Confirmed with Link: Rangers re-sign Derek Stepan [2 years, $6.15M, $3.075M AAV]

[GAGLine]

Henrique and Hodgson the two most recent examples, and I probably would not consider them in the 20-40 range.

Over the next 2 years, Henrique will make a total of 5 million. Hodgson will make a total of 6.5 million. Stepan is asking for 7 million.

Them getting long term deals doesn't change the fact that Stepan will make as much or more than both over the next 2 season. And if he continues to play well, he will make a lot more than they are making on his next contract.

So, who else you got?

 

[16 To Stanley*]

Getzlaf, Crosby, Malkin, Tavares, Stamkos, Toews, Backstrom. Those are the centers I'd take over Stepan at this point in their careers.

*Assuming Stepan continues near PPG scoring trend, which I see no reason why he can't.

Kopitar, Giroux, E. Staal, L. Couture, J. Spezza. Certainly some other debatables in that list as well.

 

[Off Sides]

I've said before and I'll say again that I don't think UFAs are a bad idea in all cases and I think NYR has a huge advantage in that market being an original 6 team in NYC - however, they need to evaluate that talent better and find ways to offer less absurd contracts, while still attracting the players they want. Easier said than done for sure, but Redden should have never happened for example and Richards should have never beens signed for so long.

I don't think all UFAs are the problem, the ones who have worked out are the Stralman, Fedotenko, Prospal type. The safer ones that are willing to sign relatively cheaply and for short term. Getting involved in the others, the 5 year or more players who want clauses and all this other stuff, let the other teams have them. To this point I've seen Chara and Hossa work out ultimately, the others, some work to varying degrees, many don't work out at all, to me that is a bigger risk than overspending a bit on shorter term contracts.

 

[Off Sides]

Over the next 2 years, Henrique will make a total of 5 million. Hodgson will make a total of 6.5 million. Stepan is asking for 7 million.

Them getting long term deals doesn't change the fact that Stepan will make as much or more than both over the next 2 season. And if he continues to play well, he will make a lot more than they are making on his next contract.

So, who else you got?

Tell me how guaranteed money works again? Something about a bird in the hand.

There is no guarantee Stepan will get more than those others when it comes to guaranteed money. If he is injured or even has a bad year especially in the 2nd year of his bridge, he could end up with no next contract or a reduced one.

 

[Hire Sather]

Kopitar, Giroux, E. Staal, L. Couture, J. Spezza. Certainly some other debatables in that list as well.

Theres really no debate about it. Those players, and the ones mentioned by the other poster who responded to him are all better than Stepan.

 

[haveandare]

I don't think all UFAs are the problem, the ones who have worked out are the Stralman, Fedotenko, Prospal type. The safer ones that are willing to sign relatively cheaply and for short term. Getting involved in the others, the 5 year or more players who want clauses and all this other stuff, let the other teams have them. To this point I've seen Chara and Hossa work out ultimately, the others, some work to varying degrees, many don't work out at all, to me that is a bigger risk than overspending a bit on shorter term contracts.

Let's not forget Gabby. I would definitely say he worked out for NYR ultimately - got him for nothing but money, got a few years of great play from him, then traded him for solid pieces that filled 3 sizable holes in the lineup.

Still though, you're right, the successes are few and far between once the big contract UFAs get involved. However, I don't think they need to be steered clear of in all cases - the office just needs to use their heads a little more. Redden was obviously not going to keep up his previous pace. Gomez was obviously benefitting from playing on a stacked team. Dru might not have been such a problem had he been signed alone, as he did have some good years and was captain for a while, but still, his style of play isn't the kind you sign a guy at that age for. Richards simply took an offseason off, let his play drop, and then ultimately screwed over his whole state of mind in terms of hockey. That one probably couldn't have been foreseen - but, still, nobody thought he'd play the whole contract and that's a problem in and of itself. Big UFAs can work, NYR's front office just has a long record of not thinking the signings out enough. You don't need to sign the guy every year, but once in a while a guy will come along who is worth it and who should be offered a deal IMO.

 

[Holocene]

Among all forwards

10-11 45 points 82 games tied 114th
11-12 51 points 82 games tied 87th
12-13 44 points 48 games tied for 21st

Among centers

10-11 tied 42nd
11-12 tied 32nd
12-13 tied 12th

Do you think he'll regress? I understand being cautious about overrating a player based on a very good season in a shortened year but the kid has consistently gotten better every year. I don't think he's a top 10 center either but he is certainly better than at least 10 of the other top line centers in the league. That puts him around 20... So we kind of agree, I guess the 40 was just too distracting for me.

