That depends on how you view the Rangers situation.
IMO, signing a player like Nylander and in all likelihood having a top pick this June would mean the bulk of the rebuild is done. With most of the rest of it being helping the new young assets grow and flourish, as well as trying to get Shestyorkin in place. Obviously, a few "if's" there, but...
If you can sign Nylander for 5-6 years and you're on the way back up 1 year from now, that's not too hard to take.
- Tonybere

I think there's a lot more than a few "ifs" in there. That's assuming a lot of things happen and a lot of guys pan out, which simply doesn't happen with any team. Not to mention you'd have to acquire Nylander first, which means you're going to be giving up, at a minimum, two valuable pieces and that's going to chip away at some of that young core of prospects.

And after all that, Nylander is looking for an 8x8 contract, which is a ton of money/term for the Rangers to commit to a winger when they still don't have anyone that projects to be a #1 center anywhere in their system.

I think there's a lot more than a few "ifs" in there. That's assuming a lot of things happen and a lot of guys pan out, which simply doesn't happen with any team. Not to mention you'd have to acquire Nylander first, which means you're going to be giving up, at a minimum, two valuable pieces and that's going to chip away at some of that young core of prospects.

And after all that, Nylander is looking for an 8x8 contract, which is a ton of money/term for the Rangers to commit to a winger when they still don't have anyone that projects to be a #1 center anywhere in their system.
- eichiefs9

Willie has been looking for that 8x8 contract for a while now. He ain't getting it. If he wants a home run contract based on potential, he's going to have to learn to play football. The NHL doesn't do that.

I think there's a lot more than a few "ifs" in there. That's assuming a lot of things happen and a lot of guys pan out, which simply doesn't happen with any team. Not to mention you'd have to acquire Nylander first, which means you're going to be giving up, at a minimum, two valuable pieces and that's going to chip away at some of that young core of prospects.

And after all that, Nylander is looking for an 8x8 contract, which is a ton of money/term for the Rangers to commit to a winger when they still don't have anyone that projects to be a #1 center anywhere in their system.
- eichiefs9

Not yet. Right Tom?

Willie has been looking for that 8x8 contract for a while now. He ain't getting it. If he wants a home run contract based on potential, he's going to have to learn to play football. The NHL doesn't do that.
- Tonybere

I mean, they did literally exactly that with Draisaitl and that was even the reported comparable contract (#6 on the list) that he was looking for something similar to. Maybe it's not $8.5M AAV right on the nose, Draisaitl did have 9 more goals and 16 more points the year before he signed that deal, but it's probably going to end up being close to it.

Someone will give it to him. It may not be the Leafs, but someone will.

Not yet. Right Tom?
- Tonybere

The problem is that even if the Rangers finish dead last in the NHL, there's a really high chance that they don't end up with the first overall pick and Hughes is really the only center that, so far, is projecting as a bonafide #1.

I mean, they did literally exactly that with Draisaitl and that was even the reported comparable contract (#6 on the list) that he was looking for something similar to. Maybe it's not $8.5M AAV right on the nose, Draisaitl did have 9 more goals and 16 more points the year before he signed that deal, but it's probably going to end up being close to it.

Someone will give it to him. It may not be the Leafs, but someone will.
- eichiefs9

And you don't think that the way Draisaitl has played since signing that contract isn't a deterrent to other GM's to not do the same?

And you don't think that the way Draisaitl has played since signing that contract isn't a deterrent to other GM's to not do the same?
- Tonybere

He had 70pts last season, which he reached playing four fewer games than his 77pt season the year before he signed his deal. He's recorded 6pts through 6 games so far this year.

I can't imagine a scenario where that would be the thing that scares another GM away from handing out a somewhat-comparable deal to a somewhat-comparable player.

I think there's a lot more than a few "ifs" in there. That's assuming a lot of things happen and a lot of guys pan out, which simply doesn't happen with any team. Not to mention you'd have to acquire Nylander first, which means you're going to be giving up, at a minimum, two valuable pieces and that's going to chip away at some of that young core of prospects.

And after all that, Nylander is looking for an 8x8 contract, which is a ton of money/term for the Rangers to commit to a winger when they still don't have anyone that projects to be a #1 center anywhere in their system.
- eichiefs9

Totally get what you're saying, and not saying that my outline will absolutely come to fruition. But, I'm a positive person who always cheers for my team to do the best they can. So, when I see more good, young prospects in the system than virtually ever before and many with the potential to be better than average players, I choose to believe in them. Might make for a rude awakening down the road, but I choose to be hopeful.

