Free agent targets

[kreidertime]

I wouldn't go crazy but there are a couple I'd go after

1. Lucic - This team has no balls. No forward other than Kreider that stands in front. While Lucic won't add to the speed, he would have been a huge factor against the tiny Penguins. He bullies small, fast defenseman and small teams. This team needs a player like him in the worst way. I know he has his negatives but I'm sick of watching pussy forwards with size on this team. They need some players to make them brave. They have one on defense but our dumbass coach doesn't play him.

2. Matt Martin. Boomer will convince him to come here. He can chip in some and he's a ton better 4th liner than Glass. The fact the Islanders haven't signed him tells me he's coming to the Rangers. He's dating Boomer's daughter and I think that does matter.

That's it. Anybody else should be from trades. Hopefully, young, hungry players.

 

[mrmel29]

LOL. I knew he was dating boomers daughter but didn't realize he was a free agent. He would be perfect for our 4th line and wouldn't break the bank either. I hope we resign stalberg who played good for us

 

[kreidertime]

I would love to see a 4th line of Martin-Fogarty-Hrvik. Affordable with some size. Not as high on Fogarty as some but in a 4th line role, I think he would do fine. He has the potential to be a top PK guy.

Biggest issue finding a second center. Stepan can't play center next year. His faceoffs have been killing this team for years. It's enough.

 

[mrmel29]

Stepan is the one I move if I'm really signing stamkos as I don't want that 6.5 mill nmc with him which starts beginning next season I believe.

 

[kreidertime]

If you move Nash for picks and prospects, you can sign Stamkos. Not sure I would. A high scoring, righty center is perfect. However, he's had some significant injuries. As down as I get on Stepan at times. The fact he's one of the few righty shots on the team up front makes it hard to deal him. Nash and Hayes would be my first two choices.

 

[theProdigy223]

We can get Stamkos without dealing Step. I want Step's right shot as you said.

The only thing Step is bad at as a C is draws. He is very good defensively which you need in a C. Stepan takes a ton of draws because he's our only right center. I look into signing Stamkos as a wing, but have him take the big right draws instead of Stepan. Getting step out of that top right draw guy will be huge for this team. And Stamkos played more wing these past 2 years than he has C.

Miller-Brassard-Stamkos
Kreider-Stepan-Zuccarello

That's my dream top 6 next year. 2 right shots on each line.

 

[Messiah717]

Fresh off of the season ending the way it did my first thought was if they can clear cap room go after Stamkos at all costs. When thinking about it some more I'm not opposed but there's some questions that arise. Most importantly what kind of contract and what kind of money per season is he worth and will he be looking for?

 

[kreidertime]

You have to put Stamkos on Stepan's line if you want him to take draws.

 

[Messiah717]

If the Rangers were to land Stamkos you would have to move Stepan to wing as your top two centers obviously become Brassard and Stamkos.

 

[kreidertime]

Let's say they get Stamkos. They obviously have to move Nash and Hayes, let Yandle go and buyout or trade Girardi. That has to happen. Then go very young upfront with some new forwards. Kreider has to play with Stamkos to match his speed.


Kreider-Stamkos-Buchnevich
Zuc-Brassard-Stepan
Miller-Lindberg-Fast
Martin-Fogarty-Hrivk

 

[Messiah717]

That's not bad if it could happen. I'm just not going to get my hopes up on a player like that. Plus, with the Rangers luck who knows what would happen to Stamkos once he came here. Hayes is a guy some team would think they can turn around. Frankly, getting out of New York would likely be the best for his career anyway since I'm sure he's enjoying the party scene a little too much. Cheap qualifying offer and then package him with out of the Dmen and see if you can make a deal.

 

[strudwickisthebest]

I don't like the bottom 6 dump they need some experience down there. Not sold on Fogarty or Hrivik

 

[chuckd3534]

To get Stamkos Nash has to go. Truthfully if you can move Nash AND let Yandle walk we can afford Stamkos. I don't think we need to make many other moves to get Stamkos if he wants to be a Ranger. Then you buy out Girardi as well, and away we go.

