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

[Machinehead]

Fast's strength was actually that he was excellent in the neutral zone, causing turnovers and creating space for Panarin and Strome to do their thing.

Man, you guys remember the neutral zone? Blast from the past.

 

[McRanger92]

Man, you guys remember the neutral zone? Blast from the past.

Whoever can solve the team's issues at their own and opposition blueline will have their name etched on a sheet metal drum with a bowl on top.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Kreider will be gone after next year with another disappointing exit, and yeah were stuck with Panarin for 3 more years. When he's gone Fox will be 28, Chytil & Miller will be 26, Kakko 25, Lafreniere will be 24. Plus a bunch of young prospects who have yet to debut. I know people are writing them off as nobodies because that weren't top 5 picks but historically those are guys the Rangers have a lot of success developing.

If you're trying to convince me the situation is dire, I'm not buying it.

I don't know if dire is the word, but the window is closing and closing quickly. They are going to need a new core and unfortunately I don't think the kids they have now are the ones to lead it.

 

[Ruggs225]

Man, you guys remember the neutral zone? Blast from the past.

Whats a neutral zone… we had the defensive zone which ended at the dump and change line. The area behind the dump and change line was the forbidden zone i believe.

 

[Fitzy]

Whoever can solve the team's issues at their own and opposition blueline will have their name etched on a sheet metal drum with a bowl on top.

Our centers are decent at puck lugging in the neutral zone. Our wingers are atrocious at it. Including Kakko and he's one of my faves.

 

[McRanger92]

I don't know if dire is the word, but the window is closing and closing quickly. They are going to need a new core and unfortunately I don't think the kids they have now are the ones to lead it.

All I can say to that is that the book on the young players isn't done being written.

Our centers are decent at puck lugging in the neutral zone. Our wingers are atrocious at it. Including Kakko and he's one of my faves.

Need more speed. From outside the org and the younger guys working on their skating this summer.

 

[Machinehead]

Kreider will be gone after next year with another disappointing exit, and yeah were stuck with Panarin for 3 more years. When he's gone Fox will be 28, Chytil & Miller will be 26, Kakko 25, Lafreniere will be 24. Plus a bunch of young prospects who have yet to debut. I know people are writing them off as nobodies because that weren't top 5 picks but historically those are guys the Rangers have a lot of success developing.

If you're trying to convince me the situation is dire, I'm not buying it.

Kreider will be gone after next year with another disappointing exit, and yeah were stuck with Panarin for 3 more years. When he's gone Fox will be 28, Chytil & Miller will be 26, Kakko 25, Lafreniere will be 24. Plus a bunch of young prospects who have yet to debut. I know people are writing them off as nobodies because that weren't top 5 picks but historically those are guys the Rangers have a lot of success developing.

If you're trying to convince me the situation is dire, I'm not buying it.

Our future looked like shit in 2010. We had just missed the playoffs, had an old, expensive team, and the only exciting prospect was 18 year old Chris Kreider. Second rounder Derek Stepan was a project. That was it.

Rick Nash, Ryan McDonagh, Derek Brassard, Mats Zuccarelllo, Anton Stralman, Brad Richards, Brian Boyle, JT Miller, and others were not even in the organization yet.

Along with sixth rounder Carl Hagelin, those guys were basically the roster four years later. You just never know what's going to happen.

I'm willing to bet at least one of Othmann, Cuylle, BMB, Berard, or Sykora exceed expectations and we have at least one surprise a la Hagelin or Fast.

 

[Machinehead]

Fox didn't even debut until the age Kakko is now.

If you told people before he played that Fox would own real estate in the top-5 of the Norris voting, they would have put you in a soft room.

Even if you said that after his stellar rookie campaign, that would have been a blazing hot take.

I agree that the current youngsters don't look like stars but a lot of stars come out of nowhere. They're not all lottery picks.

 

[bhamill]

Don't disagree at all.

It's ok to be disappointed and question whether or not you want to move forward with the player.

I think the outright denial from some that he still creates offense better than anyone else on the team and that this would have to be replaced is another story.

Very true, at least regular season.

