Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXXIV

[UnSandvich]

Laf-Strome-Goodrow looked (very) good in their (very) limited time together earlier in the season. With Kakko out, idk why Gallant hasn't gone back & given that line a second look

 

[Chalfdiggity3]

Thats why Lehkonen is such a good fit. 3rd line next year of Lehkonen-Goodrow-Blais is pretty nice. Would be a great line. Heavy, responsible, aggressive and not without talent.

Problem is, im not giving up a 1st round pick for him.

For me it would have to be 2nd and a guy like ruenenen.

 

[mike14]

Time to scream into the void and go full stupid after the break:

CK-Mika-Chytil
Panarin-Laf-KK
Goodrow-Strome-Gauthier
Barron-Rooney-Hunt/Reaves

 

[Crease]

Time to scream into the void and go full stupid after the break:

CK-Mika-Chytil
Panarin-Laf-KK
Goodrow-Strome-Gauthier
Barron-Rooney-Hunt/Reaves

I don’t hate it.

 

[Sayba]

Personally, if Laf and Kakko aren’t going to be in the top six, we should move them to solve for 2C. Since I don’t think that’s going to be the case for either, we need to stop dicking around and just put Laf on the Zib line and Kakko on the Panarin line and grow through it. Don’t panic and change it the first time the team is down. Don’t switch it up after a loss. Just grow through the awkward patch. After that? Chytil isn’t a 2C and isn’t a 3rd liner. Chytil, Kravtsov, Lundkvist, whatever… go get a guy like Gourde who can slot in at 2C. Goodrow takes 3C. Go find guys who FIT a third line energy and forecheck, smashmouth line to put on his wings. The fourth line is a combination of Rooney, Barron, Hunt, Reaves, Blais going forward.

There’s too many players and not enough spots. If Laf and Kakko aren’t in the top six permanently by the start of camp next year, then they should be used to bolster the existing core instead. The top six has to be Panarin, Laf, Kreider, KK, Zib and someone better at playing center than Strome or Chytil. That’s it. The third line has to be guys like Goodrow and Blais who can bang and wear down opponents. No Chytil. No Gauthier. No fourth year Kakko (next year) playing on the third line. A deliberately designed third line with a defined role and purpose.

I like everything you said except about Gauthier, he has the potential to be a 3rd liner, he has some physicality, size, speed and is hitting more this year. If he can just score 10-15 goals he could be effective on the 3rd. He may never do it but he is young and has the physical tools.

 

[smoneil]

Gallant signaling he needs some fresh options.

I guess, but his moves also don't make a ton of sense. Kakko was killing it on the Bread/Strome line....so Gallant moved him to the Kreider/Zib line where he looked awful for a long stretch of games. He put Chytil on the Bread/Strome line, and the kid played so well that even his haters were grudgingly giving him props. Had 4 points in 5 games...so Gallant demotes him to the bottom six and puts Dryden Hunt in that spot. I still like Gallant, but I don't know why he can't leave well enough alone when things are going well, particularly with these young guys, whose confidence could really use a string of extended opportunity/success.

 

[CLW]

I guess, but his moves also don't make a ton of sense. Kakko was killing it on the Bread/Strome line....so Gallant moved him to the Kreider/Zib line where he looked awful for a long stretch of games. He put Chytil on the Bread/Strome line, and the kid played so well that even his haters were grudgingly giving him props. Had 4 points in 5 games...so Gallant demotes him to the bottom six and puts Dryden Hunt in that spot. I still like Gallant, but I don't know why he can't leave well enough alone when things are going well, particularly with these young guys, whose confidence could really use a string of extended opportunity/success.

Maybe Drury et al want to see how the players are doing in different situations for stat purposes? And/or showcasing? And GG is asking for less interference? It's puzzling for sure.

 

[smoneil]

Maybe Drury et al want to see how the players are doing in different situations for stat purposes? And/or showcasing? And GG is asking for less interference? It's puzzling for sure.

