Potential Lineup

[NYR Fan]

Looks like we are done making moves this offseason. With that being the case, let's discuss what the lineup could potentially look like.

Upfront I think it makes sense to start Lafreniere on the 3rd line with less pressure. Also I do not like Buch and Chytil on the same line, so I think this provides the best balance to start with:

Kreider/Ziban/Buch
Panarin/Strome/Kakko
Lafreniere/Chytil/Gauthier
Lemieux/Howden/Rooney or kid

On D I think there are some open questions. Will they shift DeAngelo to LD to get him into the top 4? It really could depend on if they think Hajek or Miller are ready to pair with Trouba (maybe Reunanen in the mix also). If they don't think they are ready, I think you could see DeAngelo on LD:

DeAngelo/Trouba
Lindgren/Fox
Halek/Johnson/Smith (pick 2 of 3 to play on the 3rd pair - maybe Smith is in for sure to start with because he can flip to play RD).

D has question marks, but given the cap situation, the huge amount of dead money, and the probable need for one more growth year it is what it is. With a lot of money coming off after next season, dead money and Smith's contract, I'd expect a more aggressive approach.

 

[Ranger71]

Not thrilled with Rooney or Blackwell having a spot but Barron may not be ready just yet. I'd almost rather have Smith in there than those 2 guys. Maybe DiGisueppe even.

 

[kreidertime]

Putting Lafreniere on the third line is moronic. Buchnevich is a fucking idiot and our coach and fan base needs to stop rewarding him with top minute ice time. He should have been traded. I'm still confident he will be. I don't think the team is done making moves. I think they will try to get a first for Buchnevich in next years draft and plug Barron in on the roster.

 

[NYR Fan]

Not about rewarding him at all. He is here, and playing him and Chytil together is not smart IMO. They would be a disaster in their own end. Plus Lafreniere is a rookie, and not sure you want to put that type of 1st line pressure on him to start. And he is a LW, as is Kreider, as is Panarin. Seems logical to align them this way early on.

 

[kreidertime]

Buchnevich has done absolutely nothing to warrant top 2 line ice time. He sulks when he plays like crap. He's inconsistent. He consistently takes stupid penalties. He's a poor decision maker.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

You just hate Buchnevich for some weird reason. "He consistently takes stupid penalties"?! In 68 regular season games last season he was called for a penalty in a grand total of 10 games. TEN! He had 24 total penalty minutes last year.
No one will argue that he sulks when he plays poorly and has periods of inconsistent play but, you can say that about other players on the Rangers and plenty of other players in the league. And aside from a couple stretches of games last year (ok, an entire month) he was actually remarkably consistent putting up points. If I recall correctly he had some pretty tough puck luck at points to boot.

 

[strudwickisthebest]

LAF has to be on the first line playing with Panarin. This kid is suppose t be a generational type player - next thing you know if he plays bottom six minutes he will be a bust.

 

[NYR Fan]

Who plays LW and who plays RW (both Lafreniere and Panarin are LW's)? Which line is the first line? Do they pair with Ziban for a top heavy lineup or is that on a line with Strome to keep balance (and Panarin and Strome clicked really well last season)? Plus starting a rookie in a less pressurized situation is not a bad thing IMO.

As for Buch, he is here. Until he gets traded, if that is even under consideration, that's the way it is and the lineup needs to include him. I don't love everything about how he plays and acts, but he is not the only player that has some of those question marks. So with that being the case, I think pairing him with Chytil is a very bad idea.

Unless something changes, that's how I see it.

 

[NYR Fan]

Brooks brings up maybe putting Kreider with Chytil. To be honest that is the approach I like the most, I just don't think they move Kreider to the 3rd line.

Lafreniere/Ziban/Buch
Panarin/Strome/Kakko
Kreider/Chytil/Gauthier
Lemieux/Howden/Rooney or kid

I can live with these lines also.

No matter how it ends up, Quinn has a lot of options upfront, something he clearly didn't have last season.

 

[Ranger71]

Sounds like Reunanen could be ready to make a serious push for a spot.

 

[kreidertime]

Buchnevich is a fucking moron. He is not worthy of being on a top 2 line. Kreider will not be separated from Zibanejad. The chemistry they have is undeniable. Brooks is a senile idiot. He's an embarrassment to the organization at this point. He should have retired 10 years ago. If they can get a first for Buchnevich it's a deal they have to make.

 

[NYR Fan]

Looks like we are done making moves this offseason. With that being the case, let's discuss what the lineup could potentially look like.

Upfront I think it makes sense to start Lafreniere on the 3rd line with less pressure. Also I do not like Buch and Chytil on the same line, so I think this provides the best balance to start with:

Kreider/Ziban/Buch
Panarin/Strome/Kakko
Lafreniere/Chytil/Gauthier
Lemieux/Howden/Rooney or kid

On D I think there are some open questions. Will they shift DeAngelo to LD to get him into the top 4? It really could depend on if they think Hajek or Miller are ready to pair with Trouba (maybe Reunanen in the mix also). If they don't think they are ready, I think you could see DeAngelo on LD:

DeAngelo/Trouba
Lindgren/Fox
Halek/Johnson/Smith (pick 2 of 3 to play on the 3rd pair - maybe Smith is in for sure to start with because he can flip to play RD).

