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

[eco's bones]

20-30 games in Girardi was averaging about 20 minutes TOI a night--now he's closing in on 23. Staal's injury may be partly the reason for this but as the year has gone along AV has been relying on Girardi more and more.

Something to keep in mind with Girardi--he's very unlike Callahan in this respect. He hardly ever misses games. He's a very dependable player. When people say they can't see him continuing to play the kind of game he plays it wouldn't be because of attrition. Can't remember him ever suffering a major injury.

 

[BarbaraAlphanse]

ok, but those "fights" make us appear weak when he buckles into the fetal position. His toughness is in his willingness to block shots. Otherwise he isn't very tough at all. Zucc is much tougher for instance as is Cally.

Complain when no one sticks up for team mates. Complain when someone sticks up for team mates but gets embarrassed because that's not his role.

Can't have it both ways. He tries to stick up for team mates. We don't have the personnel to look tough. Sorry to break it to you. Unbiasedly, he is the toughest guy on the team.

 

[Ail]

Yea to Pyatt going to the pens. Konopka is tough. Have to consider that waiver claim

No you don't.

 

[Bardof425*]

Skip Konopka. He'd only be useful for d-zone face offs. Literally take the face off and skate to the bench. No interest.

I wouldn't put him on this team as constructed. However, if we could deal Boyle, I would slot him in as the 4th line center which would add a player who can actually fight while still winning draws. I am one who has always felt that Boyle's value outside the room and faceoff circle are greatly exaggerated and easily replaced.

 

[Punxrocknyc19*]

Boyle is a far better hockey player than Konopka. If those are our options, stick with Boyle.

but Boyle is an UFA. i can see this turning into another Prust situation.. Boyle must be traded unless he will be resigned. but knowing this management he will walk without the Rangers getting anything for him

 

[Samuel Culper III]

I wouldn't put him on this team as constructed. However, if we could deal Boyle, I would slot him in as the 4th line center which would add a player who can actually fight while still winning draws. I am one who has always felt that Boyle's value outside the room and faceoff circle are greatly exaggerated and easily replaced.

Everything in between fighting and taking face offs, Boyle superior at. Like, actually vastly superior. Konopka is a slug who wins draws. Compared to him Boyle can skate , carry the puck and make a half decent pass. We're comparing a tough, face off winning pylon to an, albeit low quality, actual hockey player.

 

[Bardof425*]

Complain when no one sticks up for team mates. Complain when someone sticks up for team mates but gets embarrassed because that's not his role.

Can't have it both ways. He tries to stick up for team mates. We don't have the personnel to look tough. Sorry to break it to you. Unbiasedly, he is the toughest guy on the team.

That's just not true. He gets goaded into fights and would have to be a real Mary to back down. Then he gets embarrassed. Derek Dorsett is infinitely tougher than Brian Boyle.

the reason he gets embarrassed is not because that's not his role. the reason he gets embarrassed is because he is afraid to fight and doesn't have the stones to stand in there and deliver and take a punch. Fights are lost all the time. However, rarely in the NHL do you see a player drop his gloves and then run for cover. Boyle does that regularly. He is not tough at all outside of his willingness to sacrifice his body to stop pucks.

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

I don't know why you guys want us to have the most ornate 4C collection in the league but pass.

 

[Tawnos]

I haven't seen Konopka play since his Islander days when he was pretty effective IMO. He is tough, great in the room and is a stud in the dot. Sounds like Boyle except better. However, if his actual play with the puck and away from it is that bad then forget it.

He's put up more points in an entire season than Boyle has this year only once. As much as an offensive black hole as Boyle is, Konopka's worse. We have no use for a one-dimensional fighter on this team, otherwise Asham would be up. Konopka doesn't even kill penalties anymore. The ~5 percentage point difference in faceoffs between him and Boyle isn't worth it.

