Who will play next year?

[NYR Viper]

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.

If they can go into next season healthy I think that's a big boost though. Nash was out, Callahan was out, Hagelin was out.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

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'm with you 100%. But I think he will get at least what Prust got in the open market and I don't see the Rangers matching it.

Big game like yesterday he is one of the guys stepping up. As he has in the playoffs. Personally I'd like him back but realistically I don't think it's in the cards.

 

[NYR Viper]

I'm with you 100%. I think he will get at least what Prust got in the open market and I don't see the Rangers matching it.

Big game like yesterday he is one of the guys stepping up. As he did in the playoffs. Personally I'd like him back but realistically I don't think it's in the cards.

Serious question, would people like to pay Boyle 2.5 million or would they have rather signed Pust for 2.5 million? Because my answer, would be neither for that money.

 

[Raspewtin]

Serious question, would people like to pay Boyle 2.5 million or would they have rather signed Pust for 2.5 million? Because my answer, would be neither for that money.

I mean if I HAD to choose, it'd be Boyle.

But even with the increased cap. 4th liners aren't worth north of 2 million.

Brian Boyle will get paid via UFA. Boyd Gordon got 3 million on the UFA market. He's worse than Boyle.

 

[Bluenote13]

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.

Actually my experience has been no matter what profession, most bosses act in that manner. Even elected officials and their under the table/back room deals are no different. And yeah the mob does a good job of this in a very entertaining way, that series was a gem. You can see the back of my head in an episode, so much for my closeup

Soon we'll be halfway to 54 years.

20 down, 34 to go !

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?

I agree one of Moore or Boyle has to go. Lindberg will be a good addition and needed insurance in case of injury. I'm a big fan of his so I hope the leap in progression is big from this season to next.

But I'm not against retaining Boyle for 2.5 or more(moore?). Look, money is paid to guys who do something and do it well. Sometimes those guys are the glue that keeps it together in the locker room. Prust was a guy who did it on the ice and the room, yet was 'too expensive' in what I see as penny pinching. Ironically coming from a team that throws money blindly to aging scorers. IMO, you can't have one or the other, you need both and paying for them should be comparable to what they do to help the team win.

 

[NYR Viper]

Actually my experience has been no matter what profession, most bosses act in that manner. Even elected officials and their under the table/back room deals are no different. And yeah the mob does a good job of this in a very entertaining way, that series was a gem. You can see the back of my head in an episode, so much for my closeup



20 down, 34 to go !



I agree one of Moore or Boyle has to go. Lindberg will be a good addition and needed insurance in case of injury. I'm a big fan of his so I hope the leap in progression is big from this season to next.

But I'm not against retaining Boyle for 2.5 or more(moore?). Look, money is paid to guys who do something and do it well. Sometimes those guys are the glue that keeps it together in the locker room. Prust was a guy who did it on the ice and the room, yet was 'too expensive' in what I see as penny pinching. Ironically coming from a team that throws money blindly to aging scorers. IMO, you can't have one or the other, you need both and paying for them should be comparable to what they do to help the team win.

But wouldn't there be other options out there that can provide what he does? Malhotra is a great example of a great signing this year. Dominic Moore is another. Very good 4th line centers who can PK and provide a little leadership in the room.

 

[Bluenote13]

But wouldn't there be other options out there that can provide what he does? Malhotra is a great example of a great signing this year. Dominic Moore is another. Very good 4th line centers who can PK and provide a little leadership in the room.

Like I said I wouldn't mind keeping Moore, he provides good leadership and play, maybe better than Boyle, but he is older and I'd wonder about injuries in his next 100 games compared to Boyles. I know things could go the other way very easily. It's a gut call.

They really blew it with Richards. Maybe that will be rectified in the offseason. The team needs an infusement of talented players both north and south of 27 yrs old. Nash needs another good vet who can kick his ass when he needs it, and the youth will need to push tweeners like Pouliot and Hagelin. Some guys have gotten too comfortable and I'm tired of seeing the coach do all the pushing back. We've seen enough of that.

