Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part XLIV

[TheTakedown]

My thoughts exactly.

If I'm Chris Kreider or Kevin Hayes right now (certainly their agents) I'm licking my chops after seeing that Nelson deal. Both of those guys should be able to demand closer to $7M.

How many guys actually get better after signing their big contract? (I'm talking their 3rd or 4th contract, after an ELC, Bridge deal and a multi-year deal. Not necessarily the studs who've gotten a huge second contract after their ELC. In Kreider's case this will be his 4th contract.) They're being paid for what they've already accomplished in their career, and what they're worth today. In two years time? That Nelson contract is going to look awful.

We've had the best 6-7 years of Chris Kreider's career. He is what he is. Players decline after 30. If you're the Rangers you move him now and don't tie yourself up for the next 6 years.

I'm glad you wrote this.

It's exactly why Panarin should be signed.

He literally IS doing "what he was known for" right now, and has years left in him due to only being in the NHL for a few seasons, not 7+ like most euro guys

 

[Lion Hound]

Last year after the Rangers season was over i was 100% certain that the NY Rangers would never trade Lundqvist, and he would retire here.

This year so many stars are aligning to make me think otherwise.

1) The reigning president of the "good ole boys club" steps down (Sather)
2) Hank's weird interview
3) JD comes home, and touches on the touchy subject in his first interview. And it was very Vague, but one peice resonates. JD touched on how Hank throughout his career was been very healthy and is still today. No major injuries. Sounds like he's had this conversation before.
4) Geo has morphed into a tremendous backup, likely worthy of more starts.
5) Shestyorkin has signed, and is coming over.

Last year Gorton spoke about how Hank was approached and wanted to stay here etc. The Organization is first class and was to support him the whole way. There's a lot that can happen in a year.

 

[DutchShamrock]

I agree 100%. And if Hank is going to pout it will affect his play. I will stand by my assessment that Hank wants an extension. His value will only go down as we integrate the young-ins. Any move will have to be salary retention and not much for us as compensation.Aging elite athletes are never easy to deal with and Hank is going to feel some painful rejection.

You keep saying this but the facts don't really support it. He wants something in 2 years that he can't discuss for 13 more months? He's pouting over an extension literally no one can give him?

Isn't it more logical that he wants the rangers competitive with his career winding down? His last chance to win a cup. I mean, he said that the last 2 summers.

But I guess its cooler to paint a narrative that he is greedy, willing to tank his play until the team craves into his demand for an extension in a year. Can't just be a competitive athlete trying to win games. That is somehow "pouting".

 

[Gardner McKay]

Lol

What is funny about adding good depth?

 

[East Coast Bias]

Yes Hank wants the Rangers to sign EK for 7 years, and be given a 5 year extension they both can be here for 7 years.

All because our resident Jack Welch HFNYR CEO and GM says so.

 

[GAGLine]

DO the Rangers really need to suck next year? There's a ton of talent coming through the pipeline and I'm struggling to understand why we need to "keep collecting assets"...

After June, we'll have made 7 1st round picks in the last 3 drafts, the potential for that to be 8 if Kreider is traded.

Beyond Kreider, there's nothing else left to trade... What are you guys expecting this team to do? Even guys on 1-year contracts--the best we could hope for is another Grabner situation where the guy comes in, plays over his head, and then recoups and 2nd and a prospect that is years away... Other than that, all we have is a couple of role players that are worth no more than a couple of 2nds/3rds/4ths...

I'm just not seeing the point in trying to continue to stockpile assets. I think asset collecting as a whole should never stop, but we've put asset collection into high gear the last few years, and at this point I'm not understanding what another "top 10 pick" will do unless it's a lottery winning pick... Zbad's contract also has some implications, there are only 3 years left on it. What do we do with him when he hits UFA?

We don't NEED to suck next year, but it's very likely going to happen whether we want it to or not. There's no quick fix here, no set of moves that are going to suddenly thrust us into contention. It isn't so much about asset acquisition right now as it is making sure we have the right assets. Which young players are going to take the next step? Which players are going to fill which roles? Which holes do we still need to fill? What opportunities are out there for us to take some of our quantity and turn it into quality?

I'm sure Gorton will be very active this summer, but it's going to take time to figure it all out and see what we have and what we need. This team won't really compete until the defense gets fixed, and if we are expecting guys like Miller and Lundkvist to be part of the solution, we've got some time to wait before they become impact players for us.

 

[cheech70]

You keep saying this but the facts don't really support it. He wants something in 2 years that he can't discuss for 13 more months? He's pouting over an extension literally no one can give him?

Isn't it more logical that he wants the rangers competitive with his career winding down? His last chance to win a cup. I mean, he said that the last 2 summers.

