Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXXV

[smoneil]

There's a lot of speculation in your 3 year plan about the cap, how our veterans age, how our young players progress, and a center prospect that isn't even in the organization yet. Adding JT Miller @ 50% to the group of forwards we have now gives us 2 playoff runs with enough talent to compete for a cup while Igor is underpaid. It will also help our younger players to be surrounded by veteran talent on all 3 lines and get the experience of deep playoff runs we could have with him on the roster.

I don't think you can say with confidence that your plan will put together more talent than a top 9 lead by Bread, Mika, Kreider, JT Miller, Strome, Kakko, and Laf over the next 2 years. And if you expect Laf and Kakko to be a reason why the plan you suggest works, don't you think they'll be significantly more productive by next year's playoff run?

The cap going up will help in a few years, but every team will benefit from that. And I know some Vancouver fans are expecting an unrealistic package for Miller, but Buffalo fans expected a lot more for Eichel than they got and I don't see any team willing to give up more for Miller than what the Sabres got for Eichel.

So my speculation about how players will age/develop can't be certain, but your speculation about a supposed massive jump in production by our kids next year is a dead cert?

30-32 isn't dead. Yes, some players decline at that age, but most of them don't fall off a cliff. It is far more likely that our older quartet of players will still be playing at a high level in two years.

And finally, as I've said before, I don't think we can discount the importance of playoff experience. Most of the major contributors on this team don't have any, and those who do either haven't played a playoff game in SEVERAL years, haven't played a playoff game in their current role (Zib, Strome), or both. This team, when healthy, is too green to expect a super deep playoff run this year. In 2 years? They'll ideally all have a couple three playoff runs under their belts.

You can't expect to go deep in the playoffs when you only have four productive forwards and an offense that is insanely reliant on the power play (particularly since refs swallow the whistles in the post-season).

 

[McRanger92]

I am so on the fence on Pavelski because of cost and timing. Part of this would be is interesting in re-signing

You can never bank on this, but the earlier post alluding to him potentially signing at a discount for a year or 2 to chase the Cup with the Rangers would be a godsend.

 

[SA16]

Give me ROOPE HINTZ if they are gonna blow it up.

If youre giving up all those assets for Pavelski why not see what they want for him?

because they’re not going to trade their 25 year old first line center?

 

[McRanger92]

Give me ROOPE HINTZ if they are gonna blow it up.

If youre giving up all those assets for Pavelski why not see what they want for him?

I have also had that thought, but they may look at him as a core guy to build around as they move out the declining vets

 

[LeetchisGod]

It would be, but Namestnikov would not be a bad pickup and hes probably not going to cost much either.

I want nothing to do with him. He was terrible here. Lets get Eric Staal back while we're at it.

 

[Chalfdiggity3]

because they’re not going to trade their 25 year old first line center?

@McRanger92 was talking about a hypothetical blow up of a team, and while yes they may want to hold onto him at 25yo. It would take some time for Dallas to rebuild. They would get some serious assets from us just like the Larkin situation. But anyway, i know Roope isnt available.

 

[McRanger92]

The Rangers currently have 3 lines that will work with players who are currently on the roster. The top 6 needs to be

Kreider-Mika-Laf
Panarin-Strome-Kakko

The bottom 6 is what needs an overhaul. Their best possible 4th line is Rooney-Goodrow-Reaves. Rooney/Reaves are excellent forecheckers with underrated skill, but they dont play much defense. Goodrow can cover for them 5v5, continue to PK, and get bumped up the lineup late in games to defend leads.

As for the 3rd line. Weve seen enough from Gauthier/Hunt/McKegg to know they are not much more than warm bodies. Chytil has been a massive disappointment this year, i dont think its crazy to think theres a middle 6 scoring forward in their somewhere and he may reach that potential, but it wont be here. Hes already on his second contract and regressing, the organization cant love that. Id offer him to Montreal for Lehkonen and possibly a small add (Gauthier/Hajek). A Lehkonen extension wont break the bank and gives you a Fedotenko type 3rd line who fits the needs of this team better than Chytil.

The big swing im taking this year is trading for Pavelski. 1st rounder, one of Kravtsov/Nils, and potentially a smaller add if that's what it takes to get it done. He checks every box.

On D I don't expect major additions. Schneider has changed the equation there. Nemeth most likely gets another shot on the 3rd pair but its a good sign that Jones is still here. Gallant seems to have realized the Hajek experiment is over. I could see Drury bringing in a veteran like Luke Schenn for a late pick to give them what they thought theyd be getting from Tinordi. Everyone needs dept and size n D in the playoffs.

Kreider-Mika-Laf
Panarin-Strome-Kakko
Barron-Pavelski-Lehkonen
Rooney-Goodrow-Reaves
Hunt

Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Nemeth-Schneider
Jones/Schenn

Igor
Georgiev

That team can win a Cup this year.

 

[duhmetreE]

In theory. Laffy takes off at RW. Kravtsov is given a chance of redepmtion.

