Pre-Game Talk: The 2013-2014 Training Camp/Preseason Discussion Thread

[RangerBoy]

Cody Hodgson's #sabres extension will be paid all in base salary: $3M, $3.5M, $4M, $4.5M, $5M and $5.5M.

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/378259386193289217

First 2 years have a $3.25M AAV

 

[Tawnos]

Brooks: Stepan open to short-term deal with Rangers


Buy a calculator, Brooksie.

The Rangers could max out at $4.5m, but that's not really advisable. Unless you made a trade, the Rangers would have $130k in cap space. $3.5m would give them about $1.1m, and thus some flexibility. I'm pretty sure Brooks is concerned over flexibility under the cap, there.

 

[Drewbackatu*]

And despite all that they still get the same results.

Why do I get the feeling you buy batteries with the flashiest packaging?

They don't get the same results because Duchene's #'s were driven down by an injury wracked season in 2011/12 when he produced only 28 pts in 58 games!

If I were you, I would wait and see what Stepan produces in an 82 game season(assuming he comes to his senses and accepts his bridge deal) before annointing him a legit #1 center in the same stratosphere as a budding superstar in Duchene.

Time to wake up and deal with reality or isn't Stepan the same player who has produced a grand total of 5 goals in 30+ playoff games the past 3 years??

 

[Thirty One]

After watching Richards put up points last year while being a detriment to the team, I don't know that production is always the bottom line. On the other hand, you aren't comparing one player being a detriment to his team to a guy who isn't in this case, so carry on.

Of course points are not the end-all-be-all, but if not offense, in what area does Duchene blow Stepan out of the water?

(I understand you're not making this point.)

 

[GAGLine]

Why?

Duchene is a year younger, a better skater, and has put up better numbers. He's put up 193 points in 266 games (.725 ppg) compared to Stepan's 140 in 212 (.660).

I'd also imagine that people feel he has a higher ceiling.

 

[nyr2k2]

Some people never have anything positive to say about anything or anyone, ever. I'd just leave it alone.

I'd bet Stepper signs Monday, two years with an AAV around $3.2M.

 

[Richter Scale]

Like 31 said, still same results somehow! (Exclamation points seemingly establish a statement as more convincing and factual!)

I don't want to make an argument for Duchene over Stepan; but its not as clear cut as either of you guys would make out.

At this point in their careers, Duchene has the edge over Stepan in his offensive game. He has played at a higher level, more consistently, and for a longer period of time. Stepan's defensive game - in my opinion - is pretty damn far ahead of Duchene's however.

That said - if you're just talking about Duchene's bridge deal, then yea - the comparison is closer. At that point in his career (after '11-'12), he was, however, still younger, still marginally more consistent, and had a slightly higher point per game average than Stepan. Not to mention that he was a high 1st round pick; whether you agree with it or not, that is going to inflate the $$ he gets.

Step shouldn't get Duchene money. Slightly less, and you're talking.

 

[haveandare]

Duchene is a year younger, a better skater, and has put up better numbers. He's put up 193 points in 266 games (.725 ppg) compared to Stepan's 140 in 212 (.660).

I'd also imagine that people feel he has a higher ceiling.

Yeah, I gotta agree with this. Duchene also has way better hands from everything I've seen of him.

I think Step has the potential to grow into a great player, but not the type of player Duchene has the potential to be, which I think is more valuable. The gap isn't that big, and it's mostly based on where I think they're going from here, but there is a gap.

Whoever is in charge of Step's contract needs to bend toward him a little on money if he's bending on years. 6 or 7 over 2 and get the guy in camp.

 

[GAGLine]

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/378259386193289217

First 2 years have a $3.25M AAV

Too high for Hodgson, but I'm fine with Stepan getting that.

 

[JCrusher*]

Could mean the difference between being a top-six forward and being a tweener for Zucc. Hard to believe he'd be consistently faster than Kreider, but it's a good sign if true.

I dont think its a big deal either way. Good for Zucc but i have already heard some people say that kreider has "slacked off". Personally i think Kreider is gonna have a big year this year

 

[Thirty One]

Personally i think Kreider is gonna have a big year this year

You do?

