I think it will be Hajek (and CAR 1st) will probably be what the Rangers star their offers with.

Brodin and Dunn would be idea, however if Pietrangelo leaves STL, its unlikely they deal Dunn.

Hampus Lindholm is another Id like to see them target.
- aecliptic

They would be great additions, to be sure. But, do we really need to, or think they will, bring in a big contract when we would be 1 or 2 years at the most from another log jam?
If they make any move, I'd say it's for a pending RFA/UFA. But, our cap situation prohibits that.
I'd personally like to see them stand pat for one more year. Assess internal talent and clear the books of a bunch of contracts.

Well they have Staal, Smith, Lindgren next year, with Miller hopefully getting in there too. Not sure why they would do that unless someone is gone
- mdw7413

I cant imagine Miller getting the call up. He needs to play and like it or not, whatever moves they make... its unlikely Staal is a healthy scratch. To call up Miller just to sit, would be a total waste.

I cant imagine Miller getting the call up. He needs to play and like it or not, whatever moves they make... its unlikely Staal is a healthy scratch. To call up Miller just to sit, would be a total waste.
- aecliptic

It wouldn't be to sit, it would be for him to split time with Staal. And like it or not Miller could learn a ton about playing defense from Staal

I cant imagine Miller getting the call up. He needs to play and like it or not, whatever moves they make... its unlikely Staal is a healthy scratch. To call up Miller just to sit, would be a total waste.
- aecliptic

I don't think it's a stretch that Miller gets in there. Maybe not on opening night, but a couple months into the season. I think Hajek has potential, I just don't see it a given that he holds a spot in the lineup.

They would be great additions, to be sure. But, do we really need to, or think they will, bring in a big contract when we would be 1 or 2 years at the most from another log jam?
If they make any move, I'd say it's for a pending RFA/UFA. But, our cap situation prohibits that.
I'd personally like to see them stand pat for one more year. Assess internal talent and clear the books of a bunch of contracts.
- Tonybere

It really depends on what their plan is as far as competing for the cup. Im gonna assume theyre going to try to make a set forward next year.

As far as we know, the only thing we know for sure is Lindgren is the only solid known entity for the LHD. We have a lot of hope for players in the system, but we dont have any sure things. Im not sure we will have another shot at this many top notch top, young, top 2/4 pairing LHD. if in 3 years our defense shapes out...

Brodin (i.e.), Trouba
Lindgren, Fox
Miller, Lindkvist/ADA

Id argue thats one of the best defenses in the league, topped off by Panarin, LAF, Zib and whatever other moves they make (assuming) for a 2C.

It wouldn't be to sit, it would be for him to split time with Staal. And like it or not Miller could learn a ton about playing defense from Staal
- mdw7413

I never said anything about Staal not being a good mentor and teacher.

We will see Miller in the preseason. Its possible he plays a few nights in the first couple of weeks into the season, then I see him going to the AHL, and then coming back after the deadline assuming the Wolfpac isnt in the playoffs.

I cant imagine Miller getting the call up. He needs to play and like it or not, whatever moves they make... its unlikely Staal is a healthy scratch. To call up Miller just to sit, would be a total waste.
- aecliptic

Or he just makes the team out of camp and plays all 82 games...also that option

It really depends on what their plan is as far as competing for the cup. Im gonna assume theyre going to try to make a set forward next year.

As far as we know, the only thing we know for sure is Lindgren is the only solid known entity for the LHD. We have a lot of hope for players in the system, but we dont have any sure things. Im not sure we will have another shot at this many top notch top, young, top 2/4 pairing LHD. if in 3 years our defense shapes out...

Brodin (i.e.), Trouba
Lindgren, Fox
Miller, Lindkvist/ADA

Id argue thats one of the best defenses in the league, topped off by Panarin, LAF, Zib and whatever other moves they make (assuming) for a 2C.
- aecliptic

Reasonable thinking.
I am of the opinion that while we certainly do not know any of our D prospects are "sure things," I feel we can trust that they will be NHL caliber. How high up the depth chart is what we will see as they get here.

Tanner's comment section locked down after 24 whole posts!
Between that and EK's main thread this place is a powder keg today!

I never said anything about Staal not being a good mentor and teacher.

We will see Miller in the preseason. Its possible he plays a few nights in the first couple of weeks into the season, then I see him going to the AHL, and then coming back after the deadline assuming the Wolfpac isnt in the playoffs.
- aecliptic

I never said you did. Just a point I'm making about Staal and he could help Millers game in the last year of his contract.

I highly doubt they are going to throw Miller in to a spot full time whenever they bring him up. There is going to be a learning curve. Most young D-men don't take over a spot like Fox did. If coaching decides he is ready I could see him being the perfect 7th d man.

Off Topic Sorry

Anyone else locked out of replying to Tanners Blog?? I know Rentz and Jim responded but I cant. I took great exception to it.

Off Topic Sorry

Anyone else locked out of replying to Tanners Blog?? I know Rentz and Jim responded but I cant. I took great exception to it.
- Brukie

Why bother? Stay away from that cesspool.

Or he just makes the team out of camp and plays all 82 games...also that option
- TPC

I never said you did. Just a point I'm making about Staal and he could help Millers game in the last year of his contract.

I highly doubt they are going to throw Miller in to a spot full time whenever they bring him up. There is going to be a learning curve. Most young D-men don't take over a spot like Fox did. If coaching decides he is ready I could see him being the perfect 7th d man.
- mdw7413

I think we all know how slow the learning curve is for defensemen and rarely do guys ever step in and feel comfortable at an NHL level right out the gate. I just feel like if he is going to be as good as we hope, we dont rush him because the speed of the NHL could be very demoralizing to a young defensemen, especially in NYC.

