Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part XLII Time for Curtis Lazar?

[romba]

Replacing Fast with VK next year is EA level team management.

 

[bobbop]

I don't see much of a way Fast is here next year. Unless he's willing to sign a deal for close to what he's making now, which would be foolish if he did that.

Go get your money.

There won’t be a lot of money to get

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

There won’t be a lot of money to get

He can still get more money elsewhere than he'd be able to get here

 

[bobbop]

He can still get more money elsewhere than he'd be able to get here

Don’t bet on it

 

[SA16]

Don’t bet on it

I'd like to bet on it.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

Me too.

 

[True Blue]

It’s always a moving puzzle and it really comes down to what JG chooses, which in itself will always have an element of human error. There is never one right answer; there’s always what the GM ultimately does, as well as what else he could have done, whether it was something we discussed and debated here ahead of time or only in hindsight. Fast is an interesting one because he’s worn a letter and is well liked by the staff and the players, but like you said could cost some money to keep. You can walk away at this point in his career where you feel you can find a cheaper solution despite what a good soldier he’s been, because he’s earned his payday but we’d rather not be the ones to give it to him, or you could keep him for his utility, locker room presence and established history. I think there’s a 50:50 chance that whichever route we go, we’ll debate whether it was appropriate in hindsight.

Fast played a role. He played it very well. There is always a spot for a guy like him on the bottom 6. The biggest question is what is that worth? Would I pay him $3m? Probably not. $2-$2.5? Probably. The biggest question is what does he make on the UFA market?

 

[bigdog16]

Don’t bet on it

Could certainly get more money elsewhere, not even a question. Who knows where his heads at though, seems like a guy who loves being a Ranger

 

[bobbop]

Flat cap next year is best case for players.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

Thing with fAST IS HE'S NOT A "BOTTOM-SIX" player. He opens up lanes and sees the ice like an elite player.

 

[True Blue]

Thing with fAST IS HE'S NOT A "BOTTOM-SIX" playe. He opens up lanes and sees the ice like an elite player.

His point production does not dictate top-6. While you CAN have him in a top-6 role, does not mean that should be the game plan.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

No but to have that is $$. Throwing the d off, creating panic, hitting, skating, covering for big guns. Big $$. and yeah 30 empty pts but still. Not easily replaced, IMO.

 

[Tawnos]

Thing with fAST IS HE'S NOT A "BOTTOM-SIX" player. He opens up lanes and sees the ice like an elite player.

If that were true, his offensive production would be much higher.

Don't get me wrong, I'll miss him if he's gone. But lets not exaggerate his abilities here.

 

[Irishguy42]

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Don’t bet on it

Even if there is an minor increase in cap from say 81.5 to 83 million and they buyout Henrik, the team wouldn't have the space to offer him a deal

And if the cap is flat, they'd have even less money.

I'm 1000% certain some other team can and will offer him more money than he's making now

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

The only way Fast stays is if Hank is amnestied and the team has a few extra shekels after RFAs.

 

[FIRE DRURY]

Fast is one of those guys that’s either overrated or underrated by a fanbase. He can definitely be a valuable player — at the right price.

 

[Fitzy]

The Rangers 4th line the year we made the finals was very good. Moore-Boyle-Dorsett in the postseason.

The 4th line this year was one of the worst in the league.

The trick is can NYR build a lineup that keeps Fast on the 4th line, where he should be, while paying him like a 3rd line player. Doesn't seem likely.

Lemieux-XXX-Fast could be the 4th line of this generation's NY Rangers, but I have to be convinced that's the plan.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

The Rangers 4th line the year we made the finals was very good. Moore-Boyle-Dorsett in the postseason.

The 4th line this year was one of the worst in the league.

The trick is can NYR build a lineup that keeps Fast on the 4th line, where he should be, while paying him like a 3rd line player. Doesn't seem likely.

Lemieux-XXX-Fast could be the 4th line of this generation's NY Rangers, but I have to be convinced that's the plan.

We had a great 4th line. Our problem was that they were playing on the 3rd line

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

If that were true, his offensive production would be much higher.

Don't get me wrong, I'll miss him if he's gone. But lets not exaggerate his abilities here.

I'm not. He doesn't have much ability==what he has is superior intuition. If you don't see how he carves lanes in the O-zone, I'm not sure what you're watching. It isn't coincidence that two coaches used him, pretty frequently, in the top six.

 

[Tawnos]

I'm not. He doesn't have much ability==what he has is superior intuition. If you don't see how he carves lanes in the O-zone, I'm not sure what you're watching. It isn't coincidence that two coaches used him, pretty frequently, in the top six.

I think he's good at what you're talking about, but nowhere near "elite" at it. Hagelin was better at it than Fast is, but I never would've said he's elite at it.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

We need guys like fast though. A real grinder. Krav, Kakko, Chytil may have more “skill” and upside but they cannot do what he does. Our team is already pretty bad at doing the little things right, losing Fast and not replacing him with a similar veteran type player will hurt us.

Realistically if things work out there are a lot of guys fighting for a few spots in the top 9. Panarin, Zib, Kreider, Kakko,Strome, Chytil are locks for top 9 with Lemieux, Howden, Kravtsov, Gauthier, Barron, Anderson?, etc etc all fighting for spots in the top 9. I don't know if they will be willing to give Fast the money he has earned to play on the 4th line in a year or two, his spot in the top 6 won't be there next year as they will have to move Kakko in there by next season imo. With regards to the grinding style I think we have some guys in place to varying degrees, Lemieux, Chytil, Gauthier, Anderson(if he stays), Howden(who imo just needs some muscle to be the player he should be) are all forechecking puck retrievers to name a few. I would have liked to see how Gauthier would have done on the Panarin line before the season ended, big, fast, more of an offensive threat.

 

[bobbop]

Even if there is an minor increase in cap from say 81.5 to 83 million and they buyout Henrik, the team wouldn't have the space to offer him a deal

And if the cap is flat, they'd have even less money.

I'm 1000% certain some other team can and will offer him more money than he's making now

You missed my point. There's almost no chance the cap league wide is going up. $81.5MM would be a blessing for the players. Remember they are partners in this deal and they are going to share in the losses.

Best I can tell 6-7 teams will have some cap flexibility next year and most of the rest will be up against it. Rangers included. Teams have to sign their own players. I can also tell you that some teams are going to run into real cash problems and may have to look at cutting payroll. Fast may be able to get a nice contract if he wants to hold his nose and play in Ottawa or Detroit but my guess is that he won't have a great market and the Rangers may find a way to hold on to him.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Want no part of Fast at UFA prices

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

Howden needs a lot more than muscle...