Interesting Offseason

[RangersFan]

This will be a very interesting offseason I think. The biggest question is what will Hank do? There were a couple of articles out today saying he may "retire" and play in Sweden for one season with his bro (the Swedish season will start before the next NHL season). That would be huge for us, and something we should all be very thankful of Hank for if he does it. Remember his cap hit is 8.5 mill, but his actual salary is 5.5 mill. I mention that because I have to think if he played in Sweden for one season he would be able to at least recoup a reasonable portion of his 5.5 mill salary from a Swedish team. In the same articles they also mentioned playing in Sweden for one season, and then coming back to the NHL to give it one more shot at a cup with a contender. Not sure what will happen, but if Hank does retire, man that would be great for us. If he doesn't it will be interesting to see what Gorton does. A buyout only saves 3 mill, with a 1.5 penalty the following year, so candidly it isn't a very enticing option to add relief.

Other big items:

Will we win the lottery next week? That obviously would be awesome. With a 12.5% chance it is unlikely.
We need to add a legit # 2 C who can win a faceoff.
Smith needs to go, opening a spot on D. I say save money against the cap and give Miller a shot to play with Trouba.
What do we do with DeAngelo and Strome, both RFA's? If we can upgrade at # 2 C, I would deal Strome and re-sign DeAngelo.
I expect us to re-sign our other RFA's Georgiev and Lemieux.
I expect Fast to be gone. Good role player for this team, but we cannot afford to pay him. He will be missed as a solid bottom 6 forward and PK guy.
Do we keep our second 1st round pick, or deal it in a package?

A lot on the docket for the offseason. It is time to finish this team off. With the right moves this team will be a legit playoff team next season, and a legit SC contender the following season.

 

[Ranger71]

If they somehow pull off a lottery win they should think about Byfield who i believe is a true C where Lafr. is a W. Byfield seems like he could be a monster in a few years. I'd hope Barron is pretty close to ready to grab a 4th line role which has been garbage for the last few years. Miller seems very close, maybe he needs until after the new year in Hartford. Lundkvist is still a few years away. What kind of progression do Hajek and Rykov show? Kravtsov?

 

[kreidertime]

Rangers would be retarded to pass on Lafreniere. If they aren't moving TDA to wing, I deal him for a legit second line center. Not paying him on D or Strome. Pissed that Lundkvist decided to play one more year in Europe. Maybe he has an out. Who knows.

 

[RangersFan]

I think you have to move one of Strome or DeAngelo and add a legit # 2 C. I say one of them because I don't think you can give them each 5 mill per +/-, which is what it will take to bring them back on a multi year deal. Maybe you can bring DeAngelo back for around 4 mill +/- on bridge deals for 2 years, but I am not sure that is ideal either. In a perfect world Strome is the guy I deal based on position, the fact that he can be a UFA after next season, and overall skill. Either way unless you cannot find a # 2 C to add one has to go.

As an aside, I read that DeAngelo was playing with a real bad hamstring against the Canes, so I cut him some slack for his poor performance.

As for Lundkvist, given the uncertainty, and considering the season in Europe will start before the NHL season, I am okay with him staying over there for one more year. I don't think it is the worst thing. And after the season ends over there, he'll come to America.

To me this offseason has to be about adding forward depth and a legit # 2 C. And if we win the lottery that is a huge bonus cherry on top.

 

[RangersFan]

Pens just got beat by the Habs in 4. The Pens have really fallen off the past few years. On the one hand it is good for us that the Habs won, we move up a spot in the draft if we/they don't win the lottery. With that said, I would have preferred if the Pens won because I just don't trust the NHL when it comes to the Pens. Would it shock anyone if the Pens "won" the lottery? If they do I am going to be very angry. It does concern me.

 

[mrmel29]

Funny, that was the first thought I had too of a rigged draft with Pittsburgh. If we don’t get lucky with lafrenniere or byfield kid they want the center instead of a winger we should I believe be picking 9 or 10

 

[Ranger71]

Root for Chicago too. Pittsburgh is going into a slow decline now and their prospect pool is awful.

 

[kreidertime]

Love Arizona winning. Totally fucks the Devils pick over they had from them. LMAO!

 

[RangersFan]

I think we sit at 11 behind Minnesota and Winnipeg. So if we don't win the lottery, root for the Wild or Jets to win it, then we'd move up a spot to the 10th pick (plus it would mean picks 1 & 2 are owned by Western teams). Either way we are in a good spot. Win the lottery and we get # 1. The Wild or Jets win the lottery and we pick 10th. Another team wins the lottery, and we pick 11th worst case. So we will pick 1, 10, or 11. Not a bad place to be no matter how it plays out. Oh, and root for the Pens not to win the lottery so we don't have to revolt against the NHL...LOL.