But I guess its cooler to paint a narrative that he is greedy, willing to tank his play until the team craves into his demand for an extension in a year. Can't just be a competitive athlete trying to win games. That is somehow "pouting".

Come on.....Hank has 2 seasons to audition for a new contract. I do not get the vibe that he is retiring. He is looking for his next contract. So would I. Would it be so bad if we go with G & S ? The timing is perfect for JD. Sather doesn't have to be the bad guy and someone new to Hank ...JD can be the well paid bad guy. And if I listened correctly JD asked Dolan all the questions and they agreed. Agreed to what? Maybe agreed that JD has final say on all hockey personnel decisions(maybe specifically Hank). There is 1 goal and if JD can pull it off he will have established his legacy.

 

[Off Sides]

If Zbad is still playing at a high level in 3 years, if he wanted an extension I'm not sure why one would not be offered should the Rangers have cap space to offer one. At that point he may be a vet center they do want to keep, as by that point they'll know more about what they have in many of these prospects after seeing them for the 3 years in between. Or perhaps he wants to move on, or the Rangers do.

There is likely to be a difference in how they handle pending UFAs as they go from stockpiling towards trying to contend if those pending UFAs are still playing at a level which would fit their next contract.

 

[Lion Hound]

If Zbad is still playing at a high level in 3 years, if he wanted an extension I'm not sure why one would not be offered should the Rangers have cap space to offer one. At that point he may be a vet center they do want to keep, as by that point they'll know more about what they have in many of these prospects after seeing them for the 3 years in between. Or perhaps he wants to move on, or the Rangers do.

There is likely to be a difference in how they handle pending UFAs as they go from stockpiling towards trying to contend if those pending UFAs are still playing at a level which would fit their next contract.

Zbad in his last interview said he thinks he has a "few more levels in him." Basically i think he feels he will be greater then a PPG player.

 

[LORDE]

DO the Rangers really need to suck next year? There's a ton of talent coming through the pipeline and I'm struggling to understand why we need to "keep collecting assets"...

After June, we'll have made 7 1st round picks in the last 3 drafts, the potential for that to be 8 if Kreider is traded.

Beyond Kreider, there's nothing else left to trade... What are you guys expecting this team to do? Even guys on 1-year contracts--the best we could hope for is another Grabner situation where the guy comes in, plays over his head, and then recoups and 2nd and a prospect that is years away... Other than that, all we have is a couple of role players that are worth no more than a couple of 2nds/3rds/4ths...

I'm just not seeing the point in trying to continue to stockpile assets. I think asset collecting as a whole should never stop, but we've put asset collection into high gear the last few years, and at this point I'm not understanding what another "top 10 pick" will do unless it's a lottery winning pick... Zbad's contract also has some implications, there are only 3 years left on it. What do we do with him when he hits UFA?

We’re missing a #1 center & a top pair. Until we get those we should hope for another lottery pick... unless ALL those assets that ur mentioning in the pipeline can buy ya those hard to find pieces.

Hint: they can’t

 

[Trxjw]

The Rangers aren't going to trade Hank unless he asks to be moved. Gorton and JD dont want a Leetch situation possibly tarnishing their legacy. Hank asking for a deal is the better situation for the Rangers. They'd get to set the terms and tell Hank that he might need to be flexible with his destinations for contenting teams. Calgary isn't a desirable destination for Hank, but it might be one of the few teams interested in his services.

Do I think that request gets made this summer? No, but it could come at the deadline if the team is terrible and Hank is losing more starts to Georgie and Igor. The Rangers won't get a lot in a trade even at 50% retention. The deal will be about a final favor to a Rangers legend and turning the page on his tenure here. The Ray Bourque path.

 

[Off Sides]

Zbad in his last interview said he thinks he has a "few more levels in him." Basically i think he feels he will be greater then a PPG player.

I also think it's interesting his contract end is in the 2022 off-season.

Just my reading of the tea leaves of course, (I tend to put weight on contracts ends and timing) but if they intend for the 2021 off-season to be the turning point to where they start to finish off their rebuild, where they start to think more about contending with the 4 big contract guaranteed to be gone by then, I think it's actually quite plausible an extension for Zbad could be in the cards in the 2022 off-season depending on what goes on in his last contract year, how he still fits in with that.

 

[Ghost of jas]

We’re missing a #1 center & a top pair. Until we get those we should hope for another lottery pick... unless ALL those assets that ur mentioning in the pipeline can buy ya those hard to find pieces.

Hint: they can’t

Exactly...if the question is how much top end talent do the Rangers need to draft, my answer is as much as possible, so we don’t have to spend $77 million over 7 years for a 27 (soon to be 28) year-old winger.

