Speculation: Roster Building Thread LXXXIX: Going 11-3 to close out this crazy year should do it!

[GAGLine]

Eye young centers on teams with an interest in Buch.

Edmonton has a lot of cap space next year. They have McDrai down the middle. They may lose RNH to free agency. They could use a guy like Buch and we could use a guy like Holloway.

 

[apoptygma]

Edmonton has a lot of cap space next year. They have McDrai down the middle. They may lose RNH to free agency. They could use a guy like Buch and we could use a guy like Holloway.

Would love Holloway, but doubt they would trade him. Think they might offer McLeod or Lavoie + pick(s).

 

[MrAlmost]

Buch and Hajek to Florida would be a good trade for them in the offseason. They would have a real good team next season.

 

[E-Train]

Buch would be nasty on the Panthers.

Huberdeau-Barkov-Buchvevich all could be PPG +

 

[Kocur Dill]

Buch and Hajek to Florida would be a good trade for them in the offseason. They would have a real good team next season.

You gotta figure they are all in with Bob's contract, not wasting prime Huberdeau, and before Barkov gets weird.

I can't imagine Lundell is off the table for the right package and I could live with a Zibby extension if Lundells skill set is lined up behind him.

 

[DudMan28]

Chytil

Yeah the more I dug around the more he made sense. Blocked in the lineup and could shine with increased time

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Shoulda just done it last deadline, we probably would have had the ammo to get Lundell

If Florida goes far in the playoffs and falls short, it could open a possibility of a deal at the draft where we can trade for Anton Lundell.

 

[True Blue]

Would rather Strome for Lundell than Buchnevich.

Yes, but Florida wouldn't

 

[True Blue]

I believe Buch would be a very good fit there. But the only player I'm interested in from them is Lundell. I'm not adding to get him either. At this point we're trading a 26 year old, 70+ point two-way forward. If they're getting him as a RFA and they feel they can sign him, I'm looking for a center who can someday challenge for a top six role. That's Lundell. I don't want the rest of their mystery prizes. I'd go elsewhere if that's the offer.

I would honestly need more than Lundell for a two-way playing top liner in this prime. He would absolutely need to be a part of the deal, no two ways about it. But Florida would need to add. What, we can discuss.

 

[True Blue]

Edmonton has a lot of cap space next year. They have McDrai down the middle. They may lose RNH to free agency. They could use a guy like Buch and we could use a guy like Holloway.

Also a scenario where there would need to be an add from Edmonton. And a more significant one than from Florida.

 

[RangersFan1994]

turn Kravtsov to a center?: he has some experience, and makes the most sense and he would help this team at it's biggest need within the orgainzation would be better in the long run.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Eichel is a possibility. Depends on how much of an appetite the Rangers have for the cost, and who Buffalo values.

I mean we can joke about the cost being built around Buch and Lundkvist, but it's probably going to be young talent. The Rangers have previously told them that Laf, Kakko, Fox and Shesterkin were off limits. It's quite likely Miller has been added to that list.

So that leaves Kravtsov, Lundkvist, Jones, Schneider, Cuylle, Barron, Robertson, Lindgren and Chytil as guys who would theoretically be on the table.

And before anyone tries it on for size, it ain't gonna be Jones, Cuylle, Barron and first for Eichel.

Maybe we could be the team that launders 2.5 million for the next 5 and one of our defensive prospects in a Buffalo/L.A. deal and end up receiving a A+ Center prospect in return.

 

[Kocur Dill]

You gotta figure they are all in with Bob's contract, not wasting prime Huberdeau, and before Barkov gets weird.

I can't imagine Lundell is off the table for the right package and I could live with a Zibby extension if Lundells skill set is lined up behind him.

With the talent, size, and skating Lundell and Chytil have, you could extend Zibanjad 5x10, maybe a hair more dollars to keep the contract at 5yrs, and run Chytil and Lundell as 2a/2b.

We have Strome for one more season. That gives us time to let Lundell marinate a little longer. Then one way or another as Strome goes out the door, we promote the kids with Lundell at 3c and Chytil at 2c. As they both hit their primes, it gives us a cushion with Zibanjad as he hits the last 2 years of his deal.

The layers of cushion, production, cap hit, and replacement seem to be near flawless.

to me, this seems a more plausible path than selling the farm for Eichel and the full compass of complications that he comes with. Our wing and Defence talent depth chart is admissible to having less than elite centers and Z, Fil, and Anton are not shlubs.

 

[ETTER DE]

I guess I should have explained it out better . Barkov can be signed as a UFA costing no assets and that he would also be young enough to still , " play with the farm" ! You see....Eichel is not the only option out there...which is what I was attempting to point out in the least amount of typing ....me bad...

Yes of course I would rather have Barkov for free than overpaying for Eichel. The reason we are talking about Eichel is that Rangers is reported to have inquired about him last off season. And there have been speculations that he would want to leave. Anyway, with how good Buffalo has been playing the last 10 or 12 matches, he might decide to stay another year. Who knows.

 

[bleedblue94]

I guess I should have explained it out better . Barkov can be signed as a UFA costing no assets and that he would also be young enough to still , " play with the farm" ! You see....Eichel is not the only option out there...which is what I was attempting to point out in the least amount of typing ....me bad...

But Barkov isn't an option until he actually gets to ufa. It is the same thing as saying Shane Wright may be the option here bc technically it is possible we draft him...

 

[mas0764]

I would honestly need more than Lundell for a two-way playing top liner in this prime. He would absolutely need to be a part of the deal, no two ways about it. But Florida would need to add. What, we can discuss.

I might start by asking for an add but I could be talked off it if I had to.

