GDT: Game 23 - New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils - 7pm EST, MSG

[Machinehead]

Either that or he needs to learn to play the penalty kill and become a top 4 option there. I actually think Chytil-Kakko could be a serious PK forward pair, but they haven't been used that way. Getting those two involved will mean less reliance on guys like Carpenter staying in the lineup.

On the bright side, Jere Lehtinen wasn't an NHL player until 22.

It's just funny because the numbers don't tell the story with Kakko's eye test. He was barely AHL level his first season, solid the next, regressed last year, and seems to have returned this season to his sophomore form.

He does have obvious skill and could see this being a case where he's a bigger guy and it takes a little longer for it all to come together. He has particular abilities that only a few players in the world have.

With Lafreniere, I'm just at the point where I really don't know if I see it at the NHL level.

If some schmoe on the main boards asked me in earnest what Kakko's strengths are, I would tell him that Kakko is all-world at controlling the puck, could be an elite defender in the right role, and has the potential to be a fantastic complimentary power forward. Sure, I would like to see him attack with confidence more often, but I would like to see the whole team do that.

If the same guy asked me what Lafreniere is good it, I would say "he knows where to stand for tap-ins, which is certainly something. And I guess he has a nice beard."

 

[Fitzy]

My preference has always been to keep Mika and Kreider off the pk because you want those guys coming over the boards the shift after or if you get a pp after, so I'd love this. The only issue Chytil has is faceoffs, could we work on faceoffs with both him and Kakko, I'd guess we could make a faceoff guy out of Kakko with his strength. Kakko's biggest issue is that he doesn't trust his own shot, he needs to shoot more.

I think you mitigate the faceoff concern by having that group come on second. Start with Goodrow-Kreider or Goodrow-Vesey to kick things off.

But I don't see a coach going away from Mika and Fox, even though I think it would benefit him (Even if our PK took a slight hit) so this is all academic anyways

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

I'm a Kakko homer but I think he has been all-around fantastic this year. Thought he was an excellent fit with Kreider and Zibanejad.

With the obvious, and huge caveat, of struggling to finish. At this point, while he has absolutely been unlucky, part of that is also on him. It seems like a mix of physical and mental. If they trade him and he gets a fresh start mentally there is zero doubt in my mind he is a Nichushkin-like addition for another team.

 

[GbgRanger]

This will be one of those games we get some puck luck and win after everyone thinks we’ll lose by a TD.

I wouldn´t be surprised if that was the case...

 

[Fitzy]

If the same guy asked me what Lafreniere is good it, I would say "he knows where to stand for tap-ins, which is certainly something. And I guess he has a nice beard."

The issue as I see it is the same that so many #1 overall busts have had- they are the same player at 23 that they were at 17.

You draft most players with the assumption that even if they don't have to undergo a stylistic overhaul to make the NHL like, say, Carl Hagelin did, they still are expected to get steadily better at what they do.

Laf is still playing and thinking the game at the speed of a Canadian Major Juniors player. That's a very big problem.

 

[Machinehead]

I'm a Kakko homer but I think he has been all-around fantastic this year. Thought he was an excellent fit with Kreider and Zibanejad.

With the obvious, and huge caveat, of struggling to finish. At this point, while he has absolutely been unlucky, part of that is also on him. It seems like a mix of physical and mental. If they trade him and he gets a fresh start mentally there is zero doubt in my mind he is a Nichushkin-like addition for another team.

On one hand, Kakko's actual totals have fallen back in line with his "expected" totals if you believe the analytics.

On the other hand, he was taken off a line that was getting two-thirds of the expected goals for absolutely no reason.

I kind of get the Kid Line because as others have pointed out, Chytil and Kakko together is some "you're never touching the puck" clownery and it's a very sexy combo.

I think that combo needs a little bit of flare on their LW, (Panarin-Chytil-Kakko makes sense to me) and right now their LW is Taylor Pyatt (sorry but it's true).

 

[duhmetreE]

So, is Trocheck playing?

