Bring him up! Hope he’s a 3C though, honestly.
- TC88

Thats exactly where I think he fits in perfectly.

I still think Buch is a summer trade. We need to move him for a center. More teams will be willing to move pieces then. Contenders aren’t trading crap at the deadline
- TPC

The question is, what kind of center are we looking for? Are we looking for a depth center or are we looking for a top 6 center to swap Strome out with?

The question is, what kind of center are we looking for? Are we looking for a depth center or are we looking for a top 6 center to swap Strome out with?
- aecliptic

I do not want to trade Buch for any center. I think Buch as a lot of value on this team and would not want to trade him just because a center was available.

I am not a huge Strome fan, but his is our top scoring center whether anyone likes it or not. It's the way it is.

Thinking longer term, and assuming the top 6 stays as is, what does the bottom 6 look like?

You have Chytil, Laf, Gauthier, Kravtsov, Barron, Rooney, Howden and Blackwell.

Which 2 go? Easy to say Howden and Rooney or Blackwell, but then you have a miscast 4th line. A Chytil and Gauthier trade this summer wouldn’t surprise me at all.

I do not want to trade Buch for any center. I think Buch as a lot of value on this team and would not want to trade him just because a center was available.

I am not a huge Strome fan, but his is our top scoring center whether anyone likes it or not. It's the way it is.
- NYRCeph

Well, Strome sucks on faceoffs, so theres no trust in him on the PP2 so they move Buch out of RW to keep Strome on the ice. Chytil also sucks on faceoffs, and is overall not impressive as a center so he doesnt play C on the PP either. So now were left with Blackwell, who doesnt even play C on his own line playing C on the PP2. Regardless of what the stats say for Strome, we have a serious problem at center.

Well, Strome sucks on faceoffs, so theres no trust in him on the PP2 so they move Buch out of RW to keep Strome on the ice. Chytil also sucks on faceoffs, and is overall not impressive as a center so he doesnt play C on the PP either. So now were left with Blackwell, who doesnt even play C on his own line playing C on the PP2. Regardless of what the stats say for Strome, we have a serious problem at center.
- aecliptic

every C does on this team. it's a major problem imo (speaking specifically to faceoffs)

Thinking longer term, and assuming the top 6 stays as is, what does the bottom 6 look like?

You have Chytil, Laf, Gauthier, Kravtsov, Barron, Rooney, Howden and Blackwell.

Which 2 go? Easy to say Howden and Rooney or Blackwell, but then you have a miscast 4th line. A Chytil and Gauthier trade this summer wouldn’t surprise me at all.
- TC88

Rangers have a lot of similar forwards. They need a good two way center who wins FO.

The team loves the fancy plays and passes. Won’t work in the PO when they eventually make it there

Thinking longer term, and assuming the top 6 stays as is, what does the bottom 6 look like?

You have Chytil, Laf, Gauthier, Kravtsov, Barron, Rooney, Howden and Blackwell.

Which 2 go? Easy to say Howden and Rooney or Blackwell, but then you have a miscast 4th line. A Chytil and Gauthier trade this summer wouldn’t surprise me at all.
- TC88

Panarin Strome Kakko
Laf Zib Chytil
Kreider Kupari Kravtsov
Rooney Barron Gauthier

Give me that next year I’ll be happy. Buch all depends on what he’s going to want on his contract. He’s earned it, but the term and money are going to decide if he’s here or not next year.

Strome really pissed me off last night

I think he is numero uno, the number 1 reason on this team, leader of the fancy pass brigade

that was such a killer not getting two points last night

Thats exactly where I think he fits in perfectly.
- aecliptic

Are you actually watching Barron play, or are you talking out of your arse?


We all want these kids playing, but like Gorton said, NYR can't have an entire team full of 19-21 yr. olds. It's going to be a year or two, at least before everyone one of our draft picks in the last 3 years can be on the NHL roster at once.

Are you actually watching Barron play, or are you talking out of your arse?


We all want these kids playing, but like Gorton said, NYR can't have an entire team full of 19-21 yr. olds. It's going to be a year or two, at least before everyone one of our draft picks in the last 3 years can be on the NHL roster at once.
- rrentz

well the thing with Barron though, he's actually not that young, he'll be 23 late this year

he did 3 years in college, and now 1 season, albeit a very weird season, in the AHL

he's an absolute monster size wise, he's built like Tom Wilson

Happy Easter. I do think it’s time to mix things up. I do think Kreider needs to be moved down. And when that happens he tends to respond. The youngsters were very good. I along with all of you don’t understand why Blackwell is on PP2. That was a tough result last night, but I still think it’s important to stay in this race and play meaningful hockey. By mixing it up you allow the kids to play more. To me it’s about the pairings. 93/89, 16/10, and let CK play with Chytil and Kravy. It was nice to see DQ playing those kids late. Something he was reluctant to do. At some point he does have to start giving them more responsibilities and play them when it counts. Looking forward to seeing what they’re going to do against Pittsburgh. This is a monster week.

