yessss

agree with everything you said. hopefully he's motivated by knowing he has one year left before he is bought out and is essentially a free agent again. here's a thought as to cap room.... why re-sign Zuccarello. I think he is a waste of money and a roster spot. He is not a bad player, but he is not going to be necessary on this team going forward. I'd much rather see a kid from hartford get a shot at making the team. Zuccarello brings nothing but the possibility of scoring. therefore if he's not putting up 20+ goals, he is not bringing anything else to the team. not worth it. if he was as good as he's made out to be, other teams would have scooped him up. The rangers are the only team that ever shows interest in him. AND... I wouldn't be surprised if Sather moves Del Zotto. he is not going to blossom into a power play QB. I could see sather moving him now that John Moore is on the team, and either bringing in a veteran presence and/or giving McIlrath a shot this season. that would give him flexibility going into the season.

also.. wouldn't be surprised if Sather finds a way out of Pyatt and Asham's deals for more flexibility. With Newbury, Dorsett and Hale around these guys are obsolete. One more thing... Wouldn't be surprised if he shops Bryan Boyle too. He will not get a big payday after this year and he may want to get something for him now with Miller looking to crack the roster.

If Richards is back this year, can't we still buy him out next summer if he sucks this year??

If Richards is back this year, can't we still buy him out next summer if he sucks this year??
- evitageN

only if he's healthy

If Richards is back this year, can't we still buy him out next summer if he sucks this year??
- evitageN

Yep, just better hope he doesnt get injured.

agree with everything you said. hopefully he's motivated by knowing he has one year left before he is bought out and is essentially a free agent again. here's a thought as to cap room.... why re-sign Zuccarello. I think he is a waste of money and a roster spot. He is not a bad player, but he is not going to be necessary on this team going forward. I'd much rather see a kid from hartford get a shot at making the team. Zuccarello brings nothing but the possibility of scoring. therefore if he's not putting up 20+ goals, he is not bringing anything else to the team. not worth it. if he was as good as he's made out to be, other teams would have scooped him up. The rangers are the only team that ever shows interest in him. AND... I wouldn't be surprised if Sather moves Del Zotto. he is not going to blossom into a power play QB. I could see sather moving him now that John Moore is on the team, and either bringing in a veteran presence and/or giving McIlrath a shot this season. that would give him flexibility going into the season.
- nick26

also.. wouldn't be surprised if Sather finds a way out of Pyatt and Asham's deals for more flexibility. With Newbury, Dorsett and Hale around these guys are obsolete. One more thing... Wouldn't be surprised if he shops Bryan Boyle too. He will not get a big payday after this year and he may want to get something for him now with Miller looking to crack the roster.
- nick26

Boyle wont get shopped unless absolutely necessary.

2 of Pyatt, Powe and Asham should be traded for... whatever, bag of pucks.

Del Zotto being on the trade market is no secret.

However, all that being said, it still wont leave the Rangers with a lot of space to tweak the roster.

Boyle wont get shopped unless absolutely necessary.

2 of Pyatt, Powe and Asham should be traded for... whatever, bag of pucks.

Del Zotto being on the trade market is no secret.

However, all that being said, it still wont leave the Rangers with a lot of space to tweak the roster.
- aecliptic

i'm okay with the roster as is, assuming pyatt and/or asham and/or powe get moved and beat out by kids.

question is...is anyone willing to take them? i feel like edmonton would be willing to move at least like a 6th or 7th for asham and a small team looking to get bigger like toronto or montreal or something would do the same for pyatt.

i'm okay with the roster as is, assuming pyatt and/or asham and/or powe get moved and beat out by kids.

question is...is anyone willing to take them? i feel like edmonton would be willing to move at least like a 6th or 7th for asham and a small team looking to get bigger like toronto or montreal or something would do the same for pyatt.
- rangerdanger94

I think Pyatt and Asham would have suitors.

I think Pyatt and Asham would have suitors.
- aecliptic

those 2 guys free up over $3 mil in cap space i think. that's the difference between clowe and a kid like miller or lindberg making the team or not.

those 2 guys free up over $3 mil in cap space i think. that's the difference between clowe and a kid like miller or lindberg making the team or not.
- rangerdanger94

2.5 million.. but close enough.

