I have never been down on Derek Stepan, but I always thought he was a very solid second line center. I didn't think he could be this good, plain and simple. His play is going to create some problems for the Rangers this off-season, because he is going to have the ability to get paid. All he needs is one team to throw him a $5 million offer sheet, and the Rangers have a problem.
- Pete V

Not if they buyout Richards. I know its $24M. But deal with it.

I have never been down on Derek Stepan, but I always thought he was a very solid second line center. I didn't think he could be this good, plain and simple. His play is going to create some problems for the Rangers this off-season, because he is going to have the ability to get paid. All he needs is one team to throw him a $5 million offer sheet, and the Rangers have a problem.
- Pete V

I know this goes against all that Sather holds holy but he may be wise to approach the Stepan camp and get a signing done sooner rather then waiting. We've seen a few GMs use the offer sheet recently and one is right down I-95

It's no surprise that the soccer coach has no problem with this offense. Jk.
- Pete V

Touche! Unless my best player is Lionel Messi....now he is easy to coach

No one can admit they were down on Step at the start but he's risen to the next level, this is the level that Dubi could never get too, if Step can add a little muscle he'll be a superstar
- cranford93

I was down on him a little but boy has he emerged. Actually proud of im, like he is my little bro

Torts developed him
- Slimtj100

Wisconsin and Shattuck St. Mary's developed him, Torts reaps the benefits

Not if they buyout Richards. I know its $24M. But deal with it.
- mrhattrick27

If he continues to play like a solid #1, they may have to buy him out and go hard after Malkin in two summers. I know we have a bad history with UFA's but can we safely assume Malkin would work

Wisconsin and Shattuck St. Mary's developed him, Torts reaps the benefits
- cranford93

lol...

Not if they buyout Richards. I know its $24M. But deal with it.
- mrhattrick27

They actually need him next year though. I know that sounds strange, but there is noone in the organization right now, outside of Stepan, that can play a Top 6 center position. Maybe Miller can eventually take over the number 2 spot, but I certaintly don't trust him in that roll yet. And, signing a suitable number 2 center as a UFA would be costly (i.e., I bet you someone would give Mike Ribeiro $5 million per).

I think there best option is sticking with Richards through next year, trying to open up enough salary to get McDonagh, Steps and Hagelin signed (perhaps by downgrading Boyle and Pyatt's salary), and then thinking about Richards in the summer of 2014.

Wisconsin and Shattuck St. Mary's developed him, Torts reaps the benefits
- cranford93

((Sigh))

They actually need him next year though. I know that sounds strange, but there is noone in the organization right now, outside of Stepan, that can play a Top 6 center position. Maybe Miller can eventually take over the number 2 spot, but I certaintly don't trust him in that roll yet. And, signing a suitable number 2 center as a UFA would be costly (i.e., I bet you someone would give Mike Ribeiro $5 million per).

I think there best option is sticking with Richards through next year, trying to open up enough salary to get McDonagh, Steps and Hagelin signed (perhaps by downgrading Boyle and Pyatt's salary), and then thinking about Richards in the summer of 2014.
- Pete V

Its not crazy to actually expect Richards to bounce back and be the player he was last season at the very least. He will never live up to the full value of the contract anyways unless of course he helps deliver a cup.

If he continues to play like a solid #1, they may have to buy him out and go hard after Malkin in two summers. I know we have a bad history with UFA's but can we safely assume Malkin would work
- Blueshirts4ever

A Richards buy-out in the summer of 2014 is almost a definite, but even moreso if Malkin hits the open market. The good thing about the Rangers having so many UFAs in 2014 is that they will have a great deal of flexibility, and I can't see them not going all in on Malkin if he gets to unrestricted free agency.

A Richards buy-out in the summer of 2014 is almost a definite, but even moreso if Malkin hits the open market. The good thing about the Rangers having so many UFAs in 2014 is that they will have a great deal of flexibility, and I can't see them not going all in on Malkin if he gets to unrestricted free agency.
- Pete V

Bingo! There is virtually no gap between the big 2 in Pittsburgh but fact of the matter is Crosby will always be the face. Malkin coming here would be very tempting and he has snarl and can be nasty as we witness first hand as we will again tomorrow night. In fact, it seems like Malkin is at his best when Crosby is not in the lineup which scares me for tomorrow.

But this is a topic for July 1, 2014.

They actually need him next year though. I know that sounds strange, but there is noone in the organization right now, outside of Stepan, that can play a Top 6 center position. Maybe Miller can eventually take over the number 2 spot, but I certaintly don't trust him in that roll yet. And, signing a suitable number 2 center as a UFA would be costly (i.e., I bet you someone would give Mike Ribeiro $5 million per).

