The questions I will pose to you is what I have asked others about resigning Grabner:
What direction is the team and organization going?
Is Grabner NEEDED to push the team in that direction?
Is he part of the long term solution or just a guy people want because he can be had cheap again with the hopes he gets his swagger back?
If you sign Grabner does he take the spot (and a year or two of experience) away from a younger player who IS part of the long term plans of the organization?
Lastly if you tell me the hope is that he does get the swagger back and then you flip him again for another prospect and pick, then I'm ok with you thinking, but I don't think you get that lucky twice in a row, plus teams will look at the Devils trade for him and won't want to repeat history.
- MiloslavHorava
What direction had Toronto and the Devils gone through in most recent seasons? They both also became younger and faster. The veteran in Grabner didn't work out well for Toronto three seasons ago. But Brian Boyle helped them as a trade deadline pickup for them last season from Tampa, with them making it as far as they did.
However, Boyle opted for free agency. Who ended up signing him for veteran and leadership experience? None other than those same Devils. Brian's play and leadership helped them earn a postseason spot for the first time in 6 years.
So if Grabner's overall contract price is respective, next season's younger Rangers will benefit again if he becomes available to sign on the open market, WITHOUT having to give up a single asset at all of any kind. He enjoyed his time as a Ranger, and has said he would like to return if the opportunity arose. It would be his turn to help them as a vet, to reach next season's goal, which despite getting younger, is only a re-tool with the goal of returning to the postseason again under Hank. Furthermore, his presence was missing in their final 1./4 season's games' worth last season for the specialty skills and role he had given the Rangers, well more than they had expected two summers ago when signing him then as a free agent.
