Update on 23 off-season questions, AGM hired, Othmann inks ELC, sked times (Othmann)

Othmann

Update on 23 off-season questions, AGM hired, Othmann inks ELC, sked times

By Jan Levine

Aug 15, 2021 • 6:52 pm

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With about half the off-season completed, I thought it would be a good time to look back at the top-25 (which ended up being 23) off-season questions to see what's been covered and what remains to be discussed. In addition, the Rangers on Friday named a GM for Hartford, who from all accounts looks to be an excellent hire. Last, game times for the 2021-22 schedule were released.

Per the below, remaining open to be addressed are questions 3 (which kind of has already started), 7 and 8 (which are linked to what happens with Jack Eichel and also questions three),  10, 13, 16 (for which we know the current answer, though that also is dependent to an extent on Eichel), 18, 21 and 23. 

1) Will David Quinn be back as the coach? David Quinn and most of his staff fired, now what.

2) If Quinn is not back, who should take over as coach? Gerard Gallant? Mike Babcock? John Totorella (who won't return to Columbus and was mentioned by Nick Kypreos below)? Rick Tocchet? Kris Knoblauch? Other?  Rangers hire Gerard Gallant as coach, giving him a four-year deal.

3) With Mika Zibenajed a free agent after next season, would you start contract negotiations now, and if so, what type of deal would you offer in terms of years and dollars?

4) Pavel Buchnevich is an RFA with arb rights after next season, what would you do with him? Re-sign him long term or deal for a second line center? The Rangers weekend that was: the good, the bad and maybe the ugly.

5) New York is in the market for toughness and more physical play, where are you slotting that player in? If in the top-six or top-nine, who is in danger of losing his spot and why? Day 1 of free agency: no big splashes, third-pair D & bottom-six forwards.

6) Is Jack Eichel still your primary target at center or has his neck injury coupled with the reported high ask from Buffalo and his $10 million salary changed your tune? Eichel, Danault, Nemeth, Free agency, Buchnevich, Pre-season schedule.

7) If Eichel is not the target, do you make a proactive move to try and acquire Aleksander Barkov or wait to see if he becomes a free agent after next season? If Gabriel Landeskog is not re-signed by Colorado, are you making him a priority this offseason? 8) Vincent Trocheck is.a free agent after the 2021-22 season, given how his game has rebounded, could he be an option if Eichel and Barkov are not acquired or signed?

9) Have you seen enough of Flip Chytil at center to determine he is not a fit there, even as a 3C, or did his play before the wrist injury and post-COVID after effects provide enough interest to give him one more shot? Chytil inks two-year deal, Reaves acquired for a third, Wilson shaking. Covers the Chytil signing along with his possible line slot this season. I think Chytil opens the year as the 3C with Barclay Goodrow potentially on the wing and Goodrow could take draws as needed to shelter Chytil.

10) Was Kaapo Kakko's sophomore season a disappointment or did the progress he showed - especially late - raised your expectations for next season?

11) Who will be exposed for the Expansion Draft? (TommyGTrain) Eichel, Danault, Nemeth, Free agency, Buchnevich, Pre-season schedule. Blog includes the Rangers protected list and exposed were Blackwell, Gauthier, DeAngelo and Kinkaid. As we all know, Seattle selected Colin Blackwell in the expansion draft

12) What will happen to ADA? Is there any circumstance where he could return? (TommyGTrain - but pretty clear the answer on this one is he won't be back. That was made very evident in the column by Larry Brooks that ADA's time with the Rangers - despite the "regime change" is over.) The Rangers weekend that was: the good, the bad and maybe the ugly. Included in here is ADA buyout and he signed a one-year deal with the Hurricanes.

13) What grade would you give Alexis Lafreniere's rookie campaign? Is he viewed as a top-line left winger for next season? What are his main areas of work this offseason?

