Speculation: Offseason Thread Part IV - Let's Make A Deal

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

You role (3) scoring lines and a defense/energy 4th. Implementing his system will take a bit of time. Boyle-Moore-Dorsett is a VERY good 3/4 line.

I agree I like that line, more so for the 4th line however.

 

[Thirty One]

I don't feel a big pressure to sign Stepan long-term this summer. He's 4 seasons from UFA. They can negotiate a 5-7 year deal two years from now, and take the cap savings now. Certainly wouldn't strip the team of all it's depth to secure a UFA year.

 

[Punxrocknyc19*]

only if we get a decent return for Boyle. I'm not gonna move him just to create cap space, in that case, Stepan can a bridge deal and get paid more later.

he will be an UFA in the summer of 2014.... so would you let him walk for nothing?? id trade him even for a depth prospect.. He is replaceable.. people said the same thing when Sather let Betts walk for nothing.. 4th line centers are not hard to find. if anything let Lindberg get a real chance to make this team. he played in the SEL against men, i doubt he a full year to get used to the smaller rinks

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Pyatt will be "dumped" if he needs to be.

Yeah, I know LOLOLO HES USELESS SOOOO BAD!!! but hes an NHL player, and for a low 1.5 cap hit.. he can fit on many teams bottom 6. Bottom 3 perhaps.

Boyle is a step up in value, and is very useful but we've been over that before. If only he threw nasty hits, beat people up and scored more goals.

Being a bottom 6 player for the Rangers might be the most thankless job in the NHL. No matter what you do, you will be hated by most everyone on this board.

Not to Kershaw it up.. but damn, John Mitchell would've looked nice on our 4th line last year, huh? 90% of people here hated the guy.

The problem is that a large portion of the fanbase do not recognize that theres value somewhere in between being a big point producer and a ferocious hitter/fighter. Theres roles to be had between there - and any championship team has them filled.

 

[NYR Viper]

I agree I like that line, more so for the 4th line however.

All of those players will play PK. Maybe 4th line ES time, but they will all be around 10 minutes a night, if not more.

 

[NYR Viper]

he will be an UFA in the summer of 2014.... so would you let him walk for nothing?? id trade him even for a depth prospect.. He is replaceable.. people said the same thing when Sather let Betts walk for nothing.. 4th line centers are not hard to find. if anything let Lindberg get a real chance to make this team. he played in the SEL against men, i doubt he a full year to get used to the smaller rinks

I'd re-sign him. He is a very good PKer, his teammates love him, he won't cost a ton, adds size, good on face-offs. Unless the return is legitimate, like what Gaustad returned, I keep him.

 

[Punxrocknyc19*]

I'd re-sign him. He is a very good PKer, his teammates love him, he won't cost a ton, adds size, good on face-offs. Unless the return is legitimate, like what Gaustad returned, I keep him.

so where does Lindberg fit into this??? in the AHL for 2 years?? Lindberg is most likely to replace Boyle once Boyle is traded.... i bet Sather does not resign Boyle... he will make 1.9 this year, and it will be his first year as UFA, i can see some team offering him 3 per year.... most id resign Boyle for is 2.5 and even that is a bit pricey for what he brings...

 

[NYR Viper]

so where does Lindberg fit into this??? in the AHL for 2 years?? Lindberg is most likely to replace Boyle once Boyle is traded.... i bet Sather does not resign Boyle... he will make 1.9 this year, and it will be his first year as UFA, i can see some team offering him 3 per year.... most id resign Boyle for is 2.5 and even that is a bit pricey for what he brings...

Richards will be gone at the end of this season. There's his spot. Boyle can, and should play wing. I think he sticks around for ~2.1-2.2 million for 3 more years. Boyle is the type of player who young center should play with. Good defensively, solid along the boards, can take face-offs. I know he isn't flashy, but he helps win games.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

so where does Lindberg fit into this??? in the AHL for 2 years?? Lindberg is most likely to replace Boyle once Boyle is traded.... i bet Sather does not resign Boyle... he will make 1.9 this year, and it will be his first year as UFA, i can see some team offering him 3 per year.... most id resign Boyle for is 2.5 and even that is a bit pricey for what he brings...

Classic case of outsmarting yourself here. The Rangers should be creating a spot for Lindberg, despite the very strong likelihood that Lindberg isn't ready?