D has question marks, but given the cap situation, the huge amount of dead money, and the probable need for one more growth year it is what it is. With a lot of money coming off after next season, dead money and Smith's contract, I'd expect a more aggressive approach.

Sounds like this will be the lineup to start with at least. Lafreniere starting on 3rd line LW. DeAngelo moving to LD to pair with Trouba.

We'll see about the full 4th line and 3rd D pair, but I think the top 9 forwards and top 4 dmen make sense to start this way. If it doesn't work you can shuffle.

 

[kreidertime]

Buchnevich is a losing player and is a bumbling idiot. He was a joke in the playoffs. Quinn once again showing his stupidity with this guy. You don't take a talent like Lafreniere and put him on a line with two guys that haven't done shit in the NHL yet.

 

[Ranger71]

If Zib is out to open the season that could make the combos kind of wacky. We'll see how Barron and maybe Blackwell/Rooney factor in early on. I think Reunanen and Miller have great shots of making it opening night. The Dubois rumors are worth keeping an eye on though i don't know the Columbus would deal him here.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Let's see how things play out in camp. Either way the lines are going to be shuffled countless times during the season due to injuries, trades and ineffectiveness. Griping over what the opening night lineup is pointless. I'm confident that the talented players on this team will take a step forward this season and the average/below average players will not. Simple as that. Let their play/results decide it.

 

[NYR Fan]

I agree Grey.

As for Lafreniere, to me it makes perfect sense to start him on the 3rd line at his natural LW position. If he plays well he'll earn his way up the lineup, and then I would guess Kreider switches wings. But why put him in the deep end right from game 1 on with no exhibition games, and a watered down camp, it doesn't make sense. Stay with the basics and familiar lines to start, and if players play well or poorly I have no doubt Quinn will adjust accordingly. Plus maybe this jump starts Chytil. He has to make a jump this season you'd think.

 

[kreidertime]

Makes no sense to put him on the third line. You don't take the 1st overall pick in the draft with all the pressure that comes with it and put him on a line with a rookie in Gauthier and a kid who hasn't even broken 25 points. A good example of Quinn stupidity.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

You'd be an absolute idiot to believe that A) the opening night lineup is going to be the lineup every game. B) it makes a difference who starts on what line for the first few games of the season. C) anyone posting on this message board is even remotely qualified to question the decisions made within the organization.

 

[NYR Fan]

Read an article this morning on Buch and how good he looks, and how he is primed for a good season hopefully. That would be big if he can score 55 points + and take a step forward. I like our lines to start with, and then we'll see how it goes.

Kreider/Z/Buch
Pan/Strome/Kakko
Lafreniere/Chytil/Gauthier
Lemieux/Howden/Rooney or Barron

Good depth and talent. 4th line should be able to play regular shifts in a tight timeline season.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Thursday can't come soon enough.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Has Zibanejad been practicing at all?

 

[NYR Fan]

Z is skating as of this past weekend (he did not play in the scrimmage though). Hopefully he'll be good for Thursday.

Reading some notes it looks like the 4th line will be Lemieux with Howden and Rooney (one of Howden or Rooney will play C the other W). And Johnson and Smith as the 6th/7th dmen one paired with DeAngelo on the 3rd pair. Miller starts with Trouba. Exciting, and if Miller is ready for it this team takes a step up in potential for this year.

 

[NYR Fan]

Rangers center Mika Zibanejad said he's feeling good after testing positive for COVID-19, which delayed his start to camp. Whether or not he plays Thursday he's taking it day by day.


Hopefully he plays Thursday, but if not he won't miss more than a game or 2 to get his timing back. Practiced today.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Thats a relief about Zib, you hate to hear he tested positive but better now than mid way through the season. Hopefully Miller has the strength and decision making to be a top pair d-man! Excited to see him play.

 

[kreidertime]

I don't believe any of that Buchnevich praise crap from Quinn. Buchnevich is a moron and I don't ever see that changing.

 

[Ranger71]

Sounds like Barron will start on the taxi squad. Quinn thinks he was pressing a little bit feeling like he was expected to make it right away.

 

[NYR Fan]

Here is a look at the expected lineup:

• Chris Kreider – Mika Zibanejad – Pavel Buchnevich
• Artemi Panarin – Ryan Strome – Kaapo Kakko
• Alexis Lafrenière – Filip Chytil – Julien Gauthier
• Brendan Lemieux – Brett Howden – Phil Di Giuseppe or Kevin Rooney

• K’Andre Miller – Jacob Trouba
• Ryan Lindgren – Adam Fox
• Jack Johnson – Tony DeAngelo
• Brendan Smith (7th D)

Taxi squad:

• Keith Kinkaid (G)
• Anthony Bitetto (D)
• Matthew Robertson (D)
• Morgan Barron (F)
• Colin Blackwell (F)
• Libor Hajek (D)

 

[Ranger71]

A little disappointing that Hajek can't earn a regular spot but maybe he just isn't going to turn into much other than a spare type. Good sign that Robertson is already up to being a taxi squad player at his age. I think the WHL not playing factors in.

 

[NYR Fan]

I agree on Hajek, and think that is accurate on Robertson. Also no AHL at this point plays a role with some of the taxi folks.

To me I like those lines to start with, and when I see the 4th line I think they can play a regular shift, which will help.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

I would rather Smith instead of Johnson on the third pair but whatever. It's only couple games.