Roster Building Thread VI (2022-23): Offseason edition

[LaffyTaffy13]

The more I think about it the more I believe the logical conclusion to solve 2nd line RW is gonna be by moving either kreider or laff there. Realistically kreider makes the most sense as he just parks out front anyway and isnt necessarily on the left side to set up shop. And then it allows you to create a legitimate 3rd line checking line as such

Laff-Mika-Kreider
Panarin-Chytil-Kakko
Motte-Trocheck-Fast
Cuylle-Acciari-Vesey

Id be more than okay with that lineup going into the season

 

[RGY]

The more I think about it the more I believe the logical conclusion to solve 2nd line RW is gonna be by moving either kreider or laff there. Realistically kreider makes the most sense and he just parks out front anyway and isnt necessarily on the left side to open up his pass ability. And then it allows you to create a legitimate 3rd line checking line as such

Laff-Mika-Kreider
Panarin-Chytil-Kakko
Motte-Trocheck-Fast
Cuylle-Acciari-Vesey

Id be more than okay with that lineup going into the season

Why are we signing Fast, who will cost the same as Goodrow that we are moving on from? Just pay the extra couple million and lock in Tarasenko, a much better player.

 

[AirGut]

The more I think about it the more I believe the logical conclusion to solve 2nd line RW is gonna be by moving either kreider or laff there. Realistically kreider makes the most sense as he just parks out front anyway and isnt necessarily on the left side to set up shop. And then it allows you to create a legitimate 3rd line checking line as such

Laff-Mika-Kreider
Panarin-Chytil-Kakko
Motte-Trocheck-Fast
Cuylle-Acciari-Vesey

Id be more than okay with that lineup going into the season

It's gonna be Laf. He's the odd man out if Drury decides to go that route.
not only is this franchise committed entirely to Mr.Ranger, but we can't move Kreider's contract easily at all and we're at a point where it's going to take some serious negotiating to get a GM to take him at nearly $7M. Would take a lot of complex things within a trade to work out a deal given his contract.

Selling Lafreniere as an asset is miles easier than Kreider.
I wouldn't be surprised to see something like:
Lafreniere for Wilson +
Lafreniere for Anderson +
Lafreniere for Garland +

would solve a RW issue immediatley and allow Othmann to slot in on his natural side without issue.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Mental aspect is definitely a factor. "Big" teams can play small. Marek Malik was a giant. He wasn't physical at all. Brad Marchand is small he plays big.

Rangers are just weak mentally, lazy, and have no guts. Maybe Laviolette changes that, maybe he doesn't. But they're not small they just play that way.

You either have it or don't. No coach can make someone play with guts. It has to be in their DNA. Sadly Rangers need to sign, trade or draft those types like Othmann. Personally I bet if Goodrow is gone Hathaway replaces him as a cheaper contract although I can see teams overpaying Hathaway. Rangers need those type in the top 6. Heck guys like Mackinnon play big and fights to change momentum and for a teammate that is what real leaders do. Any leader that doesn't do that isn't a leader. I wish Rangers had a Tkachuk Marchand Barbashev type (glad Rangers drafted his brother although they better sign him before next summer)

 

[GAGLine]

Bring back Tarasenko. Find a way. Make it through this year and cap will go up next offseason. $5 x 3. Or try to do $4.5 with performance bonuses that would get him to $5-$5.25 that roll into following year’s cap. We could see a lot of contracts structured like that this offseason.

Tarasenko isn't eligible for performance bonuses.

Performance bonuses can only be included in ELCs and 1 year deals, and for the 1 year deals, the player has to be 35 or older as of July 1st or had to miss a certain number of games in the prior year or prior 2 years. Off the top of my head, I don't recall how many games, but Tarasenko definitely didn't miss enough to qualify.

Bergeron and Krejci were both eligible last year due to their age, but Boston will be paying for it this season. Boston had no cap space left at the end of the year, so the entire 4.5 mil in bonuses rolls over into this season.

Halak got a 50k performance bonus last year. I could see him getting a bit more (with less base salary) this season if we re-sign him.

 

[LaffyTaffy13]

Why are we signing Fast, who will cost the same as Goodrow that we are moving on from? Just pay the extra couple million and lock in Tarasenko, a much better player.

Fast wont cost nearly as much as goody. AFP has him at 2 X $2.3 and they pretty much nail every prediction

 

[Shesterkybomb]

But Blueger is stricly a defensive/matchup/PK 4center, probably cheaper than Acciari.

Acciari can score some goals, throw his weight around and is decent defensively.

Cuylle Acciari Vesey as our 4th? I would like a guy like Kolesar but I guess Cuylle could be that guy eventually.


Goodrow is an anchor... and it needs to be cut loose.

A hypothetical line of Cuylle Acciari Vesey would be cheaper than Goodrow. Around $800k cheaper and you actually get better.

I'm doubtful this team is moving on from Goodrow

 

[bernmeister]

Bridge Lafreniere $2.5 x 2.

