Speculation: Roster Building Thread II (2022-23): The Puck is Prepared to be Mounted

[Raspewtin]

Jones and 2ed to Habs for Xhekaj? Rangers need some skilled toughness for the playoffs when the things get rough. Imagine if they did not have that last year.

if we didn’t have reaves we probably win an extra game lol

 

[huerter]

if we didn’t have reaves we probably win an extra game lol

Get serious. I did a libero on him every game. He was off the charts good at getting the puck out of our zone. It was uncanny.

 

[McRanger92]

I don’t think people understand what they’re giving up in this deal and what they’re getting this is a fantastic deal.
Jones and Blais are hot garbage.
Deslauries is the heavyweight champ
Hayes is 30-30 behind Zib
Lafrenniere is radek bonk / hell melt under Torts.
Seeler gives us that depth D with bite .

Someone got into the eggnog early

 

[Barnaby]

Is it unreasonable for me to still be hoping that Kakko and Lafreniere become late blooming, somewhat poor man’s versions of Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya?

70+ goals in his rookie year Teemu?

 

[RangerBoy]

In discussing the potential haul the Blackhawks might demand in return for leasing Patrick Kane: Is this the time at which someone is allowed to point out that No. 88’s 0.37 five-on-five goals per 60:00 rank 76th of the 79 forwards with 450 minutes (per NaturalStatTrick)?

Additional intradivisional games don’t solve NHL’s flawed system

Adding two intradivisional matches while increasing the NHL schedule to 84 games next season is tantamount to putting a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound.

nypost.com

 

[GENESISPuck94]

The Canadian Junior leagues exist if you’d like to watch prospects get big minutes

#1 and #2 overall picks in their D+3 and D+4 years are not prospects. I presented their production level. If they had the special teams time, they'd be where the other guys are in points totals.

 

[UnSandvich]

Rangers players scoring 5v5 at a higher per 60 rate than Patrick Kane this season (1.22 P/60 5v5):

Filip Chytil- 2.53 p/60
Artemi Panarin- 2.52 p/60
Dryden Hunt (3 games, gone)- 2.35 p/60
Julien Gauthier- 2.28 p/60
Barclay Goodrow- 2.1 p/60
Adam Fox- 1.99 p/60
Mika Zibanejad- 1.81 p/60
Alexis Lafreniere- 1.78 p/60
Chris Kreider- 1.64 p/60
Vincent Trocheck- 1.54 p/60
Kaapo Kakko- 1.53 p/60
Johnny Brodzinski (9 games)- 1.49 p/60

TIE: Vitali Kravtsov (15 games)- 1.22 p/60

 

[RangerBoy]

Vince Mercogliano discussed Jones on his recent podcast. Scouts and people around the Rangers are concerned with his ability to clear the net front and do physically demanding things required of NHL defensemen. Size is an issue. Jones needs to play in an offensive role and the Rangers don't have a spot for him with Fox on the team. Lundkvist was in the same boat. He is not suited for a bottom six role. The size is an issue. The Rangers aren’t getting a 1st and conditional 4th which can become a 3rd for Jones.

The cost of a rental D is high. Savard went for a 1st. Chiarot went for a 1st. That was an awful deal for Florida. Gavrikov is the guy this year.

Kulikov is an experienced NHL D. Verbeek got Kulikov for free. Kulikov would be a good fit for the Rangers 6th D role. He can't be very expensive to acquire in a trade. $2.25M cap.

Trading Jones for an experienced LD signed to a modest contract beyond this season would be ideal. Does that player even exist?

Would Columbus swap Gavrikov for Jones and a non-1st or 2nd round pick? Columbus wants to re-sign him. The Rangers rent the player for the playoffs. Will teams will tossing around 1st round picks in 2023 this spring for rentals?

Would the Blues be interested in re-acquiring Blais? Barbashev is also a group III after this season. The latter has a higher cap hit. $2,250,000. Barbashev had a breakout season in 21-22 but his production has dropped to his previous season levels. He can play the wing(more left than right) and in the middle. He can kill penalties. He could be injury insurance if Chytil gets hurt. Gallant can use him in different roles. The Rangers can put him with Panarin and Zibanejad. It would be nice if Gallant just leaves Kravtsov on that line for more than a few periods. Barbashev with Trocheck and Kreider. Other players drop in the lineup. Goodrow, Vesey would play the role the Rangers signed him for but Vesey hasn’t been terrible playing up in the lineup. The Rangers would be taking on $750,000. Would the Rangers be interested in adding money? They would still have $1M in cap savings from the Reaves trade to use on another acquisition. Reaves is at $1.75M. $750,000 difference between Blais and Barbashev. The Blues change the mix of their club. They get a player they know very well who can add some energy and grit into their lineup. The Rangers haven't seen the energy and grit from Blais. The Blues are a team which isn’t interested in a rebuild, retool or reset. They have some key free agents coming up. ROR and Tarasenko. ROR looks like he is done. He was never the greatest skater but he was effective. Tarasenko can still shoot the puck. Before Doug Armstrong is forced to make a trade which he doesn't want to make, he tries a small move to get his team going. Blais for Barbashev. There aren’t many players Armstrong can trade to deliver a wake up call. He has too many players signed to long term contracts. Some players he doesn't want to trade. The Blues can't really add significant money. Blais for Barbashev.

