Brad Richards Part II

[NYR Viper]

Why do we need a "new" Shanahan. What did the old Shanahan win here?

So he'll go from Crosby and Malkin to Stepan and Brassard. Downgrade??

Shanahan was an effective player for the Rangers before his freak head-on-head collision with Knuble.

I would sign another Shanahan in a heartbeat.

Wait, are you saying Stepan and Brassard arte not as good as Crosby and Malkin?! How does it feel to sit on a throne of lies!?



This team needs to be able to score more goals. I am trying to think outside the box. I think Iginla would work well here and he would fit the mold of player this team likes. Big, strong, hard to play against. He would provide veteran leadership as well.

My question, would you rather Iginla or Clowe? And you can't say neither.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Shanahan was an effective player for the Rangers before his freak head-on-head collision with Knuble.

I would sign another Shanahan in a heartbeat.

Wait, are you saying Stepan and Brassard arte not as good as Crosby and Malkin?! How does it feel to sit on a throne of lies!?



This team needs to be able to score more goals. I am trying to think outside the box. I think Iginla would work well here and he would fit the mold of player this team likes. Big, strong, hard to play against. He would provide veteran leadership as well.

My question, would you rather Iginla or Clowe? And you can't say neither.

I think signing an old Jarome Iginla to a 3 year deal is firmly inside the box when it comes to the NY Rangers.

 

[NYR Viper]

I think signing an old Jarome Iginla to a 3 year deal is firmly inside the box when it comes to the NY Rangers.

I disagree. I think the NY Rangers would go out and sign Ribeiro to a 6 year contract worth 6 million/season. Or something along those lines.

The PP needs to improve. Streit + Iginla? I realize they are older but they are both smart players who know how to score.

 

[Trxjw]

How about we buyout Richards and save the cap space instead of throwing it at whatever has-been or big name we can find? As has been mentioned around here by some of our well-connected posters, there's likely to be a series of buyouts that might make having cap-space extremely valuable.

 

[Crease]

Don't sign anyone over 30 unless they're brought in and paid to be complimentary pieces. And frankly, this team has too many line cooks in the kitchen as is.

 

[NYR Viper]

How about we buyout Richards and save the cap space instead of throwing it at whatever has-been or big name we can find? As has been mentioned around here by some of our well-connected posters, there's likely to be a series of buyouts that might make having cap-space extremely valuable.

I think for the reason you just stated, players like Iginla will be able to be had for less than market value. Hence why I think it would be a good idea to offer him something.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Don't sign anyone over 30 unless they're brought in and paid to be complimentary pieces. And frankly, this team has too many line cooks in the kitchen as is.

This should be tattooed on the forehead of every GM in the league (or, at least the GMs of the teams I root for).

 

[nyranger61494]

I think for the reason you just stated, players like Iginla will be able to be had for less than market value. Hence why I think it would be a good idea to offer him something.

Iginla has been a point per game player since moving to Pittsburgh. He is my favorite player in NHL. Iginla is going to get paid. He and agent were reportedly looking for $7 million this offseason according to Elliotte Friedman around when trade happened. He is going to want a multi-year deal. But this is my sentiment, too:

Don't sign anyone over 30 unless they're brought in and paid to be complimentary pieces. And frankly, this team has too many line cooks in the kitchen as is.

 

[Trxjw]

I think for the reason you just stated, players like Iginla will be able to be had for less than market value. Hence why I think it would be a good idea to offer him something.

If that's the case, what's the point of him taking less on a team like ours when he could take less to stay on a powerhouse like Pittsburgh?

Haven't been all that impressed with Iggy since he came to Pittsburgh anyway. Guy absolutely has to be on the RW or he's just about useless. Build around the current core of youth and vets. We need to stop trying to pile on top of it.

 

[nyranger61494]

If that's the case, what's the point of him taking less on a team like ours when he could take less to stay on a powerhouse like Pittsburgh?

