Larry Brooks: Sather must decide: Is dealing Girardi best for Rangers?

[GAGLine]

This is absolutely 100% speculation stated as fact.

Right, but that's what Sather and company have to consider. If they don't think Callahan will hold up physically for the next 5+ years, then they need to trade him rather than give him a long term deal.

 

[Vidic15*]

Callahan's production has been good over the last several seasons, even this season he is one or two multi-point games from getting on that 50+ point pace. Last season he was on pace for around 60 points.

So people want to give that up, along with a guy who kill penalities one of the better in the league I might add.

Also, people need to rewatch the plays he made that led up to that PP goal, it is the work efforts he puts mixed with the talent he has that makes him an all around player.



Which is why he should not get more than 5 or 6 years. You'd be trying to fill two big holes if he was gone.




Totally agree.

So how exactly are we supposed improve this team if you want two of our biggest UFAs re-signed? They hold the most value. Boyle, Stralman, Boyle won't bring back what those two can bring. We're not trading any more youth. At least I hope not. Free agency stinks nowadays with most big guys resigning with their clubs.

 

[Greg02]

I'm a self-professed Girardi fan, so my viewings of his play are somewhat clouded by my biases.

I think a lot of you are severely underestimating the impact of Girardi on this team. We're already have one too few RHD. Stralman is acceptable as a number four on the right side. There is nobody in the system capable of taking Girardi's minutes right now. There's no one even capable of taking Stralman's minutes if he were to take Girardi's minutes, and I honestly think he'd fall apart as a #1 RHD.

The defense will be a mess without him. You have to replace him with a first pairing defenseman, and if you're going out and getting one of them, you might as well have just kept Girardi.

 

[Pizza]

So much this.

I'm recalling how much people said Dubinsky was done when we traded him.

He looked pretty done last night I must say.

Sarcasm aside, I get all this. Trading Callahan makes sense on some levels. Until you realize prevailing wisdom almost never works with the Rangers.

Just know that he'll go somewhere else and thrive. Come back here and embarrass the hell out of New York. Bank on it.

 

[haohmaru]

I'm a self-professed Girardi fan, so my viewings of his play are somewhat clouded by my biases.

I think a lot of you are severely underestimating the impact of Girardi on this team. We're already have one too few RHD. Stralman is acceptable as a number four on the right side. There is nobody in the system capable of taking Girardi's minutes right now. There's no one even capable of taking Stralman's minutes if he were to take Girardi's minutes, and I honestly think he'd fall apart as a #1 RHD.

The defense will be a mess without him. You have to replace him with a first pairing defenseman, and if you're going out and getting one of them, you might as well have just kept Girardi.

Exactly. Not signing him makes us considerably worse. For years. No thanks.

 

[wafflepadsave]

I know he's an impending UFA but jesus christ, the trade boards act like G is worth nothing at all? Sbisa + 2nd? Get the **** out of here.

I wonder what Girardi can actually obtain.

Not much with Anaheim. They have 15 untouchable prospects they don't want to trade. They obviously don't need Girardi.

 

[cd211]

Exactly. Not signing him makes us considerably worse. For years. No thanks.

feel the same way..

hes a keeper and not like hes 33yrs old..

hes 29..

i would need to see a ridiculous offer like what speculating on thefourthperiod.com for me to move him (doubt ANA will move those names)


5yr30m
6yr33
7yr35

thats about the most id pay, bold is what i target.. its a good thing for us he doesn't put up pts bc we'd severely be ****ed and he deff has to move out.. the funny thing we allll need too hold with a grain of salt is we have no idea what his demands are or what slats offered.. everything is conflicting reports or speculations.. i want to see the numbers..

 

[Jackpot]

feel the same way..

hes a keeper and not like hes 33yrs old..

hes 29..

i would need to see a ridiculous offer like what speculating on thefourthperiod.com for me to move him (doubt ANA will move those names)


5yr30m
6yr33
7yr35

thats about the most id pay, bold is what i target.. its a good thing for us he doesn't put up pts bc we'd severely be ****ed and he deff has to move out.. the funny thing we allll need too hold with a grain of salt is we have no idea what his demands are or what slats offered.. everything is conflicting reports or speculations.. i want to see the numbers..

Sorry, as much as I love Cally's heart and the way he leaves it on the ice every game, he's no where near a 6 mil per guy. Maybe he is and I just don't get it.... ? Seems like waaaaay to much money to me anyway...

 

[haohmaru]

We're talking about Girardi...

 

[TheTakedown]

I'm a self-professed Girardi fan, so my viewings of his play are somewhat clouded by my biases.

I think a lot of you are severely underestimating the impact of Girardi on this team. We're already have one too few RHD. Stralman is acceptable as a number four on the right side. There is nobody in the system capable of taking Girardi's minutes right now. There's no one even capable of taking Stralman's minutes if he were to take Girardi's minutes, and I honestly think he'd fall apart as a #1 RHD.

