I PM’d a mod a while ago. Since I’m bored here’s all my thoughts and rumors I scooped recently. Would prefer if no one likes the post or referenced it on the main boards, I just want this for HFNYR. Debated posting on reddit but I’m afraid it’d get big. Most of this is me rambling about the system and includes a lot of my own opinion. Take it seriously or not, better than anything that’s being talked about on here. I’ve had these confirmed though but a lot of it is public knowledge, just very hidden. I’m also clearly not the best writer, a lot is jumbled
Rangers have been looking for a bigger middle 6 guy with a heavy shot for a while. We were after Puljujarvi for a while but EDM didn’t like Lias’ progression. Funny enough, Holland was prepared to take Lias at 9th overall when he was with Detroit. I was happy with the pick and I still somewhat believe it him to be a good 3rd liner. Proven leader by all accounts and he wasn’t given a fair shake here. Since Pulju didn’t work out, Rangers looked at Flyers prospect Isaac Ratcliffe for a long time. Not sure why they didn’t pull the trigger on him, I like him a lot myself and think he can be a 15-20 goal bottom 6er. Rangers checked in on Julien Gauthier late, not sure who initiated contact about this trade but I believe the Rangers did. Fantastic trade by Gorts. They’re done looking at Pulju. I don’t think the Rangers are done looking at Ratcliffe, but I’m not sure where he fits going forward. Regarding Andersson, he’ll likely back. I cannot comment on what happened to either him or Kravtsov because I do not know. Whole thing is very under wraps (nothing illegal or even as bad as it seems.) My guess is that they didn’t appreciate the locker room antics in Hartford. There’s a very good chance our first pick this year will be a defender. Two guys they love are Jake Sanderson and Emil Andrae. No idea what they plan on doing with the 2nd pick but I think they’re looking to move it. Skjei trade was very, very smart by Gorton and perfect timing. If he waited til the draft to move Skjei I very much doubt he’d have gotten that 1st rounder. Carolina was desperate at the TDL because their team “felt off” the entire year. I think they made too many shakeup moves and if the season went on they’d probably either miss the playoffs or get bounced early. Different from when CBJ went all in, though Canes didn’t go to their extent.
Rangers also scouting Calgary heavily the past two years, iirc they’ve been the team we scouted the most. We looked into Hanifin but the asking price wasn’t worth it. Good thing we never went after him because that would’ve been Skjei 2.0. Remember the TJ Brodie for Kreider rumor last year? That was false, but Hayes and Kreider we’re both linked heavily to them. I think both would’ve been good fits for Calgary. Speaking of Calgary, I know some have speculated about Johnny/Mony. Sense is that if the Flames were bounced in the 1st this year there would’ve been a shakeup trade, not as big as the Lindholm/Hamilton/Hanifin/Fox trade though. though it likely wouldn’t have involved either. If the Flames struggle next year though, I’d be VERY surprised if they kept both. Johnny is an east coast boy and there is pretty much a 0% chance either him or Tkachuk stay in Calgary the rest of their careers. Both will end up in prominent American markets, Johnny will end up in the metro eventually. Kylington+ was on the table for either Kreider or Hayes. Rangers turned it down. (Good move.)
The McDonagh/Miller trade WAS two separate trades. I think it was 1st+Howden+Hajek for McDonagh and 2nd+Namestnikov for Miller. Rangers wanted Miller gone due to his lazy play and attitude. I’m pretty surprised at his success in Vancouver and how he’s been called a leader there. Don’t expect his production to remain the same.
Howden is available, they’re not actively looking to trade him because there’s no one to replace him yet but he could be moved in a package. He’s better than HFNYR give him credit for
Don’t expect Buch to be here longer than his contract. I’d put the chances of Buch staying at like 10-20%.
Just because we traded Skjei does not mean we’re keeping DeAngelo, but I really hope we do. AFAIK, Rangers are still unsure what to do with the RHD situation. Trouba hasn’t had a great year but hasn’t been as bad as people think. Gorton is a more stone cold GM, doesn’t seem that way, but definitely is. He’ll trade Trouba if he thinks it’s the best move, even if he just signed. At the same time though, management loves Trouba and so do I. Great defenseman with an element we don’t have. Much, much better than Pionk. Still a great trade today. I’m honestly a fan of the 3 RHD defense, with each getting a partner that fits them. Having one of Trouba/Fox/Tony on the ice for the entire game is great. May not be great now but will be very soon. Each has different qualities that don’t make each other redundant. As soon as next year, all 3 will be top pair quality assuming Tony and Fox naturally progress even a bit. Staal has been legitimately good this year at defending. Still makes positional mistakes but has been excellent with his stick work. Lindgren is a stud. Hajek is a question mark. Rykov has struggled. Reunanen is interesting but I’m not too high on him anymore. Robertson doesn’t have much upside. Rangers will eventually make a move for a big time LHD. Miller has Skjei-like qualities that scare me. But two things Miller has over Skjei; his shot and his rawness.
here’s a few for now. Will be back around the draft to update if I can
