The Rangers began their quest for a fifth Stanley Cup on Thursday, as training camp opened. Today was limited to physicals and interviews with on-ice work slated for tomorrow. Since we love to analyze and overanalyze everything that is said, I will give some of the quotes from today with my views on what was said, but more important, unsaid.
On a timetable for naming a captain, “I would say that if I was a betting man it would be at the end of training camp.”
Is that because you aren’t sure or you want camp to play out, “A combo of all of the above. All teams have a core leadership group and it’s not up to one individual, the captain, to be the leader, it has to be a group effort and I see in our team some real strong possibilities of being captain. Since it’s a new year and we have changed some pieces to the puzzle I want to see how things unfold here.”
“The captain will be named before the first goal of the regular season.”
So riddle me this Batman, why are you waiting until after the preseason? Does AV really think he will see something so different over the next few weeks that it will change his mind? The cynic in me says that maybe he is considering Martin St. Louis, but he is signed only for this season and joined the team at last year's deadline. I might lean more towards Marc Staal, but he too is a UFA after the season and why would you want to name someone who could be dealt during the year, like Ryan Callahan, if he remains unsigned beyond this year? Just get the suspense over with. Name Ryan McDonagh captain like the fan base and several prominent former Rangers have recommended, but more important, is the right move for the franchise.
On guys playing middle and wing, “I would say that versatility is a big bonus. In JT and Hayes, they are starting in the middle and as the camp unfolds we will look at decisions that need to be made. Nash on the right side, Nash on the left, things like that.”
Two key pieces here. First, Miller and Hayes start out playing center. As I asked in the comments to my prior blog, if both make the squad, does Dominic Moore more to wing? To me, that's fine, since he likely would be on the fourth line and could take all key draws. Also, it's not set in stone that Miller and Hayes remain at center, since both can play wing and may profile better on this squad at wing.
The second is more important. Larry Brooks wrote today that; "it is believed the coach will move Marty St. Louis into what was Nash’s spot on the right with Stepan and Kreider. The preliminary plan calls for Nash to shift back to left wing to replace the departed Pouliot on the line with Brassard and Zuccarello.
But what if Ryan Malone, a more physical player than Nash and more of a net presence in the mold of Pouliot (but, for the first eight years of his career, far more dependable and a significantly more productive player) is actually the better fit? What if Malone, fighting for his NHL career after a lousy season with Tampa Bay and issues with the law, excels during camp … as he should if he has anything reasonable left?"
Nash has experience playing left wing, but clearly is more comfortable on the right. The shift in sides is not the issue, it's as Brooks pointed out, fi Malone shows he is a better fit there and St. Louis proves to be solid on the top line, can you play Nash on the third line, even if he plays right wing? Plus, if Malone does make the team, he does his best work in front, seen in his style of play and shooting percentage, which is where NY needs help on the PP. He likely will be on the man-advantage which could relegate Nash, who has struggled at times doing the the dirty work in front, to third line PP, if one really existed. Will AV be willing to put his $7.8 million wing on the third line, both at even strength and on the PP? That will be a major question to watch.
On the roster for opening night, “Ideally I would say 13 forwards and 8 d if we can keep 23 but I don’t think budget wise….I think we will be right there so it will be 13 and 7.”
I think AV's comments were mainly because there are so many options for spots, he would love to have more of them in NY. The Rangers are too close to the cap for this to even be a consideration, as two players making under $900k will need to go to Hartford to keep that salary off the current cap. Set right now is St. Louis, Stepan, Nash, Kreider, Brassard, Zuccarello and Dominic Moore.
AV will have tough choices to make amongst J.T. Miller, Matthew Lombardi, Kevin Hayes, Ryan Malone, Lee Stempniak. Jesper Fast, Tanner Glass, Oscar Lindberg, Chris Mueller, Ryan Haggerty, Anthony Duclair etc. as to which six remain with - and five dress for - the Rangers. One thing to keep in mind is as Brooks pointed out, that Stempniak ($900,000), Lombardi ($800,000) and Malone (two-way, NHL $700,000/AHL $100,000) would require waivers to be sent to Hartford, which could play a huge part in who remains in NY.
On the blue line, Mike Kostka and Matt Hunwick will battle it out for the seventh spot as Dylan McIlrath is not yet ready. I have Mat Bodie as a longshot, building off his solid Traverse City tournament. Goaltending is set with Lundqvist and Talbot.
On young players sittings vs playing, “each situation is different. Younger players should play so if they won’t play on a regular basis it would probably be better to go to Hartford."
Chris Kreider was sent down but was back up pretty quickly. JT Miller bounced up-and-down and never settled in. Basically, a young player will need to show and prove he should be in the lineup daily and see material minutes. If not, given all the veterans on the team, especially since Stempniak, Lombardi and Malone would require waivers to be sent to Hartford, it will be harder for some of the kids to make the squad.
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