Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part LIV

[Edge]

Actually, he wanted to sign but when COVID hit, he decided to stay in Sweden. The situation last season in the AHL has nothing to do with it. Lundkvist expected to play in the AHL, and he was ready to move. His family expected him to leave this summer.

And this jives with what I’ve heard. There’s never been a concern about him signing. And because of his ELC, it’s always made ADA a candidate to get moved in a salary capped world.

I can’t help but feel the Post piece was akin to one of those articles talking about an asteroid coming close to earth, and then you realize the damn thing was half-way to the moon and it was never a real threat.

 

[Ola]

Strome is a decent player but on a winning team?
He's a #3C.

Hell.. At this point, Just find me a solid 2 way #4C already and let the rest of the pieces fall where they may.

I lost track of how long I've been screaming for a legit #4C..

The problem I have with Strome is that with someone like Panarin he is a decent No 2 line center, without Panarin and so-so linemates, he is a pretty crappy 3rd/4th line c (!). Like he is good around the net. He is solid defensively and in the center areas. But he isn’t the type who gets you the puck and drive it up ice. Especially on a so-so 3rd or a 4th line with more attitude on the wing — that is exactly what you need at center, and it’s not something he got.

I don’t mind Strome per se and wouldn’t be against him centering our 2nd line next season. But the above is why I am a bit allergic to player types like him. You so often see them get very good money because they produce in a great environment, but the moment that environment isn’t sustained it’s bottom out. Nashville has for some reason invested heavy in these types at center and I think they are a good example. They got so much else on that roster, but they just tend to become so flat. We saw Minny with Staal and Koivu for several years.

I know many don’t like Tampa and likes to dump on them. Maybe they are losers, I wouldn’t at all be certain of the Islanders bit being able to get to them. But I would definitely look more at Tampa at how to build a team. Yanni Gourde, T Johnson and co. It’s forgotten that Tampa is without their super star 9m center. It barely shows. Islanders got Barzal, Carolina got Aho.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Look even if we drop the unfortunate history from the conversation...

Fox and Trouba provide plenty of offensive kick from the right side already. We need a guy who is a penalty killer more than another PP guy. It's already going to be tough to find enough PP time for all our skilled forwards as it is.

They're going to groom Fox to do it.

But yeah, Shattenkirk is not coming back. If you want a bottom pair marginal meat shield, Luke Schenn can be had for cheap.

Staal-Schenn would be the worst pairing in the history of the league though lmao.

 

[NYR]

That's impossible. He is under contract. There's no way out from under that contract. And the transfer agreement doesn't apply here since the season already started

So it's either shoehorning another prospect into a position he may/ may not be able to handle or signing yet another UFA scrub to a contract they can't afford basically.
JG just loves putting all those eggs into that one dollar store basket..

 

[Mikos87]

I liked Edmundson as a target.

Obviously there are some great trade targets out there but I’m not convinced the org is committed to making a move for someone like Brodin, Dunn, Ekholm, Klefbom, etc.

The biggest excess of NHL-ready defensive-minded LHD is Columbus.

Werenski
Gavrikov
Murray
Nutivaara
Carlsson

The bottom 2 seem like great steady inexpensive targets so we can see what’s there in Miller, Robertson, and Jones.

Murray
Nutivaara
Carlsson
Kukan
Harrington

All of those guys are reliable. They have another kid, Peeke, whose a RHD that's pushing for a spot. I think they keep Kukan and Harrington. Carlsson is getting to that waiver cutoff age, and he's maybe 10th or so in their depth chart that was a pre-Torts draft pick.

Nutivaara is a good option if he maintains some resale value, especially as an option of Seattle, but he played 39 games last season, and missed the cutoff for the 40 game mark. Overall I like him if he can fit under the cap.

IMO if the Rangers can do something like

Brenden Smith (RS if needed)
2021/2022 Late Round pick
Elmer/SPC

for

Nemeth
Pickard (Goalie for SEA)

You shouldn't need to retain any salary, this trade not only off-sets salaries, but saves DET $1.2M in real dollars. Rangers get a big boy defenseman and Smith off the team.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I really wonder what centers we’d be looking at.

