GDT: Free Agent Frenzy Part III - Looking for Mr. Centerman
- Thread starter BBKers
- Start date
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Brooklyn Rangers Fan
Change is good.
This team is now lacking exactly one thing: a true 1C. And, after our FA signings, the pre-draft trade, and solid drafting in the later rounds over the last couple of years, we actually now have a glut of defensemen:
McDonagh
Shattenkirk
Smith
DeAngelo
Skjei
Pionk
Bereglazov
Holden
Staal
Graves
Pedrie
Day
Zborovsky
Gilmour
There are exactly two players on this roster that I think could be moved as the centerpiece for that missing 1C: McDonagh and Skjei. They seem to have made it clear, however, that McDonagh is staying. He's the captain and both Smith and Shattenkirk listed his presence on the team as one of their principal reasons for coming aboard. Also, he's two years away from an expensive extension, at the age of thirty...
Now, I love Brady Skjei as a player and think he has a promising career as a top pair, and even potentially #1 D, ahead of him. But you can make an argument that he's even more valuable than McDonagh due to his age and the fact that he's under team control for four more years. Also, we already have McDonagh, Smith, Bereglazov, Holden, and Staal on the NHL squad who play the same position, with Graves, Day, and Pedrie (and Gilmour, though he disappointed last year) in the minors, all quite close (not necessarily for top-4 duty, but certainly for bottom pair). I also believe all our unsigned D-men but for Nanne are LHD as well.
Would you trade Skjei as the centerpiece of a deal for, say, Nathan MacKinnon? Believe it or not, he's actually two years YOUNGER than Skjei, with a fixed cap hit of $6.3MM for the next six years (a.k.a. the length of Girardi's buyout). MacKinnon's more established and has the allure of being drafted #1 OA, but defensemen are more valuable than forwards, and Skjei's contract situation is better. Is there a deal to be done straight up? How about Skjei and Hayes/Miller for MacKinnon and picks/prospects?
Thoughts?
McDonagh
Shattenkirk
Smith
DeAngelo
Skjei
Pionk
Bereglazov
Holden
Staal
Graves
Pedrie
Day
Zborovsky
Gilmour
There are exactly two players on this roster that I think could be moved as the centerpiece for that missing 1C: McDonagh and Skjei. They seem to have made it clear, however, that McDonagh is staying. He's the captain and both Smith and Shattenkirk listed his presence on the team as one of their principal reasons for coming aboard. Also, he's two years away from an expensive extension, at the age of thirty...
Now, I love Brady Skjei as a player and think he has a promising career as a top pair, and even potentially #1 D, ahead of him. But you can make an argument that he's even more valuable than McDonagh due to his age and the fact that he's under team control for four more years. Also, we already have McDonagh, Smith, Bereglazov, Holden, and Staal on the NHL squad who play the same position, with Graves, Day, and Pedrie (and Gilmour, though he disappointed last year) in the minors, all quite close (not necessarily for top-4 duty, but certainly for bottom pair). I also believe all our unsigned D-men but for Nanne are LHD as well.
Would you trade Skjei as the centerpiece of a deal for, say, Nathan MacKinnon? Believe it or not, he's actually two years YOUNGER than Skjei, with a fixed cap hit of $6.3MM for the next six years (a.k.a. the length of Girardi's buyout). MacKinnon's more established and has the allure of being drafted #1 OA, but defensemen are more valuable than forwards, and Skjei's contract situation is better. Is there a deal to be done straight up? How about Skjei and Hayes/Miller for MacKinnon and picks/prospects?
Thoughts?
Last edited:
BBKers
Registered User
Would think about it long and hard. Probably answering "Yes" in the end.
I don't move Skjei or McDonagh for a 1C (with some obvious exceptions), can we please just have a good D for one season before we **** with it?
Just get a solid young middle-6 C and/or a good top-9 winger and our F group looks good. Bet on Zbad taking another step.
Just get a solid young middle-6 C and/or a good top-9 winger and our F group looks good. Bet on Zbad taking another step.
Mac n Gs
Drury plz
- Jan 17, 2014
- 22,836
- 13,560
I'd trade Skjei for MacKinnon in a heartbeat. We haven't had that speed and skill combo ever, and don't tell me he's overrated because of how ****ing garbage the Avs are. People thought Mika was bad too before we got him, and look how that worked out.
I think it's a pipe dream though. If Sakic is being this difficult about Duchene, I can't even imagine how negotiations for MacKinnon would go. Skjei and Kreider?
I think it's a pipe dream though. If Sakic is being this difficult about Duchene, I can't even imagine how negotiations for MacKinnon would go. Skjei and Kreider?
NickyFotiu
NYR 2024 Cup Champs!
- Sep 29, 2011
- 17,346
- 9,442
You are right. I do not think those anchor/buyout deals benefit the game. I think they often hurt the team, the fans, and even the players. The players end up getting hated or moved for non hockey reasons.
Blueshirts777
Registered User
- May 8, 2017
- 371
- 420
I wouldn't trade Skjei unless I was blown away. No need in shuffling deck chairs at this point. Rangers are probably hoping that Andersson can make the team out of camp or another young player can step up. This is the point of getting a younger roster, these kids need to make an impact.
NickyFotiu
NYR 2024 Cup Champs!
- Sep 29, 2011
- 17,346
- 9,442
I think if you could move Brady for Nate you have to at least consider that deal even though it would be very painful and I would try to find another way like Hayes. Brady had a very strong rookie year but it is very hard to find a top line center. I do not think Nate is Crosby or McDavid but he could become a all star center. It is the kind of deal that could backfire so it would take some real balls.
Nate is actually younger than Brady even though he has played 4 seasons.
Brooklyn Rangers Fan
Change is good.
