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

[Alluckks]

This so-called rebuild has yet to produce or fetch a player or prospect with legitimate superstar potential. Lots of good prospects but nothing close to a franchise changer (although Kravtsov has that potential).

As long as Gordie Clark is running the draft, no way I ask for more picks from Tampa.

The Rangers should be the ones going after Karlsson. Skilled puck movers age a lot better than the shot blockers. Dorion is a fool. Yzerman isn't.

To me, the answer is right in front of them.

Let's take the guy currently in all the headlines right now for example... Karlsson just reeked of superstar potential coming up!

 

[Alluckks]

Come live in a low tax state and you will get a completely different perspective on the federal government.

Arizona has been great for me

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Why would anyone think we'd be a playoff team Karlsson? We weren't going to be a playoff team with McDonagh, Miller, Nash, Grabner and Holden who together surely equal the impact of Karlsson.

Ottawa wasn't close last year to being a playoff team last year with Karlsson. We aren't that much better than them, if we are better at all.

And thats before you consider whether getting the 8th seed and being eliminated in a sweep is better than continuing to rebuild.

 

[aufheben]

Why would anyone think we'd be a playoff team Karlsson? We weren't going to be a playoff team with McDonagh and Miller who together surely equal the impact of Karlsson.

Ottawa wasn't close last year to being a playoff team last year with Karlsson. We aren't that much better than them, if we are better at all.

And thats before you consider whether getting the 8th seed and being eliminated in a sweep is better than continuing to rebuild.

I don't think so, at all.

 

[Kakko]

This so-called rebuild has yet to produce or fetch a player or prospect with legitimate superstar potential. Lots of good prospects but nothing close to a franchise changer (although Kravtsov has that potential).

Uh....

 

[RangerBoy]

People just love to go after the big UFAs. It's sexy. But it rarely works out...and to do so when your team stinks is just folly.

Ranger fans love their new toys. Don't they? They look at who is available in a trade or which player will become a free agent so they can build the team around the latest shiny new toy. The Rangers have no elite players. The Rangers have no talent. That is why the Rangers are rebuilding. A good majority of the people who post here have no concept of that term means.

 

[Alluckks]

Ranger fans love their new toys. Don't they? They look at who is available in a trade or which player will become a free agent so they can build the team around the latest shiny new toy. The Rangers have no elite players. The Rangers have no talent. That is why the Rangers are rebuilding. A good majority of the people who post here have no concept of that term means.

Which term?

I have a hard time lambasting fans for just rooting for what they think is best and most fun for the team, even if they are wrong or shortsighted. If I got pissed off at happy fans just wanting exciting players while not really knowing much how team construction works I'd spend way too much time being mad at my Dad hah

 

[aufheben]

They can’t go after Karlsson because they have no elite players?

 

[Idlerlee]

Ranger fans love their new toys. Don't they? They look at who is available in a trade or which player will become a free agent so they can build the team around the latest shiny new toy. The Rangers have no elite players. The Rangers have no talent. That is why the Rangers are rebuilding. A good majority of the people who post here have no concept of that term means.

I mean we have quite a few talents that are near or going to be in the NHL roster next season so that's a little harsh? The Rangers don't have any true superstars, true. We don't because we don't finish low enough in the rankings to draft a "sure fire" one. So essentially what you are advocating here is luck through higher drafting as a means to build a cup contender.

No team has won the cup without a true elite player. If we don't draft one, we might as well trade for one. EK65 is one of the best players on the planet, it's stupid to compare him to average players that rapidly decline the second the planet has circled the sun 30 times for reasons.

EK65 is in the same bracket as Crosby, Ovi, Kane, Doughty, etc. He's not a falling-off-the-cliff risk. He's too good a hockey player. The ONLY argument anyone can possibly have is his ankle injury. Outside of the ankle, no one has a legitimate argument. These players remain stupid-good until they are past 35. Every single one of them.

 

[DutchShamrock]

Karlsson isn’t really comparable at all to the Nash IMO

You're right. Karlsson had injuries before the trade, will be older at the start of the contract and will get $5m more a year.

MSL was 39 years old... Comparing him to a 28 year old is silly

Brad Richards had all the warnings of a player that could fall off a cliff... The type of player you need to be weary of after 30.

No one can reference a prior situation on this site without everyone dismissing it because it wasn't identical.

It's not that Karlsson is old or trending down or going to make a record contract for a defender. The point is this is the same rarionalization we make every time an end of prime superstar is available. It has never panned out. We say it wont be like last time but in 5 years some fanbase will be blaming their GM for being impatient and chasing a former star. It will always be different.

