Oh, don't get me wrong, a lot of this is because the Rangers put themselves here precisely with some of the stuff above - I get it. Still, JJ over Fast over saving themselves, what, $850K? Is a player like Fast more important than JJ? It's not even close. Strome is still a huge decision pending his arbitration hearing barring a trade - which I think would've happened by now if someone, anyone, else thought he could replicate '19-20 without Panarin. Pretty clear that's not the case.
This is why I would've traded Georgiev for an asset (2nd maybe, in next year's draft?) - because this season is probably going to be more painful. A guy like Kinkaid or riding out Lundqvist's last year frees up more space than the JJ/Fast difference.
I'm not devastated, or anything, and I get it. I'm still a little disappointed.
I will say that I think JJ and Fast are somewhat independent of one another.
JJ I suspect was brought in because of uncertainty of the Rangers having access to Miller, Reunanen and other options. I think that was more of a hedge move based on uncertainty of the AHL, potentially wanting to limit guys going back and forth during a pandemic, etc.
Fast I honestly think came down to preferences. The Rangers didn’t want to go to a third year, Fast took the third year, the job security and the extra $1.9 million.
I think we could swap out JJ for Forobort, Koivu and any other name we want, but it probably doesn’t change the Fast landscape.
Right now the Rangers are looking at Buch, Kakko, Gauthier and quite possibly Kreider on the right side. Even moving Kreider to the left, I’m not sure they wanted to go 3 years on a guy they hope is their fourth line RW by the end of the season.
Likewise, Fast is looking at the same landscape and figuring the Rangers might be looking to say goodbye sooner rather than later (trade, expansion draft). So what’s his motivation to take less term and money?
Re: Georgiev, it feels like he’s been part of a million conversations since January. But so far no deal. Don’t know if that’s totally on the Rangers, on the offers, or a little bit of both.
Re: Hank, there’s no polite way to put this. It was never going to work for him staying on this roster. Both sides knew that and accepted it. Lundqvist did not have a desire to be a mentor, and forcing that role wouldn’t have been good for him, Shesterkin or the team. I’ll leave it at that and say it was about more than money.
I don’t think free agency was ever the next phase for the team like it was for fans apparently. And keeping in mind, this team is still trying to figure out what dollar amount ADA and Strome might come in at next season. The latter will either stay for a year or be traded. The former could very well be let go depending on what number comes into play. But combined both guys could be looking at a price tag of close to $10m.
