I wonder if they will pick role players ie drury and cally like they did last olympics.
- rangerdanger94

I think Cally is a lock on the roster.

I think Cally is a lock on the roster.
- aecliptic

Yea but last olympics he wasnt. What I mean is are they gonna let a guy like trevor lewis who I believe is a bottom 6 role player make the squad over a guy like pacioretty if the top 6 is all locked up already.

Yea but last olympics he wasnt. What I mean is are they gonna let a guy like trevor lewis who I believe is a bottom 6 role player make the squad over a guy like pacioretty if the top 6 is all locked up already.
- rangerdanger94

I think Stepan makes this team and actually plays. I think it is going to be laughable come Feb. That some people didn't have him dressed. I just really believe in the guy.

EDIT: I also have this nagging feeling that Kessel is going to play incredible. And Brown is going to have an international coming out party. BUT it is going to be Quick and the defense that just steals games.

Yea but last olympics he wasnt. What I mean is are they gonna let a guy like trevor lewis who I believe is a bottom 6 role player make the squad over a guy like pacioretty if the top 6 is all locked up already.
- rangerdanger94

I doubt it.

I think Stepan makes this team and actually plays. I think it is going to be laughable come Feb. That some people didn't have him dressed. I just really believe in the guy.
- mrhattrick27

I think he will at least be an extra forward since they can carry 2 and we're so thin at the position. Plus, he's just a really great player and can be a perfect shutdown center on that team in a bottom 6 role.

I doubt it.
- aecliptic

I wonder if cally is captain America. It'd gotta be between him brown and backes right?

I wonder if cally is captain America. It'd gotta be between him brown and backes right?
- rangerdanger94

Yep. I think though Backes and Brown have an edge on Cally.

Yep. I think though Backes and Brown have an edge on Cally.
- aecliptic

They have more skill than cally but I think cally is the best pure leader and captain out of them. It's so hard to choose.

They have more skill than cally but I think cally is the best pure leader and captain out of them. It's so hard to choose.
- rangerdanger94

I'm not flat out disagreeing with you, but Brown has captained a team to win the Cup. I can never bash on Cally, but how are you grading his pure leadership quality? I wouldn't discount Parise either. My guess is gonna be Backes being the Captain. Cally is not known to be a vocal Captain, more of a lead by example kinda of leader. I think for an All Star team, you need a more dominating personality.

I think he will at least be an extra forward since they can carry 2 and we're so thin at the position. Plus, he's just a really great player and can be a perfect shutdown center on that team in a bottom 6 role.
- rangerdanger94

I think Stepan makes the team. Indeed, I am not convinced that he won't see serious playing time at the center ice position, in that the kid is so versatile, and will arguably be the best set up man that the U.S. has at the center ice position. Not to mention, he kills penalties, and he is rock solid defensively. I think this may be an instance where we are underrating our own player.

I'm not flat out disagreeing with you, but Brown has captained a team to win the Cup. I can never bash on Cally, but how are you grading his pure leadership quality? I wouldn't discount Parise either. My guess is gonna be Backes being the Captain.
- xcheckmajor

Totally forgot about parise too. He might be the leading candidate. Picking between these guys is like picking between messier, yzerman, and stevens.

I think Stepan makes the team. Indeed, I am not convinced that he won't see serious playing time at the center ice position, in that the kid is so versatile, and will arguably be the best set up man that the U.S. has at the center ice position. Not to mention, he kills penalties, and he is rock solid defensively. I think this may be an instance where we are underrating our own player.
- Pete V

Hes stuck behind Pavelski, Kesler and Backes for sure.

The fact that Bryan Little and Sam Gagner got deals close to 5 million per is terrible for the Rangers in terms of cap. Stepan is better than both of them and now has the right to ask for more than what those two received.

The fact that Bryan Little and Sam Gagner got deals close to 5 million per is terrible for the Rangers in terms of cap. Stepan is better than both of them and now has the right to ask for more than what those two received.
- tomburton99

I believe they are both going into their 3rd contract, its a bit different because the leverage is on the teams side for the 2nd contract.

Hes stuck behind Pavelski, Kesler and Backes for sure.
- aecliptic

Not so sure that there is big gap between Stepan and Pavelski and Backes. Would you take either of those guys over Stepan right now? I don't think I would.

The fact that Bryan Little and Sam Gagner got deals close to 5 million per is terrible for the Rangers in terms of cap. Stepan is better than both of them and now has the right to ask for more than what those two received.
- tomburton99

But stepan literally cant do anything. He has no choice ultimately besides sitting out or signing a deal below market value.

But stepan literally cant do anything. He has no choice ultimately besides sitting out or signing a deal below market value.
- rangerdanger94

If the Rangers overplay their hand, he has choices, because personally, I don't think compensation of a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick is sufficient for Stepan, especially if a team sending him an offer sheet is of the type that is likely to draft low in the first round.

