Speculation: 2013 Off-Season Speculation/Be a GM Thread II

[Vitto79]

I wouldn't touch Bozak with a 10 foot pole. He'll get massively overpaid.

And he's overrated, I like Weiss more long term

 

[Punxrocknyc19*]

And he's overrated, I like Weiss more long term

Bozak is so overrated.. if he was not on the Leafs, he wouldnt be talked about as much... Watch the Islanders or some crappy team overpay for him... Average player at best, nothing special


Isnt Weiss close to Adam Graves?? i dont know if they are related in anyway, but i have heard that they are close... i wouldnt mind Weiss but didnt he have wrist surgergy or planning to this offseason?? if so maybe his value goes down a little but at the same time, he doesnt fit as a 3rd line center.. has he played wing before?? Brassard with his awesome play in the playoffs should be the 2ed line center until someone does better than him or Brassard goes on a bad streak..

 

[RangerBoy]

Stephen Weiss

Tyler Bozak

Mike Ribeiro

Derek Roy

Valterri Flippula

All of them will be overpriced.There will be enough money available for them to get ridiculous contract with the cap dropping. Teams will have compliance buyouts to free up space. The Rangers shouldn't be one of them. Its amazing people still suggest the Rangers get back into the free agent mix.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

Stephen Weiss

Tyler Bozak

Mike Ribeiro

Derek Roy

Valterri Flippula

All of them will be overpriced.There will be enough money available for them to get ridiculous contract with the cap dropping. Teams will have compliance buyouts to free up space. The Rangers shouldn't be one of them. Its amazing people still suggest the Rangers get back into the free agent mix.

I mostly agree, but the only issue is if we buyout Richards, and we should, we need another center. Unless they feel one of Miller or Lindberg are ready to take that spot full time. Its a risk to be weak down the middle.

Can Del Zotto fetch a young 1A-1B? 2A? Who would be available?

Colorado is more likely to move Stastny than Duchene. Stastny isn't the right fit. Edmonton isn't moving Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins, or any of their top young forwards except Paajarvi. Buffalo won't move Hodgson. Nashville won't move Wilson.

 

[NikC]

Stephen Weiss

Tyler Bozak

Mike Ribeiro

Derek Roy

Valterri Flippula

All of them will be overpriced.There will be enough money available for them to get ridiculous contract with the cap dropping. Teams will have compliance buyouts to free up space. The Rangers shouldn't be one of them. Its amazing people still suggest the Rangers get back into the free agent mix.

Well not for some of those names they shouldn't. ...

 

[Fitzy]

We should lock up the guys we have, and ponder a trade. That's about it. Only way I'd go for a big name UFA is if there was an amnesty buyout on a cant-miss player.

 

[*Bob Richards*]

Unless an amnestied Marian Hossa is willing to take an easy deal, I'm not very keen on any potential FA this year. Weiss and Horton? Meh....

 

[mike14]

Pretty sure there is a NHL bylaw stating that Slats must participate in UFA signings each season. At least it feels that way...

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

If the Rangers buy out Richards only to give any sort of significant deal to Weiss...

I will just bury my head in my hands and laugh.

 

[Chief]

And he's overrated, I like Weiss more long term

And so is Weiss. I didn't even realize he was 30 already.

 

[Ola]

We should lock up the guys we have, and ponder a trade. That's about it. Only way I'd go for a big name UFA is if there was an amnesty buyout on a cant-miss player.

We definitely must be prepared to accomodate our new coach. Before we know who is coming here, its hard to speculate what needs we might have.

