I am expecting some turnover... the roster needs size, speed, character and RH shots up front.
I would explore a JMoore for Mark Stone/Colin Wilson/Zach Smith type of trade... ideally a RH center/winger with size, speed and character that can play in the bottom 6 now and chip in some offense. JMoore can be replaced and upgraded by Conor Allen, so isn't a pretty of a player or skater, but doesn't turn the puck over when feeling pressure. I haven't seen JMoore use his speed like other PMD's do, the head and heart just aren't on the level that you need and he's a tradeable asset that would be over valued.
I would not bring back any player that turns the puck over when they feel pressure, and replace them with the right combination of size & character. That means buying out Brad, moving JMoore, not bringing back Pouliot, and getting a bigger more versatile role player than Dorsett.
Those are the 4 slots that are open. Jesper Fast and Miller should grab a hold of one each. I'd love to have Boyle back, but the guy is going to be a 4th liner with a cap hit close to $3, if not above in the open market. That is a huge hole that will need to be addressed.
Stralman, well if he stays, he is staying at a discount, because the market will overpay for him. The Rangers can backfill Stralman more than they can backfill Staal.
Biggest needs will be upfront. The Rangers have internal solutions on the back end that won't require giving up assets. Allen and McIlrath can give 12-13 minutes a night, ideally you'd want more, but they are rookie Defensemen.
Size up the middle, size on the wings, RH shots. The Rangers have enough speed where that isn't a need, but whichever players come in, better be good athletes that can skate. I'd also move Rick Nash to LW and keep him there. Let him play that side more and this way the Rangers top 6 is somewhat shored up by having Kreider take over Pouliot's role... which he is much better suited for anyway.
On Nash, the guys had 3 concussions in less than a year, and played scared, he did not cut in from his off wing to shoot, he was afraid of getting railed, how many times did we see his patented post up move that created nothing? Let him play the left side and lower his chances of taking another kill shot.
Top 6 should be set. I don't think the team is in a ideal situation with Brassard getting top 6 minutes, but for now it should be adequate while other gaps in the line up are filled.
Nash-Stepan-MSL
Kreider-Brassard-Zucc
Speed kills, and DMoore still has his legs. He's picked it up througout the season and brings a lot to the table, and should be easier to sign than Boyle. DMoore couldn't get $3M after his 51 point season, and he's not going to now. Boyle will. GMs overpay for size and character.
I'd set up a speed line that can play a checking role that can score.Taking a page out of LA's book, I won't number the lines and have 4 lines that can be thrown out there. Team will need some size and girth and I think JT Miller is ready for a center role. If he is not, the team needs to trade for one (preferably RH) that can eat those minutes. Joe Vitale is a guy I'd take a flyer on. PK's, great on draws, block shots and is a character player.
Hagelin-Miller-Fast
Lindberg-DMoore-Vitale
This is just a rough line up with what's available internally and a low cost UFA signing upfront. Gonna take a better look at what's out there before fleshing out the full roster.
