Jan Levine: Trade Winds Blowing - Who Are the Rangers Possibly Targeting? March 2 coming quickly...

Darren Dreger reported on NBCSN that Mats Zuccarello is “going to want” more than $5 million per year on a new contract.

Dreger said that the Rangers are probably comfortable offering Zuccarello a term of five-years but he may want more than that.

https://vid.me/sMrG


Also saw this just now:
http://gfycat.com/FaintForcefulArmedcrab

Kunitz giving Ovi the business after he slashes Letang's ankle and then Ovi gets some revenge. Gotta love Ovi.

What would it take for JT Miller to be traded to Buffalo? I think Torrey Mitchell is a good fit for the Rangers as a deadline rental player, for what it's worth. I'm not saying he's worth Miller, but maybe he is packaged with a 2nd round pick for JT? Otherwise, if Miller is out of the question, I think the Rangers could get Mitchell at a reasonable cost as he is more valuable as a defensive specialist than many realize. He can play both wing and center and on most nights is pretty good at winning face offs. He looks worse statistically because of the team he is surrounded by, quite frankly. Just as Myers and Stafford have looked much better since joining the Jets.

Darren Dreger reported on NBCSN that Mats Zuccarello is “going to want” more than $5 million per year on a new contract.

Dreger said that the Rangers are probably comfortable offering Zuccarello a term of five-years but he may want more than that.
- rangerdanger94

If he is gonna demand more then 5 million per year, I don't see him coming back next year.

What would it take for JT Miller to be traded to Buffalo? I think Torrey Mitchell is a good fit for the Rangers as a deadline rental player, for what it's worth. I'm not saying he's worth Miller, but maybe he is packaged with a 2nd round pick for JT? Otherwise, if Miller is out of the question, I think the Rangers could get Mitchell at a reasonable cost as he is more valuable as a defensive specialist than many realize. He can play both wing and center and on most nights is pretty good at winning face offs. He looks worse statistically because of the team he is surrounded by, quite frankly. Just as Myers and Stafford have looked much better since joining the Jets.
- djc1877

I think the only way Miller is traded is if another player who is locked down to more then just a rental is coming back.

What would it take for JT Miller to be traded to Buffalo? I think Torrey Mitchell is a good fit for the Rangers as a deadline rental player, for what it's worth. I'm not saying he's worth Miller, but maybe he is packaged with a 2nd round pick for JT? Otherwise, if Miller is out of the question, I think the Rangers could get Mitchell at a reasonable cost as he is more valuable as a defensive specialist than many realize. He can play both wing and center and on most nights is pretty good at winning face offs. He looks worse statistically because of the team he is surrounded by, quite frankly. Just as Myers and Stafford have looked much better since joining the Jets.
- djc1877

Not sure Mitchell is a guy that is the "missing piece" to take us over the top and lead us to a Cup. Me already have guys like him in Moore, Fast, and Stempniak.

I don't think Miller will be making his way to Buffalo. Just not realistic.

Darren Dreger reported on NBCSN that Mats Zuccarello is “going to want” more than $5 million per year on a new contract.

Dreger said that the Rangers are probably comfortable offering Zuccarello a term of five-years but he may want more than that.
- rangerdanger94

You all know my view on this. I will add that Sather should have been negotiating for a while. Plus, a longer term deal could have and should have been broached and signed last year.

If he is gonna demand more then 5 million per year, I don't see him coming back next year.
- TPC

Don't think he's worth it or just don't see it fitting under the cap?

I was definitely the one who mentioned the package for tlusty and sekera but thats fine. Still for it

Don't think he's worth it or just don't see it fitting under the cap?
- rangerdanger94

Maybe a little of both. Last year was great, but is that worth a long term high cap deal? I am just not sure. I love the player, but with this year being so up and down with him, just not sure what he is worth. How much will the cap rise? How much will Stepan get? These questions have to be answered first before they can consider giving that much to Zucc.