If that's true, then Drury is a moron, I'm sorry. I'm one of Chytil's biggest boosters here, but the only way he should have been moved off that line, the way he was playing, was if they wanted to put Kakko back there (Kakko is a higher value prospect). Hunt? Dryden f***ing Hunt?! I've tried to look at that move a dozen different ways, and it never makes sense.

Granted, I also don't understand all the Rangers fans who want to throw a ton of assets at Hertl either. For a "first line center" you'd think he would have broken 50 points more than once in his career. He's a slightly rich-man's Derek Stepan with crumbling knees and what is soon to be a horrible contract.

 

[TominNC]

Time to scream into the void and go full stupid after the break:

CK-Mika-Chytil
Panarin-Laf-KK
Goodrow-Strome-Gauthier
Barron-Rooney-Hunt/Reaves

Now we're moving Laf to center?

 

[duhmetreE]

+Lekhonen
+Gourde

would be a god-tier TDL

Drury will get 'his guy'. I'm fairly confident in it. What worries me is who that would be.

 

[NYR Viper]

Just getting Lehkonen would do wonders for this team moving forward. That and promoting Barron and moving Chytil. I’m half expecting a Skjei-like deal for Chytil at the deadline. 1st coming in for Chytil. I’ll guess it’s Buffalo with their multiple 1st’s.

 

[tomobson]

I guess, but his moves also don't make a ton of sense. Kakko was killing it on the Bread/Strome line....so Gallant moved him to the Kreider/Zib line where he looked awful for a long stretch of games. He put Chytil on the Bread/Strome line, and the kid played so well that even his haters were grudgingly giving him props. Had 4 points in 5 games...so Gallant demotes him to the bottom six and puts Dryden Hunt in that spot. I still like Gallant, but I don't know why he can't leave well enough alone when things are going well, particularly with these young guys, whose confidence could really use a string of extended opportunity/success.

I have to agree with Gallant on the Kakko move. I did not like what I was seeing out of Kakko on that line. I mean Kakko didn't even touch the puck for the first way too many games that it was honestly rather ridiculous. Kakko's first few games with Mika were probably the most dynamic he's looked this season but I'm not sure what happened afterwards. It could have just been the level of talent we were playing at that time was very low, which would answer a lot of questions during that period. I hate the idea of the kids playing with Panarin/Strome, and I doubt that's GG thought on it as well, but I feel it'll create bad habits. The RWs on that line are not allowed to play their game. All the RWs on that line look like robots with the same set of instructions given to them. Panarin/Strome also don't seem to like to play with another skilled player that might take time away from the puck for them. Chytil is one of the most active guys on the ice when he's playing and he looked like a statue in front of the net when he was with the Panarin line. If they want a statue then give them Hunt or maybe throw Barron in there to see if he can fill that role while also adding a bit more skill.

 

[CLW]

I have to agree with Gallant on the Kakko move. I did not like what I was seeing out of Kakko on that line. I mean Kakko didn't even touch the puck for the first way too many games that it was honestly rather ridiculous. Kakko's first few games with Mika were probably the most dynamic he's looked this season but I'm not sure what happened afterwards. It could have just been the level of talent we were playing at that time was very low, which would answer a lot of questions during that period. I hate the idea of the kids playing with Panarin/Strome, and I doubt that's GG thought on it as well, but I feel it'll create bad habits. The RWs on that line are not allowed to play their game. All the RWs on that line look like robots with the same set of instructions given to them. Panarin/Strome also don't seem to like to play with another skilled player that might take time away from the puck for them. Chytil is one of the most active guys on the ice when he's playing and he looked like a statue in front of the net when he was with the Panarin line. If they want a statue then give them Hunt or maybe throw Barron in there to see if he can fill that role while also adding a bit more skill.

Just don't play Panarin with Strome. I don't care if Panarin has to have his personal valet. Release the Strome. I'm not even against signing Strome necessarily, but I am against signing him if it is to play with him with Panarin in a BFF setup.

