Speculation: Roster Building Thread LIII: Free Agent Frenzy

[Ola]

I feel like our expectations for any reporter sharing news have become unfairly high.

Depending on the situation, they either get criticized for stating the obvious, not stating the obvious, getting lucky by hitting the nail on the head, or not hitting the nail on the head.

We crave any insight into what's being talked about, but then crucify them over every single detail. Then we wonder why reporters sometimes avoid delving into specifics and give vague reports.

And at the end of the day they have zero control over what teams are doing, what said teams are sharing, and/or whether it comes to fruition.

We want them to share what they hear, and then we resent them for it.

Sounds like you are speaking from own experience!

I definitely agree with you 100%. I just get annoyed when the reporters pretend to know more than what they do or exaggerate their sources. There are many big mouths out there, and they can create a big mess. Every year there are so many crazy reports. From a journalistic POV I respect Bob McKenzie in that regard. It’s always a very clear report underlying the uncertainty, specifying his source’s position as much as it is possible etc. It’s just dumb to lie and exaggerate as much as so many reporters do. What do they gain from it?

 

[Edge]

Sounds like you are speaking from own experience!

I definitely agree with you 100%. I just get annoyed when the reporters pretend to know more than what they do or exaggerate their sources. There are many big mouths out there, and they can create a big mess. Every year there are so many crazy reports. From a journalistic POV I respect Bob McKenzie in that regard. It’s always a very clear report underlying the uncertainty, specifying his source’s position as much as it is possible etc. It’s just dumb to lie and exaggerate as much as so many reporters do. What do they gain from it?

I think a lot of reporters or people with knowledge of situations are hesitant because the average reader thinks they know more than they do. It's created a very toxic environment.

 

[Ola]

I think the opposite is usually true. A lot of reporters or people with knowledge of situations are hesitant because I think the average reader thinks they know more than they do.

Yeah, thankfully.

 

[Edge]

Yeah, thankfully.

Huh?

 

[Ola]

Huh?

Lol, not sure I followed what you meant, but thankfully most reporters don’t feel the need to exaggerate a ton or pretend that they are an expert in a field they are pretty clueless in.

 

[Edge]

Lol, not sure I followed what you meant, but thankfully most reporters don’t feel the need to exaggerate a ton or pretend that they are an expert in a field they are pretty clueless in.

I think most reporters have a decent understanding of how things work. The challenge is that it's a very difficult industry to cover. Pro sports leagues don't "owe" the public anything. There are no Right to Know requests, there's not a clear cut annual report to stockholders, and a reporter has to balance protecting his sources, while also covering a topic that most people already follow closely.

On the flip side, I think the average fan believes they know way more than they actually do. Passion is often confused for knowledge, and that can lead to complications.

But reporting isn't easy. You try to give to the public what they want to know, while working in an environment where things can change very quickly.

 

[OthmannOut]

I think the one thing this organization has to make a priority is establishing who the future #1C is. I really doubt Chytil or Anderrson have the making to be a 1C, so if this isn't done by flipping for a prospect with big upside, then we have to be targeting the 2020 draft.

Let's say we hypothetically trade Kreider and Vesey to Arizona for Keller, or a young center with potential 1c upside. If we don't upgrade our vacant 2C spot, we can plug it with Strome.
We then also sign Panarin.

Panarin - Zbad - Kakko
Chytil - Keller/2C - Buchnevich
Namestnikov- Howden - Kravtsov
Lemieux - Andersson - Fast
Strome/Whoever Does Well in Camp

Skjei - Trouba
Hajek - Ada
Staal - Shatty(Fox in Hartford w/ top minutes...at deadline or next year trade Shatty)
Lindgren - Smith

Hank
Igor
Georgiev

Roll that out, and examine and develop the kids another year. That top line will be gnarly and lines 2-4 have a lot of young and hungry talent. Defense still isn't good but nothing to do about that this year, so hopefully improvements by Skjei and Shatty. Additonally, we monitor the youngins and move them up and down the lines depending on performance. Quinn was good about adapting the line up last year, and it's fine if the vets get more playing time in the short term, as I think we are a bubble team at best. I have trust in how Quinn handled development last year based on improvements from ADA, Buch, Strome (well, idk), and Zbad.

In the mean time monitor prospects and come up with an exit plan for the Staal and Shatty contracts next year.

 

[HonestGabe]

I think the one thing this organization has to make a priority is establishing who the future #1C is. I really doubt Chytil or Anderrson have the making to be a 1C, so if this isn't done by flipping for a prospect with big upside, then we have to be targeting the 2020 draft.

