Speculation: Free Agent Frenzy Part III - Will EK stay or will EK go?

[Savant]

The defense will be bad next season but they have a decently large crop of solid prospects in Miller, Lundkvist, Hajek, Lindgren, Pionk and Rykov. They are missing that legit top pair guy though. Of that group only person I see that has that ceiling is Miller but he has a long way to go.

I agree. This season is a success as long as no one regresses. The Rangers completely overhauled their defense between the trade deadline and the draft. They are going to take their lumps, but it will also clear up the depth chart. The Rangers still have plenty of assets that they can move. Finding a legit 1D is obviously tough, and it seems less likely that 1D make it to free agency, (I thought that OEL would make it to FA) at least, but they will know where they stand and plan accordingly. The important thing is to keep managing assets and not compromising the cap space.

 

[broadwayblue]

The idea that you can "lose for a season or two" then flip a switch and say OK WE'RE READY TO WIN HOCKEY GAMES, LETS GO!!! is how you become Buffalo and Edmonton. Buffalo did everything right, loaded up on picks. Got studs. Got the franchise player. They still lose.

I know there are examples of teams who have won doing the same thing, but it's no sure thing we'll even get that franchise player and it's no sure thing we will start winning if we do get him.

We're going to win games in a season or two because our stable of prospects will begin paying dividends. And we will complement that core with quality UFA signings when the time is right. It is not the right time in the summer of 2018 when we are 4 months into a rebuild and are looking at a tough year or two. It's all about asset management in a cap world.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

DET, MTL, OTT, BUF, NYI, ARI, VAN

Arizona isn’t and i think Detroit, buffalo, NYI and Vancouver are debatable.

 

[KOVALEV022473]

We're going to win games in a season or two because our stable of prospects will begin paying dividends. And we will complement that core with quality UFA signings when the time is right. It is not the right time in the summer of 2018 when we are 4 months into a rebuild and are looking at a tough year or two. It's all about asset management in a cap world.

I’m confused as to what the New York Rangers we’re doing as an organization with all of the home grown kids from 05-present?

 

[Hire Sather]

We're going to win games in a season or two because our stable of prospects will begin paying dividends. And we will complement that core with quality UFA signings when the time is right. It is not the right time in the summer of 2018 when we are 4 months into a rebuild and are looking at a tough year or two. It's all about asset management in a cap world.

I'm not even saying we should get Karlsson. This is more that I'm against trading every proven NHL player we have for picks.

Karlsson might become an option if he forces himself here. We'll see how it plays out. Maybe Ottawa ends up waiting until the deadline as well.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

I think Buffalo could be better than the Rangers with Echel and Dahlin. I think the Yotes will be better.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

I don’t know what’s ridiculous about it? Toronto hasn’t won the cup in fifty-two years and is the second biggest hockey market in the world behind us. Only now are they competing again. LA and Chicago sucked for how long before they were able to turn it around. You can really only point to three teams that have had lasting success after years of terrible hockey, using that model.

...and it’s not just Buffalo and Edmonton. It’s Arizona, Calgary, Carolina, Islanders and so forth.

Big markets. Big markets with elite ELC talent is an entirely different ballgame.

 

[Savant]

DET, MTL, OTT, BUF, NYI, ARI, VAN

I think BUF and maybe ARZ finish over NYR

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

I think BUF and maybe ARZ finish over NYR

They won't. If they do, I will run naked around KBC here

 

[darko]

The Sens probably wanted to do a duel deal with Ryan and EK originally. Then it became a deal where it included a third team which looks like hit a snag. So maybe now the Rangers instead of becoming a third team can become the main trading partner. It has to include Hayes which I don't mind.(I want Filip as 2C) but including Brady would be sad.

We are not trading for EK.

 

[Savant]

They won't. If they do, I will run naked around KBC here

Easier division. Also improved a bit. But again, a lot of their success will rise on Hutton. They havent figured out their goaltending since Ryan Miller left

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

Easier division. Also improved a bit. But again, a lot of their success will rise on Hutton. They havent figured out their goaltending since Ryan Miller left

They haven't figured defense out since 2011. We're talking about a team, who, in the last decade, has only made the playoffs a total of... 2 times. And both of those were 1st round exits. This is a team that I've been to about 35 of all home games each year for 7 years fail, still, to figure it out.

