If they rid themselves of Stempniak and Glass's contracts, respectively, there should be room for Zuccarello. The team doesn't need to address anything major, in their lineup, plus I feel St. Louis, if he returns, will take a pay cut to help the team remain mostly intact.
- MidnightMarauder

Stemniak is on a one year deal, so you don't have to worry about him. Glass is a contract that they should try to rid themselves of, even if they have to give some team a lower round pick to take it on.

They should try to turn McIlrath into a fourth line winger. Then we don't have to go out and sign one of those tough guys for too much money and immediately regret it.
- Pete V

I kind of like that idea. Sather is too enamored with having that "tough guy" on the team and will overspend to bring one in here.

Brashear, Boogaard and now Glass.

Stop that.

You obviously havent watched any of those tall guys skate.
- Cptmjl

Why as a matter of fact, yes, yes I have. Both on the tube and in person.

You obviously have never seen Krieder, Hagelin, Duclair, Miller, Fast, Buchnevich and Nash at full gallop. OK, I know you have but I do not beleive you have seen them in person against the Panthers.

Do you think really think Jimmy Hayes and those two 6'6" guys are as quick and fast as those guys above? Really?????? As fast as Grabner?

I know you have watched a lot of hockey. I would take it your are in your mid 50's???

Well, I have watched a lot of hockey too. I spent some time in the "old" Madison Square Garden after I graduated high school watching the Rangers tool around the ice. I know what fast is, what speed is and what quick is.

I dare to say if you start a race with some fast 6 footers (Kreider and Nash excepted) and some fast 6"6" guys the smaller guys get to the end of the rink first. Nash would be last in that Rangers group.

Now I also know that when you are playing hockey most of the time you are constantly moving. It is my opinion that the smaller Rangers get up to speed much quicker than the 6'6" Panthers...all things being equal. I am not talking about the end of a shift when players are out of gas or being caught with a fresh line change.

I do not believe the large Panther players mentioned are as fast, speedy or quick as the Rangers players I mentioned. I will caveat Buchnevich as I have only seen his speed against the World's Juniors best on the tube....but he was flying against them.

Do you feel me now????

Stemniak is on a one year deal, so you don't have to worry about him. Glass is a contract that they should try to rid themselves of, even if they have to give some team a lower round pick to take it on.
- Pete V

I know Stempniak's current deal expires this summer. The combination of letting Stempniak walk and ridding themselves of Glass would save over two million dollars in cap space. Duclair, who is already under contract, will most likely be here full time next season so there shouldn't be a need to go outside the organization and spend more money on free agents.

Fast and Miller are both RFA but they respectively have zero leverage and will come back for a littlle more per than what they currently make; having no real effect on the team's cap situation.

The free agents that are of substance here are Stepan, Zuccarello and Hagelin. All are due for substantial raises which could make things tricky. The biggest key here will be if St. Louis is willing to be a good team player and take considerably less to stay on board for another year or two.

Stewart(Buf retains some cap) for 2nd, 3rd, Glass(cap), McIlrath or similar F prospect like Haggerty.

Not sure that gets it done but i really dont want to trade our young guys for rentals.
- richardson30

That would get you Stewart and it's likely Buffalo would have no problem retaining salary as it helps them be above the cap floor,.

Team should try to keep Zuccarello back in the fold. Buchnevich is a grade A prospect but I don't think he is ready to make the jump to the NHL next season. Duclair, on the otherhand, will 99.9% be a full time Ranger next season.
- MidnightMarauder

Duclair is struggling a lot in juniors right now for what it's worth. I think it would be a mistake to assume he or Buchnevich will step right in and score 50 or more points for us.

I also think Buchnevich plays a more NHL ready game than Duclair. Duclair kind of dipsey doodles in juniors because the competition is weak but that won't work in the NHL. Buchnevich plays a more north-south, get the puck on net style that will translate better imo. Plus he's playing against men.

The biggest key here will be if St. Louis is willing to be a good team player and take considerably less to stay on board for another year or two.
- MidnightMarauder

And if he is not, you simply don't sign him.

They should try to turn McIlrath into a fourth line winger. Then we don't have to go out and sign one of those tough guys for too much money and immediately regret it.
- Pete V

Oh well if you want that, then Jay McClement and Patrick Dwyer for McIlrath.

That would get you Stewart and it's likely Buffalo would have no problem retaining salary as it helps them be above the cap floor,.
- kingcong39

I would do that then. we get Stewart and get rid of Glass. win win... my next move would be to try and get a 3rd pairing D by trading Moore and 3rd or 2nd. i am ok having no picks in first 2 rounds if we win the cup. we already have 2-3 grade A prospects and a rookie center that is playing amazing in Hayes. our future is very bright!

Duclair is struggling a lot in juniors right now for what it's worth. I think it would be a mistake to assume he or Buchnevich will step right in and score 50 or more points for us.

I also think Buchnevich plays a more NHL ready game than Duclair. Duclair kind of dipsey doodles in juniors because the competition is weak but that won't work in the NHL. Buchnevich plays a more north-south, get the puck on net style that will translate better imo. Plus he's playing against men.
- rangerdanger94

You could be right, Buchnevich could be more NHL ready than Duclair. I think Duclair struggling in junior could be a by-product of going through the highs of being in the NHL, then winning gold at the world juniors to going back down to a league that he has already proven himself in.

All in all though, I am glad the Rangers have legitimate top flight prospects in the system that are more than just potential depth players.

Duclair is struggling a lot in juniors right now for what it's worth. I think it would be a mistake to assume he or Buchnevich will step right in and score 50 or more points for us.

