[brooks] Vinni Lettieri is Giving Rangers? Rookies a Run For Their Money

[Phil]

His jagged-edged work, in which he contested pucks and used his speed to drive to the net with regularity, was reminiscent of his play during last year?s camp, when he just fell short of making the squad as a long-shot undrafted free agent out of Minnesota. Paul Carey claimed the final spot up-front as the Rangers chose not to carry a spare forward while Fast opened on injured reserve.

 

Lettieri made it back on Dec. 28 for his first of four brief trial NHL runs and scored in his debut in Detroit the following night. But the shoot-first-ask-questions-later winger didn?t get another goal, finishing 1-4=5 in 19 games with diminishing impact. He arrived at this camp down on the perhaps inappropriately named depth chart on the wing, behind summer European free-agent signees Ville Meskanen and Michael Lindqvist.

 

But neither Meskanen nor Lindqvist has displayed NHL qualities through the early stages of their North American hockey careers. Lettieri, 5-foot-11, has ? and he has the straight-line approach new coach David Quinn covets.

 

?I have to be pretty fierce in the O-zone and D-zone,? said Lettieri, who went to the front and took an extra swat at the puck after it had been gloved by goaltender Eddie Lack to spark a tussle in front with 41 seconds remaining in regulation. ?I have to get in the dirty areas.

 

? might take a blocker to the face like I did from the goalie there ? that didn?t feel too good ? but that?s what it?s going to take to either get the guys going or get a rebound. That?s just what you have to do as a smaller guy.?

 

https://nypost.com/2018/09/26/vinni-lettieri-is-giving-rangers-rookies-a-run-for-their-money/

[siddious]

He has definitely looked better in terms of comfort level. Will be interesting to see who ends up on the team. I can see him sticking around.

 

 

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[Ozzy]

I love the whole "Shoot first" mentality.

 

...somehow I'm pretty sure that doesn't surprise you guys!! :rofl:

[josh]

Not good enough offensively to get the minutes with talented players, not good enough defensively to be able to fill in a hole.

 

I like someof the things he does on the ice, but I feel like he's the type of guy you watch, waiting for him to break out... waiting... watching... waiting...

[torontonyr]

He remind anyone else of Avery out there the other night?

[Gravesy]

Not good enough offensively to get the minutes with talented players, not good enough defensively to be able to fill in a hole.

 

I like someof the things he does on the ice, but I feel like he's the type of guy you watch, waiting for him to break out... waiting... watching... waiting...

 

Yeah, I’d agree with that.

His game lends itself to a top six role, but he’s simply not good enough for that.

There is very little to suggest he’s got the game for a checking line job.

He’s the kind of guy you’re willing to do well though, and he might make the team. But that probably says more about the quality on offer than it does Lettieri.

[CCCP]

He remind anyone else of Avery out there the other night?

 

no...and thank god for that

[TwoMinutesForNothing]

I like him, but he makes too many blind passes and plays without looking and there always seems to be nobody there. Too many turnovers.

[Giacomin]

He's obviously ahead of Meskanen. We have to assume Bellesky is out 4 weeks and may have to start at Hartford. Assume this concussion forces Nieves to Hartford, if he is OK. Who else is there besides McLoud? Who are the 12th and 13th forwards?

 

KZB

Names, Chytil, Zuc

Vesey, Hayes, Spooner

???, Lias, Fast

 

I wanted Belesky as our #13, but now we are likely stuck with McLoud or Holland

 

12th forward should be Letteri or Holland, at this point.

[TwoMinutesForNothing]

Oh I do think he makes it. Seems like a guy Quinn would just love and he probably knows him from NCAA.

[Giacomin]

BTW, notice our top 11 guys above are potential good top 9 players, especially if Vesey can play up to his potential this year. Be nice to have one more legitimate winger to fill out the lineup with quality.

[josh]

BTW, notice our top 11 guys above are potential good top 9 players, especially if Vesey can play up to his potential this year. Be nice to have one more legitimate winger to fill out the lineup with quality.

 

"middle 6" is more precise.

 

 

You want another winger? Want a potential 30-40 goal scorer, cannon of a shot, good playmaker, solid 2-way game, and has wheels...

[ThirtyONE]

Quinn is quoted as saying the best forwards will make the top 9 regardless of position, which I guess is why Chytil played a little wing the other night. It’s an interesting situation.

[CBrowningPI]

Besides the 1st line, Lettieri was the most noticable player vs the Islanders IMO, last night. I distinctly remember him battling for the puck behind their net then skating back and battling behind Hank. He definitely puts in the effort, Zucc like in that regard.

 

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