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

[bbny]

Rangers get Arber Xhekaj, Owen Beck, Jared Davidson, 1st round pick
Habs get KAM

No.

Rangers can sell high on Miller. He does not seem like a long term piece here.

But also yes.

 

[Machinehead]

Didn't this guy used to be like 225lbs?
Veganism is a hell of a drug

He's probably closer to 235 now. A lot of guys still have their rookie height and weight listed.

Tage Thompson is listed at 6'6". He was 6'6" when they drafted him.

Alex Tuch is 6'4".

 

[surlysailor]

Considering the Rangers top prospects through the rebuild barely played in Hartford, which you noted, kind of proves the point that Knoblauch has not had much to work with. Plus those 4 guys all went to Hartford, figured things out and have been staples in the NHL since. He's a very good choice for HC given some of the crazy suggestions we've heard.

The issue I had with the statement is to say he's done "more with less" when he's barely done anything with less. Is more continuing to not make the playoffs in 3 out of 4 years while hardly developing NHLers? Is more relying on your career AHLers and still not being good enough for the playoffs? Is more having what was considered to be top prospects a the time continually not want to play with him?. Also I wouldn't say those players figured out something in 9-20ish games isn't necessarily correct. Igor just didn't have room when he came over but then injuries happened and then forced NYR to keep 3 goalies. Chytil had 9 its in 9 games and was too good for the AHL esp since he already NHL experience. Lindgren was prob ready but sent down because he was waiver exempt. Under his reign in Hartford, LA, VK, Lundkvist all asked to be moved instead of playing there or under him. Look I get all those players maybe didn't see a path to the NHL but LA has been up and down with the LAK & Ontario Reign, but as far as I've heard he not requested to get out of LAK org because he's too good for the AHL. Do you constantly hear every other teams top prospects wanting to be traded as soon as their sent to the AHL instead of the NHL? To me I just think somethings rotten in Hartford, whether that's the coach, the city or whatever I have not seen much to say KK is ready.

 

[Ruggs225]

Jones really needs to be up next year as 3ld… he will help puck movement at 5on5 but most importantly he can run PP2 and get trouba and or miller off of it because both are horrible at running the PP.

Hopefully nee coach has enough sense to let the kids bet some real burn and play through mistakes.

 

[McRanger92]

The issue I had with the statement is to say he's done "more with less" when he's barely done anything with less. Is more continuing to not make the playoffs in 3 out of 4 years while hardly developing NHLers? Is more relying on your career AHLers and still not being good enough for the playoffs? Is more having what was considered to be top prospects a the time continually not want to play with him?. Also I wouldn't say those players figured out something in 9-20ish games isn't necessarily correct. Igor just didn't have room when he came over but then injuries happened and then forced NYR to keep 3 goalies. Chytil had 9 its in 9 games and was too good for the AHL esp since he already NHL experience. Lindgren was prob ready but sent down because he was waiver exempt. Under his reign in Hartford, LA, VK, Lundkvist all asked to be moved instead of playing there or under him. Look I get all those players maybe didn't see a path to the NHL but LA has been up and down with the LAK & Ontario Reign, but as far as I've heard he not requested to get out of LAK org because he's too good for the AHL. Do you constantly hear every other teams top prospects wanting to be traded as soon as their sent to the AHL instead of the NHL? To me I just think somethings rotten in Hartford, whether that's the coach, the city or whatever I have not seen much to say KK is ready.

I dont really blame Knoblauch for Andersson & Kravtsov being busts. Both guys stink anyway, just because they bitched about being in HFD doesnt mean they were right lol. Lundkvist is completely different he was actually blocked at the NHL level.

The appeal of Knobhead is a consistent message from the Coaching Staff and Front Office. He's familiar with the players, prospects, and the NHL staff. He's been an OHL & AHL coach in multiple organizations. A minor league coach is only as good as the team's prospect pool, and Cooper & Bednar were nobodies before coming up through the ranks with their teams. I'd rather follow that blueprint than hire a retread like Laviolette or Boudreau, or go scorched earth with Roy or Messier. I dont think the team needs major changes.

