Speculation: Roster Building Thread : Part XV (Light em up!)

[NYR Viper]

If the rumors are true that the Canucks owner got involved at the last minute, that screams like it’s to do with retention, not value. I wonder if Drury is demanding at least some retention if they won’t take Zibanejad back. $2m? Chytil + Sykora + Chmelar for Miller at $6m

 

[Harbour Dog]

If trading a handful of promising young guys and/or ~15OA for Miller turns out to be a good decision, I'll eat the oldest pair of boxers I own.

 

[RangerBoy]

Bernie Nicholls loved his fur coats. I’d like to see Mika spend some time with Bernie Nicholls at some point. Mika needs a good male role model.

Did you know Bernie was born with a pigeon toe?

I remember reading this Sports Illustrated article on Bernie when I was a very little kid thinking WTF is going on.

If Nicholls Has a major weakness, it's his skating. He was born pigeon-toed, his left foot turning inward so far that he had to wear a brace for six months when he was two. "The foot never really straightened out completely," says his mother, Marge. "I think that's why he looks a little awkward when he skates."

It's Pumper-Nicholl on a roll

He served it up early and with Pumper-Nicholl. In a swirling Picasso of a hockey game Saturday night before a sellout (16,005) crowd at The Forum in Los

vault.si.com

The Kings had the Triple Crown line with Marcel Dionne, Charlie Simmer and Dave Taylor. All of those guys eventually moved on. Bernie became the guy in LA. Here come Jimmy Carson and Luc Robitaille. Bruce McNall buys the Kings and trades for Wayne. Bernie was no longer big man on the Kings campus. Less than two years later, Bernie was traded to the Rangers. I think the Post had a back page of Broadway Bernie.

Nicholls was a character. I hated the trade for Bernie. Tomas Sandstrom and Tony Granato. The trade to NY didn't work out. He hated Roger and Roger hated him. Bernie was traded to Edmonton in the Messier deal. His wife was having a tough pregnancy and Bernie didn't want to leave her. He didn't want to play in Edmonton. A trade to the Devils was made.

 

[Harbour Dog]

If we need more offense, why don't we try for a younger guy who could fit into our window? What about that puck possession, playmaking beast in Seattle; Kapo Kaako (sp?).

 

[RangerBoy]

If trading a handful of promising young guys and/or ~15OA for Miller turns out to be a good decision, I'll eat the oldest pair of boxers I own.

Chytil, Sykora, Chmelar and a lottery protected first round pick for a soon to be 32 year old JT Miller signed until 2030 with an $8M cap number. Vancouver clears out the money and moves on. The Rangers must love the 2011 draft because Mika, Miller and Trocheck were all 2011 draft picks. All of them turn 32 this year. Five more seasons of Mika and JT. Four more seasons of Trocheck. Does Panarin get an contract extension? Why not? Keep Kreider for two more seasons. Dave Maloney was complaining about the Rangers not having any oomph in their game. The old legs are tired and they needed Igor to be all world.

If we need more offense, why don't we try for a younger guy who could fit into our window? What about that puck possession, playmaking beast in Seattle; Kapo Kaako (sp?).

Lafreniere is hoping he gets his get out of jail card too.

 

[Harbour Dog]

Chytil, Sykora, Chmelar and a lottery protected first round pick for a soon to be 32 year old JT Miller signed until 2030 with an $8M cap number. Vancouver clears out the money and moves on. The Rangers must love the 2011 draft because Mika, Miller and Trocheck were all 2011 draft picks. All of them turn 32 this year. Five more seasons of Mika and JT. Four more seasons of Trocheck. Does Panarin get an contract extension? Why not? Keep Kreider for two more seasons. Dave Maloney was complaining about the Rangers not having any oomph in their game. The old legs are tired and they needed Igor to be all world.

I actually thought we were in agreement until I got to "why not?"

I just haven't got any faith in this core left, and I think bolstering them is just going to delay us in trying to put together an actual group that can get it done. Miller is the type of player I'd want to add, lockerroom issues aside, but Chytil will immediately break out and Sykora and Chmelar are clear cut NHLers who will be on winning teams for a long time. My heart can't take any more.

 

[Harbour Dog]

Thinking about exactly what it is that sickens me about the idea. And it's that trading those promising young guys for Miller confirms that this is who we are. We're the franchise that can attract superstars, so that's what we do.

We don't build cohesive teams, we don't develop uber talented young guys, we don't win cups. We sign big names and pat ourselves on the back. It's depressing.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

I don't think I've ever been so mad reading an article. That Uncle Larry article is proof positive that Chris Drury has absolutely no idea what he's doing. I mean we already knew that, but it is astonishing that Dolan is letting this doofus continue in his role. He must REALLY not give a shit.

 

[Mike in Houston]

I don't think I've ever been so mad reading an article. That Uncle Larry article is proof positive that Chris Drury has absolutely no idea what he's doing. I mean we already knew that, but it is astonishing that Dolan is letting this doofus continue in his role. He must REALLY not give a shit.

