Training Camp and Preseason thread 2023

[savebyrichter94]

Recently watched the LOTR trilogy. I think I’m ready to come back now.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Pretty cool of @Amazing Kreiderman to meet Jojen Reed/the kid from "Love, Actually"

Makes up for the hospital visit the day prior

 

[mas0764]

Big and heavy teams win. Vegas added Barbashev. He played a big and heavy game from them in the playoffs. He played on their top line with Eichel and Marchessault. They dominated other teams in the playoffs. Vegas had those big and tall defenseman. That is how you win in the playoffs.

Even the Avalanche went out and acquired Manson at the trade deadline in 2022. They needed some beef on the blue line. They also acquired Lehkonen. Two way player. Better defensively.

Most of the recent Cup winners played a big and heavy game. TB. Take away Stamkos, Point and Kucherov. They were a bunch of big and heavy players. The Blues in 2019.

The Avs are the lone exception but they still had Kadri who could play that game. They added Manson.

The Panthers were a big and heavy team last season in the playoffs.

I think you need a better mix of speed and skill than we have though.

Gustafsson has a good shot and can move the puck. Played physical too. That 6D race is already over, the rest is to keep up appearances, protect against injury and build Jones trade value.

If Jones is finished here, he needs to be moved for an equal value young player who is just farther away. You can't keep handing close roster battles to 30 year olds and then also ship out your young pieces for rentals.

 

[CLW]

Gustafsson has a good shot and can move the puck. Played physical too. That 6D race is already over, the rest is to keep up appearances, protect against injury and build Jones trade value.

Seeing Holloway (who's 25) and Gustafsson play well only underlined that Jones still has some work to do. He'll get there at some point but maybe not quite yet.

 

[mas0764]

Wheeler, Vesey, etc.

37 year old Wheeler scored 16 goals last season. 16 goals. That's what we're afraid we can't replace. Guy looks like he's 90 years old on the ice. Hunched over. can barely skate. And we're flipping out trying to figure out ways to commit to 37 year old Wheeler.

In typical Rangers form. They have a skilled, physical 1st round pick ready to take the step and play in the top 9 with other skilled players, and the Rangers would rather commit to 37 year old Wheeler who can't skate.

Last deadline they added 34 soon to be 35 year old Kane with a hip that needed surgery. Instead of committing to their 1 and 2 overall picks. People still want to add him.

Same shit different day in Rangers land.

I'm ok adding a 34 year old at the deadline for cheap, but they can't hand those player roles over the kids, who need to be featured. Still, having those older players as depth in your lineup can be good.

 

[McRanger92]

I think you need a better mix of speed and skill than we have though.



If Jones is finished here, he needs to be moved for an equal value young player who is just farther away. You can't keep handing close roster battles to 30 year olds and then also ship out your young pieces for rentals.

Equal value for an undersized waiver eligible puck mover who cant crack the lineup is probably recouping the 3rd rounder we drafted him with. Im fine making that deal if it gives Jones, who I like, and easier path to getting his career off the ground. We need to keep in mind this guy isnt a former first or "blue chipper" like Nils Lundkvist.

 

[Leonardo87]

Recently watched the LOTR trilogy. I think I’m ready to come back now.

 

[OriginalLimbo]

Pretty cool of @Amazing Kreiderman to meet Jojen Reed/the kid from "Love, Actually"

Looks like @Amazing Kreiderman got the shit kicked out of him by love.

 

[duhmetreE]

I've been pleasantly surprised with Othmann, Cuylle and Rempe.

That's much needed depth moving forward.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I've been pleasantly surprised with Othmann, Cuylle and Rempe.

That's much needed depth moving forward.

And Edström has held his own too. I was wondering if his skating would translate to the NHL level, and I know it's just pre-season but he outskated players on several occasions. I think he's doing really well in that department for a guy who's 6'7"

 

[duhmetreE]

And Edström has held his own too. I was wondering if his skating would translate to the NHL level, and I know it's just pre-season but he outskated players on several occasions. I think he's doing really well in that department for a guy who's 6'7"

He's still a possibility but I think he may take a little longer and is 'behind' those name for the immediate future. Get a full AHL season in like Rempe and have an opportunity late season or next season.

 

[will1066]

Gustafsson has a good shot and can move the puck. Played physical too. That 6D race is already over, the rest is to keep up appearances, protect against injury and build Jones trade value.

I think you're probably right. Gust looked fast out there and quite comfortable.

 

[SA16]

Wheeler, Vesey, etc.

37 year old Wheeler scored 16 goals last season. 16 goals. That's what we're afraid we can't replace. Guy looks like he's 90 years old on the ice. Hunched over. can barely skate. And we're flipping out trying to figure out ways to commit to 37 year old Wheeler.

In typical Rangers form. They have a skilled, physical 1st round pick ready to take the step and play in the top 9 with other skilled players, and the Rangers would rather commit to 37 year old Wheeler who can't skate.

Last deadline they added 34 soon to be 35 year old Kane with a hip that needed surgery. Instead of committing to their 1 and 2 overall picks. People still want to add him.

Same shit different day in Rangers land.

Didn't realize assists don't count anymore.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Last night’s game highlights:

 

[will1066]

Just a random thought and probably doesn't need to be repeated, but until this current core (now in their early 30s) changes over, this will be a veteran-favored lineup. The front office has doubled-down by bringing in more veterans for the bottom of the lineup. The situation is what it is and doesn't favor the younger players breaking into the lineup unless he is an eye-opener (like Fox was and maybe Othmann right now) or has draft pedigree.

 

[McRanger92]

Just a random thought and probably doesn't need to be repeated, but until this current core (now in their early 30s) changes over, this will be a veteran-favored lineup. The front office has doubled-down by bringing in more veterans for the bottom of the lineup. The situation is what it is and doesn't favor the younger players breaking into the lineup unless he is an eye-opener (like Fox was and maybe Othmann right now) or has draft pedigree.

