Is Anton Stralman in a Tenuous Spot with Rangers?

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

If we let Stralman walk for nothing I will be angrier than I was at any point during the Kings series.

 

[Zil]

If we let Stralman walk for nothing I will be angrier than I was at any point during the Kings series.

He's my baseline of success for the offseason. If we manage to keep him, then nothing that terrible has happened. If we lose him I think we're screwed. We have exactly zero alternatives capable of providing what he gives us. It'll be especially infuriating because it would mean they essentially decided to pay Girardi over him. As much as I like Dan, at this point he's the classic square peg in a round hole. He's made for Tortorella hockey, not Vigneault hockey. Meanwhile, Stralman fits this team perfectly.

 

[Blue Blooded]

If we let Stralman walk for nothing I will be angrier than I was at any point during the Kings series.

He's my baseline of success for the offseason. If we manage to keep him, then nothing that terrible has happened. If we lose him I think we're screwed. We have exactly zero alternatives capable of providing what he gives us. It'll be especially infuriating because it would mean they essentially decided to pay Girardi over him. As much as I like Dan, at this point he's the classic square peg in a round hole. He's made for Tortorella hockey, not Vigneault hockey. Meanwhile, Stralman fits this team perfectly.

Absolutely. I didn't expect us to beat the Kings, though it certainly was frustrating that we didn't get more than 5 games as well as we were playing. But I have always believed that this is a genuinely good team at its core, which will be able to contend for the coming years.

Unfortunately with our defence being composed as it is, Strålman is a linchpin that can't be let go without drastic consequences.

If we lose Strålman and replace him with Klein, I think we legitimately could turn into the bubble team that the pessimists I've argued with all season claimed we truly are.

I don't see a top-4 of McDonagh-Girardi, Staal-Klein pulling a 50%+ Corsi as a whole, and in today's hockey I don't think you have a legit shot at the cup if you can't get at least 52%+ in the regular season. Especially considering our crappy PP.

Look at the cup winners since the data for Corsi has been available:

2008: Detroit (59.4%, 1st)
2009: Pittsburgh (49.2%, 16th had a lot of luck and 87+71 to beat the 58.4% Detroit (1st))
2010: Chicago (56.9%, 1st)
2011: Boston (51.1%, 13th beat the 53.7% Vancouver (3rd) and has been above 52% in basically all surrounding seasons)
2012: Los Angeles (54.9%, 2nd)
2013: Chicago (55.4%, 2nd)
2014: Los Angeles (57.2%, 1st)

 

[frozenrubber]

Problem is many teams could use Stralman.

Anton Stralman would be a magnificent fit for the Red Wings (with their all left handed d-core) and at least 5+ other teams.

At this point, only two weeks from free agency, there is little reason for Stralman to consider Ranger offers (if any serious NYR offers are forthcoming), too many larger offers available in a short amount of time.

Before the Olympics, the Rangers offered him 3x3. Now if he waits, he can get 4.5.

 

[Blue Blooded]

Problem is many teams could use Stralman.

Anton Stralman would be a magnificent fit for the Red Wings (with their all left handed d-core) and at least 5+ other teams.

At this point, only two weeks from free agency, there is little reason for Stralman to consider Ranger offers (if any serious NYR offers are forthcoming), too many larger offers available in a short amount of time.

If we let Strålman walk, I really hope he goes west. I think if Tampa got him they could become incredibly dangerous.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

If we let Strålman walk, I really hope he goes west. I think if Tampa got him they could become incredibly dangerous.

lol I posted on the trade boards not too long ago that Hedman-Stralman would be a nasty pairing.

Tampa is already on the cusp of being elite.

 

[Blue Blooded]

lol I posted on the trade boards not too long ago that Hedman-Stralman would be a nasty pairing.

Tampa is already on the cusp of being elite.

Their young talent up front is amazing, but their D isn't as good nor promising.

Hedman is a stud and Carle is (or rather used to be) decent, but beyond that their D is old and slow. Salo is pretty good, but always injured and breaking down. Brewer was never any good. Of their "young" D only Barberio is intriguing to me, Gudas doesn't excite me at all. Kostka is garbage.

If they add Strålman I think they can be a very well rounded team which has finishing, goaltending, and puck possession.

