Speculation: Roster Building Thread XXXIX

[Maximus]

Don't forget the all round skills of Walt Tkaczuk. His career Ranger stat contributions easily fit him between 6-10 consideration.

Yeah Tkachuk was good and definitely one of the better all around fwds the Rangers ever had. That said, there is no one I'd take out of my top 10 and put Tkachuk there instead. That's just me and so maybe we differ on that.

I would put him in my top 15 tho...

 

[ncmike]

Yeah Tkachuk was good and definitely one of the better all around fwds the Rangers ever had. That said, there is no one I'd take out of my top 10 and put Tkachuk there instead. That's just me and so maybe we differ on that.

I would put him in my top 15 tho...

Tkachuk was consistently considered the most underrated player of his time

 

[haveandare]

D. Strome is a bad skater. Who cares? His 5v5 results in 116 games with the Blackhawks have been fantastic. His defensive shortcomings are overblown and are based on reputation and hearsay rather than an actual look at his performance. His most common linemate has been Kane. So what? He would almost surely play with Panarin here anyway and it's not like he's a guy we expect to purely be a product of Kane given he's a year out from being a point per game AHL player anyway. The only time in his career so far he didn't score is when he was buried in the lineup in ARI playing 13 mins/game.

And I don't know how we can say C isn't a need given our C depth chart right now is basically Mika. R. Strome for who knows how much longer, Chytil who has mostly been a wing, Howden who is a bad player, McKegg, Andersson who wants a trade etc. C is most definitely not a strength.

DeBrincat is the one who isn't a need though I would of course take him as he is a better player and you can just move things around to make it work.

None of Mika, either Strome or Chytil would be 4C, so it’d be 3 spots for 4 players. Howden is probably a 4C or bust unless he improves a lot. Chytil had a very good season at center imo and moving him off it now wouldn't be wise. There’s really no need for D Strome unless he’d be replacing R Strome, which is kind of making a move for the sake of making a move. I’d like to replace R Strome with someone who can play defense as 3C personally.

 

[eco's bones]

I'm not trying to give Hajek away, I really like what he can bring. I don't expect a lot of offense, but a guy who knows how to play the position, is willing to block shots, take the body, and move the puck out. He knows how to play. But I think he lacks confidence, and isn't sure handed. Like he was caught thinking too much in the moment out there. He's gotten rocked a couple of times, but it's almost as if he's bracing the hit that's coming on.

I think what Hajek needs is a mentor who can help break down film with him, and help him with his confidence to play a more proactive style. I feel that way for a number of the younger players. Bringing in Ruutu was a good move and story, but let's get a couple of other guys who have been there and done it to help some of the other international kids along, not just on the ice, but in terms of being a pro. Hajek is a farm boy from the Czech Republic, having guys around him and Chytil will help them along.

I know the Dallas stars have a little Czech community in the area where Faksa, Hanzal and Polak were really engaged. Bring in a guy like Michael Rozsival as an employee. He's played in the league and won 2 cups, and endured what this fanbase can be like. It's good for guys to have that type of insulation and mentorship. The Rangers have the capital for a move like that, and they should take advantage of it.... and guess what.... it lead to ticket sales for Dallas.

I'd like to see the two of Miller, Hajek, Nils, or Rykov push both Smith and Staal out of the line-up. So there may eventually have to be a trade, but till then you need to cultivate your assets.

I wouldn't think moving him for Joseph would be giving Hajek away though maybe the Rangers would want more value or Tampa would. That was what I was primarily responding to. To me though such a deal would be fair. I expect Hajek will eventually become a good NHL defenseman. I'm kind of thinking he won't be much of a two way guy--he'll be more a stay at home guy. He's pretty much lost the battle with Lindgren for hegemony for now though. I think Ryan is well ahead of him. The moving of Skjei opens up the left side as will the eventual moving on of Staal and Smith. That doesn't mean that Hajek will walk right into a spot though. He's still going to have to beat out guys like Miller and Robertson--perhaps Reunanen or the Rangers might make a deal or sign a free agent.

