I don't think Holden would draw a ton of interest from NJ but he is better than a good part of the blue line. As mentioned in my prior comment, Lindberg could play a key role in NJ. But as asked to blizzard, what would you expect back for Kovy, factoring in the contract he wants?
- airjan23

Yeah I agree I think he is better than most of our blueline but he is RD, correct? I just dont see the fit as severson, santini who should be given minutes to improve, then lovejoy as hopefully no more than 3rd d.

Idk. I think I'd really only want the young guys you wouldn't want to trade, with the devil's adding picks. I think kovy will still be super effective. It's not like his hands and shot will go anywhere. It is so hard to speculate because of the situation and that it has to be after exp draft. I hope if we are only being offered 3rd picks b prospects, we tell him to stay in Russia for a year. This may sound dumb, but I think there is value to a gm in not being desperate and taking whatever.

P.s.- Smith is good and who I want njd to target in vs. Really hope he doesn't re sign with yall

I don't think Holden would draw a ton of interest from NJ but he is better than a good part of the blue line. As mentioned in my prior comment, Lindberg could play a key role in NJ. But as asked to blizzard, what would you expect back for Kovy, factoring in the contract he wants?
- airjan23

The price from NJ will be higher than just Lindberg, especially if various rumors have at least 1/3 the league's teams interested in him. I would pass up on even considering that option under this case, and concentrate elsewhere starting most importantly with re-signing Smith, and Gorton finding a way(s) to not lose Raanta, Lindberg, or Grabner to Vegas.
Then, as per my earlier post, the next need of a few more is to acquire a Right Handed offensive d'man to play the right side. Unless some other better option is out there, signing Shatty even not at a slight discount with less years term than rumored, but at the same Kovy money is a better move, especially if that Staal trade rumor to Vegas two days ago becomes a fact. In addition, besides Shatty also being available free of any assets to give up, he is a few years younger than both Kovy and Hank.

I happen to like Lindberg a lot. He is not an elite scorer but think 40-45 points, depending on role, is an outside possibility. He is solid on draws and can play on the penalty kill, two key aspects for any team.

Based on the Devils' org structure in terms of players, he might not be the best fit. But he clearly could play a key role on the team. But there is a bigger issue, which has to do with his contract.

How many teams will give up assets to sign Kovy for that kind of money? Maybe if he was a FA, but even then, I wouldn't give him that much money. But if you have to give up assets to get him and then pay Kovy those kind of $, to me, that adds substantially to the risk.

I will turn the question around, who would you want from the Rangers to trade Kovy? Plus, keep in mind, Kovy could just stay in Russia, unlikely but possible, and come over next year when he is a UFA.
- airjan23

I just don't know. There are players on the Rangers I would like but being realistic I am unsure. I think if it's easier for the Devils to get higher value for him by getting picks vs a combination of players then that is something I like. To me if you are interested in Kovy and he is interested in you then you are either paying him a lot or you are a lock to be one of the final four teams at the end of the year so with that in mind it shouldn't be much for a team team give up what would almost be a second for a guy they believe is the final piece. The Rangers aren't very deep in picks though and are looking like they will be needing to hang onto all the ones they do have so it's tough.

Isle of Man TT - crazier than hockey

I havent put much thought into wether it helps the devils or not but I think we can sign Kovy and keep him to draw more interest and move him at the deadline when teams are more certain and or desperate.

I havent put much thought into wether it helps the devils or not but I think we can sign Kovy and keep him to draw more interest and move him at the deadline when teams are more certain and or desperate.
- blizzzard

Possible, but it doesn't appear he wants to be there or NJ wants him. Plus, he can stay in the KHL one more year and the Devils get nothing.

Possible, but it doesn't appear he wants to be there or NJ wants him. Plus, he can stay in the KHL one more year and the Devils get nothing.
- airjan23

Ray could have the Devils looking pretty different in time for next season so I am not certain he has completely ruled out NJ but I do believe it is unlikely but like I said in the post just before this I would probably like picks of the Rangers offer but what picks would the Rangers give and can they afford to keep trading away picks ?

Ray could have the Devils looking pretty different in time for next season so I am not certain he has completely ruled out NJ but I do believe it is unlikely but like I said in the post just before this I would probably like picks of the Rangers offer but what picks would the Rangers give and can they afford to keep trading away picks ?
- blizzzard

They can't, as they don't have a 2 or 3 this year and have dealt one of their two second rounders for next year.

