Rumor: Trade Thread XVIII: Brace Yourselves. Friday Is Coming.

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Around trade deadline/roster freezes this place gets beyond comical.

There is no point in talking about trading Stepan unless its for some kind of Sather-pulls-a-rabbit-out-of-his-hat kind of return.

Team looks like its been clicking pretty well over the past few weeks and people are calling for moves, just for the sake of making a move.

oh yeah and the sentence "Sather/organization had no kind of plan or foresight" is getting cliché around here

Yea, the Stepan stuff is out of left field. What might be more frightening is how musings from the twitter sphere are taken as a foregone conclusion.

I try to just use it to me advantage -- like how Kwary, or whatever his name is, owes me $100 bucks at 3pm today when Callahan doesnt get traded. I accept cash, credit, or check.

 

[RangerBoy]

Sather traded Kotalik a few months after signing him. He walked away from Zherdev in arbitration one year after trading for him. He fired Trottier without giving him a full season. Sather isn't afraid to admit a mistake. The Richards contract was designed to be a six year contract. The Rangers and Newport used the Kovalchuk amendment to structure the contract. Then the CBA included recapture which changed the rules. The PA signed off on the changes. Girardi and Callahan want big contracts. I don't blame them. I would want my last contract to be a big contract. The Rangers need to be careful with those contracts. Money. Term. Restriction clauses. Aging players. You get stuck with those players and end up like the Flames. The Canucks are going to be the new Flames which is why Tortorella is pushing for changes. Too many long term contracts. Its hard to change that team. VAN signed Edler and Burrows to extensions and now both players are struggling. They could look to move them if they can. Why did they re-sign them? MacTavish signs Gagner to a 3 year deal and now he is trying to move him. The Oilers might need to retain salary to move the player. The Rangers have to avoid becoming one of those teams which has too many long term contracts. It becomes the same team every year.

 

[Nightshift]

Because your stance is just about as vague as it gets.

I apologize. I will try to include trade examples, corsi ratings and every comparable player in the league before I post about a players status.

 

[McRanger]

I'm not really understanding the kind of move you're describing. Can you share an example?

The Seguin trade, I guess? Stepan and some other players/picks for a young legit top center?

That's my best guess at what he is suggesting.

No idea who would even be available for something like that. Maybe Edmonton starts pulling this apart? Who knows.

 

[DelZottoHitTheNetJK]

Been saying this for so long now. Glad some are finally realizing a Stepan trade as beneficial to the team in the long run as long as they take the correct steps.

Step 1: Buy out Richards

Step 2: Sign Stastny. The guy can still play. I was impressed with his game against us and I've been watching him all year; he's a lock for 20G/40A for at least the next couple seasons, IMO

Step 3: Re-sign Brassard

Step 4: Trade Stepan for Yakupov OR Perron OR Kucherov +. Or insert any other top 6 winger that can help now AND in the future

Why keep Brassard over Stepan? I feel Brassard has more offensive upside, but the major reason is that Stepan will bring back more in return. Brassard is also better on the PP and is developing a better defensive game as well

Leaves us with a top 9 of:

Kreider-Stastny-Nash
Hagelin-Brassard-Yakupov/Perron/Kucherov
Zuccarello-Miller-Pouliot

That's 3 lines that can zip up and down the ice, score goals and be competent defensively. I would be VERY happy with that. Then roll a bruising, defensive 4th line for some sandpaper. Trading Stepan for a winger also allows us to trade Callahan for help on D or for picks/prospects if we don't want to meet his contract demands. This would be my ideal scenario, right here moving forward

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I apologize. I will try to include trade examples, corsi ratings and every comparable player in the league before I post about a players status.

Or, you could just assume that everyone wants to trade a current player for a better player and work something out from there.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

The Seguin trade, I guess? Stepan and some other players/picks for a young legit top center?

That's my best guess at what he is suggesting.

No idea who would even be available for something like that. Maybe Edmonton starts pulling this apart? Who knows.

I don't think the Seguin trade is analogous to what he's suggesting. It sounds like he's suggesting a Stepan for another center (presumably a better one) in a 1 for 1 deal.

 

[Fitzy]

We lost a game we should have won, Stepan was the player deemed by the masses to be the player performing furthest below his ability, and so now we want him gone. Pretty predictable fickle logic.

 

[ThisYearsModel]

So......it's Friday, the freeze is coming and Slats' tactics aimed at getting Callahan to be more reasonable on his demands has yielded nothing. Callahan has all the leverage here. My bet is that he plays out the year here and hits the market in June.

 

[RGY]

Been saying this for so long now. Glad some are finally realizing a Stepan trade as beneficial to the team in the long run as long as they take the correct steps.

