Is there any chance the Rangers can trade for a true #1?

[eco's bones]

I take DStep over EStaal as the 1C for this team over the next 5 years.

The good thing about Stepan is that in 5 years, he'll likely have another 5 years of good play in him because he's ALREADY A 24 YEAR OLD ADEQUATE 1C.

I agree. Eric like his brothers Marc and Jordan aren't quite as good as they were 3 years ago. Marc more because of injures. Stepan is moving towards his prime and his cap hit is a lot more manageable. The Rangers will get the worst of Eric Staal and the Canes will get the best of Derek Stepan and for a lot cheaper. It's basically just another bad idea.

 

[eco's bones]

this thread need some bernmeister magic

I think SeventySeven's more than willing to give Bern a run for his money.

 

[JimmyG89]

Let's fill other needs instead of something we have.

 

[KingWantsCup]

I disagree. Stepan maxes out as a 65 point player IMO. And he can't skate, and he can't shoot, and he's been easily shut down in the playoffs.

What's wrong with having a 65 point player???



He would thrive of he had an elite #1C ahead of him, but he is already a top 30 center and therefore a legitimate #1C.

 

[eco's bones]

If the Rangers were going to trade a bunch of young assets for a center I'd think about Ryan Johansen. He looks like the real deal and he's pretty much just starting out. He's in a contract dispute with the Bluejackets last I knew. What it would take?--I don't know but we could kick the tires. There are limits how far I would go though.

Truth is the Rangers got a lot of mileage last year spreading out the offense over 3 lines. Pretty much two lines are coming back intact and of the 3 scoring centers we had last year I'd take Stepan and Brassard over Richards 365 days of the year and in a leap year 366. They are both very good players--size is an issue--face-offs as well but it was the same last year too. Stanley Cup finals WTF--who would have thunk?--somehow or other those guys helped get us there and now a bunch of posters here want to throw them to the ****ing wolves.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

65 points playing against the competition he does with the possession numbers he does is a 1C.

Don't bother man, that guy thinks Stepan is a scrub while he continues on playing elite defense and scoring almost 60 points at 23 years old after missing training camp. Man, he sucks, we need to trade him ASAP.

 

[Mac n Gs]

I think the best move is to sign a cheap stopgap for a year, until Miller or Lindberg can take the 3c spot. I'm not sure who's out there that's a good option because I don't want Ott or Legwand, but I'd prefer Ribeiro only if he gets his **** together. He can do something similar to Ehrhoff by signing a cheap 1 year deal to boost his value for next year's free agency.

What I hope Sather and Gorton do is find some way to get either Kadri, Colin Wilson, Hodgson, or Grigorenko on the team. I know it's not likely, but a package centered around Staal could nab one of these players.

We aren't going to be able to get a legitimate #1C until this team starts tanking again or we blow the bank on someone like Stamkos is he somehow happens to hit free agency (which I highly doubt).

For now, I'd rather play from our strengths, which are our goaltending and defense. AV is an extremely smart coach, and he has two great associate coaches in Arniel and Ulf. They're smart enough to figure out how to properly utilize the talent on this roster.

 

[Mac n Gs]

Another thing, the bashing on Stepan is completely asinine. The kid is 24 years old and finished with 57 points after having a contract dispute and sucking for the most part of the first half of the season. Once his play goes back to the norm, he'll be a 60-70 point center, while also posting good possession numbers, AND playing shutdown two-day defense. Idk what else people want from this kid other than for him to shoot it from the left circle on the power play and attempt to improve his skating by building a stronger lower core (good thing we have MSL who works out like a maniac).

For those that say he was "shut down" in the playoffs, please do tell me how Giroux, Crosby, and Kopitar did against Stepan because I'm pretty sure his defense made them non-factors.

 

[eco's bones]

Another thing, the bashing on Stepan is completely asinine. The kid is 24 years old and finished with 57 points after having a contract dispute and sucking for the most part of the first half of the season. Once his play goes back to the norm, he'll be a 60-70 point center, while also posting good possession numbers, AND playing shutdown two-day defense. Idk what else people want from this kid other than for him to shoot it from the left circle on the power play and attempt to improve his skating by building a stronger lower core (good thing we have MSL who works out like a maniac).

For those that say he was "shut down" in the playoffs, please do tell me how Giroux, Crosby, and Kopitar did against Stepan because I'm pretty sure his defense made them non-factors.

