Yes I read the blog, before he got hurt he put up some pretty respectable numbers for a forth liner, 13 points (5-8) in 38 games. Then he got hurt, most likely came back too soon and had the injury nag him the rest of the season. When on the ice he put 86 shots on net which is more shots than Fast took but with 10 less games played. If his shooting percentage would improve a bit his number will go up for sure. His shooting percentage was below average. Just spitballing here. He drew more penalties than took, which is hard to believe but true. Just imagine the bullpoop penalties that were called against him werent called?? Would people be so against him?? At the age of 24 I wouldnt bail on him and to tie him up for 1.5 to 1.75 without a NTC then yes I think the positives out weigh the negatives. There is room for him to improve, which I think he might.
- Brukie

Which are all good points and why they should do a 1 year deal. Not lock him up for 4. He is too much of a risk

Which are all good points and why they should do a 1 year deal. Not lock him up for 4. He is too much of a risk
- mdw7413

He wanted more money and more than a one year deal last year and he is a RFA. He has a bit more leverage this year.

No way I let him walk. The minimum he can receive, as jimbo said, is 10% above his current salary, meaning about $1.05 million. If he comes in around $1.2 million, there is no way he is going anywhere. Plus, if need be, he could be buried in the minors with likely no or very little cap retention. I still think he can be a useful player, third or likely fourth liner.
- airjan23

I'm busy today so this might be a drive by. I'm ok either way. He's a likable player, so I can see giving him a 1 year prove it deal. He's also already 24, so I'm not sure if it's a gigantic deal if he walks considering it's probably unlikely given his age that he could improve that much more. I just don't think he's the type of player you spend that much time worrying about. The only issue would be that LW is sort of a position of need in this org and he would have to be replaced.

I'm busy today so this might be a drive by. I'm ok either way. He's a likable player, so I can see giving him a 1 year prove it deal. He's also already 24, so I'm not sure if it's a gigantic deal if he walks considering it's probably unlikely given his age that he could improve that much more. I just don't think he's the type of player you spend that much time worrying about. The only issue would be that LW is sort of a position of need in this org and he would have to be replaced.
- 2sticks1puck

He wanted more money and more than a one year deal last year and he is a RFA. He has a bit more leverage this year.
- Brukie

ok, then 2 but nothing more

He wanted more money and more than a one year deal last year and he is a RFA. He has a bit more leverage this year.
- Brukie

He can want the world, it doesn't change the fact that he had both negative and positive impacts on the team at times this past season. He doesn't have that much leverage when the team can easily walk away from a ruling they don't like, if it goes that far.
I am not saying he's useless, but he is not a pivotal member of the team and should not be treated as such.
They only reason I would hesitate to say his grit isn't replaceable by the likes of ADA and Smitty is that I wouldn't want to see them in the box rather than on the ice, and that is marginal for Smith.

He can want the world, it doesn't change the fact that he had both negative and positive impacts on the team at times this past season. He doesn't have that much leverage when the team can easily walk away from a ruling they don't like, if it goes that far.
I am not saying he's useless, but he is not a pivotal member of the team and should not be treated as such.
They only reason I would hesitate to say his grit isn't replaceable by the likes of ADA and Smitty is that I wouldn't want to see them in the box rather than on the ice, and that is marginal for Smith.
- Tonybere

Good point with ADA. I think some of it was the shoulder injury, but I'm sure the coaches told him, you are way more important on the ice. He toned it down a bit this season.

Which are all good points and why they should do a 1 year deal. Not lock him up for 4. He is too much of a risk
- mdw7413

I don't think it would even matter. Lemieux's agent would be dumb to have him accept a 4 year deal at around 1.5 million

I don't think it would even matter. Lemieux's agent would be dumb to have him accept a 4 year deal at around 1.5 million
- TPC

Also a good point. If his agent thinks this season was one to cash in on, he should dump him as a client!!

I don't think it would even matter. Lemieux's agent would be dumb to have him accept a 4 year deal at around 1.5 million
- TPC

If he got a 4 yr deal they would probably give him Kreiders A.

Zib C
Staal A
Lemieux A

Also a good point. If his agent thinks this season was one to cash in on, he should dump him as a client!!
- Tonybere

Yea if he is going to qualify at around 1.2 million for next year, the point is to build your value. Not to use the rest of your prime years settling. I think Lemieux is going to go year to year until he hits UFA status

If he got a 4 yr deal they would probably give him Kreiders A.

