Speculation: Trade Rumors/Speculation Part IX: Dubinsky, Rozsival and a 2nd

[I Eat Crow]

I caught the replay of the 2012 Winter Classic against the Flyers last night on NHL Network. Everyone had a role and did it. The 3rd and 4th lines were filled with guys in Fedotenko, Prust, Mitchell, Hagelin, and Boyle that were good in both ends of the ice and can chip in the occasional goal or two. They put pressure on opposing defenses in the opponent's end. Fairies like Pouliot, Pyatt, and Brassard don't cut it. Miller is a step in the right direction, but he's still figuring out what kind of player he can be at the next level.

Get rid of deadweight. Infuse the bottom six with a mix of kids on the cusp of making it and good checkers signed to good deals that can actually sustain a forecheck and score a goal once in a while.

 

[Vitto79]

Nope, left. Gryba is another guy mentioned. I want a damn forward



http://fansided.com/2013/12/25/nhl-...ortedly-close-to-trade-for-michael-del-zotto/

even though I don't want him as a Ufa I would say Michalek, Gryba for DZ and Pyatt makes some sense. Sens need to add a pic since Michalek is a UFA

McD , Girardi
Staal, Stralman
Moore, Gryba
Falk.......................is a more balanced D. lose offense with DZ going but he hasn't really added much this yr

 

[Beer League Sniper]

He is a small forward. You don't believe a major reason why the Rangers haven't won much is because they have a history of small teams. They aren't very physical. Aren't big. The Rangers had the best years of the franchise in the last 20 plus years is when the team is a big and strong team. The early 1990's teams. 11-12 team.

Zucc's size is not the problem on this team. The real problem is the size that we do have on the roster is not physical. Pyatt, Pouliot, and Boyle to a lesser extent. Kreider throws the occasional bone-crusher, but that's not really his game, and Nash plays like a scared kitten since his concussion.

Zucc definitely plays with an edge for his size, and he's obviously one of the most skilled players on our roster. What he brings to the team, IMO, outweighs any possible negatives associated with his size.

We just need to remove some deadwood and inject a couple mean Bottom-6 forwards who can hit and skate. They don't have to be the most skilled guys, just make the other team pay on a night in, night out basis.

Rev's NYR transactions going forward:
-Trade Pyatt
-Trade Pouliot
-Trade Boyle, but only if you can get value for him, or his contract demands are too high
-Buyout Richards
-Re-sign D. Moore
-Trade Callahan
-Re-sign Girardi, unless his contract demands are too steep
-Trade one of Staal or MDZ (I prefer to keep MDZ)
-Re-sign Stralman
-Re-sign RFAs (Zuccarello, Brassard, Kreider, MDZ, Falk, J. Moore)
-Promote from within those players that are ready (McIlrath, Miller, Kristo, Linderberg, Fast, Yogan, etc.)

That is all worst case scenario if you can't make a trade to improve the team.

LW Depth
Kreider
Zuccarello
Hagelin
Hrivik

C Depth
Stepan
Brassard
Miller
D. Moore
Lindberg
Yogan

RW Depth
Nash
Dorsett
Fast
Kristo
Kantor

LD Depth
McDonagh
MDZ/Staal
J. Moore
Falk
Allen

RD Depth
Girardi
Stralman
McIlrath
Falk

G Depth
Lundqvist
Talbot

Obviously, this isn't even taking into account players that we could acquire via FA or trade. Those depth charts, other than RW, don't look all that terrible to me. If a physical player like Yogan or Kantor are ready to see action, give them a shot, otherwise try and fill via FA or trade. We will have tons of cap room with Richards and Callahan gone.

 

[pld459666]

Personally, I think it would be an awful decision to build around the premise that MDZ can be a good top-4 defenseman consistently over the next 5-10 years of his NHL career.

Just my opinion.

Considering that up until this year he's been a decent to solid top 4 defenceman on the Rangers, why do you think it would be awful to believe the premise of him being a decent to solid top 4 for the next 5+ years.

He's looked better playing top 4 minutes on the left side since Staal has gone down.

I think if he's played in the right system with a good stay at home defensive defenceman that plays the right side MDZ CAN be a good (not great) top 4 defenceman.

I personally believe that AV may be running a scheme that is to "heady" for MDZ

Some coaches run scheme's that are intellectually to advanced for some players. Either they don't get it or can't play it.

Terry Bradshaw was a great QB. Dumb as a box of rocks, but a great QB.

