They almost certainly won't keep Othmann or Cuylle on the opening night roster, because it's a higher risk than putting veterans on waivers. While Othmann and Cuylle have higher upside right now, they are waiver exempt and the Rangers will retain rights even when they're playing in Hartford, if they try exposing say Brodzinski and Pitlick, there's a risk that those players get claimed and the Rangers suddenly find themselves one or two fewer options for if there are short term injuries, or multiple injuries at the same time.
So generally speaking you're better off starting the year with the veterans and then making the pivot during the year when things happen (suspensions, injuries, leaves of absence, form, team form) etc...because the risk reduces the further you get in to the season. It also allows Cuylle and Othmann to play more minutes than they probably would in New York, and on special teams, which they'd be largely shut out from in NY.
Ideally we'd already be past this point and they'd be proven NHL commodities, but the age factor (on Othmann and CHL commitments) and limited experimentation last year (on Cuylle) mean there's less predictability in how they might perform.
A guy like Bonino, Pitlick or Vesey is a relatively known commodity, with limited upside and expected limited downside. Doesn't mean they're better players, just that you have a better sense of range of play you can expect. Wheeler is a bit of a wildcard because he's accomplished a lot, but is on a new team after a long tenure and is near the end of his career, so he may very well falter too. A guy like Lafreniere is frustrating from the other end of the scale.
So I think we'll see Othmann and Cuylle this year, and they could well end up being a permanent part of the team, but I think the likelihood that they start on the opening night line-up is next to zero (barring injury like the one keeping Chytil from practicing).
Go to the 8:00 minute mark and tell me if this guy needs to be waived. There were 3 open Rangers to gain the zone and he decided to try to beat 3 defenders.... Brutal
Finally caught up on the games saved on DVR. This play highlights 2 problems:
1. Lafreniere has seen very little PP time with the Rangers despite his obvious skills
2. The set PP breakout play that always results in a backpass to the trailing player regardless of what is happening in front of the play
The backpass is overused and therefore doesn't work anymore to create space and separation. Passing to a teammate stopped on the blueline would have likely had the same result. I blame the guy who made the stupid backpass rather than Lafreniere for that one.
@fish Everything you say is pretty much bang on from scared NHL executives self preservation, go by the book strategy's'. . So safe to keep replaceable retreads like Vesey and Pitlick around and minimize possible criticism by sending a Cuylle down. So easy to hear Announcers and wannabe reporters agree and nod their heads and yap it was the right thing to do. If the Rangers fortunes are determined by keeping Vesey or Pitlick over Cuylle they may as well fold up. Cuylle is totally capable of playing at either of their levels, plus brings some sting and youthful enthusiasm, and on a older team like the Rangers that can add a lot to the dressing room comradery. Anyone with a clue can see physically he is not going to get outmatched, certainly no more than Pitlick or Vesey. If he starts on the fourth line big deal, he will work his way up. What matters is the coach plays his freaking fourth line. You keep a kid on the team its on you the coach, who likely had input in the decision to play the kid. As I mentioned in another thread injuries happen, he'd be a prime candidate to move up and down the lineup when they do.
But your assessment is correct Drury who has shown little original thinking in his tenure will do the easy thing, which isn't necessarily the right thing.
Garand has been called up to back up in both games, reportedly will get some action in one of the games. Wondering if there's some nervousness around Quick at this point.
Cuylle is totally capable of playing at either of their levels, plus brings some sting and youthful enthusiasm, and on a older team like the Rangers that can add a lot to the dressing room comradery. Anyone with a clue can see physically he is not going to get outmatched, certainly no more than Pitlick or Vesey.
As the proud owner of an AHL TV subscription, I saw plenty of Cuylle last season against minor league opponents and I'm not sold on him being even a 4th liner at the NHL level yet.
Not a fan of Vesey or Pitlick but they have both proven to be at least the bare minimum of an NHL role player.
Also not a fan of Drury as GM but he isn't being paid to make risky personnel moves. MSG brings in a lot of revenue even with only 1 Cup in 80+ years and Drury's job is to keep the team competitive and fans hopeful year in and year out even at the expense of winning it all.
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