Jan Levine: 20+ Offseason Questions: #12: Zuccarello - How Many Years & What $ Amount? Offseason Questions Blog continues...

1.5 mil seems reasonable for Zuccarello, I can't imagine he'd ask for north of 2 mil. I'm curious to see what Stepan gets though (or what he's asking for).

Two years 1.8 per?

That seems reasonable.

I think the signing of Zucarello almost assures that someone currently on the roster will be eventually shipped out, whether its Boyle, Pyatt, or someone else, so I am not sure how much difference there will be between signing him to say a $1.5 million contract, and a $1.7 million contract. Doesn't seem like the type of dispute that gets to arbitration -- i.e., if the Rangers really want him back, a couple of hundred thousand dollars won't make a difference.

I think anything under $2 million is acceptable and under $1.5 is value, BTW isn't that Sauer in the picture?

A trade of either Pyatt or Boyle would solve this issue fast. Personally, I'd keep Boyle as he does much more than appreciated.

Zucc should see $1.5 to maybe $1.75.

I think anything under $2 million is acceptable and under $1.5 is value, BTW isn't that Sauer in the picture?
- cranford93

Yep

Thought I read somewhere that if the PLAYER files for arbitration, the team can walk away from any salary awarded. By contrast, if the TEAM files for arbitration then they can only walk away from $3.5MM or higher. Anyone know anything about this? I sure don't.

I like the assessment. Here's what I see:

Current Cap availability: $3.330M

Predicted AHL Assignments & Cap Benefits
Asham $925,000
Powe $925,000
Johnson $600,000

Total Cap Availability: $5.78M

Zuccarello: 2yrs AAV 1.5M
Stepan: 3yrs AAV 4.5M

Summer Cap Overage: .22M

I believe Sather will figure out how to manage the roster after training camp. Possible moves. If JT Miller makes the club, there will need to be a roster spot available. That would likely mean Taylor Pyatt gets traded for a 4th rounder. I believe this is the most likely move because it frees up enough space to cover the .22M overage and also Millers $1.25M Cap.

Another possible scenario, Falk could start the year in the AHL but I think thats more unlikely, the Rangers will probably want to start with a 7th Dman. Especially if Staal is a question.

Also, like Jan pointed out, Callahan and/or Hagelin could start the season on LTIR which would give the Rangers plenty of space and time to manage the roster into the first month of the season.

If McIlrath makes the team over Falk, which I also find unlikely given the team would probably rather have him playing in games than being a healthy scratch as a 7th, then Falk would definitely be in the AHL and Pyatt would definitely need to be traded.

I think at this point, it is highly unlikely that McIlrath and Miller both make the team unless LTIR is used and then one of them will be returned to the AHL when the LTIR falls off. Unless we can sign Stepan to more like $4M AAV.

Another possible contract for Stepan could be: 3.5M, 4.5M, 5M, AAV of 4.33M. I don't think we will sign Stepan for more than 3 years, it would nullify his RFA status for the next contract. I think its either a 3 year deal or a 6 year + deal.

Thought I read somewhere that if the PLAYER files for arbitration, the team can walk away from any salary awarded. By contrast, if the TEAM files for arbitration then they can only walk away from $3.5MM or higher. Anyone know anything about this? I sure don't.
- jacheech

Rule is if player has elected arbitration and the award is >$3.5 million, the team has 48 hours to walk away. If team elected arbitration, the award is binding regardless of amount.

Per the NHLPA twitter..

Zuccarellos arbitration date is july 31st

I believe Sather will figure out how to manage the roster after training camp. Possible moves. If JT Miller makes the club, there will need to be a roster spot available. That would likely mean Taylor Pyatt gets traded for a 4th rounder. I believe this is the most likely move because it frees up enough space to cover the .22M overage and also Millers $1.25M Cap.
- xcheckmajor

That would be the ideal, but

A. I highly doubi a team gives up a 4th rounder for Pyatt. Maybe a 6th.
B. Teams will kick the tires on Boyle, and keep kicking before they are forced to settle on Pyatt.

Per the NHLPA twitter..

Zuccarellos arbitration date is july 31st
- TrueBlue9182

My guess is Zucc will be signed by the end of next week. I don't think AAV is the concern, I'm guessing length of contract. Zucc wants to be a Ranger and he wants to be with the team long term.

That would be the ideal, but

A. I highly doubi a team gives up a 4th rounder for Pyatt. Maybe a 6th.
B. Teams will kick the tires on Boyle, and keep kicking before they are forced to settle on Pyatt.
- aecliptic

Yeah, 4th 5th 6th, at that point it really doesn't matter what we get back for him, he would simply be a cap casualty. I think there would be quite a few teams that would be interested in his size for only 1.55M cap hit. Its not a bad hit for us either, we just simply can't fit him considering the better options.

