Getting the sense Sather might not do anything at the deadline

[kreidertime]

Not because he doesn't want to. Mostly because there are a lot of teams that think they probably can win the cup. There is no dominant team. I can see Nashville adding a piece. L.A. sounds desperate now and is talking about adding. They will over pay. Pitt has floundered a lot here recently. They will try to add. I can see about 5 other teams in the West and maybe three more in the East looking to add. At first because of the cap I thought trade offers would be less. Now, I'm thinking there are a lot of teams out there that will act like fools giving up lots of picks and prospects. I really don't want Sather to overpay for guys that are rentals or aren't difference makers long term.

 

[chuckd3534]

I disagree with you, I think we add a forward for sure.
I agree that as usual the cost at the DL will be high.
And lastly if Sather does nothing, just like 2012, he should be fired on the spot.

I know you are concerned way more about 2018 than I am in 2015, but it would be criminal for Sather to do nothing this trade DL when the team has a clear need for a top 9 forward. We cannot win a cup with only 6 or 7 forwards that can score goals.

 

[kreidertime]

Don't think we have assets that they can afford to give up. I don't think they can give up Duclair and Buchnevich because those 2 might very well be on the big club next season.

 

[chuckd3534]

We have two 2nd round picks.

We have prospects outside of Duclair and Buch, both of whom I agree should be untouchable.

I would not deal Miller for a rental, but I would for a guy signed at least through next season, think Hanzal.

We can deal McIlrath, Lindberg, we have other solid prospects that when combined with a 2nd rounder can get us a solid top 9 forward back.

Sather will do something, I have no doubt about that.

 

[kreidertime]

You have to be careful about dealing prospects when Glen is handing out 5 million dollar contracts like candy. Girardi and Staal have seen a lot of hockey. They could be crap in 3 more years. I would be careful about dealing prospects up front and on defense that figure in the future plans. I would feel more comfortable if they deal Stempniak, a goalie prospect like Skapski and a McIlrath if he no longer fits in their future plans.

 

[chuckd3534]

You and I always have differing views on this. You are so concerned about 3-4 years from now, I am not. There are SO many thing that can happen between now and then that I cannot let it consume me.

Now that doesn't mean toss away all your picks and prospects, but you cannot let it control going for it now. Just like I said in 2012, you cannot count on chances to be a big team and win a cup year after year, so you have to strike SMARTLY when you have the chance.

Hank is 32 now. I agree on Staal and Girardi. While I think those were good deals for us, I also fully expect the last 2 years of those deals to be questionable. Nash is 30 now. So to me that adds up to making a run now and the next two seasons. I cannot go crazy over worrying about 4 years from now.

With our top dmen locked up for years, I would clearly deal McIlrath now (assuming he has decent value still). If you package McIlrath, a 2nd, and another solid prospect, not the top ones we mentioned, you can clearly get a solid top 9 rental at the DL. That would be my focus.

 

[chuckd3534]

I also don't agree with the thoughts the core of this team is old. We have a young core. Our team age gets bumped up by MSL and Boyle.

Stepan is 24. Miller is about to be 22. Brass is 27. Hags is 26. Kreider is going to be 24. Nash is 30 (not 32 or 33). Hayes is going to be 23. Zucc is 27. Girardi is going to be 31 (which means 3 more high level seasons IMO). Klein just turned 30. McDonagh is 25. Moore is 24. Staal just turned 28.

So all those players are 30 or under. And most are 28 and under. And when you add Duclair and Buch to that group, we clearly have a young core still. Sather adding Hayes was huge for us IMO. And on D we have a couple of good young kids who may be close in Skjei and Graves.

So the youth is there still IMO. We are not in a position where we are old and our future is done for. That is why we can afford to SMARTLY add what we need now.

 

[kreidertime]

I would have subscribed to that go for it now at all cost before the last draft. However, the Rangers look like they hit on 2 very, very good goalie prospects.