I think people need to come to terms with the fact that the rebuild is over too. Some have been slow to adjust to the new reality

 

[IDvsEGO]

Just a random thought and probably doesn't need to be repeated, but until this current core (now in their early 30s) changes over, this will be a veteran-favored lineup. The front office has doubled-down by bringing in more veterans for the bottom of the lineup. The situation is what it is and doesn't favor the younger players breaking into the lineup unless he is an eye-opener (like Fox was and maybe Othmann right now) or has draft pedigree.

I see it as, the vets + kids will be the core of this team, and they’ll go as far as they can.
The team will go as far as they can with the kids driving, where the vets are the backbone and frame of the team, but the kids are the ones who will determine if we’re a 1st rd exit or a Stanley cup winner.

guys like Othmann and cuylle may never core forwards, but they’ll be suplemental pieces.
Similar to how I don’t see Kreider as a core piece, to Mika/Panarin/fox.

Additionally we added virtually no one, and tons of bottom 6 depth, but we had/have at least one open middle 6 spot for a winger.
Lavi has raved about cuylle, he’s been open about Othmann and talked about what he’s done well, and not so well.

I get the drury hate, I really do, it’s impossible to like drury after moving buch, and getting almost nothing back.
But every move since then has been fairly shrewd and has shown an understanding of pieces the team needs.
Copp+ vatrano+motte were brilliant deadline adds for almost nothing at the time.
Tarasenko was also a great add. Motte was a great grab for Pennies.
Kane was a forced addition for close to nothing.

Wheeler and quick are making Pennies and are guys who came here to win, they’re gonna accept lesser roles, and do what’s asked of them. Those are guys we should want on our team.

The more I hear laviolette speak, the more I really like the hire. The team has played faster than we’ve really seen. He’s giving kids shots. He’s saying all the right things, and he’s adaptable.
Pretty sure drury told him on his interview, if you want to win, the kids need to be productive. Can you do that.
And he’s taken that and run with it.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

He's still a possibility but I think he may take a little longer and is 'behind' those name for the immediate future. Get a full AHL season in like Rempe and have an opportunity late season or next season.

I think Edström's 4 years of pro hockey in Sweden put him ahead of Rempe in terms of NHL readiness. He's also a year older than Rempe. And last year, when he joined the Wolf Pack on an ATO, he was already showing he adjusted very well to the more rugged NA style of hockey.

 

[savebyrichter94]

I think Edström's 4 years of pro hockey in Sweden put him ahead of Rempe in terms of NHL readiness. He's also a year older than Rempe. And last year, when he joined the Wolf Pack on an ATO, he was already showing he adjusted very well to the more rugged NA style of hockey.

I’m waiting to see his more rugged side, we know it’s there I just think he’s still getting comfortable and once he does he’ll start showing it, I liked seeing Peca giving him some encouragement

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Two things that a particularly noticeable so far:

1. Drury has done a much better job than Gorton ever did of having legitimate NHL depth in the organization. The team right now feels legitimately 15-16 NHL forwards deep and 9-10 NHL defensemen deep. Under Gorton we were always 1 injury away from some guy with no business playing NHL minutes being in the lineup every day. Kudos to Drury for this.

2. Laviolette feels like a breath of fresh air, ironically enough considering all the retread talk around him. Maybe it's just because we're coming off a coach who had no clue what he was doing in Quinn and another who seemed like he didn't even know his players' names or care to teach them anything in Gallant, but Lavi has been pretty impressive to me thus far. His pressers are great and he gives very well thought out answers where it's very clear he has full conviction and understanding of what and why he's doing. It really feels like there is someone with a legitimate plan in place with the knowledge and understanding on how to execute it and the experience to command respect in the room and have full belief in what he's doing.

 

[Leonardo87]

I saw Kakko scored last night. Wow, what a nice goal.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I'm okay with Oth on the 3rd line, 4th line or in Hartford. Whatever the coaches think is best. There are pluses to all 3 options. He can learn from all 3 options. I do not think Vesey nor Goodrow have to be locked in to the 3rd line.

 

[effen]

If Othmann makes a Laviolette team then he deserved it.

That said, he's not making the team.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Two things that a particularly noticeable so far:

1. Drury has done a much better job than Gorton ever did of having legitimate NHL depth in the organization. The team right now feels legitimately 15-16 NHL forwards deep and 9-10 NHL defensemen deep. Under Gorton we were always 1 injury away from some guy with no business playing NHL minutes being in the lineup every day. Kudos to Drury for this.

2. Laviolette feels like a breath of fresh air, ironically enough considering all the retread talk around him. Maybe it's just because we're coming off a coach who had no clue what he was doing in Quinn and another who seemed like he didn't even know his players' names or care to teach them anything in Gallant, but Lavi has been pretty impressive to me thus far. His pressers are great and he gives very well thought out answers where it's very clear he has full conviction and understanding of what and why he's doing. It really feels like there is someone with a legitimate plan in place with the knowledge and understanding on how to execute it and the experience to command respect in the room and have full belief in what he's doing.

LOL you know which coaches do not get hired by multiple teams? Guys that can not coach. Laf is a "retread" because he has shown repeatedly he can coach.

 

[IDvsEGO]

LOL you know which coaches do not get hired by multiple teams? Guys that can not coach. Laf is a "retread" because he has shown repeatedly he can coach.

Considering how much of a boys club the entire nhl is, I’d argue that’s not always the case.
How many kicks at a gm job has chia had?
There’s plenty of nhl coaches who should never get second chances, but have had 3rd.
Look at mike yeo?