The Rangers return to action tonight against the Blues following a 2-0 win over the Canadiens on Sunday night. St. Louis is on the second game of a back-to-back, having defeated the Islanders 3-2 in a shootout Monday after blowing a 2-0 lead in the third period. The Blues are in the midst of a four-game road trip and stretch of six road contests in seven games which kicked off yesterday in Brooklyn. For the Rangers, Sunday started a stretch of eight home games in nine contests with the Blueshirts opening the year with 10 of their first 13 games at MSG.
It’s somewhat apropos that the Rangers face the Blues, as that sums up the view of much of the fanbase given some of the roster decisions lately. The acquisition of Adam Cracknell yesterday appeared to signal the death knell – at least for now – for 18-year old Filip Chytil. That proved to be the case, as Chytil was assigned to Hartford of the AHL today. Chytil was sent to Hartford rather than back to the Czech League so that coaches there can take a look at him over the next few games, after which a decision on his status will be made.
If he stays in Hartford, his ELC slides a year because he is 18 and it also allows the parent club to recall him at any time. In addition, I believe as long as he stays below the 10-game threshold, the first year of the ELC remains intact and is not used this year. If the decision is made to send him to the Czech League that basically ends any chance of Chytil playing for the parent club. Questioning how coach Alain Vigneault and team management made that call with such limited information is valid and one of the aspects of this process that angers many of us.
Now, maybe the view was to reward Chytil for his fine pre-season and if he dazzled out of the gate, keep him here, and if not, send him back. But at least afford him a real chance to prove he belongs. Playing just under eight minutes in one game and slightly more than four in a second with no power play time doesn’t reach the level of a “real opportunity.… In addition, it once again sparks the question of player development that has plagued this team and especially AV.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cracknell, who was claimed off waivers Monday from Dallas, will make his Rangers debut tonight against the Blues. As expected, Cracknell, whose addition also led to the Andrew Desjardins’ release from his professional tryout, indicated that new assistant coach Lindy Ruff, who coached Cracknell in Dallas last season, likely played a key role in helping bring him to New York. "I was excited. It's another opportunity," he said. "I've been in this position before. Playing for Lindy Ruff helped last year. I had such a good season under him. Now I have to build that trust up with a new organization and make sure they made the right decision.…
As I tweeted and commented yesterday, I have no issue with adding Cracknell, who had 10 goals and 16 points a season ago. He provides another right-handed shot and is a potential true fourth liner, who can play either center or wing, adds some physicality and also play on the penalty kill. AV doesn’t want players to double-dip on the PK and PP, so this might allow someone like Kevin Hayes to move back to the PP once Jesper Fast returns from his hip surgery.
When Fast returns, the fourth line could be Adam Cracknell-David Desharnais-Jesper Fast or Cracknell could move to center, allowing Paul Carey, who has been solid in his three games, to remain in the lineup. There is no guarantee that Cracknell, who is making $650K, sticks in New York. But what this does do, as with the defensive moves below, is start to raise the questions as to the level of influence Ruff has and if he is being set up to take over as the head coach if the team gets off to a slow start.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the defensive pairings from Sunday night didn’t annoy, you haven’t seen anything yet. Av or Ruff or both have decided to stick with the same combinations yet again, meaning that it will be Staal-McD, Skjei-Shattenkirk, who faces his former team, and Holden-Kampfer, As a result, Brendan Smith will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game. In addition, Anthony DeAngelo, who played just 3:45 but 1:37 on the man-advantage Sunday, will also be scratched since Cracknell’s insertion in the lineup gives New York the tradition 12F/6D setup.
The rationale for sticking with the Holden and Kampfer pair again is classic AV. "They competed. They played hard. They weren't perfect," he said. "There were a couple decisions there, but for the most part they competed hard. They waited for an opportunity and they got themselves ready for the opportunity. They played well. Keeping the same lineup." Are we giving participation awards? Is he basing it off the win and not the skewed shots for/against number the two put up? Does that mean if NY had come back to beat Toronto, Smith would have remained in the lineup?
I am all for accountability, but be consistent and why start now? Now, maybe as speculated Smith has an undisclosed injury and he is sitting due to it. In addition, maybe the organization is showcasing Holden and Kampfer as trade bait, though Las Vegas has a plethora of d-men to deal as well. But, why sit ADA, even if you move Vesey to the second PP unit replacing him. Especially since the only reason ADA dressed Sunday was to play the PP rather than serving as a healthy scratch that night and it’s where he is most effective. Plus, who is making these calls? Is it AV, Ruff or both, and even if both, is Ruff putting his stamp on this team, as I noted above?
How do you expect McD and ‘Kirk to build chemistry is they don’t play together? Plus, I understand rewarding Staal, who has played fairly well the first three games, but then you have McD on the offside. Let Kirk rush and McD hang back, same with Skjei and Staal, because now with Skjei and Kirk paired, you negate what Skjei does well. In addition, play ADA with one of Holden and Kampfer rather than dressing both. Last, if playing Vesey and moving Desh likely to the point, why not just play Hayes over Desh on the PP or keep ADA there, which has helped the second unit’s puck movement? Mysteries of the universe still unresolved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—
Rangers projected lineup
Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Pavel Buchnevich Michael Grabner - J.T. Miller - Rick Bash Jimmy Vesey - Kevin Hayes - Mats Zuccarello Paul Carey - David Desharnais - Adam Cracknell
Marc Staal - Ryan McDonagh Brady Skjei - Kevin Shattenkirk Nick Holden - Steven Kampfer
Henrik Lundqvist