Haven't been all that impressed with Iggy since he came to Pittsburgh anyway. Guy absolutely has to be on the RW or he's just about useless. Build around the current core of youth and vets. We need to stop trying to pile on top of it.

Right and then we are back at same problem that Rangerboy has highlighted multiple times. Nash and Cally are our 1st and 2nd line RW.

 

[Riverdale]

How about we buyout Richards and save the cap space instead of throwing it at whatever has-been or big name we can find? As has been mentioned around here by some of our well-connected posters, there's likely to be a series of buyouts that might make having cap-space extremely valuable.

Please. I am sick of this never-ending trend. When will it stop?

 

[NYR Viper]

If that's the case, what's the point of him taking less on a team like ours when he could take less to stay on a powerhouse like Pittsburgh?

Haven't been all that impressed with Iggy since he came to Pittsburgh anyway. Guy absolutely has to be on the RW or he's just about useless. Build around the current core of youth and vets. We need to stop trying to pile on top of it.

The Rangers need to find the RIGHT pieces though. Hagelin and Zuccarello in the top-6 are not going to lead this team to a Cup.

 

[RangerBoy]

Buying out Richards and spending another $20M-$30M on Weiss is part of the same cycle. Weiss and Adam Graves know each other very well. The Rangers were interested in Weiss before he had wrist surgery. Weiss. Riberio. Bozak. Roy. Those are the free agent centers. They will all get good money because teams need centers. Weiss could be up a good signing but the Rangers have struck so badly in the free agent market. Its an annual event. There is a stigma attached to free agents and the Rangers. Everyone knows the names. Maybe the Rangers acquired Brassard as a cheaper option than a free agent center. Brassard has another year left and then is arb eligible. The Rangers will have a ton of space after amnestying Richards. They could trade for a player with some of that space. More friendly contract. Plenty of room to re-sign their own players. Don't hand out another long term free agent contract.

 

[Trxjw]

The Rangers need to find the RIGHT pieces though. Hagelin and Zuccarello in the top-6 are not going to lead this team to a Cup.

That's entirely fair, but I don't think Iginla is the right piece either. Look where this team has had the most success with bringing in new players. They're young, moldable, and want to make a name for themselves. We've failed with guys who have already established themselves as "high end" players. No more retirement contracts.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

I just feel that, agree or not, the management of this team views it as being in "win now mode".

I would guess they feel that the time for hoarding cap space and waiting for the right UFA while retooling and focusing on drafting has past. Not that you should ever NOT focus on drafting. But that the priorities have shifted.

So I don't see a scenario where they hold cap space just to hold it. I expect the team will use every $ available to ice the best possible roster next year.

Part of me would have it no other way. I want to root for a team that does everything possible to make itself better. Another large part of me is nauseous at the thought of what $ commitment the Rangers will make next.

But ultimately, if I were betting I would certainly bet on the $ being spent.

Edit - just hopefully not on Weiss...

 

[NYR Viper]

That's entirely fair, but I don't think Iginla is the right piece either. Look where this team has had the most success with bringing in new players. They're young, moldable, and want to make a name for themselves. We've failed with guys who have already established themselves as "high end" players. No more retirement contracts.

Fair enough. What about Streit? They eventually need to find someone who can be the QB of the PP and teach some of these young players how to react out there. Pitt did it with having Gonchar back there for years.

I should also say, that I really don't like what I am seeing so far tat is available. I would rather give Iginla or Streit 2 year deals than Weiss, Roy or Bozak 5-6 year deals. IMO the money will be spent.

 

[OverTheCap]

The Rangers have a bad habit of signing free agents because it's the best of what's around that summer instead of prioritizing whether or not that player may be the best fit. I could easily see this happening again this summer if Richards is bought out.

This team has become far too reliant on free agent forwards and it has bit us in the ass over and over again. Almost every cup winning team builds its offense around homegrown talent. When it comes to offense, the Rangers have to concentrate their efforts on drafting and developing rather than looking to the free agent market every offseason. Unfortunately, with Lundqvist getting older, the Rangers aren't going to have the patience to do this.