Miller for Lafrenière got you all charged up?

 

[Mike in Houston]

 

[duhmetreE]

If Chytil was involved wouldn’t they sit the China doll?

 

[RGY]

Trade Lafreniere and I am done with this organization. I have defended Drury, or rather not been so up in arms about his moves, but the Kakko deal was just plain stupid. And then you trade Lafreniere (and possibly Schneider PLUS more). Thats it. Packing it in. This organization deserves to be losers.

 

[noncents]

guys enough with the kakko stuff in this thread. he sucks.

we don't need to hear every time he farts, has a 3pt night, or goes ~ppg for 15 games. his team isn't even winning.

it's a dead cat bounce. a small sample size. a hot streak. pdo and s% are unsustainable. his attitude issues will resurface. his skating necessarily limits his utility and ability in this league. he can't pass. muffin shot. teammates who score normally don't produce when they play with him. he's allergic to producing. he's bad on the PP.

he's a one trick pony. he possesses the puck and humps the boards but doesn't create any offense. his defense is overrated. hes never even PKed.

multiple cup winning coaches and he's gotten scratched in the biggest games of the year multiple times. we're not seeing what they are. you think it's an accident?

he sucks. he's soft. he's not well liked in the room. he's too quiet. he's selfish for speaking out to his own benefit. his health issues prevent him from performing at peak athletic level.

he had his chance here. time and time again we'd see him get an opportunity higher in the lineup and he failed to produce. we traded buch to give him a spot and he lost it to colin blackwell and kevin rooney. whatever he accomplishes elsewhere, for whatever reason he was never going to do that here.

he needed the trade to play better. he needed the wake up call. he had maturity issues. he couldn't perform under the pressure. he couldn't handle nyc. he needed a smaller market. he sucks.

if you care more about Kakko than NYR, go to the Kraken board. all of our minds are made up on what this player is, we will not revisit or revise that opinion.

take it to the other thread.

 

[Vitto79]

If Chytil was involved wouldn’t they sit the China doll?

Not if the deal fell apart as reported
JT played
Lets see if Hartford plays the 3 guys at 4 today

 

[17futurecap]

For all the Kakko talk, Borgen and Miller together has really steadied the defense, and been a huge part of the Rangers turnaround this month.

Can’t get swooped into a small sample obviously, but really do wonder if he’s going to keep and pay Borgen.

 

[Fitzy]

Hard to believe that Panarin, Kreider, Tro, Zib are pretty much the same age or older than Messier, Lowe, Anderson, and the veteran group who won in 94.

It's such an odd time to make a win-now move. Trade good stuff for JT Miller or no, this team still needs a much better blue line to win. One big blockbuster doesn't cover it. Drury has tons of cap to go after two major pieces, but doing so would just about clear out this team's futures.

If we do this, and fail, you're looking at a true-rebuild going into the last part of the decade. We're talking like- Adam Fox might not be around by the time we're good again. 2027-2032 will be a slog.

 

[TGWL]

I have to skip 10+ pages of Kakko talk every morning now.

Also, Kakko talk sounds like an early morning talk show or a podcast.

 

[McRanger92]

Borgen is better than Kakko. That's all I have to say.

I really don't see the Rangers trading a young roster player for JT. Why would the Rangers do that when Canucks lose leverage by the minute? It's not nothing that 2 fellow Americans in Demko and Boeser also now have no interest in returning to Van. With the cap rising, there is nothing in terms of futures I wouldnt trade for JT, but once you get into roster players you are robbing Peter to pay Paul.

I do wonder if the Canucks sweeten the pot and add a Boeser or Garland to JT to get Lafreniere. Just spitballing, not endorsing.

 

[McRanger92]

Hard to believe that Panarin, Kreider, Tro, Zib are pretty much the same age or older than Messier, Lowe, Anderson, and the veteran group who won in 94.

It's such an odd time to make a win-now move. Trade good stuff for JT Miller or no, this team still needs a much better blue line to win. One big blockbuster doesn't cover it. Drury has tons of cap to go after two major pieces, but doing so would just about clear out this team's futures.

If we do this, and fail, you're looking at a true-rebuild going into the last part of the decade. We're talking like- Adam Fox might not be around by the time we're good again. 2027-2032 will be a slog.

Kreider and Zibanejad will be gone this summer, with or without JT. Kreider possibly sooner.

I think the Rangers d-core needs one more move. Borg/KAM is performing like a top pair. Vaak/Schneider performing like a really good bottom pair. If the Rangers turn Lindgren into a top 4 D with size and add JT for futures, they are capable of winning the Cup this year. The D has already improved leaps and bounds on one that was good enough to go to 2 ECFs in 3 years (with help from Igor of course)

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Team is going nowhere while Drury is in charge

It’s unfortunate but that’s reality.

 

[Vitto79]

Going to be a fun 24 watching this unfold. Curious to know if it is true the nucks owner vetoed the deal?

