Speculation: Roster Building Thread XXXVI: The End (The Apocalypse Is Now)

[Mikos87]

Miller isn't even close to ready from everything I have read.

I disagree, I think with his tools, he can play right now. It's the role that he can play that's where he might be short. If you expect him to be an all-situations, number 1 defenseman like he showed signs of being his freshman year, then no. There were trade-offs to his offense.

If you expect him to be a top tier shutdown force, I think he can play with 20-30 games of AHL seasoning. In other words, no PP time. Limited offensive time.

But Number one PK Option, Top shutdown pair option... he can fill that slot.

 

[The New Russian Five]

I disagree, I think with his tools, he can play right now. It's the role that he can play that's where he might be short. If you expect him to be an all-situations, number 1 defenseman like he showed signs of being his freshman year, then no. There were trade-offs to his offense.

If you expect him to be a top tier shutdown force, I think he can play with 20-30 games of AHL seasoning. In other words, no PP time. Limited offensive time.

But Number one PK Option, Top shutdown pair option... he can fill that slot.

Maybe you have watched more than me, I am not sure. But from the testimonials of many posters on here that watch him on the regular, it sounded like he was someone who very clearly is still learning the position and would be chewed up by NHL players if he started next season. Again, this is based from everything I have read from others who watch him on the regular. Maybe you also watch him quite frequently, in which case that is encouraging to hear that you think he can start playing in the NHL next season.

 

[Mac n Gs]

Shayna’s new article on The Athletic.

I wish those charts could be edited based on time frames because I'd love to see our splits between the first and most recent 30 games. For example, Evolving Wild had their chart saying that Kreider is already declining, but I think that's a bit skewed by his terrible early season results with Kakko and Strome. Ignoring his scoring surge, he's been back to his usual play-driving self in the last 30 games, but is worse overall if you use his aggregate season results.

 

[Mikos87]

Maybe you have watched more than me, I am not sure. But from the testimonials of many posters on here that watch him on the regular, it sounded like he was someone who very clearly is still learning the position and would be chewed up by NHL players if he started next season. Again, this is based from everything I have read from others who watch him on the regular. Maybe you also watch him quite frequently, in which case that is encouraging to hear that you think he can start playing in the NHL next season.

I'm not sure whether I have watched more games or not. Definitely not nearly as much as @GeorgeKaplan but from what I've seen, and what I've described as far as the role that I think Key he's NHL ready by this year's holidays.

 

[bobbop]

One of the things that Gorton needs to put on his shopping list is a 3rd-4th line center who can win a face off. Brian Boyle would have been a huge add for this team.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I wish those charts could be edited based on time frames because I'd love to see our splits between the first and most recent 30 games. For example, Evolving Wild had their chart saying that Kreider is already declining, but I think that's a bit skewed by his terrible early season results with Kakko and Strome. Ignoring his scoring surge, he's been back to his usual play-driving self in the last 30 games, but is worse overall if you use his aggregate season results.

As always, context is everything.

 

[Alluckks]

One of the things that Gorton needs to put on his shopping list is a 3rd-4th line center who can win a face off. Brian Boyle would have been a huge add for this team.

I mentioned Blair Betts the other day on the phone with my parents

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

I'm not sure whether I have watched more games or not. Definitely not nearly as much as @GeorgeKaplan but from what I've seen, and what I've described as far as the role that I think Key he's NHL ready by this year's holidays.

I haven’t watched all that much of Miller (or any hockey outside of the Rangers) this season, but most of what I saw still seems like he has problems defending when the other team sets up and excels in transition and when things are a little hectic. But from everything I’ve heard he’s an extremely coachable kid, so maybe he just needs someone to make him focus on one thing instead of letting him go out and try to do everything

I’m fine with him playing pretty much anywhere next season with the right expectations, but I feel like his freshman point totals are going to cause expectations of what his play is right now to be out of whack for a decent chunk of fans and then they’ll turn on him

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

Kakko is just not scoring. When Buchnevich is back why not send Kakko down to regain some scoring touch and confidence and call up somebody like Beleskey? We are about to go into some heated nasty games and Beleskey could be more useful.

 

[RGY]

One of the things that Gorton needs to put on his shopping list is a 3rd-4th line center who can win a face off. Brian Boyle would have been a huge add for this team.

I said this all offseason and yet here we are...

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

I still wonder if JG was hoping to pull the trigger on a Georgiev deadline trade before the accident with Igor happened. I know people weren’t meeting his price but I wonder if he was hoping the deadline would get interested parties to up their offer and that was his plan all along but had to be aborted after the accident.

After Hank’s comments about discussing his role going forward it made me think that possibly management had told him/his agent to hold tight and that Georgiev would be traded at the deadline. Just seemed like he possibly was told the 3 goalie thing wouldn’t go past the deadline and when it did it brought on those comments. He’s still being super professional but he definitely seemed disappointed.

 

[bobbop]

Wouldn’t it be cool if the Rangers edged into the playoffs and helped knock the Leafs and Hurricanes into the lottery?

 

[RGY]

Wouldn’t it be cool if the Rangers edged into the playoffs and helped knock the Leafs and Hurricanes into the lottery?

Would be gold.

 

[JC704]

I would love somebody like a Jonas Brodin on this team right now. Maybe at the Draft. Feels like at his price/salary cap hit, it would be very manageable, and not cost a boatload to acquire.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

everything must be done to move Lundqvist or force him to retire. Buyouts are really bad idea. Same for Staal and Smith, try to trade at least one of them 50% retained, don't buy out.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

I would love somebody like a Jonas Brodin on this team right now. Maybe at the Draft. Feels like at his price/salary cap hit, it would be very manageable, and not cost a boatload to acquire.

huh? that would be completely idiotic.

