Mid-Season Observations

[Cash or Czech]

I know we have a back-half season prediction thread, but I wanted to point out a couple stats I found interesting through the first half of the year.

 

1. K'Andre matched his career high in points today (20) in half as many games. Certainly adding an offensive element this year despite zero PP time except the scraps at the end. He's also a -1 versus a +23 last year, which I found interesting
2. Schneider has continued his same offensive rate this year, and the guy just doesn't take penalties. Two minors last season, one this season
3. Kakko is scoring at essentially the same rate as last season. Is the productivity and positivity just recency bias? 9 points in his last 12. 18 in 41 this year, 18 in 43 last season.
4. Similar recency bias with Lafreniere not producing, but he's on pace for ~37 points, which would (sadly) be his best offensive output. He's on the same exact pace as Kakko. 
5. Chytil is two points off his career high. I think he'll surpass it, but maybe the curse will remain? Josh will tell you it will

[RichieNextel305]

I remember when we called Dan Girardi up in the middle of 2006-2007, and you rarely noticed him. To me, when you have a young defenseman, you want to notice them very little, as opposed to forwards, who you want to be able to stand out. It means they’re playing responsible, mistake-free hockey.

 

Obviously, two different paths here. Schneider was a hyped prospect, and Girardi was not. My point is that it is extremely impressive that he has been able to, at a very young age, come up and make the transition to the pace, play and size of the NHL. He has shown exactly why the Rangers were dying to draft him and why they have been (and rightfully so) unwilling to dangle him in any trade offers. He’s been great and will only continue to get better.

Edited January 8, 2023 by RichieNextel305

[josh]

Chytil was close to getting to the 23 pt mark today. He would have had the third assist on the first goal and he’s still shooting. He should break his career totals by 3 or 4 points this season. 

[josh]

The biggest observation is the lack of consistent appearances by the vets. This is their team. Zibanejad, Kreider, Panarin, Trocheck, Trouba - can anyone say any of these players is having a “good” season? Should I throw Shesterkin into this group, too? 
 

Every game is “where is [list three from the above list]?” at best. 

[RichieNextel305]

I can’t say I disagree. When our big guys have their heads screwed on straight, we’re a tough team to compete with. I’m sure a lot of teams feel this way.

 

But for sure, there are definitely some games that our big guns just float through.

 

For example, Panarin today looked like he was gassed. Consistency is a major issue with this group.

[BrooksBurner]

1 hour ago, josh said:

Chytil was close to getting to the 23 pt mark today. He would have had the third assist on the first goal and he’s still shooting. He should break his career totals by 3 or 4 points this season. 

 

[The Dude]

They have the same issues as last year, minus being able to rely on Shestyorkin. 

 

Still need a competent top 6 RW. Still need more from the top forward prospects  (Kakko included, though he is playing better).

Still try to use Goodrow way too much in top 6 spots.

Have zero team D structure late in games. 

Panarin can be a ghost yet still put up points.

Not physical enough 

Over use top 4 forwards.

Over use top 4 D

Need more special teams players, so Kreider and Zibanejad aren't wasting energy PKing

Gallant doesn't use timeouts when momentum is obviously swinging the other way. 

Gauthier is severely under used. 

Gauthier isn't named team captain 

Gauthier isn't named PM of Canada

Gauthiers statue outside MSG still isn't ready.

Gauthiers parade is still delayed, IDK what the hold up is.

Gauthier snubbed from the allstar  game  AGAIN. 

 

 

 

 

[Bugg]

Gallant needs to start very practice standing in the crease , staing, "Gentlemen, this is the net".

 

NYR do not shoot enough. Got a boost down the stretch last season with Vatrano and Copp because they shot the puck. On net.Which means Drury and Gallant know it's a problem.

 

Too many nights, looks as if they're holding a prettiest pass competition. Yesterday, again, as in FOREVER, chronic not taking of open shots. On the PP, it's totally out of control. And Zib and Panarin are the 2 worst offenders. If your 2 top players are not forces in scoring goals, that's a problem. Reason like yesterday, they blow leads is because they get a lead and decide to goof off instead of getting the killer goal. 

[Pete]

 

15 minutes ago, Bugg said:

Gallant needs to start very practice standing in the crease , staing, "Gentlemen, this is the net".

 

NYR do not shoot enough. Got a boost down the stretch last season with Vatrano and Copp because they shot the puck. On net.Which means Drury and Gallant know it's a problem.

 

Too many nights, looks as if they're holding a prettiest pass competition. Yesterday, again, as in FOREVER, chronic not taking of open shots. On the PP, it's totally out of control. And Zib and Panarin are the 2 worst offenders. If your 2 top players are not forces in scoring goals, that's a problem. Reason like yesterday, they blow leads is because they get a lead and decide to goof off instead of getting the killer goal. 

I know yesterday was infuriating but the Rangers are 8th in the NHL in sog/g and are 6th in unblocked shot attempts for. 

