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

[GeorgeKaplan]

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

He scored 55 points in what was considered a disappointing year for him, was 3rd on the team in scoring, and 1st in PP points. But you're right, him only winning 47 out of 100 face offs (which he was better than Hayes and Miller at even strength last season) means addition by subtraction for the Rangers

 

[Jaromir Jagr]

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

Faceoffs have arguably no impact so that's an absurd argument. And regardless of whether Stepan is a 1 or 2C, he was the 1C on this team and as of right now, they haven't replaced him with anyone. We've also lost our 4C who was one of the better ones in the league.

Obviously, free agency will be extremely telling, but I don't understand how everyone in here is so sold on us certainly making the playoffs. This team is a slightly better then 50/50 bet to make it.

Things of concern as of today:

1) A Top 4 D to slot with McD or Skjei
2) 2 Centers (1 Top 6, 1 4th Line)
3) A potential decline in Lundqvist and adequate backup goalie

Those are 3 huge concerns I have for the team going into free agency. They can all be fixed in free agency and may very well be, but until we address them, saying this team is certainly going to make the playoffs is absurd.

If we get Shattenkirk, Thornton & Nilsson, yea, we almost definitely make it.

If we end up with Holden, Bonino & Berra we most likely don't.

 

[Jaromir Jagr]

Faceoffs may very well be the most overrated thing in all of sports.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Not worried about a "limited NTC". All you need is SOME flexibility to move the player.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

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.

If they don't give it to them, another team will. All it took was for a few UFAs to get them included in their deals and then every half way decent option wants one to make sure they don't end up in Winnipeg or Arizona or something.

A limited NTC isn't a big deal, it's probably a list of 10 or 15 teams he can or can't be traded to. Probably to angle if ever he gets traded it is either to one of the marquee franchises and/or contenders.

Full NMCs where a player can control their destiny 100% are the real problems.

 

[darko]

Really nice deal.

McD/Smith
Skjei/ADA
Staal/Pionk
Holden

 

[Deleted member 23124]

If we get Shattenkirk, Thornton & Nilsson, yea, we almost definitely make it.

I can't agree with this. Signing Shatty or Thornton will not help...I feel Shatty is another Redden waiting to happen.

 

[duhmetreE]

Faceoffs may very well be the most overrated thing in all of sports.

puck possession is over rated?

 

[Lion Hound]

Happy he's back. Only defenseman on the team with Moxy.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Everyone wanted Stepan gone before his NTC kicked in and now they hand out a NTC to Smith hahahahaha

 

[vladmyir111]

He scored 55 points in what was considered a disappointing year for him, was 3rd on the team in scoring, and 1st in PP points. But you're right, him only winning 47 out of 100 face offs (which he was better than Hayes and Miller at even strength last season) means addition by subtraction for the Rangers

His career PO FO% is 41, that's a swing of 18 per 100. And he wins even less when it matters. How many times in the POs have we been hemmed in our zone the entire last 2 minutes of a game when leading or tied? Almost every OTT game this year if you need a refresher.

FOs don't matter when you're talking about 48vs52, but every % lost goes against your favor exponentially. When you're bottom of the barrel in the stat it makes a pretty decent difference.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

In all fairness thats what they offered him before they dealt him right?
after the playoffs he had he wasn't gonna that or less. its a certainty he was gonna get 4x4 from someone. we porbably "overpaid" by 350k

So he got 1m extra because of 1 good post-season whereas Stepan HAD to be moved because he had 1 bad post-season... I guess when Skjei has a bad year, we trade him too. And when Kampfer plays 5 good games even though we go out in the 1st round, he will be on our 2nd pairing in 2018...

 

[vladmyir111]

So he got 1m extra because of 1 good post-season whereas Stepan HAD to be moved because he had 1 bad post-season... I guess when Skjei has a bad year, we trade him too. And when Kampfer plays 5 good games even though we go out in the 1st round, he will be on our 2nd pairing in 2018...

He's been subpar in literally every stat imaginable since the cup run for a 1C. Sure if he was getting 2 or 3 mil a year he'd be amazing, but he doesn't so he's not and I guess management wasn't banking on him becoming his 24 yo self again for the next 4 years. Smart move, that's why they get the big bucks and we post here.

How many in their prime 1C making almost 7 mil put that kind of show on in the POs 3 year in a row and are still revered?

 

[New York RKY]

Happy he's back. Only defenseman on the team with Moxy.

I think Smith and ADA will bring the snarl for the team this year. I'm looking forward to seeing people not freely just skate around the ice without repercussions this year.

 

[Kovalev27]

Let's be honest Stepan was heading into drury territory and Fast. That goalless streak was worrisome. His playoffs were absolutely dreadful. The writing was on the wall he got even slower. We moved him at the best possible time imaginable. Two fantastic moves with brassard and Stepan the last two years.

Love them both but fantastic moves

 

[Nickmo82]

Really nice deal.

McD/Smith
Skjei/ADA
Staal/Pionk
Holden

Isn't it more likely that Bereglazov makes the team over Pionk?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

You still pay for UFA years for players that are bridging from RFA to UFA in that timespan. Every team in the NHL has vets on it. Your fantasy team of 24 year olds isn't winning anything despite the fact that you have better contracts. Every team has, and needs, players that have experience.