Halverson is 26-3-2 this season with a .908 save % in the OHL which is the highest scoring junior league now. Shesterkin is now in the KHL and is 3-0-3 with a 2.33 GA and a .917 save %. The future in goal looks a lot brighter now. So, I'm not for dumping the farm to go for it all now. The one thing the NHL has shown you is that you don't need a superstar goalie to win cups. Quick to me was always overrated. He's been inconsistent plenty of years. Crawford is not a superstar. Osgood wasn't even good. Cam Ward was not a superstar. Niemi is not a superstar. Fleury won a cup and he stinks most of the time. He finally is having a big year this year.

The key to winning a cup if you aren't drafting in the top 5 is to have a very good team year after year after year. You never know if you get hot at the right time and you stay healthy.

 

[chuckd3534]

And I couldn't agree more. I am not for dumping the farm and going for it now either. I am for packaging a 2nd rounder and a couple of decent prospects for a top 9 forward. Keep Duclair, Buch, and Miller (unless we can get a guy signed for at least next season). That simple to me.

I cannot worry about 3 and 4 years down the road. A million things can happen that will change that picture by tomorrow or next month or next year. I cannot run my franchise worrying about 4 years from now.

What I know is we have a very good team now. A pretty young core as I mentioned above. And an all-world goalie that is 32. To me that means you make the move you need to make in order to be a legit cup contender.

 

[chuckd3534]

And along those lines:

2/8/15 | 11:47AM: The Rangers are pushing hard for Vermette and he would be a good fit with the Rangers. (Ottawa Sun)

 

[chuckd3534]

Figure a 2nd, McIlrath, and another solid prospect would be the price. Maybe even another pick like a 4th or 5th rounder.

If you look at all these rumors, Sather clearly knows what this team needs, which makes me feel good that he'll get something done.

 

[kreidertime]

I realllllly hope he doesn't include those 2 goalies, Walcott, Graves, Duclair, Buchnevich and Tambellini in any of these deals.

 

[kreidertime]

I'm OK doing a 2nd, Lindberg and McIlrath for Vermette because I believe that St. Louis will end up screwing himself out of a job here and the Rangers will spend the money on Zucc and Vermette instead. Honestly, I see St. Louis ending up on the Devils next season. They love old farts and St. Louis as much as I like him wants to get paid and stay home. I also think faceoffs will end up costing this team wins in the post season.

 

[chuckd3534]

We'll see. I think a 2nd is a given. I also don't see anyway he moves Duclair or Buch or Miller. From there we'll see what we move. Maybe they keep the goalie they like better and deal the other, again who knows. Does Zona even want a goalie? I trust Sather on trades.

 

[chuckd3534]

I can totally see the 2nd and McIlrath being in the deal (Zona wants to move some dmen out so they might like McIlrath). Who knows what other pieces would be in the deal. Lindberg, another later pick, a different solid but not top end prospect. We'll see.

 

[kreidertime]

Shame because I think if you gave Lindberg three years as the 4th line center of this team, he would eventually be a younger D. Moore.

 

[Ranger71]

I'd like to see Lindberg get a shot but at the same time wouldn't hesistate dealing him with a 2nd and Tambellini for AV. At least they would still have one 2nd left and that pick is a crapshoot anyway. But cap wise you need to add a roster player so maybe J.Moore, though i could see them wanting Hagelin. Moore, Lindberg and a 2nd or Tambellini.

 

[Ranger71]

It also wouldn't absolutely shock me if they traded Duclair at the dl. Of the two i'd rather they kept Buchnevich if i had to pick. I'd also rather keep Lindberg and maybe give up both 2nds if needed instead.

 

[kreidertime]

I would be stunned if they traded Duclair since this team other than Nash is completely void of finishers.

 

[Ranger71]

It would be surprising for sure but i wouldn't be stunned if it got them someone they really wanted who maybe is signed through next year. Duclair can score but i wonder about some other aspects of his game..Buch has questions too.