Stepan and Rannta to Arizona

[RangersFan]

Darren Dreger tweets that the Rangers are sending Antti Raanta and Derek Stepan to Arizona for a package that could include the 7th overall pack as well as prospect Anthony DeAngelo.

He says that the deal is done pending the trade call.

 

[RangersFan]

I like it. Raanta was a sweetener I'm sure. Now need to flip something for a RD that can play on the 1st pair with McDonagh. Then resign Smith. And maybe look to add a 4th line C with some grit who can win a faceoff.

 

[RangersFan]

DeAngelo was the 19th pick in the 2014 draft and had 5 goals and 9 assists last season for Arizona.

He is a right handed shot and had 43 points in 59 games for Syracuse in the AHL.

DeAngelo was drafted by Tampa Bay but traded to Arizona for a 2nd round pick last year.

He is from Sewell New Jersey and has two-years left on his entry level deal, with a cap hit of $863,333.

 

[mrmel29]

I like this. top pick back, dump stepans whole salary and get a decent prospect thats a Rd to boot. The reshaping has begun.

 

[RangersFan]

Let the trading begin. Hawks dumped some players also. Awesome trade for CBJ as they got Panarin for Saad. Big deal for them.

 

[kreidertime]

Not an awesome deal for CBJ. Kane made Panarin. Saad is a better player. His numbers with no offense Torts were very good.

Gorton found his nuts. Love this deal. Had it Stepan and his lazy play and crap faceoffs. This kid has a ton of talent. Weak draft but let's hope Clark has a player he loves in the top 10.

 

[RangersFan]

I think it is a great deal for CBJ, so we'll disagree there. But we agree on the Stepan deal, had to be made.

I also think we are just getting started. We will make more moves. I would now be very surprised if we don't deal for a RD to play with McDonagh.

This is a great start to the off-season with Girardi and Stepan gone.

 

[kreidertime]

Panarin's numbers will drop like a rock with Kane while Saad will be 35 G 70 points this year. Panarin is also one dimensional. He has no clue how to play defense. Pretty sure Chicago knows what they are doing.

Stepan, won't miss ya. Got worse over the past 2 years.

 

[kreidertime]

Have to think Miller is going back to center now.

 

[strudwickisthebest]

Eh, as you all know I always like the vet players... another homegrown good hockey player gone... but this isn't 2014 anymore..Signs some vets to plus in the holes.. get rid of Holden...

DeAngelo, Smith, Graves on defense

 

[NYR31]

Nice trade by Gorton and hope it works out for the 'Yotes as well.

 

[Messiah717]

I don't suppose they can make a deal using one of their picks and get Staal to waive his NTC. That would be a grand slam homer so I guess I won't get too greedy.

 

[RangersFan]

Following the Rangers trade of Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta to Arizona for the #7 overall pick tonight and Anthony DeAngelo, the Rangers have around $23 million in cap space if Kevin Klein retires.


I really think we are going to see a lot of noise with the Rangers the next week, and maybe even tonight. We may not even use both picks. Gorton will balance it, but no shot we aren't also going for it now with Hank at 35. So moves will be made on D, and a vet C who adds some grit and can win face-offs.

Should be an exciting week or two. Moves will be made...

 

[strudwickisthebest]

I think they might sign Thorton for 2-3 years at a reasonable cap hit. Nothing wrong with having him.. he could even develop younger wingers

 

[Ranger71]

Definately need another C either through FA or deal. Maybe they think Nieves can step up. We suddenly have a nice stable of D going in the minors. DeAngelo could make the team right away. Getting the 7th pick is nice. Guess this may end the Shattenkirk rumors.

 

[strudwickisthebest]

They need a good center. Have to replace Stepan's production. Nieves is a grinder, nothing more

 

[Ranger71]

Right I'm talking Nieves to replace Lindberg but they definately need to add a 2nd C.

 

[kreidertime]

They would never sign Thornton. He's old and slow. Doesn't fit this system at all. Hanzal would be a top choice. Might bring Boyle back. Dwing King for Wing please. However, AV is far too stupid to want that.

 

[Ranger71]

Tonight got alot more exciting for us.

 

[strudwickisthebest]

Thorton is not that slow. I saw a lot of San Jose games and he can skate. They gave away a lot to PHX, they aren't a better team after the trade. No guarantee who they pick at 7 will be an NHLer

 

[kreidertime]

Thornton is slow as Carton trying to think. You and your f'n vets.

 

[Messiah717]

Thornton hit the downside. No need to be the team that hands him a final contract.

 

[strudwickisthebest]

On a cheap deal they should take a shot. They are thin at center. Hanzal wants a good contract. Unless they want to be tied up for 4-6 years with him....I'm watching this season for a cup, not to develop the next fuckin grinder

 

[RangersFan]

Yeah, not interested in Thornton unless he took a crazy low deal just to keep playing.

Here is my bottom line, we have 23 mill of cap space now and a few holes to fill. Gorton will be doing a lot of work over the next 2 weeks to complete this team. I have faith in him to get a C, a dman to pair with McDonagh, and maybe even a 4th line faceoff C and a 2nd pair dman to play with Skjei as well.

He will get good stuff done, and that is why I like this trade today even more. In a capped league we simply could not allow Stepan to be here with a 6.5 AAV under a NTC for 2 or 3 years...no way. The value was not there in that contract, so we had to move him. And Zona wanted the one more year we'd have Raanta for as a kicker, so be it. For that we get the # 7 pick, a dman who can QB the PP and is a R shot with great skating ability, AND we got great cap flexibility...which simply cannot be undervalued here.

If you told me Gorton was done, then yeah I'd have concerns, but I have zero doubt we will see a handful of moves to complete the team in the near future.

 

[Ranger71]

For a backup maybe they look at Pavelec or Chad J again. I like the idea of maybe adding Dwight King. I would try and keep Miller at W but who knows.

 

[Stepupstepan]

when was the last time the Rangers had two first round draft picks? Wake me up, I am dreaming. Stepan must be considered as one of the better draft picks in their history. I know he did not do much in the playoffs and was bad on face-offs but the guy was a 50 point guy pretty much all of his career here.

 

[panzerporter]

Stepan was a consistent scorer but one of the worst faceoff men in the NHL, great trade getting rid of Derek. The only way I would have kept him is if he moved to RW and shot more. I agree with moving Miller to C and think Graves easily makes the team on his shot alone. I want Smith resigned over Shat and am greedy enough to want Staal gone too. It's refreshing to see a GM who recognizes weaknesses and addresses them rather than standing pat.

UFA centers to consider - Sam Gagner, Brian Boyle, Nick Bonino, Daniel Winnik