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

[Calad]

LA is not trading Byfield. And is a 50/50 toss up who the better player becomes between Turcotte, Chytil, Villardi, Thomas etc. whoever buff likes better. Our D prospects destroy theirs.

I agree, just as likely we would trade Laf or Kakko for Eichel as they would Byfield. My point is they have the depth at that position if push came to shove and it was Byfield or Eichel. Otherwise they have a deeper pool than we do and could just overwhelm buffalo with assets for Eichel.

 

[duhmetreE]

Guys,

All these young players and prospects are not going to play for the Rangers. Some of them may never be NHL regulars. I'm not advocating to trade them all away for Eichel, but we're gonna have to get less attached to a lot of these guys. As much as I hate Larry Brooks he was spot on the other day. We are now entering into the "Trade prospects for NHLers" phase of this rebuild. There are gonna be guys that are traded here that you aren't gonna like. That's just the nature of the beast.

I think we all agree, we need to consolidate.

I just dont think Eichel is the guy. If it comes to it, I'd offer Florida a similar deal for Barkov. Barkov above all should be target #1. If he's not available or doesn't want to leave Miami, move on to the next.

 

[ElLeetch]

Going to continue this exchange with @Fitzy because this was leading to good conversation the last thread.



1. I think one of Zibanejad or Strome ends up staying. Not both. Based on which player the front office chooses to keep will determine their approach this summer and next, I think.

2. Lundkvist should not be available just because Fox is a Norris candidate and the Rangers have Schneider in the system. IMO, Lundkvist is on another planet in comparison to Schneider. IMO he's the best defenseman in the world not currently in the NHL. Lundkvist I think can be special just like Fox. Schneider tops off as a 2nd pairing defenseman, IMO. If Lundkvist really is as advertised, you make that decision in three years when his ELC comes due. The Rangers' window opening coincides with Lundkvist's arrival. I think the Rangers have a better chance at a Cup with Lundkvist on the team as compared to Schneider.

2B. Eichel in terms of talent is in that 1A category with Barkov, Crosby, Kopitar, Seguin (when healthy), and Bergeron. McDavid, Matthews, and MacKinnon are in a class of their own in front of this group to me. Neck injuries spook me. In all likelihood Eichel will be ready to go and producing at his previous clip, but this injury and his mental make up gives me pause about cashing in the team's chips on him. He doesn't impress me as the "winner" type. Fox? Lafreniere? Kakko for examples, 100% gamers that are going to step up their game in the postseason.

3. Amen.

Injuries aside, Eichel just screams to me 'player who will not meet expectations here'. He'd be another Nash or Gaborik. Good, but a notch below what they should have been.

 

[Calad]

Problem is they might deplete to get Eichel?

Or

Do the Rangers make a deal with them before?

I mean its not really a problem, if the rangers trade pieces for Eichel they don't have nearly as much need for a young C, no?

That being said if LA does trade for Eichel they will have Kopitar and Eichel as their top 2 Cs, and considering they have 5 really good C prospects they would be more inclined to trade one of whoever is leftover for help on D.

 

[duhmetreE]

If Kravtsov can make a move to Center, even if you think it's unlikely, the entire dynamic changes.

Wouldn't these questions need to be answered? Would he get a look before the season ended?

 

[rangers1314]

If Kravtsov can make a move to Center, even if you think it's unlikely, the entire dynamic changes.

Wouldn't these questions need to be answered? Would he get a look before the season ended?

When was the last time he played C? Was it the WJC?

Just let the kid get settled in the position he’s most comfortable. Put him in the best possible position to succeed.

 

[SRHRangers]

I'm out on Eichel.

10 mil is just too much AAV in a flat cap when Zibs is going to make 8.

I also have zero interest in having to deal a Kravtsov to get him.

 

[Off Sides]

Trading for Eichel is so Rangerific, it could not be more like what they'd do historically

Long story short, trading for or signing a "star" player has not led to a Cup since Messier, nor before him has it led to a Cup in the Rangers whole existence unless we go back before WWII.

 

[SRHRangers]

When was the last time he played C? Was it the WJC?

Just let the kid get settled in the position he’s most comfortable. Put him in the best possible position to succeed.

The way Kravtsov skates back and backcheck, I do see him playing down the middle personally.

It really would put so many more options on the table.

 

[rangers1314]

The way Kravtsov skates back and backcheck, I do see him playing down the middle personally.

It really would put so many more options on the table.