Chuck Knoll only opened 25% of the play book to him and limited the offence to just 3 different formations so as to not confuse the country bumpkin.

I'm not saying that MDZ is THAT dumb, but he may be a bit slower to pick up more complex scheme's.

Not the worst thin in the world.

 

[Beer League Sniper]

Yeah, I don't get why anyone would think MDZ can't be a viable 2LD. He's already done so, and looked pretty good in the process. Yes, he's prone to brain farts, and that's what everyone remembers, but it doesn't happen all that often. Like an above poster (edit: pld459666) said, give him a stay-at-home D on the right side and let him do his thing.

Staal makes the most sense to move IMO. Even if it is for diminished value. With his left eye messed up, I get the feeling that, from now on, he's always going to be prone to being beat on the left side, losing pucks in his feet on the left side, and taking another concussion-causing hit coming from his left periphery.

I may be dead wrong on MDZ and Staal, but if you put a gun to my head and told me to pick the better player moving forward, I would honestly choose MDZ.

 

[RangersHank*]

Yeah, I don't get why anyone would think MDZ can't be a viable 2LD. He's already done so, and looked pretty good in the process. Yes, he's prone to brain farts, and that's what everyone remembers, but it doesn't happen all that often. Like an above poster (edit: pld459666) said, give him a stay-at-home D on the right side and let him do his thing.

Staal makes the most sense to move IMO. Even if it is for diminished value. With his left eye messed up, I get the feeling that, from now on, he's always going to be prone to being beat on the left side, losing pucks in his feet on the left side, and taking another concussion-causing hit coming from his left periphery.

I may be dead wrong on MDZ and Staal, but if you put a gun to my head and told me to pick the better player moving forward, I would honestly choose MDZ.

i agree with this. I dont even want DZ traded unless it is for a good young forward but i doubt it. DZ in the top 4 on the left could work and it has worked before. Staal should be the one traded IF we do make a trade of some sort.

 

[RangerBoy]

The Rangers need a lot of work. They won two games in a row to finish the homestand with 8 out of 18 points. Plan the parade. Miller gives them a big center. Stepan is a right handed shot. Stepan and Brassard are both small players. Richards is in the same boat. They need another top center. They could use another right handed center to win faceoffs. More goals out of the bottom six. More skill. More size and strength. More transition from D. More offense from the D. They have pieces to trade. Roster freeze ends on Saturday morning. The Rangers have enough potential free agents.

 

[Mikos87]

62-21-61
20-10-24
19-x-36
x-x-15

18-5 Shutdown Pair
4-27 Offensive Pair
17-6 3rd pair.

Forwards: If you want inconsistency off the team, then you need to get the fluff and inconsistent players off the team. Cash in, get value, futures, later moves, whatever.

Players had an entire preseason and half a season to show up and a lot didn't. There are teams that need roster players, and injuries will no doubt happen. If a Lindberg can play, then let him play. Would rather gain experience with a mediocre record than be forced to watch lackluster effort.

I would seriously get Hank to practice handling the puck as its needed for this system AV employs. A big reason for Cam's success is that he keeps the play moving and not letting teams establish a forecheck.

Upfront. Why not get the 2nd round pick that D.Moore brings at the trade deadline every year. That is asset management.

I'd cash in on Boyle too, he will fetch a really nice price at the deadline. If you're not going to sign him, then fish or cut bait. He's a great dude, does his job well, and I think he will be a champion one day with another team if he moves on.

Brian Boyle to CHI for Philippe Danault. Hell I'll throw in a 4th for that trade.

Winnipeg will be making moves as sellers. Some teams will be locks to be buyers, the Rangers can be both a la San Jose of yesteryear.

Nashville is a great destination for Brassard. Rangers can shore up their bottom six in one trade. How about Brassard + Pouliot for Craig Smith and a grinder like Matt Hendricks?

Smith played with Step and Mac Truck in Wisconsin. Right handed shooting center playing wing. Look at his ice-time, he's been a third and fourth line player his entire tenure in Nashville.... Now look at his numbers relative to his ice time. Three years in, and he still isn't a Trotz type of guy. I would move Brassard for him in a NY minute. Nashville needs skill in a bad way.

I get the feeling that the Rangers are spending more of their efforts on a top 4 RHD. If both NY and TOR continue to slide, I get the sense that we might see a Girardi+ for Franson+ package. But before doing that I would see what can be done to resign him. Toronto doesn't have a shutdown guy per se, so they would want Girardi, but this would be a grass is greener on the otherside move since Franson isn't going to replace Girardi's role.

