Speculation: Roster building thread XXIV:

[Fireonk]

I don't know,

To me it kind of looks like they have most of their current forwards returning again next year where only Haula and Williams may be replaced and they might re-sign Haula.

Year after Dzingel, McGinn, Martinook are slated to be UFAs, again I do not know if they are planning to extend any/all/combo of them.

Isn't that a reason to value ELC contracts that can come in and help? They have their current core locked up for a while, they aren't necessarily going to have cap space to bring in another key player so the best way to fill in some holes are those ELCs.

 

[Trxjw]

I think stuff about the Rangers waiting until closer to the deadline to evaluate means more about which trade opportunities they like moreso than whether or not they're going to hang on to Kreider. Barring some big maneuvers to clear cap space, signing Kreider just really isn't possible. So I think he's as good as gone and Gorton is trying to evaluate which moves play together the best.

 

[Fireonk]

Like I referred to, there’s a mindset that we have here, and then there’s the cold hard facts of running a business. Rebuilding is not good for business in the here and now. Winning and going far in the playoffs usually is. The new owner wants to keep building on the success of last year. A full building come playoff time helps that. It takes a lot for a franchise to deliberately proceed in a manner the Rangers have. You’re demanding a lot of trust from your fan base. Now try to do that as a new owner in a market like Carolina.

I just don't see why they aren't already setup to have a full building come playoff time for the next 5 years. Seems very short sighted to me for them to try and make major moves for this year alone. But hey, hope I am wrong....

 

[Off Sides]

Isn't that a reason to value ELC contracts that can come in and help? They have their current core locked up for a while, they aren't necessarily going to have cap space to bring in another key player so the best way to fill in some holes are those ELCs.

My point was more along the lines of where do the incoming entry level guys play if the Canes are not planning on moving on from any of those who could be outgoing?

 

[Off Sides]

Sounds like a solid plan that would be very difficult to carry out.

That is how all the good plans come together, have you never seen the A Team?

 

[Fireonk]

My point was more along the lines of where do the incoming entry level guys play if the Canes are not planning on moving on from any of those who could be outgoing?

Now that Necas is a full timer do they really have that many prospects that they have to worry about making room for? The ELCs I am referring to are to backfill the bottom 6, the guys you generally listed. They don't need to make any major room in the future for an upcoming top 6 anytime soon.

 

[Off Sides]

Now that Necas is a full timer do they really have that many prospects that they have to worry about making room for? The ELCs I am referring to are to backfill the bottom 6, the guys you generally listed. They don't need to make any major room in the future for an upcoming top 6 anytime soon.

Well they have Gauthier, Kuokkanen, who are probably pretty close to pushing for spots. Their entry levels ends summer of 2021, I do not know enough about Geekie except to say his entry level ends that year too.

 

[EpicDing]

Where did all this Skjei to Carolina stuff come from? They want a RD.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Where did all this Skjei to Carolina stuff come from? They want a RD.

@Edge posted a "state of ongoing conversations with other teams" update a few pages back. He mentioned that Carolina had inquired about several players, including Skjei.

 

[Tossed Medal]

If the rangers don’t figure out a way to re sign players and manage the cap what you’ll have is a team of guys who’ve never played a meaningful playoff game . Veterans are a huge part of every championship team . When you are ready to compete you have a team of young guys who don’t know what it takes to win . Unless you’re replacing Kreider with a player of the same stats and character your going backwards . HF boards where the mystery box draft pick is better than the guy who’s proven his worth to the team .

 

[EpicDing]

@Edge posted a "state of ongoing conversations with other teams" update a few pages back. He mentioned that Carolina had inquired about several players, including Skjei.

Ah gotcha, missed that thanks. Still think it's strange, given that they seem pretty set on the left but

 

[Fitzy]

If the rangers don’t figure out a way to re sign players and manage the cap what you’ll have is a team of guys who’ve never played a meaningful playoff game . Veterans are a huge part of every championship team . When you are ready to compete you have a team of young guys who don’t know what it takes to win . Unless you’re replacing Kreider with a player of the same stats and character your going backwards . HF boards where the mystery box draft pick is better than the guy who’s proven his worth to the team .

