Jan Levine: Offseason questions continue: should Laf start the season as the #1 RW? inquiring minds want to know

To answer the question:

LaFranchise should be given an opportunity in camp to be our top line LW. If Kreider wants to show true leadership --- he should make the change to RW. Kreider's game is predicated on being in front of the net, he can get there skating up the right side of the ice. Kreider has been in the league long enough, make him learn the defensive adjustment!

To answer the question:

LaFranchise should be given an opportunity in camp to be our top line LW. If Kreider wants to show true leadership --- he should make the change to RW. Kreider's game is predicated on being in front of the net, he can get there skating up the right side of the ice. Kreider has been in the league long enough, make him learn the defensive adjustment!
- TommyGTrain

Issue for both Laf and Krieder is the d zone responsibility and break out of playing in a position they’re not accustomed to or comfortable playing. It becomes a confidence problem, not saying it can’t work, but it won’t be easy.

I see that you still haven’t embraced the concept of proofreading your articles before posting them.

I see that you still haven’t embraced the concept of proofreading your articles before posting them.
- arohrs39

And we see you are still a d bag

To answer the question:

LaFranchise should be given an opportunity in camp to be our top line LW. If Kreider wants to show true leadership --- he should make the change to RW. Kreider's game is predicated on being in front of the net, he can get there skating up the right side of the ice. Kreider has been in the league long enough, make him learn the defensive adjustment!
- TommyGTrain

This is exactly how i feel. Laf is the future of this team, let him play his natural side. Kreider's been around long enough where I feel we can trust that he'd be able to adjust.

This is exactly how i feel. Laf is the future of this team, let him play his natural side. Kreider's been around long enough where I feel we can trust that he'd be able to adjust.
- Mtlca66

It's not the worst idea in the world, BUT Kreider coming off a 50 goal year..NYR isn't going to move him to RW after the season he just had

I see that you still haven’t embraced the concept of proofreading your articles before posting them.
- arohrs39

And I see you are great with making comments without pointing out the supposed errors. Second, if clauses separate concepts, learn how to connect them before constantly criticizing.

It's not the worst idea in the world, BUT Kreider coming off a 50 goal year..NYR isn't going to move him to RW after the season he just had
- rrentz

yeah i definitely see that being a huge barrier of anyone wanting to shift him over. i'd honestly be surprised if he broke 40 this year though - last year just seemed like everything went right for him. i'd love for him to prove me wrong though!

To answer the question:

LaFranchise should be given an opportunity in camp to be our top line LW. If Kreider wants to show true leadership --- he should make the change to RW. Kreider's game is predicated on being in front of the net, he can get there skating up the right side of the ice. Kreider has been in the league long enough, make him learn the defensive adjustment!
- TommyGTrain

Didn't work for Ovechkin. Not every player can switch wings.
I'm open to trying Laf on the right side.

It's not the worst idea in the world, BUT Kreider coming off a 50 goal year..NYR isn't going to move him to RW after the season he just had
- rrentz

Where did most of those goals come from? Being in front of the net is irrelevant to what wing hes on. Furthermore, a bunch of the goals he scored on shots came from the right side.

Issue for both Laf and Krieder is the d zone responsibility and break out of playing in a position they’re not accustomed to or comfortable playing. It becomes a confidence problem, not saying it can’t work, but it won’t be easy.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

Who is a bigger liability defensively on their off wing? A 21 year old still growing his game or a 30 year old who is one of the elite skaters in the league. Kreider is one of the fastest skaters on the planet, that alone will prevent him from getting caught out of position and will keep him in the play.

To answer the question:

LaFranchise should be given an opportunity in camp to be our top line LW. If Kreider wants to show true leadership --- he should make the change to RW. Kreider's game is predicated on being in front of the net, he can get there skating up the right side of the ice. Kreider has been in the league long enough, make him learn the defensive adjustment!
- TommyGTrain

Ive been saying this all of last season.

Where did most of those goals come from? Being in front of the net is irrelevant to what wing hes on. Furthermore, a bunch of the goals he scored on shots came from the right side.
- aecliptic

All true, but NYR ain't messing with Kreider

Ive been saying this all of last season.
- aecliptic

The bigger key is on D side of the ice and getting g back through the neutral zone. They aren’t moving CK20 right now. Maybe we will be surprised. But off the year he had last season, why mess with success

Didn't work for Ovechkin. Not every player can switch wings.
I'm open to trying Laf on the right side.
- Fenrir

True, but Ovechkin is a bad example because he relies on the one-timer to get many of his goals. Kreider scores his goals very differently, tips in front of the net don't require him to be on his strong side...

I see that you still haven’t embraced the concept of proofreading your articles before posting them.
- arohrs39

AAAAAAND you're still a (frank)ing asshat so status quo

It's not the worst idea in the world, BUT Kreider coming off a 50 goal year..NYR isn't going to move him to RW after the season he just had
- rrentz

how many of his goals were tip ins? can he not do that same style playing the opposite wing?

Last Season Kreider scored 52 Goals with an assortment of RW's on his line. He and Zibanejad are magical together and any RW on the Roster would fit just fine. Especially a natural RW.

Lafreniere's talent is better suited playing on the Kid Line. His skills and speed will only help Chytil and Kakko in their development at the NHL level. They are fast, they are young and they have chemistry on the ice. That line needs to stay and continue to grow together.

Can't wait for Rangers Hockey. We are getting closer thankfully.

Happy Labor Day to all.

Who is a bigger liability defensively on their off wing? A 21 year old still growing his game or a 30 year old who is one of the elite skaters in the league. Kreider is one of the fastest skaters on the planet, that alone will prevent him from getting caught out of position and will keep him in the play.
- aecliptic

You have to take into consideration, Krieder has played one position since he was probably 10 years old, the game looks and feels completely different on the off wing. If he’s willing, I’m sure they’ll try it, but if he prefers to stay on the left wing, he won’t be forced.

Not sure if this was mentioned in the previous blog regarding Nils requesting a trade or not but the Rangers have a big problem brewing. Prospects are seeing that the roster is being filled out and not many holes to fill for top minutes. This is causing players to get the itch to want to leave. We are now looking to trade Nils from a position of weakness. His value is at an all time low. Nils could be used in a package for Kane but not sure if that’s still feasible.

Not sure if this was mentioned in the previous blog regarding Nils requesting a trade or not but the Rangers have a big problem brewing. Prospects are seeing that the roster is being filled out and not many holes to fill for top minutes. This is causing players to get the itch to want to leave. We are now looking to trade Nils from a position of weakness. His value is at an all time low. Nils could be used in a package for Kane but not sure if that’s still feasible.
- Awolff9

Everyteam has to navigate this issue, and if done correctly, it can be used to NYR advantage in trades

Kreider has been tried on the RW multiple times with many different line mates under multiple coaches over the course of 10 seasons
It hasn’t worked.

Everyteam has to navigate this issue, and if done correctly, it can be used to NYR advantage in trades
- rrentz

They need to get ahead of it though. Seems to be a trend where a lot of prospects are demanding to be traded these days. Nils before last season was our top prospect going into camp.

They need to get ahead of it though. Seems to be a trend where a lot of prospects are demanding to be traded these days. Nils before last season was our top prospect going into camp.
- Awolff9

It’s what happens when you rebuild. You accumulate a ton of assets and there just aren’t enough opportunities for them all to pan out. This team is set up for long term success. If one or 2 fall through the cracks in the process it sucks but not going to lose sleep over it. Drury proved last year with Kravstov he won’t just give them away. Unless a fair offer comes for Nils he will still be rangers property