His numbers always had him in the mid 20's so technically it would be a #1, but agree he would have been a very good #2 if there was someone in the #1 spot
- mdw7413

Could say the same about Zibanejad.

Stepan always put forth the effort. He just doesn't look like it because he has cinder blocks for feet.
- tomburton99

Just never saw someone lose hair so quickly

His numbers always had him in the mid 20's so technically it would be a #1, but agree he would have been a very good #2 if there was someone in the #1 spot
- mdw7413

Rangers will never have a legit number 1 center. It just isn't allowed

Sure would like Karlsson or Doughty AND a 1C too. BUT...to trade away ALL our picks, prospects and young roster players to get there? No thanks!
- 21peter

dont exaggerate , you dont have to trade them all ,cmon 4 parts to one player

core + my moves = cup team

core: Hayes kreids zucc Buchny Vesey Fast ... Shatty
( Smith -Staal ...one gets trade or buyout)

I think the ideal building blocks are having a stud center and a stud defensemen as a starting point. If they can land Tavares, they have to do it, plain and simple. Then paying for the stud defensemen becomes a bit of a problem, because they have big money contracts tied up in players that aren't that -- Staal, Shattenkirk and Smith. To bring in that stud number 1 guy sooner (instead of growing him in the system), rather than later, they need to shed at least two of the above three contracts.
- Pete V

Dolan may even be thinking Carlson is on his way which is possible. Not sure how much $ that would cost but he would be an asset to any team & hes free.

Dolan may even be thinking Carlson is on his way which is possible. Not sure how much $ that would cost but he would be an asset to any team & hes free.
- Aussiepenguin

I would think at least $7.5 million per for Carlson on a long term deal.

I'm sure you all saw this, but Dolan spoke to Lundqvist about leaving at the Deadline. Who is this James Dolan and what have the done idiot version of him.

dont exaggerate , you dont have to trade them all ,cmon 4 parts to one player

core + my moves = cup team

core: Hayes kreids zucc Buchny Vesey Fast ... Shatty
( Smith -Staal ...one gets trade or buyout)
- Dundee13

Hahaha. Staal and/or Smith trade. Good one.

I would think at least $7.5 million per for Carlson on a long term deal.
- Pete V

20 million on Calrson and Tavares. Evil Empire is back!

I'm sure you all saw this, but Dolan spoke to Lundqvist about leaving at the Deadline. Who is this James Dolan and what have the done idiot version of him.
- tomburton99

I think he realizes the knicks will never go anywhere...so he is all in on the Rangers

20 million on Calrson and Tavares. Evil Empire is back!
- tomburton99

And then all those picks and prospects will play on entry level contracts.

Hahaha. Staal and/or Smith trade. Good one.
- tomburton99

or buy out ? trade smith buy out staal ..dont see the humor

And then all those picks and prospects will play on entry level contracts.

- Pete V

Exactly. Ez Pz.

20 million on Calrson and Tavares. Evil Empire is back!
- tomburton99

sign me on for that ... anyday but this is more of pipe dream than any i've seen
wash aint losin him

dont exaggerate , you dont have to trade them all ,cmon 4 parts to one player

core + my moves = cup team

core: Hayes kreids zucc Buchny Vesey Fast ... Shatty

left out Z bad as part of core 7 wings 1 D

( Smith -Staal ...one gets trade or buyout)
- Dundee13

Thanks to all for the corrections in the blog, those have been made. I added in the Lundqvist piece directly into the blog that I originally had as a comment.

I think he realizes the knicks will never go anywhere...so he is all in on the Rangers
- TPC

Also if anybody is allowed to stream their cable provider at work, U18's are on NHL network at 10:30. Get to see two future Rangers. Jack Hughes and Oliver Wahlstrom.

sign me on for that ... anyday but this is more of pipe dream than any i've seen
wash aint losin him
- Dundee13

Can they afford to keep him?

