GDT: Free Agent Frenzy Part III - Looking for Mr. Centerman

[BBKers]

PLAYERS UNDER CONTRACT WITH NEW YORK RANGERS ORGANISATION 2017-2018 (41)
NEW YORK RANGERS SQUAD (19)
[table="head;width=4200]Nr|Pos |Player| Caphit |Contract Status|Team 2016 |Drafted/Acquired |Age 2017
1| F | J.T. Miller |$2.750.000 |RFA 2018 |New York Rangers/NHL |R1 #15 NYR (2011) |24
2| F | Kevin Hayes |$2,600,000 |RFA 2018 |New York Rangers/NHL |R1 #24 Chicago (2010)- signed w/NYR as UFA |25
3| D | Brady Skjei (ELC) |$925,000* |RFA 2018 |New York Rangers/NHL |R1 #28 NYR (2012) |23
4| F | Jimmy Vesey (ELC) |$925,000* |RFA 2018 |New York Rangers/NHL |R3 #66 Nashville (2012)- signed w/NYR as UFA |24
5| F | Matt Puempel |$725.000 |RFA 2018 |New York Rangers/NHL |R1 #24 Ottawa (2011) - waiver claim 2016 |24
6| F | Rick Nash (NMC) |$7,800,000 |UFA 2018 |New York Rangers/NHL |R1 #1 overall Columbus Blue Jackets (2002) - acquired through trade|33
7| D | Nick Holden |$1,650,000 |UFA 2018 |New York Rangers/NHL |Undrafted - acquired through trade |30
8| F | Michael Grabner |$1,600,000 |UFA 2018 |New York Rangers/NHL |R1 #14 Vancover Canucks (2006) - signed w/NYR as UFA |30
9| F | Ondrej Pavelec |$1,300,000 |UFA 2018 |Winnipeg Jets/NHL |R2 #41 Atlanta Flames (2009) - signed w/NYR as UFA |29
10| D | Ryan McDonagh |$4,700,000 |UFA 2019 |New York Rangers/NHL |R1 #12 Montreal (2007) - acquired unsigned through trade|28
11| F | Mats Zuccarello (NTC) |$4,500,000 |UFA 2019 |New York Rangers/NHL |Undrafted (started w NYR) |30
12| D | Alexei Bereglazov (ELC)|$925,000* |RFA 2019 |Metallurg Magnitogorsk/KHL|Undrafted (started w NYR) |23
13| F | Pavel Buchnevich (ELC)|$925,000* |RFA 2019 |New York Rangers/NHL |R3 #75 NYR (2013) |22
14| D | Anthony DeAngelo (ELC)|$863,333* |RFA 2019 |Arizona Coyotes/NHL |R1 #19 Tampa Bay (2014) |22
15| F | Chris Kreider |$4,625,000 |UFA 2020 |New York Rangers/NHL |R1 #19 NYR (2009) |26
16| G | Henrik Lundqvist (NMC)|$8,500,000 |UFA 2021 |New York Rangers/NHL |R7 #208 NYR (2000) |35
17| D | Kevin Shattenkirk (NTC)|$6,650,000 |UFA 2021 |Washington Capitals/NHL|R1 #14 Colorado Avalanche (2007) - signed w/NYR as UFA|28
18| D | Marc Staal (NMC => NTC)|$5,750,000 |UFA 2021 |New York Rangers/NHL |R1 #12 NYR (2005) |30
19| D | Brendan Smith (NTC) |$4,350,000 |UFA 2021 |New York Rangers/NHL |R1 #27 Detroit Red Wings (2007) - acquired through trade|28[/table]

TOTALS
SALARY CAP: $75,000,000
BUYOUTS (Dan Girardi): $2,611,111
SALARY HIT: $61,063,333
SALARY HIT WITH BUYOUT:$63.674.444
CAP SPACE: $11,325,556
9 FWD - 8 D - 2 G (4-5 more fwds incoming + 1 D going out)
AVERAGE AGE ~ 28.2 years

