Jan Levine: Shattenkirk follows heart to Rangers, spurning bigger offers, Pavelec signs Rangers bolster blue line, add backup goalie, now focus shifts to forwards

Thanks for the write up.

I hope they grab some center help over the next few days. I would like to see Grigorenko and Yakupov come in. Jagr would be nice too for the right price.

This is a great blog article Jan, with a lot of time you likely spent in doing so, to post it at a 4:00 am time.
You were right all along in that the overall money meant less & wasn't the issue for Shatty as opposed to his heart and dream to play for his pre draft local favorite Rangers being so, as I had been suspecting for at least the past year as you did. I believe it was former Rangers "NY Daily News" beat writer (now the NY Giants one), Pat Leonard, who first mentioned 2 seasons ago, the possibility that Shatty would be willing to play for less overall term money only for the Rangers. I don't recall if it was done through a written article of his there, or on some local talk or sports recap show (possibly on XM Radio, "SNY TV", Bruce Beck's Sunday midnight, "Miked Up" show, or even an internet podcast).
Those words stuck with me, due to the past 2 seasons Shatty trade rumors as a Blue, and were compounded when he had 2 agreed upon trades (to TAM. & EDM.) not go through, due to not guaranteeing he would sign long term in either city, especially Tampa, in being free of state tax in Florida.
Of course the Rangers would be ridiculed by fans in the hockey world for signing him, & claiming he was overpaid. But Fowler's extension with Anaheim a couple hours prior to Shatty's was for much higher overall, due to his extra 4 years term. When comparing the two's career regular season stats, Shatty has the big edge.
Fowler (Age 25): 494 GmPl, 45-G, 172-A, 217 PTS, +/- Rating of (-39)
Shatty (Age 28): 490 GmPl, 68-G, 230-A, 298 PTS, +/- Rating of (+17)
By those numbers alone, Shatty is the much better value. Now it's time to acquire 1 or 2 Centers (if Andersson doesn't make the opening roster), and some more grit at wing.

There is no doubt that Shattenkirk is the right player and fills an incredible need. The problem is, that even with the discount, this contract will be very difficult to deal with next off-season. The Rangers now have a little more than $7M left and they still need to sign Zibanejad, Fast and Pirri. Perhaps they get $3M if Klein retires, but they will be maxed out again.

Here is the problem, next off-season you get about $9.5M off the books when you let Nash and Grabner walk but you will have to sign Miller, Hayes, Vesey and Skjei. Good luck with that. You will be in another Stepan trade situation.

Well done Jan. I thought there was no way they even talked to Shatty after Smith signing. Absolutely shocked they got him at 4 years and for so little per year. Gorton has done good things last couple seasons. As mentioned, a lot of resigning to do next couple seasons. I really think this signing was made with a Staal departure in mind. Either Gorton is working on a trade, or he's buying him out. I can't see Holden being on roster at end of season either. He's good for now if we get rid of Staal, but his contract makes him attract to teams with a need. Still have some needs but this was a step in the right direction. I like his attitude about getting the other 3 years later. Gives him motivation to play well. I too would've loved Gagne at the price he got. Not too worried about what we do now. Team is already upgraded and we have all season to figure out what else we need. I'm hoping we can still land Kovulchuk for 2 years at a decent price. I don't think there's a huge market for him, whether it's his ask price or the Devils. It would be foolish for them to let him go back to khl and get nothing. Although after losing out on Shattenkirk, I'm sure they're not eager to help us grab more headlines. I'm hoping we take a shot at Yakupov. Probably a bargain as he has a lot to prove. I think he'd be a great fit as a reclamation project.

Has there ever been another player that left so much guaranteed money and term on the table to sign with a team he really loves? Zucc maybe

There is no doubt that Shattenkirk is the right player and fills an incredible need. The problem is, that even with the discount, this contract will be very difficult to deal with next off-season. The Rangers now have a little more than $7M left and they still need to sign Zibanejad, Fast and Pirri. Perhaps they get $3M if Klein retires, but they will be maxed out again.

Here is the problem, next off-season you get about $9.5M off the books when you let Nash and Grabner walk but you will have to sign Miller, Hayes, Vesey and Skjei. Good luck with that. You will be in another Stepan trade situation.
- chaspav

every single summer they have to trade someone, next summer will be no different

every single summer they have to trade someone, next summer will be no different
- jimbro83

I think Nash will be traded by deadline. And we actually have some prospects now that can move up on elc's next year.

I'm glad he picked the Rangers. Enjoy.

Positive side; he'll probably play to his worth for at least three of the four years.

I paid a lot of attention to Gagner last year and he reaaaaaallllllly tailed off after December

I didn't have any interest really

We need a number one center. Zib is not the answer. Miller likely trade peice replace with Yak.
I'd like to go after Malkin. Maybe Pitt would take Miller, Day, 2nd.
Malkin is unlikely, so on a realistic note we may be able to score Johnson from TPA for Miller

We need a number one center. Zib is not the answer. Miller likely trade peice replace with Yak.
I'd like to go after Malkin. Maybe Pitt would take Miller, Day, 2nd.
Malkin is unlikely, so on a realistic note we may be able to score Johnson from TPA for Miller
- alwaysjoeking

yes, Malkin is not realistic

I like Tyler Johnson. I wish we could mold JT Miller's regular seasons with Tyler Johnson's playoffs, be a hell of a player.

