Next year thread

[kreidertime]

Well, I assume the will give TDA, Skjei money. There ABSOLUTELY must not be any NTC or NMC. Lundkvist is a special prospect. He probably will be very much like Fox. Thus, the team has to keep their options open. The return for a signed TDA at 5.5 in a deal would be pretty damn good.

I still hope to get Lias back in the fold. I believe his game is something our soft, candy ass forwards need more off. My concern with Lias is that he seems to be a minus player all the time which should not be happening with his intangibles. He needs to play better defense. Let's hope he gets his whacko head straight. I'm 50/50 on Kravtsov right now. He is 20 and his offensive production at the AHL is crap. To be fair, the players down there offensively aren't good. Lias his first time had 20 points in 36 games. However, Chytil averaged a point per game when he was down there. I think Pajuniemi and Barron are major sleepers at forward for us. I really think Barron with 3 years of college and a guy who fits Quinn's style will make the team. At least on the 4th line.

As far as Strome goes. Not sure. I could take him or leave him. Unfortunately, Chytil hasn't shown enough yet at center. Especially in the dot. I'd rather they trade Strome and go get a guy like Hertl or Larkin.

I still think Larkin can be had. I'd trade Strome for a prospect. That shouldn't be hard to do. To get Larkin you are probably looking at giving up Georgiev, Chytil, Hajek and Gross. Something like that. I think it's worth it. Georgiev isn't beating Shesterkin out. Ever. Chytil could be a good center. Hajek and Gross should be NHL defenseman. I think we are a bit slow up front. We need a legit number 2 center. Let's face it. Detroit sucks and they have nothing in goal. They are thin on defense and have no depth.

I'm starting to lean towards signing Fast as well because our current forward group sucks so bad on defense it's hard to understand. I think next year is the last year they give Buchnevich to figure it out. If he doesn't, I expect he will be moved for picks and prospects.

 

[Ranger71]

What's the deal with the 1st we got for Skjei, it's now the lower of the CAR/TOR finishers? So that basically means it has no shot of being a lottery pick as at least one will make the playoffs. I was under the impression that Carolina had chosen it to be their own.

*I have a feeling Kravtsov is going to need one more full year in the AHL, which is ok as long as he gets stronger and develops.

 

[RangersFan]

The Canes get to choose which pick they send us, so of course they'll send the lower one. The one caveat is the Leafs pick is top 10 protected, so if the Leafs pick in the top 10 we automatically get the Canes pick no matter where it ends up. But the Leafs are making the playoffs, so their pick won't be a top 10 pick. So yes, we'll get the worse pick between the Canes and Leafs pick. Hopefully both lose in round 1, and most likely they will (if the Canes get in). The Leafs play TB and the Canes will play Bos or the Caps. So still should be a solid pick (although the Leafs can upset TB I think).

As for next year, I would deal Strome also. WE MUST ADD A LEGIT # 2 C. If we get that the sky is the limit I believe. Our top two lines would be awesome with Kreider/Ziban/Buch AND Pan/# 2 C/Kakko. That is big time. And we'd still have Chytil to anchor the 3rd line, Howden on the 4th line, plus Lemieux, and maybe Fast as well.

On D we have to be careful with TDA I agree. Could you make the case you deal TDA knowing you have Trouba, Lundkvist, and Fox on RD? Then maybe keep Strome and still add a # 2 C? Might not be smart to be tied to TDA long term given our potential at RD. Plus you'd be dealing him at a high, and could get a good return (maybe a package for a # 2 C). Keep Strome and let him be on the 3rd line with Chytil. Not a bad option.

 

[kreidertime]

I think they move TDA to the left next year. Play Lundkvist. If they see him having a year like Fox did this year, they probably move TDA at the deadline. However, the PP is good for the first time in forever and TDA is a big part of it.

 

[Ranger71]

Lundkvist and maybe Miller may need a year in Hartford to really get acclimated, though Miller has a pro ready physique and game so maybe just a few months for him. If they can get DA on a decent deal for 3-4y i would to cover ourselves, plus you could move him in year 2-3 like you said.

 

[kreidertime]

Lemieux is starting to piss me off he’s so fucking stupid

 

[Ranger71]

That's what I've been saying, i personally don't see him as a longer term piece. Maybe Seattle will take him, though Howden may be the one.