 

[Machinehead]

You know who mostly sucks with first round picks but gets banger after banger after that? Dallas.

Jason Robertson was a 2nd round pick and skates like he just got shot nine minutes ago.

They're still out there.

 

[bobbop]

Three trade possibilities…

Lafreniere could (stress could) be available for the right price. Some Canadian cities would certainly overpay. Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal all might be possible. I am not sold that a breakout is coming and I’m willing to listen.

Panarin could be available if management decides to cut the cord. It would be painful (financially and otherwise) and with the success of the Panthers in the playoffs, the best possibility is probably off the table but if Drury is determined to move him, he will be moved. It would also open the possibility for other changes and perhaps a veteran signing. Drury has to initiate this.

Schneider Is a wild card. He’s locked into third pair on the right side, had a relatively mediocre season and he is probably valued by other teams more highly than by the Rangers. Forget about Trouba’s NMC expiring, it doesn’t matter. He could return multiple pieces. High, high risk. I’d sure be interested in hearing the Rangers evaluation of his play.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Ya'll think they're gonna fire the coach and trade their young kids in the same year, man that's some good stuff you're smoking

 

[CLW]

This team desperately needs to find another Pouliot and/or Hagelin.

Not just the makeup and the speed, but the concept of it.

A cheap free agent and a contributor from Hartford that come here and give us great years because they fit the system, and then somebody else pays them too much to be bottom sixers.

We're that second team way too often.

I feel the same when there's talk the FO want/are waiting for the Sullivans or Brind'Amours...

There really is no reason a financially sound org like the Rangers should not be on top of the build from within game.

 

[RangerBoy]

9. Kaapo Kakko, Finland​

Kakko’s fourth season in the NHL was clearly his best with 18 goals and 40 points, but he’s yet to reach the heights predicted for him when he was the consensus No. 2 pick by the Rangers in the 2019 draft. Just before the draft, Kakko had a great worlds with six goals in 10 games to help Finland win gold. Maybe being back in this tournament will ignite the dominance that was once predicted for him.

15 players to watch at the 2023 IIHF World Championship

Our list includes three of the top prospects in the 2023 NHL Draft and several intriguing young players and prospects from around the NHL.

theathletic.com

Kakko was terrific at the 2019 World Championships.

 

[Machinehead]

I feel the same when there's talk the FO want/are waiting for the Sullivans or Brind'Amours...

There really is no reason a financially sound org like the Rangers should not be on top of the build from within game.

We need to spend more of that money getting an edge behind the scenes (where there's no cap) and less of it on the obvious move that grabs notoriety.

We've done it in some respects. I'm telling you guys, there's no accident with our relative lack of injuries over the last two years. It's absurd. We clearly have an edge in fitness that we've invested in.

I would like to see similar strides in analytics and skills training.

 

[CLW]

15 players to watch at the 2023 IIHF World Championship

Our list includes three of the top prospects in the 2023 NHL Draft and several intriguing young players and prospects from around the NHL.

theathletic.com

Kakko was terrific at the 2019 World Championships.

One thing I'm looking for is that he wants a scorer role on the PP. Kakko needs to show that he wants to be the guy not only the puck handler/setup guy. We know he's fine handling the puck but put on the big boy pants and start shooting to hurt.

We need to spend more of that money getting an edge behind the scenes (where there's no cap) and less of it on the obvious move that grabs notoriety.

We've done it in some respects. I'm telling you guys, there's no accident with our relative lack of injuries over the last two years. It's absurd. We clearly have an edge in fitness that we've invested in.

I would like to see similar strides in analytics and skills training.

Kane mentioned this in one of his interviews - the guys are well conditioned.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

On Motte, people like him because he is a legit 4th liner/Pker. I think a lot of us were tired of the never ending door of fringe NHLers playing on that line over the last few years so it’s nice to actually have a decent guy there. And he should come cheap this time around when we re-sign him.

 

[McRanger92]

Three trade possibilities…

Lafreniere could (stress could) be available for the right price. Some Canadian cities would certainly overpay. Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal all might be possible. I am not sold that a breakout is coming and I’m willing to listen.