 

[MrAlmost]

Panarin is the only big move that you need to make, if you can. That amount of cap space would completely change the team and we would have the ability to make a very deep and competitive team for the next 3 years.

Chances are we can't trade Panarin. So let's assume that doesn't happen.

Resign Laf, Miller and Jones. Talk to Motte and see what his thoughts are. If the deal is multiple years and you can get the cap number at around 1.1 million, I think that is a good resign. That leaves us with filling the openings from within. I don't think that is a bad idea at all.

Laf-Z-Kakko
Panarin-Chytil-Othmann
Kreider-Tro-Vesey
Cuylle-Goodrow-Motte
Brod

Miller-Fox
Jones-Trouba
Lindgren-Schneider
Harpur

Igor
Domingue

This team has anywhere between 50K in cap space up to 500K depending on what the RFA and Motte contracts are and assuming only a 1 million dollar cap increase. For more room and other reasons, some I agree with and some I don't, you can trade Goodrow for some picks. That of course gives much more cap space. I would like us to use those picks and the cap space on Nico Sturm. Fast, responsible, good on faceoffs, good on the forecheck, good age and signed for 2 seasons.

Give Cuylle, Othmann and Jones every chance to make it. The team will be faster for it.

As far as coach is concerned, I like some combo of War and Leach, but chances are you can't get both, so one or the other works. Either is a good hire. Knoblauch in Hartford is an interesting case. He hasn't had much to work with until the last half of this year, but he by no means is a young players coach. He has pretty much ridden his AHL vets to this point with the exception of Cuylle and Garand. (And Garand only lately)

I'm not sure he will come in and give Laf, Chytil and Kakko the 16+ minutes they need. And yes, I know they have not been great, and some will say they don't deserve that, but the Rangers need to know if these kids are going to dedicate themselves to getting better and take the next step, cause if not, other avenues need to be considered. And I think all 3 had good years for the record. I think they have earned the guaranteed top 6 minutes next year.

Kreider or Panarin are going to have to accept less minutes. My choice would actually be Kreider at 5v5 since he plays a considerable amount of PP and PK and he is getting older so best to limit him so he is more fresh in the playoffs cause we know Panarin isn't going to show up.

 

[Machinehead]

I don't care what people theorize on how in shape the Rangers are. The results tell me everything I need to know. They're 32nd in man games lost over the last two years, lapping the field.

One thing we've done right is our training program. Kravtsov obviously wasn't having it and he was the one guy who was getting hurt every time he was touched. He should have listened.

Andersson failed in another organization.

Those were just bad picks by a GM and scout who are gone now.

 

[Machinehead]

Give Cuylle, Othmann and Jones every chance to make it. The team will be faster for it.

I agree with giving these guys a chance but big no to the bolded.

Othmann skates a snail that's been dead for six hours.

 

[surlysailor]

I dont really blame Knoblauch for Andersson & Kravtsov being busts. Both guys stink anyway, just because they bitched about being in HFD doesnt mean they were right lol. Lundkvist is completely different he was actually blocked at the NHL level.

The appeal of Knobhead is a consistent message from the Coaching Staff and Front Office. He's familiar with the players, prospects, and the NHL staff. He's been an OHL & AHL coach in multiple organizations. A minor league coach is only as good as the team's prospect pool, and Cooper & Bednar were nobodies before coming up through the ranks with their teams. I'd rather follow that blueprint than hire a retread like Laviolette or Boudreau, or go scorched earth with Roy or Messier. I dont think the team needs major changes.

I don't blame him for them being busts, but both players did go down played some games in the AHL and then refused to continue there. Maybe each player thought worse players were in the NHL over them, or were being babies cause they thought they were ready or maybe something behind the scenes happened but (and maybe it's cause I follow nyr) but it seems like NYR tend to have players refusing to goto AHL more so than other teams. Now all that said, I'm not ruling out KK can turn things around and come up, I just don't think he's done enough to be called upon this early. I think a few more years esp when (hopefully) he'll actually have coached the NYR players that have come up through Hartford. Like when Cuylle, Jones & Othmann are actually on the NYR roster then I can see it, but for now I'd rather go with a guy like Brunette, Sturm, or Carbery

Also if you want to follow the blueprint for Bednar & Cooper, then maybe he should actually win something(Maybe he will this year) but Cooper won it with the TBL Hal team, Bednar did win the calder but with the CBJ AHL team not the Avs AHL team, so it's not like he came up through their system.

