Speculation: Trade Rumors/Speculation Part X: Sather Falls Asleep on the Phone

[Tawnos]

The sell sell sell talk would seem realistic if the team weren't still in a position to compete for a playoff spot. On one hand, I wouldn't mind seeing the team blown up. On the other, I just don't see it happening. Looking at the standings, I still think we are more likely to finish 3rd in the division than out of the playoffs.

 

[Blueshirt Special]

The sell sell sell talk would seem realistic if the team weren't still in a position to compete for a playoff spot. On one hand, I wouldn't mind seeing the team blown up. On the other, I just don't see it happening. Looking at the standings, I still think we are more likely to finish 3rd in the division than out of the playoffs.

Yep.

And who can we realistically beat in a 7 game series? Maybe the Caps?

Not feeling the "anything can happen" mantra

 

[free0717]

Del zottos skating is honestly not bad- the kids got legitimate talent and i truly have faith he'll put it together. He's a young player by any stretch, experience factored. I think you hold on to him and set expectations more realistically.. hes exactly the guy you want as a 2nd or 3rd pair on a cup team. Hold a mental map of what it takes to succeed and assess your players accordingly, fit them in where apllicable and not against their hype. Youve got a good piece in dz.. maybe not a 1d puck mover, but a crucial element to making this **** work.

MDZ is in his 4th year in the league. At this point, his positional play should be sound which is not. His first pass needs to be better. MDZ has talent but it is time to go to another organization. Connor Allen has just passed MDZ on the depth chart. I would trade him out west to Colorado. If we could get a late first round pick or a second and a decent prospect, I would pull the trigger. I think MDZ might flourish under Patrick Roy. MDZ will not be a good Dman for the Rangers. Slats, time to stop overvaluing him and make a deal before his value goes down even furter

 

[Tawnos]

Yep.

And who can we realistically beat in a 7 game series? Maybe the Caps?

Not feeling the "anything can happen" mantra

Neither am I. I never am except when a team underachieved all year (a la LAK). We won't be underachieving to be a bubble team.

 

[nsvoyageurs]

I don't know. I wouldn't mind having Anthony Mantha right now.

Mantha was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 2013 draft, no. 20 overall. I doubt he's available.

 

[free0717]

6 1st rounders already important to their teams. MacKinnon, Barkov, Jones, Lindholm, Monahan and Nichuskin. Ristolainen and Zadorov have also played. Looks like a good year.

Rangers have 11 guys total between the CHL, Colleges and Europe. The only sure thing of all of them is Skjei. I'd trade the entire batch for any of MacKinnon, Barkov, Jones or Monahan.

I'd rank them:

1. Skjei-LD--a stay at home in one of our already strongest positions.
2. Buchnevich-W--probably the most talented overall but he has at least one more year in the KHL and not a slam dunk he ever comes to North America.
3. Nieves-C--growing pains in his sophomore year at Michigan U.
4. Duclair-W--lots of speed and tearing up the Q. A little on the small side.

After that it drops off.

5. Calle Andersson-D--good skills--a righty shot.
6. Ryan Graves-D--size and toughness--if he ever makes the NHL--bottom pairing guy--think Justin Falk. That's his upside.
7. Adam Tambellini-W--very so-so freshman year at North Dakota U.
8. Troy Donnay-D--another righty D stay at home type. 6'7" and only 185 lbs?
9. MacKenzie Skapski-G
10. Steven Fogarty-C--two years struggling at Notre Dame U.
11. Thomas Spelling-W--currently playing in a subpar Danish league.

We really need to use the Chicago Black Hawk Model. Sather has gotten away from that and has started to trade picks(ie Ryan Clowe trade et al). We need to keep our picks and acquire more picks. They all don't have to be first rounders but when we can get 10+ picks a year, more ping pong balls will be more wins. Some will be busts but we need to get back to keeping our picks and getting more kicks at the can

 

[Mikos87]

The Rangers have 4-5 players in their minor pro system that can and will get a look in the next two seasons and this. We're seeing it with Conor Allen, who I believe will end up pushing someone out of the line up.

Two good games by Lindberg later this year and the board will be singing praises again. I think the farm is fine, and the Rangers have a chance to wheel and deal with so many UFAs that they can probably strengthen the farm and the team.

The problem is finding dance partners.

 

[Blueshirt Special]

MDZ is in his 4th year in the league. At this point, his positional play should be sound which is not. His first pass needs to be better. MDZ has talent but it is time to go to another organization. Connor Allen has just passed MDZ on the depth chart. I would trade him out west to Colorado. If we could get a late first round pick or a second and a decent prospect, I would pull the trigger. I think MDZ might flourish under Patrick Roy. MDZ will not be a good Dman for the Rangers. Slats, time to stop overvaluing him and make a deal before his value goes down even furter

To be fair to MDZ, I don't think he even knows which side he is going to be playing on when he gets to the rink. When we have had a "system" it's been a crappy collapsing block shots clusterpuck, that hardly suits his style of play. Other than that, this coach, this organization, has been scrambling and there has never been any kind of coherent plan of attack and defend other than some very recent PP success and a good PK that was the result of said block shots and elite goal tending.

