Jan Levine: Views on Radulov, Schultz and Torts on Costas Three topics for today...

Suddenly Torts has been quite excessible lately, is he running for office in the fall?

Suddenly Torts has been quite excessible lately, is he running for office in the fall?
- B2B76

Well, now there's no repercussion to anything he may have to say. And as many pointed out here, on the non-game-day accessibility he was pretty forthcoming.

On Justin Schultz, I think signing him would be a luxury. The Rangers top 4 is set for years to come, with two A-list prospects in Erixon and McIlrath who could potentially make the team next year. Not to mention, while things aren't looking good for Sauer, he at least remains a possibility to return next year. On D, I would sign a cheap depth guy like Stralman, and give Erixon and/or McIlrath the chance to make the team. If the Rangers realize in-season that they need to buttress the defense, do it then.

From my perspective, I would give it the old college try to sign Zach Parise on July 1. If that doesn't work out, which it probably wont, then maybe look at secondary market guys like Hudler. I find the Radulov idea interesting, but I am not hopeful that all the moving pieces can come together for the Rangers to acquire him and keep him away from the KHL, given what they are offering him over there.

On Justin Schultz, I think signing him would be a luxury. The Rangers top 4 is set for years to come, with two A-list prospects in Erixon and McIlrath who could potentially make the team next year. Not to mention, while things aren't looking good for Sauer, he at least remains a possibility to return next year. On D, I would sign a cheap depth guy like Stralman, and give Erixon and/or McIlrath the chance to make the team. If the Rangers realize in-season that they need to buttress the defense, do it then.

From my perspective, I would give it the old college try to sign Zach Parise on July 1. If that doesn't work out, which it probably wont, then maybe look at secondary market guys like Hudler. I find the Radulov idea interesting, but I am not hopeful that all the moving pieces can come together for the Rangers to acquire him and keep him away from the KHL, given what they are offering him over there.
- Pete V

the Rangers aren't really set on the right side of the blueline for years to come though.

Girardi is a UFA in 2 more years, you think he will be re-signed of course, but who knows what could happen. Others on the right side are Stralman, Sauer and McIlrath. All question marks in their own way. Schultz is that coveted righty.

The left side is McDonagh, Staal, Erixon and Del Zotto. I think one of Erixon and Del Zotto will eventually be a trade chip.

The Rangers need to go hard HARD for Schultz, IMO.

the Rangers aren't really set on the right side of the blueline for years to come though.

Girardi is a UFA in 2 more years, you think he will be re-signed of course, but who knows what could happen. Others on the right side are Stralman, Sauer and McIlrath. All question marks in their own way. Schultz is that coveted righty.

The left side is McDonagh, Staal, Erixon and Del Zotto. I think one of Erixon and Del Zotto will eventually be a trade chip.

The Rangers need to go hard HARD for Schultz, IMO.
- jimbro83

weber is a righty.if he becomes available make a pitch for him

I think Torts means he didn't know the extent of the damage to Gaborik's shoulder though he must have known Gabby was taking pain killers. Pain tolerance is an individual matter so Torts didn't necessarily think it was that bad just because he was taking pain pills and/or injections. Once the extent of the damage was known it's clear Gabby must have been dealing with a lot of pain.

weber is a righty.if he becomes available make a pitch for him
- TheRussian

oh yeah, absolutely

the Rangers aren't really set on the right side of the blueline for years to come though.

Girardi is a UFA in 2 more years, you think he will be re-signed of course, but who knows what could happen. Others on the right side are Stralman, Sauer and McIlrath. All question marks in their own way. Schultz is that coveted righty.

The left side is McDonagh, Staal, Erixon and Del Zotto. I think one of Erixon and Del Zotto will eventually be a trade chip.

The Rangers need to go hard HARD for Schultz, IMO.
- jimbro83

If Schultz is signed I am 99% sure Del Zotto gets moved this offseason. Take that to the bank

If Schultz is signed I am 99% sure Del Zotto gets moved this offseason. Take that to the bank
- TPC

Capital One

I think Torts means he didn't know the extent of the damage to Gaborik's shoulder though he must have known Gabby was taking pain killers. Pain tolerance is an individual matter so Torts didn't necessarily think it was that bad just because he was taking pain pills and/or injections. Once the extent of the damage was known it's clear Gabby must have been dealing with a lot of pain.
- gkmkiller

Glen, I hope you are right and believe you are, but it should have been expressed that way. Plus, if someone taking pain shots from trainer, you would think Torts etc should know.

