Tweaks = Back to the Finals = Better result

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

that if there's a move to be made with Staal for a 1C you make it.

I keep seeing this. I really don't see what 1C people think they're getting in a trade for Staal.

 

[Fletch]

I keep seeing this. I really don't understand what 1C people think they're getting in a trade for Staal.

And also what 1C is cheaper than Staal and then who takes Staal's place, who, in my mind, helped float Stralman's boat at times and is going to get better, and a team that relies so much on defense, it may not be the best loss of a roster spot. I see where people are coming from though. It's so tight monetarily and the LA series highlighted the need for a top line player that one can drum-up only one logical solution, as illogical as it may be.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

And also what 1C is cheaper than Staal and then who takes Staal's place, who, in my mind, helped float Stralman's boat at times and is going to get better, and a team that relies so much on defense, it may not be the best loss of a roster spot. I see where people are coming from though. It's so tight monetarily and the LA series highlighted the need for a top line player that one can drum-up only one logical solution, as illogical as it may be.

I'd also add, what 1C that is Staal's age?

 

[Fletch]

Not really trying to be bleak, but there are definite concerns that this surprising and fun run masked. I really don't want to re-hash MSL, but I really am dreading going 3 drafts without a first round pick (at least as things stand).

I hear you on this. We won't feel the effects of not having a pick for a couple years, but it will be felt, and further, you do lose those potential trade pieces and really can't use picks to trade for a need. Both pick-wise and cap-wise, this team is not very well setup today. Either need to find a steal, or someone has to step things up, otherwise this team could enter next season with virtually the same team, minus Richards (who helped the team get there, and think he at least did pretty well against PITT), and perhaps minus others because they cannot afford them, even with Richards being bought out. Think Brooks had an analysis in the Post today that kind of paints the picture. And bleak isn't the right word. It's more like stuck with what they got, which may not be horrible so long as Lundqvist plays the way he's capable of playing.

 

[Fletch]

I'd also add, what 1C that is Staal's age?

yes, as opposed to a 33 year old who'd on the other side of his career. Seen that all to often.

 

[Tawnos]

There's a chance that not having those picks will not affect us at all. Gotta hit some home runs with 2nd or 3rd rounders. Or later. There's a chance we've already done that, potentially twice, in last year's draft. Gotta keep doing it.

The thing is, I don't see the need for massive change. Tweaks is all it is and tweaks are not that expensive. We need to look for more deals like MDZ for Klein. We need to have a couple of our forward prospect crop peak through. We need to see continued natural progress from Kreider, McDonagh, Moore, and maybe one of Brassard or Stepan. That's it. I think we can do it again next year if some of those things happen.

 

[Fletch]

There's a chance that not having those picks will not affect us at all. Gotta hit some home runs with 2nd or 3rd rounders. Or later. There's a chance we've already done that, potentially twice, in last year's draft. Gotta keep doing it.

The thing is, I don't see the need for massive change. Tweaks is all it is and tweaks are not that expensive. We need to look for more deals like MDZ for Klein. We need to have a couple of our forward prospect crop peak through. We need to see continued natural progress from Kreider, McDonagh, Moore, and maybe one of Brassard or Stepan. That's it. I think we can do it again next year if some of those things happen.

I don't know how not having a first round pick wouldn't affect you unless all potential picks become busts.

 

[Tawnos]

I don't know how not having a first round pick wouldn't affect you unless all potential picks become busts.

It doesn't affect you if you pull first round quality out of later rounds, the way the Wings did for years.

 

[BarbaraAlphanse]

I don't know how not having a first round pick wouldn't affect you unless all potential picks become busts.

It wouldnt affect us if we had supreme scouts that really found the gem's in the rough in like 2 of 3 of the drafts we don't have a first.

Last year certainly seems like an indication that they hit home runs on all 3 of our 3rd round picks. Duclair and Buch project to be 2nd and 3rd line players. Tambelini projects to be a 3rd or 4th.

Haggerty, Bodie, and the Czech guy have decently high ceilings.