Trade Boyle now and then what? Keep that spot warm for a year?

How about we keep Boyle, and then make a decision when management feels comfortable that Lindberg is ready and, more importantly, will be a better option than Boyle.

 

[Thirty One]

so where does Lindberg fit into this??? in the AHL for 2 years?? Lindberg is most likely to replace Boyle once Boyle is traded.... i bet Sather does not resign Boyle... he will make 1.9 this year, and it will be his first year as UFA, i can see some team offering him 3 per year.... most id resign Boyle for is 2.5 and even that is a bit pricey for what he brings...

1.8. And that number is pretty meaningless to the Rangers, who only care about cap hit.

 

[NYR Viper]

Classic case of outsmarting yourself here. The Rangers should be creating a spot for Lindberg, despite the very strong likelihood that Lindberg isn't ready?

Trade Boyle now and then what? Keep that spot warm for a year?

How about we keep Boyle, and then make a decision when management feels comfortable that Lindberg is ready and, more importantly, will be a better option than Boyle.

Exactly. If a young player pushes someone out of the line-up that's a good thing. It means you have a trade chip.

 

[LORDE]

All this Boyle talk... if he was on the 4th line many wouldn't say a damn thing (certainly this inlcudes myself).

It's when he is placed on the 3rd and the PP that people lose it, and rightfully so. I get that if he stands in front he can screen... but he won't stay there long. He will be moved or knocked over.

End of experiment.

 

[JohnC]

I mean, I'm not so sure Boyle was just like "COACH I'M GONNA POWAPLAY" and put himself out there against our wills.

Towards the end Boyle needed to be on the PP cuz it seemed like Step/Brass/Richie couldn't win a damn face off to save their lives

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I mean, I'm not so sure Boyle was just like "COACH I'M GONNA POWAPLAY" and put himself out there against our wills.

Towards the end Boyle needed to be on the PP cuz it seemed like Step/Brass/Richie couldn't win a damn face off to save their lives

The powerplay was better with Boyle out there the latter part of the season - primarily because he was able to keep it simple and put his big frame in front of the net. Some of the other guys should've taken that approach and simplified their games...focus on funneling pucks towards the net.

Anyway, like so many things with Boyle, the notion of him on the PP is a lot worse than the reality was.

 

[Ola]

This isn't going to go over well....

In before Puncroxxnyr posts 13 videos of Boyle losing a fight.

Hehe

 

[Ola]

love seeing Boyle getting knocked down by players smaller than him.. for a big guy he is soft... cant stay on his feet...

If Asham isn't playing, Boyle is no matter what the second toughest player we have. Callahan cant be doin those battles anymore...

 

[Ola]

There's really no room for Miller, Kristo or Lindberg to make the team, especially if JTM or OL are going to play center. Even if they move to wing, there are no spots available unless someone goes down with injury. I guess Kreider, Kristo, Fast and Miller could be battling for the same spot, but I think the Rangers are going to give it to Kreider again unless one of the others has a spectacular camp.

I guess if the kids really impress, we could see a lot of moves made.

But if a kid really is ready, there will be room for them. I have no problems with that. A kid should really be ready to play.

It's tough for a left D to get ice time. But at all other positions, there are open spots.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Richards will be gone at the end of this season. There's his spot. Boyle can, and should play wing. I think he sticks around for ~2.1-2.2 million for 3 more years. Boyle is the type of player who young center should play with. Good defensively, solid along the boards, can take face-offs. I know he isn't flashy, but he helps win games.

Good summary. May be a bit pricey by a bit but the ideal 4th liner besides the normal attributes, can play 3 rd line when needed and not embarrass. Boyle fits unless the Gaustad offer comes.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Say what you want about Boyle, but he's not the problem. He's not one of the guys you should be looking to get rid of to free up a space for a kid, who may not be ready. Boyle is a leader, clearly liked and respected in the locker room, believe it or not he's part of the core group here and he absolutely elevates his play in the playoffs. Even this past season, which was his worst as a Ranger, he ended up being one of our best forwards in the playoffs. Players like Boyle are valuable because they can (believe it or not) play up and down the lineup and are versatile. Also, the way Boyle plays in very conducive to post season success, the games are dirtier, harder to score and such, Boyle keeps it simple, plays very much a north/south game and is big and strong. He's built for the playoffs and is a valuable member of the squad, not an expendable extra that should be mentioned with Powe, Asham and Pyatt. People seem to have selective memories.

