Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXXVII

[kinger8998]

Panarin - Zibanejad - Kreider
Lafreniere - Chytil - Kakko
Blais - Copp - Kravtsov
Motte - Goodrow - Hunt/Reaves

Fox - Miller
Schneider - Trouba
Jones - Lindgren

I'd love if that could be our top 6 but I'm not sure taking Kreider off the LW after scoring 52 goals is really the right choice. Don't change a thing for Kreider, until he opens next season and doesn't score the same way he did. Then, by all means, to the RW he goes and let the kids run in the top 6 together instead of on separate lines

 

[Beer League Sniper]

It wouldn't have been my choice, but I don't necessarily have a huge problem with Kakko's benching. However, you need to explain yourself if you're Gallant.

If he says something like:
"I felt we needed Rooney as an extra center in case something happened to Strome, and we think Hunt is a better fit stylistically on the 4th line."

Ok, I get it. I don't necessarily agree, but I get it. If he says it's anything performance-related, I just can't see the logic.

Personally, I think you slide Goodrow down to the 4th line, scratch Rooney or Hunt, and put Kakko at 3RW.

 

[rangers1314]

I'd like to see Jones do a full season on the 3rd pair before moving him into a top 4 role.

With Jones, I think its more about finding him the right partner. Of the guys on the roster now, that guy would be Trouba.

I think it's more about "roles" with defenseman. Ryan Lindgren, IMO, is a guy best suited as a bottom pairing on 5-on-5 and a top pairing PK guy.

 

[DanielBrassard]

How do the Rangers score more at 5v5? Well it's pretty simple, they need to generate more shots. How they do that? That's for them to figure out. I think adding more speed, and another puck moving defenseman (Jones) are two things that can be done relatively easily.

In the regular season they were the 2nd worst team in CF/60 and 5th worst in xGF/60. It's no surprise that they struggled to score at 5v5.

 

[mas0764]

Trouba is a necessity he most certainly is.

He really isn't.

I want a cup of at least deep playoff runs.

Me too.

I love this team and don't want to attack anyone but who was more vital on the playoffs Trouba or Bread?

Panarin.

So we can go contracts for contracts the front office has to figure that out. Tampa pays stamkos hedman kucherov cirelli point pilat etc.

Well interestingly enough all that information is public and involves just basic math.

We are strapped. It's going to be hard to pay a 2C, extend Miller, Laf, Kakko, and Kravtsov, and keep both Trouba and Kreider, in the next 2 offseasons (this one we just entered and the following one coming).

Maybe we can sneak by, but then no other upgrades are coming.

Of the front office is savvy enough they will figure it out. You take trouba off the team.next year fill his spot with one of our kids and this team will struggle in the playoffs. If you could flip ore two puck nerds for a tough dman then great but trouba will be here at least 2 more years.

I don't really agree. I don't think we lose that much. Trouba himself struggled in the playoffs. If a kid struggles 10% more, but costs 10% of Trouba's contract, I'll take that exchange.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Panarin - Zibanejad - Kreider
Lafreniere - Chytil - Kakko
Blais - Copp - Kravtsov
Motte - Goodrow - Hunt/Reaves

Fox - Miller
Schneider - Trouba
Jones/Lundkvist - Lindgren

Flip Panarin and Kravtsov. For whatever reason Panarin and Zibanejad don't work together.

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

This is the SIMPLEST route to improvement next season...

This lineup works under the cap:

Panarin-Copp-Kravtsov/Kaako
Kreider-Zibanejad-Blais
Lafreniere-Chytil-Kravtsov/Kaako
Motte-Goodrow-Reaves/Hunt
Reaves/Hunt

Miller-Fox
Jones-Trouba
Lindgren-Schneider
Braun

Shesty
$1m back up

I like @Crease lineup a little bit more, but this good too. I really don't want them doing anything stupid or overreacting, I feel like this team is so close to being one of the best in the league.

 

[The New Russian Five]

With Jones, I think its more about finding him the right partner. Of the guys on the roster now, that guy would be Trouba.

I think it's more about "roles" with defenseman. Ryan Lindgren, IMO, is a guy best suited as a bottom pairing on 5-on-5 and a top pairing PK guy.

