Dylan Strome had 11 hits last season, is anyone paying attention to what kind of guys Drury likes?

- jimbro83

Among players with at least 40 games played last season, Strome was tied with Patrick Kane and Anders Bjork for the 8th fewest.

Below him were Phil Kessel, Troy Terry, Jordan Kyrou and Jack Hughes with 6 each, then Kakko with 8 (in 43 games), then Gaudreau and Victor Olofsson with 10 a piece.

28 players had over 200 hits. 2 had over 300.

Assuming nothing else happens training camp should be fun to watch. If Cuylle can make the team that would be really sweet. It would push Reaves and Hunt to the press box until an injury.

You figure

Zib
Trocheck
Panarin
Chytil
Kreider
Laf
Kakko
Kravtsov
Blais
Goodrow

Are locks to make opening night lineup. If Cuylle makes the team he plays 3LW don’t you think? So that lengthens the lineup and puts Blais and Goodrow on the 4th line which is ideal. Goodrow would probably move up if he didn’t make the team. So the last forward could be any number of guys which is good. Hunt Reaves Carpenter Rydahl Gauthier and maybe Trivigno all vying for playing time. Dress Reaves in the rival games only lol. (I’d expect Gauthier traded very soon and no later than opening night.)

Cuylle making the team would be the next bit of great news imo. Hopefully he sticks

They look really good on paper. Very sexy lineup of all goes well

Assuming nothing else happens training camp should be fun to watch. If Cuylle can make the team that would be really sweet. It would push Reaves and Hunt to the press box until an injury.

You figure

Zib
Trocheck
Panarin
Chytil
Kreider
Laf
Kakko
Kravtsov
Blais
Goodrow

Are locks to make opening night lineup. If Cuylle makes the team he plays 3LW don’t you think? So that lengthens the lineup and puts Blais and Goodrow on the 4th line which is ideal. Goodrow would probably move up if he didn’t make the team. So the last forward could be any number of guys which is good. Hunt Reaves Carpenter Rydahl Gauthier and maybe Trivigno all vying for playing time. Dress Reaves in the rival games only lol. (I’d expect Gauthier traded very soon and no later than opening night.)

Cuylle making the team would be the next bit of great news imo. Hopefully he sticks

They look really good on paper. Very sexy lineup of all goes well
- Slimtj100

So much hinges on kakko taking the next step and Kravtsov being as advertised

So much hinges on kakko taking the next step and Kravtsov being as advertised
- picklerick

I honestly feel less concerned about Kravtsov than I do Kakko.

I honestly feel less concerned about Kravtsov than I do Kakko.
- aecliptic

Kravtsov is the ultimate wild card. I am not sure what to expect. I have a good feeling about Kakko.

I honestly feel less concerned about Kravtsov than I do Kakko.
- aecliptic

my concerns with Kakko's finishing ability are still very strong

I honestly feel less concerned about Kravtsov than I do Kakko.
- aecliptic

The two of them have to be motivated based off last year and circumstances that arose

So much hinges on kakko taking the next step and Kravtsov being as advertised
- picklerick

Agreed. I see a good lineup, but scoring concerns. Said it before, but the Rangers do not have a shooting/sniper winger.

my concerns with Kakko's finishing ability are still very strong
- jimbro83

I might be more concerned about Laf's skating than Kakko's ability to finish. Kakko definitely has the ability, he's having trouble with consistency and confidence.

I might be more concerned about Laf's skating than Kakko's ability to finish. Kakko definitely has the ability, he's having trouble with consistency and confidence.
- JRR1285

I really dont have a single concern about Lafreniere other than can he play the right side

I think he's exploding in year 3

I really dont have a single concern about Lafreniere other than can he play the right side

I think he's exploding in year 3
- jimbro83

I am expecting full top 6 minutes, pp1 and 50 plus points and 20 plus goals next year

I really dont have a single concern about Lafreniere other than can he play the right side

I think he's exploding in year 3
- jimbro83

I think you're right but some foot speed couldn't hurt. They need a skating coach.

I might be more concerned about Laf's skating than Kakko's ability to finish. Kakko definitely has the ability, he's having trouble with consistency and confidence.
- JRR1285

I am not concerned about his skating, there were several times during the playoffs where he turned on the jets and it was surprising how fast he was.

Looks like Trocheck is wearing number 16. Really odd coincidence.

I am not concerned about his skating, there were several times during the playoffs where he turned on the jets and it was surprising how fast he was.
- aecliptic

I noticed that too. I want to see it more though. At times he has looked like a passenger, less so in the playoffs.

Looks like Trocheck is wearing number 16. Really odd coincidence.
- JRR1285

Same birthday. Same career shooting percentage. Same jersey number

Same birthday. Same career shooting percentage. Same jersey number
- picklerick

Trocheck previously wore 21 with Florida but that is taken by Goodrow. They should swap numbers.

I noticed that too. I want to see it more though. At times he has looked like a passenger, less so in the playoffs.
- JRR1285

I think this will be the year he takes initiative. 19 goals as a passenger is pretty impressive.

With PP1 time and more consistent ice time in the top 6, I think he can hit 30 goals.

I am not concerned about his skating, there were several times during the playoffs where he turned on the jets and it was surprising how fast he was.
- aecliptic

100%.
He is a better skater than he's getting credit for. And now he's in the midst of training where he stated the intent to work on his skating anyway.
I think his big issues were adapting to the pace of play and the confidence it took to play his way. I saw him adjust admirably in the playoffs.

100%.
He is a better skater than he's getting credit for. And now he's in the midst of training where he stated the intent to work on his skating anyway.
I think his big issues were adapting to the speed and the confidence it took to play his way. I saw him adjust admirably in the playoffs.
- Tonybere

Its what separates guys like Ovi, MacK, McJesus… to make your brain, hands and feet all work at the same speed.

I honestly feel less concerned about Kravtsov than I do Kakko.
- aecliptic

I think KK will be very strong this year, after a somewhat normal summer I think he settles down and performs well this season.

I think KK will be very strong this year, after a somewhat normal summer I think he settles down and performs well this season.
- Brukie

I gotta see some progress in the offensive zone. Hes definitely got solid puck possession and defensive skills. Although its surprising he only had 8 hits in 45 games or whatever it was.

my concerns with Kakko's finishing ability are still very strong
- jimbro83

Kakko just needs a normal season for himself. Last year he was hurt for awhile and the two covid years before that. His whole career so far has been inconsistent including circumstances he had nothing to do with. Can’t get into a rhythm to build confidence

This is why I’m so reluctant to trade him. We need to give him 2 more full seasons to really determine what they have in him.

I gotta see some progress in the offensive zone. Hes definitely got solid puck possession and defensive skills. Although its surprising he only had 8 hits in 45 games or whatever it was.
- aecliptic

He’s more of the stick check than body check type. Doesn’t shy away from contact, but going to grind to try to steal the puck rather than go in for a hit so someone else can come in for it. Not surprising or all that alarming to me. I’m with others who want to see more finishing ability. Kids gotta stop waiting so long to take his shots and I think his game goes to another level.

He’s more of the stick check than body check type. Doesn’t shy away from contact, but going to grind to try to steal the puck rather than go in for a hit so someone else can come in for it. Not surprising or all that alarming to me. I’m with others who want to see more finishing ability. Kids gotta stop waiting so long to take his shots and I think his game goes to another level.
- TC88

My hot take:

Kravtsov finishes the year with more goals and assists than Kakko.