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

[HatTrick Swayze]

Neither is keeping the players. If we don't trade them, our choices are either to sign them long term or watch them sign with another team and get nothing for them. The latter option is unacceptable.

This team isn't good enough to contend even with Girardi and Callahan on the roster. How are we going to give them raises and improve the rest of the team enough to become a contender? What do we do if they break down? We haven't had a great track record with players on the wrong side of 30.

No matter what we do, it's a gamble.



It has nothing to do with the grass being greener. It's about managing assets. If we were a cup contender, you'd have a point about not trading Girardi. But we haven't won with these players. Do you think that's going to change?

Tell me, what is your plan for improving this team? It's very easy to criticize and say that trading them won't help. Well, what's your solution? Free agent market? Stay the course and hope our own prospects can put us over the top?

I hear your points. Like I have said, I am under no delusion that this core is that of a Cup contender. Said it all summer too.

They need impact talent up front. We can all agree. They either need a full rebuild, a Seguin trade for a misused ELITE prospect about to emerge, or a "Kessel trade" targeting 1-2 first rounders of a team that thinks they can contend but ultimately cannot.

It's not easy and their are no guarantees. My point is that dealing Girardi for 1-2 "A prospects", whatever that means, and a late first is not likely a real answer. Better than "nothing", sure. Better than a $6.5+ x 7-8, sure.

 

[Ola]

Brooks talk about dealing Girardi and or Callahan for 4 grade A prospects.

Does Boston Bruins have "2 grade A prospects"?

Boston has no skater prospect in HF top 50 prospects (Dougie Hamilton isn't in play and is not a prospect). None of the top 50 skaters rights are owned by Boston.

They have:

1. Ryan Spooner

Was never considered for the WJC's. Picked in the mid-2nd round of his drafts. I like him. He is a small creative forward. Has potential to become a 2nd-3rd line complimentary player.

Will he become a better player than Hagelin and or JT Miller? Doubtful. Not out of the question, but doubtful.

2. Alexander Khokhlachev

Small Russian picked in the 2nd round of the draft. Decent offensive skills. Actually made it to the WJC for Team Russia, but was an avg talent at that level and didn't stand out.

Will he make it to the NHL? 50/50? If he makes it to the NHL, will it be a short career on a 2-3 line or will he be able to establish himself as a scorer? Low percentage on the later of course.

3. Joe Morrow

Late 1st round pick in 2011. Never made it to the WJCs. 2-way left D. Will he become better than Allen? Possible, not a given. Will never become a top pairing D, upside is decent 2nd pairing left D.

------------

Brooks asks the question, are we more likely to win the Cup with two to four "grade A prospects" or Girardi and or Callahan?

You know, I am not at all sold on that we are closer to win a Cup with two of Spooner / Khokhlachev / Morrow than with Girardi and Callahan to be honest. We have depth in these areas on the farm and on the verge. Skjei, McI, JT Miller, Lindberg and Fast. Fast was top 3-4 at his position at the WJCs. He made our team out of Camp. He has had a lot of injuries, but we saw glimpses of his game.

Chudin is the kid I like the most in Boston, HF gives him the following future: "Chudinov will remain in the KHL for the foreseeable future. He may never cross the Atlantic."

Is this the return we are getting for Callahan and Girardi??? Avg 2nd rounders???

Does Anaheim Ducks have two grade A Prospects?

-Anaheim has one player in HF top 50 ranking.

1. Hampus Lindholm

Lindholm is easily a grade-A prospect. 6th overall pick. Would have been Sweden's No 1 D in the WJC, but played in the NHL instead.

Lindholm has great intensity on the ice, moves extremely well when pressured by forecheckers and will become a very good puck mover out of his own end and offensive end. I would definitely take him despite him being a left D.

However, he leads Anaheim in +/- as a 18-19 y/o. In the last game, he played 22 min. I think its very unlikely that Anaheim would consider moving him.

