I agree, I could see a Skeji Trouba swap, makes sense for both sides I think but see the opposition to it. Regarding Stepan in the offseason, over the summer I suggested trading Stepan and maybe a 1st for Dumba and Coyle. They didn't want to pay Dumba, Coyle was being viewed as a disappointment. Do u think if that trade would have been made we'd be a better team right now?
- nyrangers9479

probably, but if the only place this trade was proposed was on hockeybuzz it doesn't really matter a whole lot

Duclair

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/...mors-with-chayka-tippett/

probably, but if the only place this trade was proposed was on hockeybuzz it doesn't really matter a whole lot
- jimbro83

Minnesota reportedly offered Dumba and a 1st for Stepan. I say no to that, but with how much they openly wanted Stepan I think Stepan+ for Dumba and Coyle could have happened.

Minnesota reportedly offered Dumba and a 1st for Stepan. I say no to that, but with how much they openly wanted Stepan I think Stepan+ for Dumba and Coyle could have happened.
- nyrangers9479

I don't know, I don't think the Rangers were going to trade both Brassard and Stepan last summer, it was one or the other

Stepan has to be more consistent and he's not had a solid season, I'm not even entertaining a trade right now, find us a couple of defensemen and let's get it done

Stepan has to be more consistent and he's not had a solid season, I'm not even entertaining a trade right now, find us a couple of defensemen and let's get it done
- KreiderBomb

I will say I think the Rangers need to go into the post season with 8 defenseman

everybody has been nutty over Clendening not playing enough, but, they wanna play until June, need another guy in addition to him

this blueline will take a beating if it advances in playoffs

Just a business decision. If he can play I hope he catches on somewhere, if not hope he gets a TV gig. Class act.
- MiloslavHorava

I knew Cruz was going, didn't realize Jennings was gone too (I won't miss him). Still kind of depressing to see a guy like Cruz get cut. Hope he lands somewhere he's happy with.

Duclair

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/...mors-with-chayka-tippett/
- jimbro83

Yandle deal looks better and better everyday.... They took a shot and in the end looks like they really gave up nothing to write home about

I don't get what happened with a portion of this fan base and common sense, all in regards to trading players. Whether it be Girardi, Nash, Staal or Stepan. Players either having a down year or bad trajectories of career for a while. Why would another team give us anything decent if we don't even value the players as decent. Does this not make sense to anybody else.

Yandle deal looks better and better everyday.... They took a shot and in the end looks like they really gave up nothing to write home about
- MiloslavHorava

the only thing that has really hurt them in the deals is giving up first rounders

but getting Hayes and Vesey for free has definitely compensated for that

I don't get what happened with a portion of this fan base and common sense, all in regards to trading players. Whether it be Girardi, Nash, Staal or Stepan. Players either having a down year or bad trajectories of career for a while. Why would another team give us anything decent if we don't even value the players as decent. Does this not make sense to anybody else.
- tomburton99

I think Stepan is a very good 2 way center that would have a lot of value with other teams. When taking all things into consideration though, including the draft, I think it's reasonable to see Stepan get traded in the offseason. We have 2 younger, comparable if not better, cheaper centers on the team that don't have NTC's. I think anyone dismissing Stepan possibly getting traded in the offseason is extremely short sighted.

the only thing that has really hurt them in the deals is giving up first rounders

but getting Hayes and Vesey for free has definitely compensated for that
- jimbro83

It's like we struck out in 2 of the 4 drafts. I tell ppl that all the time. And where we would have drafted, 2 out of 4 is good.

Id rank our centers Stepan - Zib - Hayes in terms of best to worst

Sorry lesser Matt but if it's a question of Stepan vs Hayes, see ya Hayes.
- rangerdanger94

i think you meant to say, worst to best... Step is a great #2 center. he is NOT a #1 center. we dont have a true #1 center. only a few teams do have a true #1 center. Pitt has 2 of them. What we do have(queue taken saying) is 3 centers that are all either good #2s or great #3s. Zib and Hayes are both really young, we need Step as he is our only experienced Center.

Its an entertaining idea....
I think you'd be hard pressed to find a Ranger's fan that "dislikes" Stepan, but you can discuss, from a business standpoint, is he or and isn't he worth $6.5MM for the next 4 years

Trade Stepan for that RHD for the playoff run.
Would free up a spot for Vesey and Buch to both play top 9 minutes and save some money to sign the young guys when they are due

Worth a discussion and opinions
- MiloslavHorava

Step is worth $6.5M for this and next year. after that, his contract will not be worth it. once Zib and Hayes are in their primes, we wont want Step making $6.5M, he is actually worth around $5.5M but over paying a homegrown fan favorite that is great in the locker room $1M per year - is ok in my book.

Eklund has us in on Duchene
- jimbro83

I would trade Step for Duchene though...

I would trade Step for Duchene though...
- richardson30

remember when it used to be Stepan for O'Reilly all the time?

So, who do we think might get traded BEFORE the deadline?

I would trade Step for Duchene though...
- richardson30

Colorado wouldn't.

So, who do we think might get traded BEFORE the deadline?
- Pete V

Stepan and Fast, duh.

Colorado wouldn't.
- tomburton99

Not commenting on that particular trade proposal because I don't think it is realistic for several reasons, but I am not a fan of Duchene. I think he is a selfish, losing player (or at least has been so far). Sure, his production is decent, but I don't think there is much else there, other than that.

Step is worth $6.5M for this and next year. after that, his contract will not be worth it. once Zib and Hayes are in their primes, we wont want Step making $6.5M, he is actually worth around $5.5M but over paying a homegrown fan favorite that is great in the locker room $1M per year - is ok in my book.
- richardson30

Do you think if Stepan had hair like Zucc this conversation would be different?
I'm saying that half joking and half serious. He looks older than he is so maybe he is perceived as old and in bad shape when he really isn't, give him hair and he looks 25-26, without he looks like 35+
Honest. Can people here all honestly say their perception of him isn't influenced by his physical look ?
Something else to think about.. and no I am NOT knocking anyone for looks, just putting it out there, how we, society, sometimes perceive people

Duclair

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/...mors-with-chayka-tippett/
- jimbro83

really surprised to see this. i thought this kid was going to be a star. i guess the rangers were right to trade him over Buch..

Do you think if Stepan had hair like Zucc this conversation would be different?
I'm saying that half joking and half serious. He looks older than he is so maybe he is perceived as old and in bad shape when he really isn't, give him hair and he looks 25-26, without he looks like 35+
Honest. Can people here all honestly say their perception of him isn't influenced by his physical look ?
Something else to think about.. and no I am NOT knocking anyone for looks, just putting it out there, how we, society, sometimes perceive people
- MiloslavHorava

He looks young with a helmet on, which is how I see him 90% of the time.

Not commenting on that particular trade proposal because I don't think it is realistic for several reasons, but I am not a fan of Duchene. I think he is a selfish, losing player (or at least has been so far). Sure, his production is decent, but I don't think there is much else there, other than that.
- Pete V

Fair assessment.