David Backes is 32, with the style he plays we won't be getting the best of David Backes. The pieces I'm with you on. But one of them would have to be Dumba or Brodin and the other would be Joel Ek-Eriksson.
- tomburton99

I'm just throwing Backes out as an example

trading Stepan for assets and replacing him for free is a good way to "retool" along the way without rebuilding

Here's my take on the Brooks article:

it's different now

Stepan has a NMC starting July 1, 2017

with the expansion draft coming and with the ways NMC's have hampered us recently, as well as Stepan's fat 6.5 million cap hit, I can see a lot of merits into trading him right now
- jimbro83

How mny years do we go back at it with the same team? Step is one of the better trade chips if we can bring in another center

I'm just throwing Backes out as an example

trading Stepan for assets and replacing him for free is a good way to "retool" along the way without rebuilding
- jimbro83

The bullet points on Brooks article:

*No on Yandle if he is going to command the amount the article suggests(45 million over seven years)

*Of course Gorton is hearing offers on all of his better players; 30 Gms hear offers on their better players every offseason and before the trade deadline.

*Girardi not being bought out or dealt makes sense since Gorton is a cap conscious executive and he is not comfortable with paying out a player that won't be on the team for the next six or so seasons.

*Rangers being in on Vesey makes sense since they are without a first or second round pick, to this point, and are focused on getting younger.

*Lundqvist, Buchnevich and Skjei should be the only players off the table in a potential trade scenario. I have convinced myself that Hank wants to stay here and the Rangers have no interest in dealing him whatsoever so there is zero point in even discussing possible destinations for Lundqvist. He is a Ranger, for better or worse.

How mny years do we go back at it with the same team? Step is one of the better trade chips if we can bring in another center
- mrn22

You don't trade away young centers without getting a similarly young center in trade.

Make no sense to part with Stepan if it's not an even swap.

The bullet points on Brooks article:

*No on Yandle if he is going to command the amount the article suggests(45 million over seven years)

*Of course Gorton is hearing offers on all of his better players; 30 Gms hear offers on their better players every offseason and before the trade deadline.

*Girardi not being bought out or dealt makes sense since Gorton is a cap conscious executive and he is not comfortable with paying out a player that won't be on the team for the next six or so seasons.

*Rangers being in on Vesey makes sense since they are without a first or second round pick, to this point, and are focused on getting younger.

*Lundqvist, Buchnevich and Skjei should be the only players off the table in a potential trade scenario. I have convinced myself that Hank wants to stay here and the Rangers have no interest in dealing him whatsoever so there is zero point in even discussing possible destinations for Lundqvist. He is a Ranger, for better or worse.
- MidnightMarauder

actually you said it first yesterday that the only one's who shouldn't be afraid are Lundqvist, Buch and Skjei. When I read Brooks say that I figured he took your line.

Didn't realize Steen was that old. So we are "renting" 2 players for next year. Try to extend Shatty, and maybe another year for Steen depending on his play.
- Fenrir

Yes, Shatty would be your main focus and Steen would not get a raise at 33 so if he fits you can fit him in

actually you said it first yesterday that the only one's who shouldn't be afraid are Lundqvist, Buch and Skjei. When I read Brooks say that I figured he took your line.
- jimbro83

I am convinced local beat writers defer to this thread for some good talking points.

In all honesty, it's an easy call to make that the face of the franchise and their two most prized youngsters won't get moved.

I am convinced local beat writers defer to this thread for some good talking points.

In all honesty, it's an easy call to make that the face of the franchise and their two most prized youngsters won't get moved.
- MidnightMarauder

Looks like none have jumped on my Kreider bandwagon yet

Yes, Shatty would be your main focus and Steen would not get a raise at 33 so if he fits you can fit him in
- KreiderBomb

Shattenkirk is one year away from UFA status. It's going to cost a ton to pry him away from the Blues.

The bullet points on Brooks article:

*No on Yandle if he is going to command the amount the article suggests(45 million over seven years)

*Of course Gorton is hearing offers on all of his better players; 30 Gms hear offers on their better players every offseason and before the trade deadline.

