vesey

With Gautier and Hunt getting cut here, I doubt either makes it through waivers. Going into the season w/ (2) big unknowns- Blais and Krav- I think NYR will take the path of exposing the fewest players- so Rydahl (even though he's been good) will start in Hartford. That leaves 1 of Carpenter, Gautier, Reaves, Vesey, or Hunt to face waivers. I would waive Reaves- least likely to be plucked and least productive of the group- but I know NYR will not do that. My guess is Vesey is the player cut. 4th line will then be Goodrow centering Hunt, with Gautier and Reaves splitting time on the right. Carpenter hanging around as a depth C.

If a trade can be made- that obviously changes things...but most teams are in a similar situation- and why trade assets for guys who may appear on the waiver wire?

Then fast forward 10-15 games in: if either Blais or Krav (or both) not cutting the mustard at 1 and 2RW, then there will be some movement, which will open up spots on 3rd and/or 4th line. This could be where Rydahl really gets his chance.

Eh, I get your point about protecting players, but I feel like it's really impossible at this point to ignore Rydahl and Vesey. They've both excelled in camp and I can't really see them getting sent down.

There's no doubt in my mind Gauthier and Hunt get sent down, they're just not worth protecting at this point. Hunt is alright as a 13th or 14th forward, but I don't see him getting claimed and Gauthier is a pretty one (or even none) dimensional player who I don't see earning a roster spot.

Kravtsov is an unknown quantity, but his connection with Panarin, play in the KHL, and overall potential to be a genuine top 6 option means he projects to start the season alongside Panarin and Trocheck.

GG does seem to want to keep the kid line together, which is why someone like Blais might end up on the 1st line, which is interesting, but if it was my call I'd put Laffy on the 1st line, with Vesey, who has been very impressive, with Chytil and Kakko on the 3rd line. Vesey is a downgrade from Laffy but should be good enough, plus Blais is still an option, and Othmann seems to be quite NHL-ready, so a call-up isn't out of the question for him either.

The 4th line is quite obvious for me. Rydahl is no question the best 4C option. While he isn't quite as good in a shutdown role as Carpenter, he brings a lot more offense and forechecking, which is exactly what Gallant wants from that 4th line. He fits with guys like Goodrow, Hunt, and Blais a lot more than Carpenter does, and while Carpenter did play for GG in Vegas, I'd say Rydahl is absolutely suitable for the system.

Starting the season with Goodrow - Rydahl - Blais seems like the best option right now, unless Gallant wants to either protect Hunt or Gauthier, or run a 22 man roster, in which Rydahl would get sent down, but if Vesey, who's probably the least sure player, struggles I could see Blais slotting in on that 3rd line with Carpenter on the 4th.

Rydahl for sure has shown that he belongs here- but they don't lose him if he gets cut...and while I think either him or Carpenter makes the team, I think they do want to keep both in the org- which would require Rydahl to start in Hartford.

Regarding Vesey- he has shown that he is reinventing himself...so if it's him OR Gautier, the decision becomes whether they want to take a 29 yo in the middle of transforming his NHL role, or a 25 yo who shows flashes of mojo- yet (for whatever reason) just can't net the puck...and as a result, has trouble sticking in the lineup. But (when given ice time) Gaut plays he does get chances, does hustle back to break up plays, and does draw penalties. Gaut along Rydahl might just be 2/3 of a 4th line capable of keeping the opponent on their heels while keeping the puck in the O zone...even if they don't score!

The frustrating thing...with so many decent players on the bubble- there are 3 players who are locks for the roster, yet haven't shown much yet. Other than the pregame pep talk, I've yet to see what Reaves brings...the deterrent factor is an absolute fallacy. Blais is coming off a tough injury- so have to cut him slack...but I don't see him as a long term top 6 option. Yet to somehow justify the Buch trade, he is going nowhere. Finally Goodrow on other than 4th line is a liability. He is a warrior, but the team is insistent on believing he is a "swiss army knife" option like J. Fast. Unfortunately the only thing he truly is good at is eating CAP space!

Rydahl doesn't necessarily have to start in Hartford, as long as two of Reaves, Gauth, and Hunt are sent down. I don't see any of them getting claimed and most don't really have a spot on the team anyway, so why not just keep Rydahl and Carpenter, plus one of those three? This is the same argument Drury used last season to justify sending Kravtsov to Hartford in order to protect Hajek. Just keep the players who give you the best chance of winning on the team.

I def agree with you on Reaves, I like him but he's just not good for the team. I think Blais still has time, but I do see him as more of a 3rd or 4th line option who can provide some offense and good forechecking. Blais, on paper, fits the mentality GG seems to want for the bottom 6, but he really has to prove that this year. I think he's one of the likeliest players to get traded at the deadline. Goodrow's contract and the positions he's been played in has definitely hurt his reputation. He is genuinely a good bottom 6 player, he proved that in Tampa by winning two straight cups, but he needs to be used correctly. That contract sucks, but that doesn't mean he's actively hurting the team while on the ice.

In comparing situations protecting players, there are 2 big difference between Krav going down to protect Hajek and Rydahl going down to protect TBD: 1. Most were in agreement that Hajek didn't belong on NYR (when Krav was cut), while whoever Rydahl protects (if this happens)- an argument is easily made that the player is deserving of being on the roster; and 2. Krav going down meant dropping to minor league pay scale, while Rydahl will still make the same money whether in NY or Hartford- so he wont go there kicking and screaming.

In the end, there really is no right or wrong answer here- just a matter of who you see to value most for this NYR team. You place your value in Rydahl and Vesey...nothing wrong there. I guess I put my value in Gaut and Hunt- don't think anyone can really say this is terrible. But while there may be no right or wrong answer, the Rangers seem to gravitate to the least correct solution: their value is in Reaves and Goodrow. If those 2 guys were cut, there would be no need to split hairs over the guys we are discussing! Now as you mention Goodrow does have value as a bottom 6er (really for this team only as a 4th liner)...but his contract is so exorbitant for what he does that it entrenches him alongside Reaves as an anchor to this team. Undoubtedly NYR will miss the 5.3M which could be available at TDL if these guys weren't here, and they will certainly feel the pain of Goodrow's 3.6M for years to come as they try to extend guys off ELCs.