Would you do Brassard and J Moore for Jumbo? Only the non joe haters please
- Slimtj100

Tough call. If Jumbo was 3 to 5 years younger, then yes,. Though, 35 isn't terribly old. Tough call.

EDIT: On second thought...I'd rather keep Brassard.

I am surprised nobody has mentioned (maybe I missed it), but Brass centering Zucc and Nash. That would be pretty sweet if they gelled.

Would you do Brassard and J Moore for Jumbo? Only the non joe haters please
- Slimtj100

Idk it seems like a lot for a guy who's that old.

On the other hand, i think hes the best forward the rangers have the potental of adding right now. As jan mentioned, the free agent market has dried up. That cap hit is just a killer though.

But the prospect of him centering nash really intrigues me. Im not totally closed off to the idea.

Idk it seems like a lot for a guy who's that old.

On the other hand, i think hes the best forward the rangers have the potental of adding right now. As jan mentioned, the free agent market has dried up. That cap hit is just a killer though.

But the prospect of him centering nash really intrigues me. Im not totally closed off to the idea.
- TrueBlue9182

The idea is enticing but reeks of the old rags
Style of grabbing over the hill stars -doesnt
Usually work too well. Likely better to keep
Brass. Joe blows in the playoffs anyway. The Bruins
Figured that out years ago, and he was in his
Prime back then. I say no.

Would you do Brassard and J Moore for Jumbo? Only the non joe haters please
- Slimtj100

No Joe hater here but if you make that deal the last 10 years were a mirage, we don't need to get older, look across the river and be glad we aren't hosting AARP nights at the Rock

No Joe hater here but if you make that deal the last 10 years were a mirage, we don't need to get older, look across the river and be glad we aren't hosting AARP nights at the Rock
- KreiderBomb

I still don't believe the rumor, haven't seen anyone credible post anything about it.

I still don't believe the rumor, haven't seen anyone credible post anything about it.
- TPC

Neither do I, I'm sure they're kicking the tires on some guys but we have very little wiggle room cap wise and very little room for error, Sather has been guilty of closing one hole while opening up another in the past, really felt like this past year was the most complete team we've had since 94

Neither do I, I'm sure they're kicking the tires on some guys but we have very little wiggle room cap wise and very little room for error, Sather has been guilty of closing one hole while opening up another in the past, really felt like this past year was the most complete team we've had since 94
- KreiderBomb

I just hope the Rangers don't move JT Miller to acquire a center if they do. Really think JT Miller is gonna break out, if given the chance at a top 9 spot for a full season.

Thats what I was thinking. Greiss backed up mike smith when he got hurt and didn't do very well. Hopefully we got the greiss who backed up Niemi. C'mon Jan... over all good blog
- Jordy8

Brain cramp, as I said was doing these fast and furious as the signings were coming in. Obviously was thinking Alex Stalock, will update the blog, thanks for the correction. Mea culpa, my apologies

I'm glad almost all of you have switch on wanted Jumbo Joe

Just kidding, but seriously. I want no part of that choke artist.

I'm glad almost all of you have switch on wanted Jumbo Joe

Just kidding, but seriously. I want no part of that choke artist.
- tomburton99

He is over the hill anyway, what is he, 35, 36 now? I know ST Louis is too but diff player, his body hasn't been through the punishment Thornton's has.

Besides that like you said choke artist & he has a big ego & big mouth with jack poop TO BACK IT UP. Screw him, Neil Smith/Espo type desperate Ranger deal that would be....did I just speak in Yoda tongue?

He is over the hill anyway, what is he, 35, 36 now? I know ST Louis is too but diff player, his body hasn't been through the punishment Thornton's has.

