Jan Levine: Vinny a Flyer, Do Rangers Look Worse 4 Keeping Richards? Kristo/Thomas Deal One positive, one negative move

nice blog. might be worth mentioning that kristo was a hobey baker finalist.

also, as i said in the previous blog, looking at this FA class...i am beyond, beyond, beyond thrilled that sather doesn't have any capspace to be tempted to spend. it's legit one of the worst FA classes of all time.

Balls

nice blog. might be worth mentioning that kristo was a hobey baker finalist.

also, as i said in the previous blog, looking at this FA class...i am beyond, beyond, beyond thrilled that sather doesn't have any capspace to be tempted to spend. it's legit one of the worst FA classes of all time.
- rangerdanger94

will add, thanks

nice blog. might be worth mentioning that kristo was a hobey baker finalist.

also, as i said in the previous blog, looking at this FA class...i am beyond, beyond, beyond thrilled that sather doesn't have any capspace to be tempted to spend. it's legit one of the worst FA classes of all time.
- rangerdanger94

100% co-sign this.

I like that the Rangers are forced to have this unit gel and improve together. Maybe a trade or low level free agent signing will occur but the core of this team will not be altered this summer and I like it, considering the alternative.

I agree with ya Jan. I am totally baffled by Sather's decision in keeping Richards. If he was around $2M per year less, then fine. But the logic isn't there. If the Lightning cut Vinny, then believe me...it's okay to cut ties with Brad Richards.

There are just no options with any FA signings when keeping Richards. Unless a deal is about to happen that frees up cap space. Though, seriously...does Brad Richards really think he'll be around after next season? If he doesn't produce immediately, then he will watch the majority of the season in the Press Box.

I agree with ya Jan. I am totally baffled by Sather's decision in keeping Richards. If he was around $2M per year less, then fine. But the logic isn't there. If the Lightning cut Vinny, then believe me...it's okay to cut ties with Brad Richards.

There are just no options with any FA signings when keeping Richards. Unless a deal is about to happen that frees up cap space. Though, seriously...does Brad Richards really think he'll be around after next season? If he doesn't produce immediately, then he will watch the majority of the season in the Press Box.
- mames11

Have you seen the market this summer? It is downright pathetic, loaded with regrettable contracts waiting for them all.

I agree with ya Jan. I am totally baffled by Sather's decision in keeping Richards. If he was around $2M per year less, then fine. But the logic isn't there. If the Lightning cut Vinny, then believe me...it's okay to cut ties with Brad Richards.

There are just no options with any FA signings when keeping Richards. Unless a deal is about to happen that frees up cap space. Though, seriously...does Brad Richards really think he'll be around after next season? If he doesn't produce immediately, then he will watch the majority of the season in the Press Box.
- mames11

honestly, good. who would you have wanted to sign? vinny wouldn't have come here for less money/years than philly offer, clowe is reportedly looking for more than bickell is making ($4 mil a year), and all the average players like clarkson, ribeiro, etc. are gonna get paid like prime FA talent just because they're the best available.

richards is better than any FA signing we would've made honestly.

also:

honestly, good. who would you have wanted to sign? vinny wouldn't have come here for less money/years than philly offer, clowe is reportedly looking for more than bickell is making ($4 mil a year), and all the average players like clarkson, ribeiro, etc. are gonna get paid like prime FA talent just because they're the best available.

richards is better than any FA signing we would've made honestly.

also:


- rangerdanger94

If this kid can get his work ethic together, he might... MIGHT... be a better version of Hagelin. He looks like he has (or had) better hands, vision and shot than Hags.

But until then, Im not gonna hold my breath about a guy drafted 5 years ago who hasnt lived up to potential.

I still find it funny that these teams and theyre fans want to sign all these big contract free agents and then complain about it and say they arent able to shop big in the FA market and or resign some of the over paid guys they traded for. All because a guy had a down year. Not only that. It wasnt even that bad a year. People jump to fast at the first chance to just disgrace a guy and buy him out. Vinny's situation is way diff compared to that with you guys in NY and with Philly. Philly shouldnt of been allowed to buy out Bryz. Brier kinda fall's into the Vinny boat. Atleast they played part of theyre deals for a little while.

Outside of Stepan who we dont know if he'll be able to repeat ppg numbers. Richards is still your best center.

If this kid can get his work ethic together, he might... MIGHT... be a better version of Hagelin.

But until then, Im not gonna hold my breath about a guy drafted 5 years ago who hasnt lived up to potential.
- aecliptic

Good point but there is more pro upside with him than with Thomas. Thomas looks like his lack of size will impede his way into being a full time NHL player.

Kristo stayed the duration of his college career, nothing wrong with that and that doesn't mean he hasn't lived up to expectations either.

Good point but there is more pro upside with him than with Thomas. Thomas looks like his lack of size will impede his way into being a full time NHL player.

Kristo stayed the duration of his college career, nothing wrong with that and that doesn't mean he hasn't lived up to expectations either.
- MidnightMarauder

can't blame the kid for staying as long as possible so he could milk the puck bunnies.

I still find it funny that these teams and theyre fans want to sign all these big contract free agents and then complain about it and say they arent able to shop big in the FA market and or resign some of the over paid guys they traded for. All because a guy had a down year. Not only that. It wasnt even that bad a year. People jump to fast at the first chance to just disgrace a guy and buy him out. Vinny's situation is way diff compared to that with you guys in NY and with Philly. Philly shouldnt of been allowed to buy out Bryz. Brier kinda fall's into the Vinny boat. Atleast they played part of theyre deals for a little while.
- poisondhearts37

The Flyers are a joke franchise. Rangers have had their fair share of embarrassing signings--it's been discussed ad nauseam here--but the Flyers continue to go out and hand out miserable contracts.

