Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part LIV

[Cag29]

Eh, I'll play along.

Andersson and a third for Virtanen.

ADA and Buchnevich for Lindholm and Hanifin.

Hedge our bets by moving Georgiev and 22 if someone we like is there. If not, sit tight and pick 22nd. Take the gamble and grab Lapierre if he is there.

Buy time for Lundkvist to come over. Plug him into the lineup for the 2021-22 season.

I like everything except Lapierre (multiple concussions?)

 

[Edge]

@Edge I think I can speak on behalf of everyone where we thank you for everything you post. This forum would be a much darker place without you. I hope one day I can meet you and buy you a beer, steak, or something.

Interesting that we got confirmation on what their top 10 would look like. How much further ahead do you think they rate Laf compared to say their number 2 on their board, Byfield? Do they view him as being a prospect as good as Matthews, for instance?

Laf is the golden ticket. Byfield and Stutzle are the lottery tickets that could someday be worth close to as much.

Clear gap for the Rangers. Which is why they'd need either an established, prime NHL talent, or a chance to get at least two blue chip rookies. So that's where we start getting into the crazy-stupid territory that is unlikely.

 

[Edge]

I like everything except Lapierre (multiple concussions?)

With those moves, and the organizational depth, depending on who is on the board, I think I take that swing.

And I take it knowing full well I could miss the ball completely and send the bat into the stands.

So I'm under no illusion that it's an easy bet.

 

[Polar Bear]

Laf is the golden ticket. Byfield and Stutzle are the lottery tickets that could someday be worth close to as much.

Clear gap for the Rangers. Which is why they'd never either an established, prime NHL talent, or a chance to get at least two blue chip rookies. So that's where we start getting into the crazy-stupid territory that is unlikely.

Gotcha, and that's a great analogy. So basically, if we stay at 1, it's as 100% of a lock as it could be we take Laf, then? I know they WILL take him at 1 if he is there, but I am a paranoid person and would feel better hearing that from you. lol

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Fine, I'll just share my private newsletter as a gesture of goodwill (and the result of 10 bottles of wine) with the board:

Roster

• No real concrete movement with ADA at this time. The Rangers are leaning toward a two-year deal to buy time until Lundkvist can come over and challenge. There is interest in ADA around the league should he become available. Rangers don’t plan to shop him, but he’s not an automatic “no.”
• Trepidation about trading Buch because the right wing has a lot of question marks right now. Like ADA, if he’s moved it is expected to be for an NHL roster player, not for a package of futures.
• Strome is definitely someone who will be shopped as the Rangers gauge his value around the league.
• Rangers still very interested in Lindholm and think he’d do just fine as a center. Not sure if ADA + Buch for Lindholm and Hanifin is an option. Think the talent is a good match, but feel the deal may be “too big” for both teams at this point.
• Belief is that Strome, ADA and Buch is the most likely order if players were to be moved.
• No desire to move a RHD to the left side for a prolonged period of time.
• Hesitation to move Smith based on his utility player status. Think the Rangers would prefer to hold onto him when the season begins.
• Georgiev will definitely be a topic of conversation with other teams in the coming weeks. Rangers asking price is a bottom six forward or a moderately high second round pick. Thinks Chicago, Edmonton, Nashville and Toronto are all potential suitors.
• Belief is Lundqvist’s time in NY is over: 50/50 on him retiring.
• Vince Dunn very much on the Rangers radar as a potential partner for Trouba.
• Jonas Brodin is another name that has come up multiple times as being a player of interest.
• Domi not really a player of interest at this time. Dylan Strome not really a player of interest at this time.
• Cirelli would be of interest to the Rangers, though they think he stays in Tampa.

Prospects/Young Players

• Andersson will be shopped and there’s decent interest in him around the league. Belief is that he’s probably done as a Ranger. Just a matter of finding the right deal.
• Preference is not to move Lemieux at this time, but he’s not an automatic no either. Ditto for Howden.
• Hajek likely to be a piece the Rangers are willing to part with to make an upgrade.
• Front office is very high on Barron and Reunanen and expect both to make serious challenges for the team.

