Maybe Arizona, cap hit exceeds salary each year as salary declines. Seems to be their way. And they are a looooong way from cap floor with Pronger/Datsyuk hits gone.
- smellmyfinger

Marc Staal and 1st to Arizona for Lawson Crouse and 4th. Seems like the ideal NYR move.

So he's really good?
- tomburton99

Exciting series tho. Enjoyed watching those games. Lots of crazy clutch scoring.

Marc Staal and 1st to Arizona for Lawson Crouse and 4th. Seems like the ideal NYR move.
- tomburton99

I'd like to go on record now as saying that the Rangers will land Kovalchuk

I'd like to go on record now as saying that the Rangers will land Kovalchuk
- eichiefs9

After snow offers up Barzal for him?

Here is what I think.

First the good. The Rangers are a good damn hockey team that have played a crazy number of playoff games in the last several years. After going through a decade of not even making the playoffs, its hard not to appreciate that, even when they've been unable to achieve the ultimate goal.

Now the bad, for the reasons stated above, I appreciate the core group of players that have been here over the last several years. But, in the end, they have been good enough to make you taste the promise land, but simply not good enough to get there. I think this group had a two year window (the Cup finals and President's Trophy year) where they really had a legit shot to win the Stanley Cup. Now, I think they've fallen back below that elite tier and what we saw in this series is more of what we can expect if they don't start to turn over the roster a little.

So, what to do? I think the Rangers need to start turning over this roster a little. I think they need to take advantage of some of the older assets they have by cashing them in for younger players. It would be stupid to do this all at once, but they need to be actively looking for such deals, and pounce when the right one arises. Honestly, I think you can have a two year remake when you are still competitive, maybe compete for the playoffs, but cycle the roster to get younger.

The Brassard for Zibby deal is the exact type of deal the Rangers should be looking at.

On Girardi and Staal, I am hesitant to buy those guys out when the buyout number would have a long-term impact. I am more concerned what the Rangers cap number will look like next year then in 2-3 years when I think a re-tool of the roster which I think can make them really competitive again.

I don't think anybody is really safe if the right deal comes along, but obviously there are a few that will likely be a significant part of the next core of this team.
- Pete V

Pretty much agreed with the above. It isn't doom and gloom overall. But man the $13M tied up in Staal Girardi and Klein is really hamstringing us. if Gorton pulls a rabbit out of his ass we can be ok. As many complaints I hear about the offense, they weren't, and aren't a problem if you look big picture.

Trading Step in a Brassard-Zib type deal is exactly what we should look for. Teams are desperate to find centers that can play defensive hockey. As much anger as this board has for him right now, I think contending teams would make serious offers for him. MTL comes to mind immediately.

I'd like to go on record now as saying that the Rangers will land Kovalchuk
- eichiefs9

I want to go on record that I hate you and your predictions.

After snow offers up Barzal for him?
- tomburton99

Wow this guy really gets snow, that is a move he would make

wow, messed up

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Pretty much agreed with the above. It isn't doom and gloom overall. But man the $13M tied up in Staal Girardi and Klein is really hamstringing us. if Gorton pulls a rabbit out of his ass we can be ok. As many complaints I hear about the offense, they weren't, and aren't a problem if you look big picture.

Trading Step in a Brassard-Zib type deal is exactly what we should look for. Teams are desperate to find centers that can play defensive hockey. As much anger as this board has for him right now, I think contending teams would make serious offers for him. MTL comes to mind immediately.
- mrhattrick27

Rangers need to acquire picks in the deals they make for sure

I am going to take a shot at this one, and say that I wouldn't be surprised to see a deal between the Rangers and Montreal on Stepan. And if I had to guess it would be something like Stepan for Alex Galchenyuk.
- Pete V

Just saw this after I wrote my reply to you about looking for Stepan to go to MTL....This is exactly what I was thinking.

Wow this guy really gets snow, that is a move he would make
- Upstate_isles

You don't get the joke. That idea was brought by a Devil in a Cordell thread.

Rangers need to acquire picks in the deals they make for sure
- jimbro83

Yup, or younger players. Also, continued success in the college free agency market would help.

I want to go on record that I hate you and your predictions.
- JRR1285

What's wrong with Kovalchuk?

I am going to take a shot at this one, and say that I wouldn't be surprised to see a deal between the Rangers and Montreal on Stepan. And if I had to guess it would be something like Stepan for Alex Galchenyuk.
- Pete V

That would be a great trade. I think both players could use a change of scenery. Only problem is that Galchenyuk is RFA and they don't have the cap space to fit Step's contract.

After snow offers up Barzal for him?
- tomburton99

Precisely

Rangers need to acquire picks in the deals they make for sure
- jimbro83

No they don't. I would rather trade for young players. They just need to not deal away all their picks and they will be fine refilling the system.

I am going to take a shot at this one, and say that I wouldn't be surprised to see a deal between the Rangers and Montreal on Stepan. And if I had to guess it would be something like Stepan for Alex Galchenyuk.
- Pete V

no

I am going to take a shot at this one, and say that I wouldn't be surprised to see a deal between the Rangers and Montreal on Stepan. And if I had to guess it would be something like Stepan for Alex Galchenyuk.
- Pete V

The guy that slid from 1C to 4C on a roster that couldn't keep up with ours based on skill? No thanks.

Just saw this after I wrote my reply to you about looking for Stepan to go to MTL....This is exactly what I was thinking.
- mrhattrick27

If you make that type of deal for Stepan, the Rangers would have to accept getting back a guy that has some issues. Galchenyuk is that type of guy right now.

You don't get the joke. That idea was brought by a Devil in a Cordell thread.
- tomburton99

No I guess not but it's still a move he would make

What's wrong with Kovalchuk?
- eichiefs9

His back, he Russian and a softie.

What's wrong with Kovalchuk?
- eichiefs9

As a player, not much. But he will be a huge distraction and who know's how he will fare returning to the NHL at 34.

no
- Pie

Well historically speaking....

No they don't. I would rather trade for young players. They just need to not deal away all their picks and they will be fine refilling the system.
- mrhattrick27

well the college free agent assault they make helps, but I do like the idea of a Brassard type deal where they add a second, that kind of thing

I still think the Brendan Smith trade was a good one though

If you make that type of deal for Stepan, the Rangers would have to accept getting back a guy that has some issues. Galchenyuk is that type of guy right now.
- Pete V

You don't need to talk me into Galchenyuk. I just think the Rangers would need to trade more than Stepan to make that deal.