Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part XXXVIII

[Tawnos]

That would be my guess. We need RDs desperately. Everyone is looking at forwards with exciting stats, but we have 8 forwards 24 or younger capable of top-9 play (Buchnevich, Kakko, Chytil, Kravtsov, Lias, Howden, Lemieux, Strome) plus Zibanejad is 25. Barron and Vinni may get there also.

We have a ton of LDs: Skjei, K'Andre, Hajek, Rykov, Lindgren, Crawford, Rag. But what do we have on the RD? ADA, Pionk, Keane. Literally every RD prospect must hit his ceiling to get us where we need to be. That won't happen. Throw in Soderstrom and the situation looks much better. Throw in Soderstrom and Fox, and suddenly things look downright fun.

This is my thought process, though as others pointed out Lundkvist is a RD. I'd add Reunanen to your list of LD (though I'd probably remove Crawley). The differentiation is pretty stark. And, as you alluded to, the odds of prospects making it are pretty low in general, so we definitely need more quantity at the RD position, as well as quality.

That being said, most of the reason I wonder about Soderstrom comes from what I've read about his intensity and work ethic.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Two totally different situations. Stepan has term left. That draft was also 6 players deep and then had a considerable drop off

I hate this type of thinking, the draft was "6 players deep" is not true.

Players who went in the first round after 6:
Mittlestadt
Brannstrom
Necas
Robert Thomas
Chytil
Poehling
Tolvanen

 

[Edge]

Could use another high-end center prospect as well, however. Arguably more so than RD given Lundkvist and probably Fox.

Agree that RD is right there behind C in terms of need, however.

Also depends on how you view ceilings and the cost to get a guy.

I think guys like Zegras and Turcotte have higher ceilings at their respective positions than Soderstrom does at his. But the Rangers might feel differently.

But I think, broadly speaking, the cost to land a Zegras or Turcotte is also higher than the coast to land a Soderstrom.

Zegras and Turcotte have close to zero chance of being there in the mid-teens. Soderstrom very well could be. Obviously the cost to get in range for the former would be higher. You'd probably be looking at multiple moves.

The cost to get into range for Soderstrom, could be significantly lower, even without heading into the draft with a pick in the teens.

But how the Rangers view Soderstrom in comparison to the centers? No idea. Though I suspect the centers are probably higher on the team's list.

 

[Off Sides]

Not that I think size has to be super important, yet having all three RD on the smaller side is probably not ideal.

None of ADA, Lundqvist, Keane, have much size. Neither do Fox, Soderstrom.

If they did draft Soderstrom and he progresses, I think they are looking to move one of the others at some point.

 

[Tawnos]

Could use another high-end center prospect as well, however. Arguably more so than RD given Lundkvist and probably Fox.

Agree that RD is right there behind C in terms of need, however.

I personally don't think C is as big an area of need in terms of the future, though I can certainly understand wanting to really solidify the position. We have a 25-year old 1C and 6 prospects who could end up being top-6 centers in the NHL.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

How so?

NCAA offensive RD with questionable positional judgment...

 

[Tawnos]

I hate this type of thinking, the draft was "6 players deep" is not true.

Players who went in the first round after 6:
Mittlestadt
Brannstrom
Necas
Robert Thomas
Chytil
Poehling
Tolvanen

He's talking about on draft day, so what he said was true.

But there are always players who increase their draft stock in the years following the draft (go look at the re-draft threads), so in a sense I agree with that.

 

[kovazub94]

I keep wondering if that #4 pick is gettable. I mean, if the Avs go on a nice little run here in the POs, and prove they're close, what's better for them, a high pick who might be ready to contribute in a meaningful way ~3 years down the line? Or a package that includes immediate help for McKinnon while he's dead, square in his window? Something like Kreider, Pionk, and the Winnipeg pick for #4OA? Or how about Kreider + Skjei straight up for the pick?

If Chicago passes on Podkolzin - it might be more of a possibility given his KHL contract status. Both Kreider and Skjei might be too much after top2 but Kreider, Pionk, Hajek and Jets pick is a good package IMHO.

 

[NYR Viper]

I hate this type of thinking, the draft was "6 players deep" is not true.

Players who went in the first round after 6:
Mittlestadt
Brannstrom
Necas
Robert Thomas
Chytil
Poehling
Tolvanen

Going into that draft, there was a drop off after #6 as far as the quality of player at that time. That's not to say that some of the players taken after that won't be good, but #7 in that draft is not the same as this draft, nor will it be the same as next draft is all I am saying. It's not always, 'well #7 is worth X every year because the #7 overall player is always Y'

 

[Ken Lund]

Ok, I guess I remembered the quote wrong.

No problem. As you may have already figured out from my posts I know more about history than I do about hockey. But I've loved the Rangers since 1970.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

No problem. As you may have already figured out from my posts I know more about history than I do about hockey. But I've loved the Rangers since 1970.

But you've loved history even longer.

 

[Ken Lund]

No problem. As you may have already figured out from my posts I know more about history than I do about hockey. But I've loved the Rangers since 1970.