Happy Easter. I do think it’s time to mix things up. I do think Kreider needs to be moved down. And when that happens he tends to respond. The youngsters were very good. I along with all of you don’t understand why Blackwell is on PP2. That was a tough result last night, but I still think it’s important to stay in this race and play meaningful hockey. By mixing it up you allow the kids to play more. To me it’s about the pairings. 93/89, 16/10, and let CK play with Chytil and Kravy. It was nice to see DQ playing those kids late. Something he was reluctant to do. At some point he does have to start giving them more responsibilities and play them when it counts. Looking forward to seeing what they’re going to do against Pittsburgh. This is a monster week.
- Blueshirts4ever

I think my theory about showcasing Blackwell is gonna come true

well the thing with Barron though, he's actually not that young, he'll be 23 late this year

he did 3 years in college, and now 1 season, albeit a very weird season, in the AHL

he's an absolute monster size wise, he's built like Tom Wilson
- jimbro83

I get that, but the thinking that he's gonna come up here and Center the 3rd line is a bit much at this point.

I get that, but the thinking that he's gonna come up here and Center the 3rd line is a bit much at this point.
- rrentz

we all may predict that they'll eventually move Chytil to the wing, but doesn't look like they are giving up on him at center just yet

I think my theory about showcasing Blackwell is gonna come true
- jimbro83

If I’m a contender who is close he is the kind of player I’d be looking for, no? Pick up an additional draft pick. This off season is going to be wild.

If I’m a contender who is close he is the kind of player I’d be looking for, no? Pick up an additional draft pick. This off season is going to be wild.
- Blueshirts4ever

and he costs no money on the cap, so any of these contenders in cap hell could make it work

we all may predict that they'll eventually move Chytil to the wing, but doesn't look like they are giving up on him at center just yet
- jimbro83

Keep him Barron down in AHL for remainder of season. Hopefully, this Covid business is done by training camp and these kids can get a real introduction to the NHL and have AHL at full tilt. Being able to send a guy down for a week or two is a good thing to be able to do.

Are you actually watching Barron play, or are you talking out of your arse?


We all want these kids playing, but like Gorton said, NYR can't have an entire team full of 19-21 yr. olds. It's going to be a year or two, at least before everyone one of our draft picks in the last 3 years can be on the NHL roster at once.
- rrentz

Theres no way for me to watch the games, but Ive had an eye on the kid since college and everything I read and see points at this kid being a fantastic 3C. In college he had a FO win % in the high 50's. Hes actually a couple years older than the kids we got, hes 22 right now. Hes huge 6"4, 220lb... as jimbro said Tom Wilson huge, I use the Jordan Staal comparison. He was a ppg player his last 2 years in college and right now has 8g 4a +5 in 13 games on the Wolfpack. As far as Im concerned everything is trending in the right direction for him to be a 3C here.

Keep him down in AHL for remainder of season. Hopefully, this Covid business is done by training camp and these kids can get a real introduction to the NHL and have AHL at full tilt. Being able to send a guy down for a week or two is a good thing to be able to do.
- rrentz

under normal circumstances I'd say yes, but they have 11 games left in Hartford, they play the same 3 teams over and over there, all at 1pm

not sure what else that's gonna do for him, I think he should at least get a handful of NHL games in

year 1 of his ELC is burned regardless

under normal circumstances I'd say yes, but they have 11 games left in Hartford, they play the same 3 teams over and over there, all at 1pm

not sure what else that's gonna do for him, I think he should at least get a handful of NHL games in

year 1 of his ELC is burned regardless
- jimbro83

They can scratch anyone from the 4th line to give Barron a taste, but also use him as the PP2 C since hes an actual center.

Theres no way for me to watch the games, but Ive had an eye on the kid since college and everything I read and see points at this kid being a fantastic 3C. In college he had a FO win % in the high 50's. Hes actually a couple years older than the kids we got, hes 22 right now. Hes huge 6"4, 220lb... as jimbro said Tom Wilson huge, I use the Jordan Staal comparison. He was a ppg player his last 2 years in college and right now has 8g 4a +5 in 13 games on the Wolfpack. As far as Im concerned everything is trending in the right direction for him to be a 3C here.
- aecliptic

Yes...one day. As far as I have heard, he is playing wing in AHL, for the most part. My question is why are they playing him at wing in Hartford if they are grooming him to be center in NHL?

Yes...one day. As far as I have heard, he is playing wing in AHL, for the most part. My question is why are they playing him at wing in Hartford if they are grooming him to be center in NHL?
- rrentz

Well thats heart breaking.

Well thats heart breaking.
- aecliptic

Yes, I was under impression that he was drafted as a center to actually play center. Time will tell. Again, we can't underestimate how much Covid screwed up the entire past 2 years..especially for the rookies getting their footing in the pro ranks, and NHL teams getting a real good look at how they are progressing

Yes, I was under impression that he was drafted as a center to actually play center. Time will tell. Again, we can't underestimate how much Covid screwed up the entire past 2 years..especially for the rookies getting their footing in the pro ranks, and NHL teams getting a real good look at how they are progressing
- rrentz

and this is why David Quinn will not be fired