 

[NYR Viper]

Panarin is the only big move that you need to make, if you can. That amount of cap space would completely change the team and we would have the ability to make a very deep and competitive team for the next 3 years.

Chances are we can't trade Panarin. So let's assume that doesn't happen.

Resign Laf, Miller and Jones. Talk to Motte and see what his thoughts are. If the deal is multiple years and you can get the cap number at around 1.1 million, I think that is a good resign. That leaves us with filling the openings from within. I don't think that is a bad idea at all.

Laf-Z-Kakko
Panarin-Chytil-Othmann
Kreider-Tro-Vesey
Cuylle-Goodrow-Motte
Brod

Miller-Fox
Jones-Trouba
Lindgren-Schneider
Harpur

Igor
Domingue

This team has anywhere between 50K in cap space up to 500K depending on what the RFA and Motte contracts are and assuming only a 1 million dollar cap increase. For more room and other reasons, some I agree with and some I don't, you can trade Goodrow for some picks. That of course gives much more cap space. I would like us to use those picks and the cap space on Nico Sturm. Fast, responsible, good on faceoffs, good on the forecheck, good age and signed for 2 seasons.

Give Cuylle, Othmann and Jones every chance to make it. The team will be faster for it.

As far as coach is concerned, I like some combo of War and Leach, but chances are you can't get both, so one or the other works. Either is a good hire. Knoblauch in Hartford is an interesting case. He hasn't had much to work with until the last half of this year, but he by no means is a young players coach. He has pretty much ridden his AHL vets to this point with the exception of Cuylle and Garand. (And Garand only lately)

I'm not sure he will come in and give Laf, Chytil and Kakko the 16+ minutes they need. And yes, I know they have not been great, and some will say they don't deserve that, but the Rangers need to know if these kids are going to dedicate themselves to getting better and take the next step, cause if not, other avenues need to be considered. And I think all 3 had good years for the record. I think they have earned the guaranteed top 6 minutes next year.

Kreider or Panarin are going to have to accept less minutes. My choice would actually be Kreider at 5v5 since he plays a considerable amount of PP and PK and he is getting older so best to limit him so he is more fresh in the playoffs cause we know Panarin isn't going to show up.

I like Sturm, but no on trading for another 4th line center. If and when Goodrow is traded, either play Brodzinski and/or Lesyshyn or sign someone that costs no assets. Acciari, Eller, Blueger. None of those guys should come in at or really near $2m and all are solid 4th line centers at this point.

I also don't think Othmann is a NHL player yet. At least half a season, maybe more in the AHL will be good for him. There is no need to push him to the NHL yet.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Miller-Fox
Mikkola (3 x 2.5M)-Trouba
Jones-Schneider
Harpur

Use Lindgren to add speed to the forward group.

I almost had a stroke, that's the nemeth contract.

I love mikkola, he was great imo, and he hung in there with fox, when Lindy was out. But not that contract. I hope his camp is more interested in winning with with NYR rather than chasing the bag.

Hold Lafreniere at gunpoint and make him watch a Power Point presentation called, “The Magic and Mystique of Playing Right Wing”.

"And when you see that mountain of a defenseman closing in, always remember to:
Duck and cover."

 

[MrAlmost]

I agree with giving these guys a chance but big no to the bolded.

Othmann skates a snail that's been dead for six hours.

I think Othmann's skating is starting to be unjustly disparaged. He is not that bad, nor is he that slow. He should look to work on his explosiveness this summer, but honestly, there isn't a player on our roster sans Kreider and Miller that shouldn't work on their skating.

I like Sturm, but no on trading for another 4th line center. If and when Goodrow is traded, either play Brodzinski and/or Lesyshyn or sign someone that costs no assets. Acciari, Eller, Blueger. None of those guys should come in at or really near $2m and all are solid 4th line centers at this point.

