They still need one more good top 6 winger who can put in 20-25, along with the development of Kreider, who hopefully gives around 20 this year. I'd do whatever I can to try and get E.Kane or maybe even someone like Perron. I could see Pouliot being used in the absence of Callahan, and Hagelin to me is a bottom six player anyways.

Factor in the fact that hamonic has been playing on a lottery team except for last year and that'll explain the plus minus.
- Cptmjl

True, but still we are talking hard numbers and factual stats. I'm not saying he can't improve, just saying its still there until he does it.

Yea, Im thinking 4m to 4.25m for Stepan, what hurts his value - not by much - is that he has been pretty cold in the playoffs. He gets a couple here and there, but hes very inconsistent in the playoffs. If he was a bit more consistent, Id say he gets the same contract as McDonagh.
- aecliptic

Additionally, mcdonaghs been stellar for at least 2 seasons. Stepans only had 1 stellar season and it was during a half season.

Yea saw him play live vs buffalo the season before last. Could tell right away this kid was a beast and something special.
- rangerdanger94

He looked great on the playoffs. Malkin didn't want the puck when he was on the ice.

All in all, I think its hard to properly evaluate any of the Rangers core players over the past 4 years considering their offensive development has all been hindered by Tort's system. We have no idea how effective Hagelin can be without having to backcheck so deep as a winger in his own end. What if we see Pavel Bure next year from him? Maybe not the hands, but Hag's speed could result in breakaway after breakaway if he was allowed to play higher. All those times we saw him have to get around defensemen with outside speed could turn into breakaways down the middle if he had an extra 10ft start to begin with.

Additionally, mcdonaghs been stellar for at least 2 seasons. Stepans only had 1 stellar season and it was during a half season.
- rangerdanger94

the Rangers have won three game 7s in the playoffs the last two years, and Ryan McDonagh has been the biggest reason why with the exception of Lundqvist.

True, but still we are talking hard numbers and factual stats. I'm not saying he can't improve, just saying its still there until he does it.
- xcheckmajor

Like I said different types of players and certainly different teams. Plus minus is more a team stat and the teams success will have an effect on it. It seems I'm happy to have hamonic and you're happy to have McDonough.

Hearing Grabovski to WSH is basically done. 13/3 or maybe 20/4. Not entirely sure on the reliability of this source though.

I'd prefer 18/4 myself. Either way, a trade has to be made to fit under the cap before puck drops.

Hearing Grabovski to WSH is basically done. 13/3 or maybe 20/4. Not entirely sure on the reliability of this source though.

I'd prefer 18/4 myself. Either way, a trade has to be made to fit under the cap before puck drops.
- Blackstrom2

Hes a good player. Very hard worker and the leafs are gonna be sorry they bought him out to accommodate clarkson very soon.

Hes a good player. Very hard worker and the leafs are gonna be sorry they bought him out to accommodate clarkson very soon.
- rangerdanger94

Out of all the other centers available, I'd prefer only Vinny over him. Seguin, if you count him. But I'd want him over Filpulla or Briere or Weiss, etc.

Like I said different types of players and certainly different teams. Plus minus is more a team stat and the teams success will have an effect on it. It seems I'm happy to have hamonic and you're happy to have McDonough.
- Cptmjl

Agreed, different player types, different roles, different teams. Hamonic is a good young player, no arguments about that.

Out of all the other centers available, I'd prefer only Vinny over him. Seguin, if you count him. But I'd want him over Filpulla or Briere or Weiss, etc.
- Blackstrom2

I'm in the minority but im really high on filppula. I think he will be very worth his deal and that he is a better player than vinny now.

I'm in the minority but im really high on filppula. I think he will be very worth his deal and that he is a better player than vinny now.
- rangerdanger94

I like the idea of Grabovski, especially after having been forced into a checking role this past year. Although he hated it, and Carlyle apparently, it will undoubtedly help his all-around game.

Grabovski, Brunner, Mason Raymond..guys left are all very McPhee-like moves it seems anyway.

Now we have to move Ward or Laich. Chimera may possibly free up enough.

