Roster Building Thread : Part XVIII ( TDL is March 7th)

[DanielBrassard]

Fire Drury.

 

[Homelander]

Fire Drury. Make Martin the interim GM. Maybe bring in Don Maloney.

Fire Laviolette and Housley. Let Peca and Muse coach out the rest of the season.

 

[bleedblue94]

That's 1 for me and 0 for you. Fox is far from this team's biggest issue and he's got a historical stat to prove it.

Trading him will be the usual disaster that it always is when we trade talented mid 20's players with talent. Buchnevich. McDonagh. JT Miller. Savard. Weight. Amonte. Middleton. Park. Sandstrom. Kovalev. And on. And on. And on.

I've never said he is the biggest issue here. Truth be told if his clauses weren't kicking in this summer then trading him wouldn't even be a topic, but it's amazing how everyone thinks it's going to be different this time with this player and is chosing to ignore the trends that can be seen with him, and it's also interesting that slowly this year the media is finally sharing more about his lack of commitment to his fitness. Put that together and see his clauses kicking in and you may have another Mika situation where there is a significant physical falloff and a clause that just kicked in. The same concerns exist with Igor and I'm not convinced it's impossible that he's not traded before his nmc kicks in based on how this year has evolved on and off the ice. I'm not picking on Fox, but if his physical limitations come to play you may have a glorified pp specialist. And again he's the QB of this pp and it's awful as well. Also again, that is not all fox's fault, but fox is being treated like the golden boy that can't do anything wrong. And it needs to be clear that any idea to trade him isn't just to deal him for a draft pick or something, it would only be for a real hockey trade that made sense to reshape this team, NOT some random ass cap dump. I think that's where people get confused, no one that I've seen is suggest to move fox just to move him.

 

[bleedblue94]

There is absolutely no legitimate or valid reason to bring back Chris Drury. He's responsible for this shitfest more than anyone.

This is not accurate. Drury actually tried to avert this during the summer. He's not perfect and I'm not implying he is, but I shared here in the summer and in the fall that there were real problems in the locker room. People brushed it off and then things got public and people blamed Drury for not acting. Writers lime Vince keep trying to blame him for not overhauling the roster sooner, he couldn't. Capped out, clauses everywhere, and a veteran core/roster that thought they ran the organization. What did everyone expect was going to happen??

 

[Tob]

we have a FAT chance in hell of winning anything in the next 5 years with this core.

 

[Homelander]

This is not accurate. Drury actually tried to avert this during the summer. He's not perfect and I'm not implying he is, but I shared here in the summer and in the fall that there were real problems in the locker room. People brushed it off and then things got public and people blamed Drury for not acting. Writers lime Vince keep trying to blame him for not overhauling the roster sooner, he couldn't. Capped out, clauses everywhere, and a veteran core/roster that thought they ran the organization. What did everyone expect was going to happen??

What the hell are you talking about? He expounded the locker room problem by completely f***ING UP THE TROUBA TRADE BY LEAKING IT TO UNCLE LARRY.

Drury is an incompetent nincompoop that has done nothing to warrant keeping his job.

 

[Alluckks]

we have a FAT chance in hell of winning anything in the next 5 years with this core.

My big hold up is that it feels really overt that unless you get an all world talent like McDavid that you cannot do a full tear down every single piece and expect it to work

 

[noncents]

If others here must suffer my nonsense then I must suffer theirs.

you rang?

 

[Shesterkybomb]

As sad as this sounds, if Chris Drury is still here next year I'm thinking I might pull the shoot. I can't with this guy anymore. For context I grew up an Oilers fan, they traded player after player in their prime and I finally said, "when Messier leaves this team I'm following him". I'm at that point again after so many years of this team crushing me with terrible decisions. My final straw might be Drury being here next year because he has no idea what he is doing. The team has no use for young players, yet the trades they make make us worse. If we had the first overall pick for the next 4 years we'd still never get anywhere because we'd try and turn those picks into 4th liners or trade them for 33 year old players. Until this organization gets serious they don't deserve any of us imo. I'm very frustrated right now. They need to dump Drury and Lavy.

 

[Guitpik]

1. You make deals to improve, usually means profit, whether that be by addition or subtraction.

2. Every situation is different. That's obvious enuf I shouldn't have to elaborate.

3. In a hard cap reality it is nec to go w/youth [which also adds benefit of greater energy, capacity to play w/more intensity] over vets who have experience, but due to seniority are more expensive. Going this way means more pieces at less cost = more flexibility as to roster.

4. Accordingly, it is pref if we are dealing, say, a bread that we get a Bischel + in return.
Rinse and repeat as a strategy.

5. I disagree that getting guys like Bischel, Kleven, Byfield, etc etc = "at this point with a team full of second and third liners". Those are guys w/legit upside, which you overlooked.
As to "other teams have locked away their really significant prospects because that's what even semi-sensible GM's do" you will find some of this is yes and no depending on the prospect, what we are offering, and their need for a high end performer. I may not get Matty Berniers out of SEA but we might get Byfield. And we only need a handful, not a dozen.

