The Rangers shuffled the lines in practice Tuesday. We knew that the beginning of the season might be an evaluation period where mixing-and-matching was likely. Three games into the season, we are there. How long these changes last is up in the air, as I expect more modifications until the combinations are settled. Add in the potential future presence of Filip Chytil and/or Vitali Kravtsov, and more tweaks are in the offering.
Line shuffling:
David Quinn moved up Brett Howden to skate between Chris Kreider and Kaapo Kakko. As a result of that change, Ryan Strome was moved down to skate with Jesper Fast and Brendan Smith, who was promoted from the fourth line. Lias Andersson remained on the fourth line, joined by Brendan Lemieux, who was moved down from the third grouping and either Michael Haley or Greg McKegg.
As Larry Brooks noted, “(Coach David) Quinn said he feels as if he has watched Howden — acquired last season as part of the five-player trade that sent Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to Tampa Bay — improve each game. The 21-year-old has played with a little more pace and physicality, according to Quinn, which led to his promotion.” Howden has played fairly well while Strome has struggled. Both are lefty centers and New York is in evaluation mode, so seeing what they have in Howden cognizant that Strome is a short-term okay in general, since he is only signed for this year, makes sense. In addition, the change may be a short term one until Filip Chytil is ready to rejoin the team.
My concern is that I really would like to see what Andersson could bring. The Rangers clearly feel Howden is a better offensive option that Andersson. We saw glimpses last year before Howden faded and he had a good camp, earning his role. But that also discounts what we saw from Andersson in camp, as I thought he was the best player in camp. However, he has been chained to the fourth, likely largely due to his shutdown and defensive ability, which has also culled down his minutes, despite repeated comments from Quinn that Andersson would get more time.
Brooks wrote the following on Kreider:
The fact is that Chris Kreider, whose two points, in the form of a pair of assists, were both recorded on the power play, has the eighth-most even-strength minutes among the team’s forwards who have suited up for every contest. Only Brendan Lemieux, Brendan Smith and Lias Andersson have gotten less time.
The past two seasons, per NaturalStattrick.com, Kreider played 1,122 of his 1,805 five-on-five minutes with No. 93, which equates to 62 percent. They formed a very strong, if not perfect, union. This year, there have been three games with Ryan Strome and 1:46 with Zibanejad. It’s just unfortunate that neither he nor Panarin plays on the right.
You know my view on Kreider. His play has not been up the level we expect from him, even when he struggled in the past. Maybe the contract status is weighing on his mind but whatever the reason, New York needs more and he needs to be the player he was before the hamstring injury last season. But to play him that few minutes 5-on-5 and also not expect him to have issues with two new line mates, including a neophyte and a potential miscast center, is unfair as well.
Style of play:
As written by many, New York’s style of play through three games has left a lot to be desired. Allowing the opponent to capture the blue line easily, poor neutral zone play, defense that is in name only, players out of position and that may just be the tip of the iceberg. I am unsure if it’s coaching issues - and that may extend to the head coach and coach who runs the defense - or style of play or both, but whatever the problem is, resolution does not appear to be around the corner. In addition, Quinn wants the team to play with an edge, as well as physical and north-south, yet that too has been lacking. Despite all those problems, along with a lack of production from the second to fourth lines, the team is still 2-1. But to maintain success, these areas must be fixed.
“It’s been talked about and addressed, and we’ve got to play with a pace and pressure people. The other team right now is five guys who are able to defend because we don’t touch anybody right now. It’s tough to hit somebody when you’re not skating. We’ve got to skate more so we can put people off-balance so we can get to the middle of the ice.”
Defense:
Brooks: Quinn seemed to indicate he plans to use the same defensive pairs as against the Oilers on Saturday — keeping the twosomes of Marc Staal-Tony DeAngelo, Libor Hajek-Jacob Trouba and Brady Skjei-Adam Fox together — though the defensemen rotated throughout practice. This said, Skjei was back with Trouba at times during practice. Figuring out the blue line combinations is another task that remains open.
As Brooks pointed out the other day, not having Trouba on the ice against Connor McDavid was odd to say the least. With Taylor Hall and Alexander Ovechkin next on the docket, Quinn hopefully changes his tune from Saturday. If Libor Hajek is not ready, then pair Trouba with Skjei and see what happens. Or as Brooks said and many of his likely thought, maybe call up Ryan Lindgren and see if his fits better across from what should be and who was signed to be your #1 defensemen.
Buchnevich:
Some interesting comments on Buchnevich in the blog from the other day. As many of you know, I have been a fan of Buchnevich for a while. The light seemed to turn on down the stretch which lent credence to the view that he could be a top-six forward. Following one bad game, where the whole top line wasn’t good, everyone appears ready to shunt him back down to the third line. That may be the right place for him, but not the way the lines are currently constituted. When/if Chytil and/or Kravtsov is up, then I could see a change of that worth getting made. But not until then. In addition, the suggestion of swapping him and Kakko is one I could get on board with once Kakko is more settled in. Another good game or two, especially if Buchnevich struggles, could result in a that type of change.
I’m not sure who Buchnevich is, or what type of player he will eventually become, but I’m not convinced he’s a top six player.
The 1st line would be much better served with a power forward, good in the corners, RH shot. They don’t grow on trees, but they have the assets to be in position to make a deal for this type player should the occasion arise.
Absent that, moving Kakko up seems to be in the works, issue becomes, does Buch accept the demotion, or does he sulk, and become a problem for Quinn. I suspect he would.
I always saw Buch as a 3rd liner with the skillset to step up when needed. Sure he played a few elite games last season, but I haven't changed my mind.
Here is my view on Buch. 1st line talent when he is engaged and not pouting. He has yet to work hard for a full season though. Jury is still out. I would flip Kakko and Buch. Kakko would fit perfect with Zib and Panarin because he has no issue going to the net. And Buch would be with Kreids who goes to the net. Seems more balanced that way.
I just don't see the balance. You have 2 power forwards with Strome, who isn't the optimal solution for center and then you have a ton of play making talent on the 1st line. You switch Kakko and Buch, now you have a power forward on each line and at least Buch brings playmaking to the the Kreider/Strome line
Kravtsov:
This doesn’t come as a major shock but just because he is considering it doesn’t mean he is going back to the KHL. I am sure he was not happy with getting sent downs to start the season and also playing in Hartford. But if he is already ready to “jump ship” that doesn’t say much for his character or his willingness to battle when things get rough. Thai could be a negotiating ploy to try and get called up, which also would be a ride from about 70k in the minors to 900k in the NHL, though not the best way of approaching the matter. In addition, we have one source/tweet from an individual who isn’t always accurate, so the data may be flawed s Let’s see how this play out before we go completely crazy.
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