Speculation: Roster Building Thread XXXVII - 5 weeks until TDL

[bleedblue94]

The issue with Ryan Strome is he really only contributes to one dimension of the game. He is a terrible defensive player. He and Panarin have gotten abused in their own end this season. $5-6M as a 2-3 year stop gap is meh...skeptical they win a Cup with him in this role, but ultimately kind of irrelevant since he won't sign that contract anyway. The same amount for 6-8 years...haven't we all seen this movie?

It's kind of funny that some of the same people saying this team can't win bc it's so bad 5v5 are the same ones saying we should resign strome bc his cap hit will fit this team.

I would rather have a less offensively skilled 2c that makes the lineup harder to play against 5v5. We have plenty of pp players and top end offensive guys.

 

[Anthony5967]

Corey Pronman wrote the annual who says no? feature for The Athletic this year. He ran the trade ideas submitted by the subscribers by a few NHL execs

A few Rangers mentions

I'll admit, I was the guy who proposed the Miller deal.

 

[MrAlmost]

Pronman's article should have a footnote saying, "Zero NHL executives were reached for input. Their answer are assumed."

 

[EdJovanovski]

I think you mean pleasantly surprised, if not shocked at the changes to his game.

Your inherent bias is preventing you from being impartial. Same with Kravtsov, same with Buch.

He dumped the puck in on a delayed PP in 3v3 OT. He is still one of the biggest imbeciles in the history of the sport

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Drury/Sather having Brooksie do their negotiating in the media. I think the Rangers will ultimately get their man if they want him

The more things change, the more they stay the same. We've come full circle.

 

[Boris Zubov]

He dumped the puck in on a delayed PP in 3v3 OT. He is still one of the biggest imbeciles in the history of the sport

I can't comment on what you're referring to because I didn't see the play nor is there any context of the game situation or that you're not exaggerating the play.

Regardless, you yourself should be fully aware that you're incapable of fairly judging Miller. Sometimes it's better if you sit out the discussion than make yourself look foolish with childlike insults for no other reason than you think he's a bozo.

 

[bhamill]

I can't comment on what you're referring to because I didn't see the play nor is there any context of the game situation or that you're not exaggerating the play.

Regardless, you yourself should be fully aware that you're incapable of fairly judging Miller. Sometimes it's better if you sit out the discussion than make yourself look foolish with childlike insults for no other reason than you think he's a bozo.

While EdJo can sometimes be given to "slight hyperbole," except when it comes to Krav, hahaha, I think most of us who have watched JT play here, for TBL and for VAN, can say that his hockey IQ has never been his strong suite.

 

[bbny]

I'll admit, I was the guy who proposed the Miller deal.

Now everyone on here knows your name. What a sucker!

 

[EdJovanovski]

I can't comment on what you're referring to because I didn't see the play nor is there any context of the game situation or that you're not exaggerating the play.

Regardless, you yourself should be fully aware that you're incapable of fairly judging Miller. Sometimes it's better if you sit out the discussion than make yourself look foolish with childlike insults for no other reason than you think he's a bozo.

I could clip together a video highlight reel of his blunders, he also passed the puck right to Toronto from behind Vancouvers net to score an empty netter when I was at the game. I watch a lot of Canucks hockey and he is every bit as dumb as he ever was, he just has a bigger role. Same concept as how Kakko&Laf would magically produce on a worse team. Miller is a lot like Strome, an idiot with enough skill to get by, but Strome has proven chemistry with our team on and off the ice, and Miller was a cancer everywhere he’s gone, up to and including on Vancouver having a feud with their captain.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

De Haan is baaaaad. Chicago is on TNT all the time and he gets cooked with regularity, he'd quickly become a whipping boy here. Really like Copp & Jarnkrok. Screw Larsson, no interest after he went after Fox, also has a rep as a miserable prick

Thanks, what D would you target? Preferably one who can play both sides, UFA, and cheap!

 

[Anthony5967]

Now everyone on here knows your name. What a sucker!

 

[Fitzy]

Well if you look at the Rangers forward cabinet since the 2017 rebuild, the story is rather bleak.