 

[NYR Viper]

The Rangers have a bad habit of signing free agents because it's the best of what's around that summer instead of prioritizing whether or not that player may be the best fit. I could easily see this happening again this summer if Richards is bought out.

This team has become far too reliant on free agent forwards and it has bit us in the ass over and over again. Almost every cup winning team builds its offense around homegrown talent. When it comes to offense, the Rangers have to concentrate their efforts on drafting and developing rather than looking to the free agent market every offseason. Unfortunately, with Lundqvist getting older, the Rangers aren't going to have the patience to do this.

They have a core here, that should be around for along while:

Nash
Stepan
Brassard
Dorsett
Boyle (yes, he will be around)
Hagelin

Young players like:
Fast
Hrivik
Kreider
Lindberg
Miller
Thomas

At least a few of them should make it to join them.

IMO, they need to supplement them with a couple of good signings, who they are, I'm not sure. Pyatt, Zuccarello (even though I like him), Asham and Powe are not good compliments to the above.

 

[Trxjw]

Fair enough. What about Streit? They eventually need to find someone who can be the QB of the PP and teach some of these young players how to react out there. Pitt did it with having Gonchar back there for years.

I should also say, that I really don't like what I am seeing so far tat is available. I would rather give Iginla or Streit 2 year deals than Weiss, Roy or Bozak 5-6 year deals. IMO the money will be spent.

I think a true PP QB defender would be a good addition, but FA doesn't have to be the "go to" method of finding one. We ought to be able to make a good hockey trade to acquire one. Streit is a good player, but he's going to get paid. He's 35 and I'd like to stay away from players of that age unless they'll take a one year deal.

Still, being able to run a PP is something you either have the instincts for or you don't. I fully support the idea of mentoring young players, but look at the way Krug moves on the PP. You can't mentor that. The kid just has it. Moore can do it as well, but the coaching staff is too concerned with the possibility of him making mistakes. Put Moore and McDonagh on the PP. Two of the best skating defenders in the NHL will finally give us the movement we need to create some shooting lanes.

 

[NYR Viper]

I think a true PP QB defender would be a good addition, but FA doesn't have to be the "go to" method of finding one. We ought to be able to make a good hockey trade to acquire one. Streit is a good player, but he's going to get paid. He's 35 and I'd like to stay away from players of that age unless they'll take a one year deal.

Still, being able to run a PP is something you either have the instincts for or you don't. I fully support the idea of mentoring young players, but look at the way Krug moves on the PP. You can't mentor that. The kid just has it. Moore can do it as well, but the coaching staff is too concerned with the possibility of him making mistakes. Put Moore and McDonagh on the PP. Two of the best skating defenders in the NHL will finally give us the movement we need to create some shooting lanes.

I wonder if Gonchar would take a 1 year deal as a bottom-pairing guy

 

[NYRCSKA*]

I wonder if Gonchar would take a 1 year deal as a bottom-pairing guy

Gonchar would be the best point man we've had since Leetch even at 40 years old.

 

[Doctor King Schultz]

So does Richards get one more season or does he get bought out after this season? My nightmare is that he plays another season and has a bounce back year and doesn't get bought out, only to be terrible from there on out.

 

[Coldplay]

Gonchar would be the best point man we've had since Leetch even at 40 years old.

This post has to be a joke.

 

[JohnC]

I guess I'm just a good person but I still feel bad for the guy for some reason

Although, I wouldn't expect people to feel bad for me if I was an 83 year old woman hockey player making 12 million dollars

 

[Brooklyn Ranger]

So does Richards get one more season or does he get bought out after this season? My nightmare is that he plays another season and has a bounce back year and doesn't get bought out, only to be terrible from there on out.

After tonight's game--and the complete inability of Richards to do anything positive on the power play--I wouldn't be against scratching Richards for the rest of the season. It's painful to watch him out there.