Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part LVII

[usekakkorightquinn]

Rangers should not be spending any money on role players in free agency. They need to keep the cap down as long as possible. Plus they have two guys in Barron and Richards who need those spots open. I'm excited to see both play as they are the type of players our lower lines have lacked for a long time. Plus Howden and Lemieux need to step up in the role player department as well. It's time for them. Gauthier can certainly take a step forward as well. If Lias and Kravtsov play lights out in their leagues this year there aren't going to be spots open for free agents. Free agents cost money and the team would be wise to lock players like Kakko, Fox and Lindgren up to early extensions.

 

[SA16]

Matt Martin is not a good player why is there so much talk about him? Zero interest for anything above league minimum.

 

[RGY]

Agree, though risky patience might be a better strategy than the Early Bird approach for at least this season and the next.

I think they need to add from outside for the bottom 6. And it needs to be of quality too. And fits a role. Not just some journeyman looking to hang around as long as he can just get NHL minutes a la Mckegg, etc. As much as some here think a kid like Barron can just assume a 4th line role, 1) nothing should be assumed 2) you need experience there not inexperience 3) getting 8 minutes per game would be horrible for his development, all because we have prospect hungry fans who just want to see every one of them play at the NHL yesterday. You need the right pieces in the right places. Dallas has a good mix of internally developed players and outside vets in their bottom 6. So does Tampa. The best teams typically do.

The past couple years there have been vets who have signed on the very cheap to join contending or competitive teams. Maroon, Perry, Boyle, Brassard. Some have more of an impact than others on the scoresheet. Some add a different style of play. Some add leadership in the room, experience. There will be a laundry list this year to choose from.

Colin Wilson
Clifford
Boyle
Brassard
Simmonds
Nordstrom
Kuraly
Byfuglien (maybe on the cheap and a potential replacement for Tony D’s spot)
Koivu (if willing to play elsewhere)
Thornton
Soderberg
Craig Smith
Eakin
Haula
Janmark
Lewis
Girgensons

 

[Leetch3]

anyone know the specifics on colin wilson's injury? I see he had surgery on a lower body injury but not much else.

the injury makes him an interesting option because I believe due to playing so few games he would be eligible to get a deal with performance bonuses which could keep his cap hit low.

 

[Leetch3]

I think they need to add from outside for the bottom 6. And it needs to be of quality too. And fits a role. Not just some journeyman looking to hang around as long as he can just get NHL minutes a la Mckegg, etc. As much as some here think a kid like Barron can just assume a 4th line role, 1) nothing should be assumed 2) you need experience there not inexperience 3) getting 8 minutes per game would be horrible for his development, all because we have prospect hungry fans who just want to see every one of them play at the NHL yesterday. You need the right pieces in the right places. Dallas has a good mix of internally developed players and outside vets in their bottom 6. So does Tampa. The best teams typically do.

The past couple years there have been vets who have signed on the very cheap to join contending or competitive teams. Maroon, Perry, Boyle, Brassard. Some have more of an impact than others on the scoresheet. Some add a different style of play. Some add leadership in the room, experience. There will be a laundry list this year to choose from.

Colin Wilson
Clifford
Boyle
Brassard
Simmonds
Nordstrom
Kuraly
Byfuglien (maybe on the cheap and a potential replacement for Tony D’s spot)
Koivu (if willing to play elsewhere)
Thornton
Soderberg
Craig Smith
Eakin
Haula
Janmark
Lewis
Girgensons

adding from the outside though to fill those roles isn't going to be easy with our cap situation...as we see with fast, those guys are always more expensive as UFAs then home grown (obviously). we need a boost to the bottom 6, but unless hank retires, I'm not sure I see the cap space for that luxury so this might be a year off...

of course I'd LOVE to upgrade the bottom 6 by somehow keeping fast and flipping him with kakko....and I wouldn't be upset if Lafreniere is amazing from day 1 and Kreider gets a look with chytil lol

 

[Mikos87]

who is a Dom Moore equivalent in the NHL right now?