 

[Desdichado93]

Leonard reports (via Stralman's agent) that the Rangers haven't had any contact since February:

http://rangersunlimited.com/2014/06...-contact-with-stralmans-agent-since-february/

I read somewhere maybe a week ago or so that NYR had given Anton an offer which Anton had made a counter offer to but that he hadn't heard back regarding it.
I think this was just before the playoffs so perhaps things will start to move again now that the SC is over.

 

[Ola]

I would love to keep Strålman, but we can't move up to 5m to get it done -- and -- we can't give in too much in regards to NMC-restrictions.

It might be questioned now, but go back 8-10 months and I was probably Strålman's biggest supporter at this place. Top 5 at least. But now I am starting to feel like Oscar Wilde: "Whenever people agree with me I always feel I must be wrong."

Seriously though, do -- not -- underestimate the impact of Staal's level of clutchness and defensive precense on that second pair and Strålman's game. To put it like this, I think what Strålman brings to the game is extremely important, and its an area we are very weak in. Ie moving the puck out of our own end. But we also got an issue with opening things up and creating a high scoring environment on the ice. Just look at our top scorers the last 10 years, we are extremely low in this regard. Strålman is also still young and can still improve a lot, he was in an interview with Aftonbladet talking about how he had to give up all offense when coached by Torts, and got a chance to rebuild his defensive game. Going into this season, he said that was given much looser rains under AV/Ulfie, and he tried to expand his offensive game, but that he was a bit hesitent to change what already was working.

But, facts are, that he still only scored -- 13 pts in 81 games -- this season. And contributed -- nothing -- offensively during the POs. His and Staal's lack of offensive game definitely held back our forwards playing with those two a lot offensively. Andy McDonald is used as a bench mark, and A.M. scored 240% more pts than Strålman...

I know that many has a hard time seeing/agreeing with this, but the way some of our forwards lines has been shut down on a regular basis and for long stretches is more than anything else a D and center problem. It really is. A winger can only do so much by himself (with some one-man show types like Pat Kane, Ilya K and co being exceptions to this). We saw this in how MSL completely was shut down when he came here, and Nash for long stretches during the POs.

McD has stepped up some offensively, but he is not alone going to solve this problem we have. And it is a big problem.

From my point of view, McD and Girardi are locks in the top 4. Besides them two, we can either keep one or both of Staal and Strålman. If we keep both, odds are that we will require production from out top guys to score but put them in an impossible situation because they just don't get the required offensive support from our D's and half weak support from our centers. Strålman moving forward one step offensively would certainly help, but I am dissapointed in him in that regard this season. He has provided a big nothing all year.

Something gotta give here IMO.

 

[Zil]

Ola, as stated earlier, Stralman's possession game adds a ton to our offense without putting up points. His puck moving abilities make sure the puck spends more time in the opponents end than ours.

I don't know that Staal should necessarily be kept past this season and I'd certainly move him to land ROR. We have skilled guys who have some offensive punch coming on the left side in the form of Skjei, Allen, and Bodie.

 

[donpaulo]

I think Stralman wants to play in NY in front of Henke. In that regard he might take less to stay with the Rangers. Not ALOT less but probably would leave money on the table from a better offer with a different team. I think the other team perhaps will not have the skill level to take a shot at a cup in the next year or three. Stralman knows that so I think Sather finds a way to keep him.

It probably means that other guys like Boyle, and Pouliot may be shown the door with NY looking to replace their icetime from the AHL level or via trade.

Stralman proved his worth down the stretch. His ice time, strength on his skates, ability to shut down opposing forwards without taking penalties is something NY could use more of. Maybe a 3 year deal at around 4 per ? Hard to say.

 

[Desdichado93]

I read somewhere maybe a week ago or so that NYR had given Anton an offer which Anton had made a counter offer to but that he hadn't heard back regarding it.
I think this was just before the playoffs so perhaps things will start to move again now that the SC is over.

I found the article which originated from TT (Swedish news agency).

According to the article which is an interview with Strålman's agent Gunnar Svensson,
Strålman received an offer before the playoffs which he responded to but they haven't heard anything since.

