I agree, watching management sit on their hands so far is almost as frustrating as watching the team play some nights.

Not sure who has The Athletic, but Shayna posted a great read yesterday. She suggested a line of:

Panarin-Zib-Blackwell

Honestly love that idea. Blackwell fills the Fast role (with more offensive instincts) and Panarin hopefully helps Zib out of his slump. I couldn’t see them going more than 2 games without getting him a goal (or at minimum a helper).
- TC88

Keep Panarin far away from Zib. Then we have all our best players on one line not scoring.

Maybe instead of pointing the finger at Quinn, we should be looking to remove David Oliver. He's the offensive coach, runs the power play. Both of those have been the issue since the bubble.
- Bean_Dip

Would you consider getting Boudreau as an offensive assistant? His offenses were always pretty good.

If anything happens, I bet it will be at the end of the season. They will start fresh from there. Does anyone really think JD is blaming Quinn for our top lines play?
- mdw7413

I think all deserve some blame. The players for not performing, coaching staff for not figuring out how to make those top guys perform. But no, I do not think JD will make a midseason coaching change at this point.

I agree, watching management sit on their hands so far is almost as frustrating as watching the team play some nights.

Not sure who has The Athletic, but Shayna posted a great read yesterday. She suggested a line of:

Panarin-Zib-Blackwell

Honestly love that idea. Blackwell fills the Fast role (with more offensive instincts) and Panarin hopefully helps Zib out of his slump. I couldn’t see them going more than 2 games without getting him a goal (or at minimum a helper).
- TC88

The problem with moving Blackwell up in the top 6 as a winger is Kakko and Buch, both of which should remain RWs in the top 6. But they need to get creative with the other 4, mainly splitting up Kreider and Zib. I really think the answer is putting Rooney or Blackwell with Kreider and Buch. I would roll this and see if it works:

Panarin - Zib - Kakko
Laf - Strome - Buch
Kreider - Rooney - Blackwell
Lemieux - Howden - Gaut/PDG

Put Zib with our two best forwards, kakko with the jump & panarin the wizard
Laf might benefit playing with a dynamic player like Buch.
Third line is the grinding line and the message to kreider should be to work with those two guys
Fourth line keeps doing their thing.

I think all deserve some blame. The players for not performing, coaching staff for not figuring out how to make those top guys perform. But no, I do not think JD will make a midseason coaching change at this point.
- Bean_Dip

Both Kreider and Zib had career years under Quinn last year. Nothing changed. Who's to blame? Last year Quinn got blamed for the D along with Ruff. This year D is in the top 10. Credit to Martin. See what I'm getting at. I'm not saying there shouldn't be a change in the summer, but when your two best players on the top line have a combined total of 5 (frank)ing even strength points in 15 games, that aint the coach.

Both Kreider and Zib had career years under Quinn last year. Nothing changed. Who's to blame? Last year Quinn got blamed for the D along with Ruff. This year D is in the top 10. Credit to Martin. See what I'm getting at. I'm not saying there shouldn't be a change in the summer, but when your two best players on the top line have a combined total of 5 (frank)ing even strength points in 15 games, that aint the coach.
- mdw7413

I’m in agreement with you. I don’t think Quinn is to blame for the top 6 not scoring. But he should be held accountable for trying to find ways to get those two going this year. I don’t think that’s a fireable offense though.

He also should be changing up his system a bit. Needs to get them playing more north-south. They were one of the top teams in north-south stretch passes last year. This year has been the complete opposite. Every breakout is a 5 foot “safe” play.

I’m in agreement with you. I don’t think Quinn is to blame for the top 6 not scoring. But he should be held accountable for trying to find ways to get those two going this year. I don’t think that’s a fireable offense though.

He also should be changing up his system a bit. Needs to get them playing more north-south. They were one of the top teams in north-south stretch passes last year. This year has been the complete opposite. Every breakout is a 5 foot “safe” play.
- Bean_Dip

If they do make a change they need to keep Martin. He has been really good for the defense. Other than the JJ thing. Also looks like most of the forwards are helping out the defense now as opposed to last year.

I think its a give and take, the long stretch passes were more available because the forwards weren't playing too much defense last year.

Now they are helping out a lot more so its shorter passes. They just need a quicker transition.