Style and impact wise: fellow Harvard alum Alex Kerfoot. Remember, Dom Moore broke 40 points in the NHL. I personally think you need to get a Sundqvist type. A bigger body who can match-up against bigger centers. Rangers had the luxury of Brian Boyle who was very good in that role.

I will say, I like how Vegas and DAL are using their 4th lines. The Rangers did that with Anismov with Prust and Shelly back in the day, and that helped him break out into the NHL. Stars are doing the same with Dickinson.

 

[Dr. Ogrodnick]

I don't think this is the year to add to the bottom six from the outside. At least not until the 2nd wave of free agency. As others have said, see what shakes out into the bargain bin with the flat cap situation. By then the Rangers will have a better idea of what they are doing with Strome, deangelo, staal, and Henrik.

That being said, the Rangers usually aren't a team that leaves spots open for rookies. They normally will sign someone and force the kids to earn the spot, though that may not be possible given the current situation.

 

[aufheben]

I’m curious to see how much Johan Larsson signs for.

 

[True Blue]

I just think he has shown me enough and the potential to be that 2C and we owe it to him to give him that chance if Strome is moved. It's going to be a building year still, regardless.

Yes, it is a building year, but they are also going to be in on the playoffs. Yes, he has shown something that makes us hope that he can take the 2C spot but he has not shown nearly enough that I believe that a stop gap like Strome needs to be shown the door any time soon. He is 20 years old. He will get his chance. But he needs first to show that he is deserving of the chance.

 

[NYSPORTS]

That being said, the Rangers usually aren't a team that leaves spots open for rookies. They normally will sign someone and force the kids to earn the spot, though that may not be possible given the current situation.

with a flat cap, resigning Kreider and a lot of dead money i don’t think the Rangers have that luxury this year. Unless their are some cheap one year deals.

 

[RGY]

adding from the outside though to fill those roles isn't going to be easy with our cap situation...as we see with fast, those guys are always more expensive as UFAs then home grown (obviously). we need a boost to the bottom 6, but unless hank retires, I'm not sure I see the cap space for that luxury so this might be a year off...

of course I'd LOVE to upgrade the bottom 6 by somehow keeping fast and flipping him with kakko....and I wouldn't be upset if Lafreniere is amazing from day 1 and Kreider gets a look with chytil lol

Yes, I think there is still a lot left TBD. We could be looking at a buyout of Staal or Hank. Possibly selling Smith on a cap floor team. And at that point, without even considering who else they move out such as Strome (although likely taking money back in return), they will have money to sign any one of those vets from that list for under $1 million. And you are only looking at 1-2 vets there. It is absolutely doable.

 

[True Blue]

I wouldn't poo poo the idea of Panarin getting some time on the RW if Buchnevich or Kakko are struggling for a spell of time. He can still produce there at even strength.

You really loose his shot from the left boards if that is the case. Not sure that the coaching staff would be eyeing moving him to his off side.

 

[Leetch3]

Yes, I think there is still a lot left TBD. We could be looking at a buyout of Staal or Hank. Possibly selling Smith on a cap floor team. And at that point, without even considering who else they move out such as Strome (although likely taking money back in return), they will have money to sign any one of those vets from that list for under $1 million. And you are only looking at 1-2 vets there. It is absolutely doable.

there are definitely ways to make it work, but several things would need to happen first. so not ruling it out but given the many things that need to 'go right' I think its less likely than more at the current moment. but obviously it could change in a hurry with other moves.

 

[True Blue]

We can draft and develop grit, or trade for it when they are on cheap deals but handing out 2 or 3 mill contracts for 4th liners for us doesn't make sense especially when we have guys like Kravtsov, Barron, and maybe Lias needing spots the following year.

Players like Kravstov should not develop on the 4th line. And the drafting and developing of grit takes some time and the starting line up needs to diversify the mix as soon as next year.

Having a much more hard nosed 4th line would only help the team. So bringing in some targets there is not the worst idea. Also, this means that players like Howden, Gauthier, Lemieux that will need to a) take big steps forward b) hold off competition and c) beat out each other if they want to be a part of the future.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Kravtsov playing the point on the PP in the KHL. could this happen for the Rangers??