The EK crowd is just dismissing every potential warning sign. Either he's not as old as this guy, plays a different style as the other or it's a different injury altogether. I remember Nash would be better here because Columbus held him back. I'm not saying the wheels will fall off the wagon if EK comes here, but it will be the same story, different chapter.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

This so-called rebuild has yet to produce or fetch a player or prospect with legitimate superstar potential. Lots of good prospects but nothing close to a franchise changer (although Kravtsov has that potential).

As long as Gordie Clark is running the draft, no way I ask for more picks from Tampa.

The Rangers should be the ones going after Karlsson. Skilled puck movers age a lot better than the shot blockers. Dorion is a fool. Yzerman isn't.

To me, the answer is right in front of them.

Sweet jesus man the rebuild has been 5 months long so far.

 

[DutchShamrock]

They can’t go after Karlsson because they have no elite players?

It's been articulated before. Karlsson will be here 2-4 years before we are contending. He could be 32 with 5 years to go on a team just opening the window. That's $12m on his decline while we need to pay the new, emerging, hopefully impact players. His game is based around his skating and he's had a few, admittedly freak, injuries below the knees.

I can acknowledge that the cap is rising. Our big cap commitment with lundqvist would be gone when we need to start paying the future. He's better than any of the cited players. He carried a garbage team to the cusp. I acknowledge that I'm against moves like this, I was against a desired Gaborik trade after he 4 goaled us, I was against Nash, MSL, and Staal. I see both sides.

Now, this isn't directed at you, but I see lots of posters dismiss potential pitfalls out of hand. "It'll be different this time." It sounds like the kid asking for a dog after every goldfish died after 2 weeks. I'll walk the dog, feed it and play. A month later mom is doing everything.

 

[DutchShamrock]

I'm spamming now and I apologize, so 1 last thought and I won't rain on the parade.

Vegas, Tampa, Colorado, Dallas. They are going for EK because their window is opening or about to open. They have the stars in place and are contending now. They have cap issues but are looking for solutions. Why is everyone else on the sidelines? They can make cap space. He should make them instant contenders, no? Most are better than us so they should be in a better spot. He will sign here because Henke, never mind parts of the fanbase are running him out of town and he's winding down.

These other teams are staying out because the timing isn't there. The cost in a trade will derail the path and saddle them with a huge cap burden.

 

[Ola]

Something will happen before the season, probably, but we probably look something like this:

Kreider-Zib-Buch
Names-Chytil-Zucc
Lias-Hayes-Fast
Vinny L-Spooner-Vesey
Belesky

Skjei-Shatty
Smith-Pionk
Staal-TDA
Claesson
Kampfer

Hank
Georgiev

When everyone is healthy it’s not a horrible team. The top line and 2/3 of the 2nd and 3rd line are established and can hold their own. The 4th has above avg quality but is of course a bit of a mess in terms of composition...

The kids should do well for stretches, Lias and Chytil.

How well will Pionk and TDA do? How will Gilmour look in camp after dipping his toes fairly much in the NHL and getting a summer under his belt?

Will any of the kids not on that roster surprise and really come in and contribute? Ronning? Meskanen? Lindqvist? Hajak? Lindgren? Maybe not from the get go, but during the season maybe.

 

[NikC]

This so-called rebuild has yet to produce or fetch a player or prospect with legitimate superstar potential. Lots of good prospects but nothing close to a franchise changer (although Kravtsov has that potential).

As long as Gordie Clark is running the draft, no way I ask for more picks from Tampa.

The Rangers should be the ones going after Karlsson. Skilled puck movers age a lot better than the shot blockers. Dorion is a fool. Yzerman isn't.

To me, the answer is right in front of them.

I couldn't agree more about you're saying regarding Clark and the draft.
So many here are on board with the rebuild (myself included ), but I have no faith that this staff can draft the right players. All we need to do is look back to this past draft to see how they operate.

Eccentric, elitist, proprietary thinking = zero top talent...
Game changing players are exactly what they need, they've yet to get one.

Not sure the Rangers getting EK is the right move. They have so many weaknesses it wouldn't make them that much bett, imo.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

I couldn't agree more about you're saying regarding Clark and the draft.
So many here are on board with the rebuild (myself included ), but have no faith that this staff can draft the right players. All we need to do is look back to this past draft to see how they operate.

Eccentric, elitist, proprietary thinking = zero top talent...
Game changing players are exactly what they need, they've yet to get one.

Not sure the Rangers getting EK is the right move. They have so many weaknesses it wouldn't make them that much bett, imo.

Kravtsov is that player with game breaking ability. Miller may have that on the backend. Now if you say they dont often swing for that type of player I'd agree.

Your not going to get a Matthew or Eichel type player unless they bottom out. One could hope that they do this year and get one of the top picks in the 2019 draft. Its very top heavy talent wise.

 

[NikC]

Ranger fans love their new toys. Don't they? They look at who is available in a trade or which player will become a free agent so they can build the team around the latest shiny new toy. The Rangers have no elite players. The Rangers have no talent. That is why the Rangers are rebuilding. A good majority of the people who post here have no concept of that term means.

