Speculation: Trade Rumor/Speculation Thread XXIV: C'est la St. Louis?

[RGY]

I think Girardi would fetch quite a high price, so I have to agree. Ottawa's pick won't be a lottery one, so it isn't that far fetched.

I don't think Vatanen and OTT 1st is even enough for what Girardi will bring that team for a playoff run. I'd like a prospect back with him. Maybe Kerdiles. Like I said Girardi is the best defenseman on the market AINEC

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Depends on the pick and the prospect, but I'd feel a lot better about that than what's been bandied about by those who are all in for this year's POs.

I would still much rather get MSL at next year's deadline or, better yet... once he hits UFA, sign him to a series of 1-year contracts until he's done/wants to retire.

These are the types of options the team should've been looking at after '11-12.

But gutting the roster and seeing what happens is more fun, I guess.

 

[RangerBoy]

The Rangers should look into moving some of their other group IIIs like Boyle and maybe Stralman if G re-signs. You never let the asset expire. You don't tie up the roster with long term contracts with no trade or no move clauses. Maintain flexibility to make changes. Girardi and Callahan will get no move or no trades or some type of limited no trade in their next contract. Lundqvist got a no move.

 

[RGY]

Won't happen.

That's your opinion.

 

[Fitzy]

Do you think that a trade of Girardi for Vatanen on its own would hurt us though?

I guess it depends on how you rate Stralman and Klein.

Technically, given McDonagh's ability it isn't totally ridiculous to think that Klein, playing with him, wouldn't be very effective in that partnership. Klein isn't bad, and we know how playing with a great blueliner can make their partner play better by comparison.

Vatanen improves our offensive ability from the blueline. You can play him in the top 4 when we need a goal, Klein in the top 4 when we need to protect the lead. It allows us to specialize our defenseman's roles, rather than playing Giardi all the time in every role.

 

[RGY]

The Rangers should look into moving some of their other group IIIs like Boyle and maybe Stralman if G re-signs. You never let the asset expire. You don't tie up the roster with long term contracts with no trade or no move clauses. Maintain flexibility to make changes. Girardi and Callahan will get no move or no trades or some type of limited no trade in their next contract. Lundqvist got a no move.

Rather hold onto Boyle and Stralman and try to re-sign them whether G re-signs or not. If G does not re-sign and is traded then they need to re-sign Stralman.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

People stress size too much on defense. The Rangers need skill. They have good defensive d-men and more on the way. They have no player who can really push the pace and provide some offense. MDZ was supposed to be that player. Moore looks more like a 2-way guy. Those guys are valuable.

Vatanen is 5'10. So is Timmonen. Karlsson isn't much larger. Krug. These players can skate. Will they get out-muscled from time to time? Sure. But this isn't clutch and grab hockey anymore.

Exactly.

It's also worth noting that he's got a good, solid frame - he's listed as 8 pounds heavier than Karlsson, despite being 2 inches shorter.

 

[Larrybiv]

Thats not the point. You would be trading Miller for Kesler because Kesler is a lot better of a player right now and will be for the next few years even if he does eventually break down. If you are going to try to win a cup, you are going to have to give up your prospects for the players that will help your team win the cup.

And this is what Anaheim is doing. So, if they are willing to give up Vatanen, then we should ask for more. We are in position to impose. Unlike Tampa and Stevie Y's position. We hold the cards here, in both cases. But please, keep Dan.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

The world doesnt end with Boyle and Stralman walking.

Those guys were acquired for nothing, and they're UFAs who can be replaced in July. In a perfect world, yeah, you flip a 3rd for Boyle and then Boyle for a 2nd, and flip a tryout and Stralman to a 3rd or 4th.

But the Rangers cant subtract all four UFAs at the deadline. Subtract the two everybody covets. Keep the two who will help you remain competitive.

If they keep both and they both walk, big deal. Fans overrate these role players but in the end, they're as expendable as anybody.

Like the people who think Prust was some key cog because he stood up for teammates. Please. He stunk his last year here. Couldnt connect a pass or clear the zone.

 

[AHB*]

Replacing G & Cally with SV & MSL makes the team weaker certainly now. Vatanen is not ready to step in and play 20-25 minutes. Klein could take some of that load, but not all.

MSL is better then Cally short-term as well. Neither player is the solution long term.

This trade makes us better long term simply due to Vatanen.

 

[Thirty One]

Do you think that a trade of Girardi for Vatanen on its own would hurt us though?

That's a big downgrade, for sure. But St. Louis is elite so I think its a net gain.

 

[RangerBoy]

Girardi is better off going to the free agent market. He requested 6 years and $33M last November. Sather played the haggling game hoping to get Girardi down. Didn't work. Then the Rangers offer the money and term 3 months after he asked for it. Girardi doesn't appear in a rush to sign for that much closer to free agency.

 

[McRanger]

These are the types of options the team should've been looking at after '11-12.

But gutting the roster and seeing what happens is more fun, I guess.

Trading a handful of bottom 6 forwards is gutting the roster?

I can never tell if you are trying to be dramatic or actually believe some of the stuff you write.

 

[E-Train]

Girardi is better off going to the free agent market. He requested 6 years and $33M last November. Sather played the haggling game hoping to get Girardi down. Didn't work. Then the Rangers offer the money and term 3 months after he asked for it. Girardi doesn't appear in a rush to sign for that much closer to free agency.

