Jan Levine: Rangers fans: defend one core player to stay that you really want gone Let’s see who gets brought up

Adam Fox.

If he can be utilized properly, get him off the PK and get him a partner that can protect him, it will give him more time and space to be creative which is what he does best.

Limit his TOI so he doesn’t look exhausted after every shift.

I’d really prefer him gone, but there it is haha

I would say that it should be whichever "core" player makes the least money because everyone has the stink of last season on them and we are in desperate need of cap space. That leads me to K'Andre Miller, who was also awful for large chunk of the season. He's still young and we are thin at LD. But there isn't really a forward in the Top 9 or a D in the Top 4 that I'd feel overly upset about getting rid of after last season (with the exception of Fox, who I am excluding from this exercise).

I would like CK20 to be gone this season. Trade him in a package deal and lets NYR get a younger/hungrier/cheaper player(s), and allow Othmann to maybe get into the top 9 on LW and/or Laf back to LW. Kreider has always underwhelmed on the physical side of the game. He always leaves NYR fans wanting more. Too bad he doesn't have the snarl/physicality to his game, b/c if he did, he would've went down as an all time great Rangers. Now back to reality..He, like many NYR players this year simply sucked. 30 pts is embarrassing.

Why I say keep him. He was hurt and for many reasons, he just wasn't the same player from previous 3 years. He's got 2 more years at 6.5 mill., which is a good price point for the player he was before this past season. Also, he is a leader on the team, and Zibbady Do Dah might break down into tears for entire season if his little buddy Kreids is traded. If he is healthy again for the 25-26 season, and the locker room, forecheck, and defensive play gets back on track, then it isn't the worst ideas in the world to see what he can do .....or is it..lol

Kreider. Want him gone bc easiest to move and big cap relief.

Keep him bc if healthy he can still put up 25 goals and 50 points. Been a great ranger and deserves a better ending here

Adam Fox.

If he can be utilized properly, get him off the PK and get him a partner that can protect him, it will give him more time and space to be creative which is what he does best.

Limit his TOI so he doesn’t look exhausted after every shift.

I’d really prefer him gone, but there it is haha
- nyrangers9479

I agree with this. Fox stays, trade the rest of them. No exceptions

I agree with this. Fox stays, trade the rest of them. No exceptions
- OLDSCHOOL#6

Fox is the youngest and hardest one to replace. Still put up 65 points on a down year. Was the best of the poop I guess you could say. Still positive impacts on the ice

Like a couple others already, my choice is Kreider.
Just as everyone else wearing the Blueshirt this year, his performance was far from satisfactory. But, now we are learning of different injuries that left him at less than 100% for essentially the entire season. We all know that icing an aging team is no recipe for success. But, neither is jettisoning all of your experience to make room for youth. Kreider might not be the vocal type of leader that demands the "C" and the notoriety of addressing the press as the room's spokesman. But, he has stood in front of a mic every time he was asked and spoken from the heart and his passion for being a Ranger always stood out to me. He is on the cusp of having the #20 raised to the rafters and I feel like regardless of this being a business, that has to count for something. Celebrating CK20 and making him a de facto leader of this next generation by moving out some of the other problems and relying on him to lead these kids by example would be the better path. Rather than the same awkward situation that was the end of Lundqvist's career.
I feel like he is up for that challenge.

To me, Chris Kreider needs to stay. And it's a two fold argument.

First: the emotional side.
I can't remember the last time the rangers had a true home grown full career player. Even Hank was jettisoned even though he never played for the caps. With all the turmoil and roster turnover, there needs to be someone who can showcase that it's more than "just business" as this organization has become. CK20 is one goal away from the record of PP goals and his number will likely be in the rafters when he retires. His cap hit is reasonable at 6.5mil for two years. He's been a not so quiet leader and I think his familiarity with Sullivan will be very important for the transition.

Part 2: the eye test
Let's be honest, CK20 had a down year this year, but like a broken record, so did the entire team except for a young stud winger who shall remain nameless. While his 42goal season may never be repeated as he's a few years older, I still see him potting 25 next year at a minimum. What 25 goal scorer is going to come in for less than CK20s current salary. The market is thin and the only way is to trade, which we'll not get back any decent return.

part 3: no where does he slot
So to me, CK is great third liner with special teams. He's never been a great 5on5 producer. It's been all about PP time for him. If you have him as net front on PP1, PK1, and 3rd line minutes, I feel his current salary is well justified and he should have a stat line of 25-40-65. That seems pretty reasonable in today's NHL. Also with JT Miller likely getting the C, having an American core that Sullivan trusts will go a long way.

To me, Chris Kreider needs to stay. And it's a two fold argument.

First: the emotional side.
I can't remember the last time the rangers had a true home grown full career player. Even Hank was jettisoned even though he never played for the caps. With all the turmoil and roster turnover, there needs to be someone who can showcase that it's more than "just business" as this organization has become. CK20 is one goal away from the record of PP goals and his number will likely be in the rafters when he retires. His cap hit is reasonable at 6.5mil for two years. He's been a not so quiet leader and I think his familiarity with Sullivan will be very important for the transition.

