Free Agency decisions: First, sign their own.

444 thoughts on “Free Agency decisions: First, sign their own.”

  9. Hanzal has not made over $3.5M in his career, is 30 yo and looking at his last decent payday. Wild overpaid at deadline (#1, #2 and conditional pick which could be a #2)
    What is the market for him?

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  10. Let me say this for the record. I believe offer sheets are very important tools to build a team, and to weaken some of your opponents at the same time. I wrote a guest post on that few years ago. It’s just that for many reasons ( most of them we covered yesterday), they aren’t being used.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Ilb, I think you should clarify that by “bonus laden” you are referring to signing bonuses, not performance bonuses. Average reader probably doesn’t understand the difference or why those players aren’t eligible for performance bonuses.

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  17. Absolutely, Doodie. I meant signing bonuses. But I think most of the boneheads are much higher than “average” readers 🙂
    Speaking of performance bonuses. Most of the EL performance bonuses are unattainable.

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  20. Good morning Boneheads welcome to Wednesday! I like Hanzal as a 4th line center, good face off guy, but he will never come close to 82 games. 10 ft pole!

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  24. Eli –
    Hanzal – face-off monster, PP presence; 20-19-39
    His possession stats playing on a good team (Minny) were very impressive.
    Not saying he is worth unloading the Brinks truck but def not a 4C.
    How many of our centers scored 20 goals last season? exactly…

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  29. Phil makes more than anyone in the NHL. A Dolan extension is the kiss of death. (Torts, Phil) AV can’t feel too secure. At least the Rangers aren’t playing the triangle.

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  32. Carp – If you are looking for a job the Knicks need a new President – that is if you can pry it away from Isiah Thomas’s fingers. Is MSG.com letting you go or are you looking for more a full-time gig? As always, the Boneheads are behind you 100% – even if you hate European players and don’t know what Scott Arniel does 🙂 🙂 🙂

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  33. Mika is going to get a Brass deal or similar (5 x $5m), don’t forget the more you buy UFA years the more it needs to go up and if he develops as they expect he’ll be a bargain in yrs 3, 4 & 5
    Fast i think will get 2 or 3 years depending on how much $$ he wants, or he could end up with a 1 yr contract if he tries to play hardball and get $2m. No reason to pay 4th liners as we have a lot of wingers in the AHL who can play that role.

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  36. UK- buying UFA years has a different taste to it this time because of almost inevitable lockout in 3 years. If a player wants a long term contract that protects him from lockout ( signing bonuses that have to be paid upfront), he may have to sacrifice a few dollars.

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  37. You can bet said lockout will involve a new method of buying out players contracts with fewer cap penalties because those GM’s still haven’t learned not to give them out to the over 30 crowd…..and players will want lower escrow. Should be an easy trade off, but those owners will make us all suffer!!

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  38. “Mom, I won’t be able to take you and Dad out for dinner next weekend because I heard we may have a lockout a few years down the road. I’ll get back to you when I hear more.”

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  42. Nicely done ilb.

    Quite frankly at that kind of dollars…no thanks to fast, big no thanks.

    Other two should be priority.

    Nieves and tambellini…no thanks. Just like hrivik etc, ahl players nothing more.

    Hanzal 3C, Thompson 4C. You’ve got guys that can actually win draws and play in the D zone.

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  46. I would’ve though that the impending lockout means that richer teams (like the Rangers) could front-load a Shattenkirk contract and protect themselves from an expensive buyout should he not perform as expected?

    56 points for Shatty last year, when was the last time we had anyone get that close? Last year we had McD and Skjei with 42 and 39. Before that in recent years Yandle got 49, McD got 43, Del Zaster 41, Roszival! 38. We have to go back 16 seasons to Brian Leetch’s 55 to get close, and 17 seasons when he was our leading scorer with 79 to beat it (we didnt reach the playoffs btw)

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  49. U.K. Simon
    While he can put up some offencive numbers, I feel like he is more of a 3rd pair guy (where he had the most success in stl). And with him and staal you would have $14 mil in a 3rd pair….

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  50. McD – 42, Shea – 39, Holden – 34; With a traditional PP QB, 60+ is reachable.
    —
    wonder how many Team D had 3 guys with 34+ points;
    WPG and MIN did, not sure of others, StL before Shatty deal.

