Jan Levine: My take on Larry Brooks' column: McDonagh, Thornton, Marleau, Bozak, Holden
On McD, way too early to worry a lot about this

Agree it's a bit premature especially if we're contenders this year which I believe we will be. At the end of next season however of the Rangers feel he won't come off a 7-8 year deal then I think it's very possible he's moved. Gorton has learned from Sathers mistakes and isn't giving out the long term deals.

All my money (-20000$) that Tavares is not going to the Leafs.

Leafs can't afford him when they have to pay Matthews as their star. Isles just became a cap spending team but just a question if they can resolve the arena issue and make the right moves and develop their young talent. JT may actually have to take less money to go to a more advanced contender vs stay and continue to try and lead the young talent. Guy deserves to be paid. He is as smart a player as he is an athlete. The real deal as they say.

Like you said Jan, we just signed Shatty, so let's see what a year together with McD is like before worrying about the long term deal or going to Minny. He could sign the same deal he has now, help the team, AND still have more money than he can spend in a lifetime.
Get Mika signed ASAP!

Leafs are fine with the cap! Their over now but as Jan mentioned once the season starts they'll have just over 10mil.,and aprox. 20mil coming off next year,And J.T. he'll be getting offers of who knows from the rangers, Arizona, Vegas, the avalanche? The rangers being at the top of that list! But I hope he stays with the islanders,A new york city rivalry is important to the nhl and hockey fans in general, That frank snow needs to find a way to get Dushene, a strong islanders team vs a strong rangers team in the playoffs,can't beat that New York City !...unless otherwise the Yankees and Mets? And nice too see the shattenkirk signing

Leafs can't afford him when they have to pay Matthews as their star. Isles just became a cap spending team but just a question if they can resolve the arena issue and make the right moves and develop their young talent. JT may actually have to take less money to go to a more advanced contender vs stay and continue to try and lead the young talent. Guy deserves to be paid. He is as smart a player as he is an athlete. The real deal as they say.
- Fan101

Great points! And that arena issue in a cluster frank! Nice post

All my money (-20000$) that Tavares is not going to the Leafs.
- DutchSenators

I'd agree with you on that! Wouldn't make sense at all,some saying a one two punch down the middle would be great! But then you would have 13 ahl players to go with that!

A deal for a center is coming who or what I D K ...
Duchene is a better fit I D K why we aint in the mix or are we
JVR not Bozak is a better fit and still go after a center .....
Unless NYR mgmt knows something i dont ..W E NEED CENTERS...
cant stand the auto plan of Z bad & hayes moving to upper class man and J T
moving back into middle with his T O issues & D lapses,,,,,

&/15 is my deadline i have mentioned ..i hope we have sum answers by then

Not so sure we're going to trade to get a center. I think they drafted Andersson with the hope he can be at least the 3C by next year. Might see Miller there for this year, maybe Desharnais? until Andersson is ready. I still don't see a #1 though unless Zibanejad can take the next step.

On Jan's titled, "Blueline Deployment & Players Usage Areas" blog, I specifically mentioned early Friday morning, Holden as being a fit with Toronto, since they lost Hunwick as a UFA to Pittsburgh. In addition I said again there that McDonagh's game can only benefit being paired with Shatty, in key relieving his stress to always lead the offense from the back line, allowing him to concentrate better again defensively. I, like Jan, will worry later as to what McDonagh will be seeking on a new deal. Our top d'man prospects should also be NHL ready by then, leaving a possible trade of McDonagh as an option during that 2108/19 season, should his demands be outrageous.
The Leafs signing of Penguins UFA, Ron Hainsey does not replace Hunwick's contributions supplied, or else the Penguins would have instead brought Hainsey back, after his success there since being acquired at the deadline from Carolina. With the Pens, Hainsey was a (+8) in 16 Reg. S. games, & had a "Plus" postseason rating. But earlier with Carolina, given their 87 points were at least 10 short of earning a W.C. playoff spot, Hainsey was a (-16) in 56 games last season. With the Leafs, Hunwick in 72 Reg. S. games, was a (+8), averaging 18:00 of ice time.
Holden was a (+13) overall, with 11 goals & 23 assists in 80 Reg. S. GP for the Rangers last season. With the rumors of Leafs names being dealt, like JVR & Bozak, and defensemen prospects Marchenko or Marincin, for a more experienced d'man, Holden would also be a good additional fit for them as well.

Slow your roll brooksie.

Agree it's a bit premature especially if we're contenders this year which I believe we will be. At the end of next season however of the Rangers feel he won't come off a 7-8 year deal then I think it's very possible he's moved. Gorton has learned from Sathers mistakes and isn't giving out the long term deals.
- nyrangers9479

Trading McDonagh within the next 2 years is definitely a possibility, but we just need to see it play out. Maybe he has a career year with Shatty by his side and continues that momentum, or maybe he takes a step back.

It's an option but we won't know for another 2 years.

Slow your roll brooksie.
- B2B76

Bozak would be huge! Would keep miller on wing

Bozak would be huge! Would keep miller on wing
- rrentz

My Bozak is itchy right now.

Bozak would be huge! Would keep miller on wing
- rrentz

I can't see Holden for Bozak happening, unless something else is included. If they want a Holden type they could just sign Franson and trade Bozie for something else. maybe draft picks.

I can't see Holden for Bozak happening, unless something else is included. If they want a Holden type they could just sign Franson and trade Bozie for something else. maybe draft picks.
- sparky

No...straight up...no way. Holden and prospect for bozak?

My Bozak is itchy right now.
- B2B76

They make a cream for that, I'm told.

They make a cream for that, I'm told.
- Fenrir

Let's say McD plays great defensive hockey and puts up 45 points with Shatty the next 2 years, turns around and says he wants 8 years at 7.5, are you comfortable giving that to a 30 year old? I'm not personally.

Let's say McD plays great defensive hockey and puts up 45 points with Shatty the next 2 years, turns around and says he wants 8 years at 7.5, are you comfortable giving that to a 30 year old? I'm not personally.
- nyrangers9479

Let's say McD plays great defensive hockey and puts up 45 points with Shatty the next 2 years, turns around and says he wants 8 years at 7.5, are you comfortable giving that to a 30 year old? I'm not personally.
- nyrangers9479

We don't know what he wants. Same with the spec that Shattenkirk was only to take a long term deal and look what happened. As said, play it out and see what happens, rather than dealing him because of that concern.

We don't know what he wants. Same with the spec that Shattenkirk was only to take a long term deal and look what happened. As said, play it out and see what happens, rather than dealing him because of that concern.
- airjan23

This is something I wouldn't even thought of till later this year or next summer if it wasn't for Larry, Senor Buzzkill.

Quote isn't working but I say trade McD in a package for a #1 center. Skjei Smith Holden/Staal/eventually Day/Graves is fine. You don't win in this league without a #1 center and we don't have one.

Not sure how but the rangers need a center big time to compete with the pens! Could they get duchene? RNH? Edmonton could use cap relief! Not sure what it would take and I don't know the rangers prospect depth,but Holden +1st and a top prospect get it done? I doubt it but hey you never know with chia? Then again maybe it's too much from the rangers perspective? Also their's that kid in Dallas! Faska? (SPELLING? ) maybe? 33pts not alot but he's young and a great skater! The good news is if have a extra RH dman avaliable teams will be listening! Good luck guys with the rest of the offseason hopefully with a added center