Try to bridge Miller at $3.5AAV x 2.

Those contracts could come back to sting in 2 years but you will be banking on cap going up and you will be nearing the end of the contracts of Panarin/Kreider/Trouba. If Laf/Miller earn big raises then you have them replacing the vets.

Bring back Tarasenko. Find a way. Make it through this year and cap will go up next offseason. $5 x 3. Or try to do $4.5 with performance bonuses that would get him to $5-$5.25 that roll into following year’s cap. We could see a lot of contracts structured like that this offseason.

3LD will be at or near league minimums. Has to be.

Cuylle/Othmann can compete for spots.

Goodrow has to be traded or bought out for the above to work.

4th line vets signed to less than $1 million.

Halak/Raanta/Talbot signed to $1 million or less.

My last piece is Kane. Can you sign him $3 x 2 and LTIR him through December without cap implications?

Those who do not learn from the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.

Accepting desperation in a misguided intent to max win now = loser strategy, epic fail 99% of the time,

Smart move is eat your veggies, do the homework NOW and extend, not bridge KAM so you minimize cap hit going forward.
6.25 x 8 will do it.

LaF 2, 2.5 fine, we respond to him on show me deal, which should be fine w/kid line promotion

No on Tara. He'll get what he commands and this year it is too much

Don't reward Drury for his mistakes

 

[Priorae]

I don’t see how separating 93 and 20 makes sense on this team. Kakko on that line is a really good fit.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the 2 and 3 lines to be pretty similar to the way we ended the year. Tro/pan and chytil/Laf. The RW situation is real. Vesey probably deserves one of those spots.

 

[RGY]

Tarasenko isn't eligible for performance bonuses.

Performance bonuses can only be included in ELCs and 1 year deals, and for the 1 year deals, the player has to be 35 or older as of July 1st or had to miss a certain number of games in the prior year or prior 2 years. Off the top of my head, I don't recall how many games, but Tarasenko definitely didn't miss enough to qualify.

Bergeron and Krejci were both eligible last year due to their age, but Boston will be paying for it this season. Boston had no cap space left at the end of the year, so the entire 4.5 mil in bonuses rolls over into this season.

Halak got a 50k performance bonus last year. I could see him getting a bit more (with less base salary) this season if we re-sign him.

Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification and I was reading that I started to recall. Well we could still see a good amount of performance bonus 1 year deals for 35+ guys this offseason.

Boston is definitely paying for it but they were all in given the age of their group overall. I think that would have been an easier pill to swallow had they been going that route this offseason and having to deal with it next offseason when the cap is assumed to rise.

Kane turns 35 in November otherwise that would have been a good option to use.

Fast wont cost nearly as much as goody. AFP has him at 2 X $2.3 and they pretty much nail every prediction

He might not cost as much but $2.3 is still too much for a 3rd line winger who is 31 years old and you are navigating the cap. You can get a similar result, even if it isnt terms of point production, but in the expected role and play on the ice with other options for $1 million or less. Save the money and try to bring back Tarasenko.

 

[McRanger92]

I'm doubtful this team is moving on from Goodrow

I think Laviolette hire keeps Goodrow here. I honestly think we’re only going to pay Laf & KAM and maybe try to fit one of the player @RangerBoy mentioned. Cuylle and Othmann will add to the roster if they let them run. They will add at the deadline.

 

[RGY]

I think Laviolette hire keeps Goodrow here. I honestly think we’re only going to pay Laf & KAM and maybe try to fit one of the player @RangerBoy mentioned. Cuylle and Othmann will add to the roster if they let them run. They will add at the deadline.

Would be a mistake not to bring back one of Tarasenko/Kane. Going into the deadline they will be looking for extra scoring and paying in draft picks and assets for it.

I love Goody, but the path is to move on and repurpose his money to Tarasenko. Sign 1-2 of the guys RB mentioned. There is a plethora of 4th line players you can get at a good deal.

 

[NickyFotiu]

They should pick a 4th line identity and get players that fit it. Not just put 3 mismatched guys on it. Id like a fast physical 4th line. I don't think any of Motte-Good-Vesey fit that identity.

 

[NYR Viper]

It’s conceivable that if Drury could trade Goodrow with no money back, he could sign Acciari and Hathaway for less total money.

 

[McRanger92]

Would be a mistake not to bring back one of Tarasenko/Kane. Going into the deadline they will be looking for extra scoring and paying in draft picks and assets for it.

I love Goody, but the path is to move on and repurpose his money to Tarasenko. Sign 1-2 of the guys RB mentioned. There is a plethora of 4th line players you can get at a good deal.

I can get behind that idea if Tank is willing to sign for 2 or 3 years. Doesn’t really solve the speed issue but he’s a Laviolette type player

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

Larry Brooks has been monomaniacally pushing a "checking line" agenda in his columns for three years and while I don't 100% agree, I'm not sure they'll move out a defense-first forward in Goodrow for an offense guy in Tarasenko. They've been trying to use both the "kid line" and Zibanejad in matchup roles and it hasn't worked out for either the players involved or for the team.