I think Tampa will get a new contract done with him, that's one of the reasons they traded Drouin was to have room to sign Johnson

yes, Malkin is not realistic

I like Tyler Johnson. I wish we could mold JT Miller's regular seasons with Tyler Johnson's playoffs, be a hell of a player.

I think Tampa will get a new contract done with him, that's one of the reasons they traded Drouin was to have room to sign Johnson
- jimbro83

Just throwing a name out there but how about Ricard Rakell. The Ducks have some center depth. He's tied up for years at a reasonable rate. Probably would center around a guy like a Miller.

every single summer they have to trade someone, next summer will be no different
- jimbro83

staal, if not before this season starts will almost certainly be moved/bought out before next year anyway.

that's even more money

staal, if not before this season starts will almost certainly be moved/bought out before next year anyway.

that's even more money
- NYRangers1124

Girardi's cap hit next summer jumps up a million to 3.6, it's a little irritating

no doubt in my mind they'll buy out Staal next summer if something doesn't present itself first, he'll be a 2 million cap hit next year with a buyout

basically Staal and Girardi's combined buyout cap hit for the 2018-19 season would be Staal's cap hit now of 5.7 mil

5.7 mil is a lot of dead money yo

Just throwing a name out there but how about Ricard Rakell. The Ducks have some center depth. He's tied up for years at a reasonable rate. Probably would center around a guy like a Miller.
- Pete V

is he being speculated for a trade? I feel like he's the one guy not overpaid in Anaheim

Pretty good D but where is the offense coming from? Any forward prospects coming?

This is a great blog article Jan, with a lot of time you likely spent in doing so, to post it at a 4:00 am time.
You were right all along in that the overall money meant less & wasn't the issue for Shatty as opposed to his heart and dream to play for his pre draft local favorite Rangers being so, as I had been suspecting for at least the past year as you did. I believe it was former Rangers "NY Daily News" beat writer (now the NY Giants one), Pat Leonard, who first mentioned 2 seasons ago, the possibility that Shatty would be willing to play for less overall term money only for the Rangers. I don't recall if it was done through a written article of his there, or on some local talk or sports recap show (possibly on XM Radio, "SNY TV", Bruce Beck's Sunday midnight, "Miked Up" show, or even an internet podcast).
Those words stuck with me, due to the past 2 seasons Shatty trade rumors as a Blue, and were compounded when he had 2 agreed upon trades (to TAM. & EDM.) not go through, due to not guaranteeing he would sign long term in either city, especially Tampa, in being free of state tax in Florida.
Of course the Rangers would be ridiculed by fans in the hockey world for signing him, & claiming he was overpaid. But Fowler's extension with Anaheim a couple hours prior to Shatty's was for much higher overall, due to his extra 4 years term. When comparing the two's career regular season stats, Shatty has the big edge.
Fowler (Age 25): 494 GmPl, 45-G, 172-A, 217 PTS, +/- Rating of (-39)
Shatty (Age 28): 490 GmPl, 68-G, 230-A, 298 PTS, +/- Rating of (+17)
By those numbers alone, Shatty is the much better value. Now it's time to acquire 1 or 2 Centers (if Andersson doesn't make the opening roster), and some more grit at wing.
- RangerSaver

Any rumors on what NJ was offering? Still a premium price being paid.

Pretty good D but where is the offense coming from? Any forward prospects coming?
- Just5

Rangers didn't sign Shattenkirk for their own zone

Shatty had 56 points last year and Stepan had 55

Any rumors on what NJ was offering? Still a premium price being paid.
- Just5

rumors are 7 years 49 mil

Girardi's cap hit next summer jumps up a million to 3.6, it's a little irritating

no doubt in my mind they'll buy out Staal next summer if something doesn't present itself first, he'll be a 2 million cap hit next year with a buyout

basically Staal and Girardi's combined buyout cap hit for the 2018-19 season would be Staal's cap hit now of 5.7 mil

5.7 mil is a lot of dead money yo
- jimbro83

If you're going to combine G and Staal cap hit, then you have to combine the savings as well. Buying out Staal would save cap space for 1st 4 years. The length of Shatty and Smith contracts. Also what Lundquist has left. Staal cap hit is huge now, buying out would allow younger guys to play. On elc's! Do we really want to see Staal/Holden in playoffs again? Let DeAngelo play with Holden. Bring Bereglazov along slowly

If you're going to combine G and Staal cap hit, then you have to combine the savings as well. Buying out Staal would save cap space for 1st 4 years. The length of Shatty and Smith contracts. Also what Lundquist has left. Staal cap hit is huge now, buying out would allow younger guys to play. On elc's!
- junaka3

oh yeah, that's definitely true

they have got to buy out Staal if they can't figure out a way to trade him. He does go to the 15 team NTC next July 1st from his current NMC if that helps them at all.

this is fantastic

https://twitter.com/misca...status/881347471548571648

oh yeah, that's definitely true

they have got to buy out Staal if they can't figure out a way to trade him. He does go to the 15 team NTC next July 1st from his current NMC if that helps them at all.
- jimbro83

As you pointed out.. a lot of raises to hand out next season. He's gotta go!!

this is fantastic

https://twitter.com/misca...status/881347471548571648
- jimbro83

I'm really quite fond of that guy. To still be a good player at 71 years old is an awesome achievement.