Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part XX

[FIRE DRURY]

Galchenyuk

 

[NYR Viper]

Since I doubt the Rangers will find takers in Smith or Staal, both should get bought out this summer so the Rangers have flexibility to do what needs to be done this offseason. Also frees up roster spots.

They would save $3.7MM next season and then the following season there would be a total charge of $1.8MM.

There are other teams with issues with certain players that have expiring contracts that I wonder if they would consider a move for either Staal or Smith. Not all organizations have the type of depth on defense this team has. Some examples:

David Backes - 1 year left @ $6m cap hit
Loui Eriksson - 2 years left @ $6m cap hit
Sven Baertschi - 1 year left @ $3.36m cap hit
Zack Smith - 1 year left @ $3.25m cap hit
Darren Helm - 1 year left @ $3.85m cap hit
Brandon Dubinsky - 1 year left @$5.85m cap hit

The reason I bring this up is because I think, as I have stated a few times on here, it would behoove this team to re-allocate those cap dollars, even if they bring in another overpaid veteran, to the forward position where they can play that person on the 4th line. Looking at next year, assuming only (1) of Buch/Kreider/Strome/Fast are gone, that still leaves:

Panarin
Zibanejad
Strome
Fast
Buch
Kaako
Kravtsov (assumed)
Chytil
Lemieux
Howden

That means there will be (3) spots open. Again, this assumes fast, Buch and Strome are all still in NY by the time next year rolls around which I am not sure is a good assumption.

For example, I'd move Smith for Helm and retain on smith to do so. They have practically no one signed next year for their defense and the cap implications would be identical for that team. Helm would be a solid 4th liner for the team for a single year before he hits UFA.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

There are other teams with issues with certain players that have expiring contracts that I wonder if they would consider a move for either Staal or Smith. Not all organizations have the type of depth on defense this team has. Some examples:

David Backes - 1 year left @ $6m cap hit
Loui Eriksson - 2 years left @ $6m cap hit
Sven Baertschi - 1 year left @ $3.36m cap hit
Zack Smith - 1 year left @ $3.25m cap hit
Darren Helm - 1 year left @ $3.85m cap hit
Brandon Dubinsky - 1 year left @$5.85m cap hit

The reason I bring this up is because I think, as I have stated a few times on here, it would behoove this team to re-allocate those cap dollars, even if they bring in another overpaid veteran, to the forward position where they can play that person on the 4th line. Looking at next year, assuming only (1) of Buch/Kreider/Strome/Fast are gone, that still leaves:

Panarin
Zibanejad
Strome
Fast
Buch
Kaako
Kravtsov (assumed)
Chytil
Lemieux
Howden

That means there will be (3) spots open. Again, this assumes fast, Buch and Strome are all still in NY by the time next year rolls around which I am not sure is a good assumption.

For example, I'd move Smith for Helm and retain on smith to do so. They have practically no one signed next year for their defense and the cap implications would be identical for that team. Helm would be a solid 4th liner for the team for a single year before he hits UFA.

I certainly think they'll be looking at acquiring players like the ones you name, and it's possible a guy like Smith would be going back in the deal. But mostly, I think they'll be focused on sweeteners that would help the rebuild.

Staal ain't going anywhere, however. Never mind the fact that he's just not capable of playing winning NHL hockey anymore, he's got a full NMC. Ever since we turned the calendar onto the last year of his deal, I've assumed he's getting bought out over the summer.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Everything I’m reading says the Rangers haven’t made Kreider avail at this point.

Last hot takes of the decade -

1). Kreider does not get traded, and re-signs for five years between $6.5-7 million AAV.

2) Buchnevich and Skjei are moved in the off-season for a Trouba-level LD.

3). Strome re-signs for a two-year deal. Not sure of the terms.

 

[Good Intentions]

Last hot takes of the decade -

1). Kreider does not get traded, and re-signs for five years between $6.5-7 million AAV.

2) Buchnevich and Skjei are moved in the off-season for a Trouba-level LD.

3). Strome re-signs for a two-year deal. Not sure of the terms.

All 3 points I am there for it 100%...Would be a home run.

From your lips to the small space between Gorton's eyes.

 

[Off Sides]

I fear the Rangers have accelerated their rebuild right into the dreaded middle and will continue to.