They made it sound like he sat in practice for 'maintenance'


Take it Kravtsov still sitting?

Kreider Zibs Vesey
Panarin Chytil Kakko
Laffy Trocheck Goodrow
Blais Carpenter Gauthier

 

[Machinehead]

Taking every minute they've played together into account, the Kid Line has an xGF% of 47.1.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the Rangers gaslit you again.

It's a bad line.

 

[Leonardo87]

Lines updated. Not sure if Lindgren is ready to go or not, Kravtsov scratched again.

 

[duhmetreE]

I do like Laffy and Trocheck together.

Jury is out with Panarin and Chytil. Vesey makes more sense for that line while also Kakko making more sense with Zibs.

 

[TriFF51]

Show em what they missed out on Kakko!

But really, please have a solid game.

 

[zlev]

we got this. run to the cup starts tonight.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Hajek paired with Fox tonight...what could possibly go wrong??

 

[Leonardo87]

Hajek paired with Fox tonight...what could possibly go wrong??

 

[will1066]

Expect big time games from Corey Millen, John Madden and Bryrce Salvador.

Gonna get destroyed.

 

[TominNC]

An 1/4 of the way through the season and it's not looking great. That can all be turned around with a solid 3-0 win tonight!

3-1 Predicting a shutout is just silly. Sam will crush your dreams

 

[will1066]

Grandma: I choose Libor Hajek

Richard Dawson: You gotta pick an NHL defenseman

Grandma: I can pick whoever I want, and I choose Libor Hajek

 

[cheech70]

Ill be looking early to see if they are still playing for GG...He made a mistake when he said he was doing his job..a bit defensive.....hopefully everyone comes out on fire and we move on and tell the debbies who's in charge.

 

[Machinehead]

I'm not that turned off by Hajek-Fox.

I'm left handed so I'm pretty sure Fox could play with me.

Don't do anything f***ing stupid and just pass the puck to Fox is probably in Hajek's wheelhouse.

 

[Leonardo87]

Grandma: I choose Libor Hajek

Richard Dawson: You gotta pick an NHL defenseman

Grandma: I can pick whoever I want, and I choose Libor Hajek

You are missing the best line. Lol.

 

[frozenrubber]

He does have obvious skill and could see this being a case where he's a bigger guy and it takes a little longer for it all to come together. He has particular abilities that only a few players in the world have.

With Lafreniere, I'm just at the point where I really don't know if I see it at the NHL level.

If some schmoe on the main boards asked me in earnest what Kakko's strengths are, I would tell him that Kakko is all-world at controlling the puck, could be an elite defender in the right role, and has the potential to be a fantastic complimentary power forward. Sure, I would like to see him attack with confidence more often, but I would like to see the whole team do that.

If the same guy asked me what Lafreniere is good it, I would say "he knows where to stand for tap-ins, which is certainly something. And I guess he has a nice beard."

While I like to think I'm different than most posters when I don't want the team to be punished and run outside the team bus after losses, there is just something about Lafreneire's demeanor that I absolutely hate.

I don't want players constantly pouting (Kakko has the absolute opposite vibe of Laf and wish KK would be less hard on himself sometimes), Lafreniere is constantly smirking and carrying on like a 10 year veteran. His hits/physicality are mostly empty calories, well after the play and only highlight how behind he is on the play.

Even though the 1st line needs some new looks with a different LW, I just can't seem to find a reason Laf has earned that chance other than being the first named called in 2020.

 

[Fitzy]

Tonight both Julien Gauthier and Libor Hajek will have passed Vinny Prospal and Keith Yandle in games played for the Rangers.

 

[cheech70]

We need a 2LD asap....big and mobile

 

[Machinehead]

Tonight both Julien Gauthier and Libor Hajek will have passed Vinny Prospal and Keith Yandle in games played for the Rangers.

Never post this again.

 

[Taluss]

A W tn could be a nice spark. Got an easy ish next 3 games too… can go on a nice little run.

They need it. Got Blues, VGK, Avs and Devils in a row after the next 3. If they go into those games unmotivated it can get ugly quick