Let's say we hypothetically trade Kreider and Vesey to Arizona for Keller, or a young center with potential 1c upside. If we don't upgrade our vacant 2C spot, we can plug it with Strome.
We then also sign Panarin.

Panarin - Zbad - Kakko
Chytil - Keller/2C - Buchnevich
Namestnikov- Howden - Kravtsov
Lemieux - Andersson - Fast
Strome/Whoever Does Well in Camp

Skjei - Trouba
Hajek - Ada
Staal - Shatty(Fox in Hartford w/ top minutes...at deadline or next year trade Shatty)
Lindgren - Smith

Hank
Igor
Georgiev

Roll that out, and examine and develop the kids another year. That top line will be gnarly and lines 2-4 have a lot of young and hungry talent. Defense still isn't good but nothing to do about that this year, so hopefully improvements by Skjei and Shatty. Additonally, we monitor the youngins and move them up and down the lines depending on performance. Quinn was good about adapting the line up last year, and it's fine if the vets get more playing time in the short term, as I think we are a bubble team at best. I have trust in how Quinn handled development last year based on improvements from ADA, Buch, Strome (well, idk), and Zbad.

In the mean time monitor prospects and come up with an exit plan for the Staal and Shatty contracts next year.

I understand the end goal here but a Kreider + Vesey package won’t net us Clayton Keller. You’re talking something like Buchnevich + Andersson + Nils Lundkvist. They don’t have an incentive to move him at this time.

 

[OthmannOut]

I understand the end goal here but a Kreider + Vesey package won’t net us Clayton Keller. You’re talking something like Buchnevich + Andersson + Nils Lundkvist. They don’t have an incentive to move him at this time.

Oh I agree the trade would have to net something tough in return. However Keller comes to mind as someone we would target who could fill that role. Otherwise it will come down to 2020 draft, which seems likely.

 

[Edge]

Not going to lie, outside of Lafreniere, who is truly a special talent on the wings, the dream prospect is Byfield in 2020. Checks all the boxes and plays center.

He's a kid who you draft and say, "There's the guy we peg as our future top center, with no questions asked."

 

[Greg02]

Rangers don't seem to be acting like they're planning on having a shot at those tippy-top picks.

 

[Leetch3]

Just because he did it in the second half of last season does not mean he should do it again. I think they would be better off burying his salary and saving the ~975k on the cap or playing him to spare a rookie when needed on the backend.

Expecting him to be an every day player in a bottom 6 role should not be the goal heading into this season.

smith on the 4th line assumes no vesey, no namestnikov, no nieves, no kreider (or buchnevich) and none of letteri, gettinger, fontaine, fogarty making the team. so a bunch of guys need to be moved, without adding anyone for that to happen imo

 

[Edge]

Rangers don't seem to be acting like they're planning on having a shot at those tippy-top picks.

That’s where they would need to be Carolina circa 2018. And then maybe follow that up with Carolina circa 2019.

 

[Thirty One]

Rangers don't seem to be acting like they're planning on having a shot at those tippy-top picks.

I'm not sure how many teams do in late June.

 

[eco's bones]

I think most reporters have a decent understanding of how things work. The challenge is that it's a very difficult industry to cover. Pro sports leagues don't "owe" the public anything. There are no Right to Know requests, there's not a clear cut annual report to stockholders, and a reporter has to balance protecting his sources, while also covering a topic that most people already follow closely.

On the flip side, I think the average fan believes they know way more than they actually do. Passion is often confused for knowledge, and that can lead to complications.

But reporting isn't easy. You try to give to the public what they want to know, while working in an environment where things can change very quickly.

When there isn't much happening--they still have deadlines--still have to write about something. It's what pays the rent and puts food on the table. The universe of print media has shrunken greatly by the way--that might not be noticed so much in a big metropolis but it is for real. It's kind of a dying out industry and very cut throat because of that.

 

[Edge]

When there isn't much happening--they still have deadlines--still have to write about something. It's what pays the rent and puts food on the table. The universe of print media has shrunken greatly by the way--that might not be noticed so much in a big metropolis but it is for real. It's kind of a dying out industry and very cut throat because of that.

All spot on.

Jobs are limited, careers are shorter, the pay isn’t great. One of the challenges facing many media markets is that by the time someone truly starts to become a great reporter, they’re tempted to leave the profession.

That creates an experience vacuum, to say nothing about the sources and relationships that go with that reporter.

You want to know why a guy like John Dellapina is no longer reporting? Because he can make two or three times his reporting salary working for the league. That’s hard to turn down, no matter how much you love reporting.