Part 2: the eye test
Let's be honest, CK20 had a down year this year, but like a broken record, so did the entire team except for a young stud winger who shall remain nameless. While his 42goal season may never be repeated as he's a few years older, I still see him potting 25 next year at a minimum. What 25 goal scorer is going to come in for less than CK20s current salary. The market is thin and the only way is to trade, which we'll not get back any decent return.

part 3: no where does he slot
So to me, CK is great third liner with special teams. He's never been a great 5on5 producer. It's been all about PP time for him. If you have him as net front on PP1, PK1, and 3rd line minutes, I feel his current salary is well justified and he should have a stat line of 25-40-65. That seems pretty reasonable in today's NHL. Also with JT Miller likely getting the C, having an American core that Sullivan trusts will go a long way.
- MeltingPlastic

This is ultimately why Kreider needs to go. Unless it’s Panarin who goes which is possible I guess

This is ultimately why Kreider needs to go. Unless it’s Panarin who goes which is possible I guess
- Slimtj100

Panarin would get them a great return. If they are out of the PO I can see him being moved at the tdl

Panarin would get them a great return. If they are out of the PO I can see him being moved at the tdl
- nyrangers2

I know we keep saying that, but it’s easier for teams to take on at least half his salary before the season starts. In season that’s a lot for a team to take on. You’re talking almost 6 million bucks.

I know we keep saying that, but it’s easier for teams to take on at least half his salary before the season starts. In season that’s a lot for a team to take on. You’re talking almost 6 million bucks.
- Slimtj100

For sure. I just don't think he waives until the TDL. He holds the cards

I know we keep saying that, but it’s easier for teams to take on at least half his salary before the season starts. In season that’s a lot for a team to take on. You’re talking almost 6 million bucks.
- Slimtj100

Unless I'm remembering completely wrong, no it's not, TJ.
The deadline comes 40 days before the end of the season. So, roughly around the 60 game mark. That means that around 75% of the player's salary has already been paid out. Retaining 50% means they would only pay Panarin about $1.45M for the remainder of the season.
Can anyone confirm whether I'm completely off here?

I know we keep saying that, but it’s easier for teams to take on at least half his salary before the season starts. In season that’s a lot for a team to take on. You’re talking almost 6 million bucks.
- Slimtj100

Not necessarily. Teams accrue cap space as the season goes on (assuming they don't have anyone on LTIR). It may actually be easier for a team to fit him in at the trade deadline when they have accrued the max amount of cap space.

Salary-wise, his contract was almost entirely in bonus money paid July 1st of every year. This July 1st he will get a final signing bonus payment of $7M and then only have a base salary of $1M paid out over the course of the season. So real-dollar-wise he will be exceptionally easy for any team to pay, provided they can fit his cap hit.

Not necessarily. Teams accrue cap space as the season goes on (assuming they don't have anyone on LTIR). It may actually be easier for a team to fit him in at the trade deadline when they have accrued the max amount of cap space.

Salary-wise, his contract was almost entirely in bonus money paid July 1st of every year. This July 1st he will get a final signing bonus payment of $7M and then only have a base salary of $1M paid out over the course of the season. So real-dollar-wise he will be exceptionally easy for any team to pay, provided they can fit his cap hit.
- Gabe Athaus

I’m specifically talking about the cap hit. Even 50% retain on him is about a 10.000 in cap gymnastics for a GM. Thats gonna be extremely hard to do imo. 3rd party possibly would make it easier

Unless I'm remembering completely wrong, no it's not, TJ.
The deadline comes 40 days before the end of the season. So, roughly around the 60 game mark. That means that around 75% of the player's salary has already been paid out. Retaining 50% means they would only pay Panarin about $1.45M for the remainder of the season.
Can anyone confirm whether I'm completely off here?
- Tonybere

im pretty sure the cap hit is the same opening night as it would be TDL day. Money hes actually getting paid isn’t what I mean

So I'm reading the various plus/minus comments on Kreider, and they all omit one thing ---- his absolute lack of leadership last season!

30 point season can be excused because he may have been hurt and in great pain. OK, did he injure his mouth? The talk about he may be an all-time great Ranger, lets raise his number to the rafters? No way! All of the whispers and comments pointing to a dysfunctional locker room --- WHY didn't he command the room and fill in the void?

When the TEAM needed his voice to rise up in the room, he remained quiet. Some have mentioned that he was upset that Drury may have been shopping him for a trade. Rafter worthy Rangers would have spoken up and taken charge!

This may be a hot take, but I'm done with him!

Get rid of Drury.

Why keep him? Coz I’m a Leafs fan 😏

https://x.com/nhlrumourre...&t=uyemCTfXPLjxebCnYBfx6Q

Get rid of Drury
- Turnitaround

🙏

Get rid of Drury.

Why keep him? Coz I’m a Leafs fan 😏
- Turnitaround

He isn’t finishing that new ext.

Kreider and Zac Jones for Simon Benoit is being speculated by ……. me

Have seen Kreider linked to Toronto

Kreider and Zac Jones for Simon Benoit is being speculated by ……. me

Have seen Kreider linked to Toronto
- Slimtj100

Why

Why
- picklerick

Because he’s a bad ass