I honestly don't think Trouba is that guy. Trouba's poor positioning and lack of foot speed is going to put a lot of pressure on Jones to cover odd man rushes. In fact I would go as far to say the only player that can play with Trouba is Miller who is perfect for covering up Trouba's many mistakes.

 

[mas0764]

Gallant is going to need to trust the young guys with more time and more responsibility. With Strome's departure, the bumper spot on the PP is wide open. A lefty is ideal. Lafreniere is perfect for that spot. I do wonder if they go back to Mika in the bumper spot for different looks.

Kakko on the PK should be done. I think he stays, this last game gets cleared up. He is a very smart player. Challenge him there. I think it will unlock some offense too.

Chytil needs a bigger role. He ran the ringer in terms of linemates this season. He should get first crack with Panarin. His playoff play earned him that shot.

Miller on PP2 to begin the season. Trouba got worn down in his role. Let Miller take that, or Jones at some point, and let Trouba rest in those spots.

Schneider needs to be used on the PK. Fox also was worn out. Having Schneider to take that time will be important. Fox can PK, just take some of it away.

A top 9 role for Kravtsov, who I also think stays, is needed. Have to find out what you got. Don't let some other team be that. He elevates in the playoffs too. Could be a 3rd line regular season for him, but a 2nd line production in the playoffs.

These are just small adjustments for younger players to grow into. It's bigger than any free agent or trade they can make. All these things are possible too. It can also lead to having some extra space come the deadline. We just saw what that can do.

Re-sign Motte and Braun

Kreider-Zibanejad-Lafreniere
Panarin-Chytil-Kakko
XXXX-XXXX-Kravtsov
Blais-Goodrow-Motte
Ex:Hunt/Reaves

Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Trouba
Jones-Schneider
Braun

Igor
~1M backup

3LW could be internal. Othmann 9 game sample. If it doesn't work, wouldn't shock me if Trivigno gets a look. Think his signing was very underrated. Let's him get pro reps for ~1 month and a call up if excelling. 3C is external. Trade or signing.

The more I think about it, the more I agree Copp, while I'd love to keep him, makes sense to let him walk.

We need that money; it's not just this year, it's next year and the year after too.

If we aren't moving Kreider or Trouba, then Copp is unaffordable, if we want to keep paying our kids.

If Chytil can be that 2C then good.

We still need 2 more young centers in the pipeline though.

 

[The New Russian Five]

I love this team and don't want to attack anyone but who was more vital on the playoffs Trouba or Bread?

Watch the Stamkos Series winning goal again, and you have your answer. And that type of Trouba mistake is not an isolated issue.

 

[DanielBrassard]

The more I think about it, the more I agree Copp, while I'd love to keep him, makes sense to let him walk.

We need that money; it's not just this year, it's next year and the year after too.

If we aren't moving Kreider or Trouba, then Copp is unaffordable, if we want to keep paying our kids.

If Chytil can be that 2C then good.

We still need 2 more young centers in the pipeline though.

I've really gone back and forth on copp as well. I like him and I like his game but I really don't know what the right decision would be.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

Sammy Blais is doing his best Marty Brodeur impersonation

 

[The New Russian Five]

The more I think about it, the more I agree Copp, while I'd love to keep him, makes sense to let him walk.

We need that money; it's not just this year, it's next year and the year after too.

If we aren't moving Kreider or Trouba, then Copp is unaffordable, if we want to keep paying our kids.

If Chytil can be that 2C then good.

We still need 2 more young centers in the pipeline though.

Yeah signing copp is a tough one. I do think he provides something this team needs as it goes through somewhat a period of uncertainty of what the next steps for the kids look like. What's nice about him is that you can put him anywhere and in any situation. That is invaluable for this team to have a guy like him and Goodrow who you can plug anywhere into the lineup. He can center the 2nd line or the 3rd line. If the rangers do in fact have Kravtsov in the line up, a third line of Blais-Copp-Kravy could be pretty elite in terms of a 3rd line.

 

[mas0764]

Weird that Lindgren is a topic of conversation when hes got 2 years left on his deal and is an RFA after. Pretty irrelevant a the moment.