 

[NYR Viper]

Like I said I wouldn't mind keeping Moore, he provides good leadership and play, maybe better than Boyle, but he is older and I'd wonder about injuries in his next 100 games compared to Boyles. I know things could go the other way very easily. It's a gut call.

They really blew it with Richards. Maybe that will be rectified in the offseason. The team needs an infusement of talented players both north and south of 27 yrs old. Nash needs another good vet who can kick his ass when he needs it, and the youth will need to push tweeners like Pouliot and Hagelin. Some guys have gotten too comfortable and I'm tired of seeing the coach do all the pushing back. We've seen enough of that.

I think Moore will cost less via the cap, I think I would lean towards him. If the plan is to give Lindberg more time in the AHL next season and say Moore gets hurt, there is your insurance.

I'm hoping Fast and Kristo can push some people next year. Both are skilled speedy players who should help the offense. I still see a need for some size and grit.

I know I will get lambasted for recommending this but Bollig is a UFA at years end. LWer.

Bollig-Moore-Dorsett
Carcillo (extra forward)

 

[Killem Dafoe]

I think Kristo can certainly match the amount of points Callahan can provide. Leadership, hustle, and grit? Probably not.

 

[Raspewtin]

Ehhhhhhh on Bollig. Kinda like him, but he'll get overpaid in UFA.

If we can get him at like 1.5 mill I do it.

 

[Trxjw]

Boyle doesn't get enough credit for what he does on the ice, but if you pay attention to most of the articles written about the team, it's also pretty evident that he's a glue guy in the locker room. I think if anyone was going to take a "hometown discount" it would be Boyle.

He's never going to be an offensive dynamo, but as a 4th line center who is your primary PKer and face-off guy? I don't think you're going to do much better for less money.

 

[NYR Viper]

Boyle doesn't get enough credit for what he does on the ice, but if you pay attention to most of the articles written about the team, it's also pretty evident that he's a glue guy in the locker room. I think if anyone was going to take a "hometown discount" it would be Boyle.

He's never going to be an offensive dynamo, but as a 4th line center who is your primary PKer and face-off guy? I don't think you're going to do much better for less money.

Right now I agree. But for what I expect for him to get on the open market (2.5-3 million) I disagree. He also can't distribute the puck AT ALL.

 

[Bluenote13]

I think Moore will cost less via the cap, I think I would lean towards him. If the plan is to give Lindberg more time in the AHL next season and say Moore gets hurt, there is your insurance.

I'm hoping Fast and Kristo can push some people next year. Both are skilled speedy players who should help the offense. I still see a need for some size and grit.

I know I will get lambasted for recommending this but Bollig is a UFA at years end. LWer.

Bollig-Moore-Dorsett
Carcillo (extra forward)

Bollig is this years Bickell. Hawks will find a way to keep him.

Fast needs to come to camp and stay healthy. Kristo who knows, check your 'kristo' ball, what does it say ?

 

[Trxjw]

Right now I agree. But for what I expect for him to get on the open market (2.5-3 million) I disagree. He also can't distribute the puck AT ALL.

I could see him getting $2-2.5M from a team, but anything more than that is probably pushing it. However, for a fanbase who is always lamenting the lack of reliable bottom-six players on this roster, Boyle has been a staple of moderate success for a while now. I think they'll re-sign him.

 

[TheTakedown]

Is it possible that Dominic Moore can step up to the 3rd line and bike can center the 4th? Im just call parking here, but I don't see brassard being with $4M+ worth being resigned

 

[OverTheCap]

Like I said I wouldn't mind keeping Moore, he provides good leadership and play, maybe better than Boyle, but he is older and I'd wonder about injuries in his next 100 games compared to Boyles. I know things could go the other way very easily. It's a gut call.

