I can't for the life of me think of a single good option that would not only be available, but would be available for what the Rangers currently have.
Sam Reinhart, now reduced b'c he was not dealt pre expandraft, his ELC status does not add value vs that.
Patrick Marleau plays some C or is he just a LW at this point? Might he be a reasonable target for 1 or 2 year deal? I like the idea of 3 very good centers, I never considered Step a #1 so I don't believe we've lost one. We lost a very good top 6 center but we should expect growth from Zib then Hayes then Marleau?
Marleau almost certainly takes less to finish in yr or 2 in teal.
Miller. Our new #2 after Hayes crashes and burns. Calling it
Get in line.
Have called JT as a legit C option for us for some time.
However, this is regardless of the fact, IMO, Hayes will succeed. Hopefully AV is told to stop being such a part of the problem, and he capitulates. Better yet, send him to AZ, even tho apparently we can't get compensation for him.
Addition by subtraction
I can see situations where all of the below are available:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Alex Galchenyuk
Victor Rask
Nathan MacKinnon
Dylan Larkin
Tyler Seguin
Steven Stamkos
Matt Duchene
Gally only if dirt cheap, not clear if he handles pivot well enough; Duke will cost too much. Outside chance we do something larger w/Buf which nets EKane, and Habs desperately need tufness, so w/adds all around can see EK flipped into AG turned into Duchene.
Can see it, not sayin we wanna go there.
RNH is turd city
Rask don't see he is available/avail reasonably/particularly want
Stammer too injured, NO
Seguin, maybe if the cost were not uber crazy
That leaves Nathan MacKinnon and Dylan Larkin
MacK will cost AT LEAST McD and Skjei, but he might be worth it given age and long term contract at 6ish in place.
Larkin is a terrif fit here.
But he is a favorite son of the area. Fair value would not cut it, and the currency we would have to pony up would hurt too much.
Red Wings spent their 1st [9OA?] on Rassmussen, a behemoth. He is a better acquisition target, but not so clear cut on price. See they want more than fair value, but will sell short for a profit. But what currency to use?
Umm mackinnon or Larkin I'd take in a heartbeat. In mackinnons case he's already better then step
D-uh!
MacKinnnon would be the dream center to acquire. I can't see Seguin ever being available. He'd also be great. Also sick of forever having a team made up of 1B and 2nd line centers
yes, but ideally MacK is 1RW here bookended w/Kreider at 1LW, add the correct C.
3X3 for Boyle? **** that, I'd rather just re-sign Pirri for under a mill.
the lunacy is in long term contract duration, not short term salary overpay
3.5m for 1 yr only, some 3/4C, but also some LW on 2nd line, fulfilling his desire to have shot at a larger role, which was why he left.
Again, tight cap mgmt to max opportunities
1 yr only overpay to start
Dylan Larkin is available? Not sure I heard that but I would be intrigued. Detroit won't be taking back past their prime wingers for him though.
Maybe it's just me, but the Sakic statement about possibly keeping Duchene tells me he's dealt today. Probably for a package with a 2nd round pick, not that it will be the biggest piece. Still don't want him.
I still maintain that cap space is a huge asset. We don't have to have our roster set in stone in September or October. Teams panic and make deals after bad starts. Some one will overspend in free agency and need to move a player out. A training camp surprise might make someone available. Patience is key.
Great post!
