The salary though, Step gets 6.5 million in real dollars every year, Staals salary falls further and further behind his cap hit each year from here until the end.
- smellmyfinger

I think they eventually want to compete too though and not just look at fake ways to get to the cap floor. They have to see what the Oilers have done this year and think they can get in the mix too a bit.

Step would be a great fit in the desert. They have tons of cap space and would take over for Doan when he likely retires next year.
Get it done, Gorton!
- Fenrir

For who?

In any deal, whether its the direct deal in which Stepan is involved, or in another deal, the Rangers need to get back a center.

He beat out an icing last night!!! Might have been the only time I laughed all night.
- Tonybere

That was shocking. Like he saved it up for one burst of speed.
I do like Step, good defensive forward with a good hockey IQ. What do we get in return? His market value isn't very high right now.
Maybe he likes Vegas.

For who?

In any deal, whether its the direct deal in which Stepan is involved, or in another deal, the Rangers need to get back a center.
- Pete V

Maybe they can add a piece and get Anthony DeAngelo

Still bothers the hell out of me that the Devils have any rights to Kovalchuk. If you were able to void that ridiculous contract, shouldn't have the rights to profit from him when he comes back. The Devils not only got a get out of jail free card, but now they get to profit from that BS cap circumventing contract as well.
- Pete V

The reason is the ridiculous salary years never happened, so there is no cap to recapture. If he played like 3 more years the Devils would be (frank)ed with dead space. Can't help but think when Kovy said hey I think I might go back to Russia that Lou said that's a great idea.

Stepan is a good darn hockey player, that had a poop year. The clubs that trade guys after bad periods when there value is down are usually the ones that aren't successful. But, there are some circumstances with Stepan and the teams current makeup that might make sense to deal him if they get the right value back. They do need a center in return, however, because remember Hayes didn't light it up either. The organization is too thin at that position.
- Pete V

I agree and moving on from Stepan is a hard decision. Players are going to have up and down seasons. There are not too many players that maintain perfect consistent play every year. Stepan should be pretty damn motivated to move past this year and tear it up next year.

Bob McKenzie tweeted out that a team would first need to agree to what the devil's want, then see what kovalchuk wants and have the devil's sign him to that deal and term and then trade him. A lot of moving parts and what would the asking price of the devil's be?
- Upstate_isles

Sounds tedious and like it could bleed over into the beginning of the season.

I think he knows that he's probably going to have to sign a 1-year prove it deal. Friedman was on the radio yesterday talking Kovy and had a good point. He's 34, if he signs a multi-year deal it will carry him over 35 and become a 35+ contract with potential major cap recapture penalties if he retires before the contract is up.

My guess is he signs a 1 year deal somewhere to re-establish himself in the league and then takes it from there. Something in the ~$5M range isn't unreasonable, considering what Shipachyov got from LV.
- eichiefs9

This makes a lot of sense since no team is going to want to give him a long term deal with the history he has. Will be interesting to see this play out.

Yeah but it certainly doesn't seem like he's going that route.
- eichiefs9

No it doesn't also no 2017 pick can be used on him so it's either a 2018 pick or current players and prospects. Hard to gauge his value to teams. He would still be great on pp and I think could really help out over a 3 or 4 year deal

This playoff exit falls on Hayes, Miller and Kreider. They all did nothing. Just a couple goals from each of them and they are in the 3rd round. If Kreider played the whole series like he did the 3rd period, they win that series. Blame should fall on them 3

This playoff exit falls on Hayes, Miller and Kreider. They all did nothing. Just a couple goals from each of them and they are in the 3rd round. If Kreider played the whole series like he did the 3rd period, they win that series. Blame should fall on them 3
- Rangers99

I also blame AV for is inability to coach these players to play a full 60 mins. The Defense for sucking for the most part. If it wasn't for our bottom 6 we would of lost to MTL

For who?

In any deal, whether its the direct deal in which Stepan is involved, or in another deal, the Rangers need to get back a center.
- Pete V

No idea. Not Domi for sure, maybe Jooris?

This playoff exit falls on Hayes, Miller and Kreider. They all did nothing. Just a couple goals from each of them and they are in the 3rd round. If Kreider played the whole series like he did the 3rd period, they win that series. Blame should fall on them 3
- Rangers99

At least Kreider has been a money playoff player in the past. He's just frustrating as hell. He is the player he is at this point, the type of guy you'll always wonder why he can't be a big time star in the league with his skill set.

