Speculation: Trade / Roster Speculation Thread XXXIV: Over the edge of being a little closer.

[Raspewtin]

I would really like to keep Stralman as well. There is no doubt he is a legit top-4 RHD which is super valuable, has a great first pass, and has been a great partner for Staal which has eased Marc's return to his usual self.

I do think he may have priced himself off the Rangers with the run they're on. Good for the Rangers and good for him, I wouldn't have it any other way. But he could easily be a $4-4.5Mx5 player on the open market. With Allen (and maaaybe McIlrath) ready to step in it may be best to reallocate that money.

Especially considering that with this run I have no doubt Brassard, Pouliot, Boyle, and Moore are seeing $ signs flashing in front of their eyes. Not to mention Zucc and Kreider who 100% will be kept. I think keeping the forward group together at this point has to take priority. This group has been successful because of their depth. Destroying that depth could be a step back.

If Stralman takes $3-3.5M of course no brainer. But I think he could (and should) get paid bigtime this summer. I think Boyle is gonna be in a similar spot as well. Don't blame either player.

With Niskanen being the best D on the market (hahaha), Stralman will make 4 million easily. If he stays, it'll be for a discount. Though I really want him to stay. I want this whole group of UFAs to stay, hell even Richards (can't happen, though).

My big desire though is a shut-down center who can provide some offense. A Jordan Staal like player. Part of the reason Stepan, Nash, and MSL were so cold is because they were also given the task of blanking the other team's best players, which they did an excellent job of. If we could get say Jordan Staal, and have him center Hagelin and MSL or Nash, I'd deploy them against team's top lines, and Let Stepan, Kreider, and MSL/Nash get the offensive zone time.

AV had this luxury in Vancouver where he could give the Sedins and Burrows all the OFF zone starts, and give Kesler and his linemates the rough matchups.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

With Niskanen being the best D on the market (hahaha), Stralman will make 4 million easily. If he stays, it'll be for a discount. Though I really want him to stay. I want this whole group of UFAs to stay, hell even Richards (can't happen, though).

My big desire though is a shut-down center who can provide some offense. A Jordan Staal like player. Part of the reason Stepan, Nash, and MSL were so cold is because they were also given the task of blanking the other team's best players, which they did an excellent job of. If we could get say Jordan Staal, and have him center Hagelin and MSL or Nash, I'd deploy them against team's top lines, and Let Stepan, Kreider, and MSL/Nash get the offensive zone time.

AV had this luxury in Vancouver where he could give the Sedins and Burrows all the OFF zone starts, and give Kesler and his linemates the rough matchups.

Yea fwiw I absolutely agree. I was chomping at the bit when Jordan Staal was rumored to be acquired at the trade deadline. If/when Richards is bought out I am a big proponent of having a player like him as 3c (defensive/matchup guy who can score a decent amount) with Stepan & Brassard anchoring offensive units.

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

I'm very excited for next yr. if we keep the brassard line together I think zucc is easily a 60 point guy again and pouliot will get better. And how can u not be excited to watch kreider next yr. he's easily becoming a favorite player for me

 

[Raspewtin]

I might get shot for this, but anyone have any interest in Burrows if he gets bought out?

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Yea fwiw I absolutely agree. I was chomping at the bit when Jordan Staal was rumored to be acquired at the trade deadline. If/when Richards is bought out I am a big proponent of having a player like him as 3c (defensive/matchup guy who can score a decent amount) with Stepan & Brassard anchoring offensive units.

Ive also been a proponent of having a defense-first checking center as a pivot for the 3rd line, but I have to admit this years team is proving that philosophy wrong.

The Brassard line has been so successful because, offensively, it is a deeper unit than most teams have in the league.

 

[Thirty One]

I might get shot for this, but anyone have any interest in Burrows if he gets bought out?

I would. Can't imagine he will be bought out though.

 

[ecemleafs]

Ive also been a proponent of having a defense-first checking center as a pivot for the 3rd line, but I have to admit this years team is proving that philosophy wrong.

The Brassard line has been so successful because, offensively, it is a deeper unit than most teams have in the league.

with a 4th line having moore and boyle on it we just moved the checking line down a line and added another scoring line.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I think Stralman should be signed to at most an upwards of $4.5M. Something like $3.8M would be amazing.

 

[AHB*]

I might get shot for this, but anyone have any interest in Burrows if he gets bought out?

Isn't he a RW? We have no room for any more RW's. Unless we're paying him 1-2 Mil and he's playing on the 4th line. In that case, sign me up.

 

[Trxjw]

Ive also been a proponent of having a defense-first checking center as a pivot for the 3rd line, but I have to admit this years team is proving that philosophy wrong.

The Brassard line has been so successful because, offensively, it is a deeper unit than most teams have in the league.

Agreed. AV's style of defense is focused around keeping the puck in the offensive zone. Besides, I don't think we really have the pieces on this roster to form the other 2/3rds of a shutdown line if we were to acquire a shutdown center. If we're on the market for a C, it's because Richards is bought out and we need someone to center Hagelin and MSL. That doesn't exactly scream shutdown line, IMO. However, some size and finish in the middle could go a long way there.

