Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXXVII

[RagFinMet]

Has a line of Laf-Zib-Kakko ever been tried through out the season? I can't recall. I would really like to see this for a good chunk of games next year.

I'm 99% sure Kreider will open the season on the top line with Zib. Unless he was really injured he was so bad 5v5 these playoffs I would flip him and Laf permanently. Chytil is a good playmaker for Kreider imo. Kreider can continue getting his mins on PP1.

Zib isnt a cycler
He lives off the rush
Chy works with laf and kk because he's become a great cycler.
Dont fix which isnt broken.. Oh wait, GG already did..ugh

 

[bleedblue94]

I said two firsts and a top 6 C prospect. Nothing unreasonable about that for a 100 point player with term.

You actually said two 1sts and a lundell player and another player like a throw in which is completely unreasonable:

"With Panarin, I might be open to it, but you also need a massive haul back.

Like, two firsts, a young top 6 C prospect, and another piece.
...
So I'll take two firsts and a highly regarded Lundell-level center prospect and maybe a throw-in."

If you could get a 20 year old center that put up 44 points in 65 games as a rookie and ass him to the youth on this team you take that and say thank you. Lundell has established himself as a better player in this league in one season than kakko has I'm three

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

so how do we fit 5 forwards, 1 goalie and 2 Dmen under 13.5 mil? I guess it is possible.

Blais 1.75 mil
Gauthier 1 mil
Motte 1.6 mil
Kravtsov 1.1 mil
Kakko 1.5 mil
Goalie 1 mil
Jones & Lundkvist 1.85 mil

that gives us 3.65 (Goodrow money) to sign Copp and nothing left for Vatrano unless we make some trades.

Don't resign Gauthier and find a taker for Nemeth ($2.5MM freed up). That's an additional $3.5MM.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

Predictions for next year:

Copp signs with Seattle ($6.5m x 7 years)

Strome signs with Ottawa ($5.8m x 6 years)

Kakko signs with TPS and requests a trade which doesn’t happen during offseason.

Lafreniere and Miller sign extensions with Rangers on matching contracts at $4.7m x 6 years

Kravtsov signs for $1m x 1 year

Vatrano signs for $2.5m x 1 year

Motte signs with the Rangers at $2.3m x 4 years

Blais signs at 1.5m x 1 year

Koskinen signs with Rangers at $1.2m x 1 year

Nemeth is shipped out to Arizona by giving up a 3rd

Kreider - Zib - Laf
Panarin - Chytil - Kravtsov
Blais - Goodrow - Vatrano
Motte - Brodzinski - Hunt
Reaves

Lindgren - Fox
Miller - Trouba
Jones - Schnedier
Lundkvist

Shesterkin
Koskinen

Rangers are a wild card team and lose in the first round next season.

Couple of call outs, I don't think Kravstov needs a new contract with him being loaned to the KHL this season. Too much for Motte a 4th liner on a competing team. Rangers already have way too much committed to a 4th liner in Goodrow. $1.75MM, sure especially if they trade Reaves.

I like the idea of extending Miller and Laff now. As it doesn't impact this coming seasons cap.

I dont even think Kakko has a chance to sit out. I think he gets dealt at the draft. Sitting him last night was the poison pill.

I dont think Koskinen is any better than Geo. Think they look at another option.

I'd also like to see Braun brought back on a 1 year league minimum with some decently achievable incentives as the 3rd pair/7th D in case one of Jones or Robertson aren't ready.

 

[QJL]

Couple of call outs, I don't think Kravstov needs a new contract with him being loaned to the KHL this season. Too much for Motte a 4th liner on a competing team. Rangers already have way too much committed to a 4th liner in Goodrow. $1.75MM, sure especially if they trade Reaves.

I like the idea of extending Miller and Laff now. As it doesn't impact this coming seasons cap.

I dont even think Kakko has a chance to sit out. I think he gets dealt at the draft. Sitting him last night was the poison pill.

I dont think Koskinen is any better than Geo. Think they look at another option.

I'd also like to see Braun brought back on a 1 year league minimum with some decently achievable incentives as the 3rd pair/7th D in case one of Jones or Robertson aren't ready.

My post was a prediction. Not even close to a desire.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

Kakko is getting way more than $1.5m.

And now you are seeing our problem. No money.

Based on what Kakko should get more than 1.5 mil? How much did he get paid in bonuses last 3 seasons?

 

[Vitto79]

Not gonna change much honestly

Kreider , Zib, Laf
Panarin , ufa, Kakko
Goodrow, Chytil , Blais
Ufa, Ufa , Reaves
Hunt, Brodzinski

I’d be surprised if Kravtsov isn’t gone
I’d like Copp, Motte back then a ufa C

Probably let Hajek and Gauthier go elsewhere ideally in trades

Same D but play Jones
Move Nemeth

Igor
Cheap ufa
Trade Georgiev

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

Here are my thoughts. The team over achieved this season and we should all be happy with that progress BUT Gallant really messed up by sitting Kakko. Kakko showed flashes throughout the playoffs as well as the "kid" line, of what a solid future this team has. Gallant and Drury need to do something to repair that bridge with Kakko. The success of the kid line wasn't just because of Chytil and Laff. It's because they worked well together. Just because he didn't get as many points doesn't mean he wasn't contributing.

