I still think if Strome walks you put Chytil there and see what happens. Its going to be a screwed up season anyway again with a ton of young guys. He has to get a shot at some point, because his game is not for a 3rd line center. So you put him there this year and if it doesn't work out, maybe they move on from him next year.

They will have a lot more flexibility next year money wise to make bigger changes.
- mdw7413

I think that might not be possible due to who we are. If we were a small market team, we might be able to get away with that. Whether we like it or not, or whether it should be or not, the moment we were awarded the playoffs and then got Laffy, the rebuild is over. I'm pretty certain if this team doesn't take a step forward this year, heads are going to roll. I'm not sure if DQ and even Gorton and risk Chytil not working out as the 2C, especially given the fact he really hasn't shown any glimspe of handling it in his few games there.

Jimbo gonna get you for this
- mdw7413

What if: Detroit makes a deal for Tyler Johnson.....and flips him to you with half his salary retained for Strome? or for 2022 2nd rounder (maybe $.5M less salary retained?
Johnson would have 4 seasons left at an affordable $2.5M (or $3M) . Johnson would waive his NTC if he knew he would wind up in NY.

I think that might not be possible due to who we are. If we were a small market team, we might be able to get away with that. Whether we like it or not, or whether it should be or not, the moment we were awarded the playoffs and then got Laffy, the rebuild is over. I'm pretty certain if this team doesn't take a step forward this year, heads are going to roll. I'm not sure if DQ and even Gorton and risk Chytil not working out as the 2C, especially given the fact he really hasn't shown any glimspe of handling it in his few games there.
- 2sticks1puck

So we just keep Chytil buried on a line he really isn't suited for? He never gets a chance and they just get rid of him eventually?

They aren't a favorite for a cup, this is the perfect time to see what they have in Chytil. imo

So we just keep Chytil buried on a line he really isn't suited for? He never gets a chance and they just get rid of him eventually?

They aren't a favorite for a cup, this is the perfect time to see what they have in Chytil. imo
- mdw7413

I'd say cup contending teams have three very solid lines. Our last finalist we had both Brass and Zucc there, and I'd say neither of those guys would be considered at the time third line guys.

The advantage of having Strome here in terms of Chytil, is he shouldn't be this unbeatable player on the 2nd line. We have enough wing depth that if Chytil can produce, it should be fairly easy to slide him up there at some point.

When D. Kulikov signs for the same money as Johnson, and is head and shoulders above his talent, it just shows me the a Rangers aren’t taking this year seriously.

I’d walk from Strome, put Chytil in the 2nd line center spot, and let sink or swim.

Maybe the big picture will become a little clearer in 2022.

When D. Kulikov signs for the same money as Johnson, and is head and shoulders above his talent, it just shows me the a Rangers aren’t taking this year seriously.

I’d walk from Strome, put Chytil in the 2nd line center spot, and let sink or swim.

Maybe the big picture will become a little clearer in 2022.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

don't exaggerate the Johnson thing

What if: Detroit makes a deal for Tyler Johnson.....and flips him to you with half his salary retained for Strome? or for 2022 2nd rounder (maybe $.5M less salary retained?
Johnson would have 4 seasons left at an affordable $2.5M (or $3M) . Johnson would waive his NTC if he knew he would wind up in NY.
- HenryHockey

meh, I just think Tyler Johnson is becoming a player in the way at this point

I expect the Rangers to solidify this 2nd center position with somebody GOOD by next season

I'd say cup contending teams have three very solid lines. Our last finalist we had both Brass and Zucc there, and I'd say neither of those guys would be considered at the time third line guys.

The advantage of having Strome here in terms of Chytil, is he shouldn't be this unbeatable player on the 2nd line. We have enough wing depth that if Chytil can produce, it should be fairly easy to slide him up there at some point.
- 2sticks1puck

My thinking is next year the Rangers will have a decent amount of money I believe. So we all agree Strome isn't a long term fix. We have Chytil who has the skill set but hasn't yet put it all together, understandably so he just turned 21 and hasn't even played 2 full seasons. Lets give him a shot this year if it doesn't work, lets look for a long term solution next year when they have the funds to it. Seems like a better option than burying him on a line he probably shouldn't be on. If he doesn't work out with Panarin and whomever I think it would be time to let him go. I just want to see what this young kid has befoe he gets lost in the organization.

don't exaggerate the Johnson thing
- jimbro83

Fact remains same money and term, much better player.

Fact remains same money and term, much better player.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

probably a little bit but I don't think the choice in the one year stop gap defenseman indicates the team's desire to compete this season

whether it was Johnson, Ceci, Kulikov, etc, the goal should be that K'Andre Miller, Libor Hajek, Tarmo Reunanen beat them out in camp, or take over the spot eventually during the season

The Rangers have two more seasons of Zibinajed at a ridiculous bargain, they'll want to compete

probably a little bit but I don't think the choice in the one year stop gap defenseman indicates the team's desire to compete this season

whether it was Johnson, Ceci, Kulikov, etc, the goal should be that K'Andre Miller, Libor Hajek, Tarmo Reunanen beat them out in camp, or take over the spot eventually during the season

The Rangers have two more seasons of Zibinajed at a ridiculous bargain, they'll want to compete
- jimbro83

This and the Panarin/Kreider in their primes is the biggest reason why I am surprised they aren't trying to do more right now to win

Fact remains same money and term, much better player.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

The argument was never that Johnson was the better player than the options that were out there. He has familiarity with the coaching staff and is a PK specialist which we lost when we traded Staal. People love to point to the analytics with him and say how bad he is, yet he has been in the league for 14 years and keeps getting new contracts so he clearly brings something to the table that you and I don't see. At the end of the day, with all of the great things going on with this team, if a 1 year, $1M contract for a 6/7 defenseman has you bent out of shape than I'm not sure what to say.