2. Emerson Etem

Some like him, I am not his biggest fan. Drafted 29th overall in the 10' draft. Made the US national team but was very avg in the WJC. No goals and created nothing with his puck-hog perimeter style. He has put up a ton of pts in the AHL this season, but I've seen him twice in the NHL and he has not impressed.

Some may grade him as an "A" prospect. But I don't know. He is not ranked in HF top 50 for example for a reason, he can be really frustrating to watch and has way to many question marks for anyone to really put their marks on him. His out burst of pts in the AHL though was impressive.

3. Rickard Rakell

Rakell is a very good hockey player, I've seen a ton of him. But he has little upside. Was just over a PPG player in the OHL. Will become a low end 2nd lineer or a high end to decent 3rd lineer in the NHL.

"Grade A" prospect or not, I would take Miller and Hagelin over him for sure.

4. Sami Vatanen

Good 4th round pick by Ana. Right shooting 5'10 D. I would definitely be interested in him despite his size, but he is a very small who struggles defensively. He isn't super talented offensively, but he is good with the puck for sure. Had 45 pts last season in the AHL which is good for sure.

"Grade A" prospect?

Depends what meaning you put to the word, but the guys mentioned above are far from a top 50 ranking of prospects for a reason. They are far from the best among their peers.

---------------

In the end, if the above are kids we are picking between, its safe to say that we are taking part of a lottery. The odds of us getting a player that can be a factor in a Cup run is just low.

 

[NYR Viper]

Brooks talk about dealing Girardi and or Callahan for 4 grade A prospects.

Does Boston Bruins have "2 grade A prospects"?

Boston has no skater in HF top 50 prospects. None of the top 50 skaters rights are owned by Boston.

They have:

1. Ryan Spooner

Was never considered for the WJC's. Picked in the mid-2nd round of his drafts. I like him. He is a small creative forward. Has potential to become a 2nd-3rd line complimentary player.

Will he become a better player than Hagelin and or JT Miller? Doubtful. Not out of the question, but doubtful.

2. Alexander Khokhlachev

Small Russian picked in the 2nd round of the draft. Decent offensive skills. Actually made it to the WJC for Team Russia, but was an avg talent at that level and didn't stand out.

Will he make it to the NHL? 50/50? If he makes it to the NHL, will it be a short career on a 2-3 line or will he be able to establish himself as a scorer? Low percentage on the later of course.

3. Joe Morrow

Late 1st round pick in 2011. Never made it to the WJCs. 2-way left D. Will he become better than Allen? Possible, not a given. Will never become a top pairing D, upside is decent 2nd pairing left D.

------------

Brooks asks the question, are we more likely to win the Cup with two to four "grade A prospects" or Girardi and or Callahan?

You know, I am not at all sold on that we are closer to win a Cup with two of Spooner / Khokhlachev / Morrow than with Girardi and Callahan to be honest. We have depth in these areas on the farm and on the verge. Skjei, McI, JT Miller, Lindberg and Fast. Fast was top 3-4 at his position at the WJCs. He made our team out of Camp. He has had a lot of injuries, but we saw glimpses of his game.

Chudin is the kid I like the most in Boston, HF gives him the following future: "Chudinov will remain in the KHL for the foreseeable future. He may never cross the Atlantic."

Is this the return we are getting for Callahan and Girardi??? Avg 2nd rounders???

Does Anaheim Ducks have two grade A Prospects?

-Anaheim has one player in HF top 50 ranking.

1. Hampus Lindholm

Lindholm is easily a grade-A prospect. 6th overall pick. Would have been Sweden's No 1 D in the WJC, but played in the NHL instead.

Lindholm has great intensity on the ice, moves extremely well when pressured by forecheckers and will become a very good puck mover out of his own end and offensive end. I would definitely take him despite him being a left D.

However, he leads Anaheim in +/- as a 18-19 y/o. In the last game, he played 22 min. I think its very unlikely that Anaheim would consider moving him.

2. Emerson Etem

Some like him, I am not his biggest fan. Drafted 29th overall in the 10' draft. Made the US national team but was very avg in the WJC. No goals and created nothing with his puck-hog perimeter style. He has put up a ton of pts in the AHL this season, but I've seen him twice in the NHL and he has not impressed.