Preseason, cool... start of the sesason for 5-10 games mentored by Staal, down for it... but I think he should take what he learns from that and hone his craft in the AHL. A place where mistakes can be learned from and not completely scrutinized by NY media. Then come back after the dealline when rosters expand and show us what kind of bad-asche he is.

I think we all know how slow the learning curve is for defensemen and rarely do guys ever step in and feel comfortable at an NHL level right out the gate. I just feel like if he is going to be as good as we hope, we dont rush him because the speed of the NHL could be very demoralizing to a young defensemen, especially in NYC.

Preseason, cool... start of the sesason for 5-10 games mentored by Staal, down for it... but I think he should take what he learns from that and hone his craft in the AHL. A place where mistakes can be learned from and not completely scrutinized by NY media. Then come back after the dealline when rosters expand and show us what kind of bad-asche he is.
- aecliptic

Yeah, I don't have an issue with him playing games with the pack. I also don't think being a 7th defenseman would be rushing him. He can watch and learn in games he isn't playing. Ultimately it will be whatever the coaches decide and I'm fine with it.

Reasonable thinking.
I am of the opinion that while we certainly do not know any of our D prospects are "sure things," I feel we can trust that they will be NHL caliber. How high up the depth chart is what we will see as they get here.
- Tonybere

It's also worth standing pat a year for financial purposes. With all the cap coming off the books next year, they can be choice with the next step of the roster construction. Wouldn't want them to blow their load too early.

I think we all know how slow the learning curve is for defensemen and rarely do guys ever step in and feel comfortable at an NHL level right out the gate. I just feel like if he is going to be as good as we hope, we dont rush him because the speed of the NHL could be very demoralizing to a young defensemen, especially in NYC.

Preseason, cool... start of the sesason for 5-10 games mentored by Staal, down for it... but I think he should take what he learns from that and hone his craft in the AHL. A place where mistakes can be learned from and not completely scrutinized by NY media. Then come back after the dealline when rosters expand and show us what kind of bad-asche he is.
- aecliptic

All under the assumption that the AHL has a season...

If there isn't an AHL season, I want Miller in the lineup playing games against the best talent in the world. He's faced hardships before and he's blossomed because of them. He's the kind of guy I would be fine pushing those buttons on.

Yeah, i'm still high on Chytil
- mdw7413

Working on that blog right now for posting today....

All under the assumption that the AHL has a season...

If there isn't an AHL season, I want Miller in the lineup playing games against the best talent in the world. He's faced hardships before and he's blossomed because of them. He's the kind of guy I would be fine pushing those buttons on.
- Bean_Dip

Thats the other caveat I didnt mention but thought about... whether AHL even has a season, then he has to play. On the flipside, maybe we can loan him to a European team, maybe to a Swedish team, maybe a team we have one of our own in, assuming he retires. Just keep the kid on the ice!

iif the Rangers keep their 2nd first round pick and pick this guy I'd be annoyed

http://www.mynhldraft.com/NHL-Mock-Draft/
- jimbro83

I know that we already have many LHD, but this kid is different. His game has been described as mean and nasty. We could use another crease-clearing defenseman --- think of him as Lindgren 2.0. I would be good with a pick like this...

It's also worth standing pat a year for financial purposed. With all the cap coming off the books next year, they can be choice with the next step of the roster construction. Wouldn't want them to blow their load too early.
- Bean_Dip

Agreed. And I don't want to overpay for mediocre talent or a marginal improvement over current talent.

This season for me should be more about closing the book on the "talent" vs "potential" questions for a lot of these guys and that includes Quinn.

Also with absolutely no basis to support this I have a feeling that Lafreniere could be the piece that pushes Buchnevich over the top.

All under the assumption that the AHL has a season...

If there isn't an AHL season, I want Miller in the lineup playing games against the best talent in the world. He's faced hardships before and he's blossomed because of them. He's the kind of guy I would be fine pushing those buttons on.
- Bean_Dip

I think the decision with Miller needs to be independent of whether there is an AHL or not. Although you can make the argument that he's still pretty raw after 2 years after NCAA, I still think you have to determine if he's worthy of a roster spot and make your decision on that. If he's one of the best 6 or 7 D on your roster, he needs to be up point blank.

We can't baby these guys forever. I think if you played him 30 minutes a night out of the gate, that's unreasonable. However, I think playing third pairing minutes (say about 15 or so) to me is a much better alternative than playing top line minutes in a league that's traditionally filled with goons and career minor leaguers such as the AHL. Nobody comes in the league as a five year vet, everyone makes rookie mistakes. I'd just rather have him make them here if he's good enough and get burned by them and learn, than if he makes mistakes at the AHL level, but doesn't learn because he's so good his talent overcomes it.

That being said, if he isn't ready, I don't want him playing games here even if the AHL is not playing. I think tons of teams in that case would loan players to Europe, and I'd be on board with sending him there.

Simply put, just put him at the level where he'd naturally be at no matter what.

Thats the other caveat I didnt mention but thought about... whether AHL even has a season, then he has to play. On the flipside, maybe we can loan him to a European team, maybe to a Swedish team, maybe a team we have one of our own in, assuming he retires. Just keep the kid on the ice!
- aecliptic

Totally get your point, but I wonder about sending a kid who grew up playing in North America, and who we want to see in the NHL in the near future, over to play on big ice, in a different style of game.

Why bother? Stay away from that cesspool.
- JRR1285

Had to wade in, (frank)ing Tony.
That blog was exceptionally bad. What an ass.

Had to wade in, (frank)ing Tony.
That blog was exceptionally bad. What an ass.
- Fenrir

If everyone ignored him he would go away.

If everyone ignored him he would go away.
- mdw7413

https://youtu.be/SlKao_Pox5A