I know everyone is down on Hayes, and I am fine with dealing him if we can get a decent return, but I still say if we can keep him for 2 mill per TOPS that is a smart decision. Not sure what he wants though.

I do think we'll see changes here...starting with the UFA's. I expect 6 or 7 new players next season.

 

[kreidertime]

Skjei and McIlrath have to play full time next year. Then Graves will be ready the next year. So, I don't see Yandle here which is why I said dealing him at the deadline was a must. Now, they lose him for crap. Zborovskiy has a chance 2-3 years from now as a righty defenseman to be part of the future. Essentially, they need Buchnevich, Gropp and Kovacs to all work out. That's for sure.

 

[kreidertime]

Don't need that much experience on the 4th line. It's a grinding line. Plus, Fogarty played 4 years of college and Hrvik has been playing in the AHL for years. Those aren't 21 year old kids out there.

 

[chuckd3534]

To me I wouldn't love Lindberg AND Fast on the 3rd line. I would live with one on the 3rd line. If they were both in the top 9 I would be concerned about depth of scoring.

I 100% believe McIlrath and Skjei will be in the top 6 next season.

 

[Ranger71]

Lindberg has the skill to play on the 3rd line but Fast is really no better than the 4th. He's on the small side, isn't very quick and lacks the skill. I don't even see him being assured of a spot depending on how Fogarty progresses.

 

[kreidertime]

Lindberg historically has taken a huge step up once he gets gets enough experience in a league. I would not rule him out as a 3rd line center.

 

[chuckd3534]

I agree with that, I am just saying if I had Lindberg AND Fast in my top 9 I would be concerned about scoring depth. I think it is too risky to have both up there to start with. I would love one on the 4th line for real good depth.

Who knows though. We'll see how it all plays out over the next couple of months.

 

[cagedlion]

Who is going to convince AV to play
inexperienced talent vs. his use of
older less talented players? Someone
with balls needs get the right players
and tell AV 'this is how we go'. AV needs
to get the younger players on the ice.

 

[Ranger71]

Well, the older guys like Moore and Boyle are definately gone, and we'll see how they deal with the G/Staal situations, so that alone will reduce the avg age to a few years less. There's no reason Lindberg, Skjei and even my favorite McIlperson aren't ready for 75+ games. Buchnevich too. Guys like Backes, Boedker etc could be a nice 4m fit for a few years.

 

[mrmel29]

I like Stamkos but very concerned about his blood clots especially with the salary you'd have to pay him. Chris Bosh had that last year with the heat and he got them again this year. Think I'd look for some kind of a deal with another established star that might be too expensive for their current team and add the stud we need that way.

 

[cagedlion]

^^^^^^agree. Stamkos is a big risk. Blood clots in
this game = many months off his skates.

 

[kreidertime]

All we can agree on is this team needs major changes. I would hate to see Girardi bought out and thrown out like trash. However, he has to agree to waive his no trade clause. If the Rangers retain half his salary, I could see him being a really good defenseman on a young team. Maybe Edmonton but I think Buffalo would be a great fit. He's a great team guy and could be a great mentor for a young defense. Buffalo has a ton of picks. Could I see them giving up a 3rd or a couple of 3rd's for Girardi and maybe Glass. Yes. Glass while hated here is a great room guy. Buffalo is getting close to being a playoff team. A couple of real solid vets could really help them. While Rangers fans always think all our players are worth crap. These players have seen a lot of playoff wins. There is no substitute for experience when you have a young team without any. A combined 3.5 million for the experiences Girardi and Glass can give a young team is not a big deal.

 

[Disturbed]

Glass only has 1 more year on that horrific contract, thank god. The real problem is Girardi and to a lesser extent Staal. I do think Girardi is tradeable, Gomez taught us all that. But it will be hard. I really want both Girardi and Staal gone so we can sign Yandle. He has his defensive flaws but the offensive elements he brings are really hard to find and it would be a shame if they lost him for nothing. Staal is pretty average dman now but isn't terrible. He could help some teams and isn't that old.