NFT: THE New York Rangers

Some of the shot differential is attributable to style - the Rangers have a lot of high-skill players who tend to over-pass in looking for the perfect shot.Reminds me a bit of the old Jagr days when it was the same way on the PP. They'd pass and pass and pass in search of the one perfect opportunity.

The future's bright and I'm plenty optimistic. Just not crazy about some of the things Quinn's been doing. I'm not sold at all that he's the right guy to build these kids into a contender.

But I'd be more concerned about the possession differential if we had any real expectations for this season. I used to get much more frustrated by it in the last few season's of the AV tenure when we were looking to contend but winning games while being crushed on the shot chart made it pretty clear that it wasn't sustainable.

I think the personnel is decent enough on this team where this shouldn't be happening so consistently. But I don't mind if they win some games they don't really deserve. If regression hits later in the season, then we just end up back in the lottery of a good draft. If the luck continues and they sneak into a wild card spot, that'd be great too for all the young players. Win-win.

I agree, Kyle. I care about the development of the key guys. Would love to see Kakko go on a tear.

I'm loving Fox's game.

I just think the shot differential should erase any illusions about the quality of the team at this stage. I do think the team should fare a bit better there, there's more talent than the numbers suggest defensively.

look where the Bruins fall, interesting

Wednesday night, Boston vs Washington

The exact type of puck moving RHD we've been needing for years. To Anak's original point, I could see them moving DeAngelo after the season because Fox makes him a bit redundant, but I like how he's played too.

Kakko has been interesting. The flashes are obvious. And I think Quinn has handled him pretty well, giving him enough opportunity. I think there's just been an obvious adjustment to the night in night out demands of this league. There will be nights where he's just not there, isn't noticeable at all, gets taken out of it a bit physically. All part of the learning process for him though, I don't have any long term concerns there.

and I don't know what mandate or leash DQ has from JD, but seems to me that some of the challenges in possession might stem from the constant tinkering DQ does with his lines. Several weeks ago Chytil was on a tear playing RW, then got moved to C. KK up and down. Buch, Panarin and Strome (if I recollect) were terrific for a good stretch of games. Every time the lines change, it has to affect decision making, knowing your mates and their abilities and tendencies. Affects two-way play for sure.

I don't know how long DQ keeps this up, but at some point he has to settle on some groupings.

In comment 14708476 ColHowPepper said:

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look where the Bruins fall, interesting Wednesday night, Boston vs Washington

Pastrnak is having as good a start as anyone I can remember. Ever.

Even without Bergeron. His PP one-timer is as good as Ovie's. And now he's starting to get manhandled a little and still responding.

and it's not just Pastrnak the Bruins have skill all over the lineup.

I hate them so much, but I'm in awe when I see their power play. The Avalanche Bruins game last week was one of the best games I've seen all year.

those two teams could combine and create an legit allstar team.

200 foot game for us, and done so since the middle of last season. There’s no reason to think his play will fall off the table given the consistency of his play over that period.

And I think that trading Georgiev needs to be a last resort. He and Shesterkin should be the goalies of the future. If that means buying out the King you have to do that.

The cap is hanging over us for another year or so, and if I were going to trade anyone it would be Buchnevich, who is too inconsistent, soft and poor defensively for my taste. As much as I like how TDA’s game has come along ( he’s a really solid offensive defenseman) I’d see what he could bring back, because we have Miller, Lundqvist and Keane who could fill that spot down the line.

And we still need a 2C. We’d be a stronger team with Chytil at 3C, as he isn’t quite ready for 2C imo. Not enough face off wins for one thing.

The o

Was demoted because the KHlL has a week off.

If that's true, it makes me feel much better.

In comment 14708592 BrettNYG10 said:

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If that's true, it makes me feel much better.

It's not just that. He hasn't been playing with Traktor (1 shift per game the past two games).

but like I said he's 19, patience would be good.

I'm not writing him off or anything, but it's been a very disappointing year for him.

In comment 14708104 5BowlsSoon said:

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We really can use him. We can’t win a game with our backup who usually allows 4-6 goals. Georgie is very good and in case Anderson gets hurt, we would have a solid starter. So who do the Rangers want in return?

And he should have impressed them last year.

There are a couple of wingers blocked that should interest us.

My question is whether Shesty is better? We have a couple of goalies playing really well that could be backups for either.

In comment 14708567 Phil in LA said:

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Was demoted because the KHlL has a week off.

Also speculation that they maybe trying to trade him

In comment 14708810 Jay in Toronto said:

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In comment 14708567 Phil in LA said: Quote: Was demoted because the KHlL has a week off. Also speculation that they maybe trying to trade him

Traktor, that is. Not New York.

