Confirmed with Link: Rangers Sign Yegor Rykov

[Harbour Dog]

It's almost shocking how many people want to buyout players now so we have cap space we dont need. I guess their strategy for building s Reiner is to have their cap hit when we need the cap later? Almost shocking. But I know where I am

It's one of the most consistent, illogical things I see posted on here. We're trying to be contenders when these guys contracts are gone; extending their cap hit to reach beyond what they're already signed for is ludicrous.

It isn't even as if the "blocking a kid" arguement in grounded in reality. ADA got piles of minutes when he wasn't getting tough lessons on being a pro. Even Hajek came up for those five games and got 16:24 AvgTOI.

 

[Zibanejbread]

 

[Leetch3]

that is a very interesting note if true

 

[Thirty One]

That's very good to hear! Neat-o, gang.

 

[McRanger]

Assuming Skjei is locked in at LD, that leaves 2 spots.

Smith can be the 2nd LD (on a terrible team, anyway) the 3rd LD or the 7th D or a RD or a winger or end up in HFD or whatever. They've never had a problem benching or demoting him, so he is not a concern and definitely should not be bought out.

Staal? Staal's continued existence as a Ranger concerns me, but its probably better than buying him out. He's awful but they wont bench him, they can't demote and they probably can't trade him so hes locked in the lineup, which leaves some sticky scenarios if the kids look ready. If two of Rykov, Hajek and Lindgren show they are ready, what happens? What happens if both Rykov and Hajek look ready, but Hajek is the better of the two? Do they demote Hajek because Rykov will go back to Russia? Not deferring cap hits is probably the best play until you know for sure the young D are ready, but there is a chance its a little messy.

 

[McRanger]

that is a very interesting note if true

Thats great to read.

 

[bobbop]

Assuming Skjei is locked in at LD, that leaves 2 spots.

Smith can be the 2nd LD (on a terrible team, anyway) the 3rd LD or the 7th D or a RD or a winger or end up in HFD or whatever. They've never had a problem benching or demoting him, so he is not a concern and definitely should not be bought out.

Staal? Staal's continued existence as a Ranger concerns me, but its probably better than buying him out. He's awful but they wont bench him, they can't demote and they probably can't trade him so hes locked in the lineup, which leaves some sticky scenarios if the kids look ready. If two of Rykov, Hajek and Lindgren show they are ready, what happens? What happens if both Rykov and Hajek look ready, but Hajek is the better of the two? Do they demote Hajek because Rykov will go back to Russia? Not deferring cap hits is probably the best play until you know for sure the young D are ready, but there is a chance its a little messy.

Smith was either the 4th or 5th LD on a bad Ranger team last year. AMFYOYO

 

[kovazub94]

From what I have read, Hajek has the higher upside and I think that is reflected in their draft positions. If everything goes right, I think he has the chance to be a mainstay on the 2nd pairing. Rykov strikes me as defensive 3rd pairing guy who has the ability to slot in on the 2nd pairing in a pinch.

Disagree. Rykov's reasonable expectations are of a puck moving 2nd pair D (#3). His upside is to be a very capable #2. Not unlike Hajek. Not going into a hypothetical argument who's better I think their potential is very close though I personally like Rykov better.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Smith was either the 4th or 5th LD on a bad Ranger team last year. AMFYOYO

He wasn't worse than Staal.

I don't know where this fallacy that Staal had a strong season is coming from, he didn't.

And before the "OH HE PLAYED ALL THE HARD MINUTES" arguments come in, he performed just as poorly against weak competition as he did against strong competition.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

Staal started not too bad, then he got badly outplayed by Smith.

 

[Gospel of Prospal]

From my very limited exposure to Rykov, he reminds me of Michael Sauer

 

[Gospel of Prospal]

Staal started not too bad, then he got badly outplayed by Smith.

They both should be gone. Hate 'em both.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

Assuming Skjei is locked in at LD, that leaves 2 spots.

Smith can be the 2nd LD (on a terrible team, anyway) the 3rd LD or the 7th D or a RD or a winger or end up in HFD or whatever. They've never had a problem benching or demoting him, so he is not a concern and definitely should not be bought out.

