I gotta be honest with you, I do not know how it's even remotely possible we keep Richards.

I know you guys put up your cap geek calculators all the time, but Larry Brooks spells it out well this morning:

The Rangers have approximately $13.4 million of cap space for 2013-14 if Brad Richards and his $6.67 million remain on the roster.

You would have to figure nearly all of that would be necessary to sign Group II free agents Ryan McDonagh (expect four or five years between $4.5 million and $5 million per); Derek Stepan (the same term for a bottom line $4 million per); Carl Hagelin (shorter term for between $1.75 million and $2.5 million per); and Mats Zuccarello (two years at approximately $1.5 million).

So essentially, if the Blueshirts opt not to amnesty Richards, this year’s team essentially will be the same as last year’s team, with some tinkering at the edges, (and minus, at least for the first few weeks top-six forwards Ryan Callahan and Hagelin, both of whom underwent postseason labrum surgery).
- jimbro83

Yeah, I said that yesterday. Keeping Richards and signing the team's RFAs pretty much means a status quo roster. Unless the Rangers can move a defensemen with a good size cap number for more forward help, and replace that guy with a cheaper option.

I gotta be honest with you, I do not know how it's even remotely possible we keep Richards.

I know you guys put up your cap geek calculators all the time, but Larry Brooks spells it out well this morning:

The Rangers have approximately $13.4 million of cap space for 2013-14 if Brad Richards and his $6.67 million remain on the roster.

You would have to figure nearly all of that would be necessary to sign Group II free agents Ryan McDonagh (expect four or five years between $4.5 million and $5 million per); Derek Stepan (the same term for a bottom line $4 million per); Carl Hagelin (shorter term for between $1.75 million and $2.5 million per); and Mats Zuccarello (two years at approximately $1.5 million).

So essentially, if the Blueshirts opt not to amnesty Richards, this year’s team essentially will be the same as last year’s team, with some tinkering at the edges, (and minus, at least for the first few weeks top-six forwards Ryan Callahan and Hagelin, both of whom underwent postseason labrum surgery).
- jimbro83

I honestly dont think our team is that bad the way it is, we were all curious curious how the team we have now would look with a different coach and now we have that opportunity.

The only thing that would crush us is if Richards got injured and we couldnt amnesty him.

If Sather is convinced that he will buy out Richards next year regardless of what he does, than just do it now, get a couple good support players til next year when Thornton and the Sedins are gonna be FA. Who knows, Torts could easily piss off the Sedins and make them completely disinterested in resigning there. And we all know Thornton wants to play with Nash really bad.

The other thing with resigning all our RFA's is that they all start. Which means, the only position we would have open in the event of a Richards buyout is 3rd or 4th line center. We would also be full at LW and thin at RW... we have 5 LW who can start... Nash (although usually more of a RW, you gotta play MZA with him), Kreider, Clowe, Hagelin, Pyatt (and sometimes Powe). Were in a tight spot to make any pick ups as it is regardless of the buyout.

steve simmons ‏@simmonssteve 23m

BREAKING: Leafs acquire G Jonathan Bernier for Frattin, Scrivens and a 2nd round pick.

No faith in Optimus Reim in Toronto.

agreed. i wouldn't be surprised if nash scores 40 and richards is a PPG player.
- rangerdanger94

Nash was on about a 40-goal pace last year as it was so a system designed to allow the skill guys a little more freedom can only help.

steve simmons ‏@simmonssteve 23m

BREAKING: Leafs acquire G Jonathan Bernier for Frattin, Scrivens and a 2nd round pick.

No faith in Optimus Reim in Toronto.
- aecliptic

Great trade for the leafs.

Great trade for the leafs.
- rangerdanger94

We will find out how great it is in a couple of years if/when Bernier cements himself as a #1 goalie or if he cant escape being a backup.

We will find out how great it is in a couple of years if/when Bernier cements himself as a #1 goalie or if he cant escape being a backup.
- aecliptic

either way, a bernier/reimer combo looks a hell of a lot better than a reimer/scrivens combo on paper.

Nash was on about a 40-goal pace last year as it was so a system designed to allow the skill guys a little more freedom can only help.
- gkmkiller

What Vignault will do for the team is youre going to see the amount of assists for the forwards increase with increased play and scoring from the defense.

I fully expect Nash to put up 40, but also have 40 assists. Stepan will have a 30 goal, 50 assist season.

I think Callahan will finally score 30 goals this year, with 25 dishes.

Brassard will be a wild card for us, he has the potential to put up 20 goals and 45 to 50 assists, but it all depends on his consistency. Im a bit of a skeptic, I see 15 goals, 35 assists for him.

And the elephant in the room, Richards... fully capable of being a PPG guy, we will see if he makes it passed this month.

I expect the defense to chip in 20 more goals (on top of what they did last year) between the 6 guys.

I expect the defense to chip in 20 more goals (on top of what they did last year) between the 6 guys.
- aecliptic

To follow up on this...