Besides that like you said choke artist & he has a big ego & big mouth with jack poop TO BACK IT UP. Screw him, Neil Smith/Espo type desperate Ranger deal that would be....did I just speak in Yoda tongue?
- RustyKuntz

Yea I don't think St. Louis made it in the NHL until he was 25...so while he is 39, his body hasn't been through the same amount of grind as other 39 year olds

Yea I don't think St. Louis made it in the NHL until he was 25...so while he is 39, his body hasn't been through the same amount of grind as other 39 year olds
- TPC

Yep, Joe Blow came into the league as an 18 yr old, lot of miles.

i just wish right now they go after peter mueller, i know he has been out of the nhl for a year but he already proved he can be a very good player, and he's big and can skate.

zucc-brass-nash
kreider-stepan-MSL
hagelin-miller-mueller

http://www.eliteprospects...om/player.php?player=9220
read the small text

i just wish right now they go after peter mueller, i know he has been out of the nhl for a year but he already proved he can be a very good player, and he's big and can skate.

zucc-brass-nash
kreider-stepan-MSL
hagelin-miller-mueller

http://www.eliteprospects...om/player.php?player=9220
read the small text
- webleedblue

Intresting option. Reminds me of Pouliot

Intresting option. Reminds me of Pouliot
- Slimtj100

Mueller wouldn't be a bad pickup for cheap if it happened. I used to watch him a lot, back in 2007-08 when I was always working late I used to watch Phoenix games all the time when I got home, Gretzky was the coach, Ulfie was the assistant and they always used Mueller on the point on the powerplay.

Problem with him is he has had several concussions and has been a bit nutty.

But, a one year 1 million dollar deal for Mueller to give him a shot back in the NHL wouldn't be a bad idea, he has the Ulfie connection too.

Mueller wouldn't be a bad pickup for cheap if it happened. I used to watch him a lot, back in 2007-08 when I was always working late I used to watch Phoenix games all the time when I got home, Gretzky was the coach, Ulfie was the assistant and they always used Mueller on the point on the powerplay.

Problem with him is he has had several concussions and has been a bit nutty.

But, a one year 1 million dollar deal for Mueller to give him a shot back in the NHL wouldn't be a bad idea, he has the Ulfie connection too.
- jimbro83

We could play him with Chris Mueller and have the "Flying Mueller" brothers line

Mueller wouldn't be a bad pickup for cheap if it happened. I used to watch him a lot, back in 2007-08 when I was always working late I used to watch Phoenix games all the time when I got home, Gretzky was the coach, Ulfie was the assistant and they always used Mueller on the point on the powerplay.

Problem with him is he has had several concussions and has been a bit nutty.

But, a one year 1 million dollar deal for Mueller to give him a shot back in the NHL wouldn't be a bad idea, he has the Ulfie connection too.
- jimbro83

He wears the tinted visor, like Staal because the lights bother him.

He wears the tinted visor, like Staal because the lights bother him.


- tomburton99

Where did he play last year? Musta been overseas or something

Where did he play last year? Musta been overseas or something
- Slimtj100

Played for Kloten in Switzerland

Also, Brooks has John Moore slated to make around a $1.1 million, which would be a bargain at that price. I was slotting him in at about $1.8 million.

And, we don't have to worry about offer sheets for the guys that declared for arbitration.

Would you do Brassard and J Moore for Jumbo? Only the non joe haters please
- Slimtj100

No. It's exactly the opposite of what these last couple of rangers teams that has gotten us to 2 CF and 1 SCF in the last 3 years is about. Why trade youth for a 35 year old past him prime. I like the player but not at his age or the cap hit he brings. Keep the youth and I can see brass putting up over 60 pts this year.

No thanks on Joe. There is a stat somewhere about how elite players rarely score 30+ after a certain age (somewhere around 30-32) and even less a few years later. There shooting percentages also start to drop off quickly.

Joe has already started to see his goals drop off and his shooting pct. has gone from 14 to 11 down around 9 the last few seasons. Less than 130 shots last year in 82 games on an offensively gifted team.

San Jose would need some added incentives in order to retain some of Joe's cap hit. That is the only way this deal could work. That makes him too expensive.

Lastly, Joe's ceiling is reasonably predictable and will continue to decline. A younger player like Brassard or Stepan does still have some reasonable opportunity for improvement. Brassard played well even though it was his first full season in NY, with a new coach, and with new line mates. This year may be better. Stepan had a career low shooting pct. but still had a great stats line. If he rebounds it could boost his confidence and take him even further. Additionally it may open up spaces for guys like Nash.