You all know my view on this. I will add that Sather should have been negotiating for a while. Plus, a longer term deal could have and should have been broached and signed last year.
- airjan23

It's easy to say Sather should've signed him to a deal earlier this season but 10 days ago everyone here was ready to let him walk or trade him. I do agree that a deal should've been worked out over the summer, but he would've commanded Brassard-like money (close to $6M a year) coming off his performance last season so there was just no way. And before someone says "well if we didn't sign Glass, we could've afford to pay him $6M a year"....no, we couldn't.

Maybe a little of both. Last year was great, but is that worth a long term high cap deal? I am just not sure. I love the player, but with this year being so up and down with him, just not sure what he is worth. How much will the cap rise? How much will Stepan get? These questions have to be answered first before they can consider giving that much to Zucc.
- TPC

I think Stepan is the real question mark here. Unless Stepan somehow swings a $7M+ a year deal (not happening IMO), we can fit Zucc under the cap, but MSL will have to be a casualty.

Zucc has struggled a bit but I think if he's willing to sign for between $4.5M and $5.25M, he will remain a Ranger. As long as he keeps the term down to 4-5 years.

Not sure Mitchell is a guy that is the "missing piece" to take us over the top and lead us to a Cup. Me already have guys like him in Moore, Fast, and Stempniak.

I don't think Miller will be making his way to Buffalo. Just not realistic.
- rangerdanger94

I didn't mean to imply that Mitchell was "the" missing piece for the Rangers... I just think he fits well into their system and style of play from their roster. Honestly, I think he would better serve your team than Stempniak, but I don't know enough about Fast to comment on him. Mitchell is probably comparable to Moore from what I remember during his brief stint in Buffalo. I think Buffalo would be willing to take Stempniak back in the deal for salary purposes, though, since he is a WNY native on a reasonable contract for this season only. Just clarifying... and I agree that JT to Buffalo is a long shot at best. Any interest in Cody Hodgson?

I didn't mean to imply that Mitchell was "the" missing piece for the Rangers... I just think he fits well into their system and style of play from their roster. Honestly, I think he would better serve your team than Stempniak, but I don't know enough about Moore and Fast to comment on them. I think Buffalo would be willing to take Stempniak back in the deal for salary purposes, though, since he is a WNY native on a reasonable contract for this season only. Just clarifying... and I agree that JT to Buffalo is a long shot at best. Any interest in Cody Hodgson?
- djc1877

Yea I know you didn't think Mitchell was THE piece, I just don't think the Rangers are going to waste assets for guys that aren't THE piece. We're going for it all this year. I think the Rangers are going to look at a piss and vinegar kind of winger like Winnik, a top-4 caliber defenseman like Sekera, or a faceoff specialist with top 9 upside like Vermette. If you can offer a player similar to those guys I listed, then maybe there is a deal to be made.

I think Chris Stewart could be a guy we look at but not for JT Miller.

I think CoHo, back when he was playing well a couple years ago, would've fit into this system nicely. He has some skill and can skate both well and quickly. But he's carries a huge cap hit and kind of sucks now.

Kennedy and Letestu (along with Chris Conner) were part the 'Buzz Line' back with the Penguins. Both of them bring the type of game that AV wants from his 3rd and 4th line.

"On the site, Pete proposed Moore, McIlrath, Glass and a 2nd for Tlusty and Sekera"

Stop it

"On the site, Pete proposed Moore, McIlrath, Glass and a 2nd for Tlusty and Sekera"

Stop it
- Vukota

The single Canes fan on the site approved it. The GM will likely accept it to avoid pissing off 25% of his team's fanbase.

But yes, Sekera and Tlusty as a package will cost a 1st, a 4th and JT Miller. Something along those lines.

The single Canes fan on the site approved it. The GM will likely accept it to avoid pissing off 25% of his team's fanbase.

But yes, Sekera and Tlusty as a package will cost a 1st, a 4th and JT Miller. Something along those lines.
- rangerdanger94

possibly more, or that 4th maybe be a 2nd or 3rd, not a 4th....

