Speculation: Trade / Roster Speculation Thread XXXII: To Smurf or not to Smurf

[BBKers]

Plenty of fat to trim this offseason

UFAs

1. Stralman, Anton
2. Boyle, Brian
3. Pouliot, Benoit
4. Diaz, Rafael
5. Moore, Dominic
6. Powe, Darroll
7. Asham, Arron
8. Bickel, Stu
9. Haley, Micheal
10. Johnson, Aaron
11. Syvret, Danny
12. LeNeveu, David

RFAs

1. Brassard, Derick
2. Kreider, Chris (ELC)
3. Zuccarello, Mats
4. Falk, Justin
5. Moore, John (ELC)
6. Kristo, Danny (ELC)
7. Jean, Kyle (ELC)
8. Bourque, Ryan (ELC)
9. Missiaen, Jason (ELC)
10. Stajcer, Scott (ELC)
11. Wilson, Jason (ELC)
12. Beach, Kyle

Who will stay & who will go?
At 50 contracts now. We will see a lot of new faces in the organisation too. Not that many prospects that will get contracts - Duclair & Donnay are both signed already - and the following players are unsigned prospects aka NYR property:

1. Fogarty, Steven
2. Skjei, Brady
3. Nieves, Cristoval
4. Andersson, Calle
5. Spelling, Thomas
6. Adam Tambellini
7. Pavel Buchnevich (signed in KHL one more year)
8. Ryan Graves
9. Mackenzie Skapski

 

[jerseyjinx94]

UFAs

1. Stralman, Anton
2. Boyle, Brian
3. Pouliot, Benoit
4. Diaz, Rafael
5. Moore, Dominic
6. Powe, Darroll
7. Asham, Arron
8. Bickel, Stu
9. Haley, Micheal
10. Johnson, Aaron
11. Syvret, Danny
12. LeNeveu, David

RFAs

1. Brassard, Derick
2. Kreider, Chris (ELC)
3. Zuccarello, Mats
4. Falk, Justin
5. Moore, John (ELC)
6. Kristo, Danny (ELC)
7. Jean, Kyle (ELC)
8. Bourque, Ryan (ELC)
9. Missiaen, Jason (ELC)
10. Stajcer, Scott (ELC)
11. Wilson, Jason (ELC)
12. Beach, Kyle

Who will stay & who will go?
At 50 contracts now. We will see a lot of new faces in the organisation too. Not that many prospects that will get contracts - Duclair & Donnay are both signed already - and the following players are unsigned prospects aka NYR property:

1. Fogarty, Steven
2. Skjei, Brady
3. Nieves, Cristoval
4. Andersson, Calle
5. Spelling, Thomas
6. Adam Tambellini
7. Pavel Buchnevich (signed in KHL one more year)
8. Ryan Graves
9. Mackenzie Skapski

I like the contract room we will have, we will be able to sign more college FAs to deals beginning next year

 

[Raspewtin]

Purest of pure speculation, but anybody think Huberdeau could be on his way out of the Sunshine state? He's having an absolutely dreadful season, and Florida has plenty of young centers on the rise. Not saying it'd happen, but you think Staal ++ could get Huberdeau? Just total speculation.

Also, not sure if this was posted but found this article very interesting.

http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/20...ey-he-will-be-an-edmonton-oilers-next-season/

 

[Mikos87]

Purest of pure speculation, but anybody think Huberdeau could be on his way out of the Sunshine state? He's having an absolutely dreadful season, and Florida has plenty of young centers on the rise. Not saying it'd happen, but you think Staal ++ could get Huberdeau? Just total speculation.

Also, not sure if this was posted but found this article very interesting.

http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/20...ey-he-will-be-an-edmonton-oilers-next-season/

Don't know what's going down in FLA with Huberdeau, but he would be a fit in NYC. I think he will be a much better player once he fills out. Outside of Taylor Hall and Ryan Ellis, Huberdeau probably has been the most dominant junior player in recent history over the course of his junior career. I highly doubt he gets moved... but he might be one of those kids that doesn't develop physically.. and that might be a big big concern going forward. Hockey is a sport of physical maturity.

Yakupov on the other hand has shown a lot of indifference. I'd trade Brassard straight up for him to give him a look. Shades of Zherdev and Filatov with Yak.

It doesn't help that Eakins is a terrible coach with his unconventional system in EDM, but Yak will be KHL bound if he doesn't like how he's being treated in the NHL.