Stepan had 15 points in 24 playoffs games--one of which he only played a couple minutes because he was knocked out of it by a cheap shot. Played 8 games then with a broken jaw and pretty much all situations. 15 points tied him for second in scoring with St. Louis. McDonagh had 17. If Nash could have finished some of his shots Stepan would have had more. Stepan had a very good playoffs. At least a B+.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

If the Rangers were going to trade a bunch of young assets for a center I'd think about Ryan Johansen. He looks like the real deal and he's pretty much just starting out. He's in a contract dispute with the Bluejackets last I knew. What it would take?--I don't know but we could kick the tires. There are limits how far I would go though.

Truth is the Rangers got a lot of mileage last year spreading out the offense over 3 lines. Pretty much two lines are coming back intact and of the 3 scoring centers we had last year I'd take Stepan and Brassard over Richards 365 days of the year and in a leap year 366. They are both very good players--size is an issue--face-offs as well but it was the same last year too. Stanley Cup finals WTF--who would have thunk?--somehow or other those guys helped get us there and now a bunch of posters here want to throw them to the ****ing wolves.

I would love to get RJ, absolutely LOVE to. But the only problem with this strategy is that if you acquire him and sign him to something in the range of what he's asking for, you set a precedent where all our RFAs will try to hold us up for ROR/RJ contracts. MAYBE it works if he signs for a McDonagh-esque contract. But isn't he seeking like $6MM per?

 

[Beacon]

Question: Rangers make a good move - All Hail Jeff Gorton.

Exactly: Good moves are credited to Gordie and Gorton, all the tough moves are attributed to Slats. Very unfair.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

I prefer to get a center similar to Stepan. Have a 1a/1b combo like Boston does. Brassard on the 3rd line and we're golden

Agree.

Personally, i feel Miller will develop into that guy.

Only question is, will it happen this season. It looks like the Rangers are willing to let him earn it.

We are going to be so cap strapped after the RFAs are signed, that allowing Miller the opportunity to grab it and take ownership of that spot, i guess we could do worse.

Unless they can sign a guy like Legwand for 1 year between 1.5 and 2 million. HIGHLY dobtful.

We are in a jam. I don't think we can afford to trade any valuable assets.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

Exactly: Good moves are credited to Gordie and Gorton, all the tough moves are attributed to Slats. Very unfair.

I think all the moves are made as a collective. But each member of the front office has their mark that you could make an educated guess as to which member more heavily influenced the move.

Example, picking up a guy like Kampfer seems like a Gorton type of move. Whereas signing Dominic Moore last summer is a Sather kind of move.

But its true, we can only speculate because we aren't in the room with them.

 

[TollefsenFan]

Zucc, Brassard or Hagelin and J Moore for the first center. Thats what it would take and atm we cant afford giving up so many Depth players. We couldnt sign Spezza. Get over it.

 

[Mac n Gs]

We can't offer sheer RyJo because we don't have our 2015 first, correct?

It would also be a HUGE slap in the face to Davidson

 

[ltsthinaz]

To be honest, I haven't moved on my personal opinion on Sather for years. Dolan is the real problem, and he loves Sather. It is what it is...

However, making adjustments during the season does't leave me with much confidence that this team can even make the playoffs.

I think a major move is warranted - E. Staal was an example- but if his hit is $9mil- clearly I would look elsewhere.

I just believe they should really make a huge push for the next couple of years- before TB, FLA, the Isles and other eastern teams get stronger. This is a weird window they have where maybe Boston is the only MAJOR obstacle in the way of another Cup appearance.

I would't sell McD, or Kreider, but would understand moving anyone else...

I wouldn't sell McDonagh for the entire Carolina roster.

 

[Zuccarello Awesome*]

Another thing, the bashing on Stepan is completely asinine. The kid is 24 years old and finished with 57 points after having a contract dispute and sucking for the most part of the first half of the season. Once his play goes back to the norm, he'll be a 60-70 point center, while also posting good possession numbers, AND playing shutdown two-day defense. Idk what else people want from this kid other than for him to shoot it from the left circle on the power play and attempt to improve his skating by building a stronger lower core (good thing we have MSL who works out like a maniac).

For those that say he was "shut down" in the playoffs, please do tell me how Giroux, Crosby, and Kopitar did against Stepan because I'm pretty sure his defense made them non-factors.

I love how it's somehow a defense of Stepan that he "sucked for the first half"

 

[Raspewtin]

I love how it's somehow a defense of Stepan that he "sucked for the first half"

How did you expect him to perform in the beginning with no training camp?

 

[Mac n Gs]

I love how it's somehow a defense of Stepan that he "sucked for the first half"

Lundqvist, Kreider, McDonagh, etc sucked throughout October too so let's trade them for 30 year olds who are passing their prime.

Step had no training camp and had to learn a new system that was the polar opposite of what he had been playing his entire career. So yeah, I wouldn't expect him to be good right off the bat either. You're still overlooking that he came back from that to score 57 points, play extremely good two-way defense, and post good possession numbers as a 24 year old going against top lines.