CONTRACTED 2017/2018 BUT LIKELY ASSIGNED TO AHL/ECHL/ELSEWHERE (22)
[table="head;width=4200]Nr |Pos |Player| Caphit |Contract Status |Team 2016 |Drafted |Age 2017
20|F |Paul Carey |$650,000 |UFA 2018 |Hershey Bears/AHL |R5 #135 Colorado (2007) - signed w/NYR as UFA |29
21|F |Adam Tambellini (ELC) |$803.333* |RFA 2018 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |R3 #65 NYR (2013) |23
22|F |Adam Chapie (ELC) |$800.000* |RFA 2018 |Greenville Swamp Rabbits/ECHL |Undrafted (started w NYR) |26
23|F |Cristoval Nieves(ELC) |$755.000* |RFA 2018 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |R2 #59 NYR (2012) |23
24|F |Steven Fogarty (ELC) |$750.000* |RFA 2018 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |R3 #72 NYR (2011) |24
25|F |Malte Strömwall (ELC) |$742.500* |RFA 2018 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |R7 #198 Calgary (started w NYR) |24
26|D |Ryan Graves (ELC) |$656,667* |RFA 2018 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |R4 #110 NYR (2013) |22
27|D |John Gilmour (ELC) |$633.333* |RFA 2018 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |R7 #198 Calgary (2012) - signed w/NYR as UFA|24
28|F |Cole Schneider |$650,000 |UFA 2019 |Rochester Americans/AHL |Undrafted - signed w/NYR as UFA |27
29|D |Steve Kampfer |$650,000 |UFA 2019 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |R4 #93 (2007) Anaheim - acquired through trade |29
30|F |Vinni Lettieri (ELC) |$925,000* |RFA 2019 |Univ. of Minnesota/NCAA |Undrafted (started w NYR) |22
31|D |Neil Pionk (ELC) |$925,000* |RFA 2019 |Univ. of Minnesota-Duluth/NCAA |Undrafted (started w NYR) |22
32|G |Chris Nell (ELC) |$925,000* |RFA 2019 |Bowling Green/NCAA |Undrafted (started w NYR) |23
33|F |Robin Kovacs (ELC) |$803.333* |RFA 2019 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |R3 #62 NYR (2015) |21
34|G |Brandon Halverson (ELC)|$803.333* |RFA 2019 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |R2 #59 NYR (2014) |21
35|D |Vince Pedrie (ELC) |$767,500* |RFA 2019 |Penn State Univ./NCAA |Undrafted (started w NYR) |22
36|F |Ryan Gropp (ELC-S) |$839.166* |RFA 2020 |Seattle Thunderbirds/WHL |R2 #41 NYR (2015) |21
37|D |Sean Day (ELC-S) |$775,833* |RFA 2020 |Windsor Spitfires/OHL |R3 #81 NYR (2016) |19
38|F |Dawson Leedahl (ELC)|$749,167* |RFA 2020 |Regina Pats/WHL |Undrafted (started w NYR) |21
39|F |Timothy Gettinger (ELC-S)|$736,667* |RFA 2020 |Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds/OHL|R5 #141 NYR (2016) |19
40|F |Gabriel Fontaine (ELC)|$736,667* |RFA 2020 |Rouyn-Noranda Huskies/QMJHL |R6 #171 NYR (2016) |20
41|D |Sergey Zborovskiy (ELC)|$734,166* |RFA 2020 |Regina Pats/WHL |R3 #79 NYR (2015) |20
[/table]

* - has additional bonus money in contract
ELC - denotes player on Entry Level Contract
NTC - denotes No Trade Clause in Contract
NMC - denotes No Movement Clause in Contract
@ - signed to an AHL deal with Hartford Wolfpack

RFAs (Restricted free agents) - 4
[table="head;width=3800]Nr|Position |Player| Cap hit 2017| Team 2017 |Age 2017 | Signed 2017=>|Caphit 2017 =>
1| F | Mika Zibanejad |$2,625,000 |New York Rangers/NHL |24|Qualified|
2| F | Jesper Fast(h) |$950.000 |New York Rangers/NHL |26|Qualified|
3| F | Niklas Jensen |$600,000 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |24|Qualified - Russia?|
4| F | Daniel Catenacci |$575,000 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |23|Qualified|[/table]

