Who will play next year?

[Beacon]

Many people here are in favor of getting rid of Richards, Callahan, Boyle and Girardi. The question is who will play?

Richards leads the team in scoring. Yes, Miller can take some of his minutes, but he won't lead the team in scoring.

Lindberg will be a good rookie, but won't have the experience of Boyle.

One of Fast or Kristo will likely make the team next year, but won't provide the scoring, the hustle or the leadership of Cally.

One of McIlrath or Allen should be ready, but nowhere near Girardi's level.

In each of these cases, we are looking at a downgrade. Losing all of these will send us out if the playoffs.

I understand that we need to get rid of some of them. Richards needs to be bought out to make room for Miller, and it makes sense to have Lindberg play over Boyle at $1+ cap savings.

But let's not kid ourselves into thinking that we won't get worse. If on top of that if we fail to resign Girardi and/or Callahan, we will be markedly worse.

I am really not sure I have a point here, but if the team isn't going to resign Cally, Boyle and/or Girardi, they should use them to acquire other assets.

Look at Gaborik. Had we not acquired Brass, Dorsett and Moore, we would likely be on the verge of not making the playoffs right now, and lacking all depth at center once we dump Brad.

The same decision needs to be made with G, Boyle and Cally. We can get valuable assets for them in return for losing in round 1 of the playoffs instead of round 2. If we don't think we will re-sign them, then trade them.

A few weeks after the playoffs end, nobody will remember in what round we lost. But acquiring long term assets will matter for years to come.

Click to read more...

 

[mike14]

At the risk of stating the blatantly obvious, if Callahan and Girardi are traded, the expectation would be that at least some young players pushing for a spot would be part of the return, add them to the prospects you mentioned in HFD as well as Slats love of UFAs and you'll have a team.

Without knowing anything about Slats' plan (or if he has one) it's tough to guess names, but as a minimum I'd expect him to be on the phone of Statsny, Vanek and Moulsen come July 1 depending on what he does with callahan

 

[17futurecap]

They need to find out this summer if Staal has interest in coming back or if he is bolting? I think a team on the verge of a cup would pay a nice penny for him even if they were just getting him for a whole season. Or of course see what Carolina would give for him, but they might just be better off waiting for him to hit UFA.At least Pittsburgh had two teams to bargain with when trading Jordan to either Carolina or New York.

As far as targets in free agency could see Sather looking into Stastny and Grabovski. Also see him looking into Dany Heatley or Ales Hemsky because that just seems like a Sather move. Of course guys will go onto the trade market that no one will see coming, will be interesting to see what the Oilers wind up doing this summer if they want to move one of the bigger names.

Beacon, you are better with the Hartford guys, but is it reasonable to say Miller, Fast, Lindberg, Kristo, Allen and McIlrath would come into camp with shots to make the team?

 

[haveandare]

Assuming G and Cally are willing to take reasonable deals (perhaps a big assumption), I'd keep both, trade Boyle, buyout Richards, see if anybody wants Puliot for anything, and see if Miller/Lindberg can take the center spot and Fast/Kristo can take the wing spot. Trying to replace Richards, Boyle, Girardi and Callahan is absurd and will never, ever go smoothly. Get rid of problem players. Richards contract is crippling and he'll never earn it, especially not going forward. Boyle is good, but his spot is slipping away. Other guys can do what he does. Puliot is alright from time-to-time, but I'd rather have a guy in that spot who will be a part of something going forward.

As for the D, I'd wait to see who is really going to make the team next year and then act accordingly, maybe trade a second or third pairing guy if they can fetch a good deal or there's an inkling that they won't be around long term. Cross that bridge when they get to it though. I wouldn't operate on the assumption that someone will definitely be ready to step up at the start of next season.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

There's no reason not to bring back Boyle. The hate he gets here is just absurd. He's an outstanding role player.

 

[Raspewtin]

I really hate that Boyle is seemingly always behind the play on the 4th line, and that he can't keep up w/ Moore and Dorsett. He also has a hard time accepting a pass. I don't think that flies well with AV.

Having said that, he does a lot of great things for this team.

I'm split on bringing him back.

 

[aufheben]

There's no reason not to bring back Boyle. The hate he gets here is just absurd. He's an outstanding role player.

Agreed.