Draft

• A few nibbles on the top pick. LA and Ottawa definitely pinged them, but it doesn’t appear there was any serious conversation. Think Buffalo is a dark horse to make a bold offer. I’ll adjust the odds of the Rangers getting blown away by an offer to the lower end of my original statement - 10 percent.
• Not actively looking to add a second round pick, but there are several potential deals that could land them one (Georgiev, Strome, etc.)
• Rangers really love Sanderson and Lundell, but doesn’t think either will be in range to trade for. Both were the top candidates for the Rangers original draft position.
• Byfield is second on their list over Stutzle. Holtz is fourth on the Rangers list.
• I’m fairly confident their top 10 is Lafreniere, Byfield, Stutzle, Holtz, Sanderson, Lundell, Drysdale, Rossi, Perfetti and Raymond.
• Players they really like – Guhle, Holloway, Lapierre, Greig, Khusnutdinov and Amirov.
• Seth Jarvis is liked, though not seen as being on the board or close to a move-up scenario. They love the energy and the approach and think it will be carry him to a top six role in the NHL --- though maybe not in the express lane.
• Mercer is liked but the group I was with had differing opinions on his offensive upside. Some think he’s a very good third line player in the Holloway and Greig mold. Some see him as a top six option. The offensive decline post-trade is potentially going to bite him in the ass. Like Holloway, there’s an intrigue about having him at center.
• Holloway is the mystery box for a lot of teams. General belief is that most teams will want to send him to the WHL (even if COVID didn’t happen). Also concern that he’s an older birthday who will only get one WHL season before having to be an over-ager. “You have to be sure you can get him on the right path next year, and that he’ll be ready for the AHL the following year.” Someone floated the idea that Europe might actually be a good option for him.
• A lot of high praise for Greig. Makes me suspect that his ranking on McKenzie’s list might have owed at least a little to the Rangers saying “We would take this guy at 24.” They think he’s a guy that would’ve fit right into the last Rangers era, but would have the benefit of being surrounded by legit elite-level talent.
• Guhle is a kid they like a lot and think his upside is right up there with Drysdale and Sanderson. “He’s not as put together as those two right now though.” I think he was a dark horse candidate for the Rangers original pick if Lundell and Sanderson weren’t on the board.
• Love the skill level and upside of Lapierre. The injuries are a concern for the team, but not necessarily a deal breaker. I got the impression he would be a serious consideration if he was on the board at 22. Feeling is he might not slide past Montreal or Ottawa.
• Amirov is seen as a steady, two-way player whose offensive upside is severely underrated. They feel like he’s a kid winning teams have and the type who can you pair with just about anyone on your roster. He’s probably at least 2-3 years off from the NHL, but they think he can be a kid who comes in a number of different roles.
• Khusnutdinov is a kid who will definitely be under consideration at 22, especially depending on how the board breaks. Size not a huge concern for the Rangers, but there is some question as to whether the hands will match the feet and the energy at the higher levels. That factor could be the difference between a second line forward and more of a third line energy guy. He’s another one is a bit of a mystery box for teams.
• I got the impression that Bourque and Mysak, though liked, aren’t quite on the same level as other names for the Rangers.
• Perrault and Gunler are divisive. Talent is liked, the personalities have sparked debate.
• Group was somewhat divided on the interest level in Peterson and Cuylle. Overall a lukewarm reaction to Peterson, but more open to Cuylle.
• Blake Biondi is a kid who has generated interest and a longer look within the Rangers organization.

Lmao did you take notes during lunch?

Because there is no way I would remember half of that after that much wine.

 

[Edge]

Lmao did you take notes during lunch?

Because there is no way I would remember half of that after that much wine.

I jotted down on my phone because people had asked me specific questions. Some of it was also confirming stuff I'd already heard or knew to be accurate several months ago.

 

[Edge]

Gotcha, and that's a great analogy. So basically, if we stay at 1, it's as 100% of a lock as it could be we take Laf, then? I know they WILL take him at 1 if he is there, but I am a paranoid person and would feel better hearing that from you. lol

I'll give it a 90 percent chance. I think Buffalo is lurking, but it's more than just offering talent. There's salaries and other things to consider. I really think anything other than the Rangers coming away with Lafreniere is a long shot.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I hope Lindholm doesn’t become the Edmonton’s 8th overall of this offseason

Would love get Lindholm for the 2C spot. That’s be pog lads

 

[Polar Bear]

I'll give it a 90 percent chance. I think Buffalo is lurking, but it's more than just offering talent. There's salaries and other things to consider. I really think anything other than the Rangers coming away with Lafreniere is a long shot.

Oh, I more so meant if we stick at 1 and don't trade the pick, sorry. That if that's the case, it's Laf 100% and I don't have to be paranoid about them going for someone else out of nowhere (again, sorry for the constant questions. )?

 

[Cag29]

With those moves, and the organizational depth, depending on who is on the board, I think I take that swing.

And I take it knowing full well I could miss the ball completely and send the bat into the stands.

So I'm under no illusion that it's an easy bet.

I guess when you look at it any player can get a concussion or neck injury if hit the wrong way. maybe he’s ok now. I read he’s a very good player who could drop due to injury concerns.

 

[Edge]

@Edge I think I can speak on behalf of everyone where we thank you for everything you post. This forum would be a much darker place without you. I hope one day I can meet you and buy you a beer, steak, or something.

Interesting that we got confirmation on what their top 10 would look like. How much further ahead do you think they rate Laf compared to say their number 2 on their board, Byfield? Do they view him as being a prospect as good as Matthews, for instance?

I don't have 100 percent confirmation in the top 10 at this time. But I am very confident in what I pieced together there.

I am 100 percent confident in the top 4.

 

[Edge]

I guess when you look at it any player can get a concussion or neck injury if hit the wrong way. maybe he’s ok now. I read he’s a very good player who could drop due to injury concerns.

