Confirmed Signing with Link: Vesey signs with the New York Rangers

[Irishguy42]

No one is saying the Rangers are on the decline due to their forward group. The reason people say this is because of their blueline (specifically Girardi and Staal, and more specifically how much they earn in contribution to what they do on the ice) and Lundqvist's age. Yes Lundqvist is still a top 5 goalie, but at 34, won't be for long. The question is whether NYR can sort out the blueline before Lundqvist really takes a step back.

Well, considering the forward group is pretty much set for the short-term future, I would imagine that the blueline is Gorton's next project.

The forwards were easier to address than the defense, for sure. The blueline was always going to be a longer project.

 

[New York RKY]

No one is saying the Rangers are on the decline due to their forward group. The reason people say this is because of their blueline (specifically Girardi and Staal, and more specifically how much they earn in contribution to what they do on the ice) and Lundqvist's age. Yes Lundqvist is still a top 5 goalie, but at 34, won't be for long. The question is whether NYR can sort out the blueline before Lundqvist really takes a step back.

Rangers have some pretty good goaltending prospects in the system. Are any of them Lundqvist? No, but you don't need a Lundqvist level goalie to win a cup.

 

[chethejet]

Rangers are still trending south with a aging high cost D and goalie who has seen better days. But he made the rounds and the Rangers were the pick. Thought he had better options but we will see how he adjusts to NY and inflated expectations.

 

[Riptide]

JT Miller (23)
Stepan (26)
Zibanejad (23)
Kreider (25)
Buchnevic (21)
Vesey (23)
Hayes (24)
McDonagh (26)
Skjei (22)

No future

34 year old goalie making 8.5m for the next 5 years.

 

[Toronto makebeleifs]

I hope that now this is over we will see a small flurry of signings and trades.

 

[BruinLVGA]

JT Miller (23)
Stepan (26)
Zibanejad (23)
Kreider (25)
Buchnevic (21)
Vesey (23)
Hayes (24)
McDonagh (26)
Skjei (22)

No future

Like many others have said, I see nothing special there either. I would have thought that if his thing was being in NY, he would have chosen the Islanders over the Rangers 110 times out of 100. I am stunned he chose the Rangers.

 

[triggrman]

As a Nashville fan, I ain't mad. We got our pick back anyway.

 

[Riptide]

Well, considering the forward group is pretty much set for the short-term future, I would imagine that the blueline is Gorton's next project.

The forwards were easier to address than the defense, for sure. The blueline was always going to be a longer project.

But until that's done, NYR won't be considered a contender. And unless they buy out Girardi or find a sucker for him or (just as importantly) AV stops using him like a top pairing D, that's not going to be an easy fix.

Rangers have some pretty good goaltending prospects in the system. Are any of them Lundqvist? No, but you don't need a Lundqvist level goalie to win a cup.

Agree completely. However paying 9.5m for your goal tending when it means you only have average goaltending is a serious handicap when it comes to the rest of the lineup. Thats why people (myself included) keep bringing that up. Lundqvist has a couple of years where he'll win you series on his own. However you're likely going to use one or two of those just to remake the blueline into something that can win (aka get rid of Girardi - or just play him like a 3rd pairing D). And after Lundqvist becomes average (or worse), that contract (not him, but just the contract) will be a serious handicap that will really impact whatever window NYR has.

 

[jay from jersey]

no. it's not that

I think you're slightly overstating the future of the Rangers.

From that list there isn't a single player that projects as a truly elite player in the league. Sure, maybe Buchnevich or someone can far exceed expectations, but banking on it to happen doesn't seem realistic. Teams don't win cups without an elite C or a dominant D core. They don't have a dominant D-core. They might, again, if Skjei and Mcillrath exceed expectations.

Their best prospect outside Buch and Skjei is. . . Adam Tambellini?



best prospect after skiej is probably kovacs or gropp besides the goalies. it's not like the rangers have busted drafting Mcilrath krieder miller lundqvist staal stepan fast and hrivk have all graduated from prospect status and are making an impact in the NHL. zucarello girardi hayes and now vesey were all signed for free without giving up assets. they don't get top 5 picks because the never finish near last and the one superstar they could have had, the siberian express who was putting up ovechkin/bure type stats in the KHL freaking dies. It sucks double because that is also the reason it made them leary of picking tarashenko. but you play the hand your dealt. they are drafting fine. as far as finding a superstar, they need to find a late pick who flys under the radar ala Lundqvist, UFA, or a big trade. but to say that they can't draft or have no future is just dead wrong, a majority of the team is 26 and under and the positions they are old at have replacements in the wings. as for the defense, i believe shattenkirk will be a ranger this off season. believe me, gorton knows what he is doing. he has done a good job so far. in jeff we trust. all while playing competitive hockey

 

[Tawnos]

Like many others have said, I see nothing special there either. I would have thought that if his thing was being in NY, he would have chosen the Islanders over the Rangers 110 times out of 100. I am stunned he chose the Rangers.

