There isn't much of a second tier at center ice on this market. So, if they buy out Richards, that obvioiusly leaves a gap, which I think the Rangers will try to fill somehow. I agree with many here that I think Statsny would be a mistake, but I also think that the Rangers aren't going to let Brad Richards go without replacing him somehow (because I don't think they have the necessary confidence in Miller).

The Rangers simply don't have the organizational assets to acquire a high-end center through trade, so the options are limited at that position.

Option 1: Stay with what you have, and keep Richards.

Option 2: Buy-Out Richards, and leave that slot open for Miller or Lindberg.

Option 3: Buy-Out Richards, and throw bags full of cash at Statsny.

Option 4: Buy-Out Richards, and see if you can sign a second tier guy like Grabovski.

Which is the best of these options?
- Pete V

Not crazy about any of them, although option #2 is hard to ignore given what it would cost. Brass moves up into the 2nd center hole, then you allow Lindberg or Miller to play into that third center role. You save oodles of cash which could go toward securing Staal's services and maybe toward other moves beyond next season if Lindberg nor Miller is the answer. I am not sure what the FA crop of centers looks like in July 2015.

There isn't much of a second tier at center ice on this market. So, if they buy out Richards, that obvioiusly leaves a gap, which I think the Rangers will try to fill somehow. I agree with many here that I think Statsny would be a mistake, but I also think that the Rangers aren't going to let Brad Richards go without replacing him somehow (because I don't think they have the necessary confidence in Miller).

The Rangers simply don't have the organizational assets to acquire a high-end center through trade, so the options are limited at that position.

Option 1: Stay with what you have, and keep Richards.

Option 2: Buy-Out Richards, and leave that slot open for Miller or Lindberg.

Option 3: Buy-Out Richards, and throw bags full of cash at Statsny.

Option 4: Buy-Out Richards, and see if you can sign a second tier guy like Grabovski.

Which is the best of these options?
- Pete V

I like option 3 the best. To be a successful team in the salary cap era, you need to have young guys fill in to the lineup each year or so. Though, I'm also not against option 1. I know a lot of guys are done with Richards, but I think he can still be valuable. Sure, he may not play up to his cap hit, but we may run into that problem with some of the other options to replace him. Also, he's a big reason MSL came here. If we buy Richards out now, that may leave a bad taste in his mouth.

all, blog will be up later, covering the Fast call up. I will leave you all to discuss possible Richards buyout, Stastny signing and anything related to after this season. As I mentioned before, not touching what's related to next year and beyond until this one ends.

Not crazy about any of them, although option #2 is hard to ignore given what it would cost. Brass moves up into the 2nd center hole, then you allow Lindberg or Miller to play into that third center role. You save oodles of cash which could go toward securing Staal's services and maybe toward other moves beyond next season if Lindberg nor Miller is the answer. I am not sure what the FA crop of centers looks like in July 2015.
- Blueshirts4ever

I'll said this earlier, and I'll say it again, when they traded the picks they did for St. Louis, after not having a 1st round pick in last year's draft, the Rangers pretty much announced to the world that they are in it to win it now. Normally, I would agree about saving the cap space and being smart as to who the team should acquire, but I have to be honest, my view of what they should do is influenced almost exclusively as to what will give them the best chance to win in the next 3 years. I could almost care less about years 4-6 at this point, even if that means they are going to have a couple of sub-par years and be forced to reload a little.

I hope the Rangers stay away from stastny. Another player within a year of his contract will be 30 that we'll have until 36. Enough getting these guys past their primes. Let's see what our own guys can do.

I hope the Rangers stay away from stastny. Another player within a year of his contract will be 30 that we'll have until 36. Enough getting these guys past their primes. Let's see what our own guys can do.
- nyrangers9479

The only problem I see with that is that after the St. Louis and Nash trades, there isn't too many of our guys left. The only guys in the system that are even possibilities to fill a center role on the big club next year are Miller and Lindberg. Miller needs to gain AV's trust, and Lindberg is having a solid, but not spectacular season, with the Wolfpack. So, with that said, are the Rangers really going to go into next season with Stepan, Brassard, and a gigantic question mark after them at the center ice position. I just can't see them buying out Richards, and bringing in another center. Maybe I'm wrong, but just don't see it happening, given the lack of comfort to seem to have with Miller.

