Speculation: Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXIV

[GAGLine]

I was honestly disappointed because the only invites that aren't "our guys" were some mostly-crappy players who were in Hartford last year. I miss the days of guys like Zaitsev, Sustr, Read, Kinkaid, etc. getting invites.

I'm sure the timing of the camp has a lot to do with it, as many of the players we might invite are already involved in college/other leagues. Covid could still be part of it too.

 

[RGY]

22 year old, 6'4, 220 lb, C/LW, with an impressive NCAA resume (Hobey Baker Finalist, ECAC PotY, DPotY Finalist), who's scored at a PPG at every level he's played at besides his 5 games in the NHL.

- Pro level shot that gets through traffic
- Protects the puck well with his strength and size
- Tends to slip through coverage for scoring chances
- Good 2-way game, at or above 50% for FO

Any player who fits the above description is trending very well, especially for a 6th round pick. If we weren't trying to jam Kakko, Lafreniere, Kravtsov, and Chytil in the top 2 lines, you would not be able to stop him from getting a cup of coffee.

The fact that our Hobey Baker Finalist is still considered our 9th best prospect by these boards shows the embarrassment of riches that are holding him back from getting a look, and every prospect listed here (ahead of Barron) is projected to be on the line-up opening day (besides Jones and Gauthier) but we'll see what he does in camp.

He's practically tailor-made to slot into a 3rd/4th line role for development.

There is a lot to like here.

Never once said I didnt like Barron. Never once.

The Rangers are transitioning to contention. They are no longer in that phase of lets force feed the kids NHL when they need time to develop their game because they likely aren’t contending anyway like they did with Chytil, Howden, and Lias. They handled all 3 wrong. Barron has not played a ton of center from College onward. Playing center at the NHL is much more demanding. And some of you think he is just going to be penciled into a middle 6 role this year? He needs time. The Rangers have better more suitable options for the Top 9 THIS YEAR. Maybe next year he cracks the 3rd line and stays there all season, but I do not see it for this year when this team is trying to establish proper depth in their forward group with defined roles.

Also, listing a Prospect Report Card really means jack shit. You know how many hundreds of other mid-late draft pick cards have read like that and nothing came of them… he scored at a PPG rate in a shortened AHL season that featured the same 4 opponents over and over again.

I hope Barron becomes a great 2-way forward here, lord knows the Rangers need that, especially at the center position, but can some of you be realistic for this upcoming season…

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I'm sure the timing of the camp has a lot to do with it, as many of the players we might invite are already involved in college/other leagues. Covid could still be part of it too.

Correct. Dev camp is usually right after the draft, at the end of June.

In 2018 for instance, we had the following invitees:

Alex Basso (USports)
Mason Bergh (NCAA)
Kevin Hancock (OHL)
Dylan McLaughlin (NCAA)
Drew Melanson (NCAA)
Josh Melnick (NCAA)
Brogan Rafferty (NCAA)
Josh Teves (NCAA)

With NCAA players already attending college, they're ineligible, and WHL/OHL/QMJHL players can't join unless the team owns their NHL rights since it's so late in the season, if I remember correctly.

It sucks, because it's always interesting to see some new names and observe how they perform but we're still dealing with the aftermath of the delayed 2020-21 season.

 

[NYSPORTS]

22 year old, 6'4, 220 lb, C/LW, with an impressive NCAA resume (Hobey Baker Finalist, ECAC PotY, DPotY Finalist), who's scored at a PPG at every level he's played at besides his 5 games in the NHL.

- Pro level shot that gets through traffic
- Protects the puck well with his strength and size
- Tends to slip through coverage for scoring chances
- Good 2-way game, at or above 50% for FO

Any player who fits the above description is trending very well, especially for a 6th round pick. If we weren't trying to jam Kakko, Lafreniere, Kravtsov, and Chytil in the top 2 lines, you would not be able to stop him from getting a cup of coffee.

The fact that our Hobey Baker Finalist is still considered our 9th best prospect by these boards shows the embarrassment of riches that are holding him back from getting a look, and every prospect listed here (ahead of Barron) is projected to be on the line-up opening day (besides Jones and Gauthier) but we'll see what he does in camp.

He's practically tailor-made to slot into a 3rd/4th line role for development.

There is a lot to like here.

love Barron. The kid chose to return to college and he keeps getting better. Even two years ago, he was more physically mature than many of these Rangers are today. Now Barron is even stronger. A smart player imo with a bit of everything and you need his type to win in the playoffs imo.

 

[pld459666]

I unfortunatly do not think Lindgren makes it outta next offseason as a NYR. Likely a cap casualty. Which would suck

At 3 per for a 2nd pair defender, doubt he goes anywhere anytime soon

 

[surlysailor]

I unfortunatly do not think Lindgren makes it outta next offseason as a NYR. Likely a cap casualty. Which would suck

I've been thinking for a while that he could be used in a Sabres deal for Eichel. Sure he won't be the main piece but a big piece, and the reason why is he could help create a culture change in Buff. I'm probably wrong but could see them targeting him to play behind Dahlin and then help Power if he ever signs with them.

