The Rangers defeated the Hurricanes 3-0 on Tuesday to improve to 11-2-2. Once again, New York didn't play great throughout, but Henrik Lundqvist was the difference. During the game, news broke that Patrick Marleau is interested in being traded and named Anaheim, LA and the Rangers as the three teams to where he would accept a deal. Following the reporting of that bit of information, the game became secondary.
I wrote this in the blog comments yesterday, but here is my take on it:
- no way San Jose deals him to Ana or LA, as they are divisional rivals and I can't see the Sharks taking the risk he leads either team to a Cup, which reduces the ask - the two years left on the contract - this year and next year - at the $6.67 million also lowers what they can expect in a return - the Rangers are up against the cap, so any deal as you guys have mentioned has to include $ going back - NY still has to re-sign Hayes, Kreider and Miller next year, so Marleau's salary is a major precluding factor unless SJ eats some of the cap room - SJ is not going to take on long term $ as well, meaning that any trade would only include players on short term deals or young players making small salaries - So, if the Rangers really wants Marleau, and let me be clear, I like Marleau, always have but his age and salary to me make him much less attractive then others, I don't see NY giving up much. Offer Boyle, whose contract expires and is $4.5 mil, Glass, who has this and next year left at $1.45 mil, Skapski, who can be moved with Halverson and Sheshtyokrin here, a second round in '17, Keegan Iverson and Brad Morrison. Up the prospect if SJ eats some of next year's salary. Overpaying makes little sense due to the cap hit. - In short, the likelihood of a deal is remote, even though the Rangers scouted the Sharks last two games.
On the ice, it was the Lundqvist show. The penalty kill was stellar again, Emerson Etem was solid for the second straight game, Ryan McDonagh is rounding into form, Rick Nash scored a goal that hit the net and Mats Zuccarello was his usual good self. But it starts and ends with Lundqvist. I admit I am one who thinks his $8.5 million salary is a million dollar overpay. But then you watch what he has done nightly the first month-plus of the season and you thank our lucky stars that he is a Ranger. Because if not, even though Cam Talbot was good last year and Antti Raanta solid so far this year, you have to wonder what would be the Rangers' record?
New York takes a major step up Thursday facing a very good Blues team. Jake Allen comes in on a major role. Kevin Shattenkirk is back in action while Vladimir Tarasenko is a beast up front. Their excellent play has come even with Jaden Schwartz sidelined. For the Rangers, the questions that have to be answered tomorrow are: does Dan Boyle or Dylan McIlrath play? Will Dominic Moore get scratched again? If not, who sits for him? Stay tuned for those answers, but for me, I would play McIlrath but could see Boyle playing because AV may believe he can better move the puck against the Blues. I think Moore does get back in, but for Jarret Stoll or Victor Stalberg and not Etem.