Speculation: Roster Building Thread XXXVIII - Dust in the wind…

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

The cap absolutely does not say no to getting the best player in the nhl. You move other guys to make that work. But unfortunately the oilers say no

It does. That’s part of the reason the Oilers are the Oilers.

 

[bhamill]

I still say that cap space is best used getting assets for taking on bad contracts. Like trade a 7th for a 2nd and a horrible contract and if the player doesn’t fit here send them to Hartford. And you aren’t disrupting chemistry. A few of that type trade will pay huge dividends. Imagine going into the draft with extra 2nds or having them for ‘23… having ammo to move up, or packaging them in the off-season for needs. Like a long term 2C.

 

[RGY]

Chemistry. Every team adds at the deadline these days in some capacity. In 94 Neil Smith completely overhauled the roster. These guys will survive Gauthier, Nemeth, and/or Chytil leaving the room.

 

[NYR Viper]

Radulov is a name of someone I could see Dallas wanting to unload as he is a UFA at the end of the year and the Rangers taking a 'flyer' on. If Dallas is going to push for the playoffs, they may prefer to allocate that cap space somewhere else. He has 16 points in 43 games this year and his TOI over the last 5 games has hovered around 11:00. Would the Rangers take on that contract and use Radulov as a depth winger, say 3rd liner, to help provide depth scoring in lieu of someone like Gauthier?

We've discussed Koskinen from Edmonton many times. If Edmonton is interested in Georgiev, take Koskinen back to boost that package.

There is no reason Drury needs to break the bank in order to improve the roster.

Hajek for Radulov + DAL 3rd '22

Georgiev for Koskinen + EDM 2nd '23 + 5th '22

Gauthier + NYR 2nd for Lehkonen

Panarin-Strome-Kaako
Kreider-Zibanejad-Lafreniere
Lehkonen-Goodrow-Radulov
Hunt-Rooney-Reaves
McKegg

Edit - I forgot Chytil.....

 

[bleedblue94]

Radulov is a name of someone I could see Dallas wanting to unload as he is a UFA at the end of the year and the Rangers taking a 'flyer' on. If Dallas is going to push for the playoffs, they may prefer to allocate that cap space somewhere else. He has 16 points in 43 games this year and his TOI over the last 5 games has hovered around 11:00. Would the Rangers take on that contract and use Radulov as a depth winger, say 3rd liner, to help provide depth scoring in lieu of someone like Gauthier?

We've discussed Koskinen from Edmonton many times. If Edmonton is interested in Georgiev, take Koskinen back to boost that package.

There is no reason Drury needs to break the bank in order to improve the roster.

Hajek for Radulov + DAL 3rd '22

Georgiev for Koskinen + EDM 2nd '23 + 5th '22

Gauthier + NYR 2nd for Lehkonen

Panarin-Strome-Kaako
Kreider-Zibanejad-Lafreniere
Lehkonen-Goodrow-Radulov
Hunt-Rooney-Reaves
McKegg

Edit - I forgot Chytil.....

in what world is dallas adding a 3rd to radulov for hajek?

 

[NYR Viper]

in what world is dallas adding a 3rd to radulov for hajek?

The world where they are allocating $6.25m in cap space to a 3rd liner with 16 points in 43 games and playing him about 11 minutes a night.

 

[bhamill]

Radulov is a name of someone I could see Dallas wanting to unload as he is a UFA at the end of the year and the Rangers taking a 'flyer' on. If Dallas is going to push for the playoffs, they may prefer to allocate that cap space somewhere else. He has 16 points in 43 games this year and his TOI over the last 5 games has hovered around 11:00. Would the Rangers take on that contract and use Radulov as a depth winger, say 3rd liner, to help provide depth scoring in lieu of someone like Gauthier?

We've discussed Koskinen from Edmonton many times. If Edmonton is interested in Georgiev, take Koskinen back to boost that package.

There is no reason Drury needs to break the bank in order to improve the roster.

Hajek for Radulov + DAL 3rd '22

Georgiev for Koskinen + EDM 2nd '23 + 5th '22

Gauthier + NYR 2nd for Lehkonen

Panarin-Strome-Kaako
Kreider-Zibanejad-Lafreniere
Lehkonen-Goodrow-Radulov
Hunt-Rooney-Reaves
McKegg

Edit - I forgot Chytil.....

if you are renting Lehkonen I assume you want to win, if that’s the case we can’t afford to risk replacing AG with Koskinen…

in what world is dallas adding a 3rd to radulov for hajek?

I would say only in a world where Dallas needs the cap space. That’s the value in the deal, IMO, but I’m not familiar with DAL cap situation, honestly.

 

[McRanger92]

The trade boards brought him back into my mind, honestly.

But, he's been on my short list of desirable players since his days playing with Miller and Wilson in Plymouth. Just a nasty team with the 3 of them.