The defense will be a mess without him. You have to replace him with a first pairing defenseman, and if you're going out and getting one of them, you might as well have just kept Girardi.

feel the same way..

hes a keeper and not like hes 33yrs old..

hes 29..

i would need to see a ridiculous offer like what speculating on thefourthperiod.com for me to move him (doubt ANA will move those names)


5yr30m
6yr33
7yr35

thats about the most id pay, bold is what i target.. its a good thing for us he doesn't put up pts bc we'd severely be ****ed and he deff has to move out.. the funny thing we allll need too hold with a grain of salt is we have no idea what his demands are or what slats offered.. everything is conflicting reports or speculations.. i want to see the numbers..

good point about G and his mins...

that alone makes me want to keep him. McIlrath is NOT ready to take first pairing minutes, neither is Allen, nor Stralman (most capable defense sans McD and G)...

If Phaneuf got 7, G should take 5-5.5 for anywhere from 3 to 5 years.

I think thats more than fair, and in my opinion i've hardly seen his "decline" that some speak about. he played a solid game yesterday, as well as several recently prior to that.

 

[Raspewtin]

If Girardi is traded, I don't care who his replacement is. Because, dealing Girardi is not dealing from a surplus at this stage. It's dealing from a weakness actually. But if we were to trade him, this roster would more than likely be going through a re-tooling. So not having someone to take his spot (aka, sucking), is just fine if Sather has given up on this year. Which frankly, I hope he does.

You can't just think "We have to hold on to him because there's no other immediate option". Maybe it's time to stop looking for the immediate option?

 

[Greg02]

If Girardi is traded, I don't care who his replacement is. Because, dealing Girardi is not dealing from a surplus at this stage. It's dealing from a weakness actually. But if we were to trade him, this roster would more than likely be going through a re-tooling. So not having someone to take his spot (aka, sucking), is just fine if Sather has given up on this year. Which frankly, I hope he does.

You can't just think "We have to hold on to him because there's no other immediate option". Maybe it's time to stop looking for the immediate option?

We don't really have any long term options, either. Where are we getting a first pairing defenseman down the line, then? And how soon will they be ready?

 

[Raspewtin]

We don't really have any long term options, either. Where are we getting a first pairing defenseman down the line, then? And how soon will they be ready?

Sign stop gaps, acquire talented players to fill organizational holes. If we trade Girardi, you can almost bet we fall out of the playoffs. Trade all the UFAs (all. of. them.) for young assets. RD, centers, power wingers, grinders, we need all of those, hopefully through the draft. The replacement might not be ready for years, he might be ready next year. I don't care, all I know is having a plan and acquiring young talent is better than the mediocre garbage we've watched on and off since 2006.

 

[mrhockey193195]

Sign stop gaps, acquire talented players to fill organizational holes. If we trade Girardi, you can almost bet we fall out of the playoffs. Trade all the UFAs (all. of. them.) for young assets. RD, centers, power wingers, grinders, we need all of those, hopefully through the draft. The replacement might not be ready for years, he might be ready next year. I don't care, all I know is having a plan and acquiring young talent is better than the mediocre garbage we've watched on and off since 2006.

We have Lundqvist signed for 8 years. You don't tear down the roster until he's on his way out. Trading guys like Girardi and Callahan for picks and prospects who may not contribute for five years is absolutely not the way to go. Obviously, it's a different scenario if we can't re-sign these guys or their price range is WAY out of our league (which I don't think will be the case, considering how much any decent replacement on the open market would cost us).

We're pot committed. Build on top of the pieces we already have.

 

[The Lunatic Fridge]

As much as most people think he'll be moved / want him gone, I actually think he'll resign at a reasonable price. Mostly just because he and his family actually like NY.

 

[Baby Punisher]

In five years, Callahan is a lot closer to needing a walker and knee reconstruction than he is to winning a cup here in NY.


If you think a 33 year old Richards looks worn out, wait till you see a 34 year old callahan.

That's always been in the back of my mind. When Drury was a Ranger we would always compare Cally to Drury in style of play, clutch goals, heart etc... Well we all know what happened to Chris Drury, & he was a fairly healthy player going in to his 30's. Cally isn't 30 yet & has numerous injuries due to his style of play. I doubt he plays past 35 years old.

I love having him on this team, he is a good captain & he will be missed when he is gone, traded or walks away as a UFA. This will be one of those rare situations where another team will sign one of our ageing stars to a crazy contract.

 

[Baby Punisher]

We have Lundqvist signed for 8 years. You don't tear down the roster until he's on his way out. Trading guys like Girardi and Callahan for picks and prospects who may not contribute for five years is absolutely not the way to go. Obviously, it's a different scenario if we can't re-sign these guys or their price range is WAY out of our league (which I don't think will be the case, considering how much any decent replacement on the open market would cost us).

We're pot committed. Build on top of the pieces we already have.

I can't really worry about how Lundqvist feels anymore. He got his new deal. If this was such a concern for him he would have gone UFA in the summer & than seen exactly what the Rangers were going to about re-signing the current roster of UFA's.

If Lundqvist doesn't like it he could ask for a trade.

The return for Cally & Girardi should be a mix of prospects & NHL players.

 

[Daves a mess]

No it's Pet Shop Boys.

