I had written most of a blog but the breaking news that Kevin Shattenkirk is heading the Capitals had me erase and start all over. News came out during the day that the Rangers, Capitals and Penguins were all in on Shattenkirk. Most of that chatter was dismissed with the logic that Blues' GM Doug Armstrong was just building up interest to raise the price. The hope was that by 3pm he would a Ranger.
Well, that 3pm will have to come in July, as Shattenkirk will be in Washington for the rest of the season. Even though the Capitals have lots of mouths to feed and pay this offseason, Rangers fans have to hope that he doesn't re-sign there, especially if he falls in love with the team and possibly wins a Cup. This deal makes an already strong Washington team even more dynamic, improving the blue line, especially the top four, and the already dangerous power play.
Getting Shattenkirk in New York for the rest of the season along with maybe Brendan Smith and/r Patrick Sharp with Brian Boyle not an option now that he is in Toronto might have made the Blueshirts a real contender. I was all in. My reservations to give up major assists to get Shattenkirk had been mitigated by the belief a long run could have been in the cards. Now with him gone to Washington, I would be shocked if they don't get to the Cup Finals. We had talked about embracing the drop to fourth to avoid Washington. Let's say that happens and NY gets past the Atlantic Division, are you still beating Washington or Pittsburgh or even Columbus as currently constituted?
You have to give GM Jeff Gorton some credit to sticking to his guns. However, based on the following return for in essence a rental, 1st RD pick in 2017, 2nd RD pick in 2018 (though Wash traded it for Lars Ellen, so this piece isn't locked down) and Zach Sanford going to St. Louis, Washington did not overpay. A solid deal for St. Louis as they get a 1 and a 2 and a decent prospect, but it's not an overpay and they get Vrana etc. Now, if Shattenkirk doesn't sign in NY this offseason because of his affinity for Washington, then the unwillingness to bend may come back to haunt the team. Money may not be the issue, as seen by Shattenkirk turning down several reported contract extensions with teams willing to meet St. Louis' terms; a list that my have included Arizona, Edmonton, Tampa Bay and Toronto. So either Shattenkirk has his heart set on one or several places on the East Coast, particularly the mid-Atlantic states, one of which is a certain team that plays on Seventh Avenue. Or, he wanted to be the one that decided his future and wasn't signing anywhere until the offseason. In regards to Gorton sticking to his guns, Brooks wrote today:
It is unknown whether general manager Jeff Gorton would be willing to yield his club’s first-rounder as part of a package to get the defenseman who presumably would become Ryan McDonagh’s first-pair partner as well as the power play’s point man, but the Blueshirts remain steadfast in their unwillingness to deal away a young top-nine forward. Pavel Buchnevich would fit under that umbrella. Brady Skjei is off limits. And the Rangers at this point are believed to have no interest in including defenseman Sean Day, the 2016 third-rounder, who has had a very good season for OHL Windsor, as part of a deal to bring back Shattenkirk.
Based on the above terms, I get Gorton not dealing the one. But seeing what Shattenkirk cost as a rental - and the ask from NY might have been higher because the Blues likely viewed a deal with the Rangers as a sign and trade - I do Gorton had bent. Washington is even more of a favorite than they were before.
Now what? New York has two choices: sell off some assets and look to contend next year, which is many felt was their better window for contention or add a d-man and forward for the stretch run and see what happens.
On the latter, New York still try and trade for Brendan Smith. Of course, part of that depends on if Smith makes it to becoming a UFA as Bob McKenzie said on TSN that there have been negotiations with Detroit about an extension for Smith and that the Wings will decide shortly if they will keep or move him. Aaron Ward noted that a possible extension for Smith would be three-years at $3.75 million, so it's possible Smith never makes it to free agency.
Some of the comments on Smith from a prior Red Wings blog were:
Great skater. Plays with an edge. Good shot impacts. Never really put in a position to produce offense like he did in college. Justin Schultz 2.0 with more tools imo.
