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T-2 until the trade deadline. While rumors swirl around Robert Thomas and others, all is relatively quiet on the New York Rangers‘ front. Expect the chatter to pick up again relatively soon with the deadline 3 p.m. on Friday. New York did make news yesterday, putting captain JT Miller on injured reserve while also make roster moves around the edges.
Game recap:
A few thoughts:
1) Monday’s game: as I have said previously and likely felt by much of the fanbase, wins and losses are to a certainty extent right now irrelevant. Yes they impact the standings and the number of ping pong balls earned, but as we have seen lately, that means little in the lottery. Experience earned coupled with growth by the kids is way more important.
Falling behind 4-0 though is not necessarily the way you want to look, especially in front of a half filled at best MSG. Ticket reps must be apoplectic right now trying to find a way to sell seats. If looking for a cheap game to take your kids, the balance of the season is certainly the time to do so.
One positive that came out of the contest was the play of Gabe Perreault. You can that the game is slowing for him, allowing Perreault to maximize his skills. Perreault noted post game how he has benefitted from skating on a line with Mika Zibanejad and JT Miller. In the last few contests, Perreault has shown why he was so highly touted and the upside potential so fast. Despite this being a lost season -though the hope is that the lottery balls shine on the Rangers and they make the right selection – Perreault has given management and the fanbase some hope.
2) Miller – What I just wrote above, strike it from your memory. Miller landed on IR yesterday. This injury is separate and distinct from the one that has plagued him most of the season. The video below shows where he might have been injury, taking a shot to the neck late in Monday’s contest. With Miller, who has not had a good season, sidelined, hopefully coach Mike Sullivan moves Alexis Lafreniere up to the first line and in his natural left side with Zib sliding to center and Perreault on the right. We could see Will Cuylle slide up to that line if Sullivan prefers to keep Laf at right wing.
In addition, if you really want to make it interesting with Miller out, have Adam Fox act as captain. Fox didn’t necessarily double down on his prior remakes but he also didn’t walk back or clarify any of his comments. While having him serve as captain on the ice while Miller is sidelined is just a paper or perfunctory move, it would show that management values him and wants him to remain in New York. Though part of that will depend if Fox has the same view after what’s been a rough few seasons.
3) Roster moves: as we approach the deadline and last quarter of the season, more tweaking around the edges
Forward impacts:
– Brendan Brisson goes down to the AHL(not sure he really received a shot yo show what he can do and are the players called up for him really a better option? If bringing a player up, let him actually receive a few games so a true evaluation can be made. Right now, it’s rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic)
– Miller to IR, as noted above
– Jaroslav Chmelar and Jussi Parssinen replace them in lineup (both players have been up previously. Neither player showed that much. Chlemar at least brings some physicality, making him worth a look)
– Jonny Brodzinski, who could be in the move at the deadline as a depth forward for a team, remains the extra forward
Defenseman impacts:
– Vincent Iorio, claimed off of waivers a few weeks ago, has become the third pair, right-handed defenseman. He earned that right via playing well
– Scott Morrow to AHL (he has received chances, but as an offensive blueliner, if he doesn’t see PP2 time, what are we doing. As an undersized and poor defensive defenseman, his value is on offense. Receiving him in the K’Andre Miller trade looks like a massive mistake. We all knew when Carolina was willing to deal him that they didn’t think he would pan out)
– Urho Vaakanainen remains the 7th blueliner (another wasted two year deal as of now)
