Staple Change Is Coming If Rangers Can't Rally in Playoff Series Against Devils

[Phil]

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Gallant’s shortcomings have been on display these last three games, in which the Rangers have scored only two goals. He is not a master in-game tactician; the Rangers coaching staff makes its plan and sticks to it, with the biggest tweaks coming on a couple guys swapping lines when things are going poorly. The Devils shook off two horrible performances in Games 1 and 2 and Lindy Ruff had his team hounding pucks in all three zones to get the Devils’ speed game jumpstarted.

 

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Given the roster situation, the easiest change for Drury to make would be behind the bench. In December, there was a big name available: Barry Trotz. He’s now the GM of the Predators. That leaves just one idle, big-name coach, who would need to be cleared by the NHL to resume his coaching career. Joel Quenneville was banished from the league for his handling of the Kyle Beach assault with the Hawks over a decade ago and Quenneville has been on the banned list since late 2021.

 

If he’s reinstated by the league this summer, the Rangers could have interest. This is not an organization that would dump Gallant, an accomplished NHL coach, for an up-and-comer or a well-regarded AHL coach.

 

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...the Rangers GM has to give long consideration as to whether Lafrenière is a solution for this team,  just three years removed from being the No. 1 overall pick, or whether the Rangers could use Lafrenière’s salary and roster slot to get deeper down the wing.

 

https://theathletic.com/4461756/2023/04/27/rangers-devils-playoffs-patrick-kane-vladimir-tarasenko/?source=freedailyemail&campaign=601983

[Ozzy]

The "Igor Window" is open until the end of the 2024-2025 season.  We have a little bit of a cap crunch on our hands this summer, so I'll expect some shit to hit the fan, especially if we get bounced Saturday night.

 

Then all bets are off!  Anything can happen!

[jsm7302]

Good bye Laffy!!! 1st overall....amazing.

[RJWantsTheCup]

I'm not sure Lafraniere is worth very much at this point.    If you were another team's gm would you want him if it cost you anything significant?

[RichieNextel305]

The difference in talent from Lafreniere to some of these guys in New Jersey is really scary. And I have defended Lafreniere virtually every step of the way. This isn’t to say that I support moving on from him; I do think it could come back and bite us in the ass so it’s something Drury would have to be very, very careful with. But man, watching guys like Hughes and Hischier and then looking at him really accomplishing nothing, and knowing he and Hughes were both 1s back to back years, is scary. I get players go at their own pace but it’s really not good.

[Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc]

It should be a totally different team if they bow out in the first round here. Kane can fuck right off, we don't have money for Tank, Goodrow and his 3.6m will be in danger. I'm done with Laf, trade him and give his 3rd line spot to Cuylle/Othmann. I don't even want to pay Chytil his 4m+ right now. Kakko is signed for 2.2m through next season, so no need to dump him (yet).

 

They should take a good look at the market for Miller before extending him. Is Trouba moveable? I guess not, but they should look into that aswell.

 

Just a complete no-show from almost the entire roster. A lot of changes is needed here...

[RichieNextel305]

I’m not going to sit back and pretend to have the answers. It would have been easy for Tampa to blow it up after CBJ humiliated them. Not to compare us to them. My point is that this is an organizational embarrassment, should we lose Saturday. Losing Saturday, and having to do handshakes on National TV at home against a rival team who we trump in experience and who we embarrassed in Games 1 and 2 would be a kick and a punch to the balls of this franchise and their fans.

 

It would require a response. I have no idea what the response would be. Do they take time to breathe, readjust and go from there? Do they go semi-nuclear? I have no idea.

[RJWantsTheCup]

Panarin, Chytil & #1 pick for Draisitl.  Move Lafraniere for whatever we can get.  Try to re-sign Tarasenko & Motte.  Let Kane go.

I know Edmonton isn't making that trade, but at least make some offers.

[Phil]

5 minutes ago, Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc said:

It should be a totally different team if they bow out in the first round here. Kane can fuck right off, we don't have money for Tank, Goodrow and his 3.6m will be in danger. I'm done with Laf, trade him and give his 3rd line spot to Cuylle/Othmann. I don't even want to pay Chytil his 4m+ right now. Kakko is signed for 2.2m through next season, so no need to dump him (yet).

