IMO, Blackwell is much more versatile player up and down the line up than a Gauthier. Blackwell's compete level and forechecking skills are useful when paired with may different type of players. A Gauthier is a 2-3 line style player. Yes he plays hard, but he is not as versatile, nor does he fit in the Rangers team.
If the Rangers are close to competing in the playoffs for next year, than I say keep Rooney and Blackwell. These types are not as easy to find as people think. The are team guys, compete every night and will chip in where needed. Drafting those types takes time. So to compete in the next year or so, they are my pick for a 4th line.
- NYRCeph

I'd hope Blackwell being 5 years older and having been a professional longer would be more versatile. If we can get something decent for Blackwell move him, we have Morgan Barron who should be able to offer similar versatility next year, plus with the expected growth of other younger players over the off season he's not a huge need. We can always pick up a Blackwell type player at the deadline if we need him but 6'4 Power forwards aren't exactly a dime a dozen in the league, especially if he can thrown on 10lbs over the off season and get close to being 240 he could be come an outright beast.

If he's able to transform his game, Gauthier has all the tools to be a top notch fourth liner, which is why I used him as an example to replace Blackwell. Only way he'll get that opportunity is if Blackwell isn't on the team. Cost is a push as they both make nothing.
- Bean_Dip

As it stands there is no room for Gauth anywhere besides the 4th line. If everyone involved is on board with essentially 2 first lines and 1 second line then, i.e. top 6 forwards getting slightly less than top 6 minutes to spread the love, that would be awesome for us. Gauth would have to be relegated to the 4th line or be traded. Blackwell would also have to be a 4th liner which i think he'd be happy to do, as well as he is playing i dont see him being a top 9 player anywhere in the league. Then we have all of these D prospects with few spots to occupy. It looks to be an embarrassment of riches here and i'm not exactly sure how it all shakes out.

You have to assume Kreider, Panarin, Mika, Kakko, Laf wont be moved for sure. Krav and buch to a lesser extent. The only way we move strome is if we can get a great center to replace him, because he looks damn good right now. Chytil is a toss up.

Need a good 4th line now a days. I hate the comment " oh just throw anyone on the 4th line." It aint like that anymore. Blackwell and Rooney are perfect for that

Buch was way further along than Gautier was. He had lit up a professional league in the KHL and in his rookie season despite the benchings, put up way better numbers.
- 2sticks1puck

Exactly.

You're making my point. Everything you stated is true and it still took Buch FIVE + YEARS to get this good. Gotta give Gauthier time!

Exactly.

You're making my point. Everything you stated is true and it still took Buch FIVE YEARS to get this good. Gotta give Gauthier time!
- TommyGTrain

Also, i don't think anyone expects Gauth to be as good as Buch. But there is plenty of development left before we know what he will be and he's shown glimpses. He's only played a handful of NHL games

Jan ---

Belated Congrats to you on winning "Top Dog"!

Exactly.

You're making my point. Everything you stated is true and it still took Buch FIVE + YEARS to get this good. Gotta give Gauthier time!
- TommyGTrain

I don't want to be impatient, but why? At some point, people are just what they are. If Gautier got a little better, how good is that? I mean if what you are saying is in 3 years he's Blackwell by being Blackwell's age almost, is that really worth investing? I'd argue I'd rather just have a proven Blackwell now and just get another Blackwell in a couple seaosns.

Friendly reminder than Breadman is 2nd in the league in P/G with 1.48

I don't want to be impatient, but why? At some point, people are just what they are. If Gautier got a little better, how good is that? I mean if what you are saying is in 3 years he's Blackwell by being Blackwell's age almost, is that really worth investing? I'd argue I'd rather just have a proven Blackwell now and just get another Blackwell in a couple seaosns.
- 2sticks1puck

I, personally, like the speed and size that Gauthier would bring to that fourth line. In addition, I like that he drives hard to the net. I think he has gone about his entire development/hockey career thinking he can be a top-6 guy. If he shifts his development to thinking "I need to learn to be a fourth liner, otherwise I'm out of the league", he can be an effective role player with offensive upside.

Really splitting hairs on a Blackwell/Gauthier on the fourth line debate. They both would be good options, imo. Which is why I lean towards trading Blackwell if there is a good offer on the table.

I, personally, like the speed and size that Gauthier would bring to that fourth line. In addition, I like that he drives hard to the net. I think he has gone about his entire development/hockey career thinking he can be a top-6 guy. If he shifts his development to thinking "I need to learn to be a fourth liner, otherwise I'm out of the league", he can be an effective role player with offensive upside.

Really splitting hairs on a Blackwell/Gauthier on the fourth line debate. They both would be good options, imo. Which is why I lean towards trading Blackwell if there is a good offer on the table.
- Bean_Dip

I think we are both kind of on the same page. I just feel in a situation like this, I'd almost always have the proven commodity.

It brings up a bigger point though, there will be some really tough decisions on some young guys due to the sheer volume of guys coming in. FOr example, we all love Lindgren and hope he's here long term, but with all the defense coming up, the decision to resign or trade will be coming up way faster than anyone realizes or wants.

I think we are both kind of on the same page. I just feel in a situation like this, I'd almost always have the proven commodity.

It brings up a bigger point though, there will be some really tough decisions on some young guys due to the sheer volume of guys coming in. FOr example, we all love Lindgren and hope he's here long term, but with all the defense coming up, the decision to resign or trade will be coming up way faster than anyone realizes or wants.
- 2sticks1puck

i agree 100% with the defense situation but lindgren is a heart and soul guy and i'd hate to see him go. no idea how this all plays out with Nils, Schneider, Jones, Robertson, etc waiting in the wings

I think we are both kind of on the same page. I just feel in a situation like this, I'd almost always have the proven commodity.

