Well said. It’s amazing the regression the Kreider/Zib line has seen without Buch. There’s very little threat from that line at even-strength. Feels like the Rangers have a bunch of really good pieces that just don’t fit together perfectly. All great teams go through it though, takes a few seasons of competing and offseason tinkering to find the perfect balance. For now though, Zib needs to find his game, Chytil needs to move to wing or move on, and Nemeth has to sit. Wish Schneider was a LH shot, would be the better choice over Jones IMO.
- TC88

Zib is also shooting at 5% this year I believe. That being said that line needs a play driver. I always like a 1C that drives play and that isnt Zibs game. Strome is more a better C that Zib this year

Zib is also shooting at 5% this year I believe. That being said that line needs a play driver. I always like a 1C that drives play and that isnt Zibs game. Strome is more a better C that Zib this year
- nyrangers2

Part of me wishes they kept Buch and traded Zib lol

Buch 25 points in 27 games…yea he would help right now
- TPC

Looking worse and worse. Can’t forget how long it took Buch to become the player he is though. Came over 3 seasons after being drafted, and took another 3/4 seasons to become a top line player. Good lesson in patience for our young guys, which I admit I haven’t been great with either

Looking worse and worse. Can’t forget how long it took Buch to become the player he is though. Came over 3 seasons after being drafted, and took another 3/4 seasons to become a top line player. Good lesson in patience for our young guys, which I admit I haven’t been great with either
- TC88

I think the biggest thing is the Rangers are built to win over the next 3-4 years. They are a capped out team now with most of their best players in their prime years. I just don’t know if they can wait a long time for the young guys to find their game. At least not until they were 24-25 like buch lol

This teams only chance to be cup contenders is Kakko, Laf and Chytil becoming players they can count on

I think the biggest thing is the Rangers are built to win over the next 3-4 years. They are a capped out team now with most of their best players in their prime years. I just don’t know if they can wait a long time for the young guys to find their game. At least not until they were 24-25 like buch lol
- TPC

That was kind of my point this past offseason. I was OK making a win now move, because yes our window opens now and might close way sooner than anyone wants to admit. Outside of tampa, no one has that giant window. Even the mighty Hawks dynasty had generously a 7 year window before the wheels fells off. The Kings imploded almost as fast as they rose.

I think the biggest thing is the Rangers are built to win over the next 3-4 years. They are a capped out team now with most of their best players in their prime years. I just don’t know if they can wait a long time for the young guys to find their game. At least not until they were 24-25 like buch lol

This teams only chance to be cup contenders is Kakko, Laf and Chytil becoming players they can count on
- TPC

It’s a legitimate conundrum. Reality is, the players that Laf and Kakko are today are pretty easily replaceable. I think both will become top 100 players in the league at some point, but does that help us now? The right move may be to trade one for someone who moves the needle today. Glad I’m not in charge!

It’s a legitimate conundrum. Reality is, the players that Laf and Kakko are today are pretty easily replaceable. I think both will become top 100 players in the league at some point, but does that help us now? The right move may be to trade one for someone who moves the needle today. Glad I’m not in charge!
- TC88

That is really the issue with the roster. People point to Zegras and Raymond and forget that they are playing top line minutes and are the highest potential players on their respective teams. Laf and Kakko could be very different players on another team.

That is really the issue with the roster. People point to Zegras and Raymond and forget that they are playing top line minutes and are the highest potential players on their respective teams. Laf and Kakko could be very different players on another team.
- JRR1285

To me Kakko still looks like he's playing really confident and poised to put up some real points. I'd like him back on the line with panarin. Get a playmaker at RW to play on the Mika line. Or move Laf up on the LW and Kreider to RW since it doesn't really matter what side Kreider is on

That is really the issue with the roster. People point to Zegras and Raymond and forget that they are playing top line minutes and are the highest potential players on their respective teams. Laf and Kakko could be very different players on another team.
- JRR1285

In Laf's case absolutely. I think people expected Kakko though to kick in the door on RW a lot faster though. There really wasn't anyone blocking him here, and even less now.

To me Kakko still looks like he's playing really confident and poised to put up some real points. I'd like him back on the line with panarin. Get a playmaker at RW to play on the Mika line. Or move Laf up on the LW and Kreider to RW since it doesn't really matter what side Kreider is on
- picklerick

I would agree with this. Thought I don't think the issue is with Kakko on that line. Zib is still just misfiring and needs to come around yesterday.

To me Kakko still looks like he's playing really confident and poised to put up some real points. I'd like him back on the line with panarin. Get a playmaker at RW to play on the Mika line. Or move Laf up on the LW and Kreider to RW since it doesn't really matter what side Kreider is on
- picklerick

I actually think a Laf-Zib-Kakko line could be what the doctor ordered. Zib is a better playmaker than he gets credit for, plus it lets both play with Fox or Miller more.

In Laf's case absolutely. I think people expected Kakko though to kick in the door on RW a lot faster though. There really wasn't anyone blocking him here, and even less now.
- 2sticks1puck

As I mentioned responding to Rick, Kakko actually looks OK. I think his numbers took a hit again because Zib's line just isn't cutting it at even strength.

I actually think a Laf-Zib-Kakko line could be what the doctor ordered. Zib is a better playmaker than he gets credit for, plus it lets both play with Fox or Miller more.
- 2sticks1puck

That would be a nice experiment.