What could Kakko theoretically land us?

 

[bbny]

In theory. Laffy takes off at RW. Kravtsov is given a chance of redepmtion.

What could Kakko theoretically land us?

I wanted to see Kravtsov in Ranger blue pretty badly this year. Not @EdJovanovski level, but still quite a bit. But I hold zero hope that Kravtsov wears Ranger blue again.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

In theory. Laffy takes off at RW. Kravtsov is given a chance of redepmtion.

What could Kakko theoretically land us?

Chychrun.

Or at least most of what it would take to get Chychrun.

 

[DialUp]

You can never bank on this, but the earlier post alluding to him potentially signing at a discount for a year or 2 to chase the Cup with the Rangers would be a godsend.

He could be like a St. Louis type for this team, but I just don't think we are ready for that yet. He is still a top 6er? Kakko drops again?

 

[LeetchisGod]

I wanted to see Kravtsov in Ranger blue pretty badly this year. Not @EdJovanovski level, but still quite a bit. But I hold zero hope that Kravtsov wears Ranger blue again.

I'll be surprised if he's still here after the deadline.

 

[Anthony5967]

Rangers.Are.Not.Trading.Lafrenière.Or.Kakko.Enough.

 

[SA16]

The Rangers aren't trading Stepan.

 

[Avery16]

Gonna be awkward af for Kreider and him in the same room. Not nearly as awkward though if Panarin were there.

They should make him dress in the shower.

edit: Kreids should throw passes into Wilson’s skates all night long.

 

[Thirty One]

The Rangers aren't trading Stepan.

??? They already traded him.

 

[Lgrsean]

So my speculation about how players will age/develop can't be certain, but your speculation about a supposed massive jump in production by our kids next year is a dead cert?

30-32 isn't dead. Yes, some players decline at that age, but most of them don't fall off a cliff. It is far more likely that our older quartet of players will still be playing at a high level in two years.

And finally, as I've said before, I don't think we can discount the importance of playoff experience. Most of the major contributors on this team don't have any, and those who do either haven't played a playoff game in SEVERAL years, haven't played a playoff game in their current role (Zib, Strome), or both. This team, when healthy, is too green to expect a super deep playoff run this year. In 2 years? They'll ideally all have a couple three playoff runs under their belts.

You can't expect to go deep in the playoffs when you only have four productive forwards and an offense that is insanely reliant on the power play (particularly since refs swallow the whistles in the post-season).

If Laf and kakko are in a top 9 with bread, mika, Kreider, Miller, strome and goodrow, they wouldn’t need to have a massive jump in production for the rangers to make deep runs at the cup. But at least they’d be given a chance to get playoff experience and play at their natural positions with ppg line mates. And if they don’t progress before next years playoff run, your plan, which relies on them progressing much more than my suggestion.

your plan relies on developing a center we haven’t drafted yet, which we haven’t done in how long?

sure what I’m suggesting isn’t definite, but at least we take advantage of igors cheap years.

 

[Ola]

??? They already traded him.

Yeah, in 2019 right? Got us Ranta and a pick, think it was Lias. And TDA too right??

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I’m not in love with the idea of bringing back Miller. I saw today it’s possible the Canucks may re-sign him but who knows if that’s just posturing or not

wasn’t it reported he was having issues with Horvat? If so I can’t imagine the Canucks re-sign him

 

[bobbop]

Chris Johnston on Insider Trading:
The Coyotes have let it be known that they're willing to take on contracts or money in exchange for future assets.

Not a bulletin

 

[Gluten Free Breadman]

It would be the most Rangers thing ever if they bought high on JT Miller after they had previously sold low on the same asset. It is literally the dumbest thing ever. I get it, he's a changed man or whatever, but it would be so embarrassing as an organization.

It's like when Chicago traded Panarin for Saad after they had traded Saad away. Look at how that worked out for them.

 

[IDvsEGO]

I’m not in love with the idea of bringing back Miller. I saw today it’s possible the Canucks may re-sign him but who knows if that’s just posturing or not

wasn’t it reported he was having issues with Horvat? If so I can’t imagine the Canucks re-sign him

They can't sign him until the summer at the earliest I believe.

 

[SA16]

??? They already traded him.

Yea so they can't trade him now.

 

[bobbop]

Wasn't he excited to go to Buffalo? Family from the area or something of the sort?

Tuch is from suburban Syracuse. Big Sabre fan as a kid.

 

[NYR Viper]

I’m carefully watching Winnipeg. If they feel their window has closed, and with their inability to attract UFA’s, they may look at a significant shakeup.

A guy who would fit in on this team may be Brenden Dillon. He plays a hard nosed game and is a veteran with lots of experience. $3.9m cap hit. It was rumored the Rangers were interested when he was a UFA I believe or upcoming UFA. Perhaps the cap hit is too much but if they’re looking for a steadying presence to play with a young RD and insulate Miller, Dillon would be a real nice addition.