UFAs (Unrestricted free agents) - 13
[table="head;width=3800]Nr|Position |Player| Cap hit 2017| Team 2017 |Age 2017 | Signed 2017=>|Caphit 2017 =>
1| F | Tanner Glass |$1,450,000 |New York Rangers/NHL |33||
2| D | Chris Summers |$600.000 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |29||
3| F | Brandon Pirri |$1,100,000 |New York Rangers/NHL |26|Not qualified|
4| D | Troy Donnay |$716,667 |Greenville Swamp Rabbits/ECHL |23|Not qualified|
5| G | MacKenzie Skapski |$661,667 |Greenville Swamp Rabbits/ECHL |23|Not qualified|
6| F | Taylor Beck |$650.000 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |26|Not qualified|
7| G | Magnus Hellberg |$625,000 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |26|Russia|
8| D | Adam Clendening |$600.000 |New York Rangers/NHL |25|Not qualified|
10| D | Michael Paliotta |$600.000 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |24|Not qualified|
11|D | Tommy Hughes |$600,000 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |25||
12|F | Marek Hrivik |$600,000 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |26|€urope?|
13|F | Chris Brown |$575,000 |Hartford Wolfpack/AHL |25||[/table]

PLAYERS STILL UNSIGNED BUT WITH RIGHTS RETAINED BY NYR (14)
[table="head;width=3800]Nr|Position |Player| Team 2016| Height |Weight| Nationality |Shoots|DOB|Drafted
1|G |Igor Shestyorkin |St. Petersburg SKA (KHL) |6' 1"| 187 | Russia |L|December 30, 1995 |R4 #118 NYR (2014)
2|F |Patrik Virta |TPS/Liiga Finland |5' 10" | 181 | Finland |R|March 6, 1996 |R7 #207 NYR (2017)
3|D |Tyler Nanne |Minnesota Golden Gophers/NCAA |5' 10" | 183 | USA |R|March 17, 1996 |R5 #142 NYR (2014)
4|F |Daniel Bernhardt |VIK Västerås HK/Allsvenskan |6' 3" | 191 | Sweden |L|April 11, 1996 |R4 #119 NYR (2015)
5|D |Brandon Crawley |London Knights/OHL |6' 2" | 203 | USA |L|February 2, 1997 |R4 #123 NYR (2017)
6|F |Dominik Lakatos |Bili Tygri Liberec/Czech Extraliga|5' 11"| 179 |Czech Republic |L|April 8, 1997 |R6 #157 NYR (2017)
7|G |Adam Huska |UConn Huskies/NCAA |6' 3" | 191 | Slovakia |L|May 12, 1997 |R7 #184 NYR (2015)
8|F |Ty Ronning |Vancouver Giants/WHL |5' 9" | 165 | Canada |R|October 20, 1997 |R7 #201 NYR (2016)
9|G |Tyler Wall |UMass Lowell River Hawks/NCAA |6' 2" | 190 | Canada |R|January 14, 1998 |R6 #174 NYR (2016)
10|D |Tarmo Reunanen |TUTO Hockey/Mestis |6' 0" | 180 | Finland |L|March 1, 1998 |R4 #98 NYR (2016)
11|F |Lias Andersson |HV71/SHL |5' 11" | 201 | Sweden |L|October 13, 1998 |R1 #7 NYR (2017)
12|F |Morgan Barron |St. Andrew's College/CAHS |6' 2" | 201 | Canada |R|December 02, 1998 |R6 #174 NYR (2017)
13|D |Calle Själin |Östersunds IK/Div.1 Sweden |6' 1" | 176 | Sweden |L|September 2, 1999 |R5 #145 NYR (2017)
14|F |Filip Chytil |PSG Zlín/Czech Extraliga |6' 1" | 181 | Czech Republic|L|September 5, 1999 |R1 #21 NYR (2017)
(15)|F |Carl Klingberg |Free agent - rights retained |6' 3" | 205 | Sweden |R|January 28, 1991 |R2 #34 Atlanta (2009)[/table]