That offer was supposed to have been worth about $3 million (20 Million SEK) in total according to the article which cites NY post as the source to that.

http://corren.se/sport/het-stralman-kan-skriva-dromkontrakt-7052168.aspx

 

[FJB]

I would love to have Stralman back, but the damn cap. grrrr

 

[True Blue]

I have come full circle on this. The Rangers need to make changes. If they somehow would bring back the same exact team, they will loose. They need more size. A team of mighty mites is not going to do it. Even with the buyout of Richards, the budget needs to be carefully balanced. They need to look at the roster and decide who they can do without and who is absolutely necessary. To me, paying Stralman $4.5 at the expense of loosing Brassard (also likely to get paid the same) is a worth while risk.

 

[Jersey Girl]

Unfortunately Sather cannot buy out both Nash and Richards, so he's hamstrung himself into some tough decisions regarding not only Stralman, but Boyle, Brassard, and others.

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

Unfortunately Sather cannot buy out both Nash and Richards, so he's hamstrung himself into some tough decisions regarding not only Stralman, but Boyle, Brassard, and others.

I think Nash has trade value. Perhaps to San Jose. Point is, I think we could trade Nash if need be.

 

[Jersey Girl]

I think Nash has trade value. Perhaps to San Jose. Point is, I think we could trade Nash if need be.

At this point any GM who trades for that Nash contract has served notice.

 

[Brooklyn Ranger]

Unfortunately Sather cannot buy out both Nash and Richards, so he's hamstrung himself into some tough decisions regarding not only Stralman, but Boyle, Brassard, and others.

Scratch Boyle out of the equation....

Center Brian Boyle expressed that he would like to play a bigger role next season and will be seeking that opportunity as an unrestricted free agent after being told by Vigneault today that if he were to return he would remain in the same role as a fourth line player and a penalty killer.

I hate to see him go, but I understand his desire to try and reach beyond his role here. And it does open up the possibility of a prospect grabbing that role in training camp.

http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/...e_yet_boyle_looking_for_bigger_role_as_a_ufa/

 

[Fletch]

Boyle did score 21 goals a couple years ago. A 21 goal scorer who is good in his own end gets paid more than a 6 goal scorer. Can't blame him for trying to make more money for himself in a situation that may be better for his career. He will be a tough one to replace.

 

[Brooklyn Ranger]

I agree Fletch--but it was going to hard to keep him anyway. Boyle and Hagelin are so damned good on the penalty kill.

 

[Zil]

Boyle did score 21 goals a couple years ago. A 21 goal scorer who is good in his own end gets paid more than a 6 goal scorer. Can't blame him for trying to make more money for himself in a situation that may be better for his career. He will be a tough one to replace.

I think everyone has seen enough from Boyle to know that 21 goals was an aberration from him. I love the guy, but come on. He wants a bigger role and he's going to get paid. It's time for one of the kids to step up.

 

[Jyrgen]

As stated before, he wants to stay and Will take discount if he gets at least 3 years. That has not changed.. But they get no f ing offer to consider.

He would have signed 3,2 for 3-4 years easily in february. Now .. Maybe.

 

[Wolfy*]

Listening to Stralman today it sounds like money is not the most important. He says he wants to stay here, has moved 4 times in 7 years.

Stability for his family is what he's looking for.

So maybe he signs here after all

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

Listening to Stralman today it sounds like money is not the most important. He says he wants to stay here, has moved 4 times in 7 years.

Stability for his family is what he's looking for.

So maybe he signs here after all

I think Stralman, Dominic Moore, and Poo resign with the Rangers. Zucc will sign an extension with us, and I think Brassard will as well.

Boyle is going to be tricky. Sadly, I think he ultimately doesn't come back. I think someone like Oscar Lindberg could take his spot, though.

 

[Brooklyn Ranger]

Listening to Stralman today it sounds like money is not the most important. He says he wants to stay here, has moved 4 times in 7 years.

Stability for his family is what he's looking for.

So maybe he signs here after all

I'm sure Stralman wants stability--he has 4 children. However, money is important too. If the Rangers lowball him, I'm sure he's willing to move one more time. After all. the next contract he signs is going to be a long term contract, at least 4 years I suspect.

Sather doesn't like to sign players to extensions during the season--that was probably a mistake here, since the price has definitely gone up. Stralman has a lot more bargaining power than he did early in the year.