 

Zib is on pace for 40g and hasn't even had a really hot streak.

 

It's not that they don't shoot enough, it's that they pass up too many open shots. 

[Bugg]

14 minutes ago, Pete said:

 

I know yesterday was infuriating but the Rangers are 8th in the NHL in sog/g and are 6th in unblocked shot attempts for. 

 

Zib is on pace for 40g and hasn't even had a really hot streak.

 

It's not that they don't shoot enough, it's that they pass up too many open shots. 

If I hear Sam Rosen intone one more time "That was a pass" as if that's a good thing....

[BrooksBurner]

I haven’t had much issue with the Rangers not shooting the puck. Not this year. I’ve had an issue with what seems like so many missed shots though. Trocheck is the biggest offender. I mean I appreciate the “put shots towards the net”, and the team is coming from a place of not shooting enough in previous seasons, but he’s kind of overcompensated in the other direction where I think he shoots too much and it can kill rushes as much as overpassing.

Edited January 8, 2023 by rmc51

[Pete]

8 minutes ago, rmc51 said:

I haven’t had much issue with the Rangers not shooting the puck. Not this year. I’ve had an issue with what seems like so many missed shots though. Trocheck is the biggest offender. I mean I appreciate the “put shots towards the net”, and the team is coming from a place of not shooting enough in previous seasons, but he’s kind of overcompensated in the other direction where I think he shoots too much and it can kill rushes as much as overpassing.

Yea he's a chucker. Dude never met a shot he didn't like. You'd think someone who shoots that much would be a bit more accurate. As far as his missed shots totals go, he's in the company of the league's top scorers... But it's because they're picking corners and missing small... He misses bigly. 

Edited January 8, 2023 by Pete

[Scott]

3 hours ago, rmc51 said:

I haven’t had much issue with the Rangers not shooting the puck. Not this year. I’ve had an issue with what seems like so many missed shots though. Trocheck is the biggest offender. I mean I appreciate the “put shots towards the net”, and the team is coming from a place of not shooting enough in previous seasons, but he’s kind of overcompensated in the other direction where I think he shoots too much and it can kill rushes as much as overpassing.

I think they pass up on some prime shot opportunities (especially Kakko). Not sure where to find the stat or if it even exists but I'm with you as a whole it feels like they pound the end boards and glass relentlessly.  I wonder if they truly do miss the net a lot compared to the league average or it's just hometown frustration?

[Pete]

7 minutes ago, jsrangers said:

I think they pass up on some prime shot opportunities (especially Kakko). Not sure where to find the stat or if it even exists but I'm with you as a whole it feels like they pound the end boards and glass relentlessly.  I wonder if they truly do miss the net a lot compared to the league average or it's just hometown frustration?

Repped for avatar. 

[BrooksBurner]

24 minutes ago, jsrangers said:

I think they pass up on some prime shot opportunities (especially Kakko). Not sure where to find the stat or if it even exists but I'm with you as a whole it feels like they pound the end boards and glass relentlessly.  I wonder if they truly do miss the net a lot compared to the league average or it's just hometown frustration?

 

16 minutes ago, Pete said:

Repped for avatar. 

Lmaoooo same

[Morphinity 2.0]

18 hours ago, Pete said:

 

I know yesterday was infuriating but the Rangers are 8th in the NHL in sog/g and are 6th in unblocked shot attempts for. 

 

Zib is on pace for 40g and hasn't even had a really hot streak.

 

It's not that they don't shoot enough, it's that they pass up too many open shots. 

Yeah, and then you turn into the Hurricanes who just chuck it on net from anywhere. I hate the mentality that any shot is a good shot.

[Morphinity 2.0]

On 1/7/2023 at 6:45 PM, Cash or Czech said:

I know we have a back-half season prediction thread, but I wanted to point out a couple stats I found interesting through the first half of the year.

 

1. K'Andre matched his career high in points today (20) in half as many games. Certainly adding an offensive element this year despite zero PP time except the scraps at the end. He's also a -1 versus a +23 last year, which I found interesting
2. Schneider has continued his same offensive rate this year, and the guy just doesn't take penalties. Two minors last season, one this season
3. Kakko is scoring at essentially the same rate as last season. Is the productivity and positivity just recency bias? 9 points in his last 12. 18 in 41 this year, 18 in 43 last season.
4. Similar recency bias with Lafreniere not producing, but he's on pace for ~37 points, which would (sadly) be his best offensive output. He's on the same exact pace as Kakko. 
5. Chytil is two points off his career high. I think he'll surpass it, but maybe the curse will remain? Josh will tell you it will

I think the answer to some of the oddities you noticed is eye test. Miller, though he's definitely found his game offensively, is a pretty poor defender and is attached at to a giant anchor in Trouba. Kakko, though he isn't putting up a ton of points, looks better and looks more engaged (though at some point, the patience for production will wear out). The opposite goes for Laf - he looks extremely ordinary (generous description) and is somehow netting points. 

