Jan Levine: Game 59: NYR-PIT, Rangers look for two in a row after beating Buff on Fri
Second-fourth line scored all six of the team's goals versus Sabres

Correction Jan, we traded Spooner for Strome so we can’t buy out Spooner haha. I know you meant Strome though.

Correction Jan, we traded Spooner for Strome so we can’t buy out Spooner haha. I know you meant Strome though.
- nyrangers9479

Thanks, fixed, brain cramp

Nice to see the Rangers score 6 goals on the road without drawing a single power play.

Smith makes the most sense to buy out this summer, both cap hit charge wise and game playing wise combined, of their 3 now bad valued contracts on the back line, among him, Shatty, and Staal. However, it would also be more beneficial in saving $2M extra cap space over the next 4 years, (Smith's buyout length), if Gorton can find a trade partner and be willing if forced, to retain 50% of Smith's final two years combined $8.7M in salary due him. Or, if to complete a trade, ditto with Shatty if necessary in a close to similar money retaining % means, since his 4 years total cap hit charge is slightly over $4M higher than Smith's, & is nearly $6.1M alone for the 2020/21 season.

With teams being able to retain money simultaneously on only 2 contracts maximum, one of the two must be traded by the deadline or during the summer to make room for Lindgren if NHL ready for good. They can't afford to buy out both players this summer & be hit with $16,841,664 in cap hit charges over the next 4 years. It would cost the Rangers alone in just the 2020/21 season for both, a combined $9,229,166 in lost cap space of that $16.8M total, on top of Girardi's new & lower $1,111,111 cap hit charge beginning next year for its final 3 years.

I say keep Strome, with 1 year left I don’t see him hurting our chances of signing someone like Panarin.

I say keep Strome, with 1 year left I don’t see him hurting our chances of signing someone like Panarin.
- nyrangers9479

I agree as to not buying out Strome with this team's issues up front, and especially if Hayes and Zucc are dealt by the deadline, in having no guarantee that either will definitely re-sign here as UFA's this summer. We can see then if Strome, like Hayes in key, can produce sufficiently better when playing for a new contract as an RFA in his case next season.

I say keep Strome, with 1 year left I don’t see him hurting our chances of signing someone like Panarin.
- nyrangers9479

as long as the Rangers schedule an arbitration hearing for at least one player, they'll get a 2nd buyout period in August.

Could be they'll see how much money they spend in July and if they have to do some buyouts to get back under the cap, they will do it then

Wolfpack lost in overtime to Bridgeport last night, I didn't see the game of course, but I definitely saw some "ughhhh, Lias Andersson" tweets going around

#teamnobuyout. Again, patience. We don’t buy out anyone, in a couple seasons we have a treasure trove of cap space when we hope the team turns a corner

Lias Andersson is - 23 with the pack and just over .5 points per game- ugh is right

Wolfpack lost in overtime to Bridgeport last night, I didn't see the game of course, but I definitely saw some "ughhhh, Lias Andersson" tweets going around
- jimbro83

"On the winning play, Chris Bourque fed the puck across to Koivula on left wing in the Wolf Pack zone, and he got past Lias Andersson before moving into the slot and backhanding the puck up under the crossbar behind Hartford goaltender Brandon Halverson (20 saves), on Bridgeport’s only shot on goal of the OT."

Lias Andersson is - 23 with the pack and just over .5 points per game- ugh is right
- Greschnergy#4

He's certainly having a rough time adjusting to NA hockey... I think Zibby and Lias should work together all summer to help acclimate him to the NHL.

Good blog Jan.

Vesey scored on a great one handed assist from Buch when he was battling behind the net.

Buch scored on a great fake shot pass from Hayes.

Good blog Jan.

Vesey scored on a great one handed assist from Buch when he was battling behind the net.

Buch scored on a great fake shot pass from Hayes.
- mdw7413

Watching Buch is just the most maddening thing. If he ever could just be this Buch every night, he’s a minimum top 6 forward.

Watching Buch is just the most maddening thing. If he ever could just be this Buch every night, he’s a minimum top 6 forward.
- 2sticks1puck

Yeah, unfortunately he likes to play 1 out of ever 6-7 games

Good blog Jan.

Vesey scored on a great one handed assist from Buch when he was battling behind the net.

Buch scored on a great fake shot pass from Hayes.
- mdw7413

Thanks, my screw up. Wrote from memory after watching the game and highlights and mixed up the assists etc. Fixed, appreciate the corrections so I get it right in blog.

He's certainly having a rough time adjusting to NA hockey... I think Zibby and Lias should work together all summer to help acclimate him to the NHL.
- disorca

Andersson and Hajek major steps backwards his year, it's definitely worrisome

Andersson and Hajek major steps backwards his year, it's definitely worrisome
- jimbro83

It is concerning. That’s why we need to make these deals at the deadline. We need as many prospects we can get our hands our knowing some will flame out. It just sucks it’s 2 of our most coveted prospects before the season that’s struggling.

St. Louis Blues are now one of the leagues' hottest teams. They may be BUYERS now and have much young talent in their pipeline. Keep an eye on the Blues at the trading deadline.

Only the Rangers can make Craig Desmith look like a vezina winner

Only the Rangers can make Craig Desmith look like a vezina winner
- 2sticks1puck

Georgy is better

Shatty with a nice goal

Shatty with a nice goal
- mdw7413

I had to wait a minute to make sure he didn’t actually score because I’m on the #Directvdelay lol

I had to wait a minute to make sure he didn’t actually score because I’m on the #Directvdelay lol
- 2sticks1puck

2 own goals