 

[JCrusher*]

You do?

I wasnt trying to be a smartass i was just stating a opinion

 

[Thirty One]

I wasnt trying to be a smartass i was just stating a opinion

Is that a shot at me (who was trying to be a smart ass)?

 

[JCrusher*]

Is that a shot at me (who was trying to be a smart ass)?

Um no it wasnt a shot at you. I just didnt know what you meant by your response when i said i thought kreider was gonna have a good season

 

[bernmeister]

I'm serious all it would take is a signed Sue Sylvester poster or something on top of 3.15m per for two years.

As things appear to stand now, it seems the compromise position is 3 years, $10mil. base with half a mil per in bonuses. But like, win the Cup, etc. kind of bonuses.

Step gives Slats an extra year. It's not a long term. It's a bridge, but better than $2.x per for 2 years.

 

[Thirty One]

As things appear to stand now, it seems the compromise position is 3 years, $10mil. base with half a mil per in bonuses. But like, win the Cup, etc. kind of bonuses.

Step gives Slats an extra year. It's not a long term. It's a bridge, but better than $2.x per for 2 years.

Stepan's not eligible for bonuses.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Stepan's not eligible for bonuses.

Additionally, I don't think a 3-year deal works for Stepan at all. If he signs for the traditional 2-year bridge, it keeps his AAV down, but he does get his chance at big money in the third year and probably maximizes his earnings for the duration. If he signs for 5+ years, he gets UFA years bought out and, while perhaps sacrificing a few dollars over the life of the deal, gets paid more earlier. How is a 3-year deal at $3.3MM per year more desirable than either of those alternatives? Seems like the worst of both worlds...

 

[Thirty One]

Additionally, I don't think a 3-year deal works for Stepan at all. If he signs for the traditional 2-year bridge, it keeps his AAV down, but he does get his chance at big money in the third year and probably maximizes his earnings for the duration. If he signs for 5+ years, he gets UFA years bought out and, while perhaps sacrificing a few dollars over the life of the deal, gets paid more earlier. How is a 3-year deal at $3.3MM per year more desirable than either of those alternatives? Seems like the worst of both worlds...

Additionally, I don't think a three year deal benefits the Rangers at all, either. It would bring the AAV up slightly in a year when they could really use it. Also gives them one less chance to sign Stepan to a long-term deal before he hits UFA.

 

[*Bob Richards*]

On the bright side, Step gives us something to talk about.

INB4 "Team toughness".

 

[Thirty One]

MOAR team toughness.

 

[haveandare]

On the plus side of today's reports, it sounded like a lot of guys were skating better than expected, and I didn't read anything about anybody looking particularly slow. Never hurts to have some solid team speed.

 

[Thirty One]

On the plus side of today's reports, it sounded like a lot of guys were skating better than expected, and I didn't read anything about anybody looking particularly slow. Never hurts to have some solid team speed.

I wouldn't read too much into it. This time a year there's always stories about players looking faster, putting on muscle, improving their concentration, finding Jesus, divorcing their ***** of a wife, etc., and far more often than not he's still the same player that we remember.

Jamie Lundmark somehow gained 15 pounds of muscle six straight summers.

 

[haveandare]

I wouldn't read too much into it. This time a year there's always stories about players looking faster, putting on muscle, improving their concentration, finding Jesus, divorcing their ***** of a wife, etc., and far more often than not he's still the same player that we remember.

Jamie Lundmark somehow gained 15 pounds of muscle six straight summers.

True. Just thinking about what little insight we got today. But yeah, it's probably not such a big difference. It's nice to think it might be though.

 

[mrhockey193195]

I wouldn't read too much into it. This time a year there's always stories about players looking faster, putting on muscle, improving their concentration, finding Jesus, divorcing their ***** of a wife, etc., and far more often than not he's still the same player that we remember.

Jamie Lundmark somehow gained 15 pounds of muscle six straight summers.

Gomez and Jagr had "uncanny" chemistry that first preseason after the signing

 

[Thirty One]

Gomez and Jagr had "uncanny" chemistry that first preseason after the signing

and the Hlavac-Nedved-Kovalev line was going to take over the world.