Speculation: Roster Building Thread LIII: Free Agent Frenzy

[Edge]

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.

Dude was barely 16 to start last season. He won’t even play as an 18 year old until the 2020-21 season.

And 1.5 points per game is well within his reach.

He’s that scary.

 

[nyrage]

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.

You are so right. I used to cover an ECHL team in mid to late 90s for the local newspaper in addition to working in the accounting department. It would be embarrassing to say how little I made.

Not to mention how the environment has changed so much these days. We were only beginning to feel the pressure of newspapers buying out others. Soon it would be digital taking over print. I couldn't imagine what it's like now. I ended up finishing my accounting degree and went on to a much more lucrative career in Oil & Gas. No regrets.

 

[Polar Bear]

Dude was barely 16 to start last season. He won’t even play as an 18 year old until the 2020-21 season.

And 1.5 points per game is well within his reach.

He’s that scary.

I agree, but he still needs to take that next step and allow his natural gifts to result in elite production. I can name so many prospects we thought would have amazing drafts seasons only to falter. Not saying Byfield, Raymond, or whoever will fade, but that they still need to take that next step.

 

[Leetch3]

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

i've seen nothing to convince me that they aren't...i think realistic right now is to be in the same range as last year and then depends on the ping pong balls

 

[Edge]

I agree, but he still needs to take that next step and allow his natural gifts to result in elite production. I can name so many prospects we thought would have amazing drafts seasons only to falter. Not saying Byfield, Raymond, or whoever will fade, but that they still need to take that next step.

Well, yes that goes without saying. But most kids also aren’t already posting a point per game in their D-1 season, and they sure as heck don’t usually do it as one of the younger players in the league.

This kid is only about 3.5 weeks out from being a 2021 draft eligible.

Production to this point is already elite.

 

[Synergy27]

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

Which is why I wish the brass were planning/trying to get him. The absolute worst case scenario has this team on the bubble next spring and in buying mode. One more year. Follow it through.

 

[Edge]

i've seen nothing to convince me that they aren't...i think realistic right now is to be in the same range as last year and then depends on the ping pong balls

I think it’s likely to be a long year again. The hope is that you see progress from the young player as they take on roles as leaders of this team.

At the end of the day, the Rangers won’t complain if the team puts itself in a bubble situation. In fact, one could argue that their ideal outcome would be fairly close to what’s happened to Carolina and Chicago the last two seasons - a finish in the teens, and a lottery win again.

But barring that thought for a second, I think there’s still a lot of question marks for next season.

 

[Pizza]

I find myself looking at the cost of Panarin and the abysmal track record of our free agents and finding myself taking a pass.

At this point keeping Kreider is more attractive to me.

He's a known quantity. Can be a very valuable physical presence that almost certainly will be needed. Especially with as young a team as the Rangers will have...and he's probably cheap compared to Panarin. We'll need that money we save to help sign some of these kids later.

Now if he wants to remain in NYC is another question and I'm sure you guys will raise more.

I can't help thinking after watching Kakko videos what these two guys would look like on a line together along with Zibs of course.

I have a bit of a dirty secret. I think Kakko could bring out the very best in everyone he plays with.

...and I truly question if I've ever seen the best we could see from Chris Kreider.

I'm not the expert that some of you guys are in understanding what's gonna make a player reach their potential but I swear I've never seen a player put the effort that Kakko puts into his shifts.

It's freaking unbelievable.

Maybe the only thing worse than playing against Kakko would be playing with him and having him make you look like a POS. Not that I think Kreider is lazy, but I confess that I relish the opportunity of seeing CK meet that challenge of playing with this kid. Mentoring him a bit perhaps.

As the contract and the player ages, I see Kreider more easily becoming a useful role player on the 2nd or 3rd line.

Put me down for a Kreider extension.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

I remain 60/40 against a Panarin signing, but I think there’s a decent shot it happens.

I’m 75/25 in favor of trading Kreider, and I think there’s a better than decent shot it happens, as well.

 

[egelband]

We would want Pavelski for the same reason Toronto wanted Marleau, except unlike Toronto we would want to sync that contract so it doesnt impede on our ability to sign our kids at the end of their ELCs. Not to worry, Pavelski isnt coming to NYC especially not for a 2 year 14MM contract.

Ding ding ding ding ding. He'd be great for a couple of years. Particularly if the Rangers could get some value back for other players.