Andersson- Bust
Howden- Bust
Chytil- Disappointing development
Kravtsov- Yo-yoing back between Russia and NA, multiple trade requests
Barron- Can't stick in the NHL over Greg McKegg right now
Kakko- Disappointing start
Lafreniere- Disappointing start
Gauthier-Bust
Pajuniemi- meh

Then you look at our defensive acquisitions

Lindgren- Huge win
Miller- Promising start, sure NHLer
Hajek- Bust
Rykov-Bust
Schneider- Promising start
Robertson- Even
Jones- Promising start
Lundkvist- Disappointing start
Skinner-Even
Reunanen- Even

We've been 'hitting' a lot more on our defensive prospects. More of them have held or even exceeded expectations, whereas pretty much every young forward has been worse than we had hoped for.

 

[CommaSynapse]

This year is the litmus test for me. Go into the playoffs and see how we do. Most of these guys are inexperienced and most of them haven't even had the chance to play a full, uninterrupted season yet, never mind playoffs. I don't see us as a real contender regardless of the regular season result.

If they're in a good spot, looking good, and taking a step forward, next year is the year to start considering making more aggressive movies. But I still am not a fan of trying for the blockbuster unless the player in return fits into our core and our group. Some of the best teams have a strong pipeline that allows the next guy to step up. It looks like Drury is working on doing that, and I'm glad to see it. He sees that none of Laf, Kakko, and Chytil and is looking to acquire a top-6 player to play the role they would ideally be playing to give them more time. Likely one of them is gone as part of that trade.

Defense has a lot of guys on the cusp or that will soon be.

Forward group...maybe overall bottom-6 depth with guys like Brodzinski, Getting, Greco, but it would be nice to have a player ready to jump in and contribute to the 3rd line. Detroit always over-cooked their prospects, but it's a big part of what make their consecutive years in the playoffs possible.

Miller makes sense in terms of age and the 2 years. For me, it just has to fit into the long-term cap picture. We really worry too much about the cap, though. Teams always work it out, and they have entire departments devoted to the finances. Rangers have the real dollars to make moves work, whether that's taking on short-term salary, burying it, or taking on a non-insured LTIR contract.

For Strome, I really want to see how he responds to playoff hockey. If he elevates his game, great. If he pulls a disappearing act, I'd look to cut ties.

 

[Boris Zubov]

I could clip together a video highlight reel of his blunders, he also passed the puck right to Toronto from behind Vancouvers net to score an empty netter when I was at the game. I watch a lot of Canucks hockey and he is every bit as dumb as he ever was, he just has a bigger role. Same concept as how Kakko&Laf would magically produce on a worse team. Miller is a lot like Strome, an idiot with enough skill to get by, but Strome has proven chemistry with our team on and off the ice, and Miller was a cancer everywhere he’s gone, up to and including on Vancouver having a feud with their captain.

Again, you're entitled to your opinion. I'm certainly not going to change your mind, but when you compile that lowlight reel, do yourself a favor & make a highlight reel as well. You might be shocked to see what you find if you can just open your mind up.

Miller isn't a perfect player...nobody is saying that. But ask yourself if he would he improve the Rangers. I'm also not saying we need to acquire him at all costs, but if the right deal is there, we'd be fools not to be in on it.

 

[CommaSynapse]

Well if you look at the Rangers forward cabinet since the 2017 rebuild, the story is rather bleak.

Andersson- Bust
Howden- Bust
Chytil- Disappointing development
Kravtsov- Yo-yoing back between Russia and NA, multiple trade requests
Barron- Can't stick in the NHL over Greg McKegg right now
Kakko- Disappointing start
Lafreniere- Disappointing start
Gauthier-Bust
Pajuniemi- meh

Then you look at our defensive acquisitions

Lindgren- Huge win
Miller- Promising start, sure NHLer
Hajek- Bust
Rykov-Bust
Schneider- Promising start
Robertson- Even
Jones- Promising start
Lundkvist- Disappointing start
Skinner-Even
Reunanen- Even

We've been 'hitting' a lot more on our defensive prospects. More of them have held or even exceeded expectations, whereas pretty much every young forward has been worse than we had hoped for.