 

[RangersFan]

I have said all along, he is a 4th line player, that's it. In that role he is okay. Move him higher and you are asking for trouble.

 

[kreidertime]

Expansion draft wise. Rangers will probably protect Panarin, Zibanejad, Kreider, Buchnevich, Chytil, Howden, Strome(If signed) Lemieux to be exposed. I don't think Lias will be exposed now. Not sure he has enough games. Fast exposed. They will protect Howden. Quinn loves him. Or I can see them protecting Fast and exposing Strome with a higher salary. That's if somebody steps up at center next season.

Defense protect Trouba, DeAngelo, Lindgren

Goal protect Georgiev


Dumb fuck Buttholeman needs to stop expanding. There are enough fucking teams. We don't need any more. I could also see the Rangers having an extra first and trading that pick to tell Vegas which player to select.

 

[mrmel29]

I like that idea dump of trading an extra first. We have enough prospects at the moment and have 2 more firsts this year!!

 

[RangersFan]

I am not a fan of trading a 1st to ask Seattle to take someone specifically unless it is to take a contract off our books and give us more flexibility. Otherwise I am confident Gorton will put us in a good spot to lose a guy who is okay but not impacting, like with Vegas and Lindberg.

 

[kreidertime]

Lindberg would have done great here as a 4th line player. He was very good in the playoffs for a role guy with limited time. I doubt he wanted to leave. If we have an extra first I could care less if they trade it to tell a team who to take. There will be very few if any spots open in the future on this team. Lemieux is starting to play himself into a trade. Lias may have hit some bumps in his road to the NHL but at least he isn't a walking penalty like Lemieux. There are role players like Andersson, Gettinger, Barron Gauthier that are knocking on the door for jobs on the Rangers long term. Lemieux better show a lot on down the stretch here. He's basically gone into the toilet the past few months.

 

[Ranger71]

I wouldn't give up a 1st just to do that. This team will have enough in the pipeline by then that losing someone like Lemieux or Howden won't be a huge deal. Maybe Hajek is the defenseman exposed as it looks like Lindgren is a piece longer term now. They could re-sign McKegg for 2y just to use him as a 3rd exposed forward. I still don't know how they work getting a goalie exposed.

 

[RangersFan]

Yup, like I wrote an okay but not impactful player. That's exactly what Lindberg was. If I am dealing a 1st round pick in two years, as it stands right now I want a little something more than a don't take this guy. I write as it stands right now because we don't know exactly who will be unprotected. If it is a Lindberg type of guy, who as you wrote was exactly what I wrote, okay but not impactful, I much rather keep the 1st round pick. I would not have given up a 1st round pick to keep Lindberg.

 

[theProdigy223]

I have said all along, he is a 4th line player, that's it. In that role he is okay. Move him higher and you are asking for trouble.

Yup, like I wrote an okay but not impactful player.

hah chuck dont hurt yourself patting yourself on the back there so much.

I still really like Lemieux. This is a guy who in my opinion has shown enough offensive creativity, puck skills and vision to be a pretty good third line player. He carries the puck very well and is better at receiving the pass than most of the bottom 6ers. But given the make up of this team he has played very little top 9 minutes and been asked to play a 4th line checking role. The fourth line for a good chunk of this season has consisted of a combination of Brett Howden and two guys who belong in a beer league somewhere in Greg McKegg and Brendan Smith (with respect to Smith's skills at F). There arent very many players in the league who will look good playing with that trash. If you compare Lemieux with the puck on his stick to any of those guys, Lemieux comes out well ahead.

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that Lemieux is not that great defensively, and is surprisingly not great along the boards. He's more of a skill player who can also lay big hits and play physically. If you put Lemieux on a line with Chytil at C and Kakko or Gauthier on the right, that line would look about a billion times better (conservatively speaking) than the Howden/DiGuiseppe-Chytil-Kakko line we've seen. But Quinn likes having Lemieux's physical style on the 4th line, and it's tough to argue with that.

And if we're going by the box scores, which is how this argument originally came up, he's pacing at about 25 pts per 82 games over his very early career. That is more than "okay" for a guy in his situation and playing with the linemates he does. I mean when Derek Dorsett (a guy he reminds me of) was on our stanley cup 4th line with way better linemates, he had 8 points.