Hayes and Miller's playoff numbers, however, are beginning to become troubling.

Dear New York Rangers

It's not you. It is us. We just feel your going nowhere and it is time for us to move on.


P.S - You got dumped in 6 dates.

Love
Ottawa Senators

- spazzbot

From a sens fan,

(frank) off Spazz.

I also blame AV for is inability to coach these players to play a full 60 mins. The Defense for sucking for the most part. If it wasn't for our bottom 6 we would of lost to MTL
- MacT27

If the rangers played the 1st like the 2nd and 3rd they win, they don't seem to play a complete 60 minutes and that's coming from a guy who's team never plays a complete 60. Av shouldn't have had Holden out in o.t. in game 2 and should be canned.

No idea. Not Domi for sure, maybe Jooris?
- Fenrir

Stepan would bring back a valuable asset, Staal would have to be viewed as a straight salary dump.

Stepan would bring back a valuable asset, Staal would have to be viewed as a straight salary dump.
- smellmyfinger

No doubt.

Sean Avery calling out Kreider

Sean Avery‏ Verified account @imseanavery 8h8 hours ago

And WHY doesn't #20 go head to head with their captain and punish him for 6 games EVERY SINGLE SHIFT??
- jimbro83

Who?

Who?
- B2B76

surprised, he was tweeting like crazy last night

Stepan is a very smart player that makes for a lack of speed, shot and all around production, Rangers need to revamp the D the same way they did the forwards, they need cap space and Step's contract would be ideal to trade, Sather really (frank)ed us with the clauses, guy should have handed over the reigns years earlier

Stepan is a very smart player that makes for a lack of speed, shot and all around production, Rangers need to revamp the D the same way they did the forwards, they need cap space and Step's contract would be ideal to trade, Sather really (frank)ed us with the clauses, guy should have handed over the reigns years earlier
- KreiderBomb

just think, they could be stuck with Callahan's NMC too

Now it's over, who has the heart to rub it in? I feel bad for your side and it's a shame anyone has to lose. It's a bitter pill after following your team all season through thick and thin only to have it abruptly stop prematurely. Well, it was a great series and very entertaining and I don't need to say you have a great squad with great heart and fans. If it's any consolation, we'll be out in four no matter who we play according to the bookies and the entire sports media. Cya next year.

Taking this surprisingly well, maybe it was already accepting after blowing the 2 OT games that we were not gonna win this series. Still stings but not as brutal as 2012 & 2014 for sure. 2015 was a tougher series defeat too.

Far too many passengers, Stepan, Miller, Hayes are at the top of the list. CK didn't show up truly till the 3rd period last night. the guy is a total enigma still, 5 full years into his career. I think it might be time to part ways withy him & see what we can get back. How about a Stepan/Kreider package? For who or what IDK. But time is running out on Hank ever wininng a Cup here. He will be 36 by next playoffs.

just think, they could be stuck with Callahan's NMC too
- jimbro83

What's the thoughts on Hank? He had another very good year, but 8.5 per for another 4 years.

just think, they could be stuck with Callahan's NMC too
- jimbro83

That would have been a disaster.

Staal's no trade becomes limited after next year, so I think we might have to deal with one more year of him.

I'd like to see ovie win too but most entertaining player in the game? Mcdavid takes that, even Crosby is above and I despise him. Ovie used to be dynamic now he shoots on the power play or dumps it I'm. He doesn't really make the players around him better, he needs help
- Upstate_isles

No doubt McDavid is the most talented and fun to watch right now. I was referring to Ovie in terms of entertainment on and off the ice, they way he celebrates every goal, how he embraces the Olympics and the All Star Game and most importantly the fans, and the TONS of charity work he does

Now it's over, who has the heart to rub it in? I feel bad for your side and it's a shame anyone has to lose. It's a bitter pill after following your team all season through thick and thin only to have it abruptly stop prematurely. Well, it was a great series and very entertaining and I don't need to say you have a great squad with great heart and fans. If it's any consolation, we'll be out in four no matter who we play according to the bookies and the entire sports media. Cya next year.
- sgoodwin

Well I'm rooting for ya.
Always root for the underdogs when my team is out. Unless the underdogs were the Devils,Isles,Flyers.