The Rangers opened training camp this past week. While the first few days were filled with physicals and on-ice testing, news that impacts the team in terms of line placements and the like did come out. I highlighted John Davidson’s comments in my last blog. In this one, I cover some of David Quinn’s (full conference hopefully to be posted last tonight).
The Rangers broke the players into three groups, which each had its own practice session Saturday. They did the same thing Sunday and will re-organize into two groups for Monday for a practice that day and then a scrimmage. In the first day of practice, during three-on-three drills, Jacob Trouba buried Filip Chytil in front before taking out Kaapo Kakko and throwing his body everywhere. That style of play drew praise from Quinn, who as you will see in his quotes later, loves a physical presence in the lineup. “That’s an added element to our practices. He just instinctively does that. That’s his DNA, and he has it to another level.”
Line combinations:
As discussed already, but more later in the blog, the first trio - named by Larry Brooks as the AMP line - has Pavel Buchnevich as the team’s 1st line RW with Mika Zibanejad at C and Artemi Panarin at LW. Brooks noted that New York began last season with Buch on a line with Zib and Chris Kreider, which lasted all of two games. I thought we might see Kappo Kakko on that line or maybe even Kreider switch sides, but I am good with Buchnevich getting the first chance. Brooks said the following:
So yes, though this year’s troika likely will have more staying power than last season’s top trio, nothing is set in concrete. The fact is, it will be up to Buchnevich to protect his assignment after being unable to do so last year, when he journeyed from the first line to the fourth and all points in between in a learning year. He was not reunited with Kreider and Zibanejad until Game 72.
Panarin, more of a distributor and transporter than a shooter, should form a perfect union with Zibanejad, more of a sniper than a dispatcher. The upside of this combination of high-end talents is through the roof. Buchnevich, who has all of the attributes necessary to complement his higher profile linemates, is the X-factor.
Buchnevich recorded nine goals and four assists over his final 17 games to finish at 21 goals and 17 assists for the season, with a 17.6 shooting percentage in 64 games. His compete level and work away from the puck improved dramatically as the year evolved following four healthy scratches through the opening 49 matches. His work earned him a two-year contract worth $3.25 million per season and an assignment on the first line.
Artemi. Mika. Pavel.
The AMP Line
Buchnevich admitted that his contract status affected him to start the season. Now signed for two years, hopefully that easement is mind enables him to play as he did the final 17 games. He will be on a line that should excel, containing all the elements to produce. But Buchnevich may not receive a ton of leeway seeing the talent on wing behind him, including Kakko.
Quinn said Friday that Chytil and Lias Andersson are both centers with Ryan Strome to basically roam, but it sounds like he will start the season on the wing. As I wrote Friday in the blog comments, I think we see Kreider-Chytil-Kakko on the second line. Third could be Strome-Howden/Namestnikov-Kravtsov and fourth of Lemieux-Anderson/Howden-Fast. Colin Stephenson of Newsday noted the following combinations in practice Saturday: Vlad Namestnikov-Lias Andersson-Ryan Strome; Micheal Haley-Brett Howden-Vitali Kravtsov; Brendan Lemieux-Greg McKegg-Jesper Fast. I presume Quinn will mix and match a lot early on, so don’t be surprised to see lots of changes and don’t get wedded to any trios.
Stephenson added that Top D pair looks to be Brady Skjei-Trouba. Quinn said Brendan Smith may play both D and LW. Neither bit of news comes as a surprise. The hope is Trouba brings out the best in Skjei based on their history and chemistry and styles of play. Smith played both roles last year. Tony DeAngelo’s holdout could result in Smith seeing more time on the blue line. If ADA signs, he is likely to be paired with Marc Staal. Adam Fox could step onto the right side of the second pairing with Staal if ADA remains out, creating a hole on the third pair, which could be filled by Smith.
Panarin, whom Buchnevich called, “a legend in Russia before he came to [the NHL],” had a twinkle in his eye when he addressed the media following practice, his remarks translated by Elizaveta Nemchinov, Sergei Nemchinov’s daughter. She and Victoria Zelepukin, former Devil Valeri Zelepukin’s daughter, will serve as interpreters for the club’s Russian contingent throughout the season.
