Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXXV

[Lion Hound]

Postgame takeaways: NY Rangers change perception despite shootout loss

Three third-period goals forced overtime, but the Rangers came up short in the shoutout against the Flyers.

www.lohud.com

For two players getting to know each other, Copp and Panarin have connected for a few big time plays in Copp's two weeks as a Ranger. The Schneider goal in Pittsburgh. Copp lead the rush and passed the puck to Panarin who found Schneider coming into the zone and Schneider beat Jarry with a great shot. The OT goal in Detroit. Panarin to Copp. The goal last night. Copp scored his first Rangers goal off of a feed from Panarin.

Loved Panarins celebration after that goal. He seems to really like playing with Copp.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Our pp has been dog poo since Strome got hurt.

which is funny because of the 5 he touches the puck the least on the PP. He has that magic voodoo . 8 years / 8 million extension

 

[NYR Viper]

Tyler Motte is going to be an interesting one. He clearly has an effect on pretty much every game he plays in but he is sitting right at what he did last year, 15 points in 56 games. He's a premier PKer and plays a physical game. To me, he's a perfect replacement for Fast who should never have been let go. What does his camp ask for? $1.75m? $1.6m?

To put it in perspective, Jesper Fast had 29 points in 69 games his final season with the Rangers. Granted he was playing with Panarin but still. He received $2m per season.

 

[JimmyG89]

Kakko being back this week is a big boost, regardless of how he is playing because it'll keep taking non-NHLers out of the lineup. We added Copp, Motte, and Vatrano and then almost immediately removed Strome while missing Kakko.

If the team is 100% for the playoffs, this is their best combo:

Kreider-Zibanejad-Vatrano
Panarin-Copp-Kakko
Lafreniere-Strome-Chytil
Motte-Goodrow-Hunt/Rooney

I think Rooney should draw in since he is a PK guy. You cannot have enough guys that you trust on the PK. He's also been one of their best at it and the PK has started to struggle as soon as he was hurt.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Kakko being back this week is a big boost, regardless of how he is playing because it'll keep taking non-NHLers out of the lineup. We added Copp, Motte, and Vatrano and then almost immediately removed Strome while missing Kakko.

If the team is 100% for the playoffs, this is their best combo:

Kreider-Zibanejad-Vatrano
Panarin-Copp-Kakko
Lafreniere-Strome-Chytil
Motte-Goodrow-Hunt/Rooney

I think Rooney should draw in since he is a PK guy. You cannot have enough guys that you trust on the PK. He's also been one of their best at it and the PK has started to struggle as soon as he was hurt.

I almost want to change Chytil with copp there.
See if Chytil can take that spot given his recent play.
He’s been physical, forechecks like crazy and while he does a ton of transitional play, what happens if he’s got an elite transition player like Panarin, and a potential possession monster in Kakko.

 

[Jaromir Jagr]

Kakko being back this week is a big boost, regardless of how he is playing because it'll keep taking non-NHLers out of the lineup. We added Copp, Motte, and Vatrano and then almost immediately removed Strome while missing Kakko.

If the team is 100% for the playoffs, this is their best combo:

Kreider-Zibanejad-Vatrano
Panarin-Copp-Kakko
Lafreniere-Strome-Chytil
Motte-Goodrow-Hunt/Rooney

I think Rooney should draw in since he is a PK guy. You cannot have enough guys that you trust on the PK. He's also been one of their best at it and the PK has started to struggle as soon as he was hurt.

No way Strome is removed from Panarin as much as I think he should be.

I almost want to change Chytil with copp there.
See if Chytil can take that spot given his recent play.
He’s been physical, forechecks like crazy and while he does a ton of transitional play, what happens if he’s got an elite transition player like Panarin, and a potential possession monster in Kakko.

I agree, but Gallant absolutely refuses to put Chytil with Panarin despite the chemistry they've shown in the few brief chances they've had together. It's completely infuriating. However, if he's not experimenting while Strome is out and we're getting shutout for 5 periods in a row, I can't imagine he will when he has both Strome & Copp.

To anyone with a brain, it seems completely obvious that Panarin needs to play with other creative and talented players. He doesn't work as well with straight line north-south players. He needs guys who can understand what he is thinking or quickly adjust on the fly by relying on skill. Chytil is one of our most naturally gifted players and has shown he can mesh with Panarin. It's batshit crazy to me they haven't been tried together with Chytil at C for an extended period.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

 

[Jaromir Jagr]

Our pp has been dog poo since Strome got hurt.

They've stopped getting the puck to Mika as often. Fox and Panarin are not crisp with their passes, especially Fox. I'm sure Strome plays a role, but the decline in Fox's quality has me much more concerned.

 

[IDvsEGO]

They've stopped getting the puck to Mika as often. Fox and Panarin are not crisp with their passes, especially Fox. I'm sure Strome plays a role, but the decline in Fox's quality has me much more concerned.

I wouldnt be surprised if fox is hurt and playing through something. Plus he's approaching his career high in games played in a single season.

Once we clinch i wouldnt be surprised if he sat several games to get rested up.

 

[JimmyG89]

No way Strome is removed from Panarin as much as I think he should be.

I just hope that this has opened Gallant's eyes. Panarin is playing significantly better with Copp, like it is not even a question.