Blaming talented players (which we have a handful of, including MDZ) for the failure of this organization leads us to continue to make bad deals. We set these guys up for failure. I do not want to see MDZ leave and develop into a good/great contributor on some other team, even if it is in the WC.

We have to stop STUNTING growth.

The Rangers are horiibly inconsistent as a organization. It's confusing to the players. We are also very impatient as a fan base especially with Dmen. One mistake and "they suck".

 

[NewLife]

not really. gaborik has been useless in columbus and is a FA at the end of the year.

Sure he's injured again and missing games like he always does but to say he's been useless is just wrong.

 

[Levitate]

The sell sell sell talk would seem realistic if the team weren't still in a position to compete for a playoff spot. On one hand, I wouldn't mind seeing the team blown up. On the other, I just don't see it happening. Looking at the standings, I still think we are more likely to finish 3rd in the division than out of the playoffs.

I doubt Sather is going to blow things up, for the reasons you said, but I do think he's going to try hard to make some moves to shake up the roster and improve it. What that actually means is probably that we'll see more attempts to catch lightning in a bottle by picking up players that are disappointing on other teams, and it most likely won't work

 

[slipknottin]

Sure he's injured again and missing games like he always does but to say he's been useless is just wrong.

Not playing is pretty much the definition of useless

 

[Ail]

The sell sell sell talk would seem realistic if the team weren't still in a position to compete for a playoff spot. On one hand, I wouldn't mind seeing the team blown up. On the other, I just don't see it happening. Looking at the standings, I still think we are more likely to finish 3rd in the division than out of the playoffs.

Which is why, outside of the desire to be instantly gratified by your favorite team with wins, it baffles me people want to see this team win games like they did last night. They scrape a win out of one of the worst clubs in the league, and keep themselves closer to a playoff race that will undoubtedly take this team nowhere in April/May.

Watching them lose on the other hand will put them closer to a position forcing management to do the right thing going forward for this team. I feel like this year is their only chance to get it right for the future because of the pending FAs who may or may not belong to the "new identity" that is supposedly being formed here. I've never wanted my team to lose, or actively routed for it, but right now it seems like the better thing for the future of this team rather than watching them exit a disappointing first round at the hands of an actually good NHL team.

I just want this season to be over.

 

[Ail]

I doubt Sather is going to blow things up, for the reasons you said, but I do think he's going to try hard to make some moves to shake up the roster and improve it. What that actually means is probably that we'll see more attempts to catch lightning in a bottle by picking up players that are disappointing on other teams, and it most likely won't work

It never does.

 

[Mikos87]

I doubt Sather is going to blow things up, for the reasons you said, but I do think he's going to try hard to make some moves to shake up the roster and improve it. What that actually means is probably that we'll see more attempts to catch lightning in a bottle by picking up players that are disappointing on other teams, and it most likely won't work

I feel it will be different than last year's moves. Think we will see more deals, and the moves will be made for an AV type of team. Rolls he's missing or uncomfortable with for his system.

Shopping list will most likely include:

RHD with Offense
RH Faceoff guy, or high percentage face-off guy
2nd line center

Overall upgrade on team speed and hockey iq and consistency for players in their roles.

 

[eco's bones]

We really need to use the Chicago Black Hawk Model. Sather has gotten away from that and has started to trade picks(ie Ryan Clowe trade et al). We need to keep our picks and acquire more picks. They all don't have to be first rounders but when we can get 10+ picks a year, more ping pong balls will be more wins. Some will be busts but we need to get back to keeping our picks and getting more kicks at the can

I agree. The Rangers need to rebuild their development system. They're letting it evaporate.

Hang on to the picks and try to find good college and CHL free agents.

 

[richardsequalscup*]

I hardly call the Gaborik trade a bust. Gaborik has done nothing but get hurt for the Jackets. Dorsett has given us a real good 4th line wing. Brassard has been fantastic on our second powerplay unit with 4 g and 9 A. Moore has struggled but he's still young. Plus Brassard was by far out best player in the playoffs last year.

 

[beastly115]

The sell sell sell talk would seem realistic if the team weren't still in a position to compete for a playoff spot. On one hand, I wouldn't mind seeing the team blown up. On the other, I just don't see it happening. Looking at the standings, I still think we are more likely to finish 3rd in the division than out of the playoffs.

<picks up cigar and takes a puff>

Anything can happen in the playoffs.

<blows smoke into the air>

Sound familiar?

 

[GAGLine]

Mantha was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 2013 draft, no. 20 overall. I doubt he's available.

I'm aware of that. Read the post I was responding to.

 

[eco's bones]

To be fair to MDZ, I don't think he even knows which side he is going to be playing on when he gets to the rink. When we have had a "system" it's been a crappy collapsing block shots clusterpuck, that hardly suits his style of play. Other than that, this coach, this organization, has been scrambling and there has never been any kind of coherent plan of attack and defend other than some very recent PP success and a good PK that was the result of said block shots and elite goal tending.