 

[RangerBoy]

Tell me how guaranteed money works again? Something about a bird in the hand.

There is no guarantee Stepan will get more than those others when it comes to guaranteed money. If he is injured or even has a bad year especially in the 2nd year of his bridge, he could end up with no next contract or a reduced one.

Stepan needs to get his ass in camp so he doesn't have a bad year in any of the 2 years. Stepan is fighting over $600,000. That is peanuts compared to how much money he can make as a group II with arbitration rights in 2015 with a much much higher salary cap. The Rangers are offering Stepan an excellent 2nd contract. 2 years/$6.4M.

 

[GAGLine]

Tell me how guaranteed money works again? Something about a bird in the hand.

There is no guarantee Stepan will get more than those others when it comes to guaranteed money. If he is injured or even has a bad year especially in the 2nd year of his bridge, he could end up with no next contract or a reduced one.

Or he could light it up and make considerably more than them. It's a gamble either way. You think Henrique will be kicking himself 3 years from now if he's a PPG player? Giroux signed for 3 years on his 2nd deal. He did pretty well for himself on his 3rd contract. Couture signed for 2 and then got big money on his 3rd contract. Same with Duchene.

Stepan has already agreed to a 2 year term, so your point is moot anyway. The onus is on him to earn the big payday on his next contract.

 

[Off Sides]

I agree it's a gamble either way for both the player and the team.

The other thing that gets overlooked is how much career money the player could have or did earn to this point. These other compatibles, Kadri, Couture and such they already had the chance to earn far more than Stepan has. They may or may not have made that money based on being on their ELC 2way and playing in the AHL/NHL but they had the chance to.

The other comparable also do not have the same credentials in terms of length in the NHL and stats whether they got bridge or long term deals.

Stepan comparable like it or not is closer to ROR than it is to these other players. He and his agent felt the same way apparently.

As far as him agreeing to a 2 year deal, okay Sather wins, now Sather can make a move to get closer to what Stepan wants on that bridge deal as 3.5M is not insane money or anything for Stepan considering his last 3 years.

 

[Off Sides]

Do you think he'll regress? I understand being cautious about overrating a player based on a very good season in a shortened year but the kid has consistently gotten better every year. I don't think he's a top 10 center either but he is certainly better than at least 10 of the other top line centers in the league. That puts him around 20... So we kind of agree, I guess the 40 was just too distracting for me.

I think he'll stay about the same, somewhere in between last season and the two prior. Then again missing camp never is good for a player for the most part, plus making Sather unhappy never seems to work out even if Sather is in my opinion wrong from the get go.

It's a two way street though, Richards is a shell of his former self and as that become more and more apparent the Rangers are going to end up most likely running off the one player who could adequately really replace a Richards type player for a much smaller cap hit.

I agree Stepan probably should have signed at 3.2 or whatever if it was offered, but I understand why he would not want to.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

GAWD. So tired of checking this thread to see the same folks arguing over what Stepan "deserves".

I just want to see updates. Are they even talking?

 

[Drewbackatu*]

Getzlaf, Crosby, Malkin, Tavares, Stamkos, Toews, Backstrom. Those are the centers I'd take over Stepan at this point in their careers.

*Assuming Stepan continues near PPG scoring trend, which I see no reason why he can't.

So now there are only 7 centers in the entire league that you would take over Stepan as this point in their respective careers?

No sense responding to a fairytale.

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

So now there are only 7 centers in the entire league that you would take over Stepan as this point in their respective careers?

No sense responding to a fairytale.

It's comical, how we overrate everyone on here. You'd think we're a dynasty around here. People are going to be in for a rude awakening, I hope I'm wrong

 

[Fanned On It]

WHERE did I say he's the 8th best center in the league? For my own reasons and opinions, there are only 7 centers I would take over him, that doesn't imply I think he's that good. I wouldn't take Datsyuk over him because he's really getting up there in age, although Datsyuk is the clearly superior player, for example. And I clearly said ASSUMING he keeps up his production, because no **** there's the chance he doesn't, but there's also a chance Patrice Bergeron has a career ending injury this year, doesn't mean it'll happen. Most overrated ranger in recent history? give me a break. Have you even heard of Chris Kreider or Petr Prucha? He's only "overrated" in the sense that he had his breakout in a short season, and ultimately it's not enough proof for everyone. Every team is built differently. Boston is a top 3 team in the league, and Krejci and Bergeron aren't first line centers on more than half the teams in the league. Every team is built differently . And in ALL aspects of his game he has perfromed better than Richards. So yes, he is our #1 center, and if he keeps up a 70 point pace I'll be more than happy with him.