I also think Buchnevich plays a more NHL ready game than Duclair. Duclair kind of dipsey doodles in juniors because the competition is weak but that won't work in the NHL. Buchnevich plays a more north-south, get the puck on net style that will translate better imo. Plus he's playing against men.
- rangerdanger94

Duclair going back to Minors was horrible for his development. he really should have been able to play in the AHL. I personally believe Buchnevich is our best prospect. Duclair is great with the puck, but struggles without it. not sure either will be ready for top 6 play next season.

Why as a matter of fact, yes, yes I have. Both on the tube and in person.

You obviously have never seen Krieder, Hagelin, Duclair, Miller, Fast, Buchnevich and Nash at full gallop. OK, I know you have but I do not beleive you have seen them in person against the Panthers.

Do you think really think Jimmy Hayes and those two 6'6" guys are as quick and fast as those guys above? Really?????? As fast as Grabner?

I know you have watched a lot of hockey. I would take it your are in your mid 50's???

Well, I have watched a lot of hockey too. I spent some time in the "old" Madison Square Garden after I graduated high school watching the Rangers tool around the ice. I know what fast is, what speed is and what quick is.

I dare to say if you start a race with some fast 6 footers (Kreider and Nash excepted) and some fast 6"6" guys the smaller guys get to the end of the rink first. Nash would be last in that Rangers group.

Now I also know that when you are playing hockey most of the time you are constantly moving. It is my opinion that the smaller Rangers get up to speed much quicker than the 6'6" Panthers...all things being equal. I am not talking about the end of a shift when players are out of gas or being caught with a fresh line change.

I do not believe the large Panther players mentioned are as fast, speedy or quick as the Rangers players I mentioned. I will caveat Buchnevich as I have only seen his speed against the World's Juniors best on the tube....but he was flying against them.

Do you feel me now????
- Downeaster

Of course you've seen them all and all of the Rangers prospects are the fastest in the universe

I would do that then. we get Stewart and get rid of Glass. win win... my next move would be to try and get a 3rd pairing D by trading Moore and 3rd or 2nd. i am ok having no picks in first 2 rounds if we win the cup. we already have 2-3 grade A prospects and a rookie center that is playing amazing in Hayes. our future is very bright!
- richardson30

Rangers have a nice group of young players/prospects 25 years old and younger but you don't want to keep picking from the middle of the draft year after year. The Rangers hit a homerun, in the 2013 draft third round(Duclair, Buchnevich & Tambellini) but the key to sustaining success, in today's NHL, is continuing to draft smart and build primarily from within.

Duclair going back to Minors was horrible for his development. he really should have been able to play in the AHL. I personally believe Buchnevich is our best prospect. Duclair is great with the puck, but struggles without it. not sure either will be ready for top 6 play next season.
- richardson30

If the AHL was an option he would have been there from the start.

And if he is not, you simply don't sign him.
- kingcong39

Agreed, can't choose a 40 year old player over a 26 year old. For all of Zuccarello's frustrating habits, the Rangers are better off spending a little extra on him rather than walking away from his demands, letting him walk and bringing back St. Louis because they have holes to fill in their top six.

Of course you've seen them all and all of the Rangers prospects are the fastest in the universe
- Cptmjl

And all alternate universes

Rangers have a nice group of young players/prospects 25 years old and younger but you don't want to keep picking from the middle of the draft year after year. The Rangers hit a homerun, in the 2013 draft third round(Duclair, Buchnevich & Tambellini) but the key to sustaining success, in today's NHL, is continuing to draft smart and build primarily from within.
- MidnightMarauder

true, but if they can keep signing those college FAs then it makes up for not having 1st and 2nd round picks. Hayes was essentially a top 10 pick this year. i really think we are 2 players away from making a serious run this year. thats why i am ok with trading the 2 round picks...

Dont laugh....how about scott gomez?

He would only take a third or fourth rounder, maybe we can get them to take Glass with it.

Hes been almost a PPG player on the Devils first line, i think he could fit in well on our third with the stretch game AV has implemented. Just a thought, cheap help on faceoffs with some offensive production

Dont laugh....how about scott gomez?

He would only take a third or fourth rounder, maybe we can get them to take Glass with it.

Hes been almost a PPG player on the Devils first line, i think he could fit in well on our third with the stretch game AV has implemented. Just a thought, cheap help on faceoffs with some offensive production
- rferrone

No & NOOOOOO

Dont laugh....how about scott gomez?

He would only take a third or fourth rounder, maybe we can get them to take Glass with it.

Hes been almost a PPG player on the Devils first line, i think he could fit in well on our third with the stretch game AV has implemented. Just a thought, cheap help on faceoffs with some offensive production
- rferrone

I am laughing though

Dont laugh....how about scott gomez?

He would only take a third or fourth rounder, maybe we can get them to take Glass with it.

Hes been almost a PPG player on the Devils first line, i think he could fit in well on our third with the stretch game AV has implemented. Just a thought, cheap help on faceoffs with some offensive production
- rferrone

I think this is a great idea.

No & NOOOOOO
- B2B76

Did we all forget that Gomez had 128pts in 158 games for us? I'm not saying I want him back, but he wasn't bad at all for us. We got McDonagh for him because he had value. He just wasn't worth his contract at the time and between him and Drury, he was the only guy that was getting us something back to build with.

No & NOOOOOO
- B2B76

Why no? Have you watched him play this year? Hes on a league minimum contract and hed be in a greatly reduced role. Much cheaper option than vermette

I think this is a great idea.
- Cptmjl

Sarcasm?

Sarcasm?
- rferrone

No not at all. I'd love it if you guys got Gomez again.