 

[smoneil]

Just don't play Panarin with Strome. I don't care if Panarin has to have his personal valet. Release the Strome. I'm not even against signing Strome necessarily, but I am against signing him if it is to play with him with Panarin in a BFF setup.

Honestly, I had posted the option of trading Bread a couple of weeks ago as one of a slew of hypothetical ways that we could alleviate the log jam at LW. I initially included that just as due diligence (ie: the option that nobody would seriously consider), but the more I think about it? Bread hasn't really been himself since the shut down before the play-in series. When we first signed him, a lot of people were concerned about the last few years of the contract. I generally think his game will age well (I was part of the group lobbying in favor of signing him back then), but...if Panarin could return someone like Byfield++ or Lundell+? We'd still have Kreider and Laf on the left with Othmann and Cuylle on the way. We'd suddenly solve the gaping hole at 2C. AND it would resolve the cap crunch. Could that be a situation where the parts would be greater than the (clearly) best player? I'm not sure, but the holes in the roster have been getting more apparent by the day, and that one move could resolve a bunch of those holes. The more the team struggles, the less "unthinkable" such a move sounds.

 

[Paul Padovano]

I like everything you said except about Gauthier, he has the potential to be a 3rd liner, he has some physicality, size, speed and is hitting more this year. If he can just score 10-15 goals he could be effective on the 3rd. He may never do it but he is young and has the physical tools.

I'd love for him to score more, but with that size and speed that you talk about, he should at the very least, be able to draw penalties. Wouldn't mind seeing him being a bit more aggressive as well, getting underneath the opposition's skin. I think the person u were responding too, had it right also. Keep Laf and Kakko in the top six, and for now, Chytil - Goodrow - Gauthier to fill out the third line.

 

[bbny]

Let me say this….

If I’m Chris Drury I call Ron Francis to get Giordano and Gourde and I don’t get off the phone until I have a deal.

I’d let Strome walk in the offseason and put Gourde at 2C Goodrow at 3C

gourde at 3 more years after this one around 5 mil is perfect for this window

Gourde, Giordano, and a top 6 RW (i.e., Pavelski) would be a tremendous deadline. It would cost a good number of assets, however there would be cost control at 2C moving forward with Gourde.

Kreider - Zibanejad - Lafreniere/Pavelski
Panarin - Strome - Pavelski/Lafreniere
--- high confidence this 3rd line can shut down most other lines ---
Goodrow - Gourde - Kakko

Lindgren - Fox
Giordano - Trouba
KAM - Schneider

In terms of cost...ballpark:

Chytil, Lundkvist, '22 1st, '23 2nd (conditional, turns to 1st with a SC win) for Gourde, Giordano
Kravtsov, '22 2nd, '23 3rd for Pavelski

Might need to buy a little bit of retention in there somewhere for this season.

This is wave 1 of contention. They still have plenty of ammunition to improve the roster at the deadline the following year. Take some stabs over the next couple of years while the iron is hot. If it doesn't work, you will presumably be waiting a couple more years after that for Panarin's contract to expire and Lafreniere/Kakko taking over. But at least you can say you took some stabs at it while Panarin, Zibanejad, Kreider, Igor, Fox, are all peak.

 

[McRanger92]

Honestly, I had posted the option of trading Bread a couple of weeks ago as one of a slew of hypothetical ways that we could alleviate the log jam at LW. I initially included that just as due diligence (ie: the option that nobody would seriously consider), but the more I think about it? Bread hasn't really been himself since the shut down before the play-in series. When we first signed him, a lot of people were concerned about the last few years of the contract. I generally think his game will age well (I was part of the group lobbying in favor of signing him back then), but...if Panarin could return someone like Byfield++ or Lundell+? We'd still have Kreider and Laf on the left with Othmann and Cuylle on the way. We'd suddenly solve the gaping hole at 2C. AND it would resolve the cap crunch. Could that be a situation where the parts would be greater than the (clearly) best player? I'm not sure, but the holes in the roster have been getting more apparent by the day, and that one move could resolve a bunch of those holes. The more the team struggles, the less "unthinkable" such a move sounds.