It's not a new concern for me.

Rebuilds take time, certain parts of them fall apart, if the Rangers are signing and extending expensive UFAs they have decided that they are on the right path even when there are still a bunch of question marks surrounding pretty much everything they drafted and traded for in order to rebuild, and that could have been said before they signed/extended Trouba and Panarin. Now they still have the same question marks, maybe even more.

 

[NYR Viper]

I fear the Rangers have accelerated their rebuild right into the dreaded middle and will continue to.

It's not a new concern for me.

Rebuilds take time, certain parts of them fall apart, if the Rangers are signing and extending expensive UFAs they have decided that they are on the right path even when there are still a bunch of question marks surrounding pretty much everything they drafted and traded for in order to rebuild, and that could have been said before they signed/extended Trouba and Panarin. Now they still have the same question marks, maybe even more.

I don;t think they are in the middle, just that they are achieving better results than they should be at this moment. I'd also say that I like how Gorton seems to finding certain guys who he sees as part of the team moving forward. That's important or the rebuild can take forever

 

[RGY]

In terms of selling, I don’t think there will be a massive sell-off. I think we’re past that point.

Outside of a potential Kreider move, what I do think you’ll see them explore is actual roster moves. Although, those might not really come until the off-season.

I could see this. I could see them selling Kreider while adding a couple forwards to add more depth to that group and continue to compete for a playoff spot.

 

[Vitto79]

Kreider goes for a 1st and a young player they can keep like Lemieux

Kravtsov gets called up after the deadline

Keep the rfas and resign . Also resign Fast at a reasonable 2 yr deal

It’s going to take Lundqvist , Miller etc on D to develop

I’d consider moving Georgiev for a lot .
Maybe Hank waives at the deadline ? It’s crazy if a top teams G gets hurt

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I fear the Rangers have accelerated their rebuild right into the dreaded middle and will continue to.

It's not a new concern for me.

Rebuilds take time, certain parts of them fall apart, if the Rangers are signing and extending expensive UFAs they have decided that they are on the right path even when there are still a bunch of question marks surrounding pretty much everything they drafted and traded for in order to rebuild, and that could have been said before they signed/extended Trouba and Panarin. Now they still have the same question marks, maybe even more.

This was always the fear when it was rumored they were going to be in on Panarin. I know a rebuild is not cyclical, but my thought process was they were going to have to suck for at least 3 years to gather the necessary assets and players to build what Gorton wants.

I was and still am 100% behind signing Panarin and Trouba, because these guys essentially fell into the Rangers lap for pretty much only money. In my opinion if Panarin was a UFA this upcoming summer, that would have lined up better with the timeline I had in my head. But he didn't so what are you going to do

Ultimately I'm putting my trust in Gorton to realize this team is not near contention yet, and that it's closer to the dreaded middle more than anything. That work still needs to be done at the end of the day. As long as they don't commit any big dollars this off-season to guys like Kreider and Strome, I believe they'll still be on the right track

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

I fear the Rangers have accelerated their rebuild right into the dreaded middle and will continue to.

It's not a new concern for me.

Rebuilds take time, certain parts of them fall apart, if the Rangers are signing and extending expensive UFAs they have decided that they are on the right path even when there are still a bunch of question marks surrounding pretty much everything they drafted and traded for in order to rebuild, and that could have been said before they signed/extended Trouba and Panarin. Now they still have the same question marks, maybe even more.

Is the third round pick for Fast or the two seconds or late 1st and a B prospect you get for Kreider going to move this team from this mystical dreaded middle in the next three years? They have picks, they have prospects on the way, left d, a potential franchise goaltender, Krav, a year older Kakko, bonus guys like Ruenanen, Barron, Keane, they got their homerun pick last year. They have a core from which they can build. Good teams find ways to keep their best players. Move guys that don’t fit or are redundant and keep what works.

 

[B17 Apricots]

Deadass watched that movie like 3 days ago

 

[Ghost of jas]

Zibanejad confirming he’s an elite 1C answers a lot of questions going forward. Chytil becoming a much more well-rounded player, and being proficient at center at the NHL answers a bunch more. Panarin being one of best players in the league and immediately being productive in NY, and Strome taking a step up are additional positives. Now throw in DeAngelo emerging as a top tier point-producing Dman, Fox making a seamless transition to the NHL and Trouba being able to anchor the right side of the defense, and I believe a lot of questions have been answered.