 

[Trxjw]

Isn't he a RW? We have no room for any more RW's. Unless we're paying him 1-2 Mil and he's playing on the 4th line. In that case, sign me up.

Plays both sides of center.

 

[Raspewtin]

Isn't he a RW? We have no room for any more RW's. Unless we're paying him 1-2 Mil and he's playing on the 4th line. In that case, sign me up.

He plays either side. When played with Henrik and Daniel I believe he was on LW.

Would love to have him in a defensive or checking role.

 

[Cassano]

Please...


Don't defend him like its your last thing before you die becuase he is a swede. Im a swede to.

If Stralman are asking to much, let him go and i dont want to trade Klein, long time we had suc a beast n our own side of the field

I do admit I am a bit biased due to Swedish influence, but Stralman is a legitimately good player. A thoroughbred for the defense.

In reference to his bad luck, his on-ice sh% the past 2 years was 9.04% and 9.76% respectively. This year it was only 6.76%. His PDO also felt significantly this year in comparison to his two previous years, insinuating that he had bad luck on the ice at least from an offensive perspective.

Blue Blooded is right, this is the best time to sign Stralman because I do think he can become a 20-30 pt dman next year with more luck.

 

[AHB*]

He plays either side. When played with Henrik and Daniel I believe he was on LW.

Would love to have him in a defensive or checking role.

I don't think he gets bought out, but if AV likes him, then he would be good on that 2nd line LW spot, in between Kreider and Hags.

 

[NYR Viper]

I still think they should target a bigger bodied, speedy LWer

 

[emodwarf]

Don't want Umberger. He'd be a better fit for the Bruins. Really lost a step in his skating, he was scratched in the playoffs for not fitting well with CBJ's speed and snarl approach.

Didn't Umberger turn down signing with the Rangers years back? We traded for his rights and he said heck no.

And even if he's changed his tune, considering how this current Rangers team favors speed, I don't want an old and slow RJ Umberger anywhere near it.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

I still think they should target a bigger bodied, speedy LWer

Thomas Vanek?

 

[NYR Viper]

Thomas Vanek?

Not the worst idea. Net front presence for the PP as well.

 

[slipknottin]

I still think they should target a bigger bodied, speedy LWer

Think they would have to trade for one, but not sure what they have to trade.

Kristo + Fast + Lindberg?

Draft picks are mostly gone, and dont think they want to trade Hagelin.

 

[AHB*]

Not the worst idea. Net front presence for the PP as well.

He'll cost far to much long-term. Even if we buy out Richie, which IMO, seems to be extremely slim at this point, especially if we make it to the finals.

 

[Matt4776]

Zero interest trading Hags. His game is one that gets more valuable when the checking is tighter in the playoffs. Won't be too expensive. I think our LWs are set both for next year and we have decent organizational depth at the position with our three 3rd rounders, two of which had very very good rookie years.

I think we'll see minimal turnover. I think we buyout Richie and let Miller replace his ES time. His speed would fit well with Hags/Kreider+MSL.

That leaves a hole on the PP. As Ola said, we have nobody on our roster with PP experience even in the AHL (at the point that is). We also have no gunner on the point.

I love Stralman and think he's criminally underrated by this franchise, but I think we should look into packaging one of Stralman/Klein for a young up and coming offensive d-man that has experience on the point with top-4 potential. Think Rundblad from a few years ago (back when he still had potential). Again, I absolutely love Stralsy, but I can't see McD, G, or Staal getting traded as they are either letter-wearers on this team or the best player on our team (Hank not included). At the same time, we can't sign and then immediately trade Stralsy, so maybe Klein makes more sense, but does he have a lot of value?

My thoughts are everywhere because frankly I'm more concerned with the present. But for next year, I think we really need that RH PP presence, and I sure as hell hope we don't cop out by signing Dan Boyle.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Thomas Vanek?

Don't have the cap space.

We already have Kreider to provide size and speed at LW. We also have Pouliot, who we should absolutely re-sign.

 

[Inferno]

Habs are talking about healthy scratching Vanek for Galchenyek...he's been pretty awful for them of late. a tip machine, but nothing else.

 

[mike14]

He'll cost far to much long-term. Even if we buy out Richie, which IMO, seems to be extremely slim at this point, especially if we make it to the finals.

I'm not sure I'd want Vanek, but surely with MSL coming off the books after next season you could squeeze him in for 2014-15 and then replace MSL with someone like Fast in 15-16 while using the MSL $$ for raises?

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

Habs are talking about healthy scratching Vanek for Galchenyek...he's been pretty awful for them of late. a tip machine, but nothing else.

Lol, I would find that hard to believe. Would be really dumb on Montreal's part.

If nothing else, Vanek being out there makes the Rangers keep on eye on him. He's still one of the best snipers in the NHL, and very good on the PP.

Hope Montreal scratches him, would make things easier for us.