GDT: Free Agent Frenzy/2013 Offseason Thread: Part VII: OMGZZZ SATHER DO SOMETHING

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

Hagelin, Callahan, Brassard, Kreider and Richards are big question marks going into next season. The first two is because they're coming off of severe injuries, Brassard because he will need to continue improving from his good Ranger stint and finally, Kreider and Richards need to do complete 180s because they was absolutely god awful last year. I don't think Stepan should be listed in the category with average to above average, he's already proven that he was the team's most complete player last season. Just too many question marks for me to put it in the 'pretty damn good' category.

I love Stepan but he was a 1c for 40 games.. He's a question mark to me as a 1c until I see cibsistency

 

[NYR Viper]

I dont know. Im quite horrified with any combination of lines with the current roster. Reaches all over the place.

I agree. But if there are going to be reaches, I would rather see young guys battling it out. Time to start to see if some of these kids can sink or swim.

 

[aufheben]

Call me an irrepressible optimist, at least in the off-season, but I really think that our forward group is going to surprise a lot of you.

I think there is potential, but everything needs to go right, IMO; Stepan needs to continue being a 1C, Brass needs to show consistency, Kreider needs to at least start contributing something, Miller/Lindberg will probably be needed. We'll seeee.

Stepan I think will be ok, Brassard will be fine with line mates who can score, I think Kreider can find himself a spot (He finished the playoffs well, new coach, training camp), yada yada.

 

[Kershaw]

I love Stepan but he was a 1c for 40 games.. He's a question mark to me as a 1c until I see cibsistency

Well you can look at it that way, but I see him as a player who's not only improved scoring rates from his rookie season, but he's become one of the best defensive forwards in the league. He is a player that continues to trend up with each passing season. It started with his post-draft season where he was the best player in college and the best player in the WJC. I expect him to continue improving and approaching Bergeron-type player in his prime years.

 

[Tawnos]

Hagelin, Callahan, Brassard, Kreider and Richards are big question marks going into next season. The first two is because they're coming off of severe injuries, Brassard because he will need to continue improving from his good Ranger stint and finally, Kreider and Richards need to do complete 180s because they was absolutely god awful last year. I don't think Stepan should be listed in the category with average to above average, he's already proven that he was the team's most complete player last season. Just too many question marks for me to put it in the 'pretty damn good' category.

That's not even starting on the horrendous bottom 6 forwards, which seemingly get ignored. Might be the worst bottom 6 in the league.

The team admittedly doesn't actually have a 3rd line... yet.

That being said, Hagelin, Callahan and Brassard aren't really question marks. Hagelin and Callahan were still effective players, if reduced, while injured. Not at all worried that they'll be fine on return.

Brassard is only a question mark if you expect him to continue putting up first line type numbers like he did for us. If you're expectation is reasonable, you expect him to put up 2nd line numbers, like he did for the two years before last and he did in Columbus before the trade.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

You are all irresponsible optimists.

I think the forward group has too many question marks to be considered anything but extremely average. Not bad, absolutely. But not on a contender level.

Can Stepan maintain? Can Brass/Zuke extend their end of season run over 82 games? Will BR rebound at all? Will Kreider develop? Are any of Miller/Lindberg/Fast ready? Who will win board battles? Will the 4th line be able to take a regular shift?

 

[Janerixon]

Hard to tell considering there is still FA frenzy and trades to come before the season, but I think roster shakes out as this going by AV's gameplan

Richards-Stepan-Nash
Hagelin-Brassard-Zuccarello
Pyatt-Boyle-Callahan
Dorsett-Powe-Asham
Kreider

McDonagh-Girardi
Staal-Stralman
Moore-MDZ
Eminger
Falk

Lundqvist
Biron

I think the lines we see to start the year will be very similar to this (minus Hags and Cally due to injuries)

Richards-Stepan-Nash
Zuccarello-Brassard-Kreider
Pyatt-Boyle-Miller
Dorsett-Lindberg-Asham

McDonagh-Girardi
Staal-Del Zotto
Stralman-Moore

Lundqvist-Biron

Sc: Powe, Falk, Eminger

Once Hags and Cally are back:
Richards-Stepan-Nash
Zuccarello-Brassard-Callahan
Hagelin-Boyle-Kreider
Pyatt-Lindberg-Asham

I am still hoping we trade for Konopka as I am not sure I want Lindberg on the 4th line and I don't trust Powe as the 4th line center

 

[Kershaw]

The team admittedly doesn't actually have a 3rd line... yet.

That being said, Hagelin, Callahan and Brassard aren't really question marks. Hagelin and Callahan were still effective players, if reduced, while injured. Not at all worried that they'll be fine on return.

Brassard is only a question mark if you expect him to continue putting up first line type numbers like he did for us. If you're expectation is reasonable, you expect him to put up 2nd line numbers, like he did for the two years before last and he did in Columbus before the trade.

Not having 3rd and 4th lines are just catastrophic problems for this team that need to be addressed, whether it's from prospects or signing some vet FAs.

Even if say Brassard, Callahan and Hagelin hit their career averages, that still rounds out into an average top 6. But the bottom 6 really drags this team down. Reminds me of the Jagr-era Rangers, but with better defense.

