Your Rebuild Opinion? Next Move Coming?

[SirKillalot]

What is the upside? Where does he slot in on this roster? He's not Jack Eichel.

He scores points at the same rate as Andrew Copp and can't be trusted defensively.

Offense and size, if one can develop him a little and help giving him confidence, he can a become top six forward.

 

[SirloinUB]

So I identify a future youngish top line center and a top 4 defensive LHD as the two biggest needs for this team. I think LHD would have the biggest impact for next season. If NYI decide to deal Romanov or Pelech I'd definitely be willing to deal our 1st and a solid prospect. 1st + Ammo to shore up our D sure. If we address the D I think a lot of our offensive issues will work themselves out. We just need to be able to start a proper transition game.

Youngish top line center or even future top line center is going to be an incredibly difficult add. I'd probably deal the 13 + ASP to do it, maybe more but it'd depend on the player. But I'm talking a Cooley, Byfield, Fantilli kind of player which I highly doubt comes available.

I'm probably not trading for a winger or depth forward. I like our prospects there and forwards can often make an impact rather quickly. I really like Buch, Ammo, Danielson, MBN, Finnie, Blecher, Mazur. I'm not against a free asset like a Marner signing or a deal if someone like Conner forces himself out ala DBC but I wouldn't actively be seeking a winger trade.

I like all of these options.

I would add, I would be willing to trade it for a winger if they're young enough and have shown real upside. Lafrenière comes to mind.

 

[stillwater]

Offense and size, if one can develop him a little and help giving him confidence, he can a become top six forward.

If he requires development and confidence, then that has to happen in Grand Rapids.

You honestly think Kirby Dach is going to be a productive top 6 center after 6 seasons of being the opposite of a productive top 6 center?

Wishing and hoping ... for a 3.6M cap hit.

 

[stillwater]

I like all of these options.

I would add, I would be willing to trade it for a winger if they're young enough and have shown real upside. Lafrenière comes to mind.

He's young enough, has the pedigree of a #1 pick, but is just set to begin a 7-year deal at 7.5M. All that for a guy who's scored 20+ goals once, and averages about 40 points a year. And, the Rangers have afforded him every opportunity on the top lines.

Very risky ...

 

[SirloinUB]

He's young enough, has the pedigree of a #1 pick, but is just set to begin a 7-year deal at 7.5M. All that for a guy who's scored 20+ goals once, and averages about 40 points a year. And, the Rangers have afforded him every opportunity on the top lines.

Very risky ...

I don't see it as risky as you make it.

Not sure the Ranger have afforded him every opportunity though. He hasn't gotten a lot of PP time and no PP1 time.

It's also worth noting he has the 93rd most Even strength points (156 EVP) since entering the league. That's pretty damn good especially considering he was a young and developing for this period. For what it's worth, Raymond has 163 over the same stretch so they are neck and neck and we love Ray

 

[jkutswings]

McLellan made it perfectly clear they should have been a playoff team.

Then McClellan is delusional. After they overachieved beyond the expected new coach bump, they returned to what they really are: a bubble team.

The team was great once McLellan arrived, then Larkin sees his production fall off after 4 Nations. Kasper looked great, Edvinsson looked great, they finally had a proven coach.

See comment above.

It's fine to say that Larkin's play down the stretch was unacceptable. It's dishonest to suggest the roster should have kept up the pace they had when Todd was first hired.

This roster still sucks and should not be expected to make the playoffs without adding multiple pieces, whether by bringing up more kids, making trades, or signing free agents that aren't bargain bin.

 

[Run the Jewels]

I don't see it as risky as you make it.

Not sure the Ranger have afforded him every opportunity though. He hasn't gotten a lot of PP time and no PP1 time.

It's also worth noting he has the 93rd most Even strength points (156 EVP) since entering the league. That's pretty damn good especially considering he was a young and developing for this period. For what it's worth, Raymond has 163 over the same stretch so they are neck and neck and we love Ray

I will grant that Lafrenière is an interesting case, the underlying stats are similar to Raymond. I'm just not convinced he's the answer for 7 years at $7.5 per. It would lock us out of Marner, who contributes in all three phases of play. Obviously the odds of getting Marner are long, but I'd want to shoot our shot there first.

Then there's Kyle Connor who is clearly a much better player than Lafrenière. And he's from Michigan, so perhaps there's a chance he wants to come back the way DeBrincat wanted to come back. Not saying I know this for a fact, but I wouldn't want to close this option out because we traded for Lafrenière.

Our days of drafting very high quality talent like Ray, Mo and Ed are behind us. The only way we are adding elite talent is via trades or free agency, with the rare chance of a later draft pick blowing up. There is nothing to suggest Lafrenière is going to be elite. With that being the case I don't want to tie up that much cap space thereby preventing us from going after guys who can push us over the top the way Gavrikov, Marner or Connor could.

 

[stillwater]

I don't see it as risky as you make it.

Not sure the Ranger have afforded him every opportunity though. He hasn't gotten a lot of PP time and no PP1 time.

It's also worth noting he has the 93rd most Even strength points (156 EVP) since entering the league. That's pretty damn good especially considering he was a young and developing for this period. For what it's worth, Raymond has 163 over the same stretch so they are neck and neck and we love Ray

He gets plenty of PP minutes. He's not nailed to the #1 PP because he hasn't produced when given the opportunity.

Despite 5 years off PP time, he has only scored 7 goals in those 5 years, for an average of a PP goal ever, what 57 games? Doesn't seem like a guy you want on your #1 PP. 1 power play goal for every 75 minutes of PP time. I mean JT Compher had 5 PP goals this year and everyone wants him gone.

