Fine with Schneider getting the top pair 5v5 minutes, but totally agree about quarterbacking PP1. The reluctance by this org to lean into a youth movement will be its undoing.

It’s kind of a dual situation for Schneider: maybe he plays better in increased minutes, but it’s also a showcase for a potential trade. Best of both worlds.

Robertson is a 7D and needs ideal partners/matchups to be viable. I’d play Vaakanainen over him. I’d start games with Schneider-Gavrikov as the top pair but give Morrow some select offensive zone starts/matchups with Gav.

Perreault isn’t a burner but this team needs a significant infusion of speed and creativity. The third line should be on top of opponents constantly. Sheary gives you speed on the fourth line and you’re not looking for production from him in that role.

The D pairs are what they are without Fox.

Agree. I will say, I don’t think their issue is “rushing” prospects. Look around the league: most good teams are getting meaningful contributions from 19, 20 year old players.

I don’t blame us for Kakko or Laf, they were consensus picks that just didn’t pan out. Lias/Krav were massive whiffs

Appreciate it!

Drury is gonna be at the helm for all of this. He’s bought himself at least the next two off-seasons (imo) with the Sully hire and whatever goodwill he built with Dolan based on the ‘22 and ‘24 runs. If he whiffs on these drafts/trades/whatever comes next, he’s gotta go. And that’s square one.

What does this all mean? Start the fire sale now.

Trade: Panarin, Schneider, Lafreniere, Soucy

Promote: Perreault, Sykora

Stock up on draft picks with the dual purpose of making multiple top 64 selections the next two seasons, but also with enough ammo for an offer sheet or two.

The defense generally gets in the way and plays hard, but is too slow and can’t move the puck at all.

And, here’s the real hot take - the goalie is very good but shouldn’t be on this roster at the cap hit he is. Not because he’s not worth it, but because they’re not good enough for it to matter.

Laba and Berard need to play a lot so you know what you have, but both look like third liners (maybe!) at best. Perreault can’t make a dent when he gets his looks (so far). Cuylle is a third liner but needs to be deployed in the top six because the Rangers don’t have any other options.

Lafreniere is probably a lost cause (side note: Sully was asked directly about his decision to dump the puck when coming in on a rush which led directly to the Hagel breakaway; his answer directly called Laf’s hockey IQ into question).

The middle class of this roster needs a complete makeover.

What it shows me is that this iteration of the team is cooked. Panarin has recovered to become a point per game player again, but he can’t be the centerpiece of a credible playoff team. Mika and Trocheck work hard, but are just too easy for elite players to deal with. JT Miller is a catastrophe.

Yeah well unfortunately the Sullivan hire locks drury in for at least the next two off-seasons, imo.

Yeah, it’s less about that for me and more the complete nosedive their 5v5 game has done the last 10-12 games, and how they’re generally uncompetitive against the better teams in the league. Have been completely played off the rink by Colorado, Carolina (even though we won), Tampa

Love this for you!