Jan Levine: Game 65: NYR 3 DET 0, Milestone Win for Lundqvist, Staal Decision Looming Lundqvist gets #300, Staal wants status decided this summer

Well written Jan. If the early negotiation do hit a snag I don't think the Rangers should limit themselves to Carolina, its Sather's job to make the best deal that benefits the Rangers and could provide a chance to recover picks that gave up for MSL. However, I think Staal stays, the market is set by the DG contract and a contract in that neighborhood, perhaps a little north of that is fair given Staal is younger.

I agree with your take on Staal, Jan, but I would just add that Sather being proactive requires a reasonable dance partner on the other side. For instance, it was hard for Sather to be proactive with Callahan when his reported initial contract demands were 8 years/$7.5 million per. On the otherhand, given what Girardi was supposedly asking for, he probably could have been more proactive with him. Personally, I think the clubs ability to sign a player earlier is based, in large part, on the players state of mind -- i.e., do they want to sign early and maybe leave a little money on the table, or to they want to extract maximum possible value from the contract.

Also, in Staal's case, given his injury history, he would be taking a risk not getting the contract done sooner rather than later.

I agree with your take on Staal, Jan, but I would just add that Sather being proactive requires a reasonable dance partner on the other side. For instance, it was hard for Sather to be proactive with Callahan when his reported initial contract demands were 8 years/$7.5 million per. On the otherhand, given what Girardi was supposedly asking for, he probably could have been more proactive with him. Personally, I think the clubs ability to sign a player earlier is based, in large part, on the players state of mind -- i.e., do they want to sign early and maybe leave a little money on the table, or to they want to extract maximum possible value from the contract.

Also, in Staal's case, given his injury history, he would be taking a risk not getting the contract done sooner rather than later.
- Pete V

Good point, I do think that the precedent set by Girardi's deal is a good starting point. With Callahan the "intangible" part of the negotiation was well, too "intangible"....

I've always wondered where Dom moore's emotion level is anytime he plays bertuzzi...

Thats gotta be tough to be out there knowing what he did to your brother...

I've always wondered where Dom moore's emotion level is anytime he plays bertuzzi...

Thats gotta be tough to be out there knowing what he did to your brother...
- NYRangers1124

I was thinking about this yesterday too

It's gotta take some doing not to wanna jump him from behind and drive his head into the ice

Good point, I do think that the precedent set by Girardi's deal is a good starting point. With Callahan the "intangible" part of the negotiation was well, too "intangible"....
- Blueshirts4ever

Let's be honest, I love the guy and he will always be one of my favorite Rangers, but Callahan's really wanted to hit a financial homerun with his contract, and that is the reason he isn't with the Rangers anymore. He was entitled, and I'm not begrudging him the right that he earned, but that was what he wanted.

So, will Staal negotiate more like Girardi, or more like Callahan? I think that will make the difference between whether it gets done early or not. And, I do think that Girardi should have got done earlier.

Really is Caronlina any closer to a cup contender again if the add Marc Staal. My guess is no, it depends if Marc wants to win a cup or play with his brothers more. Plus hasnt there already been rumblings of moving Jordan out of Carolina?

Too much money tied up in Staals and not producing results, I think he stays a ranger

Let's be honest, I love the guy and he will always be one of my favorite Rangers, but Callahan's really wanted to hit a financial homerun with his contract, and that is the reason he isn't with the Rangers anymore. He was entitled, and I'm not begrudging him the right that he earned, but that was what he wanted.

So, will Staal negotiate more like Girardi, or more like Callahan? I think that will make the difference between whether it gets done early or not. And, I do think that Girardi should have got done earlier.
- Pete V

No doubt and his sake I hope he does get what he wants. The page has been turned from a Rangers standpoint and if yesterday's performance is any indication the players on that team get it

Really is Caronlina any closer to a cup contender again if the add Marc Staal. My guess is no, it depends if Marc wants to win a cup or play with his brothers more. Plus hasnt there already been rumblings of moving Jordan out of Carolina?

Too much money tied up in Staals and not producing results, I think he stays a ranger
- DDM-Coga

That team is crying poverty anyways, I bet they trade Jordan, his contract is less than big brothers and he is younger.

I was thinking about this yesterday too

It's gotta take some doing not to wanna jump him from behind and drive his head into the ice
- jimbro83

litigation still going on in that case?

they mentioned it in passing on the radio broadcast yesterday. said bertuzzi's made like $30mil since that day and Steve Moore made like $900k from his old contract. Sickening, (frank) bertuzzi

Really is Caronlina any closer to a cup contender again if the add Marc Staal. My guess is no, it depends if Marc wants to win a cup or play with his brothers more. Plus hasnt there already been rumblings of moving Jordan out of Carolina?

