Jan Levine: Which is the true Brett Howden, the regular season or playoff one? A polarizing player is next up in the off-season question blogs

Personally, I have an old fashioned idea of what the bottom 6 of a team should look like.. If someone sees value in Howden, Id be happen to trade him. My ideal 4th line center is someone like Konopka, someone tough thats really good on faceoffs, surrounded by grinders and bangers. Guys who may be a little limited skill wise, but play with 100% effort all the time. Guys who go out there to get in the heads of the top players of the opposing team. I feel like the 3rd line should be built similarly, except guys with a bit more skill. Guys who just weigh down on top lines and frustrate them.

In thinking back to Howden's initial camp with the Rangers:

Did he look so good because he was being compared to an 18 year old Andersson and Chytil?

I thought this year he had another underwhelming regular season, but he suddenly became a wrecking ball physical player against Carolina. Ultimately, I don't think he has the body mass to play an extended amount of time hitting everything that moves.

He is still young, and Quinn seems to love him, so I won't be shocked to see him get another shot at third center. My preference would be to have him be our 4th line center or to trade him. He still has time on his side ( for now ) so perhaps he can surprise us this upcoming season as he matures...

Personally, I have an old fashioned idea of what the bottom 6 of a team should look like.. If someone sees value in Howden, Id be happen to trade him. My ideal 4th line center is someone like Konopka, someone tough thats really good on faceoffs, surrounded by grinders and bangers. Guys who may be a little limited skill wise, but play with 100% effort all the time. Guys who go out there to get in the heads of the top players of the opposing team. I feel like the 3rd line should be built similarly, except guys with a bit more skill. Guys who just weigh down on top lines and frustrate them.
- aecliptic

Trent Frederic

What Id like to see on the Rangers.

Its not gonna be a popular squad because Chytil is gone, but I think this team is better off set up like this.

I know it’s a holiday, but man I hope Boy Howdy can generate a bit more excitement this year than his blog piece has. Zzzz.

What Id like to see on the Rangers.

Its not gonna be a popular squad because Chytil is gone, but I think this team is better off set up like this.
- aecliptic

I didn’t know Lundqvist was hurt?

I didn’t know Lundqvist was hurt?
- junaka3

Thats with the pipedream that he retires.

Ohhh. Has him as long term injured reserve.

Ohhh. Has him as long term injured reserve.
- junaka3

Theres no option on capfriendly for retirement, so LITR is the only way to get his $ off the books... could have traded him off somewhere too to make him disappear.

I don’t think Rangers can give up on Anderson and Chytil is still a work in progress. IMO, both have higher ceilings as top 9. Howden will be the new Boo Nieves. Add in Henriksson in pipeline and who knows what Gorton does as far as replacing/keeping Strome at 2C, I’m not sure Howden has a future with Rangers. I see his best value as a sweetener with Smith going back to Detroit. Hoping Yzerman still sees something in him.

I didn’t know Lundqvist was hurt?
- junaka3

Maybe he is "Allergic" to his equipment

Well that was quick.

I don’t think Rangers can give up on Anderson and Chytil is still a work in progress. IMO, both have higher ceilings as top 9. Howden will be the new Boo Nieves. Add in Henriksson in pipeline and who knows what Gorton does as far as replacing/keeping Strome at 2C, I’m not sure Howden has a future with Rangers. I see his best value as a sweetener with Smith going back to Detroit. Hoping Yzerman still sees something in him.
- junaka3

Ceilings, works in progress, pipelines... at some point we have to move away from these terms and look at whats on the ice and say, yup thats it. Had we not gotten the 1st overall pick, Id say sure, 2-3 years... but I think come 2021, this team is should start gunning for the cup.

What Id like to see on the Rangers.

Its not gonna be a popular squad because Chytil is gone, but I think this team is better off set up like this.
- aecliptic

How can we afford to pay Strome AND Cirelli? Can't have a $5 mill 3rd line center!

How can we afford to pay Strome AND Cirelli? Can't have a $5 mill 3rd line center!
- TommyGTrain

Its possible (Hank retirement, Smith traded with 2m retained). Beaulieu is a non-factor in there, that money will probably be used to call up Miller or Robertson.

The main part of that team that Id like to see is something similar to that bottom 6.

What Id like to see on the Rangers.

Its not gonna be a popular squad because Chytil is gone, but I think this team is better off set up like this.
- aecliptic

so only 12 forwards on roster with only 300K in cap space?

how do you make a callup?

whatever roster they go into the season with, its a good bet they'll have 14 forwards, 7 defensemen, 2 goalies and an additional 1.2 million or so in cap space

they'll have extra players around during Covid times, absolutely

so only 12 forwards on roster with only 300K in cap space?

how do you make a callup?
- jimbro83

Thats why I said later that Beaulieu is a non-factor here as that money will go to callups. Its the bottom 6 that Im putting more emphasis on how Id like put together.

Thats why I said later that Beaulieu is a non-factor here as that money will go to callups. Its the bottom 6 that Im putting more emphasis on how Id like put together.
- aecliptic

I guarantee you there will be at least two of those guys making around 700K on this roster, there simply has to be, and they aren't giving up on Gauthier just yet

I didn't get to watch any of the Islander game last night but damn that box score looks sweet.

I didn't get to watch any of the Islander game last night but damn that box score looks sweet.
- JRR1285

Tampa looked possessed

they look like a team that knows very well this is their last shot with this group before they need to break it up a bit over cap issues

EP Transfers
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Loan: Libor Hájek (D) | New York Rangers -> HC Kometa Brno | http://eliteprospects.com/t.php?id=431615 #Czech

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8:49 AM · Sep 8, 2020

EP Transfers
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Loan: Libor Hájek (D) | New York Rangers -> HC Kometa Brno | http://eliteprospects.com/t.php?id=431615 #Czech

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8:49 AM · Sep 8, 2020
- jimbro83

Thanks, was just about to post this. Libor Hajek loaned to Czech Extraliga, which is the top league in the Czech Republic. Gives him the chance to get extra work prior to the Rangers having training camp.