Definitely good with defensive development. That said, I always find it hard to judge defensemen at 21/22/23. Seems to me like there's a lot more mental growth needed to read the game and adapt to the speed than there might be for forwards. Without those skills, d-men are instantly exposed. Even with the "busts," if Hajek becomes a player, even if that's 3rd-pairing, that's still an NHL player.

Rykov's injury is really what did him in, in my opinion. He missed an important development year with that high ankle sprain and then got bumped out by the numbers game.

 

[Anthony5967]

The funny thing is that people are panicking over our 20-year-old prospects, Laf and Kakko, but we have a solid track record producing good forwards in this league. Miller had the talent. The Rangers play in NYC. How is it their fault that the kid wanted to party too much and didn't realize how good or serious he was and should be taking his game? You don't just become this good now. Rangers found him, Zucc, Buch, Kreids, etc. They were never hyped to be Lafreniere good, but they were supposed to be good, and they were. A lot of the fear is just coming from watching younger guys with different situations go off and our guys not. It'll come, I believe it. Isn't Kakko one of their best 2 or 3 5v5 guys per metrics/numbers? He drives play. Also, he's a solid defensive player. He came into the league and was graded out as the worst defensive forward in the league. In one season he changed into a heck of a defensive player. Progress. Laf is getting his chance now. Goals in two straight with Z and Kreids. More positivity and patience is needed with these two guys,

 

[Kovalev27]

I said it last week I’ll say it again Drury is going to do everything he can to get JT Miller for 2 runs 50%salary retained.

the sticking point will be getting Vancouver off Schneider. But I think they will in the end. They desperately need to restock their cupboards

 

[MrAlmost]

I could clip together a video highlight reel of his blunders, he also passed the puck right to Toronto from behind Vancouvers net to score an empty netter when I was at the game. I watch a lot of Canucks hockey and he is every bit as dumb as he ever was, he just has a bigger role. Same concept as how Kakko&Laf would magically produce on a worse team. Miller is a lot like Strome, an idiot with enough skill to get by, but Strome has proven chemistry with our team on and off the ice, and Miller was a cancer everywhere he’s gone, up to and including on Vancouver having a feud with their captain.

Miller and Strome are nothing alike. Strome is a very smart hockey player, despite natural gifts being somewhat limited. He gets by solely on his brain and yes, his chemistry. Miller is the literal opposite, dumb hockey player but with great natural ability, size and physicality.

 

[McRanger92]

Thanks, what D would you target? Preferably one who can play both sides, UFA, and cheap!

I actually think they should focus on adding FWDs at the deadline. I think the help they need on defense is here, especially if they are going to actually give Schneider-Jones a shot at some point. I assume they will add a veteran body on the cheap, but were not going to like the names of who that could be. Marc Staal, Luke Schenn, etc. Those are the types playoff teams usually add for depth & experience

 

[Anthony5967]

I said it last week I’ll say it again Drury is going to do everything he can to get JT Miller for 2 runs 50%salary retained.

the sticking point will be getting Vancouver off Schneider. But I think they will in the end. They desperately need to restock their cupboards

If he can do that, he is good. It's going to be tough. Canucks need to know soon if he is in their price range. If not, you absolutely have to trade him now. Additional value comes with two runs and the ability to retain for 1.5 years. Rangers can definitely compete going forward with a Zibanejad-Miller 1-2 punch down the middle. If Miller keeps up a 70-point+, all-around game, that's a hell of a 1-2 punch. You can compete with that.

 

[mas0764]

Our farm system ranking went down because we graduated a large chunk of players onto the roster. Plus it's just a subjective opinion from the Athletic writer who compiled that list, it's not hard facts.

Part of what needs to be factored in is players' timelines and roster space. You can't keep everyone.

Othmann, Cuylle, Berard, Kravtsov are all strong wing prospects that along with Kakko and Lafreniere give us 5 solid wingers who are on the same timeline and should all be NHLers. You have Panarin and Kreider locked up so even if one of these kids busts or is traded it's not going to hurt you much in terms of org depth.

