Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXXVII

[Avery16]

Was he that bad? He was one of the speedier players on our team I thought. One of the few that was able to find soft spaces to get open for passes. I agree his best asset is his shot, but I thought he brought more to table than just that.

Speed and a shot pair well.

 

[TheGortonConspiracy]

The way to incorporate Jones is to spread the D pairs out.

Miller-Fox
Jones-Trouba
Lindgren-Schneider

Trouba has made every defenseman he played with more comfortable and better except Lindgren.

Not sure they'll separate Lindy and Fox, but its absolutely the right move.

55 is better suited as a 3rd pair D man and would excel with less minutes and hopefully less injuries. Him healthy for an entire playoffs would go a long way. Lindgren-Schneider has the makes of a solid, steady 3rd pair. Key is ready for the top pair challenge and a pairing with Fox could he elite.

Troubs has been a good partner for young defensemen a large portion of his career (Morrisey/Miller) and can do it for Jones too

Hard disagree. Lindgren just carried the team through 2 and a half playoff rounds.
Led the team in +/-, shot blocks per 60, and had 57.1 in on ice goals %. Not a player you demote he was pure heart and soul. If Schneider makes serious improvement, sure maybe he can pass Lindgren one day, but I don't see that happening next year.

 

[rangers1314]

Hindsight is 20/20. Drury probably wouldve been killed here for giving the extra year to a guy with so little production. At least the fact that they were in the mix and later traded for a similar player in Copp, shows that the organization knows what the teams needs are.

I disagree.

I think most NYR fans, here anyway, saw the need for a player that brings what he brings. He had finished his previous 2 seasons 6th in the Selke voting. Add that to everyone being beyond done with Strome and the move would have been met positively.

Also, while we all like Copp, he isn't in the same class as Danault defensively. Danault is also a legit Center, while Copp is a RW who can take draws.

 

[Ola]

If they want to get better overall at 5 on 5, Vatrano is the last guy they should think about signing.

He is good at shooting the puck, that's it. If they want to actually improve at breaking out, entering the zone with possession, establishing a forecheck, etc. he is a net negative.

100% agree!

You need a mix on the wing. Besides guys for the top PP, we need (a) real PFs, guys who are really strong on the puck, and (b) players who are really good at driving possession.

I keep going on about these things -- but I think our focus is a bit off. Its the guys that can do what you mention that we are short on. Someone like Hagel is so important the way the game is played late in the POs. Hagel, Russ Colton, Cirelli that Tampa have now, and I am sure they would want to have a bunch more guys like that, they lost Tyler Johnson, Gourde and co last off season.

But around this team, all kind of names are mentioned. But they are so often guys like Kessel or Statsny or some PF like Bennet and the likes. I would be shocked if I saw a reporter throw like "Vinny Hinostroza" out there, while he -- from my POV -- in terms of style makes a lot more sense for us on the ice than a PF or sniper.

Tampa also have PFs, but how hard has those spots been to fill for Tampa?
* Nick Paul makes 1.3m per and they got him for like a 4th round pick
* Pat Maroon makes 1m per and is a short term UFA signing
* Corry Perry makes 1m per and is a short term UFA signing
* [Edit: Killorn, not Cirelli] is the only one they didn't pick up for free and pay league minimum, and he makes 4.4m per

Meanwhile they gave up two 1st round picks to get Hagel. That shows you how they prioritize.

 

[JimmyG89]

Drury needs to hit up Vegas again. They are struggling for any cap space. Of course Dadonov is going to get moved, but they have 200K in cap space at the moment.

Two centers that they have that could be in play, Chandler Stephenson and Nic Roy. Stephenson has the speed, Roy has the size. Depends on which one you prefer. Stephenson would cost more as well to get. He had a year that puts him in the top tier of 2nd line centers. Roy put up 34 ES points in 78 games. Very little PP production, was a 2nd unit guy.

Roy I think fits better than the others. His size and playstyle fit what the Rangers would be looking for. He probably comes in around the 3-3.5M AAV range, which would work perfectly. 6'4 200lbs. Arbitration eligible RFA. 17 points in 39 playoff games too, so there is postseason experience and relative success for a young player.

Vegas is going to need players on ELCs since they are hard pressed when it comes to the cap. Nils Lundkvist could be the ticket to making this type of a move. RHD that would slot on their 3rd pair right now. They've got Pietrangelo and Whitecloud that play that tougher style and can be physical, so he doesn't have to play that kind of role. Also with Pietrangelo getting older, they'll need depth on that right side.

