Jan Levine: Michael Del Zotto Traded to Nashville for Kevin Klein Fanbase's favorite whipping boy has been dealt

i think we will be pleasantly surprised with klein. he plays the right side, is capable of playing 20 minutes a night pretty solidly, and is physical and tough as fack. this could be a precursor to making girardi more expendable via trade or FA too, because i think klein is basically girardi lite only tougher and on a very affordable deal.

i wouldn't wanna get in a fight with this dude

solid trade as mentioned earlier.

now trade us girardi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlugIwtSWf8

Anybody ever see this? Rangers victory song from 1940

No way. I live in Nashville, Klein is very average. I'm really disappointed that this is all Slats could get.

No way. I live in Nashville, Klein is very average. I'm really disappointed that this is all Slats could get.
- tapout632

value depressed, solid defensive d-man, general thoughts from media etc is solid trade for both teams to fill needs

solid trade as mentioned earlier.

now trade us girardi
- DDM-Coga

ah no, but thanks

i think we will be pleasantly surprised with klein. he plays the right side, is capable of playing 20 minutes a night pretty solidly, and is physical and tough as fack. this could be a precursor to making girardi more expendable via trade or FA too, because i think klein is basically girardi lite only tougher and on a very affordable deal.

i wouldn't wanna get in a fight with this dude

- rangerdanger94

Personally, I don't think this has anything to do with Girardi. I think Girardi re-signs and will play on the top pair with McDonagh for years to come.

I think this trade has more to do with Stralman and McIlrath. If Stralman asks for too much in free agency, the Rangers have their cost certainty with Klein. It also could say something about McIlrath. Big tough defender brought in to play the right side, who is signed to a long term contract. That was supposed to be McIlrath's role. Not saying you can't roster both players, but still.

i think we will be pleasantly surprised with klein. he plays the right side, is capable of playing 20 minutes a night pretty solidly, and is physical and tough as fack. this could be a precursor to making girardi more expendable via trade or FA too, because i think klein is basically girardi lite only tougher and on a very affordable deal.

i wouldn't wanna get in a fight with this dude
- rangerdanger94

Why? What are you scared of? His hair?

well, i hope we're ready to see MDZ absolutely blossom and turn into one of the top 20 offensive dmen in the league over the next few years.

well, i hope we're ready to see MDZ absolutely blossom and turn into one of the top 20 offensive dmen in the league over the next few years.
- rangerdanger94

you know my view on this, though with Weber, Josi and Jones there, if he re-signs, not the best place for him in terms of opportunities.

No way. I live in Nashville, Klein is very average. I'm really disappointed that this is all Slats could get.
- tapout632

Just so we can do the math: Average > Crappy.

Now I'll admit $2.9 million for four more years for average is not ideal. But let's see what Klein can do in Manhattan before we can this deal. I mean...he cannot be worse than DelZaster. And I think a stay-at-home veteran is what we need here.

well, i hope we're ready to see MDZ absolutely blossom and turn into one of the top 20 offensive dmen in the league over the next few years.
- rangerdanger94

Let's face it, the Rangers are going to lose this trade when all is said and done.

well, i hope we're ready to see MDZ absolutely blossom and turn into one of the top 20 offensive dmen in the league over the next few years.
- rangerdanger94

Not gonna happen, it isn't NY, DZ doesn't have the brain or the sense to excel

Let's face it, the Rangers are going to lose this trade when all is said and done.
- Pete V

yea, and i also agree with your previous post about stralman and mcilrath now that you mention it.

MDZ will end up blossoming, but i'm not sure he would ever have done that here. so good for him, and the rangers did get a player that helps us be better now for an affordable cap hit. i cringed every time moore and MDZ were on the ice defending together...most unreliable defensive pairing we could possibly ice.

well, i hope we're ready to see MDZ absolutely blossom and turn into one of the top 20 offensive dmen in the league over the next few years.
- rangerdanger94

Josi Weber
Del Zotto Jones

Not a bad top 4 on paper

I hate the trade. That's really all I have to say.

Josi Weber
Jones

Not a bad top 3 on paper
- DDM-Coga

There, fixed it.

Personally, I don't think this has anything to do with Girardi. I think Girardi re-signs and will play on the top pair with McDonagh for years to come.

I think this trade has more to do with Stralman and McIlrath. If Stralman asks for too much in free agency, the Rangers have their cost certainty with Klein. It also could say something about McIlrath. Big tough defender brought in to play the right side, who is signed to a long term contract. That was supposed to be McIlrath's role. Not saying you can't roster both players, but still.
- Pete V

Nice analysis on that. I see your point.

Let's face it, the Rangers are going to lose this trade when all is said and done.
- Pete V

They most certainly are, I'm so finished with Sather. That's what took him this long, to snag an average 29 yr old dman.

I hate the trade. That's really all I have to say.
- pcjr307

I dont hate it but I don't love it. A prospect or a 2nd to go with it would make me feel much better about it

well, i hope we're ready to see MDZ absolutely blossom and turn into one of the top 20 offensive dmen in the league over the next few years.
- rangerdanger94

Yeah, because if there's one thing Nashville is known for, it's offense.

There, fixed it.
- yzermaneely

I think he is goign to sponge more than a few points off eithr Weber or Jones depending the pairings. Like I said will look good on paper

Josi Weber
Del Zotto Jones

Not a bad top 4 on paper
- DDM-Coga

How's Ryan Ellis been?

Josi Weber
Del Zotto Jones

Not a bad top 4 on paper
- DDM-Coga

as I wrote in blog: "For MDZ, he likely will be paired with Seth Jones on the second pairing in Nashville, seeing second pairing PP time while playing in a similar defensive oriented system to how the Rangers used to play, where preventing goals was the first focus."