It also bodes well if the plan is to re-sign Copp. He's worked on just about every line so far.

It probably is also good for Strome to get away from Panarin. His production is down too, and could use a different style of play to become more productive. Would love to see him with Lafreniere since Laffy has been in a shoot first mode for quite some time.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

They've stopped getting the puck to Mika as often. Fox and Panarin are not crisp with their passes, especially Fox. I'm sure Strome plays a role, but the decline in Fox's quality has me much more concerned.

Strome is good at drawing players to him and then dishing it, it creates space for everyone most notably Fox on that side. Once one guy moves out of position it opens up lanes to pass to mika.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Strome is good at drawing players to him and then dishing it, it creates space for everyone most notably Fox on that side. Once one guy moves out of position it opens up lanes to pass to mika.

I think part of the reason he draws guys is that he’s the weakest individually with the puck, so attacking him is easier, makes the most sense.

 

[Jaromir Jagr]

Strome is good at drawing players to him and then dishing it, it creates space for everyone most notably Fox on that side. Once one guy moves out of position it opens up lanes to pass to mika.

Strome is easily the most replaceable of the quintet. Fox and Panarin are two of the best players in the entire league. Regardless of who is in that slot, they should be able to adapt. Moreover, if it's as simple as you describe, the coaches could very easily relay that message to Copp or whoever slots in. Drawing players out of position is not an impossible skill to teach.

The chemistry with Strome falling out is undoubtedly a factor in the hiccups. I think the bigger issues are Fox clearly not being at 100% (whether due to injury, fatigue or just standard slumping) and very few power plays over the last 10 or so games, meaning they are likely out of sorts and have had less ability to adjust to Strome being out.

 

[Kocur Dill]

Copp at center gives Panarin the ability to play with another skill player at right wing.

Most of you must see the benefit in that.

It gives Kakko the green light to try riskier plays instead of being the defensive forward on that particular line.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Guys, Strome has been playing with Panarin for years. Once he is back he will be centering him again. Sure maybe Copp plays wing on that line but Strome isn't going anywhere.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Hughes out tomorrow vs us. If we don't seriously crush them there is a serious problem.

Put Igor in again.

 

[duhmetreE]

Hughes out tomorrow vs us. If we don't seriously crush them there is a serious problem.

Put Igor in again.

There should be a point to prove. I expect a beatdown

 

[JohnC]

Early returns from the TDL guys has me wanting to re-sign Copp and Motte and let Vatrano walk.

I think Copp we can make work but Mote, unfortunately, will prob get a nice offer as a UFA that we shouldn't make the mistake of matching/beating.

 

[JimmyG89]

Hughes out tomorrow vs us. If we don't seriously crush them there is a serious problem.

Put Igor in again.

I'm playing Igor to get him back in a groove. People will say his workload is big, but recently the team is playing with the puck more. I don't think he is used to less shots.

He did when he was in Russia. SKA was one of the best teams or the best team in the KHL and he ordinarily faced less than 25 shots in games. I think he needs to be acclimated to that again. I'm getting him in against the Devils and Pens. In fact, I'm playing him the next 4 games.

The most important thing for this team going forward is to have Shesterkin find his game and to be comfortable when his team is giving up 22-26 shots a night.

 

[Chytilmania]

I wouldnt be surprised if fox is hurt and playing through something. Plus he's approaching his career high in games played in a single season.

Once we clinch i wouldnt be surprised if he sat several games to get rested up.

Approaching career high in games and is allergic to the weight room. Both him and Lindgren.

 

[EdJovanovski]

I wouldnt be surprised if fox is hurt and playing through something. Plus he's approaching his career high in games played in a single season.

Once we clinch i wouldnt be surprised if he sat several games to get rested up.

He had a bad game last night but idk the game before he was flying and looked as flashy and impressive as I’d ever seen him

 

[Hockey Gamer]

Regarding Fox: it's not a universal law but there does seem to be a tendency when a player signs some type of business deal with a consumer related company, his play drops off. Didn't he just become a spokesperson for Dunkin Donuts two weeks ago?

 

[Machinehead]

In case anyone cares, nhl.com just put us in their power rankings top 5:

Super 16: Avalanche No. 1, Rangers move into top five of power rankings | NHL.com

Wild climb one spot, Penguins fall two

www.nhl.com

Does this mean we get a title shot at the next pay per view?

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

Early returns from the TDL guys has me wanting to re-sign Copp and Motte and let Vatrano walk.

I think Copp we can make work but Mote, unfortunately, will prob get a nice offer as a UFA that we shouldn't make the mistake of matching/beating.

I can see us signing two of the three. If so, I hope it's Copp and Vatrano.

 

[archanfelnsx]

On the 32 Thoughts Podcast Elliotte Friedman said he spoke with an NHL coach who said Phil Kessel wasn’t traded before the deadline because the team acquiring him didn’t wanna deal with his Iron Man streak. They said the acquiring team was gonna be fairly deep at forward and would probably have to scratch Kessel here and there which would’ve ended his streak. I wonder if he is referring to the Rangers after they acquired Copp and Motte along with Kakko and Rooney returning shortly thereafter. Makes a lot of sense especially since the Rangers had the cap space and could have acquired Kessel easily for a draft pick.