 

[McRanger92]

Drury needs to hit up Vegas again. They are struggling for any cap space. Of course Dadonov is going to get moved, but they have 200K in cap space at the moment.

Two centers that they have that could be in play, Chandler Stephenson and Nic Roy. Stephenson has the speed, Roy has the size. Depends on which one you prefer. Stephenson would cost more as well to get. He had a year that puts him in the top tier of 2nd line centers. Roy put up 34 ES points in 78 games. Very little PP production, was a 2nd unit guy.

Roy I think fits better than the others. His size and playstyle fit what the Rangers would be looking for. He probably comes in around the 3-3.5M AAV range, which would work perfectly. 6'4 200lbs. Arbitration eligible RFA. 17 points in 39 playoff games too, so there is postseason experience and relative success for a young player.

Vegas is going to need players on ELCs since they are hard pressed when it comes to the cap. Nils Lundkvist could be the ticket to making this type of a move. RHD that would slot on their 3rd pair right now. They've got Pietrangelo and Whitecloud that play that tougher style and can be physical, so he doesn't have to play that kind of role. Also with Pietrangelo getting older, they'll need depth on that right side.

I like where your head is at. I like Nic Roy in particular. Plays a heavy game has size and is still on the younger side. he was playing very well in an expanded role until Eichel got healthy.

 

[kinger8998]

Don't know why people insist on just slotting people where they feel makes a nhl2k line. Laffy is our future is is supposed to be our franchise with fox and shesty. He isn't a fan not was he at his best at RW.
50 goals or not I love Kreider he is just a leader he has to lead here for the good of the team he can adapt he needs to move to RW for the good of the franchise. I don't think it will hurt him much especially sonc half or more than half of his goal were on the pp lol where he can go LW.

I've said this plenty you can complete this line up with resigning your guys and using some extra young assets to get maybe a better young asset cost controlled as well.
Copp is best to me as 3rd line center like a gourde type line.

Bread - Zib - Krieder
Laffy - ??? - Kakko/Kravy (depends)
Blais - Copp - Vetrano
Motte - Goodrow - Reaves (play match ups)

Obviously in an ideal world I'd like Forsberg to fill that 2c but can't see that as realistic with resigning our guys so the question remains:
Could you package a Jones or lundquivst with a Chytll or Kravy to get that young center on the mold of Lundell or someone like that.
Do you go for broke and open that spot for Kravy and Trade Kakko plus for that young center?

Side note definitely no to Malkin I so dislike that dude!!!

You're giving Copp $5M+ to be a third line centre? Thats ATLEAST $8.6 million invested in 2 bottom 6 centres with no money to fill the 2nd line spot. Then you really are f*cked and have to hope Chytil follows up on his playoffs and breaks out.

I'm not prepared to pay 2 bottom centres that much money, and if Drury is, say goodbye to our window because we will not be able to keep the rest our lineup - as in lose young players due raises because of rash, reactive decisions and poor cap management.

If you are of the belief Copp is good enough to hold the 2nd line centre job for the next 6 years or whatever his term is, then sure as GM you'd sign him. But if you view him as a 3C like you said and like most believe, no matter how much you like the player, you cannot sign him to the contract hes going to get. Paying $5M+ for a 3rd line centre and $3.6 for your 4th is cap suicide and ultimately will be Stanley Cup window suicide

 

[Ola]

Lindgren just carried the team through 2 and a half playoff rounds.
Led the team in +/-, shot blocks per 60, and had 57.1 in on ice goals %. Not a player you demote he was pure heart and soul. If Schneider makes serious improvement, sure maybe he can pass Lindgren one day, but I don't see that happening next year.

Let's be honest, Lindgren was a sick contributor for us these POs. Not only the heart and soul stuff, he was transporting the puck up ice, and all other stuff.

I think Schneider's season was pretty sick too. Like kids his age are just not ready -- but he was darn close most of the time and never struggled 'that' much. Showed that he is an insane prospect.

We also talk about how valuable Trouba is and so forth, but honestly, I think he has been huge for these guys and Miller, leading by example.

 

[cheech70]

100% agree!

You need a mix on the wing. Besides guys for the top PP, we need (a) real PFs, guys who are really strong on the puck, and (b) players who are really good at driving possession.

