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

[Baby Punisher]

Boyle is a no brainer to let go. Take the pick or younger 4th liner

I just have no love for Brian Boyle at all. IMO he is a failed first round draft pick that barely excels as a 4th liner. I think when Moore was signed Boyle became replaceable & I honestly believe that Dom Moore is a better all round player than Boyle. If he can be traded for a 2nd rounder & a prospect or current NHLer it should be done forthwith.

 

[SixGoalieSystem]

They will string together some wins, compete for the 8th spot and absolutely nothing will happen except a minor trade. Girardi will be extended at 6 mill and Cally will re-sign in July for even more.

 

[SML]

Son of a *****. If this winning continues, we arent trading anyone. We will wind up buyers when we should so clearly be sellers.
When Cally scored, I'm saying "how can we trade this guy?"
FML.

 

[RangerBoy]

All of the top teams are big and strong teams. Chicago is multi-talented. The Rangers aren't a big and strong team. They aren't a multi-talented team. Besides Miller,the best players in the AHL are smallish forwards. Those guys project as 7-9 forwards. It will be 6 years since Kristo was drafted and he hasn't played a single shift in the NHL. How are the Rangers going to compete with the elite teams in the league looking at their roster and prospect list? Take off the fanboy glasses. Those players are acquired in the first round of the draft or if you get lucky in the 2nd round. Having 1 pick in the first 2 rounds or no picks in the first 2 rounds isn't helping.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

The Rangers have to move one of Callahan and Girardi especially if their demands are sky high.

Trading one of them will net an A level prospect and a 1st. Might be better off moving Callahan and retaining Girardi. More difficult to replace and should be a bit cheaper.

 

[Vitto79]

The Rangers have to move one of Callahan and Girardi especially if their demands are sky high.

Trading one of them will net an A level prospect and a 1st. Might be better off moving Callahan and retaining Girardi. More difficult to replace and should be a bit cheaper.

Have a feeling girardi resigns during the Olympics, it will be tough to replace a 1st pair rd. Stralman is solid but they may move dz for a rd 2nd pair guy and fill the 3rd w mcilrath next yr

Say mc d, girardi , Staal, Barrie, Moore, mcilrath , falk

 

[jniklast]

The Rangers have to move one of Callahan and Girardi especially if their demands are sky high.

Trading one of them will net an A level prospect and a 1st. Might be better off moving Callahan and retaining Girardi. More difficult to replace and should be a bit cheaper.

I fully agree with you and would add that Callahan is also more injury prone and his play most likely will go downhill faster as well. But I just can't see him traded with Cally being captain and a US Olympian.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Girardi had another solid game last night.

He's looking better and better as he gets adjusted to the system, IMO. I really hope we don't just let him walk. Re-sign or trade; I'll be happy with either.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

I fully agree with you and would add that Callahan is also more injury prone and his play most likely will go downhill faster as well. But I just can't see him traded with Cally being captain and a US Olympian.

It comes down to how the contract negotiations go. If Callahan wants 7 years over $6 million per year then you just about have to move him.

Same goes with Girardi. I'd actually give him more money for a shorter term. 4 years $5.5-6 million per ($22 million to $24 million overall) or the maximum I'd go is 5 years $5 million per year ($25 million total).

The guy plays top line minutes at a position that has a scarcity of quality players. Take the four year deal and he will be 34 years old and could still get a decent contract after that. Earns the same amount of money just about as the five year deal but he will be one year younger when it expires ( and if the Rangers wanted to resign him again, not a 35+ contract).

If the Rangers signed Girardi to the four year contract and added a RD for MDZ (say Gardinier) I could see the Rangers moving Stralman. He could net a solid return of a good B level prospect and a second. Although I'd like to retain him as well but could come down to a numbers game if the Rangers added Gardinier and McI was ready for next season.

Callahan and conditional 2nd (if Callahan doesnt resign or if they dont make it to conference finals) to Phoenix for Domi, Murphy and 1st.

 

[jniklast]

It comes down to how the contract negotiations go. If Callahan wants 7 years over $6 million per year then you just about have to move him.

Same goes with Girardi. I'd actually give him more money for a shorter term. 4 years $5.5-6 million per ($22 million to $24 million overall) or the maximum I'd go is 5 years $5 million per year ($25 million total).

The guy plays top line minutes at a position that has a scarcity of quality players. Take the four year deal and he will be 34 years old and could still get a decent contract after that. Earns the same amount of money just about as the five year deal but he will be one year younger when it expires ( and if the Rangers wanted to resign him again, not a 35+ contract).