Lundkvist, Schneider, Jones, Robertson are all strong D prospects who should be NHLers. You already have 23 year old Lindgren and Fox and 22 year old K'Andre with gray beard 27 year old Trouba all basically locked into their spots barring any hockey trades.

We have tons of talented kids who are ready to start stepping into NHL roles but not enough spots for them on the roster. You need to do what you can to get the maximum value out of the assets acquired in the rebuild, whether that is the player stepping into the lineup or being traded to acquire another player.

I agree we have a lot of young roster talent that will not need replacing at the NHL anytime soon, leaving not too many holes up there to fill, but the point is we don't really have an endless system here. We've graduated a ton of pieces and so they are currently not really available for trade, they are pencilled into our roster. Guys like Othmann, Schneider, and Jones soon will be needed at the NHL level as well - to fill Nemeth's spot, to eventually replace Trouba, to eventually replace Kreider, to become good bottom line depth so we don't keep getting caved in our bottom 6 with too many Hunts and Reaves playing.

The disposable pieces are, for arguments sake, Nils, Krav, maybe 1 more piece. You can't keep dipping that much further in without serious shortchanging the guys you really NEED in your pipeline, which, given how much we've graduated, isn't really that deep anymore.

We don't have that much to spend. And center needs to be addressed with what we do have - long term.

 

[Kovalev27]

Miller is an absolute beast out there. Maybe guys don’t watch him enough but he’s a beast. Does it all. Has it all.

still a prick though lol

reminder rangers have almost 4 mil buyout money that comes off the cap after next season too

 

[mas0764]

The more things change, the more they stay the same. We've come full circle.

Really more like the Rangers started running themselves like a real NHL team but Sather got bored in retirement, got in the owner's ear, and found a hatchet man to clear out the front office and take orders from him again.

 

[mas0764]

Miller is an absolute beast out there. Maybe guys don’t watch him enough but he’s a beast. Does it all. Has it all.

still a prick though lol

reminder rangers have almost 4 mil buyout money that comes off the cap after next season too

We've been through the cap numbers many times. They have 10.6 million to re-sign Strome and Kakko and find like 4 more forwards and a goaltender.

Miller at 100% makes it downright impossible to keep Strome. Miller at 50% merely makes it extremely hard and unlikely to keep Strome, and it means you are squeezing Kakko and hoping he doesn't get an offer sheet.

The difference between Miller and Strome isn't worth Krav, Nils, and a first.

 

[McRanger92]

The funny thing is that people are panicking over our 20-year-old prospects, Laf and Kakko, but we have a solid track record producing good forwards in this league. Miller had the talent. The Rangers play in NYC. How is it their fault that the kid wanted to party too much and didn't realize how good or serious he was and should be taking his game? You don't just become this good now. Rangers found him, Zucc, Buch, Kreids, etc. They were never hyped to be Lafreniere good, but they were supposed to be good, and they were. A lot of the fear is just coming from watching younger guys with different situations go off and our guys not. It'll come, I believe it. Isn't Kakko one of their best 2 or 3 5v5 guys per metrics/numbers? He drives play. Also, he's a solid defensive player. He came into the league and was graded out as the worst defensive forward in the league. In one season he changed into a heck of a defensive player. Progress. Laf is getting his chance now. Goals in two straight with Z and Kreids. More positivity and patience is needed with these two guys,

Yeah I agree with this. I myself have been frustrated at times this year with the glacial development of Laf/Kakko, but when take a step back and look at the big picture, its not the crisis it appears to be. They are still so young and not being relied upon to be major producers on this team, like other high draft picks. The team considers them untouchable, which tells me they arent concerned about their development either. In 4-5 years these guys will be 24-25 years old, which is insane to think about.

4-5 years of contention and hopefully deep playoff runs will be great for these guys, and around the time Panarin/Kreider age and reach the end of their contracts, I have faith the young guns will be ready to take up their mantle as offensive leaders.