Jan Levine: Kovalchuk, Raanta, Girardi and Staal, Richter stopped Bure 23 yrs ago today A potpourri of topics...

Gotta keep AR. There are no better options out there. Hellberg to the KHL doesn't make things better, either (nor worse really, but that option is gone, though).

I would take Kovy at $5M; find the $$$ by shedding Staal somewhere...somehow.

No Shatty...resign Smith. Rangers have their Satty in Skjei...and for $6M less.

The problem with Kovy next year as a UFA is teams will be signing him to a 35+ contract and his cap hit for salary and bonuses can't be manipulated to not count against the cap even if he ends up not playing. Plus he'll be a year older. With Lundqvist now 35 it's probably best not to wait a year. Although obviously not having to work a trade is plus.

It does seem pretty unlikely NJ would trade with NY but with Shero the old rules may not apply. I don't think the expected compensation for Kovy will be a break the bank return as put in the article, we sure don't want to give him away either.

The problem with Kovy next year as a UFA is teams will be signing him to a 35+ contract and his cap hit for salary and bonuses can't be manipulated to not count against the cap even if he ends up not playing. Plus he'll be a year older. With Lundqvist now 35 it's probably best not to wait a year. Although obviously not having to work a trade is plus.

It does seem pretty unlikely NJ would trade with NY but with Shero the old rules may not apply. I don't think the expected compensation for Kovy will be a break the bank return as put in the article, we sure don't want to give him away either.
- Queenie_5_hole

I'm going to say a Kovy to Rangers trade is probably slim to none.

I'm going to say a Kovy to Rangers trade is probably slim to none.
- mdw7413

E4

-EK

Suck it Norway Peter.

E4

-EK
- Symba007

Its official. No chance.

Suck it Norway Peter.
- smellmyfinger

Can't do it - don't know how...

mdw's an expert

Can't do it - don't know how...

mdw's an expert
- 21peter

Suck it New Jersey MDW.

Suck it New Jersey MDW.
- smellmyfinger

Smelly > Mr. Bobby

I want nothing to do with Kovy, not at 34 and that money plus giving up an asset to get him, strong pass

I'd trade Raanta but hopefully Gorton can get something better than that wienerhead Sather failed to get for Talbot, we can sign someone like Kuemper, Nilsson, Kinkaid or Berube and be just fine

The first two immediate must moves prior to both upcoming Drafts and the start of the Free Agency signing period, needed by Gorton are to ink F.A., Brendan Smith to a new contract, followed by being creative with a trade or more, to not lose for nothing in the Expansion Draft, one of either Raanta, or a Lindberg or Grabner (especially with Fast now being out injured long term until possibly December).
That creative move may have to involve another roster player, prospect, and possibly draft pick(s) being dealt to Vegas, in exchange for a guaranteed term that they do not select one of those three players, and possibly take as an example, Nick Holden instead. Maybe that EK trade rumor two days ago of trading Staal & his full remaining contract, plus their 1st Round pick to Vegas can get it done (for them taking our bad contract), with the addition now of another lower round pick(s) &/or prospect down in Hartford.
Then the further re-tooling for the obvious needed here, starting with acquiring a Right Handed shooting offensive d'man through some means, be it Shatty as a free agent signing or someone else somehow, must follow in order for this team to be a true Cup contender next season. Without those key moves, Gorton may have to make even greater of a roster reconstruction throughout the off season, including if it is forced to look like a partial re-construction, or even a partial re-build.

Serious question from an uneducated Flyers fan... why would the Rangers protect 35-yr old Lundqvist over 28-yr old Raanta? Wouldn't it be better for the Rangers to leave HL unprotected, as I would think Vegas is less likely to select an aging, albeit top-flight, goalie than the younger possible successor to the throne (goal crease) in NY?

Lundquist has ntc so automatically protected.

The problem with Kovy next year as a UFA is teams will be signing him to a 35+ contract and his cap hit for salary and bonuses can't be manipulated to not count against the cap even if he ends up not playing. Plus he'll be a year older. With Lundqvist now 35 it's probably best not to wait a year. Although obviously not having to work a trade is plus.

