I have no issue with that. Let one of the kids (or a tryout candidate) win the 4th line C spot.

I'm not thrilled about Miller as a center. Unless the added responsibilities will help keep him awake for the season AND post season, then I would leave him on the wing.
- mames11

An acquisition of another center is as important now as was the signing of Shatty. I agree with you in not preferring Miller to be a center. He is best suited at left wing, playing on a line with Hayes and Grabner. That line did wonders for them early last season when the team was putting up 4+ goals per game, prior to AV breaking it apart after Zib had suffered his broken fibula injury.

I gotta agree with you here. I voted 5 x 4.75.

I think Zib is a high 50s to mid 60s pts player on average. He's got the potential to hit 70s for sure I just don't see him doing it consistently (hopefully I'm wrong). Even with those projections though it still puts him in the top 20 for centers, which I think is well worth 4.75 throughout his prime years.
- SkjeiStadium

If you average him out for a full season last year, he would have hit 55-60 points. But remember he came back awfully slow after that bad leg injury. 70 points would have certainly been possible last season for Zib. Though, don't tell the arbitrator that

An acquisition of another center is as important now as was the signing of Shatty. I agree with you in not preferring Miller to be a center. He is best suited at left wing, playing on a line with Hayes and Grabner. That line did wonders for them early last season when the team was putting up 4+ goals per game, prior to AV breaking it apart after Zib had suffered his broken fibula injury.
- RangerSaver

That line was a force early and when reunited...at least until Miller took an end of season and into the post season nap.

I'd easily put that line back together. It's a solid #2 line.

An acquisition of another center is as important now as was the signing of Shatty. I agree with you in not preferring Miller to be a center. He is best suited at left wing, playing on a line with Hayes and Grabner. That line did wonders for them early last season when the team was putting up 4+ goals per game, prior to AV breaking it apart after Zib had suffered his broken fibula injury.
- RangerSaver

really if Miller isn't suited to be a center, then they should trade him for a center

really if Miller isn't suited to be a center, then they should trade him for a center
- jimbro83

I could see kicking the tires on Winnick

I could see kicking the tires on Winnick
- airjan23

they could do that or some other camp tryout

In this day of today's NHL, it's foolish to sign non-elite players to contracts you can't trade away in case things do not work out and the team either rebuilds in the off-season or sells at the trade deadline. Zib is good. He is good for four years at 4.5M (to maybe 5M) AAV.
- mames11

I think Zib at 7 years 5-5.25 per would be very easy to "get rid of" if things didn't work out. At minimum he's a 50 point player, I think he's better than that though and just coming into his prime. Why sign a guy until 28 then have to make the decision of letting him go or give him another 4-5 year deal? This isn't Staal/Girardi/Lundqvist getting a 7 year deal, this is a 24 year old. Totally different ballgame. Just don't give him a NTC/NMC.

I think Zib at 7 years 5-5.25 per would be very easy to "get rid of" if things didn't work out. At minimum he's a 50 point player, I think he's better than that though and just coming into his prime. Why sign a guy until 28 then have to make the decision of letting him go or give him another 4-5 year deal? This isn't Staal/Girardi/Lundqvist getting a 7 year deal, this is a 24 year old. Totally different ballgame. Just don't give him a NTC/NMC.
- nyrangers9479

I actually think that if they could get Zib for somewhere around the $5-$5.25 million range for 7 years that would be a good deal for the Rangers. And honestly, with the way the cap is escalating, players that were $8-9 million players 2-3 years ago are $10-11 million players now. In two years, Zib at $5 million could look like a steal. Just don't see a contract in that neighborhood really ever coming back to bite the Rangers, barring injury, which is a risk you take in any contract.

I actually think that if they could get Zib for somewhere around the $5-$5.25 million range for 7 years that would be a good deal for the Rangers. And honestly, with the way the cap is escalating, players that were $8-9 million players 2-3 years ago are $10-11 million players now. In two years, Zib at $5 million could look like a steal. Just don't see a contract in that neighborhood really ever coming back to bite the Rangers, barring injury, which is a risk you take in any contract.
- Pete V

I debated including six and seven years to the poll, still can if think it's worthwhile.

Would just like to know: Do you Rangers fans generally think the team improved from last year? Or do you think these changes will actually hurt the overall product on the ice?

I am genuinely curious, not trolling.

Would just like to know: Do you Rangers fans generally think the team improved from last year? Or do you think these changes will actually hurt the overall product on the ice?

I am genuinely curious, not trolling.
- SnipeDevil6

My personal opinion is that they have taken a small step back in the short term in the name of rebuilding on the fly. But, not that big of a step back, and if they either get a nice surprise with the rookie at 3C or add a center at the deadline, I think they could be better.

Would just like to know: Do you Rangers fans generally think the team improved from last year? Or do you think these changes will actually hurt the overall product on the ice?

I am genuinely curious, not trolling.
- SnipeDevil6

I did a thing comparing what we've lost and gained this offseason. The D has gotten much better while we're still searching for Stepan/Lindberg replacements only signing Desjarnais. I think Pavelic is a step down from Raanta.

this is crazy

Aaron Portzline‏
@Aportzline

Words I never thought I'd type: I'm finished at The Dispatch after almost 30 years. My last day was Wednesday. #CBJ

Would just like to know: Do you Rangers fans generally think the team improved from last year? Or do you think these changes will actually hurt the overall product on the ice?

