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

[Avery16]

Ok, so we go past the first round too.

See we're just as good

Nah. Once again, depth. Those teams are apples. We’re an orange. Just look at the rosters and be honest with yourself. We don’t have anything near the depth as Washington or St. Louis

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

All you need to do is get in. Its about which team is the hottest and/or which goalie is on fire.

If any team loses their 2 best players, they'd be hard press to win.

Yup. Lundqvist got bubble teams to the ECF and SCF. If he had the offense that we have now while he was in his prime there’s no doubt we win a cup. I don’t see why a team with a great goalie, now Shesty, and a potent offense can’t be legit contenders. Especially in today’s NHL where there’s very little disparity even from good teams to bad teams.

I feel bad for Hank that he never had a great offense in front of him. Looking at our goals per game in the playoffs during our main contending years Is just laughable. Barely getting 2 goals per game. Go back and look at those series. Lundqvist had to be near perfect and if he wasn’t basically perfect we had no chance. If we had a Panarin level player or even a Mika level player that could’ve been all the difference. I mean hell, our leading scorer in the SCF tun was McDonagh with 18 points in 25 games. That’s laughable.

Now we have a great offense and a great goalie again. With Shesty, Panarin, Mika, Kreider, Trouba all locked in and Kakko and Fox and hopefully Kravtsov on ELCs. I think the time should be now to be a contender. Not to sell the farm to do it but that should be the mindset.

 

[duhmetreE]

Nah. Once again, depth. Those teams are apples. We’re an orange. Just look at the rosters and be honest with yourself.

 

[duhmetreE]

Yup. Lundqvist got bubble teams to the ECF and SCF. If he had the offense that we have now while he was in his prime there’s no doubt we win a cup. I don’t see why a team with a great goalie, now Shesty, and a potent offense can’t be legit contenders. Especially in today’s NHL where there’s very little disparity even from good teams to bad teams.

I feel bad for Hank that he never had a great offense in front of him. Looking at our goals per game in the playoffs during our main contending years Is just laughable. Barely getting 2 goals per game. Go back and look at those series. Lundqvist had to be near perfect and if he wasn’t basically perfect we had no chance. If we had a Panarin level player or even a Mika level player that could’ve been all the difference. I mean hell, our leading scorer in the SCF tun was McDonagh with 18 points in 25 games. That’s laughable.

Now we have a great offense and a great goalie again. With Shesty, Panarin, Mika, Kreider, Trouba all locked in and Kakko and Fox and hopefully Kravtsov on ELCs. I think the time should be now to be a contender. Not to sell the farm to do it but that should be the mindset.

It all depends on our definitions.

Was WAS a cup team when they won?
Was STL a cup team?

I think we can make the playoffs... hence, a playoff team/contender or what ever you want to label it... and we're dangerous.

IF we play like we did against Carolina, we could beat any team

 

[Avery16]

Ok...If, in your opinion, we’re as good or as deep as Washington or St. Louis, then why are we doing so much worse than them in the standings?

 

[duhmetreE]

Ok...If, in your opinion, we’re as good or as deep as Washington or St. Louis, then why are we doing so much worse than them in the standings?

and we're young...

and we're improving...

We should have goals to be making the playoffs next year. Once in, anything can happen.

 

[Avery16]

What in the f***

 

[aufheben]

Did the Athletic publish updated charts? Where did you get that graphic? The second one.

Shayna’s new article on The Athletic.

 

[Avery16]

and we're young...

and we're improving...

We should have goals to be making the playoffs next year. Once in, anything can happen.

The Blues were Presidents Cup finalists or contenders for a few seasons prior to when they won the Cup. They weren’t carried by a magical rookie goaltender. They made the playoffs 6 of the 7 seasons preceding their Cup run. It was a long hard road. We aren’t following that trajectory.

 

[Matt Rentfree]

What in the f*ck

By trade I'm a piano player - doesn't mean I should be playing with the Nashville Symphony.

 

[Avery16]

By trade I'm a piano player - doesn't mean I should be playing with the Nashville Symphony.

so versatile

 

[bobbop]

One more reference point on what it happens when you don’t have adults in the room.

Mirtle: This may very well be the last stand for this Maple...

 

[Leetch3]

What in the f*ck

Translation: we aren't going to mess with Lindgren's development and ask him to do more than he is ready for, if that means we lose in the short term so be it. #BigPicture

 

[DutchShamrock]

I think probably one of the hardest parts of being a GM is knowing when to bridge someone and when not to - look what happened with Skjei - should have bridged him. Look what happened with Stepan and (most likely) with Buch - exact opposite. Not an easy thing to figure out.

Ugh, this again. It used to be around here that you never, ever bridge. Now it's moved to don't bridge unless you were supposed to, bridge unless you should have gone long term.

Let's just say that Carolina wasn't paying a 1st unless that contract was in place. Much like JT Miller pulling in an unprotected 1st for TB, teams value the known.

I think the lesson from Skjei is putting too much on a young guy too soon. He had to carry the load after McDonagh left. Already people have Lindgren slotted as the #1LD. I know there are posters that will wave that notion off but if the rangers don't want a repeat of the skjei disappointment they will protect him better than a left side of Lindgren, ADA and Hajak next year.

Edit: that was too snotty and I know you weren't dumping on anyone. It's just such a pet peeve of mine. I apologize for lacking grace. While the contract didn't pan out on the ice, it was crucial to the trade.

 

[NYR Viper]

I’m gonna laugh hysterically when Smith rebounds and gets back to his previous level of solid analytics.

