Gravesy

Even the Rangers aren't that stupid.

Great. Not to be a downer, but I’ll celebrate when he doesn’t revert to the tried and tested at the first sign of trouble. Could easily see Kreider and JFV back with Zib halfway through the 2nd.

A railroading

Getting this in early, but I'll be seething if I don't see reports from the rink confirming that Laf and Kakko are skating with Zib. Because why the fuck wouldn't they be. Give this an actual shot of being something, and by that I mean several games.

I've been thinking a lot about what Kakko and Lafreniere would've looked like by now if they were drafted by actual rebuilding franchises. I think @ThirtyONEis spot on with his analysis tbh. One thing is opportunity, the other aspect of this is the effect of walking into an organization where you're immediately one of the guys. Your getting 1st line minutes, you're on PP1. When the team needs a play, you're out there. It's an absolutely incredible difference between that and joining a team where you're a bit part player, a team that can afford "burying" you on the 3rd line and where the GM and coach has a mandate of winning rather than developing. I think it's absolutely true that the Rangers got a bit unlucky and that Laf and Kakko were probably never complete franchise altering talents. And there's probably some learning involved in taking two guys with mediocre skating ability and a lack of dynamism that high. But I'm absolutely convinced that a guy like Lafreniere would look dramatically different if he'd joined a team where he would be expected to take on a leadership role from day 1. I mean, look at how he played during last years run. He should shoulder a fair bit of criticism for not being able to find that player in himself with regularity, but man. He isn't McDavid or McKinnon, but I feel like the Rangers are in the process of wasting a really good hockey player.

I know you're not necessarily advocating that, but "making a trade" feels like the ultimate lipstick on a pig move here. Particularly given the extremely limited options available to them. Even if they did have the wiggle room to make a significant move, this team isn't a trade away imo. It's a violent shake-up away.

This, but also hallelujah

4 greasy goals with 5 opponents on the ice for each.

That last minute or so is this team in a microcosm. Never mind not being able to score 5v5, they needed four fucking attempts to convert an empty netter. Then it required a great point blank save by Shesterkin to avoid pissing away a 2 goal lead inside 20 seconds. An absolute clown shoes operation.

Or, alternatively, the operative why is that Quenneville knew what happened to that poor kid and did nothing about it. If he never gets to coach an NHL team again it isn’t cancel culture, it’s common sense.

Agree that Trotz would bring exactly what this team has needed since AV walked through the door. Guys a phenomenal coach and we'd be lucky to have him. My one worry, and it's not insignificant, is that I can hardly think of a forward group that is a worse fit for what Trotz wants to do and has had success with. If you look at his really good teams, they all had skilled guys in the top 6 who were capable of playing a heavy, physical and structured game when needed. I don't think the Rangers have a single guy on the roster who fits the bill except, I guess, maybe Kreider at a push? Lafreniere could be that guy in theory. So while I'd be all aboard a Trotz hire I'd be a bit worried about whether he could get a tune out of the forward group as currently constructed.

Rylexis?

Yeah. Quinn is doing a number on us tonight, isn't he. As sure as night follows day.

[Mike Keenan] You don't lose to a team named after a Disney movie [/Mike Keenan]

Due to being a time zonally challenged individual I've only been able to watch extended highlights of the first two games. But god damn, we look good. Not getting ahead of myself, but this looks like an absolute moonwalk to Lord Stanleys Chalice. Dat Kakko goal Defending was soft, no doubt, but that goal was exactly what I thought we were getting when they drafted him. From my limited viewing, looks like Lafreniere is working well on that second line. And who am I to quibble with an 80+ point pace. IF those two can be valuable and legit top6 contributors this year we're fucking cooking here.

1. Mika Zibanejad 2. Igor Shesterkin 3. Adam Fox 4. Chris Kreider 5. K'Andre Miller 6. Artemi Panarin 7. Alexis Lafreniere +1 8. Ryan Lindgren 9. Filip Chytil 10. Barclay Goodrow 11. Jacob Trouba 12. Kaapo Kakko 13. Braden Schneider 14. Vincent Trochek 15. Sammy Blais 16. Ryan Reaves 17. Zac Jones 18. Dryden Hunt 19. Jimmy Vesey 20. Libor Hajek 21. Ryan Carpenter 22. Jaroslav Halak 23. Vitali Kravtsov

Maybe. I'd argue early returns suggests that was a good decision. In fact, the only argument I can find against it is that JD is such a nice man.

He's overpaid by a couple of mill, but with the contract being what it is I don't see how making him captain is the wrong decision at this point. He's clearly a leader and definitely led by example in the playoffs. I have no problem with it at all.

A hire to get the best odds for the 1st oa pick.

It’s a steep price, but I’d rather re-up Tkachuk than Huberdeau. He’s younger and a more complete player. Adding Weegar to the mix is obviously giving up a lot, but he too is UFA next year and would be tough to retain if he wants to test the market. At face value it looks like a wild overpay, but I don’t think it actually is.

Kind of torn on this. On the one hand, if that line stays together and continue where they left off they’ll be a great 3rd line and a real asset. On the other hand, Laffy spending another year on the 3rd line playing 12 minutes-ish a night feels like we’re doing it wrong. I can’t shake the feeling that this is the year to elevate him to the position of a 1st OA/franchise type player. I’d opt for playing him with KZ.