Roster Building Thread VI (2022-23): Offseason edition

[McRanger92]

I get the need and idea of Fast. But cost and never staying healthy is why we let him go. We are already need to get rid of Goodrow and the noose on our cap points to minimum $ vets and kids needing to fill the bottom 6.

This team needs to figure out the coach situation ASAP and build the team off of that. The coach and GM need to be on the same page and that hasn't been the case.

Fast produced less than any of our Kids. I can't imagine he is making a substantial raise off the 2mil he is now. If you can turn Goodrow's 3.6 into Fast (2.5) and a 4C like Eller/Acciari (1.1-1.3), I think that's a win. Fast is literally the only winger who has ever been able to open up space for Panarin and he's a homegrown guy they never shouldve let leave. I also never realized what a POS he was to play against until he left the Rangers. He'd also help the locker room considering he has been a teammate of 75% of the players.

 

[redwhiteandblue]

I skipped 8 pages of catching up because I feel like there needed to be a devil's advocate. I love Key, great pick, glad we traded up, and he absolutely has shades of Hedman.

But he was Jekyll and Hyde this year. I won't go as far as labeling him as 'regressed', don't want to trigger anyone lol, but if you think this was a totally positive year, you are not watching.

He was so bad some games. A lot of games he was not even middling, he was polarizing. He'd have great shifts, and really display how he can utilize his range to control the ice, and even chip in here and there offensively... then he'd have equally as many shifts where he's blowing a D zone coverage, making a piss poor outlet pass, or just blowing a play. It was painfully obvious. Anyone thinking otherwise is choosing to wear rose-colored lenses on this one.

By no means am I saying to trade him, or trying to crucify him... but it wasn't the best year. Reading some people defend him blindly is kind of weird. He legit was far from perfect, but he flashed some absolute brilliance, but only at times. I'm happy to have him and still think he can hit a Hedman-like ceiling but it was a tough but positive year for him IMO.

 

[Ruggs225]

The shouting match between him and Gallant says otherwise

What shouting match? I feel like i missed something

 

[BroadwayHustle]

I skipped 8 pages of catching up because I feel like there needed to be a devil's advocate. I love Key, great pick, glad we traded up, and he absolutely has shades of Hedman.

But he was Jekyll and Hyde this year. I won't go as far as labeling him as 'regressed', don't want to trigger anyone lol, but if you think this was a totally positive year, you are not watching.

He was so bad some games. A lot of games he was not even middling, he was polarizing. He'd have great shifts, and really display how he can utilize his range to control the ice, and even chip in here and there offensively... then he'd have equally as many shifts where he's blowing a D zone coverage, making a piss poor outlet pass, or just blowing a play. It was painfully obvious. Anyone thinking otherwise is choosing to wear rose-colored lenses on this one.

By no means am I saying to trade him, or trying to crucify him... but it wasn't the best year. Reading some people defend him blindly is kind of weird. He legit was far from perfect, but he flashed some absolute brilliance, but only at times. I'm happy to have him and still think he can hit a Hedman-like ceiling but it was a tough but positive year for him IMO.

I know most people are saying "system problem", but besides him deferring to Trouba it absolutely seems to be the case.

Miller would drift back into his own end and pass across to Trouba for Trouba to try some shit stretch pass that would 90% of the time be deflected in deep for a dump in. Miller just needs to use his legs and have a controlled zone entry and he will go from "regressed" back to his form against the Penguins in the playoffs last year.

 

[UnSandvich]

I also think Miller would be looked at a lot better if he didn't have to cover for injured Trouba for most of the season. By the end of the season you could tell he was getting worn down by it, even if Trouba was rebounding to being a top 4 dman again

 

[McRanger92]

What shouting match? I feel like i missed something

Staple and Friedman both confirmed a loud argument between management and the coaching staff after one of the games against the Devils

 

[MrAlmost]

Miller had a good year. He is a massive keeper. Fantastic pick. Fantastic player. Even Erik Karlsson played bad games this season. Some bad games does not a season make.

 

[RangerBoy]

What shouting match? I feel like i missed something

Elliotte Friedman reported the Rangers coaching staff and management had an argument after the game 4. He made those comments earlier this week.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I skipped 8 pages of catching up because I feel like there needed to be a devil's advocate. I love Key, great pick, glad we traded up, and he absolutely has shades of Hedman.

But he was Jekyll and Hyde this year. I won't go as far as labeling him as 'regressed', don't want to trigger anyone lol, but if you think this was a totally positive year, you are not watching.

