Around The NHL Part XXX

[NYR94]

If you're good enough on the wings and defense I think you can get by without a 1-2 knockout punch at center that teams traditionally tried to have like Crosby-Malkin, Kopitar-Carter or Backstrom-Kuznetsov. But you need at least a legit first line center like Mika and I think Dubois would fit that role as well very soon. Look at the names Chicago used at the 2C spot after Toews and still won Cups--Handzus and Richards at the end of their careers. So the Rangers could rely on strength at wing in Lafreniere, Kakko and Kreider (and hopefully Kravtsov soon) to pick up the slack the way Kane, Hossa and Saad did for Chicago. But like Edge said I think the Rangers would go for a younger center in a trade rather than the old vet route Chicago used if there were a scenario where they couldn't keep two elite centers.

 

[Tawnos]

Something to consider, be it PLD, Eichel or another center who is believed to be more than your typical second line center, is that it quite likely could be a move that precedes moving Zibanejad. I just do not know if the Rangers can realistically sign PLD, Zibanejad and their other talents in two years time. Something big would have to give.

In that scenario, assuming Chytil is part of the cost to land PLD, the Rangers would probably look to move Zibanejad in a similar move to the one they made to acquire him in the first place.

If Lafreniére and Kakko are what we hope they are, then I think we can expect to see the 2C be a player that changes often, for the reasons you mentioned. Just not quite enough room to have 3 highly paid wingers and 2 highly paid centers for very long.

And that’s ok. Perfectly possible to win Cups that way.

 

[RGY]

If you're good enough on the wings and defense I think you can get by without a 1-2 knockout punch at center that teams traditionally tried to have like Crosby-Malkin, Kopitar-Carter or Backstrom-Kuznetsov. But you need at least a legit first line center like Mika and I think Dubois would fit that role as well very soon. Look at the names Chicago used at the 2C spot after Toews and still won Cups--Handzus and Richards at the end of their careers. So the Rangers could rely on strength at wing in Lafreniere, Kakko and Kreider (and hopefully Kravtsov soon) to pick up the slack the way Kane, Hossa and Saad did for Chicago. But like Edge said I think the Rangers would go for a younger center in a trade rather than the old vet route Chicago used if there were a scenario where they couldn't keep two elite centers.

I agree with much or the sentiment written here. My concern is that if you acquire Dubois now, you hope your team can be a threat to win in the next 2 seasons because of Mika’s impending UFA status that we might not be able to afford OR want to pay. Oh and you have Dubois’ bridge deal ending at the same time. So if you go with Edge’s scenario of trading Mika next offseason then you are hoping Dubois becomes a 1C. Because you might not find another 1C on a reasonable contract to fit him and Dubois at the top. And I absolutely think Dubois numbers will jump playing next to Panarin or Lafreniere. And its always hard to tell if those numbers are a product of his own play, his teammates, or both, BUT regardless it will result in a pay increase from the $5 mi AAV he is at right now. At least $8 million+. Again point is you hope Dubois is a true 1C in 2 years time because then you could theoretically move on from Zib, get assets, and search for a 2C with those assets.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

With PLD, IMO you dont get him in addition to Zib. Imo the best chance we have of having a true 1 and 2 center is if Chytil takes one or the other spot. We can't afford to add a player to take that spot, for all the grief Strome gets he's a pretty affordable short term solution there. The key to this rebuild is that someone young needs to take a top 6 c spot. I still believe Barron has the ability and drive to become a Hayes type, it won't happen overnight though, but thats just my opinion and maybe ive been watching him grow for too long, as at some point he's gonna peak, but his progression is something else since i first saw him at around 12 years old.

 

[Kovalev27]

Lundkvist kravtsov gauthier Howden strome buchnevich deAngelo Jones hajek even chytil this years 1st round pick all should be on the table for Dubois

they can’t have them all of course but some combo of 2 or 3 pieces and we can do it easily

we have the assets we have the top farm system this is how you use them not everyone can play here.

 

[Kovalev27]

And I absolutely line him up behind Mika. Dubois is not a 10 mil player like eichel. He’d slide in perfectly

 

[Shesterkybomb]

And I absolutely line him up behind Mika. Dubois is not a 10 mil player like eichel. He’d slide in perfectly

The price for Dubois on a regular year is 8.5 mill or more. Having 18 mill tied up in zib and pld doesnt leave money for Kakko, Lafreniere, Fox, Chytil, Shesterkin etc etc.

 

[Edge]

Challenging part, or crappy part, about that scenario is we seemingly end up back where we are now if we lose Zibanejad after acquiring PLD. This was always a possibility in an Eichel scenario as well. The thing with Eichel is he is already a 1C. PLD is a #2 who you hope keeps progressing towards a 1C. Because if he doesn’t and say you acquire someone like Sean Monahan, you end up with (2) 2C’s. Is that enough to win cups? Is it enough with talent on the wings that we have?