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  53. While I advocated for him two years ago, I like Franson more as a fantasy player than a hockey player. But, like everything, it depends on the price. He could be a nice compliment with Smith if he can be had for $2.5-3M.

    McD – Skjei
    Staal – Franson
    Smith – DeAngelo

    Although typing that out, I don’t think Hank would be thrilled.

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  54. I get that McDavid is likely going to be a generational talent, but boy, that seems like a big commitment to one player. That cap hit would be 26% higher than any other player in the league.

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  55. Franson stinks. What is with Ranger fans infatuation with him? It has gone on for many years. It is reaching the Blair Betts level.
    What is the point of drafting, trading for and signing young Dmen if they are not going to get an opportunity to play. You want Franson in the way of Pionk, Graves, Day, and the two Russian kids?

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  58. I wouldn’t say there’s an infatuation. He’s a right-handed RD, which seems to be the team’s preference, that has a good shot and can play the point on PPs. If he signs a reasonable 2 year deal (unlikely), then it wouldn’t be the worst option. And he could be your 7D if one of the kids takes the next step.

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  59. I see him and Stone as stop-gaps to the youth, not 3-5 year deal players. Both right handed…

    don’t think Day is here this year or next. maybe the Russian but he is also a lefty.

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  62. Next lockout hopefully they reduce the 2/3 buyout to 1/2. won’t go lower than that as small market teams want the others punished for bad decisions. plus the players won’t want it to go lower than 1/2.

    biggest part of lockout will be money grab of course. instead of 50/50 figure owners share goes to 52 or 55. plus they will restrict what is considered part of the pie.

    lockout long enough and they will get their way.

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  66. BDL – what about Franson’s game don’t you like? I have not seen the guy play much but seems like a OK RD 2/3 with some PP ability that can be a stop-gap for 2 years at a reasonable price.

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  67. Franson is not a good skater, struggles with the first pass, and does not kill penalties. Add in his O game has been deteriorating every season.
    Let’s say they sign him for two years at 2 mill per. Girardi buy out is 2.6 this year, and 3.6 next. So that’s Franson for 4.6 this year, and 5.6 next. I’d have rather kept Girardi.

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  68. I left out that Franson takes a lot of minor penalties because he can’t keep up. I believe it was somewhere in the high teens.

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  69. I think we’ll be testing Shatty for hometown discount, can’t imagine Gorton will do 7 X $7.5m, although that looming lockout date might offer a potential escape point from a(nother) bad contract

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  70. There really doesn’t have to be a lockout. The new CBA just has to allow for buyouts with no cap hit. I forget what they call them. They always have in the past. Of course who knows what Buttman and his buddies will come up with to screw teams that are working entirely with in the rules that are currently in effect. No one anticipated the recapture rule.

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  79. when putting together the Rangers free agent shopping list don’t forget they need to sign two goalies – one to back up Hank and the other to share time in Hartford. Other than Shestyorkin and the two college goalies (Huska and Wall), the only other two under contract are Halvorson and Chris Nell. Even if they decided to bring Skapski back, the organ-eye-zation needs a veteranish type in Hartford with Hellberg gone.

    As some have cautioned, Hanzal is as brittle as a Mets pitcher so that has to be factored into the equation. Plus, he could very easily turn into another Bobby Holik if the Rangers are going to lean on him to provide offense as a top six forward for anything more than a game or two.

    Not sure if we can (or should) afford Stone. I must have fallen asleep on him in terms of salary because I didn’t realize he made $4 million last year and you have to figure bidding is going to start at $5 million now.

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  80. the small market teams want there to be buyouts that have cap hits. punishes the others and restricts the others ability to sign another one when they have dead money on their cap

    the owners will also want more than 50/50. at least 52/48 maybe 55/45.

    they will get their way with another lockout. count on it.

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  81. Agree on Franson. Don’t think he’s an upgrade on Girardi. I think Stone would be a good get, depending on the price.

    James G, you beat me to the hot tub comment. LOL.