Del Zotto had 3G in 2013, 10 in 2012... this year, I predict 15 goals.
McDonagh had 4G in 2013, 7 in 2012... this year, I predict 9 goals.
Girardi had 2G in 2013, 5 in 2012... this year, I predict 8 goals.
Stralman had 4G in 2013, 2 in 2012... this year, I predict 8 goals.

Two huge changes this year for our D:
Staal had 2G in 2013, 2 in 2012... this year, I predict 8 goals.
Moore had 1G in 2013... this year, I predict 10 goals.

To follow up on this...

Del Zotto had 3G in 2013, 10 in 2012... this year, I predict 15 goals.
McDonagh had 4G in 2013, 7 in 2012... this year, I predict 9 goals.
Girardi had 2G in 2013, 5 in 2012... this year, I predict 8 goals.
Stralman had 4G in 2013, 2 in 2012... this year, I predict 8 goals.

Two huge changes this year for our D:
Staal had 2G in 2013, 2 in 2012... this year, I predict 8 goals.
Moore had 1G in 2013... this year, I predict 10 goals.
- aecliptic

i think staal (assuming he plays the full season healthy) and mcdonagh will each score over 10 goals.

i think staal (assuming he plays the full season healthy) and mcdonagh will each score over 10 goals.
- rangerdanger94

Initially I had 12 for both, but I didnt want to look like a total homer.

But Moore chipping in 10 will be huge for us, and him.

Initially I had 12 for both, but I didnt want to look like a total homer.

But Moore chipping in 10 will be huge for us, and him.
- aecliptic

staal has been adding offense to his game for the past 2 or 3 seasons, and pretty well might i add. i think he can be a 40-50 point scorer. same can be said with mcdonagh who is now using his skating and speed to enter the offensive zone and create plays.

staal has been adding offense to his game for the past 2 or 3 seasons, and pretty well might i add. i think he can be a 40-50 point scorer. same can be said with mcdonagh who is now using his skating and speed to enter the offensive zone and create plays.
- rangerdanger94

The scary thing... I think Moore might become (or might be right now) a better skater than MacTruck.

if toronto trades phaneuf for a top-6 forward, do you call toronto and ask them for a JVR for girardi deal?

The scary thing... I think Moore might become (or might be right now) a better skater than MacTruck.
- aecliptic

yea moore also has that extra offensive instinct/confidence that you could see when he carried the puck through the neutral zone and below the goal line. no other player on the team besides MDZ and mcdonagh (rarely) did that and when MDZ did it...it was pretty useless.

Jeff Angus @anguscertified

#Canucks core players have been involved in coaching process. From what I have heard, Sedins, in particular, were pushing for Tortorella.

if toronto trades phaneuf for a top-6 forward, do you call toronto and ask them for a JVR for girardi deal?
- rangerdanger94

I think we would have to pony up more than just Girardi for JVR, but I dont see them trading JVR...

Would be counter productive if they trade their best D man for a top 6 forward, and then go ahead and trade a top 6 forward for a D man.

Jeff Angus @anguscertified

#Canucks core players have been involved in coaching process. From what I have heard, Sedins, in particular, were pushing for Tortorella.
- rangerdanger94

Pushing for want, or pushing because he was the only guy left.

I think we would have to pony up more than just Girardi for JVR, but I dont see them trading JVR...

Would be counter productive if they trade their best D man for a top 6 forward, and then go ahead and trade a top 6 forward for a D man.
- aecliptic

dreger just tweeted that toronto is looking to trade phaneuf and that everyone on their roster is tradable including kessel, which is why i brought it up. less than a 1% chance it happens but i just wanted to see if it would be something we'd be interested in.

Pushing for want, or pushing because he was the only guy left.
- aecliptic

not sure but apparently a bunch of the canucks player have been pushing for torts hard.

dreger just tweeted that toronto is looking to trade phaneuf and that everyone on their roster is tradable including kessel, which is why i brought it up. less than a 1% chance it happens but i just wanted to see if it would be something we'd be interested in.
- rangerdanger94

Yea I saw... I would take JVR in a heart beat. Id offer Girardi and probably Hagelin.

not sure but apparently a bunch of the canucks player have been pushing for torts hard.
- rangerdanger94

Theyll be wishing they werent a week into the season when they cant score a goal.

Boredom.

dreger just tweeted that toronto is looking to trade phaneuf and that everyone on their roster is tradable including kessel, which is why i brought it up. less than a 1% chance it happens but i just wanted to see if it would be something we'd be interested in.
- rangerdanger94

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger

To be fair, Toronto would trade Lupul, JVR and just about any player if the return is good enough. All unlikely scenarios.

Theres ya go.

*The Flames and Rangers are discussing a "multi-player" swap per a western source...

Who could the Rangers want?

I really like Glencross.

Unless they want to make a trade for one of Calgary's 3 first round picks.

*The Flames and Rangers are discussing a "multi-player" swap per a western source...

Who could the Rangers want?

I really like Glencross.

Unless they want to make a trade for one of Calgary's 3 first round picks.
- aecliptic

since it's from ek, no one.

i would love glencross or a 1st but it's just not happening if ek said it unfortunately