I know many of us are stuck on Laf's lack of production but he has been making some nice plays. Takes some skill to stop that Kadri shot. He is also becoming a puck stealing master.

In Laf's case absolutely. I think people expected Kakko though to kick in the door on RW a lot faster though. There really wasn't anyone blocking him here, and even less now.
- 2sticks1puck

I think Kakko needs to think SHOOT. He holds the puck a second too long after a nice move. Goal scorers make the move and shoot all in one motion where he makes the move and hesitates. A Kakko breakout would change this team immensely.

I think Kakko needs to think SHOOT. He holds the puck a second too long after a nice move. Goal scorers make the move and shoot all in one motion where he makes the move and hesitates. A Kakko breakout would change this team immensely.
- TC88

He's right there. I think when they moved him to the Zib line he changed his mentality to looking to setup Zib and Kreider. He just needs to shoot.

That would be a nice experiment.


I know many of us are stuck on Laf's lack of production but he has been making some nice plays. Takes some skill to stop that Kadri shot. He is also becoming a puck stealing master.
- JRR1285

I see Laf's skill every time he steps on the ice. We bang about his production, but he's on pace for close to 20 goals despite almost getting no help from linemates.

I see Laf's skill every time he steps on the ice. We bang about his production, but he's on pace for close to 20 goals despite almost getting no help from linemates.
- 2sticks1puck

Chytil has been absolutely brutal and Gauthier is turning it around but they both often completely flub chances that should usually go in.

Chytil has been absolutely brutal and Gauthier is turning it around but they both often completely flub chances that should usually go in.
- JRR1285

The thing with Chytil is that he plays a skill game and doesn’t bring any type of forecheck. It’s all finesse and everything off the rush. So when you play a heavy team he goes invisible for the majority of the night. He’s still so young but if he isn’t going to start to incorporate a little bit more of a hungrier game and fight for the puck he’s going to be hard pressed to find a spot in the NHL. He isn’t good enough to rely solely on his skills.

When things start to go south you obviously start to put an emphasis on certain players deficiencies. When we were on a winning streak nobody was complaining. My issue is Mika’s lack of production as a big f*cking problem. He’s getting paid big money now to produce. I don’t want to hear he is doing other things well so it’s okay.

Chytil has been absolutely brutal and Gauthier is turning it around but they both often completely flub chances that should usually go in.
- JRR1285

Can’t comprehend why Chytil is getting countless chances. Seems whenever he’s on his last straw he has his best game and resets everyone’s opinion. Just in time for the Coyotes, Chytil hat trick tonight?

Can’t comprehend why Chytil is getting countless chances. Seems whenever he’s on his last straw he has his best game and resets everyone’s opinion. Just in time for the Coyotes, Chytil hat trick tonight?
- TC88

we need to put up 8 goals tonight

The thing with Chytil is that he plays a skill game and doesn’t bring any type of forecheck. It’s all finesse and everything off the rush. So when you play a heavy team he goes invisible for the majority of the night. He’s still so young but if he isn’t going to start to incorporate a little bit more of a hungrier game and fight for the puck he’s going to be hard pressed to find a spot in the NHL. He isn’t good enough to rely solely on his skills.

When things start to go south you obviously start to put an emphasis on certain players deficiencies. When we were on a winning streak nobody was complaining. My issue is Mika’s lack of production as a big f*cking problem. He’s getting paid big money now to produce. I don’t want to hear he is doing other things well so it’s okay.
- Awolff9

I was trying to reserve actual judgement despite observing some of the glaring issues. Well now some of these issues are in the forefront like you say. Mika needs to start producing. Overall I am not worried about him but with the rest of the team sputtering he needs to carry them.

I really do think they need the top 6 fortified. If Kravtsov wasn't such a baby he might already be a fixture there.

The thing with Chytil is that he plays a skill game and doesn’t bring any type of forecheck. It’s all finesse and everything off the rush. So when you play a heavy team he goes invisible for the majority of the night. He’s still so young but if he isn’t going to start to incorporate a little bit more of a hungrier game and fight for the puck he’s going to be hard pressed to find a spot in the NHL. He isn’t good enough to rely solely on his skills.

When things start to go south you obviously start to put an emphasis on certain players deficiencies. When we were on a winning streak nobody was complaining. My issue is Mika’s lack of production as a big f*cking problem. He’s getting paid big money now to produce. I don’t want to hear he is doing other things well so it’s okay.
- Awolff9

Bingo, no excuses for him. He needs to produce

we need to put up 8 goals tonight
- picklerick

100%

Or a 4-0 shutout or something. Do something that says they're not smoke and mirrors.

Can’t comprehend why Chytil is getting countless chances. Seems whenever he’s on his last straw he has his best game and resets everyone’s opinion. Just in time for the Coyotes, Chytil hat trick tonight?
- TC88

He skates very well, and when you have top skating skills chances come your way. Same applies to Gauthier, why they don't finish more is anyone's guess.

I think Gallant reluctance to elevate Laf to a six role, as more to do with his defensuve liabilities than his offense woes. He continually coasts in the D zone, as though he's not sure where to go and what ti do. There's no questioning his ability to score when he gets his shot off. Unlike Chytil and Gauthier, his skating inhibits his ability to get open or create chances in his own.

100%

Or a 4-0 shutout or something. Do something that says they're not smoke and mirrors.
- JRR1285

Agreed.

Despite Georgiev playing well, its pretty apparent that Shesty gives this team their swag. Hopefully their last game without him as #1.