The Rangers take on the Sabres at MSG tonight in the third game of their four-game homestand. New York has split the first two contests after sweeping a home-and-home from Detroit. Following the game against Buffalo, New York takes on LA on Sunday before hitting the road for three straight and five of the next six contests.
#NYR Preview - Feb. 7 vs. Buffalo pic.twitter.com/FchmW2sDvp
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) February 7, 2020
The lines tonight are yet to be settled but the lineup will be the same as Wednesday, just with Alexandar Georgievbetween the pipes:
Everyone is here for the morning skate. Lines are unclear. Kreider-Zibanejad-Buch are obviously grouped together, as are Strome and Panarin. Fast, Kakko, Howden, McKegg and Smith are in the Panarin-Strome group. Then Lemieux-Chytil-Di Giuseppe are wearing the same colors. 🤷…â™‚ï¸ #NYR
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) February 7, 2020
Quinn said Georgiev in nets and same lineup, meaning Di Giuseppe stays in; Smith and Haley (and Shesterkin) the scratches. #NYR
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) February 7, 2020
I would be surprised if coach David Quinn tweaks the configurations. The first line remains intact while Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome, reunited during the game against Toronto, are also staying together. Maybe Kaapo Kakko moves up and Jesper Fast down. Lemieux-Chytil-Di Giuseppe as a line would mean that Kakko or Fast end up with McKegg and Howden on the fourth line.
Georgiev starting was the expectation earlier in the week but a sliver of doubt existed due to Igor Shesterkin's performance Wednesday. Quinn decided to stick with Georgiev, who last started January 21 against the Islanders. what remains up in the air is who will go Sunday. My early bet is Henrik Lundqvist, who started this past Monday, but I also think there is a decent likelihood Shesterkin gets the nod.
Brooks on Lundqvist:
regardless of whether Lundqvist is dealt at the deadline, and I doubt that will happen, I cannot imagine he’d return next season. A June buyout of the final year of his contract would represent a clear, clean break that would allow both the team and the King to move independently into the future. A buyout would save $3 million on the cap next year and add $1.5 million in dead space to the 2021-22 ledger.
I think there is more of a chance he retires than a buyout, solely because what he has meant to the organization. If, and it's a big one, a buyout did occur, the savings would enable New York to sign Georgiev, if that's the desired route, and have him and Igor share the goal for a year. Maybe they go a two-year deal, protect Georgiev from the expansion draft and sign a veteran cheap to be exposed, since Shesterkin does not need to be protected. But again, this is cart way before the horse at this moment, though it's possible discussions are ongoing behind the scenes regarding how best to handle the situation. If someone is to be bought out, look closer at Brendan Smith, who has lost his place in the lineup to Philip Giuseppe and is no longer needed on the penalty kill due to Ryan Lindgren.
Brooks on Trouba:
Jacob Trouba’s no-move clause kicks in on July 1, and management would be foolish not to listen if there are inquiries into the 25-year-old defenseman (26 in three weeks) before then.The fact is, if he isn’t already, Adam Fox is going to be the Rangers’ No. 1 right defenseman lickety-split. He will be on his entry-level deal worth $925,000 per through 2021-22. Trouba is making $8 million per.
And depending upon Nils Lundkvist’s trajectory, could the Blueshirts present a right side the next five years featuring Fox, Tony DeAngelo — whose typically brilliant pass set up Filip Chytil for a far post tap-in against Toronto — and the Swede, who will turn 20 on July 27?
Probably not.
So the Rangers need more from Trouba, who has been erratic and skittish through his first year in New York.
I agree more is needed from Trouba. But he clearly pushed for a deal here, citing his fiance's desire to be in New York. To then pull the plug a year later, as noted in the blog, would send a really bad message to other free agents. However, all that said, what's best for the organization as a whole needs to be paramount.
Fox has had a great year but we don't know if he is ready for the pressure of top-pair duty. In addition, as we have seen defensemen growth is not linear, so regression is possible. In addition, while I love Nils, we have no idea how he will handle the shift from the SHL to the NHL, same with K'Andre Miller from college, who needs more seasoning.
Keeping Trouba provides a safety net, albeit a pricey one. Plus, he will be just 26 and we expect to see further growth. Now if a steal of a trade comes along - similar to what we thought the #1 and Neal Pionk for Trouba was - then by all means make it. But be aware of the downside risk that exists.