than a handful of games. It's bizarre to have Hunt on that line and I hated the idea of it at first but from the eye test and the Artemi production test, it's working.

 

[2014nyr]

I’m very curious to see how Drury is going to handle this years TDL.
Forget the strome deal for a minute, the way he’s playing with Panarin right now, at worst even if they don’t plan on resigning him, he’s being self Rented.
I know no one had super high expectations for this season. Most figured we’d absolutely make the playoffs and possibly win a round.
After the 1st quarter of the year, with the way this team has come together and bonded/gelled, with Gallant at the helm, doing an amazing job on/off the ice in his first year, I’m sure expectations are raised at the possibility of us making the playoffs and catching fire at this point in time.
We have a Norris D leading a formidable top 6 D where the 3rd pair is making progress at least And getting better.
We have another D in Trouba that is rock solid, dependable, and physical this year. He’s moving the puck well and helping miller. They are playing vital minutes, and it’s helping Lindgren-Fox.

we have an elite goalie playing at the top of his game.
We have 4 lines rolling playing very well keeping everyone fresh. Versatile guys that can move up and down the line up if need be in case of injury.

a top 3 winger in the game and one of the best Power forwards in the league playing the best hockey of they’re careers.

we are physical, we have secondary scoring. A good mix of youth/vets. Proven winners with valuable leadership qualities, and a solid coaching staff.

if this team shores up the back up goaltending position, adds a solid depth player or 2, anything can happen.

can you imagine how well we’d be playing if this team was even half way decent at winning a face off? If the were able to dictate possession off an offensive draw, with our lethal PP??

all this is happening with our high paid 1C not even firing on all cylinders yet, and our 1 and 2OV picks just maturing and coming into the scene.
This team is just mentally and physically tough. They play for each other and knows what it takes to win.
I can see why some expect us to do some great things this season.

the next few moves for Drury are critical. Not just for this season either. I’m not saying trade our 1st, empty the cupboard and go all in like 94.
But we’ve been blessed with some good luck finally and have a well stocked system.
If this team keeps playing like this, add a key piece or 2 down the stretch, whose to say we can’t raise the cup this season?

i'm generally with you, although this is all under the assumption we're at or near a similar place in the standings at that point. which if so, i think drury would look to at least try to acquire some minor pieces.

backup goalie is something that should be addressed pre deadline. that has to be done.

a 3rd pairing d to replace niils. potentially this comes from in house if the org feels braden has served his apprenticeship and is ready...but while he may be the guy and plays the right game, think its still a good idea to find a decent veteran for cheap.

up front i feel like maybe you add another sandpaper type like a tanev if possible, but realistically any moves you make there that aren't for ufa are longer term pivots and potentially larger deals. ie its one thing if they decide gauthier isn't working out - not saying he is or isn't here - but he arguably occupies the only fwd spot the org sees as replaceable. beyond that it would mean drury is giving up on chytil, strome, or god forbid kakko/laf. chytil i'd see as the only player with any possibility of being part of something like that.

but whatever we do, i'm with you on this isn't the year you part with anything of value. 2nd round pick and mid tier prospects is all i make available on the futures front. this is a year to provide some fortification as a reward to this team and try to give them a shot at making it into the 2nd or 3rd round. the biggest thing beyond even cost is limiting cap added, i wouldn't be taking on anyone with term unless its bare bones. i don't see us winning a cup...you never know...but we're so green. teams just dont win on their first run...you need that heartbreak before you can win. next year is where you really make the hard calls and big trades if we don't see the finishing touches being added via the growth of what we have in house.

 

[GAGLine]

I was just looking at the Rangers schedule and noticed something. They have 14 games in April, 10 of them at home. The other 4 are at NJ, Philly, Islanders and Boston. So not much travel at all in the final month of the season. That should help going into the playoffs.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Run the numbers…if Strome stays (which I advocate) at 5.333 then we have to dump/swap Chytil, Gauthier, Nemeth, and Georgie and even then It’s really really tight.

 

[LORDE]

Not sure why you feel the need to ram “the rebuild is over” down everyone’s throats. I don’t see anyone disputing that. I don’t see post after post wanting to trade Strome for a draft pick and a prospect.

The argument or at least my argument is that there is evidence locking up Strome doesn’t work - the stretch run last year when the ice shrank and so did his production.

The front office, Drury included, seemed to understand that and now are all giddy to lock the guy up because he is producing in open ice in the early part of the season.

The question is, can they actually be a legitimate contender relying on Zibanejad and Strome to play 40 min a night and take up $14M of cap space. They are two players whose current game, at least in my opinion, has questions both about being able to produce offense in tight conditions and how well they are able to defend. Handing out immovable contracts to both has the potential to nuke this window.

