Speculation: Roster Building Thread DCLXXXIII:Stepping up next? A Top Ten pick???

[Trxjw]

can you share it?

 

[NYRFAN218]

The issue for me is that if they're "rebuilding" while still being competitive, then being competitive will always take over. At the deadline, if they're sniffing a playoff spot, then they'll buy and try and make a run. They won't try and accumulate some assets for guys on expiring deals or who might not be long-term options.

They could sign Shattenkirk and Smith, then take Thornton and Marleau on sweetheart deals and probably be a top team in the east, but how does that help the rebuilding aspect of things? All it does is play the organization out of a lottery pick next year.

I think retooling on the fly is a better way of describing it. I mean we're at a point this offseason where they could conceivably ice a better team than last year while adding an offensive minded RD on an ELC and a top ten pick. I think most people would consider that a win.

This team at this point I cannot see rebuilding. Not when they've made the playoffs every single year for the past 12 years minus a shootout loss in one season. Not when the team raises ticket prices by a significant margin again. Not when the team was a few final minute meltdowns away from being in the Conference Final. Not when Henrik Lundqvist is 35 and making $8.5 million.

 

[Kovalev27]

They're not going to tank not with hank in the mix.

Signing Thornton short term to play out a year or so with Nash fills a hole keeps team in the conversation while gorton retools.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Problem is, if not Thornton, then who? Guess Miller could play C, Hanzal?

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Thornton is going to re-sign in SJ. Let's drop that one.

 

[Trxjw]

Sounds like Galchenyuk is staying in Montreal. Strong rumours that they're coming closer and closer to an extension.

I suspect that Gorton will shock us all with some ridiculous trade to get another center.

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.

 

[Trxjw]

I think retooling on the fly is a better way of describing it. I mean we're at a point this offseason where they could conceivably ice a better team than last year while adding an offensive minded RD on an ELC and a top ten pick. I think most people would consider that a win.

This team at this point I cannot see rebuilding. Not when they've made the playoffs every single year for the past 12 years minus a shootout loss in one season. Not when the team raises ticket prices by a significant margin again. Not when the team was a few final minute meltdowns away from being in the Conference Final. Not when Henrik Lundqvist is 35 and making $8.5 million.

Which makes more sense, but why would Gorton use the term rebuild?

 

[NYRFAN218]

Problem is, if not Thornton, then who? Guess Miller could play C, Hanzal?

That's what concerns me unless Gorton has something out of left field up his sleeve.

They need to address two separate center slots right now assuming Miller is kept to the wing. 2/3 C depending on what line you view Hayes on and 4 C. Thornton would slide in perfectly but who knows if he leaves SJS. Hanzal will get overpaid and won't be worth it. Who else is out there? Our center depth is extremely concerning if someone goes down.

 

[duhmetreE]

Do we really want a 37 year old coming off of a ACL/MCL tear?

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Which makes more sense, but why would Gorton use the term rebuild?

Well, he said "We're kind of rebuilding on the fly here" it's not like he said we're in a rebuild.

 

[GregSirico]

Interesting. This deal was more financial + DeAngelo. That's what it sounds like to me. They love Step but they think his best days are behind him and want to move in a new direction but retweak the team and still be competitive with the core they have.

 

[Kovalev27]

Guy that might be there is Bonino as a middle 6 center. Fits our speed game. Guy was faster than Stepan on a broken leg

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

That's what concerns me unless Gorton has something out of left field up his sleeve.

They need to address two separate center slots right now assuming Miller is kept to the wing. 2/3 C depending on what line you view Hayes on and 4 C. Thornton would slide in perfectly but who knows if he leaves SJS. Hanzal will get overpaid and won't be worth it. Who else is out there? Our center depth is extremely concerning if someone goes down.

After Thornton there isn't really any top 6 C available in free agency.

I wonder if Gorton is looking to make a trade for one. Or, possibly, he's fine going with Zibanejad-Hayes as the top 6 centers and then look to acquire a 3c in a trade and maybe sign a Dom Moore type to compete with Boo for 4C.

Have to wonder if they plan on Andersson having a legit shot of making the team. He has an NHL ready body and played in the SHL last season.