I don't disagree that a team having playoff experience is valuable, I just don't think that value in this case is worth enough to keep Kreider around at the potential cost of re-signing younger players or having a room for a more need-based UFA signing later in the building process.

 

[Lion Hound]

Labanc or Kapanen in a deal for Georgiev.

Labanc or Kapanen in a deal for Georgiev.

Could we add to Georgiev to expand SJ deal to include Meier instead? 2nd round pick and prospect? Add Skjei to the mix and come away with both Labanc and Meier?

Could we add to Georgiev to expand SJ deal to include Meier instead? 2nd round pick and prospect? Add Skjei to the mix and come away with both Labanc and Meier?

Im in the camp that wants to keep Geo, and somehow hope that Hank hangs em up or say's yes to a deal elsewhere for a cup run. But...IF that isn't happening, I like either player you mentioned as a return for Geo.

Kevin Labanc RWlLW 5'11 185lbs 24 Yrs old, Born and raised in Brooklyn!!!

I like so much about this player. Earned everything he has so far both at the Jr level, the AHL level and ultimately the NHL. I almost wonder why he is mentioned so much in trade talks? He's a young cost-controlled player who has produced. After being drafted in the later rounds, with very mediocre numbers he throws up back to back 100 pt plus seasons for the Barrie Colts. He makes his way into the professional ranks and responds with PPG production for the Sharks AHL affiliate. At the NHL level he earns a spot on the Sharks ultimately playing with Joe Thornton. Hell of a linemate to learn from, however Jumbo is way past his prime, yet these two had some really good chemistry together resulting in a 17 goal season for Labanc. See his highlights below.



This season he recently was a promoted off Thornton's wing, up into the Sharks top line with Hertl and Kane. Not sure if it was a true promotion or a showcasing. Either way, Labanc responded with 2 multi point games his last 5. He is also getting PP time. I like the player. He can score. He is a really smart player capable of finding open ice and converting. Has a really god release. He's earned a spot on his clubs top 6 with PP time. Might not be the best 2 way player but he's young and affordable and will be a RFA at the end of this season. If Labanc is really on the market, there will be a lot of interest.

In the off season there was lot of smoke around Labanc as a player who might be offer-sheeted. Sabres came up. Pagnotta reported on it. He ended up signing a 1 year deal wit the Sharks.

Kasperi Kapanen RW 23 Yrs old 6'1 194lbs Kuopio Finland

Kapanen i think is also a really good return for Geo also. Buried on perhaps the most loaded forward roster in the NHL, Kapanen is one of the most talked about players on the trade market. Hes got Mitch Marner and Michael Nylander ahead of him on the Right side. Leafs tried him up in their top 6 on the Left side when Hyman was injured but he didn't respond well to that. I don't think Kapanen is a 3rd line Winger on 90% of the teams in the NHL. I love his skating. He has speed to burn. Last year he was mentioned a few times in trade talks and i immediately though about how hard it would be to contain Kapanen on Right side and Kreider on the left side. Even if they were separated and played on different lines players that skate like him change the way teams counter act. In addition to the skating. I love his release to. Then there is always the added bonus of adding another Fin to the roster specifically for the development of Kakko if you believe in such a thing.




He's affordable at slightly over 3 mil cap hit signed through the end of 2022 at which point he is a RFA. I really like the fit on NY into the top 6. I like him there over Buchnevich, and Im a very big supported of #89. I like him there over Fast as well, as I think Fast is a better player, more reliable player to round out the Rangers 3rd and 4th lines.

 

[Tossed Medal]

I don't disagree that a team having playoff experience is valuable, I just don't think that value in this case is worth enough to keep Kreider around at the potential cost of re-signing younger players or having a room for a more need-based UFA signing later in the building process.

