I agree with this wholeheartedly. The point of the off-season though is to upgrade as many positions as possible.

2nd Line Center
LHD defenseman to pair with Trouba
any upgrade that pushes Staal out of lineup
4th Line Center

If Gorton can positively address those spots, then we can rock n roll come December!
- TommyGTrain

2nd line center: As much as we want Cirelli, Im sure TBL will do what they can to keep him. RNH I dont see as the answer either, more than Strome. His numbers dont justify the hype. He will also demand a raise in a couple years which will end up costing us more than Strome.

LHD: Are we willing to move D’Angelo? Whos available? Hampus? Brodin? Dunn?

4th line C: I think were stuck with Howden unless Barron impresses.

I agree with this wholeheartedly. The point of the off-season though is to upgrade as many positions as possible.

2nd Line Center
LHD defenseman to pair with Trouba
any upgrade that pushes Staal out of lineup
4th Line Center

If Gorton can positively address those spots, then we can rock n roll come December!
- TommyGTrain

Why upgrade LHD? Miller Lindgren Hajek, unless you believe one of those 3 wont work out. I say let’s see what we have in Hajek and Miller, we still have another year of Staal to break the kids in, no need to get a LHD in my opinion.

Why upgrade LHD? Miller Lindgren Hajek, unless you believe one of those 3 wont work out. I say let’s see what we have in Hajek and Miller, we still have another year of Staal to break the kids in, no need to get a LHD in my opinion.
- nyrangers9479

Dont forget about Nils. Id say Miller and Nils are 2 years away. We cant have a clear gaping hole on the left side for 2 years.

Dont forget about Nils. Id say Miller and Nils are 2 years away. We cant have a clear gaping hole on the left side for 2 years.
- aecliptic

They loved Miller during the mini-camp before the playoffs started. He doesn’t need to come in here and be a top pairing dman next year. Lindgren followed a similar path. The biggest wild card to me is Hajek, he needs to have a good year next year.

We cant forget that there will be a expansion draft next year and dont too many players we cant protect. I know most of the kids are excluded but we dont want to get exposed when things are looking up

We cant forget that there will be a expansion draft next year and dont too many players we cant protect. I know most of the kids are excluded but we dont want to get exposed when things are looking up
- blkdvl3k

1 reason y if he would take it I would sign Staal to a 1 year deal to expose him. Trouba NTC, protect DeAngelo, Fox Lindgren Hajek Miller exempt. Have to expose someone.

1 reason y if he would take it I would sign Staal to a 1 year deal to expose him. Trouba NTC, protect DeAngelo, Fox Lindgren Hajek Miller exempt. Have to expose someone.
- nyrangers9479

I dont think Staal is gonna go for that. I mentioned it previously and someone said Howden could be the odd man out.

I dont think Staal is gonna go for that. I mentioned it previously and someone said Howden could be the odd man out.
- aecliptic

Dont forget about Nils. Id say Miller and Nils are 2 years away. We cant have a clear gaping hole on the left side for 2 years.
- aecliptic

Graves is a good example of what happens when you trade a dman before he fully develops

I dont think Staal is gonna go for that. I mentioned it previously and someone said Howden could be the odd man out.
- aecliptic

Howden is still young. Why not keep a young player with low salary who looked good in play in round? He has some skill and can play good defensive hockey

Howden is still young. Why not keep a young player with low salary who looked good in play in round? He has some skill and can play good defensive hockey
- rrentz

I like Howden, def some upside there w his age as you said

Graves is a good example of what happens when you trade a dman before he fully develops
- rrentz

Gorton has some blunders on a very good track record. The mcd trade, Lias pick, graves trade, and smith signing

Graves is a good example of what happens when you trade a dman before he fully develops
- rrentz

Im not saying we should trade any of them, however we have to get a plug in there until they get to the NHL.

Staal wont agree to a 1yr deal just to be left unprotected to go to Seattle. I doubt hes THAT helpful to the Rangers.