I also don't think Othmann is a NHL player yet. At least half a season, maybe more in the AHL will be good for him. There is no need to push him to the NHL yet.

Fair point for Sturm, but the guys you listed are a collection of not as good at certain things or simply old and will provide no continuity. Though, yes I see the benefit in signing someone instead of trading for someone. No to Eller and Bluegar though. We should be looking at Rodrigues, Nosek, Accari and, surprisingly, Howden. Those are better 4th line center choices in my opinion, but Howden will never happen. It's still good to see him make a good name for himself in the league.

 

[Bruner4329]

Those advocating putting Laf and KK on the first line with Zibs because we need to know if they are the future is plain dumb. Sorry. No one here sees what goes on in practice and how these guys are working or not working. All we see is what happens in games and too often especially Laf disappears. I do like KK and believe he would be fine on a line with Zibs and CK because he does work the corners a bit. If guys want minutes they have to earn it plain and simple. A new coach coming in will evaluate and makes his choices but I can guarantee you he will not be making dumb moves just for the sake of increasing minutes for some people on this board desire.

 

[McRanger92]

Those advocating putting Laf and KK on the first line with Zibs because we need to know if they are the future is plain dumb. Sorry. No one here sees what goes on in practice and how these guys are working or not working. All we see is what happens in games and too often especially Laf disappears. I do like KK and believe he would be fine on a line with Zibs and CK because he does work the corners a bit. If guys want minutes they have to earn it plain and simple. A new coach coming in will evaluate and makes his choices but I can guarantee you he will not be making dumb moves just for the sake of increasing minutes for some people on this board desire.

The next coach should prioritize making it work with Lafreniere and the rest of the youth, because if not we'll be looking for a new coach and GM in 2 years. It's not hard to understand.

 

[surlysailor]

Those advocating putting Laf and KK on the first line with Zibs because we need to know if they are the future is plain dumb. Sorry. No one here sees what goes on in practice and how these guys are working or not working. All we see is what happens in games and too often especially Laf disappears. I do like KK and believe he would be fine on a line with Zibs and CK because he does work the corners a bit. If guys want minutes they have to earn it plain and simple. A new coach coming in will evaluate and makes his choices but I can guarantee you he will not be making dumb moves just for the sake of increasing minutes for some people on this board desire.

Yup it's completely dumb... I mean we see what the beats tweet out at every practice, so it's not like it's even being contemplated, or tried out in practice. Laf disappears? SO does every other player, meanwhile CK-Z have this supposed chemistry but CK (who I really do like) goes missing all the time, he has better line mates, gets more minutes at 5v5 and still had less 5v5 points than the disappearing Laf. I guess because fans don't see practice and only see the in game results GG was right to keep trying to force Troch and Panarin together even though it was like a square peg into a round hole. Maybe the two of them scored a ton in practice but since it didn't translate to in game success fans are wrong and shouldn't suggest breaking the two of them up.

 

[JHS]

The next coach should prioritize making it work with Lafreniere and the rest of the youth, because if not we'll be looking for a new coach and GM in 2 years. It's not hard to understand.

No- No to basically every point you made. Their window to win the cup is the next 2 years and then they won't be able to afford many of the guys on the roster when their next contracts come do. It's clear that's what management thinks too since they went all in this year.

 

[McRanger92]

No- No to basically every point you made. Their window to win the cup is the next 2 years and then they won't be able to afford many of the guys on the roster when their next contracts come do. It's clear that's what management thinks too since they went all in this year.

The window is only 2 years if they make it 2 years. If they fizzle next year it's likely that one or both of Trouba and Kreider will be traded when their NMCs move to NTCs. They tried the all-in approach the last 2 years and it didnt work, because the veterans couldn't get it done on their own. Incorporating the kids into the top 6 and PP, so 18 skaters can actually function as a TEAM, should be priority 1. It's the last thing they havent tried to get Panarin going too.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Those advocating putting Laf and KK on the first line with Zibs because we need to know if they are the future is plain dumb. Sorry. No one here sees what goes on in practice and how these guys are working or not working. All we see is what happens in games and too often especially Laf disappears. I do like KK and believe he would be fine on a line with Zibs and CK because he does work the corners a bit. If guys want minutes they have to earn it plain and simple. A new coach coming in will evaluate and makes his choices but I can guarantee you he will not be making dumb moves just for the sake of increasing minutes for some people on this board desire.