I agree that’s why I can’t stand how the rangers continue to die on the hill of the bridge deal and haven’t figured out a way to identify and buy up guys RFA / UFA years earlier . I understand we had a run where we were win now but buying up Skjei’s years abd hard balling Kreider to me was atrocious . CK is a leader , he’s physical and only in one playoff did he fail to deliver . He’s a guy this team is going to have a hard time replacing. We don’t need more flash and dash wings . We need more meat and potatoes go to the net players . Unless you’re getting an identical type player to him this team goes backward when CK gone . Can’t wait until the almighty Gordie “ off the board “ Clark picks us another dud .

 

[noupf]

If the rangers don’t figure out a way to re sign players and manage the cap what you’ll have is a team of guys who’ve never played a meaningful playoff game . Veterans are a huge part of every championship team . When you are ready to compete you have a team of young guys who don’t know what it takes to win . Unless you’re replacing Kreider with a player of the same stats and character your going backwards . HF boards where the mystery box draft pick is better than the guy who’s proven his worth to the team .

Screw you and your logic. Stop making sense please.

I agree with you 100%. If CK would take a 6 year deal no higher than $7m or so, I’d do it. He’s not going to decline for a solid 3-4 years and that’s if he actually does decline at all. I think the guy is such a exercise / health freak that he plays well till age 35. There are guys who have done it by staying in elite physical shape.

for me, I’d love to trade him away and then re-sign him in the off season. I know it won’t likely happen but that would be huge. Gain some really good assets and then get CK back.

the cap goes up every year, a few years from now, with an increased cap and all the money coming off the books at the end of next season, I don’t see how $7m of CK for 6 years hurts the team.

 

[Deleted member 23124]

That is how all the good plans come together, have you never seen the A Team?

We don't have a genius like Murdoch to get things running smoothly.

 

[JimmyG89]

Not sure I get the Carolina interest in Skjei. I know Gardiner has not been good at all there, but he's locked in with term. Slavin is a monster, so that's their #1, so I guess Skjei slides into their #2 spot?

Kind of surprising that Jake Bean hasn't gotten a call this year. Has great AHL stats.

Either way, if we can raid their system, it would be ideal. Carolina develops their players very well and you know they are coming from a strong organization.

Lastly, just saw this:



Leafs looking for defense with term. Mentions RD/LD, but you have to think that Skjei is on their radar.

 

[noupf]

Not sure I get the Carolina interest in Skjei. I know Gardiner has not been good at all there, but he's locked in with term. Slavin is a monster, so that's their #1, so I guess Skjei slides into their #2 spot?

Kind of surprising that Jake Bean hasn't gotten a call this year. Has great AHL stats.

Either way, if we can raid their system, it would be ideal. Carolina develops their players very well and you know they are coming from a strong organization.

Lastly, just saw this:



Leafs looking for defense with term. Mentions RD/LD, but you have to think that Skjei is on their radar.

Skjei and Lias Anderson for Kapanen......get it done Gorts !!

 

[Off Sides]

We don't have a genius like Murdoch to get things running smoothly.

If the Rangers have to drug BA Baracus for some reason or another to get it done, I would condone it.

 

[charliemurphy]

I think stuff about the Rangers waiting until closer to the deadline to evaluate means more about which trade opportunities they like moreso than whether or not they're going to hang on to Kreider. Barring some big maneuvers to clear cap space, signing Kreider just really isn't possible. So I think he's as good as gone and Gorton is trying to evaluate which moves play together the best.

Wait, there are people that still believe Kreider will remain a Ranger?

 

[charliemurphy]

Skjei and Lias Anderson for Kapanen......get it done Gorts !!

You are overvaluing Kapanen by a lot with a proposal like this.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Skjei and Lias Anderson for Kapanen......get it done Gorts !!

Kapanen and what else. teams can and most likely will offer more than that for Skjei

 

[nyrage]

I don’t undervalue Skjei . With his tools he’ll play a long time in this league . Will he leave you wanting more maybe he’s still fairly young for a defenseman, never been injured badly and on a decent contract . However with a few LHS DMEN in the system and offensive veterans that will be hard to replace in CK , ADA and IMO Strome you gotta lose cap someplace . I’m also not in the camp of STAAL being as horrible as everyone makes him out to be . I think he’s had a pretty good season and does things on the team our other young D MEN can’t do along the boards and in front of the net . His offense isn’t there of course but he’s still a physical player and one of the reasons ADA is able to play the way he does . So unless you can get rid of Smith contract and Staal SKJEI moved to save cap to resign the locker room leader and irreplaceable net front presence and scoring in CK is the lesser of 2 evils . That along with Buchnevich .

