I could see that. Kakko needs to develop some confidence in burying scoring chances but the rest of his game has already come such a long way. Laf looked great for a 6-7 game stretch but moving back to the 3rd line hurt him similarly to how it hurt Kakko. Im expecting both come back stronger and a step quicker next season, but they both really need to be in the top 6 to produce the numbers we are expecting.
- TC88

I know it isn’t going to happen anytime soon, but Kakko and Laf get the shaft production wise because they don’t even sniff a power play for the most part. Stutzle, for example, has 6 pp pts this year. It’s has to be so hard at that age, during the toughest of defensive opponents to get yourself confident enough to produce regularly at 5 on 5. It’s why I don’t get to worried about the negatives they get thrown at them by our fans. Those fans are to dumb to realize that fact lol

I could see that. Kakko needs to develop some confidence in burying scoring chances but the rest of his game has already come such a long way. Laf looked great for a 6-7 game stretch but moving back to the 3rd line hurt him similarly to how it hurt Kakko. Im expecting both come back stronger and a step quicker next season, but they both really need to be in the top 6 to produce the numbers we are expecting.
- TC88

this is going to be something to manage having these three left wings in Panarin, Kreider and Lafreniere all getting the icetime everybody wants

I don't ever see Kreider and Panarin leaving PP1 either

this is going to be something to manage having these three left wings in Panarin, Kreider and Lafreniere all getting the icetime everybody wants

I don't ever see Kreider and Panarin leaving PP1 either
- jimbro83

Kreider in front of the goalie is money

Kreider in front of the goalie is money
- TPC

and that's the biggest reason he makes his money

and that's the biggest reason he makes his money
- jimbro83

PP2's biggest issue - for me - is their zone entry. they come on w/ 30 seconds left and can never get set. i'd love to see them start a PP and see if they could establish some zone time. they never get an o-zone draw, always on the fly change after a clear

PP2's biggest issue - for me - is their zone entry. they come on w/ 30 seconds left and can never get set. i'd love to see them start a PP and see if they could establish some zone time. they never get an o-zone draw, always on the fly change after a clear
- NYRangers1124

no matter which PP unit starts the powerplay, they need Fox as the point man

hopefully Lundkvist comes next season, because that will really help this issue

This is why I thought it might be a good idea to move Kreider to the third with Chytil and move Laf up with Zib/Buch. Keep Kakko with Strome and Bread. Gets the two young guys going and creates depth across the board.

I do think there's merit in what TPC mentioned regarding the KZB line having dominant possession of late.
- Bean_Dip

Cannot hurt.
I think one thing that is difficult for fans to come to terms with is that the streaks of good and streaks of blah play are normal for rookies and 2nd year players. It's just going to happen.
Except Kreider. If he goes dry than it's all out war.

no matter which PP unit starts the powerplay, they need Fox as the point man

hopefully Lundkvist comes next season, because that will really help this issue
- jimbro83

having the righty (strome) in the wing spot kills me.

they won't do it, but i'd love to see krav there to just rip 'em love and hard at the net and let kreider get any rebounds. PP1 does ok considering every team knows where the shot is coming from (zib/panarin) on the left

Cannot hurt.
I think one thing that is difficult for fans to come to terms with is that the streaks of good and streaks of blah play are normal for rookies and 2nd year players. It's just going to happen.
Except Kreider. If he goes dry than it's all out war.
- NYRCeph

I've just come to accept the fact that its impossible to properly evaluate Kakko and Lafreniere on this crazy season

it's probably also the same line of thinking Buffalo should have with Dahlin too, but the problem they have with him is that he's just looked so bad and clueless and needs a new contract

having the righty (strome) in the wing spot kills me.

they won't do it, but i'd love to see krav there to just rip 'em love and hard at the net and let kreider get any rebounds. PP1 does ok considering every team knows where the shot is coming from (zib/panarin) on the left
- NYRangers1124

I think PP1 is coming along, I don't think they are changing it up now

I think PP1 is coming along, I don't think they are changing it up now
- jimbro83

the talk has been they need to see what kravstov is.


it's a good spot to put him in to get more minutes. can't wait for the twitter reaction to 9:45 of ice time his first game lol

this is going to be something to manage having these three left wings in Panarin, Kreider and Lafreniere all getting the icetime everybody wants

I don't ever see Kreider and Panarin leaving PP1 either
- jimbro83

The thing about the PP though is that you don't really need to worry about positions. The focus should be on chemistry, skill and production. I guess the one guy that icould be moved to PP2 is Strome...maybe Zib. But the way they roll just one unit, I don't think we'd ever really see that happen. It would take a real change in PP philosophy.