 

They should take a good look at the market for Miller before extending him. Is Trouba moveable? I guess not, but they should look into that aswell.

 

Just a complete no-show from almost the entire roster. A lot of changes is needed here...

 

The focus should be on overhauling the defense, honestly. They're so fucking slow and no one except Fox and sometimes Miller can make a breakout pass that isn't off the glass and out. It's a big reason that their offense looks like it does. Everything has to get created from scratch, on the fly. Their goalie is a better offensive passer than half their active defenders.

 

But I'm with you lockstep here. Kane and Tarasenko are goners (regardless of what happens). Goodrow is probably a required trade to get some cap liquidity back, but I'm really fucking hesitant to do that only to give it to Lafreniere who barely deserves a cost of living raise.

 

My offseason focus would be two-pronged, with one prong (mobile defense) much larger than the other, which would be to get more pricks. Othmann is house money, but I'd be on the hunt for players who are legitimately harder to play against. This team's brand is soft because it's players are. If Tampa has buyer's remorse on Jeannot, I'd inquire. I'd also strongly consider Michael Bunting, but he's another LW, so maybe not.

 

Craziest idea that I'm mostly joking about, but maybe kinda not? Call about Tom Wilson.

[Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc]

3 minutes ago, Phil said:

My offseason focus would be two-pronged, with one prong (mobile defense) much larger than the other, which would be to get more pricks. Othmann is house money, but I'd be on the hunt for players who are legitimately harder to play against. This team's brand is soft because it's players are. If Tampa has buyer's remorse on Jeannot, I'd inquire. I'd also strongly consider Michael Bunting, but he's another LW, so maybe not.

 

Craziest idea that I'm mostly joking about, but maybe kinda not? Call about Tom Wilson.

That's probably the right way to do it, the only problem is that I don't really see what we can do to change the defense. I don't want to see Lindgren go, he's too important and clearly not part of the problem atm. Trouba and his contract is basically immovable so that leaves Miller and the 3rd pair. Schneider is a fine 3RD, I guess we could upgrade on Mikkola, but how much can we realistically upgrade on him for league minimum?

 

While the kids have been "fine" this season, they're not the kind of 3rd line you win a championship with. Especially when our top two lines are so identical.

 

I've thought about Wilson a couple times too. The Caps are going to be in a limbo for the next few years and while Wilson is the perfect player to have during a rebuild/re-tool I could see them wanting to turn him into some prospect/picks to help kick-start the process. Their generational LW is soon done, maybe they want ours? lol.

 

Something around Laf, Goodrow(cap), 1st for Wilson?

 

Panarin - Mika - Kakko

Kreider - Trocheck - Wilson

Cuylle - Chytil - UFA

Vesey - UFA - Motte

[Br4d]

23 minutes ago, Phil said:

 

Craziest idea that I'm mostly joking about, but maybe kinda not? Call about Tom Wilson.

 

Tom Wilson would make us tougher, chippier and he'd be Panarin-repellent likely to get a trade request to handle the NMC.

[RichieNextel305]

I’m sick of this ping pong ball bouncing back and forth shit with this franchise. One year, we have too much talent and not enough size and grit. Then we have too much size and grit and not enough talent. There’s never a happy medium. Last year, it looked like we would have a healthy mix going into this year and a healthy balance.

[Phil]

Just now, RichieNextel305 said:

I’m sick of this ping pong ball bouncing back and forth shit with this franchise. One year, we have too much talent and not enough size and grit. Then we have too much size and grit and not enough talent. There’s never a happy medium. Last year, it looked like we would have a healthy mix going into this year and a healthy balance.

 

Because they keep adding size and grit to the bottom of the lineup where it's least effective. Adding three Incredible Hulks who only play 6 minutes a night isn't helping.

[Flynn]

Man- I sure and glad Gorton and Drury gave out NMC's like candy at Halloween- 

 

They aren't total deal killers, but allowing the player to have 100% of the leverage is bad business.. Even crazier considering there is zero evidence the NMC helped lower the AAV as these dude are at the top of their peer groups in terms of AAV. 