Gorton has some blunders on a very good track record. The mcd trade, Lias pick, graves trade, and smith signing
- nyrangers2

I wouldnt dump the Lias pick on Gorton, that comes from the scouting dept, I had Graves and Drury also speaking very high of him also, so with Lias he gets a pass. I think the Mcd trade was done hastily, I dont think we got a good return. The Smith signing was a disaster. I didnt get that signing at all.

I wouldnt dump the Lias pick on Gorton, that comes from the scouting dept, I had Graves and Drury also speaking very high of him also, so with Lias he gets a pass. I think the Mcd trade was done hastily, I dont think we got a good return. The Smith signing was a disaster. I didnt get that signing at all.
- Brukie

It sucked to see McD go, and currently sucks to see JT Millers growth. However, Im not sure we would be in the position were in right now had we held onto them.

It sucked to see McD go, and currently sucks to see JT Millers growth. However, Im not sure we would be in the position were in right now had we held onto them.
- aecliptic

Yup,. This rebuild now a culmination of all the trades, signings, and draft picks. Can't hit a HR on all of them. Most are very envious of the position NYR is in right now, and especially when Hank, Staal, and Smith are off the books. Get some bottom 6 players who are meant to play and excel in that role. Gotta stay patient and give guys in organization time to mature. Barron, Kravstov, and Miller along with Lindqvist, etc can be effective NHLs as early as next year

Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask apparently just opted out of the rest of the playoffs. How does he leave his team in the lurch the morning of a playoff game? OMG!

Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask apparently just opted out of the rest of the playoffs. How does he leave his team in the lurch the morning of a playoff game? OMG!
- TommyGTrain

His reasoning seemed to be that it doesn't feel like playoff hockey without fans and more like exhibition. Teammates must be pissed. He's a goalie, so naturally, he's wierd

Yup,. This rebuild now a culmination of all the trades, signings, and draft picks. Can't hit a HR on all of them. Most are very envious of the position NYR is in right now, and especially when Hank, Staal, and Smith are off the books. Get some bottom 6 players who are meant to play and excel in that role. Gotta stay patient and give guys in organization time to mature. Barron, Kravstov, and Miller along with Lindqvist, etc can be effective NHLs as early as next year
- rrentz

Exactly, The Rangers will be in excellent shape once these contracts are off the books and we will have had sometime to see which prospects pan out. If things fall right we can be Cup contenders within 3yrs.

His reasoning seemed to be that it doesn't feel like playoff hockey without fans and more like exhibition. Teammates must be pissed. He's a goalie, so naturally, he's wierd
- rrentz

He just had 4 months with his family. Every NHLer is in the same boat. Fighting to win it under extraordinary circumstances. I think whoever wins the Cup this year has to relish it because of how they had to earn it. What a puss he is.

He just had 4 months with his family. Every NHLer is in the same boat. Fighting to win it under extraordinary circumstances. I think whoever wins the Cup this year has to relish it because of how they had to earn it. What a puss he is.
- Brukie

Agreed, as long as his family is OK. If it's because he misses his family or that this hockey is different without fans, then boohoo, suck it up biatch

Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask apparently just opted out of the rest of the playoffs. How does he leave his team in the lurch the morning of a playoff game? OMG!
- TommyGTrain

Smh. What a weak move. He will never be able to return to Boston.

He just had 4 months with his family. Every NHLer is in the same boat. Fighting to win it under extraordinary circumstances. I think whoever wins the Cup this year has to relish it because of how they had to earn it. What a puss he is.
- Brukie

Its definitely not something you just wake up and decide. Hes probably been thinking about this the whole time. Which begs the question... why even show up to begin with?

Its definitely not something you just wake up and decide. Hes probably been thinking about this the whole time. Which begs the question... why even show up to begin with?
- aecliptic

Yeah, what ever the reason,, it's his right to choose, but to do it in middle of playoffs was wrong. What cha gonna do. He changed his mind, and probably felt obligated to go, but didn't have his heart in it.

Yeah, what ever the reason,, it's his right to choose, but to do it in middle of playoffs was wrong. What cha gonna do. He changed his mind, and probably felt obligated to go, but didn't have his heart in it.
- rrentz

Dont think he ever changed his mind. It was always on his mind. Im sure his wife chirping in his ear everyday sealed the deal. Bruins got Prongered.