GDT: Training Camp 2021: Everyone Else Too Lazy to Make a Thread

[Edge]

Also feel like it's impossible for us to know who is looking "good" and who is not, so little info.

It is.

And it can also be difficult enough to gauge how good someone will look over the long-haul in training camp, let alone intersquad scrimmages.

The latter particularly tends to favor skills over in-game stategies, so it becomes even more challenging to get accurate reads.

 

[Crease]

Part of a good coaching staff is recognizing who performs better in practice than in games, and vice versa. Because those players exist.

 

[JimmyG89]

Miller making the roster, even with making gaffs that we expect young players to make, is huge for this team. His development is one of the bigger factors of this team moving forward. The left side needs a jolt of skill and he has oodles of it. Not necessarily offensive skill, but his skating, size, speed, and having an offensive acumen as being as forward is something the left side has been missing since McDonagh left. A big development in having Miller on the NHL roster is that Hartford will only be playing 24 games this season. That almost feels like an NCAA season and they could shift Miller there and he'd have a similar workload without the school work and more gym time, but he needs reps. This is already someone that has all the athleticism you need.

While the team has tons of LHD in the system coming up, they really need someone now to take the reigns and be a staple for the team for the next 6-7 years.

The two most important players in terms of development for this team for this year and next are going to be Miller and Chytil. It would mean not needing to look outside the organization to fill in a top 4 LHD and a top 6 center. Of course Lafreniere and Kakko becoming top 6 forwards is high on the list, but there are guys that are in those roles at the moment that could do it next season as well (Buch, Panarin, Kreider). We don't have a 2C besides Strome and he's been as good as we could have hoped. Lindgren has been fantastic too, but I'm not sure we can rely on him to be a top 4 staple based off of one NHL season.

 

[Edge]

Miller making the roster, even with making gaffs that we expect young players to make, is huge for this team. His development is one of the bigger factors of this team moving forward. The left side needs a jolt of skill and he has oodles of it. Not necessarily offensive skill, but his skating, size, speed, and having an offensive acumen as being as forward is something the left side has been missing since McDonagh left. A big development in having Miller on the NHL roster is that Hartford will only be playing 24 games this season. That almost feels like an NCAA season and they could shift Miller there and he'd have a similar workload without the school work and more gym time, but he needs reps. This is already someone that has all the athleticism you need.

While the team has tons of LHD in the system coming up, they really need someone now to take the reigns and be a staple for the team for the next 6-7 years.

The two most important players in terms of development for this team for this year and next are going to be Miller and Chytil. It would mean not needing to look outside the organization to fill in a top 4 LHD and a top 6 center. Of course Lafreniere and Kakko becoming top 6 forwards is high on the list, but there are guys that are in those roles at the moment that could do it next season as well (Buch, Panarin, Kreider). We don't have a 2C besides Strome and he's been as good as we could have hoped. Lindgren has been fantastic too, but I'm not sure we can rely on him to be a top 4 staple based off of one NHL season.

The truth is that any time the Rangers can answer questions from within, it makes them much stronger.

It allows them to not only focus on other areas, but if they need to upgrade a position, get better value for what they are willing to trade.

LD, not unlike RW, occupies a weird space in that it has a lot of question marks now, but also a lot of potential answers on the horizon.

You've got Miller who, regardless of whether he hits an elite level, or becomes a first pair denseman, or tops out as very good second pair defenseman, has the ability to bring a unique dynamic to the team.

Not too teribly far behind him is Robertson, who doesn't have the physical tools that Miller has, but plays a game that could translate very well to the NHL. The more he raises his value, the more it gives the Rangers options in the immediate future.

On the right side, it's almost easy to forget that even our oldest option is still not actually that old. So you're talking about a very young group there as well --- Buchnevich 25, Kakko 19, Kravtsov 21, Gauthier 23. That's an average of 22.

 

[Beer League Sniper]

Been saying it since he was drafted, but I peg Miller’s absolute ceiling at a Brent Burns type D. I also think his absolute floor is John Moore. He’s very likely to end up somewhere in the middle of that, depending on how he continues to develop and how his tools come together.