The Thomas for Kristo trade was incredibly fortunate.

In a year or two, Nash will be able to be traded for a first round pick and some prospects, as well.

That being said, generally, we seem to be a middle of the pack drafting team. We've had our fair share of busts to accompany our successes. We still haven't found a 1c in years. Haven't found a 1st line wing talent that will pot over 70 points. Kreider is great, but he's a great complement - he's not "the guy". And besides Staal, we haven't really drafted a guy who has become a #1 defender. Skjei is still a ways away and who knows if he'll pan out.

The formula for the team is, and should continue to be - find gem depth players.. sign the talent.

 

[Fletch]

It doesn't affect you if you pull first round quality out of later rounds, the way the Wings did for years.

wouldn't you want more picks though? Just because you have a #1 pick and pick that wisely doesn't mean you shouldn't draft well in later rounds. The more prospects, the merrier. Aside from that, you always like to increase your chances of finding quality talent in the draft, and those chances decrease without a number one pick. I know what you're saying, as you're "what if" is what if they find that guy later, I'm taking a step back and saying it's tough to rely on that, and even if you find a gem in the later rounds, it's always nice to have others also in the pipeline.

 

[Tawnos]

wouldn't you want more picks though? Just because you have a #1 pick and pick that wisely doesn't mean you shouldn't draft well in later rounds. The more prospects, the merrier. Aside from that, you always like to increase your chances of finding quality talent in the draft, and those chances decrease without a number one pick. I know what you're saying, as you're "what if" is what if they find that guy later, I'm taking a step back and saying it's tough to rely on that, and even if you find a gem in the later rounds, it's always nice to have others also in the pipeline.

I would rather have more picks, yes. We don't have the next 2 first round picks. All I'm saying is that means we absolutely need to draft well in later rounds. Maybe in a way that isn't necessarily true when you have those top picks. But we don't. Extra emphasis.

 

[GordonGecko]

Did everyone have a good look at how the Rangers played offensively in the OT periods on Friday? I will never understand why they didn't attack like that in the rest of the series. The flow of the puck, the pressure, the scoring chances - this team can do that but for some reason didn't. Seems like a bunch of the guys just ran out of gas, Richards and G especially.

Overall, the Rangers need more of a killer instinct. Nash needs a personality transplant or something, somebody needs to make him angry. We need to learn how to close, stop making so many passes and take the shot, and make sure that shot is on target!!

The whole team needs a summer full of target practice, put a net in the back year, get a playstation, just put in some hours and do something

Slats needs to trade some playmaking for closing and to add some more aggressiveness, team is too soft and tends to get pushed around at times

 

[Oak]

We need to replace B-Rad, and we can really use a D who has a good shot from the blue line. I doubt we can trade or pickup a Dman that will bring that though.

At the least we should buyout Beav and sign ROR. I much prefer ROR over Statsny.

If we can't pickup a more offensive Dman then we should tweak our lines and put Stralman on top with McD. Girardi needs less minutes. Him and Staal can be a good shutdown line but you have to worry about both of their occasional inconsistencies. Especially Staal who can be stellar one game and horrible the next. He did have a rough season though so maybe with some rest this summer Staal can be more consistent next.

Everything else should stay the same, although I would be open to using Poo in some kind of trade. He is also pretty inconsistent and definitely takes the dumbest penalties out of the group.

I have to agree that with just a few tweaks we can be right where we need to be. I'm not sure if we will have cap space to keep everyone but it's a great feeling knowing we don't need to do much to keep a very solid team together.

 

[Fletch]

I would rather have more picks, yes. We don't have the next 2 first round picks. All I'm saying is that means we absolutely need to draft well in later rounds. Maybe in a way that isn't necessarily true when you have those top picks. But we don't. Extra emphasis.

I agree - tried to be careful in what I said because I did understand what you were saying and didn't want to point out too much of the obvious. Tough situation, draft-wise, to be in .