    Anthony, thank you. Invited to stay with MSGN, but I do need a full-time gig. Not sure if it will be in this biz or not. If its not, and it’s not too demanding, I would like to do both. Or maybe I can become president of the Knicks.

    Nice writing, Doodie. … er, I mean Captain.

    Liked by 3 people

  83. Thanks, Carp..
    Alex, I’m not sure the 50/50 issue will be a sticking point in the new negotiations. Or even if it’s going to be brought up. But I believe the owners will want a different definition of HRR, yes. The NHLPA will want to eliminate the escalator rule, among other things

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  85. Speaking of HRR. Can someone explain to me the fact that the expansion fee ( $500M) is not a part of Hockey Related Revenue since it’s used to allow a new team to play….hockey?

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  88. Carp – Not sure if you would ever want to teach, but the Mass Comm dept at Iona is looking for adjuncts. This link should work:
    https://iona-openhire.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.jobinfo&jobid=95&source=ONLINE&JobOwner=992276&company_id=17296&version=1&byBusinessUnit=NULL&bycountry=0&bystate=0&byRegion=NULL&bylocation=NULL&keywords=&byCat=&proximityCountry=&postalCode=&radiusDistance=&isKilometers=&tosearch=yes&city=

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  95. With the Smith signing, you would have to think after July first, the team that did not get a Dman would be a home hit Holden. The Rangers have said they would like to get younger on D, and right now all those young D are blocked.

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  97. Yup. Let’s see the numbers. But well done. Kudos to Gorton. And Kudos to Smith for not sitting and waiting to see if he can get every single penny out someone else on July 1st. Went with his guts, NY was a good fit.

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  102. Smith has to cut down on bad penalties, (the other “Machine?”), but I’m glad hes going to be here. Fast. Some size. Versatile. Playoff performer. Sticks up for his teammates and wlling to drop the gloves.

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  107. Also makes feel better as far as them not going after Shattenkirk. I hope I’m right.
    BDL- if one ( or two) of DeAngelo/Graves/Pionk/Day/Bereglazov earn their spot, both Holden and Kampfer will spend a lot of times in local Zegna store trying new suits.

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  112. Not sure I ever understood the pick for rights trades. If you’ve agreed to a deal in principle, then there’s little risk, and if you haven’t, it’s likely that they player wants to test the market.

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  116. Wonder if there is a deal to be had for Hammond now that Condon is signed. 1/$1.35M left on his contract and not far removed from some decent part time seasons.

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  123. Offer Shatty unlimited Walter’s, free passes to Mt. Vernon Hip Hop Museum, free parking/admission to Playland, reserved outdoor tin table at Greasy Nick’s, golf membership at Lake Isle, 6 mil x 3yrs guaranteed. 🙂

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  128. Smith has been here since March and gets a no trade clause? Not like he has deep roots here. It does make the picks they gave up for him look better. I thought the 2nd pick they gave up should have been conditional on him resigning which he now has. Unless it’s a full NMC he can be traded if all the kids miraculously pan out. Carp – you beat me to the Lindy Ruff comment.

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  134. ILB

    I just think that it’s an easy one for the owners to get a higher % even by 2% and we agree that they’ll want to keep some things out of HRR. Both keep cap and just as important floor down. I’m sure some teams hate the floor rising.

    I think they’ll get rid of teams dumping injured guys on teams like Arizona.

    I can see why they keep expansion fees out as all that is doing is redistributing money from 1 owner to another and now they are splitting the same pie 31 ways (other than whatever vegas brings locally)

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  138. Good stuff with the Smith deal. I like it. I think it’s a little less than he would have gotten on the open market and I think 4 years is appropriate for a 28 y/0 D man. Given his playoff performance I think a desperate team would have gone into the 5s with him. He thought NY was a good fit, Rangers thought he was a good fit. Glad they got it done before July 1. What they do from here on the blueline should be interesting.

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  139. At least until we see what they do on Saturday and beyond, C3. They’re better with him than without him right now. I know we aren’t getting 82 games out of him that look like the first round against Montreal, but he’s a respectable top 4 addition and one that provides something that the other Dman on this team can’t. Not to mention he can play the right side.