 

[SA16]

There's no reason not to bring back Boyle. The hate he gets here is just absurd. He's an outstanding role player.

Has a lot to do with you can resign Cally for ~6M and Boyle for ~2M or you can let both go and pay someone more like Vanek ~8M and call up or sign a guy for around league min to play on the 4th line.

 

[Matt4776]

There is a 0% chance that Girardi or Callahan walk away for nothing. If we don't trade them, I can't see Sather letting them go for nothing. If we do trade them, we will hopefully get young prospects ready to push at their positions. We aren't going to get a top-6 C for G or Cally. But, we might get a player that can project to be a top-6 C.

It's going to hurt losing Richards, but hopefully, we'll get some good young players back for G and Callahan.

I want to resign Boyle, FWIW.

 

[Kwayry]

Many people here are in favor of getting rid of Richards, Callahan, Boyle and Girardi. The question is who will play?

Richards leads the team in scoring. Yes, Miller can take some of his minutes, but he won't lead the team in scoring.

Lindberg will be a good rookie, but won't have the experience of Boyle.

One of Fast or Kristo will likely make the team next year, but won't provide the scoring, the hustle or the leadership of Cally.

One of McIlrath or Allen should be ready, but nowhere near Girardi's level.

In each of these cases, we are looking at a downgrade. Losing all of these will send us out if the playoffs.

I understand that we need to get rid of some of them. Richards needs to be bought out to make room for Miller, and it makes sense to have Lindberg play over Boyle at $1+ cap savings.

But let's not kid ourselves into thinking that we won't get worse. If on top of that if we fail to resign Girardi and/or Callahan, we will be markedly worse.

I am really not sure I have a point here, but if the team isn't going to resign Cally, Boyle and/or Girardi, they should use them to acquire other assets.

Look at Gaborik. Had we not acquired Brass, Dorsett and Moore, we would likely be on the verge of not making the playoffs right now, and lacking all depth at center once we dump Brad.

The same decision needs to be made with G, Boyle and Cally. We can get valuable assets for them in return for losing in round 1 of the playoffs instead of round 2. If we don't think we will re-sign them, then trade them.

A few weeks after the playoffs end, nobody will remember in what round we lost. But acquiring long term assets will matter for years to come.

I think it's a given that Brad is bought out.
Boyle may also be a goner, with D Moore on board, he may become redundant and Sather said he received a lot of calls about him.
Callahan is heart and soul and those are tough things to replace. But at what price?
Girardi is irreplaceable, trading means the team will take a hit, is it worth it? Depends on what the return is.
The other thing that is interesting is all 3 are locker room leaders. How do you replace that?
On the other hand, this is a unique opportunity, new coach, new system, Sather may retire and the new GM will have a chance to mold the roster the way he wants.
Tough decisions and I am glad I am not making them.

 

[Miller Time NYR]

Has a lot to do with you can resign Cally for ~6M and Boyle for ~2M or you can let both go and pay someone more like Vanek ~8M and call up or sign a guy for around league min to play on the 4th line.

So well have yet another revolving door in the bottom six, the spot Prust left is still revolving, we let Boyle leave because we don;t want to pay him market value and then that door opens up, your not going to get a big bodied guy who kills penalties and is good in the dot for cheap or from Hartford. Why not just pay Boyle the 2 mil and build around him with youth in the bottom 6.

 

[mike14]

So well have yet another revolving door in the bottom six, the spot Prust left is still revolving, we let Boyle leave because we don;t want to pay him market value and then that door opens up, your not going to get a big bodied guy who kills penalties and is good in the dot for cheap or from Hartford. Why not just pay Boyle the 2 mil and build around him with youth in the bottom 6.

Moore is good on the dot and kills penalties. Sure he's not 'big-bodied' but as one of the knocks on Boyle is that he doesn't use his size effectively, does it matter? If can lock up Moore at 2 more years for ~1.5 that gives us 500k to use elsewhere without it becoming a 'revolving-door' position.

Also, is Prust's position really 'revolving'? Dorsett is signed for next season and he seems to have it when he's not busy breaking his leg...

 

[LittleKev6D9]

I will never understand why Boyle gets ripped apart here. Good PKer. Good 4th liner. Great teammate loves playing here. He is one of the few players that when I watch truly takes pride in playing for the Rangers. I'd welcome Brian Boyle back on this team with open arms.