Blaming talented players (which we have a handful of, including MDZ) for the failure of this organization leads us to continue to make bad deals. We set these guys up for failure. I do not want to see MDZ leave and develop into a good/great contributor on some other team, even if it is in the WC.

We have to stop STUNTING growth.

The Rangers are horiibly inconsistent as a organization. It's confusing to the players. We are also very impatient as a fan base especially with Dmen. One mistake and "they suck".

Can't just go about changing an entire team's style of play just to fit one player in either. When talking about fair that's not fair to the other players. It's up to MDZ to find a niche to fit into. He started out very promisingly fitting into a pwp qb role. Over the years he's not improved there. His shot has been exposed as neither powerful nor accurate. Until this season he had ample opportunity on the pwp and each year his numbers seemed to decline. His defense has improved to the point where it's acceptable (not good or great) on most nights. He's making more $ than he deserves right now and his upcoming RFA contract this summer comes with an automatic pay raise which will push his earnings towards absurdity if the Rangers qualify him. His coach doesn't seem to care for him--whether that's entirely fair is another question but he's the one making the on ice decisions. It's time to cut bait.

 

[Idlerlee]

And who can we realistically beat in a 7 game series? Maybe the Caps?

Team Crosby, and Team Ovi.

And eveyone else since Nash will surely catch on fire (brb taking meds)

 

[Ail]

I hardly call the Gaborik trade a bust. Gaborik has done nothing but get hurt for the Jackets. Dorsett has given us a real good 4th line wing. Brassard has been fantastic on our second powerplay unit with 4 g and 9 A. Moore has struggled but he's still young. Plus Brassard was by far out best player in the playoffs last year.

It's definitely not a bust, but I think they should have maybe found a different partner to dance with for the trade. Even if they only got back less players, or more prospects/picks instead of roster guys.

I am admittedly anti-Brassard however from day 1, so I do have bias there. That withstanding I still think they could have done better. To me it looks like Columbus found a way to give the Rangers players who they probably didn't feel was going to fit with them going forward (except Dorsett, I think Sather was honestly trying to get another Prust there) and took a risk to obtain a star offensive winger who is inconsistent and oft injured. It was a very good deal for them even without hindsight. I think Moore's development will be the determining factor to whether or not it ends up being a good deal for the Rangers.

 

[alkurtz]

Must keep in mind one fact: hockey is a business. It's about turning a profit. Playoff games are big moneymakers. Even if you go out in the first round after two or three home games, you've made a tidy sum. Few businesses will turn down the chance to make short term profit rather than forgo that profit for the possibility, and in sports long term success is never, ever assured, of success two, three, or more years in the future.

If we are a bubble team come the trade deadline, we will be buyers not sellers. It's all about the "now." It might drive fans crazy, but we don't pay the freight.

It's not like, say, a drug company with a new drug in the experimental and testing phase. Once it goes to market, profits are assured for many years.

Investing in 18 year old kids or 30 year old UFAs doesn't bring that same guarantee: to many variables, to many things you can't control.

So taking that profit when you have the opportunity becomes a valid business model.

That's just the way it is.

 

[Ail]

Must keep in mind one fact: hockey is a business. It's about turning a profit. Playoff games are big moneymakers. Even if you go out in the first round after two or three home games, you've made a tidy sum. Few businesses will turn down the chance to make short term profit rather than forgo that profit for the possibility, and in sports long term success is never, ever assured, of success two, three, or more years in the future.

If we are a bubble team come the trade deadline, we will be buyers not sellers. It's all about the "now." It might drive fans crazy, but we don't pay the freight.

It's not like, say, a drug company with a new drug in the experimental and testing phase. Once it goes to market, profits are assured for many years.

Investing in 18 year old kids or 30 year old UFAs doesn't bring that same guarantee: to many variables, to many things you can't control.

So taking that profit when you have the opportunity becomes a valid business model.

That's just the way it is.

I don't think it drives that many fans crazy at all. Most of them are just as short-sighted as the idiots in charge. Win now, just need bragging rights at work, or to feel good from a tally in the W column. Who cares if the team is mediocre? A win is a win!

 

[Tawnos]

I would also add that, of our realistic choices, id rather get knocked out in the first round of the playoffs than miss the playoffs by 5 points. Those are our options. We know the team isn't going to be a cellar dweller this year.

The Girardi and Cally situations are different stories than simply trying to make the playoffs. We really should try to move them if they aren't signed by the deadline. Don't think it'll happen though.

 

[Ail]

I would also add that, of our realistic choices, id rather get knocked out in the first round of the playoffs than miss the playoffs by 5 points. Those are our options. We know the team isn't going to be a cellar dweller this year.

The Girardi and Cally situations are different stories than simply trying to make the playoffs. We really should try to move them if they aren't signed by the deadline. Don't think it'll happen though.

I mostly agree, but it would also have to depend on where 5 pts out landed them in terms of draft position. If they end up being the best or next best team who missed the playoffs, I agree, but if missing it gets them an 8 - 10 pick, I'd rather that.