Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXXXI

[duhmetreE]

Chytil for Lehkonen
Lundkvist for Hagel

 

[jay from jersey]

It’s absolutely vital to get a tweener like Lehkonen ..
everyone penciling in kakko at 2nd line might me in for a surprise...
He hasn’t played in a while, and if his wrist is still a problem and hampers his production, he’ll likely find himself on 3rd line opposite Goodrow, as GG might make that his match up /shutdown line.
Getting a guy that can move up and down is critical

 

[McRanger92]

I think there's a slight chance Hertl is still in the mix. Very slight.

I think he’s a Ranger if the Sharks can’t get him signed

 

[Daves a mess]

I really wish the children on this board hadn't chased @Edge away again.

People want insight and then just shoot the messenger when they don't like what they hear.

I really wish the children on this board hadn't chased @Edge away again.

People want insight and then just shoot the messenger when they don't like what they hear.

I blocked most of the "look at me" chest bangers when Edge, and prior to that Rangerboy were getting shit on.
So much better a place personally without the angry, narcissistic post vomit now.

 

[Chalfdiggity3]

Yanni Gourde is signed for 3 more years at 5.166m per. He is 31 y/o. That couldn't matter less. With his motor, he isn't breaking down before he is 34 y/o. We can't afford an expensive player. If we get an established player now, that will require a new contract soon (like Larkin), we can't afford that player anyway. From my POV, Gourde makes a ton more sense than Larkin. Larkin has 1 more year before UFA. If we get him and he has a great year for us, then we will lose him for nothing. What good will that have done?

I would give up a bounty to get him with some retention from Seattle. I would do Filip Chytil, Nils Lundkvist and a 1st and more -- and not even think twice about it. No Laf, Kakko or Schneider. It is not about how good Gourde is, it is about how he is the perfect fit for us since he would be cost controlled, and with some retention, he is a steal.

Why is he a perfect fit for us?
(a) Both Ziba and Strome have the same issues. Neither covers a ton of ice, neither has that motor that is a constant threat at center ice pushing Ds back.
(b) He is the perfect center for someone like Kakko. He will draw attention and push Ds back, when Kakko can get the puck from a center like that he is lethal against a D on their heels.
(c) This makes perfect sense for us because we can have three elite lines. Both Tampa and Pittsburgh only won when they had three elite lines. Hagelin-Bonino-Kessel was literary the best line for Pittsburgh at times and Goodrow-Gourde-Coleman was tremendous for Tampa. We can have an elite line built around Kreider and Ziba, we can have an elite line built around Panarin -- but then what? Goodrow-Gourde-Kakko would be an elite line. That line has potential to be our best line at times without doubt. It would be great defensively, it would be great on the forecheck, it would be great on the counter attack. We don't only kill two birds with one stone, we kill three. We get another top line. We compliment the two top lines we have perfectly. And lastly, we sort out the log-jam we have giving Laf and Kakko a proper development environment, by creating another "top" development position for Kakko next to Gourde, but on the 3rd line.
(d) He is cost controlled and cheap for the duration of the flat cap era.

This team is a true contender:
Kreider-Ziba-Laf
Panarin-Strome-Hunt
Goodrow-Gourde-Kakko
Reeves-Rooney-Gauthier/Blais
Lindgren-Fox
K'Andre-Trouba
Nemeth-Schneider

After this year, we still have to replace Strome. But I am not worried, think Panarin will come back in better form next year and he has pushed so many centers over the edge so far. It might take some swings and misses, but we should be able to find someone who he can do that weith again.

Not a bad offer for Gourde but he isnt a difference maker, he is a middle 6 center.

I couldnt disagree more with you on Larkin. He is the perfect fit. And from what @Edge has brought up in the past is that we are already looking to move one of trouba or Krieder to free up cap as soon as the following season. Schnieder steps into Troubas role and we can resign Larkin. Yes Trouba would have to accept the trade but just means he will have to accept where he is traded to. Larkin is doable and is better than Gourde and fits the team like a glove for now and the future.

 

[Mac n Gs]

I’m not sure why people keep suggesting Chytil for Lehkonen when the goal should be to add Lehkonen as Chytil’s winger

 

[Chalfdiggity3]

If we are talking playoff style, I think the Rangers really need 3 players this deadline.

Kreider Zib Lafreniere - I think this line will be okay in the playoffs. They all thrive on the cycle and Mika and Kreider raise their level of play in big games as we've seen time and time again.

Panarin Strome _____ - They need someone who can create space in the offensive zone. That could be Kakko, but a player that can score and has a motor is needed.

____ Goodrow Kakko - I think in the playoffs, Kakko will shine. He is an excellent defensive player and thrives on board play. Goodrow has been good all season but his value will be more evident in tight checking games, creating space. Who makes sense here? Could it be Chytil? Could it be a player like Copp or Lehkonen?

Hunt Rooney _____. - It's likely Reaves or Gauthier in this spot but they could use a depth forward who can PK who's name doesn't rhyme with the word Leg.