I think for the most part people here accept the rebuild. I'm not confident in Gordon Clark to draft the right players, especially after what we just saw.

I'm not understanding JG and the constant pursuit of LHD??.

They need "can't miss" players right now, along with "good prospects "

 

[NikC]

Your not going to get a Matthew or Eichel type player unless they bottom out. One could hope that they do this year and get one of the top picks in the 2019 draft. Hes very top heavy talent wise.

The Rangers apparently will never bottom out apparently, and it's the highest insult to this proud , delusional fanbase, regardless of the fact the the last decade featured SC winning teams that employed this methodology.

I like Kravtsov, I just believe Whalstrom was the pick to make.

I don't trust Clark. I can't anymore after McIlrath. That set this franchise back big time. You can't miss there, and they fell flat on their face.

People say move on and forget it, but now the same crew is making the decisions... and they're reaching again.

 

[Doctyl]

They can’t go after Karlsson because they have no elite players?

Yes. Also can’t get Panarin because we’d spoil him because he grew up poor and doesn’t know how to handle money.

 

[East Coast Bias]

Ranger fans love their new toys. Don't they? They look at who is available in a trade or which player will become a free agent so they can build the team around the latest shiny new toy. The Rangers have no elite players. The Rangers have no talent. That is why the Rangers are rebuilding. A good majority of the people who post here have no concept of that term means.

Nah you just think the term rebuild means trade everyone under contract, be horrible to land the top pick, and do your best is strip it down to the studs before attempting to move forward.

People can be ok with rebuilding and not see it your way. There’s no playbook. You can make moves eying the future that still benefit the present.

 

[DutchShamrock]

I like Kravtsov, I just believe Whalstrom was the pick to make.

Didn't you just dump on the front office for elitist thinking and believing they know more than everyone else?

 

[Savant]

This so-called rebuild has yet to produce or fetch a player or prospect with legitimate superstar potential. Lots of good prospects but nothing close to a franchise changer (although Kravtsov has that potential).

As long as Gordie Clark is running the draft, no way I ask for more picks from Tampa.

The Rangers should be the ones going after Karlsson. Skilled puck movers age a lot better than the shot blockers. Dorion is a fool. Yzerman isn't.

To me, the answer is right in front of them.

Which player available to the Rangers with "legitimate superstar potential" did they pass? Where was the available franchise changer?

They can't stop getting picks because people don't like Clark. What's the better option?

Sure the Rangers could be trying for Karlsson, but who knows what is going on in regards to that front.

I understand what you are saying to a degree but the Rangers have not been in a position to get the player that you are advocating. They tried moving up in the draft but other teams turned them down. I don't think it's for lack of trying or negligence. Kravtsov is the closest thing to a home run swing that they have made.

 

[Mac n Gs]

Pat Maroon is signing with STL.

Which player available to the Rangers with "legitimate superstar potential" did they pass? Where was the available franchise changer?

They can't stop getting picks because people don't like Clark. What's the better option?

Sure the Rangers could be trying for Karlsson, but who knows what is going on in regards to that front.

I understand what you are saying to a degree but the Rangers have not been in a position to get the player that you are advocating. They tried moving up in the draft but other teams turned them down. I don't think it's for lack of trying or negligence. Kravtsov is the closest thing to a home run swing that they have made.

Steve wanted Mittelstadt

 

[haohmaru]

The Rangers apparently will never bottom out apparently, and it's the highest insult to this proud , delusional fanbase, regardless of the fact the the last decade featured SC winning teams that employed this methodology.

I like Kravtsov, I just believe Whalstrom was the pick to make.

I don't trust Clark. I can't anymore after McIlrath. That set this franchise back big time. You can't miss there, and they fell flat on their face.

People say move on and forget it, but now the same crew is making the decisions... and they're reaching again.

People are making the mistake of calling Kravtsov a "reach", too. Let's wait until these players are able to grow a mustache before declaring player A a better pick than player B.

 

[Do you want ants]

I'm spamming now and I apologize, so 1 last thought and I won't rain on the parade.

Vegas, Tampa, Colorado, Dallas. They are going for EK because their window is opening or about to open. They have the stars in place and are contending now. They have cap issues but are looking for solutions. Why is everyone else on the sidelines? They can make cap space. He should make them instant contenders, no? Most are better than us so they should be in a better spot. He will sign here because Henke, never mind parts of the fanbase are running him out of town and he's winding down.

These other teams are staying out because the timing isn't there. The cost in a trade will derail the path and saddle them with a huge cap burden.

While I agree with some of this, you might not be hearing about other teams BC they’ve already been told he won’t resign with them. Or they kicked the tires on a trade during the deadline and decided not to rent him at a high price knowing he wasn’t going to resign.