 

[Maximus]

Tkachuk was consistently considered the most underrated player of his time

Agreed but he's still outside my personal top 10

 

[SA16]

None of Mika, either Strome or Chytil would be 4C, so it’d be 3 spots for 4 players. Howden is probably a 4C or bust unless he improves a lot. Chytil had a very good season at center imo and moving him off it now wouldn't be wise. There’s really no need for D Strome unless he’d be replacing R Strome, which is kind of making a move for the sake of making a move. I’d like to replace R Strome with someone who can play defense as 3C personally.

While I think D. Strome would be a good fit for us I am less advocating for trading for him than I am advocating for not completely misrepresenting who he is. People don’t like him because he’s big and slow. Saying he’s a product of Kane is blatantly false the numbers don’t bear that out at all. Saying he’s poor defensively is also not reflected in the numbers though I haven’t paid enough attention to him when watching CHI to make my own assessment.

He’s a player who just finished his age 22 season and has scored at 2.5 pts/60 the last two years it’s hard to see how that is a guy that is basically written off. Since being traded tot CHI, among forwards who have played 1000+ minutes, Dylan Strome is 17th in the NHL in pts/60 and T-41 in raw points at 5v5. If Chytil provided that sort of production we’d be absolutely salivating at it and calling him our next star.

Basically if someone doesn't want D. Strome because they think we don't need a C and can fill it from within that's a valid opinion even though I disagree with it but if they don't want him because they don't think he's very good, think he's a product of better players, or really anything to do with his game that is just a blatant falsehood.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Strome for Strome trade?

 

[RangersFan1994]

Strome for Strome trade?

When was the last te bn brothers were traded for each other?? No thanks the Strome Rangers have is more of a complete player and brings more of gritty game. No thanks. I rather trade for Dach, Debrincat or someone more useful. Do the Rangers need more guys that are soft playmakers?.

 

[RangersFan1994]

While I think D. Strome would be a good fit for us I am less advocating for trading for him than I am advocating for not completely misrepresenting who he is. People don’t like him because he’s big and slow. Saying he’s a product of Kane is blatantly false the numbers don’t bear that out at all. Saying he’s poor defensively is also not reflected in the numbers though I haven’t paid enough attention to him when watching CHI to make my own assessment.

He’s a player who just finished his age 22 season and has scored at 2.5 pts/60 the last two years it’s hard to see how that is a guy that is basically written off. If Chytil provided that sort of production we’d be absolutely salivating at it and calling him our next star.

People also don't like him because he is also big, and not a physical player and to me very soft. I'm tired of trading for big guys that don't play like they should. If you're 6'3 no way guys half your size should outmuscle the 6'3 guy. We had Rick Nash and look how fans turned on that softee.

 

[SA16]

People also don't like him because he is also big, and not a physical player and to me very soft. I'm tired of trading for big guys that don't play like they should. If your 6'3 no way guys half your size should outmuscle the 6'3 guy. We had Rick Nash and look how fans turned on that softee.

Yea so like I said. They don't like him because of appearance and outdated things that don't matter rather than looking at the things that do matter. It was the same thing with Kevin Hayes. He's scored at a higher 5v5 rate the last two years than Mika Zibanejad, Mark Stone, and Elias Pettersson but you don't hear complaints about those guys. Strome is 6'3", Pettersson is 6'2". He can put on weight and become a more physical player why no complaints there? Fans turned on Rick Nash because they are stupid. He was the most efficient 5v5 scorer in the league during his time here but all you hear about are his long range wrist shots, butt move, and playoff struggles.

 

[EdJovanovski]

 

[bl02]

Good stuff from VK in his hometown. Also kinda crazy you could pretty much throw a rock and hit North Korea/China from his house.

 

[Avery16]

https://nypost.com/2020/04/07/rangers-mailbag-wide-range-of-questions-surround-kaapo-kakko/

What Finn did you want to help Kakko? — Michael Cosby
I’d have liked to see the team attempt to acquire Nashville’s Eeli Tolvanen. I don’t think Kakko necessarily needed an elder to act as a mentor — though it couldn’t have hurt — but I do believe it would have been beneficial for him to have a peer who spoke his language and shared life experiences.

I wonder how tied to pending UFA Erik Haula Florida is after acquiring him in that Trocheck 4 for 1. He'd be fine middle-six depth if interested in extending for two or three years at a reasonable number.