Jan, in regards to Tavares, Isles writer Andrew Gross of "Newsday" said a few days ago that Tavares would cost the Isles $10.5M annually, and that he would not give them a hometown discount. He also added that if reaching free agency, Tavares would not likely sign with either the Rangers, Toronto or Montreal, but instead possibly with either Vegas, St. Louis, San Jose, Detroit or Vancouver (of all places for the latter).
Vegas, St. Louis, or San Jose would be very interested in signing him. In addition, I can understand why not with the Rangers, (to not upset Isles management & their fans), and not with Montreal or Toronto, (the hockey media 24/7/365 capital of the world, despite him born and bred up there). Vancouver would be interested in J.T. to replace in part the two Sedin brothers who just retired, while Detroit needs a new superstar spark there to make "Hockey town" become "Hockey town" once again.
But first, what do you feel would be his value on the open market if the Isles don't do a "sign and trade him" move? And second, where do you feel his on and off ice interests suit him to be playing at this point in his career in signing long term anywhere? Thank you.
- RangerSaver

Teams might deal a conditional pick, allowing them additional time to try and sign Tavares. But since Tavares appears likely and desires going into the open market, why would you expend a pick above a sixth rounder to earn the right to talk with him?

I would think at least $7.5 million per for Carlson on a long term deal.
- Pete V

That sounds reasonable. But one thing that we all may have forgotten is that for the next two seasons, the buyout cap hit charge for Dan Girardi rises to $3,611,111 each season. The Rangers also have for now on their minor league roster, Matt Beleskey's $1.9M share of his contract taken over in being acquired in part in the Rick Nash trade, for the next two seasons as well. So unless Beleskey earns a Pro roster spot here, or is moved in some means, the Rangers have right there alone, a little over $5.5M in cap space tied up for minimal use on the ice at best.

Can they afford to keep him?
- JRR1285

Maybe.

That sounds reasonable. But one thing that we all may have forgotten is that for the next two seasons, the buyout cap hit charge for Dan Girardi rises to $3,611,111 each season. The Rangers also have for now on their minor league roster, Matt Beleskey's $1.9M share of his contract taken over in being acquired in part in the Rick Nash trade, for the next two seasons as well. So unless Beleskey earns a Pro roster spot here, or is moved in some form, the Rangers have right there alone, a little over $5.5M in cap space tied up for minimal use on the ice at best.
- RangerSaver

I was just saying what I thought Carlson would get on the open market, if he hits the open market.

I was just saying what I thought Carlson would get on the open market, if he hits the open market.
- Pete V

MOST of us knew what you were saying.

That sounds reasonable. But one thing that we all may have forgotten is that for the next two seasons, the buyout cap hit charge for Dan Girardi rises to $3,611,111 each season. The Rangers also have for now on their minor league roster, Matt Beleskey's $1.9M share of his contract taken over in being acquired in part in the Rick Nash trade, for the next two seasons as well. So unless Beleskey earns a Pro roster spot here, or is moved in some means, the Rangers have right there alone, a little over $5.5M in cap space tied up for minimal use on the ice at best.
- RangerSaver

They have a Share of Matt Beleskey's. 3.85 million dollar. They have the 1.9 million spilt on the books now cause they called him for 1 game They could send him back down and free up 1 million dollars. Also the cap is gonig up next season. C'mon man! Think, research and write. Saver Baby!

Teams might deal a conditional pick, allowing them additional time to try and sign Tavares. But since Tavares appears likely and desires going into the open market, why would you expend a pick above a sixth rounder to earn the right to talk with him?
- airjan23

I had just meant there, Jan, in the event he officially reached free agency on July 1st, should the Isles not sign him for purposes of either remaining with them, or as a "sign and trade" means prior to July 1st, to not lose him for nothing in return.
In addition, what his open market value would then be, and where his probable landing spot would be, if you take the "Newsday" words of Andrew Gross a few days ago as credible as I had mentioned them earlier. I take Andrew Gross as credible in general, also due to his days when covering the Rangers for Newsday.