It brings up a bigger point though, there will be some really tough decisions on some young guys due to the sheer volume of guys coming in. FOr example, we all love Lindgren and hope he's here long term, but with all the defense coming up, the decision to resign or trade will be coming up way faster than anyone realizes or wants.
- 2sticks1puck

Fox, Miller and Lindgren all need to stay no matter what. The rest I'm ok with moving on from

I think we are both kind of on the same page. I just feel in a situation like this, I'd almost always have the proven commodity.

It brings up a bigger point though, there will be some really tough decisions on some young guys due to the sheer volume of guys coming in. FOr example, we all love Lindgren and hope he's here long term, but with all the defense coming up, the decision to resign or trade will be coming up way faster than anyone realizes or wants.
- 2sticks1puck

This.
We will be having some spirted discussions around these parts about who should be kept and who should be moved for years to come.
That's why, as good as they've been, I'd be ok with trading Blackwell, Rooney or Gauthier at the right time. They would each bring back a lot more than they cost to get. Same goes on the back end. Do I want to trade guys like Jones, Reunanen, Skinner, etc. without giving them a shot at real minutes? Not really, but there are only so many spots and it's not like trading them won't keep us rolling in assets moving forward.
Keep us a deep, talented roster and keep us rich in picks and prospects for the future.

I, personally, like the speed and size that Gauthier would bring to that fourth line. In addition, I like that he drives hard to the net. I think he has gone about his entire development/hockey career thinking he can be a top-6 guy. If he shifts his development to thinking "I need to learn to be a fourth liner, otherwise I'm out of the league", he can be an effective role player with offensive upside.

Really splitting hairs on a Blackwell/Gauthier on the fourth line debate. They both would be good options, imo. Which is why I lean towards trading Blackwell if there is a good offer on the table.
- Bean_Dip

Hope you don’t mind me jumping in but Gauthier is a little doofey and turns it on once in awhile. Blackwell is older and more mature. Knows his role better. Gauthier needs to grow u a little.

"Trolls don't even come around here anymore because our own fanbase does a good enough job of it".
- Bean_Dip

Oh Please, this place is like a sausage fest, circle jerk where everyone wants to be the pivot man., If you dont agree with the mainline thinking you're ripped.

Fox, Miller and Lindgren all need to stay no matter what. The rest I'm ok with moving on from
- mdw7413

The problem then is, You have Nils, Schneider, and potentially Jones all moving up. Trouba whether we like it or not is going nowhere. Who is the odd guy out? What if a guy like Hajek or Tarmo starts to impress? I love Lindgren, but there are plenty of scenarios where he is the odd man out.

Oh Please, this place is like a sausage fest, circle jerk where everyone wants to be the pivot man., If you dont agree with the mainline thinking you're ripped.
- Brukie

Makes sense why JRR always comes back around

I don't want to be impatient, but why? At some point, people are just what they are. If Gautier got a little better, how good is that? I mean if what you are saying is in 3 years he's Blackwell by being Blackwell's age almost, is that really worth investing? I'd argue I'd rather just have a proven Blackwell now and just get another Blackwell in a couple seaosns.
- 2sticks1puck

I guess we just disagree on the ceiling of both players. Blackwell is what he is at this point in his career, no more.
Gauthier could become ( if he reaches his ceiling ) a Jamie Benn or Chris Kreider type of player. I certainly want to give him that opportunity here to grow and see what he becomes.

Oh Please, this place is like a sausage fest, circle jerk where everyone wants to be the pivot man., If you dont agree with the mainline thinking you're ripped.
- Brukie

Really the only opinion you spew is Panarin isn’t worth it. It’s dumb take. It’s a stupid take. Therefore you get ripped for said take. He’s a borderline MVP of the league the last two seasons, what other reason do we need to rip your take?

Makes sense why JRR always comes back around
- TPC

I'm not into sausage. I like only the finest tacos/roast beef.

I guess we just disagree on the ceiling of both players. Blackwell is what he is at this point in his career, no more.
Gauthier could become ( if he reaches his ceiling ) a Jamie Benn or Chris Kreider type of player. I certainly want to give him that opportunity here to grow and see what he becomes.
- TommyGTrain

Easy TJ.

I'm not into sausage. I like only the finest tacos/roast beef.
- JRR1285

Easy TJ.
- JRR1285

I want to hear more

Oh Please, this place is like a sausage fest, circle jerk where everyone wants to be the pivot man., If you dont agree with the mainline thinking you're ripped.
- Brukie

This hill you stand on alone is whether or not the Rangers should employ one of THE BEST PLAYERS IN THE LEAGUE. That's not main line thinking, it's (frank)ing common sense.

I guess we just disagree on the ceiling of both players. Blackwell is what he is at this point in his career, no more.
Gauthier could become ( if he reaches his ceiling ) a Jamie Benn or Chris Kreider type of player. I certainly want to give him that opportunity here to grow and see what he becomes.
- TommyGTrain

I only disagree with you based on our current situation. If this was a couple years ago when our cupboard is barren, then by all means you'd be absolutely right in giving him every opportunity. However this is a team that could be contending as soon as next season, and we already have 3 very skilled RWs, it's not like his prospects improve if he tried playing LW either. To me it's an easy decision that he'd be a guy left out, unless you are seriously thinking about trading Buch (or really swinging for the fences and trading Kravstov for a high end center), then there just isn't a realistic shot for him to get better.

Would it suck if he went to another team and became Jaime Benn? Sure it would, but again he would never get the opportunity here and based on our current needs, I'd rather have the ceiling player in Blackwell where I know what I'm getting.