 

[Maximus]

Kakko is just not scoring. When Buchnevich is back why not send Kakko down to regain some scoring touch and confidence and call up somebody like Beleskey? We are about to go into some heated nasty games and Beleskey could be more useful.

Agreed he's not scoring but the train to send Kakko down to Hartford is long gone. He's here to stay and from my eyeballs, Kakko seems to be much more engaged and tho not showing up on the scoring sheet...more productive the past month or so.

Here's the bottom line and if I said this 25 times already I'd likely be lying...I've probably said it more. Give Kakko a full off season with no tournaments to have to play and a Finnish regular season as well, where he is given an intense regiman of power skating drills, stamina and stength training, I for one have not a doubt he comes into camp next year a new man and at the ripe old age of 19, he starts to truly show why he was drafted #2 overall and was so sought after.

We just need to show a bit more patience with the kid as he's going to be more than fine and very likely a star down the road. He's not going to Hartford this year and what we see from him now is what we get like it or not!

 

[gravey9]

I haven’t watched all that much of Miller (or any hockey outside of the Rangers) this season, but most of what I saw still seems like he has problems defending when the other team sets up and excels in transition and when things are a little hectic. But from everything I’ve heard he’s an extremely coachable kid, so maybe he just needs someone to make him focus on one thing instead of letting him go out and try to do everything

I’m fine with him playing pretty much anywhere next season with the right expectations, but I feel like his freshman point totals are going to cause expectations of what his play is right now to be out of whack for a decent chunk of fans and then they’ll turn on him

I've seen Miller play a few times this season. I believe he needs more time before he graduates to the NHL. That said, its really 50/50 with whether or not he should be seasoned in college or the A next season. He seems like he might be physically ready for the A after one more summer. I think playing more games than he is able to in college might be a good thing for him. And I also think, if Gord Murphy is still with the pack next season, he might be a good mentor for Miller. I think he'd also do fine spending another year in college. That said, given the lack of games they play in college it's hard to see how he puts it all together before turning pro. Whether it's next season or the one after that -- he will need time to marinate in the AHL/ECHL before coming up to the big club.

BUT I do think he's made strides this season focusing on D. He needs to learn how to be active around his own net and downlow without getting out of position. His issue this year is that he's trying so hard to stay in the right spot that he's not yet doing enough once he's there. He's being too passive. But I'm not too worried at this point that it's baked in part of his D game. Honestly, at this stage, nothing in his game is truly baked in except for that seriously explosive speed and reach.

Lastly, with the trade of Skjei it'll be interesting to see what that means for Miller, Reunanen, Roberston, Rykov and Hajek next season. We may be looking at a vet signing next season as a stop gap // 6-7D. Or a legit hockey trade for a proven #2.

 

[duhmetreE]

What would Nick Bonino cost in the off-season>? 1 year left

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

I've seen Miller play a few times this season. I believe he needs more time before he graduates to the NHL. That said, its really 50/50 with whether or not he should be seasoned in college or the A next season. He seems like he might be physically ready for the A after one more summer. I think playing more games than he is able to in college might be a good thing for him. And I also think, if Gord Murphy is still with the pack next season, he might be a good mentor for Miller. I think he'd also do fine spending another year in college. That said, given the lack of games they play in college it's hard to see how he puts it all together before turning pro. Whether it's next season or the one after that -- he will need time to marinate in the AHL/ECHL before coming up to the big club.

BUT I do think he's made strides this season focusing on D. He needs to learn how to be active around his own net and downlow without getting out of position. His issue this year is that he's trying so hard to stay in the right spot that he's not yet doing enough once he's there. He's being too passive. But I'm not too worried at this point that it's baked in part of his D game. Honestly, at this stage, nothing in his game is truly baked in except for that seriously explosive speed and reach.

Lastly, with the trade of Skjei it'll be interesting to see what that means for Miller, Reunanen, Roberston, Rykov and Hajek next season. We may be looking at a vet signing next season as a stop gap // 6-7D. Or a legit hockey trade for a proven #2.

That makes no sense, we got 3 LD in NHL right now and 2 ready in AHL we will not be signing or trading for any vet Dmen

 

[FIRE DRURY]

Wouldn’t it be cool if the Rangers edged into the playoffs and helped knock the Leafs and Hurricanes into the lottery?

 

[FIRE DRURY]

Kakko is just not scoring. When Buchnevich is back why not send Kakko down to regain some scoring touch and confidence and call up somebody like Beleskey? We are about to go into some heated nasty games and Beleskey could be more useful.

One day, I’ll agree with something you post.









One day..









Today, is not that day.

 

[Tob]

Buyout for Marc is very very cheap. $2M savings next season and only $1M hit in the season that would have been Staal-free. Same with Smith. $1.5M savings next year and only $750K hit the season after. $1.8M penalty in two season from now is very very kosher. Kaapo, Nils, K'Andre, Vitali would all still be on ELC. Lundqvist's contract comes off he books if we trade George for a late 1st or two 2nds. We have the bodies to replace Staal or Smith or both.

 

[FIRE DRURY]

We have the bodies to replace Staal or Smith or both.

Yes. Yes we do.

 

[Maximus]

What would Nick Bonino cost in the off-season>? 1 year left

Hmmmm....alot I think as I'm too lazy too look but I recall Nashville paying thru the nose to sigh him a few years ago in FA.

But I do like your thought process alot as he'd be the perfect center to anchor our 3rd line.

Maybe I'll give Gorts a call tomorrow after I finish work and let him know your idea and I'll let you know what he says...lol