The Rangers returned to practice Friday after having Thanksgiving off. After a 2-1-1 road trip, New York sits at 10-7-4 and barely in the first Wild Card spot. The Blueshirts are home to face the Oilers on Saturday and Devils on Monday.
Per Larry Brooks and others, Rangers' practice lines today were as they ended in Anaheim: Panarin-Zibanajed-Kreider Vesey-Trocheck-Goodrow Lafreniere-Chytil-Kakko Blais-Carpenter-Gauthier/Kravtsov
Coach Gerard Gallant and the team are trying to get Artemi Panarin going. Having him on a line with Zib and Kreider might unlock his game. But that does little to rectify the chemistry issue that exists between him and Vincent Trocheck. In addition, while this move boosters the first line, it clearly materially impacts the second line.
If this move stays, the Kid Line becomes the de facto second line. The offensive talent in this trip vastly exceeds that of the newly-constituted second line. This also hopefully will result in an uptick of 5x5 TOI, which has increased this season compared to seasons past but more room to grow still exists.
Vesey-Trocheck-Goodrow takes on more of a third line look. This change impacts Trocheck most of all, as I expect a slight decline in ice time and production. Vesey and Goodrow are solid defensively, so this line could see more zone starts in the defensive zone, freeing up the top-six for additional offensive zone starts. I expect this line to be a tone shifter, taking the body more frequently and trying to create offense from the forecheck.
Whither Vitali Kravtsov? Now healthy, he could be a healthy scratch again. Even if he is in the lineup, he will be on the fourth line, which does not use his talent correctly. Rumors and whispers are that Kravtsov could be on the trading block, though that is yet to be confirmed. Maybe a trade for a similarly scratched offensive winger who has yet to fully pan out, see Tolvanen, Eeli, could be an option. But if you don't play and/or utilize Kravtsov correctly, it's impossible to get a true take on what he might be.
Kravtsov didn't have a great camp nor has he been able to stay healthy. But, now that he is 100%, why not try him for a few games on the second line and see if he and Panarin can build some chemistry. At best, they click, Panarin refinds his game and Kravtsov is productive. At worst, you clearly find out that Kravtsov is not a viable option, making it easier to move on. If he isn't the right candidate for that role, could we see Will Cuylle get a chance before too long?