The ref thing was a blip on a very good season for him. Without him this team has zero edge, sandpaper or whatever you want call it. But he's not just a fighter. When he's right between the eye's he a good bottom 6 player. I would like the Rangers to keep him.
- tomburton99

I don't disagree with that, but marketing is everything and I doubt teams are lining up to sign him, especially since it wasn't his first time in trouble with the law.

As far as your second point, I still think the edge/sandpaper/whatever factor is extremely overrated, I will take skill any day.

Size, yes. Carcillo-like toughness, no.

I dont really consider 31 years old to be old in the nhl. Plus he literally just turned 31 2 weeks ago. Id be open to it for the right price is all I'm saying. Gotta be proactive and aggressive over the next couple years why hank is still good.
- rangerdanger94

Brad Richards last good season age when he was 31. Joe Thornton's last 90 point season came at age 30. Age 31 in today's nhl is pushing it. Only the genetically gifted last longer(MSL, Iginla, Jagr, Selanne)

Brad Richards last good season age when he was 31. Joe Thornton's last 90 point season came at age 30. Age 31 in today's nhl is pushing it. Only the genetically gifted last longer(MSL, Iginla, Jagr, Selanne)
- tomburton99

We don't need a 90 point player. Give me a 70 point player and I'll be thrilled. Plus thornton had a great season last year.

I'm up for a spezsa acquisition. I think hed be a big improvement in terms of offense to brassard.

We don't need a 90 point player. Give me a 70 point player and I'll be thrilled. Plus thornton had a great season last year.

I'm up for a spezsa acquisition. I think hed be a big improvement in terms of offense to brassard.
- rangerdanger94

Thornton had 11 goals. If that's great from a #1 center than color me confused.

We don't need a 90 point player. Give me a 70 point player and I'll be thrilled. Plus thornton had a great season last year.

I'm up for a spezsa acquisition. I think hed be a big improvement in terms of offense to brassard.
- rangerdanger94

We don't have the cap space to pay $7 mil (approx $2.5 mil more than Brassard will get)

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 4s
NSH not qualifying Michael Del Zotto. Throw another log on the UFA fire.

We don't have the cap space to pay $7 mil (approx $2.5 mil more than Brassard will get)
- AgraipVigneaurd

Like I said, ottawa would have to retain at least 2M.

Thornton had 11 goals. If that's great from a #1 center than color me confused.
- tomburton99

So I guess you want to protest Adam Oates being in the Hall of Fame?

I'd much much rather overpay for Niskanen then overpay for Stralman. I don't get you guys lol. They're both UFAs..but because he's a ranger it has to be Stralman who we overpay for
- Slimtj100

Certainly we all put our fan goggles on for our own guys but to be fair I think there is a bit more confidence and certainty for a current guy to continue to perform well with his team when he gets overpaid than there is for a new person to come in and do the same. This is especially the case for markets like NY where a bad start can cause the MSG boo birds to come out in force for a guy with a hefty contract.

There is also the perception play for the locker room. If guys see their teammates getting rewarded to 'keep the band together' vs the old guard's style of bringing in one hired gun after another I think it pays dividends down the road.

I personally place a $500k-$1M premium on overpaying a current player than I would a similar player from the outside. I would pay Stralman equal to Niskanen even though I think Niskanen may be a better player. I would give B Boyle $500k more than an interchangeable UFA if he were happy with his role on the team. Same for D Moore.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 4s
NSH not qualifying Michael Del Zotto. Throw another log on the UFA fire.
- jimbro83

Well... guess that trade most certainly looks good now..

Thornton had 11 goals. If that's great from a #1 center than color me confused.
- tomburton99

He also finished 2nd in the league in assists. I think most people would agree thornton had a successful regular season.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 4s
NSH not qualifying Michael Del Zotto. Throw another log on the UFA fire.
- jimbro83

All of these buyouts and non qualifiers makes Stralman less attractive to other teams at least

All of these buyouts and non qualifiers makes Stralman less attractive to other teams at least
- Slimtj100

I am still holding out hope we lock him up.

All of these buyouts and non qualifiers makes Stralman less attractive to other teams at least
- Slimtj100

I can't believe how many new UFAs have flooded the market last couple of days

I am still holding out hope we lock him up.
- mrhattrick27

I really don't think we can afford to spend that much on our defense. At the very least, if we sign Stralman or anyone in the $4-5 million range, I would trade Kevin Klein to free cap space and go with a cheaper option for the 3rd pair.

I am still holding out hope we lock him up.
- mrhattrick27

I do too, but how can this guy make 4 mil plus, he had 1 decent year.

I am still holding out hope we lock him up.
- mrhattrick27

I like Stralman. I think he has been a very good defender for the Rangers, and even better in this year's playoffs, but if the club is going to pay to retain Staal, I have concerns about paying Stralman $4.5 million a year/long term, and having that much money tied up long term on D, with Staal, McDonagh, Girardi, Stralman and Klein all on long term deals. If they want to keep Stralman, perhaps they have to consider moving Klein's $2.9 million.

I do too, but how can this guy make 4 mil plus, he had 1 decent year.
- Graves#9

He's had 2 really good seasons. Arguably the most improved player in the league over the past 2 years.

I do too, but how can this guy make 4 mil plus, he had 1 decent year.
- Graves#9

He has always been decent. This year he was just really good. I'm hoping for 4.2M. And then you have a core 4 on defense.

He has always been decent. This year he was just really good. I'm hoping for 4.2M. And then you have a core 4 on defense.
- mrhattrick27

Except for that 20 game span where people wanted to ship him to Hartford.

I like Stralman. I think he has been a very good defender for the Rangers, and even better in this year's playoffs, but if the club is going to pay to retain Staal, I have concerns about paying Stralman $4.5 million a year/long term, and having that much money tied up long term on D, with Staal, McDonagh, Girardi, Stralman and Klein all on long term deals. If they want to keep Stralman, perhaps they have to consider moving Klein's $2.9 million.
- Pete V

If they do sign Stralman I think it's a great idea to trade staal for a center

He has always been decent. This year he was just really good. I'm hoping for 4.2M. And then you have a core 4 on defense.
- mrhattrick27

Idk man. Staal will likely require at least as much as girardi got next summer. I just dont feel comfortable tying up that much money in the defense.

If they do sign Stralman I think it's a great idea to trade staal for a center
- Slimtj100

Yea, but unlikely we get much of a return due to his term remaining unfortunately.

Idk man. Staal will likely require at least as much as girardi got next summer. I just dont feel comfortable tying up that much money in the defense.
- rangerdanger94

I agree...our forwards are suffering now because of it. We have to put in unproven guys in already, even before Stralman is signed

Yea, but unlikely we get much of a return due to his term remaining unfortunately.
- rangerdanger94

I think it comes down to either staal or Stralman as long term here