Speculation: Trade / Roster Speculation Thread XXXIII: Clever Title Pending

[Giglio NYR15]

Why is signing Stastny the only option?

What other centers are available? We certaintly dont have the assets to trade for a top young center, unless we hit some magic gem in the draft. Id much rather get Duchene or O'Reilly or even a Johansen or Kadri, but they arent really attainable and how many first round draft picks can we trade away before we end up like the Knicks of the last 10 years. Stastny is the only available C on the FA market who can replace richards production, and is 28.

 

[Tawnos]

We don't need to replace Richards, I think is his point.

Is Stepan-Brassard-Miller going to be significantly worse than Stepan-Brassard-Richards?

Not at even strength it won't. And hopefully St Louis will replace Richards PP production.

Say no to Stastny. We already have 2 average skaters down the middle

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

If the Rangers head into the offseason with Richards or Stastny being the only solutions, they've already lost.

 

[Giglio NYR15]

We don't need to replace Richards, I think is his point.

Is Stepan-Brassard-Miller going to be significantly worse than Stepan-Brassard-Richards?

Not at even strength it won't. And hopefully St Louis will replace Richards PP production.

Say no to Stastny. We already have 2 average skaters down the middle

I used to have full confidence in Miller stepping into the 3rd line, but who knows how much confidence this organization really has in him now, or if hes better on the wing. In a perfect world the other 2 move up, and Miller and Kristo step into 3rd line next year with solid rookie year production, but maybe thats a pipe dream. I guess to me the bottom line is that I dont feel its feasible to keep richards to 39 with that cap hit.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I used to have full confidence in Miller stepping into the 3rd line, but who knows how much confidence this organization really has in him now, or if hes better on the wing. In a perfect world the other 2 move up, and Miller and Kristo step into 3rd line next year with solid rookie year production, but maybe thats a pipe dream. I guess to me the bottom line is that I dont feel its feasible to keep richards to 39 with that cap hit.

So just because Miller can't fit into the 3rd line next year means they should sign a guy for 7 years?

Makes no sense.

 

[Trxjw]

We don't need to replace Richards, I think is his point.

Is Stepan-Brassard-Miller going to be significantly worse than Stepan-Brassard-Richards?

Not at even strength it won't. And hopefully St Louis will replace Richards PP production.

Say no to Stastny. We already have 2 average skaters down the middle

I'd argue that yes, that would be significantly worse than what we have now, and I'm one of Richards' biggest detractors. Miller has proven absolutely nothing at this level. Richards had 32 ES points this year. Miller has what? 6 career points? Relying on him to even sniff that ES production as a rookie is pretty unrealistic, IMO.

This team can't come into camp next year looking for Miller to fill that role. He hasn't shown any ability thus far to be able to do it. That doesn't mean I'm advocating for Stastny or a signing of that ilk, but it's way, way too much to ask of Miller.

 

[Giglio NYR15]

So just because Miller can't fit into the 3rd line next year means they should sign a guy for 7 years?

Makes no sense.

I didnt say that guy calm down...I was just looking at the options regarding UFA, specifically someone who would step in replacing richards role. Not saying for or against it, discussing options. Im one of Miller's biggest fans and hope thats the case. To me at the end of the day you better your team the most through the draft, all these teams have great young talented stud centers drafted, we have nothing too amazing besides Step, who will be 24 in 2 mths.

 

[NYR Viper]

I think people are over-thinking this. Lindberg/Miller as the 3/4c geting ~8-10 minutes a night as they get their feet wet and then re-sign Dom Moore as the 3/4c getting the same to start the year. Use Moore's line as a shut-down line. Use the other in more offensive situations.

They have to develop another center. This is how it's done.

I still think they need to add some more size and physical play to their top-9 though. Kreider can't do it all himself.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I didnt say that guy calm down...I was just looking at the options regarding UFA, specifically someone who would step in replacing richards role. Not saying for or against it, discussing options. Im one of Miller's biggest fans and hope thats the case. To me at the end of the day you better your team the most through the draft, all these teams have great young talented stud centers drafted, we have nothing too amazing besides Step, who will be 24 in 2 mths.

