Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Part XXXII

[NYR Viper]

I wouldnt be over the moon bringing in Radulov, but its worth looking at. Even with Kakko and Rooney sidelined they've been very lucky on the injury front for the most part. Bringing in an another able body wouldnt hurt as a backup and who knows he magically finds his game again.

But my gut says this wont happen. I dont think theres much of a fit and there are better, younger options out there. This is likely Drury investigating plan B's and C's if his A's are too costly.

He had a pretty major core surgery in 2021.

2019-2020
34 points in 60 games (this was good for 4th on the team, Benn played 9 more games and had 39 points)

2020-2021
12 points in 11 games (missed the remainder with core surgery)

It's possible that he is still working his way back this season

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I’m all for going after the college kids but Gallant isn’t going to play McBain so I’m not sure why Drury would waste the 2nd round pick to get him now

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

He had a pretty major core surgery in 2021.

2019-2020
34 points in 60 games (this was good for 4th on the team, Benn played 9 more games and had 39 points)

2020-2021
12 points in 11 games (missed the remainder with core surgery)

It's possible that he is still working his way back this season

Possible. his shooting percentage is a 4.1% this season.

Unsustainably low for him, so whoever mentioned he's been snake bit is on the money there. His career average is 14% if you throw this season out.

But I guess thats the concern too, maybe the core surgery has really affected his shot

 

[noupf]

Maybe i missed it, but can we all rejoice that we didn't spend an arm and a leg brining in Ben Chirot? Good on FLA for trying to go for it, but man o' man.....that's a bullet we dodged if the rumors were true that we were looking to bring him in and what it cost to get him.

 

[BBKers]

For all the talk of making a big splash (Kane, Chychrun, Sheiffele, PLD, Larkin…) this TDL - which I have evaded discussion like the Black Plague cuz I do not think this is the time- there are other ways of improving the team both in the short and long term. We might be both buyers and sellers this time around.

Cheap UFA options we might think to take on for an added asset giving other teams cap maneuverability and or ca$h. Eventually used as spares/Black Aces or move to another team eating 50% getting more assets. To be used at a more opportune time.

• Radulov
• Rask (Minny)
• Kessel
• Zadorov
• Koskenkorva

Getting something of use here might even lighten the blow to facilitate a rental or two. For example:

• Copp (injury?)
• Domi
• Giordono
• Leddy
• Miller (Buffalo)
• Vegas clusterfu*k of a cap situation
• Blackbeard aboard the Kraken Reunion Arrrrrrrrrrrr

A hockey trade or two might develop as well. These are some of the maybes IMO:

• Lehkonen
• Roslovic
• Crouse
• Nylander!?
• Gourde
• Vegas somethingorother

I also did hear a while back that NYR were looking to add a depth energy Banger for the POs. Here are some personal thoughts

• Carpenter
• Deslauriers
• Motte
• Trenin (unavailable?)

Miscellaneous (off-season targets mostly)

• Vilardi
• Turcotte
• Newhook
• Texier
• Pinto
• McBain (now?)

Lots of options out there and only 4 days left…
Will be interesting to follow where this goes
Drury still running an extremely tight lipped ship

 

[BBKers]

McBain has not performed to that valuation

I am not saying we should pay that. Especially if we need to burn a year to get him to sign. Wonder where he wants to go though. Boston?

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Re: Radulov. If this were to happen -

Considering the Rangers will likely be paid to take him, it would be hard to get upset about bringing him in. Sure, the player has warts and there are better options out there for sure, but if you add Radulov and Vatrano to the bottom 6 for a 4th plus whatever addition by subtraction is had by the deal it almost becomes a wash in assets going the other way.

You basically get two NHL rental players for nothing and to me that would be a huge win considering where this team is now. Keeps all of your top assets in house for the summer/draft to go after more long term needs.

I'd really prefer to get rentals that can be extended like Lehkonen or Copp, but if they are too expensive then at least you dont waste assets on pure rentals

 

[NYR Viper]

I’m all for going after the college kids but Gallant isn’t going to play McBain so I’m not sure why Drury would waste the 2nd round pick to get him now

What if the option is either trade for him now, or not get him? If another team is willing to trade for his rights, and he is willing to sign there, then this may be the only option to bring in the player.

 

[NYR Viper]

Possible. his shooting percentage is a 4.1% this season.