this is going to be something to manage having these three left wings in Panarin, Kreider and Lafreniere all getting the icetime everybody wants

I don't ever see Kreider and Panarin leaving PP1 either
- jimbro83

I think everyone here is on to something. Kreiders game works well for a 3rd line and I don’t think he should see it as a demotion. Especially if he stays on PP1 which he deserves. Solidifying PP2 and giving them more opportunity (let them start 25% of the time), and getting Laf on with Zib and Buch should be the long term move. It is tricky considering KZB has gotten back on track. At the end of the day, both Laf and Kakko need to be in the top 4-5 of forwards in ice time, pp time, and offensive zone starts or they will continue to put up .25 to .33 PPG.

the talk has been they need to see what kravstov is.


it's a good spot to put him in to get more minutes. can't wait for the twitter reaction to 9:45 of ice time his first game lol
- NYRangers1124

OMG please

they are going to need to increase NHL games to 2 hours a game so Rangers twitter will be satisfied with the icetime

The thing about the PP though is that you don't really need to worry about positions. The focus should be on chemistry, skill and production. I guess the one guy that icould be moved to PP2 is Strome...maybe Zib. But the way they roll just one unit, I don't think we'd ever really see that happen. It would take a real change in PP philosophy.
- Bean_Dip

they've been waiting since January for Zib to get his act together and it finally looks like last year's Zib has arrived, in time for playoff run

they will only ride him more

OMG please

they are going to need to increase NHL games to 2 hours a game so Rangers twitter will be satisfied with the icetime
- jimbro83

And even then, Gauthier will get less than 10 minutes

And even then, Gauthier will get less than 10 minutes
- Bean_Dip

remember that one game Blackwell got scratched?

everybody on twitter lost their minds

I don't think there's a possible lineup that exists where people don't lose their minds, and you still get some of them pissed that Fast is gone LOL

OMG please

they are going to need to increase NHL games to 2 hours a game so Rangers twitter will be satisfied with the icetime
- jimbro83

Twitter is like talking to a teen girl on her first period after she doesn't get her way at a birthday party.

The thing about the PP though is that you don't really need to worry about positions. The focus should be on chemistry, skill and production. I guess the one guy that icould be moved to PP2 is Strome...maybe Zib. But the way they roll just one unit, I don't think we'd ever really see that happen. It would take a real change in PP philosophy.
- Bean_Dip

This is true.
I think the even bigger than Zib rounding into form is Panarin being back. He changes the whole PP, because he seems to remember the one thing the other don't: you have to move!!! The times they get stale is when they all stand still allowing the PK'ers to stand in the shooting lanes. When Bread came back you could instantly see how much more dynamic they were. Fox helps this, too. Since, it must be easier to move around knowing that you have a guy at the point that will corral and control a pass that is anywhere within 8' of him!

And even then, Gauthier will get less than 10 minutes
- Bean_Dip

Careful.. .TJ may suddenly appear behind you.

Careful.. .TJ may suddenly appear behind you.
- NYRCeph

I said "Gauthier-Gauthier-Gauthier" out loud this morning in the bathroom and TJ appeared holding his poop bucket

remember that one game Blackwell got scratched?

everybody on twitter lost their minds

I don't think there's a possible lineup that exists where people don't lose their minds, and you still get some of them pissed that Fast is gone LOL
- jimbro83

Sure there is:

Panarin/McDavid/Draisaitl
LAF/MacKinnon/Kakko
Ovi/Matthews/Gauthier
Svechnikov/Barkov/Pasternak

However, explaining to them why this is not possible would be harder than trying to fit them all under the cap!

Sure there is:

Panarin/McDavid/Draisaitl
LAF/MacKinnon/Kakko
Ovi/Matthews/Gauthier
Svechnikov/Barkov/Pasternak

However, explaining to them why this is not possible would be harder than trying to fit them all under the cap!
- Tonybere

if this was possible i'd want to keep howden just to see people lose their minds.

maybe see DQ go ultimate troll level and play him 1C

I said "Gauthier-Gauthier-Gauthier" out loud this morning in the bathroom and TJ appeared holding his poop bucket
- jimbro83

if this was possible i'd want to keep howden just to see people lose their minds.

maybe see DQ go ultimate troll level and play him 1C
- NYRangers1124

Yep. Rotate him in for Matthews and say it's for PK purposes.