Franson however is a major upgrade on Anton Stralman. Either way, I'd go with Staal-Girardi as the defensive pair, and let who else, none other than Mac Truck step in as the offensive defenseman from the right side for now.

I mean Mac Truck has done everything else that was asked of him, why not this?

 

[Nightshift]

Can we afford to move Del Zotto for a forward? A month ago I would have said yes but with Staal's long term health up in the air I don't know.

 

[Doctyl]

Can we afford to move Del Zotto for a forward? A month ago I would have said yes but with Staal's long term health up in the air I don't know.

Honestly I would try to see what could get from Carolina with Staal before selling low on dz. Staal hasn't looked the same since his eye injury. It's a damn shame.

 

[GAGLine]

He is a small forward. You don't believe a major reason why the Rangers haven't won much is because they have a history of small teams. They aren't very physical. Aren't big. The Rangers had the best years of the franchise in the last 20 plus years is when the team is a big and strong team. The early 1990's teams. 11-12 team.

Yes, he's small. Very small. But he's 1 player out of 12 (forwards). We don't need an entire team over 6 feet. If you can find me even 6 other forwards who can see the ice as well as he does and contribute as much as he does, who are all bigger, stronger AND use their size aggressively, then I'd be all for trading Zucc to the highest bidder.

But the fact remains that this team lacks both size and skill. Zucc has lots of skill, and he has learned how to use it at the NHL level. That shouldn't be tossed away simply because he is undersized. He has managed to excel so far this year despite his size.

 

[NewLife]

What kind of return can you really expect for Staal anyway? He's a couple of brutal injuries now and his play since haven't been good. I just can't see a team give up pieces our management feels like it worth to trade him. Hold on to him and give him time maybe he can get back maybe he can't.

 

[Mikos87]

Yes, he's small. Very small. But he's 1 player out of 12 (forwards). We don't need an entire team over 6 feet. If you can find me even 6 other forwards who can see the ice as well as he does and contribute as much as he does, who are all bigger, stronger AND use their size aggressively, then I'd be all for trading Zucc to the highest bidder.

But the fact remains that this team lacks both size and skill. Zucc has lots of skill, and he has learned how to use it at the NHL level. That shouldn't be tossed away simply because he is undersized. He has managed to excel so far this year despite his size.

The question becomes: Can you win with him?

Right now, the way he is playing, he's become integral to the teams goal scoring output. If you aren't getting a sure fire scorer in return, then you've got to hold on to him.

I personally would move him in the off season for him as I don't think he's fast enough to win puck chases, or beat defenders one on one. But with this year's team, you keep him as long as he produces.

 

[Idlerlee]

I don't think he's fast enough to win puck chases, or beat defenders one on one.

Except he does that pretty much every single night. And he's used several NHL defenders literally as roundabouts this year, including Chara, who is the closest thing you can get to a sizeable man-wall. Not to mention his stickwork. He even did that last match, before delivering 3 tape passes on the same offensive play, before forgetting he's a tiny person, gliding into the group of Toronto players, and getting them all collectively agitated.

You dont trade away a player that is obviously having a breakout season, on all things a team thats struggling greatly due to the disappearance of the teams big guns.

You get rid of the big guys that dont play a big guys game, you dont trade players who are obviously an asset.

We have players who are huge men, who are a non factor. How about we replace those, before turning on the little guy who's playing like he deserves a letter on his jersey ?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

This team needs to be blown up. I just don't see this team being good enough to contend with the current pieces that it has.

Who to keep:

Talbot- I think he has proved his worth. I don't know if he will ever be as good as Hank was, but he should be good enough to win for the Rangers in this league.

McDonagh- This one's obvious. Need to keep him.

Girardi- Re-sign him. You need him to just eat up minutes. Besides McDonagh, there isn't much quality D-man depth on the Rangers.

Staal- I'd keep him, although there is definitely that idiot team out there that thinks he is still the same Marc Staal of a few years ago and would overpay for him in a trade. Still a good player, but the eye injury has significantly impacted his career.

Stralman- I'm a big fan of Stralman. He is very underrated. Not the flashiest, but very solid in most aspects.

J. Moore- Good for the 3rd defensive pair. Can chip in some points, and isn't the worst defensively.

McIlrath- He'll grow into a good defenseman. He isn't there yet, but he will be there in a few years.

