Speculation: Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXIV

[EdJovanovski]

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I noticed some people penciling Kreider on the 3rd line to start the season, while Kravtsov and Kakko automatically in the Top 6. I get it, these kids are the future but they need to earn those spots. Kreider is an already proven 50 point, 20 goal scorer. If Kreider has one of his usual slumps, then it's an opportunity for one of them to step up and earn that spot over him.

Kreider gets placed on the 3rd line because the other LW's are Panarin and Lafreniere. He shouldn't be getting minutes over either of them.

Plus I wouldn't sweat it. He'll still get his PP1 minutes (where he's still the best at what he does) and playing with a more straight forward, grindy line will probably force him to tap into that part of his game more often than he did last year which is only a good thing. I really don't hate the idea of him playing with Chytil and Goodrow at all, theres a ton of versatility with that group and they can be a pretty menacing trio provided that Kreider is more of his good self than he is the ES ghost that we saw last year.

 

[Kovalev27]

Barron went pointless in 4 games out of 21. His production was very consistent.

The A was watered down so there is no argument from me there, but I don't really think he would need to cut his teeth in the A as a "center." If he makes it on the NHL squad as one it's going to be for the 3rd line, I don't think his game really needs the type of reps that he'd be better suited learning in the A. If he plays in the A, it's likely because there isn't room for him with the NHL team (also entirely possible he has a bad camp.)

if anything it was harder to score with the lack of skill in the A last year than anything else and he was anything but inconsistent as you mentioned he put up points almost every game. The A is a very tough league to put up pts. He’s a very smart player man size and strength he has no business playing in the A again.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I thought he was unproven

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I’d be happy with one of them getting into the 60’s. The likelihood of all three of them doing that this year is unrealistic.

I never said it was realistic. Daydreaming never is

Lofty expectations, my friend.

More realistic yet hopeful, is probably 50-60 for Laf, 40-50 for Kakko and 30-40 for Krav

 

[Kovalev27]

Didn’t realize what a turnover machine Buch was.

i did ugh. No one threw pucks to no mans land more than buchnevich he couldn’t help himself

 

[Richard Banger]

He paced for 73pts over the full season which is certainly 1st liner level lmao, and that’s with basically no PP time.

So did Derek Stepan once upon a time in a shorten season. And people didn’t call him a #1 C

 

[Leonardo87]

Kreider gets placed on the 3rd line because the other LW's are Panarin and Lafreniere. He shouldn't be getting minutes over either of them.

Plus I wouldn't sweat it. He'll still get his PP1 minutes (where he's still the best at what he does) and playing with a more straight forward, grindy line will probably force him to tap into that part of his game more often than he did last year which is only a good thing. I really don't hate the idea of him playing with Chytil and Goodrow at all, theres a ton of versatility with that group and they can be a pretty menacing trio provided that Kreider is more of his good self than he is the ES ghost that we saw last year.

Forgot about the LW depth that we have. That makes sense. I have plenty of faith in Laf to be able to play up in the Top 6 and keep the job.

 

[Fitzy]

Drury's quotes confirm what we've suspected for a while, which is that Kravtsov and Lundkvist are pretty much expected to make the team.

Barron as a center is interesting.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Kravtsov at center should be a thing during camp.

 

[jay from jersey]

Okay so I see you aren’t being serious lol
His production last season was that of a 1st liner too. He also is the best penalty killer in the league

I think part of the reason buchs value wasn’t so high is that he doesn’t have a full season like the last 2 years on his resume.
Especially needing a new multi-year deal in the 6mill range.
I’m sure that made some teams cautious when dealing for him. Pacing for 70+ pts is great, but actually doing it over a full season is another thing entirely. Buch has been known to go on long droughts on the scoresheet just like Kreider prior to the last 2 shortened years.
I think it’s a big reason why a team like EDM wouldn’t pony up a 1st for him. I think it’s also why they chose to give RNH the longer term deal with a similar cap hit.
He has better stats over a full 82 GM season. That helps a lot come contract bargaining time.
The oilers would have been an ideal situation for Buch. Playing RW on a line with McJesus/Drai.
I think him not have at least a 60pt season thru 82 GMs under his belt without a doubt affected a lot of offers.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Glad to hear they think of Chytil as a center but actions speak louder than words.

Bump Strome down to 3C and then we’re talking

Also I don’t think Barron makes this team as a C out of camp

 

[Vitto79]

Glad to hear they think of Chytil as a center but actions speak louder than words.

Bump Strome down to 3C and then we’re talking

Also I don’t think Barron makes this team as a C out of camp

yes and yes

Chytil w Panarin and Kravtsov
Strome w Kakko and Goodrow
Zib w Laf and Kreider … Laf RW
Rooney w Blais and Reaves

Barron 1st call up

that’s my lineup so it worse happen lol

 

[RangersFan1994]

Back where I belong

Rangers should have done this with Lundqvist

 

[RangerBoy]

Who will it be?

 

[rangers1314]

Back where I belong

Rangers should have done this with Lundqvist

Maybe he didn’t want it?

 

[rangers1314]

Who will it be?

Trouba

 

[Fitzy]

Who will it be?

With only one rose remaining, Gerant Gallant chooses...

 

[EdJovanovski]

Trouba

If this happens I'm convinced Drury was hired for the sole purpose of pissing me off

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I think captain will either be Trouba or Fox

doubt it’s Mika and certainly shouldn’t be Kreider

 

[EdJovanovski]

Lafreniere is such a stud and is already one of the most vocal players on the team as a rookie. No doubt he'd be ready for the C next season, I think it'd be a mistake to name a captain right now whether it's Mika, Trouba, Kreider, whoever. I'd roll with A's one more year, and Laf gets it next year.

Fox may be a darkhorse too, there was one strange question a reporter asked him about "What if you get named captain?" and he said we'll have to wait and see, the way it was worded seemed like it's going to happen, idk. Would be a pretty awkward thing for him to say if there was no indication he was going to be captain

 

[Mac n Gs]

I think captain will either be Trouba or Fox

doubt it’s Mika and certainly shouldn’t be Kreider

Yeah, this is my thinking too. Laf is the other potential candidate, but I don’t think they’ll give him that responsibility yet.

I’d guess it’s Trouba for a few years and then one of Fox or Laf after Trouba gets moved in a few years

 

[Fitzy]

We haven't had a captain in like 4 seasons. That's a little ridiculous.

If the Sabres had a washed up Craig Rivet as captain for 3 years we can most certainly have Trouba be the C until he is moved for the new generation.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Would being the hometown kid influence it? I’m thinking about the Norris too, I feel like it may be Fox. I’d rather wait for Laf though he is a way bigger personality

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Fox seems like the most likely pick IMO.

Think that all the talk about needing a captain is dumb though. Its not going to make the team any better.