[Valriera]

I think the biggest takeaway for me midseason is that, given the playoff performance last year from Kakko, Lafreniere, Chytil, and Miller, we were all correct to assume that this year would be a big step, finally, for the group of young kids who would need to be good to propel us to a cup in this little window. They were fabulous during the playoffs.

 

The result is basically the same as everything else about the team, which is that not much has changed. Sure, Chytil is producing well this year. Sure, we're a little better 5v5. But you give some and lose some, and our Power Play situation is much worse, Kreider is nowhere near the lethal net front guy he was last year, Trochek looks fine but not the same "click" that Strome had...

 

Basically, we got a little better in some places and a little worse in some places, the net result being I think the team is about the same as the team last year.

 

That said, they were a good team, borderline great team last year, and I still think that is true, but I share the same sense of disappointment that I imagine most people have for the season so far.

 

To me, this is still a team that nobody wants to play in the playoffs, but right now we need to get there first before we worry about that. 

[Cash or Czech]

26 minutes ago, Morphinity 2.0 said:

I think the answer to some of the oddities you noticed is eye test. Miller, though he's definitely found his game offensively, is a pretty poor defender and is attached at to a giant anchor in Trouba. Kakko, though he isn't putting up a ton of points, looks better and looks more engaged (though at some point, the patience for production will wear out). The opposite goes for Laf - he looks extremely ordinary (generous description) and is somehow netting points. 

 

Imagine what Laf would do if he looked competent...

[Ozzy]

I think we still have to develop a better forechecking scheme , and also defend much better as a unit of 5, before we end the regular season.  We can't depend on Igor and the Power Play to save games for us all the time. 

 

I also think we also need to be able to protect leads in the 3rd period better to close out games.  This "no lead is safe" shit won't fly in the playoffs.  ...probably goes hand in hand with the theory of team defense and forechecking though!

 

[siddious]

2 hours ago, Ozzy said:

I think we still have to develop a better forechecking scheme , and also defend much better as a unit of 5, before we end the regular season.  We can't depend on Igor and the Power Play to save games for us all the time. 

 

I also think we also need to be able to protect leads in the 3rd period better to close out games.  This "no lead is safe" shit won't fly in the playoffs.  ...probably goes hand in hand with the theory of team defense and forechecking though!

 

Ain’t happening with this coaching staff if it hasn’t already happened. 

[Karan]

21 hours ago, rmc51 said:

I haven’t had much issue with the Rangers not shooting the puck. Not this year. I’ve had an issue with what seems like so many missed shots though. Trocheck is the biggest offender. I mean I appreciate the “put shots towards the net”, and the team is coming from a place of not shooting enough in previous seasons, but he’s kind of overcompensated in the other direction where I think he shoots too much and it can kill rushes as much as overpassing.

 

Yeah fair point. As the stats indicate, the Rangers are near the top of the league when it comes to shots and scoring chances. But from an eye test perspective to most fans, the frustration is that the Rangers pass up too many medium danger scoring chances by trying to convert them to a high danger chance, which often results in an interception/turnover. Not enough natural finishers on this squad so I guess we gotta make do with that approach. 

[Ozzy]

16 minutes ago, siddious said:

Ain’t happening with this coaching staff if it hasn’t already happened. 

 

Could you imagine what trying to beat Igor would be like if he played on a team that actually understood the whole concept of defense??? 

 

It's actually a shame that you're probably right, Pete!  With the scoring we do have, even with Yukon slobbering on pizza and donuts, this team could really be a serious threat to winning the Cup.

 

I'm not the first person to see the cracks in this foundation, as a matter of fact @Pete called this last year.  It still hasn't changed or gotten any better.  It's basically doing the same shit repeatedly and expecting a better result.

 

I mean, I like that we're winning games and getting points, but it feels like at any point we're vulnerable to letting games slip away, and if the PP goes cold, or something (god forbid) happens to Igor, we're fucked!  ...royally!

 

I just keep thinking what the score of some of these games would be if Halak started. It's not a very comforting thought.

[RichieNextel305]

There are definite dents in the armor here. But we have to stop thinking that all other teams aren’t in the same boat. There are no perfect teams in this league. We have our issues defensively, with consistency, etc. I’m not denying any of that. But other teams all have their fair share of issues.

 

Instead of keying in on the negatives, it’s okay to key in on positives too. It’s almost impossible to fathom we are 5 points off last years pace, which was a pretty damn good season. Add into that the experience we picked up playing in the playoffs, and the Rangers may still be a legit threat come playoff time.

 

Especially when you factor in the likelihood that reinforcements will be brought in by then to shore up some of our leaky areas.

[lefty9]

Right on Richie 

We complain about zib,even though he is on pace for 40 goals 

Kreider sucks because he can't score 100 goals anymore