Not necessarily if we find a team in a similar situation as the Rangers find themselves in. A team off to a slow start that has plenty of talented offensive players but lacking on the back end. A change of scenery type trade where we send a D (MDZ?) for a F; two struggling young players getting a fresh opportunity.
- gkmkiller

You want Vanek? He's the type player who may become available. Would you trade MDZ and a 1st for him?

You want Vanek? He's the type player who may become available. Would you trade MDZ and a 1st for him?
- OLDSCHOOL#6

No way on that deal, for a couple of reasons. First, I think Vanek will ultimately be acquired at a rental price that the Rangers would be unwilling to pay, because I don't think they would have the money to sign him this off-season. And second, I would be real, real hesistant to give up the Rangers first round pick this year, for obvious reasons, especially for a guy that would be unlikely to re-sign with the Rangers next year.

Not to mention the fact that the Rangers would have to do major surgery on the roster to acquire him now, given his salary.

If he is still around at the deadline, and the Rangers are in it, I wouldn't mind paying a rental price for him, but I get that even that price would likely be high.

Kreider Miller plus for Vanek? Girardi and a second for Moulson? No way the second one happens for a variety of reasons but if teams weren't rivals I could see it as a possibility
- mighty13duck

The Rangers start purging for "win now" type moves I am done. They will assuredly put themselves in a deep dark hole, for many years to come.

They have to worry about having space for their franchise goaltender, captain and several important young players on the roster. They can't start trying to purge the few prospects, they actually have, for established names.

Vanek's cap hit is 7.143 million, keep that in mind

Vanek's cap hit is 7.143 million, keep that in mind
- jimbro83

Those type of deals, when a player has a big cap hit like that, usually happen at the deadline, when the hit is lessened by the percentage of the season that remains to be played. How many contenders have the ability to take Vanek's hit right now, unless there is substantial salary going back the other way, which Buffalo probably wouldn't be interested in?

Not saying he can't get moved now, but I really see his trade coming later in the year.

Vanek's cap hit is 7.143 million, keep that in mind
- jimbro83

Thankfully he is drastically overpaid; significantly decreases the chance of good ole' Slats being able to get him out of Buffalo.

Thankfully he is drastically overpaid; significantly decreases the chance of good ole' Slats being able to get him out of Buffalo.
- MidnightMarauder

He would be the scorer they need to complement Nash in the top 6, however that salary is just too much. If the Rangers are in it around the deadline though when that cap hit drops, I would look into it.

He would be the scorer they need to complement Nash in the top 6, however that salary is just too much. If the Rangers are in it around the deadline though when that cap hit drops, I would look into it.
- pcjr307

Sabres are going to want nothing but young players and possibly a first round pick. Vanek is good and all but he is not the player that will cure all. The price tag is going to be too high.

Obviously if they can somehow steal him away for a decent price, it will be tempting for Sather, but I have no desire to see the Rangers swing for the fences at the deadline.

Sabres are going to want nothing but young players and possibly a first round pick. Vanek is good and all but he is not the player that will cure all. The price tag is going to be too high.

Obviously if they can somehow steal him away for a decent price, it will be tempting for Sather, but I have no desire to see the Rangers swing for the fences at the deadline.
- MidnightMarauder

Do any of you think it would be a good idea for Sather to dangle Kreider for a deal similar to what NYI got for Nino? A hard working, in your face banger that can pot you some goals for the third line and make the team hard to play against? Or is everyone on the top 6 winger that is purely a goal scorer? I feel the latter is going to be harder to find for a guy like Kreider who has been such an enigma

Do any of you think it would be a good idea for Sather to dangle Kreider for a deal similar to what NYI got for Nino? A hard working, in your face banger that can pot you some goals for the third line and make the team hard to play against? Or is everyone on the top 6 winger that is purely a goal scorer? I feel the latter is going to be harder to find for a guy like Kreider who has been such an enigma
- WayneY

It's tricky to label Kreider enigmatic.

Picture this: the kid comes straight from college, right into his team's road elimination playoff game, as his debut.

He scores a goal in his debut game and has a very solid 15 playoff game run. Then, as he is ready to follow that effort up, the NHL lock out for the first half of the season and he essentially loses all that momentum.

Proceeds to have a rough time in the minors, during the lockout, and when the lockout is over starts out slowly. It didn't help that his coach seemed to have him on a very short rope as well.

The talent is there, I just think he needs to be able to work the kinks out. Thus far, he hasn't played for an NHL head coach that seems willing to have him do that though.

Quick game day blog from Toronto airport posted