 

[McRanger92]

Larry Brooks has been monomaniacally pushing a "checking line" agenda in his columns for three years and while I don't 100% agree, I'm not sure they'll move out a defense-first forward in Goodrow for an offense guy in Tarasenko. They've been trying to use both the "kid line" and Zibanejad in matchup roles and it hasn't worked out for either the players involved or for the team.

Kreider & Trocheck should be the checking line. Throw Othmann or Cuylle on the wing and encourage them to play nasty. Both guys are locked in here and have nothing to prove. Swallow your pride and play the tough hard minutes so the kids can be in the top 6

 

[TheGortonConspiracy]

I'm doubtful this team is moving on from Goodrow

Agree. It will cost way more than people here think. It's a cap dump move that would cost 2nd rounder+. Maybe even a first considering it's 4 years remaining and his partial NTC. Everyone here seems to think he would be traded for future considerations... Best to just keep him

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Lol yeah well your thesis is trash

Feel free to explain how with facts.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

Oilers locked up Derek Ryan for two years. That's a bummer. Derek Grant is still out there to take over for Goodrow.

I'm hoping Laviolette falls in love with all of Edstrom/Othmann/Cullye.

If you want a fast 4th line, you need players who can skate. Matt Nieto is still out there. Would he come back East where he went to college?

 

[RangerBoy]

I think Laviolette hire keeps Goodrow here. I honestly think we’re only going to pay Laf & KAM and maybe try to fit one of the player @RangerBoy mentioned. Cuylle and Othmann will add to the roster if they let them run. They will add at the deadline.

There will be so many depth players available. The cap will be flat. Bettman said a $1M increase . Marty Walsh was on a podcast with Craig Custance of The Athletic last week. Walsh said the NHL and NHLPA will meet after the season is over to count the revenue. Walsh didn't say this but there could be room to raise the cap by $1.5M to $2M without touching escrow. Elliotte Friedman has reported that scenario. The players will still owe $70M. $1.5M to $2M in better than $1M. I heard Chris Johnston last night say it would be a $1M increase.

Keeping Goodrow is tough math. Pay Lafreniere. $2.5M-$3M. Pay Miller $4M. Dobson contract. The Rangers need to fill out the roster. Moving Lafreniere to RW solves many issues. The Rangers can find players to play on the 3rd and 4th lines on cheaper contracts than they can find a winger to play in the top 6.

Add depth players at forward. The Rangers need another defenseman. Adding another defenseman is a primary need.

The Rangers could pay two players with Goodrow's money. They could pay three players with Goodrow's money.

Adding at the deadline better not be adding 4 new players assuming the Rangers have the accrued cap space.

Oilers locked up Derek Ryan for two years. That's a bummer. Derek Grant is still out there to take over for Goodrow.

I'm hoping Laviolette falls in love with all of Edstrom/Othmann/Cullye.

If you want a fast 4th line, you need players who can skate. Matt Nieto is still out there. Would he come back East where he went to college?

Ryan got $900,000. He didn't break the bank.

Agree. It will cost way more than people here think. It's a cap dump move that would cost 2nd rounder+. Maybe even a first considering it's 4 years remaining and his partial NTC. Everyone here seems to think he would be traded for future considerations... Best to just keep him

How does the money work? Show us.

The buyout option saves an extra $200,000 for this coming season.

 

[surlysailor]

Does anyone have any advanced stats on Axel Jonsson-Fjallby? Ever since his draft I always pictured him to be a Hagelin-lite type of player. Someone with speed, who is good on the forecheck but won't net a lot of points. It seems doubtful NYR would even sign him since he was waived under Lavy in Washington but could be a good cheap 12/13F type.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

Goodrow doesn’t have to be moved but the Rangers will have almost no option to bring in any players. I’ve run the simulations on capfriendly so many ways. If Goodrow (and no other money moves) stays, all of the holes will be plugged by guys making $800,000 or less. They will have about $4.5M to fill out a top 9 RW, two 4th liners, a 3 LD, and a backup G. So about 800-900K average per player. That’s with JL and Harpur as scratches and Laf (2.45x2) and Miller (4x3) signed.

 

[MrAlmost]

Your checking line:

Kreider-Trocheck-Vesey

They won pretty much every matchup they had, all play with speed, all forecheck well, all play great defense, all have offensive ability. It is THE line to start with, and the rest shakes out around it. This line will not lose many head to heads.

 

[Synergy27]

Would be a mistake not to bring back one of Tarasenko/Kane. Going into the deadline they will be looking for extra scoring and paying in draft picks and assets for it.

I love Goody, but the path is to move on and repurpose his money to Tarasenko. Sign 1-2 of the guys RB mentioned. There is a plethora of 4th line players you can get at a good deal.

They keep having to do that because of the cap. They can’t afford to have those players on the roster all season without making bigger moves.