All the tools. No tool box. Plays with an edge. Raises game in playoffs. Third pair guy. Excellent skater. Stands up for teammates. Low hockey IQ. Great teammate.
It sounds as if Smith would be an nice fit. But he is no Shattenkrik, who would have given the Rangers a top-pair RH d-man and PP QB. Now, that ship has sailed. But if Tampa is selling, which may the case as seen by the Boyle deal below and need to re-sign Jonathan Drouin etc., possibly call GM Steve Yzerman and see if Anton Stralman is available. If not, Johnny Oduya who just returned from injury. Another option could be Cody Franson and to a lesser extent, Dennis Wideman.
The other name prominently mentioned as possibly available is Justin Faulk. However, the cost might be Derek Stepan. I know Stepan has struggled offensively lately but he still is a 1 or 1a center and losing him nownleaves a hole in the middle. Maybe after the season, but now, that's not a move I would make.
I wanted Brian Boyle, as felt he would have been a perfect fourth line player. Stick him with Oscar Lindberg and Jesper Fast and you have a true shut down line in the playoffs. Boyle wins draws, can play the PK, ramps up his game on the playoffs and is willing to be physical when needed. But Bryan Froese, who showed he can score in the AHL this year, and the higher of Toronto's three picks in the second round was enough for Boyle. In this case, I am really annoyed that Gorton couldn't or wouldn't beat this.
The other forward I wouldn't mind is Patrick Sharp. Another player who raises his game in the playoffs and has some grit. With the offense struggling lately, he could be a third liner or second liner that can chip in offensively.
But just as easily, I can see starting the sell off. Deal Kevin Klein, Brandon Pirri, Matt Puempel & Michael Grabner. I hate punting. But the task to beat Washington was already hard, a task that now may be close to impossible even if Hank plays like a Vezina Trophy candidate. As such, maybe start to build towards next year. Get picks and prospects for assets that can be moved without impacting the future. If Gorton has decided that overpaying or even paying fair value isn't in the cards, then go the other direction. But after dealing Aleksei Saarela and a pair of twos for Eric Staal made sense in his eyes - not mine - how can you not meet that piece for Shattenkirk, especially if bringing him in town would all but lock him up for the future?
GM Jeff Gorton showed courage in his convictions. The jury is out if those convictions will be proven right. A season that looked like it could be magical may have just turned back into a pumpkin.
Other deals made to date.
Michael Stone went from Arizona to Calgary for a third rounder in 2017 and a conditional fifth rounder in 2018. Ron Hainsey was traded from Carolina to Pittsburgh for a second-round pick and Danny Kristo. That took two possible trade candidates off the radar for New York, and you all know my view of Stone. With Patrick Eaves going to Anaheim for a conditioning second round pick in 2017, which could turn into a first-round selection if Eaves plays in 50 percent of games in the first two rounds of the playoffs and the Ducks make it to the conference final, several contenders improved at varying rates before the weekend. Then the two bigger deals hit Sunday.
Martin Hanzal and Ryan White have been traded to the Wild for a 2017 first round pick, a 2018 second rounder and a conditional 2019 draft pick. Weak 2017 draft coupled with Joel Eriksson Ek, Kiprill Kaprizov, Alex Tuch, Jordan Greenway and Luke Kunin in their system allows the Wild to be aggressive. Still a major overpayment but can afford to do so due to their prospect pipeline.
Tampa has traded goaltender Ben Bishop along with a 2017 5th round pick to the LA Kings for goalie Peter Budaj, prospect defenseman Erik Cernak, a 2017 7th round pick and a conditional 2017 pick. Odd deal. Bishop looks to be Jonathan Quick insurance and will play a decent amount with five back-to-backs in March for LA. Maybe there is concern over a Quick relapse, but Budaj had played well with Quick out. Tampa is hoping LA makes a run so the conditional pick becomes a 2, because while Cedlak is okay, it's not a great return.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»