 

[Kershaw]

I think the lines we see to start the year will be very similar to this (minus Hags and Cally due to injuries)

Richards-Stepan-Nash
Zuccarello-Brassard-Kreider
Pyatt-Boyle-Miller
Dorsett-Lindberg-Asham

McDonagh-Girardi
Staal-Del Zotto
Stralman-Moore

Lundqvist-Biron

Sc: Powe, Falk, Eminger

Once Hags and Cally are back:
Richards-Stepan-Nash
Zuccarello-Brassard-Callahan
Hagelin-Boyle-Kreider
Pyatt-Lindberg-Asham

I am still hoping we trade for Konopka as I am not sure I want Lindberg on the 4th line and I don't trust Powe as the 4th line center

I'm not too keen on Konopka, he isn't a good fighter, not really good defensively, but superb at faceoffs. Just makes me weary that he's constantly been bounced around team to team.

 

[Tawnos]

Not having 3rd and 4th lines are just catastrophic problems for this team that need to be addressed, whether it's from prospects or signing some vet FAs.

Even if say Brassard, Callahan and Hagelin hit their career averages, that still rounds out into an average top 6. But the bottom 6 really drags this team down. Reminds me of the Jagr-era Rangers, but with better defense.

The team's 4th line is fine.

 

[NYR Viper]

I'm not too keen on Konopka, he isn't a good fighter, not really good defensively, but superb at faceoffs. Just makes me weary that he's constantly been bounced around team to team.

Konopka should not be an option for this team. Lapierre or Gordon should be the (2) other centers they look at it if they feel the need.

 

[Kershaw]

The team's 4th line is fine.

What are your proposed (but realistic) bottom 2 lines?

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

We just have to get used to the fact that the Rangers will never have offense

 

[Kershaw]

Konopka should not be an option for this team. Lapierre or Gordon should be the (2) other centers they look at it if they feel the need.

I'd like either of them, but I think Gordon is going to get paid this offseason. Lapierre makes sense with his history with AV.

 

[GAGLine]

You are all irresponsible optimists.

I think the forward group has too many question marks to be considered anything but extremely average. Not bad, absolutely. But not on a contender level.

Can Stepan maintain? Can Brass/Zuke extend their end of season run over 82 games? Will BR rebound at all? Will Kreider develop? Are any of Miller/Lindberg/Fast ready? Who will win board battles? Will the 4th line be able to take a regular shift?

Yeah, there are a lot of questions. But we aren't in a position to really do too much about it. So I'd rather be optimistic about the situation and just wait and see how it plays out.

 

[a tribe cq]

Konopka should not be an option for this team. Lapierre or Gordon should be the (2) other centers they look at it if they feel the need.

Wouldn't mind Gordon - Steckel

Steckel is amazing in the FO dot.

 

[NYR Viper]

Wouldn't mind Gordon - Steckel

Steckel is amazing in the FO dot.

Steckel provides less offense than Powe. And that is saying something. If the player is not a significant upgrade on a kid making the team, they shouldn't be signed.

 

[kingnashty61*]

i like these lines.

MZA-Richie-Nash
Krieder-Stepan-Kristo(Reunion)
Hagelin-Brassard-Cally
Nystrom-Boyle/Lindberg-fast(to see if fast can be the same player he is in europe otherwise then Haley takes his spot)

McD-Girardi
Staal-MDZ
Moore-Stralman
Falk-Mcilrath

Hank/biron

If kristo doesn't pan out how we expect him then switch him with cally and put fast on 3rd line and haley takes 4th line place. the line Hagelin-Lindberg-Fast seriously could have the potential to be awesome.

 

[NYR Viper]

i like these lines.

MZA-Richie-Nash
Kristo-Stepan-Krieder(Reunion)
Hagelin-Lindberg-Cally
Nystrom-Boyle-fast(to see if fast can be the same player he is in europe otherwise then Haley takes his spot)

McD-Girardi
Staal-MDZ
Moore-Stralman
Falk-Mcilrath

Hank/biron

Brassard? Dorsett?

Kreider is a LW, Kristo is a RW.

 

[Machinehead]

We dont need a 4c, we have Boyle. We need a 3c so Boyle can slot where he belongs.

But Im sure this awful management thinks Richards is a viable 3c. Lolulz.

 

[kingnashty61*]

forgot about brass and dors lol

 

[NYR Viper]

We dont need a 4c, we have Boyle. We need a 3c so Boyle can slot where he belongs.

But Im sure this awful management thinks Richards is a viable 3c. Lolulz.

As much as I hate the idea of Richards staying, he had quite a few points last year. If he puts up 55-60 points, which is more than reasonable (albeit he is still overpaid if he does that), he would be a great 3c.

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

We dont need a 4c, we have Boyle. We need a 3c so Boyle can slot where he belongs.

But Im sure this awful management thinks Richards is a viable 3c. Lolulz.

They didn't keep his contract to be a 3c if they did they are absolute morons

 

[Kershaw]

We dont need a 4c, we have Boyle. We need a 3c so Boyle can slot where he belongs.

But Im sure this awful management thinks Richards is a viable 3c. Lolulz.

Dude, you're just a hater.

 

[Machinehead]

As much as I hate the idea of Richards staying, he had quite a few points last year. If he puts up 55-60 points, which is more than reasonable (albeit he is still overpaid if he does that), he would be a great 3c.

A 3rd line center should be able to defend at an NHL level