Kakko & Nils are going to be trade bait for a center upgrade, provided they dont make a horrendous decision and bring back Strome. Copp I wouldn't sign to a market level deal, he would need to take slightly less to come back imo (5M AAV). Right now i lean toward getting a better offensive center after the struggles we had as the playoffs dragged on.

Im happy with what weve been hearing about the Kravtsov/Drury relationship. VK knows he made a mistake and shockingly Drury isnt the power hungry sociopath he was made out to be. Good to see the fences have been mended and I am really starting to think Krav will really help us, just has to focus his "f*** you" mentality on the opponents.

Kakko not going anywhere. Nils I certainly believe can be a main ingredient in a young center swap.

Maybe Drury was a power hungry sociopath but learned his lesson. Just as much sense as everyone saying Kravtsov was a spoiled rotten kid who now, apparently, has learned his lesson. The truth is in the middle that both were very wrong.

Re: Lindgren it is interesting, but the writing seems to be on the wall that they will be leery of giving him another massive contract after this one.

 

[NYR Viper]

How do the Rangers score more at 5v5? Well it's pretty simple, they need to generate more shots. How they do that? That's for them to figure out. I think adding more speed, and another puck moving defenseman (Jones) are two things that can be done relatively easily.

In the regular season they were the 2nd worst team in CF/60 and 5th worst in xGF/60. It's no surprise that they struggled to score at 5v5.

There isn't a magic pill that this team needs but, and I've laid this out before, they need some small changes:

1) Get better at faceoffs.
Chytil should be concentrating on this but this needs to be a focus point for the wingers as well.
Re-signing Copp and playing him at center will help
Get a 4th line center who can be above 50% in that regard (Goodrow?)

2) Adding another puck mover on defense will help spring the offense. They have this in Jones, they just need to play him.

3) Gallant needs to have some difficult conversations with some of the veteran forwards. Kreider and Panarin should be routinely hovering around 3-4 shots per game. No excuses.

4) If the Panarin line is going to be Panarin-Copp then the 3rd member on this line needs to understand their role is going to be to get open and shoot the puck. Whether that's Blais or Kravtsov or someone else, the coaching staff needs to iterate that this is going to be their primary job. Gets shots on net and create chances that way. In saying that, Copp SHOULD be a net positive as compared to Strome in this regard already.

 

[mas0764]

From the thing you posted.

I shouldn't have said "he'll be moved" more like other teams have the notion that he's in play.

Which, again, may be nothing. Everyone's in play for a price.

Sounded more to me like casual speculation: "Oh, the Rangers are scratching Kakko? Are they down on him? I wonder if I can lowball them to acquire him." I'm sure team sources text that shit to Friedman just like we speculate on it on a message board.

 

[rangers1314]

Rangers have announced the Gustav Rydahl signing.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Friedman talking NYR today on 32T.

- Says what we saw from Lindgren this postseason is what worries the Rangers about Lindgren and has going back to when they traded for him. How long is this guy going to play? Given his style of play, how long can he last? It's not an ability/effort worry, it's a shelf life concern.

- Also mentions he thinks Nils future is elsewhere.

- Says NYR focus this summer is now "how to we score more at 5-on-5?".

- Says the number 1 thing is now the Kakko situation, where is this going? Says when he was scratched, he was getting lots of texts saying other teams will be calling on him.

- Says they have been talking on and off with Strome, says Strome loves it here. He wants to be a Ranger.

- On VK. Friedman says the "early guess" is that VK is staying. He wasn't signed to be traded. Says Drury and VK have spoken a lot. VK told Milstein he wanted to play for NYR. Says NYR will give VK every chance to win a spot.

- On Copp. Marek says you're looking a Hyman/Danault as the template. 5.5 across 6/7 years.

My responses to this

- Fair, but shouldn't be an issue for at least the duration of his current deal. I'm not so sure that he plays beyond this season as a Ranger bc of the cap but even if he does, a long extension should be out of the question. Absolute f***ing warrior though and I hope we can win while hes still here.

- Been saying this forever. Hes never going to get the minutes he needs to develop as an NHL player here. I won't shit on him anymore than I already have, but he has no path to a spot here.

- Get better players. This is tricky as they don't have a ton of space and they need to improve in both adding players who can aid in transition AND in playing a more cycle heavy game. There aren't many guys who are good at both and the ones who are either aren't available or cost alot.