And keep in mind, behind the scenes sports jobs aren’t the highest paying opportunities for reporters either.

Why does one end up working for big retailers, medical clients, economic development clients, and energy companies? Because they allow you to support a wife and multiple kids.

That’s hard to pass up when you’re 10 years into a reporting career and busting your ass to eclipse the $40k mark.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Not going to lie, outside of Lafreniere, who is truly a special talent on the wings, the dream prospect is Byfield in 2020. Checks all the boxes and plays center.

He's a kid who you draft and say, "There's the guy we peg as our future top center, with no questions asked."

He would be the dream. The final major piece for this rebuild through the draft.

 

[Edge]

He would be the dream. The final major piece for this rebuild through the draft.

Byfield is just so unique.

He’s got the frame of someone who would’ve been a top pick 20 years ago, with the skills of a top pick in today’s era.

He’s confident with the puck, doesn’t rush into decisions, can shoot or pass, and holds onto the puck like his life depends on it.

He’s hard to catch with the puck, and even if you did, how the hell do you hope to stop a guy that size?

And on top of all the skill, he busts his ass like a guy who is trying to make the squad. So now you not only have a guy who has the skill to beat you in a number or different ways, you have a guy who is acting like he’s about to be cut from his team.

It’s almost unfair the tools with which he is working.

 

[Trxjw]

Not going to lie, outside of Lafreniere, who is truly a special talent on the wings, the dream prospect is Byfield in 2020. Checks all the boxes and plays center.

He's a kid who you draft and say, "There's the guy we peg as our future top center, with no questions asked."

Byfield is just an incredible talent. I can't remember the last time I saw a 6'4 16 year old who looked that nimble and comfortable on skates. Quick feet and the hands to go with it all in a frame that could easily carry 215-220lbs.

 

[Edge]

Byfield is just an incredible talent. I can't remember the last time I saw a 6'4 16 year old who looked that nimble and comfortable on skates.

He’s almost like a video game creation. Like someone said, “What would happen if we took a high skill player and upped his vitals about 4 inches and 30 pounds?”

This kid has high end skill too, and he’s going to utilize it in a 6’4-6’5 frame, and play at well over 220 pounds.

If he can pick up where he left off, he’s going to be insane to watch.

 

[Good Intentions]

I understand the end goal here but a Kreider + Vesey package won’t net us Clayton Keller. You’re talking something like Buchnevich + Andersson + Nils Lundkvist. They don’t have an incentive to move him at this time.

I think that’s exactly right.

 

[Good Intentions]

Byfield is just so unique.

He’s got the frame of someone who would’ve been a top pick 20 years ago, with the skills of a top pick in today’s era.

He’s confident with the puck, doesn’t rush into decisions, can shoot or pass, and holds onto the puck like his life depends on it.

He’s hard to catch with the puck, and even if you did, how the hell do you hope to stop a guy that size?

And on top of all the skill, he busts his ass like a guy who is trying to make the squad. So now you not only have a guy who has the skill to beat you in a number or different ways, you have a guy who is acting like he’s about to be cut from his team.

It’s almost unfair the tools with which he is working.

Eric Lindros?

 

[Trxjw]

He’s almost like a video game creation. Like someone said, “What would happen if we took a high skill player and upped his vitals about 4 inches and 30 pounds?”

This kid has high end skill too, and he’s going to utilize it in a 6’4-6’5 frame, and play at well over 220 pounds.

If he can pick up where he left off, he’s going to be insane to watch.

Totally agree. He's one prospect that every time I see him I just come away exponentially more impressed than the last time. You see the size and body control and think "Okay, he's overpowering kids" and then on the next shift he gets stood up at the blue line by a defender, spins off his back, and with 3 steps has a full stick-length of separation on the guy and is in alone on the goalie. Then he has the hands to pull the puck into his feet on the backhand and lift it up just over the goalies pad and under the arm. Just crazy to watch.

 

[Polar Bear]

He’s almost like a video game creation. Like someone said, “What would happen if we took a high skill player and upped his vitals about 4 inches and 30 pounds?”

This kid has high end skill too, and he’s going to utilize it in a 6’4-6’5 frame, and play at well over 220 pounds.

If he can pick up where he left off, he’s going to be insane to watch.

I need to see his production pick up this season though. With his natural abilities, I don't think averaging 1.3-1.5 PPG should be out of his range.

 

[Edge]

Eric Lindros?

Not nearly as physical; more finesse oriented in his approach.