 

[NYR Viper]

Here is an interesting take:

Trades:

Staal + Pyatt to CARfor Murphy + Tlusty + CAR 1st '13

Tlusty to VAN for Kassian + Van 2nd '13

Sign:
Nystrom (3 years @ 1.4 million/season)
Eminger ( 1 year @ .75 million)
Clowe (3 years @ 3.25 million/season)
Scuderi ( 2 years @ 2.75 million/season)

line-up:
Clowe-Brassard-Nash
Kreider-Stepan-Callahan
Hagelin-Lindberg/Miller-Kassian
Nystrom-Boyle-Dorsett

McDonagh-Girardi
Moore-Stralman
MDZ-Scuderi
Eminger

That's a team that they can grow with and will bring back the Rangers identity.

Kassian, Clowe, Nystrom, Dorsett.

It adds (2) rookies to the line-up as well in Kreider and Lindberg/Miller

I know, pipe-dream...

Zuccarello, Asham and Powe they should attempt to trade.

 

[iamitter]

Here is an interesting take:

Trades:

Staal + Pyatt to CARfor Murphy + Tlusty + CAR 1st '13

Tlusty to VAN for Kassian + Van 2nd '13

Sign:
Nystrom (3 years @ 1.4 million/season)
Eminger ( 1 year @ .75 million)
Clowe (3 years @ 3.25 million/season)
Scuderi ( 2 years @ 2.75 million/season)

line-up:
Clowe-Brassard-Nash
Kreider-Stepan-Callahan
Hagelin-Lindberg/Miller-Kassian
Nystrom-Boyle-Dorsett

McDonagh-Girardi
Moore-Stralman
MDZ-Scuderi
Eminger

That's a team that they can grow with and will bring back the Rangers identity.

Kassian, Clowe, Nystrom, Dorsett.

It adds (2) rookies to the line-up as well in Kreider and Lindberg/Miller

I know, pipe-dream...

Zuccarello, Asham and Powe they should attempt to trade.

I don't understand why we should be trading Zuccarello. He opens up the ice and would be perfect for any more offensive minded coach.

Who knows if Kassian will flop or not? Who knows if Kreider won't play like he did at the start of the year?

 

[Tawnos]

We should lock up the guys we have, and ponder a trade. That's about it. Only way I'd go for a big name UFA is if there was an amnesty buyout on a cant-miss player.

I agree with this generally.

Although, if we don't resign Clowe, I think we need to look at a middle 6 winger.

And either way, we need to look into a bottom-4 right D.

 

[NYR Viper]

I don't understand why we should be trading Zuccarello. He opens up the ice and would be perfect for any more offensive minded coach.

Because I don't see him fitting in this top-6 which is already soft and I don't see him as an ideal 3rd line player either.

I also think he could return a nice asset and would like to see Clowe, Kreider and Hagelin on the left, Kassian, Callahan and Nash on the right?

 

[Ola]

Free agency? NO.

I can't completely commit to staying away from the players that might be bought out.

 

[NYR Viper]

I can't completely commit to staying away from the players that might be bought out.

Free agency? NO.

I disagree, I think there are few intriguing names out there who may not get severely overpaid. Nystrom is one. Bordeleau from Colorado is another. Ryan Jones from Edmonton.

I really don't think Weiss gets all that overpaid. Not saying I want him.

Chad Larose.

There are useful players available IF they can stay away from the top tier guys like Bozak, Roy, Horton, Clarkson who are not that good.

 

[Jackpot]

Stephen Weiss

Tyler Bozak

Mike Ribeiro

Derek Roy

Valterri Flippula

All of them will be overpriced.There will be enough money available for them to get ridiculous contract with the cap dropping. Teams will have compliance buyouts to free up space. The Rangers shouldn't be one of them. Its amazing people still suggest the Rangers get back into the free agent mix.

Yeah, because we should spend the rest of Henrik's career hoping our stable produces top 6 talent to compete with the Pens. .Or are you saying we should explore the trade route? Because we're going to be down (are down) a play making #1 center, and could still use help on the wing..

 

[BBKers]

Free agency? NO.