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  140. Condon deal stings a little bit. Still think Nilsson is the way to go but I wouldn’t waste a draft pick. There’s always Kinkaid and even Pav out there

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  142. Aight, that McDavid deal…it’s pretty sizable and the implications of future deals…damn. But Draisatl wants $9m a year for 8? It’s one thing if McDavid gets a monster deal…but DRAISATL? NOW? If they sign him to that, THAT’S the deal that screws everything up.

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  144. Dave just wait until Saturday. It’s going to get a lot worse. Honestly the lock out was confirmed July 1 2016. Ladd 7 years 38.5, Okposo 7 years 42 mill, Neilsen 6 years 31.5 Backes 5 years 30 million. and coming soon to a cluster**** near you: Shattenkirk, Hanzal, Draisatl etc..

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  146. On the bright side, here are some players out there that the Rangers aren’t overpaying, but other teams are:

    Tax-Free
    Poulliot
    Stepan
    Hagelin
    Gaborik

    Did I miss anyone?

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  150. TomK – I never did understand the contract Poulliot received. That was crazy from the get-go.

    Please no to Shatt-in-the-hat. They just traded for a no-defense defenseman. Don’t get another, more expensive one.

    Read the article in the post about Day. Maybe he can be ready for the big time.

    I don’t know where the two centers are going to come from to replace Stepan and Lindberg, but please don’t get Thornton. Are they that desperate that they would sign a 38-year old coming off major knee surgery?

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  152. Shatt in the hat. 🙂

    I know Carp. I think he’ll land some where for much less $.

    As we spoke about the other day, we could still use a rat. Wicky mentioned Kunitz and Ryan White.

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  153. Per Jim Cerny

    “I don’t think Radulov. I’d think Bonino is an option at center. I do know from source that Bonino is very interested in Rangers”

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  155. Carp I’d give Glass a modest deal to stick around. Most people will want to strangle me for that comment but the truth is he played just fine down the stretch and in the post season. It’s how the coach utilized him at times against Ottawa that was the problem

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  158. Sorry but if you sign Bonino, first of all you’ll be overpaying. Secondly he’s a third line guy. Which means you’ve accepted the fact that Zib-Hayes are your 1-2. And you still need a 4th line guy. that’s not good

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  164. No to bonino. Perfect fit in Pittsburgh. He will be a del zaster here.

    Wouldn’t mind at all Thornton one yr. someone give him 3 . Hopefully not us

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  167. Putting Nash and Kreider on a line with Thornton is maybe just what this team needs. Jolting Joe can give Kreider a slap when is skating around the ice with his head up his ass. Not sure if he has Messier type leadership qualities, but he’s a great, and venerable hockey player.

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  169. Depends what centre you are looking for. A 1C…not a lot of options. 3C or 4C, decent options.

    Bonino is going to get overpaid by quite a bit.

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  174. So with McD, Smith, Skjei, Staal and Holden all signed for next year, Beverly DeAngelo in the mix U think they may go with that as their top 6… and Bereglazov or Day supposedly ready to challenge for a spot this year? I’d ship Holden off to Narnia if Bereglazov is ready. Supposedly a real solid shut down defenseman. Could use one of those around here.

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  178. Carp Bonino anchors the depth chart so to speak. 1) you’re going to have to pay him like a second line center and he’s not one. 2) he’s a 30-40 point guy at best. That makes Zibanejad and Hayes the 1 and 2 centers on the team. I for one am not interested in that lack of depth down the middle. Cullen I’d welcome back as a 4th line guy. God knows we could use a warm body capable of winning a faceoff.

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  180. Then again there isn’t a first line center coming anytime soon unless there’s some trade we do not know about. Maybe 9 first round picks 2 prospects and 2nd rounders in 20,21,22,23,24,25,26 and 27 for Duchene. Nah, no way Sakic goes for that. Clearly not enough coming back his way….(s)

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  181. You’re right Carp. And if that’s the case then I guess it is what it is and they’ll just take that big step back. Very curious to see what they get out of Zibanejad this season. Obviously when a player breaks his leg in December he earns the benefit of the doubt. I’m hoping we see a bit of a production spike from him. Hayes played like the first line center of this team for the first two months of the season. But if I know Hayes I’ll be yelling at him for hanging onto the puck for too long before preseason is over so…

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  184. At this point I just would want jumbo on one yr deal. Very unlikely as he will get 3 elsewhere. Their isn’t anyone I want on Saturday. Unless it’s trouba in trade we should just not waste any money on players on Saturday.