Trade Nemeth, Reaves, rights to Geo, Gauthier and Hajek (for the latter 3 if no takes let them walk). May have to add something to Reaves and Nemeth to clear their full cap but I don't think it would be anything crazy. That frees up $4.25MM.

Resign Motte (3 years $1.75MM), Blais (2 years $1.5MM), Braun (1 year $750K + $500k in contract incentives). Before being benched, Kakko was looking at 2 years $2.5MM.

Don't resign Rooney or McKegg. See what kind of contract Vatarno wants. Kick the tires on Nick Paul, Stastny and Tierney.

Stack the top line and promote the kid line. See if Cuylle is ready for the 4th line.

Look at Halak, Holtby or Rittitch as a cheap back up.

Panarin - Zib - Kreider
Laff - Chytil - Kakko
Blais - Paul ($2MM) - Kravstov
Motte - Goodrow - Cuylle
Hunt

Lindgren - Fox
Miller - Trouba
Jones/Braun - Schneider
Braun/Jones

Shesh
Halak ($1.2MM)

That equals out to about $79MM. Leaving $3.5MM for during the season and cap flexibility into the following season.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

First order of business should be to move the rights of guys like Strome, Copp, Vatrano, Gauthier, Hajek, Georgiev and any other extra RFA or UFA rights who Drury doesn’t plan to sign. Replenish some of those 2022-2023 picks before or at the draft.

Try to dump Nemeth anywhere for anything.

Second is to lock up Kakko and Motte. Get Blais signed cheap for 1 year.

Then, assess the roster from there.

 

[Bruner4329]

Oh, I’m plenty happy with our playoff run.

It’s just this team would be better off getting out from one of these contracts sooner.

Some of you? I don’t know of anybody else on these boards who disagrees with me.

Yeah right. Seems like a bunch of you were saying the same thing a year ago and wanted to dump Kreider and Trouba before the season started. I don't see any one of you guys backtracking on how dumb that was.

First order of business should be to move the rights of guys like Strome, Copp, Vatrano, Gauthier, Hajek, Georgiev and any other extra RFA or UFA rights who Drury doesn’t plan to sign. Replenish some of those 2022-2023 picks before or at the draft.

Try to dump Nemeth anywhere for anything.

Second is to lock up Kakko and Motte. Get Blais signed cheap for 1 year.

Then, assess the roster from there.

Isn't that backwards? You assess the roster before you move or dump any guys.

 

[Synergy27]

I like Andrew Copp as a player. He was fantastic when he was acquired and against Pittsburgh, then kinda fell off a cliff. Was that due to injury?

The Rangers need the 2nd line center between Zibanejad and Chytil to be a defensively responsible, two way faceoff menace. I thought Copp could have been the answer, but his series' against Carolina and Tampa have me second guessing. Too often the Rangers squandered offensive zone time and got hemmed into their own end because of not being able to win a faceoff. I'd empty the cupboard for Ryan O'Reilly for this window. Problem is where does the money come from? I wouldn't move on from Kreider or Trouba just yet in spite of their warts.

Would Panarin waive to another team? Honestly, from a stylistic standpoint, he and Fox are redundant pieces. How many of Panarin's points were on the power play? Just give Lafreniere the ball and put him on the right wall on the first unit already.

I continue to believe that assessing Copp on the context of that line with Strome and Panarin is a mistake.

I don’t know that Copp is the answer, but his play alongside those two doesn’t tell me much about what his play would look like with more responsible players.

 

[QJL]

Yeah right. Seems like a bunch of you were saying the same thing a year ago and wanted to dump Kreider and Trouba before the season started. I don't see any one of you guys backtracking on how dumb that was.

Yeah right? Honestly what’s your proposed solution for the season after this one? If it was up to me, I’d love them all of Panarin, Trouba, Kreider for 22-23. The problem begins in 23-24. We were going to be forced to bridge Laf and Miller instead of signing then to sustainable long term forward-thinking deals. I’d much rather those guys on 4m-5m contract for the next 6 years than 8m-9m contracts 2 years from now. Even with bridges, 23-24 will be a nightmare to fit.

 

[Bruner4329]

Yeah right? Honestly what’s your proposed solution for the season after this one? If it was up to me, I’d love them all of Panarin, Trouba, Kreider for 22-23. The problem begins in 23-24. We were going to be forced to bridge Laf and Miller instead of signing then to sustainable long term forward-thinking deals. I’d much rather those guys on 4m-5m contract for the next 6 years than 8m-9m contracts 2 years from now. Even with bridges, 23-24 will be a nightmare to fit.