And Willie Nelson before that..

 

[True Blue]

We're pot committed. Build on top of the pieces we already have.

The prospect pool is barren. And what you see on the ice may not even be good enough for 8th place for playoffs.

 

[Bardof425*]

feel the same way..

hes a keeper and not like hes 33yrs old..

hes 29..

i would need to see a ridiculous offer like what speculating on thefourthperiod.com for me to move him (doubt ANA will move those names)


5yr30m
6yr33
7yr35

thats about the most id pay, bold is what i target.. its a good thing for us he doesn't put up pts bc we'd severely be ****ed and he deff has to move out.. the funny thing we allll need too hold with a grain of salt is we have no idea what his demands are or what slats offered.. everything is conflicting reports or speculations.. i want to see the numbers..

In order to trade G and stay good we need to pick up a RHD that is younger, less accomplished but more talented than Danny. Then we have to live with the growing pains. A team trying to win the cup this year may move such a player for the experience and consistency they bet they'll receive from Girardi. Vatenan comes to mind and there are others. However, if we trade Danny and do not get back a developing replacement then we are screwed. However, if we can get that player in a Callahan deal then we can move Danny G for what the market will pay (regardless of position) and that should be very nice. I would like us to make a strong pitch to keep both but they must be willing to give a hometown discount. Otherwise, based on the expected structure of this year's free agent crop we cannot afford to keep these players.

 

[wolfgaze]

UFA market in the coming 2 years looks fairly unappealing if you ask me.... If we trade either of these two players we better be acquiring young players or prospects who can make an impact in the very near future - as making overpriced UFA signings of less than desirable players to long term contracts is not an attractive option for replacing the loss of depth we are going to incur!

Frankly I'd be more concerned about replacing Girardi's presence on the blueline than Callahan upfront...However if we lose both Callahan and Richards presence in the line-up for next season, our offense is going to have significantly less depth and will struggle to compete....

Either way there isn't too much reason to be optimistic about the present state of affairs with the team's construction....

 

[Procrastinator]

Not sure why everyone is so hot and horny

to trade girardi.

you will trade him to try to replace him with another girardi.

makes no sense.

he is the backbone of our D, locker room leader and a RANGER!!

i understand the return could be significant but you dont trade a player only to try to replace him with the exact same player this team needs.

sounds silly to me. desperate at most.

trade nash(if anyone even wants him), sorry to say cally (good return). start with these guys.

resign gabs in offseason.

 

[DelZottoHitTheNetJK]

After watching this team for a half a season, it's pretty obvious we're not a contender. HOWEVER, we are a much better team than the standing show. We have a ton of guys that are either injuried, not playing up to their capabilities, or both. That has been our biggest problem. If this team as currently constructed was firing on all cylinders, we're easily a 4-6 seed in the East.

Lunqvist has been average. Nash has been average. Stepan has been average. Richards is better than last year but still below the standard of a $7.5M player. Callahan and Staal have been banged up. These are our main issues. Guys like Pouliot, Hagelin, Kreider, Moore etc. have picked up their game tremendously recently. Zuccarello has been our best forward. If our big guns could get going, this team would be in decent shape.

That being said.. there's definitely moves that need to be made. I'd honestly like to see Girardi moved at the deadline. He has some tremendous value and we have defensemen in the pipeline that will make losing him a bit more bearable. I have a really hard time seeing them trading Callahan; Sather doesn't have the nads to do it and I'd rather keep him to be honest. He's a gritty heart and soul player that has a tremendous impact on a game when he's 100%.

My formula would be to trade Girardi and MDZ at the deadline for the best possible returns and see where we're at. I'm also extremely open to buying out Richards, trading Stepan and signing one of the UFA centers this summer. The return from MDZ, Girardi and Stepan could be immense and exactly the re-tool this team needs without completely gutting everything as I think we have a good foundation

 

[Thirty One]

to trade girardi.

you will trade him to try to replace him with another girardi.

makes no sense.

he is the backbone of our D, locker room leader and a RANGER!!

i understand the return could be significant but you dont trade a player only to try to replace him with the exact same player this team needs.

sounds silly to me. desperate at most.

trade nash(if anyone even wants him), sorry to say cally (good return). start with these guys.

resign gabs in offseason.

I'm not horny to trade him....

Yes, he is a Ranger, but if they traded him he wouldn't be and the new guy they got would be, so should be no worry there!

Girardi's going to get paid this summer, and I'd rather not be the team that gives it to him.

 

[Ail]

to trade girardi.

you will trade him to try to replace him with another girardi.

makes no sense.

he is the backbone of our D, locker room leader and a RANGER!!

i understand the return could be significant but you dont trade a player only to try to replace him with the exact same player this team needs.

sounds silly to me. desperate at most.

trade nash(if anyone even wants him), sorry to say cally (good return). start with these guys.

resign gabs in offseason.

McDonagh is the backbone of the D and who cares if he is a Ranger right now? Not everyone is worth keeping their whole career. Let someone else overpay aging vets for once.

Re-sign Gabs?

No, but thanks.