They really blew it with Richards. Maybe that will be rectified in the offseason. The team needs an infusement of talented players both north and south of 27 yrs old. Nash needs another good vet who can kick his ass when he needs it, and the youth will need to push tweeners like Pouliot and Hagelin. Some guys have gotten too comfortable and I'm tired of seeing the coach do all the pushing back. We've seen enough of that.

It would be nice to have a player that holds his teammates accountable rather than relying on the coach to do it. It's been awhile since we've had a player like that. AV tends to be hands off coach and lets his players sort things out on their own, so a veteran who polices the locker room could help limit some of the complacency we've seen.

 

[NYR Viper]

I could see him getting $2-2.5M from a team, but anything more than that is probably pushing it. However, for a fanbase who is always lamenting the lack of reliable bottom-six players on this roster, Boyle has been a staple of moderate success for a while now. I think they'll re-sign him.

Teams will see his size, PKing ability and face-off ability and the factthat he can play wing or center and offer him more. Hendricks, Nystrom, Gordon all got more last summer and the cap was not going up like it is this year.

 

[Bluenote13]

It would be nice to have a player that holds his teammates accountable rather than relying on the coach to do it. It's been awhile since we've had a player like that. AV tends to be hands off coach and lets his players sort things out on their own, so a veteran who polices the locker room could help limit some of the complacency we've seen.

They added that depth vet dman in Klein, now they have to add one to the forward ranks. I don't know who that is. It certainly is not Carcillo.

 

[Emptyvoid]

Boyle doesn't get enough credit for what he does on the ice, but if you pay attention to most of the articles written about the team, it's also pretty evident that he's a glue guy in the locker room. I think if anyone was going to take a "hometown discount" it would be Boyle.

He's never going to be an offensive dynamo, but as a 4th line center who is your primary PKer and face-off guy? I don't think you're going to do much better for less money.

Right now I agree. But for what I expect for him to get on the open market (2.5-3 million) I disagree. He also can't distribute the puck AT ALL.

Then it'll come down to the money along with deliberating how well Boyle fits the system.

I'd argue that if AV doesn't feel that Boyle fits the mold of the team he wants, we'd be better off grooming Lindberg for that kind of role. By all accounts he is an exceptional defensive center (for his age), while still possessing some offensive talent.

Losing Boyle may hurt in the short term, but I think it'll be better to try to groom Lindberg into that role than trying to fit a square peg into a round hole with Boyle. You need to be able to receive passes well, to pass well and transition up the ice to succeed in this system. It's something Boyle is definitely weak at.

 

[NYR Viper]

Then it'll come down to the money along with deliberating how well Boyle fits the system.

I'd argue that if AV doesn't feel that Boyle fits the mold of the team he wants, we'd be better off grooming Lindberg for that kind of role. By all accounts he is an exceptional defensive center (for his age), while still possessing some offensive talent.

Losing Boyle may hurt in the short term, but I think it'll be better to try to groom Lindberg into that role than trying to fit a square peg into a round hole with Boyle. You need to be able to receive passes well, to pass well and transition up the ice to succeed in this system. It's something Boyle is definitely weak at.

I think Lindberg has much more offensive potential than just being a 4th line center though. That's the tough part. Place him in the NHL as a 4th line center getting 9 minutes a game or allow him to develop a little bit longer and play 20+ minutes in the AHL.

 

[Clausewitz]

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.

Hear, hear!

 

[Emptyvoid]

I think Lindberg has much more offensive potential than just being a 4th line center though. That's the tough part. Place him in the NHL as a 4th line center getting 9 minutes a game or allow him to develop a little bit longer and play 20+ minutes in the AHL.

I'd agree the 20+ minutes in the AHL to start next season would be best. Then to your point, I think we should trade Boyle and resign Moore for 1 more year. That way, Lindberg will be the insurance.

However I'm also a believer in that if Lindberg beats out Moore for the 4th line center, he should get the spot. I think centers, regardless of the line, tend to get more TOI and I'm sure he'd start getting PK time as well.