 

[egelband]

Can't really do this when he's in Sweden. Rangers will do one better and retire his number later this season.

Weird how players who are actually in the locker room with him say the exact opposite.

I think Kreider is well-liked but not a leader. It’s weird, the Rangers maybe haven’t pushed to have a captain but also maybe simplynhavent had a captain step up over the past few years. I guess Henrik was the default captain and they just left it at that. It’s probably about time to establish a captain but I can’t see it being Kreider. Trouba sounds reasonable to me. Second choice would be Mika but that requires a new contract.

 

[egelband]

Honestly its really tough for the fans to determine who the captain should be.

All we see is what happens on the ice. For me, what goes on in the room and in Tarrytown is as just as important.

Totally.

 

[Avery16]

I've been thinking for a while that he could be used in a Sabres deal for Eichel. Sure he won't be the main piece but a big piece, and the reason why is he could help create a culture change in Buff. I'm probably wrong but could see them targeting him to play behind Dahlin and then help Power if he ever signs with them.

Don't make me barf my frosted flakes.

 

[LORDE]

We waited this long why not leave it alone and see if Goodrow is that guy before we hand it to someone else? The guy won 2 cups, nobody on this team has done that.

Understand this from the point of his resume... concerns me that he's here for his retirement.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I think Kreider is well-liked but not a leader. It’s weird, the Rangers maybe haven’t pushed to have a captain but also maybe simplynhavent had a captain step up over the past few years. I guess Henrik was the default captain and they just left it at that. It’s probably about time to establish a captain but I can’t see it being Kreider. Trouba sounds reasonable to me. Second choice would be Mika but that requires a new contract.

It's more than just that. Young players look up to him, he's always out there helping teammates, arranging off-season sessions. During training camp he's the first one on the ice, last one off.

These are things you don't see when watching him in games, but what I've heard from multiple people on the team and working out with him, he does what I expect a captain to do. I know his performance is inconsistent, but being a leader, a captain and the guy teammates go to isn't the same as being the best player. Sometimes those go hand-in-hand (McDavid, Crosby etc) but there are enough examples of captains who aren't their team's best player.

Mikko Koivu, Dustin Brown, Jason Pominville, Derek McKenzie, Olli Jokinen, Saku Koivu, Bo Horvat, Gabriel Landeskog, Daniel Brière, Brian Gionta.

Ultimately, I think Drury is one of the best people to make the decision with his history as a player, and being a respected leader on all the teams he played on. Trouba, Kreider or maybe even Lindgren, whoever they go with, I'm okay with it to be honest.

Lafrenière has an outside chance, and if he gets it, it'll be similar to Landeskog at age 19 when he had O'Reilly, Stastny, Hejduk etc still on their roster. He was the youngest player on the team and still named captain.

 

[duhmetreE]

Honestly its really tough for the fans to determine who the captain should be.

All we see is what happens on the ice. For me, what goes on in the room and in Tarrytown is as just as important.

That becomes evident on the ice.

That's been the problem, this team has had little to no leadership.

 

[DutchShamrock]

It's more than just that. Young players look up to him, he's always out there helping teammates, arranging off-season sessions. During training camp he's the first one on the ice, last one off.

These are things you don't see when watching him in games, but what I've heard from multiple people on the team and working out with him, he does what I expect a captain to do. I know his performance is inconsistent, but being a leader, a captain and the guy teammates go to isn't the same as being the best player. Sometimes those go hand-in-hand (McDavid, Crosby etc) but there are enough examples of captains who aren't their team's best player.

Mikko Koivu, Dustin Brown, Jason Pominville, Derek McKenzie, Olli Jokinen, Saku Koivu, Bo Horvat, Gabriel Landeskog, Daniel Brière, Brian Gionta.

Ultimately, I think Drury is one of the best people to make the decision with his history as a player, and being a respected leader on all the teams he played on. Trouba, Kreider or maybe even Lindgren, whoever they go with, I'm okay with it to be honest.

Lafrenière has an outside chance, and if he gets it, it'll be similar to Landeskog at age 19 when he had O'Reilly, Stastny, Hejduk etc still on their roster. He was the youngest player on the team and still named captain.

It's hard to disagree with any of your points. I'm just hung up on the times he is completely invisible. With his physical abilities, he should be finding ways to impact the game when he isn't scoring.

It's a disqualifying issue for me. This team is unstoppable when everything clicks. Carp could captain those teams. The Rangers weaknesses are details, winning the battles, and consistent effort. I need the captain of this group to exemplify those qualities. Lindgren checks all of those boxes actually, but it isn't a practical choice. Trouba seems to be the fit.