This "earn it" bit is old...
Kakko started the season on the first line, and was absolutely dominant.
The problem was the other lines.
Yet Kakko lost ice time, not the other players.

Laf and Kakko need 18 minutes a game now. Give them pp1.

 

[surlysailor]

No- No to basically every point you made. Their window to win the cup is the next 2 years and then they won't be able to afford many of the guys on the roster when their next contracts come do. It's clear that's what management thinks too since they went all in this year.

The next coach should prioritize what works. Stop just throwing the vets or putting lines together based on salary. They have an entire season to optimize the lineup instead of just sticking to what they view is the best line. For instance everyone thinks CK-Z have the best chemistry because they're besties. To me, they've been fine but they haven't fully clicked without Buch. They work fantastic as dual threats on the PP but not a 5v5 line. For me, and I don't have advanced stats or anything to prove it but at 5v5 CK worked best with Troch. They have a similar style of play but when you have a coach who is stubborn and changes things up only to wake up his players and then go straight back to a line that was ok at best doesn't do what's best for the team. Again I'm not saying Laf-Z-KK would be the best line but how can you ever know that they're not unless you actually try it for more than a shift or two(if at all).

 

[McRanger92]

This "earn it" bit is old...
Kakko started the season on the first line, and was absolutely dominant.
The problem was the other lines.
Yet Kakko lost ice time, not the other players.

Laf and Kakko need 18 minutes a game now. Give them pp1.

Bingo. Why did we rebuild if were never going to give them a shot? All the kids earned it by sitting behind the vets while they played pond hockey for 3 years.

 

[surlysailor]

This "earn it" bit is old...
Kakko started the season on the first line, and was absolutely dominant.
The problem was the other lines.
Yet Kakko lost ice time, not the other players.

Laf and Kakko need 18 minutes a game now. Give them pp1.

100% this, I will also add I feel like KZKK broke up not just because of the otherlines but because they had no puck luck. I don't remember a single line hitting so many posts & just getting absolutely goalied for 5 or so games.

 

[LionsHeart]

This "earn it" bit is old...
Kakko started the season on the first line, and was absolutely dominant.
The problem was the other lines.
Yet Kakko lost ice time, not the other players.

Laf and Kakko need 18 minutes a game now. Give them pp1.

Completely agree. Kakko especially earned more time and a bigger role. He should’ve have PP1 time, especially when it wasn’t working and they were looking for answers.

I also thought Chytil earned the 2C spot last post-season. Also I love Trocheck, but that contract wasn’t the way to go.

 

[CLW]

Completely agree. Kakko especially earned more time and a bigger role. He should’ve have PP1 time, especially when it wasn’t working and they were looking for answers.

I also thought Chytil earned the 2C spot last post-season. Also I love Trocheck, but that contract wasn’t the way to go.

With Tro we have three big horses in the middle but no one, maybe Zib, who can put his stick on the puck and take charge or dictate play. We need a different look at least on one line imo.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

How about Nylander? Doesn't have a lot of points but he looks dominant with the puck.

This is the organization's philosophy for sure... imagine him with Kakko... so many LOOKS.

 

[Kravtsov420]

Barring something crazy, I think the next coach will be our coach for a long time simply for the fact Drury can't risk drawing the eye of Sauron any further.

So he is going to pick someone where the coach is going to be in sync with him and his moves.

Harder to make an old dog learn new tricks so I think he'll actually go with someone who he can groom for the forseeable future. Whether that be Knoblauch, Leach, etc. I think it would be a newer coach.

The next coach has to absolutely be the right coach because there isn't any margin for error anymore. And if he isn't the right fit, we're going to be stuck with him for a while regardless.