Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXXIV

[TheBloodyNine]

Paywall. Got Cliff Notes?

Nothing truly different than a lot of us have been saying here for awhile now. Rangers are a product of Shesterkin and the Powerplay, are in the basement in regards to many important advanced metrics, and most around the league don't consider them serious contenders because they can't consistently beat the better teams in the league.

 

[duhmetreE]

Gretzky compared him to Messier and Perrault, saying he thought his tools would fit at center in the NHL.

Also Brooks had this tidbit back in November:

It would be kind of prophetic... Messier being a LW, moved to Center... brings us to the promised land.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Paywall. Got Cliff Notes?

I don't see a paywall

Others were a little more direct in their feelings on the Rangers. We asked one NHL executive whether the Rangers are "just" Igor Shesterkin.
"Yes," they said.

Is there anything else to New York's success?
"No," they said. "They're not very good."

 

[duhmetreE]

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I don't see a paywall

Others were a little more direct in their feelings on the Rangers. We asked one NHL executive whether the Rangers are "just" Igor Shesterkin.
"Yes," they said.

Is there anything else to New York's success?
"No," they said. "They're not very good."

Probably Lou.

His senile ass doesn't really know much though. I think this team has some major problems, but to say that they are just Shesterkin when they have 3 PPG players and the leagues leader in goals scored is just dumb.

 

[duhmetreE]

I don't see a paywall

Others were a little more direct in their feelings on the Rangers. We asked one NHL executive whether the Rangers are "just" Igor Shesterkin.
"Yes," they said.

Is there anything else to New York's success?
"No," they said. "They're not very good."

i mean we've been atrocious 5v5 and especially in the middle of the ice. We just don't go there... for offense or defense.

I've never seen anything like it.

The problem with these takes is, 'iTs oNly sHeStErKiN', well yeah.. he's a part of the team. Is it a great recipe for long term success? no. But we can eek out wins like we have been.... but the hope is we improve dramatically 5v5.

 

[McRanger92]

"Panarin has contributed 20 points to that power play and has 1.20 points per game this season. That's a dip from his average over the previous two seasons (1.38), and that has Younggren somewhat concerned.
"He's declined drastically over the last one or two seasons and continues to struggle, especially defensively," Younggren said. "Getting Panarin back on track is maybe their biggest non-systems-based issue.""

Giant issue.

Thinking Panarin is the problem is overthinking everything. 98 point pace this year but he’s “declined”. Rangers haven’t had a player do that since Jagr. The team needs depth it’s plain and simple. Look who the other contenders have in their bottom 6 then look at ours.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

"https://t.co/a49IVppufu">https://t.co/a49IVppufu</a> <a href="https://t.co/dAaGOUl9HX">pic.twitter.com/dAaGOUl9HX</a></p>&mdash; JFresh (@JFreshHockey) <a href="

 

[CLW]

Paywall. Got Cliff Notes?

Some notes in random-ish order

• Carried by goaltending. Can go as far as Shesty can carry them
• Panarin decline a worry, needs to get him back on track
• Terrible underlying metrics, relying on PP and goaltending. Last in the NHL in percentage of shot attempts (44.1%) at 5-on-5. They rank 31st when ahead (40.6%) and when the game is close (44.8%). In terms of puck possession, they're 20th in the league (18:59 per game).
• Some NHL execs say respectable team, others not a good team
• Based on style and tactics the Rangers are doing as expected, this is not taking talent level into account.
• Offensive zone time is good, helping out the D. Rangers should build on this strength.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Thinking Panarin is the problem is overthinking everything. 98 point pace this year but he’s “declined”. Rangers haven’t had a player do that since Jagr. The team needs depth it’s plain and simple. Look who the other contenders have in their bottom 6 then look at ours.

Thinking he's not is underthinking it. Has he looked dangerous at all 5v5 this season? Saying he looks like the same guy who came here two years ago and is playing that same way is incredibly naive. He's incredibly passive, and like the article suggest, does much of his damage on the power play.

 

[McRanger92]

Thinking he's not is underthinking it. Has he looked dangerous at all 5v5 this season? Saying he looks like the same guy who came here two years ago and is playing that same way is incredibly naive. He's incredibly passive, and like the article suggest, does much of his damage on the power play.

Production is what matters when you have an 11.6 mil cap hit, and he’s producing. Him and stromes most common 5v5 linemate is Dryden Hunt, who could barely crack the coyotes roster last year. Maybe that’s got something to do with it?

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Production is what matters when you have an 11.6 mil cap hit, and he’s producing. Him and stromes most common 5v5 linemate is Dryden Hunt, who could barely crack the coyotes roster last year. Maybe that’s got something to do with it?

Production in all situations matters. Way too many games he's been invisible. His goal scoring is down and there are too many games this season where he doesn't end up on the scoresheet. If you are being paid 11 million dollars you need to be on the scoresheet every night - no excuses. Again, he is not playing anywhere close to how he was the last two seasons, he is nowhere near as dominant or a threat to score once he's out there.