Some may grade him as an "A" prospect. But I don't know. He is not ranked in HF top 50 for example for a reason, he can be really frustrating to watch and has way to many question marks for anyone to really put their marks on him. His out burst of pts in the AHL though was impressive.

3. Rickard Rakell

Rakell is a very good hockey player, I've seen a ton of him. But he has little upside. Was just over a PPG player in the OHL. Will become a low end 2nd lineer or a high end to decent 3rd lineer in the NHL.

"Grade A" prospect or not, I would take Miller and Hagelin over him for sure.

4. Sami Vatanen

Good 4th round pick by Ana. Right shooting 5'10 D. I would definitely be interested in him despite his size, but he is a very small who struggles defensively. He isn't super talented offensively, but he is good with the puck for sure. Had 45 pts last season in the AHL which is good for sure.

"Grade A" prospect?

Depends what meaning you put to the word, but the guys mentioned above are far from a top 50 ranking of prospects for a reason. They are far from the best among their peers.

---------------

In the end, if the above are kids we are picking between, its safe to say that we are taking part of a lottery. The odds of us getting a player that can be a factor in a Cup run is just low.

Boston's prospects like Fraser, Spooner, Khoklachev, Morrow are very good prospects.

Anaheim has very good young players/prospects as well.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I could see Girardi on Anahiem.

 

[darko]

I could see Girardi on Anahiem.

Same.

They have two 1st rounders too I believe. 1st rounder and a good prospect for Girardi would make sense for both parties.

 

[NYR Viper]

Also, factor in losing Boyle and Richards next year as well.

So are the Rangers prepared to start next season without Callahan, Boyle, Richards and Girardi?

Say what you want about bang for the buck but the rangers cant afford to lose all for and gain nothing but cap space. That just gives Sather the incentive to overspend for new UFAs.

Richards has been bad.

Boyle is a 4th liner.

Callahan has missed most of the season already.

Girardi will hurt, but you can't overpay him on a long term deal with the way this team is built

 

[NYR Viper]

Same.

They have two 1st rounders too I believe. 1st rounder and a good prospect for Girardi would make sense for both parties.

Palmieri would be nice. Or Vatanen. Or Rakell. Friberg and Kerdiles are good pieces.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

And the lack of an organizational philosophy or long-term strategy and vision rears its ugly head again.

 

[Giacomin]

Same.

They have two 1st rounders too I believe. 1st rounder and a good prospect for Girardi would make sense for both parties.

I would want more for Girardi. Maybe 2 prospects

 

[Ola]

It has nothing to do with the grass being greener. It's about managing assets. If we were a cup contender, you'd have a point about not trading Girardi. But we haven't won with these players. Do you think that's going to change?

Tell me, what is your plan for improving this team? It's very easy to criticize and say that trading them won't help. Well, what's your solution? Free agent market? Stay the course and hope our own prospects can put us over the top?

Girardi is our No 1 right D and Callahan constantly score at a 25-30 goal pace, lock for the US in the OG's despite injuries. Our captain.

They make us a better team. We will only get closer to win a cup if we can replace them with better options.

What is your plan? Is it to get us a small Russian forward in Khokhlachev who might score 40-50 pts in the NHL and Joe Morrow, another left D that might or might not become better than Allen / Skjei?

Does that bring us closer to the Cup? Sounds like grass-is-greener thinking to me to be perfectly honest. No offense. Do you at least get why I am skeptical?

Callahan is 28 y/o and Girardi is 29 y/o. They are not 35/36 y/o.

 

[NYR Viper]

Girardi is our No 1 right D and Callahan constantly score at a 25-30 goal pace, lock for the US in the OG's despite injuries. Our captain.

They make us a better team. We will only get closer to win a cup if we can replace them with better options.

What is your plan? Is it to get us a small Russian forward in Khokhlachev who might score 40-50 pts in the NHL and Joe Morrow, another left D that might or might not become better than Allen / Skjei?

