Speculation: Roster Building Thread VII (2019/2020)

[Kocur Dill]

Skjei was said to have been an offensive dman because of his skating, he isn't. He needs to learn to be a shut down guy and be of value in that way, he needs to compete harder and stay in his own area of the ice. All that can be done because he does have the tools.

I get such a Tom Poti vibe from Skjei to this point. Looks the part of everything you want from a defenceman, yet leaves you feeling like "he's better than this, right?".

 

[Raspewtin]

Skjei can't hold Tom Poti's jock strap imo

 

[Tawnos]

I don't even see "working hard" to be honest. I see someone late to every forecheck and wholly uninvolved on both sides of the puck. For all this talk of his speed, hustle and defensive aptitude I've seen basically none of that since like October of last year.

Not even diving into his on-ice stats which have been simply horrible since last year.

Centers are almost always the last ones in on the forecheck, with certain exceptions (Zibanejad being one of them). And I disagree, he's been pretty involved all over the ice.

 

[Gardner McKay]

That is absolutely the implication of the post I quoted when you're talking about a 3rd year player.

No that isn't the implication. The implication is that I find it hard to believe that a player that was as defensively deficient as Pionk has made that big of a leap in such a short time.

 

[Tawnos]

No that isn't the implication. The implication is that I find it hard to believe that a player that was as defensively deficient as Pionk has made that big of a leap in such a short time.

... that's literally the same thing.

It isn't exactly uncommon for young players to look lost one season and then have it click the next season.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

In more positive youth-related news, ya love to see this:

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

And this:

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

And this:

Rangers just can’t stop themselves from paying Brad Richards

 

[Leetch3]

And this:

Long live the beaver

 

[RangersFan1994]

Rangers just can’t stop themselves from paying Brad Richards

i rather the team learning from him than some scub or player who has not played much in the NHL, maybe Dan Girardi will teach this defense to play defense. if he decides to come back to NYR which he should in my opinion

 

[SA16]

So a player who was bad at taking faceoffs is teaching players how to take faceoffs?

 

[effen]

So a player who was bad at taking faceoffs is teaching players how to take faceoffs?

those who can, do. those who can't, teach.

 

[SnowFort]

You gotta love the commitment.

 

[offdacrossbar]

And this:

they better be. they are both atrocious ( esp. chad) in the circle so far this year.

meanwhile, that bum ryan strome clipping along at 60%

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Pionk just magically transformed into a good all around defenseman? I don't buy it.

I know its hard to fathom that a young player could get better after his rookie season but it does happen.

 

[Leetch3]

So a player who was bad at taking faceoffs is teaching players how to take faceoffs?

was he really though? better than 50% most seasons...maybe not a playoff specialist but I don't think he was bad.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Would Gorton be interested in an Eric Staal reunion post AV? He could be available and would be a decent stop gap at 2C...

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Would Gorton be interested in an Eric Staal reunion post AV? He could be available and would be a decent stop gap at 2C...

I hope not

 

[Shesterkybomb]

I've said it all along but Morgan Barron is our best option outside of Chytil for a 2c and it wouldn't be a bad idea to try and get his brother this draft too.

 

[aufheben]

So a player who was bad at taking faceoffs is teaching players how to take faceoffs?

It’s a cover. He’s really teaching them drop-passes.

If he's been working hard on the ice and in practice, and is doing what the coaches ask him to do, he's earned the opportunity.

It’s not even that big of a role change as much as it is giving him better wingers. Howden is actually 4th in ATOI among forwards as is.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Please, just no jumping at windows/ adding in any way to be more competitive.

We don't have a 2nd c? Wait and bleed.

 

[TheDirtyH]

So a player who was bad at taking faceoffs is teaching players how to take faceoffs?

Can't you picture it?

BR: Yeah try that this time.
Howden: Does that really work?
BR: Oh sure, Backstrom always lit my shit up with that move.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I've said it all along but Morgan Barron is our best option outside of Chytil for a 2c and it wouldn't be a bad idea to try and get his brother this draft too.

I mean, Barron is having a nice NCAA career so far, but it's way too soon to pencil him in as a future #2C.

 

[Tawnos]

It’s a cover. He’s really teaching them drop-passes.

It’s not even that big of a role change as much as it is giving him better wingers. Howden is actually 4th in ATOI among forwards as is.

True (well, he's 5th at even strength... but more importantly to your point... 2nd among Cs).

 

[aufheben]

True (well, he's 5th at even strength... but more importantly to your point... 2nd among Cs).

Yeah the point is really that he already gets as much ice-time as Strome, so he’s not being thrust into big minutes or anything. From Quinn the other day:

“He’s playing with a little bit more pace and a little bit more physicality,” Quinn said. “It’s a great opportunity for him. I think everybody feels pressure at this level, but he’s just got to continue to do the things he’s capable of doing. He’s got to be on the right side of people, he’s got to play fast, he’s got to get to the net and be responsible defensively”.