Another item of note, root for CBJ to beat the Leafs in their game 5 tomorrow. Going to be tough for CBJ to rebound from an all-time epic collapse in game 4, but root for them nonetheless. If CBJ wins it removes them from the lottery, which is a plus seeing as they are in our division, and it means our second 1st round pick will be 20th +/- if the Canes lose in the next round (pending how the rest of the playoffs play out).

I say again, we are in a really good spot overall. Exciting times ahead.

 

[RangersFan]

This is such a big offseason for Gorton/JD to finish off this team. The more I think about it I would make sure Smith is gone, maybe a buyout (which would save us just under 1.6 mill next year, and carry a cap penalty of just under 800 K in 21-22) if we cannot trade him. Then I would beg Hank to retire. And let Staal play out his final season here. I would go with Hajek or Miller as Trouba's partner. And I would deal Strome and upgrade the # 2 C spot. And then look to add some bottom 6 depth upfront.

If we can do those things, and honestly none of them are crazy or way out there, I think we can be very good next season. Get it done Gorton.

 

[kreidertime]

Hank is a proud man. I'm quite sure the Rangers will have a job for him in the organization with some sort of under the table handshake to take care of him if he wants it. I'm betting he retires. Strome and maybe TDA could be in a deal. He's 32 but I'm all in to bring Kopitar in here. He can develop the young wings we have nicely and he's got 3 years left of high quality hockey IMO. I would make them take Staal or Smith and send them TDA and a lower pairing defenseman prospect. They need to rebuild. Kopitar is wasting his career there at this point. This gives the Rangers at least 3 years to see if they can develop a number 2 center with their young players.

 

[RangersFan]

I agree on Hank. I think he'll retire, and given the schedule that I wrote above, and his actual salary being only 5.5 mill, it makes sense for him.

As for Kopitar, I think that's the kind of # 2 C upgrade we need, but I doubt it's him. He's turns 33 in 2 weeks, and has a 10 mill cap hit for 4 more years (that's a lot given his age). I think we can find someone younger and cheaper for our # 2 C upgrade. And if we have to deal Strome, and a solid prospect (not one of our truly tops kids), and I would even throw in our second 1st round pick, I think we can do better age and contract wise. The way I see it is our true SC window opens in two years, 21-22 (I expect next season to be a playoff season - then a legit SC contender). We should be looking for a # 2 C who fits that window.

As an FYI - Rykov is gone off to the KHL. We still own his rights, but doubtful he plays here anytime soon, if at all.

 

[Ranger71]

Rykov needs a few more years of development but who knows where that move takes him now. I guess maybe with the AHL up in the air maybe he saw that as more certain to get playing time. He's way down our dman prospect rung anyway at this point.

 

[kreidertime]

I was for a younger center for a while but I'm not sure that is what this team needs for the young forwards. I think the right vet would be huge. Plus they need to see if Kravtsov, Chytil, Barron, etc.... can be a number 2 center.

 

[RangersFan]

I agree with you a vet # 2 C is the better play over a young center. I think a vet currently in the 27-29 range age wise should be the focus though. That would mean 29-30 when we are ready to win, and that's the perfect age for us. Paying a 33 year old Kopitar 10 mill per from 33-36 I don't think is the right fit for where this team is. He'll be 34-35 when we are ready to challenge for a cup, and that is a bit long in the tooth.

 

[kreidertime]

It's fine if you can dump Smith or Staal going the other way. Hank is off the books next year. So is Smith and Staal. Kings might do it for Staal and a few picks.

 

[RangersFan]

JD on Hank - sounds like it is over:

“I had a good chat with him when we got off the plane from Toronto. It was a discussion we had, we’ll continue the dialogue,” JD said after losing to Carolina.”His representative, Donnie Meehan is a good man. We will talk and see where we go. We made it clear that we aren’t carrying three goalies next year.”

“We have two very young goalies and one goalie that is a future Hall of Famer,” Davidson explained. “You have to have compassion and do things the right way and we will get to it and get to it the right way,” he concluded.

The former Rangers goalie also discussed how “father time” catches up with everyone. So what happens next? JD would not outright say it but the end of Lundqvist’s tenure on Broadway appears to be at an end.

