Tough to decide when we don't even have a full camp roster yet, but here goes..
Kreider - Zib - Buch
Give this line a real shot together. I like the make up of the group at ES and on the PP.
Panarin - Howden - Kakko
I know this is the group people will shit on, but I've been the conductor on the Howden train since the moment McD was linked to Tampa. I think he has the highest chance of being a legitimate 2nd line NHL center of any of the guys in our pipeline right now and he can bring a different dynamic to a line with two elite wingers. Simple chips to the wing to get out of his own end and then get to the net. Give them cushier match-ups to ease the defensive responsibility of all of them. I also like how this group lines up as a PP unit.
Lemieux - Strome - Chytil
I like Chytil on the off-wing but he should be given some opportunity in Howden's place as well. Howden can drop to this line as the C and move Strome to the RW when necessary.
Names - Nieves - Fast
I expect Fast and Names to shuffle up and down the lineup but this can be a good energy line. Good speed and can hopefully create a decent forecheck.
Skjei - Trouba
Pretty self explanatory.
Staal - DeAngelo
Don't see anyone supplanting Staal out of camp, but hopefully someone does before Christmas. TDA deserves the 2RD spot and a longer leash this season, IMO. I think there's shades of Dan Boyle in his game and I hope the Rangers continue to cultivate that.
Hajek, Rykov, or Lindgren - Vet D
Those are the 3 LD prospects who I think are the closest to being NHL defensemen. Rykov has the leg up with his experience in the KHL, but may need time to adjust to life in North America. I think Hajek and Lindgren would get more benefit from a limited role than some other guys who need bigger minutes as first year pros. I also expect the Rangers to try and add a veteran RD before the season starts on a 1 year deal. McQuaid or Stone. Someone like that. I don't expect two rookies to make up the bottom pairing.
13th F / 7th D
Smith. He's here until he's not and was passable in this role last year. Keep him there until someone forces him out.
Kravtsov and Andersson with the Pack. Hopefully on a high quality scoring line with a good AHL vet. I think Kravtsov should be eased in but could easily see him making a lot of noise at camp given how talented he is. Unless Lias has a monster camp he should go back to the AHL. I just don't think he's earned a spot in the NHL so far.
Fox should spend a few months in Hartford polishing his offensive game and learning how to battle pro forwards in his own end. He's an elite offensive prospect but I don't think he's NHL ready defensively and I'd rather he get 20 minutes and massive PP time in Hartford than get the yo-yo treatment with the Rangers.
Kreider - Zib - Buch
Give this line a real shot together. I like the make up of the group at ES and on the PP.
Panarin - Howden - Kakko
I know this is the group people will shit on, but I've been the conductor on the Howden train since the moment McD was linked to Tampa. I think he has the highest chance of being a legitimate 2nd line NHL center of any of the guys in our pipeline right now and he can bring a different dynamic to a line with two elite wingers. Simple chips to the wing to get out of his own end and then get to the net. Give them cushier match-ups to ease the defensive responsibility of all of them. I also like how this group lines up as a PP unit.
Lemieux - Strome - Chytil
I like Chytil on the off-wing but he should be given some opportunity in Howden's place as well. Howden can drop to this line as the C and move Strome to the RW when necessary.
Names - Nieves - Fast
I expect Fast and Names to shuffle up and down the lineup but this can be a good energy line. Good speed and can hopefully create a decent forecheck.
Skjei - Trouba
Pretty self explanatory.
Staal - DeAngelo
Don't see anyone supplanting Staal out of camp, but hopefully someone does before Christmas. TDA deserves the 2RD spot and a longer leash this season, IMO. I think there's shades of Dan Boyle in his game and I hope the Rangers continue to cultivate that.
Hajek, Rykov, or Lindgren - Vet D
Those are the 3 LD prospects who I think are the closest to being NHL defensemen. Rykov has the leg up with his experience in the KHL, but may need time to adjust to life in North America. I think Hajek and Lindgren would get more benefit from a limited role than some other guys who need bigger minutes as first year pros. I also expect the Rangers to try and add a veteran RD before the season starts on a 1 year deal. McQuaid or Stone. Someone like that. I don't expect two rookies to make up the bottom pairing.
13th F / 7th D
Smith. He's here until he's not and was passable in this role last year. Keep him there until someone forces him out.
Kravtsov and Andersson with the Pack. Hopefully on a high quality scoring line with a good AHL vet. I think Kravtsov should be eased in but could easily see him making a lot of noise at camp given how talented he is. Unless Lias has a monster camp he should go back to the AHL. I just don't think he's earned a spot in the NHL so far.
Fox should spend a few months in Hartford polishing his offensive game and learning how to battle pro forwards in his own end. He's an elite offensive prospect but I don't think he's NHL ready defensively and I'd rather he get 20 minutes and massive PP time in Hartford than get the yo-yo treatment with the Rangers.
