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

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Moving Staal might be a necessity? I don't think that is something you can do unless the team wins it all this year. The Hawks took that step back after winning a cup, which makes it much easier to swallow for the fans. Win the cup and re-tool? Sure, but if they come this close and dismantle it like they did in the summer of 2012, they'll be burning off additional years that guys like MSL don't necessarily have left.

Honestly, I think that 3rd line collapses without Zucc. He's the motor, IMO.

I agree. Only get rid of valuable assets / rebuild after winning. We are very close now. Just give it a couple of more years. Also, rebuilding without 1st round picks for 2014 and 2015 might be tricky.

The best way to move forward is to either buy out Richards, or let some players walk. Keeping the team together is only possible if more than 1 person sacrifices some money for the greater good, so to speak.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Moving Staal might be a necessity? I don't think that is something you can do unless the team wins it all this year. The Hawks took that step back after winning a cup, which makes it much easier to swallow for the fans. Win the cup and re-tool? Sure, but if they come this close and dismantle it like they did in the summer of 2012, they'll be burning off additional years that guys like MSL don't necessarily have left.

Honestly, I think that 3rd line collapses without Zucc. He's the motor, IMO.

Again, I agree about Zucc. But, can the Rangers afford to keep all of the current important parts moving forward? Can they afford to sign Staal at the money they were offering Callahan, and is it a wise decision? Unfortunately, Skjei isn't ready to step right in, while Staal's situation needs to be addressed right away.

 

[RangerBoy]

$53,187,500 for 12 players. Amnesty Richards. $46,250,833 in 11 players. Brassard, Zuccarello and Kreider will cost $11 million. $57 million in 14 players. Cap is set at $69 million to $70 million. Leave $1 million to operate the team. Doesn't leave much.

 

[poeman]

Sounds more and more like Richards needs to be bought out. He has been really good this year, damn that contract stinks considering his overall play. I dont know what Sather's plans are but I hope it doesnt damage our future. We NEED Staal and Zucc

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Again, I agree about Zucc. But, can the Rangers afford to keep all of the current important parts moving forward? Can they afford to sign Staal at the money they were offering Callahan, and is it a wise decision? Unfortunately, Skjei isn't ready to step right in, while Staal's situation needs to be addressed right away.

Could work, if we try Miller or Lindberg to replace Richards. Diaz can take his role on the PP as the QB.

CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER
CapGeek Armchair GM Roster
FORWARDS
Chris Kreider ($2.500m) / Derek Stepan ($3.075m) / Rick Nash ($7.800m)
Carl Hagelin ($2.250m) / Oscar Lindberg ($0.675m) / Martin St. Louis ($5.625m)
Benoit Pouliot ($1.800m) / Derick Brassard ($3.700m) / Mats Zuccarello ($4.500m)
Brian Boyle ($2.500m) / Dominic Moore ($1.000m) / Derek Dorsett ($1.633m)
Jesper Fast ($0.805m)
DEFENSEMEN
Ryan McDonagh ($4.700m) / Dan Girardi ($5.500m)
Marc Staal ($3.975m) / Anton Stralman ($3.700m)
Raphael Diaz ($1.225m) / Kevin Klein ($2.900m)
Conor Allen ($0.925m) /
GOALTENDERS
Henrik Lundqvist ($8.500m)
Cameron Talbot ($0.563m)
BUYOUTS
Wade Redden ($0.000m)
Brad Richards ($0.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $69,850,833; BONUSES: $1,030,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $1,249,167

 

[poeman]

Could work, if we try Miller or Lindberg to replace Richards. Diaz can take his role on the PP as the QB.

CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER
CapGeek Armchair GM Roster
FORWARDS
Chris Kreider ($2.500m) / Derek Stepan ($3.075m) / Rick Nash ($7.800m)
Carl Hagelin ($2.250m) / Oscar Lindberg ($0.675m) / Martin St. Louis ($5.625m)
Benoit Pouliot ($1.800m) / Derick Brassard ($3.700m) / Mats Zuccarello ($4.500m)
Brian Boyle ($2.500m) / Dominic Moore ($1.000m) / Derek Dorsett ($1.633m)
Jesper Fast ($0.805m)
DEFENSEMEN
Ryan McDonagh ($4.700m) / Dan Girardi ($5.500m)
Marc Staal ($3.975m) / Anton Stralman ($3.700m)
Raphael Diaz ($1.225m) / Kevin Klein ($2.900m)
Conor Allen ($0.925m) /
GOALTENDERS
Henrik Lundqvist ($8.500m)
Cameron Talbot ($0.563m)
BUYOUTS
Wade Redden ($0.000m)
Brad Richards ($0.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $69,850,833; BONUSES: $1,030,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $1,249,167

relying on a rookie to be your second line center? Thats poor management at this point, he isnt even a elite prospect.

