The Fourth Period: David Pagnotta and Dennis Bernstein speaking concerning the New York Rangers and the way they want extra offense and secondary scoring.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Kater Pettersen: “Yeah, and talking of New York, the place do you suppose they go from right here? What’s the following transfer? What’s your prediction for, , how this unfolds with that further cap area?”
Pagnotta: “Nicely, yeah, they wish to tackle the offense and add secondary scoring to the lineup. Reilly Smith hasn’t actually supplied that presence thus far this season.
And now with I believe, they’re at simply over eight and a half million in present area, and that may proceed to accrue because the season strikes alongside. In order that they’ve bought a capability to handle each ends of the, of the ice. They’ll usher in some further scoring by somebody up entrance, and so they have the the flexibility now to finally substitute Trouba’s presence on that again finish in a prime 4 position by bringing in one other defenseman.
So I believe Drury goes to proceed to look to see the place he can match a type of holes. We’ll see once more. They’ve bought a recreation night time in opposition to Pittsburgh. They’ve bought a participant in Marcus Pettersson on that again finish that may very well be a sexy piece for them, however the Rangers have dipped. Let’s see what they do. Let’s see if this sort of jolts them slightly bit. Now that Trouba’s out of the combo.”
Bernstein: “I believe it’s all offense, Kate. I believe while you have a look at the regression of Mika Zabanejad, uh, (Alexis) Lafreniere folks thought, might he be on the 100-point season this yr. That’s not taking place as properly. Thinks gotta be offense.
And going again to the take care of the Geese, I’m stunned it wasn’t Frank Vatrano that got here again. Like that will be a participant that will, would assist the offense greater than can be. Look, that’s a wage dump, and also you’re going to make it, clearly like, this will’t be the final transfer for Chris Drury, proper? It could’t be, proper? In the event you’re going to alter the paradigm in New York, it’s bought to be offense. I believe ok protection.
Look, they’re by no means going to be a puck possession group. You’re going to wish (Igor) Shesterkin to play higher. Jonathan Fast’s bought to remain at that stage. However for me, it’s the offense. It must be a scoring winner for this group to assist provoke this offense that has actually, , been common at greatest all season.
Pettersen: “Nicely, we discuss blocking out the surface noise you talked about. You already know, this could calm down the Rangers room, however if you happen to’re in a room the place, , it’s not achieved, how a lot does that actually do?
Pagnotta: “Nicely, it’s an ideal query, as a result of now it’s like, okay, everybody’s form of probably wanting over their shoulder for what’s subsequent.
Speaking to some folks across the membership. There was slightly little bit of friction persevering with to construct in that room with Trouba there. So perhaps simply eliminating that presence.
Pettersen: “A small piece.
Pagnotta: “Proper. Takes slightly little bit of strain off, and at the least they’ll deal with their video games.
Kreider was requested this morning, earlier than this commerce occurred, the place his mindset is with Touba seemingly going, he goes, ‘Look, I’ll take care of that tomorrow. We’ll discuss it tomorrow. We bought to deal with the sport at hand.’ Which is form of what you wish to hear from, from one among your leaders. So deal with the sport in opposition to Pittsburgh. They’ve bought three different video games after night time in opposition to non playoff groups.
So it’s a possibility to gather 4Ws in a row. You get slightly little bit of that quote, unquote friction out of the room. Possibly this sort of will get them again on observe right here.
Pagnotta: “Yeah, I agree on that, and particularly the schedule. Have a look at the following three video games, positively winnable video games. I believe they bought Pittsburgh, Seattle at residence, they bought, these are video games they bought to win. They’re not should wins, not going to get rid of them for the playoff race, however they’ve bought to win.
The opposite questions with respect to the room, Kate, who will get ‘C’ now? Do they wait to the offseason? Do they anoint one of many guys, like Kreider or, or breadman to put on the C, now? What occurs there?
I don’t suppose, I believe it’s slightly overplay with respect to management. Right now’s level, perhaps there was some friction within the room, which wouldn’t have helped. I believe this takes the warmth off lots of people, as a result of now, okay, there was one transfer. Now we’re going to play the sport.
So do I believe there’s an, a comparable transfer 24-48 hours behind this? No, I don’t. I believe it buys time for Chris Drury to reassess now. However I believe within the subsequent, , 4 to 6 weeks, you’re in all probability going to see one other commerce in the event that they proceed to play at this stage.
Pettersen: “So the hope, I suppose, proper now could be settle in, attempt to get again right into a rhythm, get the offense going, after which see the place it goes and let the chips fall. It’s a part of the enterprise.
Pagnotta: “Yep, precisely.
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