FORWARDS
Mats Zuccarello ($1.350m) / Derek Stepan ($4.200m) / Rick Nash ($7.800m)
Chris Kreider ($1.325m) / Brad Richards ($6.667m) / Ryan Callahan ($4.275m)
Ryane Clowe ($3.200m) / Derick Brassard ($3.200m) / Carl Hagelin ($2.000m)
Darroll Powe ($1.067m) / Brian Boyle ($1.700m) / Derek Dorsett ($1.633m)
Arron Asham ($1.000m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Dan Girardi ($3.325m) / Ryan McDonagh ($4.650m)
John Moore ($0.965m) / Marc Staal ($3.975m)
Steve Eminger ($1.100m) / Anton Stralman ($1.700m)
Dylan McIlrath ($1.295m) /
GOALTENDERS
Henrik Lundqvist ($6.875m)
Martin Biron ($1.300m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $64,601,667; BONUSES: $1,650,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $1,348,333

__________________________________________________

Should we trade MDZ, this is what we might be looking at. McIlrath might or might not join the main squad, but without him there were still at about a 1.75 million in salary cap space.

If we trade MZA, would give us about $3 million in cap space. Still not a lot to work with as far as acquiring a legit player.
- aecliptic

MDZ for 28th if Feaster can't move up in draft? Calgary can now help teams get below the cap ceiling, and MDZ-Obrien would be a decent pairing.

On Richards, I don't think there is any real question that the Rangers made a reckless decision by not buying him out. I hope he rewards the Rangers faith by having a great year, and by so doing, making himself even more money as a free agent next year. But, please don't get hurt!

MDZ for 28th if Feaster can't move up in draft? Calgary can now help teams get below the cap ceiling, and MDZ-Obrien would be a decent pairing.
- FLflames34

not enough

On Richards, I don't think there is any real question that the Rangers made a reckless decision by not buying him out. I hope he rewards the Rangers faith by having a great year, and by so doing, making himself even more money as a free agent next year. But, please don't get hurt!
- Pete V

no use being upset about it anymore, just gotta root my ass off for him

no use being upset about it anymore, just gotta root my ass off for him
- jimbro83

I really believe that him being here is good for the Rangers short term, because I think he'll bounce back. But, if he doesn't and gets hurt preventing the buyout, well be cursing Sather on the boards until 2025. Unless the cap rises to 100 million by 2018.

On Richards, I don't think there is any real question that the Rangers made a reckless decision by not buying him out. I hope he rewards the Rangers faith by having a great year, and by so doing, making himself even more money as a free agent next year. But, please don't get hurt!
- Pete V

Never been a fan of Sather as a GM in New York. But, he has improved over the past few years and appears to be making better strategic decisions, especially in regard to cap management. So, the Richards decision is somewhat baffling. Jan has done a superb job in setting out the key considerations.

Yet, I wonder if there is still another option. Sather has not attempted to explain or justify his decision. What else could he do? Could he trade Richards? Although Richards is a big cap hit, most of the hard money has been loaded up front. So, a lower budget team (Dallas) can take on a higher cap hit without actually spending the same hard dollars. In addition, the Rangers can agree to take back up to 50% of a players salary on a trade. Maybe everyone should wait a week and see how this unfolds.

I really believe that him being here is good for the Rangers short term, because I think he'll bounce back. But, if he doesn't and gets hurt preventing the buyout, well be cursing Sather on the boards until 2025. Unless the cap rises to 100 million by 2018.
- Pete V

Gordie Clark says in an interview on BlueShirt United that the Rangers wanted Russian goalie Andrei Vasilevski with their first rounder last year, but Tampa grabbed him at 19.

Gordie Clark says in an interview on BlueShirt United that the Rangers wanted Russian goalie Andrei Vasilevski with their first rounder last year, but Tampa grabbed him at 19.
- jimbro83

You have to figure that they use a pick on a goaltender this year, and maybe even try to trade up to pick Fucale if he drops into the mid second round.

