Speculation: Free Agent Frenzy Part VI: Someone Get Gorton A Vesey Button.

[Ola]

Interesting point. The King says he wants to stick it out right now but a year from now he might have a very different POV. How much punishment can you expect him to take? I don't think it is impossible that a year from know he pleads uncle, asks for a trade and the Rangers find him a new home. That would definitely change the dynamic of the rebuild.

There was an article in Aftonbladet the other day, Hank said he had not closed the door on playing for Frölunda. Said that his ’goal’ is to ’be able to finish’ this NHL contract first. One or two years ago I quoted an article from Dagens Industri (like the Swedish WSJ) when he launched his underwear business. Sounded like he was set on playing past his contract in NA.

Things can change in a hurry.

Charlise is 5, next summer she is school age in Sweden. It’s hard to realize, but it’s really hard to move kids when they are 8-9 y/o. Much easier when they are 6-7 y/o.

Hank could walk away from his contract next summer if we wouldn’t mind. Things change, he might not even be our starter although it seems unlikely. I can’t see him accepting a trade though to play a couple of years for another NHL team in another city.

The title is, ”Hank on Frolunda: ‘I have never closed any doors’”...

Henke Lundqvist om Frölunda: ”Aldrig stängt några dörrar”

 

[kovazub94]

The only train I’m on is the one where we are constantly looking for opportunities without devotion to ideology.

I know what you're trying to say but the way you put it sounds like jumping on all opportunities without discretion. You're better with words.

There has to be a plan. But the plan should be flexible. Like I wouldn't say no to Trouba now (if the deal is right) because it doesn't fit perfectly into my timeline, only to find myself in summer 2019 looking for RD of this type and either not finding one or greatly overpaying for one.

 

[RangerBoy]

There was an article in Aftonbladet the other day, Hank said he had not closed the door on playing for Frölunda. Said that his ’goal’ is to ’be able to finish’ this NHL contract first. One or two years ago I quoted an article from Dagens Industri (like the Swedish WSJ) when he launched his underwear business. Sounded like he was set on playing past his contract in NA.

Things can change in a hurry.

Charlise is 5, next summer she is school age in Sweden. It’s hard to realize, but it’s really hard to move kids when they are 8-9 y/o. Much easier when they are 6-7 y/o.

Hank could walk away from his contract next summer if we wouldn’t mind. Things change, he might not even be our starter although it seems unlikely. I can’t see him accepting a trade though to play a couple of years for another NHL team in another city.

The title is, ”Hank on Frolunda: ‘I have never closed any doors’”...

Henke Lundqvist om Frölunda: ”Aldrig stängt några dörrar”

Lundqvist is giving up $12.5M? That's how salary he is owed in the last two years of his contract. He is a very wealthy guy but that's a lot of money to walk away from.

 

[Ola]

Lundqvist is giving up $12.5M? That's how salary he is owed in the last two years of his contract. He is a very wealthy guy but that's a lot of money to walk away from.

Yeah it’s a lot of money, he is a big star in Sweden but playing in Sweden he gets more attention but I think he at the most could off set say 3-4m with salary and extra sponsorships, probably counting high.

I recon it comes down to what it always comes down to, the wife, how much pain in the rear she is for him.

 

[RangerBoy]

I’d be talking about trading for Trouba now and signing him to a 7 year extension on Jan 1. That takes him to 32. Is early-30s ok with you or is that too decrepit?

Also, nothing about the Rangers history with these signings means anything about signing these individual players. You have to take some risks. Not only that, but Trouba is just entering his prime. That bears no relation to what you’re talking about.

Just good to know that the RB version of a “plan” is to solely draft players and hope they work out.

What are you giving up for Trouba? Cheveldayoff is not an easy guy to deal with. He has made one major player trade in his 7 years running the Jets. The trade with Buffalo involving Kane and Myers. According to all indications,Winnipeg is planning to keep Trouba for this season.

Risks? You don't know if Trouba wants to play in NY. He will have his pick of teams in two years. Maybe he wants to play for him hometown team. I read his girlfriend is working in Florida. Maybe he wants to go there. If Yzerman doesn't get Karlsson,maybe he gets Trouba.



The Rangers are in no position to be giving up multiple young assets in a rebuild. It's an expensive transaction. Satisfy Winnipeg and then satisfy Trouba.

