The Rangers fell to the Bruins 3-1 in a game where the disparity between the two teams was on full display. One main difference that stood out was the depth in Boston compared to New York. In addition, this was a game where Jeremy Swayman outplayed Igor Shesterkin. But way more concerning and apparent is the continued disconnect between Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin and Panarin's struggles this season, including defensively.
Game recap:
Rangers lineup: Kreider -Zibanejad-Kakko Panarin-Trocheck-Kravtsov Lafrenière -Chytil-Goodrow Vesey-Leschyshyn-Brodzinski
Lindgren-Fox Miller-Trouba Harpur-Schneider
Shesterkin Halà¡k
Scratches: Hajek, Blais IR: Gauthier
A few thoughts: 1) Second line - during the game Vitali Kravsov was moved off the line for Jimmy Vesey. If you listen to what coach Gerard Gallant said in the postgame, you can tell he has a level of frustration with the second line in general. He made a point to say it wasn't Kravtsov's fault that he had to put someone better on that trio. Now, you can say Kravtsov wasn't great on the first goal, as he had a few attempts to get the puck out, but Panarin went for the ole reach and Trocheck was not in front to help mark Pavel Zacha.
In addition, you wonder if Gallant and Panarin are not seeing eye to eye. We saw the comments in the playoffs by Panaroin regarding style of play, Then you witness what we have seen so far this season, though a few weeks ago, he was making a better commitment to defense. Regardless, the two sides do not appear to be in sync,
2) Filip Chytil - Arthur Staple wrote that the two sides have started preliminary talks. no deal is imminent. But getting an early jump to gauge year and dollar parameters - which rises daily for Chytil - is a good thing.
There have been preliminary talks between the Rangers and J.P. Barry, Chytil’s agent, on a new deal, according to two league sources. The talks haven’t progressed very far likely due to the uncertainty of the Rangers’ cap situation next season, those extensions due Miller/Lafrenière/Kravtsov, and Chytil’s strong season so far — his number could be going up as he continues to put strong games together.Chytil has arbitration rights this summer and is two years from unrestricted free agency. At a $2.3-million cap hit and $2.6-million salary for this season, his arbitration number would almost certainly be around $4 million for next season. To get anything done with Chytil for multiple years, it’s likely a deal north of $4 million per. This isn’t a wild cap hit for the Rangers to absorb — they’re still going to be in cap jail next season if they want to sign all four of those key RFAs — but Chytil may not want to lock in long term given his prospects for more ice time with the Rangers are limited.
Larry Brooks wrote something that we have discussed previously, moving Chytil up to the second line. Obviously, the remaining length of Trocheck's deal, the salary and no-movement clauses are all factors to consider with making a move like this. In addition, if Chytil does slide up a line, his production and future salary demands also need to be considered. But, winning at this point and finding the right linemate for Panarin should be the main consideration.
Column. Changes are needed to reach the top. https://t.co/8NTvBBajKG via @nypostsports
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) January 20, 2023
Brooks notes that there are 201 forwards who have played at least 500 minutes at five-on-five this season. Trocheck ranks 194th in goals per 60:00 at 0.28. Chytil has played 451 minutes, but his 1.07 G/60 leads the Rangers. But, as Brooks added, the Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Kaapo Kakko unit seemed disjointed throughout. The Trocheck line did create chances, probably a hat trick of Grade-A ones for Panarin, who seemed tentative and could not finish. Alexis Lafreniere, reunited with Chytil on the third line that included Barclay Goodrow, had one of his most engaged nights of the year. The line demanded more time, so maybe all is not lost.
But, the Rangers have mustered only two five-on-five goals in their last four games, which is the primary problem, along with the power play, not defense. To help fix the scoring problem and lack of chemistry on the second line, moving Chytil up could solve both problems. For the PP, move Zib to the bump spot instead of Trocheck, and if really radical, slide Kakko or Chytil to that unit and drop Trocheck down, at least why he is slumping.