2018 DRAFT PICKS (6)

• 1st round NYR
• 2nd round NYR
• 3rd round NYR
• 4th round NYR
• 5th round NYR
• 6th round NYR

• We gained a 2nd round pick from Ottawa when we traded Derrick Brassard
• We then lost Ottawas 2nd round pick to Detroit in the trade for Brendan Smith
• We then also lost our 7th round pick to Ottawa in the trade for Mika Zibanejad

2019 DRAFT PICKS (7)

• 1st round NYR
• 2nd round NYR
• 3rd round NYR
• 4th round NYR
• 5th round NYR
• 6th round NYR
• 7th round NYR

2020 DRAFT PICKS (7)

• 1st round NYR
• 2nd round NYR
• 3rd round NYR
• 4th round NYR
• 5th round NYR
• 6th round NYR
• 7th round NYR

Click to read more...

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

This team is now lacking exactly one thing: a true 1C. And, after our FA signings, the pre-draft trade, and solid drafting in the later rounds over the last couple of years, we actually now have a glut of defensemen:

McDonagh
Shattenkirk
Smith
DeAngelo
Skjei
Pionk
Bereglazov
Holden
Staal
Graves
Pedrie
Day
Zborovsky
Gilmour

There are exactly two players on this roster that I think could be moved as the centerpiece for that missing 1C: McDonagh and Skjei. They seem to have made it clear, however, that McDonagh is staying. He's the captain and both Smith and Shattenkirk listed his presence on the team as one of their principal reasons for coming aboard. Also, he's two years away from an expensive extension, at the age of thirty...

Now, I love Brady Skjei as a player and think he has a promising career as a top pair, and even potentially #1 D, ahead of him. But you can make an argument that he's even more valuable than McDonagh due to his age and the fact that he's under team control for four more years. Also, we already have McDonagh, Smith, Bereglazov, Holden, and Staal on the NHL squad who play the same position, with Graves, Day, and Pedrie (and Gilmour, though he disappointed last year) in the minors, all quite close (not necessarily for top-4 duty, but certainly for bottom pair). I also believe all our unsigned D-men but for Nanne are LHD as well.

Would you trade Skjei as the centerpiece of a deal for, say, Nathan MacKinnon? Believe it or not, he's actually two years YOUNGER than Skjei, with a fixed cap hit of $6.3MM for the next six years (a.k.a. the length of Girardi's buyout). MacKinnon's more established and has the allure of being drafted #1 OA, but defensemen are more valuable than forwards, and Skjei's contract situation is better. Is there a deal to be done straight up? How about Skjei and Hayes/Miller for MacKinnon and picks/prospects?

Thoughts?

 

[BBKers]

This team is now lacking exactly one thing: a top-6 C. And, after our FA signings, the pre-draft trade, and solid drafting in the later rounds over the last couple of years, we actually now have a glut of defensemen:

McDonagh
Shattenkirk
Smith
DeAngelo
Skjei
Pionk
Bereglazov
Holden
Staal
Graves
Pedrie
Day
Zborovsky
Gilmour

There are exactly two players on this roster that I think could be moved as the centerpiece for that missing 1C: McDonagh and Skjei. They seem to have made it clear, however, that McDonagh is staying.
He's the captain and both Smith and Shattenkirk listed his presence on the team as one of their principal reasons for coming aboard. Also, he's two years away from an expensive extension, at the age of thirty...

Now, I love Brady Skjei as a player and think he has a promising career as a top pair, and even potentially #1 D, ahead of him. But you can make an argument that he's even more valuable than McDonagh due to his age and the fact that he's under team control for four more years. Also, we already have McDonagh, Smith, Bereglazov, Holden, and Staal on the NHL squad who play the same position, with Graves, Day, and Pedrie (and Gilmour, though he disappointed last year) in the minors, all quite close (not necessarily for top-4 duty, but certainly for bottom pair). I also believe all our unsigned D-men but for Nanne are LHD as well.

