Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part LXX

[RGY]

The Rangers are definitely keeping an eye on Eichel and Barkov. There's no doubt there, it's a thing they will monitor.

As for Zibanejad, that's a little more up in the air right now. I know there are some concerns about durability --- which I also know gets a lot of pushback on here.

I think there's also the Rangers eyeing whether they want to commit that long to a player who will be 29 --- especially if there are options that are two or even three years younger.

Next season may give us a better indication as to whether Zibanejad is indeed the leading candidate or not.

But that hasn't been decided either way yet. I'd say the both options (extending or moving him) are equally on the table at this point.

This last part is what makes me thing Kreider would be named Captain over Zibanejad. I think Kreider should be named Captain regardless for other obvious reasons but especially once he signed his extension. Zibanejad’s fluid situation for his future should only solidify the decision.

 

[Savant]

The Rangers are definitely keeping an eye on Eichel and Barkov. There's no doubt there, it's a thing they will monitor.

As for Zibanejad, that's a little more up in the air right now. I know there are some concerns about durability --- which I also know gets a lot of pushback on here.

I think there's also the Rangers eyeing whether they want to commit that long to a player who will be 29 --- especially if there are options that are two or even three years younger.

Next season may give us a better indication as to whether Zibanejad is indeed the leading candidate or not.

But that hasn't been decided either way yet. I'd say the both options (extending or moving him) are equally on the table at this point.

On one hand, if you can get Eichel or Barkov using Zibanejad it’s kind of hard to argue; Brassard/Mika trade on steroids.

On the other hand, if you trade Zibanejad for another Center, the Rangers still don’t have a 2C. It’s a weird move.

Would rather try to get Barkov in FA and trade Zibanejad for someone with more term.

 

[Kovalev27]

I don’t think you trade away star 29 year old top 10 centers unless they don’t want to play for you. You sign them and you live with the the back end of the contract. It’s extremely difficult to find top centers. They’ll trade/buyout whatever it takes a lot of other guys before they do that.

I’d be shocked if Mika isn’t extended if he continues to play the way he’s been playing.

 

[Edge]

This last part is what makes me thing Kreider would be named Captain over Zibanejad. I think Kreider should be named Captain regardless for other obvious reasons but especially once he signed his extension. Zibanejad’s fluid situation for his future should only solidify the decision.

Right now I don't think there's a desire to name either captain. So, internally at least, there really isn't a Kreider vs. Zibanejad debate.

Personally, I think it's the right call for now. I wouldn't name either one captain if it was up to me.

On one hand, if you can get Eichel or Barkov using Zibanejad it’s kind of hard to argue; Brassard/Mika trade on steroids.

On the other hand, if you trade Zibanejad for another Center, the Rangers still don’t have a 2C. It’s a weird move.

Would rather try to get Barkov in FA and trade Zibanejad for someone with more term.

I think if we go down that path, and if Zibanejad is traded seperately, it would probably be to re-coup depth and assets from an Eichel/Barkov trade.

I don't inherently think it will have to be for a center. I think the Rangers are more likely to have their second line center in place before they go approach a decision on hitching their wagon to Zibanejad for the better part of a decade.

 

[Edge]

I don’t think you trade away star 29 year old top 10 centers unless they don’t want to play for you. You sign them and you live with the the back end of the contract. It’s extremely difficult to find top centers. They’ll trade/buyout whatever it takes a lot of other guys before they do that.

I’d be shocked if Mika isn’t extended if he continues to play the way he’s been playing.

I'm just telling you internally, it's a wait and see subject right now.

I think if he misses significant time again, there's a very strong possibility they don't go down that road.

 

[True Blue]

I'm just telling you internally, it's a wait and see subject right now.

I think if he misses significant time again, there's a very strong possibility they don't go down that road.

And I do not think that is an unfair way to look at it. Before comitting big money to ZBad, they need to ensure that he can stay on the ice.

 

[Edge]

And I do not think that is an unfair way to look at it. Before comitting big money to ZBad, they need to ensure that he can stay on the ice.

I think they're gonna take several things into consideration: his asks, their budget, his health, alternatives (now and before then), whether he maintains the current level, etc.

To be clear, there is not a leaning one way or the other right now. It's way, way too early. It's just merely to point out that decision either way is already not viewed as a given within the organization. They are very much going to approach it open-minded.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

If they end up trading for Eichel or Barkov doesn’t seem very prudent salary wise to also hang onto Zibanejad

Eichel at 10 million, Barkov’s next deal is going to be somewhere in the 8-9 range, and Zibanejad is probably in the lower end of that range

are the Rangers going to spend close to a combined 20 million on their top 2 centers? Not so sure

it’s too bad they didn’t go longer term with his current deal but not much you can do there

I could see a scenario where they snag Barkov/Eichel, move Zibanejad for salary and/or health concerns and draft a future 2C next summer.

Could also see Chytil sliding into that spot but there’s a lot of good centers available next year and the Rangers are probably gonna be in the lottery again

 

[Savant]

If they end up trading for Eichel or Barkov doesn’t seem very prudent salary wise to also hang onto Zibanejad

Eichel at 10 million, Barkov’s next deal is going to be somewhere in the 8-9 range, and Zibanejad is probably in the lower end of that range

are the Rangers going to spend close to a combined 20 million on their top 2 centers? Not so sure

it’s too bad they didn’t go longer term with his current deal but not much you can do there

I could see a scenario where they snag Barkov/Eichel, move Zibanejad for salary and/or health concerns and draft a future 2C next summer.