Unsustainably low for him, so whoever mentioned he's been snake bit is on the money there. His career average is 14% if you throw this season out.

But I guess thats the concern too, maybe the core surgery has really affected his shot

Good find on the shooting percentage. It may be a combination of a few things. He's also not playing with the top players in Dallas anymore in general so he may not be finding the same quality of chances

 

[Raspewtin]

Radulov is kinda bleh at this point. He's fine, he doesn't hurt his team or anything, but he's not a great ES scorer and he's sooooooooo f***ing slow. Not much of a shooter either. I'd be fine with it just to get the McKeggs out of the lineup but not for much else. He'd probably be better than Kessel at this point, though.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Radulov is kinda bleh at this point. He's fine, he doesn't hurt his team or anything, but he's not a great ES scorer and he's sooooooooo f***ing slow. Not much of a shooter either. I'd be fine with it just to get the McKeggs out of the lineup but not for much else. He'd probably be better than Kessel at this point, though.

Thats basically where I'm at with it too. Meh.

But I'd be more concerned and happy with the fact that Drury didnt make a dumb overpayment for a rental.

 

[nyaz11]

I can understand not wanting Hertl or Giroux. And even somewhat Miller. But why is Scheifele grouped in with them? He has 2 more years of term left and has a reasonable cap hit. He produces, places with an edge, and is an improvement on the faceoff dot.

This - it's probably an offseason move - but the team is in the middle of a 3-year tight cap window until the salary cap starts to increase again. The Rangers have flaws both offensively in driving play - and defensively. You can't fix both with one move. If you get a Gourde or Karlsson - your defense improves and you're looking for cheap offense in your bottom-6. If you get Scheifele - your offense improves and you're looking for cheap defense in your bottom-6.

I would much rather be on the hunt for cheap defensive bottom-6 players - than cheap offense for your bottom-6. There is always cheap players, with good defensive metrics available in free agency because they don't put up points. That's usually where the market inefficiencies play. Panarin is never going to be a defensive stalwart - get another thoroughbred to put with him - and let them boys run. The team would have a top-6 to match against any team in league running out - Kreider-93-Laf and Bread- Scheif - Kakko.

The core for your bottom-6 is there with Goodrow, Blais --- and a combination of Hunt, Rooney if he's cheap enough, Reaves, Barron etc. That will be a group that's easy to add to. It's also easier to get 1 mill retained on bottom-6 players who were overpaid earlier than it will be to get 5.5 million retained on a Patrick Kane.

It will most likely be an offseason move - but for the current window - Scheifele is the best solution - with the potential to extend when the cap goes up and/or Kreider/Trouba are moved once their NMC ends.

In the mean team - find another middle-6 player to add this year without overpaying and let's see what the kids can do.

 

[McRanger92]

Tell me RB, what changes next season that gives the Rangers better shot next year than this one, except for the looming cap crunch? What about the season after that, or the one after that?!? We have a great team with a few holes this season. The objective should be to address those holes and try to win this season. I’m not saying trade all of the prospects and picks, but three good pickups this year and we have a legit shot. Most of this board is ready to throw away this season for some pie in the sky theory of windows and having to lose to win…nonsense!

Thank You! The team you see right now is going to be basically the same one the Rangers ice for the next 3-4 years, with the major difference most likely being a different player than Strome at 2C, presumably one thats better and more well rounded but we'll see. Not sure what the "stand pat" group think is changing between now and "when our window opens in 2 years". The only difference will be that all our players are 2 years older. Our blue chippers are all in the NHL and our stars are humming, what exactly are we waiting on?

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

If Radulov weren't a name, no one in here would be interested in him.

He would be a WASTE of a move guys. Like top shelf lazy move. We'd be better off doing nothing.

He isn't working his way back from injury, he should be completely recovered by now. He's 35 and was never fleet of foot to begin with, time has caught up to him.

I get that he wouldn't cost much to acquire, but i'd rather pay a touch more and get someone who can actually help.

