The Rangers can still play a fast game with Thornton in the mix. They have been able to do so with the legs of Stepan and Hayes up front. They were able to compete with a deteriorating Klein and Girardi in the back. 3 of those 4 are gone. DeAngelo will be faster and can jumpstart the transition game. So would Shatty. They can afford to take on Thornton who is a career 52.6% on the dot. He hasnt finished below 50% since 2002-2003. He could help this team a lot not just competitively but a guy like Hayes.
RGY...you've been espousing Thornton as much as I've been saying Bonino.
Let me ask you this: What is Joe's motivation to come here first off?
Secondly, you do reliaze he would NOT come here on a one year deal...yes? He would likley want minimum of two if not 3 years. If that was the case would you give him 3 years?
Oh and one other thing...there's that always frustrating money thing. How much money do you think Joe would want to transplant his family back to the east coast? You know he'd want alot...yes?
He's not coming for less than 4.0. You do realize that. So let's just say Joe says "hmmm...I like Gorton...I like the Rangers...let me go play the last years of my career in NY and see if I can help them win a Cup".
So you would be willing to pay him 4.25 let's say for 3 years to come here and play?
We can pay the same if not less than that for Bonino for 4 years and he's only 29. Hanzel would likely be 3.5 for 3.
I don't know RY...I hear ya about Joe and I love the guy but I don't want him taking up 4 mill in cap space for 3 years consdiering what we are doing. I'd take him for one year maybe and that's only if he wanted less than 3.5 and you and I both know that aint happening. He might as well just to back to San Jose and why aggravate himself and move here and deal with the NY media and us on HF boards......lol