Rumors still running rampant about Phaneuf, or have the cooled a little. He's obviously a big ticket guy that will be hard to move in a year when the cap is going down, but still an attractive player if the price is right.
- Pete V

They've cooled down. I don't see us moving him until the deadline. And even that could be tough if were in the thick of the playoff race. He really is an up and down guy, but it's tough to replace the minutes that he brings.

Franson rumours are heating up. Apparently he wants 4+ a year, there will be a lot of teams interested, he's 25 and finished 8th in scoring among d-men last year. Even if it was a shortened season, he really stepped up.

They've cooled down. I don't see us moving him until the deadline. And even that could be tough if were in the thick of the playoff race. He really is an up and down guy, but it's tough to replace the minutes that he brings.

Franson rumours are heating up. Apparently he wants 4+ a year, there will be a lot of teams interested, he's 25 and finished 8th in scoring among d-men last year. Even if it was a shortened season, he really stepped up.
- thehockeygod

How much do you think Phaneuf realistically is worth for his next contract?

How much do you think Phaneuf realistically is worth for his next contract?
- TheJerseyDevil1

Free agent defensemen typically get crazy contracts. When guys like Carle and Wideman manage to get contracts north of $5 million per, I don't think Phaneuf will be taking too much of a pay cut. I still think he gets $5.5 million minimum annually as a UFA.

Free agent defensemen typically get crazy contracts. When guys like Carle and Wideman manage to get contracts north of $5 million per, I don't think Phaneuf will be taking too much of a pay cut. I still think he gets $5.5 million minimum annually as a UFA.
- Pete V

Yea I actually think that is spot on

Yea I actually think that is spot on
- TheJerseyDevil1

You think you guys are done yet, or is there something else in the hopper? I wonder whether they have real interest in Brunner, or whether the Jagr signing pretty much ended that.

http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/

Here is Gross on the Stepan situation. I don't love the idea of a bridge deal in this situation, but I understand the need for it. I just wish they could wrap up Stepan long term, and not have to worry about another negotiation in two years, when I think his value will be much higher.
- Pete V

In terms of bridge deal, what they could do, and something I advocated in my blog is what they did with Lundqvist a few years ago. Sign him to a one-year deal for decent money, maybe $3 mil in this case, with agreement to negotiate and sign a longer-term deal during the season for the cap hit to begin the following year. That way Stepan gets his LT contract with solid $ and Rangers get some cap relief for this year. Granted, it's a form of circumvention but not illegal per the CBA.

Free agent defensemen typically get crazy contracts. When guys like Carle and Wideman manage to get contracts north of $5 million per, I don't think Phaneuf will be taking too much of a pay cut. I still think he gets $5.5 million minimum annually as a UFA.
- Pete V

If he hits UFA he'll get what hes making now (6.5) or more.

You think you guys are done yet, or is there something else in the hopper? I wonder whether they have real interest in Brunner, or whether the Jagr signing pretty much ended that.
- Pete V

Naw I think unfortunately we're done. I was pretty excited about Brunner but I think Lou thought he was asking for more than he thinks he's worth. I think its gunna be an "offense by committee" type year for us.

Naw I think unfortunately we're done. I was pretty excited about Brunner but I think Lou thought he was asking for more than he thinks he's worth. I think its gunna be an "offense by committee" type year for us.
- TheJerseyDevil1

I actually don't think much of Brunner. I think he is perimeter player that benefitted greatly from playing a with a couple of world class players. I'm not saying he's without ability, but I think he would be a mistake if he really is looking for $4 million a year long term.

In terms of bridge deal, what they could do, and something I advocated in my blog is what they did with Lundqvist a few years ago. Sign him to a one-year deal for decent money, maybe $3 mil in this case, with agreement to negotiate and sign a longer-term deal during the season for the cap hit to begin the following year. That way Stepan gets his LT contract with solid $ and Rangers get some cap relief for this year. Granted, it's a form of circumvention but not illegal per the CBA.
- airjan23

Not a bad idea at all, although the player takes the risk of injury. I do think the Rangers need to be a little careful here. Playing hardball is fine, but you don't want to be so rigid that you anger the player enough where he feels that he actually has to go solicit offer sheets. At the end of the day, it's a business, and if the Rangers are offering him two years at $3.5 million per, and there is some other team out there that is willing to pay him $5.5 million per long term, then you could have a potential problem on your hands. I would imagine, however, that the Rangers aren't leveraging him too much, because there is a big danger in that this year.

