I see Buchnevich outta here. I'm hoping Gorton finds a way to get Dvorak in here. Assuming they keep Strome, don't trade for a center and get Smith and McKegg as far away as possible so thickhead Quinn can't use them, I hope this will be the opening night roster. Unfortunately, I see one more year of Staal here. Good Ranger but he should be on another team . I think Barron and Richards who both have 3 years of college from a top program with great systems and are high hockey IQ guys will make the team. If they don't keep Fast I hope Lias takes his place. If Chytil can't win draws, he can't play center. Simple as that. Panarin-Strome-Lafreniere Kreider-Zibanejad-Kakko Chytil-Barron-Fast Lemieux-Richards-Gauthier Hajek-Trouba Lindgen-Fox Staal-DeAngelo
Hopefully Kravtsov makes a push to be on the team next year otherwise you start to wonder a little on him. It might be a little early to have Barron that high but he definately should be in the opening lineup. Gauthier should take another step too. I think Miller will be ready by midseason, whenever that falls. Hajek needs to show progression. Exciting tines.
Fast will not be back. I was just reading an article about that. On Jesper Fast heading to free agency, three teams interested. Predators, Flyers, and Blue Jackets. As of last week, both sides have yet to discuss a deal. According to one person, that window has passed and it will take a lot of work to get a deal.
If some team is dumb enough to pay him 4 million than he can walk. I remember the days where players like Fast got 1.8-2 million. Which is what players like that should still get. If he isn't back than there is a small chance Buchnevich stays. Or Lias is brought back if he's got it together. Buchnevich is not a 3rd liner IMO. He would be useless in that role and he's not good enough to make the top 2 lines on this team at this point.
More from Fast: “Both me and my wife have really appreciated these seven years in New York,” Fast continued, “I had a good role with the team.” Then his comments seemed to hint that his time with the Rangers was done. “It would have been fun if I got the chance to stay. At the same time, a new role would be exciting. I’m open to anything.”
If Buch does stay I would go with this lineup: Panarin-Strome-Kakko Lafreniere-Zibanejad-Buch Kreider-Chytil-Gauthier Lemieux-Howden-Barron Hajek-Trouba Lindgen-Fox Staal-DeAngelo I like Kreider playing with Chytil. Also keeps Lafreniere at his natural LW as a rookie. At days end I think the forwards will be changed up though, with at least one guy added (most likely a C - I have seen Cirelli from TB mentioned a few times - he's an RFA and TB has cap issues). I also think it is possible we look to add a LD.
Playing Kreider with Chytil is beyond moronic. He has tremendous chemistry with Zibanejad. You don't break that up. I wouldn't rule out Lafreniere moving to center.
Didn't stop Quinn from breaking them up for most of game 2, and all of game 3 against the Canes. Also it is highly doubtful to me you draft a stud rookie, and right out of the gate say hey how about we change your position to C, seems unlikely (maybe someday in the future). At days end most likely a moot point anyway as moves will be made to mix up the group, and the potential lines.
Chemistry is not easy to find like Zibanejad and Kreider have. For the life of me I don't know why people in our fan base are constantly trying to break it up. Buchnevich plays like a dumb fuck. I don't want him on the top 2 lines or on this team. If Chytil can't at least win 46% of his draws next season his days at center are over. Faceoffs are huge in this league. Especially in the playoffs.
I agree with you on chemistry. It is a big reason why there's a chance Strome is back to C Panarin again, their chemistry. I also agree on Chytil, he may be better suited for the wing due to face offs and less defensive responsibility. It's why we have seen Cirelli's name come up. He could be brought in as the 3rd line C. Strome stays as the # 2 C. Howden as the 4th line C. And we have plenty of wingers. On D I think they could add a LD to play with Trouba. That seems likely to me. A lot depends on what happens with Hank. A buyout only saves 3 mill, which isn't ideal. Can they maybe move Smith? We'll see.
I was looking at the Islanders cap situation next year. They are fucked. See this is why Lou is incompetent. He did this with NJ. Since he's old, he just does win now moves in a desperate attempt to win now while hurting the team for many years down the line. Barzal is a RFA next year. At least 7 million he will get. Pulock is a RFA. At least 6 million. Toews is a RFA. At least 5 million. They are already over the cap and they aren't losing much in salary with UFA's. Martin and Clutterbuck are gone. That 4th line is history. I woudn't be surprised to see Barzal get an offer sheet for 10+ million from a team like Ottawa who has two high picks this year and can build around Barzal and give up those picks. They have 3 first rounders this year and 4 second rounders this year. Three second rounders next year. That screams giving a player like Barzal a huge contract.
Lou was incompetent. He gave a first and a second for Pageau and in 7 regular season games he was a -6 with 2 points as the Islanders were falling like a rock on pace to miss the playoffs. A stupid chinese created virus saved him from looking like a complete dumbass. His cap situation next year is one of the worst I've seen. Expect Barzal to get an offer sheet from another team.
Take a look at his last 8 years and drafts for the Devils. He was a joke. He left that team in shambles as he had no ability to adjust to the non clutch and grab era. He did absolutely nothing in Toronto. He basically just sat there with his name and they dumped him. The core they had was completely setup already. It's amazing how fucking stupid people are here that choose to forget the Islanders weren't making the playoffs before the virus hit. Not to mention refuse to look at the last 8 years he was with the Devils and see the state that he left that team in to which they still haven't recovered. Problem you clowns have is like a lot of fans. You live in the past. You act like this is Lou in the clutch and grab era. He ruined the Devils his last 8 years. He did NOTHING in Toronto other than sit in the stands. He basically was on the verge of looking like a complete idiot with his Pageau deal before Covid bailed his ass senile out. Everything I just said is fact and can't be disputed. Do some research.
I'm in the middle on Lou. I agree with a lot of your points regarding his old style approach and mind set to the game. His tenure in NJ didn't end well. In Toronto his teams never reached their full potential. But he also has done a lot of winning, and say what you want, but the Isles did make the ECF this year. Yes I think their run ends against TB, but even if it does for that team to make the ECF for the first time in 27 years means something. On the flip side he did it with a lot of Snow's moves and players (BTW - Snow looks better now as well), but he added the finishing touches, and hired the winning coach. So I don't think Lou is all that, but he has won a lot in his career, and the Isles had a very good year this year, Covid impact or not, and Lou deserves credit. He also gets respect around the league, and that matters as well, and he uses it to his advantage. It's a sort of mixed bag on Lou IMO. But overall I think he has to be considered a mostly positive GM given his team is in the ECF, and he just won the GM of the year award. As for Barzal getting an offer sheet, I remain skeptical of that happening. It never happens in the NHL, so I am doubtful that changes for Barzal.
That would suck. He would be perfect in Colorado. If they had any clue out there they would sign him because they score a crap load but need help keeping the puck out of their net.