In that scenario, your key to moving Zibanejad would be the risk/reward of getting a younger, more affordable player who steps into a second line, but has growth potential the way Zibanejad did.

So if the Rangers went down the PLD route, there’s a key follow-up action that would likely be necessary to ensure success.

 

[Edge]

If Lafreniére and Kakko are what we hope they are, then I think we can expect to see the 2C be a player that changes often, for the reasons you mentioned. Just not quite enough room to have 3 highly paid wingers and 2 highly paid centers for very long.

And that’s ok. Perfectly possible to win Cups that way.

It is very doable. You have to make sure you identify the right guys and that your pro scouting department is capable of really sniffing out the value opportunities that can provide the highest ROI.

 

[Kovalev27]

The price for Dubois on a regular year is 8.5 mill or more. Having 18 mill tied up in zib and pld doesnt leave money for Kakko, Lafreniere, Fox, Chytil, Shesterkin etc etc.

welcome to the flat cap world. He will not get 8.5 mil anytime soon

 

[bobbop]

If the Rangers traded for PLD and both he and Mika both played well enough earn huge contracts, we'll all be eating strawberries in the wintertime

 

[kovazub94]

Something to consider, be it PLD, Eichel or another center who is believed to be more than your typical second line center, is that it quite likely could be a move that precedes moving Zibanejad. I just do not know if the Rangers can realistically sign PLD, Zibanejad and their other talents in two years time. Something big would have to give.

In that scenario, assuming Chytil is part of the cost to land PLD, the Rangers would probably look to move Zibanejad in a similar move to the one they made to acquire him in the first place.

If I were the Rangers front office I’d do all in my power to not make Chytil a part of the cost (ALMOST as much not available as Lafreniere or Kakko)

 

[Shesterkybomb]

welcome to the flat cap world. He will not get 8.5 mil anytime soon

He has 2 years left on the new deal.

 

[RGY]

welcome to the flat cap world. He will not get 8.5 mil anytime soon

Making $5 million AAV over the next 2 years. You somehow think he wouldnt get a sizable raise given his age and after playing with Panarin/Lafreniere over the next 2 years? ... Ok.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Sweet move by a DET prospect:

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Sweet move by a DET prospect:

That looks identical to that goal that the US player had against the Czechs.

 

[Edge]

If I were the Rangers front office I’d do all in my power to not make Chytil a part of the cost (ALMOST as much not available as Lafreniere or Kakko)

Unfortunately, when it comes to talent age 25 and under, I’m not sure they’d be able to include Chytil is an off-limits group that almost certainly include Lafreniere, Kakko, Fox and Shesterkin.

So that’s where guys like Chytil, Lundkvist, ADA, Kravtsov, Miller, Robertson, etc. come into play.

 

[NYSPORTS]

The f*** is this?

Name 3 teams with these proven young guns
who the Rangers can't match?

i'd say the Rangers are #1.

Many of Carolina and Philly's prospects have graduated while the Avs are pretty loaded, the Kings have a very solid group of kids and Ottawa IMO.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

i'd say the Rangers are #1.

Many of Carolina and Philly's prospects have graduated while the Avs are pretty loaded, the Kings have a very solid group of kids and Ottawa IMO.

Actually they slipped my mind, they could put something competitive together as well.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Unfortunately, when it comes to talent age 25 and under, I’m not sure they’d be able to include Chytil is an off-limits group that almost certainly include Lafreniere, Kakko, Fox and Shesterkin.

So that’s where guys like Chytil, Lundkvist, ADA, Kravtsov, Miller, Robertson, etc. come into play.

What do you think of Chytil, I was really excited about his potential at first but I feel like he hasn't really lived up to it yet, but he's such a young player.

 

[TominNC]

What do you think of Chytil, I was really excited about his potential at first but I feel like he hasn't really lived up to it yet, but he's such a young player.

He's still young enough that there's plenty of room for potential. People are so impatient.

 

[Kords]

Hard to imagine Chytil won't be a 2C in this league. He is super young still and doesn't have that much farther to go from 3C. If Hayes could make that jump, so can Fil.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Chytil, Kakko, and Lafreniere better pop off this season. Its nice to have these great prospects but we need to see them deliver. I don't care that they're just kids. When you are that blue chip status esp Kakko and Lafreniere you need to show it. And Chytil while not at their level is entering his 3rd full season.

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

Sweet, they changed the layout on HF

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Sweet, they changed the layout on HF

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Also on CF.