 

[RGY]

Halfway through year 1 of the contract, has been arguably our best defenseman in all aspects of the game stabilizing the right side, but hey “newsflash” Trouba wasn’t worth signing...

Cant make this stuff up....

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I fear the Rangers have accelerated their rebuild right into the dreaded middle and will continue to.

It's not a new concern for me.

Rebuilds take time, certain parts of them fall apart, if the Rangers are signing and extending expensive UFAs they have decided that they are on the right path even when there are still a bunch of question marks surrounding pretty much everything they drafted and traded for in order to rebuild, and that could have been said before they signed/extended Trouba and Panarin. Now they still have the same question marks, maybe even more.

I understand your concerns but, for me anyway, the difference is that the Rangers finally have cornerstone-type elite talent on the roster. The Zibanejad/Panarin duo is the best 1-2 punch the Rangers have had in a long time. It's unfortunate right now that the depth isn't there to back them up. Kakko needs to put it together, but that elite level talent is there with him as well.

I just think it's easier to build in behind talent like this, rather than accumulating great depth and searching for a gamebreaker or two, which is what those Ranger teams from 2012-2015 were missing.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Is the third round pick for Fast or the two seconds or late 1st and a B prospect you get for Kreider going to move this team from this mystical dreaded middle in the next three years? They have picks, they have prospects on the way, left d, a potential franchise goaltender, Krav, a year older Kakko, bonus guys like Ruenanen, Barron, Keane, they got their homerun pick last year. They have a core from which they can build. Good teams find ways to keep their best players. Move guys that don’t fit or are redundant and keep what works.

I think this conversation is two fold though. Whether or not the assets returned in a Kreider trade help move this team forward is just one piece. The other side of that coin is whether Kreider's potential contract going to be a hindrance in a couple years when Kakko/Kravstov/Fox need new deals.

If Kreider was some other teams forward, no one here would be clamoring to sign him.

Another thing that gets overlooked here, it keeps getting brought up that "these potential draft picks they get from selling guys like Kreider or Strome will be 3-4 years out" But that's not necessarily the case. For all we know the 1st round pick that Kreider returns gets traded in the summer for help now. When you have a stockpile of these assets, there's a bunch of ways to skin the cat.

And Kakko is not enough. He is a centerpiece and will be a top player in this league but this team needs more. And the rest of these prospects are a bunch of maybes.

 

[Kovalev27]

For me this isn’t difficult

I trade Buchnevich Fast McKegg Georgiev before the deadline.

I buyout Marc Staal

I resign Kreider And DeAngelo to multi year contracts.

I sign Strome to a one or 2 year bridge deal.

Rykov Shesterkin Kravtsov all here to start 20-21.

there’s no trading Brady Skjei when the kids aren’t ready.

 

[Ghost of jas]

I don;t think they are in the middle, just that they are achieving better results than they should be at this moment. I'd also say that I like how Gorton seems to finding certain guys who he sees as part of the team moving forward. That's important or the rebuild can take forever

Actually, I think this team is a year away from taking off. If Kravtsov continues his current play in Hartford, I expect to see him before the season is up. I think the top six is actually sorting out nicely. They need more depth at the NHL level, and development of both Kakko and Kravtsov will push players like Fast into more appropriate bottom six roles. But, Chytil has answered a lot of questions for me. I think they’ll remain on the playoff bubble, ultimately falling short. But, Gorton will wisely target the appropriate players to fill important roles, (most notably 1LD.). And, he’s built up a lot of trade capital.

 

[NYR Viper]

Halfway through year 1 of the contract, has been arguably our best defenseman in all aspects of the game stabilizing the right side, but hey “newsflash” Trouba wasn’t worth signing...

Cant make this stuff up....

Yeah I'm not seeing the need to tear him down. He has seemed to slow down over the last 10 games or so but that's to be expected considering he was literally carrying the defensive side of the defense for 30 games.

 

[Ghost of jas]

I think this conversation is two fold though. Whether or not the assets returned in a Kreider trade help move this team forward is just one piece. The other side of that coin is whether Kreider's potential contract going to be a hindrance in a couple years when Kakko/Kravstov/Fox need new deals.