Step 1: Buy out Richards

Step 2: Sign Stastny. The guy can still play. I was impressed with his game against us and I've been watching him all year; he's a lock for 20G/40A for at least the next couple seasons, IMO

Step 3: Re-sign Brassard

Step 4: Trade Stepan for Yakupov OR Perron OR Kucherov +. Or insert any other top 6 winger that can help now AND in the future

Why keep Brassard over Stepan? I feel Brassard has more offensive upside, but the major reason is that Stepan will bring back more in return. Brassard is also better on the PP and is developing a better defensive game as well

Leaves us with a top 9 of:

Kreider-Stastny-Nash
Hagelin-Brassard-Yakupov/Perron/Kucherov
Zuccarello-Miller-Pouliot

That's 3 lines that can zip up and down the ice, score goals and be competent defensively. I would be VERY happy with that. Then roll a bruising, defensive 4th line for some sandpaper. Trading Stepan for a winger also allows us to trade Callahan for help on D or for picks/prospects if we don't want to meet his contract demands. This would be my ideal scenario, right here moving forward

Sign Stastny to an obscure long term contract at a cap hit that is closer to Nash than it is Richards current one and have him provide a couple 60 point seasons....classic video game move


And ahhh yes the stepan trade proposals are back

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

I don't think the Seguin trade is analogous with what he's suggesting. It sounds like he's suggesting a Stepan for another center 1 for 1 deal.

I think he's suggesting either Stepan + an asset for another center that's a better fit for AV's system or, more likely, Stepan (with or without an asset, depending on the target) for an up-and-coming center.

Not sure that either of those deals are out there (as teams tend to hold on to centers at Stepan's level or better), but depending on who's coming back, I certainly wouldn't be opposed.

He does look to be slow for our system. Not sure who mentioned it a while back, but he definitely looks out of shape compared to past years.

 

[AHB*]

We lost a game we should have won, Stepan was the player deemed by the masses to be the player performing furthest below his ability, and so now we want him gone. Pretty predictable fickle logic.

Not saying I want him gone, unless we can get someone who fills his role better then him, but anyone suggesting that it's because of this one game isn't right.

The guy has been underperforming for the entire year and has easily dragged down that line constantly. Everytime he handles the puck he acts as if it's a grenade.

 

[Nightshift]

The hysteria over a "vague" comment that someone could (doesnt mean should) be traded to better the team head scratching. The mere mention of certain players names and the word trade in the same sentence gets some folks blood boiling. Doesn't even matter what else was said. Just those 2 words gets its done

 

[AHB*]

might a deal of callahan and kristo entice buffalos interest ?

would love to aquire the big russian centerman ?

buf gets their future capt and dependable rw and a kid who looks to be close to a top 6 nhl job.

I don't think there's anyway they trade Girgensons, but I'd add a second to that to get him here. Kid is a beast and only 19. He's going to be awesome.

 

[DelZottoHitTheNetJK]

We lost a game we should have won, Stepan was the player deemed by the masses to be the player performing furthest below his ability, and so now we want him gone. Pretty predictable fickle logic.

I don't know about everyone else but I've been saying this far longer than yesterday.

Sign Stastny to an obscure long term contract at a cap hit that is closer to Nash than it is Richards current one and have him provide a couple 60 point seasons....classic video game move


And ahhh yes the stepan trade proposals are back

Stastny JUST turned 28 while Richards is 33. Do you really believe Richards in 2 seasons would be producing more than Stastny in 2 seasons? I'd rather pay the extra ~700K per year to have Stastny producing than Richards declining. It's actually the opposite of a video game move, but a move towards youth for a similar player on a similar contract. Richards is actually rated higher in NHL 14

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

The hysteria over a "vague" comment that someone could (doesnt mean should) be traded to better the team head scratching. The mere mention of certain players names and the word trade in the same sentence gets some folks blood boiling. Doesn't even matter what else was said. Just those 2 words gets its done

Wrong. I dont care if they trade Stepan for a better return.

Im just being realistic. This management team has MUCH bigger issues they need to address before the trade deadline.

 

[AHB*]

Stastny JUST turned 28 while Richards is 33. Do you really believe Richards in 2 seasons would be producing more than Stastny in 2 seasons? I'd rather pay the extra ~700K per year to have Stastny producing than Richards declining. It's actually the opposite of a video game move, but a move towards youth for a similar player on a similar contract. Richards is actually rated higher in NHL 14

Or we could wait and hold onto that money and allocate it somewhere else. Just because you buy out Richards doesn't mean you have to go out and pay someone a bigger salary or a similar one.

Hold onto that money, look for value in playesr like Grabovski this year or Ribiero in past years, etc. If a legit guy hits the market go after him, whether via trade or FA. Stastny is not worth what he will get.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

I think he's suggesting either Stepan + an asset for another center that's a better fit for AV's system

Ok, I'll play. Stepan+ for Kesler. What's the plus?

 

[RGY]

I don't know about everyone else but I've been saying this far longer than yesterday.