It’s great that he’s looking so good in camp, but this is a young player that is going to make mistakes. We as a fan base tend to be way more lenient on young Fs than we are on young Ds, so I hope the coaching staff is very cautious about how they deploy him.

Most young players, when moving up in level of competition, tend to simplify their game, then add in elements as their level of comfort grows. The job of the coaching staff is to put their players in a position to succeed, even challenge them when needed, but not ask so much that they’re doomed to fail.

 

[RangersFan1994]

The truth is that any time the Rangers can answer questions from within, it makes them much stronger.

It allows them to not only focus on other areas, but if they need to upgrade a position, get better value for what they are willing to trade.

LD, not unlike RW, occupies a weird space in that it has a lot of question marks now, but also a lot of potential answers on the horizon.

You've got Miller who, regardless of whether he hits an elite level, or becomes a first pair denseman, or tops out as very good second pair defenseman, has the ability to bring a unique dynamic to the team.

Not too teribly far behind him is Robertson, who doesn't have the physical tools that Miller has, but plays a game that could translate very well to the NHL. The more he raises his value, the more it gives the Rangers options in the immediate future.

On the right side, it's almost easy to forget that even our oldest option is still not actually that old. So you're talking about a very young group there as well --- Buchnevich 25, Kakko 19, Kravtsov 21, Gauthier 23. That's an average of 22.

Barron can also play RW. i got a gut feeling he will be given a long look at center, but he has played all 3 positions in scrimmage. I wonder how he has done on the faceoffs.

 

[Edge]

Barron can also play RW. i got a gut feeling he will be given a long look at center, but he has played all 3 positions in scrimmage. I wonder how he has done on the faceoffs.

Barron is a kid who has a shot to come in and challenge in a number of ways.

He 100 percent was/is expected to push guys like Howden and Lemieux, and potentially even someone like Gauthier.

He's another one who might not ever consistently play above a bottom six role (though who knows), but brings value if he puts it all together. Because there's another example of not having to go out and find a piece elsewhere.

 

[Fitzy]

I haven’t seen the kind of pivotal skating (Edges and balance) or the puck handling from Miller that I see in the classic big rivers like Burns and Byfuglien.

I get that this was in the minds of the team as an upside when he was picked, but I don’t think he will turn into an offensive defenseman at the NHL level. I think a big bruiser who stays at home is a more likely development

 

[Edge]

I haven’t seen the kind of pivotal skating (Edges and balance) or the puck handling from Miller that I see in the classic big rivers like Burns and Byfuglien.

I get that this was in the minds of the team as an upside when he was picked, but I don’t think he will turn into an offensive defenseman at the NHL level. I think a big bruiser who stays at home is a more likely development

My guess is that if it all comes together, he's a guy who will play in most if not all situations. He could see time on the powerplay, but not necessarily drive it. He could see time on the PK because he covers a ton of ice and can really put pressure on players. He's a guy who is still putting all the transition pieces together from zone to zone, but the elements are definitely there.

I said this a week or so back, but Miller is going to be a tough one to peg for outsiders who only look at numbers and box scores. Because even if his game hits all of its peaks, I'm not quite sure the numbers are going to be gaudy. So his value is going to go beyond what shows when a reporter peaks at HockeyDB.com.

I'd put Lundkvist, and even Fox in that same "flying under the radar" category for many observers.

And that's not a bad thing if you're the Rangers. We don't necessarily need a guy to go out and win 3 Norris Trophies. If we can have a defense that oppossing teams know they have to respect, along with a goalie who is a stud, and an offense that has some high gears, we're going to be in very good shape.

 

[True Blue]

I haven’t seen the kind of pivotal skating (Edges and balance) or the puck handling from Miller that I see in the classic big rivers like Burns and Byfuglien.

I get that this was in the minds of the team as an upside when he was picked, but I don’t think he will turn into an offensive defenseman at the NHL level. I think a big bruiser who stays at home is a more likely development

Miller is a bit of a mystery for me. A freak athlete, but is still relatively new to his position. A jump straight from college to the NHL is difficult enough. Let alone from someone who has not been playing D for all that long. Add to that the item of defensemen can take longer to develop than forwards and I think that some people's expectations of him based on training camp, and not a normal one at that, are going to be sky high. He IS going to have his share of growing pains. And expecting him to be an instant top-4 is a bit of a reach I think.