Not a bad idea at all, although the player takes the risk of injury. I do think the Rangers need to be a little careful here. Playing hardball is fine, but you don't want to be so rigid that you anger the player enough where he feels that he actually has to go solicit offer sheets. At the end of the day, it's a business, and if the Rangers are offering him two years at $3.5 million per, and there is some other team out there that is willing to pay him $5.5 million per long term, then you could have a potential problem on your hands. I would imagine, however, that the Rangers aren't leveraging him too much, because there is a big danger in that this year.
- Pete V

Unwritten (i.e. verbal) agreement as to ST and LT deals could help that from Stepan's perspective

I have a feeling Zucc will find a place in this offense with AV behind the bench, just a feeling

I actually don't think much of Brunner. I think he is perimeter player that benefitted greatly from playing a with a couple of world class players. I'm not saying he's without ability, but I think he would be a mistake if he really is looking for $4 million a year long term.
- Pete V

yeah in hindsight I think a lot of people wanted him just as a knee-jerk reaction to Kovy leaving. but in the long term it would've been a mistake to run out and make a panic signing like that

yeah in hindsight I think a lot of people wanted him just as a knee-jerk reaction to Kovy leaving. but in the long term it would've been a mistake to run out and make a panic signing like that
- TheJerseyDevil1

Lou Lamierello doesn't make panic moves

Lou Lamierello doesn't make panic moves
- jimbro83

I suppose he's an alright GM.

Naw really though its the worst hearing people say "He's trying to replace Kovy and Parise with Jagr and Clowe". Lou had no intention of bringing them in as replacements. He was dealt some tough breaks over the last few offseasons and he's just doing the best with what he has to work with in order to build a team that can compete. There's always critics though, just the nature of the business.

I suppose he's an alright GM.

Naw really though its the worst hearing people say "He's trying to replace Kovy and Parise with Jagr and Clowe". Lou had no intention of bringing them in as replacements. He was dealt some tough breaks over the last few offseasons and he's just doing the best with what he has to work with in order to build a team that can compete. There's always critics though, just the nature of the business.
- TheJerseyDevil1

I am extremely critical of the Clowe signing, the dollars and the length.

I saw him with my own eyes get two concussions within a 16 day span playing for the Rangers. Extremely questionable signing.

Honestly, this guy is going to be worth this and more just by the points he can win you in the shootout.

Could the difference between a 7th or a 9th seed...

I am extremely critical of the Clowe signing, the dollars and the length.

I saw him with my own eyes get two concussions within a 16 day span playing for the Rangers. Extremely questionable signing.
- jimbro83

I'm there with you. My only clue as to Lou's thought process was that for what our lineup needed in terms of someone who can be physical and scrap a bit he was willing to overpay. The way Lou talked about it shortly after the deal was done was that he knew there was going to be criticism, but he felt that he filled certain holes that the team really needed. Hard to defend it though, it looks very similar to when we signed Brian Rolston.

Honestly, this guy is going to be worth this and more just by the points he can win you in the shootout.

Could the difference between a 7th or a 9th seed...
- session32

I'm with you. There are alot of extra points on the table in the shootout, and with him and Nash, and Lundqvist in goal, the Rangers are in a position to win a bunch of them.

I'm with you. There are alot of extra points on the table in the shootout, and with him and Nash, and Lundqvist in goal, the Rangers are in a position to win a bunch of them.
- Pete V

Zuccarello was also second on the team in points in the playoffs and the team obviously got a huge jolt in the arm when he joined last year.

1.15 million, it's just such a no lose situation. I can't believe it really.

Zuccarello was also second on the team in points in the playoffs and the team obviously got a huge jolt in the arm when he joined last year.

1.15 million, it's just such a no lose situation. I can't believe it really.
- jimbro83

He was second on the team in points in the playoffs. He's a real creative player and helps the powerplay. He actually has some jam to his game for a little guy. In the right situation, I think he is capable of posting some real good point totals. The contract is absurdely low. He should fire his agent, really.

He was second on the team in points in the playoffs. He's a real creative player and helps the powerplay. He actually has some jam to his game for a little guy. In the right situation, I think he is capable of posting some real good point totals. The contract is absurdely low. He should fire his agent, really.
- Pete V

he is very feisty, absolutely. Unless there is some kind of back room deal to give him an extension after the season I don't get why he would sign so low.

but whatever, it's great news for us

he is very feisty, absolutely. Unless there is some kind of back room deal to give him an extension after the season I don't get why he would sign so low.

but whatever, it's great news for us
- jimbro83

There was all that talk early about Zucarello saying the Rangers were interested in signing him to a long term deal. I think you are right. I think they told him that they love him, wanted to sign him a longer deal, but are jammed up against the cap. Sign this crap deal now, and we'll make up the money difference in January when we sign you to an extension. Much in the same way that Jan is saying with Stepan.

he is very feisty, absolutely. Unless there is some kind of back room deal to give him an extension after the season I don't get why he would sign so low.

but whatever, it's great news for us
- jimbro83

I guess you can call it a Messi situation...

The Rangers were the one team to give him a chance, and he wants to give them a chance. He wants to stay with the team and realizes the financial crunch were under. There might be something that Sather threw out there under the table to MZA as far as resigning next year, some incentives, for a juicy raise.

he is very feisty, absolutely. Unless there is some kind of back room deal to give him an extension after the season I don't get why he would sign so low.

but whatever, it's great news for us
- jimbro83

Sather has balls of steel. Every other gm caves to player agents. Agents probably fear and dread negotiating with sather. only when it comes to rfas of course.