It does seem pretty unlikely NJ would trade with NY but with Shero the old rules may not apply. I don't think the expected compensation for Kovy will be a break the bank return as put in the article, we sure don't want to give him away either.
- Queenie_5_hole

Great point, had missed that, thanks for highlighting it. That definitely changes the equation.

Raanta has value to a team that sees him as a possible starter. Our 1st priority should be moving him and maybe our 1st pick for a top 4 RH defenseman. Trade Nash to Dallas for one of their goalies as a backup for us.they need to dump one and like Nash only one year left on contract We should be able to get them to throw in another player like Julius Honka...a good young D. If we can't trade G or Staal we really need to consider buying out. Wouldn't have a negative cap hit for 4 years and by then Lundquist will be done. Adding Kovulchuk to replace Nash would then be do able

Gotta keep AR. There are no better options out there. Hellberg to the KHL doesn't make things better, either (nor worse really, but that option is gone, though).

I would take Kovy at $5M; find the $$$ by shedding Staal somewhere...somehow.

No Shatty...resign Smith. Rangers have their Satty in Skjei...and for $6M less.
- mames11

Who is the Right Handed shooting offensive productive type d'man with a hard & accurate point shot that the Rangers currently have to lead play on the right side, especially on the power play, and benefit McDonagh both offensively to relieve him of his offensive over reliance, so he can also concentrate better defensive wise, and as well play a few less minutes per game?

Serious question from an uneducated Flyers fan... why would the Rangers protect 35-yr old Lundqvist over 28-yr old Raanta? Wouldn't it be better for the Rangers to leave HL unprotected, as I would think Vegas is less likely to select an aging, albeit top-flight, goalie than the younger possible successor to the throne (goal crease) in NY?
- copelal

Junaka pointed out Lundqvist has an NMC, so must be protected. Raanta is only signed for one more year and then he is a UFA, so would need to be signed before that. Plus, Lundqvist has three more years after this one at $8.5 million. If hypothetically he could be left exposed in the draft, Vegas might select him and then deal him elsewhere for a return. But not happening.

Raanta has value to a team that sees him as a possible starter. Our 1st priority should be moving him and maybe our 1st pick for a top 4 RH defenseman. Trade Nash to Dallas for one of their goalies as a backup for us.they need to dump one and like Nash only one year left on contract We should be able to get them to throw in another player like Julius Honka...a good young D. If we can't trade G or Staal we really need to consider buying out. Wouldn't have a negative cap hit for 4 years and by then Lundquist will be done. Adding Kovulchuk to replace Nash would then be do able
- junaka3

Lehtonen makes $5.9 mil and Niemi $4.5 mil, even if Dallas ate half that salary, still no way NY takes them due to the cap hit in addition to their poor play.

The Devils are looking for young players that are controllable and have upside - preferably someone who fits a top 6 role on O or a top 4 role on D. Skeij (or however it's spelled) fits the bill, but no way do the Rangers trade him. Looking at the roster, I don't think there is another player on the Rangers roster that makes us better than just keeping Kovy. So unless it's a 3 way trade - I don't think the Rangers have the assets the Devils would want to trade for Kovy.

Jan what is you're opinion on the value of what the Rangers would be offering ? I got to say that return ( and Ill be honest I have heard it mentioned a few times ) does not excite me as a Devils fan for a few reasons. What do the Devils need with another 3rd line centre with the guy we will be drafting number 1 over all and the guys we have drafted ( Zacha, Mcleod ) why would the Devils have interest in that ? is it because it's what you simply feel will be the best offer? Holden to me is maybe a John Moore = and we got him for free so I think we could sign a player of similar skill set if we where really interested in that type of player. I also really really wouldn't be happy with Shero if he was paying Kovy even 1 cent to be playing for the Ranger ( he just can't eat any salary on the contract... at least not for the Rangers ) which brings me to my next point which is I have heard Mackenzie say Kovy is looking for something way north of six million so the 5-5.5 would be out of the question I would think. Just curious what you think and what you think would possibly be offered by these other teams who might have the picks to give away.