 

[Edge]

Anaheim wanted Miller that’s all I need to know
Was thinking next year would be his year to crack the lineup but if he has a very good camp then I guess wouldn’t be that upset if they give him a look.

Anaheim, San Jose and Minnesota were all very high on Miller in his draft year.

 

[Edge]

Miller is a bit of a mystery for me. A freak athlete, but is still relatively new to his position. A jump straight from college to the NHL is difficult enough. Let alone from someone who has not been playing D for all that long. Add to that the item of defensemen can take longer to develop than forwards and I think that some people's expectations of him based on training camp, and not a normal one at that, are going to be sky high. He IS going to have his share of growing pains. And expecting him to be an instant top-4 is a bit of a reach I think.

I think he'll be okay, if people can kind of ride the wave a bit. With Miller we might see what happened with Kreider. He comes in and finds a plateau and stays there for a few years, then he finds a higher plateau and stays there for a few years.

So the player you get at 20 or 21, might look a lot like the player you see at 24/25, but very different from the player you see at 27/28. I'd say Miller might be a kid who's journey is less gradual and maybe features more clear "leaps" from tier to tier.

His athleticism will find him a place in the NHL. His ability to learn and grasp lessons and become more comfortable identifying plays will determine how far he climbs against the best of the best. It will be a process.

 

[Kovalev27]

The only time Miller looks green is when he’s defending the cycle down low. He can get lost. I expect that to continue as a rookie as he learns but he’s probably one of the best pure athletes here. His skating is elite. His size. His gaps are ridiculous just ridiculous. If he’s keeping it simple he’s probably looking like a total stud to everyone. Once he’s in the ozone he can rip the puck with a wrister which is so valuable now.

Like I said the word is if he could have they would have played him in the play in series so really had little doubt he’d make the team.

some guys are just ready. They don’t need the A. Some guys only go to the A because it’s 50/50 and there’s more ice time down there for them. Some guys need to catch up to the speed.

but some guys just can go right in especially if their competitors include jack johnson and Tony Bitetto

 

[Fitzy]

Miller is a bit of a mystery for me. A freak athlete, but is still relatively new to his position. A jump straight from college to the NHL is difficult enough. Let alone from someone who has not been playing D for all that long. Add to that the item of defensemen can take longer to develop than forwards and I think that some people's expectations of him based on training camp, and not a normal one at that, are going to be sky high. He IS going to have his share of growing pains. And expecting him to be an instant top-4 is a bit of a reach I think.

This is one of the reasons why I think coaching is going to be crucial at this stage of his career.

If he makes the team I wouldn’t be shocked if he starts on neither the PP or PK and gets sheltered minutes as he is eased into the NHL speed of play.

Trouba Fox Lindgren and whoever of Smith/JJ is partnered with him can be the main PK quad.

Forcing him into the NHL this way won’t be ideal, but I guess it beats a 24 game AHL season. I just don’t like the idea of the kid having a bad gaffe and then getting benched in favor of JJ for five games because the coach is preoccupied with making the playoffs

 

[NYblades]

My guess is that if it all comes together, he's a guy who will play in most if not all situations. He could see time on the powerplay, but not necessarily drive it. He could see time on the PK because he covers a ton of ice and can really put pressure on players. He's a guy who is still putting all the transition pieces together from zone to zone, but the elements are definitely there.

I said this a week or so back, but Miller is going to be a tough one to peg for outsiders who only look at numbers and box scores. Because even if his game hits all of its peaks, I'm not quite sure the numbers are going to be gaudy. So his value is going to go beyond what shows when a reporter peaks at HockeyDB.com.

I'd put Lundkvist, and even Fox in that same "flying under the radar" category for many observers.

And that's not a bad thing if you're the Rangers. We don't necessarily need a guy to go out and win 3 Norris Trophies. If we can have a defense that oppossing teams know they have to respect, along with a goalie who is a stud, and an offense that has some high gears, we're going to be in very good shape.

