Jan Levine: Back to the off-season questions: Cuylle, Othmann, line combinations Brooks' column as springboard to this discussion

Do I think theyll get a realistic chance? No.

Should they? Atleast Cuylle should. With Othmann theres simply too much of a logjam.

However Im a firm believer in not playing Cuylle in the NHL for the sake of playing him. I dont believe playing 7-8 minutes a night with the likes of Carpenter, Reaves, Hunt or Vesey are in any way educational or helpful in his development.

LAF, Zib, Kreider
Panarin, Trochek, Kravtsov
Cuylle, Chytil, Kakko
Vesey, Goodrow, Reaves

These would be the lines Id like to see and the opportunity Id like for them to give Cuylle. Play him until he convinces you not to.

Do I think theyll get a realistic chance? No.

Should they? Atleast Cuylle should. With Othmann theres simply too much of a logjam.

However Im a firm believer in not playing Cuylle in the NHL for the sake of playing him. I dont believe playing 7-8 minutes a night with the likes of Carpenter, Reaves, Hunt or Vesey are in any way educational or helpful in his development.

LAF, Zib, Kreider
Panarin, Trochek, Kravtsov
Cuylle, Chytil, Kakko
Vesey, Goodrow, Reaves

These would be the lines Id like to see and the opportunity Id like for them to give Cuylle. Play him until he convinces you not to.
- aecliptic

We never actually signed vesey did we

We never actually signed vesey did we
- picklerick

I thought we did, or was it a PTO?

Do I think theyll get a realistic chance? No.

Should they? Atleast Cuylle should. With Othmann theres simply too much of a logjam.

However Im a firm believer in not playing Cuylle in the NHL for the sake of playing him. I dont believe playing 7-8 minutes a night with the likes of Carpenter, Reaves, Hunt or Vesey are in any way educational or helpful in his development.

LAF, Zib, Kreider
Panarin, Trochek, Kravtsov
Cuylle, Chytil, Kakko
Vesey, Goodrow, Reaves

These would be the lines Id like to see and the opportunity Id like for them to give Cuylle. Play him until he convinces you not to.
- aecliptic

If cuylee makes the team Blais is playing on the 4th line over Reaves. I really can’t see Reaves playing as much as last year. He hit a ton but they were not really efficient hits

If cuylee makes the team Blais is playing on the 4th line over Reaves. I really can’t see Reaves playing as much as last year. He hit a ton but they were not really efficient hits
- nyrangers2

I totally forgot about Blais.

To answer my own question ( thanks for using it Jan! ):

I am very excited to see Othmann play and develop. I just don't think he is NHL ready yet. It sucks he can't go to Hartford, but one more season playing top line minutes in Juniors is the right way to let him grow his game. I wouldn't give him a real shot to make the Rangers.

Cuylle on the other hand, I would give him a real shot to make this team ( especially if he can play RW ). If he shows he can play RW, then he could be the winger on a new Kid Line.

Kreider Zib Kakko
Bread Trocheck Kravstov
Laf Chytil Cuylle
Goodrow Carpenter Blais

Lindgren Fox
Miller Capt. Trouba
Jones Schneider

Vezina Igor
Halak

This would be an ideal lineup to run out on Opening Night...

Brett Berard with Team USA’s first goal last night, which was scored on the power play

I mean just because people don't think its wise the Cuylle start with the Rangers and get eased into the league by playing on the 4th line doesn't mean they won't do it

Do I think theyll get a realistic chance? No.

Should they? Atleast Cuylle should. With Othmann theres simply too much of a logjam.

However Im a firm believer in not playing Cuylle in the NHL for the sake of playing him. I dont believe playing 7-8 minutes a night with the likes of Carpenter, Reaves, Hunt or Vesey are in any way educational or helpful in his development.

