Speculation: Roster Building Thread DCLXXXV: July 1st Is Coming...

[E-Train]

Bring in Burmistrov, Grigorenko and Dadonov. Low cost centers and a talented winger. Plenty of space left for the D.

 

[bl02]

Shattenkirk rumor isn't even worth discussing. Its made it, due to him growing up around here. Isn't gotta happen.

What angers me is that we might sign Smith. He's one of the most overrated players that I think has played for the Rangers recently. He's like a 4D, yet we are gonna pay this guy as a 2/3D.

People love him because of his advanced stats, but this is a player who at points last season was a healthy scratch for the worst defense in the league, Detroit. Detroit didn't feel the need to re-sign him, and look how bad their defense is. He's not great offensively, not great defensively, not the type of player you want to give a long-term deal. I don't even want him on the team. I am confident our younger defensemen will be just as good or better. Smith will just be taking their ice time.

He wasn't great during regular season but did you see him during the playoffs? We don't win the Montreal series without him most likely.
He played like a solid 2nd pairing dman with snarl in front of the net where Montreal constantly tried to crash into Hank

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

Bring in Burmistrov, Grigorenko and Dadonov. Low cost centers and a talented winger. Plenty of space left for the D.

I like the Dadonov idea but without a trade he has no spot.

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

He wasn't great during regular season but did you see him during the playoffs? We don't win the Montreal series without him most likely.
He played like a solid 2nd pairing dman with snarl in front of the net where Montreal constantly tried to crash into Hank

which is the real one tho.... and we are loaded with LHD

 

[KOVALEV022473]

You believe McKenzie is forming his opinion from reading Larry Brooks?

I believe neither one has a ****ing clue.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He was pretty good in the playoffs...absolutely no bs ntc or nmc

He wasn't great during regular season but did you see him during the playoffs? We don't win the Montreal series without him most likely.
He played like a solid 2nd pairing dman with snarl in front of the net where Montreal constantly tried to crash into Hank

I think Smith is a fine player, but I don't want a guy on the Rangers just because he's a fine player and played half a season for us. Get rid of all the average or below average defensemen. We don't need mediocrity or overpaying average players in place of young players.

Obviously can't get rid of Staal, so he'll stay as a veteran, we already have McDonagh and Skjei who need to be kept, use the rest of the defense spots on rookie defensemen like DeAngelo, Bereglazov, Graves, Pionk, etc. Maybe add a 7th D like Kampfer to sit in the press box, and thats our team.

This team does not need to press for contention. Build for the future, go with the younger defensemen over average older defensemen.

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

There's a rumor going around that Kovalchuk is pretty much pushing for a trade to the Jackets or Rangers, or might stay in the KHL.

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

I think Smith is a fine player, but I don't want a guy on the Rangers just because he's a fine player and played half a season for us.

that's all we get are "fine" players... outside of a few situations 1994 team, Jagr like a decade ago, Gaborik, and Nash one season. Rangers are allergic to having anything other than "good players" unless its a Goalie.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Not to mention he's another LHD (don't care if he plays the right, not the same), and he's at best their 3rd best one behind Mcdonagh and Skjei.. insane. get the actual RHD who can make an impact, geezus.

Nobody complains when a right-handed player plays on the LW when others play on the RW. Use players where they are best. Smith is a RD, regardless of the way he shoots the puck

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

interest in Thornton (per Dreger), Marleau (per Constance) and Kovalchuk (per Brooks)

"rebuild on the fly" tho.

 

[Glennsoe]

I doubt we'd be in on Marleau. It seems to oppose everything that Gorton has been saying up until this point. Get younger and faster.

According to Craig Custance, the Rangers are one of a few teams that is "in the mix" and talking with Sharks forward and UFA Patrick Marleau.

Other teams that have expressed interest in Marleau include Toronto, Anaheim, Carolina, Nashville, LA and the Sharks.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Shattenkirk rumor isn't even worth discussing. Its made it, due to him growing up around here. Isn't gotta happen.

What angers me is that we might sign Smith. He's one of the most overrated players that I think has played for the Rangers recently. He's like a 4D, yet we are gonna pay this guy as a 2/3D.

People love him because of his advanced stats, but this is a player who at points last season was a healthy scratch for the worst defense in the league, Detroit. Detroit didn't feel the need to re-sign him, and look how bad their defense is. He's not great offensively, not great defensively, not the type of player you want to give a long-term deal. I don't even want him on the team. I am confident our younger defensemen will be just as good or better. Smith will just be taking their ice time.

I'm not going to touch on most of this because it's very clear that we have differing views on what makes a good defenseman but...