Buy out two bad deals and assume two equally terrible deals with Streit and Lecavalier. Truly hilarious for my money.

Good point but there is more pro upside with him than with Thomas. Thomas looks like his lack of size will impede his way into being a full time NHL player.

Kristo stayed the duration of his college career, nothing wrong with that and that doesn't mean he hasn't lived up to expectations either.
- MidnightMarauder

Kid tore it up in college, averaging over ppg in 4 years of college play. After a college career like that... Id say he hasnt quite lived up to how well he played in college.

The Flyers are a joke franchise. Rangers have had their fair share of embarrassing signings--it's been discussed ad nauseam here--but the Flyers continue to go out and hand out miserable contracts.

Buy out two bad deals and assume two equally terrible deals with Streit and Lecavalier. Truly hilarious for my money.
- MidnightMarauder

I agree they are a joke. But I still think its smart to hold onto Richards for a year. You can still buy him out next year if he doenst get back on track.

Good point but there is more pro upside with him than with Thomas. Thomas looks like his lack of size will impede his way into being a full time NHL player.

Kristo stayed the duration of his college career, nothing wrong with that and that doesn't mean he hasn't lived up to expectations either.
- MidnightMarauder

Danny Kristo‏@dkristo73 h
Just wanted to thank the Montreal Canadiens organization for there support over past couple years. Excited to be a New York Ranger.

Well, something might be wrong.

I still find it funny that these teams and theyre fans want to sign all these big contract free agents and then complain about it and say they arent able to shop big in the FA market and or resign some of the over paid guys they traded for. All because a guy had a down year. Not only that. It wasnt even that bad a year. People jump to fast at the first chance to just disgrace a guy and buy him out. Vinny's situation is way diff compared to that with you guys in NY and with Philly. Philly shouldnt of been allowed to buy out Bryz. Brier kinda fall's into the Vinny boat. Atleast they played part of theyre deals for a little while.

Outside of Stepan who we dont know if he'll be able to repeat ppg numbers. Richards is still your best center.
- poisondhearts37

there is certainly some truth to your post but the thing with richards' season last year was that it was actually worse than the numbers looked. this was a dude that would pass the puck past the blueline on D-D passes on the PP consistently, who would look like he'd skate from blue line to blue line in his opening shift of the game and be totally winded, who's every pass would be too hard for the other player to handle or wide, who missed the net (and empty nets too) more than MDZ (that's really, really, really bad if you didn't know), who got demoted to the 4th line and then scratched in the playoffs when we needed him to step up most.

i don't hate the decision to give him another chance personally...but he's gonna really need to pick his sh!t up.

honestly, good. who would you have wanted to sign? vinny wouldn't have come here for less money/years than philly offer, clowe is reportedly looking for more than bickell is making ($4 mil a year), and all the average players like clarkson, ribeiro, etc. are gonna get paid like prime FA talent just because they're the best available.

richards is better than any FA signing we would've made honestly.

also:


- rangerdanger94

It's not who; it's the mere fact that you can't do anything. Late season deal? Nope. Ribiero? Clarkson? Tell me you wouldn't have tried to grab one or both?

I agree they are a joke. But I still think its smart to hold onto Richards for a year. You can still buy him out next year if he doenst get back on track.
- poisondhearts37

as long as he doesn't get injured yes we can buy him out. that's really the main reason so many people are angry...because we figure that the risk of him getting injured and then being stuck with the cap hit for the duration of the deal under the recapture shiz is just not worth it. and that even if he does do really well, we'd have to buy him out anyway because of the cap recapture thing so why risk it?

but yea i think he'll rebound and be a big part of the team's success next season.

It's not who; it's the mere fact that you can't do anything. Late season deal? Nope. Ribiero? Clarkson? Tell me you wouldn't have tried to grab one or both?
- mames11

riberio will get more than $5 mil per and clarkson will too. i'm sorry but those are worse deals than what richards has this season.

there is certainly some truth to your post but the thing with richards' season last year was that it was actually worse than the numbers looked. this was a dude that would pass the puck past the blueline on D-D passes on the PP consistently, who would look like he'd skate from blue line to blue line in his opening shift of the game and be totally winded, who's every pass would be too hard for the other player to handle or wide, who missed the net (and empty nets too) more than MDZ (that's really, really, really bad if you didn't know), who got demoted to the 4th line and then scratched in the playoffs when we needed him to step up most.

i don't hate the decision to give him another chance personally...but he's gonna really need to pick his sh!t up.
- rangerdanger94

You guys got a new coach. Torts was obviously not getting through anymore. Maybe AV will hold him more accountable and not treat him like a star. Stars need to be held to theyre status.

Kid tore it up in college, averaging over ppg in 4 years of college play. After a college career like that... Id say he hasnt quite lived up to how well he played in college.
- aecliptic

he only played 9 AHL games?

Nice upside swap for Thomas who's got some in his own right. But the fact they're blocking some of these young guys from making the roster this year with Pyatt, Asham, Boyle getting 2 year deals was as stupid as not buying out BR.

Well, something might be wrong.
- jugkope

Not concerned about his lack of spelling ability.

Nice upside swap for Thomas who's got some in his own right. But the fact they're blocking some of these young guys from making the roster this year with Pyatt, Asham, Boyle getting 2 year deals was as stupid as not buying out BR.
- Ranger71

The summer hasn't even started yet, I think some posturing will be done before camp opens.