 

[GAGLine]

Mirtle: Ranking the NHL's top 22 buyout candidates as the window sets to open

15. Anton Stralman, Florida

The Panthers need to shed payroll and Stralman, while still dependable, is overpriced.

If we end up trading ADA, and Stralman gets bought out, do we bring him back on the cheap?

A two year deal would cover our expansion requirements.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Mirtle: Ranking the NHL's top 22 buyout candidates as the window sets to open



If we end up trading ADA, and Stralman gets bought out, do we bring him back on the cheap?

A two year deal would cover our expansion requirements.

if we trade ADA it better be because Lundkvist proves he can step in. trading DeAngelo to sign Stralman does not make sense. now if they trade Strome, DeAngelo and somehow Smith it is to sign Alex Pietrangelo then that is a different story.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Players like Kravstov should not develop on the 4th line. And the drafting and developing of grit takes some time and the starting line up needs to diversify the mix as soon as next year.

Having a much more hard nosed 4th line would only help the team. So bringing in some targets there is not the worst idea. Also, this means that players like Howden, Gauthier, Lemieux that will need to a) take big steps forward b) hold off competition and c) beat out each other if they want to be a part of the future.

I also think the idea that trading for grit "when (a player) is on cheap (a) deal" is very much easier said than done. Those kind of guys don't become available because, if they can play a regular shift, they are especially rare. We're not talking about adding a Haley or picking up a Colton Orr off waivers.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

if we trade ADA it better be because Lundkvist proves he can step in. trading DeAngelo to sign Stralman does not make sense. now if they trade Strome, DeAngelo and somehow Smith it is to sign Alex Pietrangelo then that is a different story.

That scenario would make sense because you're saving cap space and finding a stop-gap until Lundkvist is ready. It's not a long-term solution. So between saving cap space, getting assets back for ADA and not rushing Lundkvist, a move like this would make sense.

 

[WojtekWolski86]

Can we get a true checking 4th line? I dont think playing Mika 26 min a night is sustainable for both his health and longevity.

Fast is more than likely gone, so who does that leave for PK.

Lemiuex, Howden, Ziba...

Do we try Kaako in that role? Chytil? Gauthier?

 

[RangersFan1994]

Can we get a true checking 4th line? I dont think playing Mika 26 min a night is sustainable for both his health and longevity.

Fast is more than likely gone, so who does that leave for PK.

Lemiuex, Howden, Ziba...

Do we try Kaako in that role? Chytil? Gauthier?

maybe someone unexpected like Barron can step in maybe a unknown like Justin Richards or the other UDFA that were signed recently

 

[Avery16]

I wonder if we've scouted Julius Nattinen at all since Anaheim lost his rights.

 

[RangersFan1994]

I wonder if we've scouted Julius Nattinen at all since Anaheim lost his rights.

Rangers should def be in on Julius Nattinen but does he come back to NA?? i liked his potential on the Ducks

I wonder what UDFA that the Rangers will target from KHL or any other leagues in Europe.

they had success in the past with UDFA.

 

[Thirty One]

Kravtsov playing the point on the PP in the KHL. could this happen for the Rangers??

Don't think there will be a need for it.

Is their powerplay set up like NHL powerplays?

 

[Leetch3]

Can we get a true checking 4th line? I dont think playing Mika 26 min a night is sustainable for both his health and longevity.

Fast is more than likely gone, so who does that leave for PK.

Lemiuex, Howden, Ziba...

Do we try Kaako in that role? Chytil? Gauthier?

with no 4th line last year, Mika played 21:38 per game...and only 15:20 at ES which was 22nd among centers. cutting back his PK minutes is a good idea when the bottom 6 improves, but considering we were mainly a 3 line time and he played a ton on special teams. he really didn't play that much. definitely not to a point that I'd be concerned.

I think we will have an actual 4th line next year...no more smith on LW and mckegg. we can debate how good it will be but it should be an actual line.

the PK is a huge concern...but I wouldn't be against giving some of the kids a chance and living with the growing pains. we might struggle but in the long run it could pay off.