Another thing I didn't mention was, Staal could potentially be on LTIR if his vision isn't ready yet. Overall, there are too many variables to really know how this will all play out, but I think the general consensus should be that we will be okay when October rolls around.

Another thing I didn't mention was, Staal could potentially be on LTIR if his vision isn't ready yet. Overall, there are too many variables to really know how this will all play out, but I think the general consensus should be that we will be okay when October rolls around.
- xcheckmajor

We will know by training camp, but I have a feeling he will be ready to go.

We will know by training camp, but I have a feeling he will be ready to go.
- aecliptic

If Staal's vision isn't ready eight months after the injury, you have to wonder whether it will ever be. He'll be ready by October, and if he's not, that is a huge, huge problem.

Jim Cerny posted on twitter that Del Zotto starting skating again after his hernia surgery and is enthusiastic about next season.

And, of course that launched a whole bunch of vicious attacks on DZ from a bunch of 'Ranger fans" on twitter.

people are such ass holes

I like Zuccarello, but if he's going to block Lindberg or Fast from gaining a spot I don't see bringing him back.

Jim Cerny posted on twitter that Del Zotto starting skating again after his hernia surgery and is enthusiastic about next season.

And, of course that launched a whole bunch of vicious attacks on DZ from a bunch of 'Ranger fans" on twitter.

people are such ass holes
- jimbro83

Rangers fans always need their whipping boy on the blueline. I hope the kid can take it, because by being the object of everyone's hate, he makes it easier for the other guys back there. As soon as he is traded, the fanbase will need to find someone new to hate on, and my prediction would be that the cute little late season pickup from the Blue Jackets better watch out. MDZ does a service to the team by being strong enough to take it.

Personally, I feel that the kid is going to have a great year this year, and it would surprise me in the least if he was a +20, scored 45 + points, and finished in the Top 15 in Norris Trophy voting for the second time in his young career.

Lol, for some reason, I find it so much more fun and rewarding to discuss the 2014-2015 roster when we are Richardless:

7.8 Nash
5.5 Callahan
4.5 Stepan
4.0 Brassard
2.25 Hagelin
2.0 Boyle
2.25 Kreider
1.63 Dorsett
1.5 Zuccarello
1.5 Pouliot
1.25 Miller
1.5 Kristo
0.9 Fast

4.7 McDonagh
4.5 Girardi
3.975 Staal
3.25 Del Zotto
2.5 Strahlman
1.75 Moore
1.295 McIlrath

8.0 Lundqvist
1.5 Backup

Total Cap $68M

I like Zuccarello, but if he's going to block Lindberg or Fast from gaining a spot I don't see bringing him back.
- Ranger71

Blocking Lindberg or Fast? Really? 2 players that haven't played a single NHL game yet, or even played a significant amount of North American games yet? You have Zuccarello who takes 1.5M of capspace and gives you at least 45pts, a dangerous PP passer, good defensively + player, Top 3 Shootout guy, and always makes his linemates better and you don't want him over 2 completely unproven players?

I like Zuccarello, but if he's going to block Lindberg or Fast from gaining a spot I don't see bringing him back.
- Ranger71

Lindberg and Fast probably wont play this year with the Rangers regardless, so he wouldnt be blocking anyone.

Miller is the one guy who should make the roster. Hrivik and Kristo are long shots with potential.

Rangers fans always need their whipping boy on the blueline. I hope the kid can take it, because by being the object of everyone's hate, he makes it easier for the other guys back there. As soon as he is traded, the fanbase will need to find someone new to hate on, and my prediction would be that the cute little late season pickup from the Blue Jackets better watch out. MDZ does a service to the team by being strong enough to take it.

Personally, I feel that the kid is going to have a great year this year, and it would surprise me in the least if he was a +20, scored 45 + points, and finished in the Top 15 in Norris Trophy voting for the second time in his young career.
- Pete V

I don't oppose to including him in the right deal, but if he is still here, I do expect him to take the next step. I think the hernia he suffered midway through that shortened season definitely affected his play and AV changing things up will be a positive for him.

I don't oppose to including him in the right deal, but if he is still here, I do expect him to take the next step. I think the hernia he suffered midway through that shortened season definitely affected his play and AV changing things up will be a positive for him.
- jimbro83

Yeah, I agree. And, by the way, my last post could be interpreted as ripping on John Moore. That wasn't my intent. What I was trying to say is that it is easier for a player to come to a team, play pretty well for 10-12 minutes a night, and become a bit of a popular fan favorite. That is true because that player doesn't have the expectations of performing like a Top 4 minutes eating defender. When those expectations are placed on him, however, and Girardi, Staal and McDonagh are pretty much untouchable in the fan's eyes, I can see him taking the brunt of fan criticism.

I like what MZA brings to the table as well.
Looking over the Rangers roster and cap situation, Anton Stralman and his 1.7M cap hit need to go. That's high for a 5/6 DMan. I don't think there is a huge talent gap between Stralman and Faulk and I'd rather have the money available.