The Athletic's Dallas Stars beat writer Sean Shapiro was on Dmitri Filopovic's podcast 3-4 weeks ago. If Seguin doesn't sign in Dallas,one of the main reasons is the team has made the playoffs once in the last 4 years. Seguin would want to sign with a team which can compete for a Cup. The Rangers are very far away from being a Cup contender. Seguin isn't signing with a rebuilding team. Another reason is money. Benn is at $9.5M. Dallas might not want to offer more than $9.5M which is worth more with no state income tax. Buyout proof signing bonus laden contract.
The problem with Shattenkirk stinking is that Smith and Staal also stink. That's a combined $16.7M of stink tied up for the next three seasons. Half of the Rangers defense corps. We all know Staal has been in serious decline a while. Smith just isn't very good. You would expect/hope Shattenkirk to give them a few quality seasons. Both Smith and Shattenkirk turn 30 early next season. The aging curve is not very kind to players approaching 30 and the roof caves in after 30. The Rangers better hope Shattenkirk's dip last season was because of the knee injury which is more serious than the Rangers admitted. The guy had knee surgery in January. He tried to come back in March for some stupid reason. He left pain and discomfort so they shut him down. Larry Brooks reported Shattenkirk resumed skating in late June. Five months after the surgery. The Rangers said he would be back within two months.
Very very good post but I'm going to bring up some points to WHY I think the Rangers are a desirable destination. We don't know how close or far away they are yet. This season will determine that. They're in the position as well where if they really stink and can grab one of Hughes, Kakko, Turcotte, Newhook, that would be very appealing for anyone to play with (along with Chytil/Kravstov). If they go all 2010-11 on us which is VERY possible, they're a bubble team who could spin the "hey we're getting there" angle to UFAs.
Seguin is going to ask for A LOT of money. Like $12-$13 million. Teams like the Bruins, Lightning, Leafs, Caps, Penguins, Kings, Wild, Blues don't have the room up front or the money. Ducks are pretty good up front but they need a lot of work on D (I can see them going hard after Karlsson). Even the Panthers won't have the cap room. Who will have that kind of money? Vegas, Jets, Sharks, Rangers, Devils, Islanders at this time are the only logical destination for UFAs. Of those teams I see the Sharks and the three NY region teams being desirable destinations. Jets don't spend money on UFAs which is going to have to change or else they're going to be this decades version of late 90s Senators. But would the Devils really spend that kind of cash and who knows what the Islanders are this year and the whole arena situation (when will it be built in actuality etc.).
Seguin is a total alpha. As I said there was a whole thing about it during his draft year. He wants to be THE man. He already has a Cup as a complimentary piece, but he wants one as a main guy. The Rangers can pay him and sell him on being the main part of the rebuild. He signs for seven years he'll get at least five if not six cracks at it. Maybe even seven. Him being here moves all the other centers who will be on ELCs down the depth chart and creates more favorable matchups. Howden if he pans out can do his Holik/Joel Otto thing the next decade. Anderson can be moved anywhere and everywhere. Maybe he even gets to platy a Hadfield-lite with Seguin.
I don't think Smith is as bad a he was last year. He made a bad decision last offseason. AV also neutered him. That was spoken about. If Shattenkirk really is finished, they can always IR him for the next few years. Rangers literally don't have any contracts to worry about for the next 2-3 years. If an RFA buch coming off an ELC (no arb) and resigning Fast is the most you have to worry about, you're in the drivers seat. They can pay Seguin, make him the main part of the rebuild, AND have enough dough to keep surrounding him and a team of ELCs with whichever veterans are needed.
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