Going with Zibanejad-Hayes in the top 6 centers is not good, not unless both of them take a major step forward.

Guy that might be there is Bonino as a middle 6 center. Fits our speed game. Guy was faster than Stepan on a broken leg

Yeah, he's really the only other decent option at C in free agency after Thornton. Problem is he's probably going to want term and will probably get overpaid.

 

[Overcast]

Interesting. This deal was more financial + DeAngelo. That's what it sounds like to me. They love Step but they think his best days are behind him and want to move in a new direction but retweak the team and still be competitive with the core they have.

If that's the case, then I sure hope this core steps the **** up and battens down the hatches because there were way, WAY too many late-game lapses that cost them huge and they happened up and down the roster. As it stands, the core has gotten farther from the goal the longer they've been together. Is trading Stepan the first part of shaking up the core? Him alone doesn't seem like that huge of a core shakeup, what's disconcerting at the moment is that we've traded away our top centers in consecutive years with no immediate/clear-cut plan to replace them other than bumping up guys who haven't looked ready for bigger roles. If McDonagh is actually able to get a competent partner, if Staal's minutes are actually reduced, maybe a good chunk of those lapses are solved. There's a ton of time for things to happen now and GMs seem to be wheeling and dealing huge this year, so we'll see.

 

[GregSirico]

If that's the case, then I sure hope this core steps the **** up and battens down the hatches because there were way, WAY too many late-game lapses that cost them huge and they happened up and down the roster. As it stands, the core has gotten farther from the goal the longer they've been together. Is trading Stepan the first part of shaking up the core? Him alone doesn't seem like that huge of a core shakeup, what's disconcerting at the moment is that we've traded away our top centers in consecutive years with no immediate/clear-cut plan to replace them other than bumping up guys who haven't looked ready for bigger roles. If McDonagh is actually able to get a competent partner, if Staal's minutes are actually reduced, maybe a good chunk of those lapses are solved. There's a ton of time for things to happen now and GMs seem to be wheeling and dealing huge this year, so we'll see.

I blame AV for that. It's a culture thing.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Interesting. This deal was more financial + DeAngelo. That's what it sounds like to me. They love Step but they think his best days are behind him and want to move in a new direction but retweak the team and still be competitive with the core they have.

Yup, also a shakeup of the core.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I don't like the sound of that at all.

 

[GregSirico]

I have a gut feeling we are somehow going to trade for a legit first line center. Call me crazy, I just thought that the entire time they started talking about Stepan. Once the Step rumors were flying, I said he only pulls this trigger if he knows down the pipeline he can replace Stepan with someone younger and more dynamic.

 

[Synergy27]

Problem is, if not Thornton, then who? Guess Miller could play C, Hanzal?

What about Sam Gagner?

 

[GregSirico]

Yup, also a shakeup of the core.

Which is why I wouldn't be shocked if they traded Nash.

 

[bernmeister]

They're not going to tank not with hank in the mix.

Signing Thornton short term to play out a year or so with Nash fills a hole keeps team in the conversation while gorton retools.

Thornton not acceptable under any conditions
1. give the young guys mo mins
2 if there is a real need to add, do 1 yr only overpaid for Hanzal

 

[Synergy27]

I have a gut feeling we are somehow going to trade for a legit first line center. Call me crazy, I just thought that the entire time they started talking about Stepan. Once the Step rumors were flying, I said he only pulls this trigger if he knows down the pipeline he can replace Stepan with someone younger and more dynamic.

This sounds great, but how?

 

[RangerLifer]

Well, he said "We're kind of rebuilding on the fly here" it's not like he said we're in a rebuild.

I could be wrong but this sounds as if the organEYEzation is gunning for mediocrity. The Rangers are Salieri and the rest of the league are Mozarts.

 

[bigdog16]

I dont think were in good shape right now

 

[Tawnos]

I have a gut feeling we are somehow going to trade for a legit first line center. Call me crazy, I just thought that the entire time they started talking about Stepan. Once the Step rumors were flying, I said he only pulls this trigger if he knows down the pipeline he can replace Stepan with someone younger and more dynamic.

I don't see where we have the assets to do that at this point.