Before I commit LT to a guy like Laf need to see a bit more. In right direction but needs to step up big time. Problem is 50 goal scorers don't grow on trees and although CK more than likely will not hit that mark again he is a much needed asset on this team. No one can replace his production. Trouba proved his worth this season as a leader and physical force. I guess my reply to you is if you are moving these guys what is your proposed solution to replace them? You can't just move them and replace them with unproven players. Teams need a blend of vets and youngsters to contend.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

Isn’t that backwards? You assess the roster before you move or dump any guys.

I meant that that part of the assessment is likely already finished. Any further additions or moves will need to be assessed from there

 

[Go Rangers]

They were like 2 goals from going to the finals in a year they weren’t supposed too ….what’s wrong with some of you lol

Because it was all Igor preventing the scores being 7-1 romps by the opposing teams.

 

[QJL]

Before I commit LT to a guy like Laf need to see a bit more. In right direction but needs to step up big time. Problem is 50 goal scorers don't grow on trees and although CK more than likely will not hit that mark again he is a much needed asset on this team. No one can replace his production. Trouba proved his worth this season as a leader and physical force. I guess my reply to you is if you are moving these guys what is your proposed solution to replace them? You can't just move them and replace them with unproven players. Teams need a blend of vets and youngsters to contend.

The best contracts in the NHL are teams that sign players for the players they will become, not the players they already are. Waiting on Laf and Miller to “show more” or being in a position where we have no choice is a terrible situation. This team never takes chances to make smart long term deals. Shesterkin is a prime example at a dismally short 4 year contract.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

Because it was all Igor preventing the scores being 7-1 romps by the opposing teams.

No it really wasn’t. The Rangers finished off Carolina 6-2 and 5-2 and then stomped Tampa in game 1 6-2. They had multiple players step up and prove they are playoff performers, like Chytil Zibanejad Fox Shesterkin and Lafreniere. They won 2 rounds and played 20 playoff games.

Shesterkin was a big part of that, but they played some good hockey mixed in there.

 

[Leonardo87]

So looking at some dates to circle on your calendars…

June 21st - Award show at 7pm EST, ESPN (Shesty-Vezina)

July 7th & 8th - 2022 Draft

July 13th - 12pm EST - Free Agency

Bring on the off season! Lol

 

[Go Rangers]

Either we need more speed (particularly in our transition game) or the boys were tired vs TB. They looked like they were skating in mud this series.

Another defense defenseman as well as a center who can win faceoffs would help a lot.
Wouldn't mind trading Panarin for the right price...

All in all a great season. Looking forward to the next.

I wouldn’t mind trading panarin for the wrong price.

 

[Bruner4329]

The best contracts in the NHL are teams that sign players for the players they will become, not the players they already are. Waiting on Laf and Miller to “show more” or being in a position where we have no choice is a terrible situation. This team never takes chances to make smart long term deals. Shesterkin is a prime example at a dismally short 4 year contract.

There were people on this Board that was calling for the Rangers to sign ADA to a 4/5 year deal at $5/$6 million per just 2 years ago. That would have been a disaster. And just last season the call was to dump CK and Trouba so we could sign KK to a long term deal and now after being sat last night there is speculation that he might be traded. Every situation is different. Also when we gave those contracts to both Trouba and CK it was not only for what they were but what they could be. Me thinks that point was proven this past year.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

When do the Jets decide whether to take one of our seconds this year or our second next year?

 

[Go Rangers]

No it really wasn’t. The Rangers finished off Carolina 6-2 and 5-2 and then stomped Tampa in game 1 6-2. They had multiple players step up and prove they are playoff performers, like Chytil Zibanejad Fox Shesterkin and Lafreniere. They won 2 rounds and played 20 playoff games.

Shesterkin was a big part of that, but they played some good hockey mixed in there.

Most games were all three of our opponents dominating play with the Rangers hemmed in their own zone quite a bit of the time. The Rangers were physically outplayed every game except the first period of the Pittsburgh series. They lived off of the Powerplay and Igor. When bettman had enough of us the refs were told to stop calling penalties on Tampa.
I’ve played in a game where the refs were buddies with the other team, it’s demoralizing. The only time the Rangers looked good was when the other teams took their foot off the pedal. Rangers have a good offense when there’s time and space but opportunities are short.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when drury and company decides what they can do fix some of the issues.

 

[LamoTheKid]

After the season he had, nows the time to sell on Kreider IMO. It won't happen but it should.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

@mods might be time to make a new off season roster building thread

 

[MrAlmost]

Every issue, cap wise and lineup construction, is solved by trading Panarin. And I don't want to hear about NMCs. You all clamor back and forth about trading Kreider and Trouba who have the same thing. It supposedly isn't an issue with them, but is with Panarin? That doesn't add up. He has one more season here and next offseason I think the move is made. He, of course, likely wins a cup when he leaves like every other ex ranger. Haha