I think there best option is sticking with Richards through next year, trying to open up enough salary to get McDonagh, Steps and Hagelin signed (perhaps by downgrading Boyle and Pyatt's salary), and then thinking about Richards in the summer of 2014.
- Pete V

I agree with this. I think Richards is here through next year and I actually think that he will have a decent year next year. He will not earn his 6M salary but I don't think he will be as abysmal as he has been this year. I think the same for Gabby as well.

Its not crazy to actually expect Richards to bounce back and be the player he was last season at the very least. He will never live up to the full value of the contract anyways unless of course he helps deliver a cup.
- Blueshirts4ever

The new CBA, and the prohibitions against team's burying bad contracts, almost guarantees a Richards buy-out after next summer even if he bounces back, which is unfortunate. The Rangers just won't take the chance of not buying him out, because a bad call on that could kill them until 2020.

The new CBA, and the prohibitions against team's burying bad contracts, almost guarantees a Richards buy-out after next summer even if he bounces back, which is unfortunate. The Rangers just won't take the chance of not buying him out, because a bad call on that could kill them until 2020.
- Pete V

That is too bad

I agree with this. I think Richards is here through next year and I actually think that he will have a decent year next year. He will not earn his 6M salary but I don't think he will be as abysmal as he has been this year. I think the same for Gabby as well.
- climbdenali12

Which if you make the proper moves for the botom six could shape up to be the year we expected this year but delayed by a season. If you read Brooksie's column he talks about why the Rangers standing pat is much more likely. Not close enough to winning the cup to deal assets and not enough interest in guys like Gabby. This is pretty much it fellas.

Darren Dreger ✔ @DarrenDreger
No discussion with Dan Boyle or agent re: trade possibility. Boyle submitted a list preseason of 8 teams he would not go to as per ltd NTC

Which if you make the proper moves for the botom six could shape up to be the year we expected this year but delayed by a season. If you read Brooksie's column he talks about why the Rangers standing pat is much more likely. Not close enough to winning the cup to deal assets and not enough interest in guys like Gabby. This is pretty much it fellas.
- Blueshirts4ever

I don't see Sather making any drastic moves, there are some interesting players available though that could be added to the puzzle for the future, McBain, Cole and Russell and I wonder what Tampa would want for Bergeron, they could just let him fire every shot on the PP and have better success

BTW I'm praying for a Sabres win tonight, also praying the Devils don't get their hands on Ben Bishop ever,they should be saddled with Guy Hebert, Kirk Mclean and Mike Dunham for a while and see how it feels.

Was just watching torts' presser from last night. He was saying they been telling the guys to get shots towards the net. We don't have bombs, but if we can get shots through to the net offense will go up he said. That's what happen on Stepans 2nd goal, the go ahead goal.

He's Teaching offense, woot!

The new CBA, and the prohibitions against team's burying bad contracts, almost guarantees a Richards buy-out after next summer even if he bounces back, which is unfortunate. The Rangers just won't take the chance of not buying him out, because a bad call on that could kill them until 2020.
- Pete V

Exactly, maybe you are right and they wait till 2014. But I dotn like having a deadman walking. I'd rather dump him and trade for a contract expiring in the summer of 2014 to replace him at center.

Was just watching torts' presser from last night. He was saying they been telling the guys to get shots towards the net. We don't have bombs, but if we can get shots through to the net offense will go up he said. That's what happen on Stepans 2nd goal, the go ahead goal.

He's Teaching offense, woot!
- Slimtj100

I think people mis understand "teaching offense." Every coach has a offensive system, torts included. He just means once you are in a scoring situation i.e. a 2 on 1, a breakway, having the puck in the high slot etc. Thats up to the player to finish the play. It's up to the offensive system to generate opperunities for players to score but it's up to the players to finish. I feel as though we have less of those oppertunities though and thats on the system.

Jagr to Boston?!

Wtf? I don't wana fight. I wrote no offense to
Anyone for a reason. And lord knows I've been called out a few times. I notice that guys panic a lot quicker then me is all.

Did they have enough desperation and heart tonight?

Everyone is so fixated on torts bashing, it's so friggin redundant at this point.
- Slimtj100

Pretty much everything is redundant on here, no?

Was just watching torts' presser from last night. He was saying they been telling the guys to get shots towards the net. We don't have bombs, but if we can get shots through to the net offense will go up he said. That's what happen on Stepans 2nd goal, the go ahead goal.

He's Teaching offense, woot!
- Slimtj100

I just hope it wasn't 3/4 of a season too late now. But it may be due to their desperation now; or that Sather told him to do so, or else...

Wish NBC would actually show the 3 stars...