And you got the quote right. It's just that he was being sarcastic about how everybody was saying don't do anything different and in the long run the economy will bounce back by itself.

 

[RangerBoy]

Yzerman tried to acquire Karlsson when he was running TB.

When the Wings cleaned out their lockers April 8, Ken Holland estimated the team would have in the neighborhood of $15-20 million in salary cap space this summer. Will Yzerman turn that money into a splash on July 1? One of the most intriguing names who could be available is defenseman Erik Karlsson – he’ll be an unrestricted free agent unless the San Jose Sharks re-sign him. Karlsson, 28, was limited to 53 games this past season because of injury, but his 45 points averages out to 0.85 points per game, sixth among NHL defensemen.

Good luck to the team paying Karlsson $84 million over the next 7 years.

Karlsson would be the perfect DH in hockey if they had a DH. Just play in offensive situations.

Like Edgar Martinez.

 

[bobbop]

If the Rangers are able to trade their way into the top ten, I definitely, definitely want it to be used on an offensive player. You can find defense later than offense in the draft.

And re: Kreider, I think we tend to undervalue him. For a team with designs on being good next year, he is a very valuable asset. I would expect a return similar to the Lucic trade (#13 plus two good prospects) from a few years ago if he is moved.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

It will be interesting to see how Stevie Y does without inheriting an excellent, young core.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

If the Rangers are able to trade their way into the top ten, I definitely, definitely want it to be used on an offensive player. You can find defense later than offense in the draft.

And re: Kreider, I think we tend to undervalue him. For a team with designs on being good next year, he is a very valuable asset. I would expect a return similar to the Lucic trade (#13 plus two good prospects) from a few years ago if he is moved.

News to me.

 

[Matt4776]

If the Rangers are able to trade their way into the top ten, I definitely, definitely want it to be used on an offensive player. You can find defense later than offense in the draft.

And re: Kreider, I think we tend to undervalue him. For a team with designs on being good next year, he is a very valuable asset. I would expect a return similar to the Lucic trade (#13 plus two good prospects) from a few years ago if he is moved.

I hope you're right.

Is there any shot at getting the 14+ Pierre-Oliver Joseph from ARZ, or is he too valuable?

 

[Fugazy]

It will be interesting to see how Stevie Y does without inheriting an excellent, young core.

He’s going to have his work cut out for him, that’s for sure.

 

[Off Sides]

Going into that draft, there was a drop off after #6 as far as the quality of player at that time. That's not to say that some of the players taken after that won't be good, but #7 in that draft is not the same as this draft, nor will it be the same as next draft is all I am saying. It's not always, 'well #7 is worth X every year because the #7 overall player is always Y'

I agree,

This and next draft look to be pretty darn strong,

My take

2014, 2015, 2019, 2020 drafts are going to turn out much stronger overall than the 2016 and 2017 drafts in the ~5 to ~20 pick range.

 

[Matt4776]

News to me.

I think he means for a team that is acquiring him that has designs on being good next year.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I think he means for a team that is acquiring him that has designs on being good next year.

Ah got it.

Ignore previous comment @bobbop

 

[kovazub94]

That would be my guess. We need RDs desperately. Everyone is looking at forwards with exciting stats, but we have 8 forwards 24 or younger capable of top-9 play (Buchnevich, Kakko, Chytil, Kravtsov, Lias, Howden, Lemieux, Strome) plus Zibanejad is 25. Barron and Vinni may get there also.

We have a ton of LDs: Skjei, K'Andre, Hajek, Rykov, Lindgren, Crawford, Rag. But what do we have on the RD? ADA, Pionk, Keane. Literally every RD prospect must hit his ceiling to get us where we need to be. That won't happen. Throw in Soderstrom and the situation looks much better. Throw in Soderstrom and Fox, and suddenly things look downright fun.

You forgot Lundkvist but the point stands. The other thing is that our RD pool is further away and will take longer to develop. I think Gorton will try to address this positional need via trade or UFA.

 

[bl02]

If the Rangers are able to trade their way into the top ten, I definitely, definitely want it to be used on an offensive player. You can find defense later than offense in the draft.

And re: Kreider, I think we tend to undervalue him. For a team with designs on being good next year, he is a very valuable asset. I would expect a return similar to the Lucic trade (#13 plus two good prospects) from a few years ago if he is moved.

Didn't realize how much the Bruins got for Lucic in that trade. They Received the 13th overall, Martin Jones and Colin Miller which in the end turned into Zboril (13th overall), Kuraly, Trent Federic (29th overall). They lost Miller to Vegas. I know Zboril and Federic haven't proved anything but still 13th and 29th overall picks.

 

[bobbop]

I hope you're right.

Is there any shot at getting the 14+ Pierre-Oliver Joseph from ARZ, or is he too valuable?

POJ is probably too valuable. They have other interesting assets though.

 

[kovazub94]

It will be interesting to see how Stevie Y does without inheriting an excellent, young core.

And without a benefit of lower state tax. He should deservingly get props for properly taking advantage with TBL but it will be more difficult in Detroit.