Sucks watching the club stink it up, but going into the season i do believe everyone expected it. I was thinking actually middle of the road type of a team but they are fading fast.
The Zucc situation is tough to watch unfold here. Arguably the most popular player in the past decade. Now, he's turning into the whipping boy. Lot's of posters here and fans are all over him. "He's disengaged"..."His head is up his arse" "Get him out" etc. I don't think it’s that easy. He's a rental. A handful of potential suitors don't even know if they are buyers or sellers at this point. I think GMJG has to play the hand the right way here and will likely wait it out until the deadline and move him then. Of course if a club wants him bad enough to help the club get him there then that's another story. For the interim, this is on the athlete himself. He has to get his head out of his own arse. Quinn and staff need to coach him through it. In addition the club doesn't really have a true captain. If you are wearing the C, you need to be all over situations like this. What would Mark Messier do if he had a player who was disengaged? I do think it is imperative that for the long term the player needs to be moved. He did great here. He was the Cinderella story that everyone loves. Now it’s run its course. Move him, but don't be too hasty. Get the right return. Good GM's find ways to make deals happen. Sometimes the right way is waiting till the deadline.
Value right now might be a B prospect and a 2nd round pick. Value at deadline if player is back from his mental vacation is a 2019 1st round pick and a B prospect. Wait it out.
The Hayes situation is a little different. The player isn't disengaged. While he is out of the lineup for the now, Hayes has been playing the best hockey of his career. Of course that just happened to come on a contract year. I’m sure the phones have rang already on him and I think it’s likely that discussions are already underway with some GM’s. Gorton has a lot to work with here. He maximized Rick Nash’s return. I’d expect nothing less for the younger Kevin Hayes. Plus, teams are always looking for C’s. Big ones who produce, and play two way games have tremendous value. With that said, he’s still quite the young lad. There’s the argument to be made for keeping him here. Let’s face it, none of the prospects at this point are showing they can slide up into the 2nd line and handle the responsibility. A lot can change in a year. Chytil, Howden, maybe even Lias? All we know for the now is they aren’t there yet. The price tag seems to be rumored around $7,000,000 for a fresh new Kevin Hayes contract. While I like what #13 has accomplished here, if he’s resigned, that type of a move likely brings this club from the depths of the league back to mediocrity. I hope the Rangers see that. I think everyone else certainly does. I don’t want to see Mediocrity anymore. If the player wants to stay badly enough, get him back here for $6 mil. That’s a tremendous payday, and while it would probably leave some money on the table can you really put a price tag on peace of mind?
Value at deadline should be 2019 1st round selection, a roster player (cap) and a B prospect with potential to be an A.
The Big 3 situation is just a mess. Staal, Shatty, & Smith. This is the test for Gorton. Easy way out is a buyout, which many here support. I hate the idea. Club is still factoring Girardi to the tune of $3.6 this year, and $3.6 next year. A Smith or Staal buyout puts them further into the hole limited them any future moves. I would assume that Staal is pretty much untradeable. Shatty I think would have some interest being he’s RD and has the PP resume. Smith has the smaller price tag, and can likely be moved maybe by sending out someone with him in a package deal. At a minimum, one of these players has to go. For the now…right now there are younger players that can slide into each of their spots. Gorton has to make some moves here. Can’t keep blaming Sather for these contracts. Gorton was on Shatty and Smith. This is the deal IMO that should be done prior to the deadline. And if they can’t get-r-done, they should reflect long and hard and what the next contract will look like for any impending UFA’s they wish to keep around.
The deadline is Feb 25th. That is 47 days away. For the Rangers that's another 20 games.