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  189. Describe right price for bonino.

    I, for one, do not think he is a 40 goal guy or even close to it. He might be a 40 point guy in a perfect situation (like on a line with Kessel and a team where 2 other centres et a lot of attention), but he isn’t very good on faceoffs and is going to cost more than he’s worth.

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  194. I think the most important thing going into the next season is deciding who is the next whipping boy? Steps and Danny G are gone… a lot of tough decisions ahead.

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  197. For that $$$$ I’ll take hanzal any day. He wins draws, you can slot him at 3C play him pk and pp minutes. He’d win more draws than lose in those key situations and you can put him in front of the net on the pp.

    Ha ha pp

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  205. Alex

    True.

    One thing that makes me happy is that we now know what Ruff does… and he hasn’t even spent a day behind the Rangers’ bench yet!

    Going on what, 5th year with the International man of mystery Mr. Arniel? Still no clue….

    :/

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  206. It sucks because there really isn’t any top 6 talent in the form of a center out there as a ufa. Which always means guys are going to get more than they’re actually worth.
    I’d take a chance w a one year on Thornton or just look to make a deal at some point

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  217. Nash’s contract year, in that case we could get him a 60ft pole that wins face offs and leave the rest to him. 40 goals this year. Book it!

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  222. If Duchene does get moved to Toronto,(as CCCP and Pierre McGuire said could happen), is Toronto then willing to trade Bozak who has one year left at $4.2? Would we want him?

    Kadri didn’t have a great start there, but they locked him up long term. Seems like he’s matured some. He plays with an edge and i don’t think they’d move him.

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  224. 10 teams in on Bonino? Thats a lot for a 3rd line center, not a need that we have. I’d imagine Thornton’s landing spot will impact the market for Hanzal and Bonino

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  228. Bonino is like Sutter; good player on bad team; good player on good team but no difference maker.
    Sutter
    Last Pitt season
    80 gp 21-12-33 (+6)
    Last season
    80 pg 17-17-34 (-20)
    How much can a team realistically pay a 3rd liner?
    Paging Bobby Holik…

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  230. Step was a salary/production move
    The five biggest NYR salaries at end of season.
    .
    Henk (4 more seasons NMC @ $8.5M cap hit…)
    Nash (last year – Full No Trade)
    Step (Trade; gone)
    Staal (modified NTC begins next year; 4 more years @$5.7M)
    Girardi (Buy-out; gone)

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  231. Rangers President/GM Glen Sather stepped to the plate and stole center Bobby Holik with a five-year, $45-million contract.
    Stole? There was definitely a robbery but me thinks Sather was fleeced no the Derbils.

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  235. BDL I look at it like this. You could have one full season or less of a big hole at center or you can spin your wheels for the next four while you pay Stepan the rest of his contract.
    I forget who said it yesterday but Rangers kind of screwed themselves w Step. If it wasn’t for the two bridge deals they gave him he coulda been locked up for around 5 mill a couple years before the “6×6 for everyone” epidemic broke out

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  239. Excerpt from Dan Boyle’s bff at the post:

    “Smith’s signing also likely puts an end to any idea the Rangers would go out and sign coveted free-agent right-handed defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk to the long-term deal he will command on the open market.”

    Is he implying that Smith is going to be a top pair guy?

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  240. agreed Tom. He was hurt last year and up and down afterwards. All it’s gonna take is a season or two similar to his ’15-16 campaign to up the price

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  241. To be fair on the Holik and Richards signings…the rules at that time meant that the biggest cost to the team was dollars. Obviously the cap wasn’t in place when Holik was signed, and Richards contract was structured to lower the AAV.

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  242. So now that McDavid is getting his mega contract and Draisaitel is an RFA who will need a pretty big deal as well, does EDM trade RNH?

    24 years old. AAV of $6M for 4 more years.
    Ryan Nugent Hopkins anyone? What would he cost us in a trade?