Why the hostility and the attitude? Seriously?

The Rangers are on the right track. They need to sell off more assets between now and the trading deadline. Keep loading up on draft picks.

 

[Tawnos]

What are you giving up for Trouba? Cheveldayoff is not an easy guy to deal with. He has made one major player trade in his 7 years running the Jets. The trade with Buffalo involving Kane and Myers. According to all indications,Winnipeg is planning to keep Trouba for this season.

Risks? You don't know if Trouba wants to play in NY. He will have his pick of teams in two years. Maybe he wants to play for him hometown team. I read his girlfriend is working in Florida. Maybe he wants to go there. If Yzerman doesn't get Karlsson,maybe he gets Trouba.



The Rangers are in no position to be giving up multiple young assets in a rebuild. It's an expensive transaction. Satisfy Winnipeg and then satisfy Trouba.

Why the hostility and the attitude? Seriously?

The Rangers are on the right track. They need to sell off more assets between now and the trading deadline. Keep loading up on draft picks.

you of all people want to point out someone’s hostility and attitude? Seriously?

Winnipeg wouldn’t be looking for young assets. That’s why I’d be looking hard at this. They’re not a rebuilding team. They need assets for winning now. We have assets for winning now that are less likely to contribute to when we should be winning later.

It’s a fair point about how hard it is to deal with Cheveldayoff. And maybe there’s not a deal to be had, but it should be explored. Not rejected out of hand.

9/10, people end up mocking those reports of trying to read tea leaves on where players want to go when said player ends up somewhere else.

 

[Tawnos]

I know what you're trying to say but the way you put it sounds like jumping on all opportunities without discretion. You're better with words.

There has to be a plan. But the plan should be flexible. Like I wouldn't say no to Trouba now (if the deal is right) because it doesn't fit perfectly into my timeline, only to find myself in summer 2019 looking for RD of this type and either not finding one or greatly overpaying for one.

Looking at every opportunity doesn’t mean not being measured about which opportunities you take.

 

[NYR Viper]

This ‘rebuild’ doesn’t need to end when the team starts acquiring high end talent. There’s a way to not sell futures and keep an eye on making smart moves while still competing. Not every team needs to give up 1sts and high end prospects every year like the Rangers has been doing.

 

[Cag29]

Ranger fan since 1975. Long time lurker.
I would not go after Trouba.
I would let the new coach access what we have. And install his system. And develope our young players. Decide who stays and who goes.

I would try to pursuade Hank to allow a trade to a contender at the deadline. (Stl, Philly?). Makes no sense keeping him now.
Retire 30 when the time comes.

I would keep trading off older assets at the deadline for youth and picks. Starting with
(Zucc-Who I would try a resign after a trade, and whoever they decide not to move forward with).

This probably takes two more seasons of pain if we draft well.
We desperately need a number one center .
We haven’t had one since Messier.
Other teams will not trade us one so we have to draft one. Thus we need a top 3 pick in the 2019 draft. Lose for Hughes, Turcotte etc. we need one of them.
We need a few gritty forwards as well.
Rhd,
We seem set in goal hopefully.
Then hopefully Quinn grows this next group together and we contend and hopefully win another cup. LGR!!!

 

[Metranger]

I just want the white liberty jerseys to come back

Here be mine! They're beauties.

 

[Trxjw]

Except teams need to have some flexibility even if they are on a particular plan. To me this would be an example of an exception because Trouba is both young enough to fit into Gorton's rebuilt plan and they don't have a Trouba-esque player on the roster or in the prospect pipeline.

He's also going to be extremely expensive to acquire. Who are you forfeiting to get him here? Zibanejad? Chytil? Andersson? You're not getting one of the top young defensemen in the game for Hayes and spare parts.

This time next year, maybe Zibanejad is totally expendable after the Rangers end up with two kids who are on the short list to win the Calder. However, until then, I maintain now is not the time to make a major move. Wait until your assets appreciate. Don't try and buy when your currency is at it's lowest value.

You also never know who will become available between now and then.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Here be mine! They're beauties.
View attachment 131513

That's in beautiful condition. Was never a huge Liberties fan but the white is clearly superior and I wouldn't mind those coming back.

 

[Metranger]

That's in beautiful condition. Was never a huge Liberties fan but the white is clearly superior and I wouldn't mind those coming back.