Zib C
Staal A
Lemieux A
- mdw7413

He can have Kreider's A...I am focused on the C anyway

If he got a 4 yr deal they would probably give him Kreiders A.

Zib C
Staal A
Lemieux A
- mdw7413

I wouldn't even give his father an "A".

He can have Kreider's A...I am focused on the C anyway
- TPC

Zib is the C take it to the bank

I wouldn't even give his father an "A".
- Tonybere

If he was a Ranger we would have loved him.

Zib is the C take it to the bank
- mdw7413

We will see

We will see
- TPC

Think it will be Zib the C and Kreider and Staal as the alternates. Kreider gets the C if Zib is out

Think it will be Zib the C and Kreider and Staal as the alternates. Kreider gets the C if Zib is out
- mdw7413

Zib only has 2 years left on his deal after this, before I would even consider him with the C need to lock him down long term. He is going to command close to 9-10 million per so not sure how easy it will be. Hope his agent isn't an a hole

Also what does Lemieux have to do with Fast being possibly let go?

I would keep Fast over Lemieux, rather just give him the extra money

Zib only has 2 years left on his deal after this, before I would even consider him with the C need to lock him down long term. He is going to command close to 9-10 million per so not sure how easy it will be. Hope his agent isn't an a hole
- TPC

All agents are Aholes Thats their job.

Yeah, I have a feeling Zib is staying no matter what. Rangers still weak at center and Zib (despite what I initially thought) has turned into, not only a #1 center, but one of the leagues top 10 centers.

All agents are Aholes Thats their job.

Yeah, I have a feeling Zib is staying no matter what. Rangers still weak at center and Zib (despite what I initially thought) has turned into, not only a #1 center, but one of the leagues top 10 centers.
- mdw7413

It's why I can't believe Tom isn't around anymore. He could rub it in your face everyday

It's why I can't believe Tom isn't around anymore. He could rub it in your face everyday
- TPC

I know even if he made an alt

He wanted more money and more than a one year deal last year and he is a RFA. He has a bit more leverage this year.
- Brukie

If you wanted to go two years around $1.5 per, expecting $1.2 this season and $1.8 the following, that would be fine. Even $1.75 mil per might be reasonable if truly believe he will take his game to another level. But not beyond that and this might be a mild stretch.

Rangers still doing business:

The New York Rangers announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free agent forward Justin Richards on an entry-level contract. Richards' contract begins at the start of the 2020-21 season.

Richards, 22, skated in 34 games with the University of Minnesota Duluth this season, registering 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points, along with a plus-14 rating and 14 penalty minutes. He was selected as the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's (NCHC) Best Defensive Forward in 2019-20. Richards ranked fifth among all players in the NCAA in faceoff wins this season (434), and he posted a 59.0% faceoff win percentage during the season. He was also tied for first in the NCAA in shorthanded goals in 2019-20 (three). Richards established a career-high in goals this season and was tied for second on the team in goals in 2019-20. Minnesota Duluth posted a 15-3-1 record in games which he notched a point this season, including a 10-2-1 record in games which he registered a goal. Richards recorded 10 points (six goals, four assists) over the final seven games of the season, and he tallied two goals, including the game-winning goal, in his final career collegiate game on Mar. 7 against St. Cloud State. Richards served as one of the team's alternate captains during the 2019-20 season.

Rangers still doing business:

The New York Rangers announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free agent forward Justin Richards on an entry-level contract. Richards' contract begins at the start of the 2020-21 season.

Richards, 22, skated in 34 games with the University of Minnesota Duluth this season, registering 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points, along with a plus-14 rating and 14 penalty minutes. He was selected as the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's (NCHC) Best Defensive Forward in 2019-20. Richards ranked fifth among all players in the NCAA in faceoff wins this season (434), and he posted a 59.0% faceoff win percentage during the season. He was also tied for first in the NCAA in shorthanded goals in 2019-20 (three). Richards established a career-high in goals this season and was tied for second on the team in goals in 2019-20. Minnesota Duluth posted a 15-3-1 record in games which he notched a point this season, including a 10-2-1 record in games which he registered a goal. Richards recorded 10 points (six goals, four assists) over the final seven games of the season, and he tallied two goals, including the game-winning goal, in his final career collegiate game on Mar. 7 against St. Cloud State. Richards served as one of the team's alternate captains during the 2019-20 season.
- jimbro83

Possible defensive center, third, likely fourth liner.