Who do you think of all our young D is ready to step up into regular top 4 minutes outside of Skjei? DeAngelo is the only guy who has NHL experience, and I'm not ready to throw him to the wolves yet so the same will apply to Bear Gloves, Pionk, Graves, etc.

Now you can argue that there are cheaper options to eat those minutes on the market, which is fair, but those options will also come with a downgrade in quality.

If you care less about winning next year and more about developing the young D correctly, then yeah I'm actually in agreement with you...

PS: In a world where Kris Russell and Travis Hamonic are making at or around 4 mill, Smith is certainly worth that.

 

[E-Train]

I like the Dadonov idea but without a trade he has no spot.

I guess if they don't get 2 centers Miller is sliding over and there's an opening for Dadonov. I'd still find a way even if 2 centers are added.

 

[E-Train]

Nobody complains when a right-handed player plays on the LW when others play on the RW. Use players where they are best. Smith is a RD, regardless of the way he shoots the puck

Absolutely. Good post.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

interest in Thornton (per Dreger), Marleau (per Constance) and Kovalchuk (per Brooks)

"rebuild on the fly" tho.

Kicking the tires on these guys is different than having serious interest.

Wake me when we sign one of them.

 

[ncmike]

If you look at usage, Brendan Smith's is very comparable to Shattenkirk's. So if you are comfortable with Smith on the top pair, not sure why Shattenkirk would be different.

When you factor in the savings between Shattenkirk and Smiths contract along with Nashs' contract coming off the books, you have the money to go all in on Taveras next year. One step back for two steps forward. If Taveras is resigned by the islanders than you go to plan B. Whatever that may be. Either way it gives them a ton of cap next year when I believe the FA market will be a lot better.

 

[Glennsoe]

Elliotte Friedman writes that the Rangers and Smith appear "headed towards a deal." (Sportsnet)

 

[Larouche to Bears]

Oh sorry, when did Radulov become a center and lower his ridiculous asking price?

Package any currently rostered winger for a #1 center, and sign Radulov.
He's our Russian Messier

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

Absolutely. Good post.

He is but the Rangers actually need someone who SHOOTS right handed, sure Deangelo is one, and Zibanejad, who else is there? we have everyone who shoots left handed, there's one reason why the PP is complete crap at times as well, you can only put so many guys who shoot lefty on the power play.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I'm not going to touch on most of this because it's very clear that we have differing views on what makes a good defenseman but...

Who do you think of all our young D is ready to step up into regular top 4 minutes outside of Skjei? DeAngelo is the only guy who has NHL experience, and I'm not ready to throw him to the wolves yet so the same will apply to Bear Gloves, Pionk, Graves, etc.

Now you can argue that there are cheaper options to eat those minutes on the market, which is fair, but those options will also come with a downgrade in quality.

If you care less about winning next year and more about developing the young D correctly, then yeah I'm actually in agreement with you...

PS: In a world where Kris Russell and Travis Hamonic are making at or around 4 mill, Smith is certainly worth that.

Bereglazov was one of the KHL's best defensemen last season, he's ready. DeAngelo already played a lot of NHL games last season and put up points, he's ready to get a full season. Graves has spent two seasons in the minors, and was Hartford's best defensemen last season. He's ready. Pionk? Maybe not ready, but we don't need all of them to step into the NHL to start next season. Pionk might be a year away, and thats fine. We also should have Zborovskiy and Day down there who could be ready soon enough, also.

And if these guys aren't ready, I'm fine with cheap one or two year contracts, I don't think a 4 year contract for Brendan Smith who even if you think this guy is good, you have to admit he's not the difference between us being good and not being good. There's no reason to give long-term contracts to players of that ilk. You give it to the guys who you need.

 

[silverfish]

If the difference is:

Smith: 3 years, $3.5m AAV
Shattenkirk: 7 years, $7.5m AAV

I want Smith.

If it's:

Smith: 4 years, $4m AAV
Shattenkirk: 6 years, $6.5m AAV

I want Shattenkirk.

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

Elliotte Friedman writes that the Rangers and Smith appear "headed towards a deal." (Sportsnet)

I don't see that on his twitter page?.. where did you see this?

edit.. totally missed sportsnet.

 

[RGY]

I don't see that on his twitter page?.. where did you see this?

Dont see it

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

I'm guessing its going to take 4.5M or something like that to keep Smith off the market.

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

Kicking the tires on these guys is different than having serious interest.

Wake me when we sign one of them.

if you're actually "rebuilding on the fly" you don't kick the tires on guys almost 40.