 

[Mikos87]

Stralman, Anton - Walk.. Use the money to sign D.Boyle on a short term deal after SJ's annual flame out.

Boyle, Brian - Would like to keep, but he will get PAID elsewhere

Pouliot, Benoit - Walk.. liked his effectiveness since the turn around, and he's a good character... but can't risk him slumping through half a season again.

Diaz, Rafael - Swiss bound... walk

Moore, Dominic - Keep.. 1-2 year deal ~1.5-1.8M

Powe, Darroll - Walk

Asham, Arron - Walk

Bickel, Stu - Walk

Haley, Micheal - Walk

Johnson, Aaron - Walk

Syvret, Danny - Keep, need an AHL vet in HFD

LeNeveu, David - Walk





Brassard, Derick - Trade.. 3.7M min for 3rd line soft inconsistent turn over machine?.. No thanks.

Kreider, Chris (ELC) - Keep.. 2-year bridge or a step ladder contract with term.. whatever works best for the cap

Zuccarello, Mats - Keep.. 4 years ~3-3.5M

Falk, Justin - Walk

Moore, John (ELC)- Keep... 2 year bridge

Kristo, Danny (ELC) - Keep as trade bait

Jean, Kyle (ELC) - Walk

Bourque, Ryan (ELC) - Trade to Boston for conditionals

Missiaen, Jason (ELC) - Walk

Stajcer, Scott (ELC) -Walk

Wilson, Jason (ELC)- Walk

Beach, Kyle- Walk


Fogarty, Steven - Cook till he hits UFA

Skjei, Brady - 1 more year at Minny

Nieves, Cristoval - Cook for 2 more years

Andersson, Calle - Don't know enough about him to warrant a ELC... some scouts rave about him.. don't know why as I don't watch the Euro Minor leagues

Spelling, Thomas - Walk

Adam Tambellini- Cook for 1 more year

Pavel Buchnevich (signed in KHL one more year) - Cook for 1 more year

Ryan Graves - Don't know if he deserves a ELC.. maybe AHL deal to save a SPC

Mackenzie Skapski- Sign

 

[Championship*]

Huberdeau won't be available.

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

My plan for the 2014 offseason for the New York Rangers

My plan for the 2014 offseason for the New York Rangers

First off we got to take care of the house keeping:
Obviously I can’t rule on every minor league player so I will keep to the nhl roster or players near roster ability.
We have about $18 million in cap space (with Brad Richards still on the team) for next year but we do also have a lot of UFAs and RFAs to deal with so this offseason is key for the Ranger’s future success.
First point of action for the Rangers has to be to buyout Brad Richards. He doesn’t score enough to be the 2nd highest paid skater on this team or any team. While he does have good leadership qualities that isn’t worth $6.6 million a year especially on a team full of other leaders like Dan Girardi and Marc Staal. And the Marty St. Louis experiment did not revive Brad Richards.
The Marc Staal question: Does he want to be a Ranger or join his brothers in Carolina? Staal has another year left on his contract and will be a free agent at the end of next year so the answer will effect what happens this offseason. If he wants to play with his brothers then he will be traded this offseason most likely at the draft. If he wants to stay and sign with the rangers long time (around the money Girardi got) he would be among the favorites for the Captaincy. I can’t tell where this is going but if its going to Carolina the Rangers must, I repeat MUST get a quality NHL player back(a Dman preferably)
UFAs/RFAs
Derrick Brassard-Resign at around $3.5 million or less(RFA)
Brian Boyle-resign at around $2 million or less
Benoit Pouliot-Let him walk in favor of JT Miller
Mats Zuccarello-resign a 2 year bridge contract around $3 Million(RFA)
Dominic Moore-resign at $1 million
Dan Carcillo-Let walk(role filled by Derek Dorsett who is already signed)
Chris Kreider- resign a 2 year bridge contract around $2.5 million(RFA)
Anton Stralman-let walk in favor of Raphael Diaz or Dylan Mcilrath
Raphael Diaz-resign short term at $1.5m
Justin Falk-let walk/ trade at draft(RFA)
John moore- resign at $1m
Darrol Powe-let walk
Arron Asham-let walk
By those estimations the rangers cap number will raise up to about $67.5m and the cap is projected to rise to $71 so that rangers would have about $3.5m(with richards) or more depending on contracts or call ups. if the rangers do buyout richards the rangers will free up an additional 6.6mill
With contracts and buy outs taken care of these are my projected lines without any additional moves
Kreider-Stepan-Nash
Zucc-Brassard-MSL
Hagelin-______-______
Boyle-D Moore-Dorsett
Mcdonagh-Girardi
Staal-Klein
J Moore/Allen-Diaz/Mcilrath