Thanks man.

I've worn it to most of the Panthers/Rangers games that have been down here in S FL.

Despite all the brews it's remarkably clean as a whistle.

 

[Mac n Gs]

He's also going to be extremely expensive to acquire. Who are you forfeiting to get him here? Zibanejad? Chytil? Andersson? You're not getting one of the top young defensemen in the game for Hayes and spare parts.

This time next year, maybe Zibanejad is totally expendable after the Rangers end up with two kids who are on the short list to win the Calder. However, until then, I maintain now is not the time to make a major move. Wait until your assets appreciate. Don't try and buy when your currency is at it's lowest value.

You also never know who will become available between now and then.

Yeah, the potential cost is my biggest reservation about making a move for Trouba. I think we'll see him move on elsewhere, while Gorton tries to find a kid that's 20-21 and ready for NHL minutes after this season. It's really tough to ignore the various links to Dante Fabbro and Adam Fox, but I think those are the type of dmen that Gorton wants to acquire. There was that smoke about moving up to get Makar last season too, so maybe having Oliver will help a bit there.

As of today, the RD depth, IMO, is Shattenkirk-ADA-Pionk-Kampfer-Bigras-Day. I'd like to bring Sproul back to have another body available, but I can live without it. Looking at that depth, there's not a lot of substance past the top. I've made it known that I like Shattenkirk a lot, and I think he's due for a nice rebound season now that he's healthy. I'm high on ADA too, and I want to see him given a better chance to showcase his talent. Pionk got ridiculously overused in his 16 game stint, so I'll let him recalibrate himself under Quinn before making a final assessment. He had some really nice moments, but it's hard to ignore how poor his underlying numbers are.

After those guys, it's a typical vet depth signing, a change of scenery prospect (who did really well after the trade), and a guy with boom-bust potential. I still think they're lacking that additional piece to bridge the gap for when Shattenkirk is gone in three years and guys like Lundkvist and Keane are getting ready to take the next step. I mentioned Peeke and Filip Hronek earlier. Some others could be Roland McKeown or Pulock (lol at the Isles trading him to us). There's slim pickings out there since it's the scarcest commodity.

 

[Avery16]

@Ola young Hank outperforms young Carey every day of the last decade

 

[AlternateSideParking]

The analytics dude from the Athletic posted some chart that measured offseason activity for all 31 teams and the Rangers had the lowest measurement.

You have to give Quinn a full year to evaluate the current roster. It's his first in the NHL. If the mandate truly is to rebuild, then the suckfest will last all season. It's been proven that middle-pairing defenders like Trouba from contenders rarely meet expectations when they sign for big-gun money from a scrubby team. He won't solve anything and likely gets passed by some of these kids anyway.

Henrik is going be under attack again. I'm interested to see how he handles another year of that. Also curious to see how Quinn handles him. All of Henrik's previous coaches had legit street cred. The Roy-Tremblay feud partly was due to the miserable season Roy had before in 1995, partly due to Tremblay being inexperienced, partly due to the worst Habs' defense corps in decades. There are some parallels, except Roy is a bigger DB and already had two Cups.

I'm not saying Quinn and Henrik will beef. Just wondering how facing 35-40 shots a night and losing in the process will impact how much Henrik loves playing in NYC.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

There was an article in Aftonbladet the other day, Hank said he had not closed the door on playing for Frölunda. Said that his ’goal’ is to ’be able to finish’ this NHL contract first. One or two years ago I quoted an article from Dagens Industri (like the Swedish WSJ) when he launched his underwear business. Sounded like he was set on playing past his contract in NA.

Things can change in a hurry.

Charlise is 5, next summer she is school age in Sweden. It’s hard to realize, but it’s really hard to move kids when they are 8-9 y/o. Much easier when they are 6-7 y/o.

Hank could walk away from his contract next summer if we wouldn’t mind. Things change, he might not even be our starter although it seems unlikely. I can’t see him accepting a trade though to play a couple of years for another NHL team in another city.

The title is, ”Hank on Frolunda: ‘I have never closed any doors’”...

Henke Lundqvist om Frölunda: ”Aldrig stängt några dörrar”

The question is how much does Henrik want to win a Stanley Cup. If it drives everything he does like it did with Bourque, Fetisov, Ovechkin etc....he will never leave the NHL unless his legs fall off.