I keep going on about these things -- but I think our focus is a bit off. Its the guys that can do what you mention that we are short on. Someone like Hagel is so important the way the game is played late in the POs. Hagel, Russ Colton, Cirelli that Tampa have now, and I am sure they would want to have a bunch more guys like that, they lost Tyler Johnson, Gourde and co last off season.

But around this team, all kind of names are mentioned. But they are so often guys like Kessel or Statsny or some PF like Bennet and the likes. I would be shocked if I saw a reporter throw like "Vinny Hinostroza" out there, while he -- from my POV -- in terms of style makes a lot more sense for us on the ice than a PF or sniper.

Tampa also have PFs, but how hard has those spots been to fill for Tampa?
* Nick Paul makes 1.3m per and they got him for like a 4th round pick
* Pat Maroon makes 1m per and is a short term UFA signing
* Corry Perry makes 1m per and is a short term UFA signing
* Cirelli is the only one they didn't pick up for free and pay league minimum, and he makes 4.4m per

Meanwhile they gave up two 1st round picks to get Hagel. That shows you how they prioritize.

Hagel is meh..big overpay...

 

[Ola]

Hagel is meh..big overpay...

But at the same time, they are in the finals because "his" (Cirelli's) line killed Ziba and co, and the best Florida had, and the best Toronto had.

So ultimately, a team with 8 Hagel+Cirelli's could easily beat a team with 8 Matthews...

 

[kinger8998]

Hard disagree. Lindgren just carried the team through 2 and a half playoff rounds.
Led the team in +/-, shot blocks per 60, and had 57.1 in on ice goals %. Not a player you demote he was pure heart and soul. If Schneider makes serious improvement, sure maybe he can pass Lindgren one day, but I don't see that happening next year.

Maybe better suited was the wrong term to use. I feel he could stay healthier in a 3rd pair role. It also should be taken as a complement that we think he can handle his own pair with Schneider (the sophomore) when defensemen typically have 2nd year slumps.

He was great on the 1st pair and gave no reason to separate. But I think as great of a player as he is, and as good of a fit he is as Adam Foxs partner, you have to take exactly that into account. He was ADAM FOXS partner. I'm positive some of his numbers are bloated due to that, even if Fox struggled in Round 3 Games 3-6.

I don't think Lindy falls of a cliff at all, but hes a hard worker and a smart player who can definitely help Schneider and play anywhere in the lineup. A few less minutes may help him stay healthier heading into more long playoff runs with the style he plays. If neccessary, then hes healthy enough to step up in lineup and play more when we need the most out of him in April-June

 

[McRanger92]

But at the same time, they are in the finals because "his" (Cirelli's) line killed Ziba and co, and the best Florida had, and the best Toronto had.

I give more credit to Cirelli & Killorn in that regard. Hagel was a passenger and not nearly worth 2 1sts and 2 prospects. Tampa is running out of good players to backfill their aging players. They have another year at least where they can continue this run, but they are going to be very top heavy very soon,

 

[Ola]

I like where your head is at. I like Nic Roy in particular. Plays a heavy game has size and is still on the younger side. he was playing very well in an expanded role until Eichel got healthy.

At the same time, look at Tampa, you must have PFs, but should you have pay more than league minimum on a short term for them?

* Nick Paul makes 1.3m per and they got him for like a 4th round pick
* Pat Maroon makes 1m per and is a short term UFA signing
* Corry Perry makes 1m per and is a short term UFA signing

Killorn is the exception, but they still only pays 4m per for him.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

How did Copp go from 53-54% FO man in WPG to 46% with NYR including reg. and playoffs?

Did the Peg shelter him from taking a lot of draws on his weak side or in the Dzone? Is it the Ranger fwds Panarin and Strome not helping out and retrieving the pucks?

I'm also not sold on signing him long term, which sucks. I liked him a lot at first but i don't know now. he seems more like what we have, more of a winger/center hybrid, not that traditional center the Rangers are missing in the 2nd line spot.

Rongoitis consists of a wide range of symptoms, being unable to win faceoffs is one of them.

 

[NikC]

You're giving Copp $5M+ to be a third line centre? Thats ATLEAST $8.6 million invested in 2 bottom 6 centres with no money to fill the 2nd line spot. Then you really are f*cked and have to hope Chytil follows up on his playoffs and breaks out.