Clearly there is two missing spots on the 3rd line which I believe will come down to training camp. J.T. Miller is the favorite and would take an incredibly awful training camp to lose a roster spot at this point so I pencil him in as the 3rd line center. The third line right wing I believe will go down to a competition between Danny Kristo, Oscar Lindberg and Jesper Fast. Although Fast has seen NHL time by making the NHL roster out of camp last year I do believe he would be the most unlikely to get the spot. Both players are similar in size and point production but kristo has played about 10 fewer games. I think he takes the spot to the right of Miller because he is more skilled and is also a right handed shot which is a rarity for the rangers (having only 2 natural right wingers MSL and Dorsett).
The biggest competition in camp is going to be for the third pairing defense which I have 4 players battling for. If the rangers do not resign Stralman or Diaz then on half of the pairing is already decided because of AV caring so much about the shot hand of his dmen. Mcilrath would take up the right side and add a much needed grit factor for this team so he is my preferred player for this spot and the left side would most likely be given to John Moore and his to lose. Conner Allen has shown a lot of talent and had success at the NHL level for a few games so don’t be surprised if he can steal a spot from the inconsistent Moore. The Diaz and Allen who don’t make the lineup I believe Diaz will stay up as a healthy scratch and Allen would be returned to Hartford or traded.


Out of Town
The Rangers with not much left in cap room according to my projections (which were maximums for each player) will most likely look to add size and a right wing or center. I’m also going to say they will add veteran defensive depth at a very low price.
NEEDS: the rangers have to add size and when I mean size I don’t mean Rick Nash or Taylor Pyatt size I mean Steve Ott, Ryan Callahan, Milan Lucic kind of size. Well not even size but someone who plays a big game. I’m sorry but its true what everyone says ever since Brandon Prust left the rangers have been looking for what he brought. It also doesn’t help that the Rangers also have Zuccarello and MSL who are both very,very short.
FITS:
David Legwand: would be the most expensive of the 4 but also have the most offensive upside. I predict him to resign in Detroit
Ryan Callahan: I’m sorry but it’s over guys. Captain Cally is gone. But you won’t have to go far to see him in Buffalo where they are prepared to offer the world to a guy who grew up near by and with all his family in the area. Just be lucky the rangers aren’t the ones paying $6.5-7m for 60 games and 15 goals
Steve Ott: he is the most likely of the four that fit the mold to get signed because he will probably be the cheapest or atleast 2nd cheapest. Ott would allow JT Miller to move over to the RW on the 3rd line and he would bring a much needed physical ability to the top 9. I would not be surprised if he ended up next to MSL and/or Zuccarello because they need a big body to crash the net. Ott won’t cost more than $3.2m
Dustin Penner: although he is wildly inconsistent I put him in here because he fits the bill and what else does Glen Sather like more than inconsistent players?(the answer is overpaying old free agents) Penner plays the same physical game as Ott and Callahan but does it at 6-4 240lbs.

I think the rangers will be quiet in free agency only signing bottom 6 players like they did last offseason but if Richards is bought out don’t expect Sather not use the cap space.

OVERALL LOOK:
These are the lines I project out in the end
Kreider-Stepan-Nash
Hagelin-Ott-MSL
Zuccarello-Brassard-Miller
Boyle-D Moore-Dorsett
McDonagh-Girardi
Staal-Klein
J Moore-McIlrath
Henrik Lundqvist
Cam Talbot




I prefer to separate MSL and Zuccarello to even out the size in the lines and Zuccarello has shown chemistry with Brassard before so that pairing with Miller’s two way ability should create a very solid 3rd line. Putting Ott on the 2nd line with MSL and Hagelin allows them to skate more freely as Ott takes the body and drawls attention to him in front of the net. I like McIlrath to take up the right side of the 3rd pairing because he adds a very strong, gritty, and net front clearing defensemen that the rangers have been needing.

