Rangers and Stepan avoid arbitration

[Stepupstepan]

LOL...Stepan has been one of our best players for the past 3 years. A homegrown guy yet people complain that he is overpaid now, has a NTC and is terrible on faceoffs...

 

[NYR31]

When Brassard is making $5M/yr and is a better player today, how can anyone justify $6.5M for Stepan? his wimpy style of play and poor faceoffs ability is no secret, though i agree he plays well both ends of the ice.

 

[kreidertime]

I don't think Stepan knows what he's talking about. How can you have a no trade in years 1-2 but a NMC throughout when you have a limited NTC in years 5-6. Unless I'm missing something, that makes no sense.

 

[theProdigy223]

Basically all a NMC does is ensure the player can't be sent down and get the Wade Redden treatment. No waivers without player permission.

 

[chuckd3534]

I would guess it means he cannot be sent to the minors or bought out. That is the NMC part of the deal. The NTC part doesn't bother me when you look at it as I laid out above.

As for Brass/Step, I loved the Brass deal so I won't say a negative word about it. He took less money to stay here, and honestly we got that deal done the summer before he really took off. If we tried to sign him now off of this past season he would get closer to 6 mill for sure. So good smart timing on Brass. Step was always getting more IMO. He has had better seasons than Brass until this past season for Brass, which happened AFTER his extension was signed. With everything factored in not sure Brass and Step is an apples to apples comparison.

 

[theProdigy223]

Chuck, I could be wrong but I think you can be bought out with a NMC. This goes to the discussion we had with Vro a little while ago relating to the over 35 rules...a NMC in theory only protects valid contracts, and if you get bought out the contract is terminated. Again I could be wrong, but I believe it deals just with waivers. You can always buy a guy out as it's part of the CBA.

 

[chuckd3534]

Could be. Not 100% sure on that. Maybe he can be bought out without his approval. You may be right. I think you are actually. Either way we see the difference between a NMC and a NTC. A guy like Stepan would never get sent down anyway, so that is a no biggie IMO.

 

[Ranger71]

Let him play out this year then deal him for a solid prospect and pick, and sign Staal next summer.

 

[chuckd3534]

You are obsessed with Staal. You should be focused on getting rid of a Staal if you want Yandle here long term, because no shot that can happen with Marc Staal here.

 

[kreidertime]

I love almost all of Stepan's game. Plus he's a right shot. He makes us better. However, for 6.5 million, he better learn how to win 48% of his f'n draws or be willing to move to wing. I'm sick of his crap faceoffs. If he doesn't improve, he has to be moved.

I agree that Nash might be the one moved next year.

 

[chuckd3534]

With Lindberg and McIlrath on the roster but no Megna or Diaz, the Rangers would have $950,500 in cap space.

 

[chuckd3534]

I think we'll see one more big shot with this core in place, that is why we haven't made major moves outside of moving Hags for cap reasons (never thought we needed major moves).

But if we fall short again I think we will see some major moves. I can see Nash being shipped for sure if we don't win the cup next season...especially if he struggles in the playoffs again.

 

[strudwickisthebest]

That 950k will be for a deadline pickup

 

[Ranger71]

He should produce 10pts for every 1m so that should now mean at least 60-65 per year if he's going to give his money's worth. Not to mention the need for improved faceoff %.

 

[Messiah717]

Lets have a season and then worry about next year.

 

[panzerporter]

I like the signing and while Stepan may not be gritty he's no pushover like Hags and he knows how to score. He does suck on faceoffs and should be moved to RW if he can't improve. Aside from that he's a good passer and has averaged .7 PPG in 5 years - Brassard averaged .6 PPG in 7 years so the money for Derek does make some sense. Didn't like the Staal contract at all, he's coming off a couple of major injuries and needs to put on 15-20 pounds.