i think kakko and kravstov are gonna be in the top 6 over chytil, who will be the 3c, with kreider and blais on the wings
then the 4th line will be goodrow - rooney - reaves

I dont think so. They didnt pay goodrow 3.5 million long term to be a 4th line winger. Also these lines are what i think they should do not what will necessarily happen. At the end of 19-20 when buch and shesty got in that car crash and they played chytil at RW1 i thought he played well. I also dont think either kakko or kravtsov are ready to play 1st line and idk that kravtsov should be playing top 6. These are the lines that make the most sense to me. Are they going to happen? Probably not.

I would 100% prefer to play Filip Chytil in the top 6 on wing, especially when he's proven and Kravtsov isn't, but it sounds like the staff still views him as a center. He'll probably end up the third center with Kreider and Goodrow across him, with Blais on the fourth line. I'm also penciling Kaapo Kakko on the first line simply because Artemi Panarin requested not to have him on the line for the better of them both.

My prediction is
Laffy - Zibby - Kakko
Panarin - Strome - Kravtsov
Kreider - Chytil - Goodrow
Blais - Rooney - Reaves

My preference is
Laffy - Zibby - Kakko
Panarin - Strome - Chytil
Kreider - Goodrow - Kravtsov
Blais - Barron - Rooney

Kreider will be in the top 6 with Zib and Laf.
Kakko with Strome and Panarin.
Kravstov on the 3rd with Chytil and Good.
4th line will be a revolving door of Gauts, Barron, Rooney, Blais and Reaves.
(My opinion)…

I did not hear that panarin requested to not play with kakko thats very interesting. In that case do what you did and switch chytil and kakko.

I’m honestly not sure where that came from. If it were true I don’t think they’d care about trading him for Eichel then.

I don’t think the Rangers have been pursuing Eichel.

I don’t think Kakko will be on a line with Panarin, but I like these lines though.

When making these line combos theres a big question that needs to be answered in terms of development. Do they still believe kakko can become an elite 2 way forward or have they given up on that and would be looking for 40-50 points and good defensive play.

what is the source of the Panarin/Kakko rumor?

the kid is 20 years old...

And therefore what exactly? If he was 23/24 i wouldnt ask this question bc i would very highly doubt he would become that elite player based on his performances. Since hes only 20yo its still a legitimate question. Its not like hes had a great start to his career.

why is it the expectation that high draft picks pan out immediately?
what ever happened to player development?
not to mention that he has yet to play a full season in the league with a normal training camp...

Bc when the prospect comes and is a regular in the nhl right out of the draft the expectation is that hes nhl ready.
Player development usually happens before players get to the nhl. They arent brought up for the most part until the coaching staff thinks they can make it and then they are expected to start rising through the lineup. Thats just how it is now.
The training camp point is a good one, i guess we'll have to see how he does this year.

Kakko was forced - go back and listen to a couple of Gorton's early interviews.
Gorton did not want to bring Kakko in right out of the gate, he wanted to develop him in Hartford
Ranger ownership forced his hand...

That doesnt change the fact that these are the expectations bc this happened.

the expectations of who exactly? you?

Everyone. When a prospect makes the nhl full time he is expected to play well and keep improving. Kakko is doing none of that. Idk what else to tell you thats just how reality is. As for who everyone who watches or cares or is involved in hockey.

that isn't true at all. you are taking context out of the story and framing it how you want it to look.
pretty liberal concept, guess i'm not too surprised...

I believe it was Rick Carpiniello.

Does that not include going from one of the worst defensive forwards to one of the upper-tier defensive forwards?

I mean yes it does but thats my point. If hes improving defensively but his offense is still way below par does that mean that what they think in his prime theyll get 40-50 points and good defensive play or do they still think he can be an elite 2 way forward? That was the original question.

Funny bc im probably more conservative than anyone you know. And how am i framing something and taking it out of context?

I guess that would depend on your definition of “2 way forward” whether that’s Sasha Barkov or Phillip Danault (who scores ~50 points too). Obviously it would be nicer for the Rangers if Kakko had the trajectory of Barkov, but each of them would be easy successes.

I guess my question is this. Does rangers management realistically still see kakko as a potential mark stone or do they see him more as a phil danault.