 

[True Blue]

I would rather have more picks, yes. We don't have the next 2 first round picks. All I'm saying is that means we absolutely need to draft well in later rounds. Maybe in a way that isn't necessarily true when you have those top picks. But we don't. Extra emphasis.

Absolutely. And not just the latter rounds. The 2nd and 3rd round picks cannot be utter failures.

 

[True Blue]

I keep seeing this. I really don't see what 1C people think they're getting in a trade for Staal.

I am not sure of why people are in a hurry to trade Staal. 1st pairing defensemen do not grow on trees.

 

[Raspewtin]

I am not sure of why people are in a hurry to trade Staal. 1st pairing defensemen do not grow on trees.

A young, great top 6 center like ROR is more important than a defenseman that is on our 2nd pairing.

It's just a luxury we can't afford anymore, in my opinion.

 

[True Blue]

A young, great top 6 center like ROR is more important than a defenseman that is on our 2nd pairing.

It's just a luxury we can't afford anymore, in my opinion.

That is your view and I respect it. IMO, a legit top-pairing defenseman is more important than a forward. Just because Staal plays on the 2nd pairing, that does not obfuscate what he really is.

 

[Ail]

I am not sure of why people are in a hurry to trade Staal. 1st pairing defensemen do not grow on trees.

Optimally you keep the top4 as it is now, but as you said Staal is a 1st pairing defenseman. The Rangers already have two of them signed going forward. Do you think Staal will take second pairing money just because he plays on it? They cannot afford to pay 3 1st pairing defensemen. He is starting to look like the odd man out unless they cannot get Stralman on a long term deal with a smaller cap hit.

 

[Tawnos]

I'm in no hurry to trade Staal, but I think it's worth listening to what the market has to offer. My main concern is that Staal's replacement would be Moore. That's a much sharper downgrade than replacing Stralman with Klein.

 

[Raspewtin]

That is your view and I respect it. IMO, a legit top-pairing defenseman is more important than a forward. Just because Staal plays on the 2nd pairing, that does not obfuscate what he really is.

Agree to disagree then.

I'm really in no rush to trade Staal either, he was flat out excellent the first two series, and he got better as the Kings series went on. But I think a young top 6 center is more important, tis all.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Theres just too many free agents to assume that some "tweaks" is all thats needed in the offseason. Things are going to change.

I'd suggest signing almost all the free agents and looking to make a big splash trade for a center.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I think signing Staal longterm and signing Stralman is amongst the highest priorities.

Sather needs to be careful to not chip away at a solid foundation on defense thats carried the team for years now along with Lundqvist.

 

[Doctor King Schultz]

We need to replace B-Rad, and we can really use a D who has a good shot from the blue line. I doubt we can trade or pickup a Dman that will bring that though.

At the least we should buyout Beav and sign ROR. I much prefer ROR over Statsny.

If we can't pickup a more offensive Dman then we should tweak our lines and put Stralman on top with McD. Girardi needs less minutes. Him and Staal can be a good shutdown line but you have to worry about both of their occasional inconsistencies. Especially Staal who can be stellar one game and horrible the next. He did have a rough season though so maybe with some rest this summer Staal can be more consistent next.

Everything else should stay the same, although I would be open to using Poo in some kind of trade. He is also pretty inconsistent and definitely takes the dumbest penalties out of the group.

I have to agree that with just a few tweaks we can be right where we need to be. I'm not sure if we will have cap space to keep everyone but it's a great feeling knowing we don't need to do much to keep a very solid team together.

Pouliot is a UFA. I would replace him if an upgrade were available, otherwise I would try to resign him to a similar deal to what he got this year. He was on our best line this year, although inconsistent is the word I would use to describe him.

 

[Raspewtin]

I think signing Staal longterm and signing Stralman is amongst the highest priorities.

Sather needs to be careful to not chip away at a solid foundation on defense thats carried the team for years now along with Lundqvist.

He really made his own bed by not getting these extensions done earlier.

Again, being in the final at all raises the value of everyone, and every FA on this team already deserves a raise.

Sather has to get really creative.