He's won all the major team titles for Sweden. I think he can play at an elite NHL level for another 4-5 years, which may be one of the reasons why he's willing to stick around for the rebuild. Just wonder if this year will be worse for him than last.

 

[Fitzy]

It would be too bad if one of the top 3 players in franchise history left on a sour note. I'd be happy to see Hank play in Frolunda and win some trophies to end it, but hopefully it doesn't transpire with him leaving early.

 

[Lays]

Yeah, the potential cost is my biggest reservation about making a move for Trouba. I think we'll see him move on elsewhere, while Gorton tries to find a kid that's 20-21 and ready for NHL minutes after this season. It's really tough to ignore the various links to Dante Fabbro and Adam Fox, but I think those are the type of dmen that Gorton wants to acquire. There was that smoke about moving up to get Makar last season too, so maybe having Oliver will help a bit there.

As of today, the RD depth, IMO, is Shattenkirk-ADA-Pionk-Kampfer-Bigras-Day. I'd like to bring Sproul back to have another body available, but I can live without it. Looking at that depth, there's not a lot of substance past the top. I've made it known that I like Shattenkirk a lot, and I think he's due for a nice rebound season now that he's healthy. I'm high on ADA too, and I want to see him given a better chance to showcase his talent. Pionk got ridiculously overused in his 16 game stint, so I'll let him recalibrate himself under Quinn before making a final assessment. He had some really nice moments, but it's hard to ignore how poor his underlying numbers are.

After those guys, it's a typical vet depth signing, a change of scenery prospect (who did really well after the trade), and a guy with boom-bust potential. I still think they're lacking that additional piece to bridge the gap for when Shattenkirk is gone in three years and guys like Lundkvist and Keane are getting ready to take the next step. I mentioned Peeke and Filip Hronek earlier. Some others could be Roland McKeown or Pulock (lol at the Isles trading him to us). There's slim pickings out there since it's the scarcest commodity.

Peeke isn’t anything special and doesn’t have any more potential than guys like Pionk/ADA do. Doubt he becomes more than a 4D (if even) from what I’ve seen. Why Hronek? Wings won’t trade him (they need D) and again, there’s no legit top pairing potential there but he can be a good middle pairing D. I like him but we have a shit ton of LHD with similar upsides. McKeown has stagnated.

The analytics dude from the Athletic posted some chart that measured offseason activity for all 31 teams and the Rangers had the lowest measurement.

You have to give Quinn a full year to evaluate the current roster. It's his first in the NHL. If the mandate truly is to rebuild, then the suckfest will last all season. It's been proven that middle-pairing defenders like Trouba from contenders rarely meet expectations when they sign for big-gun money from a scrubby team. He won't solve anything and likely gets passed by some of these kids anyway.

Henrik is going be under attack again. I'm interested to see how he handles another year of that. Also curious to see how Quinn handles him. All of Henrik's previous coaches had legit street cred. The Roy-Tremblay feud partly was due to the miserable season Roy had before in 1995, partly due to Tremblay being inexperienced, partly due to the worst Habs' defense corps in decades. There are some parallels, except Roy is a bigger DB and already had two Cups.

I'm not saying Quinn and Henrik will beef. Just wondering how facing 35-40 shots a night and losing in the process will impact how much Henrik loves playing in NYC.

Trouba would instantly be our best defenseman and he’s a high end 2D. He’s not getting passed by any of our dmen any time soon let alone “some” of them. Dumb comment

 

[Machinehead]

The analytics dude from the Athletic posted some chart that measured offseason activity for all 31 teams and the Rangers had the lowest measurement.

You have to give Quinn a full year to evaluate the current roster. It's his first in the NHL. If the mandate truly is to rebuild, then the suckfest will last all season. It's been proven that middle-pairing defenders like Trouba from contenders rarely meet expectations when they sign for big-gun money from a scrubby team. He won't solve anything and likely gets passed by some of these kids anyway.

Henrik is going be under attack again. I'm interested to see how he handles another year of that. Also curious to see how Quinn handles him. All of Henrik's previous coaches had legit street cred. The Roy-Tremblay feud partly was due to the miserable season Roy had before in 1995, partly due to Tremblay being inexperienced, partly due to the worst Habs' defense corps in decades. There are some parallels, except Roy is a bigger DB and already had two Cups.