 

[LokiDog]

https://nypost.com/2020/04/07/rangers-mailbag-wide-range-of-questions-surround-kaapo-kakko/



I wonder how tied to pending UFA Erik Haula Florida is after acquiring him in that Trocheck 4 for 1. He'd be fine middle-six depth if interested in extending for two or three years at a reasonable number.

I’d love Haula as a 3C who could slot up or play wing. He’s great depth who has energy and I think players of his ilk are what we’re missing. He can easily fill in in the top six without hampering us but shouldn’t be a fixture there. He’s a great third liner and he could be an elite 4th liner should our depth fill out.

 

[RangersFan1994]

I’d love Haula as a 3C who could slot up or play wing. He’s great depth who has energy and I think players of his ilk are what we’re missing. He can easily fill in in the top six without hampering us but shouldn’t be a fixture there. He’s a great third liner and he could be an elite 4th liner should our depth fill out.

Sounds like Carl Hagelin

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I'd be fine with Haula but you'd have to move Strome to make the salary work most likely

 

[RangersFan1994]

I'd be fine with Haula but you'd have to move Strome to make the salary work most likely

No thanks. I'd rather keep the guy who has chemistry with Panarin. Rather dump a crap contract Smith while adding Lias Andersson for someone to take Smith's contract for the Rangers to sign Haula.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Tkachuk was consistently considered the most underrated player of his time

Are we talking about Tkachuk or Tkaczuk?

 

[Avery16]

No thanks. I'd rather keep the guy who has chemistry with Panarin. Rather dump a crap contract Smith while adding Lias Andersson for someone to take Smith's contract for the Rangers to sign Haula.

A wet sock would have chemistry with Panarin.

…but I agree. There are enough variables with buyouts being discussed that it likely wouldn't be a Strome vs Haula discussion.

 

[wafflepadsave]

He supposedly has good hands.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

I’d probably rank them same way as from looks of it, you and I became Ranger fans around same time period circa 1971-72.

The only slight quibble I might have with your top 6 is I probably need to include Mike Gartner, who after all did score 40+ goals
in 3 consecutive seasons back in the early 90’s and was a great Ranger in place of Zbad for now.

If we had 4 more spots to fill absolutely I’d include Zbad and put him at the 10 spot. I’d put Graves at 7, Gaborik at 8 and Steve Vickers at 9 and than Zbad.

So my top 10 Ranger fwds since I became hooked on our Rangers in 1971 would be:

1. Messier
2. Jagr
3. Panarin
4. Ratelle
5. Gilbert
6. Gartner
7. Graves
8. Gaborik
9. Vickers
10. Zbad

HM: Anders Hedberg has to be mentioned as he was another great Ranger and was so clutch come playoff time.

It can easily be argued and I wouldn’t debate it all too much, if you didn’t insert Hedberg onto this list instead of anyone of the guys I have ranked 7 thru 10.

Nobody likes Gretzky?

 

[bobbop]

https://nypost.com/2020/04/07/rangers-mailbag-wide-range-of-questions-surround-kaapo-kakko/



I wonder how tied to pending UFA Erik Haula Florida is after acquiring him in that Trocheck 4 for 1. He'd be fine middle-six depth if interested in extending for two or three years at a reasonable number.

Interesting thought. The magic words are “reasonable number”.

 

[Boris Zubov]

Haula would be overpaid for what he actually brings to a team. He's very speedy but unlike Haggy, he's a liability defensively. They do share the same trait of struggling to finish around the net.

His first year in Vegas, he was the beneficiary of centering Perron & Neal, so his stats were inflated. I don't see him ever coming close to those numbers again. And after his knee injury, its unclear what he actually does well. I'm not a huge fan, so I'd explore other options first before kicking the tires on him.

 

[Maximus]

Nobody likes Gretzky?

Yeah that Gretzky guy was pretty good. To be honest I kind of forgot about him. Didn't he only play 2 years for us or maybe it was 3? I dunno, I think I recall he only had one really really good season for us and the other one or two were OK.

I guess when I think of Gretzky, I don't think of him as a Ranger.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Yeah that Gretzky guy was pretty good. To be honest I kind of forgot about him. Didn't he only play 2 years for us or maybe it was 3? I dunno, I think I recall he only had one really really good season for us and the other one or two were OK.

I guess when I think of Gretzky, I don't think of him as a Ranger.

Too bad we never gave him any wingers to work with