Yeah, sure it would, but again it’s like we’re children with a brand new toy and we’re just looking for ways to break it.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Trading for Eichel is so Rangerific, it could not be more like what they'd do historically

Long story short, trading for or signing a "star" player has not led to a Cup since Messier, nor before him has it led to a Cup in the Rangers whole existence unless we go back before WWII.

I'm pretty torn on Eichel but when was the last time they acquired a player of that caliber at that age with that kind of control

Players like that aren't available...unless they belong to one of the most embarassingly bad franchies in sports history.

Florida seems to be turning it around and now Barkov looks like a completely unrealistic pipe dream.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Hope Bern doesn’t see the play Krat at C posts.....

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

We obviously have a large difference of opinion on the strength of LA's farm, thats fine, agree to disagree there.

I'd take my chances on Turcotte any day if we're given the opportunity.

No I actually agree that they have the top system in the league and a ton of depth in B+ and B guys. Like I said, if Buffalo is looking for a quantity package, he'll end up in LA 100%

I just don't agree that a few of B+ to B level center prospects to trade necessarily gives them a leg up on everyone. Byfield isn't going to be moved and even though I'm not a huge fan, he shouldn't be. No team is going to play their trump card here.

 

[I Eat Crow]

All right the question is since the Rangers will be logjammed at D:

What team needs D but has quality young centers to trade?

Ironically enough, Los Angeles.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Yeah, sure it would, but again it’s like we’re children with a brand new toy and we’re just looking for ways to break it.

Well its not like you can't move him back to wing if it doesn't work.

I also don't think we get a look at it this year unless they fall out of the race (even if its still an uphill battle) or camp next year, if at all.

 

[LokiDog]

Trading for Eichel is so Rangerific, it could not be more like what they'd do historically

Long story short, trading for or signing a "star" player has not led to a Cup since Messier, nor before him has it led to a Cup in the Rangers whole existence unless we go back before WWII.

I’m not really on the Eichel train but age would be a huge difference here. It almost never happens league wide that a player his age is in such a crappy situation that they become available. Laine/Dubois aren’t on that level. Players of Eichel’s caliber and age don’t ever become available so it is a somewhat unique moment, whenever he is dealt. What he does when he finally gets out of Buffalo will define his career. If he doesn’t play like a man possessed when given a chance to play for a competitive team it will look very bad on him. On the flip side, he very well may reach a new level when he escapes that mess, and that would put him in the very top tier.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Trading for Eichel is so Rangerific, it could not be more like what they'd do historically

Long story short, trading for or signing a "star" player has not led to a Cup since Messier, nor before him has it led to a Cup in the Rangers whole existence unless we go back before WWII.

When was the last time the Rangers traded for a 24 year old 2nd overall pick who has already had 2 over-a-point-per-game seasons?

 

[Off Sides]

I'm pretty torn on Eichel but when was the last time they acquired a player of that caliber at that age with that kind of control

Players like that aren't available...unless they belong to one of the most embarassingly bad franchies in sports history.

Florida seems to be turning it around and now Barkov looks like a completely unrealistic pipe dream.

They have like 3 or 4 top line wings, and Fox on D. They are already paying Panarin, Trouba, Kreider.

They don't need a 10M dollar center

It a flat cap for a couple years, spending 11.6, 10, 8 m on three players is ~26.5% of the 81.5M cap. Does not include 6.5 Kreider, the soon to be contracts to Shesty, Lindgren, or next off-season to Fox, Kakko, etc.

It's a bad foundation for a plan.

If one wants to talk about Kreider, Trouba, going back for Eichel, I'd understand that discussion. Or one that revolves around turning Zbad, Buch, Strome into stuff that goes towards Eichel, okay there too, at least it might make some cap sense, but as is we are talking about next year being the year they could go for it with like 50M in 6 or 8 players and then great if they win it, long term pain if they do not.

 

[LokiDog]

They have like 3 or 4 top line wings, and Fox on D. They are already paying Panarin, Trouba, Kreider.

They don't need a 10M dollar center

It a flat cap for a couple years, spending 11.6, 10, 8 m on three players is ~26.5% of the 81.5M cap. Does not include 6.5 Kreider, the soon to be contracts to Shesty, Lindgren, or next off-season to Fox, Kakko, etc.

It's a bad foundation for a plan.

If one wants to talk about Kreider, Trouba, going back for Eichel, I'd understand that discussion. Or one that revolves around turning Zbad, Buch, Strome into stuff that goes towards Eichel, okay there too, at least it might make some cap sense, but as is we are talking about next year being the year they could go for it with like 50M in 6 or 8 players and then great if they win it, long term pain is they do not.