He was so bad some games. A lot of games he was not even middling, he was polarizing. He'd have great shifts, and really display how he can utilize his range to control the ice, and even chip in here and there offensively... then he'd have equally as many shifts where he's blowing a D zone coverage, making a piss poor outlet pass, or just blowing a play. It was painfully obvious. Anyone thinking otherwise is choosing to wear rose-colored lenses on this one.

By no means am I saying to trade him, or trying to crucify him... but it wasn't the best year. Reading some people defend him blindly is kind of weird. He legit was far from perfect, but he flashed some absolute brilliance, but only at times. I'm happy to have him and still think he can hit a Hedman-like ceiling but it was a tough but positive year for him IMO.

No one said he was perfect or even close to it lol.

I don't even think anything you said here was even wrong, but I've never seen a player on this board who draws more bad analysis than Miller. There are really 2 or 3 morons who are driving that bus (they know who they are, and no its not anyone who I've responded to in this thread.)

I've grown tired of shit takes here and call it out when ever I see them. He happens to attract more of it than other players for some reason.

 

[DanielBrassard]

This is what ryan Strome said in his first camp.

“Even from the first game we had the other night, what [Gallant] expects and demands on the bench isn’t anything no one’s capable of. It’s keep pucks out of the middle, chip it in and chip it out, don’t beat yourselves and support the puck. Other than that, it’s kind of go out there and play.”

That is his entire system. And u see it on the ice. Chip, chip, smack puck around the boards, and then free for all.

Meanwhile teams like the Devils value having the puck and utilize the middle of the ice. They arent chipping it out, they make short passes and go forward together.

Gallant is a joke. But the Rangers will be a bigger joke if we keep this idiot on the bench next year for his inevitable mid season firing to shakeup our lackluster play.

Get rid of this guy today, and hire a coach who preaches using the middle of the ice. What is this garbage.

 

[Tob]

I can't imagine Drury would be yelling in the middle of the locker room and stuff. After game 4 would have been at home too so plenty of opportunity for privacy. No chance this got out now accidentally.

 

[RangerBoy]

I'm not a big fan the term "lateral" when it comes to a new coach. I know it was a direct quote from one of the guys reporting on it in the article from yesterday but a coach that's beginning to fray for a new coach with a fresh perspective and approach isn't like trading in a Honda for a Subaru or BMW. Freshly hired Gallant and entering year 3 Gallant are clearly two difference entities. It's not just the brand name of a coach.

This board was right when it came time to move on from Torts and his caveman hockey that Sather flip flopped before firing. This board was woefully correct about AV's expiry date heading into his final season. The level of noise was pretty loud after Quinn's sweep against play-in Carolina. Some of it is the benefit of hindsight but generally GM changes and coaching changes in the league come too late even if fans are apes when it comes to calling for the heads of coaches and GMs.

Gallant's short shelf life is now repeating for a 3rd time and it's no coincidence. The headbutting with FLA owners, VGK management, and now the heated exchange with Drury that got leaked purposefully. If I were a betting man, I'd say next season won't be pretty if we bring back Gallant on the hot seat immediately. The past shelf life season of a coach is some of the most dreadful for an organization.

The Rangers reportedly looked into hiring another coach last fall when the team was struggling. Elliotte Friedman reported the Rangers looked around and there was no one available to hire. These teams keep recycling the same coaches.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Miller needs to be the alpha on his pairing. He'd work great with a solid, low key Top4D like a Dylan Demelo.

It's hard to play your game when your defensive partner might fumble the puck or shoot into shin pads.

It makes you have to back off and be passive. That's what I see a lot with KAM having to play with Trouba.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I can't imagine Drury would be yelling in the middle of the locker room and stuff. After game 4 would have been at home too so plenty of opportunity for privacy. No chance this got out now accidentally.

I'm sure that the media heard it but people aren't going to air this kind of laundry while teams are still playing if they want to maintain a positive relationship with the organization.

 

[McRanger92]

The Rangers reportedly looked into hiring another coach last fall when the team was struggling. Elliotte Friedman reported the Rangers looked around and there was no one available to hire. These teams keep recycling the same coaches.

I'm going to keep harping on Knoblauch. He's relatively unproven but he's got a lot of experience in the OHL & AHL. And I'll make the Boone/Yankees comparison again. Drury is the head honcho. President AND GM etc. The Gallant hire has served its purpose but clearly there is a disconnect now. If Drury wants to build this team his way, he needs to hire a coach to push his message AND show the veterans that he is the boss and this is how things are going to go. If they don't like it, request a trade. We have plenty of hungry young players who will gladly take on more responsibility.

Waiting for the HFD playoff run to end tracks with why we haven't heard anything yet. And oh yeah, did I mention he coached McDavid for 3 years with the Erie Otters? That doesn't hurt his resume either.

 

[Perratrooper]

Soooo any interest in moving either Laf or Kakko or both to Colorado? If so what would be the ask?