“We will continue having our discussions to figure out what avenues we’re going to take as we move forward,” Davidson said Tuesday on a Zoom call. “We’ll handle things the right way and just move forward with this.”



I hope it is retirement, and not us having 5.5 mill of dead cap space (only saving 3 mill next season).

 

[kreidertime]

Lafreniere makes Buchnevich totally useless now. The top 4 wings will be Lafreniere, Kakko, Kreider and Panarin. Buchnevich does nothing well that you want a 3rd or 4th line wing to do. They need to sign Fast now. Honestly, Fast will win you more playoff games than Buchnevich. He's been one of the best playoff guys the Rangers had at times. I see a trade for a second line center and the lines as follows. I don't think Kravtsov will be ready until maybe half an AHL season. Still think Lias will be back and on the third line. Before Lafreniere I was all for getting rid of Fast. Now, he fits a better role than Buchnevich does.

Kreider-Zibanejad-Kakko
Lafreniere-Trade-Panarin
Gauthier-Chytil-Fast
Lemieux-Howden-Barron

 

[RangersFan]

Andersson has already said he's staying in Sweden next season. I know you have a thing for him, but truthfully it's over. He will not play here. And if he does it certainly will not be next season as he'll be in Sweden. Also Panarin is a LW, not a RW.

Here is what I see right now, unless Kreider is willing to move to RW.

Lafreniere-Zibanejad-Kakko or Buch
Panarin-Trade-Buch or Kakko
Kreider-Chytil-Kravtsov or Gauthier
Lemieux-Howden-Barron

I read this morning Kreider could move down to play with Chytil, and honestly that isn't the worst thing. That is way better than a traditional 3rd line, and gives us great top 9 balance, especially if Kravtsov is the 9th guy.

 

[kreidertime]

Forgot Gauthier. Andersson is 21. It's not over. He's still a very young player. You keep acting like's he's 23 with 3 full years in the AHL. Andersson has a lot of game and the type of game you need in the playoffs. It's mental with him. JD and Gorton know this which is why they didn't trade him and they could have. Kreider isn't moving down. He has great chemistry with Zibanejad and always has. Kravtsov actually has to prove he can score at the AHL level before his can make the big club. Buchnevich is so freakin gone it's a lock. He serves zero purpose on this team now. Trading TDA, Buch and possibly Strome saves a lot of money they will eventually need.

Lemieux was a schmuck during the regular season but in his one playoff game he was one of our best players. Andersson has a lot of that type of game. Where as Buchnevich is exactly the type of player you don't want in the playoffs as is TDA. Guys who are dumb and make dumb mistakes. Granted TDA was hurt but he's a mistake prone player like Buchnevich is.

 

[RangersFan]

I think Andersson can still develop, I just don't think it will be as a Ranger if he does develop. My guess is we'll trade him at some point, but we'll see. Who knows how it will play out with him. All we know now is he's in Sweden next season at least.

As for Kreider, I think he moves to RW or they slide him down to play with Chytil. With Lafreniere and Panarin at LW, there is no other option. As for Kreider's chemistry with Ziban, it didn't stop Quinn from splitting them up for most of game 2, and game 3 against the Canes.

As for DeAngelo, I still think the best play is a 2 year bridge deal, unless his trade value is very high and he can net us a very good # 2 C in a package.

Here is what I know for sure, it's an exciting time to be a Rangers fan. So many options to round out this team.

 

[Ranger71]

Package Andersson with Smith for a 3rd/4th and maybe eat 1m or something.

 

[Ranger71]

Some rumblings about TDA and Buffalo.

 

[kreidertime]

Could be for Reinhart. He doesn't take draws but he's a good wing and he plays tough and with an edge. A playoff type. I wonder if they trade TDA if they know they can bring back Lundkvist. Maybe he has an out if he's guaranteed a spot on the big club. That would surely free up Buchnevich, Chytil and Strome for a center.

 

[RangersFan]

The more you think about it, the more you think Buch is the guy to go in a package (maybe with the second 1st round pick) for a # 2 C.

He is a softer finesse type player, he is not a 3rd line type player, and we have good depth on the wings.

Lafreniere/Ziban/Kreider (Kreider needs to move to RW)
Panarin/# 2 C added/Kakko
Gauthier/Chytil/Kravtsov
Lemieux/Howden/Barron

Looks really solid to me. Maybe you want to add a grizzly vet to play on the 3rd line in place of Gauthier or Kravtsov, but directionally that is a good lineup with a lot of talent.