Would you trade Skjei as the centerpiece of a deal for, say, Nathan MacKinnon? Believe it or not, he's actually two years YOUNGER than Skjei, with a fixed cap hit of $6.3MM for the next six years (a.k.a. the length of Girardi's buyout). MacKinnon's more established and has the allure of being drafted #1 OA, but defensemen are more valuable than forwards, and Skjei's contract situation is better. Is there a deal to be done straight up? How about Skjei and Hayes/Miller for MacKinnon and picks/prospects?

Thoughts?

Would think about it long and hard. Probably answering "Yes" in the end.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

I don't move Skjei or McDonagh for a 1C (with some obvious exceptions), can we please just have a good D for one season before we **** with it?

Just get a solid young middle-6 C and/or a good top-9 winger and our F group looks good. Bet on Zbad taking another step.

 

[Mac n Gs]

I'd trade Skjei for MacKinnon in a heartbeat. We haven't had that speed and skill combo ever, and don't tell me he's overrated because of how ****ing garbage the Avs are. People thought Mika was bad too before we got him, and look how that worked out.

I think it's a pipe dream though. If Sakic is being this difficult about Duchene, I can't even imagine how negotiations for MacKinnon would go. Skjei and Kreider?

 

[NickyFotiu]

The NHL and NHLPA need to fix the UFA cesspool. It will never happen but ideally, the length of a contract should be 4 for UFAs and 6 for teams currently having the rights to a player. These 8-year deals and 7 for UFAs are killing the league. GMs are outbidding each other with term going up to 7, and these ridiculous NMCs and NTCs. Resulting in all the buy-outs. It's ridiculous. GMs are like kids in a candy store. Can't control themselves

You are right. I do not think those anchor/buyout deals benefit the game. I think they often hurt the team, the fans, and even the players. The players end up getting hated or moved for non hockey reasons.

 

[darko]

Get a #3C. Also #4C that PKs. Ziba and Hayes given every chance to establish as #1 and #2Cs. Miller could play C in case of an injury.

 

[Blueshirts777]

I wouldn't trade Skjei unless I was blown away. No need in shuffling deck chairs at this point. Rangers are probably hoping that Andersson can make the team out of camp or another young player can step up. This is the point of getting a younger roster, these kids need to make an impact.

 

[Savant]

Need top 6 C and penalty killers. Very close though. I'm not trading Skjei at all. They need him as a contingency if McDonagh doesn't re-sign. They have depth but Skjei is the only one with top pairing potential.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I don't move Skjei or McDonagh for a 1C (with some obvious exceptions), can we please just have a good D for one season before we **** with it?

Just get a solid young middle-6 C and/or a good top-9 winger and our F group looks good. Bet on Zbad taking another step.

I'd trade Skjei for MacKinnon in a heartbeat. We haven't had that speed and skill combo ever, and don't tell me he's overrated because of how ****ing garbage the Avs are. People thought Mika was bad too before we got him, and look how that worked out.

I think it's a pipe dream though. If Sakic is being this difficult about Duchene, I can't even imagine how negotiations for MacKinnon would go. Skjei and Kreider?

I think if you could move Brady for Nate you have to at least consider that deal even though it would be very painful and I would try to find another way like Hayes. Brady had a very strong rookie year but it is very hard to find a top line center. I do not think Nate is Crosby or McDavid but he could become a all star center. It is the kind of deal that could backfire so it would take some real balls.

Nate is actually younger than Brady even though he has played 4 seasons.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

I don't move Skjei or McDonagh for a 1C (with some obvious exceptions), can we please just have a good D for one season before we **** with it?

Just get a solid young middle-6 C and/or a good top-9 winger and our F group looks good. Bet on Zbad taking another step.

I hear what you're saying. And it certainly would be difficult.

But compare:


Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Nash-Miller-Zuccarello
Vesey-Hayes-Grabner
[xxx]-[xxx]-Fast

McDonagh-Shattenkirk
Skjei-Smith
Bereglazov-DeAngelo
Staal
Holden


Versus:


Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Nash-MacKinnon-Zuccarello
Vesey-Hayes-Miller
Grabner-[xxx]-Fast

McDonagh-Shattenkirk
Smith-DeAngelo
Bereglazov-Pionk
Staal
Holden


Or even:


Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Nash-MacKinnon-Zuccarello
Vesey-Hayes-Grabner
[xxx]-[xxx]-Fast

McDonagh-Shattenkirk
Smith-DeAngelo
Bereglazov-Pionk
Staal
Holden

[Plus additional assets from COL added in to offset Miller.]