The team might be able to grind out a couple wins, but without that 1st line going they are (frank)ed. Teams don't even have to worry about matching up because they are so bad. They all key in on Panarin now.

If they do make a change they need to keep Martin. He has been really good for the defense. Other than the JJ thing. Also looks like most of the forwards are helping out the defense now as opposed to last year.

I think its a give and take, the long stretch passes were more available because the forwards weren't playing too much defense last year.

Now they are helping out a lot more so its shorter passes. They just need a quicker transition.

The team might be able to grind out a couple wins, but without that 1st line going they are (frank)ed. Teams don't even have to worry about matching up because they are so bad. They all key in on Panarin now.
- mdw7413

Panarin is such a playmaker, I'd love to see them throw out a Laf-Bread-Kakko line as a mad science experiment one time.

I think they should try something different from things Ive noticed, also lets reward the guys who are playing hard.

We should try this.

Panarin, Rooney, Buch
LAF, Strome, Kakko
Kreider, Zib, Blackwell

If were not gonna get points from our 1C, then lets atleast have a guy who can drive the zone and win faceoffs. Panarin, Buch and Fox can play amongst themselves while Rooney ruffles feathers.

I saw glimpses of some seriously nice play from LAF, Strome and Kakko when they were paired together. Be curious to see what 60mins together would do.

Maybe Blackwell can inject some heart and passion into Kreider and Zib.

Panarin is such a playmaker, I'd love to see them throw out a Laf-Bread-Kakko line as a mad science experiment one time.
- 2sticks1puck

I don't know about that one. You're asking Panarin to play a position he never did with a lot more responsibility. It would be interesting for a shift though.

I don't know about that one. You're asking Panarin to play a position he never did with a lot more responsibility. It would be interesting for a shift though.
- mdw7413

LAF would play center

I don't know about that one. You're asking Panarin to play a position he never did with a lot more responsibility. It would be interesting for a shift though.
- mdw7413

That's true, but is he really any worse than other options we'd be able to throw out now? The defense and faceoffs might be a concern, but that line could be a possession monster too. He's such a playmaker, he can handle the offense responsibly for sure.

Zin looks out of sync, possibly the effects of covid if he had it. Maybe giving him less minutes to find his stride? Who knows, problem is the Rangers have no center depth whatsoever. Why wouldnt they bring Barron up to give him a shot? How has he been playing in Hartford? He has a few points in the AHL.

You watch highlights of Laf in juniors he always had the puck and controlled play. Now he plays hot potatoe. Just never makes plays
- nyrangers2

This has no bearing on his play. The numbers show that on average 1 player per team in juniors has the ability to make it in the NHL. So, 95% of the players on the ice were not close to his level. Now, the worst player on the opposition is somewhere in his realm and all of them have more experience.
P.A.T.I.E.N.C.E.

This has no bearing on his play. The numbers show that on average 1 player per team in juniors has the ability to make it in the NHL. So, 95% of the players on the ice were not close to his level. Now, the worst player on the opposition is somewhere in his realm and all of them have more experience.
P.A.T.I.E.N.C.E.
- Tonybere

As we've both said numerous times, in a normal year any rookie would have had a full prospect camp and preseason to work things out. Laf had none of that, the first 15 games really is his preseason. I think once he scores a couple times, the flood gates are going to open in a big way.

As we've both said numerous times, in a normal year any rookie would have had a full prospect camp and preseason to work things out. Laf had none of that, the first 15 games really is his preseason. I think once he scores a couple times, the flood gates are going to open in a big way.
- 2sticks1puck

It's a good point. Stutzle had several games in the world juniors this year before the season started. But now that it's been 15 games for Laf i'd say it's time to get going

It's a good point. Stutzle had several games in the world juniors this year before the season started. But now that it's been 15 games for Laf i'd say it's time to get going
- picklerick

There’s also something to be said about the situation he finds himself in compared to other 1oa. Typically, the first pick is “the guy” on the team. They play boat loads of minutes and are thrust into opportunities.

Laf came to a team that already had a pretty good mix of stars (before the season started). That’s why the point total comps don’t really resonate with me.

There’s also something to be said about the situation he finds himself in compared to other 1oa. Typically, the first pick is “the guy” on the team. They play boat loads of minutes and are thrust into opportunities.