We need to teach Zib some Russian but the hope is that the language of hockey will enable that top trio to excel. Interesting that the daughters of Nemchinov, part of the 1994 Cup Champs, and Zelepukin, who almost cost New York a shot at the Cup with his goal with seven seconds remaining in Game 7 of the NJ-NYR Eastern Conference Finals, are the translators. Kind of an ironic combination if you will.
As the Post and others noted, DeAngelo is continuing his holdout, as the team seems steadfast on sticking with their one-year offer, likely the same $925,000 that they gave fellow restricted free agent Brendan Lemieux. ADA believes he deserves more and he quite likely does. Not at the Ivan Provorov, Josh Morrissey or Charlie McAvoy levels but probably a higher salary. He knows that the team is up against the cap with little wiggle room. In addition, while he showed signs last year or taking a step forward, tough spots still remain. Almost as important, he has no leverage, same as Lemieux. So while he may well be right that he should be paid more, unless an offer sheet comes late or New York frees up room, don’t expect much movement.
Brooks wrote Quinn was not willing to discuss the matter, but made it clear he has given some thought to the competition for that spot if DeAngelo does not show up. No names were provided but to me, Ryan Lindgren could be in the mix, same with Yegor Rykov. I would have brought in Fredrik Claesson on a PTO but he is now in Carolina.
“They know where we are and we know where they are,” Gorton told The Post. “I expect that I’ll talk to [Deangelo’s agent, Pat Brisson] in the next couple of days.” Happy to see that the lines of communication remain open. But I don’t see New York budging much, so ADA’s side will need to decide how long they want the stalemate to last. He will have arb rights next year, which will allow ADA to bump his salary significantly with a good year, which should be his main point of focus.
Quinn 2.0 from Larry Brooks:
“I think our veterans certainly understand the way we want to play and what’s expected on a daily basis, so instead of [the coaches] setting that precedent, I think if the [veterans] see somebody not doing what they’re supposed to be doing, I think they’ll take it upon themselves to correct it, as opposed to us.”
You know my view of Quinn. I think he is the perfect person to coach this team. He held the team accountable last season and will rely on the veterans to impart that attitude to the rookies. It’s a young team, which will enable to Quinn to remain hard when needed, but interspersed with veterans, young and old, requiring finesse when needed.
Quinn talked about the need to dramatically improve the club’s work in the D-zone and on the penalty-kill, both areas of responsibility assigned to assistant coach Lindy Ruff, back for a third year on a staff that is intact from a year ago, with Benoit Allaire, David Oliver and Greg Brown also returning as assistants.
“We have to do a much better job there,” Quinn said. “We’re not going to have a chance to accomplish what we think we’re capable of accomplishing if we don’t.”
I read the above quote that if the D doesn’t show signs of improvement, Ruff is at major risk. Same with the penalty kill. Most of us didn’t want Ruff to begin with more did we want him back last year or this year. His shelf life could be very limited.
He makes no bones about wanting to have a jagged-edged, smashmouth team that plays north-south hockey and drives to the net. But this club appears to have more string players and flautists than those who play percussion instruments. It will be up to Quinn, as much as his players, to adapt.
“I think it’s going to be a little bit of both,” the coach said. “Everybody is born with a certain type of DNA. I realize you can’t have 12 forwards going [north-south] that way all of the time. What you want is for the skill guys to have a little bit of that [jam] in their game when it’s needed.
“I guess you’re looking for players to meet halfway and add what they can of that element. I’m not asking everyone to run around and be a [Brendan] Lemieux-type player. But if you’re a high-end skill player, I want you to be hard enough and tough enough to let your skills influence the game. That’s all I ask.”
Quinn wants hard on and off the puck. Full effort on each shift. If not, you will sit. The players from last year know this and the new kids will soon as well. Very much looking forward to seeing this team this season.
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