You saw a rumour the owner said nope ?

Rangers are playing like normal but Drury has some guts

Chytil gone would suck but he’s also an injury risk .

I could see Vesey in the deal and Vanvcover likely sending AHL contracts back too

 

[noncents]

If the Rangers turn Lindgren into a top 4 D with size

bruh

 

[duhmetreE]

If JTM is added, upgrading Lindgren is a must. Don't half ass it. Whole ass it.

I'm gonna laugh when it's Gabe going to Vancouver

 

[Vitto79]

Kreider and Zibanejad will be gone this summer, with or without JT. Kreider possibly sooner.

I think the Rangers d-core needs one more move. Borg/KAM is performing like a top pair. Vaak/Schneider performing like a really good bottom pair. If the Rangers turn Lindgren into a top 4 D with size and add JT for futures, they are capable of winning the Cup this year. The D has already improved leaps and bounds on one that was good enough to go to 2 ECFs in 3 years (with help from Igor of course)

I do think if JT comes in then Kreider goes for cap space next season

 

[Mike in Houston]

Surging Rangers will face plenty of distractions again with trade deadline coming​

The Rangers have put the noise and distractions behind them. It has been about hockey and only about hockey since the calendar flipped to 2025.

And it has been pretty successful hockey at that with the Blueshirts extending their point streak to seven games (5-0-2) with Saturday’s 1-0 shootout victory over Columbus at the Garden in a playoff-implication match through which Igor Shesterkin did not give a single puck to the Jackets.

But there is more noise on the horizon and, if the Rangers allow it, there will be more distractions which this team will have to navigate. It won’t be unique to the Blueshirts in advance of the March 7 trade deadline but the chatter has already — and only — just begun.

In any dialect, J.T. Miller’s body language in Vancouver can be translated to a cry to get the winger back to New York, where the 15th-overall selection of the 2011 draft spent the first five-plus seasons of his career before going to Tampa Bay in the purge of 2018.

Rangers GM Chris Drury first tried to bring Miller back in advance of the 2022 deadline and ahead of the contract extension he signed with the Canucks that goes through 2029-30 at $8 million per. There were talks in November and December. We can confirm there have been talks this week between the two clubs.

Miller, with a full no-move clause, controls the process. The Canucks are in a position of weakness. Of course their hierarchy can posture that they simply would refuse to deal him at less than full value, but the fact is that Miller has become a disruptive influence as the season has evolved, Elias Pettersson or not. His last three games account for three of his five lowest ice times of the year.

This is not about whether the Rangers should be buyers or sellers. This is not whether the team’s commitment to defense should alter the hierarchy’s philosophy approaching March 7.

It is whether Drury and upper management believe that Miller — an emotional lightning rod with elite talent who is not for everyone — would be a constructive influence in both the room and on the ice and would fill in a large part of the Rangers’ Stanley Cup championship equation.

Is this the part where I mention that Vincent Trocheck, who scored the lone shootout goal against Daniil Tarasov, has been one of Miller’s best friends since their youth hockey days in Pittsburgh?

The Wolf Pack scratched Bo Groulx, Adam Sykora and Jaroslav Chmelar from Hartford’s 3-2 overtime victory in Charlotte on Sunday, the implication being that the Blueshirts were preparing to move out multiple bodies in a deal with the Canucks. Why those three would be a mystery.

We have not been able to confirm that a hypothetical trade for Miller had advanced that far, but it seems clear that Drury and the Rangers would have no second thoughts bringing last year’s 103-point scorer (37-66) into this environment.

Mika Zibanejad, who missed two breakaways in overtime (four now in the Blueshirts’ last OTs), was stoned on his shootout attempt and didn’t come close on a Michigan attempt during regulation, will not be part of the bounty going to Vancouver in a potential deal for Miller.

It is believed that Alexis Lafreniere’s name has been prominent in the discussion. Miller will turn 32 in March. Lafreniere, who turned 23 last October, carries an annual $7.45M cap hit through 2031-32.

Regardless of the Rangers’ trajectory over the next month, there’s no plan to tear it all down and go into a deep rebuild. Drury is not going to kneecap the team. If necessary, management would be willing to take a step back in order to be in position to take the first two steps toward the Canyon of Heroes next year or the year after that.

You may hear Lafreniere for Miller and are wary that this could turn into Rick Middleton for Ken Hodge. No, it would not be that, not at all.

Trading a 23-year-old for a 32-year-old might come back to bite the Rangers in Years 4 or 5. But this is a team that should focus on a window that, with smart use of cap space, should remain open for another three years.

And there is little doubt that over the next three seasons, Miller would have far greater impact than Lafreniere.

Miller is the swagger the Rangers did not have against the Lightning in 2022 and the Panthers in 2024.

Am I adding Braden Schneider? No, I am not.

The Rangers deserve considerable credit for this turnaround on a dime. I readily admit that I didn’t think they had it in them. They shut out the noise and the distractions. More are coming their way.