Until Strome is off the first PP, this team won't make the playoffs.

[kreidertime]

Kakko needs to be the RW on the first PP unit. One timing it if the opportunity comes. Racking up PP points. Getting more confidence. If that doesn't happen, this season is over early. It's that simple. If you are relying on Strome to make your PP lethal, get you into the playoffs and be one of your top offensive players, your team sucks.

 

[NYR Fan]

I think it is deeper than taking Strome off and putting Kakko on PP1.

I think both Kakko and Lafreniere need to step up their games. # 2 and # 1 picks overall in their 3rd and 2nd seasons, we need more. They need to score goals and accumulate points.

I also simply do not see this team winning big with Strome as the # 2 C. Sorry, but that was a huge miss this off-season. All year last year we said they must upgrade C, but Drury/Sather/Dolan did nothing. We still cannot win a FO, we still have C issues, and we still have Strome as our # 2, and it isn't good enough.

We also needed to add a better LD than Nemeth. We needed someone who could play up if needed, and Nemeth is not that.

I thought this past off-season would be adding 1 or 2 top level guys (or very good guys), and we did not do it. Instead we added all grit/tough role players and overpaid Goodrow - filled a need, and good signing, but he is overpaid.

Zib doesn't score against big, tough, strong defensive teams. Panarin has been down the first two games (not worried about him). It doesn't add up to a winning formula.

I said it last week, I really don't see this team as a big team that will make the playoffs and have a chance to make noise. They could make the playoffs, but it is far from a given.

 

[mrmel29]

I think gallant is still feeling his way around and we’ll probably reassess after 10 games or so. I like KAKKO on the pp also. In addition, lundqvist had a case of the nerves yesterday which is understandable first game under the bright lights. But if lundqvist is going to play the left side there is no reason why Schneider can’t be brought up to the big club from what I saw in the PS and play immediately. Our defense is bad and this kid can play in addition to the hitting. Last observation this early is in OT you need speed and unless everyone is exhausted guys like trouba and strome should never be out there. That’s made for a KAKKO, Laf, lundqvist etc who didn’t see the ice. I could be wrong but I don’t see a sense of urgency in gallants coaching yet. As we’ve seen in the past these early games are important and this division is ridiculously strong and we need every point we can get. Hopefully we can get 3 out 4 in Montreal and Toronto coming up

 

[NYR Fan]

I agree with a lot of what you wrote mel. The team will get more comfortable with Gallant, and he will get more comfortable with the team. He will better learn what buttons to push, and what players to play where, I have no doubt about that. I just don't believe this is a big time team, or even a given playoff team. I just don't see it with this roster, especially down the middle and quality depth on D.

 

[kreidertime]

Young scorers won't get confident if the don't get major PP minutes. Putting Strome on the PP where he sucks over Kakko is beyond stupid. I'm very surprised Gallant is doing this. Quinn was a retard. I expected nothing less. I have to believe Gallant will wake up.

 

[NYR Fan]

I agree 100% Kakko should be out there over Strome, my point is that will not fix this team I don't think. It is a flawed roster IMO. And we need Lafreniere and Kakko to start stepping up.

 

[Greyvtrayn]

Kakko will get his goals/points. He's had multiple chances in each game. They are coming.

 

[kreidertime]

Not the point. Point is that Strome is not a 1st pp unit player. He's also a right shot on the right wing which grinds the pp to a halt. It's beyond moronic to play him.

 

[Ranger71]

Apparently they may be able to get a top 6 guy for Kravtsov so that could be something to watch.

 

[mrmel29]

Im really thinking Schneider will be up here sooner than later especially if Lundqvist stays on the left side. From what I saw of him the kid is ready to contribute and outside of fox the defense is our weak link. This team will score goals and I agree with you guys Kakko needs to be on the right of the PP with his one timer