Don't see how you can justify trading our best C for someone who MAY be a marginal improvement for a season or two. Ok, then what? We have another old over-the-hill center with no one in the pipeline to replace them, while idk, that Stepan guy is entering his prime? Yeah that'll end up great in hindsight for this team.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

If the Rangers decided to move Staal before the season and allowed the acquiring team to negotiate an extension the Rangers could probably net a younger 1B type center. Stepan as 1A with Brassard on as the 3C and Moore the 4th.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Not every team is going to have a top flight centerman. There arent enough to go around and sometimes its unrealistic to try and pry one from another team.

Id pass on Staal. Even if it was just a free agent signing. His career is on the downpath IMHO. Stasny was the real target and I wasnt even sold on him considering what it would take to get him. Problem with the top centers is you need to give too much up to get them whether it be through trade or term. I would be ok with getting another 1B/2nd line center like Step and Brassard that way you have 3 and have flexibility in the lineup. Either that or try Miller who may be a year or two away from that.

 

[Don Chytil]

Lundqvist, Kreider, McDonagh, etc sucked throughout October too so let's trade them for 30 year olds who are passing their prime.

Step had no training camp and had to learn a new system that was the polar opposite of what he had been playing his entire career. So yeah, I wouldn't expect him to be good right off the bat either. You're still overlooking that he came back from that to score 57 points, play extremely good two-way defense, and post good possession numbers as a 24 year old going against top lines.

Don't see how you can justify trading our best C for someone who MAY be a marginal improvement for a season or two. Ok, then what? We have another old over-the-hill center with no one in the pipeline to replace them, while idk, that Stepan guy is entering his prime? Yeah that'll end up great in hindsight for this team.

Great post, sums up everything I came into this thread to say.

Can someone please let me know why so much of our fanbase hates Stepan? It's gotten a bit irrational. Is it still because he dances or whatever and is therefore a ballerina? Maybe the balding makes him look older than he actually is, and therefore you forget that he's a 24 year old entering his prime? Someone enlighten me.

 

[Vitto79]

Not easy to find. Going to have to live stepan and brassard

 

[Thesensation19*]

I am not sure of the future of our centers but I do now that I am not liking our first line. It wasnt impressive last year, I dont see them being impressive this year even if they improve in realistic limits.

Even if Nash scores more... how much more is realstic. 10 more points? 20? 20 would be nice but difficult.

We need a #1 center. I would love a lot of guys but dont want to ruin our youth and our depth to land one and I think the organization understands. Dont give up on JT miller yet. Dont give up on any of our centers yet. You wanna trade Fast, Lindberg, Kristo.. go ahead. If we get a good player in return. Only way I be okay with JT miller trade is if we got ROR in return

 

[bernmeister]

Is it possible that Sather can pull something off with Stepan or Brassard, maybe Hagelin and some of the prospects to get E. Staal or someone on that level? Maybe the two 2nd rounders next year?

Let's face it, this team is in a 3-4 year window with Hank, MSL, Girardi and co. Guys like McD can hopefully stay around through a 3 year rebuild (though that is looking much too far ahead.)

We already lost a lot of depth. Maybe they can go with a slightly better core and fill in with younger guys under a good system??? Though the Glass signing makes me think this is impossible under the evil overlord Sather.

Yes, it is very difficult but outside possibility it can be done.
However, need to be opportunistic and be prepared.
Need to be looking more at overpaying AND ADMIT THAT IS WHAT IT WILL TAKE.
Try for guys like Ryan Johansen not Eric Staal.

First thing is we need to move both Nash + Girardi, despite NMCs, which logic says they would waive now if a move beneficial to them given those NMCs turn into NTCs soon enough;
whether we kept a guy like Stralman or flipped him, the point is the cap made that decision for us. THAT cannot keep happening.

Nash best deal looks like Jurco + Larkin + 2015 1st for Nash + Rangers 2016 1st
Wing GM loves Nash, according to boards, and some blue chip guys getting grey there, but still a fit.

Girardi, more limited as to where arguably he wants to go.
Supposedly Leafs from his youth.
Kadri maybe/not on the outs, but a fit, esp. if they deal Phaneuf, in which case Girardi is a cheap replacement.

I AM AWARE WE ALREADY LOST GUYS ON 7/1.

The situation is not a snapshot photograph.
It is a moving picture of multiple snapshots.

You have to be willing to decimate the offense to get a guy like Seth Jones, or vice versa for a guy like RyJo, and then have to be patient as deficiencies get addressed.

But we need to add premium people to compete.
Another word for it, allowing for literary license is HORSES.