 

[eco's bones]

A defense first defenseman with size and great skating ability who in his first NHL season puts up 39 points playing 3rd pair minutes. Should we add that he's cheap and controllable for the next several years? I'm not moving Skjei--not unless we get something super sweet back and ****ing Duchene or Galchenyuk ain't sweet enough. I mean if there's a trajectory for Skjei's game going higher we could have a big big star on our hands.

IMO Skjei right now is the most valuable asset we have on our team. I would trade McDonagh before I traded Skjei.

 

[GregSirico]

No PPG C-Man, No Cup

https://lugussite.wordpress.com/2017/05/11/no-ppg-c-man-no-cup/

All the talk about what the Rangers need, why they continue to fail in the post season, all the conspiracy theories are all bologna. There is 1 reason and 1 reason only this group hasn’t won a Stanley Cup. Because they do not have the players and the players they have have not produce to the required offensive baseline to win a championship. The Rangers have not had a franchise type center, a ppg center, since Mark Messier. They’ve had a few guys who’ve come close. Scott Gomez in 2008, Stepan in 2013 during the regular season but did not perform in the playoffs (5 points in 12 games).

When looking at all the Cup winners from 2006 onward (after the lockout and rule changes) we see a pattern that which the Rangers have not been able to model.

This has been something I have harped on for a long time now. Good read and worth a few minutes.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Skjei for MacKinnon is a great idea in theory. But, you forgot the Sakic factor. Skjei and a #1 MIGHT be enough to bring back Duchene. MacKinnon? That's a hot one!!

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

A defense first defenseman with size and great skating ability who in his first NHL season puts up 39 points playing 3rd pair minutes. Should we add that he's cheap and controllable for the next several years? I'm not moving Skjei--not unless we get something super sweet back and ****ing Duchene or Galchenyuk ain't sweet enough. I mean if there's a trajectory for Skjei's game going higher we could have a big big star on our hands.

IMO Skjei right now is the most valuable asset we have on our team. I would trade McDonagh before I traded Skjei.

I agree with this.

But that's why I suggested MacKinnon, and not Duchene...

 

[darko]

A defense first defenseman with size and great skating ability who in his first NHL season puts up 39 points playing 3rd pair minutes. Should we add that he's cheap and controllable for the next several years? I'm not moving Skjei--not unless we get something super sweet back and ****ing Duchene or Galchenyuk ain't sweet enough. I mean if there's a trajectory for Skjei's game going higher we could have a big big star on our hands.

IMO Skjei right now is the most valuable asset we have on our team. I would trade McDonagh before I traded Skjei.

This.

 

[Mikos87]

I don't think trading Skjei is a good idea. Cost control, and you can sign him to a Josi like deal and that's a boon for the cap.

Just combine the bridge deal and the 4 year extension and you are good with the cap.

The Rangers have two prospects that can play center. Nieves (who I'm not keen on) and Lias Andersson who I think will play this year.

But you still need a middle six guy. JT Miller is an in-house solution that was an excellent center in junior and the AHL. But he's got a weirdo face-off technique that's going to be in 39-44% range. (Who the **** coaches the Rangers centers on faceoffs?... there's no leg movement with these guys... just stupid).

Losing Oscar really hurts here, but my hopes are that they can get a Haula like player, or trade a Staal/Holden for a center.

Marc would solidify Minny as a contender. They have Erikson-Ek whose going to be a prime time player. EStaal, Koivu, Granland all had monster years.

Coyle plays wing but is a natural center. I love Luke Kunin as well. But they aren't going to pay a premium on the cap when Granlund and Neiderreiter need new contracts.

