Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Off-season Part I

[McRanger92]

I truly don't get the circlejerk for Vince amongst Ranger fans, he is an awful writer who never offers any interesting insight nor does he even break news. He always baits people on Twitter claiming to have the inside scoop, then posts his nothingburger article. A recent example:


Here's what he calls "info"...


"The first domino to fall could be a new contract for restricted free agent Kaapo Kakko.
The surprising decision to scratch him for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final signaled that the No. 2 overall pick from the 2019 draft is no longer in the untouchable trade category for the Blueshirts, but multiple people with knowledge of the situation told lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network, that any rumors about the 21-year-old forward wanting out have been overblown.
Kakko expressed that himself during breakup day earlier this month.
"I like to play here," he said. "(It adds) maybe more motivation. I want to show I'm better than that."

Another option at RW is Vitali Kravtsov. While it's difficult to predict exactly what the future holds given his checkered history with the organization, it's worth noting that optimism about the 2018 first-round pick playing a role on the team is higher than it's been at any point in the last nine months.

The 22-year-old recently signed a one-year, $875,000 deal, and if he's still with the team come September, the Rangers will have to keep him on the NHL roster to avoid exposing him to waivers. But the possibility of a trade can't be dismissed.
The Rangers prioritized holding their top prospects at this year's trade deadline, preferring to deal draft picks instead. That not only keeps cheap alternatives in place to fill holes in the lineup, but also maintains ammunition for potential deals.

Kravtsov remains a player that team president Chris Drury can actively shop this offseason. The same can be said for his stable of defensemen prospects, led by Zac Jones, Nils Lundkvist and Matthew Robertson. In fact, very few assets – if any – are considered off limits for a team that's aiming for a championship next season."



Everyone hates on Larry Brooks but he actually provides inside info and is an interesting writer/personality.

He’s now got twitter in a tizzy saying he expects your boy Kravtsov to make the NHL roster, as if that wasn’t blatantly obvious. He has to pass through waivers anyway

Vince saying he's hearing NYR and KK are close on their bridge deal.

Hopefully Drury can settle the family business with Kakko & Motte soon, then get on with the real move for a C

 

[mas0764]

Why would you want one of the better goal scorers in the NHL to go to NJ? That's insane.

Because I don't think he's really an elite player and the only thing that will get NJ out of the basement is to get an elite player.

I think he scores at least 40 again. Best net front PP guy in the league.

I could see him coming in somewhere in between the 28 he usually gets and about 40 ish. I don't expect him to break 40.

But the thing is his importance is dwindling while Lafreniere's is ascending and Panarin's is staying the same.

This would be classic sell-high on a 31 year old player whose value to us is going to drop precipitously very soon, most likely. Except we can't move him.

 

[Anthony5967]

The biggest problem with Kakko is not his skating or lack of shot.

He has no sisu (finnish word), he's more like Ferdinand the bull. He has the tools to be a real good player. But he's too soft, he screams of ''beta''. Maybe he'll turn into something more but he's playing like a scared puppy.

Just skate hard, shield the puck and crash the net.

He works out with Rantanen and Barkov. I have a hard time believing both haven't tried to tell him that. It's up to him to become more assertive.

 

[LOFIN]

He works out with Rantanen and Barkov. I have a hard time believing both haven't tried to tell him that. It's up to him to become more assertive.

Rantanen yes, not with Barkov.

 

[Anthony5967]

Rantanen yes, not with Barkov.

No Barkov? I thought he was last year?

 

[LOFIN]

No Barkov? I thought he was last year?

Nah, has never been part of that group. But Rantanen is the better example for Kakko anyway...

 

[McRanger92]

Nah, has never been part of that group. But Rantanen is the better example for Kakko anyway...

Barkov is more a part of the group of Russian players who live on the west coast of Florida

 

[Graves94]

Interesting that Chytil has posted on Instagram a thank you the Rangers fans for the playoff run...lot's of players did that a few days after we were eliminated...strange that he does this now...

 

[bleedblue94]

Blais is a UFA next year, i dont see how he fits with the amount of young wings in the organization

Because he's a unique player the likes of which maybe we have one other guy in the system that can play like him? Seems like a pretty good reason to me. The team is indeed resigning motte too longer term deal to keep an AAV low If Sammy has a good year this year it's very possible the same thing happened to him. I mean he's had so many injuries that there's a guy right there who might be willing to get signed long-term and a reasonable number just for the security and stability. I'm saying it's going to happen I'm just saying not to necessarily dismiss it a lot of hand.

 

[Thirty One]

Interesting that Chytil has posted on Instagram a thank you the Rangers fans for the playoff run...lot's of players did that a few days after we were eliminated...strange that he does this now...

His injury was to his typing finger.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Interesting that Chytil has posted on Instagram a thank you the Rangers fans for the playoff run...lot's of players did that a few days after we were eliminated...strange that he does this now...

I wouldnt read into it. Probably just when he got around to it, like you said most of the players did it.

 

[bleedblue94]

If you are acquiring a 2C, what other assets do you need to trade? To fill what needs after this?

I agree with you, what I just don't think the PLD is the guy to do that for. He's going to cost you a lot, he's got character issues which people here are trying to gloss over, and you're going to have to give him a giant contract to keep him here. We literally don't even know if he's just going to leave regardless in 2 years because he wants to go to Montreal. What if he only agrees decided to your deal that walks in the UFA status? What then? You traded this stuff and you're going to get a guy who might be a malcontent for 2 years until he can leave and go where you really wants to go is at UFA? Gorts got us two impact players that wanted to be here without going crazy, he's patient and calculated. He's going to oversee the same sort of thing in Montreal if PLD eventually wants to go there. I just don't want to be taking on a headache that two other teams have had to dump off in the process trading our main pieces that we have left to fill the 2C situation.

