Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXXXI

[Alluckks]

It doesn't look like a sellers market at all. A lot of the major competing teams either don't have the assets being requested, like 1st round picks, or the cap space available to make significant moves.

Just because some of the big names drummed up by the talking heads are now being backtracked doesn't magically create a market for the mid tier assets that are certainly being dealt.

We're in the midst of a flat cap world, there are also clear lines drawn between playoff and non-playoff teams in both leagues, give or take a couple in the west.

It is a very regular market, but if all the teams that have rumored want to sell still want to sell and not try to re-sign their vets that are UFAs at the end of the year, it will be at the buyer's price, not their own. Teams, like the Canucks, have abused the talking heads nonsense media with dangling pieces and asking prices for over a month. Hardly any moves at all. Less than 2 weeks left.

Teams like Montreal has more pressure to get some kind of return for their expiring contracts that won't return versus bottom half playoff teams feeling pressure to add mid tier assets for a single playoff run.

 

[Ola]

Mark Scheifele, a perennial 30+ goal 80-90 point player, reminds you of a more expensive 18 goal 60 point Strome? Is Connor McDavid a more expensive Mika Zibanejad too?

Even if he still is getting stats, I don't like his curve right now. Looks a lot to me like David Backes did just before completely falling off a cliff.

It takes a toll on your body to play like Scheleife does. He has also been subject to some really really booming hits over his career and have had a bit of problems with injuries already.

Also, and more importantly, -- I can while being 100% serious with confidence -- say that I just don't think you win in the POs with centers like Scheliefe. I am fairly certain that any line we have with Scheleife would struggle against Bergeron's line, against Tampa's top lines, against Crosby, in the future, against Hughes line, against Aho's line, against Barzal's line. Why? Its as simple as that, anyone that got an eye for hockey can clearly see that Tampa's top centers, Seb Aho, Marzal, Hughes and co are better skaters, much better puck transporters and has better vision than Scheleife. Significantly better, across the board, in those areas. Right? Scheleife hits harder, he is 6'3 220 lbs, he is stronger along the boards. And from my POV, the way I analyze the game and the conclusions I come to, a line with a center that is a much better puck carrier than the center he lines up against will have a -- huge -- advantage even if the center on the other side hits harder and is stronger along the boards.

We already have this problem with Zibanejad, he also doesn't match up particularly well against Aho, Barzal, Bergeron (flanked by Marchant and Pasta), Tampa's guys.

And just to illustrate just how extremely important the ability to carry the puck, to cover a lot of ice, to have those quick feets at center ice is -- lets look at one center who in fact matched up really really well against that group of Aho, Barzal, Bergeron and co. Yanni Gourde. His line with Goodrow and Coleman was matched aganist both Aho and Barzal's lines in the POs, and Dandenault's line. What does Yanni Gourde have at 5'8 that Ziba doesn't? Extreme speed and ability to carry the puck up ice.

This is just my opinion, I think there are overwhelming visual and statistical evidence in favor of it, but I really think that we need to add speed, agility, acceleration and quickness along with the ability to carry the puck at center ice. Someone that skates well and transports the puck well "despite his size" won't cut it. I don't think Schleife is a good idea. I don't think Monahan is a good idea. I didn't think Eichel was a good idea. I don't think Horvat is a good idea. I definitely don't think Kirby Dach is a good idea (perhaps on the wing). Yanni Gourde? Sure. Dandenault fits the mold for sure. Larkin does too, but I think he will be too expensive 1 year from now. Alex Newhook? Definitely. Alex Turcotte? I don't know, its a tough league for a kid and he was rushed way way way too early to turn pro, should have spent 3-4 years in College. Not sure you can take an extremely mishandled a prospect like that and then expect to put together the pieces. Marco Rossi? I like him a lot. Don't know how we could get him fron Minny though...

 

[GAGLine]

They bought in and are playing great team hockey. It's what I expected our team to look like. Relentless and in your face.. Everyone is attacking

This is Sutter's 2nd year there. He took over part way into last season. Maybe we'll see this team take another step later this year, or next year.

 

[Ola]

I fully expect Domi to happen if they can get him for a 3rd or so.

He’s pretty similar to Strome in many ways. He could be a stop gap with some upside relative to acquisition cost if they can’t find a better 2C to replace Strome in the summer.

I would have some hopes if we got Domi, like I think he got more to offer. I don't think he has had a good start to his NHL career. Haven't looked like he has found a home, some place he is comfortable at.

