New York Rangers

[donpaulo]

Nice writeup in the Post about Chytil after the OT winner

http://nypost.com/2017/09/20/rangers...ws-he-belongs/

[donpaulo]

Nice PPG by Lettiere from Chytil and Buch who put on some serious muscle this offseason. He can take the puck in traffic and not get knocked off it so far this pre season. Really looking forward to Pavel breaking out if not this year, then certainly next.

Chytil was burned badly by Kulemin on the 2nd Islander goal. He simply stopped skating because he was winded. Clearly needs more work on his stamina.

Was impressed by Stromwall's speed, especially the first step is quick. I can see him trying out for the Hagelin job description. He was effective along the wall and in traffic too.

Bereglazov didn't look lost and played a rather low key solid defensive game. Probably exactly what the coaching staff wanted from him.

Pionk was again in the high traffic areas. I am still concerned about his ability to take a hit, or rather numerous hits over an 82 game schedule. No doubt he has some nice get up and go.

Love that Graves displayed a nasty side of his game, standing up to Brock Nelson who is a man child.

Not sold on Pavlevec yet, but still hoping Allaire works his magic. There is still enough time.

NY is still too pass happy

[donpaulo]

NY needs to find a replacement for Quickie with quite a few youngsters in the mix for the job

Lettieri is getting a nice long look, but Fontaine has stood out to me. Kid plays a very good overall game, hustles back on defense and has been blocking shots as well.

Kampfer has also looked very solid, in good position, nice outlet passes too.

[hockeymanG23]

Chytil was impressive tonight. Wouldn't expect him to get a spot for a year or 2 but he could be a real steal at 21st overall.

[donpaulo]

I agree, Chytil is going to be a very effective player for NY but not now. The Gudas hit and the defensive breakdowns in for example the Islanders game show he is clearly not ready for the show.
Its not as if NY doesn't have other players than can step in and get the job "done" so to speak.

His skill, speed and hockey sense are very impressive however

Imagine once he has a physically mature body capable of handing the rigors of an 82 game schedule ?

Thats my hope for Buchnevich this upcoming season

[donpaulo]

The Desjardins suspension has really allowed the younger pivots of NY to gain some extra ice time. A welcome turn of events in my view.

Nieves, Andersson, Chytil all received time at center this preseason.

All 3 clearly still works in progress, although Boo probably has the inside track as he has the size, wheels and spent time in the AHL learning the NY system.

Granted AV prefers the veterans so I expect him to give the job to Desjardins although I suspect many ranger fans would prefer to see Boo in there.

[donpaulo]

Well Chytil made the club. Congratulations to the kid ! I just read his mom is 5'10 and his dad well over 6 foot. His brother is 6'5" so its likely the kid is still growing.

Paul Carey also made the cut, which is interesting news as well. Gorton said his skating, versatility and PK helped make the decision to keep him around.

Lias Andersson returns to Sweden.

Matt Puempel was waived, which was a little surprising

Ryan Graves, Vinni Lettieri, Boo Nieves and Neal Pionk went to the AHL

good writeup at the Daily News about the roster situation
http://nypost.com/2017/09/27/this-is...uld-look-like/

[donpaulo]

My take on the lines in no particular order

Zibanejad with Kreider & Buch
Hayes with Miller & Grabner
Chytil with Zuc& Nash
Desharnais with Cary & Vesey

Hayes Miller & Grabner kept together from last season

[donpaulo]

Wow was Varlamov impressive tonight.

The Avs defense is as porous as a sponge, but Varly stood tall in Game #1

He stole 2 points and good for him !

[donpaulo]

glass half empty to start the season

kevin hayes.
The kid is almost 2 meters tall yet in the 3rd period against the Leafs he takes a stick penalty when he should have run the opposing forward off his skates. kevin for christ sakes use your body, reaching out and slashing someone put your team down a man and cost a goal.

henrik lundquist.
Not the smoothest of opening seasons so far. He is off his game and anyone watching can see it. hopefully it lights a fire under his ass because too many nights off is not going to result in the playoffs. futher henrik has never really been all that effective IN montreal so I am kind of hoping Pav gets the start yet another reason for henke to get in the flow.

tony deangelo.
Turnover city. Too many cute plays resulting in odd man rushes in the other direction or in close chances. kid clearly doesn't get it yet. if he continues to display a propensity to pull a del zotto I prefer to see kampfer or holden in there instead.

JT Miller, Zuc, Nash, McD, Skjei and Shat have all looked quite strong out of the gate. Lets hope the rest of the team gets with the program.

[donpaulo]

Why did Chytil make the team if he is going to skate under 10 minutes a night ?

How does this help the hockey club ?

Send the kid somewhere he can play

[The Black Panther]

Why did Chytil make the team if he is going to skate under 10 minutes a night ?

How does this help the hockey club ?

Send the kid somewhere he can play

Isn't this generally the case with these later 1st rdrs drafted and impress at camp? The usual 9g thing. Thing is this sometimes messes up the kid.
Stupid I agree.

[hockeymanG23]

Why did Chytil make the team if he is going to skate under 10 minutes a night ?

How does this help the hockey club ?

Send the kid somewhere he can play

I agree, he should be back home or in the AHL playing 18 mins a game.

[audiopile]

In the first two games they never had a lead. The third game was a one goal lead until the last few minutes. If they were ever in a position to play him where a mistake didn’t matter they would. He is being sheltered and they want to win. Simple as that.

[donpaulo]

AV has a notorious short leash on kids and playing within his system

Either play the kid or send him elsewhere where he can play.

Yes a 9 game tryout, 18 years old and already 6'2" and still growing, plus he can really skate well. Upside city, send the kid where he can be on the top line and learn how to be a pro.


I hear you about not having the lead but the kid was brought up to the club because he has gravitas, not to be benched because the team is behind. Further AV has Desharnais on the #2PP over the kid. That speaks volumes right there.


The Ziban, Kreider - Buch line is pretty much set in stone. They look great and of course CK speaks Russian so communicating with Pavel is a piece of cake.

Coach is on record saying he wants to keep Hayes, Miller and Grabner together, then he moved Miller back to pivot.

Zuc and Nash were to play with Chytil yet 6:19 of ice time and zero shots indicates how much coach trust him