My thinking is next year the Rangers will have a decent amount of money I believe. So we all agree Strome isn't a long term fix. We have Chytil who has the skill set but hasn't yet put it all together, understandably so he just turned 21 and hasn't even played 2 full seasons. Lets give him a shot this year if it doesn't work, lets look for a long term solution next year when they have the funds to it. Seems like a better option than burying him on a line he probably shouldn't be on. If he doesn't work out with Panarin and whomever I think it would be time to let him go. I just want to see what this young kid has befoe he gets lost in the organization.
- mdw7413

I wouldn't want to sign him to a long term contract, but a bridge contract for Strome is perfect for Chytil IMO. On the 3rd line he will have some combination of wingers of CK, Laffy, Kakko, or VK in all likelihood. He will have serious weapons at his disposal no matter what. We will find out very quickly if he can develop in that 2C role by playing him down the lineup, but with serious players flanking him.

I think if Chytil doesn't produce on the 3rd line, it's more of a Chytil problem than a DQ playing him on the 3rd line problem. The argument he's surrounded by flotsam just won't be valid.

I wouldn't want to sign him to a long term contract, but a bridge contract for Strome is perfect for Chytil IMO. On the 3rd line he will have some combination of wingers of CK, Laffy, Kakko, or VK in all likelihood. He will have serious weapons at his disposal no matter what. We will find out very quickly if he can develop in that 2C role by playing him down the lineup, but with serious players flanking him.

I think if Chytil doesn't produce on the 3rd line, it's more of a Chytil problem than a DQ playing him on the 3rd line problem. The argument he's surrounded by flotsam just won't be valid.
- 2sticks1puck

Yeah, it would all depend on his wingers this year.

This and the Panarin/Kreider in their primes is the biggest reason why I am surprised they aren't trying to do more right now to win
- TPC

well, there isn't any real hurry to make the next move other than to cure our boredom

they can also make trades during the season

well, there isn't any real hurry to make the next move other than to cure our boredom

they can also make trades during the season
- jimbro83

Don't mind TPC, he is just mad EK mushed him on the Barzal offersheet

meh, I just think Tyler Johnson is becoming a player in the way at this point

I expect the Rangers to solidify this 2nd center position with somebody GOOD by next season
- jimbro83

My thinking is if the term were less that it would be a more viable option.

Don't mind TPC, he is just mad EK mushed him on the Barzal offersheet
- mdw7413

All jokes aside though, its a reasonable argument. Zib's contract is about to double in a few years and Kreider and Panarin are right in the middle of their prime right now and signed to long term deals. You have some top young talent coming to the team. Seems about right to try to win while these guys are playing at their highest level.

All jokes aside though, its a reasonable argument. Zib's contract is about to double in a few years and Kreider and Panarin are right in the middle of their prime right now and signed to long term deals. You have some top young talent coming to the team. Seems about right to try to win while these guys are playing at their highest level.
- TPC

No money.

I think next year you will get your excitement

No money.

I think next year you will get your excitement
- mdw7413

That's fine. I would just hate giving Panarin and Kreider those deals and then have the organization say we are still not ready yet, going to take time. Those the types of moves you make when you are going for it.

That's fine. I would just hate giving Panarin and Kreider those deals and then have the organization say we are still not ready yet, going to take time. Those the types of moves you make when you are going for it.
- TPC

Kreider yeah, and still think they wouldn't have given him that contract if they had a crystal ball.

Panarin has the legs of an 21 yr old. Dude has real low mileage

The argument was never that Johnson was the better player than the options that were out there. He has familiarity with the coaching staff and is a PK specialist which we lost when we traded Staal. People love to point to the analytics with him and say how bad he is, yet he has been in the league for 14 years and keeps getting new contracts so he clearly brings something to the table that you and I don't see. At the end of the day, with all of the great things going on with this team, if a 1 year, $1M contract for a 6/7 defenseman has you bent out of shape than I'm not sure what to say.
- SkjeiStadium

Who said I’m bent out of shape? I said, I don’t believe they’re taking this season seriously. Part of that belief, is in the signing of Johnson, when there were other more capable at the same money and term. JD is doing Johnson a favor by letting him try to reconstruct his career. A noble gesture, and I hope it works out for him.

Who said I’m bent out of shape? I said, I don’t believe they’re taking this season seriously. Part of that belief, is in the signing of Johnson, when there were other more capable at the same money and term. JD is doing Johnson a favor by letting him try to reconstruct his career. A noble gesture, and I hope it works out for him.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

It's also possible Kulikov didn't want to play here?

Kreider yeah, and still think they wouldn't have given him that contract if they had a crystal ball.

Panarin has the legs of an 21 yr old. Dude has real low mileage
- mdw7413

I had a big say in this