I'll said this earlier, and I'll say it again, when they traded the picks they did for St. Louis, after not having a 1st round pick in last year's draft, the Rangers pretty much announced to the world that they are in it to win it now. Normally, I would agree about saving the cap space and being smart as to who the team should acquire, but I have to be honest, my view of what they should do is influenced almost exclusively as to what will give them the best chance to win in the next 3 years. I could almost care less about years 4-6 at this point, even if that means they are going to have a couple of sub-par years and be forced to reload a little.
- Pete V

Its hindsight now, but the argument for not signing Callahan was what the contract would look like in years 4-6, unless we get the MSL we thought they were getting you can argue they had a better chance of winning "now" with Callahan, on the terms that were discussed and kept all those picks. Again, its hindsight, I liked the trade at the time and not ready to bust it out b/c I do think he will snap out of this funk and if he does, say get hot in the playoffs, then the trade very quickly gains what we all wanted in the short term.

I wouldn't give up on Miller just yet. AV just wants to see more from him. He's been good in the few games we've seen him in. Maybe AV is just trying to get him to that next level by throwing a little adversity at him. Make him work harder to be even better.
- gravey914

I understand and I really like miller a lot but AV just doesn't seem to like him and how long is he going to be okay with that, if we can trade him for a grigorenko who may be in the same situation i'd do it

The only problem I see with that is that after the St. Louis and Nash trades, there isn't too many of our guys left. The only guys in the system that are even possibilities to fill a center role on the big club next year are Miller and Lindberg. Miller needs to gain AV's trust, and Lindberg is having a solid, but not spectacular season, with the Wolfpack. So, with that said, are the Rangers really going to go into next season with Stepan, Brassard, and a gigantic question mark after them at the center ice position. I just can't see them buying out Richards, and bringing in another center. Maybe I'm wrong, but just don't see it happening, given the lack of comfort to seem to have with Miller.
- Pete V

This could change though. Its not out of the question that the light goes on in his head. Torts used to say the same thing about Kreider, things like learning how to be a pro and stuff like that. He has the skill set and talent, he will play on a 3rd line so there isn't the immediate pressure to perform like a top 6 player. I just don't like the idea of giving max money to a guy like Stastny. I wonder if the buyout Richards talk within the organization calmed down once Malkin was extended by Pittsburgh. There was a time when it looked like he might be a UFA, but that ship has sailed and so now the Rangers are left with this decision.

The only problem I see with that is that after the St. Louis and Nash trades, there isn't too many of our guys left. The only guys in the system that are even possibilities to fill a center role on the big club next year are Miller and Lindberg. Miller needs to gain AV's trust, and Lindberg is having a solid, but not spectacular season, with the Wolfpack. So, with that said, are the Rangers really going to go into next season with Stepan, Brassard, and a gigantic question mark after them at the center ice position. I just can't see them buying out Richards, and bringing in another center. Maybe I'm wrong, but just don't see it happening, given the lack of comfort to seem to have with Miller.
- Pete V

Kreider was 3 and 0 his last game on faceoffs....2nd line center solved? lol

I understand and I really like miller a lot but AV just doesn't seem to like him and how long is he going to be okay with that, if we can trade him for a grigorenko who may be in the same situation i'd do it
- webleedblue

I think he does like him. I think there are things about being a professional hockey player that he needs to straighten out. Maybe he doesn't practice hard or maybe acts like a jackdog off the ice in whatever capacity, who knows. I do think AV likes his talent but just needs to grow up.