Go look at D that have played 300+ NHL games that are aged 27-29 and see what kind of contracts they have and get back to me. This isn't a bad deal for the NYR.

Good, I don't want my team winning enough to get eliminated in the first or second round.

I want a lottery pick or I want us to be Cup contenders. This team is not good enough for the latter, so I prefer the former to being mediocre.

 

[Machinehead]

Good, I don't want my team winning enough to get eliminated in the first or second round.

I want a lottery pick or I want us to be Cup contenders. This team is not good enough for the latter, so I prefer the former to being mediocre.

Why? We can be watchable and still pick in the first round.

Outside of top 5, first rounders are basically the same. Some years it's the top 3.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I'm sorry, but I don't know how you guys didn't lose it at "he's just as bad offensively than Marc Staal"

Guess which one has 8 points in their last 30 games and guess which one has 2? Guess which one can actually skate with the puck and still make tape-to-tape passes?

You didn't want to quote me twice in the same day?

And he is just as bad offensively as Staal. For their careers, they both have a .23PPG average. Smith is at .229, Staal at .226, but thats barely any difference. They are essentially the same at producing points.

And I'm not saying Staal is as good as Smith, but in terms of offense, Smith is as bad as Staal.

Being able to skate and exit the zone is great, but we don't need to be paying Smith what we did because he can do that better than Staal who probably is one of the worst at that in the NHL.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Really nice deal.

McD/Smith
Skjei/ADA
Staal/Pionk
Holden

Bereglazov?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Why? We can be watchable and still pick in the first round.

Outside of top 5, first rounders are basically the same. Some years it's the top 3.

I am not a fan because we are watchable or not watchable. I know thats some people's criteria, but I want my team winning Championships.

Look at most of the teams to win Championships. Most have picked key players by picking high in the draft. Much more likely you can improve quickly by picking 5th as opposed to 20th.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Isn't it more likely that Bereglazov makes the team over Pionk?

Yes, and Graves, also.

 

[Machinehead]

I am not a fan because we are watchable or not watchable. I know thats some people's criteria, but I want my team winning Championships.

Look at most of the teams to win Championships. Most have picked key players by picking high in the draft. Much more likely you can improve quickly by picking 5th as opposed to 20th.

Everyone looks at the championships but what about the rebuilds that have been massive failures?

Islanders, Panthers, Thrashers/Jets, Jackets, Avalanche, Sabres, Coyotes, Oilers (until the NHL stepped in and handed them McDavid only because this league doesn't have relegation) They've all been rebuilding for the better part of a decade and have gotten nowhere. And now Detroit looks like they're not coming out of theirs any time in the next decade. Vancouver? No roster talent, no plan, no direction, not even an impressive farm system. They're not a playoff team for another several years. Why? Because they're not even trying. To win in this league, you have to TRY to win. What a concept.

Sure, the Kings and Blackhawks ran into some high picks, but they never stopped trying to compete. The Hawks added Patrick Sharp, Andrew Ladd, and Martin Havlat in the middle of their rebuild. The Kings finished 15th and 14th in the West in 2008 and 2009, and those offseasons, still acquired Jarrett Stoll, Matt Greene, Ryan Smyth, and Justin Williams. Successful teams keep trying to succeed. They don't sit there and say "well we can't win the Cup so let's just be as bad as possible." That's never really worked.

It only worked for Pittsburgh and Edmonton because they drew lottery balls. You wanna sit around finishing last every year waiting for the NHL to fix a draft for us, be my guest, but I prefer winning. And who knows when the next generational talent is coming. Gonna be a fun 15 years.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Everyone looks at the championships but what about the rebuilds that have been massive failures?

Islanders, Panthers, Thrashers/Jets, Jackets, Avalanche, Sabres, Coyotes, Oilers (until the NHL stepped in and handed them McDavid only because this league doesn't have relegation) They've all been rebuilding for the better part of a decade and have gotten nowhere. And now Detroit looks like they're not coming out of theirs any time in the next decade. Vancouver? No roster talent, no plan, no direction, not even an impressive farm system. They're not a playoff team for another several years. Why? Because they're not even trying. To win in this league, you have to TRY to win. What a concept.

Sure, the Kings and Blackhawks ran into some high picks, but they never stopped trying to compete. The Hawks added Patrick Sharp, Andrew Ladd, and Martin Havlat in the middle of their rebuild. The Kings finished 15th and 14th in the West in 2008 and 2009, and those offseasons, still acquired Jarrett Stoll, Matt Greene, Ryan Smyth, and Justin Williams. Successful teams keep trying to succeed. They don't sit there and say "well we can't win the Cup so let's just be as bad as possible." That's never really worked.

It only worked for Pittsburgh and Edmonton because they drew lottery balls. You wanna sit around finishing last every year waiting for the NHL to fix a draft for us, be my guest, but I prefer winning. And who knows when the next generational talent is coming. Gonna be a fun 15 years.

Good, I'd rather take our chances at rebuilding than being mediocre.

 

[Machinehead]

Good, I'd rather take our chances at rebuilding than being mediocre.

So we can be Colorado, Detroit, or Vancouver?

Those are the rebuilding teams in the NHL. Three garbage farm systems.