I hear what you're saying. And it certainly would be difficult.
But compare:
Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Nash-Miller-Zuccarello
Vesey-Hayes-Grabner
[xxx]-[xxx]-Fast
McDonagh-Shattenkirk
Skjei-Smith
Bereglazov-DeAngelo
Staal
Holden
Versus:
Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Nash-MacKinnon-Zuccarello
Vesey-Hayes-Miller
Grabner-[xxx]-Fast
McDonagh-Shattenkirk
Smith-DeAngelo
Bereglazov-Pionk
Staal
Holden
Or even:
Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Nash-MacKinnon-Zuccarello
Vesey-Hayes-Grabner
[xxx]-[xxx]-Fast
McDonagh-Shattenkirk
Smith-DeAngelo
Bereglazov-Pionk
Staal
Holden
[Plus additional assets from COL added in to offset Miller.]
eco's bones
Registered User
A defense first defenseman with size and great skating ability who in his first NHL season puts up 39 points playing 3rd pair minutes. Should we add that he's cheap and controllable for the next several years? I'm not moving Skjei--not unless we get something super sweet back and ****ing Duchene or Galchenyuk ain't sweet enough. I mean if there's a trajectory for Skjei's game going higher we could have a big big star on our hands.
IMO Skjei right now is the most valuable asset we have on our team. I would trade McDonagh before I traded Skjei.
IMO Skjei right now is the most valuable asset we have on our team. I would trade McDonagh before I traded Skjei.
GregSirico
KakkoSZN
No PPG C-Man, No Cup
https://lugussite.wordpress.com/2017/05/11/no-ppg-c-man-no-cup/
This has been something I have harped on for a long time now. Good read and worth a few minutes.
https://lugussite.wordpress.com/2017/05/11/no-ppg-c-man-no-cup/
This has been something I have harped on for a long time now. Good read and worth a few minutes.
Ghost of jas
Unsatisfied
Skjei for MacKinnon is a great idea in theory. But, you forgot the Sakic factor. Skjei and a #1 MIGHT be enough to bring back Duchene. MacKinnon? That's a hot one!!
Brooklyn Rangers Fan
Change is good.
darko
Registered User
- Feb 16, 2009
- 70,272
- 7,803
I don't think trading Skjei is a good idea. Cost control, and you can sign him to a Josi like deal and that's a boon for the cap.
Just combine the bridge deal and the 4 year extension and you are good with the cap.
The Rangers have two prospects that can play center. Nieves (who I'm not keen on) and Lias Andersson who I think will play this year.
But you still need a middle six guy. JT Miller is an in-house solution that was an excellent center in junior and the AHL. But he's got a weirdo face-off technique that's going to be in 39-44% range. (Who the **** coaches the Rangers centers on faceoffs?... there's no leg movement with these guys... just stupid).
Losing Oscar really hurts here, but my hopes are that they can get a Haula like player, or trade a Staal/Holden for a center.
Marc would solidify Minny as a contender. They have Erikson-Ek whose going to be a prime time player. EStaal, Koivu, Granland all had monster years.
Coyle plays wing but is a natural center. I love Luke Kunin as well. But they aren't going to pay a premium on the cap when Granlund and Neiderreiter need new contracts.
Just combine the bridge deal and the 4 year extension and you are good with the cap.
The Rangers have two prospects that can play center. Nieves (who I'm not keen on) and Lias Andersson who I think will play this year.
But you still need a middle six guy. JT Miller is an in-house solution that was an excellent center in junior and the AHL. But he's got a weirdo face-off technique that's going to be in 39-44% range. (Who the **** coaches the Rangers centers on faceoffs?... there's no leg movement with these guys... just stupid).
Losing Oscar really hurts here, but my hopes are that they can get a Haula like player, or trade a Staal/Holden for a center.
Marc would solidify Minny as a contender. They have Erikson-Ek whose going to be a prime time player. EStaal, Koivu, Granland all had monster years.
Coyle plays wing but is a natural center. I love Luke Kunin as well. But they aren't going to pay a premium on the cap when Granlund and Neiderreiter need new contracts.
GregSirico
KakkoSZN
Blueshirts777
Registered User
- May 8, 2017
- 371
- 420
I just think this is shuffling deck chairs, we weaken our second pair to strengthen our second line. I'd much rather give hayes the chance to see if he can improve on a 50 point season with more time and let the young D develop either on the 3rd pair or in another league. Plus cost control will be vital on this team, taking on another 6+ million dollar contract will be tough, especially with the RFA's coming next year.
I honestly believe we may have beat LA a few years ago if we had a true number 1 center. They exposed us in the middle that series. And this year we were suppose to have an edge against both Montreal and Ottawa in the middle and yet that did not materialize in part because Stepan and Hayes basically disappeared.
GregSirico
KakkoSZN
Your strength down the middle needs to produce in the playoffs. Chicago and Pittsburgh have done that in the regular season AND playoffs. I think the major reason why: ELITE talent shows up. Middle line guys can get neutralized.
I think this nails it ^
Savant
Registered User
- Oct 3, 2013
- 39,388
- 11,997
If the Avs aren't hell bent on getting a Dman back the Rangers can beat that offer for sure.
Brooklyn Rangers Fan
Change is good.
Try it like this:
Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Nash-Miller-Zuccarello
Vesey-Hayes-Grabner
[xxx]-[xxx]-Fast
McDonagh-Shattenkirk
Skjei-Smith
Bereglazov-DeAngelo
Staal
Holden
Versus:
Nash-MacKinnon-Zuccarello
Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Vesey-Hayes-Miller
Grabner-[xxx]-Fast
McDonagh-Shattenkirk
Smith-DeAngelo
Bereglazov-Pionk
Staal
Holden
- Status