I went thru the teams not too long ago and looked at their centers but struggled to come up with any I could see being moved or are even worth trading ADA for.

like Larry said the rangers are gonna be trying to thread the needle here and it may take a long time to develop

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

So it's either shoehorning another prospect into a position he may/ may not be able to handle or signing yet another UFA scrub to a contract they can't afford basically.
JG just loves putting all those eggs into that one dollar store basket..

Trading DeAngelo, moving Smith to RD and Reunanen coming up would be a possibility. I know not everyone thinks Reunanen is ready but this front office might.

Reunanen-Trouba
Lindgren-Fox
Staal-Smith

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Nemeth would be a very nice pickup, especially at the price @Mikos87 has us getting him for

 

[NYR]

The problem I have with Strome is that with someone like Panarin he is a decent No 2 line center, without Panarin and so-so linemates, he is a pretty crappy 3rd/4th line c (!). Like he is good around the net. He is solid defensively and in the center areas. But he isn’t the type who gets you the puck and drive it up ice. Especially on a so-so 3rd or a 4th line with more attitude on the wing — that is exactly what you need at center, and it’s not something he got.

I don’t mind Strome per se and wouldn’t be against him centering our 2nd line next season. But the above is why I am a bit allergic to player types like him. You so often see them get very good money because they produce in a great environment, but the moment that environment isn’t sustained it’s bottom out. Nashville has for some reason invested heavy in these types at center and I think they are a good example. They got so much else on that roster, but they just tend to become so flat. We saw Minny with Staal and Koivu for several years.

I know many don’t like Tampa and likes to dump on them. Maybe they are losers, I wouldn’t at all be certain of the Islanders bit being able to get to them. But I would definitely look more at Tampa at how to build a team. Yanni Gourde, T Johnson and co. It’s forgotten that Tampa is without their super star 9m center. It barely shows. Islanders got Barzal, Carolina got Aho.

I'm 100% on board with what you're saying but under the circumstances there's going to be a lot of settling so I'm just looking for the best case scenario at this point..

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

The only thing Thornton has left to do is win a cup. If he does want to move on (we know he still wants to play) I'd think it'd be on a cheap 1 year deal with a contender. Still think it would make more sense for him to sign in SJ and then evaluate his options at the TDL.

I think @Mac n Gs posted an article that said that Koivu is either Minnesota or done in the NHL. I don't see him being of much interest to the Rangers anyway, he doesn't move well at all anymore.

I think I remember reports that Thorton was really upset when SJS didn't trade him to a contender at the deadline, so he might take it into his own hands this time around

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I really wonder what centers we’d be looking at.

I went thru the teams not too long ago and looked at their centers but struggled to come up with any I could see being moved or are even worth trading ADA for.

like Larry said the rangers are gonna be trying to thread the needle here and it may take a long time to develop

Lindholm for ADA?

I love Krebs and think he's super close, but if we're looking for a 1 to 1 deal thats the closest one I could think of. We probably need to add.

 

[Ola]

When I read an article like that from Brooks, I definitely get the impression that it’s a bit of a message to management that “OK, if you don’t give me something to write, you won’t like what I write.”

 

[Trxjw]

I think the only thing the Rangers got right with Shattenkirk was biting the bullet and buying him out. Never should've signed him in the first place.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Lindholm for ADA?

I love Krebs and think he's super close, but if we're looking for a 1 to 1 deal thats the closest one I could think of. We probably need to add.

I wouldn't be able to sign up for that trade fast enough

 

[Edge]

Trading DeAngelo, moving Smith to RD and Reunanen coming up would be a possibility. I know not everyone thinks Reunanen is ready but this front office might.

Reunanen-Trouba
Lindgren-Fox
Staal-Smith

While people are eager to move Smith, I think he has a decent chance of staying because he can fill a utility roll.

If ADA is moved, the Rangers would definitely consider shifting Smith to the right side for next season. And even if they were to get a guy like Dunn, there's a belief they might still hold onto him.

Finally, as you pointed out, Reunanen is a kid they consider to be a real, legit candidate to make the sqaud --- along with Barron.

 

[NYR]

Trading DeAngelo, moving Smith to RD and Reunanen coming up would be a possibility. I know not everyone thinks Reunanen is ready but this front office might.

Reunanen-Trouba
Lindgren-Fox
Staal-Smith

The thing I have a hard time with is making moves for "what if" ?