I think it really just depends on what the ultimate cost would be for Eichel. Given his pedigree and what he’s already accomplished at a young age in a terrible situation, they’ll at least be in on him. But in that case, regardless of whether they were able to worked into that trade or not, you’d have to have an exit plan for the Kreider or Trouba contract going to someone else, no doubt. If the team decides they’d rather pay Eichel than Mika I can buy that, and then between Zib, Strome, one of Kreider/Trouba, Buch, some of the prospects, picks, Gauthier, Howden, etc. you’re looking at the cost to acquire Eichel and a means to add another center, be it a 2C or a 3C behind Chytil.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

No one here is saying give up players like Fox, Laf, Kakko, Shest, ect for Eichel. But Chytil, Lundkqvist, Jones, Kravtsov (not all of them but a combination) and picks? Yeah sign me up. If that doesn't get it done then move on.

 

[Off Sides]

I think it really just depends on what the ultimate cost would be for Eichel. Given his pedigree and what he’s already accomplished at a young age in a terrible situation, they’ll at least be in on him. But in that case, regardless of whether they were able to worked into that trade or not, you’d have to have an exit plan for the Kreider or Trouba contract going to someone else, no doubt. If the team decides they’d rather pay Eichel than Mika I can buy that, and then between Zib, Strome, one of Kreider/Trouba, Buch, some of the prospects, picks, Gauthier, Howden, etc. you’re looking at the cost to acquire Eichel and a means to add another center, be it a 2C or a 3C behind Chytil.

The guy is going into surgery for a neck injury,

that
cost to get
10M cap hit
cap hits already here
soon to be higher cap hits

It just does not make much sense to me.

I kind of think people believe Eichel is like Crosby, or McDavid or something. He's not.

 

[jay from jersey]

I agree, just as likely we would trade Laf or Kakko for Eichel as they would Byfield. My point is they have the depth at that position if push came to shove and it was Byfield or Eichel. Otherwise they have a deeper pool than we do and could just overwhelm buffalo with assets for Eichel.

Yea depth wise they have centers coming out of their ears

 

[LokiDog]

The guy is going into surgery for a neck injury,

that
cost to get
10M cap hit
cap hits already here
soon to be higher cap hits

It just does not make much sense to me.

I kind of think people believe Eichel is like Crosby, or McDavid or something. He's not.

He’s been right there with Matthews up until this year with a lot less support. He’s also young than Mack was when he become a legitimate superstar and has done more in his early career. He certainly can be a franchise cornerstone. The neck surgery is a bit concerning, but there’s no doubt the team will be in on him. I think if they are in on Eichel, Zib is gone even if they hold him til the TDL next year (and even if they self rent him if they’re looking truly competitive, which I doubt). I also think if they made a move for Eichel they would have to have at least some idea that they could move Trouba/Kreider to somebody else. Mika will be 29 when it’s time to re-sign him (he turns 28 this weekend). 8M for 29 year old Zibanejad with some injury history or 10M for 24 year old Eichel favors Eichel to me. You can find a way to make up the 2M difference somewhere without losing any of the key kids. But I’m not bullish on Eichel, just looking at the options and angles n

 

[EdJovanovski]

KRAVTSOV IS 1C

 

[Vitto79]

Well, nothing has ever happened until it happens the first time.

That's my best effort at a Yogi Berra but you get the idea.

I'm sure there will be trades, maybe even career ending injuries, but I don't think that blueline is as impractical as you do.

Trouba was acquired as a vet outside the organization

Lindgren and Fox wee both traded for as prospects

So it's not a truly "Homegrown" defense in the traditional sense, though I will grant you it is a young one.

The Blues Stanley Cup defense was very heavily homegrown, though Bouwmeester and Edmundsson came from outside.

In 2012 when Kevin Klein was on the Preds their defense was almost entirely homegrown. Weber, Josi, Klein, Blum, Ellis, Bartley. Hannan was the only import. Same with years prior when it was Suter and Franson that were homegrown.

I think with the defense being the prospect strength, the peak Predators and Blues should be teams we aspire to be like.

i think it should be pointed out that yes Lindgren and Fox are young but they are trusted as a solid pair already

Trouba is now a vet and Miller in a few years should solidify himself as reliable

thats 2 pairs . Why not let the other 4-5 kids battle for 2 spots while some play too AHL minutes ?

im saying they don’t need a vet D because in 3 yrs when the teams really good most guys will have had years in the league