EDIT: To be clear, whether Lemieux is a 3rd or 4th line player is hardly the most pressing issue for this team, and in the long run isnt going to make or break the roster. If Quinn wants to keep him on the 4th that's fine and I'm not surprised he doesnt look as great as we all hoped he would while playing there. Just couldnt let Chuck declare victory TWICE

 

[theProdigy223]

I still think Larkin can be had. I'd trade Strome for a prospect. That shouldn't be hard to do. To get Larkin you are probably looking at giving up Georgiev, Chytil, Hajek and Gross. Something like that. I think it's worth it.

Larkin is a very interesting idea I hadnt heard before. I wonder if DET would make him available given the state of that team. He'd fit that 2C role very well, and his contract is decent for the next 3 seasons after this ($6m).

I think we'd have to part with something more high-end than the package you proposed. Think Kravtsov or Miller (not on top of what you proposed, but in some way involved).

Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Panarin-Larkin-Kakko
LEMIEUX(for chuck)-Chytil-Gauthier
Gettinger-Howden-Fast

yes please.

Even if you take Larkin out, it's pretty clear to me that an upgrade at 2C would really set this team up for the long run.

2C and 1LD are the two big holes right now.

 

[RangersFan]

I have no issue with Lemieux either. He's a 4th line guy and is generally solid in that role. Nothing wrong with that. Maybe he'll be a 3rd line guy at some point in his career, but he isn't that right now. No shame in that.

And no it isn't close to our biggest issue or focus - to be candid it is pretty much irrelevant big picture IMO.

As for the other post, that was about Lindberg not Lemieux. Lindberg was an okay player.

 

[Ranger71]

This defense is pathetic.

 

[RangersFan]

The Rangers are in an interesting spot. I 100% believe Gorton and JD are ready to step up to contender status next season, and will make moves that reflect that this summer. Now that doesn't mean they will make moves that have a negative impact on the future, but I fully believe they are ready to take the next step.

We badly need a # 2 C. That is the biggest must be far I feel. It will be interesting to see which way Gorton goes on that front. Maybe look to Edmonton for RNH?

Internally the biggest decision is what to do with Staal/Smith/Hank. They have to make decisions on these guys, and it is not just buy them all out (I think one buyout makes sense if we cannot move them). That wouldn't make sense.

On Hank I hate to say it but I'd force his hand if we have to (which hopefully we do not). What that means to me is tell him he is not playing next season. If he won't retire or accept a trade he'll sit in the stands the whole season. This is harsh, but has to be done. If Hank truly cares about the Rangers it won't come to that point though, and he'll retire OR accept a trade, and I fully believe he can be dealt with 50% retained, which would be a savings of 4.25 mill next year. Also remember his actually salary is 5.5 mill, so if he retires he only leaves 5.5 mill on the table, not 8.5 mill. Also maybe he retires from the NHL and goes to play with his bro in Sweden for a year or two and/or we offer him a front office job whenever he wants it. So he can recoup the 5.5 mill for sure if he wants. Show you are truly a team/franchise guy Hank and accept whatever has to happen. For the record I think he will.

With regards to Staal/Smith, after you take care of Hank you decide on these two. Hopefully one can be moved, and worst case we use only one buyout if needed.

If we can do that, I think you re-sign TDA for 5 years, but keep flexibility with him as was mentioned above (at least the first 3 or 4 years). I also would love to find a way to keep Strome for the 3rd line. He's a perfect fit there with Chytil and maybe Kravtsov or Gauthier. Then you have Howden and Lemieux as the base to your 4th line. So keeping Strome, or signing someone similar, to play on the 3rd line is important I believe. We need forward depth, and if we don't have Strome (or a Strome type) on the team next year I think we'll lack needed forward depth.

This is a very interesting off-season for the Rangers. How they complete this team is very important. I trust Gorton, and believe he'll make the right decisions, but he needs to get it done. This should be an exciting handful of months ahead.

 

[Rangers94]

The Rangers are in an interesting spot. I 100% believe Gorton and JD are ready to step up to contender status next season, and will make moves that reflect that this summer. Now that doesn't mean they will make moves that have a negative impact on the future, but I fully believe they are ready to take the next step.