Risky ...

If the Rangers are going to blow it up, I'd rather trade for Artemi Panarin.

 

[SirloinUB]

He gets plenty of PP minutes. He's not nailed to the #1 PP because he hasn't produced when given the opportunity.

Despite 5 years off PP time, he has only scored 7 goals in those 5 years, for an average of a PP goal ever, what 57 games? Doesn't seem like a guy you want on your #1 PP. 1 power play goal for every 75 minutes of PP time.

Risky ...

If the Rangers are going to blow it up, I'd rather trade for Artemi Panarin.

This is just not correct. He averages 1:20 of pp time and has never gotten any real run on the top PP.

 

[stillwater]

This is just not correct. He averages 1:20 of pp time and has never gotten any real run on the top PP.

Okay, whatever man. Not interested in another debate.

 

[SirloinUB]

Okay, whatever man. Not interested in another debate.

There is nothing to debate. He has never been top 5 on the Rangers in PP time. He has never had a meaningful run on the top unit.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

Not reading too far back but seeing Lafreniere's name mentioned... Absolutely would take a flyer on such a 23 year old at that cap hit. Rangers have dicked his PP time around and him just in general to where he needs a fresh start. I think he really has some untapped PPG potential

Unleashed here in Detroit a la Dylan Strome? Give me that all day shoring up our weak top 6 LW depth at a very respectable cap hit based on the perceived upside and risk his brings

2025, 13TH OVERALL
2026, 2nd round pick
Michael Rasmussen (sorry SirloinUB )
Shai Buium

Alexis Lafreniere
Nathan Aspinall

I don't always do trade proposals...but when I do, I'm on the shitter at work

 

[Oddbob]

Larkin was perfectly content the previous season under Lalonde. Not a single complaint. Something happened when we moved on from Lalonde to Todd. Wonder what that could have been after bottling two straight playoff appearances?

Did Larkin murder your puppy or something? You have a bologna axe to grind with someone over very valid complaints.

 

[Oddbob]

Been injured quite a bit and also why his price would be low. Top six upside.
To win one gotta take some risks others don't as Vegas with Eichel's trade with that risky surgery.

If the price isn't too much, why not try it with Dach. Tons of upside if one can get his development going.

What upside. He is 24, and has been an injured 20 ish pt player when he plays. We gave up on Zadina far quicker than this.

 

[19 for president]

Not reading too far back but seeing Lafreniere's name mentioned... Absolutely would take a flyer on such a 23 year old at that cap hit. Rangers have dicked his PP time around and him just in general to where he needs a fresh start. I think he really has some untapped PPG potential

Unleashed here in Detroit a la Dylan Strome? Give me that all day shoring up our weak top 6 LW depth at a very respectable cap hit based on the perceived upside and risk his brings

2025, 13TH OVERALL
2026, 2nd round pick
Michael Rasmussen (sorry SirloinUB )
Shai Buium

Alexis Lafreniere
Nathan Aspinall

I don't always do trade proposals...but when I do, I'm on the shitter at work

Someone like Laf would interest me too. If you think he has more potential to unlock his age and pedigree are certainly intriguing. There does seem to be something a bit toxic going on with the Rangers so I'm not against giving him a go.

I feel like the above might be a bit too much for a guy that hasn't really been consistent and has a bigger cap hit starting. I wonder if we can swap Ras for Compher or Tank. I also think I'd push Wally over Buium if possible.

With that said I'd rather use the pick to ensure we get a top 4 LD. If we can snag Gavrikov and then use the 1st on a forward I'm not opposed but the UFA vs Draft schedule doesn't work out that way.

 

[USAHockey97]

Not sure why why the sarcasm.

Matthew Knies instantly becomes one of our best players on the team.

Contract would have to be 9.1M/5yrs…

Watching this guy shine in the playoffs, I think this team would be a fool not to at least at the bare minimal assess such a move.

Sarcasm wasn’t directed at your suggestion. I agree with it.

It was more tongue in cheek that since the Wings can’t get a lotto pick, they should target lotto teams with RFA offers to get former lotto picks or another good young player. Do it that way.

 

[USAHockey97]

If the Wings need another high skilled LW and a Top four LD, where are they getting it from?

I ask because outside of ASP, we don’t have those in the prospect pool. Signing one seems difficult and I’m not sure we have the assets to acquire one barring trading a current high value young player off the roster. I just struggle to see how we get those two. And that’s not even taking into account a replacement for Larkin when he slows down.

 

[deca guard]

Then McClellan is delusional. After they overachieved beyond the expected new coach bump, they returned to what they really are: a bubble team.


See comment above.

It's fine to say that Larkin's play down the stretch was unacceptable. It's dishonest to suggest the roster should have kept up the pace they had when Todd was first hired.

This roster still sucks and should not be expected to make the playoffs without adding multiple pieces, whether by bringing up more kids, making trades, or signing free agents that aren't bargain bin.

im already over mcclellan . lalonde looked bad because of the roster losing ghost-perron-walman-fabs . then mccl like you said got the new coach bump making him look better. and im not a fan of brass/coaches ripping players to the media . totally over the old canadian gruff barking coach way

 

[datsyukfan]

im already over mcclellan . lalonde looked bad because of the roster losing ghost-perron-walman-fabs . then mccl like you said got the new coach bump making him look better. and im not a fan of brass/coaches ripping players to the media . totally over the old canadian gruff barking coach way

I would normally kinda agree, but I think this group has had it way too easy from the past couple head coaches. I think they needed a hard ass type

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

Why is this guy not on the Wings????!!!