Watch Out For:
These are things that could happen but are unlikely.
Cam Talbot gets traded at the draft: he’s 26 and is capable of starting in the NHL and hes stuck behind the King. Look for the rangers to get a veteran back up in return for him and possibly a draft pick and* prospect. He also only has 1 more year left on a very very cheap contract
Marc Staal gets traded to Carolina: already went over this
Rangers make a move for Big name free agent: glen sather has proven he will go after high end free agents with all of the money in New York so look for him to try to find a 1st line center ie paul Stastny.(as good as stepan is I think he would be more suited as a second line center under a more offensively gifted 1st line guy)
Anthony Duclair to get a long look at training camp: I highly doubt he will make the team but don’t be surprised if AV gets a long hard look at this kid. Hes got great potential and hes lighting up the Q right now


That’s all I can think of right now so write back with your thoughts, ideas, and comments.

 

[Samuel Culper III]

If the lineup next year is:

Kreider-Stepan-Nash
Hagelin-Ott-MSL
Zuccarello-Brassard-Miller
Boyle-D Moore-Dorsett
McDonagh-Girardi
Staal-Klein
J Moore-McIlrath
Henrik Lundqvist
Cam Talbot

We will be worse than this year.

McIlrath is not ready to play 82 games. When was the last time we had a rookie just outright make the team rather than do the up and down that Kreider and Miller went through? Ott basically just replaces Callahan's role as a gritty, intangibles guy. It's the same completely mediocre team that has no identity or cohesion. I'll be entering that season with tempered expectations, not expecting anything better than a 6-10 finish and first round exit. It'll be a lot like re watching my DVRs of this season. Can't wait.

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

exactly...
look henrik lundqvist is the rangers and hes not getting any younger so sather is going to go for it now.
im not saying thats the lineup i want but thats the one i think we'll get. torts had such a different identity than AV and you can't just erase the time Torts was here. we drafted for tht team and build for that team. if the rangers are truly going to push for the cup in the next 5 years this MSL trade is just the beginning of ballsy moves slats is goin to make.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Ott as the 2C

ROFL

 

[Calad]

Canadian dollar has tanked, cap wont be rising to 71 mill

 

[Samuel Culper III]

As much as I love the guy, pretty much more than any Ranger ever, sometimes I think I'd rather Hank not get his cup or get traded somewhere else, where they're actually ready to contend for real, later on, than keep making stupid moves that set the franchise back, trying to "go for it" before the Lundqvist window closes. Personally, I don't see us winning a cup in the next 5 years almost regardless of what we do, because I think our foundation and groundwork is so shoddy and our leadership (front office, not on ice) so clueless and behind the curve that we just can't become an actual contender in the vein of Chicago or Boston, without a complete tear down reconstruction. And I mean complete. The front office has to be torn down and rebuilt before touching the roster even makes sense. This can't happen with Hank here, and won't happen with Glen here, so it's a moot point on all fronts. I think this team if fundamental flawed, right through to the core, and cannot become a contender, personally.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Why are we trading Talbot for a backup goalie and MAYBE a pick or prospect . . . ?

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

i meant like a high pick and* prospect to make up for the MSL trade

 

[Joey Bones]

i meant like a high pick and* prospect to make up for the MSL trade

How high are you talking? We aren't getting a 2nd or 3rd. He's not worth that much. I'd say keep him and worry about more relative problems like identity.

 

[jacko23]

you want Steve Ott as your 2C and you would rather keep Dorsett over Carcillo? all things equal, i hated Carcillo before he came here, but he's got much more to offer than Dorsett, who only offers bad timed penalties.

 

[5 4 Fighting]

Let go of Brad, trade MSL for what you can at the draft. Maybe a 1st next year, sign Stastny, drop Dorsett

Hagelin-Stastny-Nash
Kreider-Stepan-Zuccarello
Pouliot-Miller-Brassard
Boyle-Moore-Carcillo

McDonagh-Girardi
Staal/Stalman
Moore-Klein
McIlrath
Diaz

Hank
Talbot

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

Ott as a second line center?

Trade MSL fro "whatever you can"?

Ugh.....

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

I'll put this chair here. And another….here. Ooo! And one other there. Say, isn't that an iceberg?