Panarin could be available if management decides to cut the cord. It would be painful (financially and otherwise) and with the success of the Panthers in the playoffs, the best possibility is probably off the table but if Drury is determined to move him, he will be moved. It would also open the possibility for other changes and perhaps a veteran signing. Drury has to initiate this.

Schneider Is a wild card. He’s locked into third pair on the right side, had a relatively mediocre season and he is probably valued by other teams more highly than by the Rangers. Forget about Trouba’s NMC expiring, it doesn’t matter. He could return multiple pieces. High, high risk. I’d sure be interested in hearing the Rangers evaluation of his play.

Not opposed but for Laf & Schneider i'd need an idea of what the returns would be before saying yay or nay

 

[mas0764]

I can't envision a realistic Lafreniere trade that nets us sufficient value back.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

We need to spend more of that money getting an edge behind the scenes (where there's no cap) and less of it on the obvious move that grabs notoriety.

We've done it in some respects. I'm telling you guys, there's no accident with our relative lack of injuries over the last two years. It's absurd. We clearly have an edge in fitness that we've invested in.

I would like to see similar strides in analytics and skills training.

Tell that too a few people in here who think that everyone is out of shape lol.

If you want it for analytics, they need to hire a coach who will actually use them. Drury is actually about them (or at least he says he is.)

 

[Fitzy]

On Motte, people like him because he is a legit 4th liner/Pker. I think a lot of us were tired of the never ending door of fringe NHLers playing on that line over the last few years so it’s nice to actually have a decent guy there. And he should come cheap this time around when we re-sign him.

Oh for sure. Just a 'best hits' list since the rebuild of guys who spent significant minutes on the 4th line.

John Gilmour
Brendan Smith
Greg McKegg
Dryden Hunt
Phil Di Giuseppe
Michael Haley
Paul Carey
Lias Andersson

Howden, Lemieux and Rooney were 4th liners but worse themselves than Motte.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Oh for sure. Just a 'best hits' list since the rebuild of guys who spent significant minutes on the 4th line.

John Gilmour
Brendan Smith
Greg McKegg
Dryden Hunt
Phil Di Giuseppe
Michael Haley
Paul Carey
Lias Andersson

Howden, Lemieux and Rooney were 4th liners but worse themselves than Motte.

I just got the shivers reading that list..

 

[Fitzy]

I think we could get Kaiden Guhle for him TBH

I can't envision a realistic Lafreniere trade that nets us sufficient value back

 

[mas0764]

I think we could get Kaiden Guhle for him TBH

No thanks.

 

[bl02]

Three trade possibilities…

Lafreniere could (stress could) be available for the right price. Some Canadian cities would certainly overpay. Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal all might be possible. I am not sold that a breakout is coming and I’m willing to listen.

Panarin could be available if management decides to cut the cord. It would be painful (financially and otherwise) and with the success of the Panthers in the playoffs, the best possibility is probably off the table but if Drury is determined to move him, he will be moved. It would also open the possibility for other changes and perhaps a veteran signing. Drury has to initiate this.

Schneider Is a wild card. He’s locked into third pair on the right side, had a relatively mediocre season and he is probably valued by other teams more highly than by the Rangers. Forget about Trouba’s NMC expiring, it doesn’t matter. He could return multiple pieces. High, high risk. I’d sure be interested in hearing the Rangers evaluation of his play.

I just can't give up on any dman under 25 who has any kind of promise. Plus the return would have to be a certainty of very very good young player and we know the chance of that happening is slim. It's gonna be a gamble. I would rather keep the homegrown player who is still cost controlled and can still get better.

Oh for sure. Just a 'best hits' list since the rebuild of guys who spent significant minutes on the 4th line.

John Gilmour
Brendan Smith
Greg McKegg
Dryden Hunt
Phil Di Giuseppe
Michael Haley
Paul Carey
Lias Andersson

Howden, Lemieux and Rooney were 4th liners but worse themselves than Motte.

That is horrible. It shows us more than ever how important development in Hartford is. We need guys like Sykora, Cuylle, etc to marinate there and have some kind of positive development. We need to start filling those bottom 6 roles with some of those guys.