If Kreider was some other teams forward, no one here would be clamoring to sign him.

Another thing that gets overlooked here, it keeps getting brought up that "these potential draft picks they get from selling guys like Kreider or Strome will be 3-4 years out" But that's not necessarily the case. For all we know the 1st round pick that Kreider returns gets traded in the summer for help now. When you have a stockpile of these assets, there's a bunch of ways to skin the cat.

And Kakko is not enough. He is a centerpiece and will be a top player in this league but this team needs more. And the rest of these prospects are a bunch of maybes.

Kreider is the type of player that, if this team is in playoff contention next year, plenty of people would be looking to acquire, like many playoff teams are now.

 

[Kocur Dill]

If the Rangers decided to trade Georgiev, there should be a very good market for him. You can make the argument about Georgiev is better than most of the starting goaltenders on other teams. Any team trading for Georgiev will have to protect him in the expansion draft. So many teams don't even have a legit goaltending prospect in the pipeline.

Boston has Rask signed for one more season. He will 34 at the end of his contract. They don't have a young goaltender in their system.

Georgiev would be the best goaltender on Buffalo. He is better than Hutton, Ullmark and the Finn goalie prospect playing in the ECHL.

The Red Wings goaltenders stink. Bernier and Howard. Georgiev would be #1 there.

Florida and Montreal have two goaltenders signed for big money and big term. Florida has Knight.

Georgiev would #1 in Ottawa. They don't have any long term option there either.

TB no.

Toronto has Andersen under contract for one more season. Do they look at Georgiev who they can sign to an affordable contract and dump Andersen?

Carolina has awful goaltending. Georgiev is better than Mrazek and Reimer.

Columbus has Korpisalo. Georgiev is better.

Georgiev would be #1 on the Devils. The Rangers aren't trading him to NJ.

Islanders no. They have their own Russian goalie prospect in Sorokin. Varlamov is under contract for three more years.

Philly no. Hart.

Pittsburgh no. Murray. Jarry has been terrific for them.

Capitals no. Samsonov. Holtby is a free agent.

Chicago has Lehner. They probably sign him long-term this summer. Maybe.

Grubauer has been good in Colorado. He is a long term option for them? He is signed for another season.

Dallas has Bishop signed for big money. NMC.

Dubnyk is signed for another season. He will 35 at the end of his contract.

Both of Nashville's goaltenders have struggled. Georgiev is better that Rinne and Sarros. Rinne has one more season left on his contract. He will be 38 at the end of the contract.

St. Louis no.

Winnipeg no.

Anaheim no.

Arizona has Raanta who is signed for one more season. Kuemper signed a two year extension. Georgiev is better than both of them.

Calgary yes. Rittich and Talbot.

Edmonton yes. Smith and Koskinen.

LA yes. LA is stuck with Quick's contract. Georgiev is better than Quick and Campbell.

SJ is a mess. Jones is terrible. Georgiev is better. SJ has Jones under contract for four more years.

Vancouver has Markstrom who they want to re-sign. They also have Demko.

Vegas has Fleury who signed for two more seasons. No NMC. They don't have to protect him in expansion.

If the Rangers had to move Georgiev, there should be a robust market for him. Just look at all of goaltending situations around the NHL. Nearly 2/3 of the goaltending situations are in flux. He will sign an affordable contract this summer. He won't be very expensive.

The free agent market for goaltenders is thin. Holtby. Lehner. Markstrom. The latter two might re-sign with their current teams. Holtby is 50/50 to stay in Washington.

There aren't many other trade options available.

If the Rangers don't want to force the issue with Lundqvist(and he wants to keep playing) and Shesterkin doesn't want to spend another year in the AHL, Georgiev is the odd man out. Reality. Shesterkin has a KHL assignment clause. Is it for next season too? Kravtsov had the clause for just this season. We saw what happened with him. Rykov has the clause in his contract next season in the second year. He missed the first three months of this season with a high ankle sprain.