Stastny JUST turned 28 while Richards is 33. Do you really believe Richards in 2 seasons would be producing more than Stastny in 2 seasons? I'd rather pay the extra ~700K per year to have Stastny producing than Richards declining. It's actually the opposite of a video game move, but a move towards youth for a similar player on a similar contract. Richards is actually rated higher in NHL 14

No, no wrong again. Signing a 28 year old who will be 29 in december is NOT getting younger. Getting younger is buying out Richards, not overpaying for a 60 point player because he is the shiny toy on the market, and letting Miller step into a role next year. That is getting younger. Just because you have money doesnt mean you have to quickly write another check to spend it as if it will expire if you dont...

Glad many here are not GMs with the "ideas" they have

 

[McRanger]

I think he's suggesting either Stepan + an asset for another center that's a better fit for AV's system or, more likely, Stepan (with or without an asset, depending on the target) for an up-and-coming center.

Not sure that either of those deals are out there (as teams tend to hold on to centers at Stepan's level or better), but depending on who's coming back, I certainly wouldn't be opposed.

He does look to be slow for our system. Not sure who mentioned it a while back, but he definitely looks out of shape compared to past years.

Agreed. Not sure how we would upgrade from Stepan without adding to the trade. Stepan's "defensive" work isn't enough for a 1-for-1 deal.

Personally I would rather hold Stepan and hope he can slightly improve his skating or his conditioning than trade him for an unknown or unproven commodity.

I have been disappointed by Steps this year but as BRB said, there are bigger concerns over the next few months.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

No, no wrong again. Signing a 28 year old who will be 29 in december is NOT getting younger. Getting younger is buying out Richards, not overpaying for a 60 point player because he is the shiny toy on the market, and letting Miller step into a role next year. That is getting younger. Just because you have money doesnt mean you have to quickly write another check to spend it as if it will expire if you dont...

Glad many here are not GMs with the "ideas" they have

It is getting younger.

Its also getting worse.

Stepan/Brassard/Miller poses huge question marks down the middle. Something we are used to as Ranger fans. Not saying Stastny is a solution, but simply promoting Miller presents risks as well.

This team doesn't need to get younger. It needs to get better.

 

[Nightshift]

Ok, I'll play. Stepan+ for Kesler. What's the plus?

Im not suggesting Stepan or Stepan+ for anyone. As someone pointed out, my comment was a general statement that there isn't anything wrong with moving him for a different type of centermen. I don't like to propose trades because I don't see other teams players enough. Especially don't know enough about younger players. I never said he should be traded. Some folks act like I suggest he should be shipped out of town on the next bus because he had a bad game.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Ok, I'll play. Stepan+ for Kesler. What's the plus?

Kristo? I don't know. I was just hypothesizing as to what the OP meant.

Honestly, I'd prefer to find a way (not necessarily in a Stepan deal) to get a young guy who's still not proven in the NHL, but is a high-level prospect/rookie. I'm holding out hope we can work something like this for Callahan or Girardi, although I'm not overly optimisitic.

 

[RGY]

It is getting younger.

Its also getting worse.

Stepan/Brassard/Miller poses huge question marks down the middle. Something we are used to as Ranger fans. Not saying Stastny is a solution, but simply promoting Miller presents risks as well.

This team doesn't need to get younger. It needs to get better.

I was simply stating a difference in what getting younger actually means. Stastny does not do that. I agree we should strive to get better. We are not entering any rebuild mode. It is ok to be smart with our money

 

[DelZottoHitTheNetJK]

Or we could wait and hold onto that money and allocate it somewhere else. Just because you buy out Richards doesn't mean you have to go out and pay someone a bigger salary or a similar one.

Hold onto that money, look for value in playesr like Grabovski this year or Ribiero in past years, etc. If a legit guy hits the market go after him, whether via trade or FA. Stastny is not worth what he will get.

I've suggested Grabovski previously, who I wouldn't mind getting. But all accounts currently have him re-signing with Washington. He would definitely be a nice cheap(er) alternative to Stastny, although it's pretty clear Stastny is the overall better player

No, no wrong again. Signing a 28 year old who will be 29 in december is NOT getting younger. Getting younger is buying out Richards, not overpaying for a 60 point player because he is the shiny toy on the market, and letting Miller step into a role next year. That is getting younger. Just because you have money doesnt mean you have to quickly write another check to spend it as if it will expire if you dont...

Glad many here are not GMs with the "ideas" they have

Can you please explain to me how replacing a 33 year old center with a 28 year old center of similar production is "NOT getting younger?" I'm no math wiz but I'm pretty sure you're out to lunch on this. I also advocated having Miller take over the 3C spot, if you actually read my post. You're clearly here to argue just for the sake of arguing. There is no logic in your post whatsoever.

And another part of my post both of you are neglecting is trading Callahan. A Stepan trade for a top 6 RW makes Callahan even more expendable than he is now; it saves money in the long run, especially if we were able to snag one of the players I listed. So in my scenario, we're buying out Richards AND trading Callahan. Yes, we sign Stastny but we're still saving on what we would have given Callahan by having a Yakupov/Perron/Kucherov etc. instead