The shorthanded Rangers were able to do just enough to eke by the Flames 1-0 Tuesday. While the win is a story, the rapidly approaching trade deadline on March 2 is the story. What's more scary is that there are five days to go until we hit the deadline, and with many names moved, the interesting part will be to try and figure out, then see if any big or suprisingly names are moved.
First, thanks for carrying the blog today, 1150+ comments, insanity. I will briefly cover the game and then move on to the deadline. Without Rick Nash (neck spasms) and Henrik Lundqvist (vascular) each sidelined, the Rangers tightened up defensively. Calgary had minimal chances, and when they did, Cam Talbot stood tall. Derrick Brassard created a turnover and got the puck to Kevin Hayes playing on the top line in place of Nash. Hayes buried it for his fifth goal in eight games, giving him nine points in 10 games, and only marker in the contest. As I said a lot of this year, where would the Rangers be without Hayes? A right wing in college, who moved to center this year, he played left wing Tuesday without looking out of place. In addition, you have to love his humility, as after went asked about taking Nash' spot, he said: "I'm nothing like Rick Nash, but I was lucky enough to get a goal out there and kind of produce."
With the whitewash, Talbot and Henrik Lundqvist became the Rangers’ first goalie tandem with four (or more) shutouts each since Eddie Giacomin and Gilles Villemure in 1970-71. While there still is some handwringing with Talbot in net, he is 7-1-2 in place of Lundqvist. In addition, he has for the most part righted the ship that looked to be taking on water in the Toronto game.
The other story was Oscar Lindberg. While he played just 8:16, he did show that he belonged and did not look out of place. Lindberg, who centered Carl Hagelin and J.T. Miller and was up with Nash out, had two shots, three hits and was 2-for-5 on faceoffs. He was sent down to the minors after the game with the Blueshirts up against the cap, but should have done enough to open a few eyes. It's possible his performance Tuesday in addition to what he has done in the minors could be enough to open the door and give him spot this year. However, given the trade rumors that seems to be unlikely even though it may be the right move. That leads to the trade deadline discussion.
So far, we have seen several names moved. First it was Tyler Myers to Winnipeg. Then Mike Santarelli and Cody Franson to the Predators. Of those three, Santarelli was someone who made sense to NY and his trade thinned the market a bit. But with the deadline getting closer, all the rumors started in full swing.
Tuesday night another target in Sean Bergenheim went to Minnesota. The return of a 2016 third rounder in exchange for Bergy and a 2016 seventh rounder was a steal for the Wild. He gives them a proven playoff performer who won't clog up cap space after this year. Berry was another one who would have fit in the bottom-six in NY.
Wednesday saw several more who could have fit in NY go off the board. First, it was Daniel Winnik to Pittsburgh for in exchange for forward Zach Sill, a 2016 second-round draft pick, and a 2015 fourth-round draft pick a 2016. For all those who were saying to me that Pitt overpaid and why would a third-liner go for a second rounder, that's the market place. The second rounder by the way is in 2016, not this year. this year, it's just a fourth rounder and Sill is nothing to worry about as he is replaceable. It's a great deal for Pitt, since it gives them more toughness, someone who can move up and down the lineup and a penalty killer who makes just $1.2 mil and who Toronto ate half his salary, so explain to me the downside. The Rangers were in it and bowed it. For the life of me, I can't figure out why as he would have been a great fit on the tea,.
Then the Hurricanes thinned the market some more. Jiri Tlusty went to Winnipeg for a third-round draft pick and a conditional 2015 sixth-round draft pick. The Jets were in the market for a winger after Blake Wheeler (knee) hit IR on Wednesday and Mathieu Perreault (lower body) suffered a likely season-ending injury last week. Tlusty can play on the top-six and the cost was overly dramatic. The big one hit next. Andrej Sekera, who was coveted by many, went to LA for a conditional first round pick and Roland McKeown. If LA makes the playoffs this year, the pick is a 2015 one, if not, it's in 2016, which gives you a sense as to the view of the '16 draft. LA would have no first or second round pick this year if they make the playoffs, but when you win two Cups in the past few years, you can afford to be aggressive. The Kings needed help on the blue line with Slava Voynov (suspension) likely out for the season and Alec Martinez (concussion) out since early February and got the best available in Sekera. Once the cost became a first rounder, you knew the Rangers were out.
So now what? The rumors now are centered on Tyler Bozak. Riddle me this Batman, how is NY fitting in a $4.2 million player for this year, 2015 and 2016? Can you afford to play a third line center that much? How would you afford Stepan? What about Zucc or MSL or Hagelin? Doing this allows Hayes to move back to wing and makes a third line of Hags-Bozak-Hayes. Solid, no question, but I doubt Toronto eats a ton of money for the next two seasons after this one and acquiring Bozak sucks up too much cap room with other needs. While Bozak is being mentioned, I would be surprised if it happens.
Antoine Vermette is similar to Bozak, in that he would be the 3C, but his contract expires after the year. However, his price tag is rising daily. Phoenix will move him, but the only he comes to NY is if salary is shed and the team overpays. Zbynek Michalek may be similar in terms of price tag, but he too would fit nicely.
Do not deal Zucc. While he reportedly is being discussed, to me, that would be a huge mistake. He fits perfectly in NY, drives possession and plays bigger than his size. He is someone you try and keep and build around or with and not deal.
Lindberg could fill the third line center one that Bozak would slide into. While he isn't a scorer, he is defensively responsible and can win draws. it's why I think someone who brings some grit and toughness was the right call there. I still think Mark Letestu or Torrey Mitchell are in play. Curtis Glencross might be a target, but he seems reluctant to come to NY and it looks like Washington is the likely destination.
What seems more likely to occur is that Sather trades for no one expects or goes after a d-man. Jeff Petry is new popular name, but his cost just went through the roof with Sekera gone. Patrick Wiercoch is the other name prominently mentioned. But, if the cost in anything like this is John Moore, the Rangers better be damned sure that a change of scenery won't unlock the potential we have seen or that deal will blow up in their face. The latest argument is how Sather and the front office have made stupid signings and by doing so, have hamstrung the team. I am unsure I agree with that diatribe, though that has become the popular thought.