Does that bring us closer to the Cup? Sounds like grass-is-greener thinking to me to be perfectly honest. No offense. Do you at least get why I am skeptical?

Callahan is 28 y/o and Girardi is 29 y/o. They are not 35/36 y/o.

So you want to pay them 6 million/season for 7 years?

You can't just replace them 1 for 1. They aren't signed to sweetheart contracts like Bobby Ryan. Speaking of Bobby Ryan, there is an organization with a good idea of how to do it. They signed Getzlaf and Perry and they traded Ryan for a very good young player (Silfvergberg) + 1st + prospect.

They can't replace Ryan, but they have much more depth now and have other options moving forward.

And to your question, I get being skeptical, but keeping them keeps this group together. Why? They get older and have proven to not be good enough. Time to retool.

 

[Tawnos]

The worry about the Kovalchuk and Hossa trades is a very valid one. The thing is, none of the players moved in those deals were really grade A prospects, even at the time. If we're moving these guys, the philosophy has to not be about number of assets, but quality.

The example given earlier about Etem, Vatanen, 1st... that is not a similar package to two mid-20s 3rd liners (Christensen, Armstrong), a depreciating asset (Esposito) and a 1st or an upper-20s 2nd pair D (Oduya), a very good prospect (Bergfors), a headcase prospect (Cormier) and a 1st. Etem/Vatanen/1st is a much, much better package. They are two players on the verge of breaking through into the league. Honestly, for a rental, you only get one of those guys and the pick. But that's the point. Cut the quantity, go for quality. Provided we aren't resigning for sure, I'd take Vatanen and a 1st for Girardi. I'd take Etem and a 1st for Girardi. That's good rental value. I don't want two of Anaheim's B-prospects.

 

[Chief]

You want to keep the same team and the same problems. You're afraid of change. Keeping these guys and giving them major commitments insures the status quo.

Its a business for the player and the team. These players have no issues about leaving for more money so why should the fans have blind loyalty to these players.

Then you blame the coach. Its always the coach.

Somehow the Rangers will survive the losses of Girardi and Callahan.

Change for the sake of change is misguided. Looking at the big picture and not just the current half season, there's no way you can say Girardi and Callahan are part of what's been wrong with the team. Signing them doesn't ensure the status quo at all. Richards will be bought out after this season (or at least he should be), which already opens up a roster spot and cash. If Sather is going to make trades, then start with Brassard and Del Zotto. I'd also explore trading Staal just because the concussions will always be a concern. I wish we could trade Nash.

 

[Ola]

Boston's prospects like Fraser, Spooner, Khoklachev, Morrow are very good prospects.

Anaheim has very good young players/prospects as well.

Lucky that Buchnevic don't play for them, otherwise I am sure people would be prepared to unload McD or Kreider for him. Even if Buch also is not ranked as a top 50 prospect, he not only made the WJCs but was a star at that level.

I wonder if STL is willing to deal Grachev? I am sure we could get him for Stepan.

So you want to pay them 6 million/season for 7 years?

You can't just replace them 1 for 1. They aren't signed to sweetheart contracts like Bobby Ryan. Speaking of Bobby Ryan, there is an organization with a good idea of how to do it. They signed Getzlaf and Perry and they traded Ryan for a very good young player (Silfvergberg) + 1st + prospect.

They can't replace Ryan, but they have much more depth now and have other options moving forward.

And to your question, I get being skeptical, but keeping them keeps this group together. Why? They get older and have proven to not be good enough. Time to retool.

Silfverberg is the best they could do but to a MUCH bigger extent than say a Kuklachev he is a player that "counts".

I would be interested in Silverberg too (although dealing Cally or G for him is border line of what I would do, but he is a good right handed sniper). Look what Anaheim said before dealing Ryan. They would move him, if they got 1 player in return that they liked. I would also deal Cally or Girardi if we could get that one piece that we more or less knows really is going to help us now.

You know, I am not trolling. I just seriously don't at all believe in Kuklachev, Morrow and co. I don't at all believe in the names mentioned coming in and making a difference.