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

Lundqvist will have all the Ranger records but no cup. This team as constructed isn't good enough now or in the coming years. The prospect pool is a joke, and we're trading picks away for a 38 year old who won't put us over the top because we're not good enough. Kristo or Fast on the third line is a recipe for disaster. McIlrath still not ready next year? That'll be 5, half a ****ing decade since he's been drafted and he's still not ready? But he's only 22 Joke, buy out Richards, sign Stastny, 2-3 years get rid of Stastny it's the same ****ing thing every time. 1 championship in 75 years. Yeah the 1974 Rangers have nothing to do with the 2014 Rangers but there's always been one constant and that's ****** front office management.

 

[Kakko]

Lundqvist will have all the Ranger records but no cup. This team as constructed isn't good enough now or in the coming years. The prospect pool is a joke, and we're trading picks away for a 38 year old who won't put us over the top because we're not good enough. Kristo or Fast on the third line is a recipe for disaster. McIlrath still not ready next year? That'll be 5, half a ****ing decade since he's been drafted and he's still not ready? But he's only 22 Joke, buy out Richards, sign Stastny, 2-3 years get rid of Stastny it's the same ****ing thing every time. 1 championship in 75 years. Yeah the 1974 Rangers have nothing to do with the 2014 Rangers but there's always been one constant and that's ****** front office management.

Wouldn't be a Rangers thread without someone ******** on McIlrath for no reason.

Here's a tip: if you don't like him, stop obsessing over him, and just forget him

 

[I Eat Crow]

What the Rangers do in the offseason largely depends on who's the GM. If Sather retires, I can see him going on a bonanza to make a run at it next season. If he's not, I think we see a more conservative approach.

What I'd do is something like this:

-a Richards buyout is the first order of business.

-I'd bring back D.Moore if he'll sign for under 1.5 million. Very valuable PK'er.

-Ditto for Boyle. If he'll take less than 2 million, sign me up.

-I would see if there is a taker for John Moore. If some team would cough up a high pick or equivalent out of favor player for him, I'd pull the trigger. I still think there's hope for him, but I've just been very "blah" about his play this year. No real development offensively or defensively. He's looking like he may top out as a bottom pairing defenseman.

-I'd bring Stralman back if he backs off of his more than 3.5 million/season demand. If not, he's too rich. I'd look at other options.

-Start extension talks with Staal. Get him signed to a 6-7 year deal worth about 5.5-6 million a year.

-Sign Zuccarello to a bridge deal. 2 years, 3 million.

-Qualify Brassard at 3.7 million. Sink or swim for him. He'll be counted on to be our 2nd line center.

-With Richards' money, I would offer Thomas Vanek a contract worth up to 7.5 million. The Rangers need a good right handed shot for the power play. Ryan Haggerty isn't the answer. This gives the Rangers fantastic depth on the wings.

I'd roll with this and go to war:

Vanek-Stepan-MSL
Hagelin-Brassard-Nash
Kreider-Miller-Zuccarello
Boyle-Moore-Carcillo
Dorsett

McDonagh-Girardi
Staal-Stralman
Allen/Trade/FA-Klein

Lundqvist
Talbot

Fast, Kristo, Lindberg, McIlrath are the first call ups

 

[AHB*]

This idea sucks.

My plan.

1) Trade MSL to recoup a first rounder.
2) Trade Nash for some picks/prospects, if possible. If not, compliance buy him out.
3) If you can move Nash, use the compliance on Richards. If not, do a regular buyout on him.
4) Don't sign Paul Stastny or any other high-priced UFA
5) Sign our young RFA's. Kreider, Brass, Moore, etc.
6) Bring back the 4th line
7) Trade Dorsett for a pick.
8) Let Stralman Walk
9) Shop Stepan or Kreider in a package for a young, center prospect. Make a list of 15and call on every one.
10) Go to war and don't worry about a cup. Worry about moving forward. Worry about Development.

What I'd like to see next year.

Kreider-Young Center Prospect for Stepan-Zucc
Hagelin-Brassard-UFA RW/Prospect
Pouliot-Miller-Fast
Boyle-D. Moore/Lindberg-Carcillo

McD-Girardi
Staal-Klein
Allen-Moore

 

[Whiplash27]

Tank for 2015 #1 pick. Only way this team will have guaranteed success.

 

[McDunna with Fries]

Talbot is as good as gone. If we don't trade him this year, it will be a mistake. His value is incredible for his contract ($562.5K cap hit through 2015). He's a UFA in 2015 so you must get value for him after this season. No way we pay him big bucks to sit behind hank, and no way we can compete against offers that will want to make him a #1 in 2015. Trade him in the offseason when he's at peak value.