There's no way around it, it's a risk and it's more than just a shoulder injury.

Having said that, I don't know how they have guys ranked outside the top 10. I know a bunch of guys they really like, but I expect it's not a complete picture. It almost never is at this point.

I say that because there's always one or two guys under the radar that are lurking in these situations.

Hell, even someone like Perrault, who doesn't appear to have the same consensus support as someone like Greig, could have the vote of the person with the most influence. So I always like to put that caution out there.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Really starting to hope for Lapierre at 22 if we don’t move the pick

Even if he only had like a 10% chance of beating his injury woes I’d absolutely swing on his upside given the fact that we get to pick 1st.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Really starting to hope for Lapierre at 22 if we don’t move the pick

Even if he only had like a 10% chance of beating his injury woes I’d absolutely swing on his upside given the fact that we get to pick 1st.

Gotta say I'm getting into this idea too

 

[QJL]

@Edge

Do you think that Holtz is thought about highly enough that the Rangers would move strongly for a trade if he was there in the 8-11 range?

Obviously Dahlin or Eichel would need to be in play for a Lafreniere deal. Given the contract concerns you stated with a potential deal, I’ll guess an unhappy Eichel could be a relevant emotion.

Is this a crazy option the Rangers would consider or do you think even more would necessary?

Lafreniere + Strome + Smith

for

Eichel + Holtz/Sanderson

 

[Savant]

I'll give it a 90 percent chance. I think Buffalo is lurking, but it's more than just offering talent. There's salaries and other things to consider. I really think anything other than the Rangers coming away with Lafreniere is a long shot.

What does Buffalo have that the Rangers would want? Are they leading with Dahlin or Eichel? If not, I don’t see enough.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Really starting to hope for Lapierre at 22 if we don’t move the pick

Even if he only had like a 10% chance of beating his injury woes I’d absolutely swing on his upside given the fact that we get to pick 1st.

I’m not rooting for them to select him given the risk, but I’ll certainly be excited to watch his progression if they do...

 

[Edge]

Really starting to hope for Lapierre at 22 if we don’t move the pick

Even if he only had like a 10% chance of beating his injury woes I’d absolutely swing on his upside given the fact that we get to pick 1st.

It all starts with the acceptance that is there is a reaonable, even likely chance that 2-5 years from now this draft is one that likely produces a Miller/Lundkvist/Sandin type prospect, or an NHL player who reaches a Boeser/Konecny type ROI.

That's not a problem if Lapierre looks like he's going to give a Krejci type return, or if you think he could indeed produce at a similar level to someone like Backstrom (minus the 30 goal campaign) when paired with some of the Rangers elite young offensive weapon.

But if he can't stay healthy, there is going to be some mourning involved.

So if you can accept that landscape, the risk become tolerable.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

It all starts with the acceptance that is there is a reaonable, even likely chance that 2-5 years from now this draft is one that likely produces a Miller/Lundkvist/Sandin type prospect, or an NHL player who reaches a Boeser/Konecny type ROI.

That's not a problem if Lapierre looks like he's going to give a Krejci type return, or if you think he could indeed produce at a similar level to someone like Backstrom (minus the 30 goal campaign) when paired with some of the Rangers elite young offensive weapon.

But if he can't stay healthy, there is going to be some mourning involved.

So if you can accept that landscape, the risk become tolerable.

If there's one thing I learned in my time here at HF, it's that everyone is super cool and understanding about draft misses so I don't see a problem

 

[Trxjw]

I think I like the idea of the team experimenting with Dunn and Reunanen more than I like the idea of committing to Hanafin. On the flip side, I like the value of a ADA/Buch for Lindholm/Hanafin base more than Tony for Lindholm right across.

 

[Fvital92]

Fine, I'll just share my private newsletter as a gesture of goodwill (and the result of 10 bottles of wine) with the board:


Prospects/Young Players

• Andersson will be shopped and there’s decent interest in him around the league. Belief is that he’s probably done as a Ranger. Just a matter of finding the right deal.
• Preference is not to move Lemieux at this time, but he’s not an automatic no either. Ditto for Howden.
• Hajek likely to be a piece the Rangers are willing to part with to make an upgrade.
• Front office is very high on Barron and Reunanen and expect both to make serious challenges for the team.

Even though it's not an automatic, just the fact that the Rangers are open to the idea of trading Howden makes me so happy.

 

[bbny]

What does Buffalo have that the Rangers would want? Are they leading with Dahlin or Eichel? If not, I don’t see enough.

Same thinking. That's a weird dark horse. Even if it was Dahlin, while he's been good, he hasn't quite been as good as I was thinking he would be when he was drafted. I wouldn't trade Laf for him, at least straight up.

 

[Krams]

What do we think the cost would be to acquire Dunn?

 

[Polar Bear]

What do we think the cost would be to acquire Dunn?

They'd ask for 22, I'd imagine.

 

[huerter]

How can you have this summit meeting and not even broach the topic of Trouba?