Aside from that..I see you have him penciled in on the top line.

I'd love it to just work out but that's "what if" X1000 lol

 

[egelband]

I wonder if Yanni Gourde is a guy the NYR would be interested in this offseason. Lightning need to sign Sergachev and Cirelli. I know Gourde is playing some C because Stamkos is out, but, damn, I'd love to have his speed, forechecking ability, snarl, and PK'ing ability in the middle-six.

He’s one of the few guys I’d bother targeting for acquisition. I’m general, I’m for a conservative approach. But I’d kick the tires on Gourde. Bet he’s not available though.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

While people are eager to move Smith, I think he has a decent chance of staying because he can fill a utility roll.

If ADA is moved, the Rangers would definitely consider shifting Smith to the right side for next season. And even if they were to get a guy like Dunn, there's a belief they might still hold onto him.

Finally, as you pointed out, Reunanen is a kid they consider to be a real, legit candidate to make the sqaud --- along with Barron.

Is next year the year that they finally relegate Staal to spare status?

 

[egelband]

While people are eager to move Smith, I think he has a decent chance of staying because he can fill a utility roll.

If ADA is moved, the Rangers would definitely consider shifting Smith to the right side for next season. And even if they were to get a guy like Dunn, there's a belief they might still hold onto him.

Finally, as you pointed out, Reunanen is a kid they consider to be a real, legit candidate to make the sqaud --- along with Barron.

Yeah. I keep Smith for sure. He’s already paid-for and his contract season will be very good. Can probably get something for him at the deadline, worst case.

 

[Mikos87]

The other optimistic option is Staal to WPG. Thunder Bay is an 8 hour drive from WPG, and there's a 90 minute direct flight that's pretty affordable. WPG Needs defensemen. They only have Neal Pionk, 27 year old Tucker Poolman, Waiver Pick Up Carl Dahlstrom, and good player Josh Morrisey under contract.

Three of those guys are fringe options in their current placement. Rangers retain 50%, Marc plays a year close to home. Moving to Minnesota rejuvenated Eric into an All-Star again, so it might be finally time to explore those options.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I don’t think Lundkvist will skip town on us but I’ve been saying for a while Tony is probably on the outs

It’s just business

 

[Krams]

The Rangers have 15 Roster players and $14.3M in cap space. What are you signing Strome for? What are you signing ADA for? How about Fast? Lemieux? This are all UFA's or RFA's with arbitration rights. You need ~21 roster players. 14.3M is not going to get it done. Add our 1st OA to this equation and potential bonuses that could total 3M+

If Lundqvist retires (he won't) then, yeah, we're in better shape. If he's bought out, it frees up 3M, but then you have to sign Georgiev (let's say 2x1.5M) and you've only gained 1.5M in space. Nobody is trading for Lundqvist. Staal isn't getting bought out - that's been clear, now, for years.

Speculation about what ADA would and wouldn't have done with or without Shattenkirk is best left at that. Speculation. You have no idea how he would've performed under the other circumstance and neither do I.

I'll agree to disagree with you.

Not sure why you are absolutely convinced he won't retire, but assuming he is bought out that makes it $17.39M. I am hopeful we can retain the full lot of RFAs for $14m. If DeAngelo and Strome are demanding or awarded $11m+ combined, then you explore the trade market more actively. Fast is probably the odd-man out, unless you can find someone to take Smith @ 50%, which isn't too far fetched given his versatility and that he is an expiring contract. Could buy him out as well if nothing materializes.

It's tight, but there are probably ~10 teams that are in worse shape right now.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Also I wonder who tipped Larry off about the Lundkvist signing deadline angle

No one has brought it up here, and let’s be real Larry isn’t scouring capfriendly for this type of information himself

 

[Edge]

Is next year the year that they finally relegate Staal to spare status?

Possibly. If Reunanen makes the squad, and ADA isn't moved, that least forces him into a 7th defenseman role.

If ADA is moved, and Reunanen names the squad, it's probably a similar outcome.

If Reunanen doesn't make the squad, for whatever reason, he might be stuck looking at him more than we care to.

 

[jay from jersey]

He's also an RHD, and the chatter has been finding an LHD to play next to Trouba, hence the discussion regarding Dunn,

I know just adding my 2 cents.