They can't, as they don't have a 2 or 3 this year and have dealt one of their two second rounders for next year.
- airjan23

I was looking at players recently drafted by the Rangers and was curious you're thoughts on these guys:

Keegan Iverson
Ryan Mantha
Igor Shesterkin
Ryan Gropp
Sergey Zborovsky
Aleksi Saarela
Sean Day

I know that is quite a few so let me know right away if any are not really on the radar because I didn't really do to much research other then these where the guys who interested me just in general not in a deal for Kovy or anything.

I was looking at players recently drafted by the Rangers and was curious you're thoughts on these guys:

Keegan Iverson
Ryan Mantha
Igor Shesterkin
Ryan Gropp
Sergey Zborovsky
Aleksi Saarela
Sean Day

I know that is quite a few so let me know right away if any are not really on the radar because I didn't really do to much research other then these where the guys who interested me just in general not in a deal for Kovy or anything.
- blizzzard

I think they didn't sign Iverson, so he goes back into the draft. Shesterkin is doing well in Russia. Gropp is good, but don't know if his production is because of Barzal. Saarela was traded to Carolina.

The only two players I would want off the Rangers are Miller and Skjei. And I don't see that happening. Lindberg is a decent player, but if your going to tell me that Kovalchuk won't be on the Rangers top line and top PP, then Lindberg would be a starting point. However, Kovalchuk will be on any/most teams 1st line and 1st PP, so a third liner and 5th dman is nowhere near his value or starting point of a trade.

Gotta keep AR. There are no better options out there. Hellberg to the KHL doesn't make things better, either (nor worse really, but that option is gone, though).

I would take Kovy at $5M; find the $$$ by shedding Staal somewhere...somehow.

No Shatty...resign Smith. Rangers have their Satty in Skjei...and for $6M less.
- mames11

You're willing to give a 34 year old who we don't need, doesn't fill a void $5 million but not going to give $6.5-7 million to a 28 year old that fills a big void?

I was looking at players recently drafted by the Rangers and was curious you're thoughts on these guys:

Keegan Iverson
Ryan Mantha
Igor Shesterkin
Ryan Gropp
Sergey Zborovsky
Aleksi Saarela
Sean Day

I know that is quite a few so let me know right away if any are not really on the radar because I didn't really do to much research other then these where the guys who interested me just in general not in a deal for Kovy or anything.
- blizzzard

Shestyorkin, Gropp, Zborovsky and Day are still in the organization, I expect all 4 to make the NHL, Shestyorkin has the best shot and most upside, Day could be a nice 3rd round steal, Saarela was part of the Staal trade and looks pretty good sor far

I havent put much thought into wether it helps the devils or not but I think we can sign Kovy and keep him to draw more interest and move him at the deadline when teams are more certain and or desperate.
- blizzzard

You guys need to focus on the future and not put any money towards him, he's the past

Lehtonen makes $5.9 mil and Niemi $4.5 mil, even if Dallas ate half that salary, still no way NY takes them due to the cap hit in addition to their poor play.
- airjan23

My suggestion was trading Nash and getting back somebody else. Prefer Honka. Even I feel it where Lehtonen we'd still come out with more cap room ... And only if we traded Raanta

I think they didn't sign Iverson, so he goes back into the draft. Shesterkin is doing well in Russia. Gropp is good, but don't know if his production is because of Barzal. Saarela was traded to Carolina.
- Devils9503

Shestyorkin is actually doing quite a bit better than 'well'...
We gave up on Mantha - Oils gave him an ELC a couple months ago.
Sean Day - too early, but could be a top4 guy in a few years.

Ray could have the Devils looking pretty different in time for next season so I am not certain he has completely ruled out NJ but I do believe it is unlikely but like I said in the post just before this I would probably like picks of the Rangers offer but what picks would the Rangers give and can they afford to keep trading away picks ?
- blizzzard

Shero had said in Lebrun interview he's not interested in picks. Want players

I think they didn't sign Iverson, so he goes back into the draft. Shesterkin is doing well in Russia. Gropp is good, but don't know if his production is because of Barzal. Saarela was traded to Carolina.
- Devils9503

It is

you people are crazy if you think the Devils will trade Kovy the NYR for anything you would be willing to give away. So Skjie and a 1st rounder would be maybe your only bet. Plus you need to move people to just sign your own players as is.

you people are crazy if you think the Devils will trade Kovy the NYR for anything you would be willing to give away. So Skjie and a 1st rounder would be maybe your only bet. Plus you need to move people to just sign your own players as is.
- NJDevils29

Maybe it does happen, but would be shocked if any team gave up a 1 for Kovy. Shero will try and maximize his return, but if Kovy even hints at staying in Russia one more year, the Devils bargaining position drops.