 

[GregSirico]

A defense first defenseman with size and great skating ability who in his first NHL season puts up 39 points playing 3rd pair minutes. Should we add that he's cheap and controllable for the next several years? I'm not moving Skjei--not unless we get something super sweet back and ****ing Duchene or Galchenyuk ain't sweet enough. I mean if there's a trajectory for Skjei's game going higher we could have a big big star on our hands.

IMO Skjei right now is the most valuable asset we have on our team. I would trade McDonagh before I traded Skjei.

I agree with this as well.

 

[Blueshirts777]

I hear what you're saying. And it certainly would be difficult.

But compare:


Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Nash-Miller-Zuccarello
Vesey-Hayes-Grabner
[xxx]-[xxx]-Fast

McDonagh-Shattenkirk
Skjei-Smith
Bereglazov-DeAngelo
Staal
Holden


Versus:


Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Nash-MacKinnon-Zuccarello
Vesey-Hayes-Miller
Grabner-[xxx]-Fast

McDonagh-Shattenkirk
Smith-DeAngelo
Bereglazov-Pionk
Staal
Holden

I just think this is shuffling deck chairs, we weaken our second pair to strengthen our second line. I'd much rather give hayes the chance to see if he can improve on a 50 point season with more time and let the young D develop either on the 3rd pair or in another league. Plus cost control will be vital on this team, taking on another 6+ million dollar contract will be tough, especially with the RFA's coming next year.

 

[Bruner4329]

https://lugussite.wordpress.com/2017/05/11/no-ppg-c-man-no-cup/





This has been something I have harped on for a long time now. Good read and worth a few minutes.

I honestly believe we may have beat LA a few years ago if we had a true number 1 center. They exposed us in the middle that series. And this year we were suppose to have an edge against both Montreal and Ottawa in the middle and yet that did not materialize in part because Stepan and Hayes basically disappeared.

 

[duhmetreE]

I hear CBJ is involved with Duchene.... then I read Carlsson and Murray... Assumung that's somewhat accurate, we could match/beat that, no?

 

[GregSirico]

I honestly believe we may have beat LA a few years ago if we had a true number 1 center. They exposed us in the middle that series. And this year we were suppose to have an edge against both Montreal and Ottawa in the middle and yet that did not materialize in part because Stepan and Hayes basically disappeared.

Your strength down the middle needs to produce in the playoffs. Chicago and Pittsburgh have done that in the regular season AND playoffs. I think the major reason why: ELITE talent shows up. Middle line guys can get neutralized.

.... Below I will lay out for you the data to support the idea that without a point per game center man who is among your best offensive producers in the playoffs, at roughly a point per game, you ain’t winning a Stanley Cup. It’s not an absolute, in that if you get that production you will win, but rather, it’s an absolute that without it, you ain’t winning. NHL Cup championship teams have an architecture, they have certain characteristics that test out over time, read The Anatomy of a Cup Champion, for the proof. You can also look at Where is Henrik’s Stanley Cup? to understand the impact of no offensive leadership from that position.

I think this nails it ^

 

[Savant]

I hear CBJ is involved with Duchene.... then I read Carlsson and Murray... Assumung that's somewhat accurate, we could match/beat that, no?

If the Avs aren't hell bent on getting a Dman back the Rangers can beat that offer for sure.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

I just think this is shuffling deck chairs, we weaken our second pair to strengthen our second line. I'd much rather give hayes the chance to see if he can improve on a 50 point season with more time and let the young D develop either on the 3rd pair or in another league. Plus cost control will be vital on this team, taking on another 6+ million dollar contract will be tough, especially with the RFA's coming next year.

Try it like this:


Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Nash-Miller-Zuccarello
Vesey-Hayes-Grabner
[xxx]-[xxx]-Fast

McDonagh-Shattenkirk
Skjei-Smith
Bereglazov-DeAngelo
Staal
Holden


Versus:


Nash-MacKinnon-Zuccarello
Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Vesey-Hayes-Miller
Grabner-[xxx]-Fast

McDonagh-Shattenkirk
Smith-DeAngelo
Bereglazov-Pionk
Staal
Holden

 

[Avery16]

Could Boo, Tambo, or Anderson step into 3C within the next two seasons