 

[Leetch3]

I think it’s likely to be a long year again. The hope is that you see progress from the young player as they take on roles as leaders of this team.

At the end of the day, the Rangers won’t complain if the team puts itself in a bubble situation. In fact, one could argue that their ideal outcome would be fairly close to what’s happened to Carolina and Chicago the last two seasons - a finish in the teens, and a lottery win again.

But barring that thought for a second, I think there’s still a lot of question marks for next season.

thats kind of what i'm expecting...plan for a long year, if we are better than expected because kids develop faster than expected than thats awesome. but I don't see making short term moves to avoid being bad

 

[effen]

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

Viktor Kozlov if he gave a shit?

Honestly what you're describing is Mario Lemieux.

 

[bobbop]

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.

This post hit close to home.

So true.

 

[eco's bones]

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.

To go further I'm acquainted with a number of people who write fiction and for the most part they're very talented but to a man (woman) they all have to support themselves with other jobs--they publish stuff that sells a bit but they're all waiting and hoping for that breakout book and IMO they'll probably all wait and hope for the rest of their lives. There's a little bit of bitterness attached to that and more often than not when they reach that stage they write better because of it but still it's like banging your head against a wall---and the same shit is going on in Hollywood. People who chase dreams still have to deal with the realities of life.

I look at a guy like Brooks as old school and dedicated....and he has a certain amount of pride in what he's doing. Here's Tortorella giving him shit and here's Brooks giving it right back. I imagine Brooks makes okay money but I don't think he's gotten very rich off what he does. I can almost see him banging away at an Underwood typewriter (and probably not even an electric one)--bashing out his stories-- following a long tradition of creating narratives that entertain a reading public out and even if the material is very thin and FWIW his audience is more than just us here at HF--a lot of people do like reading it.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

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.

It's not only with reporters. I get asked from time to time on Twitter "What have you heard?"

Eh, I live in Europe. I am not an insider I have had some back and forth emails with the Traktor, Lulea and Lukko organizations but hardly something I call "inside information". Then when I say this, they get upset because I am not "sharing my sources" hahaha.

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.

We have discussed this in a bit more detail in private, but this would also apply to me. Now with everything that happened I have people ask me if I would be interested in working for the Rangers if they would ever approach me to be a scout of whatever.

1. I don't see that happening at all
2. I doubt they can pay me what I make at the moment

I am not sure what an average scout or reporter makes, but in my experience, to leave a job, the pay at the new job has to be at least a slight increase. So the story about Dellapina makes total sense.

 

[ETTER DE]

That would have been . . . interesting. McD was two years removed from his Leetch performance, dinged up, and his Modified NTC was about to kick in. But he also had three more seasons on a very reasonable AAV.

I feel like that trade would have split HFNYR in half.

I believe some people on this forum wanted the 4OA AND Draisaitl

 

[BB88]

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."

Lundell is another one to keep an eye on.

Does FLA even have the cap space to sign them both at this point.

Yes, 20 million in space right now and they either trade or buy out Reimer to give more, and Luongo likely retires or goes to LTIR.

If they sign Panarin Hoffman is a great option for trade for future assets or straight up for D-man.
So looking at quite a bit of cap space.

They are desperate for goaltending and they know they need to start winning, and Q+ Panarin+ Bob in 1 summer would be absolutely massive for that team.

 

[RangerBoy]

The elephant in the room is Lundqvist’s salary.

He’s the highest paid player on the Rangers at $8.5 million for the upcoming season, which isn’t ideal for a team that's in the midst of a youth movement — especially when they have two 23-year-old goalies ready to take over. But Lundqvist is a New York hockey legend, and the Rangers will do everything they can to avoid a messy divorce.

“Henrik Lundqvist is my idol since I was a little boy, so I very much look forward to seeing him on the ice and learning what he does on the ice,” Shesterkin said in an important display of respect.

Lundqvist has two years remaining on his contract, and the best-case scenario for the Rangers is that he returns to form. That would give them some time to decide if the future lies with Shesterkin or Georgiev, then work to get as much as they can in a trade for the odd-man out.

If Lundqvist has another year where he is more bad than good and two Russian goaltenders are just better than Lundqvist at this stage of his career, the Rangers should seriously consider buying him out next summer if Lundqvist has no trade value and he refuses to retire.

The Rangers can't sit there for the next two seasons and worry about Lundqvist.

They can't be worried about a messy divorce and hurting his feelings.

