Confirmed with Link: Rangers Sign Brendan Smith (4 years x $4.35M)

[GordonGecko]

I still have my doubts about this team being a playoff team

 

[GAGLine]

I still have my doubts about this team being a playoff team. I know it's still early in the offseason, but I'm not all that sold on potential moves unless something comes out of left field

If they're not, they're not. I don't care if we miss the playoffs instead of lose in round 1, as long as we are building toward a team that can win it all. It still remains to be seen if that's the direction we are heading, but I trust Gorton.

 

[Fugazy]

I still have my doubts about this team being a playoff team. I know it's still early in the offseason, but I'm not all that sold on potential moves unless something comes out of left field

It's honestly going to be tough no matter what. The Metro division looks like it's going to be stacked this year.

 

[Alluckks]

I still have my doubts about this team being a playoff team. I know it's still early in the offseason, but I'm not all that sold on potential moves unless something comes out of left field

Absolutely delusional.

Give me 8 teams that beat us.

 

[GregSirico]

I say closer to a million/per plus NTC too much. Girardi 2.0 contract.

What planet are you living on?

 

[GregSirico]

Would you say Smith and Klein are comparable before KK's decline? Little bit of unexpected offence at times, but can skate and clear out.

Smith is a better skater.

 

[nyr2k2]

The Metro will be tough. We'll be right in the thick of things but with a couple bad breaks or a team or two going all Columbus (exceeding expectations) we could certainly miss out. I fully expect us to be right in it at the end, and I think people will feel a lot better once the entirety of the off-season plays out and we make some additional moves.

 

[Machinehead]

I could see a scenario where we miss the playoffs and the team 2nd or 3rd in the Atlantic has fewer points.

 

[Krams]

I could see a scenario where we miss the playoffs and the team 2nd or 3rd in the Atlantic has fewer points.

Yep, this is the problem. 8 teams don't need to be better than us, only 4 do.

 

[Machinehead]

Yep, this is the problem. 8 teams don't need to be better than us, only 4 do.

The National Hockey League - doing really stupid **** and getting away with it because they have the most dedicated fanbase in pro sports since 1917.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I think Washington gets worse, and I could see Pittsburgh struggling during the regular season at the very least. Back to back cups take a physical toll.

 

[Thirty One]

Yep, this is the problem. 8 teams don't need to be better than us, only 4 do.

Well, 5.

 

[Krams]

Well, 5.

I forgot the wild cards are blind to divisional alignment

 

[Thirty One]

I forgot the wild cards are blind to divisional alignment

That's what makes them so wild

 

[mti79]

It's possible that it's a bit more than we would've liked to pay but it kept him off the market. If he hits UFA on July 1, there's a chance that someone else is willing to go 4.4-4.6 or so a year and the Rangers match/beat it because they decided they wanted to keep him on Broadway.

I like the deal.

 

[Tawnos]

Yep, this is the problem. 8 teams don't need to be better than us, only 4 do.

No, it's really 8. There are only 3 scenarios in which we could be 8th in the conference and miss the playoffs. All 3 require us to be 6th or lower in the division with a better record than 3rd or better in the Atlantic.

Not ever going to happen in the NHL. The 6th place teams in their respective divisions this past year were 14, 7, 7, and 8 points out of 8th in their respective conferences.

 

[Avery16]

Wings fans laughing because we signed "Girardi 2.0"

You're signing Girardi 1.0 on Saturday, have fun.

I'll take the bet if he won't.

Smith is on 2nd pair or less than 2nd pair, right?

I'd say as measured by ESTOI/game over the whole of the season.

 

[Avery16]

What planet are you living on?

One that remembers those really bad contracts and all the decisions they've forced over the past decade.

 

[Crease]

He fits a need and is going to play a lot of minutes next year. The NTC bothers me depending on the years applicable but I can't have everything in life.

 

[Tawnos]

He fits a need and is going to play a lot of minutes next year. The NTC bothers me depending on the years applicable but I can't have everything in life.

Don't believe it! You can reach your dreams!!!!

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Excellent deal.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

If they're not, they're not. I don't care if we miss the playoffs instead of lose in round 1, as long as we are building toward a team that can win it all. It still remains to be seen if that's the direction we are heading, but I trust Gorton.

I mean, I'm not going to be mad about not making the playoffs, 11 in 12 years has been great. I'm just saying I'm not all that happy about overpaying (however slightly) for a defenseman who's A game comes in the playoffs when we'd need his A game to even get there

 

[Crease]

GMs are giving away ntcs like bed bath & beyond 20% coupons. I'm almost certain it's not even about the player anymore, they just see it as a trade-off between the player's aav and trade value.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Absolutely delusional.

Give me 8 teams that beat us.

They were a wildcard last season, other Eastern teams are getting better while the Rangers traded their 1C for a defensemen who has never played a full season and a pick that might be a checking center next season if he makes it at all (I'm fine with the trade, but in no way does it make them a better team next year). I think there's going to be some regression in the scoring totals from players and I think teams like Tampa and Buffalo, maybe the Islanders and even the Panthers (if they aren't decimated by injuries as soon as the season starts) have as good of or even a better chance to make the playoffs than the Rangers do right now. But as I said, there's still a lot of offseason left and things can change at the drop of a hat

 

[GordonGecko]

...other Eastern teams are getting better while the Rangers traded their 1C ...

Stepan produced more like a 32C in the stats and couldn't win a faceoff to save his life in the playoffs. If anything the culture on the team will be a lot better now