What I don't get is why anyone on these boards would "assume" that Step is going to continue scoring at a PPG pace. If anything, assume that he WON'T and then be pleasantly surprised if he does.

 

[Gardner McKay]

GAWD. So tired of checking this thread to see the same folks arguing over what Stepan "deserves".

I just want to see updates. Are they even talking?

Agreed. Although if there were updates I am sure RB would already have them. Its like has them posted here instantaneously

 

[Gardner McKay]

It's comical, how we overrate everyone on here. You'd think we're a dynasty around here. People are going to be in for a rude awakening, I hope I'm wrong

Datsyuk is what, 35? You would take him over Stepan? I think Rasp is basing his argument off of Stepans progression continuing which, isn't unreasonable. It is also not unreasonable to assume he will take a step back since it was such a big leap in production.

 

[Holocene]

It's comical, how we overrate everyone on here. You'd think we're a dynasty around here. People are going to be in for a rude awakening, I hope I'm wrong

It's all about perspective. To me it seems there is a lot of underrating and a lot of people here think we're a poorly built team with no talent (other than Hank and some of the dmen) destined to be a bottom feeder. The truth is somewhere in the middle.

 

[JohnC]

So now there are only 7 centers in the entire league that you would take over Stepan as this point in their respective careers?

No sense responding to a fairytale.

But you did, thus wasting your time and everyone else's

 

[Off Sides]

Let's not forget Gabby.

True the Rangers and Gaborik worked out but there was a point where his injury past sort of carried over that was a bit worrisome. Ultimately Gomez worked out too.


I don't know just seems like UFAs should be brought in to bolster a already very good team, or to compliment it. Bring in some lesser ones to fill holes, but as the primary guys it gets shady. Almost seems as if the team has to overpay to get them, they've over payed and that in itself carries too much risk for my liking.

Parise and Suter, I guess I could understand it, that team found two 27 year olds who are pretty solid players, although who knows what happens in the next what is it 12 years? Richards, Redden and the rest, seems like the NHL is turning more and more into a younger mans game and these guys are getting past in the depth chart quicker than they used to, with some exceptions of course.

 

[garyjones93]

Any idea how long for him to be signed? How much of season he will miss? Trying to rank him on my hockey pool list, thanks.

 

[Hire Sather]

I'll still be shocked if he misses any games, as Sather said.. Stepan can't be that much of a fool.

 

[Raspewtin]

It's comical, how we overrate everyone on here. You'd think we're a dynasty around here. People are going to be in for a rude awakening, I hope I'm wrong

you know what's comical? how you don't read my post. You and Drew are the worst kind of pessimists. You ***** and moan about how overrated this team is and then copout of it by saying "I hope I'm wrong". It's ridiculous. All I said was that factoring in EVERYTHING (contract, age, etc.) there are 7 centers I'd take right now over Stepan. I actually said like 10 ****ing times that it doesn't mean I think he's better than all these centers, just that I'd rather have him for various reasons, long and short term. Datsyuk is 35 and wont play much longer, Bergeron is really injury prone, so is Jason Spezza, Kopitar IMO is a comparable of who Stepan will be, I don't think Giroux is a consistent 90+ player, etc. I'm not justifying every player. My evaluations on Stepan aren't unfair, a borderline PPG player isn't overrating who he will be. Jesus.

What I don't get is why anyone on these boards would "assume" that Step is going to continue scoring at a PPG pace. If anything, assume that he WON'T and then be pleasantly surprised if he does.

Didn't I clearly say about 70 point pace ?

So now there are only 7 centers in the entire league that you would take over Stepan as this point in their respective careers?

No sense responding to a fairytale.

No sense reading what I wrote after that right? I'll be kind enough to bring it up for you.

WHERE did I say he's the 8th best center in the league? For my own reasons and opinions, there are only 7 centers I would take over him, that doesn't imply I think he's that good. I wouldn't take Datsyuk over him because he's really getting up there in age, although Datsyuk is the clearly superior player, for example.