We badly need a # 2 C. That is the biggest must be far I feel. It will be interesting to see which way Gorton goes on that front. Maybe look to Edmonton for RNH?

Internally the biggest decision is what to do with Staal/Smith/Hank. They have to make decisions on these guys, and it is not just buy them all out (I think one buyout makes sense if we cannot move them). That wouldn't make sense.

On Hank I hate to say it but I'd force his hand if we have to (which hopefully we do not). What that means to me is tell him he is not playing next season. If he won't retire or accept a trade he'll sit in the stands the whole season. This is harsh, but has to be done. If Hank truly cares about the Rangers it won't come to that point though, and he'll retire OR accept a trade, and I fully believe he can be dealt with 50% retained, which would be a savings of 4.25 mill next year. Also remember his actually salary is 5.5 mill, so if he retires he only leaves 5.5 mill on the table, not 8.5 mill. Also maybe he retires from the NHL and goes to play with his bro in Sweden for a year or two and/or we offer him a front office job whenever he wants it. So he can recoup the 5.5 mill for sure if he wants. Show you are truly a team/franchise guy Hank and accept whatever has to happen. For the record I think he will.

With regards to Staal/Smith, after you take care of Hank you decide on these two. Hopefully one can be moved, and worst case we use only one buyout if needed.

If we can do that, I think you re-sign TDA for 5 years, but keep flexibility with him as was mentioned above (at least the first 3 or 4 years). I also would love to find a way to keep Strome for the 3rd line. He's a perfect fit there with Chytil and maybe Kravtsov or Gauthier. Then you have Howden and Lemieux as the base to your 4th line. So keeping Strome, or signing someone similar, to play on the 3rd line is important I believe. We need forward depth, and if we don't have Strome (or a Strome type) on the team next year I think we'll lack needed forward depth.

This is a very interesting off-season for the Rangers. How they complete this team is very important. I trust Gorton, and believe he'll make the right decisions, but he needs to get it done. This should be an exciting handful of months ahead.

We also need a defensive dman that can move people from near the net. We have good offensive dmen that can play the puck, but in our own zone they are useless in front of goal. As a whole this team lacks in the defensive zone. Losing Kreider crushed this team, which is why he has to be the one wearing the C next year.
I could take or leave Strome, but if the money isn’t terrible he’s a good 3rd line center. Whoever we go after at center needs to be a good faceoff guy though because it’s embarrassing how badly we lose some of the faceoffs. Half the time our guys don’t even try, they just lazily wave at the puck on the drop and then go about their business. It’s a killer on special teams especially. We need a coach just for faceoffs because this has been an issue for YEARS now with this team and not just under Quinn.
As for Hank, I love the guy, and I hope he does the right thing, but I’d be more shocked if he’s not here next year than if we traded Georgiev. No athlete likes to be told their time is up, and every great athlete loves to think and believe they have one more good year left in them. I think we are stuck with Hank. We should be able to move Smith easier than Staal though. I think Smith is dealt and Staal is bought out this summer. Regardless of what dump thinks, no one wants Staal on their team, even if he may be a slight upgrade over what they may have. He’s a road cone out there....actually, that’s not fair to road cones because at least they serve their purpose and do their job. Staal can’t play defense anymore sadly. He’s just too big of a liability out there with his constant lunging poke check and inability to do almost anything else. This team is really close, but at the same time is also a few big key pieces away. Going to be a very interesting offseason.

 

[kreidertime]

The more I think about it, the more I would move DeAngelo to wing and then let him play defense on the point on the PP. We need scoring up front and I think with his skills, he can become a very good scoring wing. Then go with Trouba,Fox, Lundkvist on the right side. I'm sick of Sam and Joe praising Smith. He blows. Get rid of him already. Staal I hope they can deal. Maybe with only 1 year left on his deal. He doesn't fit in on a rebuilding team. I target Larkin. Like I said, if you have to offer up a lot so what. Do it. If I can't get him than Hertl whose value should be down after his knee issue. I like Gauthier a lot. With maturity and other young guys maturing, I think he will be a good player. Lemieux if he can't become away above average PK guy then he can go. He has great speed with his stupid decision making, he won't have much use if he can't be a great PK guy.

