Giacomin

Did you guys see this tweet?

Shesterkin has allowed one goal over his last four appearances (4-0-0 record, 0.25 GAA, .989 SV%, 3 SO in his last four appearances). He has posted a 6-0-0 record, along with a 0.83 GAA, a .966 SV%, and 3 SO in six KHL appearances in 2018-19

Chytil and Andersson are the only prospects that have significant AHL experience. Hajek, Lindgren, and Howden could play the whole year in Hartford and not come close to 100 games.

Yep, and those two will have some expectations to make the club out of camp. The 3 others could (and as of now should) start in Hartford. We need a good AHL farm system and we have to believe the new coaches and Drury/Gorton will make it a good place to develop.

There is no reason, if they are deemed "ready" to not call them up. Maybe one before xmas and another around the deadline. That would be a good thing and slightly optimistic.

Future, giving Chytil and Andersson their 9 games was the best move. They weren't ready, the team was a shit show and we got another ELC year. How can you argue the contrary. Odd post by you.

He’s a good 4/5 guy, sure.

You're being funny, haha.

Back to the other point, weren't you (and someone else here) saying no one gets gifted a spot, you have to earn it? Wouldn't that be even more relevent for 19 and 20 year olds? Maybe I'm mixing you up with someone, regardless I like the approach. Good precedent for coach to set. If kids start at Hartford they should have direction, goals and areas to work on. As they demonstrate progress they get called up. Unless your a franchise player, it is a natural progression.

What is it about Hartford you don't trust. I assume you are not talking about the city. The A is the A. Hartford got new coaches last year. Is it the new coaches?

yes, hopefully we can get all three of these guys some NHL time this season. They each have a few AHL games under their belt, and maybe 1 of the 3 can make the team out of camp, with the others getting time throughout the season. that way, moving into 19/20, we arent trying to force 6 plus rookies into the lineup. While it sounds exciting, its a recipe for disaster.

Rather see one of the kids get promoted around Thanksgiving and another in Jan/Feb. It is good for them to get a taste of the A and earn it. In the long run they'll appreciate it more.

Highly doubt Shesty comes over and starts. Rykov and Lindgren are no locks to make the team. Hajek and Howden project more optimistically and should be here for good by 2019-20. I would guess Kravtsov too, if he has a strong year in the KHL.

https://hctraktor.org/media/news/

 

Staying in Russia to play in KHL next season.

Great news for Chelyabinsk (where Kuz played) and us. He can enjoy one last year home and take English lessons,

To me, he still looks very raw.

And I think there will always be pressure to develop, and develop quickly, when you are a first round pick.

 

And by take our time, I mean, potentially 4 years, plus 1 in the AHL. (McDonagh was 3 + 1/2 in AHL, for comparison)

Pressure can be managed with good mgmt. The pressure picks up once mgmt handles expectations poorly and doesn't put a wet blanket on any hype.

Josh, times they are a changing. No reason to think talented fast physical 1st rounders need five years before being able to break into the league. Even raw defenders... and he is not raw or immature in a number of areas. He'll have no problem with the speed of the game or the size, something a lot of kids can't say.

I know you're not one to rush, and this is not to take a shot, as I am also intrigued he has been more than holding his own in a man's league ... and I would not be surprised if his trajectory winds up like you call.

 

But as an aside, I heard an interesting quote Friday night on the radio attributed to I think someone on the Knicks management, maybe Steve Perry,

And I paraphrase from memory-bcs I can't provide a link:

He said, "We are finally doing what a lot of Knicks fans have been asking for for several years, to rebuild with patience —after pulling the plug on it several times— but what I learned about New York is that while fans want the patient rebuild, the very next thing they want is for you to do is 'hurry up the patience.' "

And that might be our NYR predicament fairly soon.

Ha ha, right. But that is why you keep some of our vets and make a few short term sensible signings like Grabs and de Haan to fill some holes and add quality depth. Not Holland, DD and other guys I already forgot.

The coach and players go into the season with some hope and talent and build from there. When planning who is taking the ice in the opener, forget about our 1st rounders and even Howden and Hajek, who may get some hype from the beat, but should start (and likely spend a year) in Hartford.

Lindberg spent three post draft seasons in Sweden and then another two in Hartford. Fast spent 3 years in Sweden and a half season in Hartford. Sweden is great at continued development. He'll come when he's ready. D tend to take longer.

Yes yes, you're right and I wanted to clarify better. Accelerated, meaning 2 years in Sweden then come over and see how he does in camp. If its apparent he needs to start in Hartford, no biggie. But yeah, they are doing it right in Sweden and if it is best he spend 3 years in the SHL, so be it. His game is more refined than most Dmen his age. His body is immature.

He should stay in the KHL and get more success on his home court. Unlike Wahlstrom, who has really distinguished himself as a goal scorer, Kravtsov is still a bundle of potential and premium tools that had a great playoffs. Let him loose for a year - out from under ice time strictures for kids - and see what he can do before changing countries, cultures, and systems.

Love this idea, but by no means want to suggest it is the best thing because I don't know enough.

For instance, how would staying in the KHL versus AHL burn an extra year? What is the kids timeframe, is he interested in learning the language here, right away? Is he just jacked to get out of Russia or would he think it is good to stay home another year? Those should be the biggest factors.

My "concern" with Miller is he is an athlete first, hockey player second.