The return has to be maximized here. There will be offers other than Anaheim's. Should really be getting some nice pieces. Too bad Sather refused to add the 6th year in the fall. $5.5 million in his age 35 season wouldn't be terrible, certainly not horrific like paying Callahan $7 million at age 35.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Trading a handful of bottom 6 forwards is gutting the roster?

I can never tell if you are trying to be dramatic or actually believe some of the stuff you write.

Dubinsky, Anisimov, Prust, Fedotenko, Mitchell

Thats 5 of 12 forwards - almost half the total that went to the conference finals. Dont mind the Nash trade, but they kept letting guys go with no means to replace them. That happened 2 years ago and the team is just now starting to get out from under it.

The point is, Ill always be in favor of adding to a successful roster rather than deleting and adding pieces to a puzzle.

 

[Larrybiv]

Personally I wouldn't mess with the D at all, after the Klein trade everything on the back end has been sold.

Again Barbara, I said same earlier......different words though. Leave this defense "AS IS".

YEAH, give Girardi to an already stacked Anaheim team......and even if we get extremely lucky to get to cup........Dan will be their icing on cake inside their cup. (Sarcasm, not at u Barbara)

 

[AHB*]

Dubinsky, Anisimov, Prust, Fedotenko, Mitchell

Thats 5 of 12 forwards - almost half the total that went to the conference finals. Dont mind the Nash trade, but they kept letting guys go with no means to replace them. That happened 2 years ago and the team is just now starting to get out from under it.

The point is, Ill always be in favor of adding to a successful roster rather than deleting and adding pieces to a puzzle.

Couldn't agree with this more. It's not the idea or occurence of the Nash trade. It's the fact the half the team was gutted after finishing 1st and going to the ECF. You add to that, you don't gut it.

 

[Larry Melnyk]

Say, we don't lose anyone from the roster outside of Callahan and Girardi for Vatanen and MSL, are a better team this year?

For the POs and the PO stretch run, I think you take a big hit in losing Girardi (defense, experience, nastiness) for something like Vatanen... while both Cally and St. Louis are important PO type Performers with different qualities....But, not sure if this year's POs matter much around here as much as the POs six years from now...

 

[RGY]

Dubinsky, Anisimov, Prust, Fedotenko, Mitchell

Thats 5 of 12 forwards - almost half the total that went to the conference finals. Dont mind the Nash trade, but they kept letting guys go with no means to replace them. That happened 2 years ago and the team is just now starting to get out from under it.

The point is, Ill always be in favor of adding to a successful roster rather than deleting and adding pieces to a puzzle.

I have to agree BRB....there was just too much turnover. You need consistency. This game requires chemistry more than the other sports for in game action, especially with decision making imo. I played baseball competitively and chemistry is necessary to build team cohesion through a long season, but only one player can be in the batter's box and the ball starts in one player's hand, the pitcher. Basketball, one freakish athlete can take over a game while the other 4 are there for support. Football is similar in that the ball is in the QB's hand distributing to his receivers. We've seen Brady make low key players become closer to household names. Hockey needs that chemistry. You can't develop that with too much roster turnover. Look at team Canada, they wanted guys that played together.

 

[Kovalev27]

If these guys play tonigjt I will be pissed

Sather should have handled this one way or another by now. This is flat out irresponsible to let these guys dress tonight

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Here's what bothers me about the Girardi trade. Before other than goaltender we had a strength in D to fall back on. We were deep at O, but not great. Now with Girardi gone where will our strength be? Even with MSL there are offenses that will be much better than ours.

 

[Vitto79]

Girardi is better off going to the free agent market. He requested 6 years and $33M last November. Sather played the haggling game hoping to get Girardi down. Didn't work. Then the Rangers offer the money and term 3 months after he asked for it. Girardi doesn't appear in a rush to sign for that much closer to free agency.

if he wants to take good money and be a Ranger he signs and if he doesn't he has to know hes going to be dealt

 

[Punxrocknyc19*]

If these guys play tonigjt I will be pissed

Sather should have handled this one way or another by now. This is flat out irresponsible to let these guys dress tonight

i think if they would be scratched, a trade would be close. maybe their is no trade at all, and Sather will do nothing.. it wont shock me if it did and he will say we just didnt find the right deal.

 

[NJRangers35]

Dubinsky, Anisimov, Prust, Fedotenko, Mitchell

Thats 5 of 12 forwards - almost half the total that went to the conference finals. Dont mind the Nash trade, but they kept letting guys go with no means to replace them. That happened 2 years ago and the team is just now starting to get out from under it.

The point is, Ill always be in favor of adding to a successful roster rather than deleting and adding pieces to a puzzle.

Rupp and Gaborik as well. That is 7 out of 12 forwards gone from that team. Crazy how that was 2 seasons ago and we completely blew up that core.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Here's what bothers me about the Girardi trade. Before other than goaltender we had a strength in D to fall back on. We were deep at O, but not great. Now with Girardi gone where will our strength be? Even with MSL there are offenses that will be much better than ours.

I still think Girardi stays if I were a betting man, but yea, it wasnt too long ago where the defense was hardly a concern.