Jan Levine: Game 31: NYR 6 SJ 3, Panarin/Zibanejad lead the way in big third period Rangers close road trip in Anaheim on Saturday

The season is only half over and this group seems to be really gelling. How good can these guys be in the second half? We are in the think of things despite our best center missing significant time and half of our defensive corps learning on the job....

The season is only half over and this group seems to be really gelling. How good can these guys be in the second half? We are in the think of things despite our best center missing significant time and half of our defensive corps learning on the job....
- 2sticks1puck

Depends on what they do at the TDL or before. Personally I wouldn't mind seeing Buch, Kreider dealt and see what it could bring back. Buch has gotten demoted by 2 different coaches with 2 totally different coaching styles. I don't see him in the long term plans. Kreider's next contract won't be worth it for what he brings

Season not even half over, the the calendar year of 2020 is going to be crucial for this team. I hope that this group continues to gel and progress, but I am sure there will be growing pains.
Even though our team is full of young legs, I expect some of these kids to hit a wall with the long season wearing them out. Getting used to long pro season with all of the travel will take a toll.
Plus we still have trades to make: Can we get a physical winger ( like a Josh Anderson ) to replace Kreider? Can we get a true complimentary partner for Trouba? Will another center be obtained, preferably one that is good in the dot? How will goalie situation work out?
2020 is going to be the year that this all literally "comes into focus".

Season not even half over, the the calendar year of 2020 is going to be crucial for this team. I hope that this group continues to gel and progress, but I am sure there will be growing pains.
Even though our team is full of young legs, I expect some of these kids to hit a wall with the long season wearing them out. Getting used to long pro season with all of the travel will take a toll.
Plus we still have trades to make: Can we get a physical winger ( like a Josh Anderson ) to replace Kreider? Can we get a true complimentary partner for Trouba? Will another center be obtained, preferably one that is good in the dot? How will goalie situation work out?
2020 is going to be the year that this all literally "comes into focus".
- TommyGTrain

I'm not going to rehash the argument from last week. I just really think that this guy is Kakko and we already have him on the roster. I don't want to obtain a bunch of physical players; our roster at forward has as much raw talent as those Jagr teams. I want to commit to a strategy of using this to our advantage to run teams off the rink. If anything, let's get another one in this highly skilled mode.

I think that our Trouba partner could already be in the system as well. Center to me could be a question mark, but I want to see how internal options progress unless we can get a real game changer.

I'm not going to rehash the argument from last week. I just really think that this guy is Kakko and we already have him on the roster. I don't want to obtain a bunch of physical players; our roster at forward has as much raw talent as those Jagr teams. I want to commit to a strategy of using this to our advantage to run teams off the rink. If anything, let's get another one in this highly skilled mode.

I think that our Trouba partner could already be in the system as well. Center to me could be a question mark, but I want to see how internal options progress unless we can get a real game changer.
- 2sticks1puck

Kakko isn't physical though. He is big and skilled, but the last thing I see is him being physical. Nothing wrong with that at all. The only physical player in the top 6 is Kreider, and he disappears for games on end.

Depends on what they do at the TDL or before. Personally I wouldn't mind seeing Buch, Kreider dealt and see what it could bring back. Buch has gotten demoted by 2 different coaches with 2 totally different coaching styles. I don't see him in the long term plans. Kreider's next contract won't be worth it for what he brings
- mdw7413

I see your points, but I am ok with Buch. I think he is a 2nd line guy, who is being put on the top line too often. He has progressed in his play without the puck over the last 2 seasons and I think the reasons for his demotions are less egregious than in the past. For a 3rd round pick, I feel like he's acquitting himself ok. Just can't expect him to be a player who can change a game all on his own.

Kakko isn't physical though. He is big and skilled, but the last thing I see is him being physical. Nothing wrong with that at all. The only physical player in the top 6 is Kreider, and he disappears for games on end.
- mdw7413

To me being physical can be many different things. He doesn't have to be that guy that checks a guy into oblivion, just someone that can use the body and score in the greasy areas. Kakko is going to be able to use his big body to position himself to score goals for his career, so while he may not traditionally be considered a physical player, to me he is a physical player in that regard.