Oh ok, because I don't know what got me thinking the only choice is Richards vs. Stastny....

Unfortunately for the Rangers, it's either Richards albatross contract or Stastny possible albatross contract.

And yea i guess thats the real logical way to look at it

 

[Giglio NYR15]

Oh ok, because I don't know what got me thinking the only choice is Richards vs. Stastny....

Yes as both contracts being an albatross. In comparison to eachother, 1 is clearly the lesser of the 2 evils. strictly richards vs stastny. Though stastny could quite possible be an albatross contract, richards will most definitely be that alot sooner...6 more yrs of 6.67 till 39 yrs old. Stastny is 28. That was my point in comparing eachother.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Yes as both contracts being an albatross. In comparison to eachother, 1 is clearly the lesser of the 2 evils. strictly richards vs stastny. Though stastny could quite possible be an albatross contract, richards will most definitely be that alot sooner...6 more yrs of 6.67 till 39 yrs old. Stastny is 28. That was my point in comparing eachother.

Ill take door #3, the one that doesn't involve an albatross.

 

[Giglio NYR15]

Ill take door #3, the one that doesn't involve an albatross.

Not usually Glen Sathers m.o.

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

What centers are available this offseason? We don't have to have a long term fix, but I do think a more physical presence is needed. There is only 1 true way to find out if miller is ready and that is to play him without holds.

 

[Ian]

Here's the UFA centers for this offseason:

Stastny
Jokinen
Legwand
D. Roy
Saku Koivu
Bolland
Grabovski
Ott

Omitting the rest since it's basically a trash pile at that point (not counting D Moore or B. Boyle).

As a pure skill/style of play replacement for Richards, Legwand would probably make the most sense. But he's 34 on opening night and likely they'd be back to square one the following year (Would he take a 1-2 year deal? I don't think so).

Is it worth overpaying Ott or Bolland? Because they're going to get overpaid for really no reason.

Grabovski is probably the most interesting FA play from a pure talent perspective, but I don't see him leaving the Caps.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Not usually Glen Sathers m.o.

I support any decision that goes against Glen Sather's M.O

 

[TheTakedown]

Here's the UFA centers for this offseason:

Stastny
Jokinen
Legwand
D. Roy
Saku Koivu
Bolland
Grabovski
Ott

Omitting the rest since it's basically a trash pile at that point (not counting D Moore or B. Boyle).

As a pure skill/style of play replacement for Richards, Legwand would probably make the most sense. But he's 34 on opening night and likely they'd be back to square one the following year (Would he take a 1-2 year deal? I don't think so).

Is it worth overpaying Ott or Bolland? Because they're going to get overpaid for really no reason.

Grabovski is probably the most interesting FA play from a pure talent perspective, but I don't see him leaving the Caps.

If the caps decide to clean house its very possible, but he's a 2C at best. guy has never produced more than 58 points, and averages 50 points a season. that's a 3C... with Stepan leading the way with his 60 points. that's not enough production from the Center depth.

Legwand is an interesting option. averaged 48 points per over the past 8 seasons, so he's a solid 3C, but that entails moved Brassard up to the 2nd line. Unless that second line of Poo-Brass-Zucc continues to be a magic wand, I don't see Legwand really making a dent in production on the center depth.

Then again if we are looking at this from a cost perspective, all of these players are side-grades from Richards, who has never produced more than 55 points here anyway. So either one of these players is servicable. Miller on the other hand is not... not this season, not at the beginning of this coming season either

 

[Trxjw]

Someday we'll have an off-season where UFA's aren't the "go to" for adding players.

This team needs size in the middle. A guy who can play 16-18 minutes a game and center a line with likely Hagelin and one of Fast or Miller. They don't have the assets to make a big splash for a top-line center, so add a solid 3rd line option. Patrik Berglund is a guy who had success in a more offensive-minded system, but also has the 200ft game to be a solid 3rd line center. RFA. Only 25 years old. Might be a cap casualty if the Blues re-sign Miller.

