Larry Brooks: Rangers a Finalist for Kerfoot (Update: Kerfoot Chooses Colorado)

[Tawnos]

Frankly, it's probably the best choice in terms of early playing time. Good for him. I don't really see how he would fit in with us, here.

At this moment, the Avs have better center depth than the Rangers. This is better for Kerfoot long term I think.

 

[FJB]

Please get Duchene.
Please get Duchene.
Please get Duchene.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

At this moment, the Avs have better center depth than the Rangers. This is better for Kerfoot long term I think.

I wasn’t aware he can only play center, though.

 

[Tawnos]

I wasn’t aware he can only play center, though.

Fair enough

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

So.... Who plays 2C-3C now???

 

[nyr2k2]

So.... Who plays 2C-3C now???

I would think it's:

1. Zibanejad
2. Hayes
3/4. Desharnais/Andersson/Nieves

Or maybe someone not yet on the roster for one of the last two spots.

 

[Irishguy42]

I would think it's:

1. Zibanejad
2. Hayes
3/4. Desharnais/Andersson/Nieves

Or maybe someone not yet on the roster for one of the last two spots.

Yeah, this is about right.

I don't think ZBad-Hayes was ever going to change. It's the 3-4C that has been in flux.

 

[Ola]

So.... Who plays 2C-3C now???

Vinni Lettiri!

 

[RangerBlues]

Av's are gonna be bad.

 

[Captain Lindy]

Oh well. That ends that. We need another center still.

 

[Irishguy42]

Oh well. That ends that. We need another center still.

Yep. I imagine that they now move forward with the backup plan, whatever that involves.

 

[nyr2k2]

Yep. I imagine that they now move forward with the backup plan, whatever that involves.

I think they wanted him because he potentially helped address a need, but I can't believe they were ever banking on him being a core part of the team this year.

 

[Edge]

I like Kerfoot, and I would've liked to have added him, but I also worry about over-selling some of these college free agents as well.

If some people think you're upset with some of the flaws that highly regarded players like Hayes and Vesey have, the shine would wear off these guys pretty quickly.

It's not to say that they're bad prospects, but they aren't exactly top of the food chain either.

They are varying degrees of decent, and they're available to sign. That's what makes them appealing. Every once in a while you find a diamond in the rough and they become more than an AHLer or a journeyman fourth line player. Clearly, that is every team's goal.

As for Duchene, despite his skill set, there are still a lot of question marks there. At various times he's looked like a 30 goal, 75 point center, and at other times more of a 20 goal, 55-60 point center. Obviously that's a significant difference in today's NHL.

It goes without saying that any team trading for him is going to have to feel pretty confident they are getting the higher end model, at the price they are going to likely pay, and that Duchene can actually lift the players around him --- something I'm not yet convinced he can do.

 

[Fugazy]

Please get Duchene.
Please get Duchene.
Please get Duchene.

I wouldn't get your hopes up on that one.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Yep. I imagine that they now move forward with the backup plan, whatever that involves.

I certainly hope the Kerfoot wasn't their go-to plan.....

 

[NYR Viper]

Soderberg for Staal!!!!!!!

Please?

 

[Irishguy42]

I certainly hope the Kerfoot wasn't their go-to plan.....

It probably wasnt, but they wanted to wait on it to resolve anyway because if Kerfoot signed, then that's one less SPC available, and the Rangers are already at 48, IIRC.

Let's say they had two players in mind to signing to SPCs, but they were also talking with Kerfoot. Can't sign all 3, because that puts them at 51 contracts, which is not allowed. So maybe one plan would be sign Kerfoot and then pick one of the two others. Now that it's resolved, Plan B is just sign those two other players.

This close to the max contracts makes decisions tougher and requires holding out for things like Kerfoot to resolve.

 

[nyr2k2]

Who's even remaining as an UFA center? Like, is there anyone out there? My assumption is that if they want to acquire another NHL-caliber center that they'd need to swing a trade.

 

[Edge]

Who's even remaining as an UFA center? Like, is there anyone out there? My assumption is that if they want to acquire another NHL-caliber center that they'd need to swing a trade.

I was thinking about this earlier and was drawing blanks?

Cullen might be the only one I can think of.

I think if the Rangers are getting a center, they're looking at a trade.

But I have a sinking feeling that the market for someone like Holden isn't as high as they'd probably like, at least not yet.

Vegas is having a heck of a time trying to move defensemen.

 

[Hire Sather]

Who's even remaining as an UFA center? Like, is there anyone out there? My assumption is that if they want to acquire another NHL-caliber center that they'd need to swing a trade.

Ribiero