Pretty much agree. Eminger and Clowe might get some consideration IMO if terms are reasonable. If not - bye bye. I think a few interesting names might appear after the 48 hour window of compliance buyouts is over though. This could be of interest. Remember signing Vinny P for cheap after his buyout. Worth looking into at least...

 

[NYR Viper]

I wonder if Franzen will be bought out due to the length of his contract....

 

[iamitter]

Because I don't see him fitting in this top-6 which is already soft and I don't see him as an ideal 3rd line player either.

I also think he could return a nice asset and would like to see Clowe, Kreider and Hagelin on the left, Kassian, Callahan and Nash on the right?

I realize what you're trying to do, but Nash is the only real "goal scorer" in the top 9 on the wings then. Callahan isn't particularly good offensively ES. Clowe loves his usual set up at the halfboards and pass. Kreider is still an unproven commodity. Frankly, I think that lineup leaves a lot to be desired. I like the style in which its build and I like the way they'll play - I'm just not sure if it's defensive shortcomings will be overcome by its offensive awareness. Clowe is a dinosaur in terms of foot speed and Nash's favorite style of playing defense is sitting on his butt after a failed move in the offensive zone and watching the play go by (he's definitely more of a floater than Gaborik). When he's "on" like the beginning of the year, sure, it doesn't matter. But CBJ fans said he's in "Olympic mode" around 15-20 times a year (by the end, it dwindled to 6-7), thankfully for us he seemed reenergized and played like that almost 20/48 games. Kreider and Brassard aren't the best two-way players. I can't speak for Kassian, so I won't.

I'm basically seeing one player hustling back per line, which is nice. However, I don't think the amount of goals they will actually score will outweigh how many they prevent. Or, to rephrase, I think the amount they score won't outweight it as much as it does now (1.2-1.4x). That leaves the PP with frankly a lot of pressure and I think Zuccarello could help in that facet. I don't see a very effective PP with this personnel. PK should be fine with Stepan-Callahan, Boyle-Hagelin, Lindberg (?)-Dorsett/Nash.

Stepan and Brassard need to absolutely work on their FO skills. Brass had a nice FO% with us, but his career is usually where Stepan's is, around 45%. I know you tried to build the team the way Boston is, but their centers are excellent on faceoffs and that's very important. We can't have our top two centers be poor on faceoffs. Also, there's still doubt Brassard can continue his play into next season.

Again, I like the style, but there's still quite a few deficiencies with that roster. Still need
-a quality center who is good in the dot and can PK (I have faith it'll be Lindberg)
-a RH shooting option on the PP (Hopefully Murphy?)
-a goal scorer who is good at ES (Hopefully Kreider?)

The 5th overall could land us Nichushkin or Lindholm, both of which would be great.

I really like the style of our lineup there and I think the 2014-2015 season would lineup excellently for us (getting a quality player on an ELC would be key as well as the fact that most of our lineup would be getting in their prime). The problem I think is there's no guarantee this lineup would make this team better for next year. They'd be harder to play against and would be fun to watch, but you'd have to have a lot of things go very right for this team to actually succeed and thrive. Yes, I realize I stopped talking about Zuccarello a while ago.

Your third line, btw, doesn't look like an "ideal" third line, which you mentioned. I'm not sure what you're looking for in it. I think Zuccarello could fit tremendously with Hagelin and Lindberg. That would be a possession monster of a line. Excellent on faceoffs, excellent and bringing the puck into the zone and excellent at keeping it there. None of them are particularly big, but I don't think they'd have to be. They'd rarely give the puck up and would all be good for 45 points, likely keeping a +/- around 20.

Went off a lot there. tl;dr is I like it, but it seems to be a step backward for next season which I don't think the front office wants.

