|
Brooks: Rangers about to sell, sell, sell and it cuts deep |
|
|
|
|
|
For much of the season, it’s been one of the biggest teases. Will the Rangers pull the plug and be sellers, stand pat or be buyers? That answer has changed throughout the year. If you believe Larry Brooks, the team has made a decision and it’s to sell, sell, sell.
Brooks’ first paragraph spells it all out: “there is no ambivalence within management. The Blueshirts, we’re told, view the Feb. 26 trade deadline as a unique opportunity to refresh the roster and replenish the organization, regardless of where the club stands in relation to a playoff spot.” Presuming he can believed, and Brooks definitely has good sources and also has been viewed at times as someone who will help pass along management’s agenda, that sell off could cut very deep. That means not just those who are upcoming RFAs - Rick Nash, Michael Grabner, Nick Holden and David Desharnais - but also the captain, Ryan McDonagh, and assistant, Mats Zuccarello, each of whom is signed for next year.
https://nypost.com/2018/01/26/mcdonagh-nash-zuccarello-rangers-are-ready-to-blow-it-up/
If you would have taken a poll of most fans in late-October, when NY was 3-7-2, the overwhelmingly majority would have said sell. That percentage likely substantially dropped when the Rangers went 13-7-1, despite the advanced metrics showing that much of the record was fools’ good and fallacy driven by the stellar play of Henrik Lundqvist and Ondrej Pavelec. The fan base has largely reverted back to where they were in late-October due to the geam’s recent struggles.
The goal is to build towards sustainable success. In order to do so, adding young assets and picks that become young assets is paramount. Dealing the RFAs make sense if the organization has finally determined that keeping the band together just to make the playoffs again is pointless. On the flip side, consideration must be given to what this means for Lundqvist, who is on the backside of his career but is showing again this season that he can be dominant. If the retool or rebuild is done correctly, New York could be in contention by next year or the following season.
I have gone on record that I would love to have Nash and Grabner back next year, depending on cost. My feeling there have not changed. Each could fill a key role, and if the $ and years, especially for Grabner, is reasonable, then by all means have them back. But the fear of losing each shouldn’t drive the thought process on dealing one or both. Desh and Holden, I don’t think I need to say anything there.
McDonagh and Zuccarello are totally different stories. Both, but especially McDonagh, will be looking for big deals when their current contact expires. McDonagh, who is 28, just scored his first two goals of the season last night. He has been a soldier in his career in New York, stolen for Scott Gomez. McDonagh has munched minutes in all situations and NY has failed while he was where to find a partner that matches or fully complements his skill set, though he and Dan Girardi were a good pair for years. With the remainder of this season and next at an extremely reaoskbabke $4.7 million, GM Jeff Gorton should demand a Keith Yandle type return at a minimum and likely one even higher. If that feels to materialize at this deadline, then wait until the draft. In addition, if the return is less than optimal then, hold on to McD until the next deadline rather than ‘giving’ him away.
As you all know, I beat the drums for Zucc to be back years ago. He has become the emotional leader on this team and with the fan base. Treated poorly and allowed to go to the KHL, the Rangers finally righted the wrong and brought him back. Signed to a long term term at a below market rate, maybe even better than McD at the time, Zucc suffered a devastating injury against Pittsburgh that likely cost the team a berth on the Cup Finals and maybe a Cup. He rebounded brilliant from that injury to lead the team in scoring. This year hasn’t gone as well as expected, but he still is the heartbeat of this squad. Seeing him go, if he does, will be painful. But it’s likely the right move. My one caveat is that the return better damn well be worth it. Because if he is dealt and the return is akin to what was received for someone like Brian Leetch, then trading him was a failure.
The unanswered question besides who would come back in a deal is how far this year down goes. Does it extend to the coach and his staff and also up to the management suite? Is AV and/or GM Jeff Gorton part of this teardown and rebuild or will they be left standing to try and lead the future revamped squad forward. I know how many feel and it’s hard to argue with them. That same vitriol is not shared by me, but if Dolan is allowing this rebuild, then nothing may be off the table.
Stay tuned. The trade deadline is a month away. If we thought it was crazy around the time when Ryan Callahan was pining for a new deal. Well, presuming what Brooks wrote is accurate, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»