Could also see Chytil sliding into that spot but there’s a lot of good centers available next year and the Rangers are probably gonna be in the lottery again

Barkov is getting more than 9

 

[Leetch3]

I don’t think you trade away star 29 year old top 10 centers unless they don’t want to play for you. You sign them and you live with the the back end of the contract. It’s extremely difficult to find top centers. They’ll trade/buyout whatever it takes a lot of other guys before they do that.

I’d be shocked if Mika isn’t extended if he continues to play the way he’s been playing.

well no one is suggesting walking away from him to make ryan strome the 1C...but if you have the option to replace him with Barkov (2 years younger) or Eichel (3 years younger) who are both elite centers rather than signing mika thru age 37/38 and not having to deal with the backend years then its a discussion to be had...plus at their younger age their prime years should overlap with the prime years of Lafreniere and Kakko

but no one in their right minds should be talking about walking away from mika over fears on the back end of the contract if they aren't tied directly with plans to replace him with a younger 1C

 

[Leetch3]

If they end up trading for Eichel or Barkov doesn’t seem very prudent salary wise to also hang onto Zibanejad

Eichel at 10 million, Barkov’s next deal is going to be somewhere in the 8-9 range, and Zibanejad is probably in the lower end of that range

are the Rangers going to spend close to a combined 20 million on their top 2 centers? Not so sure

it’s too bad they didn’t go longer term with his current deal but not much you can do there

I could see a scenario where they snag Barkov/Eichel, move Zibanejad for salary and/or health concerns and draft a future 2C next summer.

Could also see Chytil sliding into that spot but there’s a lot of good centers available next year and the Rangers are probably gonna be in the lottery again

IMO Barkov and Mika are both getting over 10 mil per on their extension

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

IMO Barkov and Mika are both getting over 10 mil per on their extension

Barkov I think it’s very possible, Mika I’m less convinced but it will be up there

Think a lot of it is going to hinge on the league and cap situation

 

[Leetch3]

Barkov I think it’s very possible, Mika I’m less convinced but it will be up there

Think a lot of it is going to hinge on the league and cap situation

the cap situation could effect it but mika is the best of the 3...if he repeats the last 2 seasons the next 2 years he easily gets that in a normal market imo.

 

[IDvsEGO]

the cap situation could effect it but mika is the best of the 3...if he repeats the last 2 seasons the next 2 years he easily gets that in a normal market imo.

While I love Mika, he's not better than Eichel.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

While I love Mika, he's not better than Eichel.

I take Zibanejad at 5.35m over Eichel at 10m

 

[IDvsEGO]

I take Zibanejad at 5.35m over Eichel at 10m

Im not disagreeing with that at all. But give Eichel the same lines that Mika got, and I think Eichel out produces him. Also the discussion is more on Mika's next contract not his current. Eichel is locked at 10m for the next 6 years.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Im not disagreeing with that at all. But give Eichel the same lines that Mika got, and I think Eichel out produces him. Also the discussion is more on Mika's next contract not his current. Eichel is locked at 10m for the next 6 years.

Can we afford those linemates with Eichel on the books at 10m a year?

 

[IDvsEGO]

Can we afford those linemates with Eichel on the books at 10m a year?

Can we afford Mika on the books at 10/yr? And that contract carrying him into his mid 30s at a minimum.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Can we afford Mika on the books at 10/yr? And that contract carrying him into his mid 30s at a minimum.

I really don't think Zibanejad gets 10m on his next deal

 

[True Blue]

I really don't think Zibanejad gets 10m on his next deal

Not sure he will really be that far off if he goes out and has a repeat of last year.

 

[Leetch3]

While I love Mika, he's not better than Eichel.

similar offensively. but mika is better all around, two way and kills penalties. eichel's value comes from being younger. but for the current season i'd take mika

 

[Kovalev27]

I'm just telling you internally, it's a wait and see subject right now.

I think if he misses significant time again, there's a very strong possibility they don't go down that road.

oh I’m sure. Can say that for anyone really a concussion away from derailing your career.

He needs to continue to play the way he’s playing but if he does and I don’t see why he wouldn’t it becomes a no brainer.

I also tend to agree with you feels like if they were going to name Mika or Kreider Captain they would have.

maybe the C is going to go to the dark horse. A guy that I believe might actually be a better pick than Mika who’d be my choice. That being Jacob Trouba

 

[NYR]

I find it a little amusing that all of a sudden the GM, JG has now transformed into JG/ JD like it's an automatic tag

 

[bobbop]

I see a lot of salary speculation based on the old world order. It's unlikely there will be any $10MM players in the near future. Some of the guys who got big contracts (I'm looking at you Eichel, Marner among others) would be looking at less money and/or term now. All of those contracts were given out with the expectation that the cap was going to continue to grow $3-4MM each year. Who had Taylor Hall 1/$8MM in January?

We just have to rethink those numbers. The economics have changed.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Im not disagreeing with that at all. But give Eichel the same lines that Mika got, and I think Eichel out produces him. Also the discussion is more on Mika's next contract not his current. Eichel is locked at 10m for the next 6 years.

Namestnikov and Fast coming up!