Br4d Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 Nobody has come back from this surgery to play more than a couple of months. There are a few guys trying now but it has been a career-ender in the past. No reason to think that has changed unless we see it change. I guess if Kane is willing to come back for a minimum 1 year deal there's little harm in trying but the Rangers need to be quick to pull the plug on the thing if it is not working early on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted October 30, 2023 Author Share Posted October 30, 2023 6 minutes ago, BrooksBurner said: It's a waste of the limited cap space because it doesn't solve the need. They need an RW, yes, but they don't need one who is soft, slow, and coming off major surgery. If it was the only option, OK, as a last resort because it's better than Blake Wheeler. They need a Artturi Lehkonen type, like Colorado got 2 years ago when they won a Cup. Problem is, there's few of them available, because Lehkonen was incredibly affordable when they got him. He made like $2.4 million at the time. I guess they could call about Lawson Crouse or Nick Bjugstad, but I'm not sure there's an available candidate who's nearly as good as Lehkonen was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 22 minutes ago, RangersIn7 said: Kane will be a Ranger I think. He feels it And I bet he has a hard on for it But it’s at Christmas And you still need a checking winger In this case it would be Kakko. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valriera Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 2 hours ago, LindG1000 said: I'm going to take a contrarian stance here. We don't need Blake Wheeler to be a heavy net positive. He makes 800k and plays on the third line. We need him to simply not be negative to the team. Cuylle and Trocheck have driven that line well. Wheeler's not gotten going yet, and that's okay so long as he isn't making defensive mistakes. We can afford to wait him out. And if he doesn't work out that he finds some offensive form? So be it, it's fine - so long as the defensive play stays positive. This, the only stat with wheeler I care about is that he is fine in the defensive zone, which is true. For 800k, all you want on your third line is fine on defense and some scoring threat. He is both of these, even though I agree that he has done nothing so far and even worse than that, just looks slow. I actually think part of this is that cuylle and trochek are a bad fit, because they're both quick players and Wheeler is the opposite. He'd be a better fit on a slower more physical checking line, but it is what it is and for 800k it is fine with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albatrosss Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 if Kakko continues to be ineffective, i think they have no choice but to go after Kane for cheap one year deal. Not sure they can make a deal for a top line RW and not lose much. If kakko continues to suck, he should be dropped and become a possession specialist on a checking line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 A (maybe) hobbled Kane would probably be better than a crap Kakko (assuming he's still not that great a month from now) at this point. lol 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 (edited) Maybe I'm reaching for shit here, but I really think Wheeler had a pretty strong game against Edmonton last week. I kinda dig him playing with Cuylle too. The guy is a career franchise player that could very well be the best tutor for a kid like Cuylle. He's been defensively responsible for the most part, and the -3 he had stemmed partly from a game (Nashville) where they all played like ass. Look, we just won 4 in a row...the shit is working right now. It's still way too early, and this guy just uprooted his entire life as he knew it to come here to play. Can we maybe give the dude a few weeks to settle in? Think about this: If that puck hits net instead of the post last week, we're probably talking mostly about trading Panarin (oh Lord!) or Laff's favorite Baskin Robbins flavor! Edited October 30, 2023 by Ozzy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichieNextel305 Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 I’m still not sleeping on a Kane/Ranger reunion. If he’s willing to come back on a minimum deal, you can slide Kakko down to the 3rd line if he continues to not score on the top line, Kane assumes his role up there and maybe Wheeler moves down to the Goodrow/Bonino line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 Said this elsewhere, my expectations were really really low, his cap hit is almost nill yet somehow he's failed to meet even those expectations. As far as setting up Cuylle , did he really or did he throw it behind him and hit him in the skate. Credit for hitting a moving target I guess. Right now if he hasn't fallen off the cliff yet he's hanging on by a finger nail. Pretty shocking. The look on his face and outward demeanor when the camera is on him right now isn't good. Bummer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsm7302 Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 Wasn't a proponent of Kane coming back but when you dissect the stats and take away the eye test from last year, he paced 48 pts for the season. That's coming here cold at the tail end of the season. Assuming a hot streak and growing chemistry would have happened at some point, prolly more in line with 55-60 points. With a surgery rehabbed back into painless hockey for him, maybe we are talking 65-70 points (for a whole season). All in all that is more than expected for Kakko or Wheeler at this point in time. I didn't like the experiment but if we are looking at stat sheets and past history then I think it is hard to deny his use on this team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long live the King Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 I'd say scratch him if he's unable to find some energy against his former team tonight. Pitlick isn't the answer though. Vesey to 3RW. Call up Belzile to pay on the 4th line. If Othmann isn't forcing a call-up around mid-January, hit the trade market. