Richards needs to go, so(assuming clowe and Malone are here)

Kreider-Stepan-Nash
MZA-brassard-Callahan
Clowe-miller-hagelin
Malone-boyle-Dorsett
Pyatt/asham/powe/the kids- 13 th forwards
- Slimtj100

The 2nd and 3rd lines arent going to score much, and outside of one player on each line will get pushed around.

The 2nd and 3rd lines arent going to score much, and outside of one player on each line will get pushed around.
- aecliptic

Whoever they add needs a combo of both but it's nearly impossible to do that cheaply and that's the problem

Heres another option to look at...

Hagelin, Stepan, Nash
-- Hagelin should be with guys who can create for themselves and can help him get better. However, hes a flex guy who can go all over the line up so this isnt set in stone.

Kreider, Richards, Ryder
-- 2 vets to show the kid how to do it, Kreider can learn from Ryder's shot, and learn from Richards vision. Im not convinced that in 1 year Richards has regressed the way he has. A more open system should benefit him and everyone.

Clowe/Penner/Bickell (for tj), Brassard, Callahan
-- Callahan needs less TOI, and he is definitely best suited for this line. This line can bash and score, plenty of skill and just enough size to get it done.
- aecliptic

The only problem with this lineup I see is actually fitting someone like Ryder and Clowe/Penner/Bickell under the cap. Stepan and McD could get long term $4m+ contracts, or Sather gives them both bride contracts until the cap goes up, But then they could become even more expensive.

Here's my take on trying to get another scorer for the top 6 and signing our RFA's, I really think Richards is staying for another year. LA might have cap trouble so I'd love one of their rw like Brown or Justin Williams. Not impressed with Ryder considering he's been on so many teams the past few years.

2013/14 NY Rangers
FORWARDS
Chris Kreider ($1.325m) / Derek Stepan ($4.200m) / Rick Nash ($7.800m)
Carl Hagelin ($2.200m) / Brad Richards ($6.667m) / Dustin Brown ($3.175m)
Ryane Clowe ($3.200m) / Derick Brassard ($3.200m) / Ryan Callahan ($4.275m)
Darroll Powe ($1.067m) / Matt Hendricks ($1.400m) / Derek Dorsett ($1.633m)
DEFENSEMEN
Ryan McDonagh ($4.200m) / Dan Girardi ($3.325m)
Marc Staal ($3.975m) / Anton Stralman ($1.700m)
John Moore ($0.965m) / Michael Del Zotto ($2.550m)
GOALTENDERS
Henrik Lundqvist ($6.875m)
Martin Biron ($1.300m)

Whoever they add needs a combo of both but it's nearly impossible to do that cheaply and that's the problem
- Slimtj100

It is a problem... Id like to see Richards play out the year and see if he can get back to form, but I also dont want him to get injured and completely lose it making it impossible for us to use a compliance. I also dont want us to miss out on a prime FA if some big name gets bought out.

The only problem with this lineup I see is actually fitting someone like Ryder and Clowe/Penner/Bickell under the cap. Stepan and McD could get long term $4m+ contracts, or Sather gives them both bride contracts until the cap goes up, But then they could become even more expensive.

Here's my take on trying to get another scorer for the top 6 and signing our RFA's, I really think Richards is staying for another year. LA might have cap trouble so I'd love one of their rw like Brown or Justin Williams. Not impressed with Ryder considering he's been on so many teams the past few years.

2013/14 NY Rangers
FORWARDS
Chris Kreider ($1.325m) / Derek Stepan ($4.200m) / Rick Nash ($7.800m)
Carl Hagelin ($2.200m) / Brad Richards ($6.667m) / Dustin Brown ($3.175m)
Ryane Clowe ($3.200m) / Derick Brassard ($3.200m) / Ryan Callahan ($4.275m)
Darroll Powe ($1.067m) / Matt Hendricks ($1.400m) / Derek Dorsett ($1.633m)
DEFENSEMEN
Ryan McDonagh ($4.200m) / Dan Girardi ($3.325m)
Marc Staal ($3.975m) / Anton Stralman ($1.700m)
John Moore ($0.965m) / Michael Del Zotto ($2.550m)
GOALTENDERS
Henrik Lundqvist ($6.875m)
Martin Biron ($1.300m)
- MatzCT

If you think the Kings are going to give up Dustin Brown you need to stop watching hockey.

If you think the Kings are going to give up Dustin Brown you need to stop watching hockey.
- aecliptic

wishful thinking on my end, I don't see anyone worth multi year contracts for that spot we need.

I've gone into it before. Marc Staal is your best defenseman, and has been for a few years.
- Blackstrom2

marc staal used to be our best Dman until he started getting unlucky injuries. mcdonagh is easily our top Dman now, followed by girardi, followed by staal, but only because staal is hurt. if staal plays at his form that he was playing at prior to getting the puck to the face, staal is the 2nd best Dman behind mcdonagh.

mcdonagh is a 1A, staal is a 1B, and girardi is a 1C. they can all be #1/#1B defenders on almost any team in this league.

wishful thinking on my end, I don't see anyone worth multi year contracts for that spot we need.
- MatzCT

Any player worth anything in hockey will get a 2 or 3 year deal, and Im ok with that for guys like Malone.

wishful thinking on my end, I don't see anyone worth multi year contracts for that spot we need.
- MatzCT

ryder

i'd love clarkson on the 3rd line.

imagine a clarkson - miller - cally 3rd line. oh boy that would be fun to watch.

