Since bickell has signed I have to agree. I'm off the FA bandwagon that I was completely on 100%. It is smart to just ride out the year and take some lumps if we have to. However, I wouldnt be opposed to a trade for a player like glencross. Someone with a good contract and is a need. For a DZ or someone, who has an equally good contract. Even salo would help the pp, maybe we could unload some deadweight for salos deadweight. But salo could actully helps us. In the end the safe bet could be to let AV work a year and then see who needs to stay or go based in his sentiments.

The sane and sensible TJ has spoken
- Slimtj100

When Tyler Bozak is expecting an eight year contract, it's a problem.

I am glad that Sather has little money to spend in the UFA market. He knows he has to dole out new deals to four important young Rangers plus renegotiate Hank's contract this summer.

Last thing the Rangers need is to hand out another ridiculous contract to an unworthy player.

Let the Flyers be the leaders in continuing to embarrass themselves every summer.

Look what's happened to me, I'm becoming the insane one
- pcjr307

The bright side of Richards staying is like MM said, were not tempted to give vinny or briere ridiculous money. Next year with a clean slate almost and better crop of FAs we could do some damage. Let some kids develop this season and see what happens. I do think this year could end up being a disaster tho so I'm mentally preparing for that

a mediocre richards is still better than any of the FAs available in my opinion.
- rangerdanger94

No law that if they bought out Richards they would have to turn around and sign another bad contract. Would have been better to make trade with team looking to shed salary.

The bright side of Richards staying is like MM said, were not tempted to give vinny or briere ridiculous money. Next year with a clean slate almost and better crop of FAs we could do some damage. Let some kids develop this season and see what happens. I do think this year could end up being a disaster tho so I'm mentally preparing for that
- Slimtj100

No negativity big guy, better times are ahead. We might get to see some fun hockey here and with--in my opinion--the best goalie in the league in tow, the defense won't drop off at all.

No law that if they bought out Richards they would have to turn around and sign another bad contract. Would have been better to make trade with team looking to shed salary.
- Chris Erwin

You could look it like we signed Richards to a 1 year contract tho. Like let's get what ever blood from his stone we can, then sayonara and no hard feelings. The problom with that is, should he have a great year...what do we do...

And he has wooden hands... although hes good on faceoffs.
- aecliptic

And he is a wuss. Not sure who it was but Maholtra knocked some player out with one punch when he was with Rangers. Boyle fights like a NBA player

You could look it like we signed Richards to a 1 year contract tho. Like let's get what ever blood from his stone we can, then sayonara and no hard feelings. The problom with that is, should he have a great year...what do we do...
- Slimtj100

Have to buy him out regardless, the cap hit is insane and they have to re-sign a multitude of key players that summer.

No negativity big guy, better times are ahead. We might get to see some fun hockey here and with--in my opinion--the best goalie in the league in tow, the defense won't drop off at all.
- MidnightMarauder

Only reason I say that tho is the realignment. Our division is nasty and now with some improving teams aswell. I could see us eek in then get bounced in rd 1 in 6. Do I think this team, as it is right now, could win the cup... I can't say I do and im usually very positive. But in hindsight the ECF year I kind of felt the same way before they started

And he is a wuss. Not sure who it was but Maholtra knocked some player out with one punch when he was with Rangers. Boyle fights like a NBA player
- Chris Erwin

I wouldnt call him a wuss cause he cant fight. He definitely gets in scrums... but he could use a few lessons from George Laroque's ice boxing school.

And he is a wuss. Not sure who it was but Maholtra knocked some player out with one punch when he was with Rangers. Boyle fights like a NBA player
- Chris Erwin

I like Boyle an i know i'm in the minority. I think he does more then we give him credit for. Clutch goal here and there too. If a player is slow, this blog can deal with him He's actully perfect 4th line center but he gets a bit to much money for that role.

Only reason I say that tho is the realignment. Our division is nasty and now with some improving teams aswell. I could see us eek in then get bounced in rd 1 in 6. Do I think this team, as it is right now, could win the cup... I can't say I do and im usually very positive. But in hindsight the ECF year I kind of felt the same way before they started
- Slimtj100

The division is not as good as you think it is. Carolina is going to be awful, Jersey is as well, Flyers are their usual mess in goal.

The Islanders currently don't have a legitimate NHL goaltender under contract, which leaves the Pens, Jackets and the Rangers. Now, do I think the Rangers are a cup favorite right now? No, but it's July and the team as they are currently constructed is at worst fighting for home ice in the first round.

Penguins will be good again and Columbus is on the up but the only team that has it over the Rangers, lineup-wise is Pittsburgh.

I like Boyle an i know i'm in the minority. I think he does more then we give him credit for. Clutch goal here and there too. If a player is slow, this blog can deal with him He's actully perfect 4th line center but he gets a bit to much money for that role.
- Slimtj100

i agree. i don't mind boyle too much. he's shown that he has another gear where he can legit dominate shifts and become an actual threat offensively. if he can somehow lock into this gear consistently, he's a great character player that we need.

The division is not as good as you think it is. Carolina is going to be awful, Jersey is as well, Flyers are their usual mess in goal.

The Islanders currently don't have a legitimate NHL goaltender under contract, which leaves the Pens, Jackets and the Rangers. Now, do I think the Rangers are a cup favorite right now? No, but it's July and the team as they are currently constructed is at worst fighting for home ice in the first round.

Penguins will be good again and Columbus is on the up but the only team that has it over the Rangers, lineup-wise is Pittsburgh.
- MidnightMarauder

Caps too.

Caps too.
- Slimtj100

They don't scare me, not saying they are bad, but they don't have it over the Blueshirts.