I'm not prepared to pay 2 bottom centres that much money, and if Drury is, say goodbye to our window because we will not be able to keep the rest our lineup - as in lose young players due raises because of rash, reactive decisions and poor cap management.

If you are of the belief Copp is good enough to hold the 2nd line centre job for the next 6 years or whatever his term is, then sure as GM you'd sign him. But if you view him as a 3C like you said and like most believe, no matter how much you like the player, you cannot sign him to the contract hes going to get. Paying $5M+ for a 3rd line centre and $3.6 for your 4th is cap suicide and ultimately will be Stanley Cup window suicide

This will not happen. Drury will not do this. Copp is a good player, but he's 15g/40p forward asking for upwards of $5M? I know he has greater upside, but by how much? They need a legitimate 2C with size and skill.

We can hope Chytil can solidify a role as a 3C, but nothing his definite with this kid.

 

[Boris Zubov]

Drury needs to hit up Vegas again. They are struggling for any cap space. Of course Dadonov is going to get moved, but they have 200K in cap space at the moment.

Two centers that they have that could be in play, Chandler Stephenson and Nic Roy. Stephenson has the speed, Roy has the size. Depends on which one you prefer. Stephenson would cost more as well to get. He had a year that puts him in the top tier of 2nd line centers. Roy put up 34 ES points in 78 games. Very little PP production, was a 2nd unit guy.

Roy I think fits better than the others. His size and playstyle fit what the Rangers would be looking for. He probably comes in around the 3-3.5M AAV range, which would work perfectly. 6'4 200lbs. Arbitration eligible RFA. 17 points in 39 playoff games too, so there is postseason experience and relative success for a young player.

Vegas is going to need players on ELCs since they are hard pressed when it comes to the cap. Nils Lundkvist could be the ticket to making this type of a move. RHD that would slot on their 3rd pair right now. They've got Pietrangelo and Whitecloud that play that tougher style and can be physical, so he doesn't have to play that kind of role. Also with Pietrangelo getting older, they'll need depth on that right side.

I like your thinking here, but I can't see Vegas moving Stephenson, so we'd have to ask ourselves is Roy enough of a return for Nils? I'd probably make that deal, but I understand the argument against it

Only other thing I disagree with is Pietrangelo isn't very tough or physical. He has size, but he's more of a skilled d man who uses his skating & technique to defend more than he's using his body.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Sports Illustrated/ Hockey News take on the Rangers offseason plans.

 

[Fitzy]

In my proposed lines, neither pairing was the third pairing. Two equal second pairings with the same assignments.

Jones and Schneider go to the bench late game if needed.

 

[pld459666]

Blackwell makes ZERO impact with this team against any opponent we faced.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Here’s some wild speculation that I just pulled out of thin air. Wouldn’t it be crazy if Drury was the one who had Kaapo pulled out of game 6 because he didn’t want him getting injured because Drury’s has a blockbuster deal in place and Kakko is at its center of the deal.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Nic Roy would be an under the radar acquisition that makes a lot of sense for the Rangers. I hope they explore it.

 

[MrAlmost]

Sports Illustrated/ Hockey News take on the Rangers offseason plans.

Couldn't make it further then maybe 5 minutes. Didn't get almost a single thing right when talking about the team so I imagine their speculation is as dogshit as their research.

 

[Hire Sather]

I'd rather extend Reaves for 5 years than sign Malkin

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I like your thinking here, but I can't see Vegas moving Stephenson, so we'd have to ask ourselves is Roy enough of a return for Nils? I'd probably make that deal, but I understand the argument against it

Only other thing I disagree with is Pietrangelo isn't very tough or physical. He has size, but he's more of a skilled d man who uses his skating & technique to defend more than he's using his body.

10000% yes.

And this isn't a "oh you hate Nils so much LOLZ" thing. Roy is a really good player.

I don't think it's enough going the other way tbh.

 

[kovazub94]

This will not happen. Drury will not do this. Copp is a good player, but he's 15g/40p forward asking for upwards of $5M? I know he has greater upside, but by how much? They need a legitimate 2C with size and skill.

We can hope Chytil can solidify a role as a 3C, but nothing his definite with this kid.

Haha. Chytil was the best forward behind Zibanejad in playoffs. his performance curve was beginning to rise even earlier - somewhere between a month to two at the end of the regular season, yet you still question if he can solidify 3C role? Do you know he'd be barely 23 at the start of next season? What a joke.