Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part LXXIX - Clever Title

[Daves a mess]

Two random thoughts...

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is far and away the best available center in the upcoming UFA marketplace. I would imagine the buzz around him will start building soon. Think Gorton will have his number on speed dial? The Rangers should have plenty of cap space available.

Brent Howden is a better player than most here will admit to but for his sake and ours, it's time for him to go. I wonder if there's a 1-1 trade (similar to Spooner/Strome) out there?

As long as its another youngish center with upside sure. This teams long term center depth really concerns me.

 

[Daves a mess]

Could they pry Turcotte out of LAK?

DeAngelo, 2nd round, and Robertson?

Other centers they have outside of Byfield are Vilardi, Madden, and Thomas. And of course Lias.

I love Robertson but yeah, you gotta pay to play. Especially if you are trying to acquire a young potential #1 or 2 center for sure.

 

[IDvsEGO]

I love Robertson but yeah, you gotta pay to play. Especially if you are trying to acquire a young potential #1 or 2 center for sure.

I think with miller’s play, robertson has become trade bait.

 

[Vitto79]

I don’t want the Rangers paying him either. He is coming off a contract of $6 million AAV. He is probably going to be asking for a pay bump. He has been around a 60 point center most of his career. I just dont see paying him $7-$8 million per as being good value for this team.

problem is the UFA list stinks . Who else at C?

would have to trade then and a guy like Turcotte will take a lot to acquire

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Rnh isnt the answer, honestly if im Gorton im looking for someome young now, does a guy like Lavoie get moved for a dman in edmonton? I guess that probably would depend on RNH and if he stays or not too. If we could snake a guy like that out of Edmomton without changing our team we could project Chytil, Lavoie and Barron as our top 3 going forward and allow Zib to walk. Someone mentioned Turcotte, that works too but we need to do this now imo. Id prefer to add a young cost controlled center as opposed to an older player with a bigger contract.

 

[Daves a mess]

Disclaimer: I know we aren’t discussing Lias Andersson seriously


But this kid has 1 point in 9 games. He is a -5 on an young Kings team. But a -5 when averaging only 11 minutes TOI is pretty discouraging. 2 registered hits. Just don’t think this kid has what it takes to be anything more than a 3rd/4th liner in this league, which is fine for LAK with the center depth they have.

I am very happy we came away with Cuylle for him at this point.

I'll go a step further on Lias.
I think he'll end up a middling NHL 4th liner at best and will be back for good in Sweden by 25.
Those King center prospects are going to be pushing him out over the next 2 seasons.

Bet he'll have a good career back home though.

 

[MarkMessyay11]

I think with miller’s play, robertson has become trade bait.

I'd guess at least 2 of Robertson, Lundkvist, Schneider, and Jones will be traded by the 2022 trade deadline. Gorton has done a great job at stockpiling talent. I think we'll be entering the phase where it's prudent to start consolidating assets sooner than later...

 

[Cag29]

I love Robertson but yeah, you gotta pay to play. Especially if you are trying to acquire a young potential #1 or 2 center for sure.

Plus we can’t pay all 6 defensemen 4-5 million per season. (Avg). The third pair needs to be affordable. Bitteo and Hajek have played very well the past 2 games.

 

[Daves a mess]

I think with miller’s play, robertson has become trade bait.

Robertson, Jones, Nils, Schneider. Have to believe one is gone if the Rangers go top 2 line center shopping.

 

[Daves a mess]

I'd guess at least 2 of Robertson, Lundkvist, Schneider, and Jones will be traded by the 2022 trade deadline. Gorton has done a great job at stockpiling talent. I think we'll be entering the phase where it's prudent to start consolidating assets sooner than later...

Haha. You beat me too it with the same quad of names.

 

[Leetch3]

problem is the UFA list stinks . Who else at C?

would have to trade then and a guy like Turcotte will take a lot to acquire

unless its a short term deal the absolute worst strategy you can have is signing a guy just cause he's a ufa and no one else is available...the salary cap doesn't allow it

 

[RangersFan1994]

Unless the plan is to sign RNH and trade away Mika I don’t see any point in going down that road

And frankly that plan isn’t great either

Chytil is trending towards being 2C, at this point they should be looking for guys who can be a 3C but slide up and play comfortably at 2C in a pinch.