Assuming that the Rangers know that at least 2 of the young D men are ready and willing to play in the NHL this year I would give SJ Staal and a pick/prospect for Thornton with SJ eating some salary. That's the absolute most...unless they want Tanner Glass in the package.

Would you do Brassard and J Moore for Jumbo? Only the non joe haters please
- Slimtj100

On a straight value perspective, yes. But I don't think that would be enough.

And before I hear all the, "you're still going to have only two top centers," BS, consider that we are still going to rely on Miller to fill the third line role anyway and Thornton is a better player than Brassard. Therefore, this deal would upgrade the center position from a talent perspective alone.

Now all that being said, I have serious reservations about a potential Thornton acquisition. While undeniably talented I'm not sure how well he will fit on this roster. Does he have the skating speed to keep up with our transition game. Undoubtedly he would be a boost on the PP but at 5v5, I'm not sold.

Yea I don't think St. Louis made it in the NHL until he was 25...so while he is 39, his body hasn't been through the same amount of grind as other 39 year olds
- TPC

Maybe I'm mistaken but I'm pretty sure St. Louis played professionally before age 25. My point is that whether they are doing it at the NHL, AHL or wherever, these guys are punishing their bodies. Saying Joe has been in the NHL since he was 18 and has more miles than St. Louis as a result is silly. St. Louis has played 1,060 NHL games and Thornton a shade over 1,200. There may be a difference but not because St. Louis didn't make it to the NHL until he was 25.

Maybe I'm mistaken but I'm pretty sure St. Louis played professionally before age 25. My point is that whether they are doing it at the NHL, AHL or wherever, these guys are punishing their bodies. Saying Joe has been in the NHL since he was 18 and has more miles than St. Louis as a result is silly. St. Louis has played 1,060 NHL games and Thornton a shade over 1,200. There may be a difference but not because St. Louis didn't make it to the NHL until he was 25.
- gkmkiller

His age and speed don't concern me. Age because he isn't and never was a banger. Guys that do that are prone to bumps and brusies which slow you down over time. And his speed because he was never considered fast from what I remember and was always a great passer and set up man. He's strong as an ox that's why he's been successful, nothing to do with speed. He does have alot of games under his belt however, playoff games included

On a straight value perspective, yes. But I don't think that would be enough.

And before I hear all the, "you're still going to have only two top centers," BS, consider that we are still going to rely on Miller to fill the third line role anyway and Thornton is a better player than Brassard. Therefore, this deal would upgrade the center position from a talent perspective alone.

Now all that being said, I have serious reservations about a potential Thornton acquisition. While undeniably talented I'm not sure how well he will fit on this roster. Does he have the skating speed to keep up with our transition game. Undoubtedly he would be a boost on the PP but at 5v5, I'm not sold.
- gkmkiller

The size of a Kreider - Thornton - Nash line would be unreal

Personally, I don't really want to trade for Thornton. The guy IS getting up there in age and it will obviously catch up to him eventually. He's still uber talented but the Rangers have like a 80% fail rate when it comes to bringing in big names in their 30s.

With that said, I look at the teams in the West making power moves getting big name centers like Dallas now having a 1-2 punch of Seguin and Spezza or Anaheim now having a 1-2 punch of Getzlaf and Kesler and I realize that we do need to acquire someone on the level of a Thornton to compliment Stepan as our 1-2 punch to have a legitimate chance of competing. Even if we end up making it back to the SCF next season, will our fate be much better facing any team from the West that could make it with their center depth? The Kings, Sharks, Ducks, Avs, Blues, Stars, etc. all blow away our top-6 centers.

It seems like Brassard is gonna get locked up long term for close to $5M a year. Would we rather have Thornton for only $1-2M more? Obviously Brassard is younger but he's also not as talented and even at his best doesn't produce like Thornton does at his worst. Could Brassard turn into a Dubinsky for us where he just falls flat on his face after getting a big extension?

Nash and Thornton's chemistry is a real appealing aspect of the proposition as well.