I was looking at players recently drafted by the Rangers and was curious you're thoughts on these guys:

Keegan Iverson
Ryan Mantha
Igor Shesterkin
Ryan Gropp
Sergey Zborovsky
Aleksi Saarela
Sean Day

I know that is quite a few so let me know right away if any are not really on the radar because I didn't really do to much research other then these where the guys who interested me just in general not in a deal for Kovy or anything.
- blizzzard

Thanks to those who weighed in. Of those still in the organization, Shestyorkin is likely viewed right now as the heir apparent to Lundqvist. Group may be - which is the view of many - a product of playing with Matthew Barzal, impacting his value. Zborovsky took a major step forward this year and will get a chance to make the team out of camp. Day signed an ELC as well this year and took strides to regain the prospect luster he had a few years ago.

Of the four, maybe Gropp could be moved by the Rangers, while Shestyorkin and Day are probably off limits and Zborovsky falls in between, but unsure he would get move for Kovy. The more important aspect is the probable salary demand, placing him outside the Rangers' price range.

Thanks for the memory of Richters save on Bure. Wow, time flies!

On the subject of Kovy: There is simply NO WAY of there EVER being a significant trade between the Rangers and Devils or the Rangers and Islanders. The GMs know the fanbase simply wont allow it. If Kovy was a 4th liner, sure. However he is a 1st, maybe 2nd line player. I know these boards are for speculation and imagination, but this is all simply a waste of time.
I remember reading last year a proposal that involved the Islanders trading Tavares to the Rangers. Kovy to the Rangers is just as unlikely.
NOT GONNA HAPPEN!

Thanks to those who weighed in. Of those still in the organization, Shestyorkin is likely viewed right now as the heir apparent to Lundqvist. Group may be - which is the view of many - a product of playing with Matthew Barzal, impacting his value. Zborovsky took a major step forward this year and will get a chance to make the team out of camp. Day signed an ELC as well this year and took strides to regain the prospect luster he had a few years ago.

Of the four, maybe Gropp could be moved by the Rangers, while Shestyorkin and Day are probably off limits and Zborovsky falls in between, but unsure he would get move for Kovy. The more important aspect is the probable salary demand, placing him outside the Rangers' price range.
- airjan23

I saw that goalie and that he had decent #'s in the KHL and knew he was probably worth a lot to you guys lol my plan was to try and screw yeah's over down the road by trading for you're best goalie prospect ( I like some of the guys we have coming up so it's not a huge weakness ) since Henrik is creeping up there.

Thanks to those who weighed in. Of those still in the organization, Shestyorkin is likely viewed right now as the heir apparent to Lundqvist. Group may be - which is the view of many - a product of playing with Matthew Barzal, impacting his value. Zborovsky took a major step forward this year and will get a chance to make the team out of camp. Day signed an ELC as well this year and took strides to regain the prospect luster he had a few years ago.

Of the four, maybe Gropp could be moved by the Rangers, while Shestyorkin and Day are probably off limits and Zborovsky falls in between, but unsure he would get move for Kovy. The more important aspect is the probable salary demand, placing him outside the Rangers' price range.
- airjan23

Jan, let's not forget we have Bereglazov from KHL and a couple other undrafted college kids we signed. Besides Shesterkin we have Huska, who is widely consider one of the best college goalies this past season. There's plenty of prospects to get a deal done and I don't think the Devils will have much power over this. If Kovulchuk has a short list, and Rangers aren't desperate to get him, return should be reasonable. Personally, I'd love to add him but overhauling defense should be our first priority.

First, Dallas needs help on defense as opposed to forward. Second, despite their team's defensive woes, Niemi's game has taken a downfall the past couple years. Third and most important for the Rangers as to your trade proposal, with Bishop now a Dallas Stars goalie, although Niemi and Lehtonen are both each signed for only 1 more season, Niemi's cap hit is $4.5M, while Lehtonen's is $5.9M. That would give the Rangers $13M in cap tied up at the goalie position then with Niemi (as opposed to $9.5M with Raanta), or $14.4M with Lehtonen. So if they picked up all of Nash's $7.8M, they are not absorbing any salary from either goalie in this trade proposal of your's.
- RangerSaver

Trading Raanta is not my preference, but losing him for nothing shouldn't be an option. I'm sure Dallas would love a top 6 forward and get rid of one of their goalies.. for us we'd be getting a backup for next season and Dallas would have to either add Honka or some picks. Yeah, we'd have 2 expensive goalies, but we'd be getting rid of Nash contract. Shesterkin should be here after next season.