 

[Tob]

Smooth brain hradek neglects that the Rangers have a loaded team with an all star goalie and their regular season record isn't even that great.

 

[Ruggs225]

Drury also knows that this is his last chance. If the next hire fails… so does he. Its alot of pressure on him as well and we know he doesn’t make rash decisions.

I wouldnt be surprised if nothing was done till after the season ends. There is no actual rush since its not like this roster will change much anyway.

 

[McRanger92]

Soooo any interest in moving either Laf or Kakko or both to Colorado? If so what would be the ask?

Byram or no dice. Rangers have no reason to trade them outside of an overpay

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Drury is currently using back channels to scheme a way for Sullivan to resign but be allowed to coach next year for the Rangers lmao

 

[Perratrooper]

Byram or no dice. Rangers have no reason to trade them outside of an overpay

Completely fair, wasn’t sure if Rangers fans had soured on either or if they’d be looking for a swap around a player like Newhook with maybe a small plus to even things out.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I'm going to keep harping on Knoblauch. He's relatively unproven but he's got a lot of experience in the OHL & AHL. And I'll make the Boone/Yankees comparison again. Drury is the head honcho. President AND GM etc. The Gallant hire has served its purpose but clearly there is a disconnect now. If Drury wants to build this team his way, he needs to hire a coach to push his message AND show the veterans that he is the boss and this is how things are going to go. If they don't like it, request a trade. We have plenty of hungry young players who will gladly take on more responsibility.

Waiting for the HFD playoff run to end tracks with why we haven't heard anything yet. And oh yeah, did I mention he coached McDavid for 3 years with the Erie Otters? That doesn't hurt his resume either.

Oh we don't want that to manifest itself here LOL.

That said, Knoblauch at least has extensive coaching experience at lower levels. Boone never managed a game in his life before getting the Yankee job but hiring a guy with no NHL HC experience is a realllllllyy tough sell. Hartford has to either go deep or probably win the calder cup in impressive fashion in order for that to even be on the radar.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Soooo any interest in moving either Laf or Kakko or both to Colorado? If so what would be the ask?

As mcranger said, Byram would probably be the ask and he fills a need for the Rangers but Idk how interesting that is for you guys.

 

[redwhiteandblue]

I know most people are saying "system problem", but besides him deferring to Trouba it absolutely seems to be the case.

Miller would drift back into his own end and pass across to Trouba for Trouba to try some shit stretch pass that would 90% of the time be deflected in deep for a dump in. Miller just needs to use his legs and have a controlled zone entry and he will go from "regressed" back to his form against the Penguins in the playoffs last year.

I personally don't buy much of the he-was-carrying-Trouba narrative. Perhaps you could blame the system, but if that's the case, what are we blaming Gallant for then, if we do in fact have a system?

No one said he was perfect or even close to it lol.

I don't even think anything you said here was even wrong, but I've never seen a player on this board who draws more bad analysis than Miller. There are really 2 or 3 morons who are driving that bus (they know who they are, and no its not anyone who I've responded to in this thread.)

I've grown tired of shit takes here and call it out when ever I see them. He happens to attract more of it than other players for some reason.

Haha yeah I'm not saying he's supposed to be perfect either, but he seems to be getting a lot of 'meh it's whatever' around here when honestly his play was inconsistent as f***. Perhaps that, if anything, is rubbing off on him from Trouba. I'm not even trying to bash him, but I do have a brutally honest personality (my ole lady would attest to this ).

I'll even say it again, I'm pumped to have him. There's more good than bad, and you simply can't teach that size paired with that athleticism. Maybe getting him away from Trouba would help, I have been in the camp I'd like to roll him with Fox for a bit now. I'm not ready to start looking externally as to why he was so inconsistent. When it was bad, it was bad. It is what it is. When it was good, oh baby, it was good. Like most young players, he needs to learn to get more consistent and stabilize his high end play.

Also as far as the bolded, you've been here so '08 so you can't possibly even believe that yourself lol.

I can't imagine Drury would be yelling in the middle of the locker room and stuff. After game 4 would have been at home too so plenty of opportunity for privacy. No chance this got out now accidentally.

The report was it was behind closed doors and the players could hear. I don't find it that farfetched.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Smooth brain hradek neglects that the Rangers have a loaded team with an all star goalie and their regular season record isn't even that great.

In Gallant's tenure:
73-26-12 with Igor
26-20-7 with anyone else

When Igor is in net they are a 117 point / season team
When he is not in net they are a 91 point / season team

Now I'm sure this disparity applies to starters generally. But the fact of the matter is under Gallant, without Igor in net they are a 91 point team. Bubble playoff team.