- If you're not going to play him, move him and get a player who you will play. What are the chances he and Nils are packaged together for a player? What would that even bring back? If its Patrick Kane I will kill someone.

- Let him walk. He is the epitome of a player who is really bad at everything this team is really bad at. Good guy and I respect him for trying to tough it out through an injury that he probably shouldn't have tried to tough it out through, but they need to move on.

- Hope he does. He better put in the work this summer. Cheap help is good help and he can 10000% be part of the solution towards their transition issues.

- What I thought he'd get and I'd sign him. Was obviously hampered in the playoffs and was ASS against Tampa but we don't make it through the first 2 rounds without him.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Why is everyone over reacting to Kakko not playing one game in playoffs? It's probably embarrassing to him but maybe it just motivates him to be better, he must know he hasn't produced to an acceptable level in his career to this point. Players get sat out all the time why does everyone think he's gonna just decide he hates NY now because of that? Its crazy talk.

 

[cheech70]

Panarin - Zibanejad - Kreider
Lafreniere - Chytil - Kakko
Blais - Copp - Kravtsov
Motte - Goodrow - Hunt/Reaves

Fox - Miller
Schneider - Trouba
Jones/Lundkvist - Lindgren

right and left not working

 

[DanielBrassard]

There isn't a magic pill that this team needs but, and I've laid this out before, they need some small changes:

1) Get better at faceoffs.
Chytil should be concentrating on this but this needs to be a focus point for the wingers as well.
Re-signing Copp and playing him at center will help
Get a 4th line center who can be above 50% in that regard (Goodrow?)

2) Adding another puck mover on defense will help spring the offense. They have this in Jones, they just need to play him.

3) Gallant needs to have some difficult conversations with some of the veteran forwards. Kreider and Panarin should be routinely hovering around 3-4 shots per game. No excuses.

4) If the Panarin line is going to be Panarin-Copp then the 3rd member on this line needs to understand their role is going to be to get open and shoot the puck. Whether that's Blais or Kravtsov or someone else, the coaching staff needs to iterate that this is going to be their primary job. Gets shots on net and create chances that way. In saying that, Copp SHOULD be a net positive as compared to Strome in this regard already.

Generally with you although I don't think faceoffs are that big of a deal. The Avalanche have routinely been at the bottom of the faceoff rankings and well, look at what they've done. Best 5v5 team in the league for a while now.

I think as far as Panarin-copp-x, that would be nice but what is even more important in my view are two things. 1) Panarin returning to the form he had a couple of years ago, which is perhaps unlikely but if he even gets close that would automatically make this team and line that much more dangerous and 2) a RW who is really good at puck retrieval/forechecking and is a reliable enough playmaker to get the puck to Panarin where he needs it. I know it's old news but Fast was so ideal on Panarin's RW, that's the type of player I would want on his line even more than a shooter.

 

[cheech70]

This is the SIMPLEST route to improvement next season...

This lineup works under the cap:

Panarin-Copp-Kravtsov/Kaako
Kreider-Zibanejad-Blais
Lafreniere-Chytil-Kravtsov/Kaako
Motte-Goodrow-Reaves/Hunt
Reaves/Hunt

Miller-Fox
Jones-Trouba
Lindgren-Schneider
Braun

Shesty
$1m back up

I love it but 3 small dmen no good...only 2 small and matched up with large dman

 

[SA16]

How is it the Lightning have made 3 straight SCF with FO% of 48.4, 48.1, and 46.7 in the playoffs? The year they get swept by Columbus they were over 50%. Curious.

 

[LeetchisGod]

How is it the Lightning have made 3 straight SCF with FO% of 48.4, 48.1, and 46.7 in the playoffs? The year they get swept by Columbus they were over 50%. Curious.

We aren't the Lightning. We need all the help we can get when it comes to puck possession. The only goal that we scored last game was off a clean faceoff win. We should be trying to improve every aspect of our game.

 

[Kocur26]

The answer to our problems isnt in the system - isn’t on the roster - wasn’t with us this year …

We need an overhaul at center …

And we need another D man

Zac Jones isn’t an answer nor is Copp ….

Think Scheifle … Trocheck ….