If the Rangers signed Girardi to the four year contract and added a RD for MDZ (say Gardinier) I could see the Rangers moving Stralman. He could net a solid return of a good B level prospect and a second. Although I'd like to retain him as well but could come down to a numbers game if the Rangers added Gardinier and McI was ready for next season.

Callahan and conditional 2nd (if Callahan doesnt resign or if they dont make it to conference finals) to Phoenix for Domi, Murphy and 1st.

That's all right and well, but unless the team goes on a long losing streak, Sat her won't be a seller. And exchanging Stralman for Gardiner is a serious downgrade. It won't be worth the 1-2 million of cap savings, and it won't be done if the Rangers stay in the playoff picture.

Moving one of Girardi and Callahan (probably the latter) would be the right move. But teams aren't sellers if they are in the playoff picture.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

That's all right and well, but unless the team goes on a long losing streak, Sat her won't be a seller. And exchanging Stralman for Gardiner is a serious downgrade. It won't be worth the 1-2 million of cap savings, and it won't be done if the Rangers stay in the playoff picture.

Moving one of Girardi and Callahan (probably the latter) would be the right move. But teams aren't sellers if they are in the playoff picture.

That's where asset management comes into play and hopefully management has a long term plan in place. Take a step back now while adding assets to take two steps forward next year and the year after. Or lose in the first round of the playoffs again, lose Callahan for nothing and now you've taken three steps back.

 

[jniklast]

That's where asset management comes into play and hopefully management has a long term plan in place. Take a step back now while adding assets to take two steps forward next year and the year after. Or lose in the first round of the playoffs again, lose Callahan for nothing and now you've taken three steps back.

In theory that's right, but in reality it's also a business and playoffs mean a lot of money. And it's not just a thing of Sather. You'll have difficulties finding many teams that were sellers when they still had a real shot at the playoffs.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

I just have no love for Brian Boyle at all. IMO he is a failed first round draft pick that barely excels as a 4th liner.

Not even just IYO, that's exactly what he is. but I'd say he's barely effective and not barely excellent.

 

[BobMarleyNYR]

The term of that contract is the problem, I don't think Brown has more than a few good years left in him TBH.

Agreed, and I actually think this is the beginning, he could have an outlier season where he'll put up 45 pts, but I'm betting he'll be a versatile 30-35 point guy now... it's evident with the way he's been shooting, less zing/enthusiasm, like Graves toward the end. That doesn't come back. Hopefully I'm wrong. Cally's on a downswing, trade him before it's noticeable. Don't think I'm wrong. And Girardi is returning to form.

 

[cd211]

Have a feeling girardi resigns during the Olympics, it will be tough to replace a 1st pair rd. Stralman is solid but they may move dz for a rd 2nd pair guy and fill the 3rd w mcilrath next yr

Say mc d, girardi , Staal, Barrie, Moore, mcilrath , falk

deff have that feeling as welll.. callahan not to far behind him..

we need these guys.. dont tell me they dont fit in AVs system either..

AV had kevin beiska in his lineup whos exactly like girardi

and Kesler is very similar to callahan in the physical, defensiveness that they bring..

callahan is in no way shape or form similar to drury either..

callahan relays on his skating and hitting.. drury was more skilled with shooting/picking up pucks on the doorstep..

both are solid pieces and are still only 29 and 30.. deff worth the risk of a 5-6yr deal..

 

[Pizza]

Son of a *****. If this winning continues, we arent trading anyone. We will wind up buyers when we should so clearly be sellers.
When Cally scored, I'm saying "how can we trade this guy?"
FML.

Yep.

If you look at a few of our struggling players:

Cally
Hank
Nasher
Steps
Staal
Girardi
DZ

Turn those guys around and add them to who has been doing well.

Now tell me where we are?

I maintain that THAT team can compete with or beat anybody in this league.

 

[haveandare]

Son of a *****. If this winning continues, we arent trading anyone. We will wind up buyers when we should so clearly be sellers.
When Cally scored, I'm saying "how can we trade this guy?"
FML.

God forbid the team plays well and entertain us, the fans...which is exactly their job.

 

[Pizza]

All of the top teams are big and strong teams. Chicago is multi-talented. The Rangers aren't a big and strong team. They aren't a multi-talented team. Besides Miller,the best players in the AHL are smallish forwards. Those guys project as 7-9 forwards. It will be 6 years since Kristo was drafted and he hasn't played a single shift in the NHL. How are the Rangers going to compete with the elite teams in the league looking at their roster and prospect list? Take off the fanboy glasses. Those players are acquired in the first round of the draft or if you get lucky in the 2nd round. Having 1 pick in the first 2 rounds or no picks in the first 2 rounds isn't helping.

I agree that the Rangers could use more size and skill.