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  243. The thing with not using bridge deals in some instances, is that you wind up with situations like the Oilers were in where they had to trade several of them. Although, I guess that being the trade-off for McDavid and Draisaitl takes some of the sting away 🙂

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  244. I don’t think that we’re set on D at all. There will be too much temptation to offer Shatty a big deal, probably not as big as a few other teams like NJ, TB etc.. so it’ll be up to him if REALLY wants to play for the Rangers he will have to turn down better deals from elsewhere

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  252. Beningo is laughing all the way to the bank. Jets lose alleged agony until he sees his pay stub.

    BDL

    it was a lot more about the other years on Stepans contract then 1 season. If this was his last season he likely would not have been traded.

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  261. Bonino….pirri v2.0. No thanks. Bonino produced in a favourable situation, nothing like that situation here. 100% buyer beware on him. I’d rather see Nieves than bonino and I don’t think Nieves is that could.

    Rangers seem to be dumb enough the past couple of years with free agents to sign bonino though.

    Way to address RD or top line talent is through trade. Only RD I’d be interested in as ufa is stone.

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  263. Alex,
    It’s about what they do with the cap savings from the Stepan deal. If you think Bonino is as good as Stepan, then by all means sign him, and the trade is a great one. I don’t feel that way.

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  264. I’m absolutely fine with Bonino at the right price. If we can get him for 3 years @ $3 – 3.5? Sure, why not? He’d be an EXCELLENT 3rd line center who could move up a line when needed. And if that means that Zika and Hayes are our 1-2? I’m fine with that too.

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  266. They probably don’t get their step replacement this year; with Nash off books next year, they could have more flexibility in going after a big name.
    .
    Gagner could be a stop gap; good on PP, play 2/3C. Rumors are Chi has upper hand but needs to shed salary first.
    .
    Prior to Zika signing and any FA pick-ups, NYR is LAST in league in positional spending for the center position by a big margin and if Zika is $5M per then second to last. League ave is ~16M and NYR is at ~5M now.

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  267. BDL

    but the cap space is for each year not just this one. I think losing Stepan hurts this year but helps beyond that plus we got the top pick as well.

    It was a good and necessary trade.

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  268. Bonino would be a better fit for Rangers ….cheaper and used to a fast tempo offense versus Thonrton ..more expensive, 37 years old, slower, and coming major knee surgery

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  270. But once Nash is gone, oft-injured and never quite having become what he should have become, who is our one truly OUTSTANDING star player? Vesey? Zucc? THE, Haze, JT? Don’t think so. We had better do some creative shopping.

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  271. So no to trading for Ryan Nugent Hopkins?

    I mean, EDM can’t pay their 3C $6M when they’re paying McDavid and Draisaitl. I’ve got to assume he’s going to be available.

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  275. Nash has a total of 38 goals over the last 2 regular seasons (and 5 goals in 17 PO games)
    Even Strength Stats past 2 seasons:
    8th in 5v5 goals (21)
    2nd in shots (behind Step)
    7th in pts (46) – one ahead of Fast
    9th in primary assists.
    .
    Agree top line forward talent is needed to compete for the Cup, Nash is not that player now.

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  277. Donuts needs a partner who possesses a defensive orientation and enough speed and talent to get back, allowing the Captain to join the O play. Putting someone like Shatty there with him is an impediment. Shatty, too, on the second pair, needs a partner in the same category as #27. Putting them together don’t do it for me.

    Liked by 1 person

  280. Coos RE: Nash- fair amount of talented wingers headed to free agency when his deal expires. Among them Mark Stone, JVR, James Neal, Evander Kane, Patrick Hornqvist

    Also, I agree with your point about Mc captain. He needs a #23 not a #2 (yes, James G said number 2)

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  282. You guys aren’t being fair in the Nash argument. His skills haven’t diminished. His lower body has. Before getting hurt in that game against the Islanders he was playing great hockey. If he can avoid the LBI’s he’ll net 30 + no problem

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  304. AV: “Where’s Step?”
    Gorton: “well we had a problem”
    AV: “What do you mean?”
    Gorton: “You know what I mean. He’s gone. And there wasn’t anything we could do about it”.