 

[Ranger71]

Loser Pittsburgh is no help as they continue to freefall.

 

[kreidertime]

Ruff has to go. This team has no effective defensive system in place. Does that fall on Quinn or Ruff? Not sure. I do know that defensively, defenseman only seem to get worse defensively working with Ruff. JD needs to go out and find a top, innovative, defensive mind to get this team to play some fn defense on a consistent basis. Especially the forwards.

 

[kreidertime]

I love what I see from Gauthier. His speed is very impressive for a guy his size and he just throttles players in the corners. Other teams d men have been bouncing off of him. I hope they move him up to the line with Panarin. Let him get a chance there.

 

[Ranger71]

Saw something where there could be another compliance buyout if they don't have any cap increase.

 

[RangersFan]

If there is a buyout allowed that doesn't impact the cap, that would be huge for us. I really think Hank is going to retire from the NHL. Maybe go play overseas with his bro. Maybe take a job with the organization. Remember his actual salary is only 5.5 mill, not his 8.5 mill cap hit. Worst case I think he accepts a deal and somehow we can save 4.25 against the cap if he is dealt and we eat 50%. I don't see anyway he wants another year of not playing and sitting on the bench or in the stands. If the Hank situation plays itself out as I expect, that would allow us to buy out Staal and get rid of his 5.7 mill cap hit.

That could save us about 10 mill against the cap next season, and leave Smith as our only bad contract. And if Hank retires that could save us 14 mill against the cap.

Then we can absolutely go get the 2nd C we need. I think we should look to deal a good pick and a solid prospect for the # 2 C if we have to. Must add I believe.

And remember next season we pay just under 7.5 mill towards buyouts. The following season that drops down to just over 2.5 mill. Saving nearly another 5 mill after next season. Our cap situation is looking really strong after next season. And if we get a cap impact free buyout this summer, our cap situation will be real strong next season as well.

 

[RangersFan]

The more I think about it the more I feel Gorton should treat Staal and Hank as a duo if each team gets one non-cap impacting compliance buyout this summer.

1. Best case Hank retires, and we buy out Staal. I think this one is unlikely not just because he'd be leaving 5.5 mill on the table, he can get that back playing overseas or working for the team, but because I think he still wants to play. This would save us 14.2 mill against the cap. 8.5 mill saved from Hank retiring + 5.7 mill saved from Staal buyout.

2. Trade Staal half retained, buyout Hank. This would save us 11.35 mill against the cap. 2.85 mill saved from dealing Staal half retained + 8.5 mill saved from Hank buyout.

3. Trade Hank half retained, buyout Staal. This would save us 9.95 mill against the cap. 4.25 mill saved from dealing Hank half retained + 5.7 mill saved from Staal buyout.


To me I think # 3 is the most likely scenario. I think if Gorton and JD tell Hank we love you, and your number will be retired someday, but we are going with the kids in goal and you'll be in the stands every night, Hank would accept a trade. I think we could find a taker for one year at 4.25 mill.

No matter which way it goes down I strongly feel we need to remove Staal and Hank from the team next season, especially if the cap stays the same AND we get a non-cap impacting compliance buyout.

 

[kreidertime]

I think both will try to stay here until they are dead or released. I see buyouts for Smith, Hank and Staal.

 

[RangersFan]

No way we buyout all 3 unless 2 are non-cap impacting exceptions (which I don't see - I see one maybe). It doesn't make sense to bump all that dead money into the following year.

As for Hank, to me he has been very open in saying if the time comes where I am not the best solution come talk to me as a man. I see that convo happening after the season, and if Gorton/JD say thanks, but going with kids you won't play a lot, and will be scratched, I think Hank absolutely accepts a trade. At that point he has no options.

Does he sit all year and do nothing OR take one last shot with a team and actually play? It does him zero good to sit all year. That would essentially end his career. His options would be almost zero at 39 the following year after sitting all season. It would be awful for Hank and the team. I just don't see Hank saying F you I am staying, sit me if you dare. That would be counter to all he has said.

 

[kreidertime]

Hope that is correct. I could also see the Rangers paying him his salary in a organizational position to be BA's assistant as he retires.