Are people really arguing about who watches what games? Wow.
One thing I thought about, that may give some perspective, is there really is no trade that would feel satisfactory other than a complete and total rip-off. That’s because we traded away two major contributors to the past 5-7 years of relative success for this franchise and acquired players we know little about, as far as what impact they will have at the NHL level. It stings. As much as this organizations needs a reboot, it stings to know that it’s over, and they didn’t get it done.
That being said, we have some solid contributors still here. Kreider, Zibanejad, Hayes, Fast, Zuccarello, Spooner, Namestnikov, Buchnevich. They’re all above average NHL players. Vesey is an average player. We have pieces up front.
On defense, we have Skjei, Shattenkirk, and Staal. Above average NHL players. Smith should be, but I won’t count him right now because he’s currently being punished. But add him in and you have 4 average to above average NHL players.
In the pipeline, you have:
Andersson
Chytil
Howden
Ronning
Nieves
All who project to possibly contribute at the NHL level, in varying degrees. I won’t include other prospects, but we could also have some late bloomers.
On defense, you have:
Hajek
Pionk
DeAngelo
Lindgren
Rykov
Day (who I still think is a dark horse)
Gilmour
All who can possibly contribute at the NHL level in varying degrees. Add Sproul in there too.
Let’s say, hypothetically, the Rangers decide Zuccarello is the captain and sign him 3x5. Spooner and Namestnikov are signed to 4 year deals between 3-4 million. Skjei 5x4.5. Hayes 4x4.5. We have cap space. We also have a plethora of assets at reasonable rates to move in the next 1-3 years, if a guy like Andersson or Howden or Chytil proves they are ready for prime time. That will create more cap space.
It’s obvious the Rangers are trying to acquire talented Russian players in an attempt to lure KHL Free Agents and prospects to the NHL. It’s a savvy decision. It’s New York City and plenty of your brethren are here. Come join them. As much as I like Miller, and he was one of my favorite players, Namestnikov is very, very talented. He brings a different kind of game. He has ties to NA and Russia. We acquired Rykov. We have Buchnevich and Georgiev already and Shesty in SKA.
Kovalchuk wants to play here. See if he’ll sign a 2 year contract. What if we get the #2 pick and draft Svechnikov?
Kovalchuk-Namestnikov-Svechnikov
Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Spooner-Hayes-Zuccarello
Vesey-Nieves-Fast
Chytil, Andersson, and Howden start in Hartford. Maybe we trade Zibanejad for more futures and let one of those prospects center the 3rd line. More cap space.
The following year, Rykov and Shestyorkin come over.
On defense, possibly:
Skjei-Shattenkirk
Staal-DeAngelo
Smith-Pionk
Potential disaster there. But maybe we buy out Smith and play Gilmour, or sign a UFA. Hank and Georgiev/Mazanec. That’s a really solid lineup. Maybe we luck into Dahlin and don’t get Svechnikov. We’d be fine up front.
And Hajek/Rykov playing in Hartford soon. Available in case of injuries. The more I look at this team going forward, I can see hope. Some things need to break right. But one thing is for sure. That group didn’t get it done. I enjoyed the run. But they didn’t get it done. I’d hate to see them get it done elsewhere. But we had to cut the cord. This is a first class organization with a plan. Developing an identity. I’m ready to embrace this rebuild and trust Gorton.
But he must fire AV.