These are the questions Drury needs to answer between now and March 21.

Reaves is not an issue on the 4th line. Stop trying to take him out. Hes done his job and more being in the lineup. With less ice time which means fixing the 3rd line, the 4th line will end up being more effective. Kakko easily slides into the 2nd line.

So in reality we need two players. I believe both should go on the 3rd line. Middle 6 guys. create an actual 3rd line that can defend and put some goals in and we are good. Dont break the prospect bank, we need that for our center trade in the offseason.

 

[surlysailor]

Chytil for Lehkonen
Lundkvist for Hagel

I could see it being Barron and a low pick over Chytil. Gorton drafted him and GG doesn't seem to be playing him over Brodz or McKegg. Guy is just wasting away not even getting Hartford playing time.

 

[duhmetreE]

I’m not sure why people keep suggesting Chytil for Lehkonen when the goal should be to add Lehkonen as Chytil’s winger

because Chytil is not a good Center, especially on the 3rd line with Strome and Zibs in front of him

If we want to make a 'matchup line', Chytil cannot be a part of it... Especially at Center

 

[Rangers in 7]

Yanni Gourde is signed for 3 more years at 5.166m per. He is 31 y/o. That couldn't matter less. With his motor, he isn't breaking down before he is 34 y/o. We can't afford an expensive player. If we get an established player now, that will require a new contract soon (like Larkin), we can't afford that player anyway. From my POV, Gourde makes a ton more sense than Larkin. Larkin has 1 more year before UFA. If we get him and he has a great year for us, then we will lose him for nothing. What good will that have done?

I would give up a bounty to get him with some retention from Seattle. I would do Filip Chytil, Nils Lundkvist and a 1st and more -- and not even think twice about it. No Laf, Kakko or Schneider. It is not about how good Gourde is, it is about how he is the perfect fit for us since he would be cost controlled, and with some retention, he is a steal.

Why is he a perfect fit for us?
(a) Both Ziba and Strome have the same issues. Neither covers a ton of ice, neither has that motor that is a constant threat at center ice pushing Ds back.
(b) He is the perfect center for someone like Kakko. He will draw attention and push Ds back, when Kakko can get the puck from a center like that he is lethal against a D on their heels.
(c) This makes perfect sense for us because we can have three elite lines. Both Tampa and Pittsburgh only won when they had three elite lines. Hagelin-Bonino-Kessel was literary the best line for Pittsburgh at times and Goodrow-Gourde-Coleman was tremendous for Tampa. We can have an elite line built around Kreider and Ziba, we can have an elite line built around Panarin -- but then what? Goodrow-Gourde-Kakko would be an elite line. That line has potential to be our best line at times without doubt. It would be great defensively, it would be great on the forecheck, it would be great on the counter attack. We don't only kill two birds with one stone, we kill three. We get another top line. We compliment the two top lines we have perfectly. And lastly, we sort out the log-jam we have giving Laf and Kakko a proper development environment, by creating another "top" development position for Kakko next to Gourde, but on the 3rd line.
(d) He is cost controlled and cheap for the duration of the flat cap era.

This team is a true contender:
Kreider-Ziba-Laf
Panarin-Strome-Hunt
Goodrow-Gourde-Kakko
Reeves-Rooney-Gauthier/Blais
Lindgren-Fox
K'Andre-Trouba
Nemeth-Schneider

After this year, we still have to replace Strome. But I am not worried, think Panarin will come back in better form next year and he has pushed so many centers over the edge so far. It might take some swings and misses, but we should be able to find someone who he can do that weith again.

so you're trading chytil, nils, and 1st, plus for yanni f***ing gourde? give me a break the rangers should never do this

 

[charliemurphy]

Has anyone heard anything about the Rangers being one of the teams that are rumored to be in on Jack McBain? Looks like the Wild will be trading his rights or they'll lose him over the summer. I'd like Drury to be aggressive and try and get him... rumors are at least a 2nd.

 

[GAGLine]

I’m not sure why people keep suggesting Chytil for Lehkonen when the goal should be to add Lehkonen as Chytil’s winger

Because Lehkonen makes 2.3 mil and needs a new contract this summer. If both are on the team next year, then we have even less money for a center.

 

[HonestGabe]

Reaves is not an issue on the 4th line. Stop trying to take him out. Hes done his job and more being in the lineup. With less ice time which means fixing the 3rd line, the 4th line will end up being more effective. Kakko easily slides into the 2nd line.

So in reality we need two players. I believe both should go on the 3rd line. Middle 6 guys. create an actual 3rd line that can defend and put some goals in and we are good. Dont break the prospect bank, we need that for our center trade in the offseason.

I'm not trying to take him out. The reality is that if you look at his history on Vegas, he doesn't play in every playoff game. And the team should not be an injury away from having Reaves slot up the lineup. It's about depth. You aren't necessarily taking a spot away from him you're more so ensuring you aren't stuck playing McKegg in a Game 7.

