Ok, and that's a fair point. If you are proven right, I will give you all the proper accolades. In the meantime, keep him away from this first line.
Here's a stat to support my claim. The NYR have outscored opponents 16-9 when Kakko is on the ice with Kreider + Zibanejad or Panarin + Strome, also outshooting opponents 369-355. All other Panarin + Strome Combos come out to 19-19 while other Kreider + Zibanejad combinations are 19-15. Lafreniere fits right in with Kreider and Zibanejad (which we knew already). Kakko top 6 is fine; they really need to figure out how to make that Panarin + Strome + Kakko line work.
The way you make that line work is get Panarin to shoot the puck more. I get that he's a passing wizard, but he's got to direct that shit towards the net and pick the spots where the goalie isn't.
"Shoot the puck Breadman! Shoot the puck!" Tribute to Bill Chadwick and his never-ending frustration with Barry Beck holding the puck high on the powerplay.
Kreider-Zibanejad-Lafreniere Panarin-Chytil-Kakko Goodrow-Strome-Gauthier Barron-Brodzinski-Hunt If Panarin is going to be a playmaker primarily put him with two of the guys you really need to unlock down the stretch.
That's a 4th line question and easy to resolve. The first 3 are going to decide whether the Rangers have more than a punchers chance at a Cup this season. Really it is going to be Lafreniere, Chytil and Kakko that make the difference or not and a couple of those guys need to be on down the stretch.
Am I the only one who doesn't want the Ranger to be "buyers" at the trade deadline? This team is in year three of a rebuild and WAY ahead of schedule. Why not let these kids get some playoff experience and make the hard decisions next year?
I can understand that. I don't think they are ready to win a cup this year. I'd rather see the young guys continue to develop and gain playoff experience. They have a pretty big window so there's no need to make it like this is their only shot.
Isles fan here but I come in peace. I actually think the Rangers should be buyers. You may have a young team but it is a very good team. I would also add that Shesterkin is not only the best goalie in hockey but the best player in hockey. His numbers are sick. 1.94 goals against average and that was before last nights 4-1 win over the Jets. His save percentage is 940. You guys can absolutely win the Cup. I realize there are a lot of good teams the Canes, Pens, Lightning, Leafs, Panthers in the EC alone. Then of course their is Colorado in the WC but I think the Rangers have as good a shot as anybody especially with the goaltending they are getting.
I think the Rangers have a really good shot at the finals. I think Colorado's offense is the thing they can't compete well with at this point. So if somebody else bumps the Avalanche off before the finals the Rangers could definitely win the Cup. I would also like them not to be a buyer at the deadline. They need one of the trio, Lafreniere, Kakko and Chytil, to step up big. That's the pathway to getting into Colorado's league for the finals. The goalie is great and the backup is good. The defense is outstanding. The first line is great and the second line is good. Need that third line to be a major contender and Strome should be centering it.
I like it when sports fans are reasonable. Instead of assholes. ( 90% of all sports fans of all sports, imho) I don;t think I am quite THERE yet... but thanks for stopping by! ( lived through the 4peat as soon as I became a Rangers fan in 1979)
For me I wouldn't go on a rival's board and talk trash. It's not my style. Besides what could I say given where the Isles and Rangers are in the standings LOL. Even though I am an Isles fan I have to admit the Rangers are a fun team to watch. I think they absolutely have to be buyers and go all in this year. I think they have a good chance to win the Cup or at least make a run to the Finals. Certainly as good as any other team especially with the goaltending they are getting from Shesterkin.
