Good points
If this applies how would AV see the current roster and who should stay and who should go (by this reasoning)?
Maybe something like:
Nash = ? BUYOUT POSSIBLY ? (Really hurts to say this)
Hagelin = STAY
Callahan = STAY
Stepan = ?
Richards = PREVIOUSLY BUYOUT REGARDLESS - NOW NOT CERTAIN
Zuccarello = GO
Pouliot = ?
Pyatt = GO
Boyle = GO
Dorsett = STAY
Kreider = STAY
Miller = STAY
Fast = STAY
Moore = BANDAID
Mashinter = GOON
Asham = GONE
Powe = GONE
McD = STAY
GIRARDI = GO
STAAL = ?
MOORE = STAY
MDZ = ???
STRALMAN = STAY
FALK = GO ??
THOUGHTS ON THIS?
Nash isn't going anywhere. Rangers have too much invested in him--both in terms of contract and the components they gave up to get him. And when healthy he's their most legit scoring threat.
Stepan isn't going anywhere either--there's no ? about it. The slow start is somewhat because of no training camp and unfamiliarity with the coaching staff. He's too young and too smart of a player--a Rangers version of Patrice Bergeron. After Nash he is the second most important forward in the organization.
Callahan-stays--he is the face of the hard work ethic the team has become known for. In part that's why he's the captain.
Hagelin is staying as well. Speed and smarts--relentless forechecking--well rounded player. IMO he needs to get stronger and more feisty. Also needs to work on his scoring touch.
Brassard stays unless we can move him for something better.
Kreider stays in NY if he can add some offense and play more consistently. Otherwise he'll be back and forth from the Rangers-Hartford.
Miller--ditto as with Kreider.
I'd keep Boyle but move him to left wing--he can center for the pk.
I'd also keep Dorsett.
Pouliot and Zuccarello have to prove themselves over the course of the year. They both need to put up offensive stats. If they don't---then I wouldn't be bringing them back.
I like Fast--he's a smart player with very good instincts. He reminds me a bit of Patrik Elias or Daniel Alfredsson. That being said he looks a bit over his head right now. He needs to get stronger. I keep him but at this point in time I'm thinking he's going to need some AHL ice time--if only just to get some confidence in the offensive part of his game.
Dominic Moore--is a ? Mashinter is a ?
Asham, Powe and Richards--gone.
Richards needs to be bought out even if so far he's been the Rangers best forward. The last three years of his contract where he'll be 40 years of age are for $1 million per but the cap hit will be close to $7 mil per and the Rangers will take that hit whether he plays or not. They cannot afford that kind of handicap three years running.
McDonagh and Staal both stay. Girardi stays depending on a new contract. Ditto for Stralman. Girardi more valuable because he's proven he can play harder minutes than Stralman and in great quantity.
Moore stays. Del Zotto stays but he's trade bait.
Falk is ?
Henrik stays. MVP.
Talbot stays if he can prove he can handle the backup job.