What does return to form even mean? From which season?

The Rangers can't find a market for this player this season? I keep reading it's impossible. I see the Flames are planning to sign Talbot on Monday. That's their answer? Cam Talbot? Didn't they see him play in Edmonton? Keeping Mike Smith is a better option for them.

Colorado has Grubauer. Varlamov is a free agent. Colorado isn't a viable option for Lundqvist especially if Zuccarello winds up there? Colorado has $40M in cap space. They don't have $4.25M for Lundqvist? It's not far from SJ so Henrik's sister can visit on the weekends.

 

[RangerBoy]

Look at the Maple Leafs. They had a really good thing going. Management tried to accelerate the process by signing Marleau and Tavares. The Leafs had to trade a #1 pick to dump the Marleau contract. The Leafs gave Tavares $11M when they had Matthews and Marner to pay. $11.634M for Matthews. Marner wants the same amount. They will have $50M tied up in 6 players with Marner getting $10M-11M. They have $31.5M to fill out the rest of their roster and leave money to operate their team during the season. Their D is atrocious. They have no plan on how to improve their D. They have tried to acquire a D in a trade. Very tough. They have no money for free agency. They have all of the shiny forwards but it doesn't mean anything because the team isn't capable of putting a potential championship quality team on the ice.

The Leafs will be a good regular season team but they will keep falling short in the playoffs.

The Rangers need to avoid that situation.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Look at the Maple Leafs. They had a really good thing going. Management tried to accelerate the process by signing Marleau and Tavares. The Leafs had to trade a #1 pick to dump the Marleau contract. The Leafs gave Tavares $11M when they had Matthews and Marner to pay. $11.634M for Matthews. Marner wants the same amount. They will have $50M tied up in 6 players with Marner getting $10M-11M. They have $31.5M to fill out the rest of their roster and leave money to operate their team during the season. Their D is atrocious. They have no plan on how to improve their D. They have tried to acquire a D in a trade. Very tough. They have no money for free agency. They have all of the shiny forwards but it doesn't mean anything because the team isn't capable of putting a potential championship quality team on the ice.

The Leafs will be a good regular season team but they will keep falling short in the playoffs.

The Rangers need to avoid that situation.

My worry is paying a Panarin at $12 million per when he's the 3rd or 4th best player on this team. Some people might think that's a nice problem to have, but, that's how you end up as the Maple Leafs, a team that didn't finish the project.

 

[Vitto79]

I don’t get the worry w Hank this year . It’s not a bad thing to have Shestyorkin play in the AHL . Other Khl top goalies have and still are

I do think Hank waives at this years deadline too but having these kids learn from Hank is a good thing Atleast for this season

 

[Vitto79]

My worry is paying a Panarin at $12 million per when he's the 3rd or 4th best player on this team. Some people might think that's a nice problem to have, but, that's how you end up as the Maple Leafs, a team that didn't finish the project.

We just have to be prepared to stink again cause while I’d love all the kids too be awesome right away it takes time

No Panarin and then trading Kreider means it’s a long losing season still w all the improvements on paper. Maybe not as the kids could boom but they need help w some vets

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Leipsic is a really good idea. Kid will cost nothing and has a motor. Perfect 12th-13th forward who may improve. Worth the gamble.

Simmonds might want a mutli-year deal but who is giving him one after his Nashville stint?

Hathaway was a good idea as well.

Obviously not all of those guys can be signed, but those are the type of high energy reclamation projects that would be good for this roster.

 

[haohmaru]

Now we should buy out Lundqvist? Never change RB.

 

[pld459666]

Look at the Maple Leafs. They had a really good thing going. Management tried to accelerate the process by signing Marleau and Tavares. The Leafs had to trade a #1 pick to dump the Marleau contract. The Leafs gave Tavares $11M when they had Matthews and Marner to pay. $11.634M for Matthews. Marner wants the same amount. They will have $50M tied up in 6 players with Marner getting $10M-11M. They have $31.5M to fill out the rest of their roster and leave money to operate their team during the season. Their D is atrocious. They have no plan on how to improve their D. They have tried to acquire a D in a trade. Very tough. They have no money for free agency. They have all of the shiny forwards but it doesn't mean anything because the team isn't capable of putting a potential championship quality team on the ice.

The Leafs will be a good regular season team but they will keep falling short in the playoffs.

The Rangers need to avoid that situation.

Skjei for Nylander

Addresses their D issue and some cap relief