Not Ryan Strome before anyone says him

Rather pay extra for Barkov

 

[Vitto79]

Plus we can’t pay all 6 defensemen 4-5 million per season. (Avg). The third pair needs to be affordable. Bitteo and Hajek have played very well the past 2 games.

true but they have 3 yrs on entry level till that’s a concern

 

[Edge]

I'd guess at least 2 of Robertson, Lundkvist, Schneider, and Jones will be traded by the 2022 trade deadline. Gorton has done a great job at stockpiling talent. I think we'll be entering the phase where it's prudent to start consolidating assets sooner than later...

I think that's probably pretty accurate.

On the right side, one of Lundkvist or Schneider is going to have to go at some point unless the Rangers get to the point they move Trouba. Seeing as that is less likely, I'll venture a guess that Lundkvist is part of a bigger trade and he's the guy who is moved.

On the left side, things are probably a little more up in the air.

Jones is the skill option, but his future could be decided on who the Rangers already on the blue line.

If you have a defense featuring Lundkvist and Fox, the odds of Jones staying decrease.

If that defense features someone like Schneider, Jones could potentially pair with him.

I also would not rule out the possibility of Lindgren being moved if Jones and Robertson hit their full potential.

 

[RGY]

Rnh isnt the answer, honestly if im Gorton im looking for someome young now, does a guy like Lavoie get moved for a dman in edmonton? I guess that probably would depend on RNH and if he stays or not too. If we could snake a guy like that out of Edmomton without changing our team we could project Chytil, Lavoie and Barron as our top 3 going forward and allow Zib to walk. Someone mentioned Turcotte, that works too but we need to do this now imo. Id prefer to add a young cost controlled center as opposed to an older player with a bigger contract.

I agree on RNH. Not the answer. And as @SA16 pointed out, he has split his positional time between wing and center. And even when he is at Center isnt exactly above average at the position, which is what we need.

A package for Turcotte would be my target. He is in the AHL right now. Depending on what the package is, we might not have to give up anything off our roster. Turcotte could play in Hartford for a bit and then be a call up. OR he could jump into the 3C spot with Lafreniere. DeAngelo could be a longterm option there if he turns it around. 50 Point RHD with all the young talent they have.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

@Edge do you know where the Rangers had Turcotte ranked in 2019 on their list?

It’s been mentioned maybe a swap of Lundkvist for Turcotte but I’m curious how high they’d actually be on Turcotte

 

[MarkMessyay11]

Haha. You beat me too it with the same quad of names.

It's honestly just simple math and a bit of logic lol we have a surplus and a need. If Gorts is smart (which I believe he is, contrary to popular opinion...), he'll use that surplus to fill the holes.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Could they pry Turcotte out of LAK?

DeAngelo, 2nd round, and Robertson?

Other centers they have outside of Byfield are Vilardi, Madden, and Thomas. And of course Lias.

At some point, not necessarily involving DeAngelo, prying one of Turcotte/Vilardi/Madden out of LA would be a smart move if Gorton can pull it off. Vilardi especially is a kid I probably overlooked too much along the way. He is probably close to untouchable though, already in their top 6 it looks like in terms of TOI...appears to be good offensively but not so much defensively.

 

[MarkMessyay11]

I think that's probably pretty accurate.

On the right side, one of Lundkvist or Schneider is going to have to go at some point unless the Rangers get to the point they move Trouba. Seeing as that is less likely, I'll venture a guess that Lundkvist is part of a bigger trade and he's the guy who is moved.

On the left side, things are probably a little more up in the air.

Jones is the skill option, but his future could be decided on who the Rangers already on the blue line.

If you have a defense featuring Lundkvist and Fox, the odds of Jones staying decrease.

If that defense features someone like Schneider, Jones could potentially pair with him.

I also would not rule out the possibility of Lindgren being moved if Jones and Robertson hit their full potential.

Lindgren isn't one I considered, TBH. But if they have concerns about the longevity of his game (which is warranted), then I wouldn't blame them for adding his name to any discussions. Only reason I would be hesitant is because we don't have that snarl anywhere else aside from Schneider. And I believe players like that are worth their weight in gold when it comes to May/June hockey.