In comment 14708516 yatqb said:

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200 foot game for us, and done so since the middle of last season. There’s no reason to think his play will fall off the table given the consistency of his play over that period. And I think that trading Georgiev needs to be a last resort. He and Shesterkin should be the goalies of the future. If that means buying out the King you have to do that. The cap is hanging over us for another year or so, and if I were going to trade anyone it would be Buchnevich, who is too inconsistent, soft and poor defensively for my taste. As much as I like how TDA’s game has come along ( he’s a really solid offensive defenseman) I’d see what he could bring back, because we have Miller, Lundqvist and Keane who could fill that spot down the line. And we still need a 2C. We’d be a stronger team with Chytil at 3C, as he isn’t quite ready for 2C imo. Not enough face off wins for one thing. The o

+1 on everything.

Interesting. I don't have enough hockey expertise to opine as to what's best, but you would hate to see this asset wasted. Sounds like an exciting player who's caught up in a bad situation, albeit partly of his own making.

If the Rangers were to recall him, what would be the chances of his getting top-9 minutes here? They don't seem like they'd be too great. Maybe Traktor can trade him to a KHL team that wants him.

And guys like Boo Nieves and Tim Gettinger and Greg McKegg are easily replaceable

a defenseman playing forward ahead of players like Andersson and Kravstov. They know what they're doing more than me, but AHL is not a development league IMO.

From what I know I'd rather have a high end or just young prospect in the KHL or La Liga or the SHL - even the Canadian juniors or NCAA than the AHL.

that to me is a last resort.

So leave Kravstov alone in the KHL or even VHL (he's still one of the younger players in the KHL), but Andersson in the AHL is one I question.

an article on it:

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New York Post @nypost · 18m Vitali Kravtsov could return to Rangers after Russian demotion https://trib.al/zoeC4rg

He had a decent camp and pre season. The problem is the organization is straddling the fence with guys like McKegg, Haley and others, convincing themselves they give the team the best chance to win this season and make the playoffs. That's a mistake. Because even if they snag a low seed they aren't contending for the Cup. Bring in and play the young guys now.

so I don't read them much anymore, but.....this guy has had a pretty good track record as an insider in the past, and he said this about Kravtsov:

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His whole hockey-playing life, all he’s heard is how great he is and how he’s destined for greatness. Not making the NHL club out of camp was the first adversity the kid ever had to deal with. He was not able to handle this due to being extremely immature. Now couple that with parents that were barking that he should come back b/c he’s better than the AHL, this was recipe for disaster. His coming over was mutual. The Rangers FO wanted him to come over and Krav had been saying since he was drafted he wanted to come over. I know many here felt he should have made the team out of camp, myself being one of them, but from a VERY close source to Krav, he wasn’t physically ready for North American game. Panarin himself told him that he needs to have some "push-back" in his game in order to be successful in the NHL. Sending him to the AHL for a period of time to get better acclimated to this style was not viewed as setback or demotion but more as a short step in his development. The only one who viewed this negatively was Krav himself and he sulked in Hartford and mentally checked out. This VERY close source has said the kid has simply been getting horrible advice. The FO and his agent tried to convince him to stay and did for a very short period of time but eventually, Krav listened to said "bad advice" and went back which was his right. I’m not sure what has happened over in mother Russia and I’m trying to find out more but if I had to guess, this could be a result of this kid being extremely immature and having smoke blown up his ass his whole hockey-playing life and is just not equipped to handle any adversity.

This guy said at the time of his return to Russia that his parents are his biggest problem - his agent tried to convince him that it was just a minor, temporary development stop in Hartford but his parents kept telling him he was too good to play in the minor leagues and he should return to the KHL. Well, if that's the case, then getting demoted back home might finally get him to listen to better advice.

parents having a negative influence on their professional hockey playing children.

Especially those who coached their kids.

Greg, that same guy said this:

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That’s not happening. Rangers FO views Krav in the same way the view Kakko. That’s how highly they think of him

Interesting.

Why has Brett Howden played in all 29 games despite being awful? Why have Haley and McKegg played 14 and 16 games? Why is Brendan Smith playing forward? Why does Fast frequently get bumped up to the top 6 despite not belonging there (and don't take that as a shot at Fast, he's a valuable guy in his role). There's a level of accountability for some guys and a whole different level for other guys.

mentioned, better here.....some familiar names from the May draft https://twitter.com/usahockey/status/1204150825234223104/photo/1

Agree with your post. If you were coach for day who would be on your four lines?