 

[Mr Clutch]

I really like max lapierres game. If we can't resign dom Moore or Boyle I would hope sather would take a look at him

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

I really like max lapierres game. If we can't resign dom Moore or Boyle I would hope sather would take a look at him

He's signed for next season.

 

[Mr Clutch]

He's signed for next season.

Thx wasn't sure if he was or not

 

[CommaSynapse]

Someday we'll have an off-season where UFA's aren't the "go to" for adding players.

This team needs size in the middle. A guy who can play 16-18 minutes a game and center a line with likely Hagelin and one of Fast or Miller. They don't have the assets to make a big splash for a top-line center, so add a solid 3rd line option. Patrik Berglund is a guy who had success in a more offensive-minded system, but also has the 200ft game to be a solid 3rd line center. RFA. Only 25 years old. Might be a cap casualty if the Blues re-sign Miller.

I've always liked Berglund, but with Brassard and Miller, I wasn't sure how he would fit.

If Boyle or Moore go, I'd be interested in giving a guy like Drew Miller a look for the wing. Plays good on the PK, pretty good defensively, but limited offense.

 

[Tawnos]

I'd argue that yes, that would be significantly worse than what we have now, and I'm one of Richards' biggest detractors. Miller has proven absolutely nothing at this level. Richards had 32 ES points this year. Miller has what? 6 career points? Relying on him to even sniff that ES production as a rookie is pretty unrealistic, IMO.

This team can't come into camp next year looking for Miller to fill that role. He hasn't shown any ability thus far to be able to do it. That doesn't mean I'm advocating for Stastny or a signing of that ilk, but it's way, way too much to ask of Miller.

I should mention that Miller was a placeholder as much as a legit option in my post. Lindberg is another potential option. Bringing in an actual 3rd line C being paid like a 3rd line C is another option, via trade if necessary.

That being said, I would be more surprised to see Miller put up less than 10 ES points with full-time minutes at center next year than I would be to see him hit 30. It's more likely we'd see 20-25 out of him, which is what I meant by not being much of a downgrade. Obviously we want more than 25 points out of a 3rd liner, but despite his NHL experience so far, he's still basically a rookie in my mind.

People discount what an entire summer of reevaluation, internalization and work can mean to young guys.

 

[Khelvan]

I'd argue that yes, that would be significantly worse than what we have now, and I'm one of Richards' biggest detractors. Miller has proven absolutely nothing at this level. Richards had 32 ES points this year. Miller has what? 6 career points? Relying on him to even sniff that ES production as a rookie is pretty unrealistic, IMO.

This team can't come into camp next year looking for Miller to fill that role. He hasn't shown any ability thus far to be able to do it. That doesn't mean I'm advocating for Stastny or a signing of that ilk, but it's way, way too much to ask of Miller.

I think the idea would be that Miller would slot in for Brassard, and the hope is that Brassard improves a bit and replaces Richards' production.

I don't think 35 points or so is out of the question for someone of Miller's talent playing for a full season. If Stepan and Brassard can improve by 5-10 points each it can make up for a rookie's limited production. It's not out of the question for them to do that, especially if the talent on the wings is better as well (St . Louis, Kreider improving, Zucc...).

 

[Raspewtin]

I kinda like the idea of Berglund, but he's yet another **** skater. We'd only have two centers that can skate and drive the pace. It's really frustrating.

 

[eco's bones]

Stastny really, really wants to stay in Colorado. I expect that will probably happen. If not--then there will be 28 other potential teams vying for his services but of course it would have to be the Rangers he'd choose--or maybe not. I don't know why people automatically assume.

The correct choice is to buy out Richards and let Miller and Lindbergh fight it out for the third spot. You buy out Brad before his contract has a chance to turn into something much worse than the Drury contract--that's called learning from the past. Letting JT and Oscar fight it out will save us some cap space and we'll still have an option of ma king a deal if neither works out but I suspect they won't do as bad as some people here would have us think. Miller IMO is close--a point a game player in Hartford. He deserves a real chance.