The Rangers, after two weeks off, return to action Tuesday to face the Bruins. New York welcomes back Filip Chytil, Adam Fox and Patrik Nemeth from their absences while Kaapo Kakko will miss the next month with his injury, which is rumored to be to his wrist. Boston will be without Brad Marchand, in the midst of his six-game suspension, and Patrice Bergeron, sidelined by injured. The stretch run of 35 games starts.
The lineup is expected to be: Kreider - Zib - Lafreniere Panarin - Strome - Goodrow Hunt - Chytil - Gauthier McKegg - Rooney - Reaves
Lindgren - Fox Miller - Trouba Nemeth - Schneider
(Hajek-Jones as the extras)
Laf remains on the right side of the top line. Goodrow moves up to the second line, leaving a gap on the third line. Chytil returns as the 3C, flanked by Hunt and Gauthier, neither of whom are finishers. The fourth line is what we expected, relegating Morgan Barron to the bench.
Nemeth, back from his absence due to personal reasons, was originally thought to be questionable. All signs point to him playing. I think all of us would like to see Jones-Schneider for several more games in a row to see if that duo can display their AHL chemistry at this level. Alas, that looks like it won't be the case.
As per @reporterchris, no salary will be retained. Toffoli’s contract has a 4.25 Million Dollar AAV until the end of the 2023-2024 season. Solid get for the Flames. https://t.co/sTFtGNKH2n
— Jan Levine (@airjan23) February 14, 2022
As we saw earlier today, Montreal dealt Tyler Toffoli for a pretty solid return to the Flames. Calgary was looking for second line scoring and 5x5 production, which they get in Toffoli. The two additional years remaining after this season plus his past history with coach Darry Sutter in LA helped paved the way for the assets surrendered by Calgary and set the early market.
If New York wants J.T. Miller, who has one fewer year remaining on his deal with a $1 mil higher AAV but better overall production, a first and an asset will be the minimum. Question is how much more will be required? Names like Tomas Hertl and Joe Pavelski, despite being expiring assets, presuming they are available, will cost at least a first and an asset, maybe more, though you would think less than Miller, who has term remaining.
Claude Giroux? See below. Part of this, if true, may be Giroux deciding he does not want to go within the division or to New York. But that may be as of now. In the future, who knows. While Giroux would be a great fit, I think we all felt him coming to the Rangers was a mild longshot due to his tenure in Philly.
I'm told that Claude Giroux has made it known to Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher that Colorado is where he wants to go. If somehow that doesn't work out, Minnesota or St. Louis would be acceptable alternatives @ColHockeyNow
— Adrian Dater (@adater) February 15, 2022