LAF, Zib, Kreider
Panarin, Trochek, Kravtsov
Cuylle, Chytil, Kakko
Vesey, Goodrow, Reaves

These would be the lines Id like to see and the opportunity Id like for them to give Cuylle. Play him until he convinces you not to.
- aecliptic

I'd like to see both Cuylle and Othmann stick right til the end of camp, just so they can have maximum exposure to the professionals and their ways of preparing for a season. As well as their on-ice play and routines. Then, they need to spend one more season growing to join this team, IMO.
Blais is a UFA after this season, so we either see a spot for him that potentially blocks Cuylle, somewhat. Or, we trade him at the deadline and bring up Cuylle.
Othmann should get the opportunity to play his natural position, should one of LAF or Kreider make the move to RW. But, not this year.
We need sustainable quality rosters, not one and done kicks at the can.

I'd like to see both Cuylle and Othmann stick right til the end of camp, just so they can have maximum exposure to the professionals and their ways of preparing for a season. As well as their on-ice play and routines. Then, they need to spend one more season growing to join this team, IMO.
Blais is a UFA after this season, so we either see a spot for him that potentially blocks Cuylle, somewhat. Or, we trade him at the deadline and bring up Cuylle.
Othmann should get the opportunity to play his natural position, should one of LAF or Kreider make the move to RW. But, not this year.
We need sustainable quality rosters, not one and done kicks at the can.
- Tonybere

I think Cuylle and Othmann should get every minute possible during training camp, traverse city and preseason.

Also, I dont care that Kreider score 50 last year, if Kreider is the leader we all think he is, LaFreniere needs to be playing LW with Ziba. I fully believe if LAF is playing LW with Ziba and Kreider accepts a role as the RW on that line, You have 3 30 goal scorers on that line.

I think Cuylle and Othmann should get every minute possible during training camp, traverse city and preseason.

Also, I dont care that Kreider score 50 last year, if Kreider is the leader we all think he is, LaFreniere needs to be playing LW with Ziba. I fully believe if LAF is playing LW with Ziba and Kreider accepts a role as the RW on that line, You have 3 30 goal scorers on that line.
- aecliptic

The potential is certainly there. Agree with you on this point, provided Kreider is able to sustain his level of play on that side. That can't be overlooked just to make the spot available.

Blais has some skill (and he came over via trade for Buch so the possibility to cram him into his old spot is there) so I could see him on the 1st line again but my preferred lines would be...

Kreids -Z - Kakko
Bread - Tro - Krats (russian mentorship)
LaF - Chytil - Blais (Blais has the skill but also the grit to make that line complete)
Goody - Carp - Hunt/Reaves/Gaut

We are likely adding Krats & 1 of Jones/Robertson as our "rookies to make the jump" this year. I dont think there is any more room for Cuylle or Othmann in the lineup. Their time to make the jump will be next season.

The potential is certainly there. Agree with you on this point, provided Kreider is able to sustain his level of play on that side. That can't be overlooked just to make the spot available.
- Tonybere

Ive been saying it all year, Kreiders role is in the boards, in the corners and in front of the net... its kind of irrelevant what side hes on to do that. Also, his role on the PP doesnt change. Will he hit 50 again? I dont think so, but is 35-40 possible, very much so.

The only difference is now the 2nd PP has a reliable center. I think we will see more of the 2nd unit. Especially maybe at the start of the PP, to win faceoffs, gain zone control, then the 1st unit comes in and hammers on.

you know whats funny, Atlanta Gladiators have just been announced as Coyotes ECHL team, and the building they play in holds 13K people

list of potential college free agents if they don't sign by today

list of potential college free agents if they don't sign by today


- jimbro83

Anyone in there of any significance?

Anyone in there of any significance?
- aecliptic

Guttman and Stapley had nice senior years, centers

Ive been saying it all year, Kreiders role is in the boards, in the corners and in front of the net... its kind of irrelevant what side hes on to do that. Also, his role on the PP doesnt change. Will he hit 50 again? I dont think so, but is 35-40 possible, very much so.

The only difference is now the 2nd PP has a reliable center. I think we will see more of the 2nd unit. Especially maybe at the start of the PP, to win faceoffs, gain zone control, then the 1st unit comes in and hammers on.
- aecliptic

We are all aware that you've been saying that all year, but that doesn't make it so.
I understand your reasoning and I'm not saying it's flawed. But, there are still many subtle differences to playing your off wing. Just because Kreider doesn't play a prototypical LW game, doesn't automatically mean he will be able to be AS EFFECTIVE on the off-side. If he's not, the question must be asked, what line up will make the overall team better, not just the top line?