 

[NYR Viper]

The worry about the Kovalchuk and Hossa trades is a very valid one. The thing is, none of the players moved in those deals were really grade A prospects, even at the time. If we're moving these guys, the philosophy has to not be about number of assets, but quality.

The example given earlier about Etem, Vatanen, 1st... that is not a similar package to two mid-20s 3rd liners (Christensen, Armstrong), a depreciating asset (Esposito) and a 1st or an upper-20s 2nd pair D (Oduya), a very good prospect (Bergfors), a headcase prospect (Cormier) and a 1st. Etem/Vatanen/1st is a much, much better package. They are two players on the verge of breaking through into the league. Honestly, for a rental, you only get one of those guys and the pick. But that's the point. Cut the quantity, go for quality. Provided we aren't resigning for sure, I'd take Vatanen and a 1st for Girardi. I'd take Etem and a 1st for Girardi. That's good rental value. I don't want two of Anaheim's B-prospects.

Agreed. Although even if you get (2) of their b-level guys like Friberg and Kerdiles, that's a good deal.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Brooks talk about dealing Girardi and or Callahan for 4 grade A prospects.

Does Boston Bruins have "2 grade A prospects"?

Boston has no skater prospect in HF top 50 prospects (Dougie Hamilton isn't in play and is not a prospect). None of the top 50 skaters rights are owned by Boston.

They have:

1. Ryan Spooner

Was never considered for the WJC's. Picked in the mid-2nd round of his drafts. I like him. He is a small creative forward. Has potential to become a 2nd-3rd line complimentary player.

Will he become a better player than Hagelin and or JT Miller? Doubtful. Not out of the question, but doubtful.

2. Alexander Khokhlachev

Small Russian picked in the 2nd round of the draft. Decent offensive skills. Actually made it to the WJC for Team Russia, but was an avg talent at that level and didn't stand out.

Will he make it to the NHL? 50/50? If he makes it to the NHL, will it be a short career on a 2-3 line or will he be able to establish himself as a scorer? Low percentage on the later of course.

3. Joe Morrow

Late 1st round pick in 2011. Never made it to the WJCs. 2-way left D. Will he become better than Allen? Possible, not a given. Will never become a top pairing D, upside is decent 2nd pairing left D.

------------

Brooks asks the question, are we more likely to win the Cup with two to four "grade A prospects" or Girardi and or Callahan?

You know, I am not at all sold on that we are closer to win a Cup with two of Spooner / Khokhlachev / Morrow than with Girardi and Callahan to be honest. We have depth in these areas on the farm and on the verge. Skjei, McI, JT Miller, Lindberg and Fast. Fast was top 3-4 at his position at the WJCs. He made our team out of Camp. He has had a lot of injuries, but we saw glimpses of his game.

Chudin is the kid I like the most in Boston, HF gives him the following future: "Chudinov will remain in the KHL for the foreseeable future. He may never cross the Atlantic."

Is this the return we are getting for Callahan and Girardi??? Avg 2nd rounders???

Does Anaheim Ducks have two grade A Prospects?

-Anaheim has one player in HF top 50 ranking.

1. Hampus Lindholm

Lindholm is easily a grade-A prospect. 6th overall pick. Would have been Sweden's No 1 D in the WJC, but played in the NHL instead.

Lindholm has great intensity on the ice, moves extremely well when pressured by forecheckers and will become a very good puck mover out of his own end and offensive end. I would definitely take him despite him being a left D.

However, he leads Anaheim in +/- as a 18-19 y/o. In the last game, he played 22 min. I think its very unlikely that Anaheim would consider moving him.

2. Emerson Etem

Some like him, I am not his biggest fan. Drafted 29th overall in the 10' draft. Made the US national team but was very avg in the WJC. No goals and created nothing with his puck-hog perimeter style. He has put up a ton of pts in the AHL this season, but I've seen him twice in the NHL and he has not impressed.

Some may grade him as an "A" prospect. But I don't know. He is not ranked in HF top 50 for example for a reason, he can be really frustrating to watch and has way to many question marks for anyone to really put their marks on him. His out burst of pts in the AHL though was impressive.