Completely agree (and I even posted something similar yesterday about Strome's game when the season isn't wide open).

There are so many posters saying "...the Strome haters"

I don't think anyone here hates Strome... but as you pointed out... Mika & his game are locked in. Resigning Strome w a no move clause just isn't feasible. Trouba & Kreider have clauses and Kreider especially isn't playing his entire career here to suddenly leave when we're on the rise.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Run the numbers…if Strome stays (which I advocate) at 5.333 then we have to dump/swap Chytil, Gauthier, Nemeth, and Georgie and even then It’s really really tight.

Teams have guys to work the cap so you don't have to lol

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Teams have guys to work the cap so you don't have to lol

We have other people to post so you don’t have to, lol

 

[MrAlmost]

Run the numbers…if Strome stays (which I advocate) at 5.333 then we have to dump/swap Chytil, Gauthier, Nemeth, and Georgie and even then It’s really really tight.

It is tight, even at 5.00, but they can ice a competitive team for the next 2 seasons and keep Kreider and Trouba. However, they need to use Chytil, Goat, Georgiev, Hajek, Lundqvist, and Krav to get someone at 50%. We have so many extra parts that can make a package to get a good player or players on good contracts WITH retention. My preference is Gourde for center whether they keep Strome or not. I imagine Seattle would be very interested in the pieces we could send over.

What are the chances Strome resigns for 4.5x4?

 

[GAGLine]

Completely agree (and I even posted something similar yesterday about Strome's game when the season isn't wide open).

There are so many posters saying "...the Strome haters"

I don't think anyone here hates Strome... but as you pointed out... Mika & his game are locked in. Resigning Strome w a no move clause just isn't feasible. Trouba & Kreider have clauses and Kreider especially isn't playing his entire career here to suddenly leave when we're on the rise.

The question is, if not Strome, who?

Are we going to run with Chytil as the 2C and hope he can handle it? Are we going to find someone else, either through trade or free agency, who we can afford and who will be a better fit than Strome?

We might be better off just running with Chytil, honestly. If he takes off, great. Problem solved. If not, we can make a deal mid-season next year to address the situation, whether it's short term (rental) or long term.

 

[fm]

It is tight, even at 5.00, but they can ice a competitive team for the next 2 seasons and keep Kreider and Trouba. However, they need to use Chytil, Goat, Georgiev, Hajek, Lundqvist, and Krav to get someone at 50%. We have so many extra parts that can make a package to get a good player or players on good contracts WITH retention. My preference is Gourde for center whether they keep Strome or not. I imagine Seattle would be very interested in the pieces we could send over.

What are the chances Strome resigns for 4.5x4?

Uh.. zero. Try 6x6

 

[duhmetreE]

I guess that's where I disagree - I think this season Panarin has been his most dominant over the last handful of games. I don't remember off hand how long ago Kakko was on his line but it was at least more than a handful of games. It's bizarre to have Hunt on that line and I hated the idea of it at first but from the eye test and the Artemi production test, it's working.

If anything, Hunt has rubbed off on Panarin and Strome as they're skating relentlessly

edit- p.s. this is why I wanted Hunt with Zibs for a time. To get him skating.

 

[duhmetreE]

I think Kreider and Trouba are much more valuable over the next few seasons.

We're going to have to use our assets to get a cost-controlled Center, trade for one where Cap is eaten, or hope Chytil or Barron could take the reigns.

Strome is a strong voice in the locker room and has grown on me considerably.... his leadership/lockeroom qualities are just as valuable as, if not more than, his on ice play

Hard cap's gonna hard cap

 

[LORDE]

The question is, if not Strome, who?

Are we going to run with Chytil as the 2C and hope he can handle it? Are we going to find someone else, either through trade or free agency, who we can afford and who will be a better fit than Strome?

We might be better off just running with Chytil, honestly. If he takes off, great. Problem solved. If not, we can make a deal mid-season next year to address the situation, whether it's short term (rental) or long term.

I don't know who, but at this point I think Drury needs to make a move... we have the assets. Trade for a young center w some 2-way play... some grit... I dunno.

This team is winning games... certainly at times when it shouldn't. I have a feeling that this nice little streak is ending soon and when shit gets tough after the TDL these points will be huge, so theres that.

I'm not concerned about how we look in early December... but I want to look fantastic in the spring.

One this I do know is... IF we're keeping Strome he absolutely CAN NOT HAVE A NMC.

 

[Kocur26]

I said last week - upgrade of Lundkqvist is needed …

However- watching him the last four games - he’s skating like Brett Hedican; scooping the puck skating it out. An invaluable talent not all D men possess.

it’ll be interesting