Do you think Jack Johnson sticks around if Miller keeps making progress in camp?

 

[TC82]

Kaapo Kakko continues to impress the New York Rangers coaching staff

Nice headline, but not sure what I should think of Quinn saying Kaapo "knows his role on that line". Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but to me it sounds a bit like Strome and Panarin are going to do what they do and Kaapo is there to play it safe and make room for those 2. If that's the case, not happy with that. But like I said, maybe I'm interpreting it wrong.

 

[Edge]

Do you think Jack Johnson sticks around if Miller keeps making progress in camp?

I do, but in even more of a supporting role.

That's one of the reasons I've not wasted too much time on Johnson.

At this point, when push comes to shove, there's a very good possibility that there are more pages dedicated to talking about Jack Johnson than there are games he plays as a Ranger.

 

[Ghost of jas]

I do, but in even more of a supporting role.

That's one of the reasons I've not wasted too much time on Johnson.

At this point, when push comes to shove, there's a very good possibility that there are more pages dedicated to talking about Jack Johnson than there are games he plays as a Ranger.

The signing of Jack Johnson was never worth the energy expended complaining about it.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Miller is a bit of a mystery for me. A freak athlete, but is still relatively new to his position. A jump straight from college to the NHL is difficult enough. Let alone from someone who has not been playing D for all that long. Add to that the item of defensemen can take longer to develop than forwards and I think that some people's expectations of him based on training camp, and not a normal one at that, are going to be sky high. He IS going to have his share of growing pains. And expecting him to be an instant top-4 is a bit of a reach I think.

Who is expecting him to be an immediate top 4?

He's clearly in line to start on the bottom pair if he makes the team at all

 

[Ghost of jas]

Who is expecting him to be an immediate top 4?

Have you read any of @Kovalev27 's posts on the subject?

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Have you read any of @Kovalev27 's posts on the subject?

Haha okay aside from K27.

 

[we want cup]

Kaapo Kakko continues to impress the New York Rangers coaching staff

Nice headline, but not sure what I should think of Quinn saying Kaapo "knows his role on that line". Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but to me it sounds a bit like Strome and Panarin are going to do what they do and Kaapo is there to play it safe and make room for those 2. If that's the case, not happy with that. But like I said, maybe I'm interpreting it wrong.

My guess would be that his role is going to the net and being a force in the corners, given that he’s on a line with two players that don’t have his size/strength.

 

[NYSPORTS]

Kaapo Kakko continues to impress the New York Rangers coaching staff

Nice headline, but not sure what I should think of Quinn saying Kaapo "knows his role on that line". Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but to me it sounds a bit like Strome and Panarin are going to do what they do and Kaapo is there to play it safe and make room for those 2. If that's the case, not happy with that. But like I said, maybe I'm interpreting it wrong.

i think this part of player development. Play your role in the offense, back check, etc. The points will come and likely more often with more familiarity. We all know Panarin’s the goto while Strome passes more often than he shoots or should shoot. Kakko will have a significant impact and at his size i’d say he’s going to battle in the corners and goto the net better than his line mates. Meanwhile, the team as a whole had better be more cognizant of playing defense.

 

[TC82]

My guess would be that his role is going to the net and being a force in the corners, given that he’s on a line with two players that don’t have his size/strength.

And that's something I personally wouldn't like. Kaapo is not a power forward (whatever that may be these days) or a room maker. We'll see but I'd expect the line to have more success by having Panarin & Kakko play off each other rather than Strome & Panarin with Kaapo playing 3rd string.

 

[Rangers in 7]

Kaapo Kakko continues to impress the New York Rangers coaching staff

Nice headline, but not sure what I should think of Quinn saying Kaapo "knows his role on that line". Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but to me it sounds a bit like Strome and Panarin are going to do what they do and Kaapo is there to play it safe and make room for those 2. If that's the case, not happy with that. But like I said, maybe I'm interpreting it wrong.

i think your reading into it a bit too much, kakko is a 19 year old going to be playing with a top 3 player in the nhl.....the message to me was dont try to do too much, play to your strengths