On a recent podcast(32T or Marek show),Elliotte Friedman said Edmonton was interested in Reaves. On a recent podcast, Seravalli said Edmonton is looking to add another element in their bottom six. Edmonton has money issues. What did Holland offer the Rangers for Reaves? Edmonton was interested in Georgiev but they wanted to send money back to the Rangers. Blais would bring another element to the Oilers.

Vancouver? They have Travis Dermott at $1.5M who is a serviceable D. Would they swap Dermott for Blais?

$1.5M isn’t a lot of money but $1.5M is a lot of money on the Rangers. Motte at $1.35M would be a better player than Blais.

 

[bleedblue94]

I believe that in years 3-6 his contract at 6m would be a discount. I think he will keep progressing and could even have a year or two at ppg once he gets PP time.

Its not that far fetched.

And again. He is two years away from free agency and i would rather not have him bust out without a long term contract and all of a sudden he could be an 8m player wspecially with cap rising.

Or worse we just lose him bc we cant afford to resign him. Or some dingbat team offers him an offer sheet this year.

They can't afford to pay him now for three years over value so they can get a discount on the back three years. They can barely resign their own players to bridge deals. This makes no sense

 

[SA16]

Rangers forwards with a lower 5v5 sh% than Patrick Kane this season (4.11%)

1. Sammy Blais 0.00%
2. Ryan Reaves 0.00%

 

[Avery16]

Would the Blues be interested in re-acquiring Blais? Barbashev is also a group III after this season. The latter has a higher cap hit. $2,250,000. Barbashev had a breakout season in 21-22 but his production has dropped to his previous season levels. He can play the wing(more left than right) and in the middle. He can kill penalties. He could be injury insurance if Chytil gets hurt. Gallant can use him in different roles. The Rangers can put him with Panarin and Zibanejad. It would be nice if Gallant just leaves Kravtsov on that line for more than a few periods. Barbashev with Trocheck and Kreider. Other players drop in the lineup. Goodrow, Vesey would play the role the Rangers signed him for but Vesey hasn’t been terrible playing up in the lineup. The Rangers would be taking on $750,000. Would the Rangers be interested in adding money? They would still have $1M in cap savings from the Reaves trade to use on another acquisition. Reaves is at $1.75M. $750,000 difference between Blais and Barbashev. The Blues change the mix of their club. They get a player they know very well who can add some energy and grit into their lineup. The Rangers haven't seen the energy and grit from Blais. The Blues are a team which isn’t interested in a rebuild, retool or reset. They have some key free agents coming up. ROR and Tarasenko. ROR looks like he is done. He was never the greatest skater but he was effective. Tarasenko can still shoot the puck. Before Doug Armstrong is forced to make a trade which he doesn't want to make, he tries a small move to get his team going. Blais for Barbashev. There aren’t many players Armstrong can trade to deliver a wake up call. He has too many players signed to long term contracts. Some players he doesn't want to trade. The Blues can't really add significant money. Blais for Barbashev.

Zero chance I think of the Blues revisiting this historic steal. For all we know, Blues were ready to move on from Blais and he’s done nothing since the trade to show that he’s a valuable player in the top-9. Barbashev is a great middle-6 value. The Blues wouldn’t start trimming from there.

 

[Avery16]

You hear John Tortorella saying: “You [writers] are trying to pit him against me and me against him, which is so ludicrous. So I’m not giving you any update on Kevin Hayes.”

I hear John Tortorella nine-plus years earlier saying: “Don’t interfere with my friendship with Gabby [Marian Gaborik]. We have a great relationship.”

Additional intradivisional games don’t solve NHL’s flawed system

 

[duhmetreE]

Jones and 2ed to Habs for Xhekaj? Rangers need some skilled toughness for the playoffs when the things get rough. Imagine if they did not have that last year.

I'd do that all day but I think it'd have to be more enticing for Montreal. They already have Harris who is similar to Jones. Who knows, maybe we can give Gorton back his rejects? doubtful.

They have a plethora of LHD. Maybe a RHD or forwards? Nils would have been perfect. Maybe Gauthier would be the sacrifice with the intention of Cuylle replacing him? Or vice versa if we think Gauthier could fill that role long term. I really don't want to give up Cuylle.

Cuylle/Gauthier, Skinner? or Jones ), Hajek + pick. I just dont see anything for them to force a trade unfortunately... unless we give up a 1st

 

[Fitzy]

Is it unreasonable for me to still be hoping that Kakko and Lafreniere become late blooming, somewhat poor man’s versions of Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya?

I always hoped they’d do a Sedin twins thing where they started behind the west coast express line and grew into the team leaders over time.

