It seems like Trotz is trying to bring the heavy hitters to the first game, which kind of makes sense. NYR will be playing with a lot of young players and a few rookies, Trotz is going to try to play structured and try to disrupt the young guns with physicality.

With no pre season or chemistry built up for the Rangers, I think it's going to be a little chaotic for them and this will add to it.

Ross johnston shouldn’t be in the NHL though lol - isles already have Martin , cizikas, clutterbuck, and pageau who are all physical. Johnston isn’t needed. Wahlstrom is just as physical and he brings a skillset that the isles desperately need.

damn that’s cold ECHL

Don't disagree at all, I would be doing the same thing as you. But I have a feeling this is a Game 1 against rookies type of move and not something he will do all season long.

(As a NYR fan I hope he keep RJ on the 3rd line all season)

Lol don’t doubt trotz - he’ll do anything not to play young skilled forwards.

I don't know, Johnston showed he can play some hockey last year. But I agree we have better options. I wonder what's going on with Timashov.

It’s true - no other team would have Ross on their nhl roster.

Ross has no hockey IQ. He can hit and fight, that’s it. Shouldn’t be on the 3rd line on a team that has playoff aspirations.

Injury maybe?

I don't agree he has no hockey IQ, like I said he showed some abilities last year. But agreed, there's no reason for him to be on the third line. At least not full-time.

Maybe, just weird he hasn't been signed yet. Same with Schneider. Maybe that'll change today.

Has Aho officially been cut yet? Figured he'd start as a healthy scratch but idk

I thought Timashov did sign, pretty sure he was in training camp the first day or two. I j don’t think it was made official yet, like Schneider

He didn't sign yet, but he's on waivers today so he must have signed today.

I have no idea what’s going on with Aho - I’ll comment when the roster is official

Trots system is able to cover up for grinders with no skill. I would take timashov , wahlstrom, czarnik, and even MDC over johnston

I agree, those guys would've been a better fit on the NHL roster right away as opposed to Bellows. Although I'm cool with Wahlstrom not starting right away and being a mid-season callup.

They j released the roster, and I’m very confused

Me too, I won’t get my hopes up until one of the kids is in the lineup

I thought they waived Leo, and I thought bellows was making it over Wahlly. I’d rather see Wahlly tho tbh

Same here.

Why is he like this

#Isles Lou Lamoriello says "no redundancy" with Ross Johnston and Matt Martin on the roster. Says both could be in the lineup "any and every night for me."

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) January 13, 2021

😂

Lou Lamoriello on Bellows and Wahlstrom "no final decision. we'll find that out tomorrow. we have all players available." #Isles

— Peter Schwartz (@SchwartzSports) January 13, 2021

I mean it’s still possible that we see them

I know i just hate their obsession with johnston