One of those forwards is a first line C. One of the D is a 1st pair D. One of those forwards is a 2nd liner. Another D has #2 potential. Two of those forwards have 1st line upside. Three of those forwards have 1B potential.

It's a group with a good amount of promise. We will see if they make it.

 

[JT Kreider]

I actually think our biggest immediate problem is AV. He had such an unimaginably bad season. It was hard to process the obvious mistakes he kept on making. And instead of fixing those mistakes, he went even harder in on those bad decisions.

It's no coincidence that nearly all our established players had the worst seasons of their careers or regressed outside of Miller. AND we had our worst playoff showing in a decade.

He put the entire roster in a huge position to fail. Best case scenario is we get off to a so so start this season and he gets canned. I want Travis Green to replace him.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Like many others have said, I see nothing special there either. I would have thought that if his thing was being in NY, he would have chosen the Islanders over the Rangers 110 times out of 100. I am stunned he chose the Rangers.

Maybe he was worried about where the Islanders are going to be playing, since they apparently want to leave Brooklyn already

 

[Toews2Bickell]

AV is one of the better coaches in the league and should have no problem finding a new home if he is fired. CBJ would be a great landing spot for him if NY was dumb enough to fire him.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

ITT: People downplaying the vessey hype now cuz he chose the Rags

 

[JT Kreider]

Like many others have said, I see nothing special there either. I would have thought that if his thing was being in NY, he would have chosen the Islanders over the Rangers 110 times out of 100. I am stunned he chose the Rangers.

And what is so special about the Islanders outside Tavares?

Maybe Vesey has the same crystal ball that everyone on HF has and knows Tavares is leaving for Toronto.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

I just don't understand why he would pick the rangers, when there are much better options for him. They didn't really seem favored in any aspect compared to the other teams on his list.

 

[TheKingPin]

Like many others have said, I see nothing special there either. I would have thought that if his thing was being in NY, he would have chosen the Islanders over the Rangers 110 times out of 100. I am stunned he chose the Rangers.

Same. I'm thinking he wanted to go there to me more of a star and get more cash. As opposed to being compared to high end talent in Toronto and Chicago. The rangers are going no where fast. That said, congrats on the signing. It will obviously help, likely more than any where else.

 

[BruinLVGA]

Rangers have some pretty good goaltending prospects in the system. Are any of them Lundqvist? No, but you don't need a Lundqvist level goalie to win a cup.

Let's not kid ourselves: the Rangers live or die pretty much solely on Lundqvist performance. Maybe you have been used to his level of goal tending for too long and it seems normal what he has been doing throughout his career, but it really isn't. I think only the Montreal Canadiens are a team that relies more on their goaltender than the NYR. If I was in your shoes, I would dread the day Lundqvist is gone or declines like peasants in medieval Europe feared the plague.

 

[Riptide]

no point posting it anymore. its quite obvious that there is a crap load of jealousy in this thread now. IMO(as a non NYR fan) the future of NYR looks unbelievable and its quite obvious it is extremely talented and impressive. People that think otherwise is jealous or has zero knowledge. In a few years, this team will be a very good team

You also forgot to mention Lindberg in there

Yes that's exactly the case. Unknowledgeable and jealous. Or perhaps we just don't look at things through rose colored glasses?

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

AV is one of the better coaches in the league and should have no problem finding a new home if he is fired. CBJ would be a great landing spot for him if NY was dumb enough to fire him.

So great that the fact that he keeps playing Tanner Glass is bypassed?

 

[Riptide]

This guy is the most overhyped prospect since. I can't even say

The guy will be so average it won't be funny

Even if that's the case, does it really matter? Most teams in the league would take an "average" guy who's free, young, has potential and cheap every day of the week.

 

[JT Kreider]

Let's not kid ourselves: the Rangers live or die pretty much solely on Lundqvist performance. Maybe you have been used to his level of goal tending for too long and it seems normal what he has been doing throughout his career, but it really isn't. I think only the Montreal Canadiens are a team that relies more on their goaltender than the NYR. If I was in your shoes, I would dread the day Lundqvist is gone or declines like peasants in medieval Europe feared the plague.

We played probably the best stretch of hockey we've had since 94 with Talbot in net in 2015.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Not sure.

I know McDonagh has one. Either for an energy drink or some other drink.

Other than that, I don't know what other endorsements are out there for the Rangers.

It is an odd argument to bring up, I'll agree.

Ooooh Lala Sasson

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/7/29/5948309/new-york-rangers-commercial-sasson-jeans-ooh-la-la

 

[13th Floor]

And what is so special about the Islanders outside Tavares?

Maybe Vesey has the same crystal ball that everyone on HF has and knows Tavares is leaving for Toronto.

Our defense and prospect pool?

I'm not one who thinks NYR is nearly as bad as everyone else thinks. They are a fine team and can probably turn it around before heading completely south. But, pound for pound, I think the Isles are better and deeper.

 

[Cassano]

34 year old goalie making 8.5m for the next 5 years.

Said goalie is also the best goalie of this generation.