Laf came to a team that already had a pretty good mix of stars (before the season started). That’s why the point total comps don’t really resonate with me.
- Bean_Dip

I agree but he has one single point

I agree but he has one single point
- picklerick

I think theres a serious internal issue going on and I believe that LAF, as the highly touted rooke, doesnt want to step on any of those dysfunctional toes.

Also, hes a playmaker with no one to make plays with. Everyone is stone cold.

Id be willing to bet, if he centered Panarin... goals will be scored.

I agree, watching management sit on their hands so far is almost as frustrating as watching the team play some nights.

Not sure who has The Athletic, but Shayna posted a great read yesterday. She suggested a line of:

Panarin-Zib-Blackwell

Honestly love that idea. Blackwell fills the Fast role (with more offensive instincts) and Panarin hopefully helps Zib out of his slump. I couldn’t see them going more than 2 games without getting him a goal (or at minimum a helper).
- TC88

Wrote this in my blog Sunday:

Mercogliano proposed the below lines when Chytil returns, could Blackwell be the 2020-21 version of Jesper Fast, playing up a line or two to provide cohesiveness? I would rather him play than Howden. Play Lemieux - Rooney - Gauthier as your fourth line, mix in PDG periodically and see where they land.

A top nine of Panarin-Zibanejad-Blackwell, Lafrenière-Strome-Kakko and Kreider-Chytil-Buchnevich would enable Quinn to evenly distribute minutes, rather than rely on the top six to carry the burden. And for the fourth line, he'd have grinders such as Di Giuseppe, Howden, Julien Gauthier, Brendan Lemieux and Kevin Rooney to choose from.

Need some depth at RD? NJ waived Tennyson

Wrote this in my blog Sunday:

Mercogliano proposed the below lines when Chytil returns, could Blackwell be the 2020-21 version of Jesper Fast, playing up a line or two to provide cohesiveness? I would rather him play than Howden. Play Lemieux - Rooney - Gauthier as your fourth line, mix in PDG periodically and see where they land.

A top nine of Panarin-Zibanejad-Blackwell, Lafrenière-Strome-Kakko and Kreider-Chytil-Buchnevich would enable Quinn to evenly distribute minutes, rather than rely on the top six to carry the burden. And for the fourth line, he'd have grinders such as Di Giuseppe, Howden, Julien Gauthier, Brendan Lemieux and Kevin Rooney to choose from.
- airjan23

I very much agree with what you wrote, Jan

Has there been any update on Chytil? We were given such a specific timeline for Trouba. Kind of surprised we never got the full story on what happened to Fil.

Wrote this in my blog Sunday:

Mercogliano proposed the below lines when Chytil returns, could Blackwell be the 2020-21 version of Jesper Fast, playing up a line or two to provide cohesiveness? I would rather him play than Howden. Play Lemieux - Rooney - Gauthier as your fourth line, mix in PDG periodically and see where they land.

A top nine of Panarin-Zibanejad-Blackwell, Lafrenière-Strome-Kakko and Kreider-Chytil-Buchnevich would enable Quinn to evenly distribute minutes, rather than rely on the top six to carry the burden. And for the fourth line, he'd have grinders such as Di Giuseppe, Howden, Julien Gauthier, Brendan Lemieux and Kevin Rooney to choose from.
- airjan23

Shayna must be reading your blogs! Haha. I agree, very well said.

Edit: these are actually the exact 4 lines she proposes.

“With Chytil and Panarin back, and Blackwell in the top-six, Di Giuseppe subsequently gets bumped to the fourth line alongside Rooney. The coaches then have a rotating cast of wingers to rotate through to round on the team’s last trio, giving them a full forward lineup of:

Panarin-Zibanejad-Blackwell
Kreider-Chytil-Buchnevich
Lafrenière-Strome-Kakko
Rotation-Rooney-Di Giuseppe”

Shayna must be reading your blogs! Haha. I agree, very well said.

Edit: these are actually the exact 4 lines she proposes.

“With Chytil and Panarin back, and Blackwell in the top-six, Di Giuseppe subsequently gets bumped to the fourth line alongside Rooney. The coaches then have a rotating cast of wingers to rotate through to round on the team’s last trio, giving them a full forward lineup of:

Panarin-Zibanejad-Blackwell
Kreider-Chytil-Buchnevich
Lafrenière-Strome-Kakko
Rotation-Rooney-Di Giuseppe”
- TC88

Vince wrote the original, I just gave my view on it