Panarin is on a 98 point pace yet we’re already talking about trading him. Because he’s totally the problem

 

[smoneil]

Panarin is on a 98 point pace yet we’re already talking about trading him. Because he’s totally the problem

Look at my post. At no point did I say ANY of that. I'm not even saying that it's something we SHOULD do. Just that--depending on the return, it could do a whole lot to balance what is currently a VERY unbalanced (salary cap, LW depth, no young centers, etc) team.

 

[Vitto79]

Just getting Lehkonen would do wonders for this team moving forward. That and promoting Barron and moving Chytil. I’m half expecting a Skjei-like deal for Chytil at the deadline. 1st coming in for Chytil. I’ll guess it’s Buffalo with their multiple 1st’s.

they won’t move anyone without adding
Buffalo could do that before the draft no point this year

 

[McRanger92]

Just getting Lehkonen would do wonders for this team moving forward. That and promoting Barron and moving Chytil. I’m half expecting a Skjei-like deal for Chytil at the deadline. 1st coming in for Chytil. I’ll guess it’s Buffalo with their multiple 1st’s.

Lehkonen for Chytil

 

[Paul Padovano]

Honestly, I had posted the option of trading Bread a couple of weeks ago as one of a slew of hypothetical ways that we could alleviate the log jam at LW. I initially included that just as due diligence (ie: the option that nobody would seriously consider), but the more I think about it? Bread hasn't really been himself since the shut down before the play-in series. When we first signed him, a lot of people were concerned about the last few years of the contract. I generally think his game will age well (I was part of the group lobbying in favor of signing him back then), but...if Panarin could return someone like Byfield++ or Lundell+? We'd still have Kreider and Laf on the left with Othmann and Cuylle on the way. We'd suddenly solve the gaping hole at 2C. AND it would resolve the cap crunch. Could that be a situation where the parts would be greater than the (clearly) best player? I'm not sure, but the holes in the roster have been getting more apparent by the day, and that one move could resolve a bunch of those holes. The more the team struggles, the less "unthinkable" such a move sounds.

Imo, I think Fla and L.A. would want someone a bit younger than Panarin to be part of a deal for either of these two potential franchise centers. For example, maybe Laf for Byfield straight up would work, but personally, I don't think either team would part with the players you mentioned. Unless, the Rangers want to trade to LA. one of their up and coming defense men as well as an additional asset.

 

[smoneil]

Imo, I think Fla and L.A. would want someone a bit younger than Panarin to be part of a deal for either of these two potential franchise centers. For example, maybe Laf for Byfield straight up would work, but personally, I don't think either team would part with the players you mentioned. Unless, the Rangers want to trade to LA. one of their up and coming defense men as well as an additional asset.

The Rangers aren't adding to a top winger in the game to get a center with one career point. Byfield would be the starting point, with another piece of equal value (preferably a RW) in the package as well. The idea for LA is that Panarin might allow them to speed up their push to contend, and they would be spending from a position of strength (like us with Laf, Byfield is blocked by better veterans--veterans older than Bread even). For Florida, it would make them even more of a juggernaut for the next four years.

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

The only edgy Panarin trade I've had going around in my head is Mitch Marner, so if that ever happens you can throw tomatoes at me

 

[Paul Padovano]

I think the best line the Rangers iced all season was for that short duration of time they had Kreider, Zib, Panarin together. That to me is a real legit top line (up there with Boston and Col). The second line you can then play around a bit with Laf and Strome, or Strome and Kakko, or all three together.

 

[McRanger92]

Look at my post. At no point did I say ANY of that. I'm not even saying that it's something we SHOULD do. Just that--depending on the return, it could do a whole lot to balance what is currently a VERY unbalanced (salary cap, LW depth, no young centers, etc) team.

The prospects will get traded long before they consider moving Panarin. Thankfully they are nowhere close to making those kind of knee jerk moves