Kreider was 3 and 0 his last game on faceoffs....2nd line center solved? lol
- TPC

Kreider is going to turn into Kelly Leak

This could change though. Its not out of the question that the light goes on in his head. Torts used to say the same thing about Kreider, things like learning how to be a pro and stuff like that. He has the skill set and talent, he will play on a 3rd line so there isn't the immediate pressure to perform like a top 6 player. I just don't like the idea of giving max money to a guy like Stastny. I wonder if the buyout Richards talk within the organization calmed down once Malkin was extended by Pittsburgh. There was a time when it looked like he might be a UFA, but that ship has sailed and so now the Rangers are left with this decision.
- Blueshirts4ever

It could change, I agree with you on that. But, the question I have is whether the Rangers are willing to bank on that happening. Are they willing to go into next season, when they just gave up a boatload of organizational assets in win now moves, with a question mark at the center ice position? I think the Rangers made a choice with the St. Louis trade that they were going to sacrafice some of the long-term health of the organization to try to win sooner rather than later, even if it means a couple of lean years down the line. It is going to be really interesting to see what they do, that's for sure.

Kreider was 3 and 0 his last game on faceoffs....2nd line center solved? lol
- TPC

What did you think of GOT last night? Calm before the storm.

It could change, I agree with you on that. But, the question I have is whether the Rangers are willing to bank on that happening. Are they willing to go into next season, when they just gave up a boatload of organizational assets in win now moves, with a question mark at the center ice position? I think the Rangers made a choice with the St. Louis trade that they were going to sacrafice some of the long-term health of the organization to try to win sooner rather than later, even if it means a couple of lean years down the line. It is going to be really interesting to see what they do, that's for sure.
- Pete V

I completely understand your view but how much more of a gamble is it to give Miller a shot over signing Stastny to a max contract (Miller seems to be following the same developmental path as Kreider). He has a little bit of an injury history and hasn't been as productive as you'd expect from a max player. My other question, if he isn't worth a max contract to Colorado, (a team that is trending upward) then why would he be worth a max contract to the Rangers. I'm not saying you're endorsing Stastny but he seems to be the logical target for a splash at that position.

Do the Rangers have assets to acquire a center via trade? The quick answer is probably no.

What did you think of GOT last night? Calm before the storm.
- Pete V

I always enjoy it. Seemed like the calm before the storm. I haven't read the books but I got a feeling Arya is about to go off on some people and I can't wait.

Securing a berth is simply a formality at this point as someone said last week. If the rangers lose a playoff game in the final minute, then I'll freak out. Until then, I just wanna see the team playing well, hank playing focused, players staying healthy, and mcdonagh to return.
- rangerdanger94

3 games left, formalities shouldn't come down to the wire, especially with home ice on the line, I know they realize this but it needs to be executed and done with, I hope the Flames do us a favor tonight but to me that's backing in, they needed to do it on their own

3 games left, formalities shouldn't come down to the wire, especially with home ice on the line, I know they realize this but it needs to be executed and done with, I hope the Flames do us a favor tonight but to me that's backing in, they needed to do it on their own
- cranford93

The Rangers have the Canes and Buffalo the next two games. If they don't sweep those two, they don't deserve home ice.

The Rangers have the Canes and Buffalo the next two games. If they don't sweep those two, they don't deserve home ice.
- TPC

Didn't want to be the one to say it but yeah you're dead on, we all thought it was gonna happen Saturday, I'm not taking these games for granted

Didn't want to be the one to say it but yeah you're dead on, we all thought it was gonna happen Saturday, I'm not taking these games for granted
- cranford93

I have this feeling that the Rangers are going to be playing for the second seed the last game of the year against Montreal.

I always enjoy it. Seemed like the calm before the storm. I haven't read the books but I got a feeling Arya is about to go off on some people and I can't wait.
- TPC

The Starks are kind of like the Rangers, no depth in the system anymore. But, they went for it, that is for certain. Let's hope the Rangers don't end up like the Starks.

The Starks are kind of like the Rangers, no depth in the system anymore.
- Pete V

I laughed out loud for the second time today, that was perfect

I have this feeling that the Rangers are going to be playing for the second seed the last game of the year against Montreal.
- Pete V

Was Callahan Rob Stark?

Torts was pretty much Ned Stark

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