This is if no offer sheets happen. Hopefully the change at the coaching position will be enough to get these deals done earlier. Laffy is based on Kakko, and Miller is based on Lindgren, with a little extra both ways all things considered. Short term deals to get them through to the big cap raises, and Trouba/Panarin expiring, at least in terms of Miller on that front.
I feel like NYR has the skill on the roster, but the lines won't get left alone long enough to build any worthwhile chemistry. Sure, Laffy and Kakko will stink in their short top 6 stints, and then pop off when they are reunited on the Kid Line, but their potential should be much more than that. We have to stop relying on these top 6 rentals to save us every TDL. While it worked last post season, it surely didn't work this post season, where even up to the last period, Gallant was still blending the lines together to try to find something that never came. It's embarrassing that video game top 6 got completely stoned, but here we are.
The top six lines are built the same way: Shooter/puck possession (Zibanejad, Kakko), net front/neutral zone speed (Kreider, Chytil), and the playmaker (Panarin, allegedly Laffy possesses this skill). Don't touch these lines. Just effin' leave it, all the way up to the All Star Break. We have got to see what these Kids have. If for some forsaken reason they still don't find their magic, I honestly think it'll be time to move on from at least one of them. This core isn't getting any younger. It's time to find some stability in the top six. No more Jimmy Vesey.
3rd line is gritty forechecking, physical, and plenty of scoring touch. Trocheck being the best centerman on the team takes the faceoffs. Othman and Cuyle swap in and out based on who is performing. If money allows, grab a 3rd line winger rental and have Trocheck play wing, with Goodrow going down to the 4th line.
4th line signings in Motte and Acciari provide amble depth and solid in their positions. If someone else scoops up Acciari, substitute with Kampf. Looking for a big body centerman here.
Defense is pretty self-explanatory, though I'd like to see Robertson get some reps in with Schneider. I thought Harpur was pretty good with Schneider in his time.
This roster can only afford 21 spots, but as we saw with Drury's cap gymnastics, he'll find some way to finagle some cap accruing to get 22 spots at some point. Maybe for home games he just runs a 20 man roster.
And what leverage do they have? Offersheets? LOL. They will sign just like Chytil did, just like Kakko did, and just like 99% of other teams RFA's without arbitration rights do every year.
Reply
Othmann,
CapFriendly
CapFriendly