Oh boy, Sather are you able to pull off another miraculous trade

*Stares at my avatar*

 

[NYR Viper]

Again, I agree about Zucc. But, can the Rangers afford to keep all of the current important parts moving forward? Can they afford to sign Staal at the money they were offering Callahan, and is it a wise decision? Unfortunately, Skjei isn't ready to step right in, while Staal's situation needs to be addressed right away.

Yes, if they get into cap hell, you move someone and return assets. Letting a player like Staal go because Skjei may be ready in the future is not a good move.

$53,187,500 for 12 players. Amnesty Richards. $46,250,833 in 11 players. Brassard, Zuccarello and Kreider will cost $11 million. $57 million in 14 players. Cap is set at $69 million to $70 million. Leave $1 million to operate the team. Doesn't leave much.

There's space. Don't keep an extra d-man around for most of the year. Hartford will have McIlrath and Allen close by plus Bodie down there as well.

CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER
CapGeek Armchair GM Roster
FORWARDS
Chris Kreider ($2.500m) / Derek Stepan ($3.075m) / Martin St. Louis ($5.625m)
Mats Zuccarello ($3.900m) / Derick Brassard ($3.900m) / Rick Nash ($7.800m)
Carl Hagelin ($2.250m) / J.T. Miller ($0.894m) / Jesper Fast ($0.805m)
Brian Boyle ($2.300m) / Dominic Moore ($2.000m) / Derek Dorsett ($1.633m)
Daniel Carcillo ($0.825m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Dan Girardi ($5.500m) / Ryan McDonagh ($4.700m)
Marc Staal ($3.975m) / Anton Stralman ($3.600m)
John Moore ($1.350m) / Kevin Klein ($2.900m)
Conor Allen ($0.925m) /
GOALTENDERS
Henrik Lundqvist ($8.500m)
Cameron Talbot ($0.563m)
BUYOUTS
Wade Redden ($0.000m)
Brad Richards ($0.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $70,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $69,520,000; BONUSES: $1,295,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $480,000

 

[Ghost of jas]

Could work, if we try Miller or Lindberg to replace Richards. Diaz can take his role on the PP as the QB.

CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER
CapGeek Armchair GM Roster
FORWARDS
Chris Kreider ($2.500m) / Derek Stepan ($3.075m) / Rick Nash ($7.800m)
Carl Hagelin ($2.250m) / Oscar Lindberg ($0.675m) / Martin St. Louis ($5.625m)
Benoit Pouliot ($1.800m) / Derick Brassard ($3.700m) / Mats Zuccarello ($4.500m)
Brian Boyle ($2.500m) / Dominic Moore ($1.000m) / Derek Dorsett ($1.633m)
Jesper Fast ($0.805m)
DEFENSEMEN
Ryan McDonagh ($4.700m) / Dan Girardi ($5.500m)
Marc Staal ($3.975m) / Anton Stralman ($3.700m)
Raphael Diaz ($1.225m) / Kevin Klein ($2.900m)
Conor Allen ($0.925m) /
GOALTENDERS
Henrik Lundqvist ($8.500m)
Cameron Talbot ($0.563m)
BUYOUTS
Wade Redden ($0.000m)
Brad Richards ($0.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $69,850,833; BONUSES: $1,030,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $1,249,167

Yes, it works for next year It doesn't if you try to sign him long-term. And, much like the Callahan situation, is it a wise decision?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

relying on a rookie to be your second line center? Thats poor management at this point, he isnt even a elite prospect.

Oh boy, Sather are you able to pull off another miraculous trade

*Stares at my avatar*

Well, there is no 1st, 2nd or 3rd line on this team. The top9 plays around 16/17 minutes a game. Besides, Kreider is still a rookie

It just shows you this is not enough to compete next season. We need some Sather magic. Is Bob Gainey GM somewhere these days?