On this years, roster, barring a trade of Staal (which most think is unlikely), I still think the Rangers will either find away to retain Clowe, or add another alternative with some snarl on the wing. I really would not be suprised to see them make a run at Matt Cooke at about 2 years/6 million if the Pens don't re-sign him (at which point this board will explode).

Edit: CBS Sportsline article on Top 5 goalie prospects.

http://www.cbssports.com/...e-zach-fucale-ranked-no-1

joe colborne could be a nice cheap addition for next year, very big and skilled, could be top six center/winger if given the chance

You have to figure that they use a pick on a goaltender this year, and maybe even try to trade up to pick Fucale if he drops into the mid second round.

On this years, roster, barring a trade of Staal (which most think is unlikely), I still think the Rangers will either find away to retain Clowe, or add another alternative with sum snarl on the wing. I really would not be suprised to see them make a run at Matt Cooke at about 2 years/6 million if the Pens don't re-sign him (at which point this board will explode).
- Pete V

they are going to need to find ways to squeeze every last salary cap dollar they can find.

Good news is if Oscar Lindberg makes the team, his cap hit is only 760K.

Maybe they will find ways to pawn off guys like Boyle, Pyatt, Asham and Powe, who total almost 6 million in cap space and replace some of all of them with guys with lower cap hits.

Jesper fast is 900K, Kyle Jean is 925K, Michael Haley is 600K, Christian Thomas is 970K

joe colborne could be a nice cheap addition for next year, very big and skilled, could be top six center/winger if given the chance
- webleedblue

Chris Kreider is 6'3 220. JT Miller is 6'1 205. I've seen JT Miller play a very physical game in juniors, and Kreider really started throwing the body against the Bruins. I only say this because I don't think we should discount the possibility that the answer may be in-house to some of the Rangers physicality issues.

they are going to need to find ways to squeeze every last salary cap dollar they can find.

Good news is if Oscar Lindberg makes the team, his cap hit is only 760K.

Maybe they will find ways to pawn off guys like Boyle, Pyatt, Asham and Powe, who total almost 6 million in cap space and replace some of all of them with guys with lower cap hits.

Jesper fast is 900K, Kyle Jean is 925K, Michael Haley is 600K, Christian Thomas is 970K
- jimbro83

kyle jean is what we need, i don't want to get rid of boyle but pyatt, acham and powe need to go
jean-boyle-dorsett would be a good 4th line i think

Chris Kreider is 6'3 220. JT Miller is 6'1 205. I've seen JT Miller play a very physical game in juniors, and Kreider really started throwing the body against the Bruins. I only say this because I don't think we should discount the possibility that the answer may be in-house to some of the Rangers physicality issues.
- Pete V

agreed but colborne could be a nice addition because we need another big winger

they are going to need to find ways to squeeze every last salary cap dollar they can find.

Good news is if Oscar Lindberg makes the team, his cap hit is only 760K.

Maybe they will find ways to pawn off guys like Boyle, Pyatt, Asham and Powe, who total almost 6 million in cap space and replace some of all of them with guys with lower cap hits.

Jesper fast is 900K, Kyle Jean is 925K, Michael Haley is 600K, Christian Thomas is 970K
- jimbro83

I think what you are saying is exactly what needs to happen. At least, two of Boyle, Pyatt, Asham and Powe need to be gone, if not more. You then need to replace some of those guys with cheaper organizational assets, which will free up a little space. Also, of the prospects you mention, you have to begin to wonder how much longer Christian Thomas will be with the organization. There are several guys that appear to be in front of him, and what does it say about how Rangers view him that they are about to sign Mats Zucarello to a multi-year deal?

There are some guys that the Rangers have in the system that are good players, but just are too low on the organizational depth charts to ever really get a shot with the Rangers. Those guys could arguably be moved for picks in this year's or next year's draft, so that the Ranger can better distribute the age of their prospects -- i.e., we need more guys in the 18-19 year old Rangers, and we are too heavy in the 21-22 year old ranges.