3. Rickard Rakell

Rakell is a very good hockey player, I've seen a ton of him. But he has little upside. Was just over a PPG player in the OHL. Will become a low end 2nd lineer or a high end to decent 3rd lineer in the NHL.

"Grade A" prospect or not, I would take Miller and Hagelin over him for sure.

4. Sami Vatanen

Good 4th round pick by Ana. Right shooting 5'10 D. I would definitely be interested in him despite his size, but he is a very small who struggles defensively. He isn't super talented offensively, but he is good with the puck for sure. Had 45 pts last season in the AHL which is good for sure.

"Grade A" prospect?

Depends what meaning you put to the word, but the guys mentioned above are far from a top 50 ranking of prospects for a reason. They are far from the best among their peers.

---------------

In the end, if the above are kids we are picking between, its safe to say that we are taking part of a lottery. The odds of us getting a player that can be a factor in a Cup run is just low.

The major problem with this analysis is your reliance on the HF Top 50, Ola. You do realize that something like 75% of the players on that list are already playing in the NHL, right? By that rationale there's darn near no one worth trading for who isn't already in the league - and that's just obviously not true. The key is to identify the right guys out of the NEXT 50. And it's also why you need some picks back in the deal(s).

 

[NYR Viper]

Lucky that Buchnevic don't play for them, otherwise I am sure people would be prepared to unload McD or Kreider for him. Even if Buch also is not ranked as a top 50 prospect, he not only made the WJCs but was a star at that level.

I wonder if STL is willing to deal Grachev? I am sure we could get him for Stepan.

Please...

Spooner has 9 points in 15 games in the NHL THIS SEASON.

Khoklachev is 20 years old and has 21 points in 26 games this season.

Morrow has 22 points in 35 games THIS SEASON in the AHL.

Matt Fraser has 16 goals in 21 games in the AHL THIS SEASON.

I'm not going off of their pedigree, I am going off of what I have seen from these players.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

And the lack of an organizational philosophy or long-term strategy and vision rears its ugly head again.

True. Makes for good conversation around here considering anything can happen.

 

[True Blue]

And the lack of an organizational philosophy or long-term strategy and vision rears its ugly head again.

Same statement makes its way every year

 

[GAGLine]

Girardi is our No 1 right D and Callahan constantly score at a 25-30 goal pace, lock for the US in the OG's despite injuries. Our captain.

They make us a better team. We will only get closer to win a cup if we can replace them with better options.

What is your plan? Is it to get us a small Russian forward in Khokhlachev who might score 40-50 pts in the NHL and Joe Morrow, another left D that might or might not become better than Allen / Skjei?

Does that bring us closer to the Cup? Sounds like grass-is-greener thinking to me to be perfectly honest. No offense. Do you at least get why I am skeptical?

Callahan is 28 y/o and Girardi is 29 y/o. They are not 35/36 y/o.

Yes, that's my plan. To get small, russian forwards. That's obviously the key to success. You found me out.

I can't say that trading them will make us a better team. I can't see that keeping them will be better for us long term. But if I'm the GM, I would absolutely look at what is available and make a determination whether trading our pending UFAs is better or worse for the long term success of this team. And if we believe that the return is worth the sacrifice, then we should do it.

It obviously wouldn't happen, but if nashville agreed to trade us Seth Jones for Girardi, would you not do it? That would be a no brainer. Of course the return for Girardi wouldn't be that good, but how good does it need to be before we pull the trigger? That's the question. Can we get a player who can fill Girardi's spot in the future? Can we get additional assets that will help us in other areas?

 

[Ola]

The major problem with this analysis is your reliance on the HF Top 50, Ola. You do realize that something like 75% of the players on that list are already playing in the NHL, right? By that rationale there's darn near no one worth trading for who isn't already in the league - and that's just obviously not true. The key is to identify the right guys out of the NEXT 50. And it's also why you need some picks back in the deal(s).

