then you haven't watched much of the NHL playoffs recently. Stepan just turned 25 and has already played in 80 playoff games.
- jimbro83

The Stepan situation sure is an interesting one.

Did he reach all his bonuses? I know he didn't reach the 20 goal one. Which ones did he reach?
- TPC

As far as I know, he didn't reach any of them.

As far as I know, he didn't reach any of them.
- 21peter

That's what I thought because literally not one media member mentioned any of that in their reporting so far of where the Rangers cap stands

That's what I thought because literally not one media member mentioned any of that in their reporting so far of where the Rangers cap stands
- TPC

http://rangersunlimited.c...-and-entry-level-bonuses/
Yep, 0 bonus.

Forget about Nash and Stepan moving anywhere, and I would would bet they move Staal, Girardi, or Klein because Yandle is getting resigned. The prior 3 all have skill set's easily found on the open market. They're the aging core that didn't get it done and a retooling has McDonagh, Yandle, Skjei taking the rains.
- MatzCT

Staal and Girardi have NMCs

Staal and Girardi have NMCs
- dashripdot

thanks, this is only the billionth time this has been mentioned now

http://rangersunlimited.com/2014/08/21/a-look-at-kevin-hayes-contract-and-entry-level-bonuses/
Yep, 0 bonus.
- 21peter

Although I wouldn't mind him reaching a few of those this season

Staal and Girardi have NMCs
- dashripdot

yea I know that, so what. So did Gaborik.

That's what I thought because literally not one media member mentioned any of that in their reporting so far of where the Rangers cap stands
- TPC

Tried to find out what Duclair's 125k bonus was - all I found was that it was an incentive: http://www.spotrac.com/nh...-coyotes/anthony-duclair/
To my knowledge, Brooks was the first to mention it yesterday ...

thanks, this is only the billionth time this has been mentioned now
- jimbro83

I am the first one to say that NTC can be waived. It's happened. But with Staal and Girardi, they just signed their deals and the NTC was a big part of the negotiations. They both probably left money on the table to get that protection, especially since either was on the verge of being able to pick anywhere they wanted to play in unrestricted free agency. For those reasons, I doubt they would be that eager to wave their clauses.

And with respect to Girardi, if they trade him, even assuming they could, what is the right side of that defense going to look like? Assuming no NTC existed, they would probably move a left shot before moving a righty.

yea I know that, so what. So did Gaborik.
- MatzCT

but Gaborik hated Torts and couldn't get out of here fast enough to get away from him

I am the first one to say that NTC can be waived. It's happened. But with Staal and Girardi, they just signed their deals and the NTC was a big part of the negotiations. They both probably left money on the table to get that protection, especially since either was on the verge of being able to pick anywhere they wanted to play in unrestricted free agency. For those reasons, I doubt they would be that eager to wave their clauses.

And with respect to Girardi, if they trade him, even assuming they could, what is the right side of that defense going to look like? Assuming no NTC existed, they would probably move a left shot before moving a righty.
- Pete V

Girardi and Staal both had the opportunity to become UFA and sign anywhere they wanted to.

Now they are going to change their minds and let the Rangers choose the next place they play?

As far as I can tell, the organization loves both of them and it's the last thing they would consider anyway

but Gaborik hated Torts and couldn't get out of here fast enough to get away
- jimbro83

He also waived the NTC in the fourth year of his contract, and he didn't leave any money on the table to sign with the Rangers. They paid him a boatload as a UFA. I just think the circumstances are different with Girardi and Staal.

He also waived the NTC in the fourth year of his contract, and he didn't leave any money on the table to sign with the Rangers. They paid him a boatload as a UFA. I just think the circumstances are different with Girardi and Staal.
- Pete V

it's stupid, it's like every few days we run out of things to talk about so we get back on this topic. It ain't happenin

Sean Hartnett ‏@HartnettHockey Jul 6
Zuccarello NTC expires after this season. Girardi NMC runs through 16-17 then becomes NTC. Staal NMC runs through 17-18 then becomes NTC.

it's stupid, it's like every few days we run out of things to talk about so we get back on this topic. It ain't happenin
- jimbro83

They will get Stepan signed. They will see what they have with these young kids. If the team is playing well again during the season, they will explore the trade market to get better in-season when the cap implications of acquiring another contract become less.

I don't see much more happening in the near term, but I could see them acquiring a guy like Louis Erikson at the trade deadline or before next year as a rental if the Bruins eat some of his salary, and they aren't competitive. That is the type of deal I can see the Rangers making in-season.

it's stupid, it's like every few days we run out of things to talk about so we get back on this topic. It ain't happenin
- jimbro83

http://espn.go.com/blog/n...y-cup-starts-in-offseason


We can talk about this...the main story on the ESPN NHL page

Girardi and Staal both had the opportunity to become UFA and sign anywhere they wanted to.

Now they are going to change their minds and let the Rangers choose the next place they play?

As far as I can tell, the organization loves both of them and it's the last thing they would consider anyway
- jimbro83

I think it's pretty safe to assume the d core is staying as is for the upcoming season. Any decisions will have to be made around the end of the season or near the offseason. No need to rehash another Girardi or Staal debate, or their NMC clause etc.

They will get Stepan signed. They will see what they have with these young kids. If the team is playing well again during the season, they will explore the trade market to get better in-season when the cap implications of acquiring another contract become less.

I don't see much more happening in the near term, but I could see them acquiring a guy like Louis Erikson at the trade deadline or before next year as a rental if the Bruins eat some of his salary, and they aren't competitive. That is the type of deal I can see the Rangers making in-season.
- Pete V

looking ahead to next deadline, the Rangers have already traded their 1st and 4th round 2016 draft picks. Will Gorton be willing to sacrifice more of the future to solidify next year's run, that will be a big question

Let's hope this guy will have a great season:
http://thehockeywriters.c...y-player-for-the-rangers/

1.89 GAA and .936 SV% in 14 games for CHI last season

could be why he isn't signed with anyone yet, he also had that nasty concussion from Okposo

Fred Poulin ‏@FredPoulin98 56s56 seconds ago
UFA Forward Eric Fehr underwent a successful surgery on his elbow in June and is on pace for full recovery by the start of the season. #Caps

Let's hope this guy will have a great season:
http://thehockeywriters.c...y-player-for-the-rangers/

1.89 GAA and .936 SV% in 14 games for CHI last season
- 21peter

I wonder if there is any chance Hellberg could steal the job from him in training camp? probably not

I wonder if there is any chance Hellberg could steal the job from him in training camp? probably not
- jimbro83

I have been saying the same thing, Hellberg numbers are starting to get close to grading him out of the AHL. If anything maybe the Rangers could use Raanta as TDL bait if they feel Hellberg is ready.

I have been saying the same thing, Hellberg numbers are starting to get close to grading him out of the AHL. If anything maybe the Rangers could use Raanta as TDL bait if they feel Hellberg is ready.
- TPC

Hellberg is a little cheaper, not much, but the way they are looking for every dollar, you never know.

I'd bet Raanta is the man though

I wonder if there is any chance Hellberg could steal the job from him in training camp? probably not
- jimbro83

It's amazing how they picked up both Raanta, proven good back up and a what seems like a solid #3 who could easily be the back up the following season. I have confidence both of these guys can fill in for Hank (20-30 games) and they won't be question marks. Hellberg should be that starter for Hartford early, at his age it's better he gets this minutes in.