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangersIn7 Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 2 hours ago, Pete said: In this case it would be Kakko. Yes. But they acquire a Vet W too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albatrosss Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 2 hours ago, RichieNextel305 said: I’m still not sleeping on a Kane/Ranger reunion. If he’s willing to come back on a minimum deal, you can slide Kakko down to the 3rd line if he continues to not score on the top line, Kane assumes his role up there and maybe Wheeler moves down to the Goodrow/Bonino line. only if Kakko keeps sucking. If KZK starts putting up numbers at even strength, i dont see Kane being signed. He's also not a checker to replace Wheeler on the 3rd line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Br4d Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 2 hours ago, jsm7302 said: Wasn't a proponent of Kane coming back but when you dissect the stats and take away the eye test from last year, he paced 48 pts for the season. That's coming here cold at the tail end of the season. Assuming a hot streak and growing chemistry would have happened at some point, prolly more in line with 55-60 points. With a surgery rehabbed back into painless hockey for him, maybe we are talking 65-70 points (for a whole season). All in all that is more than expected for Kakko or Wheeler at this point in time. I didn't like the experiment but if we are looking at stat sheets and past history then I think it is hard to deny his use on this team. Nobody has played more than 36 games after returning from this surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichieNextel305 Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 8 minutes ago, Albatrosss said: only if Kakko keeps sucking. If KZK starts putting up numbers at even strength, i dont see Kane being signed. He's also not a checker to replace Wheeler on the 3rd line. In that scenario, if Kakko continues to not put up numbers, he could move to 3rd line, Wheeler to 4th and Kane would slide in and play with 93/20. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 6 hours ago, RangersIn7 said: Othmann though isn’t ideal for a 3rd line role. Now… if you want to promote him and give him a top-6 role, while putting Kakko on your 3rd line, ok. But he’s not ready for that either. So just get a vet if it comes to that. 3rd line is absolutely perfect for him to start on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsm7302 Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 5 minutes ago, Br4d said: Nobody has played more than 36 games after returning from this surgery. Valid point. That contract is near impossible to guess, wherever he goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 I'm more concerned about how useless Goodrow is than Wheeler. I understand he's getting less minutes, but the guy isn't bringing any energy. Maybe they need to find a taker for him before they make any moves. The cap hit, the lack of sandpaper, the lack of defensive prowess that we expect hasn't been there. I was hoping Laviolette would unlock all of these things from him. So far, he too is doing less than the very little expected of him. And really? Guy wears an A? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albatrosss Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 1 hour ago, RichieNextel305 said: In that scenario, if Kakko continues to not put up numbers, he could move to 3rd line, Wheeler to 4th and Kane would slide in and play with 93/20. Right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 1 hour ago, The Dude said: I'm more concerned about how useless Goodrow is than Wheeler. I understand he's getting less minutes, but the guy isn't bringing any energy. Maybe they need to find a taker for him before they make any moves. The cap hit, the lack of sandpaper, the lack of defensive prowess that we expect hasn't been there. I was hoping Laviolette would unlock all of these things from him. So far, he too is doing less than the very little expected of him. And really? Guy wears an A? He's definitely getting moved at some point. Perhaps just not a fit here anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 30, 2023 Share Posted October 30, 2023 If this game doesn't breathe life into him I'm not sure anything can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsm7302 Posted October 31, 2023 Share Posted October 31, 2023 He looks decent this far. Few shots on goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdog99 Posted October 31, 2023 Share Posted October 31, 2023 lines 1 & 3 just haven't clicked very much till this point...its not about wheeler...those lines need to gel or eventually get tweeked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted October 31, 2023 Author Share Posted October 31, 2023 Quote It is safe to say that there is some concern over Wheeler’s halting start, but I would expect both management and the coaching staff to remain patient with the 37-year-old winger, who made his return to Winnipeg on Monday after wearing the Jets logo for the previous 12 seasons. Quote Regardless of how often the Minnesota native said he felt comfortable during training camp, this move to New York has represented a major adjustment. It is still early in the process. And though Wheeler has struggled, he is not caving in his line that has featured Cuylle on the left and Vincent Trocheck in the middle. In 74:19 of five-on-five play through the team’s 6-2 getaway heading into Monday night, the unit is on the positive side of shot attempts at 50.38 percent with an xGF% of 50.80 even though the trio had not been on for a Rangers goal but had been on for one against. The Blueshirts do, however, expect more. At some point, they will need more. https://nypost.com/2023/10/31/sports/rangers-mailbag-could-brennan-othmann-replace-blake-wheeler/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted October 31, 2023 Share Posted October 31, 2023 (edited) Saw the interview with him...seems like a really good team (glue) guy. I'll roll with Wheeler... Fucking guy just dropped his whole life to play here. I can give him more time. He'll be fine, and I like him teaching Cuylle. Edited October 31, 2023 by Ozzy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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