[4EverRangerFrank]

5 minutes ago, RichieNextel305 said:

I’m sick of this ping pong ball bouncing back and forth shit with this franchise. One year, we have too much talent and not enough size and grit. Then we have too much size and grit and not enough talent. There’s never a happy medium. Last year, it looked like we would have a healthy mix going into this year and a healthy balance.

We’d be great if everyone did their fucking job! Games 1 & 2 showed we have talent and will. Where did that go? 
 

Does a big name core player have to go in order to shake these guys and make them wake up? Also been said over and over…we’re soft. I can understand Panarin not rocking guys but 2/3 of the roster should be going home with ice packs after every playoff game. If not, GTFO. 

[Br4d]

3 minutes ago, 4EverRangerFrank said:

We’d be great if everyone did their fucking job! Games 1 & 2 showed we have talent and will. Where did that go? 
 

Does a big name core player have to go in order to shake these guys and make them wake up? Also been said over and over…we’re soft. I can understand Panarin not rocking guys but 2/3 of the roster should be going home with ice packs after every playoff game. If not, GTFO. 

 

Kreider.

[BrooksBurner]

31 minutes ago, Br4d said:

 

Kreider.

 

Makes no sense that the answer is to trade the one guy who has scored goals this series. That reeks of desperation rather than a sound move.

[Br4d]

1 minute ago, BrooksBurner said:

 

Makes no sense that the answer is to trade the one guy who has scored goals this series. That reeks of desperation rather than a sound move.

 

Game 3 I'm watching Kreider play, specifically, because he's been so hot in the first two games and he's already scored a goal that game early on.  Laser-focused on him because he's been where the action is all series.

 

So there's a play coming up ice along the near boards and Kreider is in position to lineup the guy with the puck and he just stops, pulls up before hitting him.  A few shifts later the same thing happens.  No harm no foul no goal against as a result of the two plays but the Devils are flying at this point and Kreider is one of the big guys who might slow them down a bit.  Tarasenko is in the category.  Lafreniere is in the category.  These guys have to be forcing and physical or the team is going to get run over.

 

And that's exactly what happens for the next two games.

 

I don't know why Chris Kreider isn't a big forceful presence on the ice but I have a pretty good feeling that he doesn't see that as his role.  This BTW is not an optional thing.  When you are 6'2" 230 and can skate like Chris Kreider you need to make your presence felt on the ice every shift.  Most of your teammates do not have the physical wherewithal to do that.

[BrooksBurner]

10 minutes ago, Br4d said:

 

Game 3 I'm watching Kreider play, specifically, because he's been so hot in the first two games and he's already scored a goal that game early on.  Laser-focused on him because he's been where the action is all series.

 

So there's a play coming up ice along the near boards and Kreider is in position to lineup the guy with the puck and he just stops, pulls up before hitting him.  A few shifts later the same thing happens.  No harm no foul no goal against as a result of the two plays but the Devils are flying at this point and Kreider is one of the big guys who might slow them down a bit.  Tarasenko is in the category.  Lafreniere is in the category.  These guys have to be forcing and physical or the team is going to get run over.

 

And that's exactly what happens for the next two games.

 

I don't know why Chris Kreider isn't a big forceful presence on the ice but I have a pretty good feeling that he doesn't see that as his role.  This BTW is not an optional thing.  When you are 6'2" 230 and can skate like Chris Kreider you need to make your presence felt on the ice every shift.  Most of your teammates do not have the physical wherewithal to do that.

 

We all wish he used his size like a prototypical bruising power forward, but if he were all of that he'd be a $10M player. At $6.5M, he's primarily here to fill a goal scoring and net front need, which is a huge need and that's not getting replaced by trading him. He's one of the only guys this series who has done his job and done it well. He scored the only goal in game 3 by the way.

Edited April 28, 2023 by BrooksBurner

[Br4d]

17 minutes ago, BrooksBurner said:

 

We all wish he used his size like a prototypical bruising power forward, but if he were all of that he'd be a $10M player. At $6.5M, he's primarily here to fill a goal scoring and net front need, which is a huge need and that's not getting replaced by trading him. He's one of the only guys this series who has done his job and done it well. He scored the only goal in game 3 by the way.