Boyle on this team as a 4c/w and seeing some time as a 3c/w and being a main PKer is a great fit.

 

[RGY]

Powe and Pyatt should be the two to be moved. You might need Asham's vet experience and toughness if they feel Haley can't step in for spot starts.

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

Powe and Pyatt should be the two to be moved. You might need Asham's vet experience and toughness if they feel Haley can't step in for spot starts.

If he could stay on the ice, I wouldn't have a problem keeping Asham. Hes got a wicked good shot still.

 

[SA16]

Say what you want about Boyle, but he's not the problem. He's not one of the guys you should be looking to get rid of to free up a space for a kid, who may not be ready. Boyle is a leader, clearly liked and respected in the locker room, believe it or not he's part of the core group here and he absolutely elevates his play in the playoffs. Even this past season, which was his worst as a Ranger, he ended up being one of our best forwards in the playoffs. Players like Boyle are valuable because they can (believe it or not) play up and down the lineup and are versatile. Also, the way Boyle plays in very conducive to post season success, the games are dirtier, harder to score and such, Boyle keeps it simple, plays very much a north/south game and is big and strong. He's built for the playoffs and is a valuable member of the squad, not an expendable extra that should be mentioned with Powe, Asham and Pyatt. People seem to have selective memories.

Boyle on this team as a 4c/w and seeing some time as a 3c/w and being a main PKer is a great fit.

Definitely not part of the core and will likely be gone when his contract is up as these type of players always get significantly overpaid.

He definitely is not capable of playing up and down the lineup. He can play a good 4th line C or a bad 3rd line C. I would call Hagelin or Callahan a guy you could have play up and down the lineup in any role. Not Boyle.

Additionally he's expendable in a different way then Asham/Powe. Unlike the other two guys he 1. has a larger salary 2. can get something in a trade and 3. has an easy replacement (Moore). It's not people wanting to trade him for no reason but if someone HAS to go its something that should be explored.

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

Moore hasnt played in a year, lets wait and see before thinking of moving Boyle huh?

 

[SA16]

 

[BBKers]

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/rangers/rangers_zuccarello_avoid_arbitration_eQYyfw0Yl0Inrcbxz8TN4J

The Rangers should move Boyle or Pyatt(preferably both)to free up money to sign Stepan to a long-term contract.

Hagelin and Cally will both (likely) be placed on LTIR meaning that their roster spots need replacements, to begin with at least.
Inserting Asham and Powe here to begin with is therefore no real problem , at least cap wise. Miller and Kristo (and Kreider too) can all be demoted without waivers if necessary to attain space once Cally and Hagelin return.
Then to signing Derek Stepan...
The real question is therefore not really getting more cap space for a bridge deal as there is ample money to do such, but if they can make a longer deal work somehow. As RB points out, a trade would be necessary to do that...
A trade with Phoenix maybe? Been too long without one it seems now

FORWARDS
Rick Nash ($7.800m) / Brad Richards ($6.667m) / Ryan Callahan ($4.275m)
Carl Hagelin ($2.250m) / Derick Brassard ($3.200m) / Mats Zuccarello ($1.150m)
Chris Kreider ($1.325m) / Brian Boyle ($1.700m) / Taylor Pyatt ($1.550m)
Benoit Pouliot ($1.300m) / Dominic Moore ($1.000m) / Derek Dorsett ($1.633m)
J.T. Miller ($1.244m) / Danny Kristo ($1.300m) /

DEFENSEMEN
Ryan McDonagh ($4.700m) / Marc Staal ($3.975m)
Dan Girardi ($3.325m) / Michael Del Zotto ($2.550m)
Anton Stralman ($1.700m) / Justin Falk ($0.975m)
John Moore ($0.965m) /

GOALTENDERS
Henrik Lundqvist ($6.875m)
Martin Biron ($1.300m)

OTHER
Buried: Darroll Powe ($0.142m)
Buried: Arron Asham ($0.075m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $62,975,833; BONUSES: $2,137,500
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $3,461,667