Kopitar, Giroux, E. Staal, L. Couture, J. Spezza. Certainly some other debatables in that list as well.

Again. I factored in age, injury prone, etc. I also didn't say I think he's better than those players, but when those points are factored in, I would take Stepan over them. I don't think he's better players than they are, for the most part.

 

[16 To Stanley*]

Theres really no debate about it. Those players, and the ones mentioned by the other poster who responded to him are all better than Stepan.

Lol, i meant there are others that i didn't post that are debatable. Seguin, P. Bergeron, etc.

The guys i posted are not debatable.

you know what's comical? how you don't read my post. You and Drew are the worst kind of pessimists. You ***** and moan about how overrated this team is and then copout of it by saying "I hope I'm wrong". It's ridiculous. All I said was that factoring in EVERYTHING (contract, age, etc.) there are 7 centers I'd take right now over Stepan. I actually said like 10 ****ing times that it doesn't mean I think he's better than all these centers, just that I'd rather have him for various reasons, long and short term. Datsyuk is 35 and wont play much longer, Bergeron is really injury prone, so is Jason Spezza, Kopitar IMO is a comparable of who Stepan will be, I don't think Giroux is a consistent 90+ player, etc. I'm not justifying every player. My evaluations on Stepan aren't unfair, a borderline PPG player isn't overrating who he will be. Jesus.

You think Stepan is a conssitent 90 point player? Do you think he is a consistent 80 point player?

I would take Giroux 10 times out of 10 for Stepan. He is a much better player. He also plays with a serious Edge and is a legitimate leader. I hate his guts because he is on Philly, but he is an absolutely fantastic player.

Same goes for Kopitar who is head and shoulders above Stepan right now.

It's not fair to get mad at people for being realists about who Stepan is.

We all want him to be the best player in the league, but unfortunately, he isn't.

Right now, he's not a top 10 center and that's not debatable. He has the potential to be a Bergeron and maybe even a Spezza or Kopitar, but right now he isn't.

Jason Spezza, Anze Kopitar those guys are special special players.

Claude Giroux will go down as a Flyers legend if he leads that team to a cup. He is one of those rare guys that has the talent, edge and drive to really leave a lasting impression.

I would kill to make him a Ranger and would easily send Stepan and some extras for him.

I really like D. Step and we are very lucky to have drafted him and have him on our team, but it's not fair to him or others on this board to overrate him. He's not anywhere near the level of the top centers in this league and furthermore hasn't proven he can even maintain a high level of play over a full season.

When he starts posting consistent 70-80+ point seasons, I'll gladly say that I will take him over some of the guys mentioned, until then, I'll choose the proven commodity over "potential."

But i agree with your points on Datsyuk, etc. I wouldn't trade Stepan now for a 30+ center.

 

[Raspewtin]

You think Stepan is a conssitent 90 point player? Do you think he is a consistent 80 point player?

I would take Giroux 10 times out of 10 for Stepan. He is a much better player. He also plays with a serious Edge and is a legitimate leader. I hate his guts because he is on Philly, but he is an absolutely fantastic player.

Same goes for Kopitar who is head and shoulders above Stepan right now.

It's not fair to get mad at people for being realists about who Stepan is.

We all want him to be the best player in the league, but unfortunately, he isn't.

Right now, he's not a top 10 center and that's not debatable. He has the potential to be a Bergeron and maybe even a Spezza or Kopitar, but right now he isn't.

Jason Spezza, Anze Kopitar those guys are special special players.

Claude Giroux will go down as a Flyers legend if he leads that team to a cup. He is one of those rare guys that has the talent, edge and drive to really leave a lasting impression.

I would kill to make him a Ranger and would easily send Stepan and some extras for him.

I really like D. Step and we are very lucky to have drafted him and have him on our team, but it's not fair to him or others on this board to overrate him. He's not anywhere near the level of the top centers in this league and furthermore hasn't proven he can even maintain a high level of play over a full season.

When he starts posting consistent 70-80+ point seasons, I'll gladly say that I will take him over some of the guys mentioned, until then, I'll choose the proven commodity over "potential."

But i agree with your points on Datsyuk, etc. I wouldn't trade Stepan now for a 30+ center.

Dude did you miss "I don't think he is top 10". It's how I feel, I didnt' state Stepan is better than all those centers as assertion of fact. Actually I didn't even suggest he is better than them anywhere. I'd be a fool if I did. You've got me on Giroux though. What have I started though? this has gotten ridiculous