Jan Levine: 2014-15 Rangers To Date: The Good, the Bad, The Ugly and A Look Forward Great column by Larry Brooks with my thoughts added in

I hate your board-monkeys but I love your blogs. Thanks Jan

I think my most disappointing player thus far has been Hagelin. I definitely expect more than empty net goals that's for sure.

I got a new Rangers book for Christmas and was so glad I didn't get Russ's book, I said to my wife that I was glad you didn't buy that one. She said she saw it and thought to herself "there's no way this guy knows 100 things about the Rangers that Jimmy doesn't, not buying that one"

World Juniors start today. So pumped.

I normally don't do this, but I'm bored. If a move is going to happen, based on the cap, contract expectations and impending UFA/RFA standing, I think Zucc will be the casualty (replaced by Duke)...
That said, how about this as a trade offer ...
Zucc, J.Moore, prospect & cond. draft pick to Arizona for Yandle. Waving Stepniak off sets the cap ($5.25).
A bit of a cushion if the Staal negotiations go awry and enables Boyle to slide to 3rd pair in the short term ...

I normally don't do this, but I'm bored. If a move is going to happen, based on the cap, contract expectations and impending UFA/RFA standing, I think Zucc will be the casualty (replaced by Duke)...
That said, how about this as a trade offer ...
Zucc, J.Moore, prospect & cond. draft pick to Arizona for Yandle. Waving Stepniak off sets the cap ($5.25).
A bit of a cushion if the Staal negotiations go awry and enables Boyle to slide to 3rd pair in the short term ...
- JackBurton37

I don't think that's enough for Yandle. I think not having a first round pick is really going to keep us out of those kind of trades. There are teams who would love Yandle that have more to offer than we do.

Plus, Coyotes season is over, don't see them interested in acquiring a UFA.

I also think that Zuccarello is a huge part of the chemistry of the Rangers and if he is traded it is really going to change that room, it would be cutting the heart out of a team that is in a 7 game winning streak.

I don't think that's enough for Yandle. I think not having a first round pick is really going to keep us out of those kind of trades. There are teams who would love Yandle that have more to offer than we do.

Plus, Coyotes season is over, don't see them interested in acquiring a UFA.

I also think that Zuccarello is a huge part of the chemistry of the Rangers and if he is traded it is really going to change that room, it would be cutting the heart out of a team that is in a 7 game winning streak.
- jimbro83

wishful thinking that the Maloney's could work that out
I don't disagree on Zucc, but hard choices will need to be made and just strictly due to the cap, Zucc seems the obvious choice (to me anyway). I'd prefer to see no deal, or a MDZ for Klein type of move, but Sather did trade away the captain last year, so I don't think he'd be afraid to pull the trigger.

wishful thinking that the Maloney's could work that out
I don't disagree on Zucc, but hard choices will need to be made and just strictly due to the cap, Zucc seems the obvious choice (to me anyway). I'd prefer to see no deal, or a MDZ for Klein type of move, but Sather did trade away the captain last year, so I don't think he'd be afraid to pull the trigger.
- JackBurton37

I think a conversation for Yandle starts with Duclair.

I don't think that's enough for Yandle. I think not having a first round pick is really going to keep us out of those kind of trades. There are teams who would love Yandle that have more to offer than we do.

Plus, Coyotes season is over, don't see them interested in acquiring a UFA.

I also think that Zuccarello is a huge part of the chemistry of the Rangers and if he is traded it is really going to change that room, it would be cutting the heart out of a team that is in a 7 game winning streak.
- jimbro83

When you do the math, it comes down to MSL or Zucc as the 2 UFAs that we need to choose between. But, Hagelin is also an RFA and while I wouldn't like to see him moved out for a pick, a move like that could allow us to keep both Zucc and MSL.

When you get down to production and ceilings, it might make the most sense that Hags is the casualty and Zucc and MSL get retained.

Stepan and Staal are virtual locks to be re-signed in terms of necessity. It then comes down to Zucc, MSL, and Hagelin as the 3 wingers that are FAs. Which 2 of those 3 would you like to keep the most?

When you do the math, it comes down to MSL or Zucc as the 2 UFAs that we need to choose between. But, Hagelin is also an RFA and while I wouldn't like to see him moved out for a pick, a move like that could allow us to keep both Zucc and MSL.

When you get down to production and ceilings, it might make the most sense that Hags is the casualty and Zucc and MSL get retained.

Stepan and Staal are virtual locks to be re-signed in terms of necessity. It then comes down to Zucc, MSL, and Hagelin as the 3 wingers that are FAs. Which 2 of those 3 would you like to keep the most?
- rangerdanger94

when put that way, it makes perfect sense ... but, MSL and Zucc, based on their greater production value, as a tandem, might simply price themselves out of both being able to stay.
Hags, short term, as an RFA will be given a lower end deal and his production value, long term, will cost less, probably allowing for a cap friendly deal over a longer number of years.

when put that way, it makes perfect sense ... but, MSL and Zucc, based on their greater production value, as a tandem, might simply price themselves out of both being able to stay.
Hags, short term, as an RFA will be given a lower end deal and his production value, long term, will cost less, probably allowing for a cap friendly deal over a longer number of years.
- JackBurton37

I predict Zucc and MSL are both staying and Hagelin is going to be traded.

I predict Zucc and MSL are both staying and Hagelin is going to be traded.
- jimbro83

Cranny is gonna be pissed

I predict Zucc and MSL are both staying and Hagelin is going to be traded.
- jimbro83

one of the hundred things that Russ's book couldn't tell you?

when put that way, it makes perfect sense ... but, MSL and Zucc, based on their greater production value, as a tandem, might simply price themselves out of both being able to stay.
Hags, short term, as an RFA will be given a lower end deal and his production value, long term, will cost less, probably allowing for a cap friendly deal over a longer number of years.
- JackBurton37

True. The way I see it, we can sign Zucc/MSL along with Hagelin and have maybe $3M cap space. Or we can sign both Zucc and MSL and let Hagelin go and have maybe $1M cap space. But we can't have all 3.

one of the hundred things that Russ's book couldn't tell you?
- JackBurton37

I am going to write a book, 100 Ranger predictions by Jimbro

Cranny is gonna be pissed
- TPC

dumb dumb move, his speed is still a big assets and fits perfectly with AV's system, I agree that he and Kreider have been the two biggest disappointments, I still believe he has more offense to his game, Zucc has been better but he's still not out of the woods yet

dumb dumb move, his speed is still a big assets and fits perfectly with AV's system, I agree that he and Kreider have been the two biggest disappointments, I still believe he has more offense to his game, Zucc has been better but he's still not out of the woods yet
- HankdaTank

I don't look at Hagelin being dumped or anything. I just think it's logical to think he could be trade bait more than Zucc because of the RFA/UFA thing

Pete DeBoer fired by the Devils

Pete DeBoer fired by the Devils
- airjan23

just saw, wow, Merry Christmas from Lou

just saw, wow, Merry Christmas from Lou
- jimbro83

Cold blooded

Looking forward to see buchnevich play today. Sounds like he could become a household name for hockey fans after this tournament. Just as good if not better than duclair.

Pete DeBoer fired by the Devils
- airjan23

I guess the roster freeze doesn't hold up for the coaches as well?

I guess the roster freeze doesn't hold up for the coaches as well?
- TPC

the team name is the Devils. SATAN'S TEAM!!!

Tom Gulitti ‏@TGfireandice 4m4 minutes ago
Neither Elias nor Havlat will be available for Saturday's game vs. Rangers.

(Elias has mumps)

the team name is the Devils. SATAN'S TEAM!!!
- jimbro83