Will he ever? Of course not a given. But I don't know, I just got a feeling that he is the type who could thrive in NY.

 

[RangersFan1994]

I would have some hopes if we got Domi, like I think he got more to offer. I don't think he has had a good start to his NHL career. Haven't looked like he has found a home, some place he is comfortable at.

Will he ever? Of course not a given. But I don't know, I just got a feeling that he is the type who could thrive in NY.

Like Brassard did when he was here. I can see that especially with his dad being a fan favorite and still is.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Not sure why WPG would move him if they consider moving older guys like Schiefele and Wheeler.

Yeah they aren’t moving PLD and we won’t be able to afford his new ticket next season anyway.

 

[JMan74]

Thoughts on Rakell?

 

[NYR Viper]

I could see Lehkonen/Jarnkrok and Domi being the additions.

Something to consider. Gauthier and Hajek were brought in under Gorton/JD. Gauthier specifically could be a player as a secondary piece a team with some patience may take a shot at for a rental. Perhaps Domi for Gauthier + 4th or something like that.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Trade deadline March 21. Looking more and more like a sellers market bigtime. Quite a few motivated buyers with few motivated sellers. JT Miller likely not traded, Pavelski signed an extension and wants to remain in Dallas, Hertl may also be kept by Sharks, Giroux likely to be traded but don't know if Philly want to trade him to a division rival and Colorado seems to be top destination for moment.

We may need to pivot to instead of one but 2 lesser moves. Two names Im seeing most is Max Domi and Rickard Rackell.

Domi isnt an elite goalscorer by any means but had one year of 28 goals and plays with an edge and is a pretty well rounded player.

Rackel is more a goal scorer posting 2 years of 30+ goals.

Our team is extremely top heavy , some studs at top but not enough solid guys in the third and 4th lines. The drop between the top players and the rest of the team is steep. These would be two bonafide solid guys to add to the mix and since the price of each would be a bit less you can probably get both with all the trade chips we have and not mortgage too too much of the future either.

NHL Trade Bait Tracker lists top 35 targets as Deadline approaches - The Daily Goal Horn

In no way shape or form is it a sellers market

 

[JMan74]

I could see Lehkonen/Jarnkrok and Domi being the additions.

Something to consider. Gauthier and Hajek were brought in under Gorton/JD. Gauthier specifically could be a player as a secondary piece a team with some patience may take a shot at for a rental. Perhaps Domi for Gauthier + 4th or something like that.

Not enough of offensive firepower upgrade in that combination.

 

[JMan74]

In no way shape or form is it a sellers market

More sellers than buyers?

 

[NYR Viper]

Not enough of offensive firepower upgrade in that combination.

at this point, getting a consistent offensive output from the 3rd line would be a boon overall. The teams main offensive threats are here already.

 

[JMan74]

at this point, getting a consistent offensive output from the 3rd line would be a boon overall. The teams main offensive threats are here already.

If Domi or Lehkonen are one piece the 2nd piece to me needs to be at least a credible 22+ goal scorer. Rakell is more that guy than some of the other 2nd tier guys out there.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

at this point, getting a consistent offensive output from the 3rd line would be a boon overall. The teams main offensive threats are here already.

Agreed. Someone who can slot up on the Panarin line if need be would be ideal, but getting a competent 3rd line together so that they can roll 4 lines has to be the priority.

 

[Tob]

Hilarious Leafs signed Petr Mrazek to a 3X3.8M deal. Horrible. They will have to move him to Arizona now. 10 team NTC too. Now that Campbell has shown he's nothing special, do they give him that 3X$5.15 contract? That's $9M for 2 really average goalies. Might as well keep Mrazek and let Campbell walk and acquire Georgiev who can be signed for 2X$<2M with his numbers being what they are

 

[Fitzy]

Hilarious Leafs signed Petr Mrazek to a 3X3.8M deal. Horrible. They will have to move him to Arizona now. 10 team NTC too. Now that Campbell has shown he's nothing special, do they give him that 3X$5.15 contract? That's $9M for 2 really average goalies. Might as well keep Mrazek and let Campbell walk and acquire Georgiev who can be signed for 2X$<2M with his numbers being what they are

Tob you forgot to sign into your alt account @RangerBoy for this post

 

[DanielBrassard]

Agreed. Someone who can slot up on the Panarin line if need be would be ideal, but getting a competent 3rd line together so that they can roll 4 lines has to be the priority.

Getting Kakko back would certainly help. If you can get someone to push Hunt down to the 4th line, Kakko could even slot in with Chytil, and then the lineup will be fairly deep.