To answer my own question ( thanks for using it Jan! ):

I am very excited to see Othmann play and develop. I just don't think he is NHL ready yet. It sucks he can't go to Hartford, but one more season playing top line minutes in Juniors is the right way to let him grow his game. I wouldn't give him a real shot to make the Rangers.

Cuylle on the other hand, I would give him a real shot to make this team ( especially if he can play RW ). If he shows he can play RW, then he could be the winger on a new Kid Line.

Kreider Zib Kakko
Bread Trocheck Kravstov
Laf Chytil Cuylle
Goodrow Carpenter Blais

Lindgren Fox
Miller Capt. Trouba
Jones Schneider

Vezina Igor
Halak

This would be an ideal lineup to run out on Opening Night...
- TommyGTrain

playing laf on the 3rd line will ruin that kid long term. What other 1OA plays on the 3rd line that isnt Nail Yakupov who was a full on a bust? He needs big minutes this year. One of laf, kreider or panarin will be switching sides.

We are all aware that you've been saying that all year, but that doesn't make it so.
I understand your reasoning and I'm not saying it's flawed. But, there are still many subtle differences to playing your off wing. Just because Kreider doesn't play a prototypical LW game, doesn't automatically mean he will be able to be AS EFFECTIVE on the off-side. If he's not, the question must be asked, what line up will make the overall team better, not just the top line?
- Tonybere

The difference for Kreider mainly defensive, with stick positioning and such. However, considering hes one of the best skaters in the league I dont think it will matter much. However, as we saw with LAF, theres a lot more to adjust to because hes relied upon for his offensive skills. Giving and receiving passes on your backhand is a huge change for a playmaker. Kreider isnt relied upon to be a playmaker and skate with the puck. He uses his speed to dump and chase into the corners cause theres only a few guys in the league that can catch him.

As far as what makes the team overall better. Well, imo, the 3rd line will continue to be the achilles heel of this team. Im not putting any stock in what Chytil did in the playoffs until I see some consistency game in and game out. Furthermore the massive questions surrounding RW and what we get out of Kravtsov as well as whether Kakko will finally break out.

playing laf on the 3rd line will ruin that kid long term. What other 1OA plays on the 3rd line that isnt Nail Yakupov who was a full on a bust? He needs big minutes this year. One of laf, kreider or panarin will be switching sides.
- nyrangers2

No chance Panarin is switching sides, he didnt look good on the right side when they tried it, and pretty sure he said he wont do it again.

No chance Panarin is switching sides, he didnt look good on the right side when they tried it, and pretty sure he said he wont do it again.
- aecliptic

Yea it wont be panarin. Most likely will be Laf or Kreider with laf being the favorite

The difference for Kreider mainly defensive, with stick positioning and such. However, considering hes one of the best skaters in the league I dont think it will matter much. However, as we saw with LAF, theres a lot more to adjust to because hes relied upon for his offensive skills. Giving and receiving passes on your backhand is a huge change for a playmaker. Kreider isnt relied upon to be a playmaker and skate with the puck. He uses his speed to dump and chase into the corners cause theres only a few guys in the league that can catch him.

As far as what makes the team overall better. Well, imo, the 3rd line will continue to be the achilles heel of this team. Im not putting any stock in what Chytil did in the playoffs until I see some consistency game in and game out. Furthermore the massive questions surrounding RW and what we get out of Kravtsov as well as whether Kakko will finally break out.
- aecliptic

just did a quick skim of kreiders goals this season - like 90% of them were from the right side of the ice, with most of his straight up snipes coming on the off wing. defensive adjustments aside, i'm definitely in the shift kreider to RW and let LAF play his natural side.

just did a quick skim of kreiders goals this season - like 90% of them were from the right side of the ice, with most of his straight up snipes coming on the off wing. defensive adjustments aside, i'm definitely in the shift kreider to RW and let LAF play his natural side.
- Mtlca66

agreed and laf should play PP1 over trocheck but we know GG loves trocheck