Staal? Staal's continued existence as a Ranger concerns me, but its probably better than buying him out. He's awful but they wont bench him, they can't demote and they probably can't trade him so hes locked in the lineup, which leaves some sticky scenarios if the kids look ready. If two of Rykov, Hajek and Lindgren show they are ready, what happens? What happens if both Rykov and Hajek look ready, but Hajek is the better of the two? Do they demote Hajek because Rykov will go back to Russia? Not deferring cap hits is probably the best play until you know for sure the young D are ready, but there is a chance its a little messy.

exactly, ultimately buying out Staal is likely more beneficial to the rebuild and development of Rykov, Hajek, Lindgren and Crawley than having Staal stall somebody's development.

 

[Gospel of Prospal]

Assuming Skjei is locked in at LD, that leaves 2 spots.

Smith can be the 2nd LD (on a terrible team, anyway) the 3rd LD or the 7th D or a RD or a winger or end up in HFD or whatever. They've never had a problem benching or demoting him, so he is not a concern and definitely should not be bought out.

Staal? Staal's continued existence as a Ranger concerns me, but its probably better than buying him out. He's awful but they wont bench him, they can't demote and they probably can't trade him so hes locked in the lineup, which leaves some sticky scenarios if the kids look ready. If two of Rykov, Hajek and Lindgren show they are ready, what happens? What happens if both Rykov and Hajek look ready, but Hajek is the better of the two? Do they demote Hajek because Rykov will go back to Russia? Not deferring cap hits is probably the best play until you know for sure the young D are ready, but there is a chance its a little messy.

I'd go with

Skjei - Shattenkirk
Hajek - Fox
Rykov/Lindgren - DeAngelo
Pionk

 

[Gospel of Prospal]

How does Staal's contract compare to Lucic's?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

How does Staal's contract compare to Lucic's?

2y/5.7m vs 4y/6m

 

[Gospel of Prospal]

2y/5.7m vs 4y/6m

Yikes. Only Lucic can make Staal look desirable

 

[Levitate]

He wasn't worse than Staal.

I don't know where this fallacy that Staal had a strong season is coming from, he didn't.

And before the "OH HE PLAYED ALL THE HARD MINUTES" arguments come in, he performed just as poorly against weak competition as he did against strong competition.

The problem with Staal and guys like them is that their mistakes and problems usually aren't nearly as visible as a guy like Smith who will make some high profile gaffs now and then either with the puck or with positioning.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

I'd go with

Skjei - Shattenkirk
Hajek - Fox
Rykov/Lindgren - DeAngelo
Pionk

I would be shocked if I see Shattenkirk play another regular season game for the Rangers. Even if Fox is not yet ready, Shatt is easily replaced by Smith who can play the RD.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

Yikes. Only Lucic can make Staal look desirable

I think there are contracts much worse than Lucic's. Lucic brings a bunch intangibles like toughness, physical play, intimidation.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

The problem with Staal and guys like them is that their mistakes and problems usually aren't nearly as visible as a guy like Smith who will make some high profile gaffs now and then either with the puck or with positioning.

This is true, but glaring mistakes were there from Staal too.

If he gets grossly outplayed at camp by a rookie as he was last year, he better be the extra. Giving him a spot just because was cute last year, but it shouldn't fly going forward.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Yikes. Only Lucic can make Staal look desirable

Neither are as bad as Brent Seabrook's contract though

5 years at 6,875m

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

They both should be gone. Hate 'em both.

Hate is a bit strong. I like Smith's brand of hockey way more than those of Staal and Shatt.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

Neither are as bad as Brent Seabrook's contract though

5 years at 6,875m

Andrew Ladd? Boychuk? Lundqvist? Fowler? Perry? Vlasic? Suter? Parise?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Andrew Ladd? Boychuk? Lundqvist? Fowler? Perry? Vlasic? Suter? Parise?

None of those are as bad as Seabrook

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Neither are as bad as Brent Seabrook's contract though

5 years at 6,875m

How long before he goes on LTIR with the bubonic plague?