Too much money tied up in Staals and not producing results, I think he stays a ranger
- DDM-Coga

there have been, and if it is true that they are in financial trouble maybe they need to buy out eric staal, and even if they don't since we are in win now mode why not lay it all on the line and reunite the brothers in new york, jordan has negative value because of his contract so maybe we can get a deal worked out. I already tried it on capgeek and it is possible to fit them in.
just imagine
kreider-E.staal-nash
hagelin-j.staal-MSL
pouliot-miller-zucc
that is the top 9 of a SC contender

there have been, and if it is true that they are in financial trouble maybe they need to buy out eric staal, and even if they don't since we are in win now mode why not lay it all on the line and reunite the brothers in new york, jordan has negative value because of his contract so maybe we can get a deal worked out. I already tried it on capgeek and it is possible to fit them in.
just imagine
kreider-E.staal-nash
hagelin-j.staal-MSL
pouliot-miller-zucc
that is the top 9 of a SC contender
- webleedblue

Maybe we have this now...

Staal hopefully wants to stay here, but lets be honest, with one more year on his contract its not like he is going to say to the media, yeah I want to go play with my brothers in Carolina.

Maybe we have this now...
- Blueshirts4ever

the staals and miller at center is way better than BR, stepan and brassard

the staals and miller at center is way better than BR, stepan and brassard
- webleedblue

Possibly, but you never know how athletes will handle a move to NY. Eric makes almost $1.6 more than Richards while Jordan will likely make more than $2 mil more than Brassard, even on a new deal, and is signed for way too long. Call me crazy, but will pass on these options.

Also, with Semin and Staal on equally sub-optimal deals, if you were Carolina, who would you buy out?

Possibly, but you never know how athletes will handle a move to NY. Eric makes almost $1.6 more than Richards while Jordan will likely make more than $2 mil more than Brassard, even on a new deal, and is signed for way too long. Call me crazy, but will pass on these options.
- airjan23

i get that but it is possible if we insert miller as 3rd line center and if we can sign kreider and zucc to reasonable contracts which i believe is no problem for sather

Possibly, but you never know how athletes will handle a move to NY. Eric makes almost $1.6 more than Richards while Jordan will likely make more than $2 mil more than Brassard, even on a new deal, and is signed for way too long. Call me crazy, but will pass on these options.

Also, with Semin and Staal on equally sub-optimal deals, if you were Carolina, who would you buy out?
- airjan23

i have serious doubts they buy out eric but we could trade for both i believe

the staals and miller at center is way better than BR, stepan and brassard
- webleedblue

I am not convinced of that. For as bad as a year as Derek Stepan is having, he has 5 less points that Eric Staal (and he makes $5 million less). Jordan Staal's point totals are embarrasing low for his salary, way lower than Richards (who doesn't make much more than Jordan). I think this may be one of those instances where we view the grass being greener on the otherside of the fence.

Possibly, but you never know how athletes will handle a move to NY. Eric makes almost $1.6 more than Richards while Jordan will likely make more than $2 mil more than Brassard, even on a new deal, and is signed for way too long. Call me crazy, but will pass on these options.

Also, with Semin and Staal on equally sub-optimal deals, if you were Carolina, who would you buy out?
- airjan23

CAM WARD

CAM WARD
- grubber

if Carolina bought out Cam Ward, gotta think Islanders will be all over that one

That team is crying poverty anyways, I bet they trade Jordan, his contract is less than big brothers and he is younger.
- Blueshirts4ever

I bet they will try and retain salary if they try and trade him, his contract is just too long with too big if a cap hit for what he brings. Pittsburgh wants him back according to their fans, and I bet he would be great on a team like the Blues.

That team is dumb when it comes to signing, 18.25m of your cap space locked up by The Staals and Semin.

Possibly, but you never know how athletes will handle a move to NY. Eric makes almost $1.6 more than Richards while Jordan will likely make more than $2 mil more than Brassard, even on a new deal, and is signed for way too long. Call me crazy, but will pass on these options.

Also, with Semin and Staal on equally sub-optimal deals, if you were Carolina, who would you buy out?
- airjan23

Semin signed that deal after the lock out correct? So I believe he would have to be a regular buyout not an amensty. I think they are stuck with him

congrats to king henrik on his 300th win and 49th shutout. Only 385 wins and 75 shutouts to catch fatso.

On Eric Staal, I think the guy is a great player. But, is he $8.25 million against the cap great? He carries a big, big number, and I think the idea of getting him, given the assets it would take to give up and the Rangers salary cap situation is just really, really far fetched.