To me being physical can be many different things. He doesn't have to be that guy that checks a guy into oblivion, just someone that can use the body and score in the greasy areas. Kakko is going to be able to use his big body to position himself to score goals for his career, so while he may not traditionally be considered a physical player, to me he is a physical player in that regard.
- 2sticks1puck

I agree.

I also think though you say you want skilled over physical. Personally think thats a false choice. You can have a player with both

I see your points, but I am ok with Buch. I think he is a 2nd line guy, who is being put on the top line too often. He has progressed in his play without the puck over the last 2 seasons and I think the reasons for his demotions are less egregious than in the past. For a 3rd round pick, I feel like he's acquitting himself ok. Just can't expect him to be a player who can change a game all on his own.
- Tonybere

I think we can do better in a trade. Quinn still doesn't like his overall play, which I kind of agree, and the reason he gets demoted a lot to the 4th line. I don't want Fast moved up, I love the guy, but we need a better option. Need a more consistent player in the top 6

I see your points, but I am ok with Buch. I think he is a 2nd line guy, who is being put on the top line too often. He has progressed in his play without the puck over the last 2 seasons and I think the reasons for his demotions are less egregious than in the past. For a 3rd round pick, I feel like he's acquitting himself ok. Just can't expect him to be a player who can change a game all on his own.
- Tonybere

I swear every game this season Buch has been demoted to a lower line at some point of the game. This has to be a record

I swear every game this season Buch has been demoted to a lower line at some point of the game. This has to be a record
- TPC

Otherwise known as the Petr Klima.

KHL instituting a cap:


@khl_eng
2020-21 KHL salary cap: 900 million rubles ($14.4 million)
2020-21 KHL salary floor: 315 million rubles ($4.3 million)

By 2021-22 season KHL will abandon 'European' rink size (60x30 m). All rinks must be 60x28 m ('Finnish' size) or 60x26 m (NHL size).

KHL instituting a cap:


@khl_eng
2020-21 KHL salary cap: 900 million rubles ($14.4 million)
2020-21 KHL salary floor: 315 million rubles ($4.3 million)

By 2021-22 season KHL will abandon 'European' rink size (60x30 m). All rinks must be 60x28 m ('Finnish' size) or 60x26 m (NHL size).
- jimbro83

It just makes sense. If they want players to adjust quicker, make the rinks similar in size.

Watching the Olympics is weird. It looks like they are playing on a football field

KHL instituting a cap:


@khl_eng
2020-21 KHL salary cap: 900 million rubles ($14.4 million)
2020-21 KHL salary floor: 315 million rubles ($4.3 million)

By 2021-22 season KHL will abandon 'European' rink size (60x30 m). All rinks must be 60x28 m ('Finnish' size) or 60x26 m (NHL size).
- jimbro83

So they can have different rink sizes in different arenas? That sounds....intresting.

2020 UFA

https://thehockeynews.com...icted-free-agents-of-2020

2020 UFA

https://thehockeynews.com...icted-free-agents-of-2020
- jimbro83

Hoffman would be a good addition, but he is going to cost some bucks. Granlund too

Hoffman would be a good addition, but he is going to cost some bucks. Granlund too
- mdw7413

what about Kassian, any interest

what about Kassian, any interest
- jimbro83

I love that he is a monster and plays on the line, but he is playing with some pretty good players, which might be padding his stats a little.

He's a tough one, but I'm leaning towards no. He would be the cheapest of the bunch, but that has contract regret written on it

It just makes sense. If they want players to adjust quicker, make the rinks similar in size.

Watching the Olympics is weird. It looks like they are playing on a Canadian football field
- mdw7413

- fixed!

- fixed!
- Tonybere

I just looked up the dimensions of a CFL field. Holy poop!

So they can have different rink sizes in different arenas? That sounds....like baseball.
- 2sticks1puck

fixed

I just looked up the dimensions of a CFL field. Holy poop!
- mdw7413

Haha!! I knew you would.
You have to be special needs to not be able to get open in a CFL endzone!

what about Kassian, any interest
- jimbro83

He’s the only guy on there I would want, having Kassian and Lemeuix would eliminate the need for a guy like Haley to ever dress again (not that he’s needed now)

I just looked up the dimensions of a CFL field. Holy poop!
- mdw7413

They aired some of the playoffs on ESPN about a month ago and I watched for a little bit. It seems to unfathomably bizarre...everything is so different