6. You state concern this leads to falling below the cap floor. I am not unduly concerned, but for sake of argument, say that happens. We can weaponize the extra cap space and take on expiring deadwood -- for a fee, of course.

7. As I have said, I will demonstrate an open mind on Kreider WHEN it is appropriate to consider dealing him, which is ONLY AFTER he has some reasonable level or return to being healthy. Peeps gotta let it sink in, no one will bid, let alone pay big, for an asset unable to perform sufficiently, if not at peak level.
At that time, we should assess ACTUAL ck condition, plus who is left after we sell high on the more expensive vets

You’re not getting Byfield.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Dru has one more year to right the ship. He’ll do what he needs to this offseason. Country club boys will all be gone and we will have a new coach come training camp.

 

[mike14]

As sad as this sounds, if Chris Drury is still here next year I'm thinking I might pull the shoot. I can't with this guy anymore. For context I grew up an Oilers fan, they traded player after player in their prime and I finally said, "when Messier leaves this team I'm following him". I'm at that point again after so many years of this team crushing me with terrible decisions. My final straw might be Drury being here next year because he has no idea what he is doing. The team has no use for young players, yet the trades they make make us worse. If we had the first overall pick for the next 4 years we'd still never get anywhere because we'd try and turn those picks into 4th liners or trade them for 33 year old players. Until this organization gets serious they don't deserve any of us imo. I'm very frustrated right now. They need to dump Drury and Lavy.

To each their own, but surviving Sather and the Dark Ages just to pull the cord now kind of feels like you went through all that for nothing

 

[Homelander]

Dru has one more year to right the ship. He’ll do what he needs to this offseason. Country club boys will all be gone and we will have a new coach come training camp.

Why does he deserve another year? He's done nothing to warrant one. He's already picked two head coaches. Why should he get a third?

 

[Homelander]

Don Maloney's triumphant return to the New York Rangers

 

[bernmeister]

You’re not getting Byfield.

disagree
it has to be the right deal, but I think there is a win win to get done

 

[Alluckks]

I'm not convinced Sather isn't responding to Dolan emails/texts on front office hires until he is 6 feet under

 

[Shesterkybomb]

To each their own, but surviving Sather and the Dark Ages just to pull the cord now kind of feels like you went through all that for nothing

Unfortunately I don't see any way this gm guides us anywhere but back to the dark ages

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Why does he deserve another year? He's done nothing to warrant one. He's already picked two head coaches. Why should he get a third?

He shouldn't, he's directly responsible for the make up of this team which is the worst team since the year after we lost in the bubble. It's embarrassing how far this team has fallen under Drury given the future it should have had.

 

[bernmeister]

This is the latest I've come up with:


Step 1: injury retire special deal w/Kreider, not a standard buyout
recover his cap


1. NYR-CHI
Shesty 11.5 x 8 + Berard 867,500 x 2 = cap hit 12,367,500
for
CHI 2025 + 2026 1sts, both unprotected, plus return NYR 2025 1st
Spencer Knight, 4.5 x 2 Cap hit = 4.5

Why Blackhawks:
a) 8 yrs primo elite G – a known commodity – will help make CHI closer to competitive faster, also keep Bedard happy
b) thought I saw somewhere there is a prob in that Bedard is way faster than other Fs and has to slow down. Berard may not have a long NHL career due to being undersized, but he should be a good 2-3 yr stopgap at min providing speed for Bedard

Why Rs
picks obv; think Garand has higher upside, but Allaire tutoring Knight may up his game and create a good trade chip
also, 8+m cap relief


2. NYR-LAK
Zib at half = 4.25 per x 5 + Schneider 2.2 x 1 ->rfa
for
Byfield 6.25 x 4, Dvorak 870k x 3 elc, Helenius 805,833 x 1 + LAK 2026 1st unprotected + LAK 2027 2nd

cap is ballpark =, slight savings to LA

Why LA:
supposedly hesitant to sell Spence or Clarke b’c concerns if Doughty falls off a cliff they’re effed, no reserves
hate to give up Schneider, but they pay top $ for him
Zib likely they are hoping for scoring W, but can be a depth pivot; max retain x 5 ups his value
They are on borrowed time w/Kopitar, so moving Byfield is a wince. But their immediate pivot depth can briefly support this.

Why Rs
Again picks, but also a potential 1C. Dvorak is a big LD first round prospect. Helenius looks good and is huge w/speed.


