Speculation: Roster Building Thread VI (2019/2020)

[egelband]

And the reality is that the odds of all of these kids becoming everything we hope from them is pretty slim.

While it's nice to imagine Chytil-Andersson-Howden all slotting down the middle of the lineup in 2025, it's probably not going to happen.

But whatever they end up becoming, or not becoming, it's waaaaaay too early to tell right now. Because judging by them at their best and their worst, right now, is going to give some very polarized results.

Fact.
Sticky this.

 

[egelband]

I get all that, that's fair.

It's just that right now, we're up against the cap and we suck at center.

Being an expensive team that sucks at center sums up 80 years of Rangers hockey, so I fully understand why people are jumpy right now and I think they need their space to vent.

Unironically, your patience is admirable but most people aren't going to make it through the entire rebuild without giving their opinions.

Nah. Maybe I'm being a Pollyanna but they're only cap-screwed for this season. And they need to be careful next season. I'll worry when I see another Spooner or Staal deal. But at this moment I'm absolutely cool with how the process is playing out. This year is a learning year. I expect things to fall into place next year and onward. And so far JG and co. haven't screwed up anything. Certainly no reason to be down now.

 

[pld459666]

When Andersson took #28 the first former Ranger I thought of was Larmer.

For me, its Sandstrom

 

[egelband]

For me, its Sandstrom

Maybe for Andersson too?

 

[Synergy27]

In many ways, it's too bad we only had Larmer for the last two years of his career and with a bad back.

I think he would've been one of the most loved players in franchise history had he spent his prime here.

He’s one of my most loved players anyway. He was basically a perfect hockey player. Hard nosed, defensively responsible, excellent goal scorer, took slappers on breakaways. Love him.

 

[Procrastinator]

He’s one of my most loved players anyway. He was basically a perfect hockey player. Hard nosed, defensively responsible, excellent goal scorer, took slappers on breakaways. Love him.

I can’t really think of one larmer since larmer in the nhl. Very unique player.

 

[Gardner McKay]

One more day. Absolutely cannot wait. I don't care if by the end of the game Howden is on the 1st line and Staal has played 24 minutes. I am just thirsting for Rangers hockey.

 

[Fugazy]

One more day. Absolutely cannot wait. I don't care if by the end of the game Howden is on the 1st line and Staal has played 24 minutes. I am just thirsting for Rangers hockey.

 

[True Blue]

I can’t really think of one larmer since larmer in the nhl. Very unique player.

More skilled that Steve Thomas, just as gritty, just did not drop the gloves as much. Or at all.

 

[LeetchisGod]

He’s one of my most loved players anyway. He was basically a perfect hockey player. Hard nosed, defensively responsible, excellent goal scorer, took slappers on breakaways. Love him.

Couldn't agree more. One of my favorite players even as a Blackhawk.

 

[EdJovanovski]

A lot of rumor pages on social media are claiming we’re naming Zibanejad captain tomorrow night, is there any source on this? It definitely seems like they’ve been priming him to be captain with these segments on MSG about how much of a leader he is but I haven’t seen any insiders claiming they’re naming him captain; or that we’re even naming a captain this season.

 

[Leonardo87]

A lot of rumor pages on social media are claiming we’re naming Zibanejad captain tomorrow night, is there any source on this? It definitely seems like they’ve been priming him to be captain with these segments on MSG about how much of a leader he is but I haven’t seen any insiders claiming they’re naming him captain; or that we’re even naming a captain this season.

I expect Mika to be wearing the "C" on opening night, will be introduced when they announce players onto the ice.

 

[haveandare]

A lot of rumor pages on social media are claiming we’re naming Zibanejad captain tomorrow night, is there any source on this? It definitely seems like they’ve been priming him to be captain with these segments on MSG about how much of a leader he is but I haven’t seen any insiders claiming they’re naming him captain; or that we’re even naming a captain this season.

Vinca alluded to the possibility in a recent article. I think it’s a pretty safe bet.

 

[Edge]

A lot of rumor pages on social media are claiming we’re naming Zibanejad captain tomorrow night, is there any source on this? It definitely seems like they’ve been priming him to be captain with these segments on MSG about how much of a leader he is but I haven’t seen any insiders claiming they’re naming him captain; or that we’re even naming a captain this season.

I think Zibanejad would definitely be the front runner for the next captain.

I can't say I've heard anything directly saying as much, nor have I had the time to ask, but I have heard for a while how much of a presence he's been over the last year or so. I think we see glimpses of that in what the Rangers share, but he's definitely embraced that role behind the scenes from what little I've heard.

 

[Irishguy42]

I expect Mika to be wearing the "C" on opening night, will be introduced when they announce players onto the ice.

That's how I see it too.

They'll have all the players come out to center ice in numerical order, but Mika isn't announced. Crowd gets jittery, thinking "Is he an alternate captain?" Then over the PA, they announce the alternate captains. Mika not there. Crowd gets on their feet and cheers louder. And then over the PA...

"AND NOW, THE CAPTAIN OF YOUR NEW YORK RANGERS...MIKAAAAAAAAAAA ZIBANEJAD!"

MSG erupts into thunderous applause and cheering, and the entirety of the building collapses on itself.

 

[Tawnos]

That's how I see it too.

They'll have all the players come out to center ice in numerical order, but Mika isn't announced. Crowd gets jittery, thinking "Is he an alternate captain?" Then over the PA, they announce the alternate captains. Mika not there. Crowd gets on their feet and cheers louder. And then over the PA...

"AND NOW, THE CAPTAIN OF YOUR NEW YORK RANGERS...MIKAAAAAAAAAAA ZIBANEJAD!"

MSG erupts into thunderous applause and cheering, and the entirety of the building collapses on itself.

If the players are announced in numerical order, wouldn't Zibanejad be last anyway?

 

[Leonardo87]

That's how I see it too.

They'll have all the players come out to center ice in numerical order, but Mika isn't announced. Crowd gets jittery, thinking "Is he an alternate captain?" Then over the PA, they announce the alternate captains. Mika not there. Crowd gets on their feet and cheers louder. And then over the PA...

"AND NOW, THE CAPTAIN OF YOUR NEW YORK RANGERS...MIKAAAAAAAAAAA ZIBANEJAD!"

MSG erupts into thunderous applause and cheering, and the entirety of the building collapses on itself.

Makes me want to go to opening night. I have Comic Con tomorrow, but will be done around 7pm, so can maybe run to the game, but would likely miss the intros.

 

[Zibanejbread]

 

[Tawnos]

Honestly, he earned it. And I'm not a fan of his.

 

[Kovalev27]

I like him there and that ability to slide into the pk defensive rotation. Neither DeAngelo or Fox are pkers they’re going to have to learn it eventually but for now I like the versatility.

 

[Savant]

When Andersson took #28 the first former Ranger I thought of was Larmer.

Colton Orr. lol

 

[Bob Richards]

Super utility man Brendan Smith

He plays 4th line wing, defense and 2nd base

 

[Savant]

Honestly, he earned it. And I'm not a fan of his.

With Howden and Lemieux?

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Zib should absolutely be captain. If you watch him in practice he is always helping the kids and calling players out when they dont put the effort in or cheat a drill. I'm really hoping he is around when this team goes to the finals.

 

[Savant]

I think Zibanejad would definitely be the front runner for the next captain.

I can't say I've heard anything directly saying as much, nor have I had the time to ask, but I have heard for a while how much of a presence he's been over the last year or so. I think we see glimpses of that in what the Rangers share, but he's definitely embraced that role behind the scenes from what little I've heard.

Hopefully captaincy comes with an extension.