Lets talk Cap Rules. So I've been confused about the Cap rules as teams progress through the season. Does the teams total Cap gradually diminish as year goes on? I wondered this last year how Iginla, Morrow, etc.. all fit into the Pens cap. It looks like when they were acquired, they were only hit with % of their remaining contract worth? So that means, if we call up players later on in the year, like Miller and McIlrath, we could feasibly fit them after salaries have been paid down?

I was under the impression that Hamonic only became top pair Dman this past season. I admit, I don't watch all Islander games, but my comments are directed at the fact of Hamonic being paired against the top players in the league. He's had more games yes, but averages 22min of ice time compared to McD who averages around 25min and has been matched up against top players basically his whole short career. McD is also a +53 in 169games while Hamonic is a +2 in 183. This while playing against top scorers every night.
- xcheckmajor

Put lundqvist behind hamonic and put nabby behind mcd and watch the those plus minus flip in a second. Hamonic has been playing against the top lines for the last two years. Both very good young D-men with room to grow

Lets talk Cap Rules. So I've been confused about the Cap rules as teams progress through the season. Does the teams total Cap gradually diminish as year goes on? I wondered this last year how Iginla, Morrow, etc.. all fit into the Pens cap. It looks like when they were acquired, they were only hit with % of their remaining contract worth? So that means, if we call up players later on in the year, like Miller and McIlrath, we could feasibly fit them after salaries have been paid down?
- xcheckmajor

The cap hit is prorated. You literally pay them by each day they are on the active roster. From two years ago, during last CBA;

The NHL season consists of 193 days
To calculate a cap hit, take their average salary:
(total contract $$$)/(# of years)
and divide that by the number of days that player is on the active roster.
So, that number is 193 if they are on the roster all year and never are placed on LTIR.

This will give you the amount of cap hit that player has per day on the active roster.

Players brought in at the deadline, that play through the remainder of the year, count for 40 days against that number (roughly 20%).

So, for example, Jason Arnott's Cap hit = ($4.5M/193)*40 = $0.93M
Wideman's Cap hit = ($3.9M/193)*40 = $0.81M
Sturm's Cap hit = (($3.5M/2)/193)*40 = $0.36M

All in all, I think its hard to properly evaluate any of the Rangers core players over the past 4 years considering their offensive development has all been hindered by Tort's system. We have no idea how effective Hagelin can be without having to backcheck so deep as a winger in his own end. What if we see Pavel Bure next year from him? Maybe not the hands, but Hag's speed could result in breakaway after breakaway if he was allowed to play higher. All those times we saw him have to get around defensemen with outside speed could turn into breakaways down the middle if he had an extra 10ft start to begin with.
- xcheckmajor

Grabner?

2 years until Schneider will be an Isle.

The cap hit is prorated. You literally pay them by each day they are on the active roster. From two years ago, during last CBA;
- Blackstrom2

Gotcha, so the actual Team Cap hit doesn't decrease as the season progresses, rather the cost of adding new contracts decreases from new players on the roster based on how many games you are playing them. So that doesn't help our situation. Even if we wait to call up Miller later in the season, his Hit may decrease below the 1.266M total, but our Cap Space will still be maxed out. Okay, I got it.

Gilroy signed in Florida

2 years until Schneider will be an Isle.
- mighty13duck

only if he goes on waivers

Put lundqvist behind hamonic and put nabby behind mcd and watch the those plus minus flip in a second. Hamonic has been playing against the top lines for the last two years. Both very good young D-men with room to grow
- Vukota

+/- is essentially a team stat, only good when placed in relative to their teammates in the same year.
Hamonic in his rookie year, along with his most common partner, were the only two defensemen that year to be positive for the Islanders. I am only counting 40 games played or more. Hamonic in his sophomore year was a +6, 5 higher than anyone else on the team, and the only positive defenseman.

This year was a bit different, obviously.

Grabner?
- mighty13duck

Grabner literally has square hands

only if he goes on waivers
- jimbro83

True! But hopefully the Wang Snow era will be finished by then

Grabner literally has square hands
- rangerdanger94

I know, but the guy is the fastest skater I have ever seen. He goes on two breakaways a game. Never converts though. Funny thing is he actually has a nice shot.