 

[NYR Viper]

I realize what you're trying to do, but Nash is the only real "goal scorer" in the top 9 on the wings then. Callahan isn't particularly good offensively ES. Clowe loves his usual set up at the halfboards and pass. Kreider is still an unproven commodity. Frankly, I think that lineup leaves a lot to be desired. I like the style in which its build and I like the way they'll play - I'm just not sure if it's defensive shortcomings will be overcome by its offensive awareness. Clowe is a dinosaur in terms of foot speed and Nash's favorite style of playing defense is sitting on his butt after a failed move in the offensive zone and watching the play go by (he's definitely more of a floater than Gaborik). When he's "on" like the beginning of the year, sure, it doesn't matter. But CBJ fans said he's in "Olympic mode" around 15-20 times a year (by the end, it dwindled to 6-7), thankfully for us he seemed reenergized and played like that almost 20/48 games. Kreider and Brassard aren't the best two-way players. I can't speak for Kassian, so I won't.

I'm basically seeing one player hustling back per line, which is nice. However, I don't think the amount of goals they will actually score will outweigh how many they prevent. Or, to rephrase, I think the amount they score won't outweight it as much as it does now (1.2-1.4x). That leaves the PP with frankly a lot of pressure and I think Zuccarello could help in that facet. I don't see a very effective PP with this personnel. PK should be fine with Stepan-Callahan, Boyle-Hagelin, Lindberg (?)-Dorsett/Nash.

Stepan and Brassard need to absolutely work on their FO skills. Brass had a nice FO% with us, but his career is usually where Stepan's is, around 45%. I know you tried to build the team the way Boston is, but their centers are excellent on faceoffs and that's very important. We can't have our top two centers be poor on faceoffs. Also, there's still doubt Brassard can continue his play into next season.

Again, I like the style, but there's still quite a few deficiencies with that roster. Still need
-a quality center who is good in the dot and can PK (I have faith it'll be Lindberg)
-a RH shooting option on the PP (Hopefully Murphy?)
-a goal scorer who is good at ES (Hopefully Kreider?)

The 5th overall could land us Nichushkin or Lindholm, both of which would be great.

I really like the style of our lineup there and I think the 2014-2015 season would lineup excellently for us (getting a quality player on an ELC would be key as well as the fact that most of our lineup would be getting in their prime). The problem I think is there's no guarantee this lineup would make this team better for next year. They'd be harder to play against and would be fun to watch, but you'd have to have a lot of things go very right for this team to actually succeed and thrive. Yes, I realize I stopped talking about Zuccarello a while ago.

Your third line, btw, doesn't look like an "ideal" third line, which you mentioned. I'm not sure what you're looking for in it. I think Zuccarello could fit tremendously with Hagelin and Lindberg. That would be a possession monster of a line. Excellent on faceoffs, excellent and bringing the puck into the zone and excellent at keeping it there. None of them are particularly big, but I don't think they'd have to be. They'd rarely give the puck up and would all be good for 45 points, likely keeping a +/- around 20.

Went off a lot there. tl;dr is I like it, but it seems to be a step backward for next season which I don't think the front office wants.

Alright, I see your points.

Just a couple of clarifications. I think the Rangers main problem this past year was their lack of any "ugly" goals. Clowe, Kassian and Kreider are good at that. Clowe is more of a passer, sure, but he is also very good at controlling the puck. Kreider will develop into a puck possession monster as he gets more comfortable.

I am in the club that thinks the personnel are not the problem. Brassard, Stepan, Callahan, Nash, Clowe, Moore, MDZ, McDonagh? I think they can find a couple of units in there and be at least average next season.

Moving forward, I think Murphy will be a gem. Still a year or so away and he needs time to develop which is fine as the Rangers have good depth at defense.

The 3rd line is ideal because they are good defensively (outside of Kassian who needs to work on that) and can create offense. I would much rather have Kassian there over MZA. Hagelin is a no brainer to play with the rookie Swede. Also, lines are never set, I look at the depth chart:

LW:
Clowe
Hagelin
Kreider

RW:
Nash
Callahan
Kassian

I don't see a player mentioned above who I would see MZA playing over.

