In a recent blog, I asked if you would you prefer the Clash Edition, which I used in 2011 and 2012, or the 20+ offseason questions, used the last two years. The general consensus was that choose whichever I preferred. As such, I will stick with the 20+ questions but reserve the right to interject with a Clash Edition style blog.
In the same blog, I laid out five of the 20+ questions. Below, I list the 20+ questions in this blog and in the next one, start to provide the answers. I am listing them now so that if I have missed anyone you think should be included or believe one should be removed, I do so before starting my responses. The rules associated with each blog are simple: stick to the topic of the question and only vary if major news breaks. That way, we make sure to cover that individual question before moving forward.
Without further adieu, here are my top 20+ questions heading into to the offseason:
1. How good can Chris Kreider be and will his "defensive and hockey intelligence limitations" prevent him from reaching true sniper status? 2. Will/should Rick Nash be traded and if so, who would you like to be brought back? 3. Do the Rangers have enough to win the Stanley Cup, even with making the right moves this offseason? 4. Must the Rangers find a physical forward and defenseman in order to take that next step? 5. Would you deal Cam Talbot, knowing there is no true back up goalie that can play 20-25 games behind Henrik Lundqvist in the organization? 6. Should we be concerned with AV's inability to adjust the style of play to counter how Tampa played in Games 5 and 7? 7. For how many years and for what kind of dollars should the Rangers sign Derek Stepan? 8. Did JT Miller's performance in the playoffs, especially after he was moved up to the top-six, convince you that he has locked up a spot in the top-nine next season? Similar question related to Jesper Fast, is he a lock for the third-line? Are either at risk of an offer sheet? 9. How high is Kevin Hayes' ceiling and will he take a major step forward next year, building on his solid rookie campaign? 10. Should the Rangers bring back Martin St. Louis, if he is willing to sign for a low base with mild incentives or has that ship sailed? 11. Is what we have seen from Carl Hagelin all there is and should he be moved at the deadline to create cap room and replenish the system? If he is brought back, what type of years/dollars should he receive? 12. Which was the real Kevin Klein? The one who has the dominant first half of the season or the one who struggled after returning from the broken arm? Even if the former, does his $2.9 mil salary, need to create cap room and acquire picks and presence of Brady Skjei (and possibly Mike Reilly) make him expendable? 13. Did we see enough from Keith Yandle in the playoffs to believe he will be the answer on the power play during the regular season? Or does his high-risk, high-reward, pass-first style pave his way out of town? 14. Must Dan Boyle morph into Anton Stralman for the fans not to wish he had a one-way ticket anywhere else but New York? 15. Is Dan Girardi the most reviled Ranger because of his salary, perception he is the reason why Stralman isn't here and blue collar, anti-Corsi style? 16. Did Tanner Glass show enough in the playoffs to quell the boo-birds and even if so, does he still have a place on this team? 17. Do you look to bring back James Sheppard or let him walk, regardless of price? 18. Can Oscar Lindberg, Ryan Hagerty, Conor Allen, Dylan McIlrath or Skjei earn a spot on next year's squad? 19. Which free agents would you target? 20. Who would you look to trade? One more for good measure, which I have asked the past two years and we likely have covered already. 21. Will GM Glen Sather return next year? Even if he will, should NY indicate Jeff Gorton is the future GM to avoid losing him?
Since there are rumors of this year actually having offer sheets given to RFAs, here are the compensation rules:
AVERAGE ANNUAL VALUE COMPENSATION Less than $1,205,377 Nothing $1,205,377-to-$1,826,328 Third-round pick $1,826,328-to-$3,652,659 Second-round pick $3,652,659-to-$5,478,986 First and third-round picks $5,478,986-to-$7,305,316 First, second and third-round picks $7,305,316-to-$9,131,645 Two firsts, a second and third-round picks $9,131,645 or greater Four first-round picks