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Lines juggled again in practice, but 1st PP unit remarkably stays the same |
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The Rangers returned to practice after their 3-1 loss to the Bruins with blended lines once again. Forward changes have become the norm, yet today's changes are in line with what we have seen in the past. But to no one's surprise, the moribund power play units remain the same. In addition, in somewhat of a head scratching move, Jonny Brodzinski was placed on waivers to make room for Julien Gauthier's return.
The Rangers have two 5x5 goals in their past four games while the Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck-Vitali Kravtsov trio has scuffled defensively. If Panarin was scoring at the pace we all have become used to, the defensive issues likely would be overlooked to a certain extent. In addition, the even-strength production certainly would be less of an issue. But that has not been the case, resulting in the inability to maintain lines to establish some form of chemistry.
Panarin rejoins the the top line with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad in the hopes that playing with Zib will unlock what has ailed Bread. Trocheck, in the first year of his seven-year contract, will center Jimmy Vesey and Barclay Goodrow, a combination that may be offensively-challenged but better defensively. what this means is Gallant gets to go back to his crutch, the Kid Line, with Alexis Lafrenière, Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko reunited, The fourth line now will consist of three from Kravtsov, Sammy Blais, Gauthier and Jake Leschyshyn.
The first unit power play, in a 1-for-19 slump, is down to 21.6% on the season. But in practice Saturday, Kreider, Panarin, Trocheck, Zibanejad and Adam Fox remained intact as a unit. As Vince Mercogliano noted, as a topic we have discussed, four of the five members of PP1 are right handed, limiting the possibility of shots from locations that would be easier for left-handed shooters. Meanwhile, four of the five players on the second unit − Chytil, Kakko, Lafrenière and K'Andre Miller − are lefties.
if going to be stubborn with this unit - unlike the repeated changes we have seen at even-strength - then move the personnel around. The league and everyone watching knows the Rangers try to set up Zibanejad for the one-timer from the left dot. Maybe move Zib to the bumper spoit, put Panarin on the left dot, slide Trocheck to the other side and move the players during the PP. Right now, they are way too predictable, resulting in the current slump.
Brodzinski rather than Blais was placed on waivers. As I noted in the prior blog, it's time for the organization to admit Libor Hajek has no future and for GM Chris Drury to realize Blais just hasn't regained his foot speed. He is making $1.525 mil this year, even if you think next season will be better and re-sign him cheaper, is Blais even worth $1.25 mil?
Removing Brodzinski's salary puts them back on pace to accumulate around $7 million in available space. With the main goal to get down to 22 players and reduce salary, Brodzinski at $762,500 prorated the rest of the season sure doesn't bank as much cap room as Blais as $1.55 mil. But maybe since he is also signed for next year, Brodzinski slides through waivers. If Blais, who will likely be a healthy scratch again Monday, was designated for assignment and cleared waivers, he would be assigned to Hartford. By doing so, the Rangers would save $1.125 million, with a $400,000 cap hit remaining on the books, providing additional banked cap space for the March 3 trading deadline.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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