 

[JMan74]

When is Kakko due back? Any word?

 

[Anthony5967]

I love this new site. Can’t believe I’m in the minority.

 

[nyaz11]

If Mark Scheifele is the target- the idea is then to go all defense on your 3rd and 4th lines. Please for the love of God - stop comparing MS to Strome and Monahan type of players - he literally has out produced Mika for the vast majority of their careers. THAT is the type of player MS is - a bonafide PPG 1C -- not a borderline 2C.

Now, that does not excuse the lack of defense that MS has shown the last few years - that is a concern. But a line of Panarin/MS would be a play driving line. You go out and acquire cheap/defense first/energy type players and create a checking line out of them and Goodrow. Your 3rd line and Mika/Kreider than become your matchup lines - and MS/Panarin thrive against the other matchups. Your also putting Laf/Kakko in prime position to succeed joining Bread, Scheif, Mika and Kreider the top-6.

This team has problems driving play and scoring 5-on-5 -- acquiring a consistent, top-20 scorer in the NHL at $6.1million for 2.5 years - is a steal. And there are very few players than can come close offensively to those numbers.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Getting Kakko back would certainly help. If you can get someone to push Hunt down to the 4th line, Kakko could even slot in with Chytil, and then the lineup will be fairly deep.

It will definitely help, agreed.

It will be interesting to see what the org thinks about immediate roster structure over the next week.

What do they want the 3rd line to accomplish? If they set up something like Goodrow-Chytil-Kakko/Rakell is that line going to be trusted to take a regular shift in a big game? Goodrow would be, but will Chytil? Can those two coexist on a functional line?

Because where they get into trouble is when Gallant doesn’t trust Chytil/Gauthier and they play limited minutes and Rooney/McKegg/Reaves have to play over their head.

Is Kakko going to come back healthy and is Gallant going to let him ride with Panarin and Strome? Or is he going to make a few turnovers and then we will be back to Dryden Hunt not being able to put a puck into the ocean from a dock.

 

[bobbop]

The Rangers are at 45 contracts. They may plan on signing a couple of NCAA UFA's. Every contract spot counts. Paquette will be dealt to a team for a contract of little consequence to a team making a push.

It's more about money than the number of contracts.

 

[JMan74]

If Mark Scheifele is the target- the idea is then to go all defense on your 3rd and 4th lines. Please for the love of God - stop comparing MS to Strome and Monahan type of players - he literally has out produced Mika for the vast majority of their careers. THAT is the type of player MS is - a bonafide PPG 1C -- not a borderline 2C.

Now, that does not excuse the lack of defense that MS has shown the last few years - that is a concern. But a line of Panarin/MS would be a play driving line. You go out and acquire cheap/defense first/energy type players and create a checking line out of them and Goodrow. Your 3rd line and Mika/Kreider than become your matchup lines - and MS/Panarin thrive against the other matchups. Your also putting Laf/Kakko in prime position to succeed joining Bread, Scheif, Mika and Kreider the top-6.

This team has problems driving play and scoring 5-on-5 -- acquiring a consistent, top-20 scorer in the NHL at $6.1million for 2.5 years - is a steal. And there are very few players than can come close offensively to those numbers.

Just how bad is MS defensively? He has had some pretty decent plus/minus in his career.

 

[Machinehead]

It's impossible to say if it's a buyers or sellers market until we see the first trade come in.

The early trades usually set the tone because then other contending GM's feel compelled to compete with it.

It also depends on how many teams really feel they're a favorite. How many buyers are going to get into the oneupsmanship game?

I agree with @Alluckks that a lot of teams just don't have the space. With the long-term trend of contracts inflating way more than the cap is, you almost have to be up against the cap to be decent.

Then again, they don't really have the space to sign these contracts to begin with, and they evidently don't care. There's lots of shit you can pull too, with bottom-feeding teams taking money, and cap circumvention becoming pretty mask-off in the last few years.

The Rangers could make it a buyers market, actually. GM's have the tendency to cross-reference prospect rankings. It's dumb, but it's what they do. Our top 3 young pieces (Kakko, Lafreniere, Schneider) are probably off-limits because they're starting for us. Other GM's are going to say "well if you couldn't get their top 3, you're not getting our top 3 either." I think we already saw this play out with the mediocre Eichel return. A lot of teams leveraged Kakko and Lafreniere being nonstarters.

 

[SA16]

It's more about money than the number of contracts.

The Rangers can't afford to pay a league minimum player?