 

[NYR Viper]

relying on a rookie to be your second line center? Thats poor management at this point, he isnt even a elite prospect.

Oh boy, Sather are you able to pull off another miraculous trade

*Stares at my avatar*

Neither was Dubinsky. Stepan wasn't supposed to be ready. etc.

Lindberg or Miller need to make the team next season. One will be ready.

Fast or Kristo should be able to make the team as well. (2) spots.

 

[GAGLine]

The only reason Staal would get traded is if Sather knows he can't re-sign him in 2015. I don't see any reason why that would be the case, despite many people speculating for the last few years that Marc wants to play with his brothers. Carolina is a mess.

 

[NYR Viper]

Yes, it works for next year It doesn't if you try to sign him long-term. And, much like the Callahan situation, is it a wise decision?

Absolutely it is. The cap will go up. If someone needs to be dealt, deal them at that point. Maybe it's Klein as McIlrath is ready. Maybe it's Hagelin if someone else is ready or Fast looks to have solidified himself. Maybe it's Brassard if Miller or Lindberg take a step. Maybe it's Boyle. etc.

 

[RangerBoy]

Zuccarello is a 3rd line player. How much for a 3rd line player? A few weeks ESPN had a feature on vulnerable group two free agents and Zuccarello was on that list. They projected a 6 year $36 Million offer sheet. If a team put that sheet in front of the Rangers, they would never match it. Maybe the Rangers view Zuccarello as their way to rebuild the roster. More cap friendly players. Even with Richards getting a compliance buyout the cap situation is tight. Brassard is a center and they will need him. Kreider is the only player with size and strength at forward. The Rangers have Nash and MSL on the right side.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Absolutely it is. The cap will go up. If someone needs to be dealt, deal them at that point. Maybe it's Klein as McIlrath is ready. Maybe it's Hagelin if someone else is ready or Fast looks to have solidified himself. Maybe it's Brassard if Miller or Lindberg take a step. Maybe it's Boyle. etc.

So, why not Staal if Skjei is ready?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Zuccarello is a 3rd line player. How much for a 3rd line player? A few weeks ESPN had a feature on vulnerable group two free agents and Zuccarello was on that list. They projected a 6 year $36 Million offer sheet. If a team put that sheet in front of the Rangers, they would never match it. Maybe the Rangers view Zuccarello as their way to rebuild the roster. More cap friendly players. Even with Richards getting a compliance buyout the cap situation is tight. Brassard is a center and they will need him. Kreider is the only player with size and strength at forward. The Rangers have Nash and MSL on the right side.

If Zucc get's offered 6m/y, the Rangers won't match and we get 3 picks, if I'm correct. 1st, 2nd and 3rd rounder.

 

[Trxjw]

Again, I agree about Zucc. But, can the Rangers afford to keep all of the current important parts moving forward? Can they afford to sign Staal at the money they were offering Callahan, and is it a wise decision? Unfortunately, Skjei isn't ready to step right in, while Staal's situation needs to be addressed right away.

I guess it really comes down to which players the team considers most important, how the team fares in the next few weeks, and which direction the team wants to go next fall. There's no immediate replacement for Staal or Zuccarello in the organization, so unless those replacements come back in trade, we'd likely be trading a cap crunch in 2015 for a major step back in 2014.

 

[Trxjw]

Zuccarello is a 3rd line player. How much for a 3rd line player? A few weeks ESPN had a feature on vulnerable group two free agents and Zuccarello was on that list. They projected a 6 year $36 Million offer sheet. If a team put that sheet in front of the Rangers, they would never match it. Maybe the Rangers view Zuccarello as their way to rebuild the roster. More cap friendly players. Even with Richards getting a compliance buyout the cap situation is tight. Brassard is a center and they will need him. Kreider is the only player with size and strength at forward. The Rangers have Nash and MSL on the right side.

He might be a 3rd liner by ice-time, but he's also a guy who lead the team in regular season scoring, and is tied for the lead in playoff scoring. That's a lot of production to replace up front.