But if the PP continues to excel then the Rangers are big enough and skilled enough to draw penalties and take advantage.

That could be a huge difference. Especially if Hank continues to play better.

I want to win and replacing the likes of DG & RC will not be easy.

To address another point. Zucc, at least to me, looks as good as many players we could have secured with a top 7ish pick....and I'm no huge fan of smallish players.

You have to admit Rangerboy, this guy is amazing. Yes?

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Its beginning. The "ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!" crowd. An annual rite of passage for Ranger fans as the calendar turns to a new year.

 

[Pizza]

Yep.

I'd rather be a hopeful than the alternative.

 

[haveandare]

Its beginning. The "ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!" crowd. An annual rite of passage for Ranger fans as the calendar turns to a new year.

Beats the hell out of sulking constantly.

Teams sucks, people whine. Team starts to play well, people whine. Team focuses on D, people want them to focus on O. Team focuses on O, people want them to focus on D. Team is overpaid FAs, people say they need homegrown players. Team is comparatively young, with many homegrown players, people want to trade them.

I honestly think that even if the team did exactly what many posters here want them to do, they'd see the results and then moan about how stupid the team is, and how they now need to do the opposite. People think their ideas are the best and building a winning team is easy. Look at literally any of the examples I provided up in the last paragraph, people have complained about both sides of many of those issues multiple times.

 

[Raspewtin]

Beats the hell out of sulking constantly.

Teams sucks, people whine. Team starts to play well, people whine. Team focuses on D, people want them to focus on O. Team focuses on O, people want them to focus on D. Team is overpaid FAs, people say they need homegrown players. Team is comparatively young, with many homegrown players, people want to trade them.

I honestly think that even if the team did exactly what many posters here want them to do, they'd see the results and then moan about how stupid the team is, and how they now need to do the opposite. People think their ideas are the best and building a winning team is easy. Look at literally any of the examples I provided up in the last paragraph, people have complained about both sides of many of those issues multiple times.

So you're one of the 4 people enjoying this season.

How are you okay with this constant mediocre garbage year after year?

 

[Crease]

Goes without saying, but hopefully the organization is getting a feel for what Girardi and Callahan are willing to re-sign for.

 

[Leonardo87]

So you're one of the 4 people enjoying this season.

How are you okay with this constant mediocre garbage year after year?

Getting past the first round in the last two seasons is not mediocre garbage. When you are the last 8 teams left standing it is not mediocre garbage.

I am growing tired of fans always complaining when things are not going right or are not perfect. If a team had the magical formula to winning a Stanley Cup they would win it every season. What makes this sport great is seeing a team like The Kings struggle all season, like the Rangers have this year, only to get hot at the right time and win it all. This team has shown they can beat the top teams like Pittsburgh, Chicago, and The Kings.

They need to ride it out with this core group, because there is a potential there to go all the way, not trade key guys when they hit a rough patch.

 

[haveandare]

So you're one of the 4 people enjoying this season.

How are you okay with this constant mediocre garbage year after year?

Yeah, I always enjoy following a team for a season. I wouldn't spend hundreds of hours of a year watching something that I didn't enjoy. It's a story. If someone can't enjoy the ride of a season for what it is, I honestly have no idea how or why they watch sports. Luckily, different people think differently and everyone has their reasons. And that's fine. I just don't get why I get belittled for enjoying something that we all spend so much time with by 100% free choice.

Defining anything but winning the cup as "mediocre garbage" is ridiculous. The team isn't a powerhouse, god forbid. It's almost like it's difficult to build a team that has a very real chance to win the cup year after year after year. It's almost like the same team winning twice in four years is a rare and incredible feat. As much as everyone hates "anything can happen," the truth is that there are teams out there that are not only consistently "mediocre" by your absurd standards, but are consistently crap by anybody's standards. There are teams where "anything can happen" is actually so far from reality that they don't even have it as a joke. Anything almost happened in 11-12. Yes, everything went right to get them there, and yes, they pulled out series that they had no business winning, but that's exactly what it means to say such a thing.

Teams have seasons that start well and end poorly, and teams have season that start poorly and end well. No, this team likely isn't going to win the cup, but there isn't any team that is likely to win the cup. The league is tight these days. Again, if you can't enjoy the ride for it's own sake, I have no idea what keeps you interested. This franchise has developed positively in the past number of years that I've been following them seriously. They went from a joke of a retirement party to a team with young players that they drafted or got very early in their careers. And I've had fun watching it, even the most painful years. It's a story, and it's a story that I connect with and have fun following.

Now that I've answered your question, I have one for you. How are you okay making a completely free choice to spend nearly 250 hours of every year watching something that you don't enjoy?