I think Kennedy would be a good fit TBH

possibly more, or that 4th maybe be a 2nd or 3rd, not a 4th....
- Ur Not Me

Santorelli and Franson just went for a 1st, Jokinen (who will probably be dealt for a 3rd-5th round pick), and a middle prospect. Tlusty and Sekera are both, in my opinion, better than the Leafs players, so you would assume that they would get a better, yet similar, return if they were packaged off together.

The Rangers package I proposed of a 1st, 4th, and JT Miller is similar. The 1sts cancel each other out, and JT Miller is a much better prospect and is NHL ready compared to Leipsic, so that's an upgrade there. I agree that the 4th might be wishful thinking and it will probably require a 2nd.

Bottom line is, the Canes want a good prospect/young roster player plus a 1st for Sekera alone. A 1st + JT Miller is just that. Is Tlusty worth just a 4th? Probably not.

There's no way I'm moving Miller for a rental, he's a roster player now and I think he's a key piece going forward. The Canes want a prospect and I'd offer them a Danny Kristo or a McIlrarth + a pick.

To me John Moore is a good enough 6th dman to go into the playoffs with, heck I'm more concerned with Dan Boyles play in the d zone. If we need to move a John Moore(24 year old Vet at this point) we better be getting back something good and with some term left. He's a good enough dman to play top 6 on almost every team and an rfa. He's outplayed Hunwick at this point and I think AV is simply trying to keep both in game shape, that's why he keeps going back and forth, which could prove to be very smart.

I'd be happy with adding a Winnik to replace Glass on the 4th LW spot. Bergenheim would be another solid addition, same with a Tyler Kennedy, anything that will make AV trust that line and role them. I'm fine with Stempniak or Fast as the RW there.

I'd be happiest if we can move Glass as part of whatever we get, this way AV isn't inclined to keep playing him.

There's no way I'm moving Miller for a rental, he's a roster player now and I think he's a key piece going forward. The Canes want a prospect and I'd offer them a Danny Kristo or a McIlrarth + a pick.

To me John Moore is a good enough 6th dman to go into the playoffs with, heck I'm more concerned with Dan Boyles play in the d zone. If we need to move a John Moore(24 year old Vet at this point) we better be getting back something good and with some term left. He's a good enough dman to play top 6 on almost every team and an rfa. He's outplayed Hunwick at this point and I think AV is simply trying to keep both in game shape, that's why he keeps going back and forth, which could prove to be very smart.

I'd be happy with adding a Winnik to replace Glass on the 4th LW spot. Bergenheim would be another solid addition, same with a Tyler Kennedy, anything that will make AV trust that line and role them. I'm fine with Stempniak or Fast as the RW there.

I'd be happiest if we can move Glass as part of whatever we get, this way AV isn't inclined to keep playing him.
- MatzCT

I think everyone is comfortable with Moore as the 6th defenseman. What no one is comfortable with is Hunwick and Moore both being in the lineup together should there be an injury to McD, G, Staal, Klein, or Boyle. Hell, you could have Hunwick, Moore, and Connor Allen or McIlrath in the lineup all together if there just 2 injuries.

AV didn't like Cody Hodgson in Vancouver , way to slow to play this style of hockey

Santorelli and Franson just went for a 1st, Jokinen (who will probably be dealt for a 3rd-5th round pick), and a middle prospect. Tlusty and Sekera are both, in my opinion, better than the Leafs players, so you would assume that they would get a better, yet similar, return if they were packaged off together.

The Rangers package I proposed of a 1st, 4th, and JT Miller is similar. The 1sts cancel each other out, and JT Miller is a much better prospect and is NHL ready compared to Leipsic, so that's an upgrade there. I agree that the 4th might be wishful thinking and it will probably require a 2nd.

Bottom line is, the Canes want a good prospect/young roster player plus a 1st for Sekera alone. A 1st + JT Miller is just that. Is Tlusty worth just a 4th? Probably not.
- rangerdanger94

I could be wrong but don't see the Rangers moving their 2016 first rounder, nor do I see them dealing Miller.