 

[rangers1314]

What in the f*ck

what’s he supposed to say? It’s a canned ‘non answer’ answer. Everything is “the plan” until it’s not.

it would be nice if Hajek or Rykov were down in HFD playing themselves into the conversation but that doesn’t sound like it’s the case.

 

[Matt Rentfree]

Ugh, this again. It used to be around here that you never, ever bridge. Now it's moved to don't bridge unless you were supposed to, bridge unless you should have gone long term.

Let's just say that Carolina wasn't paying a 1st unless that contract was in place. Much like JT Miller pulling in an unprotected 1st for TB, teams value the known.

I think the lesson from Skjei is putting too much on a young guy too soon. He had to carry the load after McDonagh left. Already people have Lindgren slotted as the #1LD. I know there are posters that will wave that notion off but if the rangers don't want a repeat of the skjei disappointment they will protect him better than a left side of Lindgren, ADA and Hajak next year.

Edit: that was too snotty and I know you weren't dumping on anyone. It's just such a pet peeve of mine. I apologize for lacking grace. While the contract didn't pan out on the ice, it was crucial to the trade.

No worries man. I wasn't shitting on Skjei. I agree with you that he was in over his head being forced to take 1st line minutes and we've seen perfectly capable players become whipping boys before for the same reason - Roszival, Boyle when Torts moved him to the 3rd line, etc. My only point is that it's really difficult to figure out what kind of contract to give some of these guys after their elc and the wrong decision (even if made with the best intentions and the best information available) can end up not being ideal.

 

[DutchShamrock]

No worries man. I wasn't shitting on Skjei. I agree with you that he was in over his head being forced to take 1st line minutes and we've seen perfectly capable players become whipping boys before for the same reason - Roszival, Boyle when Torts moved him to the 3rd line, etc. My only point is that it's really difficult to figure out what kind of contract to give some of these guys after their elc and the wrong decision (even if made with the best intentions and the best information available) can end up not being ideal.

Well unfortunately, it seems like it comes down to the cap situation. Like, if you have an awesome team you probably have the luxury of bringing guys along slower. But less cap space because your team is good. McDonagh, Step, etc.

When your team stinks, they are thrown to the wolves but you can throw some money around.

The Shattenkirk buyout was a killer because we were still in transition but lost cap space to lock up ADA before the breakout year.

 

[Alluckks]

Later 1st (like 20-26 range) for Nurse

Nurse Trouba
Lindgren Fox
Hajek ADA

Replace 4C with someone competent and better than Howden
Get a better scorer for 2RW (someone like Tuch would fit well)

Kravstov, Chytil, and Kakko would be a huge (literally) line, and PDG could fill in if Kravstov still isn't ready (or is moved for a top 6)

KZB
Bread Strome Tuch
Kravstov/PDG Chytil Kakko
Lemmy ___ Gauthier

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

One more reference point on what it happens when you don’t have adults in the room.

Mirtle: This may very well be the last stand for this Maple...

You know who would look reeeeeeeally good on Trouba’s left?

Morgan Rielly.

 

[Mikos87]

You know who would look reeeeeeeally good on Trouba’s left?

Morgan Rielly.

I vote K'Andre Miller. I think he's got Colton Parayko upside as a left handed shot. He and Trouba should form a very formidable and punishing shutdown pair.

My favorite aspect about the Skjei trade is that it opens up a slot for Key, and moves Trouba's underperforming friend off the roster. That helps set the tone and expectation of what it takes to earn a spot on the back end.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

I vote K'Andre Miller. I think he's got Colton Parayko upside as a left handed shot. He and Trouba should form a very formidable and punishing shutdown pair.

My favorite aspect about the Skjei trade is that it opens up a slot for Key, and moves Trouba's underperforming friend off the roster. That helps set the tone and expectation of what it takes to earn a spot on the back end.

Oh hey, I’m all for this as well. Just worried about his timeline.

 

[Mikos87]

I'd look at the following for next year:

Miller-Trouba
Lindy-Fox
Smith/Staal/Hajek/Rykov-DeAngelo

Of course any of the 4 can play higher up in the line-up, and you can certainly afford to not have Staal in the line-up anymore, and have Key cook down in the minors for 30 games to get used to a new system.

The dark horse in all of this is Hajek. He's lacked confidence in the NHL level. I think if he is feeling good about his capabilities, he's making it.

 

[The New Russian Five]

I'd look at the following for next year:

Miller-Trouba
Lindy-Fox
Smith/Staal/Hajek/Rykov-DeAngelo

Of course any of the 4 can play higher up in the line-up, and you can certainly afford to not have Staal in the line-up anymore, and have Key cook down in the minors for 30 games to get used to a new system.

The dark horse in all of this is Hajek. He's lacked confidence in the NHL level. I think if he is feeling good about his capabilities, he's making it.

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

 

[Mikos87]

Oh hey, I’m all for this as well. Just worried about his timeline.

I'm less so, if he focuses on being the best shutdown defenseman he can be, he's making it. All of the tools are there. It's expecting him to be a puck rusher and an offensive contributor is where I see him falling short.

Unlike Skjei, Key isn't afraid of getting in front of a shot, he's not afraid of taking a hit to make a play, he's not afraid of getting in front of a speeding player with size. In fact, it's quite the opposite. He'll initiate contact, rub guys out on the walls, put himself in front of shots.

I think he makes it by November/December of 2020 if he turns pro after this season.

In other words, he's not soft, he's not afraid. He's the type of guy who plays hungry. He just needs to focus on shutting guys down hard every chance he gets.