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

[IDvsEGO]

Newhook has 66 points in 159 career games. That's an average of .415 points per game.

Laf has 91 points in 216 games. That's an average of .421 points per game.

Newhook got a 4 year deal (will still be an RFA at the end). Laf will get 2 years, so I would expect the AAV to be around 2.6 mil.

Laf also started at 18, newhook at 20.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

$11.6M aav, 90 point Panarin has 1 point in 7 games against NJ but its on Laffy and Kakko? Thats nonsense. Your best players have to be your best players to win a Stanley Cup. The prior run panarin put up some points but he was a turnover machine. He's reason #1 for this team coming up short in the post season.

Even if we take last year out of the equation (where there was A LOT of blame to go around) and go to the playoff run the season before.

When looking at the top 9 in its entirety in relation to role/expectations - There was a single forward who severely underperformed even from a pure production standpoint (since thats what his support group wants to focus on) - That guy was Panarin. His production wasn't even really acceptable given his role/usage/salary and as you said, looked better than his actual on ice play did. He had his moments (G7 OT winner, the play off the wall that set up the sequence on the Strome whiff vs Tampa, really all of G3 vs Pitt where he was pretty great) but they were mere flashes.

If they get what he's supposedly capable of providing in 2022, they probably win the whole thing.

If someone wants to tell me that the team almost to a whole underperformed this year I will agree with that. I don't think that applies to the year before and if we're venn diagraming the two playoff runs and players who under performed, Panarin is the only player right in the middle.

Now the one thing I DO agree with is that if this team wants to win, someone else needs to step up and become an impact player because Panarin isn't capable of being one anymore.

 

[Barnaby]

Kreider-Mika-Kakko
Panarin-Chytil-Lafreniere
Goodrow-Trocheck-Wheeler

Kakko and Lafreniere need to play in the top 6 and receive meaningful power play minutes. Just trade them if that is not the case. End the charade and move on. It's ridiculous. Stop throwing obstacles in their directions. Strome leaves as a free agent and Trocheck is signed to replace him. Gallant didn’t put Lafreniere or Kakko on the PP to replace Strome. Trocheck replaced Strome on the PP because according to Gallant the bumper needs to be a righty because the Rangers set up the PP from that side. Here comes Tarasenko and especially Kane right before the trading deadline. The righty in the bumper is ancient history. Such bullshit.

Kreider - Zib - Kakko
Panarin - Chytil - Wheeler
Lafreniere - Trocheck - Goodrow

Though I’m sure everyone will have a meltdown that Lafreniere isn’t on the top line. Spread the kids out.

 

[I Eat Crow]

Kreider-Mika-Kakko
Panarin-Chytil-Lafreniere
Goodrow-Trocheck-Wheeler

Kakko and Lafreniere need to play in the top 6 and receive meaningful power play minutes. Just trade them if that is not the case. End the charade and move on. It's ridiculous. Stop throwing obstacles in their directions. Strome leaves as a free agent and Trocheck is signed to replace him. Gallant didn’t put Lafreniere or Kakko on the PP to replace Strome. Trocheck replaced Strome on the PP because according to Gallant the bumper needs to be a righty because the Rangers set up the PP from that side. Here comes Tarasenko and especially Kane right before the trading deadline. The righty in the bumper is ancient history. Such bullshit.

In theory we're agreeing but that second line has the potential to get absolutely caved in at even strength.

I'd separate Kreider and Zibanejad too. Two players that play best as volume shooters that were constantly deferring to each other instead of letting it rip. Wheeler needs to be on a line with someone that will bury the chances he sets up. Chytil is a good finisher. I can see that working. Lafreniere there to facilitate and finish as well. He can benefit from Wheeler mentoring him. Wheeler is supposedly a heavy handed leader? Good. He needs to give Lafreniere and Kakko tough love.

 

[bernmeister]

Berne, @kilowatt is on my ignore list for the last year.

I believe his ideas for Kings is so impatient and not strategical that does not need to be taken seriously.

This is my opinion only...

Your opinion, like everyone else's, is valid until it disqualifies itself as a matter of merit.

I use that standard for you, for him, for everybody.
Obv, as a follower of Rs who only glances occasionally at LAK, I can not provide critical assessment at this time, specifically.

I share your concerns as to going win now generally -- in fact almost always -- is not a good idea. A visible exception is a team that has a window about to close; one last push may or may not make sense. That is NOT LA today.