Also, let's not pretend Dryden Hunt is what is holding Panarin back. Panarin and Strome only think about themselves any way when they are out there and that hasn't been much different since he got here.

 

[Anthony5967]

Thinking Panarin is the problem is overthinking everything. 98 point pace this year but he’s “declined”. Rangers haven’t had a player do that since Jagr. The team needs depth it’s plain and simple. Look who the other contenders have in their bottom 6 then look at ours.

It’s funny because if he starts shooting the puck more, his goal pace will jump. He’s having an “off year” with a pace for like 20 goals and near 95+ points? Ridiculous. That article Whyshinski wrote is trash. Yea, we know, I’m sorry we have Igor Shesterkin. Also, I’m sorry Gallant keeps playing McKegg, Brodzinski, Hunt, which is contributing to the porous 5v5 numbers.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Production is what matters when you have an 11.6 mil cap hit, and he’s producing. Him and stromes most common 5v5 linemate is Dryden Hunt, who could barely crack the coyotes roster last year. Maybe that’s got something to do with it?

I get what you're saying, but no his issues are 1000% on him.

I don't think his skills are declining as he still does some great stuff often enough to show you that its there. Hes just played really dumb this year.

 

[CLW]

Production is what matters when you have an 11.6 mil cap hit, and he’s producing. Him and stromes most common 5v5 linemate is Dryden Hunt, who could barely crack the coyotes roster last year. Maybe that’s got something to do with it?

Dryden Hunt doesn't make Panarin play perimeter hockey, nor does Dryden Hunt make Panarin play wobbly defense. If Panarin is already in serious decline it's a GIGANTIC issue for the supposed Panarin window. He has to be more than a luxury PP specialist. The PP didn't even look that awful without him, there are other talented players on this team too.

 

[McRanger92]

Production in all situations matters. Way too many games he's been invisible. His goal scoring is down and there are too many games this season where he doesn't end up on the scoresheet. If you are being paid 11 million dollars you need to be on the scoresheet every night - no excuses. Again, he is not playing anywhere close to how he was the last two seasons, he is nowhere near as dominant or a threat to score once he's out there.

Also, let's not pretend Dryden Hunt is what is holding Panarin back. Panarin and Strome only think about themselves any way when they are out there and that hasn't been much different since he got here.

If he continues to show poorly 5v5 after they make trade additions and in the playoffs, then we’ll talk. But until then spare me the “Strome/Panarin is a culture issue” narrative that there’s 0 evidence of

 

[McRanger92]

It’s funny because if he starts shooting the puck more, his goal pace will jump. He’s having an “off year” with a pace for like 20 goals and near 95+ points? Ridiculous. That article Whyshinski wrote is trash. Yea, we know, I’m sorry we have Igor Shesterkin. Also, I’m sorry Gallant keeps playing McKegg, Brodzinski, Hunt, which is contributing to the porous 5v5 numbers.

I guess I shouldn’t be shocked that half the board has turned on Panarin after such a terrible first half of the season. Oh wait we’re a guaranteed playoff team looking the make additions for the stretch run? Could’ve fooled me!

 

[Zynbanejad]

Strome/Panarin only care about themselves? IIRC Blackwell and Fast did just fine on that line

 

[TheBloodyNine]

If he continues to show poorly 5v5 after they make trade additions and in the playoffs, then we’ll talk. But until then spare me the “Strome/Panarin is a culture issue” narrative that there’s 0 evidence of

There's plenty of evidence of it. Watch the games sometimes. Kreider/Zib are the same way too.

 

[McRanger92]

There's plenty of evidence of it. Watch the games sometimes. Kreider/Zib are the same way too.

I think I can live with it. All 4 guys you mentioned are having career years

 

[TheBloodyNine]

I think I can live with it. All 4 guys you mentioned are having career years

Great, should take the Rangers to a pretty quick first round exit.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I don’t think the notion that Igor is carrying this team is wrong. I’ve said plenty of times they’re only going as far as he takes them this year

But there other guys I’d add to that list, Fox being the most glaring omission. I know NHL executives aren’t smart but leaving the reigning Norris trophy winner out of the convo is just ludicrous

 

[duhmetreE]

Thinking he's not is underthinking it. Has he looked dangerous at all 5v5 this season? Saying he looks like the same guy who came here two years ago and is playing that same way is incredibly naive. He's incredibly passive, and like the article suggest, does much of his damage on the power play.

Yes, he’s looked dangerous. It’s just no where near as consistent as he was.

 

[DanielBrassard]

So now if we bring up some concerning trends regarding a players on-ice results, that is considered turning on them? Give me a break. I love Panarin but the fact of the matter is he hasn't been the same 5v5 contributor and play driver he was just in 2019-20, and even last season. Hopefully it's not permanent and he can turn it around, but that's what it is.

 

[McRanger92]

Great, should take the Rangers to a pretty quick first round exit.

Again, I’ll take my chances in the playoffs with those guys. Try enjoying the Rangers first successful season in 5 years rather than worrying about what the analytics or “anonymous league executives” say. You’ll be happier for it