 

[theProdigy223]

The more you think about it, the more you think Buch is the guy to go in a package (maybe with the second 1st round pick) for a # 2 C.

He is a softer finesse type player, he is not a 3rd line type player, and we have good depth on the wings.

Lafreniere/Ziban/Kreider (Kreider needs to move to RW)
Panarin/# 2 C added/Kakko
Gauthier/Chytil/Kravtsov
Lemieux/Howden/Barron

I dont like Kreider on the right at all. The best element of his game is streaking up the left side and beating defenders to the outside with his speed and power. Put him on the right side and you're asking him to do that on his backhand. Not saying he cant play there but it would hinder one of the strongest parts of his game. Same with Gautheir on the right side - a power player who uses speed/power. Wingers playing on their off side are usually more of the playmaking variety, like Panarin, who open to center ice looking to dish off the puck. That's not Kreider or Gauthier.

That bottom 6 scares me. Lemieux would be the elder statesmen at the wise age of 24; 2/3 of the third line can't even buy a beer yet. I think it needs more work than just adding a grizzled vet.

I do agree that a forward should be used as part of the 2C upgrade, but I think it should be Strome over Buch. I watched that Flames game last night. They need a makeover. Credit to dump for being the first to raise Monahan's name. He checks every box we are looking for: a young C on a reasonable deal that is very good on draws, can play in all 3 zones, doesnt play small and has legitimate puck and shooting skills. Might be out of place at 1C but would be a very good 2C. Very durable other than the ugly injury last year (when he still went over 80 points). The Flames dont have a single right shot winger worth a damn. Strome could be interesting for them if they prefer putting Lindholm back at C and continuing to ride Backlund at 2C. And as I've said before, we could work in a DeAngelo/Hanifin angle to upgrade 1LD as well but that's another discussion.

Lafreniere - Zibanejad - Buchnevich
Panarin - Monahan - Kakko
Kreider - Chytil - Kravtsov/Gauthier
Lemieux - Howden/Barron/Gauthier/Fast or other vet

That has the making to be a very solid and balanced F group. Buch can be moved out next offseason ifwe are confident one of Gauthier or Kravstov can handle top 6 responsibilities and Lafreniere/Kakko excel as they should.

 

[RangersFan]

I don't anticipate Strome being back, but I am not sure he is enough to get back a very good # 2 C, unless the remainder of the package is very good. He is an RFA who can be a UFA after next season. That hurts his value I believe. If you want a guy like Monahan, who most likely isn't available anyway, we'd need to give up way more than Strome. We added Strome for Spooner last year. Very doubtful that now equals Monahan. Sure he had a solid year, but he also played with one of the top 5 players in the NHL on his line, that certainly impacted his stats.

As for Kreider, he either shifts to RW or he plays on the 3rd line. I am not opposed to him playing on the 3rd line, I am just not sure they will do that to their 6.5 mill per leader. If he is open to it, sure move Kreider to LW, certainly gives us good depth on the lines.

I love your big plans (I mean that seriously not sarcastically…), go get Monahan, go get Hanifin, but I'm not sure why the Flames would move those guys unless they got a lot in return, and to me that means a lot more than RFA's DeAngelo and Strome.

Directionally though, moving a winger in a package for a very good # 2 C, is the right move, and we are on the same page. We'll see what names end up in the boxes.

 

[theProdigy223]

Right, we would need to add to Strome if Monahan was the target. But I wouldnt be surprised if CGY did end up making Monahan available.

 

[RangersFan]

Count me as surprised if Monahan becomes available for anything less than a great return. Only 26 in two months, 30 goal 60 point guy with maybe a little more upside, signed for 3 more seasons at a very reasonable 6.375 per. That all equals big return IMO.

 

[kreidertime]

Where are the Flames going with Monahan and the rest of that team? Nowhere. They are caught in a no mans land right now. They should break it down. Build around a few young players. The guy I wanted there for years is Bennett. He plays with a nasty edge. They never use him correctly. They give him little ice time during the regular season. He had 8 points in 10 games in the playoffs and was a plus 4 in the playoffs. Gorton blew it on that one. He had a chance to steal him. Now his value will be way up. However, I still think he can be had. If they go after Monahan I would think Chytil and Buchnevich are in the deal for sure. They really need young defenseman to build around over there. I think TDA will be something they would pass on with his contract demands. I would think they will want some prospects that are good but will never play here. Zac Jones. Tarmo Reunanen. A goalie prospect like Wall.