If Schultz is signed I am 99% sure Del Zotto gets moved this offseason. Take that to the bank
- TPC

IMO in any trade made D wise erixon goes before del zotto.

If Schultz is signed I am 99% sure Del Zotto gets moved this offseason. Take that to the bank
- TPC

willing to Lock that Up? (sorry, had to throw Carton reference in given mention in comments on prior blog)

willing to Lock that Up? (sorry, had to throw Carton reference in given mention in comments on prior blog)
- airjan23

Bobby Richards

IMO in any trade made D wise erixon goes before del zotto.
- TheRussian

Erixon doesn't have much value though around the league (Which I am pumped about cause this kid is going to be really good once he fills out that body). After what he did with the Flames organization and bouncing back and forth from the Rangers and Whale. Teams want to see more IMO before offering anything of major value for him. Del Zotto can be a center peice in a trade to land a nice offensive part. Not saying I want to trade Del Zotto but if they sign Schultz you can then trade some of that strength for offense.

Plus Del Zotto is owned a nice raised this offseaon. After paying Schultz I am sure the Rangers want to push some of that left over cap money towards offense.

IMO next years roster will be one of the following two:
kreider-richards-gaborik
nash-stepan-callahan
prust-boyle-hagelin
anismov-rupp-miller/mitchell

girardi-MCD
stralman-staal
???-del zotto

parise-richards-gaborik
kreider-stepan-callahan
dubinsky-anisimov-hagelin
prust-boyle-rupp

girardi-MCD
weber-staal
stralman/bickel-del zotto

goalies are hank/marty for both

Erixon doesn't have much value though around the league (Which I am pumped about cause this kid is going to be really good once he fills out that body). After what he did with the Flames organization and bouncing back and forth from the Rangers and Whale. Teams want to see more IMO before offering anything of major value for him. Del Zotto can be a center peice in a trade to land a nice offensive part. Not saying I want to trade Del Zotto but if they sign Schultz you can then trade some of that strength for offense.
- TPC

agreed

willing to Lock that Up? (sorry, had to throw Carton reference in given mention in comments on prior blog)
- airjan23

Haha I live outside philly. I have never seen the Carton, Boomer show. Probably a good thing from what I hear.

Erixon doesn't have much value though around the league (Which I am pumped about cause this kid is going to be really good once he fills out that body). After what he did with the Flames organization and bouncing back and forth from the Rangers and Whale. Teams want to see more IMO before offering anything of major value for him. Del Zotto can be a center peice in a trade to land a nice offensive part. Not saying I want to trade Del Zotto but if they sign Schultz you can then trade some of that strength for offense.

Plus Del Zotto is owned a nice raised this offseaon. After paying Schultz I am sure the Rangers want to push some of that extra money towards offense.
- TPC

I think eventually no matter what, they are going to have to figure out who they want more, Del Zotto or Erixon. I think when MDZ tries playing the right side he is even worse and looks much more comfortable on the left.

Haha I live outside philly. I have never seen the Carton, Boomer show. Probably a good thing from what I hear.


- TPC

at least they talk hockey though.

Boomer is a monster MONSTER Rangers fan, he's like one of us.

I think eventually no matter what, they are going to have to figure out who they want more, Del Zotto or Erixon. I think when MDZ tries playing the right side he is even worse and looks much more comfortable on the left.
- jimbro83

Yea it is tough, I like them both. But I love Erixon's potential. If the kid wasn't as skinny as a tree he would have stuck this past season. Torts always said he liked his game but that "he looked like a teenager out there."

If and only if Del Zotto can be part of something to land you a Bobby Ryan type, I think you really have to consider making the move.

at least they talk hockey though.

Boomer is a monster MONSTER Rangers fan, he's like one of us.
- jimbro83

O yea, Boomer is cool. What I meant was Carton. I heard he is terrible.

Yea it is tough, I like them both. But I love Erixon's potential. If the kid wasn't as skinny as a tree he would have stuck this past season. Torts always said he liked his game but that "he looked like a teenager out there."

If and only if Del Zotto can be part of something to land you a Bobby Ryan type, I think you really have to consider making the move.
- TPC

hey, if Edmonton wants Del Zotto as part of a larger package for the first overall pick, we can talk there too

hey, if Edmonton wants Del Zotto as part of a larger package for the first overall pick, we can talk there too
- jimbro83

Yep, sounds good to me

Minnesota gets our 2013 7th round pick because Christensen left for the KHL.