 

The problem is the Rangers apparently have *nobody* playing the role of the big bruising forward until the 4th line hits the ice.

 

The top 9 can't do that and survive in the playoffs particularly when they're facing real speed and younger players with better legs.

 

This is one of those "those who can, do because those who can't, can't" things.  If the Rangers don't get very physical with the Devils and slow things down we're going to lose the series and that's inevitably going to bring about big changes.

Edited April 28, 2023 by Br4d

[BrooksBurner]

4 minutes ago, Br4d said:

 

The problem is the Rangers apparently have *nobody* playing the role of the big bruising forward until the 4th line hits the ice.

 

The top 9 can't do that and survive in the playoffs particularly when they're facing real speed and younger players with better legs.

 

Agreed. I'd just trade others who don't fill that role and also don't fill a need for the team. If they get rid of Kreider (assuming he'd even waive the ol' NMC), they're spending his cap replacing what they miss when he's gone (we shouldn't pretend the replacement exists on roster). I'd rather look at players who are soft like the core skaters on the team (Panarin, Zibanejad, Fox), and at the same time don't fill a need for the team.

[Br4d]

1 minute ago, BrooksBurner said:

 

Agreed. I'd just trade others who don't fill that role and also don't fill a need for the team. If they get rid of Kreider (assuming he'd even waive the ol' NMC), they're spending his cap replacing what they miss when he's gone (we shouldn't pretend the replacement exists on roster). I'd rather look at players who are soft like the core skaters on the team (Panarin, Zibanejad, Fox), and at the same time don't fill a need for the team.

 

Ok, so assuming that Kane and Tarasenko are gone.  Who does that leave to send a message with if you exclude Kreider, Panarin, Zibanejad and Fox?

 

I'm looking at the kid line, which is a lousy message to send to a veteran entitled team.  Trocheck works as hard as anybody on the team.

 

Who is left?

 

Miller?  Good luck with that because Miller is not the reason the Rangers are in trouble right now even if he's softer than you'd like.

[Sod16]

Looking at the whole picture, I think Miller and/or LaF are the most likely players to go, not because they are more culpable than the rest of the team, but because they are tradeable.  They are good players, but their limitations are also plainly visible.

 

Quenneville's return would create a media storm, a storm more easily weathered in a backwater than in New York.

 

It is common to overreact to a playoff loss with rash moves (like our trade of Zubov long ago).  Tampa did not tear up its team after the Columbus debacle.  They successfully tweaked.  That said, if we lose this series, we need a little more than tweaks.

 

 

[Gravesy]

2 hours ago, RichieNextel305 said:

The difference in talent from Lafreniere to some of these guys in New Jersey is really scary. And I have defended Lafreniere virtually every step of the way. This isn’t to say that I support moving on from him; I do think it could come back and bite us in the ass so it’s something Drury would have to be very, very careful with. But man, watching guys like Hughes and Hischier and then looking at him really accomplishing nothing, and knowing he and Hughes were both 1s back to back years, is scary. I get players go at their own pace but it’s really not good.

Don't think Chytil or Kakko have been much better, if better at all tbh.

Not that it helps.

[BrooksBurner]

1 minute ago, Br4d said:

 

Ok, so assuming that Kane and Tarasenko are gone.  Who does that leave to send a message with if you exclude Kreider, Panarin, Zibanejad and Fox?

 

I'm looking at the kid line, which is a lousy message to send to a veteran entitled team.  Trocheck works as hard as anybody on the team.

 

Who is left?

 

Miller?  Good luck with that because Miller is not the reason the Rangers are in trouble right now even if he's softer than you'd like.

 

First, to be clear, there's no question Panarin is the guy to be traded if there were no limitations on doing so, but there are significant limitations there so we are forced to pick a different, less ideal route to change up the roster. Here's the guys who are all soft, have no trade restrictions, and are presumably worth a snot in a trade. So figure out what they do for the team and if it's something that's a need:

 

Lafreniere. What does he do for the team and is it a need?

Kakko. What does he do for the team and is it a need?

Chytil. What does he do for the team and is it a need?

Miller. What does he do for the team and is it a need?