Brooks is mental. Two weeks ago, he wrote there was a changing of the guard in net for the Rangers with Georgiev getting more starts. A few days later, Brooks was on the New York Post Rangers podcast hosted by Ron Duguay. Brooks says Lundqvist will be a Ranger until the end of his current contract. When Andersson quit the Pack in the AHL, Brooks wrote the Rangers have to be concerned about Shesterkin bolting for Russia after the Kravtsov and Andersson situations. Something has to give. The changing of the guard will come with Shesterkin taking over as #1. The Rangers should call up Shesterkin this season. Reward him for his good play. Give him a few starts.

Last week,Brooks wrote the Rangers screwed up the Hayes and Trouba situations. Hayes is worth the money while Trouba isn't. He wrote the Rangers could have had Hayes for less than he got as a free agent. Newsflash. Both of them aren't worth the money.

Brooks wrote about the Rangers keeping Kreider. I was watching the Rangers-Carolina last Friday at the bar. Kreider woke up and had a good game. The guy sitting next to me said how soon before Brooks writes the Rangers need to keep Kreider and not really trade anyone. It took 3 days.

The Blues traded Shattenkirk in 2017 to the Caps. They were a playoff team and they couldn't re-sign him. They traded him for futures.

Kreider saw what happened to Shattenkirk who turned down multiple 7 year offers to take the Rangers 4 year offer and the Rangers bought Shattenkirk out after the 2nd season. Shattenkirk left so much money on the table to play in New York. Shattenkirk isn't recouping that money this summer. The market is loaded with free agent D. Kreider isn't stupid. He should take the best offer this summer. Just like Hayes did. New York City isn't the end all and be all. So many people are fleeing New York these days for numerous reasons.

Red Wings, Ottawa, and Bufflo would all be helping us two fold if we dealt with them. Surely Georgie would push any of them down the draft board, and we'd be taking away an asset from a Conference rival in our own favor.

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

I think this conversation is two fold though. Whether or not the assets returned in a Kreider trade help move this team forward is just one piece. The other side of that coin is whether Kreider's potential contract going to be a hindrance in a couple years when Kakko/Kravstov/Fox need new deals.

If Kreider was some other teams forward, no one here would be clamoring to sign him.

Another thing that gets overlooked here, it keeps getting brought up that "these potential draft picks they get from selling guys like Kreider or Strome will be 3-4 years out" But that's not necessarily the case. For all we know the 1st round pick that Kreider returns gets traded in the summer for help now. When you have a stockpile of these assets, there's a bunch of ways to skin the cat.

And Kakko is not enough. He is a centerpiece and will be a top player in this league but this team needs more. And the rest of these prospects are a bunch of maybes.

the odds of this team landing a top 3 pick this year are slim. And it’s not just Kakko. It’s Kakko, Panarin, Zib, Kreider, ADA, Fox, Strome, Trouba and all the kids on the way.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Kreider is the type of player that, if this team is in playoff contention next year, plenty of people would be looking to acquire, like many playoff teams are now.

In this scenario, yeah maybe as a pure rental, or a player with a short term left on his deal

The biggest issue for me with Kreider is always going to be the contract with his age

People were having a heart attack with signing Panarin because he's 27, this is the same situation with less dollars and way less talent.

 

[NYR Viper]

Kreider is the type of player that, if this team is in playoff contention next year, plenty of people would be looking to acquire, like many playoff teams are now.

There's no arguing that, like most higher end UFA's, they are players who can help any team win. In saying that, I'm not comfortable giving Kreider a 6-7 year deal for $6.5-7m per season at 29 years old. That is the type of contract a team like Washington or Pittsburgh or St Louis could hand out as they are in their window. 3 years from now they won't care about Kreider's contract because their window will most likely be closing and they will have other problem contracts to worry about bsedies his anyways but they took their shot. For a team looking to truly contend in a couple of years, when Kreider will be 31, that's just a waste as you're missing out on what will most likely be his (2) most productive seasons of his next contract

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

the odds of this team landing a top 3 pick this year are slim. And it’s not just Kakko. It’s Kakko, Panarin, Zib, Kreider, ADA, Fox, Strome, Trouba and all the kids on the way.

They don't necessarily need a top 3 pick. Having one is nice but there's plenty of players in this draft that can make an impact in the same way a top 3 pick would. Some of the best players in the league right now are guys who have been drafted outside the top 3 the last few drafts.

And that group you listed doesn't have the ability to win a cup. Get to the playoffs? For sure. Win it all? I'm not seeing it