Either way, I think your point is we have plenty of options...either for internal preference or external preference in any trade. If management really likes Fox and Lundkvist as a combo, then Jones is out. If management really likes a center from another team, and that team insists on Lundkvist being included, then Jones is in. Etc. etc...seems like a good problem to have.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

@Edge do you know where the Rangers had Turcotte ranked in 2019 on their list?

It’s been mentioned maybe a swap of Lundkvist for Turcotte but I’m curious how high they’d actually be on Turcotte

They were very high on Zegras, who would have been their target at 7/8 if they had not won the lottery. Turcotte was in that same range, but he went sooner

 

[True Blue]

The complaint is this particular top 10 pick didn't work out, kinda already said that. It's not just that he didn't work out. How do you draft a guy that slow in the top 10, he almost never had a chance to workout.

He had his chances. He just did squat with them. Showed ZERO. He then could have done what Chytil & Lindgren did. Go to Harford, play at a level that demands the coaches call you up. What did he do? He packed up, took his ball, left the play ground to run home so that he can have more time to devote to Twitter.

 

[jay from jersey]

I agree on RNH. Not the answer. And as @SA16 pointed out, he has split his positional time between wing and center. And even when he is at Center isnt exactly above average at the position, which is what we need.

A package for Turcotte would be my target. He is in the AHL right now. Depending on what the package is, we might not have to give up anything off our roster. Turcotte could play in Hartford for a bit and then be a call up. OR he could jump into the 3C spot with Lafreniere. DeAngelo could be a longterm option there if he turns it around. 50 Point RHD with all the young talent they have.

I’m with you. I’ve been saying they should trade Nils for Turcotte for months. It solves so many problems for both teams, and both players have a lot of potential at each of their positions. I would love Zegras as much as the next guy but there is no chance in hell they move him. I think it also puts the Rangers in a much better position to move on from Zibby if need be to go after someone like Barkov or Eichel. Either way, if they can deploy Zibby Chytil Turcotte or Eichel/Barkov Chytil Turcotte down the middle, it insulates guys from injuries a little bit having 3 guys who can move up and down the line up if need be. Everyone is playing arm chair GM and saying thank god nils is here. Even with DeAngelo gone I really don’t think Lundkvist is in the teams long term plans. He’s one of the best trade chips we have at a position that is desirable and where the team is pretty deep. I think having Schneider whose not too far away by all accounts, and hunter skinner makes Nils the first guy out the door for an impact center. He’s done nothing since he was drafted but improve his stock

 

[Edge]

@Edge do you know where the Rangers had Turcotte ranked in 2019 on their list?

It’s been mentioned maybe a swap of Lundkvist for Turcotte but I’m curious how high they’d actually be on Turcotte

Honestly can't remember off the top of my head. Definitely in the top 10, but behind Zegras.

I can't recall at this time if they had Turcotte behind Dach and Cozens as well. My knee-jerk reaction is to say that Dach and Cozens were higher though.

 

[bleedblue94]

Two random thoughts...

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is far and away the best available center in the upcoming UFA marketplace. I would imagine the buzz around him will start building soon. Think Gorton will have his number on speed dial? The Rangers should have plenty of cap space available.

Brent Howden is a better player than most here will admit to but for his sake and ours, it's time for him to go. I wonder if there's a 1-1 trade (similar to Spooner/Strome) out there?

Why do you feel Howden needs to go? Do you think it is so he isn't overused? I see a capable 4th line center that is playing in a 3c role bc our 3c is injured so I'm not sure the issue. Not challenging your opinion, just asking you to expand on it.

 

[JimmyG89]

They desperately need to find another center that can grow with this team. Howden has not worked. He might only be 22, but he's just not improving from his play over the last three years. He's improved his skating, but there is no offense whatsoever. Not even enough to be a 3rd line center.

Losing Chytil has really stung and there is nothing behind him. Thing is, I'm not sure where this center is coming from and I'm not sure it's going to be a established center. It's going to be a young guy.

I'm really hoping the Hartford experience is good for Barron. I would love to see him at center there and groom him for that role. Yes, he was on wing most of the time in college, but Kevin Hayes was primarily a RW in college and came into the NHL at center. I'm hopeful they can do something like that with him.