 

[NYR Viper]

Zuccarello is a 3rd line player. How much for a 3rd line player? A few weeks ESPN had a feature on vulnerable group two free agents and Zuccarello was on that list. They projected a 6 year $36 Million offer sheet. If a team put that sheet in front of the Rangers, they would never match it. Maybe the Rangers view Zuccarello as their way to rebuild the roster. More cap friendly players. Even with Richards getting a compliance buyout the cap situation is tight. Brassard is a center and they will need him. Kreider is the only player with size and strength at forward. The Rangers have Nash and MSL on the right side.

Where are the Rangers getting another 26 year old 60 point player who excels on the PP and makes every player he plays with better? 6 million is too much. 4 million? Not so much.

MZA is 10th on the Rangers in TOI for the playoffs, behind Richards who will be gone at years end, Diaz who has barely played in the playoffs and (4) d-men. 5th in TOI among forwards. 3rd liner?

Same exact spot for the regular season behind Callahan and MDZ who are both gone.

So, why not Staal if Skjei is ready?

Skjei is not ready. Very few players can step directly into a top-4 20+ minute/night role.

Re-sign Staal, let Skjei win a NHL job before getting rid of a top-pairing guy.

 

[jniklast]

Kreider, Zuccarello, Brassard and Moore, these are the RFA/UFAs we absolutely have to re-sign. Then the next tier: Stralman, Boyle and Pouliot, I'd like to keep, but a lot of their value for this team are cheap deals. If they want too much, we just can't (and shouldn't) bring them back.

 

[Ola]

Neither was Dubinsky. Stepan wasn't supposed to be ready. etc.

Lindberg or Miller need to make the team next season. One will be ready.

Fast or Kristo should be able to make the team as well. (2) spots.

I didn't even know we had a 1/2/3 line.

I would most def consider playing Miller between Kreider and Nash unless that line starts to produce.

Miller is a good hockey player. He has already played some really good games in the NHL. I believe he will be ready next season.

 

[Fitzy]

Zuccarello is a 3rd line player. How much for a 3rd line player? A few weeks ESPN had a feature on vulnerable group two free agents and Zuccarello was on that list. They projected a 6 year $36 Million offer sheet. If a team put that sheet in front of the Rangers, they would never match it. Maybe the Rangers view Zuccarello as their way to rebuild the roster. More cap friendly players. Even with Richards getting a compliance buyout the cap situation is tight. Brassard is a center and they will need him. Kreider is the only player with size and strength at forward. The Rangers have Nash and MSL on the right side.

Zuccarello:

4th in NYR forward TOI/game in the regular season
5th in NYR forward TOI/game in the playoffs

50th among league forwards in scoring (#2 overall forward on the top line of an average team)

You should work for a political campaign.

 

[Ola]

He might be a 3rd liner by ice-time, but he's also a guy who lead the team in regular season scoring, and is tied for the lead in playoff scoring. That's a lot of production to replace up front.

Yeah, and it was his first full year in the NHL.

And MSL is 39 y/o.

We are matching any offer for Zucc, believe me.

Slats will ask for input from AV, I know what is crucial for AV. No way he let's Zucc go. That is like Torts letting Cally go. Torts would have taken Cally over Stepan. Don't make AV choose between Zucc and Kreider.

 

[Ola]

Kreider, Zuccarello, Brassard and Moore, these are the RFA/UFAs we absolutely have to re-sign. Then the next tier: Stralman, Boyle and Pouliot, I'd like to keep, but a lot of their value for this team are cheap deals. If they want too much, we just can't (and shouldn't) bring them back.

Just pointing one thing out, you are giving up a lot if size in Poo and Boyle if not resigned.

 

[OverTheCap]

Staal should absolutely be a top priority in the offseason, he has been our most consistent defenseman in the playoffs. He cannot be easily replaced through free agency or from within the system. I think the Carolina ship has sailed as he made a comment about how his brothers are jealous that he gets to play in the postseason while they are merely spectators.

 

[jniklast]

Just pointing one thing out, you are giving up a lot if size in Poo and Boyle if not resigned.

That's true, and I think we should definitely retain at least one of them. It's just that a guy like Pouliot is so great for us, because he earns $1M. Now obviously he's due for a rise, but how much can and should we play? He loses most of his value if he earns $2M+ and we lose someone else (ie Boyle) because of that. Then I'd rather try our luck again on the scrap heap of free agenecy to find another cheap replacement or hope a kid can take his place. But I agree that size has to be considered with these decisions.