3. NYR-DAL
Panarin retained 5.6+ to 6m x 1 expiring + SEA 2025 3rd
for
Bichsel < 1 + DAL 2026 2nd + 2027 1st (unprotected) + rfa rights to Nils L.
Cap is roughly 5m savings to Rs

Why Stars
All in move w/high end W. Surrendering Bisch is a wince, but worth it at full retain. NY can take a cap dump if nec but DAL should be good w/cap increase, roster revamp, etc

Why Rs
good young D [lefty shot we think maybe he can play either side] + picks, move vets, recover cap


Assuming we keep jtm + trochek, main ? is keeping moving Fox while we can IF there is overpay – put on the side for now

extend Edstrom, Rempe, Cuylle + KAM longer term
take a shot at Peterka, Drew Helleson + Morgan Barron, but let’s not presume they are a get just yet

Wait until LaF gets chemistry + returns to a high value, then sell high + replace w/Gabe P

so looking like something like
Cuylle - Byfield - jtm
LaF - Tro - Carrick
Edstrom - Helenius - Rempe
Othmann/Parssinen - Brodz - Chmelar/best option

and again, Fox on the side...
KAM - Borgen
Bichsel - Soucy
Vaak - Jones/Nils L
quality prospects Dvorak/Fortescue/Emery marinating

G: Garand reinforced Quick + Domingue
Knight I expect dealt once enuf on the table

lots of cap space + picks to use/upgrade youth->even better youth

 

[mike14]

Unfortunately I don't see any way this gm guides us anywhere but back to the dark ages

which is weird, because we have 2 xECF appearances and a President's Trophy with him.
I know that they aren't squat compared to the Cup, but that's a damn sight better than the Dark Ages, and even better than most of the Rangers' history (which is a terrible indictment on the franchise, not an endorsement for Drury).

As I said, to each their own though. If it ain't giving you some enjoyment, there's not much point in putting up with it!

 

[Shesterkybomb]

which is weird, because we have 2 xECF appearances and a President's Trophy with him.
I know that they aren't squat compared to the Cup, but that's a damn sight better than the Dark Ages, and even better than most of the Rangers' history (which is a terrible indictment on the franchise, not an endorsement for Drury).

As I said, to each their own though. If it ain't giving you some enjoyment, there's not much point in putting up with it!

Most of that was due to the team he was handed, this team is the team he created. The fact he refused to fire Laviolette this year shows me how stubborn he is.

 

[Guitpik]

disagree
it has to be the right deal, but I think there is a win win to get done

There’s nothing that the Rangers could deal that will get you Byfield. The Rangers aren’t going to sell off all of their young core players. Why the hell do you keep thinking the Kings would do that? Carolina wanted Byfield in trade for Rantanen, Blake flat out refused. The Rangers aren’t going to offer up anyone as good.

Here’s a clue, the Kings aren’t your freakin farm team.

 

[MrAlmost]

Fiala would be despised and four more years at nearly $8m? No f***ing thanks

Fiala plays with speed, shots the puck and drives the net to follow it up. He is a good player. Not physical, but plays with pace. If that package is even remotely possible for Panarin, you carry Panarin to LA on your back if need be.

Also, why do the people that want Fox traded want him traded? What is the reason. Don't say sell high. Thats an empty platitude and was screamed about McDonagh. They were wrong then and would be wrong now. You don't trade Fox. You trade Schneider, Kreider, Panarin, Othmann, Jones, Parssinen, literally anyone on Hartford to find 2 more guys like him. Clarke would be 1 thats been mentioned. Is ekblad better or worse without the juice? Chychrun. Chabot. Byram. Power. Get some talent, don't trade it away.

Also Cozens has been good in Ottawa. Would have never guessed. Haha

 

[JimmyG89]

Whether or not you want to fire Drury or not, you have no choice but to fire Laviolette. He was brought in to finish the job and he sure as shit has finished a job, just not the intended one.

It goes back to when they hired him. There were two directions to go. Laviolette is a disciplined coach and relies on his system. Knoblach was the up and coming coach that you got a pretty good look at with your AHL team.

Once you hire Laviolette you know you have 3 years at most with him, so he got a 3 year deal. He should not see the light of day on the 3rd year.

I said earlier that the team gave up on him multiple times this year, and that was 100% true. I feel like he's run out of ideas on how to move forward with this roster this season, and that is inexcusable.

He's fallen back on exactly what he always does, he does not trust young players. His idea of a 3rd line center is Sam Carrick. I will give Carrick all the credit in the world. I think he's done well for what he has been asked to do. He's outplayed his salary. He's not a 3rd line center.

You have Miller, Zibanejad, and Trocheck, yet you can't play them all on their own line? You moved Mika to the wing to change it up, never deviated. It's gone cold now. PP1 is a shell of last season, no changes.

I get that there are off the ice issues that happened all season, but on the ice has been a lack of effort and lack of give a f***. Slow to the bench, too many men penalties, no forecheck and still subsequently no backchecking. A Swiss cheese 1-3-1.

I do not think Dolan wants a full sale change of the front office, so I believe Drury will be safe, whether you agree with it or not. The articles earlier in the year about those two being in lockstep I fully believe is still true. If Drury believed his job was on the line, he'd have added even more to get in. Laviolette is going to be the fall guy, and rightfully so.

 

[bobbop]

One of my former sources called me today (retired NHL executive) His message was pretty straightforward — several of the Rangers are fighting for their futures right now. If the team makes the playoffs, there will be changes but they may be measured. If the Rangers miss the playoffs the truck will be backed up. He thinks Laviolette and Drury are both on the edge and he suggested if the Rangers are eliminated, both may go before the end off the season.