He had 70pts last season, which he reached playing four fewer games than his 77pt season the year before he signed his deal. He's recorded 6pts through 6 games so far.

I can't imagine a scenario where that would be the thing that scares another GM away from handing out a somewhat-comparable deal to a somewhat-comparable player.
- eichiefs9

Hmmm. Didn't realize his totals were at that level (not an avid stat-watcher). I just keep hearing everyone say that only McJesus is scoring and They need Drai to produce on his own line.

Totally get what you're saying, and not saying that my outline will absolutely come to fruition. But, I'm a positive person who always cheers for my team to do the best they can. So, when I see more good, young prospects in the system than virtually ever before and many with the potential to be better than average players, I choose to believe in them. Might make for a rude awakening down the road, but I choose to be hopeful.
- Tonybere

Of course, and please don't take it as me trying to crap on the Rangers. Despite my obvious dislike for a rival, I do my best to be as pragmatic and reasonable when it comes to my own opinions about them.

Nothing wrong with being hopeful at all, either. I just happen to be of the opinion that they are a little further away than you thought they were in your post before. Doesn't make me right or you wrong, I just saw it a little differently.

Hmmm. Didn't realize his totals were at that level (not an avid stat-watcher). I just keep hearing everyone say that only McJesus is scoring and They need Drai to produce on his own line.
- Tonybere

Well compared to McDavid he is certainly having a lackluster career, that's for sure.

Of course, and please don't take it as me trying to crap on the Rangers. Despite my obvious dislike for a rival, I do my best to be as pragmatic and reasonable when it comes to my own opinions about them.

Nothing wrong with being hopeful at all, either. I just happen to be of the opinion that they are a little further away than you thought they were in your post before. Doesn't make me right or you wrong, I just saw it a little differently.
- eichiefs9

Yup, pretty sure you are always wrong

Yup, pretty sure you are always wrong
- mdw7413

Yeah like that one time I thought that you were born and didn't actually congeal from a puddle of bronzer and used condoms on the beach

The problem is that even if the Rangers finish dead last in the NHL, there's a really high chance that they don't end up with the first overall pick and Hughes is really the only center that, so far, is projecting as a bonafide #1.
- eichiefs9

This is why Playoffs or bust baby!

This is why Playoffs or bust baby!
- TPC

You guys are possibly the most divided fanbase on Hockeybuzz

Yeah like that one time I thought that you were born and didn't actually congeal from a puddle of bronzer and used condoms on the beach
- eichiefs9

Yeah like that one time I thought that you were born and didn't actually congeal from a puddle of bronzer and used condoms on the beach
- eichiefs9

If you knew my family, you would realize this would actually be an upgrade.

You guys are possibly the most divided fanbase on Hockeybuzz
- eichiefs9

IDK Tom blowing up on draft day is quite enjoyable in some ways

I wouldn't hate that...
- tomburton99

2 young skilled forwards that could probably benefit from a change of scenery.

The problem is that even if the Rangers finish dead last in the NHL, there's a really high chance that they don't end up with the first overall pick and Hughes is really the only center that, so far, is projecting as a bonafide #1.
- eichiefs9

True but as all of us are fans of complete poop shows Kakko and Dach would be nice gets too.

True but as all of us are fans of complete poop shows Kakko and Dach would be nice gets too.
- Feds91Stammer

we are the hottest poop show ticket in town

If you knew my family, you would realize this would actually be an upgrade.
- mdw7413

True but as all of us are fans of complete poop shows Kakko and Dach would be nice gets too.
- Feds91Stammer

Yeah I'm not saying they're bad players, just that #1 center is a far bigger need for nearly every team.

The problem is that even if the Rangers finish dead last in the NHL, there's a really high chance that they don't end up with the first overall pick and Hughes is really the only center that, so far, is projecting as a bonafide #1.
- eichiefs9

What are the odds that the worst team in the league wins the lottery? It's around 20%, right?

What are the odds that the worst team in the league wins the lottery? It's around 20%, right?
- Pete V

As of this past draft the odds were 18.5% that the worst team gets awarded #1 overall

https://www.usatoday.com/...-rasmus-dahlin/468317002/