Rangers face Knights, Bonino waived, D-shifted, Chytil injured, jerseys (Bonino)

Bonino

Rangers face Knights, Bonino waived, D-shifted, Chytil injured, jerseys

By Jan Levine

Jan 26, 2024 • 1:16 pm

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The Rangers return home to face the Golden Knights in the first game of the two contests the team has before the All-Star break. Last week, Vegas waxed New York 5-1 at T-Mobile Arena. Following tonight's game, the Blueshirts travel to Ottawa to face the Senators before an eight-day break. Oh, and in other news, Filip Chytil, who just returned to non-contact practice yesterday, left today's practice with an unspecified injury. The four teams playing in the Stadium Series revealed their jerseys which have garnered mixed reviews.

First, the Chytil news. Right now, we honestly know little. Based on Chytil needing to be helped off the ice by Zac Jones and Jake Leschyshyn, who were the only other two on the ice at the time, and the below, the injury could be to his left leg. That doesn't mean it wasn't head or other related, nor do we know if it is to his leg, what type of absence could be forthcoming.

Based on Chytil practicing yesterday and signs at the time promising towards a return in the near-term, line speculation had begun. We all basically had slotted Chytil in on the third line with Kaapo Kakko and Will Cuylle. All of these discussions may now need to be tabled if Chytil will be sidelined for a while. The focus then would shift again to how long will he be sidelined, will he be out until the playoffs and how does the team use his cap money while he is on LTIR. Third line center would move towards the top of the need list with Sean Monahan likely getting even more focus.

Probable lines:

Kreider-Zibanejad-Wheeler Panarin-Trocheck-Lafrenière Cuylle-Brodzinski-Kakko Goodrow-Pitlick-Vesey

Gustafsson-Fox Miller-Trouba Lindgren-Schneider

Shesterkin Quick

Scratches: Jones, Leschyshyn LTIR: Chytil

What you see above is a reshuffling of the lines, forwards and defense. Coach Peter Laviolette has been somewhat reluctant to move pieces around, but the team;s stagnant offense resulted in some changes. Granted, they aren't radical ones, though Kakko was moved off the top line - again - as that trio did little with him at right wing. Not sure if moving Blake Wheeler back there is the answer, since he too made little difference the two prior times he was utilized there. The next step is a massive change, either via influx of talent or separation of Mika Zibanjead and Chris Kreider.

In the first salvo of shaking up the team - and to create room for what was to be the eventual return of Chytil - Nick Bonino was placed on waivers. That move shows that loyalties mean little and was also meant to kick the team in the rear. If Laviolette, aided by GM Chris Drury, was willing to waive a veteran player that he had in the past in Nashville and was instrumental in bringing in, no one should view themselves as safe,

Bonino's game had cratered. His early speed had dissipated, and despite his ability to block shots, his effectiveness had waned. The move should not be viewed as just a one-off, as further changes are likely and probable, especially if the team's struggles continue. New York has other options for the fourth line, though that population may be culled down depending on what happens with Chytil. In addition, this area needs to be a focus of Drury leading up to and at the trade deadline. Hopefully the message that comes with a decision like this has an impact on the team.

The blue line has struggled as well. Not all the blame can be placed on the D, as the forwards are just as - and at times more - responsible for the blue line issues. But the pairs have grown stagnant and a shake up also is being used to reignite two of the three pairs. Jacob Trouba and K'Andre Miller, despite their issues, remain together, largely because Lavy views that the majority of their problems stem from the forwards.

Vince Mercogliano summed it up nicely below. I understand the logic, not sure I agree with it, but understand it. Gustafsson is an offensive-minded d-man, though not possession-oriented at least compared to Adam Fox. Plus, Fox and Ryan Lindgren have the comfortability factor that now will need to be re-created. My concern is how that pair will do defensively. Braden Schneider will need to be the "offensive-minded" blueliner of his new pair and the lack of true foot speed and shiftiness for that duo concerns me, especially if they are to see more time in the D-zone.

Fox and Gustafsson are offensive-minded, possession-oriented defensemen who have been paired at times late in games when the Rangers are looking for added scoring punch. The result is an impressive 75.4% xGF in over 60 minutes together, according to moneypuck.com.

While the Fox-Gustafsson pair will likely be used in more offensive situations, the Lindgren-Schneider duo will play a much different role.

They're a couple of hard-hat defensemen who play with an edge and prioritize protecting their own end, which will lead to "more D-zone starts and heavier opponents − some harder minutes," according to Laviolette.

Stadium Series jerseys - the NHL revealed the jerseys for all four participants of the Stadium Series games at MetLife Stadium. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder which will drive whether you like them or not. The Rangers' jersey is certainly a change from what we are used to but does seem to fit in well with the game being played at a football stadium.  I actually like the Rangers one, not as much as the 2012 version, but still solid. New Jersey's is a nice version of their colors, though the name and numbers on back will be hard to read. The Philly jersey, especially some of the details, are nice, while the Islanders one, well, it's a jersey. 

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