Falk-Good depth. Don't really think it matters if its him or someone else as the #7 D-man, as long as they are at least as good as Falk.

Stepan- I question if he can be a #1 Center, but I think he is still going to be a good player for the Rangers in the future.

Miller- I like his game. I think down the road he could be a future captain, but not for many years. Let him continue to develop at center. He will get better.

D. Moore- Like him as a 4th line center. Can do a number of things.

Kreider- Potential cornerstone. Love his game.

Zuccarello- He is someone that the Rangers could sell high on, but he is a quality player. I'd keep him.

Hagelin- Really streaky. Brings much needed speed to the lineup and chips in points, so I'd keep him.

Nash- Hopefully he rebounds from that concussion and shows a little more physicality. Right now he is as soft as a stuffed animal. Still has all the ability in the world though.

Dorsett- I'd keep him, but only as a fourth line player. I like his toughness. One of the few tough players on a team of *******.

Trade/Release:

Callahan- He is eventually going to completely break down with the style that he plays. I'd rather get something back for him before he breaks down with the Rangers.

Lundqvist- There is where it really gets tough. This is one of those tough decisions that Sather is going to have to make. He made a potential job losing move by giving Lundqvist that awful contract, and he is just going to have to take his medicine. Either pay off a lot of his contract, and get a lot back in return or pay off very little, and just take your medicine by realizing that you won't get much in return for Hank. Talbot has shown that he is competent, and you don't need an all-star goalie to win the cup. The team has so many deficiencies, and keeping an aging netminder is not the solution. Even without this season, I was not in favor of keeping Hank. As long as we have a league average goalie, thats fine by me. I think Talbot will at least be that.

Richards- He has played well this season, but you are going to need to release him because of that contract.

Del Zotto- This is more than just a wish list request. He will be traded very soon.

Boyle- Awful player. Get rid of him. I can't think of anyone that would want him.

Brassard- I don't have anything against Brassard, but I think he is going to fall victim to the numbers game. Stepan and Miller are not #1 Center's, so you are going to need to bring someone in to fill that role. For the #2 and #3 center roles, I'd rather keep Stepan and Miller than Brassard.

Pyatt- Only deserves 4th line minutes, and doesn't fit the profile of a fourth line LW.

Pouliot- I'd consider keeping him, but I'd rather have a proper 4th line LW than just sticking Pouliot into that position.


Depth Chart:

G:

Cam Talbot
Good back up goalie either signed in free agency or traded for.

D:

Ryan McDonagh(C)-Dan Girardi(A)
Marc Staal(A)-Anton Stralman
John Moore-Dylan McIlrath
Justin Falk as 7th D-man.

FWD's:

Chris Kreider-1st line Center brought in from the outside-Rick Nash(A)
Mats Zuccarello- Derek Stepan-2nd line RW brought in from the outside
Carl Hagelin-JT Miller-Kristo/Fast
4th line LW brought in from the outside-Dominic Moore-Derek Dorsett

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

absolutely anyone on this team should be available other than Nash, Hank, Kreider, and Mcdonagh.. Stepan too would have to be a premium.

everyone else, especially Del zotto and Brassard should be available.

 

[RangerBoy]

How many small players have played on Cup winners recently and have played a key role of that team? St. Louis is a hall of fame player. I loved Pavelich when I started realizing who was who on the Rangers. He was a very good little player. Rob McClanahan. The Rangers never won with those little guys. Bob McCammon called them the smurfs. The Rangers would always beat the Flyers and lose to the Islanders. The big teams can win 4 playoff rounds. Its not just Zuccarello but many players on this team. That includes Callahan. He is always beat up by the end of the season. He has barely played this season. You really want to commit major term and dollars to him? He's a very good player but it doesn't help the team if he is always hurt. At the end of the 2010,he hurt his knee. In 2011,he broke his leg blocking a Chara shot. In 2012,he wasn't very effective in the playoffs. He blocked a shot in game 6 of the Ottawa series and he seemed to get hurt. He denied it. He was hurt last season with the shoulder. Broke his hand/thumb and knee sprain this season. There is always something wrong with Callahan.