I am genuinely curious, not trolling.
- SnipeDevil6

+Shattenkirk - Girardi
+Deangelo - Klein
-Andersson - Stepan
-Desjarnais Lindberg
-Pavelic - Raanta

this is crazy

Aaron Portzline‏
@Aportzline

Words I never thought I'd type: I'm finished at The Dispatch after almost 30 years. My last day was Wednesday. #CBJ
- jimbro83

Is there some backstory to this?

Would just like to know: Do you Rangers fans generally think the team improved from last year? Or do you think these changes will actually hurt the overall product on the ice?

I am genuinely curious, not trolling.
- SnipeDevil6

Defense should be better, pretty weak down the middle though. If Zib and Hayes are consistent, could be about the same.

I think its a wash this year. Don't think they will be much better but don't think they will be much worse. Could be a slight improvement or slight step back.

Defense should be better, pretty weak down the middle though. If Zib and Hayes are consistent, could be about the same.

I think its a wash this year. Don't think they will be much better but don't think they will be much worse. Could be a slight improvement or slight step back.
- mdw7413

I think Vesey is going to be significantly better, he knows what an NHL season is like now

Defense should be better, pretty weak down the middle though. If Zib and Hayes are consistent, could be about the same.

I think its a wash this year. Don't think they will be much better but don't think they will be much worse. Could be a slight improvement or slight step back.
- mdw7413

Should be interesting to see. I think losing Stepan will hurt. He was not a superstar but I think he did a lot of little things that will be noticed in his absence. Center depth I see as an issue now. Defense should be better in some areas for sure. I am a Devils fan so obviously my opinions will be viewed as biased, which is fine I get it, but I think I foresee a little drop off in performance this year. Nothing drastic but I think they will finish with a few wins less overall and still be hovering around that wild card spot. Lundqvist will once again be asked to do a lot. Will be interesting to see how he handles it.

I think Vesey is going to be significantly better, he knows what an NHL season is like now
- jimbro83

He gave me a chubby with his play in the playoffs. Wasn't on the score sheet too much, but he was everywhere and making things happen.

Should be interesting to see. I think losing Stepan will hurt. He was not a superstar but I think he did a lot of little things that will be noticed in his absence. Center depth I see as an issue now. Defense should be better in some areas for sure. I am a Devils fan so obviously my opinions will be viewed as biased, which is fine I get it, but I think I foresee a little drop off in performance this year. Nothing drastic but I think they will finish with a few wins less overall and still be hovering around that wild card spot. Lundqvist will once again be asked to do a lot. Will be interesting to see how he handles it.
- SnipeDevil6

Yup, agree with everything you wrote.

Now saying that, if the rookies from last year play better, Vesey, Buch, I think the team could be slightly better.

Shatty should improve the Rangers dismal PP, so that could be a plus too.

this is crazy

Aaron Portzline‏
@Aportzline

Words I never thought I'd type: I'm finished at The Dispatch after almost 30 years. My last day was Wednesday. #CBJ
- jimbro83

Saw this earlier and don't understand it. Hopefully someone like the Athletic snaps him up. Maybe NHL.com or the Sporting News.

Would just like to know: Do you Rangers fans generally think the team improved from last year? Or do you think these changes will actually hurt the overall product on the ice?

I am genuinely curious, not trolling.
- SnipeDevil6

It's a shifting of gears. You can't move on to a higher top speed without shifting up and you can't do that without a change in the power curve.

I think the guys departing could contribute more than the guys arriving...this year. The new sheriff in Rangertown is vastly different from Sather. He is addressing problem areas one at a time beginning with contracts that create a burden to the team. The on-ice talent may not be quite as strong but the team is in a better position than it was before.

Saw this earlier and don't understand it. Hopefully someone like the Athletic snaps him up. Maybe NHL.com or the Sporting News.
- airjan23

he definitely is one of the best and I always followed his stuff, maybe he will follow Gulitti to the NHL

Should be interesting to see. I think losing Stepan will hurt. He was not a superstar but I think he did a lot of little things that will be noticed in his absence. Center depth I see as an issue now. Defense should be better in some areas for sure. I am a Devils fan so obviously my opinions will be viewed as biased, which is fine I get it, but I think I foresee a little drop off in performance this year. Nothing drastic but I think they will finish with a few wins less overall and still be hovering around that wild card spot. Lundqvist will once again be asked to do a lot. Will be interesting to see how he handles it.
- SnipeDevil6

I don't think your opinions are wrong. The big question is how much (if any) do the young guys improve. The D is definitely better, so maybe that lessens the blow of not having a solid defensive center like Step. If Zib and Hayes grow into their new roles, we may not see much of a drop off at all. But that is a big if. Unless Buch, Vesey and Miller step up and take pressure of the centers.
... and endless loop of hopefully's and if's.
Pavelec is another big question mark. But until proven otherwise, I have faith in Allaire's ability to improve a goalie's game. And let's not forget that Pavelec is the Jets/Thrashers franchise all-time wins leader, so he has been very good in the past.

I don't think your opinions are wrong. The big question is how much (if any) do the young guys improve. The D is definitely better, so maybe that lessens the blow of not having a solid defensive center like Step. If Zib and Hayes grow into their new roles, we may not see much of a drop off at all. But that is a big if. Unless Buch, Vesey and Miller step up and take pressure of the centers.
... and endless loop of hopefully's and if's.
Pavelec is another big question mark. But until proven otherwise, I have faith in Allaire's ability to improve a goalie's game. And let's not forget that Pavelec is the Jets/Thrashers franchise all-time wins leader, so he has been very good in the past.
- Tonybere

he's also only two years removed from his career season of 2014-15

we shall see, I'd feel better if he was at 1 million instead of 1.3 million but whatevs