 

[NYSPORTS]

I think Kreider is well-liked but not a leader. It’s weird, the Rangers maybe haven’t pushed to have a captain but also maybe simplynhavent had a captain step up over the past few years. I guess Henrik was the default captain and they just left it at that. It’s probably about time to establish a captain but I can’t see it being Kreider. Trouba sounds reasonable to me. Second choice would be Mika but that requires a new contract.

if he was Captain material he would have been named already IMO. He’s the perfect candidate yet wasn’t named Captain for a reason.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

It's hard to disagree with any of your points. I'm just hung up on the times he is completely invisible. With his physical abilities, he should be finding ways to impact the game when he isn't scoring.

It's a disqualifying issue for me. This team is unstoppable when everything clicks. Carp could captain those teams. The Rangers weaknesses are details, winning the battles, and consistent effort. I need the captain of this group to exemplify those qualities. Lindgren checks all of those boxes actually, but it isn't a practical choice. Trouba seems to be the fit.

Based on what I have heard, I can make a case for all 3 of Kreider, Trouba and Lindgren.

It's been 3.5 years which, to my knowledge, is the longest an NHL team has ever been without a captain. How much longer will they wait? If there's no clear candidate, do you go with a "stopgap" until the clear candidate arrives? If it's Kreider or Trouba, and he is traded in 3 years when his NMC expires, do we go through this whole process again?

 

[rangers1314]

Rangers, Chris Drury intend to fill captain vacancy

 

[egelband]

Trouba is gonna wear the C and all 3 As on his jersey at the same time

Like a North Korean army general…

 

[egelband]

if he was Captain material he would have been named already IMO. He’s the perfect candidate yet wasn’t named Captain for a reason.

Yep. It’s that simple. Kreider is a great guy. A great teammate. But maybe he’s even just too nice too be a captain.
Unless you ask a Habs fan.

 

[LORDE]

Just listening to "Hey bro, what's your problem" on NHL XM...

The two answers were spot on...

A) The owner... fired his GM & President JD... "Who fires JD?? He was only there for a yr"

B) The team is past the wait and see stage... they need to show something this season after having Panarin & Fox fall into their laps and winning 2 lotteries.

 

[NYSPORTS]

Yep. It’s that simple. Kreider is a great guy. A great teammate. But maybe he’s even just too nice too be a captain.
Unless you ask a Habs fan.

idk, it might be he floats in and out of being a vocal leader like his play. For all we know he goes quiet for stretches followed by being vocal. Something is not a fit.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

From the outside looking in I'd like to see if Goodrow is a vocal leader, he's got the cups to back it up, and baring that to me it's either Trouba or Fox for Captain. Trouba because i think he is able to stand up and say something and be heard, Fox because he can lead by example being a smaller player who playa hard every shift.

 

[EdJovanovski]

It's more than just that. Young players look up to him, he's always out there helping teammates, arranging off-season sessions. During training camp he's the first one on the ice, last one off.

These are things you don't see when watching him in games, but what I've heard from multiple people on the team and working out with him, he does what I expect a captain to do. I know his performance is inconsistent, but being a leader, a captain and the guy teammates go to isn't the same as being the best player. Sometimes those go hand-in-hand (McDavid, Crosby etc) but there are enough examples of captains who aren't their team's best player.

Mikko Koivu, Dustin Brown, Jason Pominville, Derek McKenzie, Olli Jokinen, Saku Koivu, Bo Horvat, Gabriel Landeskog, Daniel Brière, Brian Gionta.

Ultimately, I think Drury is one of the best people to make the decision with his history as a player, and being a respected leader on all the teams he played on. Trouba, Kreider or maybe even Lindgren, whoever they go with, I'm okay with it to be honest.

Lafrenière has an outside chance, and if he gets it, it'll be similar to Landeskog at age 19 when he had O'Reilly, Stastny, Hejduk etc still on their roster. He was the youngest player on the team and still named captain.

You work out with Kreider?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

You work out with Kreider?

I wish! haha.

 

[pld459666]

Regarding Lindgren

He checks off all the boxes of what the Rangers want MORE of.

Smart. Check
Can he skate. Check
Physical. Check. Check
Cheap contract. CHECK.

The Nemeth's and Tinordi's are bottom pair, extra defenders. Lindgren just played a season where his partner won a Norris. He was very instrumental in that accomplishment.

Trading him would fly in the face of everything this org just did this summer.

My personal opinion?

Would be a dumb f***ing move.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Regarding Lindgren

He checks off all the boxes of what the Rangers want MORE of.

Smart. Check
Can he skate. Check
Physical. Check. Check
Cheap contract. CHECK.

The Nemeth's and Tinordi's are bottom pair, extra defenders. Lindgren just played a season where his partner won a Norris. He was very instrumental in that accomplishment.

Trading him would fly in the face of everything this org just did this summer.

My personal opinion?

Would be a dumb f***ing move.

Who is talking about trading Lindgren??? Wtf