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  305. Jen‏ @NHLhistorygirl

    “[Semenko] hit [Billy Smith] so hard that [Smitty]’s helmet was spinning sideways. At least, I hoped it was just the helmet.”-Bryan Trottier

    Esa Tiki Tikkanen‏Verified account @tikitalk10

    Rest in peace Dave Semenko. One of the greatest guys around and bodyguard of worlds best players.

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  318. Don’t need wings, need centers. Pass on Poliout. He’ll end up with the Sens, and the greatest center since Gretzky. That would be the one, The only, Derrick Brassard.

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  323. adverb, as in, he is liked the best. Not adjective, he is the best forward on the team.
    Not the most ‘valuable’ given price/production.
    How does a 6’4″ 220 lb player need protection as well. lordy…

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  325. I remember the Poulliot signing being universally applauded as one of the best signings of the summer over at Puck Daddy. Their resident corgi collector thought he was amazing.

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  328. Sign 30 year old head case Radulov, he of 15 goals, and then trade Miller, or Kreider, Vesey, or Buchnevich. Have I missed anyone? What could go wrong?

    Liked by 1 person

  332. http://nypost.com/2017/06/29/henrik-lundqvist-is-having-a-hard-time-with-rangers-shakeup/

    henrik on missing girardi and stepan

    plus this piece
    “Lundqvist said the left knee injury he sustained in helping to lead Team Sweden to a gold medal in last month’s World Championship tournament is healing on schedule and will not have any impact on his preparation for the upcoming season.

    “It hasn’t changed my offseason plan,” said the 35-year-old goaltender, who will have a new backup in the wake of Antti Raanta’s departure to the desert as part of the Stepan deal. “I always take three weeks off after the season, start with light workouts and begin skating in late July.

    “That will stay the same this year. I will be ready for camp and for the season.”

    Like

  333. Not sure I’m going to make it James. I’ve gone from very confident that Gorton was going to get the job done, to,where about to hit 1998 all over again.

    Liked by 2 people

  335. Larry Brooks‏ @NYP_Brooksie

    My understanding is that Bonino is seeking 4 or 5 year deal. Hard to believe NYR would go near that. Their interest in Marleau is baffling.

    Like

  340. Marleau has averaged 82 GP 26-29-54 including 9-13-21 on the PP
    that would be ‘best’ on this team.
    Wouldn’t sign him, but do see why a short team deal would be an option.

    Like

  345. Year ago today
    3:34 hall for Larson.
    3:45 subban for Weber.
    3:57 stamkos re signs.

    I was convinced we as ranger fans were 3 days away from getting stamkos. If only he made it 72 more hours he was a ranger.

    Like

  354. Could there be a Brian Boyle reunion? I would take him back at 2 per for two or three to fill the Lindberg hole as well as the Step PK role. Not that much of an overpay.

    Like

  355. OH No!!!! That article saying klein officially retired will now go after shattenkirk. I think I’m sick to my stomach. If that happens at least rangers can buy him out at next lock out.

    Like

  372. Yes all sarcasm on JT relax. Though firmly believe stamkos if made it 72 hrs more to july 1 would have been here.

    I thought kinkaid was signing here for 950k.

    Rangers will sign someone at 12:02 on Saturday before they get left with no one.

    Like

  379. As for Shattenkirk I’ll just paraphrase something our old pal John Davidson said to me once- It’s all about what a player will cost you and what you think he’s worth to the team. If Shattenkirk wants to be a Ranger and the Rangers have reached out to him then there’s always a possibility. But I think it’ll just involve leaving way too much money on the table for him to pass up some of the teams said to me in the mix and ready to spend

    Like

  382. I think Nilsson is going to be the back up of choice. gets to work under Allaire, gets to stay in NY and tandem with fellow countryman Hanka Hanka.

    Like

  383. I think there are at least a couple of teams that would be willing to match contract terms, Carp. Especially with most teams in need of an elite center on their roster. I’d like to think that the potential to win a Championship may come into play for him as well. Islanders have been spinning their tires for a while.

    Like

  384. TomK

    Thornton would be an over 35 contract so any buyout would count anyway. That’s why it’s dangerous to sign them for more than 1 year. If they retire it counts anyway.