 

[TheTakedown]

How many small players have played on Cup winners recently and have played a key role of that team? St. Louis is a hall of fame player. I loved Pavelich when I started realizing who was who on the Rangers. He was a very good little player. Rob McClanahan. The Rangers never won with those little guys. Bob McCammon called them the smurfs. The Rangers would always beat the Flyers and lose to the Islanders. The big teams can win 4 playoff rounds. Its not just Zuccarello but many players on this team. That includes Callahan. He is always beat up by the end of the season. He has barely played this season. You really want to commit major term and dollars to him? He's a very good player but it doesn't help the team if he is always hurt. At the end of the 2010,he hurt his knee. In 2011,he broke his leg blocking a Chara shot. In 2012,he wasn't very effective in the playoffs. He blocked a shot in game 6 of the Ottawa series and he seemed to get hurt. He denied it. He was hurt last season with the shoulder. Broke his hand/thumb and knee sprain this season. There is always something wrong with Callahan.

You don't plan those injuries... Gaborik breaks something every 15-20 games. Callahan has had 3 freak (major) accidents in 3 seasons.

More coincidence than anything

 

[Tawnos]

RB: What about Patrick Kane, Brad Marchand, Jiri Hudler, Tyler Kennedy, Andy MacDonald, Ray Whitney.

Obviously Zucc is smaller than those guys, and some are/were world class players. But you can win a Cup with these kinds of players on your roster.

 

[Mikos87]

We have players who are huge men, who are a non factor. How about we replace those, before turning on the little guy who's playing like he deserves a letter on his jersey ?

Turning on him? Ain't nothing personal about personnel moves. Hockey or any other industry.

Read my posts and you'll see I actually agree with what you've said.

 

[TheTakedown]

Turning on him? Ain't nothing personal about personnel moves. Hockey or any other industry.

Read my posts and you'll see I actually agree with what you've said.

Obviously he is exaggerating, but I would agree that Zucc has a heart bigger than any fatass (aka Nash) on this team

 

[SnowblindNYR]

How many small players have played on Cup winners recently and have played a key role of that team? St. Louis is a hall of fame player. I loved Pavelich when I started realizing who was who on the Rangers. He was a very good little player. Rob McClanahan. The Rangers never won with those little guys. Bob McCammon called them the smurfs. The Rangers would always beat the Flyers and lose to the Islanders. The big teams can win 4 playoff rounds. Its not just Zuccarello but many players on this team. That includes Callahan. He is always beat up by the end of the season. He has barely played this season. You really want to commit major term and dollars to him? He's a very good player but it doesn't help the team if he is always hurt. At the end of the 2010,he hurt his knee. In 2011,he broke his leg blocking a Chara shot. In 2012,he wasn't very effective in the playoffs. He blocked a shot in game 6 of the Ottawa series and he seemed to get hurt. He denied it. He was hurt last season with the shoulder. Broke his hand/thumb and knee sprain this season. There is always something wrong with Callahan.

You're one of the posters I respect the most but your posts in this thread are ridiculously flawed. Just because they haven't means that they can't? There are not many small players to begin with and that's why you don't see many of them on Cup winners.

 

[NYR Sting]

He is a small forward. You don't believe a major reason why the Rangers haven't won much is because they have a history of small teams. They aren't very physical. Aren't big. The Rangers had the best years of the franchise in the last 20 plus years is when the team is a big and strong team. The early 1990's teams. 11-12 team.

Aren't those also the years when the team had some actual talent (and was motivated unlike some talented but otherwise washedup or lazy teams during Sather, phase 1)?

There hasn't been one year since the lockout, 11-12 aside, where the Rangers have come even close to having a normal amount of talent. I'm far less worried about size than I am about getting incredibly skilled and smart offensive players, since this team has a lengthy history of only acquiring players like that when they have very little left in the tank.

 

[bernmeister]

I love reading your posts

Enjoy.

Obviously I was wrong.
Size is not EVERYTHING.

However, it is substantial and the more of size and skill and height and smarts that you have, the better off you will be, and conversely, the less of each, the more likely you are not to even make the NHL.

 

[RangersHank*]

The Rangers need a lot of work. They won two games in a row to finish the homestand with 8 out of 18 points. Plan the parade. Miller gives them a big center. Stepan is a right handed shot. Stepan and Brassard are both small players. Richards is in the same boat. They need another top center. They could use another right handed center to win faceoffs. More goals out of the bottom six. More skill. More size and strength. More transition from D. More offense from the D. They have pieces to trade. Roster freeze ends on Saturday morning. The Rangers have enough potential free agents.

I had no clue. thanks.