I'm not saying Quinn and Henrik will beef. Just wondering how facing 35-40 shots a night and losing in the process will impact how much Henrik loves playing in NYC.

Henrik has handled 13 seasons of being under attack to varying degrees. Our defense has been flawed since we drafted him, and I think it's been an organizational motif (deliberate or not) to neglect defense with him on the roster. I think he knows what he's up against.

 

[Deleted member 23124]

Just wonder if this year will be worse for him than last.

The only way I see our D being worse than last year is if they start using negative numbers.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Peeke isn’t anything special and doesn’t have any more potential than guys like Pionk/ADA do. Doubt he becomes more than a 4D (if even) from what I’ve seen. Why Hronek? Wings won’t trade him (they need D) and again, there’s no legit top pairing potential there but he can be a good middle pairing D. I like him but we have a **** ton of LHD with similar upsides. McKeown has stagnated.

Trouba would instantly be our best defenseman and he’s a high end 2D. He’s not getting passed by any of our dmen any time soon let alone “some” of them. Dumb comment

No need for the "dumb comment". Either agree or disagree.

But thanks for proving my point. Trouba being their best defenseman is not a good thing, because Trouba never has been the best defenseman on any team he's played on. Maybe situationally, but never, ever all-around like McDonagh was.

Second of all, Byfuglien is their No. 1. He was paired with Trouba a whopping 37 minutes all season and Byfuglien had the tougher matchups. Your No. 1 is on the top pairing. Trouba split the season between Kulikov and Morrissey. He never saw first unit power play time.

He's ranked 4th, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd and 2nd in TOI in his career. Last season, he saw a full three-minute drop in TOI from the year before. His career TOI averages out to a that of a middle-pairing defender on any team. The No. 2's on contenders play anywhere from 23-25 minutes a game. All of Nashville's top four averaged well over 23 mins -- Trouba averaged just under 22 and even less in the playoffs. Orlov averaged over 23 mins and he was paired with Niskanen on the middle pairing because Carlson played over 24 mins. All three averaged over 24 mins a game in the playoffs. Chara and McAvoy played over 22 mins each in the regular season and over 23 mins in the playoffs. The Lighting rotated three defensemen with Hedman on the top pairing throughout the playoffs. The only exception is Vegas because they lacked a true No. 1.

So calling Trouba a "high-end 2D" is putting him on a top pairing that never existed. Yes, he's more effective defensively than Myers or Byfuglien, but he's rarely been on a top pairing to support a No. 1. He's controlled his own pairing -- the middle one. He's always been middle of the pack on the Jets in his shot numbers. There is no data to make one think there is an elite, low-maintenance two-way defenseman trapped inside him that will be revealed if he signs with the Rangers. They why bother signing him if you're rebuilding?

And I said "likely" gets passed by the youngsters. Never said when. One can only pray that at least one of the defense prospects becomes a legit No. 1 like McDonagh or Leetch rather than what Trouba has been since he was drafted.

The Rangers have a long, checkered history of signing defensemen from good teams who fail to equal or surpass previous production after being handed an increase in role and responsibility. This is not news.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Henrik has handled 13 seasons of being under attack to varying degrees. Our defense has been flawed since we drafted him, and I think it's been an organizational motif (deliberate or not) to neglect defense with him on the roster. I think he knows what he's up against.

Of course. Just wonder if it breaks him. Seems like the mental part of dealing with tilted ice messes with him more so now than ever before, to include the Malik-Ozolinsh period or 2010.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

DeAngelo definitely has the potential to become a 1RD in the Letang mould. His OHL scoring was Bobby Orr tier and I'm not even exaggerating that much, I have data to back it up if you think looking at a player's PPG as a share of the team's GPG as a fair comparable - which I think it is for defencemen who are more reliant on team offence for point scoring. His AHL stats in Syracuse and Tuscon were pretty much in line with Yandle and Subban's IIRC and his NHL underlying stats were very good last year and pretty good in Arizona as well.

He should try being an NHL D before he tries being a 1RD in the Letang mold.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Lundqvist is giving up $12.5M? That's how salary he is owed in the last two years of his contract. He is a very wealthy guy but that's a lot of money to walk away from.

He can always be diagnosed with an allergy to his equipment and still get paid.