 

[Bardof425*]

Everything in between fighting and taking face offs, Boyle superior at. Like, actually vastly superior. Konopka is a slug who wins draws. Compared to him Boyle can skate , carry the puck and make a half decent pass. We're comparing a tough, face off winning pylon to an, albeit low quality, actual hockey player.

ok. as i said I haven't seen Konopka play recently.

 

[Tawnos]

but Boyle is an UFA. i can see this turning into another Prust situation.. Boyle must be traded unless he will be resigned. but knowing this management he will walk without the Rangers getting anything for him

Konopka is an UFA also.

 

[Vitto79]

No you don't.

He's a ufa under a million. Why not? Boyle and or Moore will be dealt eventually

 

[GAGLine]

Even with his widely publicized recent struggles? Many Ranger fans believe his success was a function of Torts' and Renney's systems and now that he has to skate and play man to man he is failing. I am not one of those people but you still think he is going to get that kind of contract?

Most teams play zone rather than man to man. He is right handed. Girardi will be one of the best dmen, if not the best, on the UFA market. His struggles this year are overblown.

Look at the contract Clowe got. If he can get 4.85 x 5 after last season, Girardi can get 6 x 6. You don't think a team like edmonton would give him that? Girardi is an upgrade over anyone they have on defense.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

He's a ufa under a million.

So is Pyatt. But the Pens are idiots.

 

[Bardof425*]

Most teams play zone rather than man to man. He is right handed. Girardi will be one of the best dmen, if not the best, on the UFA market. His struggles this year are overblown.

Look at the contract Clowe got. If he can get 4.85 x 5 after last season, Girardi can get 6 x 6. You don't think a team like edmonton would give him that? Girardi is an upgrade over anyone they have on defense.

Edmonton is a small budget team. They would like to give him that contract but I don't know if they can afford to. With that said, what does Edmonton give us for Girardi in a deal? Eberle? Yak?

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

He's a ufa under a million. Why not? Boyle and or Moore will be dealt eventually

The NY Rangers philosophy towards roster construction: "Hey, why not?"

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

The NY Rangers philosophy towards roster contruction: "Hey, why not?"

Not unlike the lotto, "Hey, You Never Know".

 

[Ail]

So is Pyatt. But the Pens are idiots.

Lol'd.

Yeah but,

why not?

Konopka can fill Pyatt's dead space.

 

[Staxgod90]

That's too general. He's very good at face-offs. He's a little bit of a pest too. Not the most talented or smartest player but he has his uses.

The only difference between Konopka and Boyle is that Konopka can fight...

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

The only difference between Konopka and Boyle is that Konopka can fight...

And that Boyle can play hockey - but yea, other than that, exact same.

 

[BarbaraAlphanse]

The only difference between Konopka and Boyle is that Konopka can fight...

Konopka is not a better player than Boyle and he would be worth a lot less to this particular locker room too.

 

[Tawnos]

The only difference between Konopka and Boyle is that Konopka can fight...

Also, that Boyle can kill penalties, put up decent points for a 4th liner and be trusted to be on the ice during important situations once the faceoff is over.

 

[Wamsutta]

Claiming Konopka would fulfill Glen's annual "random goon acquisition for no reason" quota I guess

 

[Staxgod90]

I was actually trying to stick up for Boyle there but that backfired a bit

 

[GAGLine]

Edmonton is a small budget team. They would like to give him that contract but I don't know if they can afford to. With that said, what does Edmonton give us for Girardi in a deal? Eberle? Yak?

They can afford it. Hemsky (5 mil cap, 5.5 mil salary) will be gone. Ryan Smyth (2.25 mil cap and salary) will be gone. Nick Schultz (3.5 mil cap, 3.6 mil salary) will likely be gone. They are all UFA and not worth what they are being paid.

They have to re-sign a bunch of RFAs, but none should break the bank.

They won't trade for Girardi unless they think it will enable them to re-sign him. They have no use for him as a rental.