Not trolling, but with a rebuilding squad, Zajac, henrique, zscha, McLeod, patrick/Nico, and a few other prospects, how would Lindbergh be anything but a 4th line center on our team. And why would NJD give away at the very least a productive second line game breaker, for a 4th maybe 3rd line center and a dman who many of you all hated and was a healthy scratch in playoffs.

Jan what is you're opinion on the value of what the Rangers would be offering ? I got to say that return ( and Ill be honest I have heard it mentioned a few times ) does not excite me as a Devils fan for a few reasons. What do the Devils need with another 3rd line centre with the guy we will be drafting number 1 over all and the guys we have drafted ( Zacha, Mcleod ) why would the Devils have interest in that ? is it because it's what you simply feel will be the best offer? Holden to me is maybe a John Moore = and we got him for free so I think we could sign a player of similar skill set if we where really interested in that type of player. I also really really wouldn't be happy with Shero if he was paying Kovy even 1 cent to be playing for the Ranger ( he just can't eat any salary on the contract... at least not for the Rangers ) which brings me to my next point which is I have heard Mackenzie say Kovy is looking for something way north of six million so the 5-5.5 would be out of the question I would think. Just curious what you think and what you think would possibly be offered by these other teams who might have the picks to give away.
- blizzzard

I happen to like Lindberg a lot. He is not an elite scorer but think 40-45 points, depending on role, is an outside possibility. He is solid on draws and can play on the penalty kill, two key aspects for any team.

Based on the Devils' org structure in terms of players, he might not be the best fit. But he clearly could play a key role on the team. But there is a bigger issue, which has to do with his contract.

How many teams will give up assets to sign Kovy for that kind of money? Maybe if he was a FA, but even then, I wouldn't give him that much money. But if you have to give up assets to get him and then pay Kovy those kind of $, to me, that adds substantially to the risk.

I will turn the question around, who would you want from the Rangers to trade Kovy? Plus, keep in mind, Kovy could just stay in Russia, unlikely but possible, and come over next year when he is a UFA.

Raanta has value to a team that sees him as a possible starter. Our 1st priority should be moving him and maybe our 1st pick for a top 4 RH defenseman. Trade Nash to Dallas for one of their goalies as a backup for us.they need to dump one and like Nash only one year left on contract We should be able to get them to throw in another player like Julius Honka...a good young D. If we can't trade G or Staal we really need to consider buying out. Wouldn't have a negative cap hit for 4 years and by then Lundquist will be done. Adding Kovulchuk to replace Nash would then be do able
- junaka3

First, Dallas needs help on defense as opposed to forward. Second, despite their team's defensive woes, Niemi's game has taken a downfall the past couple years. Third and most important for the Rangers as to your trade proposal, with Bishop now a Dallas Stars goalie, although Niemi and Lehtonen are both each signed for only 1 more season, Niemi's cap hit is $4.5M, while Lehtonen's is $5.9M. That would give the Rangers $13M in cap tied up at the goalie position then with Niemi (as opposed to $9.5M with Raanta), or $14.4M with Lehtonen. So if they picked up all of Nash's $7.8M, they are not absorbing any salary from either goalie in this trade proposal of your's.

Not trolling, but with a rebuilding squad, Zajac, henrique, zscha, McLeod, patrick/Nico, and a few other prospects, how would Lindbergh be anything but a 4th line center on our team. And why would NJD give away at the very least a productive second line game breaker, for a 4th maybe 3rd line center and a dman who many of you all hated and was a healthy scratch in playoffs.
- TwoPumpChump91

I don't think Holden would draw a ton of interest from NJ but he is better than a good part of the blue line. As mentioned in my prior comment, Lindberg could play a key role in NJ. But as asked to blizzard, what would you expect back for Kovy, factoring in the contract he wants?