Love Rakell as a top 6 depth option. Either play him with Kreider/Mika or on the 3rd line. Either way hes a good NHLer in the top 9, which we dont have enough of. Cant imagine the ask is more than a 2nd & a conditional pick

 

[NikC]

It would hilarious if Drury big brained this deadline in the name of locker room chemistry

He’s in a unique position of having a f***ton of cap space to improve his team’s obvious needs. I can’t imagine if he sits on his hands and does close to nothing Dolan will like that.

“Yeah sorry Jim, I know we could have made the team better but the team chemistry was just too important to mess with”. I’m sure that won’t go over like a lead ballon with the impetuous owner

Exactly. Team Chemistry or not, realistically this team at best can win a round or two in the POs... maybe. They're still developing youth and need to fill some critical positions in the lineup to complete the team.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

3 days off make a trade !

Jones and Barron to the AHL on paper I bet

Why? There's no cap reason to do it, and you're just screwing Jones and Barron financially.

 

[RGY]

Really like the idea of Radulov. Here is my list of wingers for scoring depth.

Reilly Smith (likely not happening now)
Radulov
Rakell
Kessel

Big game hunting for the 2C spot would be

Scheifele
Miller
Pavelski

Copp is also on my list for consideration

 

[McRanger92]

In the recent NY Post podcast with Larry Brooks and Mollie Walker, Brooks said the Rangers have good chemistry in the room. The players get along and have a good time together. Brooks felt the Rangers chemistry is an important reason why the Rangers are having a solid regular season. Bringing in many new players at the deadline with effect that chemistry. Mollie agreed with Larry. We talk about Drury has all of this cap space to bring in X amount of player but the chemistry of the team will change.

Drury is in a tough spot. He is a first year GM and Dolan put him in charge of finishing the rebuild/build. Drury played in The NHL and he knows team chemistry is very important. Drury has been sitting on this cap space all season. 20/20 hindsight. Maybe the Rangers should have just kept Buchnevich as a self rental instead of having to scour the trade market for a Buchnevich replacement. First time GM. What do you expect?

I think the chemistry aspect is a little overblown in terms of trades. They obviously arent trading any major pieces off the NHL roster, if any at all. Drury can also look toward guys who have a familiarity with Gallant, or some of the star players so its a more seamless transition. Ideally they add 2 forwards that bump McKegg/Gauthier into being healthy scratches

 

[McRanger92]

Really like the idea of Radulov. Here is my list of wingers for scoring depth.

Reilly Smith (likely not happening now)
Radulov
Rakell
Kessel

Big game hunting for the 2C spot would be

Scheifele
Miller
Pavelski

Copp is also on my list for consideration

My gut feeling says that Copp is a guy they target as long as the cost doesnt get out of control, and i believe their was rumored interest in the summer. Pending UFA, good size, responsible in all 3 zones, can play F or C. Sounds like a Gallant type player to me. Also doesnt hurt that he played at Michigan & Winnipeg with Trouba.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Is the plan to keep Copp after the season? If so I would assume Strome is gone in that case

 

[FOD]

So, when was the last time the rangers really *won* a deal. We lose plenty. Clearly Fox is a win but that was due to some pretty unusual factors. I’m talking about a simple hockey trade. Do we ever win those? Would be nice to walk away from the trade deadline this year feeling we took advantage of cap space or got value for Hajek and Georgiev for example.

Rick Nash. Got Lindgren and eventually Strome.

 

[McRanger92]

Is the plan to keep Copp after the season? If so I would assume Strome is gone in that case

I think everything is on the table as far as 2C goes, but thats a bridge they cross in the summer unless they can swing a deal on their terms for JT or Scheifele

 

[Synergy27]

I still say that cap space is best used getting assets for taking on bad contracts. Like trade a 7th for a 2nd and a horrible contract and if the player doesn’t fit here send them to Hartford. And you aren’t disrupting chemistry. A few of that type trade will pay huge dividends. Imagine going into the draft with extra 2nds or having them for ‘23… having ammo to move up, or packaging them in the off-season for needs. Like a long term 2C.

This is the way. Does rookie GM Drury know how to do this?

 

[effen]

In the recent NY Post podcast with Larry Brooks and Mollie Walker, Brooks said the Rangers have good chemistry in the room. The players get along and have a good time together. Brooks felt the Rangers chemistry is an important reason why the Rangers are having a solid regular season. Bringing in many new players at the deadline with effect that chemistry. Mollie agreed with Larry. We talk about Drury has all of this cap space to bring in X amount of player but the chemistry of the team will change.

Drury is in a tough spot. He is a first year GM and Dolan put him in charge of finishing the rebuild/build. Drury played in The NHL and he knows team chemistry is very important. Drury has been sitting on this cap space all season. 20/20 hindsight. Maybe the Rangers should have just kept Buchnevich as a self rental instead of having to scour the trade market for a Buchnevich replacement. First time GM. What do you expect?