I am not relying on HF top 50, I know half the board hates me for not joining the love-fest of a bunch of very avg prospects. HF top 50 is at least not me.

Its just that the "grade A prospect" talk leads the thought the wrong way for many. There is a bunch of prospects out there that I would love to get. We are talking of a bunch of kids here that wasn't even close to making it to the U20 WJC's and if they did, was very avg there. That wasn't even close to being ranked in the top 50 among prospects outside the NHL.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

The worry about the Kovalchuk and Hossa trades is a very valid one. The thing is, none of the players moved in those deals were really grade A prospects, even at the time. If we're moving these guys, the philosophy has to not be about number of assets, but quality.

The example given earlier about Etem, Vatanen, 1st... that is not a similar package to two mid-20s 3rd liners (Christensen, Armstrong), a depreciating asset (Esposito) and a 1st or an upper-20s 2nd pair D (Oduya), a very good prospect (Bergfors), a headcase prospect (Cormier) and a 1st. Etem/Vatanen/1st is a much, much better package. They are two players on the verge of breaking through into the league. Honestly, for a rental, you only get one of those guys and the pick. But that's the point. Cut the quantity, go for quality. Provided we aren't resigning for sure, I'd take Vatanen and a 1st for Girardi. I'd take Etem and a 1st for Girardi. That's good rental value. I don't want two of Anaheim's B-prospects.

I also don't want to be stuck in a position where Girardi and Callahan leave for nothing or we get into a ridiculous bidding war.

Look at the ****show thats happening with Del Zotto. The asking price is all out of whack. I don't think the Rangers get a king's ransom for Callahan/Girardi, but recouping some assets and the cap flexibility look awfully appetizing considering this team isnt going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[Tawnos]

I swear, SBoB, BRB and TB... you guys would make great politicians. Do you have the talking points in front of you all the time or is it all off the cuff? Every post.

I agree though, that management has completely lost its way here. While Sather has some good people surrounding him, I'm having a hard time deciding if the problem is that they have too much responsibility or if the problem is that they aren't being listened to enough. There was a lot of talk about the split within management over the Tortorella firing and then the Richards non-buyout. Why should this matter? Starting to wonder if there are too many cooks in the kitchen being led by a combination of Charles Montgomery Burns and Wile E Coyote.

 

[Ola]

Please...

Spooner has 9 points in 15 games in the NHL THIS SEASON.

Khoklachev is 20 years old and has 21 points in 26 games this season.

Morrow has 22 points in 35 games THIS SEASON in the AHL.

Matt Fraser has 16 goals in 21 games in the AHL THIS SEASON.

I'm not going off of their pedigree, I am going off of what I have seen from these players.

Etem had 23 pts in 14 games in the AHL. Have you seen him in the NHL?

And I am sorry, you can call the above grade A prospects and what not, they are just not going to come to NY and be difference makers.

 

[NYR Viper]

Lucky that Buchnevic don't play for them, otherwise I am sure people would be prepared to unload McD or Kreider for him. Even if Buch also is not ranked as a top 50 prospect, he not only made the WJCs but was a star at that level.

I wonder if STL is willing to deal Grachev? I am sure we could get him for Stepan.



Silfverberg is the best they could do but to a MUCH bigger extent than say a Kuklachev he is a player that "counts".

I would be interested in Silverberg too (although dealing Cally or G for him is border line of what I would do, but he is a good right handed sniper). Look what Anaheim said before dealing Ryan. They would move him, if they got 1 player in return that they liked. I would also deal Cally or Girardi if we could get that one piece that we more or less knows really is going to help us now.

You know, I am not trolling. I just seriously don't at all believe in Kuklachev, Morrow and co. I don't at all believe in the names mentioned coming in and making a difference.

Ola, I know your not trolling and I get where you are coming from.

I just like some of the names being mentioned in this thread. Fraser, Spooner, Palmieri, Morrow, Khoklachev, Vatanen, Etem, Slifverberg. Those are the types of players who can help a team increase their depth, be cost controlled (which is a huge +) and grow with a team going through a transition.