    Like

  385. Bettman phone conversation with Snow:
    “Garth I see the terms of this contract you submitted for Tavares. Listen, I’m not trying to tell you your business but ‘a zillion schmillion’ isn’t actually a number….yeah…no I know….ahh…oh…. Milbury? yeah…. I see…ok……ok gotta go. bye”

    Like

  388. I love it. In December we celebrate Festivus and tomorrow we celebrate “Bonehead Christmas eve”…we’ll eat 7 fishes. Except for BDL, Eric and Coos. That table over there with the bottle of scotch and the 3 chairs is reserved for them…

    Like

  389. LOL Eric. Boy, those Flyers. They certainly are consistent when it comes to the quality of goaltender they keep on the frontlines of that organization!!

    Like

  393. Wife and 2 kids have been thrown out of house Saturday afternoon. My afternoon of freedom. Sunday though is wedding anniversary. I remember Richy rich signing on my anniversary me on the blog every two minutes checking in. Wife hated it

    Liked by 2 people

  397. Ex nhl def Mike commodore tweeting shattenkirk decision down to two teams.

    Rangers and Bruins.

    Also reporting Thornton looking at sharks or Vegas.

    Anyone trust his inside info

    Like

  398. Bernier (mask) is my first choice, Nilsson 2nd…then I’m not sure, rumour has it Hammond was one season wonder.

    Going to have to trade for top end talent, that simple. Have to give to get.

    Personally I sign stone as free agent and use skjeL and a forward to upgrade top line talent/centre.

    Like

  399. A man goes into a restaurant. You listenin’? A man goes into a restaurant. He sits down, he’s havin’ a bowl of soup. He says to the waiter; “Waiter, come taste the soup.” Waiter says; “Is there something wrong with the soup?” He says; “Taste the soup.” He says; “Is there something wrong with the soup? Is the soup too hot?” He says; “Will you taste the soup?”, “What’s wrong is the soup to cold?”, “Will you just taste the soup?”, “All right, I’ll taste the soup. Where’s the spoon?”, “Ah-ha!”

    Liked by 2 people

  400. Havin watched Bernier this year out here in CA, I would stay away. Dude was good for half the season on a good defensive team………much better defensively than the Rangers. But just like he did in LA and TOR, he folds under pressure as he did in game 6 of the Ducks-Preds series. Average goaltending in that game and they play 7. Bernier was brutal. I would sign up for Nilsson. Get him to the goalie whisperer and he can be a good fill in for Shampoo Boy.

    Like

  409. I can’t wait for skjeL to be elected into the HHOF next season while still playing in the league.

    I’ve heard they are retiring #76 league wide next season.

    Like

  418. This is what E3 feels like rattling of numerous posts consecutively…in a row…without interruption (other than the Mrs laughing her aasen off at this).

    The power

    Like

  421. “We are not trading skjeL even if you blah blah blah”

    Omg Alex, we are still laughing over here. Priceless. You are hilarious

    Like

  427. Alex
    Bwahahahaha

    Dude you are gold pure gold.

    Every blog needs a court jester, glad you fill the role.

    Like

  435. SN
    I know. It seems ridiculous. Admittedly I don’t know how good or bad Murphy played, but seems like a possible fit here. Low cost.

    Like

  436. In 2009-10 the Rangers were just starting to become relevant again. A young Henrik Lundqvist played in 73 games. Can’t remember if Valiquette got hurt or his game just fell apart, but the Rangers had no solution to a back up and it killed them. Alex Auld, Chad Johnson and Matt Zaba (?) couldn’t pick up the slack. They finished the season on a bit of a hot streak and missed the playoffs when they lost to the Flyers in that infamous shootout. Olli Jokenen failed to convert on the final attempt.

    Now, when Hank is 35, it’s more important than ever that they get a good replacement for Raanta. Someone they could trust to carry the load if Hank gets hurt or loses his edge for a week or so. Trade a mid-level or low pick and sign somebody.

    If you switched Raanta and Eddie Lack last season, the Rangers might not have made the playoffs and maybe Carolina does.

    Like

  442. I’m all for Anders Nilsson for two reasons, he’s Swedish and, unlike other backups on the market, has a save percentage greater than .900 (.923 last year, .908 career)

    Like

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