Someone like Carpenter, who Gallant has history with would make sense. A 12/13F type that gives us depth and options and won't cost more than a mid to late round pick

 

[mrmel29]

Has anyone heard anything about the Rangers being one of the teams that are rumored to be in on Jack McBain? Looks like the Wild will be trading his rights or they'll lose him over the summer. I'd like Drury to be aggressive and try and get him... rumors are at least a 2nd.

That would be a very nice add!

 

[jay from jersey]

In the long term the team needs 3 or 4 more forwards, internally or externally, who drive play and literally force the rest of the lookie-loos to to skate and move to keep up with them.

Because that was the takeaway from last night, Minnesota's guys ALL did things with drive, authority, and purpose. *Rarely* did one of them get the puck, pick their head up, and assess the situation. They all had an idea of what they were gonna do first.

The majority of the Rangers are assess the situation guys which is why they're so stale in the offensive zone so often, and probably why they circle the perimeter as much as they do, buying time for someone else to do something. The issue is the other guys are waiting for the puck carrier to do something, and you end up with a lot of nothing. A lot of passive play.

I still maintain Blais was to be the Fast/blackwell replacement for that line so to speak.
He was younger, bigger, and had just as good, if not better hands.
He was also way more physical and only cost 1.5 mill on the cap hit.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

It’s absolutely vital to get a tweener like Lehkonen ..
everyone penciling in kakko at 2nd line might me in for a surprise...
He hasn’t played in a while, and if his wrist is still a problem and hampers his production, he’ll likely find himself on 3rd line opposite Goodrow, as GG might make that his match up /shutdown line.
Getting a guy that can move up and down is critical

Lehkonen should be a big target. He can slide around the bottom 9, ideally in the bottom 6 but he gives the Rangers even more options with Blais coming back next season and solidifies the defensive prowess of this team, ala the Bruins in their recent hayday with Tim Thomas. Its obvious this team isnt going to be at the top of the league in 5 on 5 scoring. The bonus of him being a Fin is just as important for Kakko too.

 

[Chalfdiggity3]

I'm not trying to take him out. The reality is that if you look at his history on Vegas, he doesn't play in every playoff game. And the team should not be an injury away from having Reaves slot up the lineup. It's about depth. You aren't necessarily taking a spot away from him you're more so ensuring you aren't stuck playing McKegg in a Game 7.

Someone like Carpenter, who Gallant has history with would make sense. A 12/13F type that gives us depth and options and won't cost more than a mid to late round pick

Except the reality is he IS playing every game and IS going to for the foreseeable future. No need to get more scrub 4th liners. If the only thing in the playoffs is we have to put barron or jonny B out there for a game or two on the 4th line i dont think it makes much of a difference. There is no need to get another fringe NHLer just incase. We have enough of those. We need 2 solid 3rd line options thats it.

If we have a complete 3rd line and kakko healthy, everyone is in the spot they need to be in. I just dont see the need to acquire mediocre players for an break in case of emergency. If we shore up the 3rd line then one of those 2 players moves up. The only time Reevo or Hunt will move up after the deadline is if something happens and they go to 3rd line.

 

[tomobson]

That second line is an issue that hopefully Kakko can fix. If that second line struggles with Kakko as they've shown earlier in the season then swap Panarin and Kreider. Kreider/Kakko have worked well together in the past and Panarin/Mika are not going to have any issues playing together. We need one more NHL player on that third line. Chytil is alone on an island trying to find someway to create offense and he needs help. Goat just can't seem to figure out what he wants to be.

 

[DanielBrassard]

so you're trading chytil, nils, and 1st, plus for yanni f***ing gourde? give me a break the rangers should never do this

What are you expecting with that type of package? Gourde is excellent and if you somehow got Seattle to retain that would make it worthwhile.

 

[rangers1314]

 

[RangersFan1994]

Chytil for Lehkonen
Lundkvist for Hagel

Add that to these

Domi for Gauthier and 4th
McBain for 2ed(blues)
McLeod and Holloway for Kravtsov, Robertson and Georgiev

Kreider Mika Lafy
Panarin Strome Lehkonen/Kakko
Hagel Goodrow Domi/Blais
Rooney McLeod Reaves

McBain signs and gets games down the stretch like Kreider did.


Look at the depth. Much improved.

No McKegg, no Gauthier no Chytil, No Barron (needs more time in Hartford),

 

[duhmetreE]

about time

 

[MrAlmost]

Good. Things were getting a little too friendly around here.

 

[SA16]

Because Lehkonen makes 2.3 mil and needs a new contract this summer. If both are on the team next year, then we have even less money for a center.

You just trade for him as a rental, give him a qualifying offer, and then trade him in the offseason. Not every player has to be a long term solution.

 

[DanielBrassard]

You just trade for him as a rental, give him a qualifying offer, and then trade him in the offseason. Not every player has to be a long term solution.

This is true. Better than a pure rental because at least you would get something in return after this season.