Do we buy-out Richards and make a play for Stastny?

[Clowes Line]

Hey guys, long time no see. School, work, girlfriend, lots of stuff taking up my time. I'm not sure if this belongs in a different thread, but if so feel free to move it.

I was just looking at the impending free agents for this summer and saw that Paul Stastny is headlining the Centers. I remember the Rangers have been linked to him multiple times in the past during trading season, so there must be an interest level from the front office. Richie has played well this year, no doubt about it, but he is turning 34 years old and has a 6.67 cap hit, which you all know.

My opinion is that we have to buy him out, because as a 34 year old, I don't see how he'll be worth that money in say two years. Do you guys think we will buy him out and use that money to go after Paul Stastny?

Just curious for your opinions.

Click to read more...

 

[qwertyaas]

It will be another mistake. Stastny will be looking at a big payday. It will just be like the last who knows how many UFA signings.

That said, I think they might be even more reluctant buying out Richards with St. Louis on the team now.

 

[Miller Time NYR]

No, chances of buying out Richards took a hit with the addition of MSL, and Stastny is going to be Richards 2.0 with a higher cap hit. No Thanks.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

No, chances of buying out Richards took a hit with the addition of MSL, and Stastny is going to be Richards 2.0 with a higher cap hit. No Thanks.

I sure hope thats not true.

Patience is a virtue in this situation. There are far worse things than buying Richards out and not immediately signing a high priced replacement.

 

[Vidic15*]

Probably best to see what Lindberg can do in training camp. Hopefully, he packs some offensive punch to go along with his defensive play and faceoff ability.

Outside possibility, Rangers may revisit Kesler in the offseason.

 

[TomLaidlaw]

Buy-out Richards - Yes
Sign Stastny - No

 

[Nyrvana]

Buy-out Richards - Yes
Sign Stastny - No

This. Gives us cap space to pay RFAs and gives us flexibility going forward. Allows Miller/Lindberg to be on the team next year. Just cause we have cap space doesn't mean we need to throw it at all the overrated free agents like previous years.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Probably best to see what Lindberg can do in training camp. Hopefully, he packs some offensive punch to go along with his defensive play and faceoff ability.

Outside possibility, Rangers may revisit Kesler in the offseason.

Where are the assets to acquire him coming from?

And also the mind-erasing technique to make him forget he hates AV

 

[wolfgaze]

No, chances of buying out Richards took a hit with the addition of MSL

Why???

 

[DudMan28]

With MSL being such a good playmaker, do we make a play for a goal scoring center instead of one who is better known for playmaking? Seems like the prototype in the NHL is playmaking centers with goal scoring wingers.. Maybe we go playmaking winger with a goalscoring center? Just a thought.

 

[Clowes Line]

Probably best to see what Lindberg can do in training camp. Hopefully, he packs some offensive punch to go along with his defensive play and faceoff ability.

Outside possibility, Rangers may revisit Kesler in the offseason.

Kesler said he wouldn't waive his NTC to come to the Rangers

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Where are the assets to acquire him coming from?

And also the mind-erasing technique to make him forget he hates AV

They still have this year's first......

 

[Hunter Gathers]

I don't see them buying out Richards unless they are going to target Stastny or Kesler. We have no one to replace Richards and this is a contending team. They aren't going to buy him out and play rookies/young guys.

 

[Crease]

They still have this year's first......

Don't worry, that oversight will be fixed by June 27th.

 

[Let Blaine Die]

Kesler said he wouldn't waive his NTC to come to the Rangers

Kesler reportedly went back to VAN management the day before the deadline and told them he changed his mind and WOULD waive his NTC to come here.

 

[Let Blaine Die]

I don't see them buying out Richards unless they are going to target Stastny or Kesler. We have no one to replace Richards and this is a contending team. They aren't going to buy him out and play rookies/young guys.

I hope they do. Richards on this team for 6 more years? Dear god no.

 

[Riverdale]

Richards should be bought out. Sather should avoid Stastny.

The only problem is we don't have a replacement 1 or 2C going into next season. So, Richards won't be bought out. Yippee....

 

[NYR Viper]

I'd buy him out and look around for someone to trade for on a better contract or let Miller/Lindberg play it out for the 3c.

 

[Killem Dafoe]

I really don't think the addition of MSL has any impact on whether we buy out Richards or not. It would be pretty dumb to handcuff ourselves to Richard's contract for just one more year of those two playing together.

 

[silverfish]

I don't see them buying out Richards unless they are going to target Stastny or Kesler. We have no one to replace Richards and this is a contending team. They aren't going to buy him out and play rookies/young guys.

I see where you're coming from, but this team really has no choice but to buy Richards out. That cap recapture penalty, or buying him out without compliance, is a much bigger hit than the one we'd have at 2C next season.

On top of that, there's also the conundrum of Brassard and that $3.7mil QO... Though, of recent games he's proven he's capable of playing to that contract.

 

[ArPanet]

Statsny is a very good defensively, is used on the pk. He's +10 Richards is -10. He has more goals than Richards. If it has to be Richards or PS plus anther million in salary, I have no doubt PS would be better choice.

 

[Made Dan]

Tough situation. Really should buy him out but I hate the idea of Stepan-Brassard as the 1-2 combo.

 

[Miller Time NYR]

Why???

If BR and MSL find serious chemistry I don't think there's any way the decision doesn't become a tougher one for Sather, I don't like the idea of Stepan and Brass as our 1/2 C combo unless one or both take big steps forward next season, but in the long term I think buying out Brad is the best idea.

Also I don't like the idea of Sather's ego possibly getting in the way here, buying out Richards would be him admitting he made a bad decision with the future of this team that didn't work out long term, with that in mind look and all the other high priced free agents that have been signed since Richards who have been better players.

 

[RangersFan]

No question he should be bought out. Trading for MSL should have no impact on the decision.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

I hope they do. Richards on this team for 6 more years? Dear god no.

Tell me who we are replacing him with and maybe I'd agree. We aren't replacing him with rookies or draft picks (unless we trade rookies or draft picks for a replacement).