Any player worth anything in hockey will get a 2 or 3 year deal, and Im ok with that for guys like Malone.
- aecliptic

malone might be the slowest player in the entire league. literally.

he can score a few goals (although he's always played on really talented teams) and he's big and physical but he's literally the slowest man alive.

malone might be the slowest player in the entire league. literally.

he can score a few goals (although he's always played on really talented teams) and he's big and physical but he's literally the slowest man alive.
- rangerdanger94

It was just a name...

PS: Clarkson and Cally both play RW.

Can you rank Girardi, Beaiska, Hamhuis in your order? Just curious. Think soe fans overvalue their own and some overvalue other teas players because you don't see the warts on highlights.
- Chris Erwin

I agree that as fans we tend to overvalue our own. That being said and completely understanding that may indeed be the case here, I would go Girardi, Hamhuis then Bieksa. The others have fewer flaws than Bieksa.

It was just a name...

PS: Clarkson and Cally both play RW.
- aecliptic

ah crap.

I agree that as fans we tend to overvalue our own. That being said and completely understanding that may indeed be the case here, I would go Girardi, Hamhuis then Bieksa. The others have fewer flaws than Bieksa.
- gkmkiller

hamhuis is a very good defender. he reminds me a lot of girardi in the sense that you don't notice him when he's on the ice in a good way. quiet dude that can eat up minutes and is good defensively.

i'd still pick girardi over him personally because girardi is a warrior and a leader in the lockerroom.

ah crap.
- rangerdanger94

This will make TJ smile, but the LW that would be what we want is Bickell. He and Penner are the only LW power guys in FA worth looking at.

Any player worth anything in hockey will get a 2 or 3 year deal, and Im ok with that for guys like Malone.
- aecliptic

Malone is intriguing but he hasn't score more than 50 points since 08 with the pens, I see him more of a 3rd line player then a scoring threat. He's also a Left Winger. He's more of a substitute for Clowe, which is fine. Still a hole on RW 2nd line though.

Malone is intriguing but he hasn't score more than 50 points since 08 with the pens, I see him more of a 3rd line player then a scoring threat. He's also a Left Winger. He's more of a substitute for Clowe, which is fine. Still a hole on RW 2nd line though.
- MatzCT

My pipedream is a Hossa or Franzen buyout. Then you almost HAVE to buy out Richards to pick either one up.

Malone is intriguing but he hasn't score more than 50 points since 08 with the pens, I see him more of a 3rd line player then a scoring threat. He's also a Left Winger. He's more of a substitute for Clowe, which is fine. Still a hole on RW 2nd line though.
- MatzCT

ryder

but in all seriousness, it's not THAT big of a hole because cally can play in the top 6 if need be. he is skilled enough and while we're all worried about putting too many miles on his back, he is one of the best hockey players on this team and will get his 18+ mins a game under AV regardless.

marc staal used to be our best Dman until he started getting unlucky injuries. mcdonagh is easily our top Dman now, followed by girardi, followed by staal, but only because staal is hurt. if staal plays at his form that he was playing at prior to getting the puck to the face, staal is the 2nd best Dman behind mcdonagh.

mcdonagh is a 1A, staal is a 1B, and girardi is a 1C. they can all be #1/#1B defenders on almost any team in this league.
- rangerdanger94

I have nothing but good things to say about McD and Staal. As far as Girardi being on their level..no.

ryder

but in all seriousness, it's not THAT big of a hole because cally can play in the top 6 if need be. he is skilled enough and while we're all worried about putting too many miles on his back, he is one of the best hockey players on this team and will get his 18+ mins a game under AV regardless.
- rangerdanger94

pipe dream then Hossa for sure!

Ryder could be that short term solution. But would he take anything less than the 3.5m go just had?

I agree Cally can fill that role but I just never saw chemistry with him and Richards, ideally Cally plays third line + pk and pp and we add another 30 goal scorer who's more of a sniper.

pipe dream then Hossa for sure!

Ryder could be that short term solution. But would he take anything less than the 3.5m go just had?

I agree Cally can fill that role but I just never saw chemistry with him and Richards, ideally Cally plays third line + pk and pp and we add another 30 goal scorer who's more of a sniper.
- MatzCT

How much $ are we willing to give Hossa?

How much $ are we willing to give Hossa?
- aecliptic

depends on the length of the deal. 2 years or under and i'm willing to give him $7M and under AAV.

depends on the length of the deal. 2 years or under and i'm willing to give him $7M and under AAV.
- rangerdanger94

I was thinking 7.5m at most... and 2 years sounds about right.

I have nothing but good things to say about McD and Staal. As far as Girardi being on their level..no.
- Blackstrom2

again, girardi is that quiet dude on the team nobody notices in a good way. so as a fan of a different team, i understand that you can't appreciate him.

when you watch him every game and see him average over 25 minutes of ice time a game (he's in the top 10 in the league in ice time, and has the highest +/- out of any of the Dmen in the top 20 for ice time) and almost never make a mistake (by almost never i mean i only remember like 2 or 3 plays throughout the entire past few seasons where he screwed up and gave up a goal), then you'll learn to appreciate him. he's as good of a defensive defenseman as they come in this league. he's durable, he fights through injuries, he does it playing 26 minutes a game, he's physical, and he does it against every team's top line.

How much $ are we willing to give Hossa?
- aecliptic

hmm, I just looked at his contract and he's signed until he's 42 (2020-21). I would look to sign him for 4 years at 4.5-5.5 If he was a ufa he'd command more but after a buyout it might be enough.

But I think they'd Chicago might look at a buyout one year from now if at all.