 

[Raspewtin]

There are only 10 forwards on this team right now (not counting Blais since he probably won't be back anytime soon) that I think should be regulars when its playoff time; Kreider, Zib, Laf, Panarin, Strome, Kakko, Hunt, Vatrano, Chytil, and Goodrow. I know Reaves is playing but I'm pretending he won't. We need an upgrade in that slot, the most meaningful way we can improve is by getting NHLers so these tweeners don't play. Gourde would be a really cool add and I'd feel much better about this forward group going in with someone like him. I'd even take Blackwell back. They don't have a lot of room to long-term improve without making an uncomfortable commitment at this time, so be careful.

 

[Kocur26]

I follow BC and have watched or attended 6 games this season. I'd take a flyer on McBain but his skating is going to hold him back at the next level. Whoever compared him to Barron was spot on. He's not skilled enough to compare to a Kevin Hayes, for example...closer to Brian Boyle.

Hard pass if you can see he can’t skate .
No more Morgan Barrons please.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

How much better do you guys feel about this team if they added Copp, Lehkonen and one of Giordano/Lindholm?

 

[Avery16]

 

[duhmetreE]

How much better do you guys feel about this team if they added Copp, Lehkonen and one of Giordano/Lindholm?

Lehkonen, greatly improves the team. I think the team is more balanced. By far our best defensive forward

Gio/Lindholm, I don't know who'd be sitting. Nemeth and Lindgren just got 3 years

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Lehkonen, greatly. I think the team is more balanced

Gio/Lindholm, I don't know who'd be sitting. Nemeth and Lindgren just got 3 years

I'd think Nemeth, even with his recent uptick in play.

They're in the market for a LHD and they love Lindgren despite his struggles.

 

[duhmetreE]

I'd think Nemeth, even with his recent uptick in play.

They're in the market for a LHD and they love Lindgren despite his struggles.

Ideally Lindholm to pair with Fox.

Lindholm Fox
KAM Trouba
Lindgren Schneider is a great 3rd pair

what does that cost? Is it worth it for 1 run? I can't see him signing here long term unless there's drastic changes in the lineup

add Lehkonen to that... that's a pretty deep team

once again, what's the cost? Kravtsov + 2nd for Lehkonen. What's Lindholm's cost? Jones? 1st? That's a little too rich for me

 

[pld459666]

Given the NYR cap crunch, I see no reason not to be all over Hagel. $1.5M for two more seasons. He's not a perfect player but on a $ for $ basis he is outstanding.

I part with the NYR 1st for him without hesitation.

 

[Ola]

Turcotte hasn't done anything since his draft year. LA took him too high. Villardi is worse. Kupari is in the same boat. Those guys can play center. The Rangers should not go crazy here.

I probably agree. But I liked Turcotte a lot pre draft, but he had a bunch of injuries D-1 and also D+1 in college. Think it was brain dead by LA to rush him to the AHL before he even had established himself in College. It’s a tough league for kids. Many kids aren’t living up to expectations. Many of the drafts the last 6-7 years will look horrible in hindsight, 5-10 years from now.

Don’t think it’s time to try to put together the pieces after a mess someone else created.

 

[NYR Viper]

How much better do you guys feel about this team if they added Copp, Lehkonen and one of Giordano/Lindholm?

Well of course the team would be greatly improved. That's not really a fair question. The real question is:

How much better to people feel this team will be compared to the other teams in the East and are we all okay with paying this years 1st, Lundkvist and Kravtsov more than likely for these guys?

I still wouldn't put them as the favorite in the East even with these moves and I would hate to see the farm system depleted this much for a single run in the playoffs.

 

[duhmetreE]

Im telling you, LA is showcasing Kupari/Vliardi to us... Look at their game history and usage, plus they have a complete logjam at C and that's where our depth issue is. If I were a betting man, I'd say we'd flip a combo of Kravtsov/Lundkvist/Jones/etc for one of their young Centers not named Byfield. I would love to pry Turcotte from them too.

Hasn't played w/ Kings until 3/13

Rasmus Kupari Stats And News

Get all the latest stats, news, videos, and more on Rasmus Kupari.

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Hasn't played w/ Kings until 3/13

Gabriel Vilardi Stats And News

Get all the latest stats, news, videos, and more on Gabriel Vilardi.

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Their Center depth is the following...

Kopitar, Danault, Lizotte, Byfield, Kupari, Vilardi, Turcotte (Kempe has even played C). Something has to give.

I'll take Kempe not crazy about the others. Maybe Kupari but he has concerning production in the AHL.

100% fits Gallant's player type