 

[LOFIN]

Barkov is more a part of the group of Russian players who live on the west coast of Florida

I don't think he personally knows any of the Russians in the league. Or if he has Russian friends in general. I don't think so.

 

[McRanger92]

I agree with you, what I just don't think the PLD is the guy to do that for. He's going to cost you a lot, he's got character issues which people here are trying to gloss over, and you're going to have to give him a giant contract to keep him here. We literally don't even know if he's just going to leave regardless in 2 years because he wants to go to Montreal. What if he only agrees decided to your deal that walks in the UFA status? What then? You traded this stuff and you're going to get a guy who might be a malcontent for 2 years until he can leave and go where you really wants to go is at UFA? Gorts got us two impact players that wanted to be here without going crazy, he's patient and calculated. He's going to oversee the same sort of thing in Montreal if PLD eventually wants to go there. I just don't want to be taking on a headache that two other teams have had to dump off in the process trading our main pieces that we have left to fill the 2C situation.

If you’re worried about character issues, let him take the 2 year arbitration award and have him show he deserves a big contract. I prefer not to be locked in long term anyway

 

[NYR Viper]

I really like Reaves, but if Drury could trade him for a 4th and sign Raffl for the same amount of cap hit, a 4th line of Motte-Goodrow-Raffl would be an absolute handful…

 

[mas0764]

I agree with you, what I just don't think the PLD is the guy to do that for. He's going to cost you a lot, he's got character issues which people here are trying to gloss over, and you're going to have to give him a giant contract to keep him here. We literally don't even know if he's just going to leave regardless in 2 years because he wants to go to Montreal. What if he only agrees decided to your deal that walks in the UFA status? What then? You traded this stuff and you're going to get a guy who might be a malcontent for 2 years until he can leave and go where you really wants to go is at UFA? Gorts got us two impact players that wanted to be here without going crazy, he's patient and calculated. He's going to oversee the same sort of thing in Montreal if PLD eventually wants to go there. I just don't want to be taking on a headache that two other teams have had to dump off in the process trading our main pieces that we have left to fill the 2C situation.

Who is the guy to do it for?

 

[NYR Viper]

If you’re worried about character issues, let him take the 2 year arbitration award and have him show he deserves a big contract. I prefer not to be locked in long term anyway

If this is the path, then don’t trade for him. Organizations know other players. Players know other players. It should be pretty clear to this team if they like PLD’s attitude and how he would fit in here based on feedback from people they know and trust. If an organization makes what would be a fairly large investment in assets for a 24 year old center then you better make sure he’s around for a while and not just 2 years. Otherwise it’s the wrong move.

 

[CLW]

No Barkov? I thought he was last year?

It was Lehkonen. Rantanen and Lehkonen are not bad guys to have as mentors.

 

[bleedblue94]

Who is the guy to do it for?

I don't have that answer right now, but what I do know is that patience can sometimes be more rewarding than just jumping at a current opportunity.

Counter point is if you blow your assets for old and history repeats itself with him then what's your next move? Not just for the team but also with him. You have to have that thought out based on his history bc in some ways his behavior really isn't that much different than kravtsov, they are just in two different situations bc pld is further along w his NHL career.

If you’re worried about character issues, let him take the 2 year arbitration award and have him show he deserves a big contract. I prefer not to be locked in long term anyway

And then he walks as a ufa? That's a horrible plan. If he's traded here he either signs a 1 year show me deal and maintain control prior to his walk year or you're signing him long term. A two year deal of any type is literally the dumbest thing to do

 

[RangerBoy]

Elliotte Friedman on the NHL Network. The Rangers are looking for a young player who doesn’t require waivers for Georgiev. Teams are saying you guys aren’t qualifying him so why should we give you that return. Teams are interested in Georgiev. He said Winnipeg isn’t trading Scheifele. He said term is a major sticking point in the talks with Strome.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

We need to be extremely cautious with Russian players, prospects, and potential draft picks going forward. That Flyers news is bonkers.

I'd take any Russian player off the board for a first round pick right now. Maybe even for the second round as well. I mean, there would be exceptions for truly elite prospects, but we also need to be pretty cognizant that this situation isn't getting better any time soon.

 

[Anthony5967]

I really like Reaves, but if Drury could trade him for a 4th and sign Raffl for the same amount of cap hit, a 4th line of Motte-Goodrow-Raffl would be an absolute handful…

I'd settle for Cuylle-Goodrow-Motte

 

[Fitzy]

The biggest problem with Kakko is not his skating or lack of shot.

He has no sisu (finnish word), he's more like Ferdinand the bull. He has the tools to be a real good player. But he's too soft, he screams of ''beta''. Maybe he'll turn into something more but he's playing like a scared puppy.

Just skate hard, shield the puck and crash the net.

You're literally just describing confidence.

 

[Tob]

Drury is gonna be calling teams next year demanding a 1st for Georgiev when he's not even our property anymore.

 

[Casper The Soy Ghost]

He works out with Rantanen and Barkov. I have a hard time believing both haven't tried to tell him that. It's up to him to become more assertive.

I couldn't care less about who he trains with (well a skating coach would be nice), he needs to grow a pair and understand that he will not be an impactful NHLer if he never develop his game.

All the tools, no drive/no confidence is not a good thing.