Bertuzzi Morrison Naslund were one of the top units in the league.

 

[RangersFan1994]

I'd do that all day but I think it'd have to be more enticing for Montreal. They already have Harris who is similar to Jones. Who knows, maybe we can give Gorton back his rejects? doubtful.

They have a plethora of LHD. Maybe a RHD or forwards? Nils would have been perfect. Maybe Gauthier would be the sacrifice with the intention of Cuylle replacing him? Or vice versa if we think Gauthier could fill that role long term. I really don't want to give up Cuylle.

Cuylle/Gauthier, Skinner? or Jones ), Hajek + pick. I just dont see anything for them to force a trade unfortunately... unless we give up a 1st

Cuylle is someone I would not deal. Rangers dont have much physical skilled forwards upfront.

maybe Kravtsov and Skinner? Cuylle and Othmann would both be untouchables for Kane. It would take a lot for Ranger to move them. Rangers need to dump the finesse and add more crash bang and score types. Pretty finesse plays rarely works in the playoffs.

 

[RickChartraw]

please no to kane, do we need more guys who can't score 5v5?

 

[duhmetreE]

Cuylle is someone I would not deal. Rangers dont have much physical skilled forwards upfront.

maybe Kravtsov and Skinner? Cuylle and Othmann would both be untouchables for Kane. It would take a lot for Ranger to move them. Rangers need to dump the finesse and add more crash bang and score types. Pretty finesse plays rarely works in the playoffs.

As crazy as it sounds, I'd do Kravtsov for him.

With Othmann and Cuylle on the way, there's not much space for him. It's sort of been written on the wall.

It's not the best of looks though, when you trade a #9 overall for an undrafted player.

 

[NYR Viper]

A guy who may fit in is Austin Watson from Ottawa. Bottom-6 physical winger.

If Boston goes for it they may look to trade someone like Foligno for cap space. He’d be a perfect fit for a low cost.

Nick Holden is a guy who fits in well as a bottom-pairing d-man too.

 

[LaffyTaffy13]

If a real market never develops for him, and he ends up available on the cheap (ie: no 1st round picks or top prospects), I'd be interested in a guy like JVR. Can play all three forward positions. Has some post-season experience. And (the part that intrigues me), he's a local guy who might just find a bit left in the tank to make a push with his childhood team.

The position of most here that no one is worth trading a first for is insane. Again, some here would rather die with assets than try for a cup. You guys do realize we only have like a 3 year window here right?

 

[RangersFan1994]

A guy who may fit in is Austin Watson from Ottawa. Bottom-6 physical winger.

If Boston goes for it they may look to trade someone like Foligno for cap space. He’d be a perfect fit for a low cost.

Nick Holden is a guy who fits in well as a bottom-pairing d-man too.

I'd love Watson. Watch him end up on Tampa just cause we all hate that team lol. Watson is one guy I hope Rangers look at the deadline. He is an emotional player. Need that in the playoffs.. most id offer is a 3rd for him

As crazy as it sounds, I'd do Kravtsov for him.

With Othmann and Cuylle on the way, there's not much space for him. It's sort of been written on the wall.

It's not the best of looks though, when you trade a #9 overall for an undrafted player.

If the undrafted player is better than Kravtsov what does that say about the former 9th overall pick

 

[RangersFan1994]

How about Max Comtois from the Ducks? RFA at seasons end. would Jones, Blais (salary cap reasons) and 1st be enough? Power winger 3rd line physical player Only 23 years old.

 

[rangersfansince08]

The position of most here that no one is worth trading a first for is insane. Again, some here would rather die with assets than try for a cup. You guys do realize we only have like a 3 year window here right?

Yea but I'd prefer a Tampa style trade for a Blake Coleman or Brandon Hagel than trading a 1st for a rental Kane who sucks 5 on 5.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Yea but I'd prefer a Tampa style trade for a Blake Coleman or Brandon Hagel than trading a 1st for a rental Kane who sucks 5 on 5.

I feel the same way. I rather take a chance on RFA

maybe trading a pick this year for RFA Max Comtois


Rangers need more north south players especially for the playoffs. Id trade for Watson and Max Domi only if either wants to resign here. Both bring sandpaper and can take a regular shift and not hurt the team.

 

[SA16]

How about Max Comtois from the Ducks? RFA at seasons end. would Jones, Blais (salary cap reasons) and 1st be enough? Power winger 3rd line physical player Only 23 years old.

Yea jones and a first for a guy with 21 points his last 76 sounds great for us

 

[JimmyG89]

How about Max Comtois from the Ducks? RFA at seasons end. would Jones, Blais (salary cap reasons) and 1st be enough? Power winger 3rd line physical player Only 23 years old.

He's a big change of scenery guy. Been stuck on a bad ducks team and it's clearly not working.

I don't think it would take that much honestly. I wouldn't move Jones cause you do need defensive depth and he can take regular NHL shifts.

Blais out for salary is definite, and I think a 2nd might just get it done.