Now that I think about Gorton, I think maybe he is doing the right thing. Before everyone explodes on me, let me explain. I think it is clear that in 2017 Rangers are not winning the cup. So the entire 2017 should be treated like 82 games training camp/evaluation year where decisions will be made as to who is staying for 2018 SC run and who goes. I believe Sharks did not make the playoffs in 2015, and they cleaned house a little bit, so we can do the same. Granted we do not have as good of a roster as Sharks have today, however we should treat next year as an evaluation year where players will be evaluated on month to month basis; where it will be decided if each moves forward with this organization including AV and training staff. Each player should be given a chance including Glass and Hayes, however, for example, if in the month of October a player plays like shit, he will be traded immediately or at the end of the year in a case of Girardi because Girardi cannot be traded immediately. Noone should be given a NMC, or NTC or a big contract going forward, that is a given at this point.
I don't think things are horrible, they are bad but not horrible, however we cannot expect to come out of this easily after giving away 5 straight 1st round picks. Some setback should occur, and Gorton does not want to sweep dust under the rug and I agree with him. If other teams give shit for Nash and Stepan, then why would he trade them. Even being hurt, Nash is still top 10 in the league in terms of production, Stepan is good center and if anything they are top penalty killers at the moment on this team. Both are two way players and there are not many of those in the league. Both are great on D and play in every situation. I think younger players can learn from these two. Same goes for D, we have veterans on D, Klein and McD are great 1st pair of Ds, I think Stall wasn't that bad last year and most certainly qualifies as top 4 D, and Girardi with a high price tag is better than last pair D when comparing to the rest of the league. Young guys like bigMac and Sjkei can learn from these two and next summer we will be able to trade Girardi if needed, and perhaps Stall with a expansion draft.
2017, takes guessing out for Gorton and he can evaluate each one calmly. He can see if Krieder takes the next step, if JT and Hayes do, if Linberg bounces back after surgery, if Girardi and Stall recover from their injuries with a long summer, and if not make moves during the season. Stop giving away picks, play the guys you have and the league will start respecting Rangers as an organization more seeing that they are no longer desperate and taking their time. Nash has 2 years left on his contract and if anything he will be more attractive to teams next summer with only 1 year left on his contract. Stepan can be traded during the year if need be, and if not then he stays here long term after 2017, and he is not the worst thing in this organization. Perhaps two contracts of Girardi and Stall will be moved and we can handle Stepan's contract going forward.
So I don't think Gorton deserves to be fired just yet, the worst thing he has done so far was give away 2 picks for E.Stall. That was bad, but other than that I am willing to see what he makes of this. If teams do not want to give their 1st round picks, maybe Gorton cannot make them.
Look at Edmonton, they just don't get it and still do not want to give their 1st round pick. They cannot make playoffs by tanking for so many years, but if they don't want to give their 1st overall for a premiere defenseman then how do we criticize Gorton?
