Trochek is also 5'10".
- JRR1285

the stork gave Trochek more of the faceoff prowess

My hog is ample.
- JRR1285

I hear you saying this in Ray Romano's voice and I simply can't suppress a smile!

Instead of signing another winger and then having a log jam if Othmann is ready, what about starting Blais in the top 6. Would be similar to what they did with Hunt but Blais is a better hockey player than Hunt.

I agree with you but the Center for Panarin and his other winger is the problem. You need someone who can play at that pace and accept passes. The center also needs scoring ability or Panarin is partially wasted. This is not an easy hole to fill.
- JRR1285

What about the guy who's already on our roster? Either of them, actually!

What about the guy who's already on our roster? Either of them, actually!
- Tonybere

Maybe. But some are saying neither should be retained. I'm just not sure what they're expecting to find otherwise?

Instead of signing another winger and then having a log jam if Othmann is ready, what about starting Blais in the top 6. Would be similar to what they did with Hunt but Blais is a better hockey player than Hunt.
- nyrangers9479

Even without a single addition from UFAs or trades, we could ice a decent top 9

Zib
Panarin
Kreider
Laf
Chytil
Kakko
Blais
Kravtsov
Goodrow

No question marks other than maybe Kakkos situation…in that group one or two ideally are on the 4th line, but we are pretty deep as it is if they decide to just build from within. I just find it hard to believe they won’t do something fairly big considering how close we came this season, most likely at center obviously.

Maybe. But some are saying neither should be retained. I'm just not sure what they're expecting to find otherwise?
- JRR1285

If they can retain Copp at 5 mil a year I’d do that. I think he gets more tho. Plus he isn’t a natural center which is an issue for us, we really need another one. Zib gets hurt we are screwed. Our sweet spot for a natural center is like 3 million, which is probably 3C, not a 2C, which is fine and shouldn’t be that difficult to acquire.

Copp is a plan B imo simply because isn’t a natural center. Strome I think we’ve all seen enough of

If they can retain Copp at 5 mil a year I’d do that. I think he gets more tho. Plus he isn’t a natural center which is an issue for us, we really need another one. Zib gets hurt we are screwed. Our sweet spot for a natural center is like 3 million, which is probably 3C, not a 2C, which is fine and shouldn’t be that difficult to acquire.

Copp is a plan B imo simply because isn’t a natural center. Strome I think we’ve all seen enough of
- Slimtj100

TJ, I think you are using bad sources. Copp is absolutely a natural center. He has taken over 3000 NHL reg. season faceoffs and over 400 more in the playoffs. If anything, he was forced into a unnatural position here in NY.

Even without a single addition from UFAs or trades, we could ice a decent top 9

Zib
Panarin
Kreider
Laf
Chytil
Kakko
Blais
Kravtsov
Goodrow

No question marks other than maybe Kakkos situation…in that group one or two ideally are on the 4th line, but we are pretty deep as it is if they decide to just build from within. I just find it hard to believe they won’t do something fairly big considering how close we came this season, most likely at center obviously.
- Slimtj100

Brother, I love your enthusiasm. But, I disagree. Kravstov is nothing but question marks. Also, how will Blais fare after a year on the shelf? How will Kakko rebound from a so so season? Can Copp be that 3C?
Can Robertson or Jones step up to the big time?
Question marks abound!
Nice place to be in, though!! LGR!!!!!!!

Brother, I love your enthusiasm. But, I disagree. Kravstov is nothing but question marks. Also, how will Blais fare after a year on the shelf? How will Kakko rebound from a so so season? Can Copp be that 3C?
Question marks abound!
Nice place to be in, though!! LGR!!!!!!!
- Tonybere

I didn’t say they’d all be good lol. I meant that’s a decent top 9 to go into opening night with without any real significant changes, and no one jumping in and taking a spot (unless from within, ie-OthmannCuylle)

Krav is going to get every opportunity to succeed

I think one dark horse we could acquire is William Karlsson. And we could probably get him for peanuts because they need cap room. He makes 6 mill tho which they’d have to figure out if they can handle that. But I highly doubt he would cost much in assets to get

Brother, I love your enthusiasm. But, I disagree. Kravstov is nothing but question marks. Also, how will Blais fare after a year on the shelf? How will Kakko rebound from a so so season? Can Copp be that 3C?
Can Robertson or Jones step up to the big time?
Question marks abound!
Nice place to be in, though!! LGR!!!!!!!
- Tonybere

I am sensing a few questions to be added to the list in the blog…or ones already in that list

I didn’t say they’d all be good lol. I meant that’s a decent top 9 to go into opening night with without any real significant changes, and no one jumping in and taking a spot (unless from within, ie-OthmannCuylle)

Krav is going to get every opportunity to succeed

I think one dark horse we could acquire is William Karlsson. And we could probably get him for peanuts because they need cap room. He makes 6 mill tho which they’d have to figure out if they can handle that. But I highly doubt he would cost much in assets to get
- Slimtj100

Based on the comments, several options for New York at center. I do think Kravtsov gets every chance to succeed, as does Othmann and Cuylle. Kakko should be brought back, especially if cap hit is not extreme. But depth is needed. Why Motte to be is a must bring back and Vatrano is a maybe, depending on cost and how they configure the third line.

Maybe. But some are saying neither should be retained. I'm just not sure what they're expecting to find otherwise?
- JRR1285

Neither are going to live up to what we pay them. Copp already said he wants to play for a team that puts him in a leadership role (I’m guessing he wants an “A”) which he won’t get here and he wants to be put back to center. He’s a good 3C but he’s going to be paid as a 2C. Strome is what he is, good player but likely wants more than we’ll be willing to give him. Both are going to be overpaid by someone, I just hope it’s not us.

A team we overlook that’s loaded at center is FLA. Bennett Reinhart Lundell Barkov Verhaeghe.

I am sensing a few questions to be added to the list in the blog…or ones already in that list
- airjan23

How about, who’s the captain next year?

How about, who’s the captain next year?
- nyrangers9479

Dach

Neither are going to live up to what we pay them. Copp already said he wants to play for a team that puts him in a leadership role (I’m guessing he wants an “A”) which he won’t get here and he wants to be put back to center. He’s a good 3C but he’s going to be paid as a 2C. Strome is what he is, good player but likely wants more than we’ll be willing to give him. Both are going to be overpaid by someone, I just hope it’s not us.
- nyrangers9479

Idk, man. And I mean that, I don't know.
Copp fit in very well here, but he just surpassed 40 points for the 1st time in a season, let alone 50. I don't see where he has us over a barrel. He may not get the chance to wear an A, but he can still be part of the leadership group. Not many other teams will offer the chance to be part of something this special. 3 years, 4 million per. If that gets it done, and he is centering the 3rd line, I'm ok with it.

No surprise, Igor wins the vezina

Dach
- picklerick

U read my mind

No surprise, Igor wins the vezina
- ELew11

Big congrats to Igor --- Vezina trophy winner and 3rd in voting for the Hart award!

Drury remains one of 3 Finalists for GM of the year too!

Big congrats to Igor --- Vezina trophy winner and 3rd in voting for the Hart award!

Drury remains one of 3 Finalists for GM of the year too!
- TommyGTrain

and of course on twitter the overly negative fans insist on being cynical about the Drury news...

well deserving, he did a great job

New blog up