14) Which veteran d-man do you want to be acquired or signed this offseason (within reason)? (have seen names such as Alec Martinez and Erik Cernak suggested) If Brendan Smith is brought back, do you still want another d-man added? Eichel, Danault, Nemeth, Free agency, Buchnevich, Pre-season schedule. Patrick Nemeth was signed to a three-year deal and is expected to partner with Nils Lundkvist on the third pair.

15) Depending on who is lost in the expansion draft, are you comfortable with two-thirds of the fourth line coming from Colin Blackwell, Kevin Rooney and Morgan Barron next season? Where do you slot Barron in, third line center? The Rangers weekend that was: the good, the bad and maybe the ugly.

Chytil inks two-year deal, Reaves acquired for a third, Wilson shaking.

Several blogs covered this topic. Above was the expansion draft blog with Blackwell lost. The two blogs here include the bottom-six signings and trade for Ryan Reaves. A possible logjam exists in the bottom six with the Jack Eichel situation still to be resolved. 

16) Do you bring back Alexandar Georgiev as the back up goalie, try and re-sign Keith Kinkaid to be the back up or sign another free agent goalie?

17) Will Nils Lundkvist sign an ELC and come over to North America? (TommyGTrain) Latest on coaching search, Nils signed his ELC, now what?. Lundkvist signed his ELC in early-June, and the addition of Patrick Nemeth gave him his likely partner. The third-pair, right-handed d-man job is likely Lundkvist's for the taking this pre-season.

18) Is a Captain needed, and if so, who should wear the C on his chest? (musicnutz) (Does Ryan Lindgren's three year, $3 mil AAV extension add his name to the mix?)

19) Are you protecting Brett Howden from the expansion draft, and even if he is, does he have a guaranteed spot in the lineup next season? (musicnutz) Fourth annual Hockey Buzz Mock Draft, NAS, pick is in, EDM up, NYR moves. Howden was dealt before the expansion draft to Las Vegas for a fourth-round pick in 2022. If he hadn't been traded, his signing a one-year deal then prior week fairly cemented he would have been exposed to the expansion draft.

20) Presuming Adam Fox, Jacob Trouba, K'Andre Miller, Zak Jones, Ryan Lindgren are your top-five next season, how are you modifying the d-pairs or does it depend on who is #6? Eichel, Danault, Nemeth, Free agency, Buchnevich, Pre-season schedule.

21) Which one or two of the young ones do you look to lock up for a longer-term deal now?

22) If the Rangers stay in their current spot in the lottery, do you trade the pick for immediate help or start to build up the future pipeline? The Rangers weekend that was: the good, the bad and maybe the ugly. Includes the draft where New York stood pat at 15 and drafted Brennan Othmann.

23) What would be a successful season in your eyes? Making the playoffs, advancing, a long run?

President and GM Chris Drury hired Ryan Martin as his assistant GM and head of the team’s AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, Martin, Martin, a Connecticut native, comes to Broadway after 16 years in the Red Wings’ front office, 12 of which he served as assistant general manager, the last several under Steve Yzerman. He has a bit of a Rangers connection already, as Martin pushed hard for Brett Berard to be part of the US World Junior team that just won the gold medal, their first in the event since 2017.

As Mollie Walker reported, joining Detroit in 2005, Martin started off as director of hockey administration before moving up to handle collective bargaining agreement administration and compliance, salary cap management, player contract research and analysis, and salary arbitration preparation. He was also general manager of the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, who, under his leadership, captured two Calder Cup championships (2012 and 2017) over a five-year span. Additionally, Martin is coming off his ninth world junior tournament working in player personnel for the United States. For a good look at what Martin brings to the table, read The Athletic column posted below.

Brennan Ohtmann signs his ELC: Your relative standard ELC. Good for Othmann to get in the fold, and given what we heard about him from team brass after the draft, the organization is very high on him following his selection in the first round.

Rangers schedule with game start times:. Posting in case not seen. I think everyone has Opening Night against the Capitals circled, bolded and in blinking lights. 

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