 

We need to be very careful and cognizant regarding his development, especially since he's only been playing defense the last few seasons. He could probably get by on athleticism, and be a solid bottom pair guy. Or he continues to develop (give him an extra season or 2), and he could develop into a #2. I don't want to see the organization (or the player) feel pressured into getting him into the NHL 'ASAP' and limit his potential.

That's fair. Wisconsin is a perfect place for him to be and we can see what he does this year against older kids. He'll learn a good D system and get the fundamentals down this year. No pressure, just listen to your coaches learn and enjoy.

He improved nicely throughout the year on the USNT. He won't have Oliver the closer to pass it to, though. He's really dedicated and willing, he had a real good rep. I have a good feeling about his hockey aptitude. But yeah, he'll make mistakes every time he jumps a level and we shouldn't rush anyone up here. Miller, Lundkvist, Krav, Hajek, Howden in particular.

There was no way he was getting past the Isles or Dallas, the Stars had interest. Many teams (according to a scout survey) had him in the top 12, i think the worst was 17. The only question is will he be better than Wahlstrom and Dobson, who were the only guys consistently ranked higher by scouts. And for this discussion, are two guys most experts and fans were very high on. We'll get to compare right here in our backyard.

If we want to add that mgmt had him higher than Zadina, then we'll keep an eye on him too and see which guy is the next Laine. Or Kuz in Krat's case.

If we are to be honest though, Islander and Red Wing fans have reason to be overjoyed.

No need to rush him. I'd prefer he gets three years minimum. He's fortunate that the Rangers don't have a lot of right-handed defensemen, but you still have a bunch, in general, coming in with Lindgren, Hajek, and Rykov within the next two seasons in addition to what's already around.

You know I'm not one to rush 18 y/o's let alone a kid who is still 17. Yet, this kid should be on the accelerated dev track of Lindberg and Fast, cause he has more skill and mature game. He should be fine with just one more year in the SHL. Then I'd like to get him over here for strength training and to adjust to the NA ice/game.

Nice and normal. Barring any setbacks, he gets a full year in Hartford, then reports to camp to try and make the team in 2020,

Really nice addition. He's on the "smaller" side but that doesn't mean he's an offensive type. He's a two-way defender in the very sense of the word. Is just smart and calm. Won't wow you with his offense but he can distribute because he's that smart. Really solid defensively for a young kid playing in the SHL. There's a reason why he was considered the best J20 defenseman despite Boqvist lighting up for a near point per game. Lundkvist actually plays defense. Boqvist sometimes does. He's probably around 3-4 years out, but that's okay given the glut of Ranger defensemen in the same age group.

Yes calm, very poised. Mature game. So much so that I disagree about 3-4 years. Physically, I can't wait for him to have a professional strength/weight training program. Hockey wise, when I watch him I think all he needs is 1 more year in the SHL and 1 year in the A and he is ready for the Garden.

Absolutely my #1 pick for 26 and a lot of fans, experts and scouts think the same. We woulda screw up 48 anyway :)

His weaknesses are that he is still learning the position, having been a converted forward. That is not a weakness of his doing and he is growing into the position nicely. After that I can't find a serious weakness, everything is improvable.

Burns/Buff is a good comparison if he reaches his potential. Good driven kids with strong work ethic are the best bets to achieve their potential. Go US

Byfield is only 15 and he's a lean 6'4" 205 freak. 1st overall pick in the OHL, averaged about 3 points per game last season. He is a real good kid too (heard interviews with him and people who know/follow him), looks and acts like a man. His stick handling, passing, boardwork are exceptional. Don't sleep on him.

Reminds me of when Lindros was 16 (for those who remember) and this kid is still 15.

That cheap Orange color is not a good look and 95% of the fun is in the journey.

So the question is down to would I rather have McDavid ( I assume with his current contract) or build our own powerhouse with Jack Hughes and Quinton Byfield on ELCs. Tough one

We're going to know by November, if not October.

 

If he's in Maine, well that massive CHL education package he's built up will be looking pretty good.

That's probably right. I'm hoping he's in Hartford and playing every night, improving his game. We'll reconnect around US Thanksgiving.

I think "C prospect" is kind of misleading, or doesn't tell the whole story. Maybe it's true, but it's because his floor and his ceiling are so far apart. Derek Stepan was a C prospect too, but that's because he had such a limited ceiling. Day's upside based on his physical tools is A+, so he's a different C prospect than a lot of others.

 

There's as much reason for optimism with Day as most any prospect, even if he's less likely to achieve than others.

An even better way to look at it is to ask the question: Would the Rangers still make the same pick? The answer is a resounding yes. Only picks after 81 that have seen any time in the NHL are Mete (4th round) and Bratt and Maxim (6th).

Add that many Dmen needs years to develop after the draft, why are we so quick to judge? He's improved. He played consistently well in the playoffs. He needs to keep improving, that is the key. He needs that and some time.

You guys are way to optimistic. This is a C prospect, who has under performed at every stop until his overage year. His "exceptional status" is long in the rear view, as he turned that in to journeyman major junior career. He's a minus 70 in his OHL career including a minus 11 in Kingston, on a good team, post trade.

 

My guess is that he really struggles if he even sniffs the AHL next year.

He may well struggle in the AHL in his 1st year. However, many NHL Dmen (and forwards - look at Tampa) need a couple of years to learn to think the game, make better decisions, anticipate and play better defense. He has many of the tools. Blue may be right, in that he is a project. Possibly a good project.

His exceptional status built unreasonable expectations and actually hurts his perception. His development should be slow.