They failed to buy their way in. They failed to manage assets, or defensemen. McCabe is not more than #4 AT BEST, RR is the 3rd worst or so possession dman in the league. Dahlin will easily be the most valuable piece on that team after Jack. Even with their signings and guys coming up. They tow the line of last place and 48 point Colorado.

 

[EpicDing]

They won't. If they do, I will run naked around KBC here

Bookmarked

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

Bookmarked

Do it I encourage you all to

 

[Boruto]

Do it I encourage you all to

do NOT peer pressure me.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

do NOT peer pressure me.

You won't do it.

 

[darko]

Do it I encourage you all to

Get stuffed, my clothes stays on.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Fs to take flyers on: Jurco/Hansen/Stewart/Grant

 

[Tawnos]

DET, MTL, OTT, BUF, NYI, ARI, VAN

That's literally just the 6 teams with fewer ROW than us last year, plus the Islanders. I'd be very surprised if the Canucks don't improve to a bubble team this year. Buffalo, Detroit and Arizona will improve too, although it's questionable how much.

I really have no handle on what the Rangers will do in the standings next year, barring any roster changes, though. I honestly could see them finishing anywhere from a wild card playoff spot to last in the conference. No idea.

 

[GregSirico]

Arizona isn’t and i think Detroit, buffalo, NYI and Vancouver are debatable.

Arizona will make the playoffs. I know this is an old retread take, but I really believe it.

 

[McSauer]

This upcoming season, do people envision a lot of kids making the team, or more of our prized prospects staying down in Hartford for the year to grow?

This includes Chytil and Lias; do people think they will be given spots on the forward corps? Or will they need to be lights out in training camp and totally dominate to be in there opening night?

There's so much that can happen up front, especially with Hayes, Spooner, Vesey unsigned, and Zucc potential tradebait. I'm having a hard time putting together a lineup because 1.) We don't know who will be here come Sept, but mainly 2.) I am not sure what Ranger management is thinking RE: our prospects making the team out of the gate. Do they view this as another year to let their contracts slide which would be good financially in the long run, but would folks think this either stunt their development, or enhance it?

This also goes for the defense, but that is easier to fill with ADA, Smith, Staal, Shattenkirk, Pionk, Skjei (will most likely be resigned) and potentially our new add from OTT/Kampher potentially being the starting six+. Now I would love to Hajek, Lindgren and Day make this team if they earn it and look somewhat ready, but again, it depends on management's thoughts...would love to know everyone else's thoughts and how they think we can best serve our prospects: NHL action now, or grow another year (but wait for them to get acclimated to the pros).

 

[Chaels Arms]

EK is a decent player but I'd pass. He wants the Ferrari.

 

[Chaels Arms]

That's literally just the 6 teams with fewer ROW than us last year, plus the Islanders. I'd be very surprised if the Canucks don't improve to a bubble team this year. Buffalo, Detroit and Arizona will improve too, although it's questionable how much.

I really have no handle on what the Rangers will do in the standings next year, barring any roster changes, though. I honestly could see them finishing anywhere from a wild card playoff spot to last in the conference. No idea.

Asking which five teams are going to be worst than the Rangers is an awful question to begin with.

This is the NHL. We can fairly confidently identify which teams should be elite. Washington, Tampa, Toronto, Nashville.

Otherwise nobody knows what the hell the standings are going to look like. Are the Devils really a lock to be so much better than us next season? If Hall goes down they're toast. The Canes? I've been waiting for them to break out forever it seems. AZ has made some good moves. Galchenyuk + Stepan is a good center combo. Are they definitely going to be terrible next season? Nobody knows what the standings are going to look like.

 

[Boruto]

I'm convinced there is a plunderous amount of people who wouldn't sign EK as a FA for $12M/7

 

[DanielBrassard]

I don't know how the Rangers could have good enough depth to contend if they ended up trading for Karlsson. Staal and Smith would still be on the books, If we traded Buch like Larry did, we wouldn't really cap space to replace him. I would love him, but it's almost impossible to field a deep team. And Chytil and Andersson would have to be top-9 players, couldn't really afford for them to bust. If the Rangers are going to go after him, it probably makes a lot more sense to attempt to sign him as a FA, and if he doesn't get there, oh well.