Howev, Shesty or other high end Vez quality guy should not be ignored. And I don't see anyone other than Helleb. possibly being made available.

Whether or not my premise is good w/most Kings fans, and by how much, if at all, is a full discussion yet to be had, with full consideration to not only my prop, but variations on this deal.

Your vote vs is acknowledged with thanks for the contribution.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Kreider - Zib - Kakko
Panarin - Chytil - Wheeler
Lafreniere - Trocheck - Goodrow

Though I’m sure everyone will have a meltdown that Lafreniere isn’t on the top line. Spread the kids out.

Spreading the kids out is what we’ve tried for the past 3 years. Let’s keep trying the exact same thing over and over again?

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Wheeler and Panarin is not a combo I have any interest in seeing what so ever.

Thats going to result in a ton of chances going the other way and no one ever shooting the puck.

 

[bernmeister]

He 100% can, but he was basically tied down to Panarin last season. Panarin would have to be with Zibanejad or Chytil so Trocheck can be more of a shutdown type player.

The question becomes what line does Panarin fit with? Panarin/Zibanejad has not been a great fit, so that would mean Chytil. I think this was one of the possibilities we saw when Panarin signed that maybe Chytil can fill a role similar to what PLD did with him in Columbus. If you want a shutdown line with Trocheck, this is probably the way to go:

Lafreniere-Zibanejad-Kakko
Panarin-Chytil-Vesey
Kreider-Trocheck-Wheeler

Maybe you can swap Vesey and Wheeler at times, late in games when you really need the offense, but someone needs to be the defensive conscience of the line. I think that is the best course of action to begin with. Laf/Kakko get to play with Mika. Sink or swim time. I'm putting them on the same PP unit too.

Kreider-Mika-Kakko
Panarin-Chytil-Lafreniere
Goodrow-Trocheck-Wheeler

Kakko and Lafreniere need to play in the top 6 and receive meaningful power play minutes. Just trade them if that is not the case. End the charade and move on. It's ridiculous. Stop throwing obstacles in their directions. Strome leaves as a free agent and Trocheck is signed to replace him. Gallant didn’t put Lafreniere or Kakko on the PP to replace Strome. Trocheck replaced Strome on the PP because according to Gallant the bumper needs to be a righty because the Rangers set up the PP from that side. Here comes Tarasenko and especially Kane right before the trading deadline. The righty in the bumper is ancient history. Such bullshit.

Again:
kid line = 1st line, no changes, everybody gets max mins
Kreid - Zib + ________ best fit = 2nd line, to start
_______ presum Cuylie/Othmann - Tro - bread = 3rd line
best of rest = 4th line

I want Panarin to choke on some humble effin pie.
If he doesn't like it, let him waive.

And I agree w/ @RangerBoy 9+ out of 10. Howev, let's be clear. We sell anybody b'c it is profitable to do so, = makes most sense overall.
But unless a signif offer is to be had, I am def not moving KK and I want to realize top dollar for LaF = next steve vickers. We should not move them to accommodate the vets, move the vets, develop the youth, keeps roster more affordable = mo depth and better flexibility.

 

[GAGLine]

Laf also started at 18, newhook at 20.

This is true. Laf has played more games as well and is younger. All of these things will factor into the number, but I don't expect them to be significant considerations.

 

[Barnaby]

Absolutely. Trochek and Staal took the hard defensive assignments in Carolina to free up Aho to contribute more on offense.

Novel concept, I know. Maybe the Rangers should try that for Zibanejad.


Panarin-Zib-Kakko
Lafreniere-Chytil-Wheeler
Kreider-Trochek-Goodrow (matchup line)
Vesey-Bonino-Belzile/Pitlick

Is what I'd like to see to start. Cuylle, Berard, Othmann marinate in Hartford and earn it. Give Lafreniere and Kakko the ball with top 6 minutes and Lafreniere PP1 time on the right wall. Kakko net front guy on PP2.

I’d be worried about the speed on that second line. Laf and Wheeler aren’t burners.

Spreading the kids out is what we’ve tried for the past 3 years. Let’s keep trying the exact same thing over and over again?

We spread them out? I thought they mostly played together….? I’m talking about insulating them with veterans on each line.

 

[I Eat Crow]

I’d be worried about the speed on that second line. Laf and Wheeler aren’t burners.