Yes a 26 year old two way 60+ point player is a very valuable commodity and Buch has come a lot farther this season than expected, but unfortunately he is also just a wing, center is always a premium, we happen to really really need a center, Buch doesn't have any term, and we can't take the game of chicken too far because ultimately if we re-sign him ourselves with a NMC it traps us a bit.

Getting back a 19 year old top 6 center prospect who we were absolutely in love with last year might be our best possible return. In terms of pure value exchange it might be a slight loss because we are taking back some uncertainty, but in terms of roster construction we come out way better long term.

Which again is the ultimate goal here, to assemble a long term contender.

I can't really think of a player who'd fit better than Lundell. Eichel is expensive and will cost a ton. Barkov isn't likely to be available at all. Why would I want to pay similar prices for Lindholm or Monohan who are established but already more expensive and do not line up as well with Kakko and Lafreniere? If we are talking about "not in the league targets," I am not sure there is a better fit than Lundell either - Glass, Newhook, Turcotte, etc.

I really thought they should have done anything to get Lundell last draft. I obviously don't know what they did or did not have on the table but I don't think Buch is too much of an ask. The amount of flexibility that gives them moving forward solves a LOT of issues. I would have given up Buch for 8OA the previous season to Edmonton which would have been Zegras. I don't think Lundell is THAT far behind Zegras as a prospect. Different type of player but I think still a potential top liner.

Because Lundell is cheap once he signs an ELC for 3 years and then likely an affordable first extension, it lets them explore keeping Zibanejad without worrying you are breaking the bank. Or they could trade Zibanejad and move forward with Chytil and Lundell and not feel like they will age-out at center in the middle of their window. The flexibility by acquiring a Lundell type who can play anywhere from the first to the third line is literally exactly what would finish the Rangers rebuild as a contender for a decade.

 

[mas0764]

Also a scenario where there would need to be an add from Edmonton. And a more significant one than from Florida.

In that case yes. Lundell is a top, top prospect. Holloway is a lesser tier.

 

[True Blue]

turn Kravtsov to a center?: he has some experience, and makes the most sense and he would help this team at it's biggest need within the orgainzation would be better in the long run.

Please. Not this again in multiple threads. This is not happening.

 

[mas0764]

With the talent, size, and skating Lundell and Chytil have, you could extend Zibanjad 5x10, maybe a hair more dollars to keep the contract at 5yrs, and run Chytil and Lundell as 2a/2b.

We have Strome for one more season. That gives us time to let Lundell marinate a little longer. Then one way or another as Strome goes out the door, we promote the kids with Lundell at 3c and Chytil at 2c. As they both hit their primes, it gives us a cushion with Zibanjad as he hits the last 2 years of his deal.

The layers of cushion, production, cap hit, and replacement seem to be near flawless.

to me, this seems a more plausible path than selling the farm for Eichel and the full compass of complications that he comes with. Our wing and Defence talent depth chart is admissible to having less than elite centers and Z, Fil, and Anton are not shlubs.

This exactly.

And look, Kravtsov is here and he looks terrific.

No more need to worry about who plays RW if Buch is traded. It's Kravtsov.

 

[UnSandvich]

Lundell+Chytil+ a decent middle 6 C prospect in the upcoming draft (I have my eyes on Svechkov & Raty) could be a damn solid foundation down the middle for years

 

[True Blue]

Lundell+Chytil+ a decent middle 6 C prospect in the upcoming draft (I have my eyes on Svechkov & Raty) could be a damn solid foundation down the middle for years

I like Raty as a probable third line center that adds that bulldog physicality. If he can be had where the Rangers are drafting, would be a solid add to the prospect pool. Svechkov others like a lot more than I do.

 

[UnSandvich]

I like Raty as a probable third line center that adds that bulldog physicality. If he can be had where the Rangers are drafting, would be a solid add to the prospect pool. Svechkov others like a lot more than I do.

Yeah, fwiw i'm viewing both as more pieces to the puzzle than cornerstones. Svechkov's defensive acumen in particular could make an ideal 3C if we wanted to take that 3rd line in a shutdown direction

 

[mas0764]

Lundell+Chytil+ a decent middle 6 C prospect in the upcoming draft (I have my eyes on Svechkov & Raty) could be a damn solid foundation down the middle for years

Yes.

That is the scenario where even though you don't have a Crosby or McDavid in the middle, you are set at center long term with young, complimentary options and you let your wings be the stars. You build around Panarin - Lundell - Kakko and Lafreniere - Chytil - Kravtsov. Zibanejad and Kreider are here as well as long as they can reasonably be afforded, and you sprinkle in Panjuniemi, Barron, Cuylle, and Bedard moving forward into your bottom 6. Your D is Lindgren, Miller, Jones, Robertson, Fox, Lundkvist, and Schneider (pick 6).

#winning

All for trading Buch.

 

[True Blue]

Yeah, fwiw i'm viewing both as more pieces to the puzzle than cornerstones. Svechkov's defensive acumen in particular could make an ideal 3C if we wanted to take that 3rd line in a shutdown direction

And I think that is the way to look at it right now. The Rangers have the high end, talent level prospects. Now is the time, while still focusing on BPA, to start to end the quality support around them.

With regards to Svechkov, I agree that his defensive acumen is there. But I am not sure if the rest of the tool box says 3C or 4C.

 

[kovazub94]

I would honestly need more than Lundell for a two-way playing top liner in this prime. He would absolutely need to be a part of the deal, no two ways about it. But Florida would need to add. What, we can discuss.

I agree. Lundell and 1st for Buch and either Hajek or Reunanen