Everything Drury has done is completely reasonable in the context of him being a former player, his coach being a former player, and his rise to power a direct result of his old boss and old coach and old roster not defending themselves for a very very long time and the owner putting his foot down that it was unacceptable. Let's not misunderstand, everything from the Tom Wilson almost murdering Panarin part forward is a direct result of the roster and org not supporting each other at a pretty basic level every hockey team "should" be doing.

Also, self renting a 1st line winger a year after not even making the playoffs is a fundamental mistake. It's not Drury's fault this messageboard spun itself into thinking Anton Lundell was a possibility.

 

[Lgrsean]

It does. That’s part of the reason the Oilers are the Oilers.

McDavid make less than $1M more than Bread. There are plenty of guys on the rangers who could be moved to make room for the best player in hockey.

 

[mas0764]

You gotta think just playing in a consolidated division schedule cause of covid also had an effect on his stats....
I don’t think he’s as bad as he’s playing now. I’m sure he’s miserable.
But I don’t think he’s a 20 goal consistent D either.
I think he’s similar to trouba in that regard. He can log heavy minutes, but needs a good partner and is better off as a 3/4 on 2nd D pairing.
Crouse is playing above his head right now getting 2nd line ice time... he’s going to get a raise that’s going to make some team wish they didn’t give it to him...

Agreed on Chychrun. He maybe better than Trouba and his contract is certainly far superior.

But I think the brakes should be tapped on the 1st pair talk.

Not sure he's elite.

 

[mas0764]

We're like 2nd or 3rd in GA this season. I know that's largely due to Igor but our defense has been good enough that they don't need to another big name/contract back there. Especially with Schneider's emergence.

Drury needs to focus all of his assets on solid, PROVEN top 9 wingers. The center thing can probably wait until the offseason unless someone REALLY wants Strome. Don't want to disrupt the chemistry too much this late into the season.

On top of this, the defense is only going to get better.

You have Nils, Jones, and Robertson all still on the way and they, as well as Schneider and Miller, are all still getting better.

Hell, Fox might still be getting better.

Defense is going to be a very strong positive.

I do think it's possibly true that - and I think this this is for way in the future still - that they might need to hunt for a Ryan McDonagh type at some point at a deadline, but that deadline is not this deadline or next deadline.

They have their Hedman in Fox. They hopefully have a Sergechev-level player in one of these other kids, maybe Miller. But as for the rest, is there a McDonagh-level player in that group or are they all Troubas? Might be a spot where you snag a Charlie McAvoy or a Dougie Hamilton at a deadline from a rebuilding team for a haul. But again, this is for when they are truly ready to compete and also for when they've filled out their forward core with a couple more young players including centers.

 

[rangers1314]

In the recent NY Post podcast with Larry Brooks and Mollie Walker, Brooks said the Rangers have good chemistry in the room. The players get along and have a good time together. Brooks felt the Rangers chemistry is an important reason why the Rangers are having a solid regular season. Bringing in many new players at the deadline with effect that chemistry. Mollie agreed with Larry. We talk about Drury has all of this cap space to bring in X amount of player but the chemistry of the team will change.

Knowing who are dickheads and who aren't is a big part of pro scouting.

 

[mas0764]

if you are renting Lehkonen I assume you want to win, if that’s the case we can’t afford to risk replacing AG with Koskinen…

The backup goalie shouldn't be playing in the playoffs or we aren't winning no matter who it is.

And really we aren't winning anyway.

 

[CLW]

Everything Drury has done is completely reasonable in the context of him being a former player, his coach being a former player, and his rise to power a direct result of his old boss and old coach and old roster not defending themselves for a very very long time and the owner putting his foot down that it was unacceptable. Let's not misunderstand, everything from the Tom Wilson almost murdering Panarin part forward is a direct result of the roster and org not supporting each other at a pretty basic level every hockey team "should" be doing.

Also, self renting a 1st line winger a year after not even making the playoffs is a fundamental mistake. It's not Drury's fault this messageboard spun itself into thinking Anton Lundell was a possibility.

I agree with the general observations regarding the organization and team cohesion. But I'm expecting much more out of Drury than what we've seen so far. Too many whiffs already and not enough actual solutions. It's not enough to be play within a comfort zone now. Drury simply has to be better than a C level student, he has to be A+ sharp and find real solutions. I think Zito in Florida has set the standard for Drury with an impressive body of work within a short time frame.

I always thought Lundell was seen as an ideal type fit rather than realistic expectation.

 

[CLW]

Knowing who are dickheads and who aren't is a big part of pro scouting.

I wish one of our reporters would ask Gallant what he thinks is an acceptable ratio of sound guys in the room to balance out one dickhead, or if he has a no dickheads policy.