On top of that, they acquire a 1st and a 2nd in this years draft.

The trades I mentioned may not look "sexy" right now, but I think they are the best thing for this organization moving forward. Get a very good young forward and d-man + the pick for now and the future.

Nystrom is also an exceptional PKer which is why I want him so badly. He is also good for 8-15 goals a year and ~80-100PIM's. He is very similar to Gregory Campbell with his mix of speed, tenacity on the forecheck and defensive awareness.

 

[GAGLine]

What do you guys think about Latendresse? He's a big body, plays LW, and can chip in some goals. He's had a number of injury problems, but if he can stay healthy, he could really help us. He's only 26 and a UFA. He's coming off a 27 game, 10 point season with ottowa in which he got paid 2 mil. I think after that we can get him for cheaper. Say 1 - 1.5 mil per for 2 years.

 

[NYR Viper]

What do you guys think about Latendresse? He's a big body, plays LW, and can chip in some goals. He's had a number of injury problems, but if he can stay healthy, he could really help us. He's only 26 and a UFA. He's coming off a 27 game, 10 point season with ottowa in which he got paid 2 mil. I think after that we can get him for cheaper. Say 1 - 1.5 mil per for 2 years.

He is a walking concussion. He is also a bit lazy which is not a good combination.

Good outside the box thinking though I like it.

 

[iamitter]

Alright, I see your points.

Just a couple of clarifications. I think the Rangers main problem this past year was their lack of any "ugly" goals. Clowe, Kassian and Kreider are good at that. Clowe is more of a passer, sure, but he is also very good at controlling the puck. Kreider will develop into a puck possession monster as he gets more comfortable.

I am in the club that thinks the personnel are not the problem. Brassard, Stepan, Callahan, Nash, Clowe, Moore, MDZ, McDonagh? I think they can find a couple of units in there and be at least average next season.

Moving forward, I think Murphy will be a gem. Still a year or so away and he needs time to develop which is fine as the Rangers have good depth at defense.

The 3rd line is ideal because they are good defensively (outside of Kassian who needs to work on that) and can create offense. I would much rather have Kassian there over MZA. Hagelin is a no brainer to play with the rookie Swede. Also, lines are never set, I look at the depth chart:

LW:
Clowe
Hagelin
Kreider

RW:
Nash
Callahan
Kassian

I don't see a player mentioned above who I would see MZA playing over.

On top of that, they acquire a 1st and a 2nd in this years draft.

The trades I mentioned may not look "sexy" right now, but I think they are the best thing for this organization moving forward. Get a very good young forward and d-man + the pick for now and the future.

Nystrom is also an exceptional PKer which is why I want him so badly. He is also good for 8-15 goals a year and ~80-100PIM's. He is very similar to Gregory Campbell with his mix of speed, tenacity on the forecheck and defensive awareness.

I would love Nystrom, too. I think the trades are exactly what we should do and I like them a lot. I just really don't understand why you'd omit Zuccarello.

If just one of Kassian or Kreider flops, we have the same problem of 3/4th liners playing top 6 minutes.

Also, you have to realize that if you're going to play that kind of lineup, you're going to have injuries. Nash, Callahan, Clowe are all good for at least 5-10 missed games a year and if Kassian and Kreider play that same style, they could very well be the same way. Things could get really ugly really quickly. The reason Nash recently had that season where he played all 82 games was because he stopped playing his game and stopped going into the dirty areas.

I just don't see the PP working itself out like that. Still no PPQB and no point shooter. With Richards and Zuccarello gone, we have absolutely nobody who can take a slap shot. I seriously see no threat from the points. We'd have our usual PP goals with some dirty ones from Callahan, some nice one timers from Stepan at the sideboards into an open net and Nash will get his usual 6-7 from the sideboards. Brassard's still the only player who really becomes very dangerous on the man advantage. I don't know, I just don't see that unit going any higher than 20-25th next year at least.