Staal is horrible in front of the net. He may try hard, but he can't even clear the front of the net against smaller players. Barzal out-muscled him the other night.
He plays without leverage. You'll see him pushing players at upper back or shoulder height with just his arms, but not move the player an inch. You have to drive with your hips and legs.
Often Staal just falls off balance in front of the net or willingly drops to the ice for some reason.

He also loses puck battles against the board consistently to much smaller players. Plus I don't think he can clear a puck out of the zone without a hurricane wind to help him. With his head down in desperation mode, he seems to almost always find the opposing defenseman at the point.

I loved Staal in his first few years before he got hurt. He's awful now and needs to be put out to pasture.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Im in the camp that wants to keep Geo, and somehow hope that Hank hangs em up or say's yes to a deal elsewhere for a cup run. But...IF that isn't happening, I like either player you mentioned as a return for Geo.

Kevin Labanc RWlLW 5'11 185lbs 24 Yrs old, Born and raised in Brooklyn!!!

I like so much about this player. Earned everything he has so far both at the Jr level, the AHL level and ultimately the NHL. I almost wonder why he is mentioned so much in trade talks? He's a young cost-controlled player who has produced. After being drafted in the later rounds, with very mediocre numbers he throws up back to back 100 pt plus seasons for the Barrie Colts. He makes his way into the professional ranks and responds with PPG production for the Sharks AHL affiliate. At the NHL level he earns a spot on the Sharks ultimately playing with Joe Thornton. Hell of a linemate to learn from, however Jumbo is way past his prime, yet these two had some really good chemistry together resulting in a 17 goal season for Labanc. See his highlights below.



This season he recently was a promoted off Thornton's wing, up into the Sharks top line with Hertl and Kane. Not sure if it was a true promotion or a showcasing. Either way, Labanc responded with 2 multi point games his last 5. He is also getting PP time. I like the player. He can score. He is a really smart player capable of finding open ice and converting. Has a really god release. He's earned a spot on his clubs top 6 with PP time. Might not be the best 2 way player but he's young and affordable and will be a RFA at the end of this season. If Labanc is really on the market, there will be a lot of interest.

In the off season there was lot of smoke around Labanc as a player who might be offer-sheeted. Sabres came up. Pagnotta reported on it. He ended up signing a 1 year deal wit the Sharks.

View attachment 312203


Kasperi Kapanen RW 23 Yrs old 6'1 194lbs Kuopio Finland

View attachment 312247

Kapanen i think is also a really good return for Geo also. Buried on perhaps the most loaded forward roster in the NHL, Kapanen is one of the most talked about players on the trade market. Hes got Mitch Marner and Michael Nylander ahead of him on the Right side. Leafs tried him up in their top 6 on the Left side when Hyman was injured but he didn't respond well to that. I don't think Kapanen is a 3rd line Winger on 90% of the teams in the NHL. I love his skating. He has speed to burn. Last year he was mentioned a few times in trade talks and i immediately though about how hard it would be to contain Kapanen on Right side and Kreider on the left side. Even if they were separated and played on different lines players that skate like him change the way teams counter act. In addition to the skating. I love his release to. Then there is always the added bonus of adding another Fin to the roster specifically for the development of Kakko if you believe in such a thing.




He's affordable at slightly over 3 mil cap hit signed through the end of 2022 at which point he is a RFA. I really like the fit on NY into the top 6. I like him there over Buchnevich, and Im a very big supported of #89. I like him there over Fast as well, as I think Fast is a better player, more reliable player to round out the Rangers 3rd and 4th lines.

My formula for this long multi paragraph post.

Kapanen = Grabner - Penalty Killing Abilities

 

[Thirty One]

My formula for this long multi paragraph post.

Kapanen = Grabner - Penalty Killing Abilities

He has penalty killing ability though.