We spread them out? I thought they mostly played together….? I’m talking about insulating them with veterans on each line.

None of those 4 lines are going to be "fast". This isn't a fast forward corps overall except for Chytil, Kreider and Zibanejad really.

I wish the narrative that Lafreniere is a bad skater would die already.

 

[Levitate]

The thing with Panarin is that I don’t think he’s struggled in the playoffs for lack of effort (at least last year)
So maybe it’s just bad luck last year, maybe he’s gotta find a better way to be effective, but I do think he put in effort and it just didnt work

 

[Fitzy]

The thing with Panarin is that I don’t think he’s struggled in the playoffs for lack of effort (at least last year)
So maybe it’s just bad luck last year, maybe he’s gotta find a better way to be effective, but I do think he put in effort and it just didnt work

Because his style of play is primarily conducive to racking up points against weak teams playing from behind.

 

[duhmetreE]

Spreading the kids out is what we’ve tried for the past 3 years. Let’s keep trying the exact same thing over and over again?

We did?

 

[bhamill]

In theory we're agreeing but that second line has the potential to get absolutely caved in at even strength.

I'd separate Kreider and Zibanejad too. Two players that play best as volume shooters that were constantly deferring to each other instead of letting it rip. Wheeler needs to be on a line with someone that will bury the chances he sets up. Chytil is a good finisher. I can see that working. Lafreniere there to facilitate and finish as well. He can benefit from Wheeler mentoring him. Wheeler is supposedly a heavy handed leader? Good. He needs to give Lafreniere and Kakko tough love.

I think Laf Chytil Wheeler is a fine idea.

 

[duhmetreE]

It’s an entire new staff.

You match and pair styles. Synergy ™

Line mates need to complement each other

 

[Synergy27]

It’s an entire new staff.

You match and pair styles. Synergy ™

Hey what’s up?

 

[duhmetreE]

The thing with Panarin is that I don’t think he’s struggled in the playoffs for lack of effort (at least last year)
So maybe it’s just bad luck last year, maybe he’s gotta find a better way to be effective, but I do think he put in effort and it just didnt work

Players like him tend to struggle in the playoffs.

Kucherov is the exception… but Kucherov could be MIA all game but then he shows up for 5 minutes in the 3rd to help get the W.

We don’t have gamers like that, or they haven’t made it evident as of yet.

 

[JimmyG89]

It’s an entire new staff.

You match and pair styles. Synergy ™

Line mates need to complement each other

I'm all for Synergy #BringBackBoo

 

[mas0764]

It’s an entire new staff.

You match and pair styles. Synergy ™

Line mates need to complement each other

And you get over the “so and so veteran can’t play on the third line because kids have to earn it/can’t demote the veteran.”

It’s not a demotion. Find the three lines which give you the best mix. That is likely to involve Mika and Kreider being broken up, and thus, Kreider not on the “first line,” but the third.

 

[IDvsEGO]

I think Laf Chytil Wheeler is a fine idea.

If thats the second line then im 100% ok with that.
But if kreider-trocheck-vesey is somehow getting 17 minutes a night. Thats when i'll be furious.

 

[bhamill]

If thats the second line then im 100% ok with that.
But if kreider-trocheck-vesey is somehow getting 17 minutes a night. Thats when i'll be furious.

Agreed. I really like the idea of Wheeler mentoring those two. I want some of his hatred of losing, and mean edge to infect them. Perfect for Laf, IMO. Plus he's not a plug he can play with them.

 

[SA16]

Because his style of play is primarily conducive to racking up points against weak teams playing from behind.

And yet he has a way higher scoring rate as a Ranger when the team is leading than when they are trailing.

 

[bhamill]

And yet he has a way higher scoring rate as a Ranger when the team is leading than when they are trailing.

I think he meant racking up points when a weak team was playing from behind against us and taking chances. So you two are in agreement. Unless I misinterpreted ... which can happen. hahaha.

 

[NYR Viper]

The smart play for lines will be:

Lafreniere-Zibanejad-Kaako
Panarin-Chytil-Wheeler
Kreider-Trochek-Vesey
Goodrow-Bonino-Pitlick


That's what the lines SHOULD be. The Trochek line is the teams matchup line that should be able to drive possession and play solid 2-way hockey.

Kreider-Trochek-Vesey had good underlying numbers last year and all play a simple offensive game. Go get the puck, out-work the opponent, get the puck to the point and crash the net.