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

Hypothetically speaking, what are possible destinations for Lundqvist?

 

[Off Sides]

Exactly...if the question is how much top end talent do the Rangers need to draft, my answer is as much as possible, so we don’t have to spend $77 million over 7 years for a 27 (soon to be 28) year-old winger.

Or trade all their future 1st round picks away for rentals.

 

[Avery16]

What is funny about adding good depth?

LOL stop

 

[Avery16]

Dubinsky is 33, has a 5.85 mil cap hit for the next 2 years, and has 30 points in his last 133 games.

Even at half price for future considerations, do you really want him?

No, I do not, to be clear. Or anyone mentioned in that post.

 

[Lion Hound]

Hypothetically speaking, what are possible destinations for Lundqvist?

Couple of seasons ago, that market was alot bigger. I Was on Cap Friendly earlier looking at who could potentially be in the market for a vet Goalie, then factoring out the markets that Hank woudnt want to play for. Not a lot of suitors here.

 

[Avery16]

Avery could also play:

Avery-Dubinsky-Kakko

Avery is the ONE vet I'm on board with signing, but only if he reported to camp and earned a spot. So its moot.

 

[RangerBoy]

Joe Smith of The Athletic who covers the Lightning reported TB would give Karlsson $8M-$9M AAV if he is interested.

TB was interested last summer. They still want him. No state income tax. That $8M-$9M is worth more in Florida. They know what they have to do to sign Point and Karlsson.

TB would have to move Callahan and at least one other forward. They have so many middling forwards like Miller, Palat, Johnson, Killorn and Gourde signed to long term contracts. JT’s NTC begins 7/1. All of those players have clauses.

The Rangers are thrown into the mix because of Lundqvist. He is buddies with Karlsson.

 

[NYR Viper]

Hypothetically speaking, what are possible destinations for Lundqvist?

Carolina seems like a prime opportunity. East Coast. Good up and coming team. Good defense. Good location in Raleigh. Take back the Darling contract and the Canes get their goalie for ~$4m per season. They can re-sign McElhenny (can't spell his name for the life of me) and they have the young kid Nedelkovich (also horrible name to be spelled) so they can limit Hanks regular season playing time. would be a good marketing opportunity as well for that team

 

[MetalJaws]

My 2 cents. Hank sticks around and signs a 2 year extension deal at a manageable cap hit to get 2 more swings at bat then retire a Ranger. George is traded and Shesty and Hank split for a couple years until Shesty goes beast mode KHL style and brings us to the promise land. 2-3 years from now you'd think our top end prospects would be into high gear. Hank will see that and do what is necessary to be around during it. Even if it means being a backup.

21-22 & 22-23 are gonna be really fun years for Rangers Fans!

 

[Speedtrials]

Really loved what JD has said over the past couple of days. Really stressing patience, and not trying to force and pray a big signing will work like Slats did. For long-term fans this is what we have been wanting since 98. Obviously we got fortunate drafting a HOF goalie out of nowhere, who gave us a lot of fun hockey. Now it seems like this franchise has everything in place to build a true contender.

 

[eco's bones]

Florida could be a team for Henrik if he's willing to go there and if they decide not to chase Bobrovsky. I think Luongo is expected to retire and they want to dump Reimer. Their other goalie is Samuel Montambeault who doesn't have a whole lot of NHL experience. That said he would not be a long term solution like Bobrovsky could possibly be. OTOH Florida doesn't really have anything in the bank after Montambeault. That team needs to work on its goaltending situattion.

 

[haveandare]

Come on.....Hank has 2 seasons to audition for a new contract. I do not get the vibe that he is retiring. He is looking for his next contract. So would I. Would it be so bad if we go with G & S ? The timing is perfect for JD. Sather doesn't have to be the bad guy and someone new to Hank ...JD can be the well paid bad guy. And if I listened correctly JD asked Dolan all the questions and they agreed. Agreed to what? Maybe agreed that JD has final say on all hockey personnel decisions(maybe specifically Hank). There is 1 goal and if JD can pull it off he will have established his legacy.

When it comes to moving players, the GM will be the good or bad guy. They make trades. It's still Gorton. I don't think "being the bad guy" really matters at all in this situation, just saying.

Also we don't know how it'd be with just Georgiev and Shestyorkin. Georgiev has been very hot and cold, which is bearable if the second guy is steady, but Shestyorkin hasn't played a single game yet. Could be will still have two starter quality guys, could be we have to backups and no starter anywhere on the radar. We don't know yet and shouldn't be thinking of moving Hank until we do know.