EDIT: Ribeiro is not returning to DC, according to reports. Huge loss, especially after the season he had for them.

The division is not as good as you think it is. Carolina is going to be awful, Jersey is as well, Flyers are their usual mess in goal.

The Islanders currently don't have a legitimate NHL goaltender under contract, which leaves the Pens, Jackets and the Rangers. Now, do I think the Rangers are a cup favorite right now? No, but it's July and the team as they are currently constructed is at worst fighting for home ice in the first round.

Penguins will be good again and Columbus is on the up but the only team that has it over the Rangers, lineup-wise is Pittsburgh.
- MidnightMarauder

agreed although carolina is a wildcard. they sucked last season but they certainly have the potential to be lethal with cam ward and their forward crop, especially now that they drafted lindholm. part of the reason carolina did so bad last season is that their #1 defenseman went down with injury but now that he's healthy, they can make a solid push for the playoffs.

the devils...not counting them out honestly. they have schneider now which goes sooooo far for them. they always seem to find a way besides last season of course but that's because kovy and brodeur went down with injury and they lost like 13 of 14 games while those 2 were out. if they're healthy or schneider plays up to the hype, they can be dangerous...except they don't have a 4th line at all

philly's a big wildcard too for me. they had a ton of injuries on the defensive side and their forward group is better than ever arguably. but again, no goaltending as you said and even if their d is healthy, it's very thin.

i like our chances to make the playoffs. washington will be a female dog too tho.

agreed although carolina is a wildcard. they sucked last season but they certainly have the potential to be lethal with cam ward and their forward crop, especially now that they drafted lindholm. part of the reason carolina did so bad last season is that their #1 defenseman went down with injury but now that he's healthy, they can make a solid push for the playoffs.

the devils...not counting them out honestly. they have schneider now which goes sooooo far for them. they always seem to find a way besides last season of course but that's because kovy and brodeur went down with injury and they lost like 13 of 14 games while those 2 were out. if they're healthy or schneider plays up to the hype, they can be dangerous...except they don't have a 4th line at all

philly's a big wildcard too for me. they had a ton of injuries on the defensive side and their forward group is better than ever arguably. but again, no goaltending as you said and even if their d is healthy, it's very thin.

i like our chances to make the playoffs. washington will be a female dog too tho.
- rangerdanger94

The thing is the top 3 in divisions make it only. No guarentee if you get 4th place your in. But at the same time if your 5th you can still get in.

I could see:

Pitt
Wash
NYR
Philly
Col
NYI
NJ
Car

With 3rd to 7th separated by like 5 or 6 pts

I think wash and Pitt are locks. Wash was the best team in the NHL once they figured out how to play under Oates.

They don't scare me, not saying they are bad, but they don't have it over the Blueshirts.

EDIT: Ribeiro is not returning to DC, according to reports. Huge loss, especially after the season he had for them.
- MidnightMarauder

That's true about ribiero, good point.

That's true about ribiero, good point.
- Slimtj100

you think kuznetsov comes over next season? that might be scary...

agreed although carolina is a wildcard. they sucked last season but they certainly have the potential to be lethal with cam ward and their forward crop, especially now that they drafted lindholm. part of the reason carolina did so bad last season is that their #1 defenseman went down with injury but now that he's healthy, they can make a solid push for the playoffs.

the devils...not counting them out honestly. they have schneider now which goes sooooo far for them. they always seem to find a way besides last season of course but that's because kovy and brodeur went down with injury and they lost like 13 of 14 games while those 2 were out. if they're healthy or schneider plays up to the hype, they can be dangerous...except they don't have a 4th line at all

philly's a big wildcard too for me. they had a ton of injuries on the defensive side and their forward group is better than ever arguably. but again, no goaltending as you said and even if their d is healthy, it's very thin.

i like our chances to make the playoffs. washington will be a female dog too tho.
- rangerdanger94

Carolina is not a wildcard, they have lottery team written all over them.

Jersey's roster is garbage despite the steal trade on Sunday.

Washington losing Ribeiro will hurt.

Islanders have nothing in goal as of now.

Flyers are well...the Flyers.

Pens should be dangerous again.

Columbus is a wildcard, could build upon this season or could revert back to being Columbus' usual self. Bobrovsky is the key.

you think kuznetsov comes over next season? that might be scary...
- rangerdanger94

He is slated to return to the KHL this season. He is supposed to report to Washington in 2014-15.

He is slated to return to the KHL this season. He is supposed to report to Washington in 2014-15.
- MidnightMarauder

that kid is one talent i'd looooove to have on this squad.

The bright side of Richards staying is like MM said, were not tempted to give vinny or briere ridiculous money. Next year with a clean slate almost and better crop of FAs we could do some damage. Let some kids develop this season and see what happens. I do think this year could end up being a disaster tho so I'm mentally preparing for that
- Slimtj100

Right now I'm uneasy about how things have gone but obviously hoping for the best. It is early in the offseason and maybe they have a trade cooking that's good. The team does have talent, there are some holes though. If this is how this offseason is going to go they are really goin to have to hope AV's system can make that much of a difference. Fingers crossed.

that kid is one talent i'd looooove to have on this squad.
- rangerdanger94

Yea that kid is no joke talented.

Well we now know unequivically that Sather is in dire need of a proctologist...he has become the largest anal aperture in creation. As for Jim Dolan he needs to see a shrink real quick...who knows maybe they can find a specialist who covers both organs....after all we're up against the cap. (lol)
BTW,I may be wrong on what I'm about to suggest, but I believe Sather has up until Wedneday at 5:30PM to put BR on compliance waivers. I can dream can't I.

Dupuis re-signs with Pitt, four years, $15 million