*Girardi not being bought out or dealt makes sense since Gorton is a cap conscious executive and he is not comfortable with paying out a player that won't be on the team for the next six or so seasons.

*Rangers being in on Vesey makes sense since they are without a first or second round pick, to this point, and are focused on getting younger.

*Lundqvist, Buchnevich and Skjei should be the only players off the table in a potential trade scenario. I have convinced myself that Hank wants to stay here and the Rangers have no interest in dealing him whatsoever so there is zero point in even discussing possible destinations for Lundqvist. He is a Ranger, for better or worse.
- MidnightMarauder

But..but...the Player's Tribune article...

Sorry I just don't see G going anywhere! One tough season while he was injured doesn't not prompt G to be traded!!! Does anyone not understand even a bad season without injury happens to all players!!!!!!! It was dumb enough to let Stralman go when Tampa signed him at 4.5M cap hit and we got Boyle for the same money!!! We also let Boyle go to Tampa for 2M cap hit WTF is going on here? People may have gotten on Boyle's case for not fighting at his size but winning face offs at over 50% was the dumbest of reason to let him go for what he signed for!!! We need to trade Nash as much as I do like him 7.8 is just to much money for him! We need young talent to mix with our core so we can use the 7.8 cap hit from Nash to sign someone young and puts the puck in the net! We do have several options here that do not require us trading G!!!!!!
- RangerFan1110

I hate the "we chose Girardi over Stralman" the most, Sather chose Boyle, Girardi was here long before Stralman

Vin brought up Coyle and their first rounder in 2014, Alex Tuch.

But, we just tossin' salads at this point
- jimbro83

I prefer mine with Sirrup!

I'm just throwing Backes out as an example

trading Stepan for assets and replacing him for free is a good way to "retool" along the way without rebuilding
- jimbro83

Wonder if the Rangers would take a flyer on Granlund (not alone), if Stepan were shipped home to Minny. Only $3M and still an RFA when his contract expires after next season.

I am convinced local beat writers defer to this thread for some good talking points.

In all honesty, it's an easy call to make that the face of the franchise and their two most prized youngsters won't get moved.
- MidnightMarauder

No doubt both this thread and Carp's blog!

say they trade Stepan for 3 significant assets and replace Stepan with Backes.

That's not rebuilding.

That's staying relevant and adding pieces at same time
- jimbro83

That's a good idea but I don't know how much $ Backes would command

That's a good idea but I don't know how much $ Backes would command
- KreiderBomb

32 years old making $4.5M now...probably about a million dollar raise on a 3-4 year deal.

32 years old making $4.5M now...probably about a million dollar raise on a 3-4 year deal.
- eichiefs9

I think Backes is gonna look to cash in this free agency. Upwards of 6 mil per.

I think Backes is gonna look to cash in this free agency. Upwards of 6 mil per.
- rangerdanger94

I mean, you can't rule it out. But I find that a bit much. The shorter he's willing to sign, the more he'll make per year though. He's been healthy throughout his career, but you have to worry a bit about signing a 32 year old that plays a grinding physical game to a long contract. His body could deteriorate pretty rapidly.

I mean, you can't rule it out. But I find that a bit much. The shorter he's willing to sign, the more he'll make per year though. He's been healthy throughout his career, but you have to worry a bit about signing a 32 year old that plays a grinding physical game to a long contract. His body could deteriorate pretty rapidly.
- eichiefs9

GMs go crazy during free agency so nothing will surprise me

GMs go crazy during free agency so nothing will surprise me
- rangerdanger94

They're all busy trying to figure out how much they're going to overpay for Okposo at the moment.

They're all busy trying to figure out how much they're going to overpay for Okposo at the moment.
- eichiefs9

This free agent class is pretty damn deep

This free agent class is pretty damn deep
- rangerdanger94

Suitors lining up to sign Eric Staal and Dan Boyle.

This free agent class is pretty damn deep
- rangerdanger94

Yeah this will be an interesting one. There is a lot of 1B/2A players out there.

Shattenkirk is one year away from UFA status. It's going to cost a ton to pry him away from the Blues.
- MidnightMarauder

IMO not with the emergence of Parayko