You would really give up Stepan? You're such a big defender of keeping the youth.
- tomburton99

The question is how does the team project Stepan's future. Do they see him in five years still being what he is today; a solid second-line center with a ceiling of 60 - 65 points. Or do they project him to develop further into a legitimate #1 capable of producing at a point-per-game rate. If it's the former then they have to make the move to add an elite talent and legitimate top line goal scorer. If they believe it is the latter then they don't make the move since finding #1 centers is generally harder and more costly than acquiring goal scoring wingers.

At this point it is pretty clear they think there is a great likelihood he will develop into a point-per-game player otherwise a deal would have been made. Torts has consistently said he sees a lot of Richards in Stepan's game and we know how he feels about Brad.

I think the whole point was to have either Nash or Gaborik playing with Stepan, trading him totally kills that plan.

You would really give up Stepan? You're such a big defender of keeping the youth.
- tomburton99

ultimately I would, if it came to be a deal breaker.

I know we have kids like St. Croix, Fogarty and Miller coming up

Obviously, I'd much rather acquire Nash without giving up Stepan, and I hope that it happens that way, if Nash ends up being the big acquisition of the summer.

ultimately I would, if it came to be a deal breaker.

I know we have kids like St. Croix, Fogarty and Miller coming up

Obviously, I'd much rather acquire Nash without giving up Stepan, and I hope that it happens that way, if Nash ends up being the big acquisition of the summer.
- jimbro83

Pipedream with St. Croix and Fogarty.

Miller plays LW.

Pipedream with St. Croix and Fogarty.

Miller plays LW.
- NYRPowerPlay

Why are St. Croix and Fogarty pipe dreams? Who viewed Girardi as an All Star defenseman at age 19/20? Derek Stepan was only a seond-round pick so obviously wasn't highly thought of coming into his draft year. Cally was taken in the fourth. I don't get how you can come to that definitive conclusions as to the futures of kids with more growing and maturing to do.

Also Miller is listed as a center on the New York Rangers website. I have to figure they'd list him at his correct position currently even if down the road he moves to wing.

Pipedream with St. Croix and Fogarty.

Miller plays LW.
- NYRPowerPlay

well, back when the Rangers made Stepan the 51st pick of the 2008 draft you probably would have told me it was a pipe dream that he'd pan out too.

But again, I don't WANT to trade Stepan by any means.

just answering the question that was posed.

Why are St. Croix and Fogarty pipe dreams? Who viewed Girardi as an All Star defenseman at age 19/20? Derek Stepan was only a seond-round pick so obviously wasn't highly thought of coming into his draft year. Cally was taken in the fourth. I don't get how you can come to that definitive conclusions as to the futures of kids with more growing and maturing to do.

Also Miller is listed as a center on the New York Rangers website. I have to figure they'd list him at his correct position currently even if down the road he moves to wing.
- gkmkiller

From my understanding is that he has been playing LW in W the whole time.

Why do I say pipedream? Because more often then not it is a pipedream, especially with the center position. The way to reason it... if you could put money on whether either of them play center at an NHL level, regardless of team, for any prolonged amount of time... would you, and how much?

well, back when the Rangers made Stepan the 51st pick of the 2008 draft you probably would have told me it was a pipe dream that he'd pan out too.
- jimbro83

And I absolutely would have.

Pipedream with St. Croix and Fogarty.

Miller plays LW.
- NYRPowerPlay

St. Croix had a pretty good year with his team, 8th in the league with 105pts in 72 games and won the WHL championship

Incarcerated Bob is spewing poop again. Apparently he tweeted that the Rangers traded MDZ, AA, Dubi, 2nd for Nash..

From my understanding is that he has been playing LW in W the whole time.

Why do I say pipedream? Because more often then not it is a pipedream, especially with the center position. The way to reason it... if you could put money on whether either of them play center at an NHL level, regardless of team, for any prolonged amount of time... would you, and how much?
- NYRPowerPlay

I'm not saying we can count on them to be productive NHL'ers now or in the future but the Rangers are doing the right thing by drafting talented players and managing their development. The more players in that category the better as they increase their odds of hitting on prospects. The Rangers have done a better job than most in developing their prospects and I expect that trend to continue.

Incarcerated Bob is spewing poop again. Apparently he tweeted that the Rangers traded MDZ, AA, Dubi, 2nd for Nash..
- Henrik's Crease

I like MDZ but I would take that trade in a minute. Two relatively replaceable forwards, one of whom is quite pricey, a good, maybe never great, defenseman and a pick in the 50 - 60 range is not likely to get this done though. Nice try Incarcerated Boob.

Incarcerated Bob is spewing poop again. Apparently he tweeted that the Rangers traded MDZ, AA, Dubi, 2nd for Nash..
- Henrik's Crease

If that was the package to get Nash it would have happened already

St. Croix had a pretty good year with his team, 8th in the league with 105pts in 72 games and won the WHL championship
- hockeypunk36

Need some consistency to come out of that. He also needs to get bigger/stronger if hes going succeed in this system.

I like MDZ but I would take that trade in a minute. Two relatively replaceable forwards, one of whom is quite pricey, a good, maybe never great, defenseman and a pick in the 50 - 60 range is not likely to get this done though. Nice try Incarcerated Boob.
- gkmkiller

I love MDZ, but ultimately, they have 4 lefty defensemen, McDonagh, Staal, MDZ and Erixon. If MDZ needs to go to add that franchise forward we need, so be it.

Need some consistency to come out of that. He also needs to get bigger/stronger if hes going succeed in this system.
- NYRPowerPlay

Like most prospects, I say give him one more year

Like most prospects, I say give him one more year
- hockeypunk36

I agree, if he puts on like 10-15lbs, and puts up similar numbers, no reason not to give him a look. Whether as a starter or as some nice trade bait.

I love MDZ, but ultimately, they have 4 lefty defensemen, McDonagh, Staal, MDZ and Erixon. If MDZ needs to go to add that franchise forward we need, so be it.
- jimbro83

I think MDZ or Step will have to be traded for us to get Nash, there's just no way around it.

This Kyle Jean kid is intriguing, He apparently was the best player on ice at the prospects camp as an invitee.

I think MDZ or Step will have to be traded for us to get Nash, there's just no way around it.
- hockeypunk36

I'd much rather deal MDZ than Stepan.

I'd love the deal if it were Dubi, MDZ, insert your favorite prospect, 2013 first rounder.

This Kyle Jean kid is intriguing, He apparently was the best player on ice at the prospects camp as an invitee.
- Henrik's Crease

He is also the kid that dislocated McIlrath's knee cap.

He is also the kid that dislocated McIlrath's knee cap.
- NYRPowerPlay

It was a collision. Nothing intentional

He is also the kid that dislocated McIlrath's knee cap.
- NYRPowerPlay

Just imagine what he can do to the opposition then.

I'd much rather deal MDZ than Stepan.

I'd love the deal if it were Dubi, MDZ, insert your favorite prospect, 2013 first rounder.
- jimbro83

Me too, I think we have enough depth to replace MDZ, replacing Stepan will be a lot harder.

Just imagine what he can do to the opposition then.
- gkmkiller

Hopefully to that f'nut Rinaldo.