 

[BBKers]

Boyle is most likely a cap casualty if improvements are made up front
Paying $2M+ for a 4th liner (a good one albeit) does not work on this team
No way around that
He will probably not be traded as he has been useful in the POs before
Now just cuz I said that watch Sather trade him for Hemsky at the deadline

 

[mti79]

I think Boyle gets heat for not using his size more and that one year he blew up and scored a bunch. Now that he can't reproduce that, he's "worthless" and we need to get rid of him.

 

[Trxjw]

I think Miller and Fast will likely play next fall. I don't think the Rangers will throw Lindberg on the 4th line just to save money on the cap. He projects as a very good 3C+, so he needs to play bigger minutes.

If Girardi is traded, unless a replacement is found, I think it's safe to assume that one of McIlrath or Allen will win a spot.

That all being said, it's too early to tell. If Girardi and / or Callahan are traded there very well may be a piece or two that come back in the deal who could fit into the lineup sooner rather than later.

 

[NYR Viper]

There's no reason not to bring back Boyle. The hate he gets here is just absurd. He's an outstanding role player.

Sure there is, price.

 

[NYR Viper]

If they let Girardi and Callahan go, I would expect they would be in the market for some help when it comes time for UFA. I doubt both go. Maybe 1 or the other.

Stralman
Boyle
Moore
Pouliot
Carcillo

Are all UFA's.

There are good pieces that will be available, depending on the price:
Vrbata
Vanek
Moulson
Cammalleri
Goc

On top of that, there may be other players besides Richards who are bought out.

 

[RangerBoy]

Its not too early. The Olympic roster freeze is next Friday. The deadline comes on the March 5. Did anyone see Sather this weekend? I didn't go yesterday. My cousin went. He brought his binoculars. When the Rangers and the NHL were discussing the sun situation,Gorton was there representing the Rangers. Lou was front and center for Jersey. No Slats. The NHL network had a shot of the Rangers dugout during their pregame and it was Gorton with AV looking at the playing conditions. Is Gorton making the decisions with Slats still in the GM chair? Tony Soprano and Uncle Jun situation. Tony is the real boss but Junior is the boss in name only and he takes all of the heat.

 

[Vidic15*]

Its not too early. The Olympic roster freeze is next Friday. The deadline comes on the March 5. Did anyone see Sather this weekend? I didn't go yesterday. My cousin went. He brought his binoculars. When the Rangers and the NHL were discussing the sun situation,Gorton was there representing the Rangers. Lou was front and center for Jersey. No Slats. The NHL network had a shot of the Rangers dugout during their pregame and it was Gorton with AV looking at the playing conditions. Is Gorton making the decisions with Slats still in the GM chair? Tony Soprano and Uncle Jun situation. Tony is the real boss but Junior is the boss in name only and he takes all of the heat.

Love this analogy. I've been watching The Sopranos lately.

 

[Infinitum Vitae*]

I would really like to keep that fourth line together for seasons to come.... trade poo with Molson and we have a good team... and please sign all D man back

 

[Infinitum Vitae*]

If we buyout Richards I think brass or zucc will be QB of PP... with extra money sign our Dman back and get a top six forward that can finish

 

[Beacon]

I think we are worse next year than this. Even if all we lose is Brad, that's our leading scorer!

If we lose Brad+Cally or Brad+G, we will not be very good.

Soon we'll be halfway to 54 years.

 

[Beacon]

I will never understand why Boyle gets ripped apart here. Good PKer. Good 4th liner. Great teammate loves playing here. He is one of the few players that when I watch truly takes pride in playing for the Rangers. I'd welcome Brian Boyle back on this team with open arms.

I like Boyle, but if we can replace him by a good rookie at half the cap hit, it's something to strongly consider.

 

[GAGLine]

There's no reason not to bring back Boyle. The hate he gets here is just absurd. He's an outstanding role player.

How much are you willing to pay for that role? That's the question. He's making 1.8 mil this year (1.7 mil cap hit). How much does he want? Prust got 2.5 per year when the cap was lower. I can see Boyle asking for that much.

Are you willing to pay 2.5 per year for a 4th liner who's great on the PK and faceoffs but terrible offensively? How much do we still need Boyle if we retain Moore and bring up Lindberg?