Not so sure that there is big gap between Stepan and Pavelski and Backes. Would you take either of those guys over Stepan right now? I don't think I would.
- Pete V

Id take Pavelski ahead of Stepan, Backes... meh probably not, but he has been a main stay on that roster and has already developed chemistry with those guys, so I dont see them passing on him.

If the Rangers overplay their hand, he has choices, because personally, I don't think compensation of a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick is sufficient for Stepan, especially if a team sending him an offer sheet is of the type that is likely to draft low in the first round.
- Pete V

I just don't see any offer sheets being thrown his way. After the initial free agent frenzy, it has died down a lot and we're now seeing the effects of a lower salary cap. If a team is looking for an rfa to sign to an offer sheet, there are more attractive ones imo.

I just don't see any offer sheets being thrown his way. After the initial free agent frenzy, it has died down a lot and we're now seeing the effects of a lower salary cap. If a team is looking for an rfa to sign to an offer sheet, there are more attractive ones imo.
- rangerdanger94

Stepan is developing and will likely be a very good and productive forward for the team next season and beyond. I am with you though on the fact that there is no way Stepan can command the kind of money that is being thrown around to players that are at or near his level. He is not in a great bidding position; he needs to sign and I am sure Sather will give him a rather fair deal to boot.

I just don't see any offer sheets being thrown his way. After the initial free agent frenzy, it has died down a lot and we're now seeing the effects of a lower salary cap. If a team is looking for an rfa to sign to an offer sheet, there are more attractive ones imo.
- rangerdanger94

At the center ice position, there is only one UFA that is even arguably more attractive than Derek Stepan, and that is Nazem Kadri. And, I think that is a close call to be honest.

I am pretty sure that there would be teams more than willing to sign him to an offer sheet of $5 million a year, when that type of money is getting thrown at the likes of Val Filpulla in free agency. Granted, you don't have to give up the three picks for Filpulla, but for a young emerging center like Stepan, the price of a 1st, 2nd and 3rd is not that big of a price. Hell, Boston gave up something similar for Jagr as a rental.

With the above said, I don't think Stepan would even think of signing an offer sheet, unless the Rangers were really lowballing him, because signing an offer sheet has consequences for a player.

Edit: Look at it from our perspective, if the Rangers needed a center, would we give up our 1st, 2nd and 3rd for Kadri? I would.

Can someone please explain to me why Sather ALWAYS has to pull some different move than the obvious smart choice? He's done this so often. There is the obvious choice to make in a situation, and he tries to look like the clever genius that has something up his sleeve. Look at his drafting before Gorton came onboard. He makes these ridiculous picks in the early rounds thats completely contrary to scouting ratings. Hugh Jessiman, arguably the worst 1st round pick in NHL history. The easy pick would have been Getzlaf, Perry, Brown, Parise, etc... But he wants to be clever and just ends up looking foolish. Can you imagine if we had Getzlaf? Take a look at Sather's other top picks over the past decade.

Now, he does the same with this Richards decision. The easy predictable smart move would have been to buy him out buuuuut nooooooo. He wants to be the shrewd GM. He's done a good job overall, but man have so many things backfired on.

Can someone please explain to me why Sather ALWAYS has to pull some different move than the obvious smart choice? He's done this so often. There is the obvious choice to make in a situation, and he tries to look like the clever genius that has something up his sleeve. Look at his drafting before Gorton came onboard. He makes these ridiculous picks in the early rounds thats completely contrary to scouting ratings. Hugh Jessiman, arguably the worst 1st round pick in NHL history. The easy pick would have been Getzlaf, Perry, Brown, Parise, etc... But he wants to be clever and just ends up looking foolish. Can you imagine if we had Getzlaf? Take a look at Sather's other top picks over the past decade.

Now, he does the same with this Richards decision. The easy predictable smart move would have been to buy him out buuuuut nooooooo. He wants to be the shrewd GM. He's done a good job overall, but man have so many things backfired on.
- xcheckmajor

doesn't gordie clarke handle all the draft picks?

and i'm not against the richards decision. having richards makes our center depth one of the best in the league. without him, we're arguably one of the worst.

doesn't gordie clarke handle all the draft picks?

and i'm not against the richards decision. having richards makes our center depth one of the best in the league. without him, we're arguably one of the worst.
- rangerdanger94

Well Tom Renney actually fell on his sword for the Jessiman pick. He admitted that not that long ago if I recall. GM's really don't impact the draft aside from trades made. They see very few of the prospects in person and rely heavily on the scouts and scouting director. If you read comments about the draft you'll see in most cases it is the scouting director running the show aside from any trades that might be made.

I think with team Canada putting Staal on the list is great news ! With all the players they have to pick from I'm sure they know Staal will be fine . Why list him if they are not sure he will be available for camp evaluations ?